2. I. The Jesuit Educational System
One of the objectives of the Jesuit system of
education was to develop the child
academically, in such subjects as physical
culture, humanities, and science as found in
the Bachelor of Arts curriculum, in which he
was enrolled.
They offered also other courses such as:
1. agriculture 3. mechanics
2. commerce 4. surveying
3. TWO KINDS OF STRATEGY WERE STUDENT WAS TRAINED
TO HAVE A STRONG CHARACTER
First, through rigid discipline
Second, through religion – by religion was
emphasized through masses every morning
before the beginning of the class and prayers
and after class sessions
4. The Students divided into two camps
The “internos” (boarders) – modern term
“intern” – staying inside the school
The “externos” (non - boarders) – modern term
“extern” staying outside the school
The former – designated as “Roman Empire”
The Later – designated as “Carthaginian Empire”
1.These two were always in competition with
each other in the various activities of the school.
5. Kinds of uniform/ attire of the
Student in Ateneo De Manila
Ateneo students were uniform consisting of
“hemp-fabric trousers” and striped cotton
coat of materials called “rayadillo,” which
later become famous, it being adopted as the
uniform during the first days of the first
Philippine Republic.
6. HIS FOUR YEARS IN ATENEO DE MANILA
1872 – 1873 (He was first year)
1873 – 1874 (Second year)
1874 – 1875 (Third year)
1875 – 1876 (Fourth year)
First year – he adopted the name “Rizal”
1. Changing “Mercado” – the reason being
that the later name was under the suspicious
of the Spanish authorities
7. Mercado – he was using at the college of San
Jose.
Rizal – was the favorite of Father Manuel
Burgos, a professor, at the same time a
nephew of the martyr Father.
The name “Rizal” – was given by a Spanish
alcalde mayor (provential governor) of
Laguna, who was a family friend .
Rizal Blumentritt letter – he revealed that he
was the only Rizal because in their house, his
parents, sisters and brother preferred the old
surname of “Mercado.”
8. FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO
His first day in school – he notice that there
were a great number of boys in the class,
Spaniards, mestizos, and Filipinos.
Father Jose Bech – his first professor, a tall,
then man who had Greek features.
Rizal is belong to the “externo” or “an extern
student” therefore he was designated to the
“Carthaginians.”
At the end of the class – “Rizal became an
emperor.
9. He was dubbed as the brightest in the class and
was awarded a prize, the first he ever won in
Ateneo.
He improved his knowledge and fluency in
Spanish by taking private lessons in Santa Isabel
College during noon recesses for the amount of
three pesos.
He returned home to Calamba during summer,
but did not enjoy his vacation since his mother
was still in jail, although his sisters tried to cheer
him up.Without telling anyone, he visited his
mother in prison, who was very happy of his
stories of his brilliant performance in Ateneo.
10. SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO
In his second year, he regretted not studying
as much as in the first, why? “due to a remark
given by a professor, but he overcome this by
studying hard and was once more dubbed as
the “emperor.”
He had new classmates in the school – 1.
three of whom were from Biňan 2. former
classmates in the school of Maestro
Justiniano.
11. At the end of the school year: 1. he receive
not only excellent grades in all subjects but
also a “gold medal for scholastic honors.
In his Summer vacation – he returned to
Calamba and in his visit to his mother in
prison, he interpreted his mother’s dream and
prophesied that she would soon be released,
which was fulfilled after barely three months.
But Rizal was not able to witness the event
because he was already in Manila assuming
his studies.
12. It was this summer period that Rizal, now a
teenager, began to read romantic novels.
One of His favourites to read is “The Count of
the Monte Cristo” by Alexander Dumas.Why?
Because it gives him a deep impression on
him.
And another reason is that “the sufferings of
Edmond Dantes, the hero who was
imprisoned, related to the political situation
of the times, and likewise found himself
sharing the same feelings and compassion of
the hero.
13. Aside from this Rizal read also historical
works by Cesar Cantu which greatly helped
him in his studies.
He also read “Travels in the Philippines” by
Dr. Feodor Jagor, a German scientist who
visited the Philippines in 1859 to 1860. it was t
the last book interested him because: 1.) it
was an analysis of the Spanish colonization
and its defects and 2.) the prophecy that
Spain would lose the Philippines to the
United States of American in the future.
14. THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO
It was when he was in the Junior year in Ateneo
that his dear mother was released from prison.
However, in spite of the joyous reconciliation,
Rizal was not happy, did not show as much
performance as in the previous year, although his
grades in the academic subjects were excellent
In his third year, he was dissatisfied with the
results of his studies, because he won only one
medal – in Latin. He did not receive the gold
medal for Spanish because he was not as
proficient as the Spaniard who beat him.
He returned to Calamba for the summer session.
15. FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO
In spite of his discontent with himself for not
performing well in his academic subjects as
desired, he had a happy vacation.
He felt refreshed for the coming school year and
encouragement given by his professor Father
Francisco Paula Sanchez, to study harder and to
write poetry.
Who is Father Francisco Paula Sanchez? He was
great educator and teacher, whom Rizal learned
to love, admire and respect and to rate him as
the best professor in school.
16. As a result, he topped in all his subjects and
won five medals for academic excellence.
At the end of the school term. He brought
home the bacon and proudly presented his
medals to his family. He was extremely happy
with the thought that he was able to repay his
father for his sacrifices.
17. LAST YEAR IN ATENEO
After a happy summer vacation, he went back to
Ateneo for his last year.
Rizal finished his course with the highest honors,
having one kind of grade for all his subjects from
the first to fifth year, which was “excellent”
gaining him the fame of being the brightest
Atenean of his time.
He graduated at the age of sixteen with the
degree of Bachelor of Arts on top of his class
which made graduation day a proud day for the
Rizal family.
18. but for Rizal the fulfilment in his academic is
not enough, that time he was likewise serious
in his contemplations of what to come; 1. his
duty to the community, 2. and to the world.
On the eve of his graduation, he prayed very
hard to theVirgin Mary, asking for guidance
and protection as he takes his place in the
world of humanity.
19. CONCLUSION
The development of Rizal as a student in college
was not lopsided towards the academic subjects.
There were also extra- curricular activities to
reckon with. Being an “emperor” of an empire
corresponded to leadership activities outside of
the school. he was an active member, later,
secretary of a religious society, the Marian
Congregation; was a devotee of Our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception, the College Patrones;
and also a member of the Academy of Spanish
Literature, the academy of Natural Sciences, and
other extra-curricular activities, which only those
with academic standing can qualify.
