This part of the chapter highlights the significant events in the young life of Jose Rizal and the influences that molds the nationalism in him
Ateneo Education: Refinement of Rizal’s Skills
June 10, 1872 - Rizal took an examination at San Juan de Letran. He studied at Ateneo from 1872-1877.
At the Ateneo, he discovered the wisdom of books and its influences on his search for knowledge.
Ateneo had taught him the mind would achieve purpose as long as one sought truth in spirit of love and understanding of one’s fellowmen.
Rizal’s formal lesson at the Ateneo refined his artistic sensibility, resulting in further development of his skills in writing and in sculpture.
He stressed that responsible education instills the youth’s noble ideas and sublime virtues Learning infuses truth and discipline and brings peace, glory, and tranquility to the nation.
Por La Educacion Recibe Lustre La Patria (“Through Education the Country Receives Light”) - Rizal expressed the potential benefits that can be derived in educating the citizenry.
Alianza Intima Entire la Religion y la Buena Educacion (“Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Educacion”) - Rizal elucidated the concept that faith and belief in truth and love of God are discovered in dedicated study cultivation of the human mind.
Religion, race and rhetoric “I owe a lot to this Order [The Society of Jesus], almost all that I am taken to be.”
...it was at school that he first gained the conviction that, other things being equal, whites and indios had the same capacity for mental work and made the same progress.
89899999 Jesuits pursue one aim: “Ad majorem Dei gloriam” The ultimate purpose of the Jesuit teacher was to make steadfast lifelong Catholics. On RELIGION
Even when he had gone on to philosophy and the sciences, in the crowning year of the course, Jose could not put aside his literary inclinations. On RHETORIC
Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez - Rizal’s favorite teacher whom he describe as “a model of rectitude, solitude and devotion to his pupils’ progress” On RHETORIC
At the university of santo tomas: A crucial decision
“Don’t send him to Manila any longer, he knows enough; if he gets to know any more, they will cut off his head.”
Rizal took medicine at the University of Santo Tomas because he wanted to treat the failing eyesight of his mother.
Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila - an association for art lovers in Manila Paciano advised him to go to Europe to broaden his perspective and to seek outlets for his talents
Racial Discrimination Inspired a Research Lifetime
Rizal’s greatest resentment during his student days, which motivated research and hard work was the pervading racial discrimination.
He believed that educating the masses was the answer to the worsening misery of his countrymen. The uphill struggle would be long and tedious but he knew that only way to emancipate his people was through education.
The oppressive racial discrimination at the University of Santo Tomas gave Rizal an idea for his one act play, Junto al Pasig .
Rizal spent his younger days thinking of what could be the solution to the continuous oppression of the Filipino people.
So far, what is your most significant realization or cognizance about life while you are here at the University?