Rizal grew up in Calamba, Laguna where he had many fond childhood memories. Some of his earliest memories included playing in his family's garden in a small cottage built by his father and taking evening walks with his nanny. He showed an early interest in art and writing, and was deeply affected by the death of his friend Concepcion at age 3. As he grew older, Rizal remained attached to his hometown of Calamba and wrote poetry reminiscing about it.

1. EARLY
CHILDHOOD
MEMORIES &
HOMETOWN
CALAMBA

2. JOSE RIZAL WHEN HE WAS A CHILD
Earliest Childhood
Memories

3. Calamba, the Hero’s Town
 The life of Jose Rizal just like any other young
boys had a lot of pleasant and beautiful
memories.
 The majestic and legendary Mt. Makiling and
the vibrant beauty of Laguna de Bay provides
travelers from Manila and nearby towns gain
inspiration from its healthy and clean water
and scenic panorama.

4. A few kilometers to the south looms is the
legendary Mt. Makiling in it’s grandeur.

5. Laguna de Bay

6. Laguna de Bay

7. Calamba, the Hero’s Town
 Calamba was a hacienda town which
belonged to the Dominican including the
lands around it.
 An environment that is characterized by
joy and contentment.
 An ideal place for artists, poets, budding
writers and lovers of art.
 CALAMBA is indeed, the cradle of
genius.

8. HOUSE & LANDMARKS

9. Earliest Childhood Memories
 The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy,
was his happy days in the family garden
when he was three years old.
 His father built a little nipa cottage in the
garden for him to play in the day time.
 Another childhood memory was the daily
Angelus prayer.
 Remembered the stories, about fairy tales
of buried treasures and trees blooming
with diamonds.

10. PLAYHOUSE OF RIZAL

11. Earliest Childhood Memories
 Also, when the food is served during super
and did not appeal his taste, the aya would
threaten him about the aswang and tikbalang.
 Another memory of his infancy was the
nocturnal walk in the town. The aya took him
for a walk in the moonlight by the river.
 His first sorrow was the death of little Concha
(Concepcion) whom he fondly called died
when she was three years old. He cried
bitterly and for the first time he wept tears of
love and intense grief.

12. Earliest Childhood Memories
 At the age of five, he began to make
sketches with his pencil and to mold in
clay and wax objects.
 In this age also, Rizal showed his affection
for having a pet dog named Berganza.
 When he was seven, he was called,
Manong Jose. At an early age, he was
pious and devoted son of the Catholic
Church. He loved to go to church almost
everyday for spiritual nourishment and to

13. BERGANZA (PET OF
RIZAL)

14. Earliest Childhood Memories
 When Jose Rizal was 15 years old and
was a student at Ateneo de Manila, he
reminisce his beloved town and wrote a
poem, “Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo”, (In
Memory of My Town).
 “Calamba, you will remain an important
and cherished part of my life,” Jose
murmured with deep sigh of happiness.