Module 1: Republic Act No.

1425 or the Rizal pursued government measures to instill

Law patriotism and love for country in the hearts and
minds of the Filipinos. These people drew
FOR inspiration from the Philippine experience of the
“Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be revolution for independence against Spain and
read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to from the heroes of that important period in the
heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as in a country’s history.
mirror, our defects as well as our strength, our
virtues as well as our vices. Only then would One measure sought was the passage
become conscious as a people and so learn to of the Republic Act No. 1425 or the Rizal Law,
prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that which was primarily set to address “a need for
ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-respect, and rededication to the ideals of freedom and
freedom.” – Sen. Jose P. Laurel nationalism for which our heroes lived and died.”
The passage of the law was met with fierce
“Rizal did not pretend to teach religion when he opposition in both the Senate and the House of
wrote those books. He aimed at inculcating civic Representatives.
consciousness in the Filipinos, national dignity,
personal pride, and patriotism and if references From the Rizal Bill to the Rizal Law
were made by him in the course of his narration On April 3, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438
to certain religious practices in the Philippines in was filed by the Senate Committee on
those days, and to conduct and behavior of Education. On April 17, 1956, then Senate
erring ministers of the church, it was because he Committee on Education Chair Jose P. Laurel
portrayed faithfully the general situation in the sponsored the bill and began delivering
Philippines as it then existed.” – Sen. Claro M. speeches for the proposed legislation. Soon
Recto after, the bill became controversial as the
powerful Catholic Church began to express
AGAINST opposition against its passage. As the influence
A vast majority of our people are, at the same of the Church was felt with members of the
time, Catholic and Filipino citizens. As such, Senate voicing their opposition to the bill, its
they have two great loves: their country and their main author, Claro M. Recto, and his allies in the
faith. These two loves are not conflicting loves. Senate entered into a fierce battle arguing for
They are harmonious affections, like the love for the passage of SB 438. Debates started in April
his father and for his mother. This is the basis of 23, 1956.
my stand. Let us create a conflict between
nationalism and religion, between the The debates on the Rizal Bill also
government and the church.” – Sen. Francisco ensued in the House of Representatives. House
‘Soc’ Rodrigo Bill No. 5561, an identical version of SB 438,
was filed by Representative Jacobo Z. Gonzales
Abstraction on April 19, 1956. The House Committee on
The postwar period saw a Philippines Education approved the bill without amendments
rife with challenges and problems. With a on May 2, 1956 and the debates commenced on
country torn and tired from the stresses of World May 9, 1956. A significant point of the debates
War II, getting up on their feet was a paramount was whether the compulsory reading of the texts
concern of the people and government. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
appropriated in the bill was constitutional. The
As the Philippines grappled with various call to read the unexpurgated versions was also
challenges, particularly the call for challenged.
nation-building, prominent individuals who
championed nationalism came to action. They
 As the country was soon engaged in the included in the curricula of all schools, colleges
debate, it seemed that an impasse was reached. and universities, public or private: Provided That
To move the procedure to the next step, Senator in the collegiate courses, the original or
Jose P. Laurel proposed amendments to the bill unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere
on May 9, 1956. In particular, he removed the and El Filibusterismo of their English translation
compulsory reading of Rizal’s novels and added shall be used as basic texts.
that Rizal’s other works must also be included in
the subject. He, however, remained adamant in SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools,
his stand that the unexpurgated versions of the colleges and universities to keep in their libraries
novels be read. On May 14, 1956, similar an adequate number of copies of the original
amendments were adopted to the House of and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Representatives. Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of
Rizal’s other works and biography. The said
The amended version of the bills was unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere
also subjected to scrutiny but seemed more and El Filibusterismo or their translations in
palatable to the members of Congress. The English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be
passage, however, was almost hijacked by included in the list of approved books for
technicality since the House of Representatives required reading in all public or private schools,
was about to adjourn in a few days and colleges and universities.
President Ramon Magsaysay did not certify the
bills as priority. The allies in the House skillfully The Board of National Education shall determine
avoided the insertion of any other amendment to the adequacy of the number of books,
prevent the need to reprint new copies (which depending upon the enrollment of the school,
would take time). They also asked the Bureau of college or university.
Printing to use the same templates for the
Senate version in printing the House version. SECTION 3. The Board of National Education
Thus, on May 17, 1956, the Senate and House shall cause the translation of the Noli Me
versions were approved. Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other
writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and
The approved versions were then the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to
transmitted to Malacañan and on June 12, 1956, be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause
President Magsaysay signed the bill into law them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons
which became the Republic Act No. 1425. desiring to read them, through the Purok
organizations and Barrio Councils throughout
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425 the country.

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be

ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, construed as amendment or repealing section
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative
ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious
JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS doctrines by public school teachers and other
NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL person engaged in any public school.
FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE
PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be
appropriated out of any fund not otherwise
SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and appropriated in the National Treasury to carry
writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli out the purposes of this Act.
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its Teachers Guild. The Catholic Church urged its
approval. faithful to write to lawmakers to make their
opposition to the bill known. Catholic groups
Approved: June 12, 1956 organized symposiums on why it should not
become law.
Claro M. Recto (Main Author)
The main sponsor and defender of the In one of these symposiums, Fr. Jesus
Rizal Bill was Claro Mayo Recto. He was born in Cavanna allegedly argued that the novels would
Tiaong, Tayabas (Quezon) on February 8, 1890 misrepresent current conditions in the church.
to Claro Recto, Sr. and Micaela Mayo. He Cavanna was the author of the book, Rizal's
completed his primary education in his Unfading Glory: A Documentary History of the
hometown and his secondary education in Conversion of Dr. José Rizal, published in 1956
Batangas. For his education, he moved to after the passage of the Rizal Law. The book
Manila and completed his AB degree at the details Jose Rizal’s conversion to Catholicism.
Ateneo and was awarded maxima cum laude in
1909. In 114, he finished his law degree at the It was not only church groups and clergy
University of Santo Tomas. He was admitted to who vehemently opposed the Rizal Bill. Catholic
the Bar last year. schools around the country banded together in
opposition to the Rizal Bill. It came to a point
His political career started in the House when several Catholic schools threatened to
of Representatives in 1919 when he was elected close down if the Rizal Bill became law. Senator
as representative of the third district of Recto responded by saying the government
Batangas. He later became the House Minority would take over the administration of these
Floor Leader. From the House of schools if they closed and nationalize them.
Representatives, he moved up to Senate in
1931 when he was elected as a senator. In the The Rizal Bill only became the Rizal
Senate, he held key positions such as Minority Law after a compromise between the Catholic
Floor Leader, Majority Floor Leader, and Senate Church and the legislators was reached. The
President Pro-Tempore. Recto’s career in the legislators, especially Recto, agreed to the
Philippine government was not confined to the condition of watering down the morally offensive
legislature. In 1935, he became the Associate parts of Rizal’s novels before they were taught to
Justice of the Supreme Court. schools. They called it the expurgated versions.
Further, it was agreed that only colleges and
Recto was also instrumental in the universities would teach these materials to their
drafting of the constitution of the Philippines in students.
1934-1935 as he was the elected president of
the assembly. After the Philippines transitioned The Rizal Law was enacted on June 12,
to the Commonwealth Period and survived the 1956, coinciding with the Philippines’
Pacific War, Recto again served as senator for Independence Day.
several terms. He also served as a diplomat and
was an important figure in international relations. Module 2: Life of Jose Rizal

Opposition of the Bill Rizal’s Family

A coalescence of religious groups within Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861
the church rallied to block the bill’s passage in in the town of Calamba, province of Laguna.
the Senate. Among the most active groups that Calamba, then a town with around three to four
opposed the Rizal Bill were the Catholic Action thousand inhabitants, is located 54 kilometers
of the Philippines, the Knights of Columbus, the south of Manila. It is found in the heart of a
Congregation of the Mission, and the Catholic region known for its agricultural prosperity and is
among the major producers of sugar and rice, that she is “a mathematician and has read many
with an abundant variety of tropical fruits. books.” Because of Francisco and Teodora’s
industry and hardwork, their family became a
Rizal’s father, Francisco Mercado, was a prominent member of the principalia class in the
wealthy farmer who leased lands from the town of Calamba. Their house was among the
Dominican friars. Francisco’s earliest ancestors first concrete houses to be built in the town.
were Siang-co and Zun-nio, who later gave birth
to Lam-co. Lam-co is said to have come from Jose Rizal (1861-1896) is the seventh
the district of Fujian in southern China and among the eleven children of Francisco
migrated to the Philippines in the late 1600s. In Mercado and Teodoro Alonso. The other
1697, he was baptized in Binondo, adopting children were: Saturnina (1850-1913); Paciano
“Domingo” as his first name. He married Ines de (1851-1930); Narcisa (1852-1939); Olimpia
la Rosa of a known entrepreneurial family in (1855-1887); Lucia (1857-1919); Maria
Binondo. Domingo and Ines later settled in the (1859-1945); Concepcion (1862-1865); Josefa
estate of San Isidro Labrador, owned by the (1865-1945); Trinidad (1868-1951); and Soledad
Dominicans. In 1731, they had a son they (1870-1929).
named Francisco Mercado. The surname
“Mercado,” which means “market,” was a Rizal was affectionate to all of his
common surname adopted by many Chinese siblings. However, his relation with his only
merchants at that time. brother, Paciano, was more than that of an older
brother. Paciano became Rizal’s second father.
Francisco Mercado became one of the Rizal highly respected him and valued all his
richest in Biñan and owned the largest herd of advice. Paciano accompanied Rizal when he
carabaos. He was also active in local politics first went to school in Biñan. It was also him who
and was elected as capitan del pueblo in 1783. convinced Rizal to pursue his studies in Europe.
He had a son named Juan Mercado who was Like Rizal, Paciano had his college education in
also elected as capitan del pueblo in 1808, Manila but later decided to join the Katipunan
1813, and 1823. and fight for independence. After the revolution,
Paciano retired to his home in Los Baños and
Juan Mercado married Cirila Alejandra, led a quiet life until his death in 1930.
a native of Biñan. They had 13 children,
including Francisco ngracio, the father of Jose Childhood and Early Education
Rizal. Following Governor Narciso Claveria’s Rizal had good memories of childhood
decree in 1849 which ordered the Filipinos to in Calamba. As a family, they prayed together
adopt Spanish surnams, Francisco Engracio during Angelus. The used to spend time in the
Mercado added the surname “Rizal,” from the garden where he learned to appreciate the
word “ricial” meaning “green field”, as he later beauty of nature. Due to his poor health, Rizal
settled in the town of Calamba as a farmer had a personal servant who, after the daily
growing sugar cane, rice and indigo. Being in a Angelus, would tell him legends and fairy tales.
privileged family, Francisco Engracio These stories made him become interested in
(1818-1898) had a good education that started myths and folklores.
in a Latin School in Biñan. Afterwards, he
attended the College of San Jose in Manila. In As a young boy, Rizal demonstrated
1848, Francisco married Teodoro Alonsi (1826- intelligence and learned easily. His first teacher
1911) who belonged to one of the wealthiest was Doña Teodora who taught him how to pray.
families in Manila. Teodora, whose father was a He was only three years old when he learned
member of the Spanish Cortes, was educated at the alphabet. Just like the other children from
the College of Sta. Rosa. Rizal described her as the principalia class, Rizal also experienced
“a woman of more than ordinary culture” and private tutorials. His first private tutor was
Maestro Celestino followed by Maestro Lucas graduated with a degree of Bachiller en Artes,
Padua. But it was Leon Monroy, his third tutor, with the highest honor.
who honed his skills in basic Latin, reading, and
writing. This home schooling prepared Rizal to After finishing Bachiller en Artes, Rizal
formal schooling which he first experienced in was sent to University of Santo Tomas by Don
Biñan. Francisco. He attended the course Philosophy
At the age of nine, Rizal left Calamba and Letters and in the same year, he took the
with his brother to study in Biñan. They reached vocational course in Ateneo that gave him the
the town on board a carromata. Before Paciano title perito agrimensor (expert surveyor) issued
left Rizal, he introduced him to his former on November 25, 1881.
teacher, Justiniano Aquino Cruz. The class as
described by Rizal was in a nipa house. It was in In his second year at UST, Rizal shifted
this school that he excelled in Latin Spanish. his course to Medicine. He felt the need to take
After receiving a letter from his sister, Saturnina, up this course after learning about his mother’s
Rizal returned to Calamba on December 17, failing eyesight. Rizal’s academic performance in
1870 on board the steamship Talim and was UST was not as impressive as he was in
accompanied by Arturo Camps, a Frenchman Ateneo. He was a good student in Medicine but
and friend of his father. not as gifted as he was in Arts and Letters.
Despite this, he was still one of the seven
Student of Manila students who remained in the course in his last
Rizal was sent by his father to Ateneo year in UST out of the original batch of
Municipal, formerly known as Escuela Pia, for a twenty-four.
six-year program, Bachiller en Artes. He took the
entrance exam on June 10, 1872 using Jose In 1882, Rizal and Paciano made a
Rizal instead of Jose Mercado. It was advised secret pact – Rizal would go to Europe to
by Paciano to protect him from trouble since the complete his medical studies there and prepare
former was known to have link to one of the himself for the great task of liberating the
GOMBURZA who was executed four months country from Spanish tyranny.
earlier the exam.
Rizal in Europe
During this time Ateneo Municipal was On May 3, 1882, Rizal left the
known to offer the best education for boys lead Philippines for Spain. In his first step abroad,
by Jesuits. Their students were divided into two Rizal was very excited to learn new things. He
groups, the Romans and the Carthaginians. The was only 20 years old and a s a young man, he
Roman empire was composed of students was very observant and eager to interact with
boarding at Ateneo while the Carthaginian foreigners. He made sketches of his fellow
Empire was composed of non-boarding passengers and of the things he saw during his
students. This grouping was done to stimulate travel. By June 16, 1882, he arrived at
the spirit of competition among the students. At Barcelona and meet his former classmates in
the start, Rizal lagged behind his classmates but Ateneo who organized a welcome party for him
because of his perseverance and seriousness, at a coffee house in Plaza
he became the emperor, a title given to the most de Cataluña. It was in this city that Rizal wrote
outstanding student in class, in just a month’s an essay entitled “El Amor Patrio” (Love of
time. Country). This essay was published on August
Rizal studied at Ateneo from 1872 to 20, 1882 in Diariong Tagalog where he used his
1877. In those years, he consistently showed pen name Laong Laan.
excellence in his academic performance. He
passed the oral exam on March 14, 1877 and
 In between his studies, Rizal made time Trinidad Pardo de Tavera. The Propaganda
for meeting fellow Filipinos in Madrid known as Movement campaigned for reforms such as: (1.)
illustrados, these Filipinos formed the Circulo for the Philippines to be made a province of
Hispano-Filipino which held informal programs Spain so that native Filipinos would have equal
with the activities like poetry-reading and rights accorded to Spaniards; (2) representation
debates. As a prolific writer and poet, Rizal was of the Philippines in the Spanish Cortes; and (3)
asked to write a poem. As a result, he wrote Mi secularization of parishes.
Piden Versos (They Ask Me for Verses). It was
also in Madrid that he wrote the first half of his Rizal became pre-occupied with writing
novel, Noli Me Tangere. On November 15, 1890, articles and essays which were published in the
he joined the Masonry and became a Master Propaganda Movement’s newspaper, La
Mason at the Lodge Solidaridad. Solidaridad. Among his intellectual works in
Europe is his annotation of Antonio de Morga’s
It was also in Madrid, where Rizal met Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (1890) in which
and became attracted to Consuelo, Don Pablo’s Rizal showed that even before the coming of the
daughter. However, he did not pursue her Spaniards, the Filipinos already had developed
because of his commitment to Leonor Rivera. culture. He also wrote an essay entitled “Sobre
He wrote a poem for Consuelo entitled A la Indolencia de los Filipinos” (On the Indolence
Señiorita C. O. y R. It was also in Madrid that of the Filipinos) published in 1890 in which he
Rizal specialized in ophthalmology and trained attributed the Filipino’s “indolence” to different
under Dr. Louis de Weckert of Paris for whom he factors such as climate and social disorders.
worked as an assistant from October 1885 to Another essay he wrote strongly called for
March 1886. In Germany, he also worked with reforms; it was called “Filipinas Dentro Cien
Dr. Javier Galezowsky and Dr. Otto Becker in Años” (The Philippines a Century Hence)
Heidelberg in 1886 and Dr. R. Schulzer and Dr. published in parts from 1889 to 1890.
Schwinger in 1887. During his stay in Germany,
Rizal was able to meet Feodor Jagor and Hans By July 1891, while in Brussels, Rizal
Virchow through his friend Ferdinand completed his second novel, El Filibustirismo,
Blumentritt. Rizal mastered the German which was published on September 18, 1891
language and wrote a paper entitled Tagalische through the help of his friend, Valentin Ventura.
Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art).it was also in Compared with his Noli, Rizal’s El Fili was more
Berlin where he finished Noli Me Tangere which radical with its narrative portrayed of a society
was published on March 21, 1887 with financial on the verge of a revolution.
help from his friend Maximo Viola.
In 1892, Rizal decided to return to the
After five years in Europe, Rizal went Philippines thinking that the real struggle was in
back home to Calamba on August 8, 1887. He his homeland. In spite of warnings and his
came to be known as Doctor Uliman as he was family’s disapproval, Rizal arrived in the
mistaken for a German. His vacation, however, Philippines on June 26, 1892. Immediately, he
was cut short because he was targeted by the visited his friends in Central Luzon and
friars whom were portrayed negatively in his encouraged them to join the La Liga Filipina, a
novel Noli Me Tangere. He left the country for socio-civic organization that Rizal established on
the second time on February 16, 1888. July 3, 1892. Unfortunately, just a few days after
the Liga’s formation, Rizal was arrested and
Rizal’s Second Trip to Europe brought to Fort Santiago on July 6, 1892. He
In his second trip, Rizal became more was charged with bringing with him for Hong
active in the Propaganda Movement with fellow Kong leaflets entitled Pobres Frailes (Poor
illustrados like Marcelo H. del Pilar, Garciano Friars), a satire against the rich Dominican friars
Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce and and their accumulation of wealth which was
against their vow of poverty. In spite of his against the Church and to accept other
protests and denial of having those materials, conditions.
Rizal was exiled to Dapitan in Mindanao.
On the eve of June 21, 1896, Dr. Pio
Exile in Dapitan Valenzuela visited Rizal in Dapitan and informed
Rizal arrived in Dapitan on board the him about the founding of Katipunan and the
steamer Cebu on July 17, 1892. Dapitan (now a planned revolution. Rizal objected, citing the
city within Zamboanga del Norte) was a remote importance of a well-planned movement with
town in Mindanao which served as a sufficient arms.
politico-military outpost of the Spaniards in the
Philippines It was headed by Captain Ricardo Meanwhile, Rizal had been sending
Carnicero, who became a friend of Rizal during letters to then Governor-General Ramon Blanco.
his exile. He gave Rizal the permission to Twice he sent letters, one in 1894 and another in
explore the place and required him to report 1895. He asked for a review of his case. He said
once a week in his office. that if his request would not be granted, he
would volunteer to serve as a surgeon under the
The quite place of Dapitan became Spanish army fighting in the Cuban revolution.
Rizal’s home from 1892 to 1896. Here, he
practiced medicine, pursued scientific studies, On July 30,1896, Rizal’s request to go to
and continued his artistic pursuits in in sculpture, Cuba was approved. He left on the following day
painting, sketching, and writing poetry. He for Manila on board the steamer España. And on
established a school for boys and promoted September 3, 1896, he boarded the steamer Isla
community development projects. He also found de Panay which would bring him to Barcelona.
time to study the Malayan language and other Upon arriving at the port, however,
Philippine languages. He engaged himself in Governor-General Despujol told him that there
farming and commerce and even invented a was an order to ship him back to Manila. On
wooden machine for making bricks. November 3, 1896, Rizal arrived in Manila and
was immediately brought to Fort Santiago.
On September 21, 1892, Rizal won the
second prize in a lottery together with Ricardo Trial and Execution
Carnicero and another Spaniard. His share The preliminary investigation of Rizal’s
amounted to 6, 200 pesos. A portion of Rizal’s case began on November 20, 1896. He was
winnings was used in purchasing land accused of being the main organizer of the
approximately one kilometer away from Dapitan revolution. He pleaded not guilty and even wrote
in a place known as Talisay. He built his house a manifesto appealing to the revolutionaries to
on the seashore of Talisay as well as a school discontinue the uprising. Rizal’s lawyer, Lt. Luis
and a hospital within the area. Taviel de Andrade, tried his best to save Rizal.
However, on December 26, 1896, the trial ended
Having heard of Rizal’s fame as an and sentence was read. Rizal was found guilty
ophthalmologist, George Taufer who was and sentenced to death by firing squad,
suffering from an eye ailment travelled from
Hong Kong to Dapitan. He was accompanied by On December 28, 1896,
his adopted daughter, Josephine Bracken, who Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja signed
eventually fell in love with Rizal. They lived as the court decision. He later decreed that Rizal
husband and wife in Rizal’s octagonal house be executed by firing squad at 7:00 a.m of
after being denied the sacrament of marriage by December 30. Rizal on his last remaining days,
Father Obach, the parish priest of Dapitan, due composed his longest poem, Mi Ultimo Adios,
to Rizal’s refusal to retract his statements which was about his farewell to the Filipino
 people. When his mother and sisters Thus, it was viewed that the
visited him on December 29, 1896, Rizal gave transformation of the economy towards being
away his remaining possessions. He handed his export oriented, harnessing the agricultural
gas lamp to his sister Trinidad and murmured products that could be yielded from the
softly in English, “There is something inside.” archipelago, was the way to go.
Eventually, Trining and her sister Maria would
extract from the lamp the copy of Rizal’s poem. To better facilitate the envisioned
reorientation of the economy, Basco established
At 6:30 in the morning of December 30, the Royal Philippine Company in 1785 to finance
1896, Rizal, in his black suit with his arms tied agricultural projects and manage the new trade
behind his back, walked to Bagumbayan. The being established between the Philippines and
orders were given and shots were fired. Spain (and Europe) as well as other Asian
Consummatum est! (“It is finished!”) Rizal died markets. These changes, however, were met
offering his life for his country and its freedom. with lukewarm reception, Resistance also came
from various sectors like the Catholic Church
Module 3: The Nineteenth Century Philippine that was not receptive of the labor realignments
Economy, Society, Chinese Mestizos and the entailed by the planned reforms, and traders that
Agrarian Dispute were still holding on to the Gallon 1rade. It also
did not help that the Royal Philippine Company
Many scholars consider the nineteenth was fraught with issues of mismanagement and
century as an era of profound change in the corruption. As 5asco pushed for the reforms, he
Philippines, during this period, vast economic, lifted a ban on Chinese merchants that
political, social, and cultural currents were felt. reinvigorated internal trade; initialized the
Change, however, had its initial ripples in the development of cash crop farms; relaxed certain
previous century. By the late eighteenth century, policies that allowed the gradual opening of
the monarchy in Spain experienced a dynastic Manila to foreign markets; and established the
shift from the Habsburgs to the Bourbons. Under Tobacco Monopoly to maximize the production
the new leadership, Spain recalibrated colonial of this export good.
policies that would affect the Philippines. With
the goal of invigorating the profitability of the Global events continued to affect the
colonies like the Philippines, Bourbon policies Philippines at the beginning of the nineteenth
and reforms were carried out. The first century. By 1810, the Mexican War of
governor-general to the Philippines under the Independence rattled the Spanish empire, as it
Bourbon mandate was José de Basco y Vargas would eventually lead to the loss of the precious
who arrived in the Philippines in 1778. Latin American colonies. With this came the
eventual end of the Galleon Trade which
By the time Basco arrived, the Galleon became a concern in the Philippines. As the
Trade, the main economic institution existing in Philippine economy hung in the balance, policies
the Philippines, was already a losing enterprise. were recalibrated and with the eventual closing
As Spain sought ways to salvage the dwindling of the Royal Philippine Company, Manila was
economy of the empire, the global wave of opened to world trade by 1834. As a result,
industrialization became a silver lining. As many foreign merchants and traders came and
imperial powers in Europe and the West were eventually resided in Manila and took over the
undergoing industrialization, an increased role of financing and facilitating the burgeoning
demand for raw materials presented an agricultural cash crop, export-oriented, economy
opportunity to look into the agricultural potential Some of the major investments came from
of the Philippines. British and American traders that set up
merchant houses in Manila.
 The rapid development of the economy demand compelled the issuance of the colonial
began to flow Philippines through cash crops. By government order in 1836 that required all towns
the first half of the 19th Century, majority of the to set up primary schools to teach the population
exports of the Philippines came from cash crops how to read and write. It eventually led to the
like tobacco, sugar, cotton, indigo, abaca, and passage of an education decree in 1863 that
coffee. mandated free primary education. Eventually,
the nineteenth century also gave birth to many
The Chinese and Chinese Mestizos schools that addressed the growing demand for
The sectors that greatly benefited from more professionals. Schools like Ateneo
the changing economy were the Chinese and Municipal were established during this time. The
the Chinese mestizos. Since pre-colonial times, complex nature of the developing economy also
the natives of the Philippines had had trade allowed the government to intensify
relations with the Chinese. During the height of bureaucratization and to streamline colonial
the Galleon Trade, it was also Chinese products governance.
that comprised most the goods being traded.
The influx of Chinese settlements in the Renegotiating Social Stratification
Philippines made the Spaniards suspicious of The Philippine society felt the impact of
the Chinese. These feelings led to stringent the developing economy. As a result, social
state policy towards the sangley ranging from relations underwent redefinitions and the
higher taxes, the restriction of movement with changing dynamics brought about a
the establishment of the Chinese enclave (the renegotiation of social stratification. With the
Parian), to actual policies of expulsion. growing relevance of the mestizo population,
new lines were drawn with the following strata:
The Chinese, however, proved to be
"necessary outsiders" in Philippine colonial Peninsular - Pure-blooded Spaniard born in the
economy and society. Although the Spaniards Iberian peninsula (i.e., Spain)
were wary of the Chinese, they realized the
importance that the latter played in sustaining Insular - Pure-blooded Spaniard born in the
the economy. From the goods loaded on the Philippines
galleons to the development of retail trade, the
Chinese enlivened the economy. Eventually and Mestizo Born of mixed parentage, a mestizo can
gradually, they became integrated into colonial be Spanish mestizo – one parent is Spanish, yje
society, giving rise to intermarriages with indio other is a native, or Chinese mestizo – one
that gave birth to Chinese mestizos. The parent is Chinese, the other is a native
Chinese mestizos assumed an important role in
the economy all throughout the Spanish colonial Principalia - Wealthy pure-blooded native
period. They influenced the changing economy supposedly descended from the kadatoan class
in the nineteenth century by purchasing land,
accumulating wealth and influence. Chino Infiel - Non-Catholic pure-blooded
Chinese
Impact on Life in the Colony
As the Spaniards lost economic power
The economic developments, as in the nineteenth century, they asserted
mentioned, precipitated social, political, and dominance by virtue of their race. This issue
cultural developments as well. For example, the brought complications with the rising principalia
new economy demanded a more literate and mestizo populations who realized their
population to address the rising need for a more indispensable position in society as movers and
professionalized workforce to man the trading facilitators of the economy.
activities in Manila and other centers. This
 The renegotiation continued throughout Spanish conquistadores who arrived in the
the century as the mestizos and principalia elite Philippines during the late sixteenth and early
eventually demanded social recognition that the seventeenth centuries. Approximately 120
pure-blooded Spaniards had consistently denied Spaniards were given grants that were often
them. composed of a large tract of land known as sitio
de ganado mayor (measuring 1,742 hectares)
These wealthy mestizos and members and smaller tracts of land known as caballerias
of the principalia continued to amass economic (measuring 42.5 hectares).
and cultural capital. They also availed
themselves of the opportunity to obtain higher In time, the Spanish hacienderos failed
degrees of education not only in the Philippines to develop their lands for three reasons. First,
but also in Europe. These activities augmented the Spanish population in the Philippines was
their relevance in society as it was from these transient. It was a common practice for Spanish
ranks that articulations of nationalism would administrator to return to Spain after serving the
emerge. colony. Second, the market for livestock
products, which haciendas offered, remained
Racial Hierarchy of Colonial Philippines relatively small until the latter part of the Spanish
colonial period. Third, the Galleon Trade based
Peninsulares: full-blooded Spaniards born in in Manila offered bigger economic rewards and
Spain. attracted more Spaniards. Because the Spanish
hacienderos lacked the interest and inclination
Americano: person of the Criollo, either pure to develop their lands, the religious orders soon
Spanish blood or mostly castizo (¼ native took over the task.
American, ¾ spanish) or mestizo (½ Spanish, ½
Native American), descent born in Spanish Often, the lands were donated by
America (“from the Americas”) Spaniards seeking spiritual benefits. There were
cases, too, in which estates that had been
Insulares: full-blooded Spaniards born in the heavily mortgaged to the ecclesiastics were
Philippines. eventually purchased by the religious orders
themselves. Records reveal that several Filipino
Tornatras: person of mixed Spanish, Chinese, principales also contributed to the formation of
and Austronesian descent the friar estates through donations and sales.
Despite these methods, there persisted a
Mestizo de Espanol: person of mixed Spanish commonly held belief among the Filipinos that
and Austronesian descent the religious orders had no titles to their lands
and that they had acquired these lands through
Mestizo de Sangley: person of mixed Chinese usurpation or other dubious means.
and Austronesian ancestry Nevertheless, religious estates in the Tagalog
region continued to grow that by the nineteenth
Sangley: full blooded Chinese century, they constituted approximately 40
percent of the provinces of Bulacan, Tondo
Indio: Full-blooded Austronesian (presently Rizal), Cavite, and Laguna.

Negrito: full-blooded Aeta, Batak or Mamanwa The preoccupation in the estates was
varied during the early centuries of Spanish
colonial rule. In the sixteenth and seventeenth
Agrarian Disputes centuries, the estates primarily served as cattle
The origin of the friar estates can be ranches as well as farms of subsistence crops.
traced back to land grants awarded to the early Rice and sugar later served as main
commodities produced in the haciendas and income of the sharecroppers. After the inguilino
became important sources of income for the paid his rent to the religious hacenderos and
religious orders especially during the nineteenth deducted his own share, the remaining amount
century. of income would then be divided among all the
sharecroppers.
Agrarian relations in the haciendas
developed in the time. In the sixteenth and The change in the social structure and
seventeenth centuries, the social structure found land tenure practices would eventually render
in the haciendas was primarily composed of lay the haciendas as sites of contestation among
brother administrators at the top and cultivating the Spanish religious hacienderos, the
tenants below. Although the lay brother inquilinos, and the sharecroppers. It is not
administrators were under the direct authority of surprising, then, that when the Philippine
the heads of their religious orders, they were Revolution broke out in 1896, the abuses in the
relatively free to make their own decisions on friar estates were often identified as one of the
administrative affairs. The tenants, on the other main causes that instigated the revolt.
hand, were expected to work the land and pay
an annual rent, which was usually a fixed Hacienda de Calamba Conflict
amount of harvest and in later centuries, money.
Not much is known about the Hacienda
By the mid-eighteenth century, an de Calamba prior to the year 1759 other than it
expanding economy based on exporting was owned by several Spanish laymen. In 1759,
agricultural crops ushered in change and a destitute Spanish layman, Don Manuel
gradually implemented an inquilinato system. Jauregui, donated the lands to the Jesuits on the
Under this system, an individual rented land for condition that he would be allowed to live in the
a fixed annual amount, known as canon. Aside Jesuit monastery for the rest of his life. The
from the rent, the inquilino or lessee was also would claim ownership to the land for a mere
expected to render personal services to his eight years before they were expelled from the
landlords. If the inquilino failed to satisfy these Philippines through a decree issued by King
requirements, he could face expulsion from the Charles Ill on February 27, 1767. As a result of
land. Usually, the inquilino, in turn, would the expulsion, Hacienda de Calamba, along with
sub-lease the land to a kasamá or sharecropper other Jesuit properties, were confiscated by the
who would then take on the task of cultivating government and put under the management of
the soil. Thus, a three-tiered system emerged the Office of Jesuit Temporalities.
with the landlords at the top, the inquilinos at the
middle, and the sharecroppers at the bottom. In 1803, the government sold the
property to a Spanish layman, Don Clemente de
By leasing the land to an inquilino, the Azansa, for 44,507 pesos. When he died in
religious hacienderos freed themselves from the 1833, the Hacienda de Calamba, which
social responsibilities borne from a direct measured 16,424 hectares, was purchased by
interaction with the sharecroppers since it was the Dominicans for 52,000 pesos. By this time,
now the inquilinos who dealt directly with the many families from neighboring towns had
kasamá. The sharecroppers, on the other hand, migrated to the hacienda in search of economic
benefitted from the arrangement because their opportunities. Among the families that arrived at
labor obligations to the religious estates allowed the hacienda were Rizal's ancestors, who
them to be exempted from the responsibilities of eventually became one of the principal inquilinos
forced labor demanded by the Spanish in the hacienda.
government. The downside to this type of
arrangement, however, was that two Although the lands in Calamba were
non-cultivating groups further diminished the leased to several families, it was Rizal's family
that rented one of the largest leased lands,
measuring approximately 380 hectares. Sugar As a form of retaliation, the friars began
was a main commodity planted in the hacienda to evict tenants who refused to pay rent in 1891.
as there was a demand for the crop in the world Those who persisted still in resisting the friars
market. Much of the wealth of Rizal's family were eventually expelled. Among those who
came from these lands; hence, it is but natural were exiled to remote areas in the country were
that when the conflict began to manifest itself as Rizal's parents, brother, and sisters. Although
early as 1883, there was much for the family to Rizal had worked on reversing the decision of
be concerned about. the Philippine courts, his family's exile would
only be lifted upon the issuance of a decree from
In 1883, Paciano Rizal wrote that the another governor-general. The experience
friars were collecting rents without issuing the affected Rizal deeply and the increasing despair
usual receipts. Two years later, the tenants he felt from the event would be reflected in his
failed to pay their rents because the rent had second novel, El Filibusterismo.
supposedly increased while sugar prices had
remained low. To punish the tenants for not
paying the rent, the Dominicans declared the MODULE 4- PHILOSOPHIES OF RIZAL
lands vacant and invited residents of other
towns to take over the tenancies. Because only “I do not write for this generation. I am
a few outsiders responded to the Dominican's writing for other ages. If this could read me, they
invitation, the friars weakened their position. would burn my books, the work of my whole life.
Most tenants, except for four or five, were On the other hand, the generation which
spared from eviction. interprets these writings will be an educated
generation; they will understand me and say:
The charges against the friars continued Not all were asleep in the nighttime of our
with Rizal's brother in-law, Mariano Herboso, grandparents.” – Jose Rizal
specifically complaining about the yearly
increase in rentals, faulty irrigation systems, and Being one of the prominent
failure to issue receipts. Coupled with these representatives of the Filipino personalities,
problems was the fact that at this time, the price Rizal’s philosophy deserves to be recognized
of sugar continued to decline in the world and given importance. Jose Rizal’s ideals and
market. The situation became so dire that philosophies were a product and composite of
Paciano, at one point, considered giving back the teachings of what is known as the
his lands to the friars and clearing land philosophy of Enlightenment. That stage of
elsewhere. philosophy marked the dawn of the eighteenth
century in Europe and continued to the 19th
Problems continued to escalate when in century. Having been a victim of Spanish
1887, the colonial government demanded from brutality early in his life in Calamba, Rizal had
the tenants of the hacienda a report on the thus already formed the nucleus of an
income and production of the estate because unfavorable opinion of Castillian imperialistic
they suspected that the Dominicans were administration of his country and people.
evading payment of their taxes. The tenants
complied and submitted a report, but they also The horrible social conditions of the
attached a petition authored by José Rizal. The Philippines during the 19th century from the
petition presented a list of grievances against arms of our conquerors, particularly of Spain,
the hacienda owners including a complaint on with agriculture, commerce, communications,
the increasing amount of rent. To show and education languishing under its most
resistance, some of the tenants began to backward state. It was because of this social
withhold rents. malady that social evils like inferiority complex,
cowardice, timidity, and false pride pervaded prerequisite for social progress, Rizal claimed
nationally and contributed to the decay of social that only through education could the country be
life. This stimulated and shaped Rizal’s life saved from domination.
philosophy to be to contain if not eliminate these
social ills. Rizal's philosophy of education,
therefore, centers on the provision of proper
A. Educational Philosophy motivation to bolster the great social forces that
make education a success, to create in the
“Without education dn liberty, which are youth an innate desire to cultivate his
the soil and sun of man, no reform is possible, intelligence and give him life eternal.
no measure can give the result desired.” —-
Jose Rizal B. Religious Philosophy
Rizal grew up nurtured by a closely-knit
Rizal's love for learning had a huge Catholic family, was educated in the foremost
impact on the foundation of his ideas and Catholic schools of the period in the
philosophies in life even during his younger elementary,secondary, and college levels;
years. Rizal always considered education as therefore, he should have been a propagator of
medicine or something that could cure the the Catholic faith and traditions. However, in
societal illnesses of Colonial Philippines. He later life, he became exposed to the massive
believed in education that is free from political corruption, abuses, and exploitations executed
and religious control. He asserted that reform by the people behind the church. Consequently,
cannot be achieved if there is no suitable he developed a philosophy contrary to the
education, a liberal one available to Filipinos. catholic practices and ideals that were rooted in
the actual condition of his society.
In 1893, Rizal's idea of education as an
instrument of change has not diminished a bit. In It could have been the result of
one of his letters to Alfredo Hidalgo, a nephew, contemporary contact, companionship,
Rizal stated: Life is a very serious thing and only observation, research, and the possession of an
those with intelligence and heart go through it independent spirit. Being a critical observer, a
worthily. In the same letter, he also told his profound thinker, and a zealous reformer, Rizal
nephew that to live is to be among men and to did not agree with the prevailing Christian
be among men is to struggle He concluded that propagation of the Faith by fire and sword. This
on the battlefield man has no better weapon is shown in his Annotation of Morga’s Sucesos
than his intelligence. de las Islas Filipinas.

His concept of the importance of Rizal did not believe in the Catholic
education was also enunciated in his work dogma that salvation was only for Catholics and
entitled Instruction wherein he sought that outside Christianity, salvation was not
improvements in the schools and the methods of possible even if Catholics composed only a
teaching. He emphasized that the backwardness small minority of the world's religious groups.
of his country during the Spanish era was not Nor did he believe in the Catholic observation of
due to the Filipinos' indifference, apathy, or fasting as a sacrifice, nor in the sale of such
indolence as claimed by the rulers, but to the religious items as the cross, medals, rosaries,
neglect of the Spanish authorities in the islands. and the like to propagate the Faith and raise
church funds. He also lambasted the
For Rizal, the mission of education is to superstitious beliefs propagated by the priests in
elevate the country to the highest seat of glory the church and the schools. All of these and a lot
and to develop the people’s mentality. Since more are shreds of evidence of Rizal's religious
education is the foundation of society and a philosophy.
 "Who died on the cross? Was it God or man? If it
Rizal's contacts with the great thinkers, was God, I do not understand how God could
leaders,scholars, scientists, and philosophers of die: how a God conscious of his mission could
the progressive libertarian movement in Spain cry out in his bitter agony: 'My God, my God why
and other European countries revolutionized his has Thou My forsaken Me’ This cry is absolutely
religious philosophy. He met with Austrian human; it isthe cry of a man who was banking
Ferdinand Blumentritt who was one of the on the justice of God and worthiness of his
European specialists in the Philippines. He read cause, and then found himself surrounded by
the radical theological writings of Felicite R. de every type of injustice without any hope of
Lamennals, who advocated that Christians must salvation., all the words of Christ on the cross
serve the poor and fight injustices including reveal to us, true enough, a man in torment and
those perpetrated by the Catholic Church. Men agony. But what a man!'
like Rafael Labra, Manuel Luis Zorilla, and
Francisco Pi y Margall, who struggled to reform RELIGION: Rizal believed in religion, in
Spain's antiquated feudal system, were close his letter to his mother in 1885, he articulated
friends of Rizal. this very eloquently when he wrote: "For me,
religion is the holiest of things, the purest, the
GOD: Rizal believed in God, he most intangible, which escapes all human
pounded this belief in his letters to Fr. Pablo adulterations, and I think I would be recreant to
Pastells which goes: “I believe firmly in the my duty as a rational being if I were to prostitute
existence of God the Creator...I firmly believe in my reason and admit what is absurd. I do not
His wisdom, His infinite power (my idea of the believe that God would punish me if I were to try
infinite is so limited), His goodness manifested in to approach Him using reason and
the marvelous creation of the universe; in the understanding, -his most precious gift". Rizal
order that reigns in His creation; His opposed the perversions, abuses, and hypocrisy
magnificence that overwhelms my of the Catholic hierarchy and the colonial
understanding; His greatness that enlightens government that he manifested in his two
and nourishes all. His wisdom is so great that it novels. He did not intend to destroy the Catholic
humiliates human reason and makes me dizzy Church but desired its practices more consistent
with vertigo for my own reasoning is imperfect with the fundamental tenets of Christianity.
and confused. Many times my reasoning leads
me to raise my eyes to Him. I believe Him to be REVELATION: Rizal's fourth letter dated
in the immense system of planets, in all the April 4, 1893, to Fr. Pablo Pastells, he wrote: “I
aggregation of nebulae, that bewilders and believed in the revelation but in that living
stretches my imagination beyond my revelation of Nature that surrounds us
comprehension that I am filled with dread, awe, everywhere, in that voice, potent, eternal,
and bewilderment and leaves me dumb with incessant, incorruptible, clear, distinct, universal
wonder" as the Being from whom it proceeds; in that
revelation that speaks to and penetrates us from
“How can I doubt God when I am the moment we are born until we die.
convinced of my own existence? Who
recognizes the effect recognizes the cause. To CATHOLICISM: Rizal espoused
doubt God would be to doubt one's conscience Christianity but rejected the Catholic Church's
and consequently, to doubt everything; and then, claims of infallibility. In the same letter to Fr.
what is life for? Pablo Pastells, Rizal wrote: "All the brilliant and
subtle arguments of Your Reverence, which I
JESUS CHRIST: Rizal did not believe shall not attempt to refute because I would have
that Jesus Christ was God, during his exile in to write a treatise, cannot convince me that the
Dapitan in his letter to Fr. Pastells, he wrote: Catholic Church is endowed with infallibility. It
also carries the human thumbprint... with all the To bolster his ethical philosophy, Dr.
defects, errors, and vicissitudes proper to the Rizal had recognized not only the forces of good
work of men." Dr. Maximo Viola in his "Mis and evil but also the tendencies towards good
Viajes con el Dr. Rizal" (My Travels with Dr. and evil. As a result, he made use of the
Rizal), mentioned that "the religion of Christ was practical method of appealing to the better
the most perfect, but due to the modifications nature of the conquerors and of offering useful
introduced into it, by malice or religious methods of solving the moral problems of the
fanaticism, it has become like an edifice, which conquered.
because of so many modifications has been so
disfigured and threatens to fall apart." To support his ethical philosophy in life, Rizal:

HEAVEN: Rizal wrote in his "Mi Ultimo 1. censured the friarsfor abusing the advantage
Adios" his last poem. "For I go where no slave oftheir position asspiritual leaders and the
before the oppressor bends, Where faith can ignorance and fanaticism of the natives;
never kill, and God reigns everywhere."
2. counseled the Filipinos not to resent a defect
HELL, AND PURGATORY: Rizal attributed to them but to accept same as
believed that these were invented for the reasonable and just;
exploitation of the people, by means of the sale
of ribbons, scapulars, rosaries, and religious 3. advised the masses that the object of
articles to the ignorant, this was also written in marriage was the happiness and love of the
Dr. Viola's "Mis Viajes con el Dr. Rizal" (My couple and not financial gain;
Travels with Dr. Rizal). Purgatory was not even
written in the Bible. As regards hell, Rizal wrote 4. censured the priests who preached greed and
to Fr. Pastells. ” God cannot have created me for wrong morality; and
my harm: for what harm had I done Him before
being created that He should will my 5. advised everyone that love and respect for
damnation?” parents must be strictly observed

C. Ethical Philosophy D. Political Philosophy

The study of human behavior as to In Rizal's political view, a conquered
whether it is good or bad or whether it is right or country like the Philippines should not be taken
wrong is the science upon which Rizal's ethical advantage of but rather should be developed,
philosophy was based. The fact that the civilized, educated, and trained in the science of
Philippines was under Spanish domination self-government.
during Rizal'stime led him to subordinate his
philosophy to moral problems. Thistrend was He bitterly assailed and criticized in
much more needed at that time because the publications the apparent backwardness of the
Spaniards and the Filipinos had different and Spanish ruler’s method of governing the country
sometimes conflicting morals. The moral status which resulted in the bondage and slavery of the
of the Philippines during this period was one conquered, the Spanish government’s
with a lack of freedom, one with the requirement of forced labor and force military
predominance of foreign masters, one with the service upon the natives, the abuse of power by
imposition of foreign religious worship, devotion, means of exploitation, the government ruling
homage, and racial habits. This led to moral that any complaint against the authorities was
confusion among the people, what with justice criminal; and Making the people ignorant,
being stifled, limited, or curtailed and the people destitute and fanatic, thus discouraging the
not enjoying any individual rights. formation of national sentiment.
In his essay “The Philippines: A Century Hence,” Rizal’s words subtly expressed that he
contains predictions on the possible future of the desired reform over premature revolution. These
Philippines within a hundred years: words however are significant to show that Rizal
was not averse to revolution or violence if
1. that the Philippines Would stay a Spanish necessary. It is also important to realize that
colony provided its citizens receive not only the when some historians and teachers of history
rights and privileges of citizens of the Spanish created a gap between reform and revolution,
crown but also the inherent rights of a human between the campaign for reforms and
being; assimilation in Spain and the outbreak of the
Philippine revolution, they fail to see that Rizal,
2. that the Philippines will inevitably rise in revolt Marcelo H. del Pilar, and others saw reform and
against Spain if continuously exploited and assimilation only as the first step to the eventual
abused; separation from Spain, the independence of the
Philippines. Reform was a means to freedom,
3. and that the Philippines may be conquered by not the destination.
other nations after Spain's presence in the
country is extinguished. Basic Political Reforms:

Reform thru non-violent means 1. The restoration of Filipino representation to

the Spanish Cortes and freedom of the press.
Andres Bonifacio and other leaders of 2. Reorganization of the administrative
the Katipunan, together with ranks of the machinery.
revolutionaries, belonged to the “left-wing 3. Adoption of a comprehensive examination
tendency” of those who adhered to the ideas and the publication of its results and allowing
that Jose Rizal espoused. Upon closer look at Filipinosto have the same opportunity with the
the ideas, one will find that most of his thoughts Spaniards to hold government office.
on society were essentially heavily tainted with 4. Justice is the foundation of society and the
French revolutionary ideas but were also [Link]'s guiding political philosophy
calibrated in such a way that they fit into a proved to be the study and application of
reformist frame. reforms, the extension of human rights, the
training for self-government, and the arousing of
Rizal’s statement that he had no desire to take the spirit of discontent over oppression,brutality,
part in conspiracies: inhumanity, sensitiveness, and self-love.
"I assure you that I have no desire to
take part in conspiracies which seem to me very E. Social Philosophy
premature and risky. But if the government That body of knowledge relating to
drives us to the brink, that is to say, when no society including the wisdom which man's
other hope remains but seek our destruction in experience in society has taught him is social
war when the Filipinos would prefer to die rather philosophy. The facts dealt with are principles
than endure their misery any longer, then I will involved in nation-building and not individual
also become a partisan of violent means. The social problems. The subject matter of this social
choice of peace or destruction is in the hands of philosophy covers the problems of the whole
Spain, because it is a clear fact, known to all, race, with every problem having a distinct
that we are patient, excessively patient and solution to bolster the people's social
peaceful, mild, unfeeling, etc. But everything knowledge.
ends in this life, there is nothing eternal in the
world and that refers also to our patience." Rizal’s social philosophy dealt with;
1. man in society;
2. influential factors in human life;
3. racial problems; people and to elaborate nationalism as tangent
4. social constant; to freedom and emancipation. This was the time
5. social justice; when the Filipinos had no sense of national
6. social ideal; consciousness nor a desire for independence. In
7. poverty and wealth; his novels he envisioned a dignified society, an
8. reforms; emancipated people and a progressive nation
9. youth and greatness; mature in political freedom. This dream was
10. history and progress; nursed at a time when it was political treason for
11. the future Philippines. a Spanish subject to conceive of a society
independent of Spain.
The above dealt with man's evolution
and his environment, explaining, for the most LESSON V. RIZAL’S ROLE IN NATION
part, human behavior and capacities like his will BUILDING
to live; his desire to possess happiness; the
change of his mentality; the role of virtuous A. Rizal’s Blueprint of Nation Building
women in the guidance of great men; the need
for elevating and inspiring mission; the duties Despite political inhibitions during his
and dictates of man's conscience; man's need of time, Rizal aimed at the restoration of his
practicing gratitude; the necessity for consulting people’s dignity, the recognition of their human
reliable people; his need for the experience; his rights and for the Filipinos to have an equal
ability to deny; the importance of deliberation; representation in the government. Rizal’s
the voluntary offer of man's abilities and political conviction and concept of nationalism
possibilities; the ability to think, aspire and strive matured between 1882 and 1887. From a
to rise; and the proper use of hearth, brain, and distance he gained a better perspective of his
spirit-all of these combining to enhance the country’s problems. He saw how his country
intricacies, beauty, and values of human nature. suffered from the abuses, maligned by vices of
All of the above served as Rizal’s guide in his the Spaniards and the Filipinos alike, helpless
continuous effort to make over his beloved with their oppressed unhappy and indolent
Philippines. people. Rizal had an immense sympathy for his
people and enduring love for his country. He
MODULE 5- RIZAL’S ROLE IN NATION began to understand now that the prolonged
BUILDING subjugation of his people was caused primarily
by two factors, namely, the absence of national
“I have always loved my poor country, consciousness and the poor training and
and I am sure that I shall love her until death, if education of the people.
by chance men are unjust to me; and I shall
enjoy the happy life, contented in the thought Gradually, his own lifetime plan emerged
that all I have suffered, my past, my present and into a reality of direction and dedicated
my future, my life, my loves, my pleasures, I leadership. He not only showed his people how
have sacrificed all these for love of her. Happen national identity emerges from the ideals of
that may, I shall die blessing her and desiring the nationalism; he also conceived an idealism of
dawn of her redemption.” – Jose Rizal dedication and intrepidity for the betterment of
the Philippine society. Hence, his blueprint for
Rizal had an immense love and nation building includes the importance of
constancy for his country which meant love for education, instilling racial pride and dignity
justice, for liberty and for personal dignity. He among the people, the promotion of national
was the first Filipino to express the ideals about consciousness, the re-orientation of values and
Philippine nationalism in his writings, eventually attitudes, and the willingness to sacrifice for the
became the rallying point of national unity for his country.
 experienced firsthand were the imprisonment of
B. Rizal’s Noble Mission his mother by persons whom his parents
Rizal remembered those who were considered as their friends, his experience of
brutalized by the masters, and described how discrimination during a literary contest held by
his mission came into being to his letter to the Liceo Artistico-Literario de Manila in 1880,
Mariano Ponce and Companions on April 18, he also experienced a similar beating when he
1889 as Rizal’s Correspondence with Fellow was given a lash by the lieutenant of the civil
Reformists. He also elaborated further his guard, Lieutenant Porta, for his failure to salute
mission which he considered as a duty when he him one night.
wrote his parents in May, 1882.
“Since then, though still a child, I have
“My mission,” he told his former mentor distrusted men and friendship. I do not want to
at the Ateneo, Father Francisco Paula de tell
Sanchez, “is to make men worthy.” you our resentment and profound
sorrow.” (Reminiscences and Travels, pp.
“At the sight of ... injustices and 12-13)
cruelties, while still a child, my imagination was
awakened and I swore to devote myself “Putting on the vizor, I took part in
to avenge one day so many victims, and with literary contests, and fortunately I won; I heard
this idea in mind I have been studying and this the
can be read in all my works and writings. God sound of sincere and enthusiastic
will someday give me an opportunity to carry out applause; but, we revealed ourselves, and the
my promise.” applause was transformed into coldness, into
(Letter to Mariano Ponce and Companions of mockery, into insult, and the defeated one was
La Solidaridad, Paris, 18 Apr 1889) honored instead.” “Victim of a brutal
aggression, I demanded justice, believing in it... I
“If we have no duties, if we live for no one but for complained to the captain-general but
ourselves, if selfishness were, even not they did not do me justice.”
a virtue, a state that is not censurable, how
happily I would spend my life beside my “On the day when all Filipinos should
family neither demanding nor wishing for think like him (M H del Pilar) and like us, on that
anything, neither expecting nor hoping to be day we shall have fulfilled our arduous mission,
useful to anyone but myself. But has God not which is the formation of the Filipino nation.”
made anything useless in this world, as all (Letter to Mariano Ponce, 27 July
beings fulfill a role in this sublime drama of 1888).
creation, I, too, have a mission to fill as for
example: alleviating the suffering of my people.” D. Rizal Awakens the National
(Asuncion Bantug. “The Novel that Shook a Consciousness
Nation,” The Saturday Herald, June 17, 1961,
p. 41) He was aware that a regenerated
individual would easily understand and feel love
C. Rizal’s Early Experiences and the of country. Thus, he intended to awaken the
Nascence of His Mission Filipino’s passion in the quest of national dignity
through his writings. A literary piece, “Love of
Rizal saw unbridled force and violence Country” published on August 20, 1882, was
committed by those supposed to be in charge of one of Rizal’s early steps in setting an ideal for
maintaining public peace and order in town. his people, the search for national identity. To
Needless to say,social injustices were prevalent Rizal, love of country is the national ideal. The
during his time. Few of the injustices that Rizal sincerity of Rizal’s love of country became the
crowning glory of his patriotism which, in turn, and ignorance is the lack of means of
had influenced many patriots after him. education,
the vice that afflicts us from the
“Whatever our condition might be then, beginning until
let us love our country and let us wish nothing the end of our careers, if not the lack of
but her welfare. Thus, we shall labor in stimulus
conformity with the purpose of humanity dictated of a doubtful future, or the fetters and
by God, which is the harmony and universal obstacles
peace of His creatures...” “My dream was my that are encountered at every step.”
country’s prosperity... I would like the Filipino
people to become worthy, noble, and F. The People’s Welfare Is the Concern of
honorable.” Governments

Rizal aimed at making Spain understand Rizal argued that the promotion of
the problems of the Filipinos who in turn would people’s welfare must be the main function of
know what they could do for themselves to attain any government, including the governments of
their aspirations. Due to lack of funds, it took him colonies. Social justice must be upheld in the
three years to write the book Noli Me Tangere, society regardless of race, education and family
which was published in Berlin, Germany and background.
completed on February 21, 1887. Another The first observation of Rizal is that a
significant work in awakening national colonizing country must know her colony,
consciousness is his work El Filibusterismo second observation was on the status of the
which was published in Ghent, Belgium on Philippines under Spain’s colonial system of
September 18, 1891. In March 1889, upon administration. The third and timely observation
learning that some Filipinos were arrested and of Rizal about colonizing powers is it revolves
imprisoned, he wrote to the members of the La around the use of prudence and tact and the
Solidaridad Association, urging them to work fourth current observation was the rulers’ lack of
harder. concern for the governed. Rizal requested Spain
to change the basis of her colonial policy in the
E. Education as the Instrument for Social Philippines. His fifth observation is that the
Progress policy of the government must be sincere and
For Rizal, education stands as the consistent to keep the loyalty of a country. The
foundation of society and the cure for societal sixth observation is that he foresaw how social
ills. He pleaded to government authorities to progress was possible if there was cooperation
take necessary steps to improve the quality between the government and the people. The
education of the Filipinos. He laid down feasible seventh observation is that the government must
arguments in favor of the Filipinos’ dire need for keep the lines of communication open if they
education. Rizal opened the mind of the Spanish need the support of the government.
authorities about the possible outcome that may
arise from denying the people the benefits of Rizal’s nationalistic mission was through
education. The enriching effects of Rizal’s study more reforms and not total independence.
abroad made him see how education could bring During Rizal's four- year exile in Dapitan, he
social progress. He consistently urged his expressed to Ricardo Carnicero, the
fellowmen to do everything they could do for the Politico-Commander, several reforms aside from
education of their generation. the freedom of the press and representation in
the Spanish Cortes. These were:
“We believe, that the cause of our
backwardness 1. Secularization of the parishes and
distributing the curacies;
 2. Reform in all branches of the MODULE 6- WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL
administration;
3. Encouragement of primary education A. Rizal’s Poems
and removing friar intervention in it; One way to gauge a person’s life is to
4. Higher salaries for deserving; look at his works and writings. Poetry, novels
5. Opportunity for appointment to the and other literary pieces reveal an individual’s
government; hopes, dreams, aspirations and goodbyes. Dr.
6. Improvement of the moral tone of the Jose Rizal was prolific writer from a young age.
administration; and He made several poems in his lifetime since his
7. Creation for schools of arts and trade early childhood. When he was 7 years old, he
in provincial capital of more than 16,000 wrote a play that was staged during the town
people 8. Freedom of religion fiesta. At 8 Rizal wrote his renowned poem
entitled "Sa Aking Mga Kabata". During his time
G. The Ultimate Means at Nation-Building Is in Ateneo and UST he wrote numerous poems,
National Unity plays, and other literary pieces; he joined
Rizal viewed the refusal of any contests and emerged as the winner several
individual in fighting injustice as a form of social times.
evil. In a letter to Rev Father Vicente Garcia, a “Sa Aking Mga Kababata” was a
Filipino doctor of Sacred Theology, Rizal nationalistic artwork promoting the use of
stressed the ideal of social justice which will Tagalog (Filipino) language by the Filipino
unify his people. In the Philippines, there was people. It was traditionally believed to be the
individual progress and not national progress. national hero’s first written Tagalog poem at the
Rizal never lost faith in the capacity of his age of eight and was said to have been
people to work together in spite of these published posthumously many years after
observations. Rizal’s death. However, recent investigations
cast serious doubts concerning the assumed
“The individual should give way to the authorship of the poem. Many scholars today
welfare of the society... whoever wants to believe that the very young Rizal could have not
take part in this crusade (for reforms) written the nationalistic poem. For one thing, it is
ought to have renounced beforehand life and doubted that
fortune.” an eight-year-old child, who normally just begins
to read, could write a five-stanza poem with
“Let us then work together... let us apply profound terms. Below are few of the famous
the remedy, let us build, no matter if we begin lines from the poem that signifies nationalistic
with the simplest, for later we shall have time to ideals and principles:
erect new edifices on that foundation. Step by
step one reaches the Temple of “Ang hindi magmahalsa kanyang salita
Progress whose numerous and fitful steps are Mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda,
notclimbed without faith and conviction of the Kaya ang marapat pagyamaning kusa
soul, in the heart courage necessary in Na tulad sa inang tunay na nagpala.”
encountering disillusions, and the gaze fixed in -Sa Aking Mga Kababata (1906)
the future.”
(Miscellaneous Most of these poems are about life
Writings of Dr. Jose struggles, individual quests of happiness, love
Rizal, p. 15) and martyrdom. Rizal took inspiration in his
writings from the people close to his heart. The
first poem he had written during hisstint at
Ateneo was the Mi Primera Inspiracion (1874) or
also translated as My First Inspiration. This
poem was written in honor of his mother’s in his lifetime. One of the women whom Rizal
birthday as suggested by the terms “perfume of expressed his profound love was Josephine
the flowers”, “the songs of the birds”, “feast your Bracken. He had written a poem To Josephine in
day of bloom” and “festive day”. Jose Rizal’s 1895 which he dedicated to the Irish woman.
poetic verses show his eternal love and
appreciation for his mother. This was somewhat Josephine Bracken, whom he called (in
his way of paying tribute to all the efforts for him another poem) his “dulce extranjera” (sweet
of her dear foreigner). When Josephine temporarily left
mother. Dapitan to accompany Taufer to Manila, Rizal
gave her this short poem which manifested that
Rizal, despite his young age, had he was really “smitten” with Josephine.
expressed high regards for education. Because
of this, he had written a poem entitled Education My Last Farewell (Mi Ultimo Adios, December
Gives Luster To The Motherland (Por La 1896) was considered as the most celebrated
Educacion Recibe Lustre La Patria, 1876). He poem by the national hero. Rizal’s friend,
believed in the significant role education plays in Mariano Ponce,was the one who titled the poem
the progress and welfare of a nation as evident “Mi Ultimo Pensamiento”(My Last Thought).
in his poem “Education Gives Luster to the Later, the poem was referred to as “My Last
Motherland”. Farewell” (Mi Ultimo Adios).
“Wise education, vital breath
Inspires an enchanting virtue; “Mi Ultimo Adios”, a brilliant creation,
She putsthe Country in the lofty seat was assumed to be written the night before Jose
Of endless glory, of dazzling glow, Rizal’s execution on December 30, 1896. As the
And just as the gentle aura's puff dear visitors were leaving, Jose handed over to
Do brighten the perfumed flower's hue: his sister Trinidad an alcohol cooking stove, a
So education with a wise, guiding hand, gift from the Pardo de Taveras, whispering to her
A benefactress, exalts the human band.” in a language which the guards could not
- Education Gives Luster To The comprehend, “There is something in it.” That
Motherland (Por La Educacion Recibe Lustre ‘something’ was Rizal’s unsigned, undated, and
La Patria, 1876). untitled poem consisting of 14 five-line stanzas.
The Rizal family reproduced and distributed
Rizal believed that education gives copies of it and sent copies to the hero’s friends
knowledge, knowledge gives wisdom, and that in the country and abroad. Below are the few
great wisdom benefits everyone. Considering lines from the poem translated into English:
that education is a vehicle for a country’s
prosperity and success, he encouraged the “I die just when I see the dawn break,
Filipinos through the poem to acquire education Through the gloom of night, to herald
for them to be able to fulfill their dreams and to the day;
improve their motherland. His high regards for And if color is lacking my blood, thou
education were manifested in his determination shalt take,
to seek the best education possible even across Pour’d out at need for thy dear sake
the shores of his country. To dye with its crimson the waking ray.

Though Rizal was not really a My dreams, when life first opened to me,
handsome man in today’s perspective, he My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat high,
attracted ladies easily. Perhaps his exceptional Were to see thy lov’d face, O gem of the Orient
talents and charisma made him attractive to sea
women. Furthermore, his gift of poetry made him From gloom and grief, from care and sorrow
even more likable and admired by many women free;
 No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine eye.” 5. Filipino women should live the real Christian
- My Last Farewell (Mi Ultimo Adios, way with good moral and manners.
December 1896)
The Indolence of Filipino (Sobre La
Widely regarded as the most patriotic Indolencia de los Filipinos)
poem in the world, it has been translated into at
least 38 languages. The poem reflects the hero’s The Indolence of Filipino was an essay
adoration to and patriotism for his country. The written by Dr. Jose Rizal when he’s in Paris.
poem requests Filipinos to pray for others who Published in La Solidaridad in 5 instalments,
also have died and suffered for the country. It July 15 to September 15, 1890. This is to
begged the Filipino people to never lose hope explain the alleged idleness of his people during
and faith in the Lord God. Forceful words were the Spanish colonization.
used to inspire them not to be the discouraged
by the oppressions of the Spaniards. Summary:
The Indolence of the Filipinos, “the
B. Rizal’s Essays Filipino’s inclination to live off the labor of
others”. According to the essay of Dr. Jose Rizal
To The Young Women of Malolos before the colonization of Spaniards in the
Philippines, Filipinos were industrious and
To the young woman of Malolos is an hardworking butlater on turned out to be indolent
essay written by Jose Rizal while he was in due to the influences during the Spanish regime
London upon the request of Marcelo H. Del that brought about a decline in economic
Pilar. The yellow roses symbolist a love, purity activities attributed to a number of reasons:
and peace to the woman of Malolos. They also
show education is important to each person. “An hour’s work under that burning sun,
And all Filipinos have a hidden talent and ability in the midst of pernicious influences springing
to raise the living. from nature in activity, is equal to a day’s labor in
a temperate climate” from this line, Filipinos did
Summary: not work because of the hot climate. They have
Rizal pays homage to 20 women of difficulties in doing their work under the burning
Malolos who desire to educate themselves. In sun that made them easily tired and lazy.
this way, Rizal sees in these women ray of hope
in restoring the Filipino woman’s dignity and The Philippines before has many
worth. He emphasizes in this essay the connections in trading products to other
importance of Filipino mothers. Rizal refers to countries of Asia and Middle East. During the
different women in society; mothers, daughters, Spanish time, they cut off all of connections of
wives and even the unmarried ones. Mothers’ the establishment of the Galleon Trade and the
responsibility according to Rizal: Whatever the business only the Spain and Mexico was
mother shows to her children is what the associated. The small business and handicrafts
children will also become. industries that flourished were disappeared.

Analysis: Filipinos were obliged to undertake

1. Filipino mothers should teach their children to forced labor. They were compelled to work
love God, country and fellowman shipyards, roads and other public work without a
2. Filipino mothers should honor to offer their just value to their hard work. They forget and
sons in defense to their country abandoned the agriculture, trading, industry and
3. Filipino woman should protect their dignity even in textile clothing from the past 320 years.
and honor
4. Filipino woman should educate themselves
 During the Spanish period, the Filipinos seen constantly followed by servants who
witnessed how Spanish had a comfortable life dressed them and fanned them – personal
by not engaging in heavy work, so they imitate it things which they ought to have done for
which and they wanted to live like them; living a themselves.
conventional life. Later on, Filipinos were forced
to become nomads, they lost interest in Gambling was established and widely
cultivating their lands or in rebuilding the spread which made Filipinos lazier. The
industries that were shut down, and simply government officials and friars were the first in
became submissive to the mercy of God leading bets and gambles.
because Spain did not protect the people
against foreign invaders and pirates. Spaniard friars have taught Filipinos the
wrong system of religion. They say to the naïve
The education was a corrupt system, if it Filipinos that poor people can easily enter
was considered an education. They taught them heaven and attain salvation while rich people
repetitive prayers and others knowledge not have a place in hell so they prefer to be poor
applicable to learn to lead the country in until they die. Their taxes were high that most
progress. They have no courses of agriculture, portions of their money earned went to the
trading, industry, etc. unlike now, which were government. When the object of their labor was
needed of the Philippines that time. removed and they were exploited, they were
reduced to inaction.
The Spanish rulers were a bad example
to despise manual labor. Officials reported to
work at noon and left early and women were
Analysis
Based on the essay of Dr. Jose Rizal, cultivate. So, the country remained lifeless and
Filipinos were not indolent before Spaniards invisible.
came to colonize our country. They were
industrious and workable. Their trading business As Rizal stated in his essay, “a man in
were associated with many countries in China, the Philippines is an individual; he is not merely
Middle east, etc. During the Spanish period, a citizen of a country.” This means were not
there were big influence and changes that made to be slaves/ puppet/ a citizen of other
happen; their indolence was attributed reasons country to work for them but only a citizen of its
stated above because Spanish wanted to own motherland, Philippines.
achieve a good life without hardships and work.
And Filipinos wants to become one of them. The Philippines a Century Hence (Filipinas
detro de cien anos)
After all, Filipinos wanted to study and
learn but there were insufficient school facilities, A socio-political essay wrote by Jose
lacked of schools and present useful knowledge. Rizal was one of the most significant political
They wanted to establish business industry, but works of the Filipino Reform movement in Spain.
they have no capital and protection from the This essay was published by the La Solidaridad,
government. They also wanted to establish of Madrid, running through the issues from
industries and agriculture to cultivate land but September, 1889, to January, 1890,started by
the taxes were so high to pay and the ruler analyzing the various causes of the miseries
exploited them. Another thing that might cause suffered by the Filipino people.
indolence was the lack of unity of the Filipinos.
The people have no strength to fight the Summary and Analysis
Spaniards to hinder the plans of the Rizal’s projections in his essay came
Spanishgovernment to sow progress and to true. In 1898, the Americans wrestled with Spain
to win the Philippines, and eventually took over nationalism and influenced a new generation of
the country. There was a reign of democracy revolutionaries.
and liberty. Five decades after Rizal’s death, the
Philippines gained her long-awaited The title of Rizal’s book Noli Me Tangere
independence. This was in fulfillment of what he means ‘Touch Me Not’ is a Latin version of
had written in his essay: “History does not words spoken by Jesus to Mary Magdalene after
record in its annals any lasting domination by his resurrection from John 20:13-17. It was first
one people over another, of different races, of written in Spain and was published in 1887 in
diverse usages and customs, of opposite and Berlin,Germany. The English translation was
divergent ideas. One of the two had to yield and originally titled The Social Cancer.
succumb.”
Below is a letter of the author found in the
Before the Spanish pre colonization in introductory part of the Noli..
the Philippines to spread Christianize, Filipino
people are pure natives and Muslims. They have To My Fatherland:
their own government that consist of Barangays Recorded in the history of human
and led by Datu’s, Raja, [Link] trade to near sufferings is a cancer of so malignant a
countries like China and they also have their character that the least touch irritates it and
own culture,songs, poems, language,traditions, awakens in it the sharpest pains. Thus, how
writings, laws and beliefs. many times, when in the midst of modern
civilizations, I have wished to call thee before
When Spanish came, Filipinos me, now to accompany me in memories, now to
abandoned and forgot their own beliefs and compare thee with other countries, hath thy dear
culture. They were greatly influenced by the image presented itself showing a social cancer
foreign cultures and traditions that they did not like to that other! Desiring thy welfare, which is
even understand. In the adaptation of other’s our own, and seeking the best treatment, I will
tradition, Spaniards insulted the Filipinos. do with thee what the ancients did with their
Because of the insult and pain inflicted by the sick, exposing them on the steps of the temple
Spaniards, they had awakened the love for the so that everyone who came to invoke the
country and for themselves. They wanted Divinity might offer them a remedy. And to this
changes and reform, if not total independence; end, I will strive to reproduce thy condition
revolution was necessary to make it happen. faithfully, without discriminations; I will raise a
The youth before did not have the resources and part of the veil that covers the evil, sacrificing to
ability, they studied in abroad, became equipped truth everything, even vanity itself,since, as thy
with knowledge and set of skills, and eventually son, I am conscious that I also suffer from thy
influenced many compatriots to ignite the defects and weaknesses. - The Author
revolution. In the conclusion, Rizal asked “Spain,
must we someday tell Filipinas that thou hast no The Main Characters
ear for her woes and that of she wishes to be • Crisóstomo Ibarra – known in his full name as
saved, she must redeem herself?” Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin, a native
who studied in Europe for 7 years. Son of the
LESSON VII. THE NOLI ME TANGERE & EL deceased Don Rafael Ibarra, richest person in
FILIBUSTERISMO San Diego; Crisostomo changed his surname
from Eibarramendia to Ibarra, from his
Noli Me Tangere at a Glance ancestor's surname.
Jose Rizal’s fame started in 1897 when
his book Noli Me Tangere Was published. The • María Clara – María Clara de los Santos,
novel outlined a new form of Philippine Ibarra's childhood sweetheart; the daughter of
Pía Alba and Kapitan Tiago- but biologically she • Don Tiburcio – Spanish husband ofDonya
was the daughter of Father Damaso. Victorinawho islimp and submissive to hiswife;
he also pretends to be a doctor
• Kapitan Tiago – also known in hisfull name as
Don Santiago de los Santos, he lives in • Pedro – abusive husband of Sisa who loves
Binondo; very skilled in business. cockfighting
• Doña Victorina – Victorina de los Reyes de De
• Father Dámaso – a Franciscan friar and is Espadaña, a woman who passes herself off as a
quite abusive, he is also the former parish priest Peninsular
of the town of San Diego.
• Doña Consolación – wife of the alférez,
• Elías – Ibarra's mysterious friend, a master another woman who passes herself as a
boater, also a fugitive. He was referred to at one Peninsular; best remembered for her abusive
point as "the pilot." He believes that justice can treatment of Sisa.
be obtained through a revolution.
Synopsis of the novel:
• Linares – A distant nephew of Don Tiburcio de
Espadaña, the would-be fiance of Maria Clara • The novel starts at a dinner hosted by Kapitan
Tiago where the characters were introduced
• Captain-General (no specific name) – The along with their ideas. We see the power
most powerful official in the Philippines, a hater struggle among the friars present. Among the
of secular priests and corrupt officials, and a characters we meet are a Teniente Guevara,
friend of Ibarra. Padre Sibyla (Dominican) and Padre Damaso
(Franciscan). Padre Damaso spent 20 years as
• Sisa – the mother of Basilio and Crispín, who parish priest in San Diego. The angry
went insane after losing her sons. conversation between Padre Damaso and the
soldier reveals that a good man, whose son was
• Basilio – the elder son of Sisa. in Europe, died. His body was exhumed by the
San Diego parish priest and was ordered buried
• Crispín – the younger son of Sisa who died elsewhere.
from the punishment of the soldiers from the
false accusatio of stealing an amount of money • Then comes Crisostomo Ibarra the heir of a
wealthy clan from San Diego. He returns to the
• Padre Sibyla – Hernando de la Sibyla, a Philippines after studying for seven years
Filipino friar. He is described as short and has abroad. It will be revealed later on that the
fair skin. dinner was meant for him in his return to the
country. His father Don Rafael was a close friend
• Padre Salví – also known in his full name as of Kapitan Tiago.
Bernardo Salví, a secret admirer of María Clara
and the paris priest of San Diego • He heard news about the death of his father,
• Pilosopo Tasyo – also known as Don Don Rafael Ibarra, who died a year ago. Where
Anastasio, portrayed in the novel as pessimistic, Don Rafael was sent to prison in connection with
cynic, and mad by his neighbors due to his the death of a tax collector who was abusing a
ideas. child. Since Don Rafael stopped receiving holy
communion for a long time, he was refused a
• The Alférez – chief of the Guardia Civil ; mortal Catholic burial by Padre Damaso, the parish
enemy of the priests for power in San Diego priest of their town.
• Although Ibarra learned about the injustices Points to Ponder:
suffered by his father, he decided to focus on
how he can help his fellowmen. Ibarra sees the 1. Crisostomo Ibarra and Elias can actually be
lack of progress in his town and decides to build compared in terms oftheir experiences. Although
a school to teach and prepare his townspeople. the former is an immensely wealthy mestizo and
Tandang Tacio (the old philosopher) notes that the latter, an impoverished fellow, both have
there have been many attempts to build a school been victimized by the colonial system; yet they
in the past, but all these had failed. have contrasting ideas in addressing the social
evils that surround them. In one pivotal scene
• Padre Salvi opposes the plan because he is the two debate passionately about their
secretly worried that the school project will respective views, as though the author were
threaten the power he wields over their town. debating himself.
Ibarra almost gets killed while he is laying the
cornerstone of the school, but Elias saved him. 2. It was through Ibarra that Rizal the social
Elias is the mysterious fellow who also saved reformer makes it clear that he believed greatly
Ibarra previously. With so many powerful in the transformative power of secular education.
enemies, Ibarra eventually gets implicated in a Rizal greatly advocates the idea that education
staged revolution, and is hunted down by the will set the Filipinos free!
guardia civil.
3. Tasio, the town sage, is elated by Ibarra’s plan
• Maria Clara, Ibarra's sweetheart, unwittingly for a school but immediately cautions the young
adds to Ibarra's misery when she switches man, “The first advice I will give you is to never
Ibarra's letter with another letter for fear that will come to me for advice again.”
reveal the true identity of her father (Fr.
Damaso). Afterwards, Ibarra and Elías board a 4. The Noli is clearly anticlerical in its depiction
boat and flee the place. Elías instructs Ibarra to of the friars and of the Catholic church. Padre
lie down and the former covers the latter with Damaso and Padre Salvi, personify clerical
grass to conceal the latter's presence. As luck abuses—we see not only powerstruggle
would have it, they are spotted by their enemies. between them but also how they try to stop new
Elías thinks he could outsmart them and jumps ideas for progress in order to make the people
into the water. The guards rain shots on the dependent on the church. Rizal’s portraits,
person in the water, all the while not knowing however, are not onedimensional; rather, they
that they are aiming at the wrong man. reveal the all-too-human faults of each pries

• María Clara, thinking that Ibarra has been 5. The novel describes the life in the town of San
killed in the shooting incident, is greatly Diego and its social and political hierarchy.
overcome with grief. Robbed of hope and
severely disillusioned, she asks Father Dámaso 6. The author also mocks the mindless religiosity
to confine her into a nunnery. Father Dámaso exhibited by Kapitan Tiago and some other
reluctantly agrees when María Clara threatens characters, especially the equally wealthy
to take her own life. demanding, "the nunnery or spinster, Doña Patrocinio, whom Tiago
death! "Unbeknownst to her, Ibarra is still alive considers his rival and vice versa. Each strives
and able to escape. It was Elías who has taken to make as splashy material offerings as
the shots. It is Christmas Eve when Elías wakes possible to the church, thinking thereby to
up in the forest, gravely wounded and barely ensure their spiritual future. Indulgences were
alive. It is in this forest that Elías finds Basilio seen as a ticket to heaven amidst the evil deeds
and his lifeless mother, Sisa. done by the person.
7. Rizal depicts a gap that exists between the Belgium partially funded by his friend Valentin
Spanish civil administration and clerical rule. Ventura.

8. Sisa goes mad due to her harsh treatment by Main Characters of the El Fili
the Guardia Civil, the death of one son, and the • Simoun – he is Ibarra, disguised as a wealthy
disappearance of another. Critics have said that jeweler, concealing himself behind dark glasses
she is symbolic of the oppressed mother and a goatee; bent on starting a revolution
country.
• Basilio – surviving son of Sisa, now an aspiring
El Filibusterismo at a Glance doctor who was helped by Cap. Tiago
Before Rizal left for Europe, he had to
edit and publish El Filibusterismo, the last • Kabesang Tales - Telesforo Juan de Dios, who
chapters of which were finished in Biarritz. In his suffered from the injustices of the friar; a former
next novel, El Filibusterismo, published in 1891, cabeza de barangay (barangay head) who
Rizal continued to argue for reform. Rizal argues resurfaced as the feared Luzón bandit
that the young are aware of the need to take Matanglawin
political action and pursue social justice.
• Isagani - poet and Basilio's best friend;
Rizal said, the young people create a portrayed as emotional and reactive; Paulita
sense of reform. El Filibusterismo is a book Gómez' boyfriend before being dumped for
about revolution. The failure and death of fellow student Juanito Peláez
Simoun, the main character, of the novel points
out the danger of taking an alternative based on • Doña Victorina a despicable native who tries to
hate and vengeance. present herself as a European, she is the wife of
the quack doctor Tiburcio de Espadaña
Jose Rizal defined the word to his friend
Blumentritt ... • Father Florentino - a native secular priest who
isIsagani's godfather; he was engaged to be
"The word filibustero is little known in married, but chose the priesthood instead, he
the Philippines. The masses do not know it yet. I decides to be assigned to a remote place, living
heard it for the first time in 1872 when the tragic in solitude near the sea.
executions (of the GOMBURZA) took place. I
still remember the panic that this word created. • Juli - Juliana de Dios, the youngest daughter of
Our father forbade us to utter it, as well as the Kabesang Tales and the girlfriend of Basilio
words Cavite, Jose Burgos (one of the executed
priests), etc. The Manila newspapers and the • Father Camorra- known as the friar-gunner
Spaniards apply this word to one whom they who rapes Juli and drives her to suicide
want to make a revolutionary suspect. The
Filipinos belonging to the educated class fear • Paulita Gómez - The girlfriend of Isagani and
the reach of the word. It does not have the the niece of Doña Victorina. In the end, she and
meaning of freebooters; it rather means a Juanito Peláez are wed, and she dumps Isagani,
dangerous patriot who will soon be hanged or believing that she will have no future if she
well, a presumptuous man." marries him.

At the end of the 19th century the word • Ben Zayb - Abraham Ibañez is his real name.
filibustero in the Philippines means “subversive” He is a journalist who thinks he is the "only" one
Rizal began writing the book in October 1887 thinking in the Philippines.
while he was in Calamba and he completed it in
Biarritz in 1891. Finally, he published it in Ghent,
• Quiroga - a Chinese businessman who dreamt that Maria Clara died; in grief, he abandons his
of being a consul of a "Consulate of China" in allies and is almost killed by them.
the Philippines. He hid Simoun's weapons inside
his house. • In the second scheme, during the nuptial feast
of Paulita Gomez where all the important people
• Tandang Selo - father of Kabesang Tales. He are present, he plans to send as his wedding gift
raised the sick and young Basilio after his an elaborate lamp which is really a bomb that
mother Sisa had died. once lit will explode.

• Father Fernandez - the priest-friend of Isagani. • When Isagani learned this, he rushes to the
He promised to Isagani that he and the other house, seize the lamp and jumps with it in the
priests will give in to the students' demands. river. Simoun, now a grievously wounded
fugitive from justice, takes refuge in the solitary
• Padre Sibyla- Hernando de la Sibyla, a Filipino mountain retreat of Father Florentino, a virtuous
friar and nowvice-rector ofthe University of Filipino priest. He dies before the authorities can
Santo Tomas. arrest him. Fr. Florentino takes the Simoun’s
treasure chest and hurls it into the sea, “where it
• Placido Penitente - a student of the University will not do evil, thwart justice or incite greed.”
of Santo Tomas who is always miserable, and
therefore controls his temper. Some Important Points to Consider

• Captain-General (no specific name)- the 1. The story of Cabesang Tales (What is a man
powerful highest official in the Philippines to do when he is denied justice, his own hands
or wait for Spaint o give him his rights?)
Synopsis of the El Filibusterismo
Tales, a poor farmer, clears a piece of
• The FILI takes up where the NOLI left off. It is land under difficult conditions. This will cost his
Ibarra who has survived. After amassing a great wife and his oldest daughter their lives. After the
wealth abroad, he returns to the Philippines as first harvest, the religious order lays claim to the
Simoun the jeweler, with the purpose of land. Tales does not want to get himself into
subversion to the regime. conflict with the powerful friars and agrees to
pay a yearly rent. The friars double the rent
• He is said to be influential since he is a friend after two good harvests. Again Tales gives in.
and adviser of the Governor-General. He uses He is diligent and because of this, to a certain
his power and wealth to encourage corruption in extent, he is able to lead a tolerably good life.
the government and provoke economic distress
to incite the people to a revolution. To his He is well-liked and respected in the
dismay, the biggest obstacle to his plan are the village. He became the head of the village and
young native intellectuals, who are dedicated to tax collector, he was given the title Cabesa (from
a program of reforms leading to the assimilation the Spanish word "cabeza", meaning director or
of the Filipinos into the Spanish nation; head of the family). Soon he realizes that many
particularly, the establishment of an academy of farmers are too poor to pay their taxes so that
the Spanish language under lay control. he has to add his own money in order to make
• Simoun has another purpose, to take Maria up for the total tax quota. The friars, however,
Clara away from the nunnery, and to avenge the increase the rent tenfold and answer the protest
ruin of his life. (both plans fail). In the first plan of the farmer, Tales, with the threat that if he
he wants to seize Manila with the help of cannot pay, his land will be confiscated.
disaffected Filipino regiments and a band of
outlaws. On the eve of the uprising, he was told
 Tales goes to court, spends all his
savings paying for the lawyers and the legal
expenses
and as expected, loses the lawsuit. The next
day, the administrator of the order takes a new
tenant farmer to Tales' land. But the following
night the friar, the new tenant farmer and his
wife are murdered. Tales leaves a message
written with his blood behind. He has gone to
join the rebels up in the mountains; there was no
longer any other choice for him.

The story has a profound symbolism of Rizal.

The question of "evolution or revolution" and the
problem of whether to wait for justice by the
hands of the Spaniards or to take the law in
one's own hands are interspersed in the book.

2. Rizal did not just focus on the evils of the

friars but also of the entire regime including its
native defenders and supporters.

3. The passive belief of Basilio (debate between

Basilio and Simoun)