Jose Rizal Series | Part 2: Alonso Realando Tree

The FILIPINO GENEALOGY Channel

31 Aug 202006:41

Summary

TLDRThis episode of the Filipino Genealogy Channel delves into the maternal lineage of José Rizal, the Philippine national hero. The video traces Rizal's family through Teodora Alonso, his mother, whose lineage includes influential figures such as lawyers, priests, and wealthy Chinese mestizos. Key figures like Don Gregorio Alonso, Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, and José Alberto are discussed, highlighting their significant roles in Rizal's heritage and education. The episode also touches on the adoption of the surname 'Rialonda' and its historical significance. Stay tuned for future episodes that explore other branches of Rizal's family.

Takeaways

📜 The episode focuses on the maternal side of Jose Rizal's family genealogy.
👩‍👧 Teodora Alonso, Jose Rizal’s mother, had a family lineage that was wealthier and more influential than that of her husband, Francisco Mercado.
📖 Austin Craig, a Rizal biographer, noted that the maternal family's history is harder to trace but of significant importance due to the mother's influence on Rizal.
👨‍⚖️ Captain Gregorio Alonso, Teodora's ancestor, was a municipal captain in Manila and a Chinese mestizo.
💼 Don Cipriano Alonso, Gregorio’s son, was also a municipal captain and married into the well-known Florentina family of mestizos in Bulacan.
👨‍👩‍👦 Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, Teodora’s father, was wealthy and had business investments with American shipping firms in Manila.
🏡 Lorenzo Alberto Alonso married Brijida de Quintos, and they had five children, including Teodora Alonso and Jose Alberto, who played a major role in Rizal's political education.
🌍 Jose Alberto, Rizal's maternal uncle, was educated in British India and held political influence in Spain, becoming a knight in prestigious Spanish orders.
👑 There is speculation that the surname 'Rayalonda,' later adopted by the family, may have mistakenly been linked to royal blood.
🎥 The episode concludes with a promise to explore the more prominent descendants of the Rizal family in the next installment.

Q & A

Who is the focus of the genealogy discussed in this episode of the Filipino Genealogy Channel?
-The focus is on the maternal side of José Rizal's family, particularly tracing the lineage of Teodora Alonso, José Rizal's mother.
What did Austin Craig note about tracing Teodora Alonso's family history?
-Austin Craig mentioned that tracing Teodora Alonso's family history is more difficult compared to her husband's family, but it is of more interest because the mother's influence on José Rizal was greater.
Who was Don Gregorio Alonso, and what role did he play in the family history?
-Don Gregorio Alonso, also known as Captain Gregorio Alonso, was an ancestor of Teodora Alonso. He was a mestizo Chinese and served as Gobernadorcillo twice in Santa Cruz, Manila, in 1763 and 1768.
What is known about Don Cipriano Alonso, the son of Don Gregorio Alonso?
-Don Cipriano Alonso, the son of Don Gregorio Alonso, was also a municipal captain of Biñan in 1797. He was married to Maria Florentina, who belonged to the Florentina family, a prominent family of Chinese mestizos from Bulacan.
Who was Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, and what was notable about him?
-Lorenzo Alberto Alonso was the son of Don Cipriano Alonso. He was a municipal captain of Biñan in 1824 and was described as being very Chinese in appearance. He was well-educated as a surveyor, owned engineering books in English and French, and was wealthy, investing in American Manila shipping firms.
What was the significance of the name 'Riolonda' adopted by Lorenzo Alberto Alonso's family?
-The name 'Riolonda' was adopted by Lorenzo Alberto Alonso’s family during the general change of names in 1849-1850. Some claim it was an allusion to royal blood, but Austin Craig suggested it was more likely a clerical error, as other records show the name written as 'Rayalonda' or 'Redonda'.
Who were the children of Lorenzo Alberto Alonso and Brigida de Quintos?
-Lorenzo Alberto Alonso and Brigida de Quintos had five children: Narcissa, Teodora (who married Francisco Rizal Mercado), Gregorio, Manuel, and José.
What role did José Alberto, the maternal uncle of José Rizal, play in Rizal's life?
-José Alberto, José Rizal's maternal uncle, played a significant role in Rizal's political education. He was educated in British India, spent 11 years in a missionary school in Calcutta, and had influential connections with Spain’s regency, including a friendship with General Prim.
What honors were bestowed upon José Alberto for his contributions?
-José Alberto was made a Knight of the Order of Carlos III and later elevated to Knight Commander of the Order of Isabella the Catholic by King Amadeo, following the death of General Prim.
How many children did Teodora Alonso and Francisco Mercado have, and who was their most famous child?
-Teodora Alonso and Francisco Mercado had 11 children, the most famous of whom was José Rizal, the Philippine national hero.

Outlines

00:00

📜 The Maternal Line of José Rizal

The video introduces another episode of the José Rizal genealogy series, this time focusing on the maternal side of his family. The narrator quotes Austin Craig’s biography, noting that Teodora Alonso's family history is more complex yet perhaps more influential than that of Rizal's paternal side. Despite this, the maternal branches were wealthier and filled with influential figures such as lawyers and priests. The discussion begins with Captain Gregorio Alonso, a mestizo Chinese, and traces through generations of influential family members, including Cipriano Alonso and Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, who held prestigious positions and married into well-known families. This lineage set the stage for the prominence of Teodora Alonso, José Rizal's mother.

05:02

🏅 Honors and Achievements of José Alberto

The narrative shifts focus to José Alberto, the maternal uncle of José Rizal, who had a significant impact on the hero's political education. José Alberto studied in British India and became a friend of General Prim, a key figure in Spanish politics. He was honored with various titles, including a Knight of the Order of Carlos III and later elevated to Knight Commander in the Order of Isabella the Catholic. The paragraph also briefly mentions the marriage of Teodora Alonso and Francisco Mercado, parents of José Rizal, concluding this exploration of Rizal's maternal lineage.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal was the Philippine national hero, known for his contributions to the country's independence through writings and reforms. In the video, he is central to the genealogy being discussed, and his family history, particularly on the maternal side, is being traced.

💡Teodora Alonso

Teodora Alonso was the mother of Jose Rizal and came from a prominent and wealthy family. The video explores her lineage, highlighting the influence she had on Rizal's life and how her family's social standing shaped his upbringing.

💡Chinese Mestizo

The term 'Chinese Mestizo' refers to individuals of mixed Chinese and Filipino ancestry. In the video, this term is used to describe Captain Gregorio Alonso, an ancestor of Teodora Alonso, which points to the diverse cultural background of Rizal's family.

💡Lorenzo Alberto Alonso

Lorenzo Alberto Alonso was Teodora Alonso's father and a key figure in Rizal's maternal genealogy. The video notes that he was educated as a surveyor and had significant wealth, influencing both his family and Rizal’s upbringing.

💡Municipal Captain

A 'Municipal Captain' was a local political leader or mayor during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines. Various ancestors in Rizal’s family held this position, indicating their social and political influence in local affairs, particularly in Binan and Santa Cruz.

💡Order of Carlos III

The Order of Carlos III is one of the most prestigious Spanish orders, awarded for outstanding merit. Jose Alberto, Rizal’s maternal uncle, was awarded this honor, showcasing the influence and recognition Rizal's family had in Spain.

💡Surveyor

A surveyor is someone who measures and maps land. Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, Rizal's maternal grandfather, was a surveyor, and his knowledge of engineering and languages like English and French was passed down through the family. This background illustrates the intellectual environment Rizal grew up in.

💡Rialonda/Rayalonda

Rialonda or Rayalonda is a surname that some claim suggests royal lineage, though the video mentions it was likely a clerical error. The video explores the different variations of the surname and its possible connection to Rizal’s family, showing how historical records can be misinterpreted.

💡British India

British India refers to the part of the Indian subcontinent under British rule. Jose Alberto, Rizal’s uncle, was educated in British India, which played a significant role in shaping his political views and influence on Rizal’s early education.

💡Florentina Family

The Florentina Family was a prominent Chinese mestizo family from Bulacan. Maria Florentina, who married into the Alonso family, is mentioned as part of Rizal's maternal genealogy, showcasing the deep-rooted connections between wealthy Chinese mestizo families in colonial Philippines.

Highlights

The video is part of a series on the genealogy of Jose Rizal, focusing on his maternal side.

The history of Teodora Alonso's family is not as easily traced as that of her husband's, according to Austin Craig.

Teodora Alonso's family branches were wealthier and more influential than those of her husband, with many lawyers and priests.

Captain Gregorio Alonso, Teodora's ancestor, was a mestizo Chinese and municipal captain of Binan in 1797.

Gregorio Alonso’s son, Cipriano Alonso, also served as municipal captain of Binan in 1797 and married Maria Florentina, of the famous Florentina family of Chinese mestizos.

Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, born in 1790, was highly educated as a surveyor and became wealthy through investments in American shipping firms.

Lorenzo Alberto Alonso married Brijida de Quintos, and they had five children, including Teodora Alonso, who married Francisco Rizal Mercado.

Teodora Alonso's children used the name 'Alonso' until the name-change edict of 1849-1850 when they adopted the name 'Realonda.'

There is a claim that the surname 'Realonda' alludes to royal blood in the family, although this is likely a mistake in recordkeeping.

Jose Alberto, Teodora's brother, was educated in British India and played a significant role in Rizal's political education.

Jose Alberto had significant influence with the Spanish Regency and was a personal friend of General Prim, a prominent Spanish leader.

Jose Alberto was awarded a knight of the Order of Carlos III and later promoted to knight commander of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.

Teodora Alonso married Francisco Mercado, and they had 11 children, including Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines.

The video concludes the discussion of the maternal side of Jose Rizal’s family, promising to cover the popular descendants of the Rizal family in the next episode.

The next episode is scheduled to be released at 8 a.m. Philippine Standard Time, and viewers are encouraged to stay tuned for more.