HISTORY 10: MODULE 2

“I can concede that the government has no knowledge of the people, but I believe
the people know less of the government. There are useless officials, evil, if you like, but
there are also good ones, and these are not able to accomplish anything because
they encounter an inert mass, the population that takes little part in matters that
concern them.”
- JOSE RIZAL

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, you are able to:

1. Explain the socio-political structure of the 19th century

2. Discuss the significant problems that were experienced by the Filipinos
during Rizal’s time.
3. Discuss the socio-political and economic challenges of the 19th century

INTRODUCTION
To fully appreciate the details of Rizal’s life, we need to place him within the
larger context of the Philippines in the 19th century. Knowing the background
of the changing landscape of the Philippine economy during this century is
fundamental, as well as recognizing how these developments had an impact on
the society in which Rizal grew up, became mature, and eventually was
martyred.

ANALYSIS
Activity 1
Directions: Write down five socio-political/economic problems in the
Philippines during the 19th century.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. Based on the activity above, describe the Philippine setting during that
time.
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 Lesson 1 Socio-Political and Economic
Condition of the Philippines
ABSTRACTION

The Philippines During the 19th Century

The 19th century was a dynamic and creative age, particularly in Europe and the
United States. Industrialism, democracy, and nationalism fueled revolutionary changes
in economics, science, technology, and politics during this century. These changes
allowed men to achieve the pinnacles of prosperity and dignity.

Although 19th century Philippines was largely behind the times, traces of progress
were noted in some sectors. However, its social and economic structure was based on
the outmoded feudalistic patterns of exploitation and abuse of the indios. Racial
discriminatory practices were harsh and oppressive. Intellectual depravity prevailed
and government practices did not respect the needs of the people. This influenced how
Rizal became a nationalist and a patriot for his country.

As stated in the chapter about the Rizaliana batch of biographers, the history of
the Philippines during the 19th century, was divided into three institutions namely:

a. Political Institutions

The Political set-up of the Philippines during those times was headed by the
Governor-General. He was appointed by the King of Spain for an “indefinite”
period of time as loyalty was one of the major qualifications of the government
officials. It was during the time of Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, then
appointed by King Philip II of Spain that proportions of land were awarded. The
governor-general performs dual functions – political and ecclesiastical. His
political powers include being the chief executive head of the colony –
managing the internal affairs of the state as well as the executer of the laws of
the land. He was also the chief of Real Audiencia or the Spanish Supreme Court
in the Philippines where cases were elevated after the failure of cases in local
courts. He was also the commanding officer of the armed forces particularly the
navy and army. His ecclesiastical power then was to settle Church matter
because there was Union of Church and State. In the 19th century Philippines then
the office of the governor-general was the most powerful position in the land next
to the King of Spain and the Ministry of the Indies.

In order to check the powers of the Gov-Gen. then there were officials
being sent by the King-the residencia and visitadores. The Residencia are
permanent officials who will scrutinize the performance of the out-going Gov-
Gen. The incoming Gov.Gen. would be probably coming from the residencia.
Visitadores on the other hand will check the performance of the Gov.-Gen and
they were temporary and different from the residencia.

In the local set-up then, local government was divided into provinces, cities
and barangays. The provinces were led by the alcalde-mayor who was the
executive of the provinces. Cities were called, Ayuntamiento that were headed
by a petty governor known as the “governadorcillo”. The little towns were called

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 pueblos. During the 19th century the barangays were headed by a chief known
as the cabeza de barangay and they served as tax collectors of their constituents.

b. Economic Institutions

The encomienda system or the leasehold system became one of the main
economic programs of Spain in the Philippines. This system however, was abused
by the Spaniards. The 70-30 percentage crop sharing became the most abused
practice to uneducated farmers because it was usurious. Another form of abuse
was the monopoly system or known as bandala system where the Spaniards
monopolized the buying and selling of raw materials and middlemen sold them
at a higher cost. The Galleon Trade was another economic activity at that time
where “boletas” or tickets were used to purchase goods from the ships though
there were instances when ships never returned due to typhoons or man-made
accidents at sea.

c. Social Institution

The social institution which was imposed by Spain in the Philippines was
divided into social strata wit;

Social Strata in the Philippines during Spanish Period

The figure above shows the social strata
which puts the principalia (the rich and opulent
class) or the peninsulares and insulares at the
apex of the triangle. The lower portion of the apex
is composed of mixed races (Spaniard, Chinese
and Austronesian ancestry). The rising middle class
or the ilustrados (composed of the educated class)
including Rizal’s family and other propagandists are

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not presented in the figure. Almost 60% of the population is “indio” which belongs to the
lower class and uneducated Filipinos. Religious impositions were very strong that time
where Filipinos are subjects under the Spanish friars. Marcelo H. Del Pilar known to be
one of the main propagandists coined the term, “frailocracy” which prevailed in the
Philippines. (Source from Choose Philippines Archives)

Rizal as product of his times

Rizal was the product of his times and he was
also one of the eye witnesses of the execution of the
triumvirate priests, Gomez, Burgos and Zamora who
were executed on February 17, 1872 after the Cavite
Mutiny on January 20, 1872 which was led by
Sergeant La Madrid. Rizal, being an eyewitness of
the execution, reckoned his historical thoughts in his
letters as revealed by his early biographers.
On the other hand, some points to be considered,
to wit;

1. Divine Intervention

Rizal’s vast knowledge and social

consciousness are God’s gifts to him. As a
reformer, he was-versed in letters and
language. It is a fact that Jose Rizal possessed a lot of talents and he used his
literary and writing ability to fight the Spanish tyranny. He believed that “the pen
is mightier than the sword”.

2. Environmental Awareness

The 19th century was the Age of Enlightenment and Rizal was the product
of that time. His environment might be one of the very reason why he fought the
Spanish authorities as he was surrounded by several names who became his
advisers and mentors. He witnessed the execution of the triumvirate priests
(GomBurZa) at a young age of 11 which awakened his awareness of the social
injustices of the Spanish authorities. He believed that “tyranny” has no room in a
free society which he envisioned for the country.

3. Educational Factors

Rizal became a young professional who gained his expertise in Ateneo (as
surveyor), University of Santo Tomas (as a medical student) and in Universidad
Central de Madrid (continuing his medical studies). His expertise became in
demand as a barrio doctor serving his less privileged compatriots. His literary
knowledge and observations in the Philippines and his travels abroad were his
inspirations when he wrote his two novels - Noli Me Tengere and El Filibusterismo.

4. Family Orientation

The Mercado family along with other “middle class families” were Rizal’s first
teachers. Belonging to the ilustrado class, Rizal was sent abroad to continue his
medical studies though there were some objections from his mother. His family
was his source of strength in his flight for social justice from evil society of that time.
Paciano, his brother was his closest adviser and supporter during his stay in Europe.
Rizal’s family has influenced him a lot in inculcating and developing nationalism
in hi consciousness.

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 APPLICATION
Activity 2

Directions: Below are political, economic, social life, and institution of the
Philippines during the 19th century that were imposed by Spain. Elaborate the lives of the
Filipinos during that time and give a conclusion about the importance and relevance
of how nationalism was molded in the heart and mind of our national hero and to us.

1. Corrupt officialdom
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2. Human rights are denied to Filipinos

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3. No equality before the law

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4. Racial discrimination
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5. Frailocracy
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