Paternal and Maternal Ancestry of Jose Rizal | Jose Rizal Family Tree

Summary

In this informative video, Richard Campogren explores the diverse ancestry of Dr. Jose Rizal, tracing his paternal lineage back to a Chinese immigrant and his maternal roots to a Japanese-Filipino lineage. The video delves into the significant influences of Rizal's ancestors, particularly his father's moral values and his mother's professional background, which contributed to shaping Rizal's character, education, and talents. This ancestry not only provides a rich historical context but also highlights the qualities inherited by Rizal that influenced his life and work.

Takeaways

• 📚 Dr. Jose Rizal's paternal great-grandfather was a Chinese immigrant from Phuket City, China, who arrived in Manila around 1690.
• 💍 The paternal line of Rizal was honored with the surname 'Mercado' in 1731 due to their perseverance and honesty as merchants in Manila.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Francisco Mercado, Rizal's father, had a significant influence on him, instilling values of morality, bravery, and leadership.
• 📘 Francisco Mercado built a library and provided Rizal with educational resources, such as the 'University History' by Cesar Cantos, to enhance his potential.
• 🏫 Rizal's father sent him to study at the University of Santo Tomas after recognizing his intelligence level upon his return from Ateneo.
• 👵 Rizal's maternal ancestry includes a Japanese great-grandfather, a Filipino mother, and a lineage of professionals.
• 🌟 His mother, Teodora Alonso Realonda, was a business-minded, well-read, and religious woman who was Rizal's first teacher.
• 👩‍🏫 Teodora influenced Rizal's excellence and professionalism, teaching him literature, mathematics, and the Spanish language.
• 👨‍👧 Rizal's maternal lineage contributed to his diverse talents, including being a scientist, poet, and writer.
• 🎓 Rizal's education and upbringing, influenced by both paternal and maternal ancestries, laid a strong foundation for his genius in high school and college.
• 🏛 Rizal's paternal and maternal ancestries not only provided a rich heritage but also substantial qualities that shaped his character and contributions.

Q & A

Who was the great-grandfather of Dr. Jose Rizal, and where did he originate?

The great-grandfather of Dr. Jose Rizal was Domingo Lam-co, a full-blooded Chinese immigrant from Fukien, China, who arrived in Manila around 1690.

What significant surname was honored to Domingo Lam-co's family, and why?

The surname 'Mercado' was honored to Domingo Lam-co's family in 1731 due to his perseverance and honesty as a merchant in Manila.

How did Juan Mercado influence the family's status, and what role did he play in the community?

Juan Mercado registered his family as 'Indio' instead of their Chinese ancestry and served as Gobernadorcillo (a local municipal leader) in Binan multiple times, contributing to the family's respected status in the community.

Who was Francisco Mercado's wife, and what is known about her ancestry?

Francisco Mercado's wife was Teodora Alonso Realonda, who was of Japanese-Filipina descent on her mother's side and had Spanish-Filipino ancestry from her father's side.

What was the most significant influence of Dr. Jose Rizal's paternal ancestry on his life?

The most significant influence of Dr. Jose Rizal's paternal ancestry was the qualities of reverence, prestige, and character, particularly instilled by his father, Francisco Mercado, who was a model of morality, bravery, and leadership.

How did Dr. Jose Rizal's father support his education, and what was its impact?

Francisco Mercado supported Dr. Jose Rizal's education by building a library and providing him with valuable books, which enhanced Rizal's intellectual development and influenced his decision to study further at the University of Santo Tomas.

What was the most significant influence of Dr. Jose Rizal's maternal ancestry on his life?

The most significant influence of Dr. Jose Rizal's maternal ancestry was the value of excellence and professionalism, particularly taught by his mother, Teodora Alonso, who was his first teacher and instilled in him a strong foundation in various fields.

How did Teodora Alonso contribute to Dr. Jose Rizal's intellectual development?

Teodora Alonso contributed to Dr. Jose Rizal's intellectual development by teaching him literature, mathematics, and the Spanish language, and encouraging him to pursue multiple fields of knowledge, which led to his later accomplishments as a scientist, poet, and writer.

What were some of the professions or roles held by Dr. Jose Rizal's siblings?

Dr. Jose Rizal's siblings held various professions and roles: Saturnina married Manuel Hidalgo, Paciano became a farmer and later a general in the Philippine revolution, Narcisa married Antonio Lopez, a teacher and musician, and the others took on different paths, including marriage and public service.

How did Dr. Jose Rizal's ancestry influence his qualities and character?

Dr. Jose Rizal's ancestry influenced his qualities and character by providing him with a strong sense of morality, bravery, leadership, excellence, and professionalism, inherited from both his paternal and maternal ancestors.