“The Indolence of the Filipino”

La Indolencia de los Filipinos or The Indolence of the Filipinos is an essay written by

Jose Rizal that explores the trait stamped on the Filipino natives during the Spanish
colonization. It is a response to the accusation of Filipino indolence. Rizal admits that indolence
among the Filipinos exists, but there could be numbers of reasons behind it. He traces its
causes to factors such as the climate and social disorders. He also defends the Filipinos by
saying that they are by nature not indolent, because in fact, Filipinos have been engaged in
economic activities such as agriculture and trade even before the arrival of Spaniards. And even
though indolence does exist in Filipinos, he defends that it
is due to Spain’s subverted governance in the Philippines.
During the Spanish regime, when young 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. Filipinos are not really lazy, they are not unskilled. In fact, they are hardworking
and have so many abilities in which they can offer. Because of these, many Filipinos gave up
their work, lands, and even their life.
They viewed their life hopeless and they thought themselves as inferiors. Because of
this, there is a rise in the number of Filipinos engaging in gambling like “sabong” or cockfights.
They taught that all of their sacrifices and hard work is not enough that is why they trusted
fortune or luck to make their life quite good.
Another thing that had caused this indolence according to Rizal, is the lack of unity
among the Filipino people.  Because in the absence of unity and oneness, the people don’t
have the power speak what is in their mind especially to the Spanish government. The wrong
teachings of the friars have also contributed to the indolence of the Filipinos.
Through this work of Rizal, I have learned so many things. Not just about the things that
really happen to our past but also to the things that might happen to our future. I have learned
that indolence is very detrimental. However, we should also keep in mind that it is never too late
to correct those wrong impression. We Filipinos should also do our part for this. Be educated
and learn from the past. It is true that education and liberty would be the cure for Filipino
indolence.