REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES

Laoang Campus
Laoang, Northern Samar
Email: ueplaoang2000@gmail.com

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
THE PHILIPPINES : A
8 CENTURY HENCE
(OTHER POSSIBLE TOPICS:
LETTER TO THE WOMEN OF
MALOLOS/ THE INDOLENCE

OVERVIEW

In this last module we will discuss Jose Rizal essay the ―Indolence of the
Filipino People‘‘ and legacy to Filipino women is embodied in his famous essay entitled, ―To the
Young Women of Malolos,‖ where he addresses all kinds of women – mothers, wives, the unmarried,
etc. and expresses everything that he wishes them to keep in mind. Also in this module we will tackle
the difference between the ―bayani and kabayaniha‘‘ .

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Specifically, after learning the module, you are expected to:

 Assess Rizal‘s Writings


 Appraise the values of understanding the past

 Interpret views and opinions about bayan/kabayanihan in the context of Philippine history and
society.

 Assess the concepts of bayani and kabayanihan in the context of Philippine Society.
 The Indolence of the Filipino People
Background
Sobre la indolencia de los filipinos ("On the Indolence of the Filipinos" in Spanish) is a socio-
political essay published in La solidaridad in Madrid in 1890. It was written by José Rizal as a response
to the accusation of Indio or Malay indolence. He admits the existence of indolence among the Filipinos,
but it could be attributed to a number of reasons. He traces its causes to factors such as the climate and
social disorders. He defends the Filipinos by saying that they are by nature not indolent, because in fact,
even before the arrival of Spaniards, Filipinos have been engaged in economic activities such as
agriculture and trade. Indolence therefore has more deeply rooted causes such as abuse and
discrimination.

Main Points of the Essay

1. Indolence is not only laziness but little love for work and lack of energy.
2. Man is not a brute nor a machine so indolence is natural.
3. Indolence is not the cause of backwardness is the result of indolence.
4. The cause of indolence are climate, Spanish colonization, and Filipinos own fault.
5. The indolence of the Filipinos is the result of the following reasons:
a. Spanish policies like forced labor and taxation without representation
b. Religion
c. No motivation for work
d. Gambling

6. The solution to indolence are proper training and sense of nationalism.

The Philippines A Century Hence

Background
The Philippines A Century Hence contain the predictions of Jose Rizal about the Philippines
100 years before its publication. He published the essay on September 30, 1889 under the La
Solidaridad .

Main Points of the Essay

1. Using the past to understand the present thus predicting the future.
2. Filipinos have lost confidence in their past, lost faith in the present, and lost their hope in the
future.
3. The Filipinos will still be under Spain if they will implement the freedom of the press and the
Filipinos has representation in the Spanish Cortez.
4. If the reforms are not implemented then a spirit of nation rises and thus, a revolution is highly
positive

Letter to the Young Women of Malolos

Background
 The Letter to the Young Women of Malolos was written by Dr. Jose P. Rizal as fulfillment of
the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar to commend the young women of Malolos who fought for their rights
for education.

On December 12, 1888, the committee of 20 young women of Malolos expressed their desire to
acquire education. They wrote a letter of request to Governor Valeriano Weyter and petition to establish
a night school.

The young ladies were:

1. Cecilia Tiongson 11. Teresa Tantoco

2. Merced Tionson 12. Maria Tantoco
3. Aleja Tiongson 13. Rufina Reyes
4. Agapita Tiongson 14. Leonisa Reyes
5. Filomena Tiongson 15. Olimpia Reyes
6. Paz Tiongson 16. Juana Reyes
7. Feliciana Tiongson 17. Elisea Reyes
8. Anastacia Tiongson 18. Alberta UJi-Tangloy
9. Emilia Tiongson 19. Eugenia M. Tanchangco
10. Basilia Tiongson 20. Aurea M. Tanchangcp

Jose Rizal And The Philippine Nationalism: Bayani And

Kabayanihan

BAYANI AT KABAYANIHAN
 The word ―Bayani‖ or hero in Filipino is someone who saves somebody‘s lives. However, this
word carries a deeper context wherein only those people who are willing to suffer and sacrifice
themselves for the good of the country are worthy enough to be called as such. Being called a
hero requires a greater act of bravery.

 Dr. Jose P. Rizal was a man of intellectual power and artistic talent whom Filipinos honor as
their national hero (Szczepanski, 2019). Rizal is not only admired for possessing intellectual
brilliance but also for taking a stand and resisting the Spanish colonial government. While his
death sparked a revolution to overthrow the tyranny, Rizal will always be remembered for his
compassion towards the Filipino people and the country. Another remarkable hero that we all
know is Andres Bonifacio. The Kataas- taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak
ng Bayan or KKK played a huge role in the revolt of the Filipinos against the Spaniards. In the
center of that revolution was its founder, Supremo Andres Bonifacio. Furthermore, according to
Vallejo Jr., (2010), Filipinos also remember General Antonio Luna as a brilliant,
brave soldier and tactician of the second phase of the Revolution and the proverbial hothead but
never as the excellent scientist. He has no epitaph but perhaps his words before leaving exile in
Europe for Manila are apt: ―I will fight and offer my life, my small knowledge and science for
the liberation of the Motherland.‖

 What does it take to be a hero? The heroism in real life does not require someone to sacrifice
his or her life to be called a bayani. The people what we set up as heroes are people that
generally go above and beyond in terms of the call of duty, they do things that are extraordinary.
 The act of heroism is debatable to some people however, for any hero, it‘s enough just knowing
they helped someone else. That‘s what makes them a true hero.

 The American decided for him a national hero at their time in the country. It is side that the
Americans, Civil Governor William Howard Taft; chose Jose Rizal to be the national hero as
strategy. Rizal didn‘t want bloody revolution in this time. So they wanted him to be a ― good
example‖ to the Filipinos so that the people will not revolt against the Americans. Rizal became
a National Hero because he passed the criteria by being National Hero during the American
period.

Adding that Rizal passed the criteria for National Heroes:

1. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and
struggle for the nation‘s freedom. In reality, however, a revolution has no end.
Revolutions are only the beginning. One cannot aspire to be free only to sink
back into bondage.
2. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system or life of freedom and
order for a nation. Freedom without order will only lead to anarchy.
Therefore, heroes are those who make the nation‘s constitution and laws. To
the latter, constitution are only the beginning, for it is the people living under the
constitution that truly constitute a nation.
3. The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in
history, but of the entire process that made this particular person a hero.

Jose Rizal and Philippines Nationalism: National Symbol

Rizal as a National Symbol

Symbols express thoughts that are represented by things. Those things are conventionally
associated with meaning that made them called to be symbols. There are 2 types of symbols: either
officially or traditional, National symbols represent and distinguish a certain country from other country. It
also somehow unites it‘s people and provoke some sense of nationalism.

The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines defined that national
symbols represent the country‘s traditions and ideals that also convey the principles of the Philippine
sovereign (self-governing state) and national solidarity (unit). According to NCCA, official national
symbols of the Philippines are the following: Philippines national flag, Lupang Hinirang, sampaguita,
narra, Philippine eagle, Philippine pearl and aims. However, there is also a list of our country‘s unofficial
but traditional national symbols: anahaw, mango, carabao or tamaraw, bahay kubo, bangus, tinikling or
cariῆosa and adobo or sinigang.
Dr. Jose Rizal is the country‘s well-known national hero but nonetheless belongs to the unofficial
national symbol category. However, this does not make him less of a symbol of the Philippines. Rizal‘s
name elicits the name of our country internationally. The monuments built by people in countries where
he had been and his books in foreign libraries bear the name of the Philippines.
According to Dr. Esteban De Ocampo, no other Filipino Hero can surpass Rizal. He said that his
birthdate and day of his execution are constantly commemorated by the Filipino people. Rizal‘s name is
a byword and his picture are evident in the postage stamps and the one-peso coin. Numerous towns,
barrios and streets were named after him as wells as educational institutions, societies and trade
names. Some people were even named ‗‘Rizal‘‘ or ‗‘Rizalina‘‘ by their parents because of their
adoration to Jose Rizal. He also emphasized that Rizal as the Filipino writer whose teachings and noble
thoughts are frequently invoked and quoted by authors and public speakers on most occasion and it is
because according to Rafael Palma, the doctrines of Rizal are not for one epoch but for all epochs and
they are today as they are valid yesterday.

Values Highlighted by Rizal‘s Life

The following are the values of Rizal as a National symbols:
1. Nationalism
Nationalism desires to attain freedom and political independence especially by a
country under foreign power. Jose Rizal‘s life works, and writings radiates this value.

2. Patriotism
Patriotism denotes proud devotion and loyalty to one‘s nation.

3. Faith in God
When Rizal was studying in Madrid, Spain, Rizal through his letters assured his
mother of his faith in God.

4. Love of Fellowmen
Rizal‘s thought on love for our fellowmen is biblical and timeless.

5. Love of Parents
Rizal‘s love for his parents is great and very admirable.

6. Devotional to Truth
Rizal‘s persevering search for truth in serving his country was a motivating virtue.
7. Purity and Idealism
Rizal was guided by his ideals and he was extraordinary in the purity of his thoughts.
8. Noble Thought and Conduct
Rizal‘s works and writing promoted good conduct, clean conscience, and upright
thinking.

9. Charity
All his sacrifices for his country were charitable acts for his fellowmen.

10. Dedication to duty

Dedication was one of Rizal‘s virtues; he dedicated his whole life in securing
freedom for his country.

11. Moral Courage

The moral courage that Rizal had signified is worth imitating by our present
leaders.

12. Willpower
This strong determination of Rizal, allowed him to express his ideas and wills through
calmness and peace.

13. Integrity
This refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.

14. Sincerity
 Rizal‘s sincerity is manifested in his acceptance that whatever he possessed he owed
them to God who had planned a duty he had to carry out.

15. Self-Denial
The self-denial of Rizal involved self-sacrifice and altruism.

16. Perseverance
This value let him show his strength in meeting and enduring pain, adversity, and
peril.

17. Discipline and Self-Control

Rizal used reason to determine his actions regardless of his desires. In fact. He
deprived himself of many unsound pleasures.

18. Initiative
The ability to assess and initiate things of independently.

19. Prudence
This is care, caution, and good judgment, as well as wisdom in looking ahead.

20. Chivalry, Courtesy, and Politeness

Rizal was an ideal gentlemen, one of the qualities of being was an ideal gentlemen,
one of the qualities of being a chivalry. In addition, he was always ready to help the
weak or women.

21. Frugality
He also showed the quality of being economical with money and any other resources; in
simple way, thriftiness.

22. Love for Justice

Rizal found his joy in being just and in fighting for justice.
ASSESSMENT 1

1. What is the difference between Bayani and Kabayanihan?

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the differences of western concept of hero and Filipino concept of Bayani?
_________________________________________________________________________________
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3. How does Rizal and his works relate to Philippine nationalism?

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

4. Who made Rizal our Foremost National Hero?

ASSESSMENT 2

1. How does Rizal define indolence?

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_________________________________________________________________________________

2. Do you agree with Rizal‘s presentation of our pre-colonial history? why or why not?

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_________________________________________________________________________________

3. Why did the Spaniards brand us as indolent?

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_________________________________________________________________________________

4. Why did the Spaniards brand us as indolent?

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_________________________________________________________________________________
Required Readings:

 Virlyn Francisco, Paul Micah Francisco, Rex Oliver T. Papel, MAT., Rizal: A Modular Approach
Bsed On The New Ched Curriculum ., Rm. 108, ICP Bldg., Recoletos St., Intramuros, Manila:
Mindshapers Co., Inc. 2018

https://www.scribd.com/document/481750286/JOSE-RIZAL-AND-THE-PHILIPPINE-
NATIONALISM-BAYANI-AND-KABAYANIHAN



References:

 Virlyn Francisco, Paul Micah Francisco, Rex Oliver T. Papel, MAT., Rizal A Modular
Approach Bsed On The New Ched Curriculum., Rm. 108, ICP Bldg., Recoletos St.,
 Intramuros, Manila: Mindshapers Co., Inc. 2018
https://www.scribd.com/document/481750286/JOSE-RIZAL-AND-THE-PHILIPPINE-
NATIONALISM-BAYANI-AND-KABAYANIHAN