The Illegitimate Controversy
Was it true that Dona Teodora was illegitimate child? Many rumored stories that Dona Teodora was illegitimate because of uncorrect documents. In 1814, Rizal's grandfather Lorenzo Alberto, then 24 married 12 year old Ilocana Paula Florentino but never had child. After 10 years of marriage, Alberto was spotted in Binan with Brigada Quintos living together. A relationship not honored by law making also their children.When Lorenzo died, his children — illegitimate in papers — devised a plan to keep the title and their strong ties with the Spanish government. Jose Maria Alonzo de Alberto disowned his real mother, Brijida Quintos, and declared himself the legitimate son of Lorenzo Alberto and Paula Florentino and thus the half-brother issue began. Another rumored story Joses Maria Alonzo de Alberto assuredly had an affair with his niece Saturnina, daughter of Dona Teodora and that was Soledad was the fruit of their love affair. To hide the shameful act, Saturnina went out in a vacation with her mother only to come back later with a newborn child. Teodora claimed that the child was her. Among all the sister of Jose, Soledad was the most beautiful. |