Life and Works of Rizal

Chapter 9
The Philippines: A Century Hence
Chapter 8
The Philippines: A Century Hence

Introduction
“History does not record I its annals any lasting domination by one people over another,
of different races of diverse usages and customs, of opposite and divergent ideas. One of
the two had to yield and succumb.” - Jose Rizal
Jose Rizal’s Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años or the The Philippines a Century Hence was
serialized on September 30, October 31, December 15, 1889 and February 15, 1890 in the fortnightly
review La Solidaridad of Madrid. The essay talked about the glorious past of the Philippines, recounted
the deterioration of the economy and exposed the causes of the natives’ sufferings under the cruel Spanish
Rule. Part of the purpose in writing the essay was to awaken the minds and the hearts of the Filipinos
concerning the oppression of the Spaniards and encouraging them to fight for their right.

This Chapter shows the situation of the Philippines during Spanish Regime and arguments based
on evidences of what may happen to the country after a hundred year.

Specific Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Assess Rizal’s writings
2. Appraise the value of understanding the past.
3. Frame arguments based on evidence

Duration
Chapter 8: The Philippines: A Century Hence = 3 hours
(2.5 hours discussion;
.5-hour assessment)
Lesson 1: The Philippines: A Century Hence
Chapter I
Following our usual custom of facing squarely the most difficult and delicate questions
relating to the Philippines, without weighting the consequences that our frankness may bring
upon us, we shall in the present article treat of their future.
Causes of the miseries suffered by the Filipino people:
1. Spain’s implementation of her military policies – because of such laws, the Philippine
population decreased dramatically. Poverty became more rampant than ever, and
farmlands were left to wither. The family as a unit of society was neglected, and overall,
every aspect of the life of the Filipino was retarded.
2. Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino indigenous culture – when Spain came with
the sword and the cross, it began the gradual destruction of the native Philippine culture.
Because of this, the Filipinos started losing confidence in their past and their heritage,
became doubtful of their present lifestyle, and eventually lost hope in the future and the
preservation of their race.
3. Passivity and submissiveness to the Spanish colonizers – one of the most powerful forces
that influenced a culture of silence among the natives were the Spanish friars. Because of
the use of force, the Filipinos learned to submit themselves to the will of the foreigners.

The question then arises as to what had awakened the hearts and opened the minds of the
Filipino people with regards to their plight. Eventually, the natives realized that such oppression
in their society by foreign colonizers must no longer be tolerated.
Will the Philippine Islands continue to be a Spanish colony, and if so, what kind of colony?
Will they become a province of Spain, with or without autonomy? And to reach this stage, what
sacrifices will have to be made? Will they be separated from the mother country to live
independently, to fall into the hands of other nations, or to ally themselves with neighboring
powers?
One question Rizal raises in this essay is whether or not Spain can indeed prevent the
progress of the Philippines:
1. Keeping the people uneducated and ignorant had failed. National consciousness had still
awakened, and great Filipino minds still emerged from the rubble.
2. Keeping the people impoverished also came to no avail. On the contrary, living a life of
eternal destitution had allowed the Filipinos to act on the desire for a change in their way
of life. They began to explore other horizons through which they could move towards
progress.
3. Exterminating the people as an alternative to hindering progress did not work either. The
Filipino race was able to survive amidst wars and famine, and became even more
numerous after such catastrophes. To wipe out the nation altogether would require the
sacrifice of thousands of Spanish soldiers, and this is something.

Spain, therefore, had no means to stop the progress of the country. What she needs to do is to
change her colonial policies so that they are in keeping with the needs of the Philippine society
and to the rising nationalism of the people.
Chapter II
A. For those who have strong spirit over the liberty of the country, independence was
assured.
B. But for those who are discouraged and disillusioned by sad experiences shall be a
Prison of the colony forever

What will become of the Philippines within a Century? Will they continue to be a Spanish
Colony?
A. For the Liberal Spaniards: The ethical condition of the people remained the same
B. For the Friars and their followers: They have progressed
C. For many Filipino ethics: They have retrograded

The Spanish were able to take hold of the Philippines for three centuries because the
Filipinos remained faithful during three centuries, giving up their liberty and their independence,
sometimes dazzled by the hope of the Paradise Promised, sometimes cajoled by the friendship
offered them by a noble and generous people like Spanish
Filipinos see them as protectors but sooner they realize that they are exploiters and executers.
Enlightment is spreading and the persecution it suffers quickens it.

If this state of affair continues, what will become in the Philippines within a century?
People start to awaken and if the government doesn’t change its acts, a revolution will
occur. What do people like?
1. A Filipino representative for the Cortes and an authorized to cry out against all kinds
of abuses.
2. To practice their human rights.

Possible Outcomes
1. The Philippines will remain under Spanish colonization, but with more law and greater
liberty
2. They will declare themselves independent.

The following situations explains that Rizal just wanted liberty from Spaniards not total
separation. In his essay we see his urge to put freedom in our land through peaceful negotiations
with the Spanish Government in Spain.

Chapter III
If the Philippine will remain under the control of Spain, transformation will eventually
happen and will affect the people. In this case, some governors have been trying to introduce
needed reforms. But it produced scanty result for the government as well as to the country. With
this, our country is most likely reminded to Sancho Panza in Barataria Island where he took his
seat on appointed table covered with fruits and variety of food but when Pedro Rezio interposed
Sancho was as hungry as ever. That he should not eat except according to the usage and custom
of another island.
 Sancho Panza = Philippines
Dishes = Reforms
Pedro Rezio= many people interested in not having the food touched.

The result is the long suffering of Sancho (Philippines) misses his liberty and ends up
rebelling. In this manner as long as the Philippines have no liberty of press, all the efforts of the
colonial ministers will meet the fate like the dishes in Barataria Island.
The minister who wants his reforms be reforms must begin by declaring the press in the
Philippines free and by instituting Filipino delegates. A government that governs in a country
may even dispense with the press, because it is on the ground, it has eyes and ears, and directly
observes what is rules and administers.
But a government that governs a far requires that the truth and facts reach its knowledge by
every possible channel that it may weigh and estimate them better, and this need increases when
a country like Philippines is concerned. What risk does the government see in them? One of the
three things either that they will prove unruly, become political trimmers, or act properly.
Supposing that we should yield to the most absurd pessimism and admit the insult. Great for
the Philippines but still greater for Spain. Certainly, the Spanish people does not spare its blood
where patriotism is concern but would not a struggle of principles in parliament be preferable to
the exchange of lands.
Because the Spanish parliament especially abounds in oratorical paladin’s invisible in debate.
So, we see no serious reason why Philippines may not have representatives. We know that the
lack of enlightenment, the indolence, the egotism may convert reform into a harmful instrument.
When the laws and the acts of officials are kept under surveillance the word justice may
cease to be a colonial jest. The things that make the English most respected in their possessions
is their strict and speedy justice so that the inhabitants repose entire confidence in the judges.
Justice is the foremost virtue of the civilized races.
We could add other minor reforms touching commerce, agriculture, security of individual
and of property education and others.

To recapitulate: The Philippines will remain Spanish if they enter upon the life of law and
civilization, if the rights of their inhabitants are respected, if the other rights due them are
granted, if the liberal policy of the government is carried out without false interpretation.
Otherwise, if an attempt is made to see in the islands a love to be exploited, a resource to
satisfy ambitious, however great may be the loyalty of Filipinos and it will be impossible to
hinder the operations of the laws of history. Close indeed are the bonds that unite us to Spain.
Two peoples do not live for three centuries in continual contract, sharing a same lot, holding their
same belief, worshipping the same GOD but that ties are formed between them stronger than
those engendered by affection.
We, who today are struggling by the legal and peaceful means of debate so understand it
without going beyond the pale of the law, but if violence first silences us we have to misfortune
to fall then we do not know what course will be taken that will rush in to occupy the places that
we leave vacant. In contemplating such an unfortunate eventually, we must turn away in horror,
and so instead of closing our eyes we will face what the future may bring.

Chapter IV
 Now, applying these
considerations to the
Philippines, we must
conclude, as a deduction from all we have said, that:
1. if their population will not assimilate to the Spanish nation
2. if the dominators do not enter into the spirit of their inhabitants
3. if equitable laws and free liberal reforms do not make each forget that they belong to
different races
4. If both peoples be not amalgamated to constitute one mass, socially and politically,
homogeneous, that is, not harassed by opposing tendencies and antagonistic ideas and
interests someday the Philippines will fatally and infallibly declare themselves
independent.

Eventually, the natives realized that such oppression in their society by foreign colonizers
mist no longer be tolerated.
● Keeping the people uneducated and ignorant had failed. National consciousness had
still awakened, and great Filipino minds still emerged from the rubble. Eventually, the
natives realized that such oppression in their society by foreign colonizers must no
longer be tolerated.
● Keeping the people impoverished also came to no avail. On the contrary, living a life
of eternal destitution had allowed the Filipinos to act on the desire for a change in
their way of life. They began to explore other horizons through which they could
move towards progress.
● Exterminating the people as an alternative to hindering progress did not work either.
The Filipino race was able to survive amidst wars and famine, and became even more
numerous after such catastrophes. To wipe out the nation altogether would require the
sacrifice of thousands of Spanish soldiers, and this is something Spain would not
allow.

The Philippines is in danger in falling into other hands again. Who are the possible
colonizers?
● England
● Germany
● France
● Holland
● Japan
 ● US

What can you say about Rizal’s prediction?

What Rizal had envisioned in his essay came true. In 1898, the Americans wrestled with
Spain to win the Philippines, and eventually took over the country. Theirs was a reign of
democracy and liberty. Five decades after Rizal’s death, the Philippines gained her long-awaited
independence. This was in fulfillment of what he had written in his essay:

“History does not record in its annals any lasting domination by one people over another,
of different races, of diverse usages and customs, of opposite and divergent ideas. One of the two
had to yield and succumb.”

References/Additional Resources/Readings
▪ Jose Rizal: Life,works and writings of a genius,Writer,Scientist and national Hero ;
Second Edition by Gregorio F.Zaide,Ph.D. and SoniaM.Zaide,Ph.D.

▪ Rizal, Jose. "The Philippines a century hence”

▪ Zulueta, Franisco. Rizal: Life, Works and Ideals. Echanis press, Inc. 760 Boni Ave.,
Mandaluyong City, 2004
▪ https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/polytechnic-university-of-the-philippines/buhay-
mga-gawain-at-sinulat-ni-rizal/rizal-module-7-century-hence/14000261/download/rizal-
module-7-century-hence.pdf
▪ https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/polytechnic-university-of-the-philippines/buhay-
mga-gawain-at-sinulat-ni-rizal/rizal-module-7-century-hence/14000261