Imagining a

Nation
By Group 8
 Towards the end of the nineteenth century, economic conditions in the Philippines
had improved in such a way that it was possible for many creole and mestizo families to
send their sons to school not only in Manila, but also in Europe. The young Filipino
students sojourn to the Peninsula would awaken in their minds ideas about progress and
love for their motherland.
Nineteenth century Spain was also going through several processes of change
Politically speaking. the Restoration put back into place the monarchy of Alfonso Xll and
established a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature. The Constitution of
1876 ensured that political stability relied on the rotation of the Liberal and Conservative
parties in the government. The parliamentary system of two parties, however, was
weakened by managed elections and numerous turnovers of government employees.
 The young Filipino students also observed a difference in the
position of the Church in Spain. While the Constitution of 1876
declared Catholicism as the religion of the state, private practice of
other religions was tolerated. More significantly, the Church had little
influence on political matters.
The environment where the Fipinos immersed themselves,
therefore, was one where ideas or progress could be expressed and
exchanged freely. Political ana religious institutions could be questioned
and attacked without fear of reprisal. It was an environment that
allowed these young Filipino students to think, question and imagine
what a nation is.
 Vocabulary
Cortes - the legislative or lawmaking body of the Spanish government

Creole - a Spaniard born in the Philippines

Mestizo - an individual born of mixed ancestry; may refer to a Spanish mestizo

or a Chinese mestizo propaganda - information used to promote or publicize a
particular cause or point of view

Restoration - refers to the Spanish Restoration; a period in Spanish history

spanning the years 1874-1931 that saw the restoration of the monarchy under
Alfonso XIl together with the establishment of a bicameral legislature
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

01 Discuss the propaganda

movement 03 Explain how propaganda
works

Distinguish Rizal’s
02 involvement in the
movement
Propaganda Movement
The so-called Propaganda Movement
was misnamed. It should have been
called the Counterpropaganda Movement
because its essential task was to
counteract with the campaign of
misinformation that certain Spanish
groups were disseminating in Spain and
Rome (Dr. Dominga Abella – Director of
NationalArchives)
 The earliest attempt to unite Filipinos studying in Spain was the formation of the
Circulo Hispano-Filipino, an organization under the leadership of a creole, Juan Atayde. It
had the support of Spaniards who were sympathetic towards the Filipinos. The Circulo
published a bi-weekly newspaper titled Revista del Circulo Hispano-Filipino in 1882, but
the newspaper and the organization itself were short-lived and lasted only until 1883.
Despite the demise of the Revista del Circulo Hispano- Filipino, the Filipinos in
Spain continued to write and engage in journalism. In 1883, a periodical called Los Dos
Mundos came out with the intention of demanding for the overseas Hispanic for progress,
colonies equality of rights and equal opportunities for progress. Although it could not be
determined whether the newspaper was a Filipino project, Filipinos such as Graciano
Lopez L and Pedro Govantes y Azcarraga were involved as staff member Other Filipinos
including Rizal and Eduardo de Lete also contributed articles concerned with socio-
political and economic reforms in the Philippines.
 During the time Rizal's first novel, Noli me Tángere, came out in 1887,
another newspaper titled España en Filipinas began its publication through the
support of Filipinos, creoles, and mestizos in Madrid. The newspaper was short-
lived as well because of glaring differences and internal feuding among its staff.
With the end of the newspaper emerged a stronger Filipino community united in
its purpose to continue working for Filipino rights. By January 1889, the
Filipino community in Barcelona began preparations for the publication of a
new periodical. Among the early supporters who helped with finances were
Mariano Ponce and Pablo Rianzares. On the other hand, Graciano Lopez Jaena
offered his services as editor. Marcelo H. del Pilar, having arrived from Manila
at this time, also joined the efforts.
 The newspaper, La Solidaridad, released its first issue on February
15, 1889. In its first article, the staff defined its program as, "to combat
all reaction, to impede all retrogression, to applaud and accept every
liberal idea, to defend all progress." Among the reforms the newspaper
sought were: Philippine representation in the Cortes, freedom of the
press, and the end of the practice of exiling residents without due
process. The periodical placed particular emphasis on affairs dealing
with the Philippines because of all Spain's overseas provinces, it was
the only one that lacked parliamentary representation.
 La Solidaridad often ran articles dealing with Spanish politics, attacks on
friars, and reforms for the Philippines. Sections were also assigned to
accommodate and print letters from foreign Correspondents, all speaking of
situations on the ground. Aside from the political and economic content, the
periodical gave space for the publication of literary works as
Support tor the newspaper gradually increased and its roster of writers
grew. Among those who eventually contributed articles were José Rizal,
Dominador Gomez, Jose Maria Panganiban, Antonio Luna, and renowned
Filipinist scholar Ferdinand Blumentritt. Other Filipinos who contributed
articles did so using assumed names.
 In time, del Pilar gradually took on the active role of running the paper. Lopez Jaena,
although editor in name, spent most of his days in cafes and was known to be incapable of
sustained work. By the time del Pilar decided to move to Madrid, the paper went with him.
The first issue printed in Madrid came out on November 15, 1889. A month later, the
periodical announced its change of editorship with del Pilar now taking the helm.
By 1890, two of the most prominent members of the Filipino community in Spain
began to increasingly show differences in stance with regard to Philippine affairs. Rizal
always held the opinion that to serve the country better, one had to bring the issues closer
to home. One had to speak to the Filipinos, rather H. the sue than the Spaniards. Del Pilar,
on the other hand, was a skillful politician who felt that efforts at persuading the Spanish
leaders and officials needed to be continued and that this was the best way to achieve the
reforms Filipino were seeking.
 Things came to a head when at a New Year's Eve banquet in 1891, the Filipinos
in Madrid proposed that they elect a leader to unite their community. Rizal agreed with the
proposal while del Pilar expressed initial misgivings. Nevertheless, the voting took place
resulting in three inconcIusive ballots on the first day and two more inconclusive ballots
the next day. Rizal did eventually win the position as Filpino leader but only through the
manipulations of Mariano Ponce. In the end, Rizal felt his triumph was shallow and left
Madrid a few weeks later. From this point onwards, Rizal stopped from contributing
articles to La Solidaridad and focused instead on the writing of his novel.
The periodical continued to publish only until 1895. Because its of lack of funds and
internal feuding, the newspaper released its final issue on November 15, 1895. In its final
issue, its editor, del Pilar, had written, "We are persuaded that no sacrifices a too little to
win the rights and the Iiberty of a nation that oppressed by slavery."
 THANK
YOU!

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