Name: Crisostomo,Nenia C.

Crisostomo Date:10/08/2020

Course/Year/Section: BSCE II-4

To the Young Women of Malolos

by Jose P. Rizal

Summary:
After Rizal received the news about the revolution of the women in
Malolos for their rights to study , Rizal rejoiced because finally the women
set as example to the Filipinas who merely follow orders not knowing their
power and responsibility within. He wrote the letter in response to the
request of Marcelo H. Del Pilar. In the letter, he mentioned these
following :
1. The awakening of Filipina standing up for their rights.
2. The blasphemy of the friars corrupting the minds of their followers.
Their teachings are different from the God’s and that they are using
the church to gain profit and power when in fact Jesus didn’t demand
anything based on the holy book.
3. Women should not remain meek and keep on murmuring prayers,
novenas and songs for she has the greatest responsibility in
influencing the consciousness of a man. What child can she raise if
 she is like that. A good tree bears good fruit and an apple tree would
never bear Bananas.
4. Giving gifts to God is useless as everything in this world is owned by
him. Instead, feed the hungry and help the needy. That is what he
wanted, “it is in acts and not in words that I want of you” said
Christ. We cannot bribe God with anything.
5. Repent. Even if we would swim in the ocean of Holy Water, turn all
the trees down to make rosaries or turn all the rags into scapularies,
this would not purify a rogue when there is no repentance.

6. The wild man from the hills ,if clad in a priest’s robe, remains an
Hillman man and can only deceive the weak and ignorant.

7. Man should restore the honor of a woman who is half of your heart
and tribulation of life. Love her not only because of her beauty and
amiable character but also in account of her fortitude of mind and
loftiness of purpose. Women should be the pride of her country and
command respect.

8. The mother who can only teach her child how to kiss hands and
kneel should not raise a child. A tree that grows in the mud is
substantial and good only for firewood. The strength and stamina of
Filipino people will never go beyond the power of a woman.

9. All are created equal, naked, without bonds.

Reflection:

After reading the letter of Rizal, I realized the power and duty of a
woman. How we should build a strong foundation as a youth for the future
of a man is in our hands. That we women should not just follow orders like
a dog tailing his ties and not just depend everything by prayers, rosaries
and novenas. For a women who knows no more than kneeling and
counting beads in their hand could not be expected to raise a good child.
Women ,we should know our worth and stand for it. We should not be
victims of stereotypes . Women should not be entitled as to remain in the
house washing dishes, cooking and other household chores. Let it be
equal also to men. Women can be an army, a president of the nation, a
pilot, an engineer and also women can be the breadwinner if a family. My
salute to all single mothers in the world who were able to raise a good
child despite being alone. They are the most powerful in the world no man
can ever compare. The world don’t just need a man’s power but both.
In the letter, the discussion about religion also caught my attention. I
strongly agree to the statements of Rizal as it is what I am seeing now in
the world. Many people have been corrupted by the hypocrite leaders of
certain religion when in fact, their objective is to make profit using the
church or something. If the Bible said we need to give the 10% of our
income to him, then maybe we understood it literally by giving it to our
priest or pastors. Actually God doesn’t need any of our money because
everything in the world is his. What he wanted us to do is help the
needy ,feed the poor . Indeed some denominations and religions are for
monetary purposes, only the weak and ignorant would believe in them. I
think it is already enough to read the Bible and follow it by heart rather
than going to churches and pay for a gospel. The world is full of educated
ignorant and many are not aware of it. Well then, let’s just focus on our
pace, we will reap what we’ve sown today. I hope everyone will be awake
soon.