Lesson 5

(I)
Examining Rizal’s Historical
and
Social Context
Prepared by: SAS Faculty Abad, Baby Grace R.
Learning objectives
• Understand Rizal in the context of history and 19th century society.
• Examine how the political, social and cultural changes in the Islands
affected Rizal.
In 19th Century:

1. The century of Rizal;

2. The age of the commercial and Industrial Revolutions.
• The 19th century was the century of Rizal.
• On a world- wide scale the 19th century was a period of the industrial
revolution which was fueled by a commercial revolution.
• Both revolutions existed together and are the cause and result of
each other as European Nations develop a desire for foreign goods,
which cannot be produced efficiently in Europe.
These goods includes; coffee, chocolate, sugar cane, cotton and tobacco.
• In the Philippines, when the islands were still a Spanish colony, it was
affected in the twin commercial and industrial revolutions that were
affecting Europe.
The nature of the economy of the islands began to change as the Philippines,
which used to be a mere entrepot or transshipment point for the Galleon
Trade, began to serve the world market by exporting its own product.
Like: Sugar, tobacco, coffee, abaca fiber, etc.
• In Commercial Revolution;
Spain, United Kingdom, Netherlands conducted International Trade throught
state monopolies.
In Spain, it was the galleon trade and later the Real Compania de España.
In United Kingdom, it was the British East India Company which in Asia.
Netherlands had the Dutch East India Company.
• In Philippines;
The Galleon Trade was abolished and the last galleon returned to the
Philippines without any cargo in 1817.
Trade with Mexico and other countries was carried on by private ships.
Even when galleon trade was existing, foreign traders were also doing
business in the Philippines in violation of royal decrees prohibiting trade with
other European countries including Spain’s enemies like United Kingdom.
The Spanish government allowed foreigners to unload goods in Manila and
stay in the city for several months.
The competition with foreigners led to the demise of another monopoly the
Real Compania de Filipinas which was abolished in the year 1834.
• The Inquilinos;
The big land owners lease their lands to primary tenants.
These inquilinos sublease the lands to sharecroppers known as “kasamas”.
The kasamas who do the actual cultivation of the fields.
The inquilinos on the other hand were in contract with the traders who sold
the goods locally or abroad.
• Dark Side of Commercial Revolution;
Demand for agricultural goods, more lands had to be opened for cultivation.
Lands were titled to those who can read and write.
Increasing gap between the rich and the poor.
Poor tenants either had to bear the burden of the sharecropping system and
the taxes and levies of the government.
Change in Political Thinking
• The 19th century was also a century of political change.
• Absolute rule was giving way to governments with representation from the people.
Divine Right Theory.
Social- Contract Theory.
• Aside from the social contract between the sovereigns and the people, the latter
realized that they have basic and inalienable rights.
Includes right to free speech, expression, the right to unhindered in thinking, freedom of
religion, assembly, equality before the law, freedom of abode, the right to be secure in one’s
home, freedom from illegal searches and detention, the right to have his side heard in a court
of law and to face his accuser the right against testifying against oneself, the right to be
represented in government and to be consulted on matters of legislation and taxation. The
right of happiness which desired universally is embodied in the Constitution of the United
States.
• The revolutionary ideas Maybe equal in terms of rights some rights will
have to be surrendered for the benefit of the majority.
• The revolutionary ideas led to the overthrow of absolute monarchs such
as Louis XVI in France who was later guillotined followed by Queen Marie
Antoinette.
• The first French democracy following the overthrow of Louis XVI was a
tumultuous one which saw the executions of thousands who were
depicted as enemies of the people.
• France would slide back to absolute rule with the establishment of
Napoleon’s Empire in 1804 and the Restoration of Bourbon Rule in 1814.
Political Change in Spain
• Spain was very much affected by the upheavals from neighboring France.
• When Napoleon became ruler of France, Spain became part of the
Continental System, which tried to starve out its enemy Great Britain
through a trade embargo.
• When the Spanish- French alliance faltered, Napoleon forced the King of
Spain Charles IV to abdicate the throne and replace him with the crown
prince Ferdinand VII. When Ferdinand proved to be unsatisfactory to his
demands, Napoleon had him replaced with his own brother Joseph. The
Spaniards refused to honor Joseph as their king and pledged their loyalty to
Ferdinand VII whom they called EL Deseado (The Desired One).
• Cadiz Constitution;
Gave equal rights to both Spanish citizens and colonials.
It abolished forced labor.
Ferdinand VII reassumed absolute rule.
He dissolved the Cortes and abrogated the Cadiz Constitution.
He also imprisoned all liberals who wanted to share power with monarchy.
It because, he persecuted all the patriots who helped him during the French occupation of Spain,
Ferdinand who was called EL Deseado was now called EL Rey Traidor (The Traitor King).
With the abrogation of the Cadiz Constitution forced labor was reinstated in the
Philippines.
In 1833 Ferdinand died and his wife Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily (1806-1878)
ruled as Queen Regent.
Her daughter who would become Isabella II.
The Rise of the Middle Class;
• The opening of Manila to global trade spurred changes in Philippine
society.
• The beneficiaries of the new economic order were the traders and
inquilinos as brisk trade in agricultural products brought new wealth.
• Datu Class became Merchant Class;
Bahay na Bato;
Embroidered Shirt/ Barong Tagalog; (Fine Jusi and Pina Fibers);
Head Gear adorned with silver;
House with Balconies;
Living Room adorned with European Musical Instruments;
Women wore Sapatillas (Slippers) adorned with real diamonds.
• The new rich and middle class joined the ranks of leading citizens
called Principales.
Don;
Doña;
Señor;
Señora;
Señorito;
Señorita.
• Aside from being affluent in material possessions the children of the
new middle class can now attend not just any parochial school but a
college or a university.
School for Boys; (Colegio y Seminario de San Juan de Letran- run by
Dominicans; Jesuit- Run Ateneo Municipal de Manila).
School for Girls; (Colegio de Santa Isabel or La Concordia College).
Obstacle of the Middle Class; Limpieza De Sangre;
• The only way the Indios and Mestizos can advance was through
business. Indios can still enter in the fields of study such as becoming
a lawyers such as Facultated de Derecho Civil was opened in the year
1731 or a secular priest.
• The Spanish adherence to the Limpieza de Sangre (Purity of Blood)
left some offices and positions off limits to indios and mestizos no
matter how well they did improving their economic and social status.
• The Spanish adherence to the Limpieza de Sangre closed the avenues
for advancement for the natives.
• Despite their advancement in wealth and educational attainment the
natives and mestizos were looked down by the full-blooded Spaniards
who were either Penisulares or Spaniards born in Spain or Creoles or
Spaniards born in the colonies.
• The real Filipinos were the Spaniards born in the Philippines called
Filipinos Insulares who were either called Filipinos or Insulares.
• The full-blooded and Caucasians looked on the progressive indios and
mestizos as “bestias cargadas de oro” or beasts loaded with gold.
• A more derogatory would be chonggos (monkeys).
The Intellectual Shift: From Religion to Science;
• The age of Enlightenment of the earlier 18th century which gave birth to a
scientific revolution gave emphasis to science rather than religion.
• It had its roots in the late middle ages when Francis Bacon came out with his
scientific method.
• Scientia- or knowledge should be gained through a systematic method and
the results should be empirical and can be replicated. If it cannot be proven, it
is therefore not scientific.
• Man should use logic rather than supposition and assumptions.
• The scientific method disproved myths and superstitions. In the same way
science began to challenge religion and a clash between reason and faith was
becoming imminent.
• Some men openly defied the established Church and adhered to the
principles of freemasonry.
• Freemasonry is a brotherhood that was established on the principles
of equality among its members and it encouraged free speech and
thought. This was opposed to the church, which was based on faith
and dogma.
• Freemasonry was introduced to the Philippines by the Europeans. Its
rapid change spread in the islands would be in the latter part of the
19th century when masonic lodges would be established such as the
lodge Nilad by Pedro Serrano Laktaw.
The Spanish Empire in Rizal’s Time;
• During the 19th century the Philippines was one of the last large
colonies of Spain that was left after the independence of its Latin
America colonies. It was actually the richest of Spain”s last colony.
Under Spanish Rule;
1. Philippines;
2. Cuba (was the jewel of the Spanish crown it because of Tobacco and Sugar);
3. Puerto Rico;
The Soberania Monacal- Monastic Supremacy in the Philippines;
• While Spain was moving toward a modern and secular environment the
Philippines was stuck in a time warp with the Church assuming an influential role
in the management of the islands.
• In the 19th century the legacy of the patronato real or the royal patron of which
originated in the Middle Ages in Europe was still existing in the Philippines.
• At the time of Rizal; the church continued to wield political influence over the
Filipinos.
• The priests and friars first came to the Philippines as missionaries.
• A friar is a religious person belonging to the friars orders. The words friar comes
from the Latin word “Frater” which meant “Brother”. To belong to a friar
community means to belong to a community brother. Not all of them are priests.
• During the early years of Spanish rule friars belonging to these religious
order came as missionaries. They worked among the natives, taught them
the Gospel and the principles of the Christian religion.
They also taught them how to till the soil;
Create industries; and
Introduced new plants and animals.
• However; as time went on the character of the friars changed.
They began to take advantage and brutalize the people.
The town of Miag-ao and Oton; the Friars and lay assistants whipped people who did
not produce enough stone to build a church.
Friars kept the lowly Indios ignorant because an ignorant people would remain docile
and cannot protest.
• The Friars knew that the natives already had superstitions and they
added their own brand of superstitious based on Christianity. They
encouraged lavish fiestas so the people will spend their hard-earned
money for the friars. To say no to a friar is to invite his wrath.
• The church through the friar remained the guardian of morals. It also
controlled higher education in the Philippines. No student can be
enrolled in higher education institutions like University of Santo
Tomas if it cannot be proven he was a Catholic. A recommendation of
a curate is necessary to enter the University and no heretic can enter
a college or university or graduate from it.
• Aside from having very wide and influential powers, a friar may stay in
the Philippines indefinitely versus the Governor General who
remained only for an average of two years. A friar may remain in the
country until his death.
• While institutions in Europe were being secularized the Church
remained in the pillars of powers and of society. Following the ouster
of Queen Isabella II during the liberal revolution of 1868 there were
moves to secularize the institutions held by the church in the
Philippines.
• The religious especially the Dominicans protested vehemently arguing
that this would put into waste centuries of their work in the islands.
However, a miracle happened when the government in Spain
changed.
The King Amadeo de Savoy declared Spain as ungovernable people.
• Aside from having political influence, the church also had a great
economic influence in the islands. Already it was a participant in the
galleon trade, which brought great wealth. It was also a big
landowner.
• The Catholics Church owned lands in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas,
Morong and Manila.
• According to historian Teodoro Agoncillo 48% of the land in the
Tagalog region was owned by the Church through the sale of produce
to sustain their missionary activities as well as the operations of their
educational and charitable institutions.
• The Dominicans for example own the haciendas in San Pedro,
Calamba Laguna, Biñan and Santa Rosa Laguna; one hacienda in Naic,
Cavite and more in Bataan and Pangasinan provinces.
• Topping the abusive nature of the friars was that some of them lived
very immoral lives.
• Some Friars curates lived far from their superiors and they had many
families as well as mistresses.
• They had children from these mistresses who were well rewarded and
the rewards came from the sweat of the kasamas or sharecroppers
who farmed the friar estates.
Activities
• Exercise 5.1
• Exercise 5.2
 Lesson 5
(II)
Spain in Jose Rizal’s Time
Spain in Riza’s Time
❖ Spain is known as the mistress of the ❑ Central American Countries
world. (1821);
❖ Lost most of Spain Colonies. ✓ Costa Rica
➢ The empire lost colonies; ✓ Honduras
❑ In Latin America- Paraguay ✓ Guatemala
(1811); ✓ El Salvador
✓ Argentina (1816); ✓ Nicaragua
✓ Chile (1817); ❑ Venezuela (1822)
✓ Columbia and Ecuador ❑ Peru (1824)
(1819); ❑ Bolivia and Uruguay (1825)
❖ Colonies remain on SPAIN RULE;
✓ Cuba;
✓ Puerto Rico;
✓ Philippines
❖ Spain in Rizal’s Time;
✓ 1843 – 1868; Started under the reign of Queen Isabel II.
✓ Queen Isabel was incompetent in running the Spanish
Government.
✓ It result Revolution in the year 1868.
✓ Rizal was 7 years old at the time.
❖ Incompetence of Queen Isabel II.
✓ Successful Spanish revolution of September 1868;
✓ Queen Isabel was ousted from the throne and barely escaped
assassination;
✓ Due to the triumph of the revolution, the Spanish liberals,
created a provisional government with Marshall Serrano as
regent of Spain.
❖ In 1868 – 1870; (After 2 years);
✓ The provisional Government offered the Spanish crown to the
son of King Victor Immanuel of Italy, named Amado Savoy.
✓Savoy accepted the throne, after 2 years of difficulty in fulfilling
his plan for Spain, Savoy faced the Carlist Revolt of 1872.
✓ Carlist Revolt – attempted to overthrow his throne and
charged him as stranger in the Spanish Land.
• It because of this, Savoy abdicate his throne.
❖ Savoy’s Abdication;
✓ 1873 – 1874; The Spanish Liberals organized Spain’s First
Republic.
❖ First Spanish Republic;
✓ Has four (4) Presidents.
✓ Failed to implement reforms in the country.
✓ But, still they are popular in the country as bearers of liberal
ideas and progressive spirit in Spain.
Manuel Pavia
❖ Due to failure of the new Spanish Republic to address the problems
of the country.
✓ Spain was in dangerous situations, it would bring anarchy and
chaos, which was disastrous to the country.
✓ It because of that confusion, the following historical events
had happened.
❖ Historical Events;
✓ In 1874, General Manuel Pavia seized the power of the
government through a military takeover.
✓ The officials of the Spanish Republic’s new administration held
post of positions appointed by General Pavia.
King Alfonso XII
❖ 1875 – 1885;
✓ The military dictatorship of Pavia, it ended in 1874.
✓ General Martinez Campos – is one of the top officials of the
army took power in late 1874.
✓ Supported and headed by strong party Antonio Canova Del
Castillo.
✓ Campos restored the Monarchy in the country.
✓ Campos again declared the son of the deposed Queen Isabel
II, named Alfonso XII, as king of Spain.
❖ Era of Bourbon Revolutionary Restoration in Spain.
❑ Major Changes were implemented by King Alfonzo XII;
✓ Approved the policy of attraction and conciliation to the Carlist
Revolutionists. – The leaders of the revolutionary movement
extended him their support and loyalty to the government.
✓ Adopted a new constitution that embodied many fundamental
principles that were fought in the revolution in 1868.
✓The constitution also embodied freedom of worship, freedom
of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of domicile.
✓ The constitution was extended to two colonies, Cuba and
Puerto Rico, but not in the Philippines.
❖ The reign of Alfonso XII was generally;
✓ peaceful;
✓ Spain being free from social upheavals; and
✓Free from military coup.
Queen Regent Maria Cristina of Austria
❖ In 1885, King Alfonso died without an heir to the throne.
❖King Alfonso was replaced by Queen Regent Maria Cristina.
❖ Queens Regent’s term, her Political Status of the Spanish Parliament
was placed under two (2) parties.
1. Canovas;
2. Sagastas.
❑ Sagasta was a strong political party.
✓ headed by Praxedes Mateo Sagasta.
✓ Sagasta was also known as the Spanish Constitutionalist.
❑ Under the reign of Queen Regent Maria Cristina;
✓ An arrangement entered into: “in order to save the Spanish
parliament.
✓ These arrangement was called Rotavism.
✓ Rotavism also affected the Propaganda Movement in which
Rizal was an active member.
Reign of Queen Regent Maria Cristina
✓ Upon the proclamation of the Queen Regent in 1885, Canovas del
Castillo tendered his resignation to give way to the New Prime Minister.
✓ The Sagastas took control of the Spanish Parliament from resignation
of Canovas.
✓ The government was succeeded by the Canovas again, until 1892.
✓ The Sagastas Liberal party took control in running the government
until 1895.
✓ The Canovas took power again in 1897.
❖ Why tumultuous politics happen in Spain.
✓ Reason: Spanish People once said:
✓ “ We Spaniards are an ungovernable people”.
✓ This change in parliament leadership in Spain and also was the cause
of frequent changes of Governor Generals in the Philippines due to
Political favors.
 The
Philippines
in
Jose Rizal’s Time
❖ The Philippine policies during Rizal’s time were generally from Spain
and implemented by the Governor General and the Catholic Church.
❖ Laws that were implemented in the country were generally for the
improvement of intellectual and collective ideas.
✓ This was the time when Filipino priest became an important
figure in the Catholic Church.
✓ Governor Generals also left their imprint, either detrimental or
positive for Filipinos from 1850 – 1896.
❖ 1850 – 1896; These are the laws and policies were implemented by
the Governor General and Catholic Church;
1. In 1850, Filipino priests or seculars already hold positions as
parish priests, auxiliary or in acting capacity.
2. In 1854, The Spanish Government in the Philippines
implemented the “Cartas de Radio” (Special Radius Permit)
whose primary aim was to ensure public safety from strangers.
✓ A Filipino traveling in another province should carry an
identification paper.
3. 1856, In response to the Royal Decree on the opening of ports
in the Philippines, to prevent the uncontrolled entrance of radical
books and literature in the country, the Catholic Church and
Spanish Government created a permanent Board of Censorship.
4. In 1857, Governor General Norzagaray, in answering problems
of banditry and theft, publicized executions at the same time,
offering financial rewards for the surrender of the bandits and
thieves, dead or alive.
❖ Administration of Norzagaray;
❑ 1857 – 1860
✓ The country was generally peaceful and enjoyed minimal
progress;
✓ School for Girls;
✓Establishment of School for Botany and Agriculture;
❑Governor General was given absolute powers in exercising authority.
✓ The military was expanded to 14,500 troops.
❑ Governor Norzagaray resigned in January of 1860.
✓ Which was one (1) year before the birth of Rizal.
✓ Circular was approved on Aug. 10, 1860 and asking
cooperation of friars who owned educational institutions in the
country to teach the Spanish Language in their respective
schools.
❑ From 1861 – 1872;
✓ Rizal was born and reared by his mother, father, sisters and older brother.
✓ This was the time when the young mind was being prepared for further and
harder studies.
✓ These were the years of artistic awakening for the boy Rizal, with the proper
guidance of his mentors.
✓ Rizal became an artist capable of composing written literary forms and paintings.
✓ This was also the time when Rizal witnessed the Spanish Brutality against his
mother Doña Teodora and felt its impact to the Family.
✓ The boy Rizal witnessed also the melancholy of his older brother Paciano, when
the three priest, known in history as GOMBURZA, were executed in Bagumbayan.
❑ In February 1861;
✓ Five (5) months before the birth of Rizal, the Board of Reform
in the Philippines met and discussed the further promotion of
the teaching of Spanish Language in the country.
✓ Promotion of Spanish language in the Philippines was
approved.
✓ Friars before, they owned educational institutions in the
country.
❑ September 1861;
✓ Three (3) months after the birth of Rizal, a Royal Decree was issued
to threatened the Filipino clergy, who were administering parishes in
Manila at that time.
✓ Turn over their respective parishes to the Spanish Recollect Friars.
✓ Father Pedro Pelaez, who was born of Spanish and Filipino parents.
• Held the position of Ecclesiastical Governor of the Philippines.
• Who opposed the decree and secured its revocation in1862.
Improvement of Philippine Education under Spain;
❑ The Philippines, under Spain, would experience continues social,
educational and economic changes primarily because in Spain, changes
in Political and Social aspect occurred rapidly and radically.
✓ This events had a direct impact on the life of Dr. Jose Rizal.
❑ Liberal ideals, also during this time, started to root deeply in the
Philippines.
✓ They were brought by liberal Spaniards for the Filipino to learn
and practice at the risk of their lives.
❑ Function Reforms of 1863;
✓ This educational reform benefited Rizal in his formal schooling
in Biñan, Laguna and Ateneo de Manila.
✓ This was considered in Rizal’s time as the modern system of
state-regulated educational reform, established in the
Philippines.
❑ The following provisions of Educational system of 1863;
1. Primary instruction was made compulsory for all children
between ages seven (7) and twelve (12).
✓ Rizal on his part availed of the law when he was nine (9)
years old.
2. Parents and guardians were to send their children or wards to
the public schools, unless they showed that the latter were
receiving adequate instruction at home or in private schools.
3. Non- fulfilment of this legal duty was punishable with fine
4. The subjects to be taught in ✓ Arithmetic
schools in the country were; ✓ Geography
✓ Christian Doctrine ✓ Agriculture
✓ Reading ✓ Good Manners
✓ Writing ✓ Music
✓ Spanish
5. Female students studied the same subjects with male students;
✓ For Boys: Agriculture and geography.
✓For Girls: Sewing and Embroidery.
6. Establish by means of decree was the founding of a Normal School in
line with European countries.
7. The Moret Decree of 1870.
✓ This was imposed against the will of the friars in the Philippines,
which secularized higher education in the country, giving opportunities
for lay Filipinos to teach in universities and colleges.
Under Governor General Rafael Izquierdo;
✓ He decreed the creation of schools for boys, girls and adults in
every town with financial support from the government.
Great Filipino During Jose Rizal’s Time
Great Filipinos During Rizal’s Time
❑ The Philippines had its share of great Filipino men, whom Rizal most
certainly heard during his time, as a young Boy playing in Calamba.
➢ Father Pedro Palaez (1812 -1863);
✓ He was born in 1812.
✓ He was the son of Jose Pelaez ( Spanish Alcalde Mayor of
Laguna) and Josefa Sebastian.
✓ He studied at the University of Sto. Tomas, where he finished
four (4) degrees.
1. Bachelor of Arts (1829);
2. Bachelor of Theology (1833);
3. Licentiate in Theology (1836);
4. Doctor of Sacred Theology (1844).
✓ He became the parish priest of Manila Cathedral;
✓ In, 1862 at the age of 50, he became the first Filipino to rise as
Ecclesiastical Governor of the Philippines.
✓ Fr. Pelaez was active in both public press and private negotiations,
fighting for the unfair treatment by Spanish Friars of the Filipino clergy.
✓ His legacy after his death in 1863, was his best student, Father Jose
Burgos, one of the three (3) priest known as GOMBURZA to whom
later, Rizal would dedicated the El Filibusterismo.
➢ Francisco Baltazar;
✓ Popularly known as Balagtas, who died on February 20, 1862.
✓ He was the talented student of the Poet Jose Batute better known as
“Joseng Sisiw”.
✓ Balagtas became popular with his literary masterpiece “Florante at
Laura” a symbolic piece written in Tagalog as a song of love, ordeals
and miseries of his native land, which was published in 1838.
Philippine Social System in Jose Rizal’s Time
❖ Social Condition of the Philippines from Rizal’s birth to 1872.
❑ Decreed by the Spanish government, censorship of written materials
was limited to points of faith and morals.
✓ For other aspects, a Government Permanent Censorship Commission
was to suffice.
✓ This is the reason why Rizal was not immediately arrested when he
wrote the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo upon his return to the
Philippines in 1887 and 1892.
✓The Governor Generals pf those times did not find his two (2)
novels subversive or threat to the government.
❑ There was also the organization of the “Guardia Civil” to ensure inter
provincial peace and order of the Philippines.
❑ Manila Group of Liberal intellectuals, joined by some Spanish
liberals, submitted in 1869.
✓ A formal petition to the Spanish provincial government asking
for the grant of universal suffrage for the Filipinos.
Governor General Carlos Maria De La Torre;
(1869-1871)
❑ In July of 1869;
✓ While Rizal was studying in School in Biñan, Laguna, for the first
time, a public rally was held in Manila, publicly announced by
Governor- General De La Torre.
✓ This won the favors of liberal- minded Filipino intellectuals.
✓ The Governor General even ordered the bronze monument of
Queen Isabel II, melted down, but the Monument was saved by the city
council of Manila.
❑ Civil Liberties for Filipinos;
✓ Governor- General De La Torre, abolished censorship of the press
and encouraged open discussion on the problems of the country.
✓ He declared the freedom of speech and press in the Philippines.
❑ He protected the Filipino Priest from disrespect against Spanish
friars, and at one point, he even rebuked erring friars in such practice.
He also pushed for the Filipinization of Guardia Civil as part of his
liberal reforms.
❑ 1872;
✓ When Rizal was in Ateneo;
✓ It was Governor General Rafael Izquierdo who held the absolute power in
the country, representing King Amadeo Savo’y of Spain.
➢ In this Era, major portions of the Filipino Society had thoroughly
assimilated with western culture and had manifested their interest in arts
and sciences.
✓ Many had already adopted Spanish way of dressing for both men and
women, at the same time retaining their native virtues.
✓ Filipinos were very religious and faithfully complied with their church and
spiritual duties. Despite western ideas that were introduced in the country,
this land never curtailed the Filipino honesty and hospitality.
The Spanish Oppressive System
• Political Instability in Spain;
❑ In 19th Century;
✓ was a turbulent century of politics in Spanish history, (Zaide, 1944).
✓ it was a period of political instability owning to the frequent rise and
fall of ministers and constitution to serve the country
from political disunity.
✓ From 1834 – 1861; the Spain has adopted four (4) constitutions,
elected 28 parliaments and installed no less than 529 ministers with
portfolios; followed in subsequent years by party strife's, revolutions and
other political upheavals.
✓ Political Instability in Spain had an adverse affect on the Philippines.
Spanish officials become inefficient due to the unstable tenure of office.
Corrupt Government Officials
❑ A big number of the colonial officials sent to the Philippines in the
19th Centuries were corrupt.
✓ They leave Spain poor and come back millionaires.
✓ They permit illegal gambling by accepting bribes and permit to evade
laws in exchange of gifts of treasures.
Human Rights Denied to Filipinos;
❑ Spanish Constitution of 1812;
✓ Provides for freedom of speech;
✓ Freedom of press;
✓ Freedom of association; and
✓ other human rights.
➢ Except: Freedom of religion.
➢ But these freedom, were never enjoyed by the Filipinos.
Racial Discrimination;
❑ Racial discrimination was prevalent in all parts of the Philippines.
✓ Filipinos were called- Indio or Indios ; because of the browned
skinned and flat- nosed; Filipinos also called chonggo; while the
Spaniards were called- bangus because of their pale- complexioned and
high- nose or long nose.
✓Spaniards no matter how stupid they are, they occupied the
high position in the community.
Maladministration of Justice;
❑ There was injustice in the courts during the Spanish Period.
✓ Spanish Judges and Fiscal are often times ignorant of laws.
✓ Filipinos cannot go to court because justice is costly, partial and slow.
✓ They cannot afford the heavy expenses of litigations.
✓ Wealth and Color of the skin were the prime factors to win the case.
Frailocracy;
❑ The Friars are very powerful during the Spanish period due to the policy of the unity of
the church and the state.
✓ The Friars practically rule the country.
✓ They dictate the Governor- General on decision making.
✓ There were also times that Archbishop ruled as Governor-General.
• Archbishop Francisco dela Cuesta (1719 – 1721);
• Archbishop Manuel Rojo (1761 – 1762);
• Bishop Guande Arrechedarrcia and Obispo Manuel (1745 – 1750);
• Obispo Lino de Espiritu (1759 – 1761).
❑ In the municipalities were the higher leader is the elected Filipino.
✓ A Gobernadorcillo, act as puppet to the Spaniards Friar who dictates what
he is suppose to exercise in his position.
Force Labor;
❑ Filipinos regardless of age and health render forced labor or (polo) to
the Spanish government.
❑ Well-to-do among them were able to escape this manual labor by
paying the falla, to be exempted from the polo.
❑ The forced labor created hate on the Filipinos because of the abuses
connected with it.
Abusive Guardia Civil;
❑ They are Constabulary created by Royal Decree of March 24, 1888.
✓ For purpose of maintaining internal peace and order in the
Philippines.
✓ The Guardia Civil abused their authority.
✓ They maltreated the innocent people, looting their properties and
even rape women.
❑ No Philippine Representation to the Spanish Cortes.
❑ In 1810 – 1813;
✓ The Philippines first period of Representation in the Spanish Cortes.
✓ It was Ventura de los Santos who became the first representative
and tools active in framing the Constitution of 1812 and was able to
abolished the Galleon Trade.
✓ The representation to the Cortes was abolished in the year 1837.
✓ Since then the Philippines had no means to exposed the
anomalies perpetuated by the Spanish officials in the Philippines.
❑ Calamba is an enchanted town as described by Palma (1949).
✓ It is situated between Laguna de Bay and Mt. Makiling.
✓ It is gifted with picturesque beauty that provided the young
Rizal the inspiration and spring board to tone his poetic and
artistic sensibilities.
❑ The town at time of Rizal was an agricultural from which is virtually owned
by the Dominican Friars.
✓ It became a prosperous town due to specialization in the production of
sugar.
✓ The people were able to raise and harvest not only sugar but different kinds
of crops.
✓ Since the farmers are mare tomato, there lives are full of hardships which
was intensified by the maltreatment they suffered in the hands of the Guardia
Civil and Dominican Friars.
✓ The hard situations of the farmers had ingrained in the mind of Rizal, the
hatred to the oppressors and exploiters of the weak by powerful Spaniards.
------------------------------------------------END------------------------------------------------
Sources;
• De Viana, Augusto (2019). Laon- Laan, A guide for study and
understanding of the life and contributions of Jose Rizal to Philippine
nationhood and society. Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
• Zaide & Zaide (2011). Rizal: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius,
Writer, Scientist and National Hero. 2nd Ed. All nations Publishing Co.,
Inc. Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines .
• J.A Lopez & A.E Paras.,(2010). Rizal Life Works and Writings of the
Greatest Malayan 3rd Edition. HisGoPhil Publishing House, Inc.