Birth

Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861.  It was a Wednesday evening in Calamba, Laguna, and his mother nearly died in the process.  He was baptized three days later, on June 22, by the parish priest of the Catholic church in his town, Fr. Rufino Collantes from Batangas.  His godfather, Fr. Pedro Casanas, was a close family friend.  Rizal's mother named him after St. Joseph, to whom she was ardently devoted.

RIZAL'S BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE

His baptismal certificate reads:

"I, the undersigned parish priest of Calamba, certify that from the investigation made with proper authority, for replacing the parish books which were burned September 28, 1862, to be found in Docket No. 1 of Baptisms, p.49, it appears by the sworn testimony of competent witnesses that Jose Rizal Mercado is the legitimate son, and of lawful wedlock, of Don Francisco Rizal Mercado and Dona Teodora Realonda, having been baptized in this parish on the 22nd day of June in the years 1861, by the parish priest Rev. Rufino Collantes, Rev. Pedro Casanas being his godfather. -- Witness my signature."

(Signed): Leoncio Lopez