The works of Jose Rizal continue to prevail and give in-depth information regarding the

life he witnessed before he was prosecuted. One of the many he has written is entitled, “The

Indolence of Filipinos”, wherein he elaborated on the behaviors of his fellow Filipinos during the

Spanish colonization; he insisted and stated how the behavior of the Filipinos was greatly

affected during the time. Some of the arguments he gave into why Filipinos are industrious and

not innately indolent are:

 It has been given the emphasis on how Filipinos were industrious before the Spanish

came to colonize the country; there was the establishment of businesses and trades with the other

countries in Asia and the Middle East. When the Spaniards came, the trade was then shifted with

them only. During the Spanish regime, Filipinos became servants and slaves of the Spanish

people. Filipinos did numerous things as the Spaniards continue to lavish off them and live their

comfortable lives leaving our fellow citizens at the bottom, labeled as “indolent” because

Spaniards think they do not work hard. Being forced to do labor when you have no other choice

is not in line with being indolent; rather being diligent just to make it through the day and

survive.

In line with this, Dr. Jose P. Rizal also questioned the situation on who should be called

“indolent”. Given the circumstances, he has arrived at the conclusion that Filipinos lost their
drive, in working hard when the job comes in a forceful manner. Those poorly treated would

always be labeled on how the upper would want to.

Indolent is stated to be true but should not be seen as evil because this incident has roots

wherein the causes should be identified. Until now, indolent continues to appear among the

citizens but as Dr. Jose P. Rizal said, it increases in direct proportion due to the effects of

misgovernment.

It was also mentioned in his essay that, “Indolence in the Philippines is a chronic malady,

but not a hereditary one”. Means that what Filipinos have witnessed will stay within them but

once a positive change can be seen definitely, there could be a change in their indolence.

In conclusion, before the Spaniards came to colonize the country, Filipinos worked hard

and strived to survive. Once forced into slavery, it became hard for them. Indolence is an effect

and not a cause.