RIZL111
REVIEWER BY: MATHEW REYES
LECTURER: MA’AM RAQUELIZE ORILLAZA
THE LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS OF RIZAL
(W14.1) THE INDOLENCE OF THE FILIPINOS
La Indolencia de los Filipinos
• Published in La Solidaridad, Madrid (July 15, 1890 –
September 15, 1890)
• Exploratory essay about the Filipino Indolence
• Aimed to explain the alleged idleness of Filipinos during
Spanish colonization
• Argued Filipinos were industrious before Spanish arrival
CAUSES OF DECLINE IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
• Galleon Trade: Cut off previous associations with Asia
and the Middle East Small businesses and handicrafts
disappeared
• Forced Labor: Compelled to work in shipyards, roads,
public works Abandoned agriculture, industry,
commerce
• Lack of Protection: Foreign invaders and pirates killed
natives, burned houses, destroyed lands Filipinos
became nomads, lost interest in rebuilding industries
• Crooked System of Education: Focused on repetitive
prayers, not practical subjects like Agriculture/Industry
• Bad Example by Spanish Officials: Officials were idle,
despised manual labor
• Gambling: Widespread propagation by government
officials and friars
• Crooked System of Religion: Friars taught that poverty
was a path to heaven High Taxes: Significant portion of
earnings taken by government and friars
ADDITIONAL CAUSES OF FILIPINO INDOLENCE:
• Wars: Many Filipinos sent to maintain Spain's honor,
often did not return Pirate Attacks: Devastation,
burning of towns, enslavement, loss of defense Friars'
Influence: Discouraged mining, industry, and work;
promoted poverty for spiritual gain
• Lessening Encouragement to Labor: Trade relations cut
off, coastal trade disappeared
• Miserly Return for Labor: Encomenderos enslaved and
cheated Filipinos
• Gambling: Introduced and propagated by Spaniards
• Fiestas: Numerous fiestas, lengthy masses, processions
• Curtailment of Individual Liberty: Fear of being labeled
a rebel, lack of confidence in the future
• Apathy of the Government: No support for commerce
or agriculture, heavy imposts and duties
TOPIC: THE PHILIPPINES A CENTURY HENCE AND
THE INDOLENCE OF THE FILIPINOS
• Ownership of Big Estates by Friars: Best lands owned
by religious corporations, deceived Filipinos about
prosperity
• Lack of Moral Support: Absence of government help,
discouragement in education and literary pursuits
• Deprivation of Human Dignity: Daily preaching
lowered dignity, killed self-respect
• Feeling of Inferiority: Constant degradation deadened
energy, paralyzed advancement
• Vicious Dressing of Intelligence & Will: Repeatedly told
they were inferior, impacting ambition and actions
• Lack of an Ideal for a Good Worker: Imposed foreign
ideals, neglected local industriousness
• Lack of National Sentiment: Weak opposition to
prejudicial measures, absence of initiative
(W14.2) THE PHILIPPINES A CENTURY HENCE
• Essay by Dr. Jose Rizal Published in La Solidaridad,
Madrid (September 30, 1889 – February 1, 1890)
• Forecasting the Future of the Philippines
• Predicted three potential outcomes for the Philippines
> Remain a colony of Spain with improved relations
> Gain independence through violent means
> Be colonized by another country
KEY POINTS IN THE ESSAY
• Military Policies: Drastic population decrease, poverty,
neglected farmlands, retarded societal development
• Deterioration of Indigenous Culture: Loss of
confidence in heritage, doubtful present, hopeless
future
• Passivity and Submissiveness: Oppression by Spanish
friars led to learned submissiveness
REALIZATIONS AND ACTIONS
• Failed Oppression Tactics: National consciousness
awakened despite efforts to keep Filipinos uneducated
and impoverished
• Persistent survival amidst wars and famine
KEY ISSUES HIGHLIGHTED
• Abuse of human rights
• Lack of freedom of speech
• Lack of representation in the Spanish Cortes