Jose Rizal's Education at Ateneo

Jesuit System of Education

The Jesuit system focused on training the character of the student through rigid discipline and religious instructions.
Students were organized into two competing groups, fostering a sense of rivalry and excellence:
- Roman Empire: Composed of internos (boarders), identified by a red banner.
- Carthaginian Empire: Composed of externos (non-boarders), identified by a blue banner.
A hierarchical ranking system was used to recognize academic achievement within each 'empire':
- Emperor: The best student in each 'empire'.
- Tribune: The second best student.
- Decurion: The third best student.
- Centurion: The fourth best student.
- Stand-bearer: The fifth best student.
The uniform worn by Ateneo students during Rizal's time consisted of "hemp-fabric trousers" and a "striped cotton coat." The material for the coat was known as rayadillo.

Father Jose Bech was Rizal's first professor in Ateneo. Rizal described him as a "tall thin man, with a body slightly bent forward, a harried walk, an ascetic face, severe 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."
Rizal's first academic achievement was winning a Religious picture, awarded for being the brightest pupil in the entire class.
To enhance his proficiency in Spanish, Rizal took private lessons at Santa Isabel College during noon recesses, paying three pesos for these supplementary classes.
At the conclusion of the school year in March 1873, Rizal returned to Calamba for his summer vacation.

Upon returning to Manila for his second year, Rizal boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street, with an old widow named Dona Pepay as his landlady.
Rizal's first favorite novel, which left a profound impression on him, was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.
At the end of this school year, Rizal achieved excellent grades in all his subjects and was awarded a gold medal.
He persuaded his father to purchase Universal History by Cesar Cantu, a comprehensive historical work that proved to be a great aid in his studies.
Rizal was significantly impressed by Travels in the Philippines, a book written by Dr. Feodor Jagor, a German scientist-traveler who visited the Philippines between 1859 and 1860. Rizal's impression stemmed from two key aspects:
- Jagor's keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization.
- His prophecy that Spain would eventually lose the Philippines, and that America would succeed her as the colonizer.

Rizal maintained excellent grades across all subjects but secured only one medal, specifically in Latin.
At the close of the school year in March 1875, Rizal returned to Calamba for the summer vacation, though he himself was not entirely satisfied with his scholastic performance that year.

On June 16, 1875, Rizal transitioned to becoming an interno (boarder) at the Ateneo.
Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a distinguished educator and scholar, became one of Rizal's professors. He played a crucial role in inspiring Rizal to study harder and to cultivate his talent for poetry.
Rizal held this Jesuit professor in high regard, describing him as a "model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the advancement of his pupils."
At the culmination of the school term, Rizal demonstrated exceptional academic prowess, topping all his classmates in every subject and earning five medals.

Rizal's academic performance continued to excel, as he distinguished himself in all subjects. He was recognized as the most brilliant Atenean of his time, truly earning the title "the pride of the Jesuits."
On March 23, 1877, at the age of 16, Rizal participated in Commencement Day and received his degree of Bachelor of Arts from his Alma Mater, Ateneo Municipal, with highest honors.
Rizal was an active member of the Marian Congregation, a religious society, and later assumed the role of its secretary.
Under the mentorship of Father Sanchez, Rizal further developed his literary talents.
However, Father Jose Vilaclara advised Rizal to cease his poetic pursuits and instead focus more on practical studies.
Rizal pursued artistic training, studying painting under the renowned Spanish painter Agustin Saez, and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus, a noted Filipino sculptor.
He demonstrated his sculptural skill by carving an image of the Virgin Mary from a piece of batikuling (Philippine hardwood) using only his pocket-knife.
Impressed by Rizal's talent, Father Lleonart requested him to carve an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Felix M. Roxas, a contemporary of Rizal at the Ateneo, recounted an incident from Rizal's school days that highlighted the hero's remarkable resignation to pain and capacity for forgiveness, noting "Neither bitterness nor rancor towards the guilty party."
An anecdote involving Manuel Xerez Burgos illustrated Rizal's inherent inclination to assist the helpless, even when it meant putting his own life at risk.