Surname Rizal

• Governor-General Narciso Claveria directed Philippine families to adopt new Spanish surnames from a list, leading Jose's father to take on the surname "Rizal" from the Spanish Alcalde Mayor of Laguna
• "Rizal" was derived from "Ricial," meaning “field where wheat are cut while still green and sprout again”
• The real surname of the Rizal family was "Mercado," which means "Market"
• Jose Rizal's full name: Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
• Jose Rizal's parents: Don Francisco Mercado and Doña Teodora Alonso
• The Rizal home was a rectangular two-storey building made of adobe stones and hardwoods, roofed with red tiles, with a poultry yard of turkeys and chickens behind the house and a backyard full of trees
• The Mercado family belonged to the principalia, a distinguished and wealthy family in Calamba, well-educated and involved in social and religious affairs, welcoming guests irrespective of their color, rank, social position, or economic status
• The Rizals rented land from the Dominican Order to harvest rice, corn, and sugarcane, managed a general goods store, operated a flour-mill and ham press, and raised livestock
• The Rizals were considered "Ilustrados," erudite, learned, or enlightened ones" middle-class individuals educated in Spanish, embracing liberal ideals and European nationalism
• The Rizals were affluent, owning a large stone house near the town church, a carriage, a private library (the largest in Calamba), and sending all Rizal children to colleges in Manila
• The home life of the Rizals was simple, contented, and happy, with strict yet loving parents who raised their children to love God, behave well, and respect others, attending Mass daily and praying together at home
• Rizal and his siblings received spankings if they misbehaved, adhering to the maxim: "Spare the rod and spoil the child," but were also given ample time and freedom to play by their strict parents
• What was the name of Dr. Rizal's friend when he sent his letter about his name "Rizal"?

  Ferdinand Blumentritt
• When was Dr. Jose Rizal born?

  June 19, 1861
• When did Dr. Jose Rizal die?

  December 30, 1896
• How old was Dr. Jose Rizal when he died?

  35 years old
• Where was his hometown?

  Calamba, Laguna
• What were the animals in the poultry yard of the Mercado family?

  Turkeys and Chickens
• What were the trees that were planted in their backyard?

  1. Atis
  2. Balimbing
  3. Chico
  4. Macopa
  5. Papaya
  6. Santol
  7. Tampoy
• Who gave the surname "Rizal" to Jose's father?

  The Spanish alcalde mayor of Laguna, a family friend
• What is the name of Jose's mother?

  Doña Teodora Alonso
• What is the name of Jose's father?

  Don Francisco Mercado
• Rizal's family belongs to the middle class or the influential family called?

  Principalia
• What was the evidence of affluence of Jose Rizal's family?

  • Built a large stone house near the church
  • Owned a carriage
  • Owned a private library, which is also the largest library in Calamba only
  • All the Rizal children were sent to Colleges in Manila
• Why is it that owning a carriage is evidence of their affluence?

  Since carriage was the mode of transportation in their time, owning one symbolizes their status.