Lesson 7 – Noli Me Tangere

The Noli Me Tangere

His reading of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which portrays the
brutalities of American slave-owners and the pathetic conditions of the
unfortunate Negro, slaves, inspired Dr. Rizal to prepare a novel on the
Philippines. He was then a student at the Central University of Madrid.

Noli Me Tangere is a novel that was an advisory for the Filipinos to fight against
the colonizers and today’s reminder of our history. The characters and the
events in the story resemble our life, culture, and beliefs of Filipino people. This
literary piece will mark in our hearts the values that the novel tells us to be a
good role model that will benefit our country. Reading this literary piece will
make us realize the true meaning of nationalism and be a catalyst for change.

Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere tells us that we should reflect on our actions and
beliefs for our country. The theme of the novel is to promote nationalism and to
accept change in ourselves still applies to us today. We must patronize our
country by respecting the law, promoting Philippine culture, and realizing the
true goal of the country by helping each other towards the improvement of the
country. It teaches us the values of wisdom, fighting for what is right, and loving
our country. This novel is being taught in school in order to not repeat the
history itself by learning how to love our country and to empower the youth as
the catalyst of change for our country. Being a true Filipino is what Jose Rizal
wants us to be, to know who we are and what is our true goals will make the
country flourished.

Toward the end of 1884(nagstart isulat), Rizal began writing a novel in Madrid
and finished about one-half of it. When he went to Paris, in 1885, after,
completing his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid, he continued
writing the novel, finishing one-half of the second half. He wrote the last fourth
of the novel in Germany.

During the dark days of December, 1886, while his spirit was at its lowest, he
almost threw the manuscript into the fire. The novel was almost finished then.
He was desperately despondent because he saw no hope of having it published
for he was utterly penniless. Thus he wrote to his friend, Fernando Canon;

“I did not believe that the Noli Me Tangere would ever be published when I was
in Berlin, heart-broken, weakened, and discouraged from hunger and
deprivation. I was on the point of throwing my work into the fire as a thing
accursed and fit only to die…”

In mid-December, a telegram from Barcelona arrived. It was sent by Dr. Maximo

Viola, informing Rizal of his coming visit to Berlin. The message revived the
author’s hope. His friend, Viola, a scion of a rich family of San Miguel, Bulacan,
would surely lend him the money for the publication of the novel.

Symbolisms

Noli Me Tangere (translated as Touch Me Not) is a novel written by José Rizal

which served as an eye opener and wake up call to the Filipinos during his time.
It was published on the year 1887. Just one look at the cover, it already tells us
every bit of what's in the novel. Rizal also purposely designed the title to be
placed diagonally so that it can divide an upper and lower triangle that will be
discussed further through this page.

Upper Triangle. This represents Rizal's past life.

Lower Triangle. This represents Rizal's currents situations.
Silhouette of a Filipina. Believed to be Maria Clara or as the "Inang Bayan" to
whom Rizal dictates the novel
Cross/Crucifix. Represents the Catholic faith as it rises above
Inang Bayan and Filipinos (shows dominance). It also
symbolizes sufferings and death
Pomelo Blossoms & Laurel Leaves. They represent faith,
honor and fidelity, which are the values Rizal aspires to be
embodied by Filipinos. Pomelos are used to scent their air
commonly during prayers and cleansing rituals. Laurel leaves
are used as crowns during Greek Olympics for honoring the
best
Burning Torch. Refers to the Olympic torch. Pertains to the
awakening of Filipino consciousness. It also sheds light to the
text of the manuscript
Sunflower. It symbolizes a new beginning. It is compared to the happiness of
which appears to be always bowing down.
Feet. It symbolizes the power of the friars. It is placed on the base of the
triangle (foundation) because without friars, the Filipinos cannot stand on their
own
Shoes. It represents wealth. It is also the footprints left by friars in teaching
Catholicism
Hairy Legs. It symbolizes the Legend of the Wolf. The wolf shape shifts just like
how friars hide their true nature and character
Helmet of a Guardia Civil. It represents the arrogance of those in authority
Whip. It represents the abuses and cruelties done by the Spaniards and friars as
depicted in the novel
Flogs (Suplina). It is used for self-flagellation. Just like the whip, this also
symbolizes the cruelties of the Guardia Civil
Chain. It symbolizes slavery and imprisonment
Rizal's Signature. It shows that Rizal experienced and witnessed the ills and
abuses that happened during his time
Bamboo Stalks. It represents Filipino resiliency. Despite the sufferings, Filipinos
can still stand tall and firm

The Author’s Dedication

Rizal dedicated the Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines – “To My Country.” His
dedication runs as follows:

The “Noli” Based on Truth

The Noli Me Tangere, unlike many works of fictional literature, is a true story of
Philippine conditions during the last decade of Spanish rule. The places, the
characters, and the situations really existed. “The facts I narrate there,” said
Rizal, “are all true and have happened; I can prove them.”

The characters – Ibarra, Maria Clara, Elias, Tasio, Capitan Tiago, Padre
Damaso, Padre Salvi, etc. – were drawn by Rizal from persons who actually
existed during his times. Maria Clara was Leonor Rivera, although in real life
she became unfaithful, unlike the heroine of the novel, and married an
Englishman. Ibarra and Elias represented Rizal himself. Tasio the Sage was his
elder brother, Paciano. Padre Salvi was identified by Rizalists as Padre Antonio
Piernavieja, the hated Augustinian friar in Cavite who was killed by our patriots
during the Revolution. Capitan Tiago was Capitan Hilario Sunico of San Nicolas.
Dona Victorina was Dona Agustina Medel. The two brothers Basilio and Crispin
were the Crisostomo brothers of Hagonoy. Padre Damaso was typical of a
domineering friar during the days of Rizal, who was arrogant, supercilious, and
anti-Filipino.
This novel has a lot of symbolism and real-life events that opened the eyes of the
Filipino people during the Spanish colonization to start the revolution and
overthrow the Spanish colonizers. Every character in Noli Me Tangere has a
role that depicts different roles in Philippine society to fight for the freedom of
the country. Jose Rizal represented his persona as Crisostomo Ibarra who was a
rich character yet he was rebellious who fought for the freedom from the
Spaniards while Elias who was poor and oppressed by the Spaniards but he
sacrificed his life so that Crisostomo can escape because he believed that
Crisostomo has a better chance to fight against the Spaniards. Elias’ sacrifice
paved the way to Crisostomo Ibarra’s revenge against the Spaniards in the
sequel of the novel “El Filibusterismo”.

Other characters that significantly represent Filipinos were like Doña Victorina
was a social climber who did not want to be known as an Indio. All Filipinos
were called Indios during the time of the Spaniards which means that Filipinos
were foolish, not smart, and poor. There are characters that have the symbolic
meaning of the novel like Sisa was a mother of Crispin and Basilio who took
care of her children and became an outcast when her sons were missing. Sisa
represents the Inang Bayan or Motherland who became an outcast because of
the ill-treatment of the Spaniards to the Filipinos while Maria Clara represented
the Filipino women who were oppressed and abused by the Spaniards.

The novel depicted real-life events during the Spanish colonization in the
Philippines like the Friars’ command decisions were more powerful than the
Governor-General’s decisions, social issues, injustice, and the Philippines as a
backward country. The conflicts in the novel exist until today’s generation that it
affects our society and the country that needs to learn and read Noli Me
Tangere. The conflicts that were dominant in the novel like corruption, injustice,
poverty, and abuse remain the same problem up to this day.

Generalization

The three themes of Noli Me Tangere are Colonialism, Religion, and Power.
They appear in all chapters of the novel. The novel is a critical and ardent
exposition of the cruelty and immorality of Spanish colonial rule in Philippine
society.

Lesson 8 – El Filibusterismo

This novel was published in Ghent, Belgium in 1891 and several other
languages later. Rizal wrote El Filibusterismo in dedication to the three
martyred priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, which was
intended to assert his view that their deaths were unfair. In this novel, the
readers can experience deep anger and hatred.

El Filibusterismo is the second and last completed novel of Jose Rizal which is
also a sequel to "Noli Me Tangere". It is deeply brooding, at times satirical novel
of revenge, unfulfilled love, and tragedy. Some of the characters in Noli that
reappeared in El Fili are Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra who disguised as Simoun,
Basilio, Father Salvi, Mari Clara, Capitan Tiago, Doña Victorina de Espadaña,
Don Tiburcio, and Father Florentino.

In spite of the problems of the "Solidaridad", Rizal had decided to write a

continuation of the Noli Me Tangere and started right away the writing of the
sequel on the novel. Interrupted over and over again, he continued to work on
the second novel for several years. It begun in London, continued in Paris and
Madrid and finally completed in Biarritz (Southwestern France). This time,
however, there was no rich friend who assisted Rizal with the printing expenses.
Thus, he decided to move to the Belgian city of Ghent where he got hold of a
cheap printer. The edition was finished only on September 1891 because of
financial concern. Rizal himself wanted to take along 800 copies to Hong-Kong
in order to sneak them into the Philippines from there.

Rizal named the work EI Filibusterismo, a term whose meaning has changed
again and again. According to Blumentritt, the word 'filibusterismo' means the
idea of the breaking away of the colony from the mother country, and
'filibusteros' are accordingly those who aspire for the realization of this idea.
A few days after establishing himself in Ghent, Rizal searched for a printing
shop that could give him a lowest quotation for the publication of his novel. At
last, he did find a publisher - F. MEYER-VAN LOO PRESS, No. 66 Viaanderen
Street – who was willing to print his book on small partial payments. He pawned
his jewels in order to pay the down payment and early partial payments during
the printing of the novel.

Meanwhile, as the printing was going on, Rizal became desperate because his
funds were practically gone and the money he expected from his friends did not
arrive. He had received some money from Basa and 200 pesos from Rodriguez
Arias for the copies of Morga's book sold in Manila. But these funds were also
used up, and much more were needed to pay the printer. In his morbid moments
of despair, Rizal almost burned the manuscript of El Filibusterismo. "Several
times," he wrote to Basa, "I am tempted to burn my manuscript; but then I think
of you. And I know there are many good people, many who truly love their
country." When everything seemed lost, help came from an unexpected source.
Valentin Ventura, who was residing in Paris, heard of Rizal's predicament.
Immediately he sent Rizal the amount needed to finish the publication of the
book.
On September 18, 1891, El Filibusterismo came off the press. Rizal, now a very
happy man, immediately sent that same day two copies to Hongkong-one for
Basa and the other for Sixto Lopez. To his other friend, Ventura, who kindly lent
the money most needed to finish the printing of the novel, he gratefully gave the
original manuscript of El Filibusterismo and a printed copy with his autograph.

Practically all copies of the first edition (Ghent edition) of El Filibusterismo

were placed in wooden boxes and shipped to Hongkong, but almost all the
boxes were confiscated and the books were lost. So it came to pass that the
book immediately became rare, and the few available Ghent copies were sold at
very high prices, reaching as high as 400 pesetas per copy.

Symbolisms
Translating the book's title in English
language, it means “The Reign of Greed.”
Compared to the book cover of Noli Me
Tangere, El Filibusterismo's cover is
plain, as designed by Jose Rizal. The plain
cover conveys a fresh start for the
Philippines and Filipinos without the
trace of symbols from the events and
situations in Noli Me Tangere.

The Author’s Dedication

El Filibusterismo was written in dedication to the three martyred priests
Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, whose deaths left an
indelible mark in his mind. Like Noli Me Tangere, El Fili aims at enlightening
the society, at bringing the Filipinos closer to the truth. But whereas in the first
novel, we are encouraged to ask and aspire for change and liberation, in this
novel, the society is urged to open its eyes to reality and rebel against the
Spanish government for its oppression and abuse.

Never in the annals of mankind has a hero written such a sublime and touching
tribute to other heroes as Rizal. To straighten historical records, however, we
must rectify Rizal's historical inaccuracies in his dedicatory note. First of all, the
martyrdom of Gomez, Burgos and Zamora occurred on February 17, 1872-not
28th. Secondly, Father Gomez was 73 years old- not 85, Father Burgos was 35
years old- not 30, and Father Zamora was 37 years old-not 35.

"Noli" and "El Fili" Compared

The two novels of Rizal--- Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo--are different

in many respects, although they are written by the same author and are
supposed to be dealing with the same story and have the same characters. The
noli is romantic novel; it is a "work of the heart"-- a "book of feeling"; it has
freshness, color, humor, lightness, and wit. On the other hand, the Fili is a
political novel, it is a "work of the head" --- a "book if thought": it contains
bitterness, hatred, pain, violence, and sorrow.

The friends of Rizal and our Rizalists today differ in opinion as to which is the
superior novel---the Noli or the Fili. Rizal himself considered the Noli as
superior to the Fili as a novel, thereby agreeing with M. H. del Pilar who had
the same opinion. Retana, Rizal's first Spanish biographer, also believes that the
Noli is superior to the Fili. However, others--- such as Blumentritt, Graciano
Lopez Jaena, and Dr. Rafael Palma--- are of the opinion that the Fili is superior
to the Noli. Lopez Jaena, in a letter to Rizal dated October 2, 1891, said: "El
Filibusterismo is a novel superior to your Noli Me Tangere, as much for its
exquisite, delicate, literary style, its easy and correct dialogue, its clear
phraseology, vigorous and elegant, as for its profound ideas and sublime
thoughts." However, he was not satisfied fully with the Fili as a political novel
because its "end is not worthy climax to a work so beautiful." Accordingly, he
advised Rizal to write another novel which would give a definite solution to the
country's problem so that "the coming of the beautiful day of our redemption"
may be hastened.

The issue of which is the superior novel---the Noli or the El Fili---is purely
academic. Both are good novels from the point of view of history. Both depict
with realistic colors the actual conditions of the Philippines and the Filipinos
during the decadent days of Spanish rule; both are instrumental in awakening
the spirit of Filipino nationalism; and both are responsible in paving the ground
for the Philippine Revolution that brought about the downfall of Spain. Neither
the Noli nor the Fili is superior to one another. As Mariano Ponce aptly told
Rizal, after reading the Fili: "It is, indeed, excellent. I can say nothing of your
book, but this: it is really marvelous like all the brilliant production of your pen.
It is a true twin of the "Noli."

Generalization

El Filibusterismo, also known by its English title The Reign of Greed, is the
second novel written by Jose Rizal and the sequel to Noli Me Tangere. Published
in 1891, it continues the Noli's criticisms of the abuses and corruption
perpetrated by the Spanish government. The novel's title is Spanish for "the
subversion", referring to the characters' actions against the Spanish colonial
government.

Lesson 9 – The Philippines A Century Hence

“The Philippines a Century Hence” is an essay written by Philippine national

hero Jose Rizal to forecast the future of the country within a hundred years.
This essay, published in La Solidaridad, starts by analyzing the various causes of
the miseries suffered by the Filipino people. Rizal also expressed his feeling, in
this article, that it was time to remind Spain the circumstances that ushered in
the French Revolution could have a telling effect for her in the Philippines.

Jose Rizal wrote a socio-political essay entitled “Filipinas Dentro De Cien Anos”
(translated as “The Philippines within One Hundred Years” or “The Philippines a
Century Hence”). This essay was serialized in the fortnightly La Solidaridad of
Madrid on September 30, October 31, December 15, 1889 and February 15,
1890. In these articles, the hero predicted the future of the Philippines in the
Spain within the span of a hundred years and prophesied the tragic end of
Spain’s rule in Asia.

Predicting the future of the Philippines within a hundred years, the essay
echoed Rizal’s sentiment that it was time to remind Spain that the conditions
that ushered in the French Revolution could have a telling effect for her on the
Philippine islands. The series of articles in many angles, augmented the
immortal novels Rizal, the Noli Me Tangere and its sequel El Filibusterismo.

The glorious past of the Philippines and the deterioration of the economy were
recounted in the articles. It also exposed the causes of the native’s sufferings
under the cruel Spanish rule. In the essay, Rizal, in the essay, cautioned Spain
as regards the looming downfall of its authority. One of the purposes in writing
the essay was to awaken the Filipinos about the cruelty of the Spaniards and to
encourage them to stand and fight for their right.

In the essay The Philippines a Century Hence, Rizal expressed his views on the
Spanish colonization in the Philippines and predicted with amazing accuracy the
tragic end of Spain’s sovereignty in Asia.

Causes of Sufferings and Deterioration

Our national hero, in his annotation of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas (also written in 1889 to 1890), proved and discussed the glorious past
of the Philippines. While in “The Philippines a Century Hence,” he examined the
corrosion of its economy and pointed out the causes of the sufferings of the
natives under the cruel Spanish domination.

The following are the various causes of the sorrows suffered by the Philippine
natives (as enumerated in “The Philippines a Century Hence: Summary and
Analysis”):

1.Spain’s implementation of its military policies

With those policies or decrees, the Philippine population decreased intensely.
This caused a more widespread due to neglected farmlands. The people
continued to suffer from hunger and disease. The family as unit of society was
deserted, and generally, all facets of the life of the natives were retardated.

2.Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino indigenous culture

The natives started to forget their identity; their valued beliefs, religion, songs,
poetry, and the other forms of their cultural heritage. When Spain came with
the sword and the cross, it started a slow but continuing harm to local culture.
The natives, impoverished and retarded, began to lose their sense of self-worth
and their confidence to their cultural heritage. Spirited-broken, they became
confused and hesitant in their way of life, disgusted with themselves, and
eventually, lost hope in the future and in the preservation of their race.

3.Passivity and submissiveness to the Spanish colonizers

The passivity and submissiveness of local people were credited to the manner of
governance by the colonizers. The Spanish friars were one of the most powerful
forces that instigated an environment of silence and lethargy among the
natives. Through their use of force and intimidation (unfairly using God’s name),
the natives learned to fanatically submit themselves to the whims and caprices
of the foreigners. (Manebog: The Life and Works of Rizal)
The Inevitable

One of the main topics tackled by Rizal in the essay was whether Spain could
indeed prevent the looming progress of the Philippines. Despite the corruption
and deterioration brought about by the colonizers to Philippines, he was hopeful
that the country’s eventual improvement could not be hindered. For this, he
made the following points:

1.Keeping the people uneducated and ignorant failed. National consciousness

had still awakened, and great Filipino minds still emerged from the rubble.

2.Keeping the people impoverished also came to no avail. On the contrary, living
a life of eternal destitution allowed the Filipinos to act on the desire for a
change in their way of life. They began to explore some other horizons through
which they could move toward progress.

3.Exterminating the people as an alternative to hindering progress did not work

either. The Filipino race was able to survive amidst wars and famine, and
became even more numerous after such catastrophes. To wipe out the nation
altogether would require the sacrifice of thousands of Spanish soldiers, and this
was something Spain would not allow.

Rizal, thus, concluded that Spain had no means to stop the progress of the
Philippines. What the colonist had to do was to change its colonial policies so
that they would be suitable for the needs of the Philippine Society and to the
increasing nationalism of its people. (Manebog: The Life and Works of Rizal)

Rizal’s “Prophecies”

Rizal expressed in the essay his confident prediction that something would
awaken the hearts and open the minds of the Filipino people as regards their
plight. He “prophesied” the Philippine people’s revolution against Spain,
winning their independence, but later the Americans would come as the new
colonizer.

Eventually, the natives did recognize that the harassment and cruelty in their
society by foreign colonizers must no longer be tolerated. The natives, thus,
though lacking arms and enough training, valiantly waged war against the
colonizers. Even the not-so-predictable element of Rizal’s “prophecy” true – the
Americans in 1898 wrestled with Spain to win the Philippines, and in due course
took over the country. Relatively, theirs was a reign of liberty and democracy.

Some years after Rizal’s death, the Philippines attained its long-awaited
liberation and independence. Again, this appeared to be the fulfillment of what
he had written in the essay: “History does not record in its annals any lasting
domination by one people over another, of different races, of diverse usages and
customs, of opposite and divergent ideas. One of the two had to yield and
succumb.” (Manebog: The Life and Works of Rizal)

Feodor Jagor’s Influence

Rizal’s to America as a probable factor in the Philippines’ future is said to be

based upon the forecast of the German traveler Feodor Jagor. In 1860, Jagor
spent some months on the Islands and later published his observations,
supplemented by ten years of further study in European museums and libraries,
as Travels in the Philippines.

Rizal had read the Spanish version of Jagor’s book while a student at the Ateneo
de Manila from a copy supplied by his bother Paciano. Jagor’s prophecy is said
to furnish the explanation to Rizal’s public life. His policy of preparing his
countrymen for commercial and industrial competition seemed to have had its
inspiration in this reading done when he was a youth.

While in Berlin, Rizal met Professor Jagor, and so the renowned geographer and
his youthful but bright admirer became fast friends, often discoursing on how
the development of events was bringing, true, the fortune for the Philippines.
Proper knowledge of Philippine’s history and keen acquaintance with its, then,
situation had enabled Jagor and Rizal, both trained observers, to somewhat
foretell the country’s future. (Manebog: The Life and Works of Rizal)

The Essay’s Relevance Today

One way to properly interpret many of Rizal’s writings is to consider the hint he
provided in his Noli Me Tangere: “I do not write for this generation. I am
writing for other ages. If this could read me, they would burn my books, the
work of my whole life. On the other hand, the generation which interprets these
writings will be an educated generation; they will understand me and say: Not
all were asleep in the night-time of our grandparents (by the Philosopher
Tasio).”

Indeed, his essays like “The Philippines a Century Hence” are as relevant today
as they were written over a century ago. As if talking to us through the essay,
Rizal appeared to be counselling us to focus on strengthening the most
important backbone of our country: our values, outlooks, and all the views that
have shaped our sense of national identity.

The essay, moreover, serves to remind us that we, Filipinos, are historically
resolute and determined. In fact, all those efforts by the colonizers to keep us
uneducated and impoverished had failed. Nationalism eventually thrived and
the country became independent after four centuries of tyrannical Spanish rule
and five decades under the Americans. (Manebog: The Life and Works of Rizal)

Challenges to the Filipinos

However, there are questions on whether we are really independent today. Are
we really free when our economy is dominantly controlled by an elite oligarchy,
and there are huge social and income disparities between small favored
economic and political elite and the rest of the Filipino population? In fact, Rizal
himself also forewarned about this when he wrote in the El Filibusterismo,
“Why independence if the slaves today become the tyrants of tomorrow?”

Moreover, there are some flaws in our character that can get into the way of
attaining what Rizal envisioned about our country. These include attitudes, like
the lack of appreciation of the significance of adhering to the rule of law and
upholding high standards of excellence. Advocating mediocrity, as signposted by
“puwede na” and “bahala na” attitudes, is very unbecoming of what Rizal
visualized in his essay.

The challenges posed by the essay to the present Filipino families, and
especially to the government, include instilling national discipline and true love
of country; exercising full control of our national sovereignty; assisting citizens
connect with their communities; employing available communication means (the
Internet and mobile technologies) to connect groups, to inform and educate, to
enable Filipinos to discover the common ties we share; meeting challenges of
founding a more peaceful and stable social order; forming a common bond with
our brothers and sisters in marginalized communities; and developing
innovations that would improve dialogue and close gaps between our fellow
citizens the world outside; and preventing chaos and the spread of malicious
and destructive propagandas.

Ultimately, Rizal’s “The Philippines a Century Hence” legacy is its timeless

national message that establishing a fairer, better society requires reminding
the Filipino people that our hope for survival relies on each of us taking
responsibility. Manebog: The Life and Works of Rizal)

Lesson 10 – Indolence of the Filipino People

Spain in 1890, through the newspaper La Solidaridad, Rizal wrote this essay to
defend the Filipinos from the charge that they were born indolent. The
Indolence of the Filipino is a socio-political essay published in Madrid, Spain. It
is written by Dr. Jose Rizal as a response to the accusation of Indio or Malay
indolence. This essay has been published on July (15 and 31), August (1 and 31)
and September 15, 1890 in five installments through the La Solidaridad, the
official newspaper of the Philippine Ilustrados. In this essay, Rizal defended the
accusation of Spaniards that Filipinos are lazy. Also, he cited why Filipinos
didn’t work hard during Spanish colonial period.
La Indolencia de los Filipinos, more popularly known in its English version, "The
Indolence of the Filipinos," is an exploratory essay written by Philippine
national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, to explain the alleged idleness of his people during
the Spanish colonization.

The Indolence of the Filipinos is a work that pertains on the causes why the
people did not work hard during the Spanish regime. Rizal pointed out that
long before the coming of the Spaniards, the Filipinos were industrious and
hardworking. The Spanish reign brought about a decline in economic activities
because of certain causes. Also, this essay is a continuation of Rizal's campaign
of education in which he sought by blunt truths to awaken his countrymen to
their own faults at the same time that he was arousing the Spaniards to the
defects in Spain's colonial system that caused and continued such
shortcomings.

Synopsis of "The Indolence of the Filipino"

Chapter I: Admitting the Existence of Indolence

Rizal acknowledges the prior work of Gregorio Sancianco and admits that
indolence does exist among the Filipinos, but it cannot be attributed to the
troubles and backwardness of the country; rather it is the effect of the
backwardness and troubles experienced by the country. Past writings on
indolence revolve only on either denying or affirming, and never studying its
causes in depth. One must study the causes of indolence, Rizal says, before
curing it. He therefore enumerates the causes of indolence and elaborates on
the circumstances that have led to it. The hot climate, he points out, is a
reasonable predisposition for indolence. Filipinos cannot be compared to
Europeans, who live in cold countries and who must exert much more effort at
work. An hour's work under the Philippine sun, he says, is equivalent to a day's
work in temperate regions.

Moreover, past writings on indolence revolve only on either denying or

affirming, and never studying its causes in depth. One must study the causes of
indolence, Rizal says, before curing it. He therefore enumerates the causes of
indolence and elaborates on the circumstances that have led to it.

Chapter II: Indolence of Chronic Illness

In this chapter, Rizal says that an illness will worsen if the wrong treatment is
given. The same applies to indolence. People, however, should not lose hope in
fighting indolence. Even before the Spaniards arrived, Rizal argues, the early
Filipinos were already carrying out trade within provinces and with other
neighboring countries; they were also engaged in agriculture and mining; some
natives even spoke Spanish. All this disproves the notion that Filipinos are by
nature indolent. Rizal ends by asking what then would have caused Filipinos to
forget their past.

Chapter III: Wars, Insurrections, Expeditions and Invasion

Rizal enumerate in this chapter the several reasons that may have caused the
Filipinos cultural and economic decadence. The frequent wars, insurrections,
and invasions have brought disorder to the communities. Chaos has been
widespread, and destruction rampant. Meanwhile, natives who have had
enough of abuse have gone to the mountains. As a result, the farms have been
neglected. The so-called indolence of Filipinos definitely has deeply rooted
causes.

Chapter IV: Death of Trade in the Philippines

Filipinos, according to Rizal, are not responsible for their misfortunes, as they
are not their own masters. The Spanish government has not encouraged labor
and trade, which ceased after the government treated the country’s neighboring
trade partners with great suspicion. Trade has declined, furthermore, because
of pirate attacks and the many restrictions imposed by the government, which
gives no aid for crops and farmers. This and the abuse suffered under
encomenderos have caused many to abandon the fields. Businesses are
monopolized by many government officials, red tape and bribery operate on a
wide scale, rampant gambling is tolerated by the government.

Chapter V: Limited Training and Education

According to Rizal, all the causes of indolence can be reduced to two factors.
The first factor is the limited training and education Filipino natives receive.
Segregated from Spaniards, Filipinos do not receive the same opportunities that
are available to the foreigners. They are taught to be inferior. The second factor
is the lack of a national sentiment of unity among them. Because Filipinos think
they are inferior, they submit to the foreign culture and do everything to imitate
it. The solution, according to Rizal, would be education and liberty.

Issues raised in the Essay

In the articles, Rizal argued that Filipinos were innately hardworking prior to
the rule of the Spaniards. In which, the unproductive traits of the Filipino
natives was due to the Spanish colonization in the Philippines. Also, Rizal
explained the alleged Filipino indolence by indicating the following factors:

1. The establishment of the Galleon Trade cut off all previous associations of the
Philippines with other countries in Asia and the Middle East. As a result,
business was only conducted with Spain through Mexico. Because of this, the
small businesses and handicraft industries that flourished during the pre-
Spanish period gradually disappeared.

2. Spain also extinguished the natives’ love of work because of the

implementation of forced labor. Because of the wars between Spain and other
countries in Europe as well as the Muslims in Mindanao, the Filipinos were
compelled to work in shipyards, roads, and other public works, abandoning
agriculture, industry, and commerce.

3. Spain did not protect the people against foreign invaders and pirates. With no
arms to defend themselves, the natives were killed, their houses burned, and
their lands destroyed. As a result of this, the Filipinos were forced to become
nomads, lost interest in cultivating their lands or in rebuilding the industries
that were shut down, and simply became submissive to the mercy of God.

4. There was a crooked system of education, if it was to be considered an

education. What was being taught in the schools were repetitive prayers and
other things that could not be used by the students to lead the country to
progress. There were no courses in Agriculture, Industry, etc., which were badly
needed by the Philippines during those times.

5. The Spanish rulers were a bad example to despise manual labor. The officials
reported to work at noon and left early, all the while doing nothing in line with
their duties. The women were seen constantly followed by servants who dressed
them and fanned them – personal things which they ought to have done for
themselves.

6. Gambling was established and widely propagated during those times. Almost
every day there were cockfights, and during feast days, the government officials
and friars were the first to engage in all sorts of bets and gambles.

7. There was a crooked system of religion. The friars taught the native Filipinos
that it was easier for a poor man to enter heaven, and so they preferred not to
work and remain poor so that they could easily enter heaven after they died.
8. The taxes were extremely high, so much so that a huge portion of what they
earned went to the government or to the friars. When the object of their labor
was removed and they were exploited, they were reduced to inaction.

Analysis

It is important to note that indolence in the Philippines is a chronic illness, but

not a hereditary one. The truth is, before the Spaniards arrived on these lands,
the natives were industriously conducting business with China, Japan, Arabia,
Malaysia, and other countries in the Middle East. The reasons for this said
indolence were clearly stated in the essay, and were not based only on
presumptions, but were grounded on fact taken from history.

It can clearly be deduced from the writing that the cause of the indolence
attributed to our race is Spain. When the Filipinos wanted to study and learn,
there were no schools, and if there were any, they lacked sufficient resources
and did not present more useful knowledge; when the Filipinos wanted to
establish their businesses, there wasn’t enough capital nor protection from the
government; when the Filipinos tried to cultivate their lands and establish
various industries, they were made to pay enormous taxes and were exploited
by the foreign rulers.

It is not only the Philippines, but also other countries, that may be called
indolent, depending on the criteria upon which such a label is based. Man
cannot work without resting, and if in doing so he is considered lazy, they could
say that all men are indolent. One cannot blame a country that was deprived of
its dignity, to have lost its will to continue building its foundation upon the
backs of its people, especially when the fruits of their labor do not so much as
reach their lips.

Generalization

The Indolence of the Filipino, also known as La Indolencia de los Filipinos, is a

socio-political essay in La Solidaridad written/published by Jose Rizal in 1890.
This essay has proved the causes and effects of being indolent. Rizal had
justified indolence because of the Spaniards and how the Filipinos were treated
and exploited during that time.

Lesson 11 - Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism: Bayani and

Kabayanihan

As the title suggests, we are delving into the deeper meanings of the phrases
Bayani and Kabayanihan, as well as how these words provide a holistic
understanding of Jose Rizal as a person and a national hero. We must determine
what the deliverables and viewpoints are for describing or recognizing a person
or a group of individuals as a hero or someone performing heroic activities.

In Filipino, a "Bayani," or hero, is someone who saves someone's life. However,

this word has a deeper meaning, implying that only those who are willing to
suffer and sacrifice themselves for the greater welfare of the country are worthy
of being called heroes. Referred to as such. A bigger act of bravery is required
to be considered a hero.

What qualities do you need to be a hero? In real life, heroism does not
necessitate the sacrifice of one's life in order to be referred to as a bayani.
People we honor as heroes are those who go above and beyond the call of duty
and accomplish exceptional feats. To others, heroism is arguable; but, for any
hero, simply knowing they helped someone is enough.

BAYANI AT KABAYANIHAN – The concept

The word “Bayani” or hero in Filipino is someone who saves somebody’s lives.
However, this word carries a deeper context wherein only those people who are
willing to suffer and sacrifice themselves for the good of the country are worthy
enough to be called as such. Being called a hero. The idea of bayani as
translated into the English word hero, however, is not as neat as it appears to
be. For Filipino scholar Zeus Salazar (1997), the local concept of bayani has a
different value and is a richer concept than its supposed western counterpart.
Salazar used the Spanish translation of hero, héroe, as a heuristic to
differentiate it with the local term bayani. The héroe could be likened to a
martyr who may or may not think of compatriots making actions. For Salazar, a
héroe commonly acts as an individual and is viewed to be exceptional. On the
other hand, bayani is a counter-discourse to the western concept of héroe.

In Salazar’s words:
“The summary of all of these differences could be distilled from the
individualism and preoccupation of the héroe with his own “persona,” as
compared with bayani who belongs to his own group and focused only and
distinctly on advancing the interest of the group. …The action of the bayani is
based on the character of bayan, wherein humility and being equal with others
are valued more. (Salazar 1997, 3-4)

The bayani acts with the collective and with their common concern in mind. In
line with this, bayanihan can be considered as a form of active heroism
(kabayanihan) of an individual or a group of people by helping others without
expecting anything in return. In bayanihan, one who volunteers and co-develops
a community spirit could emerge as a hero in his/her own simple ways and take
pride of the achievement of the group of people in common. As illustrated in the
opening story, mining together and extending support as a collective could
somehow bring a community member out of danger, both physically and
financially. Knowing that someone from their neighborhood is not in good shape
affects miners and their community. When they would be in the same situation
as the community member who is in need, the latter might do the same thing
for them as a form of solidarity with the rest of the group (pakikisama),
pagdamay and pakikipagkapwa. Working together can make any action effective
and any task easier to accomplish. The achievement of one is also an
achievement of the many, and vice versa.

Bayanihan as a collective endeavor among Filipinos had been documented as

early as 1754 in the dictionary “Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala” by Noceda
and Sanlucar. The authors refer to bayanihan as “obra comun” (p. 72) or
common work. Bayanihan comes from the root word bayani and the suffix -han.
Bayani is roughly translated to hero in the English language. The suffix –han
when added to a root word such as bayani creates a noun and an action word.
Bayanihan can then be referred to as being and becoming a hero.

Dr. Jose P. Rizal was a man of intellectual power and artistic talent whom
Filipinos honor as their national hero (Szczepanski, 2019). Rizal is not only
admired for possessing intellectual brilliance but also for taking a stand and
resisting the Spanish colonial government. While his death sparked a revolution
to overthrow the tyranny, Rizal will always be remembered for his compassion
towards the Filipino people and the country. Another remarkable hero that we
all know is Andres Bonifacio. The Kataastaasang, Kagalang-galangang
Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan played a huge role in the revolt of the
Filipinos against the Spaniards. In the center of that revolution was its founder,
Supremo Andres Bonifacio. Furthermore, according to Vallejo Jr., (2010),
Filipinos also remember General Antonio Luna as a brilliant, brave soldier and
tactician of the second phase of the Revolution and the proverbial hothead but
never as the excellent scientist. He has no epitaph but perhaps his words before
leaving exile in Europe for Manila are apt: “I will fight and offer my life, my
small knowledge and science for the liberation of the Motherland.”

DR. JOSE P. RIZAL

José Protasio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 to
Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo in the town of Calamba in the province
of Laguna. He had nine sisters and one brother. At the early age of three, the
future political leader had already learned the English alphabet. And, by the age
of five, he could already read and write (Valdeavilla, 2018).

Rizal had been very vocal against the Spanish government, but in a peaceful
and progressive manner. For him, “the pen was mightier than the sword.” And
through his writings, he exposed the corruption and wrongdoings of
government officials as well as the Spanish friars.

While in Barcelona, Rizal contributed essays, poems, allegories, and editorials

to the Spanish newspaper, La Solidaridad. Most of his writings, both in his
essays and editorials, centered on individual rights and freedom, specifically for
the Filipino people.

As part of his reforms, he even called for the inclusion of the Philippines to
become a province of Spain. But, among his best works, two novels stood out
from the rest – Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (The
Reign of the Greed).

In both novels, Rizal harshly criticized the Spanish colonial rule in the country
and exposed the ills of Philippine society at the time. And because he wrote
about the injustices and brutalities of the Spaniards in the country, the
authorities banned Filipinos from reading the controversial books. Yet they were
not able to ban it completely. Days before his execution, Rizal bid farewell to his
motherland and countrymen through one of his final letters, entitled Mi último
adiós or My Last Farewell.

Dr. José Rizal was executed on the morning of December 30, 1896, in what was
then called Bagumbayan (now referred to as Luneta). Upon hearing the
command to shoot him, he faced the squad and uttered in his final breath:
“Consummatum est” (It is finished).

According to historical accounts, only one bullet ended the life of the Filipino
martyr and hero.

The Americans decided for him being a national hero at their time in the
country. It is said that the Americans, Civil Governor William Howard Taft,
chose Jose Rizal to be the national hero as a strategy.

Rizal didn't want bloody revolution in his time. So they wanted him to be a
"good example" to the Filipinos so that the people will not revolt against the
Americans. Rizal became a National Hero because he passed the criteria by
being a National Hero during the American period.

Criteria for National Heroes:

Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and
struggle for the nation’s freedom. In reality, however, a revolution has no end.
Revolutions are only the beginning. One cannot aspire to be free only to sink
back into bondage.

Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system or life of freedom and
order for a nation. Freedom without order will only lead to anarchy. Therefore,
heroes are those who make the nation’s constitution and laws. To the latter,
constitutions are only the beginning, for it is the people living under the
constitution that truly constitute a nation.
Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation.
(As defined by Dr. Onofre D. Corpuz)

Additional Criteria for Heroes:

A hero is part of the people’s expression. But the process of a people’s

internalization of a hero’s life and works takes time, with the youth forming a
part of the internalization.

Lesson 12 – Rizal and Philippine Nationalism – National Symbol

Symbols are used to express ideas that are represented by objects. Those things
are commonly associated with meanings, leading to their designation as
symbols. There are two kinds of symbols: official and traditional. National
symbols represent and differentiate one country from another. These are marks,
signs, and artifacts that are associated with a country. It also unites its citizens
and evokes a sense of patriotism.

In this topic, we will go into the values and principles that are required to be
called a national emblem. As a well-known individual in the country, we can
learn more about Jose Rizal's life as a person of great knowledge and
compassion for his own country by using the content given in the lesson.

The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines
defined that national symbols represent the country’s traditions and ideals that
also convey the principles of the Philippine sovereignty (self-governing state)
and national solidarity (unity). According to NCCA, official national symbols of
the Philippines are the following: Philippine national flag, Lupang Hinirang,
sampaguita, narra, Philippine eagle, Philippine pearl and arnis. However, there
is also a list of our country’s unofficial but traditional national symbols: anahaw,
mango, carabao or tamaraw, bahay kubo, bangus, tinikling or cariñosa and
adobo or sinigang.

The Philippine flag, a national treasure, carries deep symbolism in the hearts of
the Filipino people. However, a common misconception surrounds the three
stars, often thought to represent Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Historical documents reveal a different story: the stars symbolize Luzon, Panay,
and Mindanao. The 1898 Proclamation of Independence associated these stars
with the islands where the revolution began, not the main island grouping.
During the Philippine Revolution, Panay served as the center of revolutionary
activity in the Visayas region.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) itself clarifies the
issue. In a public access document entitled "Symbolisms/Meanings in the
Philippine Flag," Section 4 states, “…the three stars, signifying the three
principal Islands of this Archipelago - Luzon, Mindanao, and Panay where this
revolutionary movement started."

This interesting detail adds another layer to the rich symbolism of the Philippine
flag, reminding us that national identity goes beyond just geography, reflecting
the shared struggle and unity of the Filipino people.

Dr. Jose Rizal is the country’s well-known national hero but nonetheless belongs
to the unofficial national symbol category. However, this does not make him less
of a symbol of the Philippines. Rizal’s name elicits the name of our country
internationally. The monuments built by people in countries where he had been
and his books in foreign libraries bear the name of the Philippines.
Symbols elicit thoughts as they represent things. In a culture, some things are
conventionally associated with some meanings, and thus become symbols,
either officially or traditionally. With these, every country has its own national
symbols to distinguish itself from others and to somewhat unite its people.
National symbols provoke some sense of nationalism.

Executive Order No. 75, 1993 – Creating the National Heroes Committee Under
the Office of the President

Mandated to foster patriotism and nationalism among the citizens, especially

the youth, pursuant to Article II, Sections 13 and 17.

Appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the

country pursuant to Article XIV, Section 3 (2)

National Heroes Committee is composed of the Secretary of Education, Culture

and Sports as Chairman, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary
of National Defense as Members, to study and recommend the proclamation of
National Heroes.

Selection And Proclamation of National Heroes And Laws Honoring Filipino

Historical Figures

No law, executive order or proclamation has been enacted or issued officially

proclaiming any Filipino historical figure as a national hero.

Even Jose Rizal, considered as the greatest among the Filipino heroes, was not
explicitly proclaimed as a national hero.

Aside from Rizal, the only other hero given an implied recognition as a national
hero is Andres Bonifacio whose day of birth on November 30 has been made a
national holiday.

Values Highlighted by Rizal’s Life

The following are the values of Rizal as a National symbol:

Nationalism
Nationalism desires to attain freedom and political independence especially by a
country under foreign power. Jose Rizal’s life works, and writings radiates this
value.

Patriotism
Patriotism denotes proud devotion and loyalty to one’s nation.

Faith in God
When Rizal was studying in Madrid, Spain, Rizal through his letters assured his
mother of his faith in God.

Love of Fellowmen
Rizal’s thought on love for our fellowmen is biblical and timeless.

Love of Parents
Rizal’s love for his parents is great and very admirable.

Devotion to Truth
Rizal’s persevering search for truth in serving his country was a motivating
virtue.

Purity and Idealism

Rizal was guided by his ideals and he was extraordinary in the purity of his
thoughts.

Noble Thought and Conduct

Rizal’s works and writing promoted good conduct, clean conscience, and
upright thinking.

Charity
All his sacrifices for his country were charitable acts for his fellowmen.

Dedication to Duty
Dedication was one of Rizal’s virtues; he dedicated his whole life in securing
freedom for his country.

Moral Courage
The moral courage that Rizal had signified is worth imitating by our present
leaders.

Willpower
This strong determination of Rizal, allowed him to express his ideas and wills
through calmness and peace.

Integrity
This refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.

Sincerity
Rizal’s sincerity is manifested in his acceptance that whatever he possessed he
owed them to God had planned a duty he had to carry out.

Self-Denial
The self-denial of Rizal involved self-sacrifice and altruism.

Perseverance
This value let him show his strength in meeting and enduring pain, adversity,
and peril.

Discipline and Self-Control

Rizal used reason to determine his actions regardless of his desires. In fact, he
deprived himself of many unsound pleasures.

Initiative
The ability to asses and initiate things independently.

Prudence
This is care, caution, and good judgment, as well as wisdom in looking ahead.

Chivalry, Courtesy, and Politeness

Rizal was an ideal gentleman, one of the qualities of being a chivalry. In
addition, he was always ready to help the weak or women.

Frugality
He also showed the quality of being economical with money and any other
resources; in simple way, thriftiness.

Love for Justice

Rizal found his joy in being just and in fighting for justice.

Criteria for National Heroes: Executive Order No. 75, 199

On March 28, 1993, President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No. 75
creating the National Heroes Committee under the office of the President “to
study and recommend the proclamation of National Heroes”. After series of
thorough discussions, the commission came up with the new criteria comprising
10 points or standards (Galang, 2012):

The extent of a person’s sacrifices for the welfare of the country;

The motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal: (Was his ideal
purely for the welfare of the country and without any taint of self-interested
motives? Most of all, the method of attainment should be morally valid.)

The moral character of the person concerned; (The person should not have any
immorality issue that affected his ideal).

The influence of the person concerned on his age/generation and/or the

succeeding one;

Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and
struggle for the nation’s freedom; (They must have desired the country’s
freedom in any situation especially when there’s a threat of invasion in any
form).

Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and
order for a nation; (For instance, someone who helps in the orderliness and
betterment of the country).

Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation;

A hero is part of the people’s expression; (The citizen must have recognized and
acknowledged the person as a hero.)

A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations; (His concern for
the future generations must be seen in his decisions and ideals.)

The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in
history but also the entire process that made this particular person a hero
A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations.

The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in
history, but of the entire process that made this particular person a hero.