Chapter 3: Lesson Posttest

I. Review of Knowledge

Criteria Jose Rizal Apolinario Isabelo de los Claro M. Recto

Mabini Reyes

Background of He was born in Mabini was born Isabelo de los He was born on
the social Calamba, in July 23, 1864 Reyes was born February 8,
thinker Laguna on 19th in Talaga, on July 7, 1864 1890 in
of June, 1861. Tanauan, in Vigan, Ilocos Tayabas,
Jose Rizal Batangas. He Sur. He finished Quezon. Recto
pursued finished a bachelor’s finished his
medicine on University of degree in San bachelor of arts
UST and he Santo with a law Juan de Letran degree at the
finished his degree, before College, and he Ateneo de
degree in a serving as the obtained his Manila, and the
university in prime minister masters in masters of Law
Madrid. He has and Secretary of University of at the UST. He
written a lot of Foreign Affairs Santo Tomas. was the legal
literary works, in of the 1st He founded the adviser of the
which he was Philippine first Spanish- Senate for four
known for. He Republic. Iloko newspaper years. He was
founded La Apolinario in the elected as
Solidaridad, a Mabini was also Philippines, the congressman of
publishing appointed as the El Ilocano. Batangas thrice.
organization that chief adviser of And in 1931, he
included Rizal’s President Emilio became a
most Aguinaldo in Senator of the
outstanding 1898. Republic of the
articles. Philippines.

Social and In Rizal’s works, Mabini’s Isabelo was Recto believes

political he gave major philosophies involved in a that our
thoughts by the attention to the define the roles variety of topics, government
social thinker Filipino people. of human, consisting of should be
He provided government, and different democratic and
details regarding God. According elements in the should dispose
Filipino talents, to him, in order society. Initially, foreign policies.
abilities, and to remove the he has passion He is also an
rights. Most of remnant of the for journalism, author of law
his writings colonization, we so he started a books that
consisted of have to change newspaper witness his
systematic our manners and company. De victories in a
errors in the renew our los Reyes is also judicial court.
Spanish colonial thoughts. a fan of Filipino Claro presented
society. He culture, so he his ideas
didn’t have much compiled his logically, with
 political thought, studies and proofs and
for he was more created a lot of supported
involved with the books. He was claims.
social issues in involved in
the Philippines. Iglesia Filipina
Independiente,
so he also
became an
unofficial
theologian.

Major thoughts Rizal also played Apolinario Isabelo founded Recto presented
and/or a big role in Mabini stated a federation that that the
contribution to explaining the the rights and gave equal Philippine
Filipino society Spanish roles of Filipino attention to government,
and the colonization era citizens, and common loyal and
development of that existed in how we should laborers. He enthusiastic, will
the indigenous the Philippines. honor the cultivated the be the start of
social sciences His works Philippine idea of labor corruption, which
encouraged the government. His protection and in fact, really
frail hearts of the ideas helped the rights and union- happened years
Filipinos during nation to start organizing after he left
the reign of the anew after the activities. He active politics.
colonizers. Spanish era. also initiated the He gave great
first celebration emphasis on the
of Labor’s Day difference of
on May 1, 1902. domestic and
foreign affairs.

II. Essay

1. How do we characterize a social thinker? How does an individual become a social

thinker?
- A social thinker possesses the qualities of an intellect, a person who extensively
analyzes and interprets situations. Social thinkers are very sensitive in a way that
they can understand the feelings of people towards him/her easily. They are
people who’s gifted with sharp senses, so they can detect changes in the
surroundings. In order to become a social thinker, it’s essential that we have the
capabilities to interact with society, so we could immerse ourselves with their
situation. When processing information, we have to distinguish how a simple
element reacts with one another figuratively.

2. Explain how Jose Rizal criticized the Spanish colonial society during the
nineteenth century.
- Dr. Jose Rizal is known to be a critic of the Spanish colonial society, based on
the evidence seen in his works, especially on his two famous novels, Noli Me
Tangere and the El Filibusterismo. He provided abstract thought of the
 hypocrisies of the Spaniards as they took over our nation for hundreds of years.
Rizal also hated the Spanish’ view on social status, where the foreigners used to
call the poor as “Indios”, while they call the richer families “Principalia”. While the
ruling class, also including pure-blood Filipinos, swarm in the corrupt riches of the
government, the Indios suffer from the cruelty of the Principalia and the high
officials. According to Rizal, the Spanish colonial society took advantage of the
Filipinos’ weakness and lack of knowledge to use it to gain from their abuses.

3. Why is Apolinario Mabini called the Brain of the Revolution?

- Mabini, as the first President’s adviser, was chosen to be in such a position, because of
his intelligence. Apolinario Mabini is a witness of the Spanish colonial actions, so he is
aware of the hardships that the Filipino suffered under the ruling class. This knowledge
gained his insights on how to fight for our independence as a colonized country.
Moreover, he is one of the heroes who promulgated the Revolution, through his works.
His pamphlet “El Verdadero Decalogo” was read by the nation, and that very decalogue
consists of the rights of the citizens under the name of faith. Mabini’s writings impressed
the President, therefore, urged the Philippine revolutionary government to suppress the
reign of the colonizers.

4. Explain the nationalist ideals of Claro M. Recto.

- Claro Mayo Recto, is a certified nationalist, proven by his articles when he was
involved in the field of law and politics. Claro’s ideas molded the “desired
government” we should obtain. Although his writings were opposed by some
politicians, whom Recto described as “corrupt officials”. With years serving the
judicial court, Recto was entangled with the businesses of the foreign colonial
government. He was once tried for treason, but his treatise that highlighted the
Americans as “enemies” won him in the legal battle.

5. How did Isabelo de los Reyes contribute to the development of socialism,

ethnology, and history in the Philippines?
- Isabelo de los Reyes is a fan of Philippine history and ethnology. Through his
works, we can tell that Isabelo developed enthusiasm in native topics that tackle
our culture. His work ‘El Folk-lore Filipino’ is said to be a collection of subjects
that consists of all social and political sciences, including pages about culture,
religion, art, and politics. He was also arrested by the Spanish government due to
the accusation that Isabelo is a part of a secret revolutionary organization, the La
Liga Filipina. Later on, he reveals that he had made financial contributions to the
group.