Philippine History

Aira D. Esmenda PCBET25- 202A

1. Who were the ilustrados, creoles and peninsulares? What role did they play in the
development of Filipino nationalism?

Insulares was the specific term given to criollos (full-blooded Spaniards born in the
colonies) born in the Philippines or the Marianas. The colonies were considered by
peninsulares to be a “dumping ground for misfits and dregs of society” and to be born in
such a place lowered their racial status
. Peninsulares - People born in Spain who could hold the highest offices in the New
World.
Creoles - Spanish people who were born in the New World. Along with the Peninsulares,
they controlled most of the wealth. Mestizos - People of European and Native American
ancestry.
Creoles nationalism was considered as the first form of Filipino nationalism. The term
“Filipino” in its earliest sense referred only to Spaniards who were born in the Philippines
or insulares (creoles). Spanish born Spaniards residing in the Philippines were referred to
as peninsulares. The indigenous peoples of the Philippines were referred to as indios.
Those mixed ancestry we referred to as mestizos. Traditionally, the creoles enjoyed
various government and church positions and made up the majority of the government
bureaucracy. These “creoles” campaigned for the rights of Filipino priests (creoles,
mestizo and indios) and pressed for secularization of the Philippine parishes. The latin
American revolutions and the decline of friar influence in spain resulted in the increase of
the regular clergy (peninsulares fars) in the Philippines. Filipino priest (creoles, mestizos
and indios) were being replaced by Spanish friars (pinensulares)
The first break in came in the early 1830s when spian, highly influenced by the
revolutions in the Europe and in Latin America, opened the Philippines to international
trade. This led to the rise of a middle class from which came the ilustrados which soon
became the main agitators against the Spanish regime. The liberalism of Europe arrived
through books and other literature. Jean Jacques Rousseau’s “social contract and john
locke’s” second treatise in civil government became the primary sources for the
development on nationalistic ideals. Such ideals were mostly understood by the
ilustrados, some becoming the future leaders of the Philippine history.
2. Explain how the creoles and the nature Filipinos came to be United against the evils of
Spanish rule in the Philippines

3. What was the secularization movement? How did it help in the development of Filipino
Nationalism?

Secularization Movement. This movement demanded the handing over of the parishes
from the regular clergy (Dominicans, Franciscans, Recollects etc.), who were Spanish
friars, to secular priests, most of whom were Filipinos. ... The seculars were those who
were not bound by monastic vows or rules
We all know that the agitation for secularization precipitated the execution of Father
Gomes, Burgos, and Zamora, which in turn engendered the seed of discontent among the
Filipino reformists, which in turn fanned the flame of Philippine revolution. But few knew
the real reason for the move to secularize, much less where and why it came to be.
The reign of Charles III of Spain in 1759 ushered in the policy of subjecting the
Catholic Church to the control of the crown. The religious order with their corporate
existence, would not easily bow down under his rule, unlike the seculars who were
subject to the bishops, who were themselves appointed by the crown. It is well known
that the religious orders, or regular clergy, try to preserve their corporate freedom and
governance of their dioceses against the control of the bishops.
Under Governor-general Simon de Anda, secularization was implemented in the
Philippines. In 1774 a royal cedula made this policy official. Resistance to this policy was
supported by allegations that the training of Filipino seculars was inadequate. Some
religious regulars reasoned, with racist overtone, that the Filipinos were not priestly
material. But the more serious charge was that native priests would one day lead revolts
against Spain. Spain experienced this predicament when Mexico and Peru, led by native
priests, waged wars of independence against her.
The secularization policy of 1774 was overturned in 1826 by the Spanish government,
although the Vatican discouraged the permanence of a religious order in governing a
parish. The Vatican’s or the Pope’s control of the Catholic ministers in the Philippines was
not absolute. Decisions coming from the Pope still have to pass approval from the
Spanish government. More often than not, the religious orders in the Philippines use
their influence with the government to thwart the wishes of the Vatican. Religious rule of
the regulars, then, continue to be paramount.
By this time a number of Filipino priests were becoming conscious of their rights and
were now becoming active and united in defending them. From among them, there
arose a leader, a Filipino priest, Father Pedro Pelaez (from Pagsanjan, Laguna). But his
untimely death in 1863, during an earthquake in Manila, deprived the secularization
movement of a wily, respected and influential leader.
 And then forward came Father Jose Burgos, regarded as the protégé of Pelaez. Both of
them were passionate in establishing the rights of the seculars. For Pelaez, the more
important issue was the rights of the secular clergy being violated by the friars. This was
also true for Burgos. But there was one more important aspect of the issue: that the
seculars were being denied of their right to govern a parish because of their race and
inferiority to Europeans. Burgos was now evolving into a religious nationalist.
Nationalism, in any form, was not about to be tolerated by the Spanish government.
Secularism must be destroyed. And destroyed they were on 17 February 1872, with the
execution of three of the most visible supporters of secularism, Fathers Jose Burgos,
Mariano Gomes, and Jacinto Zamora, in connection with the Cavite mutiny, which was
unsatisfactorily proven.

4. Mention some of the ways by which Spain unwittingly contributed to the rise of the Filipino
nationalism

The sense of national consciousness came from the Creoles, who now regard themselves
as "Filipino". It was brought to its advent by three major factors: 1) economy, 2)
education and 3) secularization of parishes. These factors contributed to the birth of the
Filipino Nationalism.

5. What is the significance of the opening of the Suez Canal in the development of
nationalism among Filipinos?

The opening on November 17, 1869 of the Suez Canal in Egypt, one of the most
important artificial sea-level waterways in the world, paved the way for the Philippines'
direct commercial relations with Spain instead of via Mexico.
As travel time from the Philippines to Spain and vice versa was shortened to 30 days from
more than two months, this positively affected the development of agricultural exports,
which brought economic prosperity to native indios or the so-called "ilustrados" (Filipinos
with money and education).

These development also paved the way for Filipino "ilustrados" to send their children to
universities in Europe.

The rise of the "ilustrados" was inevitable and they became the new patrons of the arts
that led to the secularization of arts in the 19th century.
 He Suez Canal was often called the "crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia" because the
route was used to transport goods to and from all three continents.

The new route was built for 10 years by a French company led by Ferdinand de Lesseps.

Before its opening in 1869, goods were sometimes offloaded from ships and carried
overland between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.

6. What was the propaganda movement? Was it a success or a failure? Explain

The Propaganda Movement was a cultural organization formed in 1872 by Filipino

expatriates in Europe. Composed of the Filipino elite called "ilustrados", exiled liberals
and students attending Europe's universities gravitated to the movement.
The main goals of the Propaganda Movement was to create reforms in the Philippines.
Students, who created the movement, wanted the Philippines to be acknowledged as a
province of Spain and to be represented in the Spanish Cortes. ... One of the main goals
was also to secularize parishes of the Philippines.
The propaganda movement did not succeed in its pursuit of reforms. The colonial
government did not agree to any of its demands. Spain itself was undergoing a lot of
internal problems all that time, which could explain why the mother country failed to
heed the Filipino's petitions

7. What was La liga Filipina? What were its aims? What was the cause of the split in its
membership?

La Liga Filipina ( lit. The Philippine League) was a progressive organization created by Dr.
José Rizal in the Philippines in the house of Doroteo Ongjunco at Ilaya Street, Tondo,
Manila in 1892. ... The purpose of La Liga Filipina is to build a new group sought to involve
the people directly in the reform movement.

Rizal organized the La Liga Filipina upon his return to the Philippines on 3 July 1892.
According to the constitution that Rizal prepared, the organization aimed: to unite the
whole archipelago into one compact, vigorous and homogenous body; mutual protection
in every want and necessity; defense against all violence and injustice; encouragement of
instruction, agriculture and commerce; study and application of reforms.

Because of this movement, the Spanish authorities were alarmed and they ordered the
arrest and deportation of Rizal to Dapitan. The Liga became inactive but it was
reorganized through the concerted efforts of Domingo Franco and Andres Bonifacio. Its
Aspirations remained the same, but it was agreed that all should contribute to support La
Solidaridad in Spain.

However, due to the differences in principles among its members, the La Liga Filipina was
dissolved and led to the formation of the Cuerpo de Compromisarios and the Katipunan.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history
through its museums and publications, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage
through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.

The Split

At first the Liga was quite active. Bonifacio in particular exerted great efforts to organize
chapters in various districts of Manila. A few months later, however, the Supreme Council
of the Liga dissolved the society. The reformist leaders found out that most of the
popular councils which Bonifacio had organized were no longer willing to send funds to
the Madrid propagandists because, like Bonifacio, they had become convinced that
peaceful agitation for reforms was futile. Afraid that the more radical rank and file
members might capture the organization and unwilling to involve themselves in an
enterprise which would surely invite reprisals from the authorities, the leaders of the Liga
opted for dissolution. The Liga membership split into two groups: the conservatives
formed the Cuerpo de Compromisarios which pledged to continue supporting the La
Solidaridad while the radicals led by Bonifacio devoted themselves to a new and secret
society, the katipunan which Bonifacio had organized on the very day Rizal was deported
to Dapitan.
Philippine History
Aira D. Esmenda PCBET 25 202A

1. How the aims of La Liga Filipina did differs from those of the Katipunan?
La Liga aimed to directly involve the patriotic Filipinos, especially those based in the country, in
the reform movement. Intending to uplift the life of the Filipinos, the society would promote
mutual aids through projects like establishing cooperatives to provide supports like legal
assistance, scholarship grants, and economic loans. The La Liga aspired, among others, to
1) Unite the whole archipelago into one strong and united organization;
2) have mutual protection in every need and want;
3) serve as a defense against all violence and injustices;
4) Encourage education, agriculture, and commerce and
5) Study the application of reforms.
The Katipunan grew very rapidly because the insolent and provocative way in which the friars
carried out their campaign (against reforms) had exasperated the masses. But if the organization
of political associations had been permitted in the archipelago, and if the middle class, which was
the most educated and influential, had been able to move freely, it could have undoubtedly
calmed the people's anger and obstructed the growth of the Katipunan since that class was
resolutely in favour of the Liga's program, even after having endured most cruel sufferings, and
even more after the Pact of Biak-na-Bato
2. What condition made an armed revolution in the Philippines in evitable?
1896, when the Spanish authorities discovered the Katipunan, an anti-colonial secret organization.
The Katipunan, led by Andrés Bonifacio, began to influence much of the Philippines. During a mass
gathering in Caloocan, the leaders of the Katipunan organized themselves into a revolutionary
government, named the newly established government "Haring Bayang Katagalugan", and openly
declared a nationwide armed revolution. Bonifacio called for an attack on the capital city of Manila.
This attack failed; however, the surrounding provinces began to revolt. In particular, rebels in
Cavite led by Mariano Álvarez and Emilio Aguinaldo (who were from two different factions of the
Katipunan) won early major victories. A power struggle among the revolutionaries led to
Bonifacio's death in 1897, with command shifting to Aguinaldo, who led the newly formed
revolutionary government. That year, the revolutionaries and the Spanish signed the Pact of Biak-
na-Bato, which temporarily reduced hostilities. Aguinaldo and other Filipino officers exiled
themselves in the British colony of Hong Kong in southern China. However, the hostilities never
completely ceased.
 3. If Spain had granted the basic reforms demanded by the illustrados, do you think there
would have been a Philippine revolution?
If Spain granted it there will be equality, organized governance, prosperity and peace and possibly
it will no such thing as war and violence.

4. The Philippine revolution has been described by a respected historian as a “Revolt of the
Masses”. Explain the meaning of that phrase
It is characterized 20th century society as dominated by masses of mediocre and indistinguishable
individuals, who he proposed should surrender social leadership to minorities of cultivated and
intellectually independent men.

5. Comment on the stand taken by Dr. Jose Rizal on the katipunan plans for an armed
revolution.
Accordingly, in the manifesto of 15 December 1896 written by Rizal himself which he addressed
to the Filipino people, he declared that when the plan of revolution came into his knowledge, he
opposed its absolute impossibility and state his utmost willingness to offer anything he could to
stifle the rebellion.

6. Why did many of the rich and educated filipinos become unsympathetic towards the
katipunan?
They made fake documents which showed that rich and educated Filipinos were contributors to
Ktipunan and so many of them were imprisoned. Some were executed.

7. How were the ilustrados able to arrest the leadership of the revolution from Bonifacio? Why
so you think some of Aguinaldo’s generals wanted Bonifacio to be executed?
Bonifacio was partial to the latter as it recognized his authority more. So aguinaldo became
irritated with Bonifacio because he acted “as if he were a king”. The two disputed military
strategies and, more seriously, Aguinaldo’s alleged negotiations with the Spaniards, which could
compromise the revolution. Also, Aguinaldo had issued a manifesto proclaiming a provisional
Revolutionary government, in effect denying the existence of the Katipunan government, which
had a constitution, laws and local governments.

There was the classic political mudslinging. Rumors were spread Bonifacio had stolen Katipunan
funds and his sister was a priest’s mistress. Most fantastic was the rumor he was an “agent
provocateur paid by the friars to foment unrest.”
And there was the prototype of “dagdag-bawas,” the rigged ballot boxes, as testified to by some.

8. Trace the briefly the events that led to the downfall of Bonifacio as a leader of the
Philippine Revolution.

Alongside the Spanish authorities, Katipuneros were soon fighting amongst themselves.
Rivalries emerged between commanders and territories, creating big rifts in the
association. The Katipunan divided into two councils, namely the Magdiwang and
Magdalo – that is, those who favoured Aguinaldo and those who favoured Bonifacio.
To settle the leadership dispute, the Tejeros Convention was established. This assembly
of officials was intended to unite the two factions and elect officers for the revolutionary
government. After a makeshift election, Bonifacio lost to Aguinaldo and leadership was
turned over to him.
Bonifacio was given the role of Director of the Interior, but his qualifications were
questioned. Under this further scrutiny he left the assembly – Aguinaldo took oath as
President the following day.
By 1892 it became obvious that Spain was unwilling to reform its colonial government.
Andres Bonifacio, a self-educated warehouse clerk, organized a secret revolutionary
society, the Katipunan, in Manila. Membership grew to an estimated 100,000 by August
1896, when the Spaniards discovered its existence. Bonifacio immediately issued a call
for armed rebellion. The Spanish then arrested Rizal, who had advocated reform but
never condoned the revolution. Rizal’s public execution, on Dec. 30, 1896, so enraged
and united Filipinos as to make permanent retention of power by Spain clearly
impossible.

9. What was the historical significance of the “cry of pugad lawin?”

The''Cry of Pugad Lawin'' was a cry for freedom. Its historic significance to us consists of the
realization that the Filipino people had finally realized the lasting value of freedom and
independence and the need to fight in order to prove themselves worthy to be called a truly
free people.
10. What was the fact of biak no-bato? What were the basic terms of that peace agreement?
Did the agreement really being peace to the Philippines? Explain

The Biak-na-Bato Constitution provided for the establishment of a Supreme council that
would serve as the highest governing body of the Republic. It also outlined certain basic
human rights, such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the right to education

With almost all of Cavite in the hands of the Spaniards, [Governor General] Primo de Rivera
issued another decree extending the benefit of his pardon beyond May 17, 1897. His
purpose was to win over the Filipinos to his policy of attraction. A few took advantage of
the governor's decree, while the rest continued their resistance against the enemy.

Aguinaldo, meanwhile was in Talisay, Batangas where he had established his headquarters.
The enemy surrounded the area in the hope of capturing him, but he slipped through the
Spanish cordon on June 10 and proceeded with his men to the hilly region of Morong
(Rizal). With 500 picked men, he crossed the Pasig to Malapad-na-Bato, near Guadalupe,
and from here he secretly passed through San Juan del Monte and Montalban, and on to
Mount Puray. After a well-earned rest, Aguinaldo and his men proceeded to Biak-na-Bato,
San Miguel de Mayumo, where he established his headquarters.

News of Aguinaldo's arrival at Biak-na-Bato reached the towns of Central Luzon. As a

consequence, armed men from Pangasinan, Zambales, and Ilocos provinces, Tarlac and
Nueva Ecija, renewed their armed resistance against the enemy. From Biak-na-Bato,
Aguinaldo and his men joined forces with those of General Mariano Llanera of Nueva Ecija
and harassed the Spanish soldiers garrisoned in the Central Luzon Provinces. With the
coming of the rainy season, Primo de Rivera's campaigns were temporarily halted.

Before July 1897, Aguinaldo and his men had already established a republican government
at Biyak-na-Bato, known as the Biyak-na-Bato Republic. The provisional constitution of this
Republic was prepared by Felix Ferrer and Isabelo Artacho, who copied, almost word for
word, the Cuban constitution of Jimaguayu. The Biyak-na-bato Constitution was signed on
November 1, 1897. Its preamble states: