Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Rizal as an Atenean

Table of Contents

Brief History of Ateneo Municipal Atenean Educational System Pepes Entry to Ateneo Rizal as an Atenean
First Year Second Year Third Year Fourth Year

Atenean Professors
Jose Bech S.J. Francisco de Paula Sanchez S.J. Jose Vilaclara S.J.

Pepes Book Collections Extra-Curricular Activities Pepes Artistic Works Pepes Poems Assessment of Rizal as an Atenean Ateneo Municipal in Pictures

Brief History of Ateneo Municipal

It was a former Escuela Pia (Charity School), similar to a public school of today. The school was turned over to the Jesuits, who were expelled in 1768 in the Philippines, in 1859 upon their return. The Jesuits renamed it Ateneo Municipal de Manila in 1865.

Atenean Educational System

The Jesuit education promotes physical courses, humanities, and scientific studies. Aside from earning a Bachelor of Arts (high school diploma today), they also offer vocational courses in agriculture, commerce, mechanics, and surveying. The Jesuits trained their students to have rigid discipline and religious instruction.

Pepes Entry to Ateneo

June 10, 1872

He took his entrance examination at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Don Kiko changed his mind sending Pepe to Letran. He opted for Pepe to enter Ateneo Municipal. He was first refused to be admitted by the Jesuits because he was a late enrolee and he is deemed undersized for his age and his physique looks sickly.

Pepes Entry to Ateneo (cont.)

It was Manuel Xeres Burgos, nephew of Padre Jose P. Burgos, who intervened on Pepes behalf thus, he was able to enter Ateneo. He now used the surname Rizal to throw off suspicions against him since the surname Mercado is now under suspicions by the authorities.

The Atenean Classroom

Teachers Platform Romans (internos) Carthaginians (externos)

Emperor
Tribune Decurion Centurion Standard Bearer

Emperor
Tribune Decurion Centurion Standard Bearer

First Year
He knows little Spanish so he was placed at the bottom of the class. He was an externo a boarder outside of Intramuros. He stayed at Caraballo Street at the home of Titay, which is outside of Intramuros. She owed the Mercado family 300 pesos.

First Year (cont.)

He

rapidly progressed in class and was awarded his first prize a religious picture. In order to improve his Spanish, he took private lessons at the Colegio de Santa Isabel for 3 pesos per class.

Second Year
He now resided at 6 Magallanes Street inside Intramuros. It was owned by Doa Pepay, a widow. He excelled more in class in order to redeem himself from his neglect in studies a year ago. Two and a half years after Doa Lolays imprisonment, Pepe, while on summer vacation, was able to predict her release from prison. Three months later, Doa Lolay was acquitted by the Real Audiencia (Supreme Court).

Third Year

only won one award in Latin. He did not make any excellent showing of his academic excellence.
He

Fourth Year
Became

vigorous

in

his

studies. He excelled ahead of his classmates. He won 5 medals. Graduated at Ateneo on March 23, 1877 with his Bachelor of Arts degree.

Jose Bech S.J.

Rizal

described his first teacher, Fr. Jose Bech S.J., as a tall, thin man, with a body slightly bent forward, a harried walk, an ascetic face, sever and inspired, small deep-sunken eyes, a sharp nose that was almost Greek, and thin lips forming an arc whose ends fell toward the chin.

Francisco de Paula Sanchez S.J.

He inspired Pepe to study harder and write poetry during his fourth year. Pepe described him as model of uprightness, earnestness, and lover for the advancement of his pupils. Rizal had fond memories of Fr. Sanchez thus becoming his favourite professor.

Jose Villaclara S.J.

Advised

him not to waste his time with poetry and arts. He advised Pepe to study more practical studies such as philosophy and natural sciences.

Pepes Book Collections

Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, pere

Tells of the misfortunes of Edmond Dantes. He later found the hidden treasures in Monte Cristo and used it against his enemies.

Universal History by Cesar Cantu

A very expensive encyclopedia which helped Pepe so much in his studies.

Travels in the Philippines by Feodor Jagor

Jagors observation of the flaws of Spanish rule in the Philippines His grim prediction of American rule in the Philippines.

Extra-Curricular Activities
Most of his extra-curricular activities are exclusive to Ateneans for their academic, scientific and literary skills. Marian Congregation

A religious society wherein he was an active member and later as a secretary.

He was also a member of the Academy of Spanish Literature and Academy of Natural Sciences.

Pepes Artistic Works

Pepe took time to study painting under Agustin Saez, and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus. One of Pepes early sculpture was an image of the Virgin Mary carved from a Batikuling (Philippine Hardwood) using his pocket knife. Pepe also carved an image of the Sacred Heart. It was made at the request of Father Lleonart. Father Lleonart intended to take it with him to Spain. He forgot to do so and the image was placed inside the Ateneos dormitory.

Self-Sketch of Jose Rizal

Sacred Heart Rizal Collection, Ateneo de Manila

Pepes Poems

These poems were written through the encouragement of Fr. Sanchez. 1874
My first Inspiration
Dedicate to his mother

1875
Felicitation The Departure: Hymn to Magellans Fleet. And He is Spanish: El Cano, the First to Circumnavigate the World The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo

1876

Poems Jose Rizal written this year was on different topics religion, war, childhood memories and education. In Memory of My Town
Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education Through Education the Country Receives Light The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of Lucena and the Imprisonment of Boabdil The Triumphal Entry Monarchs into Granada
This martial poem conjured up the defeat and capture of Boabdil, the last Moorish Sultan of Granada.

A poem in honor of Calamba, the heros birthplace

of

the

Catholic

A description of the victorious entry of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel into Granada

1877
Rizals Final Year in Ateneo, Poems written were the following: The heroism of Columbus
A poem of praise to Columbus, the discover of America.

Columbus and John II

This poem relates how king John II of Portugal lost fame and riches by his failure to finance the projected expedition of Columbus to the New World.

Great Solace in Great Misfortune

A description of the tragic life of Columbus.

A Farewell Dialogue of the Students

The last poem Jose Rizal wrote in Ateneo.

Assessment of Rizal as an Atenean

Rizal was well at home in Ateneo. He was happy and content with his stay at Ateneo. His literary skills developed greatly while studying at Ateneo. He developed great respect for his Atenean professors and the Jesuits for their innovative teaching methods. His academic performance made him a foremost alumni of Ateneo.

Ateneo Municipal in Pictures

Ateneo Municipal de Manila Campus Intramuros, Manila

Ateneo Municipal de Manila Main Portal

St. Joseph Courtyard

Campanas de Herencia Heritage Bells Both bells used to signal the start and end of classes at the Ateneo de Manila campuses in Intramuros and Padre Faura St.

Ateneo Municipal Grand Staircase

Ateneo Municipal Science Laboratory

Ateneo Municipal de Manila Chapel

Ateneo Municipal Library

Ateneo Municipal Music Room

Ateneo Municipal Art Room

Jose Rizal as an Atenean Student

Jose Rizal as an Atenean Student