RIZAL'S FAMILY, CHILDHOOD AND EARLY EDUCATION

Marvin Cabañero

21 Mar 202120:07

Summary

TLDRThe script delves into the life of Rizal, a figure of mixed heritage, with a Chinese great-grandfather who adopted the Spanish surname 'Mercado' under Spanish colonial decree. Born into a comfortable middle-class family, Rizal received a quality education and displayed remarkable talents. His childhood was filled with stories and religious practices, which influenced his character. Despite the strict discipline of his early schooling, Rizal's intelligence and determination shone through, setting the stage for his significant contributions to Philippine history.

Takeaways

📚 Rizal's great-grandfather, Domingo Lam-ko, was a Chinese merchant who later adopted the Spanish surname 'Mercado' following a decree by Governor General Narciso Claveria.
🏛️ The Spanish system used family names to organize the political system, including tax, population distribution, and government records.
👨‍🦳 Dr. Jose Rizal's father, Francisco Mercado, was an educated man who studied Latin and philosophy and lived a long life, passing away at the age of 80.
👩‍👧 Rizal's siblings included Satorini, who influenced his education, and Paciano, who became a general in the Philippine Revolution.
💍 Olympia, one of Rizal's sisters, married Sylvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator, and later Daniel Faustino Cruz, a prominent figure from Laguna.
🏡 The Rizal family belonged to the middle class, or 'principally a class', and enjoyed a comfortable life with a large stone house and a vast private library.
📚 Rizal's family valued education, and all of the children were educated in Manila, with the family even affording private tutors for Rizal.
👶 Rizal's childhood was filled with stories and religious practices, which were influenced by his mother and the family's ayah.
🔥 The story of the moth and the flame, told to Rizal in his childhood, was seen as a tragic foreshadowing of his own life and fate.
🎓 At the age of eight, Rizal left his family to study in Binan, where he experienced both reward and punishment as teaching methods.
🌊 In December 1870, Rizal received a letter from his sister, signaling the end of his time in Binan, and he gathered stones and made paper fishes as souvenirs.

Q & A

What was the ethnic background of Rizal's family?
-Rizal came from a mixed racial background, with his great-grandfather on his father's side being a Chinese merchant named Domingo Lam-ko, and his lineage also included Mayan and Chinese-Mestiza influences.
Why did Domingo Lam-ko change his surname to Mercado?
-Domingo Lam-ko changed his surname to Mercado in 1849, following the gubernatorial decree of Narciso Claveria that mandated the use of Spanish surnames in the Philippines.
What was the significance of family names under the Spanish system in the Philippines?
-Under the Spanish system, family names played a significant role in organizing the political system of the country, including for purposes of tax collection, population distribution, and government records and correspondence.
What was the profession of Rizal's great-grandfather on his mother's side?
-Rizal's great-grandfather on his mother's side was Dr. Jose, whose family decided to adopt a Spanish surname to prevent conflict with the Spanish authorities.
What is the meaning behind Rizal's family choosing the surname Mercado?
-The surname Mercado was chosen because it means 'market' in Spanish, reflecting the family's merchant background.
When and where was Rizal born?
-Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, between 11 o'clock and 12 o'clock midnight, in Laguna.
Where did Rizal study Latin and philosophy?
-Rizal studied Latin and philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila and from the Dominican friars at San Francisco.
What was the status of Rizal's family in terms of social class?
-Rizal's family belonged to the middle class, or the principalia class, which was a class of creoles in the Philippines.
What kind of house did Rizal's family have, and what did it signify?
-Rizal's family had a large, two-story stone house, which was a symbol of wealth during those times.
How did Rizal's family demonstrate their wealth and status?
-Rizal's family demonstrated their wealth and status through owning a carriage, horses, and a vast private library with over a thousand books, and by being able to afford private tutors for Rizal.
What was the childhood memory of Rizal that had a significant impact on his life?
-One of Rizal's childhood memories that had a significant impact on his life was the story of the moth and the flame, which his ayah told him and which he later saw as a metaphor for his own tragic fate.
What was the educational method used by Rizal's teacher in Binyan?
-The educational method used by Rizal's teacher in Binyan included reward and punishment to maintain discipline among the students.
What event marked the end of Rizal's time in Binyan?
-Rizal's time in Binyan ended on December 17, 1871, when he received a letter from his sister advising him to return home on an Italian steamer.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Rizal's Ancestry and Early Life

The script discusses the mixed heritage of Rizal, tracing his lineage to a Chinese merchant, Domingo Lamko, who later adopted the Spanish surname 'Mercado' in compliance with a decree by Governor General Narciso Claveria. This decree aimed to organize the political system through family names for tax and population monitoring. Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, and the narrative outlines his father's education in Latin and philosophy, hinting at a well-educated background.

05:08

👨‍👧‍👦 Rizal's Siblings and Family Dynamics

This paragraph delves into the siblings of Rizal, highlighting the eldest child, Saturnina, and the second child, Paciano, who became a general in the Philippine Revolution. It also mentions Olympia, who married a telegraph operator, and Josefa, nicknamed 'Pangoy,' who was involved in the revolutionary organization, the Katipunan. The family's status as middle-class 'creoles' provided a comfortable life for Rizal, with a large house, a private library, and the ability to afford private tutors.

10:09

🏡 The Rizal Family's Social Status and Influence

The Rizal family's social status is explored, indicating they were part of the middle class or 'principally a class' in the Philippines. Their wealth is exemplified by their large stone house, extensive library, carriage, and horses. The family's education and the hiring of a nursemaid for Rizal during his childhood are emphasized, illustrating the care and love within the family. Additionally, the paragraph touches on Rizal's childhood memories, including stories told by his ayah and a significant event involving a moth and a lamp, which is said to have parallels in Rizal's life.

15:53

📚 Rizal's Early Education and Discipline

The final paragraph focuses on Rizal's early education, starting at the age of eight when he left his family to study in Binan. The teaching method involved reward and punishment, and teachers were allowed to scold students for discipline. A notable incident involved a fight that earned Rizal respect among his peers. The paragraph concludes with Rizal's departure from Binan after receiving a letter from his sister, marking the end of his time there and his homesickness.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mestiza

Mestiza refers to a person of mixed European, typically Spanish, and indigenous or Asian ancestry, which is common in many Latin American and Southeast Asian countries. In the video's context, it is used to describe the racial and ethnic background of Rizal's ancestors, highlighting the diverse heritage that contributed to his lineage.

💡Surname

A surname is a family name that is passed from one generation to the next. In the video, the significance of surnames under Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines is discussed, particularly the decree by Governor General Narciso Claveria that required Filipinos to adopt Spanish surnames, which affected Rizal's family and their decision to take the surname 'Mercado'.

💡Gubernatorial Decree

A gubernatorial decree is an official order or proclamation made by a governor. The video mentions the decree by Governor General Narciso Claveria that mandated the use of Spanish surnames in the Philippines, which had a significant impact on the organization of the political system and the way the population was monitored and recorded.

💡Inklino

Inklino, or 'Inklinado', refers to a Filipino who studied in Spanish schools and adopted Spanish customs and culture. In the script, it is mentioned that Rizal was an 'inkilino', indicating his education and cultural upbringing under Spanish influence, which is a key aspect of understanding his identity and the social context of his time.

💡Philippines Revolution

The Philippine Revolution refers to the conflict that occurred in the late 19th century when Filipinos fought for independence from Spanish colonial rule. The video mentions Rizal's brother, Paciano, who became a general in the revolution, illustrating the family's involvement and the broader political struggle that was occurring during Rizal's life.

💡Katipunan

The Katipunan was a secret society established in the Philippines that aimed to achieve independence from Spain through armed revolution. The video mentions Josefa Rizal, who was a member of the Katipunan, showing the family's deep involvement in the struggle for independence and the revolutionary activities that were part of the era.

💡Middle Class

The middle class refers to a social and economic group that falls between the working class and the upper class. In the video, Rizal's family is described as belonging to the middle class, which provided them with a comfortable life and the means to afford education and other privileges, setting the stage for Rizal's upbringing and opportunities.

💡Ayah

An ayah is a term used in certain cultures for a nursemaid or a caregiver, particularly for children. In the script, Rizal's parents employed an ayah to look after him due to his health condition, emphasizing the care and attention given to his well-being during his childhood, which is an important aspect of his early life.

💡Aswang

Aswang is a term from Philippine folklore referring to a shape-shifting monster or evil spirit. The video mentions stories about aswang told by Rizal's ayah, which not only reflects the cultural beliefs of the time but also serves as a metaphor for the dangers and challenges that Rizal would later face in his life.

💡Tikbalang

Tikbalang is a creature from Philippine mythology, often described as a creature with the body of a boar and the ability to shape-shift. The mention of tikbalang in the script, along with aswang, illustrates the rich cultural tapestry of Rizal's childhood and the influence of local folklore on his early experiences.

💡Binyan

Binyan is a term that refers to a private school or a place of learning in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. In the video, Rizal's early education at a binyan is discussed, highlighting the educational practices and the strict discipline of the time, which played a role in shaping Rizal's character and intellect.

Highlights

Rizal's ancestry includes a Chinese merchant great-grandfather, Domingo Lamko, who later adopted the Spanish surname Mercado.

Governor General Narciso Claveria's decree required the use of Spanish surnames in the Philippines, impacting native family names and the political system.

The Mercado family chose the name 'Mercado' to reflect their merchant background.

Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, between 11 and 12 o'clock midnight.

Rizal studied Latin and philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila and was part of the Inkilino group.

Rizal's father, Francisco Mercado, died in Manila on January 5, 1898, at the age of 80.

Rizal's family belonged to the middle class or 'principally a class', providing a comfortable life for Rizal.

The Rizal family owned a large two-story stone house, a vast private library, and symbols of wealth such as carriages and horses.

All Rizal family members were educated in Manila, and they could afford to hire private tutors.

Rizal's childhood was filled with stories told by his ayah, a nursemaid, about Filipino folklore creatures.

Rizal's mother played a significant role in his religious upbringing and daily prayers.

The story of the moth and the flame from Rizal's childhood foreshadowed his tragic fate.

Rizal was a man of many talents, as indicated by the various monuments dedicated to him.

At the age of eight, Rizal left his family to study in Binyan, where he experienced both reward and punishment as teaching methods.

Rizal gained respect from his classmates after standing up to a teacher in Binyan.

Rizal's sister, Satorini, advised him to return home, ending his time in Binyan and his homesickness.