Rizal’s Alphabet

An essay that was made by Rizal in the Spanish soil. Amor Patria An essay that was made by Rizal in the Spanish soil. It means “Love of Country”

This is the place where Rizal was executed. B. Bagumbayan This is the place where Rizal was executed.

C. Consuelo Ortiga y Perez Don Pablo’s prettiest daughter who fell in love with Rizal. Rizal wrote a lovely poem for her entitled “A La Señorita C.O. y R.”

This is where Rizal was exiled. D. Dapitan This is where Rizal was exiled. This is also where Rizal practiced medicine, pursued scientific studies, continued his artistic and literary works, etc.

E. El Filibusterismo This is the continuation of the famous novel “ Noli Me Tangere”. This is where Ibarra took revenge.

F. Fencing Rizal used to fence. He Rizal’s mastery of sword was put to the test when he challenged Antonio Luna on a duel.  

Daughter of Rizal’s landlord in London who fell in love with Rizal. G. Gertrude Beckett Daughter of Rizal’s landlord in London who fell in love with Rizal. Rizal used to call her “Gettie” while she called Rizal “Pettie”.

Rumors said that Adolf Hitler was allegedly Rizal’s son. H. Hitler Rumors said that Adolf Hitler was allegedly Rizal’s son.

I. Inconsequencias An article that defended Antonio Luna from an attack in the Barcelona newspaper “El Pueblo Soberano”.

J. Junto al Pasig A stage play made by Rizal. The play basically poses questions related with what Christians believe. Through Leonido, the main character, a teenager, Rizal portrayed another perspective of Satan and the Virgin Mary. He centers on thoughts such as: Who is the real redeemer of mankind? Who should really be adored? Who should one believe? Does one have to believe?

K. Kababata Is a much anthological poem on the beauty of Tagalog allegedly written when Rizal was eight years old. At best, this poem is attributed to Rizal, at worst it may not have been written by Rizal at all.

L. Lottery The Rizal family was fond of the lottery and Rizal’s Madrid diary lists regular purchase of lottery tickets. Rizal hit the second prize while he was in exile in Dapitan. Unfortunately, Rizal did not buy the entire ticket thus the prize was divided among him, the Governor of Dapitan and a third party.

M.  MAKAMISA   In 1892 Rizal wrote the beginnings of a third satirical novel in Tagalog, the opening chapter was called “Makamisa” (After the Mass). Later he shifted from Tagalog to Spanish and after writing up 245 pages in draft he left this novel unfinished.

N. Nellie Bousted was the woman who caused the jealous Antonio Luna to get drunk and challenge Rizal to a duel.

O. OPTHALMOLOGY   Rizal specialized in ophthalmology after his medical studies in Madrid to cure his mother’s failing eyesight. He studied under Louis de Wecker in Paris and Otto Becker in Germany.

P.   PACIANO Paciano Mercado is Rizal’s elder brother, who inspired and guided Rizal’s life and career. He translated the Noli in Tagalog. He fought the Spaniards during the Philippine Revolution and also became a general during the Filipino-American War.

Q.  QUIROGA  Quirogais a character in El Fili was the pseudonym of Pablo Feced, a journalist known for his anti-Filipino writings.

R.  RICIAL Ricial, Risal or later Rizal was word denoted a green field ready for harvest. Mercado and Rizal were two surnames Rizal used interchangeably during his schooling in Ateneo and UST.

S. SEGUNDA SegundaKatigbakwas Rizal’s first love as depicted in his student diary where she referred to as “Miss K”.

Teodora Alonzo was Rizal’s mother. T. Teodora Alonzo Teodora Alonzo was Rizal’s mother. She was also his first teacher who taught her many things.

U. USUI SEIKO  Usui Seiko was a Japanese woman with whom he fell in love. She is mentioned in his 1888 diary and appears in a small notebook of drawings he made in Japan.

V. VERTEBRA  Part of Rizal’s vertebra or backbone is displayed in Fort Santiago. When Rizal’s remains were buried under the Rizal monument this particular piece of chipped backbone was set aside to show Filipinos where the bullet snuffed out his life.

W.   WOMEN of MALOLOS   Rizal wrote a lengthy letter to the women of Malolos, Bulacan, who against friar objections, proposed a night school where they could learn Spanish. The letter was published in La Solidaridad.

X.  XEREZ-BURGOS Manuel Xerez-Burgos, nephew of the ill-fated Fr. Jose Burgos interceded with the Jesuits when Rizal was not admitted into Ateneo Municipal due to his small stature.

Y.   YBARRA, YSAGANI   In Spanish orthography the letters “I” and “Y” are sometimes interchangeable and his manuscripts Rizal spells the names of these characters Ybarra/Ibarra and Ysagani/Isagani. 

Z. ZOOLOGIST   Rizal was not a professional zoologist but is considered such because he collected specimens: seashells, butterflies, flora and fauna, and other artifacts that he sent to scientists in Europe during his exile in Dapitan. Rizal’s name appears in the classification for a winged lizard (Draco rizali), a frog or toad (Racophorusrizali) and a beetle (Apogoniarizali).