Ad Majorem Dei GloriamRizal as an Atenean

Table of Contents Brief History of Ateneo Municipal Atenean Educational System Pepe’s 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.

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

Brief History of Ateneo MunicipalIt 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 SystemThe 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.

Pepe’s Entry to AteneoJune 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.

Pepe’s Entry to Ateneo (cont.)It was Manuel Xeres Burgos,

nephew of Padre Jose P. Burgos, who intervened on Pepe’s 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

Teacher’s Platform

Romans(internos)

Carthaginians(externos)

Emperor Emperor

Tribune Tribune

Decurion Decurion

Centurion Centurion

Standard Bearer

Standard Bearer

First YearHe 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 Doña 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 Doña Lolay’s imprisonment, Pepe, while on summer vacation, was able to predict her release from prison.

Three months later, Doña Lolay was acquitted by the Real Audiencia (Supreme Court).

Third Year

He only won one award – in Latin.

He did not make any excellent showing of his academic excellence.

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.

Pepe’s 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◦ Jagor’s observation of the flaws of Spanish

rule in the Philippines◦ His grim prediction of American rule in the

Philippines.

Extra-Curricular ActivitiesMost 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.

Pepe’s Artistic Works Pepe took time to study painting under

Agustin Saez, and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus.

One of Pepe’s 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 Ateneo’s dormitory.

Self-Sketch of Jose Rizal

Sacred HeartRizal Collection, Ateneo de

Manila

Pepe’s PoemsThese poems were written through the

encouragement of Fr. Sanchez.1874

◦ My first Inspiration Dedicate to his mother

1875◦ Felicitation ◦ The Departure: Hymn to Magellan’s

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 A poem in honor of Calamba, the hero’s birthplace

◦ 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

This martial poem conjured up the defeat and capture of Boabdil, the last Moorish Sultan of Granada.

◦ The Triumphal Entry of the Catholic Monarchs into Granada

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

1877◦ Rizal’s 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 AteneanRizal 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 de Manila CampusIntramuros, Manila

Ateneo Municipal in Pictures

Ateneo Municipal de ManilaMain 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 ManilaChapel

Ateneo Municipal Library

Ateneo Municipal Music Room

Ateneo Municipal Art Room

Jose Rizal as an

Atenean Student

Jose Rizal as an

Atenean Student