The Childhood Years in Calamba

Grew up in a happy home Ruled by good parents Bubbling with joy Sanctified with God’s blessings Lived in Calamba ( natal town ) spent the happiest period in the lakeshore town

Hacienda owned by the Dominican Order A picturesque town nestling on a verdant

plain covered with rice fields and sugar land South: Mount Makiling East: Laguna de bay Middle of the lake towers: Island of Talim North: Antipolo

Rizal loved Calamba with all his heart and soul

In 1876, he remembered his beloved town. He wrote a poem entitled “Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo” (In memory of my town)

He was 15 years old at that time and was studying at Ateneo de Manila

First memory: happy days in the family garden when he was 3 yrs. Old

He was given the tenderest care by his parents

He had a nurse maid and called her “Aya” His Aya would tell him many stories about

fairiesand other fabulous stories He also remembered the daily Angelus

prayer by nightfall.

Another memory of his infancy: Nocturnal Walk in the town with his Aya especially when there was a moon

Recounting this childhood experience in his student memoirs, Riza wrote:

“ Thus my heart fed on sombre and melancholic thoughts so that even while still a child, I already wandered on wings of fantasy in the high regions of the unknown.”

Of his sisters, Jose loved most the little Concha (Concepcion)

He was a year older that Concha Unfortunately, Concha died of sickness

in 1865 He cried bitterly at losing her First time he shed his tears caused by

love and grief

Grew up a good Catholic At the age of 3, he began to take part in

the family prayers At the age of 5, he was able to read the

bible Called as “Manong Jose” by the

Hermanos and Hermanas Terceras Father Leoncio Lopez, one of the men he

esteemed and respected in Calamba

Used to visit and listen to his stimulating opinions on current events and sound philosophy

June 6, 1868, Jose and his father left Calamba to go on a pilgrimage to Antipolo

First trip of Jose across Laguna de bay After praying in the shrine of the Virgin

of Antipolo, they went to Manila

A story told by Doña Teodora to her favorite son, Jose

“to sacrifice one’s life for it” He justified the noble death of the

moth

At age of 5, he began to make sketches with his pencil, mold in clay and wax objects which attracted his fancy

He painted in oil colors a new banner that delighted the town folks because it was better than the original one

Had the soul of a genuine artist Loved to ride on a spirited pony and take

long walks in the meadow and lakeshore with his dog, Usman

“ All right laugh at me now! Someday when I die, people will make monuments and images on me!”

He possessed a God-given gift for literature

At the age of 8, he wrote his first poem in the native language entitled “Sa aking mga Kababata”

(to my fellow children) Poem reveals Rizal’s earliest nationalist

sentiment

Tagalog comedy Staged in Calamba festival and was

delightfully applauded A gobernadorcillo from Paete

purchased the manuscript for two pesos an brought it to his hometown

Hereditary Influence- Love for freedom, innate desire to travel

and indomitable courage (Malayan ancestors)

- Frugality, patience, love for children (Chinese ancestors)

- Elegance of bearing, sensitivity to insult, gallantry to lades (Spanish ancestors)

- Profound self-respect (Father)

- Religious nature, spirit of self sacrifice and passion for arts and literature (mother)

• Environmental Influence- Scenic beauties of Calamba- Beautiful garden of the Rizal family- Religious atmosphere at his home- Love for freedom and justice (Paciano)- Courteous and kind to women (sisters)- He was inspired to develop his artistic

ability b his Tio Jose Alberto

- He was encouraged to develop his frail body by Tio Manuel

- His Tio Gregorio intensified his voracious reading of good books

- Father Leoncio Lopez fostered his love for scholarship and intellectual honesty

- Sorrows in his family strengthened his character

Aid of Good Providence- God endowed him with versatile gifts of

a genius, the vibrant spirit of a nationalist, and the valiant heart to sacrifice for a noble cause

Leornas, Dianne Marie M., S.N. (CCMC-CN)