Iniego, Armando M. Jr.

BSIT 4A

“The 19th Century Philippines Reflection”

19th Century was called the Age of Enlightenment, but for the Filipinos it is one of the
darkest part of our past. Spaniards rule the Philippines and oppress Filipinos for a long time.
We’ve been under extreme privation and sufferings. There’s injustice, social and racial
discrimination, abusive economic system, cruel way of church, and government corruption.
We can’t even fight for our right because we have no room in court, can’t even vocalized
opinions because we will be punished when we talk. They see Filipino’s specially those who
are in the bottom of their so-called social hierarchy slaves and fools, no right to own land,
no right to speak, and no rights for education. Large amount of taxes is being collected and
reforms promised to the Filipino people isn’t meet. Official who are supposed to be there
to maintain peace and order abuse their powers and brought violence to the people. Friars
who are supposed to strengthen faith in religion and God are greedy and vicious individuals.
Justice that’s supposed to be for everyone is served only to those who are in the upper class
of social hierarchy. Law that’s supposed to cover and followed by all people of the state can
be bought by power and money. That’s how cruel the Spanish government is during 19th
century. That’s how helpless Filipino people is during their reign.

19th Century is the sickening phase of our colorful past. The past we shouldn’t bury
and forget, because although it’s painful to recall these times. It is also the part of the
history that reminds us how Rizal, other propagandist and heroes fought hard to get back
our freedom, to get back our rights as a Filipino people, to get back our peace, and to get
back the land that is rightfully ours. That is the times where true sense of nationalism arise.
19th Century is the time that Rizal showed us that knowledge and mind is a one great
weapon, that if properly use the pen is really mightier than any sword in the world.