Lesson 2: Rizal's Early Life and Education

José Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna. He was the seventh of 11 children in a middle-class family. His parents, Don Francisco Mercado and Doña Teodora Alonso, were educated and taught Rizal the value of learning. From a young age, Rizal showed genius in many fields: he learned to speak Tagalog, Spanish, Latin, and other languages as a child; he was an excellent student in history, science, and the arts; and he loved drawing and sketching his surroundings (even making an eye glass out of coconut when he was only 5!).

Rizal's family was well-connected: his older brother Paciano introduced him to Filipino patriots and political ideas. The close-knit Mercado family also faced challenges: under Spanish rule, they had to pay high taxes and risked being accused by unfair authorities. These experiences in childhood—seeing injustice and also being nurtured by a loving family—helped shape Rizal's sense of responsibility to his country.

Rizal's formal education took place in Manila. At age 11, he passed the entrance exam for the Ateneo Municipal de Manila (run by Jesuits), where he excelled in Latin, philosophy, and literature, graduating with honors. Later, he enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to study medicine. Here he first encountered discrimination: Spanish professors often insulted Filipino students and Catholic friars controlled much of campus life. Rizal even wrote a letter protesting unfair fees to the rector of UST.

His time in the Philippines also introduced him to literature and history. He read books on Enlightenment ideas and the history of Spain and Europe, broadening his worldview. However, he grew frustrated by the colonial system and its limits on Filipinos. By 1882, Rizal left UST disillusioned and decided to continue his studies abroad, believing he could gain a better education and perspective in Europe.