Espiritu, Taryn Graziel A.

|| GERIZAL-A52
Jose Rizal, Relevance and Irrelevance of his Ideas at Present Times

The Philippines a Century Hence aimed to predict possible outcomes of the Spanish oppression in the Philippines
that Rizal argued would have had a turn of events one way or another due to the then rise of technological advancements
that made the ease of communication through long distances possible. However, his idea for this denouement was to be
achieved through the upper class as he said that “this transformation will be violent and fatal if it proceeds from the ranks
of the people”. This is the first idea that I deem irrelevant in today’s time which in general terms is to depend change on
the upper class rather than the working class. Before I defend my statement would be an explanation of Rizal’s reformist
belief which was basically for Filipinos to have a representation in the Spanish Cortes by granting them rights to vote and
such that a “liberal policy of the government is carried out without trickery or meanness”, as stated in his article. Through
this, enlightened patriotic ilustrados may have had a chance to replace the friars who kept intervening in political affairs to
preserve the churches’ wealth. This was the objective condition that Rizal grew up in wherein being part of the elite
Filipino class who had means to capital and property but these were in constant threat due to the influence of the friars in
politics. This reform is irrelevant today because elite Filipinos now have political power or are now able to meddle a lot in
political affairs. They are also the ones who negotiate with foreign countries causing the exploitation of the working class.
Also, the Philippines is now a republic country that grounds on liberal policies but “trickery and meanness” still thrives
through the government because they are influenced now by the Filipino elite who are trying to preserve their wealth.
Having said these, a more logical revolution would be coming from the ranks of the people both during Rizal’s time and
even until now. Rizal painted this separatist act to end up seeming anarchic at the latter part of his article but nevertheless,
the KKK was still inspired by him to start the revolution. He also admitted that: “We are not sure that we serve the true
interests of our country by asking for representatives”. This was because representatives in the Spanish Cortes meant a
non-separatist belief and such would not have the working class gain anything.

Nonetheless, Rizal’s subconscious class interest that was influential to him being a reformist, also formed ideas
which are relevant in today’s time. One of which is the presented importance of press freedom in the article. Today, again
because of the technological advancements, press freedom is inevitable and it is crucial that it stays that way. The media
has been a powerful tool for learning and its freedom helps viewers collectively and individually be critical of what they
consume. This in turn helps the press also be critical of what they lay out to the masses. Ultimately, the media can aid the
representation of the majority and thus it could help in the progress of society.

The representation of the majority is the representation of the working class who have struggles which encompass
a nationalist solution. Given this, the second irrelevant idea of Rizal would be a nationalist sentiment to oppose the
indolence fostered in Filipinos, especially in the working class. According to Rizal in his article, Indolence of the
Filipinos, “The lack of national sentiment brings another evil, moreover which is the absence of all opposition to measures
prejudicial to the people and the absence of any initiative in whatever may redound to its good”. Yes, indolence is still
fostered today because of the class struggles preserved like famers not being able to garner the fruits of their own labor
because they are not given the property of the land they cultivate. However, land owners are no longer necessarily friars or
Spaniards. In more general terms, The upper class exploiting the working class, which leads to indolence of the exploited,
are no longer or not necessarily the foreign invaders. If nationalism is argued to be a sentiment for the common good
within a country, I assert that the common good must be achieved through organization of the oppressed which should
happen internationally.

On the other hand Rizal’s general idea that indolence is the effect of “backwardness, by fostering the development
of a lamentable predisposition” is still evident as of today. This means that the conditions existed before the indolence.
Till this day capitalism fosters indolence as it limits a worker who does not bear the fruits of his/her own labor. Similarly,
as seen in Rizal’s Letter to the Women of Malolos, the conditions existed first. The submissive nature of women was a
result of the Religious backwardness. However, Rizal urged women to aspire beyond this conditioning on women as they
are the ones responsible to “open the minds of men” who will be the hopes of a better future. This idea of Rizal which is
essentially to have women be active participants in society by encouraging them to be critical and not ignorant is still
relevant as of today for them to be liberated and ultimately, the entire society. The only backward or irrelevant idea in the
letter was its focus on the motherhood role of women because nowadays, it is important for women to have a choice on
their own bodies because they themselves could directly contribute to society.