Teodora Morales Alonzo Realonda y Quintos married Francisco Rizal Mercado and bore the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal as their seventh child. As mother and teacher of the young Rizal, she molded the spirit and thoughts of Rizal. When Jose Rizal grew up, he stood for the principles and lessons learned from his mother.

Teodora Alonzo was persecuted by the Spanish authorities for being the mother of the reformist Jose P. Rizal.

When offered pension by the US government, she said

"The Rizals offer their lives to their mother country because of their inherent patriotism and not because of money"