1 Ch. 4: SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-1877) 4.0.

Ateneo Municipal, an Escuela Pia (charity school) for poor boys in 1817, became Ateneo de Manila in 1859 under the Jesuits, who were splendid educators causing Ateneo de Manila to become excellent school for boys 4.1. Rizal enters the Ateneo: passed CSJL entrance; but Francisco decided to send Rizal to Ateneo; refused admission by Fr. Magin Ferrando, Registrar, coz (1) late registrant, and (2) sickly & undersized for his age but was eventually admitted due to the intercession by Manuel Xerez Burgos; used Rizal as surname coz Mercado had come under suspicion by Spanish authorities 4.2. Jesuit System of Ed: more advanced than other colleges; rigid discipline and religious instruction; promoted physical culture, humanities and scientific studies; Mass before daily class; students in 2 groups: (1) Roman Empire (internos boarders) and Carthaginian Empire (externos non-boarders); best emperor; 2nd best tribune; 3rd decurion; 4th centurion; 5th standard bearer; anybody can become an emperor (3 mistakes); Romans (red) & Carthaginian (blue); uniform of hemp-fabric trousers and striped cotton coat made of rayadillo 4.3. First year in Ateneo (1872-73): heard Mass at college chapel and prayed fervently to God for guidance and success; first professor was Fr. Jose Bech, SJ; became emperor of Carthaginians at the end of the month 4.4. Summer vacation (1873): didnt enjoy it coz mother was in prison 4.5. Second year in Ateneo (1873-74): received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal; returned to Calamba in March 1874 4.6. Prophecy of Mothers Release: TAR told her son of her dream the previous night and he interpreted it that she could be released in two months time; it came true; likened her son to the Biblical Joseph (the dreamer) 4.7. Teenage Interest in Reading: first favorite novel was Alexander Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo (about Edmond Dantes sufferings in prison and revenge; Cesar Cantus Universal History and Jagors Travels in the Philippines (along with his observation of the defects of Spanish colonization and that someday Spain would lose the Philippines and Amercia would come to succeed her as colonizer) 4.8. Third year in Ateneo (1874-75): grades remained excellent but won only 1 medal in Latin 4.9. Fourth year in Ateneo (1875-76): became an interno on June 16, 1875; Inspired by Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, SJ; described Sanchez as model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the advancement of his pupils; won 5 medals 4.10. Last year in Ateneo (1876-77): excelled in all subjects; most brilliant; the pride of the Jesuits; finished in a blaze of glory; highest grades in all subjects philosophy, physics, biology, chemistry, languages, mineralogy, etc.; received B.A. on March 23, 1887 with highest honors; last day, he prayed to the Virgin so that when I should step into that world, which inspired me with so much terror, she would protect me 4.11. Extra-curricular Activities: emperor; member of Marian Congregation, Academy of Span. Lit., Academy of Nat. Sci. 4.12. Sculptural Works in Ateneo: carved an image of the Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling; carved an image of the Sacred Heart for Fr. Lleonart

2 4.13. Anecdotes on Rizal, the Atenean: has resignation to pain and forgiveness (by Felix Ramos in Manzano vs. Lesaca); has predilection to help the helpless at the risk of his own life (by Manuel Xerez Burgos: case of Julio Meliza from Iloilo) 4.14. Poems written in Ateneo: Mi Primera Inspiracion (for Moms birthday) in 1874; In 1875, inspired by Fr. Sanchez, he wrote (1) Felicitacion, (2) El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes, (3) E Es Espaol, El Primero En Dar Vuelta Al Mundo, (4) El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo; in 1876: (1) Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo; (2) Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Educacion; in 1877: El Heroismo de Colon 4.14. To the Child Jesus; To the Virgin Mary 4.15. Dramatic Work: San Eustacio, Martir 4.16. First romance of Rizal: at 16 years old (1) Segunda Katigbak, 14, Lipa, made pencil sketch of her, from time to time she looked at me, and I blushed (but already engaged to marry Manuel Luz)