EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND BIÑAN
Rizal had his early education in Calamba and Biǹan. It was a typical schooling that a son of
illustrado family received during his time, characterized by the four R’s- reading, writing, arithmetic and
religion.
The Hero’s First Teacher
Dona Teodora
The first teacher of Rizal. She is a remarkable woman of good character and fine culture.
At the age of three, Rizal learned the alphabet and prayers.
As a tutor, she was patient, conscientious and understanding.
She was the first who discovered that Rizal has a talent in poetry. She encouraged Rizal to write
poems.
In memorizing the ABC’s and stimulating her son’s imagination, she related many stories.
Maestro Celestino
First private tutor of Rizal that gave him lessons at home.
Maestro Lucas Padua
Second tutor of Rizal.
Leon Monroy
Former classmate of Rizal’s father who became his tutor. This old teacher lived at the Rizal home
and instructed Jose in Spanish and Latin. He did not live long. He died five months later.
After Monroy’s death, the hero’s parents decided to send their gifted son to a private school in
Biǹan.
Jose goes to Biǹan
June 1869 – Rizal left Calamba for Biǹan.
Paciano – accompanied Rizal going to Binan and acted as Rizal’s second father.
Carromata – this is the transportation they used in reaching the destination after one and half
hour’s drive.
They proceed to their aunt’s house, when Rizal was to lodge.
Leandro – cousin of Rizal; went seeing in the town with Rizal.
Instead of enjoying, Jose became depressed because of home sickness
First Day in Biñan School
Maestro Justiniano Cruz – the owner of school where Rizal is going to study.
The school was a small nipa hut about 30 meters from the home of Jose’s aunt.
Paciano introduced Rizal to the teacher, after which he departed to return to Calamba.
Jose was assigned in his seat in the class. And the teacher asked him if he knows Spanish and
Latin. He answered “A little sir.”
Pedro – the son of Maestro Justiniano who laughed at Rizal.
Jose described his teacher in Binan as follows:
He was a tall, thin, long necked,
With a sharp nose and a body slightly bent forwarded
He used to wear a sinamay shirt woven by the skilled hands of women of Batangas.
First School Brawl
In the afternoon if his first day in school, when the teacher was having his siesta, Jose met the bully,
Pedro. He was angry at this bully for making fun of him during his conversation with the teacher in
the morning.
