The Life and Works of Rizal

Week 13: A Century Hence (Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años)

 Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the learner is expected to:

• Assess and understand the essay

• Know the causes of the miseries of the people
 Africans

Americans
The prediction of the downfall of
Spanish Regime in the essay “A
Century Hence” was true.

So, which country will replace Spain? British

The prediction of the downfall of
Spanish Regime in the essay “A Am
Century Hence” was true. er
ica
ns
So, which country will replace
Spain?
 It is an essay to forecast the future of the country in a hundred
years. It came out as a series of four articles in La Solidaridad
from September 30, 1889 to February 1, 1890.

As this was Rizal’s attempt at political prognostication or

prediction, he tried to respond to the questions:

What would become Would it become

of the Philippines independent or colony of
within 100 years? another nation?

Would the Philippines

remain a colony of
Spain?
The essay starts with an analysis of the causes of
the miseries of the people

 Implementation of military policies

– The country was depopulated
– Poverty was widespread

 Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino indigenous

culture
– The people lost confidence in the past, lost of faith in the
present, and lost of hope in the future.

 The passivity and submissiveness to the Spanish

colonizers
– The people had resigned themselves to their fate
 ? ? ? ?
? Another set of Dr. Rizal’s questions: ? ?
?
1. Could Spain prevent the progress of the Philippines?

?
2. Can divide et impera still work to foster emnity?

3. Reforms and political changes ?

?
4. Which colonizing power will replace Spain?

? ? ?
? ? ?
Could Spain prevent the progress of the Philippines? If so, could
she keep the people ignorant, in poverty or exterminate the
Filipino race?
- Keeping the people ignorant had failed, due to attested awakening of
national consciousness among people
- Impoverishment is futile. They created the Filipino the desire to change
things
- Extermination is impossible for Filipinos survived wars and epidemics.
Wiping out the Filipino race needs Spanish manpower
Can divide it impera still work to foster enmity? (Divide and rule
policy)

*This would no longer be effective owing to the ease of movement in the

archipelago brought about by the improved means of transportation
*With the facility to travel and opportunity to exchange ideas enhanced,
can lead them to realize their common plight which can foster in them
greater unity as people
Reform and Political • Reform have to be initiated by the
government for them to be peaceful and
Changes
effective

• Should be centered on freedom of the

Reform and Political
press, representation in Spanish Cortes,
Changes granting Spanish citizenship

• filling government position through competitive

Reform and Political examination, reforms in commerce, agriculture,
Changes education and greater security
 European Power?
For Rizal, European will definitely not be
interested in taking over the Philippines. They
are too preoccupied with their competition in
Which dividing Africa among themselves
colonizing
power will
replace Spain? It will be the Great American Republic. Its interest
lies in the Pacific and which has no hand in the
scramble for Africa
On May 1, 1898, the Americans entered
the Philippines and wrestled from Spain
the control of the Philippines. Fifty (50)
year after the death of Rizal, the
independence of the country was
recognized on July 4, 1946.
 Summary
• A Century Hence is an essay to forecast the future of the country in a
hundred years. It came out as a series of four articles in La Solidaridad from
September 30, 1889 to February 1, 1890.

• The essay starts with an analysis of the causes of the miseries of the people

• Rizal lays down what made people realized their sad plight under the
Spanish tutelage

• Rizal envisioned in the essay came true fifty years after his death.
 References

Capino, D.G et al (1977). Rizal’s Life,Works Quirino, C. (1940). The Great Malayan. Manila:
and Writings:Their impact on ourNational Philippine Education Company
Identity.Quezon City: JMC Press Inc.
Zaide, G.F & Zaide, S.M (1999). Jose Rizal:
Craig, A. (1913). Life Lineage, and Labors Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer,
of Jose Rizal, Philippine Patriot. Manila: Scientist, and National Hero. Quezon City: All
Philippine Education Company Nations Publishing

Guerrero, L.M. (1998). Rizal and the Zulueta, F. M (2004). Rizal Life, Works and
Development of National Consciousness. Ideals. Madaluyong City: National Bookstore,
Quezon City: JMC Press Inc. Inc.