School Days in Biñan

“This is the town where my father first saw the lights of day, and where he sent me to continue studying the rudiments of Latin, which I had started to learn.”---- Jose Rizal

Rizal at three learned his ABC’s on the knees of his mother. They were often seen kneeling in prayer every morning and evening before retiring to bed. To teach him writing, reading and Latin, Rizal father engaged the services of an old friend, Leon Monroy. Unfortunately, the man who lodged with them for five months soon died.

                In 1869, Don Francisco decided to send Jose to Biñan, to continue his studies. Accompanied by his brother, Paciano, they reached Biñan after one-and-a-half hours ride aboard a carromata.

The following morning (Monday) Paciano took his brother to the house of Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz, a nipa house about thirty meters from the house of Jose’s aunt.

                Paciano, a former pupil of the maestro, introduced his brother and left. After Jose was given his seat in the class, the teacher asked him: “Do you know Spanish?” “A little, Sir,” replied Jose. “Do you know Latin?” “A little, sir,” Because of these answers,” he replied, “the teacher’s son who was called Pedro, the naughtiest boy in the class, afterwards made fun of me.”

Activities in Biñan

                Rizal’s daily activities were systematic and methodical. His manner of life was simple. He said: “I heard the four o’clock mass, if there was once; or I studied my lessons at the same hour and heard mass afterwards. Upon returning, I looked for a mabolo fruit in the grove and I ate it. Afterwards I took my breakfast, which consisted of a plate of boiled rice, and two fried sardines. Then I went to class, which was over at ten. I went home immediately.

                “If there was a particularly appetizing dish, leandro and I were told to take it to the house of my aunt’s sons (a thing which I never did at home, and would never have done). I returned without saying a word, ate with them, and then applied myself to studies.”

                “I went back to school at two, and was out at five. I played for a while with some good cousins before going home. There I studied my lessons, doodled a little, afterward taking my supper of one or two plates of boiled rice and an ayungin. We said our prayers and then, if there was a moon, my friends would call me out to play in the street in the company of others. Thanks to God, I never felt sick when away from my parents.”

                Beside the house of Rizal’s teacher was the house of an old painter who was called Juancho. He was the father-in-law of his teacher. Every time Jose was free from his daily chores in the classroom he would rush out and watch the old man paint. Old Juancho was so impressed by the extra interest of the Calamba lad, and gave him lessons in drawing and painting. In due time Jose Rizal, together with Jose Guevarra, a classmate, became the favorite class painter.

                In the classroom Jose was without peer. He surpassed all his classmates. In his own words, “he said: “I usually won the classroom contests; nobody beat me; and as a result I surpassed many in class standing, but inspite of the reputation I had of being a good boy, the day was unusual when I was not laid out on a bench and given five or six blows.”

To Calamba

                The lad from Calamba was extra-ordinarily gifted. He learned fast and in due time Maestro Justiniano instructed Jose to go home for he had learned all there was to be taught at his place.

                In December, 1871, his sister Saturnina sent him a letter informing him of the arrival of the steamship Talim which would take him to Calamba. “It seems that I had a premonition,” recalled Jose, “I would not be back, and I went often to the chapel of our Lady of Peace. I went to the river and collected pebbles for souvenirs. I cut out paper fishes and made everything ready for departure.

                “I said goodbye to my friends one by one, and to my teacher, too, with deep respect, for even our sufferings, when they have been frequent and continuous, became so to speak, dear to the heart, which feels certain regret upon leaving them behind.”

                At one o’clock on Saturday, December 17, 1871, Rizal boarded the steamer, Talim. He was thrilled and excited because this was his first time to see and ride on a steamer. Aboard the ship, he was left to the charge of a Frenchman, Arturo Camps an old friend of his father.

                When steamer reached his hometown Jose could not put in words his joy. He said: “At last we arrived in Kalamba. What a joy it was to see the shore! I wanted to jump immediately into the first banca that I saw, but a cabin boy took me in his arms and placed me in the Captain’s boat. Then came the Frenchman, and four sailors rowed us ashore.