THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL

ESSAYS OF RIZAL
By: Group 9

Baricuatro, Ihvy
Dela Pena, Chriza Mae
Lopez, Georgina
Pinero, Franchezka Fabiola
Tinaja, Marie Antonette

A Group Report Project from The Life, Works and Writings of Jose Rizal
Presented to Ms. Selene Corro
Central Mindanao University

BS PSYCHOLOGY 1A
November 2021
ESSAYS Written by Dr. Jose Rizal

 OTHER ESSAYS OF RIZAL

Amor Patrio (Love of Country)

 nationalistic essay, Rizal’s first article written on Spain’s soil -under his pen-
name Laong Laan, appeared in print in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882

 It was published in two texts—Spanish and Tagalog—the Spanish text was the one
originally written by Rizal in Barcelona, the Tagalog text was a Tagalog translation made
by M.H. del Pilar

“Los Viajes (Travels)”

 Rizal’s second article for Diariong Tagalog

“Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid)”

 Rizal’s third article written in Madrid on November 29, 1882 but returned to him because
the Diariong Tagalog had ceased publication for lack of funds

“Science, Virtue and Labor”

 Rizal’s only Masonic writing; a lecture which he delivered in 1889 at Lodge Solidaridad,
Madrid

“Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art)”

 Rizal wrote this scholarly paper in German which he read before the society in April 1887
 this paper was published by the society in the same year, and elicited favorable
comments from all scientific quarters
“La Visión del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of Fray Rodriguez)”
 pamphlet wrote by Rizal which published in Barcelona under his nom-de-plume Dimas
Alang in order to defense his novel
 In La Vision del Fray Rodriguez, Rizal demonstrated two things: (1) his profound
knowledge of religion (2) his biting satire

“Letter to the Young Women of Malolos”

 This essay was originally written in Tagalog. Rizal wrote this essay as a response to
Marcelo H. Del Pilar’s request.
 The essay is addressed to the 20 young women of Malolos, Bulacan; praising them for
their courage to establish a school where they can learn Spanish despite the opposition of
the Spanish priests in Malolos.
 It expressed Rizal’s yearning for women to be granted the same chances given to men in
terms of education.

“Specimens of Tagalog Folklore & Two Eastern Fables”

 (TEF) Rizal cited many similarities between the two fables in form and content. He
believed that this is because they had the same roots in Malay folklore
 He also noticed that both versions tackled morality as both involving the eternal battle
between the weak and the powerful. With the Filipino version having more philosophy
and plainness in form while the Japanese version had more civilization and diplomacy.

“The Philippines within a Country”

 A socio-political essay written by Jose Rizal and one of the most significant works of the
Filipino reform movement in Spain.
 The essay expressed his views on the Spanish colonization in the Philippines and at the
same time predicting the future of the country within a hundred years.
 It started with analyzing the various causes of miseries suffered by the Filipinos under
Spanish rule:
 Spain’s implementation of military policies - because of such laws, the Philippine
population decreased dramatically. Poverty became more persistent and the
farmlands withered. The family as a unit of society was neglected and the life of
Filipinos became retarded.
 Deterioration and disappearance of indigenous culture - when Spain came to the
country, along with it came the gradual destruction of the native Philippine
culture. Filipinos started losing confidence in their past and heritage, becoming
doubtful with their lifestyle, and eventually lost hope in the future and the
preservation of their race
  Passivity and submissiveness to the Spanish colonizers - Spanish friars were one
of the most powerful forces that influenced a culture of silence among the
Filipinos.
 Rizal also questions whether Spain can prevent the progress of the Philippines. He wrote
that:
 Despite the efforts to keep people uneducated and ignorant, great Filipino minds
still emerged
 Keeping people impoverished also was fruitless since this allowed Filipinos to
desire for change
 And lastly, the Filipino race was able to survive wars and famine, and gradually
increased the population.
 Moreover, we know that what Rizal envisioned in his essay came true. After five decades
since Rizal’s death, the Philippines gained independence.

“The Indolence of the Filipinos”

 This logical essay rationally countered the accusations by Spaniard that Filipinos were
lazy during the Spanish reign.
 He argued that the Filipinos are innately hard working prior to the rule of Spaniards,
noting that they were wise with their work especially with the tropical climate in the
country.
 In fact, the Spanish colonization brought the decrease of productivity. He pointed the
causes to the following:
 Galleon Trade cut off the Philippines's connection with other countries -
decreased the economy of the country
 Spanish forced labor on Filipinos to work in public infrastructures - thus
abandoning their agricultural farms and industries
 Many Filipinos became landless and wanderers - since Spain did not defend them
against pirates and some even took their lands from them
 The system of education was impractical - as it was mainly about repetitive
prayers and nothing about academic and practical knowledge
 Spaniards were a bad example as negligent officials - they would come in late and
leave their offices early
 Gambling was established and promoted explicitly - by the Spanish government
official and friars
 Crooked system of religion discouraged natives to work hard - by teaching them
that it is easier for the poor to enter heaven
 Very high taxes were also discouraging - as a big part of the natives’ earning
would only go to the officials and friars
 Rizal concluded that the natives “indolence” were the end-product of the Spanish
colonization.
“Por Teléfono”

 This work shows Rizal’s cleverness and also his futuristic vision. Rizal had envisioned
overseas telephonic communication which had not happened yet at that time. It was after
12 years that the first radio-telegraph signals were received across the atlantic.

“Annotated Version of the Morga”

 He wanted to tell the Filipinos that our country has already existed even before Spain.
 Our ancestors also had an established and coherent writing system and language. He said,
and I quote, “Everything one desires can be expressed and spoken fully and easily, just
like our own Spanish alphabet.”
  ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN LA SOLIDARIDAD

HISTORY
February 15, 1889- Graciano Lopez Jaena the 1st editor of the patriotic newspaper called La
Solidaridad in Barcelona.
La Solidaridad- it served as the principal organ of the reform movement for six years. La
Solidaridad urged reforms in both religion and government in the Philippines, and it served as
the voice of what became known as the Propaganda Movement.
Aims of la solidaridad were as follows:
 to portray the deplorable situation of the Philippines
 to work peacefully for political and social reforms
 to oppose the evil forces of medievalism
 to advocate liberal ideas and progress
 to champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people for democracy and happiness

Contributors of La Solidaridad:
1. Graciano Lopez Jaena- Diego Laura
2. Marcelo H. Del Pilar – Plaridel
3. Dr. Jose P. Rizal – Laong-Laan
4. Mariano Ponce – Naning, Tikbalang, Kalipulako
5. Antonio Luna – Taga-ilog
6. Jose Ma. Panganiban – Jomapa
7. Isabelo de los Reyes
8. Eduardo de Lete
9. Jose Alejandrina
10. Pedro Paterna

ARTICLES/ESSAYS
 Rizal wrote articles for La Solidaridad during his sojourn in Brussels, in defense of his
oppressed people and to point out the evils of Spanish rule in the Philippines.
“A La Defensa” (To La Defensa)
 written on April 30, 1889-
 this was a reply to an anti-Filipino writing of a Spanish author Patricio de la Escosura
which was published by La Defensa on March 30, 1889.

“La Verdad Para Todos” (The Truth For All)

 May 31, 1889
 Rizal’s defense against the Spanish charges that the native local officials were ignorant
and depraved.

“Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo”

June 15, 1889
in this article, Rizal exposes Barrantes’ ignorance on the Tagalog theatrical art.

“Una Profanacion” (A Desecration/Profanation)

 July 31, 1889
 a bitter attack against the friars for denying Christian burial to Mariano Herbosa in
Calamba because he was a brother-in-law of Rizal. Herbosa, husband of lucia (Jose’s
Sister) died of cholera on May 23, 1889.

“Verdades Nuevas” (New Facts/Truths)

 July 31, 1889
 a reply to Vicente Belloc Sanchez’ letter published in La Patria, Madrid newspaper, on
July 4, 1889, which asserted that the granting of reforms in the Philippines would ruin the
“peaceful and maternal rule” of the friars.
“Crueldad'' (Cruelty)
 August 15, 1889
 a brilliant defense of Blumentritt from the scurrilous attack of his enemies

“Diferencias” (Differences)
 September 15, 1889
 This article countered the biased article entitled “Old Truths” which was printed in La
Patria on August 14, 1889. “Old Truths” ridiculed those Filipinos who asked for reforms.
“Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences)
 November 30, 1889
 The Spanish Pablo Mir Deas attacked Antonio Luna in the Barcelona newspaper “El
Pueblo Soberano” as a Rizal’s defense of Luna.

“Llanto Y Risas” (Tears and Laughter)

 November 30, 1889
 This article was a condemnation of the racial prejudice of the Spanish against the brown
race.

“Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude)
 January 15, 1890
 This article was the hero’s reply to Governor General Weyler who told the people in
Calamba that they “should not allow themselves to be deceived by the vain promises of
their ungrateful sons.” The statement was made as a reaction to Rizal’s project of
relocating the oppressed and landless Calamba tenants to North Borneo.

“Sobre La Nueva Ortografia De La Lengua Tagala” (On The New Orthography of The
Tagalog Language)
 April 15, 1890
 He expressed his advocacy of a new spelling of Tagalog. He laid down the rules of
the new Tagalog orthography and, with modesty and sincerity, gave the credit for the
adoption of this new orthography to Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, author of the
celebrated work “El Sanscrito en la Lengua Tagala” (Sanskrit in the Tagalog
Language) published in Paris, 1884.

Rizal’s retirement in La Solidaridad

-Simultaneous with Rizal retirement from the Propaganda Movement, Rizal ceased writing
articles for La Solidaridad.
• Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad, it was because of several reasons:
(1) Rizal need to work on his book
(2) He wanted other Filipinos to work also
(3) Rizal considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work
(4) Marcelo H. del Pilar is already at the top and Rizal also have his own ideas, it is better to
leave del Pilar alone to direct the policy
 August 7, 1891- M.H. del Pilar wrote to Rizal begging forgiveness for any resentment
and requesting Rizal to resume writing for the La Solidaridad
  RIZAL’S ESSAYS IN HONGKONG

“Ang Mga Karapatan Nang Tao”

 which is a Tagalog translation of “The Rights of Man” proclaimed by the French
Revolution in 1789
 The French Revolution gave us the metric system and, along the way, the blueprint for
the abolition of monarchy and its replacement with a constitutional, republican regime.
And one of its seminal documents was the Declaration of the Rights of Man.
 It’s interesting that Jose Rizal set out to translate the Déclaration des Droits de l’homme
et du citoyen du 26 août 1789 into Tagalog, which clearly suggests he felt it to be one of
those seminal documents necessary for the public instruction of the citizenry. According
to Ambeth Ocampo, it’s in Escritos Varios or Escritos Politicos de Rizal, under the title
Manga Karapatan ng Tao.

“A la Nacion Española” (To the Spanish Nation)

 Rizal wrote in 1891
 an appeal to Spain to right the wrongs done to the Calamba tenants

“Sa Mga Kababayan” (To my Countrymen)

"My countrymen, I have given proofs that I am one most anxious for liberties for our country,
and I am still desirous of them. But I place as a prior condition the education of the people, that
by means of instruction and industry our country may have an individuality of its own and make
itself worthy of these liberties."
 another proclamation written in December, 1891 explaining the Calamba agrarian
situation
 Rizal saw the many injustices suffered by his fellow Filipinos: they depended on the
religious corporations or on big landowners, for land to till, or for their living; people
were afraid of airing their grievances or of talking or protesting against the friars or the
government, in short, there was no real freedom of the press or speech. Most Filipinos
lacked the privilege of education, and its resultant benefits, or if they did have education,
this was the obscurantist kind generally propagated by the colonialist policy, which not
only kept Filipinos in the dark about their rights, but worse, had molded them into an
abject, submissive people ignorant or worse, ashamed of their own proud heritage, a
 heritage that existed even before the arrival of the Spaniards. Finally, Rizal realized that
the Philippines had not been consistently represented in the Spanish parliament. For
Rizal, this was the root of the absence of justice in the country, or of their being deprived
of basic rights.

“The Hong Kong Telegraph”

 a British daily newspaper whose editor is Mr. Frazier Smith, a friend of Rizal
 Rizal contributed articles to this newspaper
 published in 15 February 1892
 The Hong Kong Telegraph published the letter of Rizal signed Philippines in which he
denounced the vandalistic actions of the friar manager of the Dominicans in destroying
the houses of those who refused to pay the exorbitant rentals demanded of them in
Calamba.
 He went into self-imposed exile in Hong Kong in the fall of 1891. During his first year,
he befriended many of the city’s leading luminaries including the editor of the Hongkong
Telegraph. He used the newspaper to continue his advocacy for Filipino rights,
publishing several articles that slipped past government censors in the Philippines and
reached an audience starved for dissenting voices. He was arrested en route to Cuba and
eventually executed by the Spanish authorities in Manila. A plaque in Hong Kong’s
Central district commemorates Rizal’s brief, but industrious, stay in the city.

“Una Visita a la Victoria Gaol” (A Visit to Victoria Gaol)

 Victoria Prison, or Victoria Gaol, was the first and longest-running prison to date in Hong
Kong. It is located on Old Bailey Street in Central, Hong Kong Island. Victoria Prison
has been redeveloped into a cultural and shopping destination generally called Tai Kwun.
Tai Kwun is composed of three declared monuments: the former Central Police Station,
former Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison.
 During his brief stay in Hong Kong in 1892, Jose Rizal accompanied his Portuguese
friend, Dr. Lorenzo Marques, on a medical visit to Victoria Gaol, the city’s penitentiary.
Because Marques was the prison physician, Rizal was welcomed and allowed to move
freely. And like any other curious visitor, he recorded his experience in the prison.
 Rizal described the prison cells as dark, scarcely lighted by a window with closed blinds.
Many of the prisoners were Chinese, punished through a meager diet of rice and water,
and consequently debilitated by diarrhea.
“Colonisation du British North Borneo, par de Familles de Iles Philippines” (Colonization
of British North Borneo by Families from the Philippine Islands)
 an article in French which Rizal elaborated on the same idea in aonther article in Spanish,
“Proyecto de Colonizacion del British North Borneo por los Filipinos” (Project of the
Colonization of British North Borneo by the Filipinos)
 This was Rizal’s elucidation of his pet North Borneo colonization project.
 The colonization project of Rizal in Sabah was a response to the Calamba’s land crisis
which all started when Governor-General Terrero released a directive for the
investigation of the friar estates to resolve the agrarian problems on the collection of land
taxes and tenancy. Rizal was requested by the tenants of Calamba to conduct an
investigation on hacienda owned by the Dominicans in Calamba and he submitted it to
the Governor-General for appropriate actions. He found out that the hacienda of the
Dominican Order comprised not only the lands around Calamba, but the whole town of
Calamba.

“La Mano Roja” (The Red Hand)

 Rizal wrote in June , 1892, which was printed in sheet form in Hong Kong
 it denounces the frequent outbreaks of intentional fires in Manila

“Constitution of La Liga Filipina”

 On the night of July 3, 1892, at a house in Tondo, Rizal founded and inaugurated La Liga
Filipina.
 The objectives of La Liga Filipina was to build a new group that wanted to involve the
people directly in the reform movement. The league was mainly a form of mutual aid and
self-help for the Filipino society by distributing scholarship and legal aid, loaning capital
and setting up cooperatives. The league also wanted to support the Filipino émigré’s in
Europe. They did help the émigrés by sending them money to allocate money to pay the
expenses of their reformers in Spain who were waging a campaign to obtain political
concessions from the Mother Country.
 According to Jose Basa, Rizal conceived a plan of forming a patriotic league, the La Liga
Filipina, whose aims were the following:
- To unite the whole archipelago into one compact, vigorous, and homogenous
body;
 - Mutual protection in every want and necessity;
- Defense against all violence and injustice;
- Encouragement of instruction, agriculture, and commerce; and
- Study and application of reforms. (Yoder, n.d.)

 Constitution of La Liga Filipina included various league officials, dues, and other
obligations of members. In order to implement two of the aims of the League, Rizal
planned to develop a school in Hongkong and an agricultural colony in Borneo. He drew
up plans of the school, including the building plans, the curricula of studies, financing of
the school, and admission and fees of students, as well as the administrative and faculty
staff. He even invited Professor Blumentritt, his Austrian friend, to be the head of the
school (Alip, 1961).

Jose maria basa- he originally conceived La Liga Filipina

Domingo Franco-a friend of Rizal in Manila whom the copies of the printed Liga constitution
were sent