Teodora Alonso (1827-1911)“An outstanding Filipina Mother”

Prepared by:Cubos, Rohanna N.HRM 2Y2-7

TEODORA “Lolay” ALONSO• She was born in Meisik, Manila on Nov.

9, 1827

• LORENZO ALBERTO ALONSO, her father was once a Capitan municipal of Biñan and a representative to the Spanish Cortes.• BRIGIDA DE QUINTOS, her mother was

described as being unusually well educated.

• Like her gifted mother, Doña Teodora was well educated and highly cultured.• She graduated from the Colegio de Santa Rosa in Manila.

JUNE 28, 1848 (29 years old)

• She married FRANCISCO MERCADO of Biñan and they settled in Calamba, Laguna.

• The Rizal family was primarily engaged in agriculture.• They were able to send their children to distinguished colleges in Manila as well in Europe, as in the case of their gifted son, JOSE.

•Despite her involvement in their family business affairs, Doña Teodora did not neglect her duties as a MOTHER and a WIFE.

Of Doña Teodora

PERSECUTION

• Doña Teodora perhaps suffered the most from the SPANISH TYRANNY. TWICE!!!• She has unjustly

imprisoned on charges which were either preposterous or trifling.

1871• She was accused of poisoning the wife of her brother JOSE.• The case was brought to the SUPREME COURT and defended by two of Manila’s most famous lawyers.• Acquitted, but she already suffered imprisonment for 2 ½ YEARS.

1890• The Rizal family, together with other Filipino

families was ejected from their lands in Calamba as a result of controversy between the Filipino tenants and the Dominican order which owned the Calamba States

•Homeless, the Rizal family moved to Manila and lived there.

1891• But Spanish persecution followed them. In 1981, Doña Teodora was arrested.• They accused Teodora of fabricated charges in spite of her innocence and even without a trial.

• After 4 days of travelling, arrived at Sta. Cruz, the Governor was deeply touched and released them.

1895

•While Rizal is in Dapitan, he write a letter to his friend.• “His mother was leaving on Manila because his father who was getting weaker wanted to see her.• Don Francisco died on Jan. 5, 1898 more the a year after his son’s martyrdrom.

• When her beloved son was sentenced to death after a mock trial. Already well advanced in years, Doña Teodora passionately appealed to the Governors for her son’s life.

• BUT IT WAS IN VAIN.

ON DEC,. 30, 1896

• Jose Rizal was martyred in Bagumbayan Field.

1907

• After the Americans freed the Philippines, the Philippine Legislature offered her a lifetime pension as a token of gratitude. But she REFUSE it!

1911

•She died in Manila in Aug., 16, 1911. Fitting honors accorded to her funeral.

•Teodora’s character became Jose’s inspiration to continue his crusade for FREEDOM.

Jose Rizal paid his mother the greatest tribute a man could give her when he exclaimed in his memoirs:

• “Ah! Without her… What would have been my fate?...

After God, the mother is everything to man.”

•Thanks for Listening!!!