JOURNAL 3

1. Summarize the important political, social, cultural, and economic changes in the
19th century.
○ POLITICAL: The Spaniards ruled the Filipinos in the 19th century. The
middle class started to become more resentful of how the upper class was
running the country. Filipinos became the Spaniards' slaves, and they
claimed their taxes and they worked under the power of the Spaniards.
The colonial parliament was unstable as well as the proclamation in Spain.
Additionally, rampant political abuse, fraud, and incompetence. Also,
Filipinos become sufferers of the prejudiced, oppressive, and
disintegrating sovereignty of Spain.
○ SOCIAL: The racial discrimination was widespread. There was justice
biases on the prosperous and dominant. The social hierarchy was
classified into three categories, such as the highest class, middle class,
and the lowest class. There was purity of bloody Spanish doctrine and the
social tensions were created between and among the classes.
○ CULTURAL: First, the religious holidays are observed - Baptism and
confirmations, circumcisions and marriage. Extended family and Filipinos
are also receptive and family oriented. Then the tradition was blended in
both Filipino and Spanish Catholic. And last, festivities were celebrated in
their annual diagram.
○ ECONOMIC: There was invasion of European liberalism and opening of
the Philippines to international trade and the rise of the middle class.
Stimulation of agricultural production also occur and exporting of sugar,
rice hemp, and tobacco. Manila was then opened to exchanges to
foreigners without constraint. Also, there will be a rapid increase of foreign
enterprises. And the distance between Europe and Asia was shortened
after the Suez Canal has been opened.
2. How did these changes affect the lives of the people in Europe, Asia, and the
Philippines?
○ It changes a lot in the lives of all the people in Europe, Asia and the
Philippines. The Chinese and the Chinese Mestizos have greatly benefited
from these changes, especially from the changes in economy as they
influenced it by purchasing land, accumulating wealth and influence. Then
as Manila became a trading center, it became a viable destination for
people seeking better opportunities or for those who wants to escape the
 worsening conditions in their farmlands. And until now, we are all
benefiting from these changes.
3. How were those events in the 19th century crucial to the formation of Rizal’s love
for his country?
○ These events were crucial to the formation of Rizal's love for his country
because he have witnessed the many injustices that were being done to
the Filipinos. He saw how the Filipinos were being denied their ability to
practice their religion in his childhood and sophomore years. He also saw
that the Filipinos had to rely on a government that didn't care about them
in order to survive. And because of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, we
the Filipinos have realized the past experience of the conquerors. We
gave importance on our freedom and we fight for it so that foreigners won't
conquer us again.