Triumphs in Ateneo 1872-77

Basically the entire chapter talks about Rizal's endeavors and achievement in his school
years in Ateneo De Manila.

Ateneo is a college under the supervision of Spanish Jesuits.

Rival of Dominican-owned Colegio De San Juan De Letran

Ateneo was formerly known as Escuela Pia (Charity School) which is a school for poor boys.

Ateneo was established in 1817

Rizal in June 10, 1872 while being accompanied by his older brother Paciano took the
entrance examination on Christian doctrine, arithmetic and reading in Colegio de San Juan De Letran
and passed them all. But his father who originally wanted himn to enroll in Colegio de San Juan De
Letran changed his mind and made him enroll in Ateneo instead.

He was almost not accepted in Ateneo by the registrar Father Magin Ferrando for two
reasons. 1.) he was late for registration and 2.) he looks sickly and undersized for his age (Rizal's
height is 4'11). He was admitted with the intervention of Manuel Xeres Burgos, Father
Burgos'nephew.

He was the first of their family to use the surname Rizal because the surname Mercado has
come under the suspicion of the Spanish Authorities. Paciano used the surname Mercado when he
was still studying and he was the favorite student and helper of the late Father Burgos.

Rizal's first year in Ateneo (1872-73)

Rizal's first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech.

When he was still new in the class and knew little spanish, Rizal was placed at the bottom of
the class, but after a week he progressed rapidly and got to the top of his class at the end of the
month. He was the brightest in the whole class.

To improve his Spanish, Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during his noon
classes while his classmates are playing and gossiping. Those lessons costed him 3 pesos.

In the second half of the year Rizal did not try hard enough to maintain his scholarship
supremacy because he resented the remarks of his professors. He placed second at the end of the
year, although all of his marks are still marked "excellent".

Summer Vacation

He returned to Calamba for his first summer vacation in 1873. He did not particularly
enjoyed his vacation despite his sister Saturnina's efforts because his mother is in prison. He visited
his mother without telling his father and told her how well he is doing in school.
 He came back to Manila after his vacation and boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6
Magallanes St. His landlady is an old widow named Doña Pepay.

Second Year in Ateneo (1873-1874)

Nothing unusual happened in his second year, he got back to the top of the class. He
regretted ending on second place last year. At the end of year he received excellent grades in all
subjecs and a gold medal.

During his summer vacation he lost no time to visit his mother in Santa Cruz. His mother told
him about a dream of hers and Rizal interpreted it and said that according to her dream she will get
out of prison after 3 months. His mother did not take him seriously and just took it as words to
console his mother but the interpretation later came true because she was released after three
months.

It was also at this time when Rizal took interest in reading romantic novels.

His first favorite novel was Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.

He was not only interested in fiction as he also read a lot of non-fiction books. When he was
home during vacation he pleaded his father to buy him an expensive set of book titled Universal
History. It costed his father a lot of money but it was said that it helped him tremendously on his
studies.

Third Year in Ateneo (1874-1875)

In June 1874 Rizal returned to Ateneo for his junior year. His mother was released in that
year but despite being happy Rizal did not perform to his expectations. He got excellent on all of his
subjects but he only got one medal for Latin. He did not get a medal for Spanish because his spoken
spanish is not fluently sonorous. He was beaten by a spaniard which of course could speak Spanish
fluently and with right accentuation.

He came home in Calamba dissatisfied with his scholastic work.

Fourth Year in Ateneo (1875-1876)

After a refreshing vacation he came back to Manila for his fourth year. On June 14,1875 he became
an intern in Ateneo. One of his professors this time was Fr. Francisco Sanchesz, a great educator and
scholar. He inspired young izal to study harder and write poetry.In return Fr. Sanches is Rizal's most
admired professor in Ateneo.

Inspired by Father Sanchez Rizal regained his vigor and zest and proceeded to top all of his class and
won 5 medals in the end of the semester. He was happy when he showed his rating and medals to
his parents because he was able to repay his father's sacrifices.

Last Year in Ateneo (1876-1877)

When he came back to Manila for his last year his studies continued to fare well and he excelled on
all of his subject. He was the most brilliant Atenean of his time and he was truly the pride of the
Jesuits.

He Graduated with Highest Honors in Bachelor of Arts at Ateneo Municipal at the age of

Extra-Curricular Activities

Rizal, unsurpassed in academics is not a mere bookworm. He was a member of multiple clubs that
are exclusive to excellent students. He was an active member of the religious Marian Congregation.
He was also a member of Academy of Spanish Literature and Academy of Natural Sciences.

In his leisure hours Rizal cultivated his literary talents under the guidance of Fr. Sanchez. Another
professor, Fr. Jose Vilaclara to stop communing with Muses and start concentrating on Philosophy
and Science. He did not heed his advice and instead he continued to improve his poetry skills with
the help of Fr. Sanchez.

He also devoted his free hours to fine arts. He studied under the famous spanish artist Agustin Saez,
and sculpture under Romualdo De Jesus.

Poems Written in Ateneo

The first poem that Rizal probably wrote during his days in the Ateneo was Mi Primera Inspiracion
(My First Inspiration) which was dedicated to his mother on her birthday.

He wrote poems about his love for his mother, religion, education, childhood memories and war.

First Romance of Rizal

Shortly after his graduation from Ateneo, Rizal who was then sixteen years old experience his first
romance. The girl was Segunda Katigbak, a pretty fourteen-year old Batangueña.
He first met her when he visited his maternal grandmother together with his friend Mariano
Katigbak. His old mother was a friend of the Katigbak family of Lipa. When he reached his
grandmother’s house and saw the guests he saw this very pretty girl who caused his heart to
palpitate with strange ecstasy. She was the sister of his friend, and her name was Segunda.

He came to know her more intimately during his weekly visits to the La Concordia College, where her
sister Olimpia was boarding. Olimpia was a close friend of Segunda. It was apparent that the two
loved each other. It was said to be a “love at first sight”. But it was already hopeless in the beginning
because Segunda was already engaged to her townmate Manuel Luz. Rizal in all his intellect and
artistic prowess was a timid and shy lover. Segunda had manifested, by insinuation and deeds, her
affection to him but he timidly failed to propose.

The last time they talked was in December 1877 before their Christmas break when Rizal visited La
Concordia College. She briefly said goodbye as she was going back to Lipa and stayed quiet after it
because he was waiting for Rizal to confess his feelings. Rizal, being timid and shy failed to come up
to her expectation and just mumbled a brief goodbye.

The next day Rizal arrived to his hometown but was saddened that his mother did not recognize him
first because of her failing eyesight.

The following day he learned that the steamer carrying Segunda and her family would not anchor at
Calamba because of strong winds; it would stop at Biñan. He went their riding his horse and saw
Segunda riding one of the Carriages. Segunda waved her handkerchief but all Rizal managed to do
was doff his hat and be tongue-tied. She rolled and disappeared and then he realized that he lost his
first love. Segunda returned to Lipa and married Manuel Luz.

Three years after that he recorded his first failed romance.