The Philippine Century Hence

Summary

The first part of this novel is all about Rizal’s looking back of the Philippines. Here, Rizal
showed the changes brought by the Spaniards when they colonize Philippines. Wherein, the
former leader of the Philippines was under the hands of the conquerors, hoping that they will
progress if they’ll be under the conquerors. The Filipinos gradually neglect and forget the ethnic
culture, songs, poems and beliefs for them to be easy to cope up with the new and foreign
doctrines, which they don’t really understand. They get ashamed and even denied their own
culture. They praise and patronized anything that was from the conquerors until their hearts and
minds have been captured. Years later, the religion which flashed also used the worship of God to
persuade and ultimately enforcing the Filipinos to be under the Spaniards. When the Filipinos
are treated like animals, deprived of thoughts and feelings and made slaves to serve conquerors
in the development of Spain. Revived the dormant feelings of the Filipinos because of the pain
and humiliation they experienced. There are some feelings awakened to the truth of the brutality
and oppression of conquerors because of the ongoing vilification and exploitation which will
gradually wake up the minds of the majority.

The second part is about the failure of the colonial policy of Spain in the development of
the Philippines. It is stated here the Philippines condition within the past 300 years from 1889.
To those who wants freedom of his country, the country has it. For those who have seen the
chaos and misunderstanding, they decided to accept freedom whatever the future holds. For
liberal Spaniards, the country’s condition doesn’t have any progress but for the friars, there’s
progress. The handling of the Spaniards to Philippines was uneasy but they still continue
handling it. There is military force, slow communication between Mexico and Spain and
expeditions are arduous for the sea are full of pirates and enemies of Spain. In the year 1889, the
country’s condition is much better. There’s a fine organization within civil and military
leadership. The communication is easier, faster and more reliable. Rizal said that the Philippines
remained calm at the beginning of the Spanish domination. The Filipinos under Philippine
military becomes official. An indio can be encomendero and become a general of an army.
There’s no place for defamation and no people are insulted. All the good things that pertains to
the improvement of the country is gone. The government is replaced by intimidation,
exploitation and slavery.

While in the third part, stated the radical and political reforms if the Philippines will still
be under the Spanish colony. The reforms in the Philippines will be successful if the
implementation will be brutal and will be coming from the ordinary citizen. There’s a nee/d to
change the political policy according to the needs of the people. Reformation will be in order and
successful if it will come from the work on an authority.

At the last part, Rizal stated the predictions and opinions about the future. And his
message to Spain.

MAJOR POINTS, CLAIMS & ASSUMPTIONS

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

>Analysis of the Past >Maintenance of >Transformation in a >The future of
Spanish Authority political sense colonization

Chief causes of the >Role of Priest >Reforms : >Accumulations of

suffering of the >Brutalization of the Freedom of the press acts of injustice.
natives: masses Filipino Philippines and other
>Implementation of >Impoverishment of representatives: as foreign powers.
Spain’s military the country military, prove to be
policies unruly
> Gradual loss of
ethnic culture and
beliefs
>Sensitivity of the
Filipinos
>Realization of the >Gradual >Criticisms >A message to Spain
oppression of the extermination of the
conquerors inhabitants

SIGNIFICANCE IN THE SOCIETY

 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
For those who have Blind by the To tell the Filipinos If the Philippines
this strong urge to Spaniards fake that their human may be able to secure
fight for freedom, the promises, Filipinos rights must be their independence
Philippines will never give all their faith and practiced in order for after heroic and
be under the Spanish liberty and freedom them to cry out stubborn conflicts,
colony again. hoping that they will against all abuses, and they can be rest
But for those whose get something good in to have more law and assured that no
weak and contented return. But they was greater liberty. western countries will
that the country is wrong. The spaniards take up what Spain
oppressed, freedom are it’s executioners was unable to hold.
will never be claimed. and exploiters.

REFLECTION

After reading this novel, I’ve come up of realizing the Philippines worth to Dr. Rizal. He
was that concerned to the country, even if he knows that he will not stay any longer. At the first
part, analysing the past, I pity those Filipinos who suffered and even offered their lives just for
the welfare of others. They were forced to embrace the culture of the Spaniards. Comparing the
Philippines way back 1889 up to the present, the Philippines in 1889 was that oppressed and
even Filipinos are “blind’ for they do not see or do not understand that the Spaniards were just
using them. The Philippines did not grow any longer, but rather much retrograded. One more
thing, I thank Dr. Jose Rizal for making the Filipinos realize about the country’s economy.

That when people start to awaken, and if the government doesn’t change its act, a
revolution will occur. People only need to practice their human rights then a possible outcome
will be declaring themselves independent. With regards to free press, it is needed in order to
voice out our complaints and suggestions towards the reformation of the country. It will also
keep the government in touch with public opinion.
 Lastly, the terrible lessons and hard teachings that these conflicts will have afforded the
Filipinos will operate to improve and strengthen their ethical nature.” If the Philippines may be
able to secure their independence after heroic and stubborn conflicts, they can be rest assured
that no Western countries will dare to take up what Spain was unable to hold.