Philippine in the 19th Century as Rizal Context ● To win the support of her overseas colonies during
the Napoleonic invasion, Spain granted them
The Filipinos in this time were unfortunate victims of the evils
of an unjust, biased and deteriorating power.
1. Instability of Colonial administration
King Ferdinand VII
 The instability of Spanish politics
since the turbulent reign of King
Ferdinand VII (1808-1833) mark
the beginning of political chaos in
Spain.
 The political instability in Spain
adversely affected Philippine
affairs because it brought about frequent periodic
shift in colonial policies and periodic rigodon of
colonial officials.
 1835 to 1892 -5- Governor Generals each serving an
average term only one year and three months.
2. Corrupt Colonial Officials
● With few exceptions, the colonial officials (governor-
general, judges, executives, etc.) sent by Spain to the
Philippines in the 19th century were a far cry from
their able and dedicated predecessors of the
16th,17th, and18th centuries. They were either
highly corrupt, in competent, cruel, or venal.
Apparently, they symbolized the decadent Spain of
the 19th century – not Spain of the Siglo de Oro
● (Golden Age) which produced Miguel Cervantes,
Lope de Vega, Calderon de la Barca, El Greco,
Velasquez, St. Theresa da Avila, and other glories of
the Hispanic nation.
General Rafael de Izquierdo (1871-73)
 a boastful and ruthless governor general, aroused
the anger of the Filipinos by executing the innocent
Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora,
the “Martyrs od1872”.
Admiral Jose Malcampo (1874-77)
 Was a good Moro fighter, but was
an inept and weak administrator.
General Fernando Primo De River,
governor general (1880-83 and 1897-
98)
 Enriched himself by accepting
bribes from gambling casinos in
Manila which he's scandalously
permitted to operate.
General Valeriano Weyler (1888-91)
-a cruel and corrupt governor general of
Hispanic-German ancestry,
-Called him “tyrant” because of
his brutal
- “The Bucher” because of his
ruthless
General Camilo de Polavieja
(1896-97)
-an able militarist but heart less
governor general, was widely
detested by the Filipino people
for executing Dr. Rizal.
-They became rich by illegal means or by marrying
the heiresses of rich Filipino families.
3. Philippines Representation in Spanish Cortes
representation in the Cortes (Spanish parliament).
Accordingly, the Philippines experienced her first
period of representation in the Cortes from 1810 to
1813.History demonstrate that the first Philippine
delegate, Ventura de los Reyes, took active part in
the framing of the Constitution of 1812.
● Spain’s first democratic constitution, and was one of
its 184 signers. Unfortunately, the representation of
the overseas colonies (including Philippines) in the
Spanish Cortes was abolished in 1837. Since then
Philippine conditions worsened because there was
no means by which the Filipino people could expose
the anomalies perpetrated by the colonial officials.
Many Filipino patriots valiantly pleaded for the
restoration of Philippine representation in the
Cortes. One of them, the silver-tongued Graciano
Lopez Jaena, implored in sonorous Castilian on
October 12, 1883,during the 391st anniversary of
the discovery of America by Columbus in Madrid: “
● Until the end of Spanish rule in 1898, Philippine
representation in the Cortes was never restored.
4. Human Rights Denied to Filipinos
 Since the adoption of the Spanish Constitution of
1812. Such inconsistency was lamented by
Sinabaldo de Mas, Spanish economist and diplomat,
who wrote in 1843:
5. No Equality before the Law
-The Spanish missionaries, who introduced Christianity into
the Philippines as early as in the 16thcentury, taught that
all men, irrespective of color and race, are children of
God and as much as they are brothers, they are equal
before God.
-They could not appeal to the law for justice because the
law, being dispensed by Spaniards, was only for the
white Spaniards.
6. Maladministration of Justice
-The courts of justice in the Philippines during Rizal’s time
were notoriously corrupt.
-Poor Filipinos had no access to the courts because they
could not afford the heavy expenses of litigation.
7. Racial Discrimination
● Racial prejudice was prevalent everywhere
● Castilian lineage were a badge of vaunted superiority.
Hence, a Spaniards or a mestizo, no matter how
stupid or mongrel-born he always enjoyed political
and social prestige in the community.
8. Frailocracy
-Owing to the Spanish political philosophy of union of Church
and State, there arose unique form of government in
Hispanic.
-Philippines called “frailocracy”, so named because it was “a
government by friars”.
9. Forced Labor
- Known as the polo service, it was the compulsory labor
imposed by the Spanish colonial authorities on adult.
-Filipino males from 16 to 60years old were obliged to render
forced labor for40 days a year. Later, the Royal Decree of
July12, 1883, implemented by the New Regulations
promulgated by the Council of State of February3, 1885,
increased the minimum age of the polist as (those who
performed the force labor) from 16 to 18 and reduced the
days of labor from 40 to 15. The same royal decree
provided that not only native Filipinos, but also all male
Spanish residents from 18 to 60 years old must render
forced labor, but this particular provision was never
 implemented in the Philippines for obvious reasons. So
actually the brown Filipinos did the dirty job of building or
repairing the public works. The well-to-do among them
were able to escape this manual labor by paying the falla,
which was a sum of money paid to the government to be
exempted from the polo.
10. Haciendas Owned by the Friars
-During Rizal’s times the Spanish friars belonging to
different religious orders were the riches landlords, for
they owned the best haciendas in the Philippines
11. The Guardia Civil
-The last hated symbol of Spanish tyranny was the Guardia
Civil (Constabulary) which was created by the Royal
Decree of February 12,1852, as amended by the Royal
Decree of March24, 1888, for the purpose of
maintaining internal peace and order in the Philippines.
It was patterned after the famous and well-disciplined
Guardia Civil in Spain, but later became infamous for
their rampant abuses, such as maltreating innocent
people, looting Carabaos, chickens, and valuable
belongings, and raping helpless women.
FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-
1898)
-Father of Jose
Rizal who was
the youngest of
13 offs prings of
Juan and Cirila
Mercado. Born in Biñan, Laguna on April
18, 1818; studied in San Jose College,
Manila; and died in Manila.
TEODORA ALONSO (1827-1913)
-Mother of Jose Rizal who was
the second child of Lorenzo
Alonso and Brijida de Quintos.
-She studied at the Colegio de
Santa Rosa. She was a business-
minded woman, courteous, religious, hard-working
and well-read.
 She was born in Santa Cruz, Manila on November 14,
1827 and died in 1913 in Manila.
SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913)
-Eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo
marriage. Married Manuel Timoteo
Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.
PACIANO RIZAL (1851-
1930)
Only brother of Jose Rizal
and the second child.
NARCISA RIZAL (1852-
1939)
-The third child. married Antonio
Lopez at Morong, Rizal; a teacher
and musician.
OLYMPIA RIZAL (1855-
1887)
--The fourth child. Married Silvestre
Ubaldo; died in 1887 from
childbirth.
LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919)
● The fifth child. Married to Matriano Herbosa.
MARIA RIZAL (1859-1945)
-The sixth child. Married
Daniel Faustino Cruz of
Biñan, Laguna.
CONCEPCION RIZAL (1862-1865)
● The eight child. Died at the age of three.
JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945)
● The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster.
JOSE RIZAL (1861-1896)
● The second son and the seventh child. He was
executed by the Spaniards on December 30,1896.
● Baptized by Rev. Rufino Collantes with Rev. Pedro
Casañas as the sponsor. 22 June 1861
● 1864, three years old, Rizal learned the alphabet from
his mother.
● 1865, when Rizal I 4 yrs. Old his sister died Conepcion
(3yrs old)
● 1865 – 1867, his mother taught him how to read and
write. . His father hired a classmate by the name of
Leon Monroy who, for five months until his
(Monroy) death, taught Rizal the rudiments of Latin.
● 6 June 1868, Rizal and his father made a pilgrimage to
Antipolo
● 1869, age of eight, Rizal wrote his first poem entitled
“Sa Aking Mga Kabata.” The poem was written in
tagalog and had for its theme “Love of One’s
Language.”
● Early Education in Calamba and Biñan
● 4 R’s- reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion
● Maestro Celestino and the second, Maestro Lucas
Padua- private tutor
● June 1869, Jose and his brother goes to Biñan- rode
in a carromata
● Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz- teacher of PAciano
(brother)
● A. Rizal Education in Manila(1872-1882)
● B. Rizal’s First Travel Abroad (1882-1887)
After finishing his medical course in University of
Santo Tomas, Jose Rizal then decided to go to Spain
mainly for two reasons:
To finish his medical specialization.
To do his “secret mission” in preparation for his fight
in the Philippines.
● He arrived in Singapore on May 9, 1882.
● He stayed in Hotel de la Paz.
● He then left Singapore on May 11, 1882 boarded the
ship Djemnah
● Donato Lecha, captain of the ship defined Jose as a
refined man.
● Ceylon to Italy ( May 17 – June 11, 1882)
● He arrived in Barcelona on June 16, 1882.
● June 24, 1884- The Return of Rizal in Madrid. Rizal
was broke that he cannot afford to buy breakfast.
● June 25, 1884 – a banquet was called for the
illustrados for the double victory Filipinos achieved
in Madrid: Luna’s Spoliarium (1st place) and
Hidalgo’s Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho
(2nd place)
● November 20 – 22, 1884 – A bloody riot in Madrid
exploded by the students of Universidad Central.
● November 26, 1884 – Jose send a letter about the riot
that happened in Madrid explaining it detail by
detail.
● June 21, 1884 – He earned the Licentiate in Medicine.
● June 19, 1885 – He finished his Philosophy and Letters
as a Sobresaliente.
● France to Germany (1885 -1887)
● After graduating in Madrid, he went to Paris to
practice ophthalmology.
● He then met Juan Luna and his girlfriend, Paz Pardo
de Tavera.
● In Luna’s painting The Death of Cleopatra, Jose posed
as an Egyptian and posed a sandugo depicting
Sikatuna – Legazpi pact.
● Alin mang Lahi – a patriotic song written by Rizal
which asserts freedom.
● February 3, 1886 – Jose arrived in Heidelberg, where
he was considered an excellent chess player.
● Rizal met one of the authors he admired, Dr. Feodor
Jagor.
● Madame Lucie Cerdole – A professor in French
language who enhanced the knowledge of Jose
about French language and culture.
● Unter den Linden – a famous street in Berlin where
Jose like to hang out.
● In his letter to Trinidad, he discussed about the
personality of German women: diligent, serious,
educated, friendly, not gossipy and not quarrelsome.
● Uncle Tom’s Cabin – A novel used by Jose as a
reference for Noli me Tangere.
● January 1884 – Jose suggested that the novel should
be done by a group of patriotic Filipinos
● In Berlin, He finalized the revisions in February 1886.
● Maximo Viola funded the publication of the novel
where 2000 copies were printed for 300 pesos.
● Noli me Tangere was not originally came from him
but from a Bible verse. ( John 20 : 13-17)He
dedicated the novel to his fatherland- the
Philippines.
● May 11, 1887 – The two left Berlin in an express train.
● They visited different places in Europe like: Dresden
(Germany), Teschen ( Czechoslovakia), Leitmeritz
( Bohemia)
● June 23, 1887 – Jose and Maximo parted ways, Jose
went to Italy and Maximo returned in Spain.
● June 27, 1887 – he arrived in Rome, where he called
“The City of Caesar.”
● Aug 5, 1887 – Jose arrived in the Manila.
● Upon arrival, he then treated young Filipinos and
introduced European culture.
● But one thing that Jose was not able to do, to meet
Leonor Rivera.
● Second Travel Abroad ( 1888 -1892)
● In September 1887, Jose suspended his trip to Europe
because her sister, Olympia, died of internal
bleeding due to her giving birth.
● Even though his family was persecuted because of the
uproar of Noli me Tangere, his family decided Rizal
will stay in the Philippines.
● December 29, 1887 – The Church ordered a
prohibition in the publication and circulation of the
Noli me Tangere.
● February 3, 1888 – After staying in the Philippines,
Jose left Manila for Hongkong bringing 5000 pesos,
earning from his medical practice.
● Jose in Hongkong ( February 3, 1888 – February 22,
1888)
● Jose in Japan (February 28, 1888 – April 13, 1888)
● Then he met Juan Perez Caballero, a Spanish
ambassador in Japan.
● Then he met, O Sei-san, Jose’s tour guide, translator
and lover.
● He also learned judo and kabuki.
● United States in April 28, 1888. He saw America was
marred with racial prejudice.
● Reno, the biggest city in the world
● He wrote in his diary the beauty of Nevada while
travelling to Albany.
● May 13, 1888 – He arrived in New York where he
called it as the “BigTown.”
● Jose arrived in England on May 1888. He chose
England as his new home to improve his English
language, to study Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de las
Felipinas and knowing England was the safest place
against the Spanish.
● May 25, 1888, Jose traveled in London, where he
became a boarder of the Becket where Gertrude
Beckett fell in love.
● He visited Paris in order to get some references in
Bibliotheque Nationale.
● He then traveled in Spain and there he met the
superpowers of propaganda, Marcelo H. del Pilar
and Mariano Ponce.
● La Solidaridad – a patriotic newspaper founded by
Graciano Lopez Jaena on February 18, 1889 in
Barcelona, Spain which aims to:
To work peacefully for political and social reforms.
To show the condition of Philippines so Spain may
remedy them.
To oppose the evil forces in the Philippines.
To advocate liberal ideas and progress.
To prioritize Filipino life and happiness.
● In the first article of Jose in the newspaper, he
discussed the situation of the Filipino farmers.
● Writings of Rizal in London
● La Vision del Fray Rodriguez - writing of Jose in which
he discussed his newfound meaning of religion and
his satirical comments.
● Spanish considered Fray Rodriguez as dangerous as
the Noli me Tangere.
● This was the time he used the pen name. Dimas
Alang.
● Letter to The Young Women of Malolos – Jose
praised the bravery of women of Malolos.
● Because of the flirting of Rizal and Beckett, he left
London to pursues his mission on March 19, 1889
● This is where Jose Rizal started writing his second
most famous novel, El Filibusterismo. (September
18, 1891)
● He was accompanied by Jose Alberto and later by
Jose Alejandro.
● Second Homecoming (1892) he persecuted and
tortured by the Spanish government.
● December 1890 – Rizal received a letter from Leonor
Rivera.
● June 26, 1892 – Rizal arrived in Manila together with
Lucia.
● Language learned by Rizal
Catalan Filipino
GermanIlokano ArabicBisayan
 Malay Subanon SanskritChinese
DutchLatin Nihonggo Spanish
PortugueseGreek ChavacanoEnglish
SwedishFrench Russian
● La Liga Filipina (Filipino League) – a civic organization
of Filipinos aimed for reforms under Spanish
government.
Rizal entered in 1872
● Under Jesuit System of Education
● Ateneo Municipal- a college under the supervision of
the Spanish Jesuits
● Escuela Pia (Charity School)- formerly name of
Ateneo, a school for poor boys in Manila which was
established by the city government in 1817
● June 10, 1872- Rizal accompanied by Paciano went
to Manila
● • Father Magin Ferrando- was the college registrar,
refused to admit Rizal in Ateneo for two reasons
Scholastic Triumphs at Ateneo de Manila (1872-
1877)
● Scholastic Triumphs at Ateneo de Manila (1872-1877)
Manuel Xerez Burgos-because of his intercession,
nephew of Father Burgos, Rizal was reluctantly
admitted at the Ateneo Jose was the first of his
family to adopt the surname “Rizal”.
● November 25, 1881- the title was issued to Rizal for
passing the final examination in the surveying course
Medical Studies at the University of Santo Tomas
(1877-1882).