Vener

ati
onwi
thoutUnder
standi
ng
(
DoesRi
zal
deser
vet
obeournat
ional
her
o?)

ByRenat oConst ant i

no
Int hehi st oriesofmanynat i
ons,t henat ionalr ev olut i
onr epr esent sapeakofachi ev ementt o
whi cht hemi ndsofmanr etur nt i
meandagai ni nr ev erenceandf orar enewaloff aithi n
freedom.Fort henat ionalr ev ol utioni si nv ar iabl yt heoneper iodi nanat ion’ shi stor ywhent he
peopl ewer emostuni ted, mosti nv olved, andmostdeci si vel yact ivei nt hef ightf orf r eedom.I t
i
snott obewonder edat , ther ef or e,thatal mostal way st hel eaderoft hatr ev ol utionbecomes
thepr i
nci palher oofhi speopl e.Ther ei sWashi ngt onf ort heUni tedSt ates,Leni nf ort he
Sov ietUni on, Bol i
v arf orLat inAmer i
ca, SunYatSen, t
henMaoTse- Tungf orChi naandHoChi
Mi nhf orVi et nam.Theuni t
ybet weent hev ener at edmassact i
onandt hehonor edsi ngl e
i
ndi v i
dual enhancest hei nf luenceofbot h.
Inourcase,ournat ionalher owasnott hel eaderofourRev olut i
on.I nf act ,her epudi at ed
thatRev olut ion.I nnouncer taint er mshepl acedhi msel fagai nstBoni faci oandt hoseFi l
ipi nos
whower ef i
ght ingf ort hecount ry ’
sl iber ty .Inf act ,whenhewasar r est edhewasonhi swayt o
Cubat ousehi smedi calski ll
si nt heser viceofSpai n.[ p.125] Andi nt hemani fest oof
December15, 1896whi chheaddr essedt ot heFi l
ipinopeopl e, hedecl ared:
Fr om t hev er ybegi nni ng,whenIf i
r sthadnot iceofwhatwasbei ngpl anned,Iopposedi t,
foughti t,anddemonst ratedi tsabsol ut ei mpossi bi l
ity.
Idi dev enmor e.Whenl ater ,agai nstmyadv ice,t hemov ementmat er ialized,ofmyown
accor dIof feredmygoodof fices, butmyv eryl ife, andev enmyname, tobeusedi nwhat ev er
waymi ghtseem best ,t owar dst ifli
ngt her ebel li
on;f orconv incedoft hei llswhi chi twoul d
bring,Iconsi der ed my sel ff or tunat ei f,atanysacr i
fice,Icoul d pr ev entsuch usel ess
mi sfor tune….Ihav ewr ittenal so( andIr epeatmywor ds)t hatr ef or ms,t obebenef ici al,must
comef r
om abov e, andt hosewhi chcomesf rom bel owar ei rregul ar lygai nedanduncer t
ai n.
Hol dingt hesei deas,Icannotdol esst hancondemn,andIdocondemnt hi supr ising- whi ch
dishonor susFi lipinosanddi scr edi tst hoset hatcoul dpl eadourcause.Iabhori tscr imi nal
met hodsanddi scl aim al lpar ti ni t,pityingf rom t hebot tom ofmyhear tt heunwar yt hathav e
beendecei vedi ntot akingpar ti ni t.[1]
Rizal andTheRev olut i
on
Ri zal’sr ef usalt o al ign hi msel f wi tht he r ev olut ionar yf orces and hi sv ehement
condemnat ionoft hemassmov ementandofi tsl eader shav epl acedFi lipinosi nadi lemma.
Eithert heRev olut ionwaswr ong,y etwecannotdi sowni t,orRi zalwaswr ong,y etwecannot
disownhi m ei t
her .Byandl ar ge,wehav echosent oi gnor et hi sappar entcont radi ct ion.
Rizal ists, especi ally,hav et akent heeasywayout ,whi chi st ogl ossov ert hemat ter.Theyhav e
treat edRi zal ’
scondemnat ionoft heKat ipunanasaskel etoni nhi scl osetandhav ebeen
responsi bl ef ort he“ sil
entt reat ment ”onhi sunequi vocal posi tionagai nstt heRev olut ion.
Tomyknowl edge, t
her ehasbeennoext ensi veanal y sisoft hequest i
on.ForsomeRi zal ist s,
thisaspectofRi zalhasbeenasour ceofembar rassmenti nasmuchast heypi ctur ehi m as
thesupr emesy mbolofourst ruggl ef orf reedom.Ot her si nf actpr ivat elyagr eewi thhi sst and
asev i
denced byt heiremphasi son t hegr adual i
sm ofRi zal ’
st eachi ngspar ticul ar l
yhi s
i
nsi st enceont hepr imacyofeducat ion.[ p.126]Theywoul dpr obabl ypr ai seRi zal ’
sst and
agai nstt heRev olution,i ft heydar ed.Si ncet heydonotdar ef ort hemsel v es,t heyar eal so
prudent lysi lentf orRi zal’ssake.Ot her s,car elessandsuper f i
ci ali nt hei rappr oacht ohi st ory
andper hapsaf raidt ost i
rahor net ’
snestofcont rov ersy ,donott hinki timpor t antt odwel lon
thiscont radi ct i
onbet weenourRev olut i
onandournat i
onalher oandel ectt ol eav ewel l
enoughal one.Per hapst heydonotper cei v et headv erseconsequencesofourr ef usalt o
anal y zeandr esol vet hi scont radi ct i
on.Yett heconsequencesar emani festi nourr egar df or
ourRev olut ionandi nourunder st andi ngofRi zal .
ThePhi lippi neRev olutionhasal way sbeenov er shadowedbyt heomni pr esentf igur eand
thet ower ingr eput at i
onofRi zal .BecauseRi zalt ooknopar ti nt hatRev olut ionandi nf act
repudi atedi t, thegener alr egar df orourRev olut ioni snotashi ghasi tot her wi sewoul dbe.On
the ot herhand,because we r ef use t o anal y ze t he si gni ficance ofhi sr epudi at i
on,our
under standi ngofRi zalandofhi sr olei nournat ionaldev el opmentr emai nssuper f
icial .Thi si s
adi sser vicet ot heev ent ,tot heman, andt oour selv es.
Vi ewedsuper ficially,Ri zal ’
sr eact i
ont owar dt heRev olut i
oni sunexpect ed,comi ngasi tdi d
from amanwhosel if
eandl abor swer esupposedt ohav ebeendedi cat edt ot hecauseofhi s
count ry ’sf reedom.Hadsomeoneofl esserst atur eut teredt hosewor dsofcondemnat ion,he
woul dhav ebeenconsi der edat r
ai tort ot hecause.Asamat teroff act ,thosewor dswer e
treasonousi nt hel ightoft heFi li
pi nos’st ruggl eagai nstSpai n.Ri zalr epudi at edt heoneact
whi chr eal lysy nt hesi zedournat ional istaspi r
at ion,andy etweconsi derhi m anat ional i
st
l
eader .Suchanappr aisalhasdanger ousi mpl icat ionsbecausei tcanbeusedt oexcul pat e
thosewhoact i
v elybet ray edt heRev ol ut ionandmayser v et odi mi nisht hear doroft hosewho
todaymaybecal l
edupont osuppor tanot hergr eatnat ional istunder t
aki ngt ocompl et et he
ant i-col oni al mov ement .
AnAmer ican-Sponsor edHer o
Wehav emagni f i
edRi zal ’sr ol et osuchanext entt hatwehav el ostoursenseofpr opor t i
on
andr elegat edt oasubor di nat eposi tionourot hergr eatmenandt hehi st oricev ent si n whi ch
theyt ookpar t.[ p. 127]Al thoughRi zalwasal readyar ev eredf igur eandbecamemor esoaf ter
hismar t yr
dom,i tcannotbedeni edt hathi spr e- emi nenceamongourher oeswaspar tlyt he
resul tofAmer icansponsor shi p.Thi ssponsor shi pt ookt wof orms:ononehand,t hatof
encour agi ngaRi zalcul t,ont heot her ,t hatofmi nimi zingt hei mpor tanceofot herher oesor
ev enofv i
li
fy i
ngt hem.Ther ei snoquest iont hatRi zalhadt hequal it
iesofgr eat ness.Hi st or y
cannotdenyhi spat r
iot ism.Hewasamar t
yrt ooppr essi on,obscur ant ism andbi got ry.Hi s
dramat i
cdeat hcapt ur edt hei magi nat ionofourpeopl e.St il
l,wemustacceptt hef actt hathi s
formaldesi gnat ionasournat ionalher o, hisel evat iont ohi spr esentemi nencesof arabov eal l
ourot herher oeswasabet tedandencour agedbyt heAmer icans.
Itwas Gov er norWi l
liam Howar d Taf twho i n 1901 suggest ed t hatt he Phi li
ppi ne
Commi ssiont ot heFi li
pi nosbegi v enanat i
onalher o.TheFr eePr essofDecember28,1946
giv est hisaccountofameet ingoft hePhi li
ppineCommi ssi on:
‘Andnow,gent lemen,y oumusthav eanat i
onalher o.’Int hesef at efulwor ds,addr essedby
thenCi v i
lGov er norW.H.Taf tt ot heFi li
pinomember soft heci vilcommi ssi on,Par dode
Tav era, Legar da, andLuzur iaga, layt hegenesi sofRi zal Day …..
‘Int hesubsequentdi scussi oni nwhi cht her i
v almer itsoft her ev olut ionar yher oeswer e
consi der ed,t hef i
nalchoi ce- nowuni ver sal lyaccl aimedasawi seone- wasRi zal .Andsowas
hist or ymade. ’
Theodor eFr iendi nhi sbook,Bet weenTwoEmpi res,say st hatTaf t“wi thot herAmer ican
col oni alof ficial sandsomeconser vat iveFi li
pinos,chosehi m( Ri zal)asamodelher oov er
othercont est ant s-Agui nal dot oomi l
itant ,Boni faci ot oor adi cal,Mabi niunr egener at e.”[ 2]
Thi sdeci siont osponsorRi zal wasi mpl ement edwi tht hepassageoft hef ollowi ngAct soft he
Phi lippi neCommi ssion:( 1)ActNo.137 whi ch or gani z ed t hepol it
ico- mi li
tar ydi strictof
Mor ongandnamedi tthepr ov inceofRi zal“ inhonoroft hemosti l
lust ri
ousFi li
pi noandt he
mosti ll
ust riousTagal ogt hei slandshadev erknown,“( 2)ActNo. 243whi chaut horizeda
publ i
csubscr ipt ionf ort heer ect ionofamonumenti nhonororRi zalatt heLunet a, and( 3)Act
No.346whi chsetasi det heanni v ersar yofhi sdeat hasadayofobser vance.[ p.128]
Thi sear lyexampl eofAmer i
can“ aid”i ssummar izedbyGov ernorW.Camer onFor beswho
wr ot ei nhi sbook, ThePhi lippi neI slands:
Iti semi nent lypr opert hatRi zalshoul dhav ebecomet heacknowl edgednat ionalher ooft he
Phi lippi nepeopl e.TheAmer i
canadmi ni st r
ationhasl entev eryassi stancet ot hisr ecogni tion,
set tingasi det heanni ver sar yofhi sdeat ht obeadayofobser v ance, placi nghi spi ct ureont he
post agest ampmostcommonl yusedi nt hei slands,andont hecur rency….Andt hroughout
thei slandst hepubl icschool st echt hey oungFi lipinost or ever ehi smemor yast hegr eat est
ofFi li
pi nopat riots.( Under scor ingsuppl ied)[ 3]
Ther easonf ort heent husi ast icAmer icanat t
itudebecomescl eari nt hef ollowi ngappr ai sal
ofRi zal byFor bes:
Ri zalnev eradv ocat ed i ndependence,nordi d he adv ocat e ar med r esi stance t ot he
gov ernment .Heur gedr ef or mf r
om wi thi nbypubl icity,bypubl i
ceducat ion,andappealt ot he
publ i
cconsci ence.( Under scor ingsuppl ied)[ 4]
Taf t’sappr eci at i
onf orRi zalhasmucht hesamebasi s, asev idencedbyhi scal lingRi zal“ t he
great estFi l
ipino,aphy sici an,anov el i
standapoet( who)becauseofhi sst ruggl ef ora
bet ter mentofcondi ti
onsunderSpani shr ulewasunj ust l
yconv ictedandshot ….“
Thepubl i
ci maget hatt heAmer icandesi redf oraFi lipinonat ionalher owasqui tecl ear .
Theyf av oredaher owhowoul dnotr unagai nstt hegr ainofAmer icancol oni alpol i
cy .We
mustt aket heseact soft heAmer icansi nf urther anceofaRi zalcul ti nt hel ightoft hei rini tial
pol icieswhi chr equi redt hepassageoft heSedi tionLawpr ohibitingt hedi spl ayoft heFi l
ipino
fl
ag.The her oes who adv ocat ed i ndependence wer et her ef orei gnor ed.Fort o hav e
encour agedamov ementt or ev ereBoni faci oorMabi niwoul dnothav ebeenconsi stentwi th
Amer icancol oni al pol icy .
Sev er alf act or scont ribut edt oRi zal ’
saccept abi lityt ot heAmer icansast heof fici alher oof
theFi l
ipi nos.I nt hef i
rstpl ace,hewassaf elydeadbyt het imet heAmer icanbegant hei r
aggr essi on.[ p. 129]Noembar rassi ngant i-
Amer icanquot at i
onscoul dev erbeat tribut edt o
him.Mor eov er,Ri zal ’
sdr amat icmar ty
rdom hadal r
eadymadehi mt hesy mbolofSpani sh
oppr essi on.Tof ocusat tent iononhi m woul dser venotonl yt oconcent rateFi l
ipinohat red
agai nstt heer st whi l
eoppr essor s,i twoul dal sobl untt hei rf eel ingsofani mosi t
yt owar dt he
new conquer or sagai nstwhom t her ewasst i
llor gani zedr esist anceatt hatt i
me.Hi schoi ce
wasa mast erst roke byt he Amer icans.The honor sbest owed on Ri zalwer e nat ur ally
appr eci at edbyt heFi lipinoswhower epr oudofhi m.
Att hesamet ime,t heat tent i
onl av ishedonRi zalr el egat edot herher oest ot heb ac kgro u nd-
hero eswh oser evo l
ut ionar yexampl eandant i-
Amer icanpr onouncement smi ghthav est iffened
Fil
ipi nor esist ancet ot henewconquer ors.TheAmer i
cansespeci allyemphasi zedt hef actt hat
Rizalwasar efor mer ,notasepar atist.Hecoul dt her ef orenotbei nvokedont hequest ionof
Phi l
ippi nei ndependence.Hecoul dnotbear ally i
ng poi nti nt her esi st anceagai nstt he
i
nv ader s.
Itmustal sober emember edt hatt heFi lipinomember soft hePhi li
ppi neCommi ssi onwer e
conser v ativ ei lust rados.TheAmer icansr egar dedRi zalasbel ongi ngt ot hiscl ass.Thi swas,
ther ef or e, onemor epoi nti nhi sf av or .Ri zalbel ongedt ot her ightsoci alcl ass—t hecl asst hat
theywer ecul tivatingandbui ldingupf orleader shi p.
Itmaybear guedt hat ,facedwi tht hehumi l
iat ionofasecondcol onizat ion,weasapeopl e
feltt heneedf orasuper -
her ot obol stert henat ionalegoandwet her efor eal lowedour sel v es
tobepr opagandi zedi nf av orofoneaccept abl et ot hecol oni zer .Bet hatasi tmay , cer tainl yi t
i
snowt imef orust ov i
ewRi z alwi thmor er ational ityandwi thmor ehi stor icity .Thi sneednot
alarm any onebutt hebl indwor shi pper .Ri zalwi llst illoccupyagoodposi tioni nournat ional
pant heonev eni fwedi scar dhagi ol atryandsubj ecthi mt oamor emat urehi st orical ev aluat ion.
A pr operunder st andi ngofourhi stor yi sv er yi mpor tantt ousbecausei twi llser v et o
demonst rat ehow ourpr esenthasbeendi st or tedbyaf aultyknowl edgeofourpast .By
unr av el i
ngt hepastwebecomeconf ront edwi tht hepr esental readyasf ut ure.[ p.130]Sucha
re-ev al uat ionmayr esul ti nadown- gr adingofsomeher oesandev enadi scar dingofot her s.I t
cannotspar eev enRi zal.Theexposur eofhi sweaknessesandl imi t
ationswi llalsomeanour
l
iber at ion,f orhehas,t oacer tainext entbecomepar toft hesuper struct uret hatsuppor t
s
presentconsci ousness.Thati swhyacr it
icalev aluat ionofRi zalcannotbutl eadt oar ev isi on
ofourunder standi ngofhi stor yandoft her oleoft hei ndi v i
dual i
nhi story .
Or thodox hi stor ians hav e pr esent ed hi st or y as a successi on ofexpl oi ts ofemi nent
per sonal iti
es,l eadi ngmanyofust or egar dhi st or yast hepr oductofgi ftedi ndi vidual s.Thi s
tendencyi sst rongl ynot iceabl ei nt hosewhohav et riedofl at et omanuf act urenew her oes
throughpr essr eleases,byt hecr eat i
onoff oundat ions,orbyt hepr ocl amat ionofcent enni al
celebr at ions.Thoughsucht act icsmaysucceedf oral imi tedper iod,t heycannoti nsur e
i
mmor talitywher et her eexi stsnosol idbasi sf ori t.I nt hecaseofRi zal ,whi lehewasf av or ed
bycol oni alsuppor tandbecamegoodcopyf orpr opagandi sts,hehadt hequal ificat ionst o
assumei mmor tality.I tmustbeadmi ttedhowev er,t hatt hest udyofhi sl ifeandwor kshas
dev el opedi nt oacul tdi stor tingt her ol eandt hepl aceofRi zal inourhi st or y.
The uncr iti
calat ti
t ude ofhi s cul ti
st s has been gr eat lyr esponsi bl ef ort ransf or mi ng
biogr apher si nt ohagi ogr apher s.Hi sweaknessesander ror shav ebeensubt lyunder pl ay ed
andhi sv irtuesgr ossl yexagger at ed.I nt hisconnect ion,onemi ghtaskt hequest ion,what
woul dhav ehappenedi fRi zalhadnotbeenexecut edi nDecemberof1896?Woul dt hecour se
oft hePhi l
ippi neRev olutionhav ebeendi f f
er ent ?Thi sposest hequest ionoft her ol eoft he
i
ndi v iduali nhi st or y.Wast hi shi st oricalphaseofourl iber tar i
anst ruggleduet oRi zal ?Di dt he
propagandi st soft he19t hcent urycr eat etheper iodorwer et heycr eat edbyt heper iod?
TheRol eofHer oes
Wi thorwi t houtt hesespeci f i
ci ndi vi dual st hesoci alr elat ionsengender edby
Spani shcol oni al ism andt hesubsequenteconomi cdevel opmentoft hecount ry
woul dhavepr oducedt henat ional istmovement .Wi thoutRi zalt her ewoul dhave
devel oped ot hert al ent s.Wi t houtDelPi laranot herpr opagandi stwoul d have
emer ged.ThatRi zalpossessedapar ticul art al entwhi chi nf l
uencedt hest yl eof
theper i od wasacci dent al .Thathewasexecut ed on December30 onl yadded
mor edr ama t ot heevent soft heper iod.[ p.131] I ft her ehad been no Ri zal ,
anot hert ypeoft al entwoul dhaveappear edwhomi ghthavegi venadi ffer entst yle
tot hehi st or icst ruggl e;butt hegener alt rendengender edbyt hepar ticul arsoci al
rel at ionswoul dhaver emai nedt hesame.
Wi thoutRi zalt her emayhav ebeenadel ayi nt hemat ur ationofourl iber tar ianst r uggl e,but
theeconomi cdev elopmentoft heper i
odwoul dhav ei nsur edt hesamer esul t.Ri zalmay be
accel er atedi t.Ri zalmayhav egi venf or m andar ticulat ionandcol ort ot heaspi r
at ionsoft he
peopl e.Butev enwi thouthi m, thenat ional i
stst ruggl ewoul dhav eensued.Thi si slikewi set rue
i
nt hecaseofpr esent -daynat ionall iber at ionmov ement s.Thef undament alcauseofmass
act ioni snott heut t
er ancesofal eader ;r ather ,thesel eader shav ebeeni mpel ledt oact ionby
hist or ical for cesunl eashedbysoci al dev elopment .Wemustt her efor enotf al lintot heer rorof
pr oject i
ngt her oleoft hei ndi vidualt ot heext entofdeny ingt hepl ayoft hesef or cesaswel las
thecr eat i
v eener giesoft hepeopl ewhoar et het ruemaker soft hei rownhi stor y.
BecauseRi zalhadcer tainqual i
ties,hewasabl et oser vet hepr essi ngsoci alneedsoft he
per iod,needst hatar oseoutofgener alandpar ticularhi stor icalf or ces.Hei saher oi nt he
senset hathewasabl et oseet hepr obl emsgener atedbyhi stor i
calf or ces,di scer nt henew
soci alneedscr eat edbyt hehi st or icaldev elopmentofnew soci alr elat i
onshi ps,andt akean
act iv epar tinmeet ingt heseneeds.Buthei snotaher oi nt hesenset hathecoul dhav e
stoppedandal teredt hecour seofev ent s.Thet rut hoft hi sst atementi sdemonst rat edbyt he
factt hatt heRev olutionbr okeoutdespi t
ehi sr ef usalt ol eadi tandcont inueddespi tehi s
condemnat ionofi t.Ri zalser v edhi speopl ebyconsci ousl yar t i
cul atingt heunconsci ous
cour seofev ent s.Hesaw mor ecl ear l yt hanhi scont empor ar iesandf el twi thmor e
int ensi tyt hepr obl emsofhi scount ry, thoughhi sv iewpoi ntwasdel imi tedbyhi spar ticular
stat usandupbr i
ngi ng.Hewast hef irstFi li
pi nobuthewasonl yal imi tedFi lipino, thei lust rado
Filipinowhof oughtf ornat i
onaluni t ybutf ear edt heRev olut ionandl ov edhi smot hercount ry,
yes, buti nhi sowni lust radoway .
Thoughweasser tt hatt hegener alcour seofhi stor yi snotdi rect edbyt hedesi r esori deas
ofpar ticul armen, wemustnotf al lint ot heer roroft hinki ngt hatbecausehi stor ycanpr oceed
i
ndependent lyofi ndiv idual si tcanpr oceedi ndependent lyofmen.[ p.132]Thef acti st hat
hist or yi smadebymenwhoconf rontt hepr obl emsofsoci al progr essandt ryt osol vet hem i n
accor dancewi tht hehi st oricalcondi tionsoft hei repoch.Theysett hei rt asksi nconf or mi ty
wi tht hegi vencondi tionsoft hei rt imes.Thecl osert hecor respondencebet weenaman’ s
per cept ionofr eal ityandr eal i
tyi tsel f ,thegr eat ert heman.Thedeeperhi scommi tmentt ot he
peopl e’ scausei nhi sownt imeasev idencebyhi sl ifeanddeeds.Hence,f oradeeper
under standi ngandamor epr eci seev aluat ionofRi zalasFi li
pi noandasher o,wemust
exami neatsomel engt ht heper ioddur ingwhi chRi zal lived.
Innov at ionandChange
Rizall ivedi naper iodofgr eateconomi cchanges.Thesewer ei nev itabl yaccompani edby
cul tur alandpol i
ticalf er ment .Thecount rywasunder goi nggr av eanddeepal terat ionswhi ch
resul tedi nanat ionalawakeni ng.TheEngl ishoccupat ionoft hecount ry,t heendoft he
gal leont r
ade, andt heLat in-Amer i
canr ev olut ionsoft hatt imewer eal lf act or swhi chl edt oan
economi cr e-thi nking by l iber alSpani sh of fi
ci als.The est abl ishmentofnon- Hi spani c
commer ci alhousesbr oket hei nsul arbel tt hathadci rcumscr i
bedPhi lippi nel ifef oral most
twocent ur i
esandahal f.Themi ddl eoft he19t hcent urysaw 51shi ppi ngandcommer cial
housesi nMani la,12ofwhi chwer eAmer i
canandnon- Hi spani cEur opean.Thesenon- Spani sh
housespr act i
cal lymonopol izedt hei mpor t-expor tt rade.Theopeni ngoft hepor t sofSual ,
Cebu,Zamboanga,LegaspiandTacl oban,al ldur ingt hesecondhal foft he19t hcent ury,
enabl edt hesenon- Spani shi nt erest st oest abl i
shbr anchesbey ondt hecapi talci ty,t hus
fur theri ncr easi ngcosmopol itanpenet ration.[ 5]
Eur opeanandAmer icanf inanci ngwer ev i
talagent si nt heemer gi ngexpor teconomy .
Mer chant s gav e cr op adv ances t oi ndi o and Chi nese- mest i
zo cul tivat ors,r esul ting i n
i
ncr easedsur pl usesofagr icul tur alexpor tpr oduct s.TheChi neser ecei vedl oansf ort he
dist ribut ionofEur opeangoodsandt hecol lect ionofPhi li
ppi nepr oducef orshi pmentabr oad.
Abacaandsugarbecamepr imeexpor tsdur ingt hisper iodasar esul toft heseEur opeanand
Amer ican ent repr eneur ialact iv i
ties.The Tr ansf or mat ion oft he sugari ndust r y due t o
financi ng and t he i nt roduct i
on ofst eam- power ed mi l
ling equi pmenti ncr eased sugar
pr oduct ionf rom 3, 000pi culsi nmi d- 19t hcent uryt onear ly2, 000, 000pi cul si nf ourdecades.[ 6]
[p.133]
Theseeconomi cdev elopment si nev itabl yl edt oi mpr ov ementi ncommuni cat i
ons.Thei nfra
-struct ur epr ogr am oft heSpani shgov ernmentr esul tedi namoder atel yf unct i
onalr oad
sy st em.Thet hirdquar teroft hecent ur ysaw t heopeni ngofr ai l
r oadl ines.Thest eamshi p
ef fect edbot hi nt ernalandext er nall inkages,post alser vicesi mpr ov ed,t het elegr aphwas
i
naugur at edi n1873, andby1880, wewer econnect edwi tht hewor ldbyasubmar inecabl et o
HongKong.Mani la’swat ersy stem wasmoder nizedi n1870;wehadst reetcar sin1881and
telephoneandel ect ri
cl ight si nt hemet ropol itanr egi ondur ingt hesameper i
od.Mat erial
progr esssett hest agef orcul tur aland soci alchanges,among t hem t hecul tivat ion of
cosmopol i
tanat ti
tudesandhei ght enedopposi tiont ocl ericalcont rol .Li ber alism hadi nv aded
thecount r
yasar esul toft her educt ionoft heSpai n-Mani l
av oy aget ot hi rtyday saf tert he
openi ng oft he Suezcanal .The mest izo t hatdev el oped became t he cr ude i deol ogi cal
framewor koft hef ermentamongt heaf fluenti ndi osandmest i
zos.[ 7]
TheI deol ogical Fr amewor k
Economi cpr osper ityspawneddi scont entwhent henat i
vebenef iciar i
essawanewwor ldof
affluenceopeni ngf ort hemsel vesandt hei rcl ass.Theyat t ainedanew consci ousnessand
hence, anewgoal-t hatofequal itywi tht hepeni nsul ares-noti nt heabst ract ,buti npr act i
cal
economi c and pol i
ticalt erms.Hi spani zat i
on became t he consci ous mani fest ation of
economi c st ruggl e,oft he desi ret or eal ize t he pot ent i
al it
ies of fered byt he per iod of
expansi on and pr ogr ess. Hi spani zat i
on and assi mi lation const ituted t he i deol ogi cal
expr essi onoft heeconomi cmot i
v ati
onsofaf fluenti ndi osandmest izos.Equal itywi t ht he
Spani ar dmeantequal ityofoppor tunity.Butt heydi dnotr eal izeasy ett hatr ealequal i
tymust
bebasedonnat ionalf reedom andi ndependence.Theywer est il
li nt hei niti
alphasesof
nat i
onal istconsci ousness-aconsci ousnessmadepossi bl ebyt hemar ketsi tuat ionoft he
ti
me.Thel ordl yf ri
arwhohadbeenpar tlyr esponsi bl ef ort hei sol ationoft hei slandsbecame
thet ar getofat tacks.Ant i-clerical ism becamet hei deol ogi cal styleoft heper iod.[ p.134]
Theset henwer et hesal ienteconomi candi deol ogi calf eat uresoft hisRi zal ’
st ime.At rue
histor icalr eviewwoul dpr ov et hatgr eatmenar et hosewhor eadt het i
meandhav eadeeper
under st andi ngofr eal i
ty .Iti st hei ri nsight st hatmaket hem conv ersantwi tht heirper iodsand
whi chenabl et hem t oar ticulat et heneedsoft hepeopl e.Toal argeext ent ,Ri zal,thei lust rado,
fulfil
ledt hi sf unct ion, fori nv oici ngt hegoal sofhi scl asshehadt oi ncl udet heaspi rationsof
theent i
repeopl e.Thought heai msoft hiscl asswer el i
mi t
edt or ef ormi stmeasur es,he
expr essedi tsdemandsi nt er msofhumanl i
ber tyandhumandi gni tyandt husencompassed
thewi deraspi rat i
onsofal lthepeopl e.Thi si snott osayt hathewasconsci oust hatt hese
wer ecl assgoal s;r at her ,t hatt y picalofhi scl ass,heequat edcl assi nter estwi thpeopl e’s
wel far e.Hedi dt hi si ngoodf ai th,unawar eofanybasi ccont r
adi ct i
onsbet weent het wo.He
wast hepr oductofhi ssoci etyandassuchcoul dbeexpect edt ov oi ceonl yt hoseai mst hat
wer ewi thi nt hecompet enceofhi scl ass.Mor eov er ,soci alcont radi ct i
onshadnotr i
pened
suf fi
ci ent lyi n hi st imet or ev ealcl ear lyt heessent ialdi spar at enessbet ween cl assand
nat i
onalgoal s.Nei thercoul d hehav et ranscended hi scl assl i
mi tat i
ons,f orhi scul tur al
upbr ingi ngwassucht hataf fect ionf orSpai nandSpani shci vil
izat i
onpr ecl udedt hei deaof
breaki ngt hechai nsofcol oni alism.Hehadt obecomeaSpani ar df irstbef orebecomi nga
Fili
pino.[ 8]
Asasoci alcomment ator ,ast heexposerofoppr essi on,heper for medar emar kabl et ask.
Hiswr i
tingswer epar toft het radi t
ionofpr ot estwhi chbl ossomedi nt or ev olution,i nt oa
separ at i
stmov ement .Hi sor iginalai m ofel ev at i
ngt hei ndi ot ot hel ev elofHi spani zat i
onof
thepeni nsul arsot hatt hecount rycoul dbeassi mi l
at ed,coul dbecomeapr ov i
nceofSpai n,
wast r ansf or medi nt oi tsopposi te.Inst eadofmaki ngt heFi li
pi noscl osert o Spai n,t he
propagandagav er oott osepar at ion.Thedr ivef orHi spani zat ionwast ransf ormedi ntot he
dev elopmentofadi st inctnat ional consci ousness.
Ri zalcont r ibut edmucht ot hegr owt hoft hi snat ionalconsci ousness.I twasa
cont ribut ionnotonl yi nt er msofpr opagandabuti nsomet hi ngposi tivet hatt he
pr esentgener at ionofFi lipi noswi llowet ohi m andf orwhi cht heywi l
lhonorhi m
bycompl et ingt het askwhi chhesonobl ybegan.Hemayhavehadadi ffer entand
limi tedgoalatt het ime,agoalt hatf orusi sal readypasse,somet hi ngwet akef or
gr ant ed.However ,f orhi st imet hisl imi tedgoalwasal readyabi gst epi nt her ight
dir ect ion.[ p. 135]Thi scont ribut ionwasi nt her eal m ofFi lipi nonat ionhood-t he
wi nni ng ofournameasar ace,t her ecogni tion ofourpeopl easone,and t he
elevat ionoft hei ndi oi nt oFi lipino.
TheConceptofFi lipinoNat ionhood
Thi swasav ictor yi nt her eal m ofconsci ousness,av i
ct or yinar aci alsense.Howev er,i t
wasonl ya par tialgai n,f orRi zalr epudi ated r ealde- coloni zat ion.Begui led byt he new
coloni zer ,mostFi li
pi nosf ollowedt heexampl eofRi zal.Asaconsequence,t hedev elopment
oft heconceptofnat i
onalconsci ousnessst oppedshor tofr ealde- col oni zat ionandwehav e
noty etdi stingui shedt het rueFi lipinof rom t hei nci pi entFi l
ipino.
TheconceptofFi lipinonat ionhoodi sani mpor tantt oolofanal ysisaswel lasaconcept ual
weaponofst ruggl e.Ther ear emanyFi lipinoswhodonotr ealizet heyar eFi i
pi nosonl yi nt he
oldcul tur al,raci alsense.Theyar enotawar eoft het erm Fi l
ipinoasadev elopi ngconcept .
Muchl essar et heyawar et hatt odaysoci alcondi tionsdemandt hatt het r ueFi li
pi nobeone
whoi sconsci ousl yst rivingf orde- col oni zat i
onandi ndependence.
Per hapsi twoul dbeusef ulatt hispoi ntt odi scussi nsomedet ailt hemet amor phosi soft he
term Fi li
pi nonotj ustasamat terofhi st or icali nf or mat i
onbutsot hatwemayr eal izet he
i
mpor tanceofRi zal ’
scont ribut i
oni nt hisr egar d.Ev enmor ev aluabl ear et hei nsi ght swemay
gaini nt ot he i nter -dependence bet ween mat erialcondi ti
ons and consci ousness as
mani fest edi nt heev olutionoft hewor dFi li
pi noi nt er msofi tswi deni ngappl icabi lityand
deepersi gni fi
cancet hroughsucceedi ngper iodsofourhi stor y.
Itisi mpor tantt obeari nmi ndt hatt het er m Fi l
ipinoor iginallyr ef err edt ot hecr eol es-t he
Spani ardsbor ni nt hePhi l
ippi nes-t heEspañol es- FilipinosorFi l
ipinos,f orshor t.Thenat i
ves
wer ecal ledi ndi os.Spani shmest izoswhocoul dpassof fforwhi tecl ai medt obecr eolesand
therefor eFi lipinos.Towar dst hel astquar teroft he19t hcent ur y,Hi spani zedandur bani zed
i
ndi osal ong wi thSpani shmest izosand sangl ey[ Chi nese-r ly ]mest izosbegant o cal l
themsel vesFi lipinos,especi al lyaf tert heabol itionoft het ri
but el i
st si nt he1880sandt he
economi cgr owt hoft heper iod.[ p.136]
Wemustal socor rectt hecommoni mpr essi ont hatt heFi lipinoswhower ei n
Spai ndur i
ngt hePr opagandaPer iodwer eal li ndi os.I nf act ,t heor igi nalCi r
cul o
Hispano- Filipi no was domi nat ed by cr eol es and peni nsul ar es. The Fi li
pi no
communi tyi nSpai ndur ingt he1880’ swasacongl omer at eofcr eol es,Spani sh
mest izosandsonsofur bani zedi ndi osandChi nesemest i
zos.[ 9]
Thi scommuni tycameoutwi thanor gancal ledEspañaenFi lipi naswhi chsought
tot aket hepl aceoft hear lierRevi st aCi r cul oHi spanoFi lipinof oundedbyanot her
creol eJuanAt ayde.EspañaenFi lipi naswasmai nlyanunder taki ngofSpani sh
andSpani shmest izos.Theonl ynon- Spani ar di nt hest af fwasBal domer oRoxas.
Itsf irsti ssuecameouti n1887.I twas“ moder ate”i nt oneandf ailedt owi nt he
sympat hyoft henat i
veel ement s.I nal et tert oRi zal ,Lopez- Jaenacr itici zedi tin
thesewor ds:
Fr om dayt odayIam becomi ngconvi ncedt hatourcount r ymen,t hemest izos,
farf rom wor kingf ort hecommonwel f ar e,f ol low t hepol icyoft hei rpr edecessor s,
theAzcar ragas.[ 10]
Lopez- Jaenawasr efer r ingt ot heAzcar r agabr ot her swhohadhel di mpor tant
posi tionsi nt hePhi lippi nesandi nSpai n,butwho,t hought heyhadbeenbor nher e,
showedmor esympat hyf ort hepeni nsul ar es.I ti sf or tunat et hatast r eetwhi ch
wasoncenamedf oroneoft hem hasbecomeCl ar oM.Rect ot oday.
Di ffer ences bet ween t he cr eol es and t he “ genui ne”Fi lipi nos as t hey cal led
themsel ves,soonseti n.I twasatt hi st i
met hatRi zalandot heri ndi osi nPar is
begant ouset het er mi ndi osbr avos,t hus“ transf or mi nganepi theti nt oabadgeof
honor .”Thecl eavagei nt heFi lipi nocol onyabr oadusher edi nanew per iodoft he
Propagandawhi chmaybesai dt ohavehadi tsf or malbegi nni ngwi tht hebi rthof
LaSol idar idad.I tsl eader swer ei ndi os.Theedi torwasnotacr eol el ikeLet eora
Spani shmest i
zol ikeLl or ent ebutLopez- Jaenaandl aterMar cel oH.delPi lar .La
Sol idar idadespousedt hecauseofl iber al ism andf oughtf ordemocr at icsol utions
tot hepr obl emst hatbesett heSpani shcol oni es.
Fr om t hedecl ar at ionofai msandpol iciest hecl assbasi soft hePr opagandai s
qui teobvi ous.Ther ef or mi st scoul dnotshakeof ft hei rSpani shor ient ation.[ p.
137] They want ed accommodat ion wi t hi nt he r ul ing syst em. Ri zal ’s own
refor mi sm i sevi denti nt hi sexcer ptf r om hi sl et tert oBl ument ritt:
…. undert hepr esentci r cumst ances,wedonotwantsepar at ionf rom Spai n.Al l
thatweaski sgr eat erat tent ion,bet tereducat ion,bet tergover nmentempl oyees,
oneort wo r epr esent at ivesand gr eat ersecur ityf orourper sonsand pr oper ty.
Spai n coul d al ways wi nt he appr eci at ion of t he Fi lipinos i f she wer e onl y
reasonabl e![ 11]
Thei ndiosl edbyRi zalgai nedaccept abi l
ityasFi lipinosbecauset heypr ov edt hei requal ity
witht heSpani ardsi nt ermsofbot hcul tur eandpr oper ty.Thi swasani mpor tantst agei nour
appr opr i
at i
onoft het erm Fi l
ipi no.Ri z al’si nt ellect ualexcel lencepav edt hewayf ort hewi nning
oft henamef ort henat ivesoft hel and.I twasanunconsci ousst ruggl ewhi chl edt oa
consci ousr ecogni tionoft hepej or ativ emeani ngofi ndio.Thus,t hewi nningoft het erm
Fil
ipinowasanant i-col onialv ict or yf ori tsi gni fiedt her ecogni tionofr acialequal itybet ween
Spani
ardsandFi
l
ipi
nos.
The“ Limi ted”Fi lipi
nos
Butt heappr opr i
at ionoft hi st er m wasnott heendoft hehi st or i
cst ruggl ef or
nat ionali dent ity.Whi l
ef orRi zal ’st imet hiswasasi gnalvi ct or y,i twasi nt r
ut ha
limi t edvi ct or yf orus.Fort heuser soft het er m wer ethemsel vesl imi tedFi lipinos
basedoneducat ionandpr oper ty.Si ncet hist er m wasappl i
edt ot hosewhospoke
int henameoft hepeopl ebutwer enotr eal l
yoft hepeopl e,t henextst agef ort his
gr owi ngconceptshoul dbet her ecogni ti
onoft hemassesast her ealnat ionand
thei rt ransf or mat ion i nt or ealFi l i
pi nos.However ,t he Fi lipi no oft oday must
under goapr ocessofde- col oni zat ionbef or ehecanbecomeat rueFi lipi no.Thede
-col oni zedFi lipi noi st her ealgoalf orourt imej ustast heHi spani zedFi lipinowas
oncet hegoaloft her ef or mi st s.
ThoughRi zalwasabl et owi nf orhi scount r yment henameFi lipino,i twasst il
las
ilust radot hatheconcei vedoft hi st er m.Asi lust radohewasspeaki ngi nbehal fof
allt hei ndi ost houghhewassepar atedbycul tur eandevenbypr oper t yf rom t he
masses.Hi si lust radoor ient at ionmani festsi tsel fi nhi snovel s.[ p.138]Though
theyar esupposedt or epr esent19t hcent ur yPhi l i
ppi nesoci et yi nmi cr ocosm,al l
the pr inci palchar act er s bel onged t ot he pr i
nci pal ia.Hi s her o,I bar ra,was a
Spani shmest izo.TheSpani ar ds,t hecr eol e,t hemest izo,andt heweal thyChi nese
-t hesewer echar act er shecoul dpor traywi t hmast erybecauset heywer ewi thin
hismi lieuandcl ass.Butt her ear eonl yver yhazydescr ipt ionofchar act er swho
bel onged t ot he masses.Hi s cl ass posi tion,hi s upbr i
ngi ng,and hi sf orei gn
educat ion wer e pr of ound i nf luences whi ch const i
t ut ed a l imi tat ion on hi s
under standi ngofhi scount rymen.
Ri zal ,t her ef or e,wasani lust radoher owhosel if e’smi ssi oncor respondedi na
gener alwayt ot hewi shesandaspi rationsoft hepeopl e.Hedi edf orhi speopl e,
yethi sr epudi at ionoft heRevol ut ionwasanactagai nstt hepeopl e.Ther eseems
tobeacont radi ct ionbet weent het woact s;t her ei sact ual l
ynone.Bot hact swer e
inchar act er ;Ri zalwasact ingf rom pat rioticmot ivesi nbot hi nst ances.
Hecondemnedt heRev ol utionbecauseasani l
ust radohei nst inct ivelyunder est imat edt he
powerandt het alent soft hepeopl e.Hebel ievedi nf r
eedom notsomuchasanat i
onalr ight
butassomet hi ngt obedeser v ed, likeamedalf orgoodbehav ior.Mor eov er,hedi dnotequat e
l
iber tywi thi ndependence.Si ncehi si deaofl i
ber tywasessent iallyt hedemandf ort hose
ri
ght swhi cht heel iteneededi nor dert opr ospereconomi call
y .Ri zaldi dnotconsi derpol i
ti
cal
i
ndependenceasapr erequi si tet of reedom.Fear f
uloft hev i
olenceofpeopl e’sact ion,hedi d
notwantust of ightf orouri ndependence.Rat her ,hewant edust owai tf ort het imewhen
Spai n,act ingi nherownbesti nter est s,woul dabandonus.Heexpr essedhi msel fcl earlyon
thesepoi nt sint hef ol lowi ngpassagef rom al etterwhi chhewr otei nhi scel lonDecember12,
1896, fort heuseofhi sdef ensecounsel .
…. .manyhav ehav ei nt erpr et edmyphr aset ohav el i
ber tiesast ohav ei ndependence, whi ch
aret wodi fferentt hings.Apeopl ecanbef reewi thoutbei ngi ndependent ,andapeopl ecanbe
i
ndependentwi thoutbei ngf ree.Ihav eal way sdesi redl iber ti
esf ort hePhi li
ppi nesandIhav e
saidso.Ot her swhot est i
fyt hatIsai di ndependenceei therhav eputt hecar tbef or ethehor se
ort heyl i
e.[ 12]
Hehadexpr essedmucht hesameopi nionear lieri nhi sElFi li
bust erismowhenFat her
Flor ent inosai d: [p.139]
Idonotmeant osayt hatourl iber tywi ll
besecur edatt heswor d’spoi nt ,fort heswor dpl ay s
butl i
tt l
epar ti nmoder naf f airs,butt hatwemustsecur ei tbymaki ngour selveswor thyofi t
,
byexal tingt hei nt elligenceandt hedi gni t
yoft hei ndi vidual ,byl ov ingj ust ice,r ightand
great ness,ev ent ot heext entofdy ingf ort hem -andwhenapeopl er eachest hathei ghtGod
wi l
lpr ov ideaweapon,t hei dol swi llbeshat tered,t het y r
annywi l
lcr umbl el i
keahouseof
car dsandl iber tywi ll shi neoutl iket hef i
rstdawn.13
Yett hepeopl er ev er edhi m because,t houghhewasnotwi tht hem,hedi edf orcer tai n
princi pl eswhi cht heybel i
ev edi n.Hewast hei rmar tyr;t heyr ecogni zedhi sl abor sal though
theyknewt hathewasal readybehi ndt hem i nt heirf orwar dmar ch.
Inl inewi tht hei rav owedpol icyofpr epar ingusf orev ent ualsel f-gov er nment ,theAmer i
cans
proj ect edRi zalast hemodelofaneducat edci t
izen.Hi snamewasi nv okedwhenev ert he
i
ncapaci tyoft hemassesf orsel f-gov er nmentwaspoi nt edoutasaj ust ifi
cat i
onf orAmer i
can
tutel age.Ri zal ’spr eoccupat ionwi theducat i
onser vedt of urthert hei mpr essi ont hatt he
maj or ityoft heFi li
pi noswer eunl etter edandt heref oreneededt utelagebef oret heycoul dbe
readyf ori ndependence.Abook,Ri zal ,Educat orandEconomi st,usedi ncer tai nPhi lippi ne
school s, suppor tst hist hesi sbyquot i
ngapor tionofRi zal’smani f
est oofDecember15, 1896
whi chst at es:
…. .
Iam onemostanxi ousf orl i
ber tiesi nourcount ryandIam st illdesi rousoft hem.ButI
placedasapr iorcondi ti
ont heeducat i
onoft hepeopl et hatbymeansofi nst ruct i
onand
i
ndust ryourcount rymayhav eani ndi vidual ityofi tsownandmakei t
sel fwor thyoft hese
l
iber ties.[ 14]
Theaut hor soft hisbookt henmaket hef ollowi ngcomment :
Rizali nt ent i
onal lyav oi dedt heuseoft het er mi ndependence,per hapsbecausehehonest l
y
believ edt hati ndependencei ni tst rue, r eal, andst rictsenseshoul dnotbegr ant edusunt ilwe
wer eeducat edenought oappr eci at ei tsi mpor tance,andi tsbl essi ngs,andunt ilwewer e
economi cal lysel f-rel i
ant .[15][ p.140]
Thi sst at ementnotonl ysuppor tst heAmer icanl inebuti sal soanexampl eofhow our
admi rat ion f orRi zalmaybe used t o begui le usi nt o accept ing r eact ionar ybel ief s,t he
product sofcol oni al ment al
ity.
Apeopl ehav eev er yr ightt obef ree.Tut elagei nt hear tofgov er nmentasanexcusef or
coloni al ism i sadi scr edi tedal ibi.Peopl el ear nandeducat et hemsel v esi nt hepr ocessof
struggl ingf orf reedom andl iber ty .Theyat taint heirhi ghestpot ent ialonl ywhent heyar e
mast er soft hei rowndest i
ny .Col oni alism i st heonl yagencyst il
lt ryingt osel lt hei deat hat
freedom i sadi pl omat obegr ant edbyasuper i
orpeopl et oani nf er i
oroneaf tery ear sof
appr ent iceshi p.
ThePr ecur sor sofMendi cancy
Inaway ,Ri zal ’
sgener ationi snodi ffer entf rom t hegener ationt hatwasengagedi nour
i
ndependencecampai gns.Nei therwashi sgener ationmuchdi f
ferentf rom t hosewhot oday
sayt heyst andf ori ndependencebutdonotwantt ohur tthef eelingsoft heAmer icans.I na
way ,Ri zalandhi sgener at i
onwer et hepr ecur sor soft hepr esent -daymendi cant s.I tmaybe
shocki ngt osayt hatRi zalwasoneoft hepr act iti
oner sofamendi cantpol icy ,butt hef acti s
thatt hepr opagandi st s,i nwor ki ngf orcer tai nr eforms,choseSpai nast hear enaoft hei r
struggl ei nst eadofwor kingamongt hei rownpeopl e,educat ingt hem andl ear ni ngf rom t hem,
helpingt hem t or eal izet heirowncondi tionandar ticulat ingt heiraspi rat ions.Thi sr eflect st he
bifurcat ionbet weent heeducat edandt hemasses.
Theel itehadasub- consci ousdi srespectf ort heabi lityoft hepeopl et oar ticul at et hei rown
demandsandt omov eont hei rown.Theyf el tthateducat i
ongav et hem t her ightt ospeakf or
thepeopl e.Theypr oposedanel itistf or m ofl eader ship,al lt hewhi lebel iev ingt hatwhatt he
elit
el eader shipdeci dedwaswhatt hepeopl ewoul dandshoul df ollow.Theyf ailedt or eal i
ze
thatatcr iticalmoment sofhi st oryt hepeopl edeci deont hei rown,whatt heywantandwhat
theywantt odo.Today , thei lust radosar eshockedbyt hespat eofr al liesanddemonst rat i
ons.
Theycannotseem t oacceptt hef actt hatpeasant sandwor ker sandt hey out hhav emov ed
wi t
houtwai tingf ort hei rwor d.Theyar enotaccust omedt ot hepeopl emov i
ngont hei rown.[ p.
141]
Thei lust radoswer et heHi spani zedsect orofourpopul ati
on,hencet heyt riedt opr ov et hat
theywer easSpani shast hepeni nsul ares.Theywant edt obecal ledFi lipinosi nt hecr eole
sense:Fi lipino- Spani ar dsasRi zalcal l
edI bar ra.Theyar enodi ffer entf rom t hemoder n- day
mendi cant swhot ryt opr ov et hatt heyar eAmer i
cani zed,meani ngt hatt heyar eFi li
pi no-
Amer icans.Asamat t
eroff act ,t hei lust radosoft hef irstpr opagandamov ementut i
lizedt he
samet echni quesandadopt edt hesamegener alat titudeast hemoder n-daymendi cant sand
pseudo- nat ional ist s, insof arast hecol oni zingpowerwasconcer ned.
Ilust radosAndI ndios
Thecont rastt ot hei lust radoappr oachwast heKat ipunanofBoni f aci o.Boni faci o,notas
Hispani zedast hei lust rados, sawi npeopl e’sact i
ont heonl yr oadt ol iber at ion.TheKat ipunan,
though ofmasoni c and ofEur opean i nspi rat i
on,was peopl e’s mov ementbased on
conf idencei nt hepeopl e’ scapaci tyt oacti ni tsownbehal f.Theear lyr ebel lions, spont aneous
and spor adi c,coul d be t er med mov ement s,wi thout consci ousness.Ri zaland t he
propagandi st s wer et he embodi mentofa consci ousness wi thouta mov ement .I twas
Boni faci oandt heKat i
punant hatembodi edt heuni tyofr ev olutionar yconsci ousnessand
revol ut i
onar ypr act ice.
Thei ndi oasFi lipinor osei nar mswhi let hei lust radowasst i
llwai t i
ngf orSpai nt odi spense
j
ust ice and r ef or ms.The i lust rado Fi l
ipi no was now bei ng sur passed by t he i ndi oi n
revol ut i
onar yar dor .Thei ndi ohadamor el egi timat ecl aimt ot het itleofFi l
ipinobecausehe
was t r ulyl iber at ing hi msel f.The r ev ol utionar ymasses pr ocl aimed t hei rsepar at istgoal
through t heKat i
punan.Faced wi tht hepopul ardet er mi nat ion,t he i lust radosj oi ned t he
Rev olutionwher e,despi tet heirr ev ol utionar yr het or i
c, theyr ev eal edbyt hei rbehav i
ort hei rown
l
imi tedgoal s.
Thought hei rf ightwasr efor mi standmayber egar dedast amet oday ,thehi stor icr ol eof
thei l
ust radoscannotbedeni edf ort heywer epur v ey orsofi deaswhi chwhensei zeduponby
themassesbecamer ealweapons.Todayt hei ri deasar eor thodoxandsaf e.Howev er,t he
sameconcept swhenmader el ev antt opr esentsoci etyagai nmaket heirpar tisanst heobj ect s
ofper secut ionbycont empor ar yr eact ionar ies.
Ther ol eandt hecont ribut ionofRi zal ,liket hatoft hei lust radocl ass,[ p.142]mustbe
ev aluat edi nt hecont extofhi spar t i
cul arr ealitywi thint hegener al real ityofhi st i
me.Ri zal was
anecessar ymomenti nourev ol ut i
on.Buthewasonl yamoment ,andwhi lehi sv al i
di tyf orhi s
ti
meamount edt oaher oi sm t hati sv alidf oral ltime, wecannotsayt hatRi zalhi msel fwi llbe
validf oral lt imeandt hatRi zal ’si deasshoul dbet hey ar dst i
ckf oral louraspi rat ions.He
prov i
dedt hemodelofaf or m ofher oism t hatcul mi nat edi nmar ty rdom.HewasaFi l
ipinowe
canbepr oudof ,amonumentt ot her acedespi t eal lhi sl i
mi tat i
ons.Butwecannotmakehi m
outt obet hei nfalli
bl edet ermi nantofournat i
onalgoal s,ashi sbl i
ndi dol atorshav ebeen
tryingt odo.
WemustseeRi zalhi st or i
cal ly .Ri zalshoul doccupyhi spr operpl acei nourpant heonof
greatFi lipinos.Thoughhei ssecur et obei nourhear tsandmemor iesasaher o, wemustnow
real i
zet hathehasnomonopol yofpat r
iot i
sm;hei snott hezeni thofourgr eatness;nei ther
areal lhist eachi ngsofuni ver salandcont empor ar yr elev anceandappl i
cat i
on.Justasagi ven
soci alsy stem i nev itabl yy i
eldst o new and hi gherf or msofsoci alor gani zat ion,so t he
i
ndi v idualher oi n hi st or ygi veswayt o new and hi gherf ormsofher oism.Each her o’s
cont ri
but ion,howev er,ar enotnul lifiedt her ebybutassumet hei rcor r
ectpl acei napar ticul ar
stageoft hepeopl e’sdev elopment .Ev er ynat ioni sal way sdi scov ering orr edi scov er i
ng
her oesi nt hepastori tspr esent .
BlindAdor at i
on
Her o- wor shi p, theref ore, mustbebot hhi st oricalandcr itical .Wemustal way sbeconsci ousof
thehi storicalcondi tionsandci rcumst ancest hatmadeani ndi vidualaher o,andwemust
alway sber eadyt oadmi tatwhatpoi ntt hather o’sappl icabi li
tyceasest obeofcur rentv al ue.
Toal l
owher o- wor shi pt obeuncr iticalandunhi st oricali st odi stor tt hemeani ngoft heher oic
i
ndi v idual ’
sl i
f e,andt oencour ageacul tber ef tofhi st oricalmeani ng-acul toft hei ndi vidual
shor nofhi shi stor i
calsi gni fi
cance.I ti sf orm wi thoutcont ent ,af adt hatcanbeusedf or
almostany thi ng,becausei ti sr eal lynot hing.Wemustv iewRi zalasanev ol vingper sonal i
ty
wi thinanev ol vinghi stor icalper i
od.Thathi smar ty rdom wast ai ntedbyhi sat tacksonour
i
ndependi stst ruggl ei snotagr oundf orcondemni nghi m ent irely .Wemustdet er minet he
fact or s-economi candcul tur al[ p.143]-t hatmadeRi zalwhathewas.Wemustseei nhi s
l
ifeandi nhi swor kst heev olut ionoft heFi l
ipinoandmustr eal i
zet hatt heper i
odcr ownedby
hisdeat hi sonl yamomenti nt het ot al i
tyofourhi stor y.
Iti sar eflect ionofourl ackofcr eat ivet hinki ngt hatwecont i
nuet oi nv okeRi zalwhenwe
discussspeci fi
cpr obl emsandpr esent -
daysoci ety .Thi si sal soar eflect ionofouri ntellect ual
ti
mi dity,ourr eluct ancet oespousenewcausesunl esswecanf i
ndsanct ions, howev err emot e,
i
nRi zal .Thi st endencyi sf raughtwi thdanger s.
Li mi tationsofRi zal
Wear el ivingi nanageofant i
-col oni alr ev olut ionsdi ffer enti ncont entf rom t hoseofRi zal ’s
per iod.Ri zalcoul dnothav eant icipat edt hepr obl emsoft oday .Hewasnotconv er santwi th
economi ct ool sofanal y sist hatwoul dunr av elt hei ntricat et echni quest hatt odayar ebei ng
usedbyout sidef orcest oconsi gnust oast ateofcont inuedpov er ty.Ther ev olutionsoft oday
woul dbebey ondt heunder st andi ngofRi zalwhoseCast ili
anor ient at ionnecessar ilyl imi ted
hishor i
zonev enf ort hatper i
od.Hewascapabl eofunr avel ingt hemy thst hatwer ewov enby
theoppr essor sofhi st i
me,buthewoul dhav ebeenatal osst oseet hrought hemor e
sophi sticat edmy thsandt or ecogni zet hesubt let echni quesofpr esent -daycol oni alists, gi ven
thest ateofhi sknowl edgeandexper ienceatt hatt ime.Thi si snott osayt hatwer eheal ive
todayandsubj ectt omoder nexper iences,hewoul dnotunder st andt hemeansofourt imes.
Buti tisusel essspecul at iont ot r yt odi v i
newhathewoul dnowadv ocat e.
Unl esswehav eanul teriormot iv e, ther ei sr eal lynoneedt oext endRi zal ’
smeani ngsot hat
hemayhav econt empor aryv al ue.Manyofhi ssoci alcr it
ici smsar est illv alidt odaybecause
cer tainaspect sofourl i
fear est il
lcar ry-ov ersoft hef eudalandcol oni alsoci et yofhi st ime.A
trueappr eci at ionofRi zalwoul dr equi r et hatwest udyt hesesoci alcr iti
ci smsandt akest eps
toer adicat et heev ilshedecr i
ed.
 Par tandpar celoft heat temptt ouseRi zalasanaut hor ityt odef endt hest atusquoi st he
desi reofsomequar ter st oexpungef r
om t heRi zalistl egacyt heso- call
edcont rov ersial
aspect sofhi swr iti
ngs,par ticular l
yhi sv iewsont hef riarsandonr eligion.Wehav ebutt o
recal lther esi stancet ot heRi zalbi ll,[p.144]t heuseofexpur gat edv er sionsoft heNol iMe
Tanger eandt heElFi libust er ismo,andobj ect ionst ot her eadi ngsofhi sot herwr iti
ngst o
realizet hatwhi l
emanywoul dhav eusv ener ateRi zal,t heywoul dwantust ov ener atea
homogeni zedv ersion.
Inhi st ime,t her efor mi stRi zalwasundoubt edl yapr ogr essi vef orce.I nmanyar easofour
l
ifet oday ,hi sideascoul dst illbeaf or cef orsal utar ychange.Yett henat ur eoft heRi zalcul ti s
sucht hathei sbei ngt ransf or medi nt oanaut hor ityt osanct i
ont hest at usquobyaconf l
uence
ofbl indador at i
onandwi despr eadi gnor anceofhi smostt ell
ingi deas.
Wehav emagni fiedRi zal ’
ssi gni f
icancef ort ool ong.I tist i
met oexami nehi sl imi tationsand
profitf rom hi sweaknessesj ustaswehav el ear nedf rom t hest rengt hofhi schar act erandhi s
virt
ues.Hi s weaknesses wer et he weaknesses ofhi s soci et y.Hi s wav er i
ng and hi s
repudi at i
onofmassact ionshoul dbest udi edasapr oductoft hesoci et yt hatnur tur edhi m.
TheNegat ionofRi zal
Today ,weneednewher oeswhocanhel pussol veourpr essi ngpr obl ems.Wecannotr ely
onRi zalal one.Wemustdi scar dt hebel i
eft hatwear eincapabl eofpr oduci ngt heher oesof
ourepoch,t hather oesar eexcept ionalbei ngs,acci dent sofhi stor ywhost andabov et he
massesandapar tf rom t hem.Thet rueher oi sonewi tht hemasses:hedoesnotexi stabov e
them.I nf act ,awhol epeopl ecanbeher oesgi vent hepr opermot i
vationandar t
icul ationof
theirdr eams.
Todayweseet heunf oldingoft hecr eat iveener giesofapeopl ewhoar ebegi nningt ogr asp
the possi bili
ties ofhuman dev elopmentand who ar et rying t of or mul ateat heor etical
framewor kuponwhi cht heymaybaset hei rpr act i
ce.Thei nar ti
cul atear enowmaki nghi stor y
whi l
et het hear ti
cul atemaybeheadedf orhi st oricalanony mi ty,ifnoti gnomi ny .Whent he
goal soft hepeopl ear ef inal lyachi ev ed,Ri zalt hef irstFi li
pi no,wi l
lbenegat edbyt het rue
Fili
pinobywhom hewi llber emember edasagr eatcat aly zeri nt hemet amor phosi soft hede-
coloni zedi ndi o.[p.145]
___ ____ ___ ___ __
*Thi rdNat ional Ri zal Lect ur e,December30, 1969.
1Thef ulltextoft hemani f est omaybef oundi nJoseRi zal,Pol iti
calandHi storicalWr iti
ngs.
Vol VI I(Mani la: Nat ional Her oesCommi ssi on, 1964) ,p.348.
2Theodor eFr iend,Bet weenTwoEmpi res( New Hav enandNew Yor k:Hought onMi ff l
i
n
Company ,1928) ,p.15.
3W.Camer onFor bes.ThePhi lippi neI slands( Bost onandNew Yor k:Hought onMi ff l
i
n
Company ,1928) ,p.55
4I bid.p.53
5SeeRober tR.Reed, Hispani cUr bani sm i nt hePhi li
ppi nes: ASt udyoft heImpactofChur ch
andSt at e( Mani la: TheUni v er sityofMani la, 1967) ,Chapt erVI II
.
6I bid, p.125
7Foradi scussi onofcul tur alandsoci alcont extoft heper iod,seeEdgarWi ckber g,The
Chinesei nPhi l
ippi neLi fe,1850- 1898( NewHav enandLondon:Yal eUni v er
sityPr ess,1965) ,
pp.131- 134
8Af ullerdi scussi onoft hedev elopi ngconceptoft het rueFi li
pinomaybef oundi nmybook,
TheMaki ngofaFi l
ipino( Quezonci ty:Mal ay aBooks, 1969) ,Chapt er1.[ p.190]
9I bid., seeal somyessay ,“ TheFi li
pi noEl ite,
”f oundi npar ttwooft hisbook.
10Gr aci anoLopez- Jaena.“ Let tert oRi zal ,Mar ch16,1887, ”Ri zal ’
sCor r
espondencewi t
h
FellowRef or mi sts, Vol .I I
, BookI I(Mani l
a: Nat i
onal Her oesCommi ssi on, 1963) , p.103.
11TheRi zal-Blument r i
ttCor respondence, Par t1: 1886- 1889, Vol .II
, Januar y26, 1887, p.44.
12Ri zal ,“Dat af ormyDef ense, ”Pol i
tical andHi st orical Wr iti
ngs, p.340
13Ri zal ,TheRei gnofGr eed, t
ransl at edbyChar lesDer by shi re( Mani l
a:Phi l
ippineEducat ion
Company ,1956) ,p.360.
14Ri zal ,“Mani fest o, December15, 1896, ”Pol iti
cal andHi st ori
cal Wr iti
ngs, p.348.
15Her nandez ,Ella,Ocampo.Ri zal ,Educat orandEconomi st, (
Mani la,1949) ,p.94[ p.191]