Chelzzy Gavienne R.

Labordo December 20, 2018

BSCEN GEC 109 – 15F

The Philippines a Century Hence

(A Reflection)

"The Philippines a Century Therefore" is an essay written by Jose Rizal, to

predict the Philippines future after a hundred years. Rizal thought it was time to remind
Spain that the circumstances which led to the French Revolution could have a
significant impact also on her in the Philippines.

This essay analyzes the different causes of the miseries experienced by the
Filipino people: (1) the implementation of Spain on its military policies – because of
such laws, the population in the Philippines decreased drastically. Poverty became
more widespread than it is before, and farmlands were left to wither. The family as a
unit of society was neglected, and overall, every aspect of the life of the Filipino was
retarded. (2) Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino indigenous culture – when
Spain came with the sword and the cross, it began the gradual destruction of the native
Philippine culture. Because of this, the Filipinos started losing confidence in their past
and their heritage, became doubtful of their present lifestyle, and eventually lost hope in
the future and the preservation of their race. (3) Passivity and submissiveness to the
Spanish colonizers – one of the most powerful forces that influenced a culture of silence
among the natives were the Spanish friars. Because of the use of force, the Filipinos
learned to submit themselves to the will of the foreigners.

Regardless of all these difficulties experienced by the Filipino, they have

eventually realized that such oppression in their society by foreign colonizers must not
be tolerated. Despite all the attempt of the Spanish colonizers to hinder all
advancements by the Filipinos, keeping them uneducated and in poverty, still national
consciousness had awakened and they even found solutions in spite of their difficult
way of life. Filipinos are known to be “maparaan” or resourceful, that is why wherever or
whatever situation you place them, they would always find ways to maneuver that
situation. Spain, therefore, had no means to stop the progress of the country. What she
needs to do is change her colonial policies to meet the needs of the Philippines and the
growing nationalism of the people. Because the more oppressive she is, the more
rebellious the people becomes.

What Rizal had envisioned in his essay came true. In 1898, the Americans
fought with Spain in order to win the Philippines, and eventually took over the country.
They reign with democracy and liberty. The Philippines gained her long-awaited
independence, five decades after Rizal’s death. This was in fulfilment of what he had
written in his essay: “History does not record in its annals any lasting domination by one
people over another, of different races, of diverse usages and customs, of opposite and
divergent ideas. One of the two had to yield and succumb.”
Chelzzy Gavienne R. Labordo December 5, 2018

BSCEN GEC 109 – 15F

To the Young Women of Malolos

(A Reflection)

"To the Young Women of Malolos," a famous essay written by Jose Rizal where
he speaks to all kinds of women – mothers, wives, unmarried women, etc., and
expresses all he wants them to remember.

In Rizal’s letter, he pointed out several things such as: (1) the unholiness of the
friars wherein not all embodied the true spirit of Christ and His Church. Most of them are
materialistic and would use force to change and discipline the people; (2) the ignorance
of the Filipinos; (3) the qualities Filipino mothers must have; (4) the duties and
responsibilities of mothers to their children and wives to their husbands; (5) and to
counsel the young women on their choice for the right man for them.

Jose Rizal was very impressed by the fighting spirit shown by the young women
of Malolos. He expresses great joy and satisfaction in his letter about the battle they had
fought. In his letter, it is clear that his ultimate wish was that women should have the
same educational opportunities as men because during those times education was in a
poor state. Not everyone could have one especially young girls, thinking that it is
pointless because of the idea that they would soon be taken only as wives and stay at
home to take care of the children. However, Rizal stressed the freedom of thought and
the right to education, which both boys and girls must be granted.

As what I've read, Rizal points out how men and women are unequal before in
terms of education. Men are allowed to attend school while women were not because
they should take care of their children. Also, Rizal highlights the duties and
responsibilities of a mother to her children and a wife to his husband. As a mother, she
should be raising a child that is honest in act and deed, sincere and firm in purpose, has
clear judgement, has love for his fellowmen and respect for God. She should raise her
children with ways she deemed is right and not because someone told her to do so. A
mother should be a good image to her children because for whatever a mother shows to
her children is what the children will also become. As Rizal stated, if the mother is
always kissing the hand of the friars in submission, then her children will grow up to be
mindless fools who would do nothing but do as they are told, even if the very nature of
the task would violate their rights as individuals. This particular situation reminds me of
what my mother would always tell me whenever we do something bad or that would
disappoint her. She would often say “I did not raise you that way.” According to her,
every time we would think of doing something we should always question ourselves
“How will this reflect my family?” because whatever you do is a reflection of the people
that surrounds you. So if you act a certain ways, you are also showing what the
attitudes of the people you’re with. A mother’s role is really vital in the upbringing of her
children because it shapes what they would become.

Rizal also gave advice to young women in choosing the right man for them. They
should not focus on the appearance but on what’s beyond that. It should be someone
who is noble and has an honoured name, someone who has a manly heart willing to
offer protection to her weaknesses, and someone who has high spirits incapable of
being satisfied with engendering slaves. It think this advice is relevant right now since
nowadays most teenagers focus on the facial appearance than the attitude of their
suitors or partners. They don’t care whether their suitors/partners have good manners
as long as their appearances have passed their standards. With this, Rizal reminds us
to choose our partners wisely and not be blinded by the physical aspects of it.
Chelzzy Gavienne R. Labordo December 5, 2018

BSCEN GEC 109 – 15F

The Town Schools in the Philippines

(A Reflection)

The Town Schools in the Philippines is part of the miscellaneous writings of Dr.
Jose Rizal which was published by the National Historical Commission of the
Philippines (1992). In this essay, Rizal exposed the depressed conditions of the town
schools in the Philippines, in terms of physical conditions, curriculum, methods and
principles of teaching.

In this essay whose original in Spanish is titled “La Instruccion”, the national hero
Rizal evaluates the elementary instruction given in the town schools established under
the provision of the Educational Decrees of 1863 and offers proposals for its
improvement.

In this essay, Rizal observed that the Spanish-administered education in the

Philippines is poor and lacking, that it would not have a useful results for the students.
For instance, he pointed out that there was a problem with the use of Spanish as the
mandated medium of instruction which the natives had a hard time of understanding.

In terms of their physical condition, the location of the town schools were only in
the major towns which means not everyone can have an access to it. It is also evident
that the schools lack in furniture as the schools were made of nipa and bamboo and
some even were residential houses. In some towns, even the barracks, the jail and town
hall becomes a temporary school. Facilities are not enough like libraries and other
resources to supply a student’s needs. These physical conditions obviously hinder the
students from being motivated to learn.

The curriculum is very limited offering and only offers the following: reading,
writing, and arithmetic for both boys and girls. Girls were given extra lessons in sewing
and household craft, where they excel the most.
 The methods of teaching have the following features: (1) emphasis in
memorization. The students are just memorizing the entire page without understanding
what it says. This doesn’t teach the students how to read and comprehend; (2) the
curriculum is not extensively taught to the students. In arithmetic for example, students
are taught the principal arithmetic operations but they are never taught in a practical
way nor are given other problems to practice solving. They only knew the basics thus
easy for them to forget; (3) the mediums of the instruction was Spanish. Rizal
discourages this because the students doesn’t understand it well enough; (4) Boys are
separated from girls.

Upon reading the essay, I realized that I should give more worth and priority to
my studies because I am lucky enough that my parents could afford to send me to a
better school. A school that has the appropriate facilities wherein a child can learn. In
the past, children have a hard time pursuing their studies because of various reasons.
One of that is due to the lack of financial support, children cannot attend school
because of the fact that their parents cannot afford it, but now that is not the case since
the government made all state universities tuition-free. With this, more youth will have
the chance to attend school and we won’t have any reason why we shouldn’t take our
education seriously.
Chelzzy Gavienne R. Labordo December 17, 2018

BSCEN GEC 109 – 15F

Reflections on the Philippine Sand the Filipinos

(A Reflection)

In this satirical piece, Jose Rizal correctly explains our Filipino mind, which is still
the dominant mind of the so-called educated native Filipino, now. Amazingly, he
accurately depicted what was going on in the mind of the illustrados back then. Jose
Rizal even put himself on their shoes to show how their mind set works and how badly
they want to only save their own selves in the middle of crisis or whatever trouble they
were facing. When asked what the advantages of being an anti-friar, Rizal’s answer was
“nothing really.” I expected his answer to have an opposite follow up but instead, he
cultivated the idea by saying “…I find it silly and imprudent.” On one point he even
seemed to agree with the Spaniards that they refused to teach Spanish.

When asked if a massacre of the friars possible in the Philippines, if it is possible

to slaughter similar to that occurred in Spain thirty years ago, he answered that “No”
adding that “a Filipino never attacks one that is unarmed, one who is defenseless.” A
Filipino does not start the attack if one is not yet ready. He even added that “the Indio
may be stupid, simple fanatical, and whatever one may say but he always retain a
certain gentlemanly instinct.” One must be very, very offended to start an assassination,
massacre, or anything similar.
Chelzzy Gavienne R. Labordo December 6, 2018

BSCEN GEC 109 – 15F

The “Ultimo Adios” as Rizal’s Autobiography

(A Reflection)

Mi Ultimo Adios was the farewell poem of Rizal that originally had no title and
was unsigned. The poem was originally written in Spanish. This was believed to be
Rizal’s last will because he wrote it on the night before he was executed. Rizal hid the
paper containing the poem in a burner he used in his cell which was later given to his
sister Trinidad.

Mariano Ponce had the poem published in Hong Kong and gave it the title “Mi
Ultimo Pensamiento”. Father Mariano Dacanay, a Filipino priest, gave the poem the title
“Ultimo Adios”. So the poem came to be known as “Mi Ultimo Adios” or “My Last
Farewell”.

Through this poem, Rizal was giving his last message to his countrymen. In here,
he was requesting for his people, for us, not to forget him. That he, offering his life was
the best way he could show his love for our country. That even if the situations were
different, he would still gladly offer his life for the country. Even if he was about to die, he
didn’t feel any resentment instead he challenged us, Filipinos, to also serve and love
our country. Rizal hoped that his death would not be pointless and that it would serve as
an inspiration to everyone. He encouraged the youth to continue to dream and fulfil it.

The poem "Mi Ultimo Adios" was the patriotic goodbyes of Jose Rizal, first to his
country, to his family and, above all, to the Heavenly Father. To our country, the
Philippines, he said, ‘Gladly now I go to give thee this faded life’s best.’ He tried to
comfort his parents and love ones with these lines: ‘I go where there are no slaves, no
hangmen, no oppressors; Where faith does not slay, where he who reigns is God.’ The
last line of the poem says: ‘In death there is rest!’ Rizal wholly gave his life for our
country, the least we could do is to love, serve and protect its independence.
Chelzzy Gavienne R. Labordo December 16, 2018

BSCEN GEC 109 – 15F

Rizal in the 21st Century

The Relevance of His Ideas and Texts

(A Reflection)

Rizal believed that the lack of national sentiment was the cause of the numerous
ill of the Philippine colonial society. Rizal’s criteria for identifying these problems, how to
eliminate or prevent their recurrence in the Philippine society, remain compelling for
many more years to come.

In Professor Renato Constantino’s ‘Our Task to Make Rizal Obsolete’ (1959), he

stated that the importance of Rizal's ideas lies in their valid applicability today and in
their inspirational value. That not only Rizal described the negative characteristics of
someone and the social problems during his time, he also pointed out ways for its
regeneration. Moreover, the fact that the characteristics and problems described by
Rizal during his time still manifest to this day, indicates that he is still speaking of the
present. Professor Constantino further emphasize that the task is to ‘make Rizal
obsolete’. This does not mean that we should forget about Rizal, instead he added that
‘only when we have realized Rizal’s dream can we really appreciate his greatness
because only then will we realize the great value of his ideal…’ that a reorientation of
our ways of life and of our thoughts with regard to being nationalistic will we be able to
achieve the dream of Rizal and at the same time make these goals obsolete because
‘the dream will have become a reality.’

The characters on the novels of Jose Rizal each represents something in our
society. They depict the truth that surrounds us. But aside from the characters being
portrayed by living persons, they can also be viewed as representations of cultural and
social institutions. For instance, the educational problem in the country is represented
by the school teacher in Noli Me Tangere.; domestic and accompanying social ills is
represented by Sisa; chronic agrarian conflicts in the country is represented by
Cabesang Tales, and so on. Rizal aimed to point out what was wrong with the
individuals and institutions during his time, which is still present up to this day, and
proposed solutions to solve them.

Rizal always put emphasis on the importance of national sentiment. That the
absence of it, together with the lack of education, affected the indolence among the
Filipinos. Furthermore, demonstration of the following results in the lack of national
sentiment: First, when a person feels that his nativeness is inferior of other. When he
became a victim of colonial mentality. Second, when a person fails or refuses to oppose
any government measures even if it brings harm to the people. When you turn a blind
eye against the injustices. The best character that fits the first descriptions are Capitan
Tiago and Donya Victorina, while Señor Pasta and Basilio fits the second description.

The mere fact that Rizal’s ideas are still relevant up to this age and time is a clear
indicator that what he described as problems during his time is still present up to this
day. He pointed out that the lack of ability of an individual to surpass its own personal
interest is due to ‘one’s amor propio or self-love or false love.’ And this was symbolized
by some of the main characters in Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

Rizal claimed that his main purpose was to awaken among the Filipinos ‘a
consciousness of the past’. To be aware of the common past and ancient culture. That
before they were colonized, they would know that they were a part of history. Once they
have set aside their feeling of inferiority, the sense of unity among Filipinos would grow,
thus showing a component of national sentiment.
Chelzzy Gavienne R. Labordo December 16, 2018

BSCEN GEC 109 – 15F

Rizal’s Attitude towards the Friars

(A Reflection)

The English word “friar” and its Spanish equivalent “fraile” are derived from the
Latin “frater” meaning “brother.” It is a term applied to certain religious orders whose
members are designated with the title “Brother”; in Spanish “fray.” The term refers to the
members of four religious orders (cuatro corporaciones religiosus). The Augustinians
were the first missionaries in the Philippines followed by the Franciscans, and then the
Dominicans and the fourth were the Augustinian Recollects (Recolectos). The secular
clergy and the Jesuits and the “Paules” (or Vincentians) are not called “friars”.

The Anti-Friar Movement in the Philippines did not start as anti-Catholic or anti-
clerical. Also, it was not an anti-Spanish movement. It was started by clergymen and not
by laymen. It was mainly friars versus secular clergy and friars versus bishops. It was
mainly caused by the controversies within the ranks of the Catholic clergy themselves.

As early as 1872, the anti-friar movement had begun to gain momentum. Though
it was halted when the public execution of GOMBURZA and the banishment to the
Marianas of Leading Filipinos occurred, it showed signs of revival a decade later. Even
before Rizal arrived in Madrid, there was already an anti-friar feeling among Spanish
anti-clerical groups and among the Pilipino community in Spain. Way before Rizal,
Graciano Lopez Jaena already made speeches and articles criticizing the defects of the
Spanish administration in the Pihippines and the power the friars have. This was
followed by an anti-friar article by Rizal, then by Marcelo H. Del Pilar being one of the
leaders of the renewed anti-friar movement in the Philippines.

Although, Rizal was out of the country, he was blamed to have organized The
Anti-friar Manifestation of 1888. And this won’t make it a surprise as to why he was
blamed for the 1896 Revolution that broke out in Luzon even though he was in exile in
Dapitan.

Rizal’s attitude towards the friars must have stemmed from his experiences
during his youth days. The imprisonment of his mother, the fact that his brother,
Paciano, had to drop school and to go in hiding to avoid the friars, and for them to
change surname into Mercado to avoid troubles with their connection to Father Burgos
must have made an impression to him that is difficult to forget. But the primary reason
that must have strengthen his feelings towards the friars was the painful experiences
encountered by his family. These painful experiences are as follows: the blackmail case
involving his father, Don Francisco Mercado, and the vicar; the Pansol case; the
excessive “Canon”; and the Calamba eviction involving his family and of many of his
townspeople in Calamba.
Chelzzy Gavienne R. Labordo December 19, 2018

BSCEN GEC 109 – 15F

Dr. Jose Rizal’s annotations to Morga’s 1609 Sucesos De Las Islas Filipinas

(A Reflection)

Antonio de Morga, a Spanish conquistador, government official, and historical

anthropologist; author of Sucesos De Las Islas Filipinas (Events in the Philippine
Islands). He wrote the first lay formal history of the Philippines conquest by Spain. He
graduated from the University of Salamanca in 1574 and in 1578 attained a doctorate in
Canon Law. He taught briefly in Osuna, later returning to Sabmanca to study Civil Law.
In 1580 he pinned the government service, and was appointed in 1593 to Manila as
Lieutenant Governor, the second most powerful position in the colony, next only to the
Governor General of the Philippines. In 1598 he resigned from this post to assume the
office of oidor or judge in the Audiencia.

Sucesos De Las Islas Filipinas is one of the important works on the early history
of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines pulished in Mexico in 1609. It consists of
eight chapters wherein in Chapter 1 it is about Magellan and Legaspi’s seminal
expedition. Chapter 2 to 7 is about a chronological report on administration by Governor
General’s in the Philippines and in chapter 8 is about the Philippine islands, the
antiquity, customs and government of the inhabiting Natives. Morga’s purpose for writing
Succesos was so that he could write into account “The deeds achieved by our
Spaniards in the discovery, conquest and conversion of the Philippine Islands – as well
as fortunes that they have from time to time in the great kingdoms and among the
pagan peoples surrounding the islands.”

Sucesos De Las Islas Filipinas was annotated by Jose Rizal with a prologue
written by Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, as requested by Rizal. Rizal's purpose in
annotating the Sucesos was because he believes that "... little by little, they (Filipinos)
lost their old traditions, the mementoes of their past; they gave up their writing, their
songs, their poems, their laws, in order to learn other doctrines which they did not
understand, another morality, another aesthetics, different from those inspired by their
climate and their manner of thinking. They declined, degrading themselves in their own
eyes. They become ashamed of what was their own; they began to admire and praise
whatever was foreign and incomprehensible; their spirit was damaged and it
surrendered." He wanted to remind the Filipinos of their past and that there is more to
them than what was evident now. Moreover, Rizal was dedicated in seeking the truth.
He wanted to know exactly what the condition of the Philippines were when the
Spaniards arrived on the islands. He believed that the Spanish colonization was the
reason why the Filipinos have forgotten its rich tradition and culture.

Upon reading the annotation, one can really know what the Philippines is like
during the Spanish. Through this, one can also realize why the Philippines is what it was
during the time of Rizal.
Chelzzy Gavienne R. Labordo December 10, 2018

BSCEN GEC 109 – 15F

To the Philippine Youth

(A Reflection)

Jose Rizal wrote the poem “Filipino Youth," dedicated to Philippine youth. He
wanted the young Filipinos to use their skills, talents and abilities to stand out not only
for their own good and success, but also for the good and success of our own country,
the Philippines. Jose Rizal wanted the young Filipinos to build up their skills and to use
them to help the needy. Through this poem, Rizal also challenged the young people to
refine and nurture their talents in the arts, to strengthen and reinforce their knowledge of
science and to look forward to sharing their chain of servitude.

On the other hand, the message this poem tries to convey, “To the Filipino Youth”
is holding a very strong one; strong enough to persuade/induce those who are to be
persuaded/induced, the Filipino Youth. As one of those individuals, I could really feel the
nationalistic feeling within me glow brighter the moment I finished reading the poem. It
was like telling me that I am one of the existing hopes of our country and that through
my skills, abilities, expertise and knowledge of things, I am capable of protecting its
freedom against oppressive forces that may come through. Moreover, it was like telling
me that together with my co-youth, I am responsible for preserving the Philippines as a
nation for me and the rest of the Filipinos and not for the foreigners.

Lastly, based on what I felt when I was reading the poem and the emotions that
were expressed on each of the poem’s line, as to the sincerity of the poem, I considered
“To the Filipino Youth” as indeed a work from the heart with no pretension, no
boastfulness, no haughtiness and no plasticity. You can really feel the eagerness that
Jose Rizal wanted everyone to have consisted.