POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

STA. MESA, MANILA

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Department of Computer Engineering

MONTEROZO, BRYAN MICHAEL B.

BSCOE 2-3
Life and Works of Rizal – GEED 10013
Prof. Jacinto R. Valila Jr.

Critically appraised Rizal’s views on women in nation-building. Examine closely how Rizal
instigated the women of Malolos to rise and take an active role in society. Write a 2-paper on this
article.

Letter to the Women of Malolos

Dr. Jose Rizal wrote a letter to the young women of Malolos, Bulacan. He praised and
honored these courageous Filipinas for having triumphed in their quest for education and no
longer being deluded by the false religious doctrines taught by the friars. The letter addresses
several important issues, including inequality between Filipino men and women slavery committed
by the Spaniards due to their ignorance. In this letter, Rizal also asserted that the value of women
was dependent on their contribution to Filipino identity, highlighting how the character of
motherhood reflected the nature of one's homeland.

His first line speaks to the lack of courage that young women in the Philippines have
demonstrated. The fact that he knew so few women in the country who matched his standards
and had just met the woman he had in mind when he arrived in Spain is something he elaborates
on. By his "standards," Rizal's primary view for women is that women should be liberated and
afforded the same rights and benefits those men have. They are not supposed to be passive or
cry silently when insulted. Women should be confident and aware of their rights, guard their honor
and dignity, and educate themselves. Basically, what Rizal wants is a Filipina who acts more like
a European woman. However, when he learned that a group of 20 courageous women from the
town of Malolos had taken part in a nonviolent demonstration for educational reform in the country,
His perception of Filipinas was forever altered by their admirable bravery.
 He likes to compare Filipino women to plants, from "They seemed faced plants sown and
reared in darkness, having flowers without perfume and fruits without sap." Changing to "Youth
is a flowerbed that is to bear rich fruit and must accumulate wealth for its descendants." Where
Rizal compared women to flowers, he implied that they should contribute to the betterment of the
next generation. During that time, the women of Malolos are those flowers that may bloom into
the future.

Rizal also mentioned things that remain relevant to this day as Rizal had already put a high
value on and high regard for women in our society, particularly for their essential responsibilities
as mothers. Wives must back their husband in any hardships and challenges that he may face,
give ample support, provide inspiration, love him, and be by his side at all times, no matter how
difficult the situation may seem to them. Another thing that Rizal pointed out is that women should
refrain from inspecting a man by his physical looks but instead carefully examine a man as a
whole, including his attitude and characteristics.

For his take on equality or equal rights. He is confident that "race" or even "gender" should
not be limited to anyone's flourishing ability. Rizal describes how men and women were unequal
in the past. A man capable of upholding his education and a woman who should remain at home
and care for her family solely. But then He stands unto the idea that both boys and girls should
have the same right to pursue their education.

I really do like his visions for the future generations from the line where he said, "The
mother who can only teach her child how to kneel and kiss hands must not expect sons with blood
other than that of vile slaves." This clearly states that without proper education and being chained
by someone or something will result in stagnant progress that leads into a loop of "faithful slavery."
However, if a mother instills noble values in her children, it is possible that their children would
advance with dignity rather than in ignorance.