1. Make a critique paper regarding Rizal’s Manifesto.

Additionally, mention the

overall theme of this reading.

In Rizal’s manifesto, he said that he will refrain from commenting on something

that could no longer be remedied. I do not agree with this idea because there are a
lot of people that were willing to listen and wanted to hear the clarifications from him.
He had the chance to clear his name way earlier than the issue spread out but
chose not to. He then said that he opposed the idea of rebellion because it is
disastrous, but then when the uprising happened, he offered his life for his fellow
countrymen. He sacrificed his name in order to think about any opportunities to
smoothen the rebellion. His desire for freedom led him to fight for it.

2. Provide some explanations why Rizal personally opposed the

revolution/rebellion/uprising of 1896 (overall, three [3]).
a. Rizal believed that violence should not prevail. A successful reform should
come from above. He failed to have empathy with the people from the people
in the sidelines in beginning a rebellion with violence.
b. He believed that education and hard work was a way for the Filipinos to
deserve the freedom they needed.
c. He thought than people at that time are not ready for supreme right of
revolution.
3. Although never mentioned specific personalities in this Manifesto, pinpoint at
least three (3) persons you personally feel were responsible for Rizal’s current
woes and his subsequent disapproval of the revolution/revolt/uprising. Elaborate
your respective claims.
a. Dr. Pio Valenzuela, he supported Rizal’s idea in opposing the revolution but
revised his story saying that Rizal was not against the revolution but told the
Katipuneros to wait for the right timing.
b. Andres Bonifacio, he sent Pio Valenzuela to Rizal to ask for advice about the
uprising and asked for approval in launching rebellion against the Spanish.
4. Cite some instances (overall, three [3]) from this Manifesto from which Rizal
enumerated his guidelines of obtaining reforms.
a. “But I laid down as a prerequisite the education of the people in order that by
means of such instruction, and by hard work, they may acquire a personality
of their own and so become worthy of such liberties.”
b. “I have also written (and my words have been repeated by others) that
reforms, if they are to bear fruit, must come from above, for reforms that come
from below are upheavals both violent and transitory.”
c. “In my writings I have recommended study and the civic virtues, without which
no redemption is possible.”

5. After reading this Manifesto, why do you think there are still people who believe
Rizal was/is either a revolutionary and/or a “traitor” to the 1896 revolution? Give
three examples with explanations.

a. People thought Rizal as traitor because he wanted the reforms to be asked

peacefully from the country’s colonizer, Spain. The country was colonized for
333 years and for the country to stay being colonized was not ideal for the
country’s growth.
b. He believed that education is the key to have the freedom. The Filipinos were
suppressed to be literate in the Spanish language. More likely the Filipinos
was forced to learn Spanish and their culture resulting to some of our culture
being neglected.
c. He believed that separation would be unavoidable if Spain did not respond to
reform demands, which he saw as the only basis for the two countries'
continued relationship. This separation, he believed, could be achieved
through revolution.
References:

Jose Rizal and the revolution. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. (2015,
September 4). Retrieved July 18, 2022, from https://nhcp.gov.ph/jose-rizal-and-the-
revolution/#:~:text=He%20repudiated%20the%20revolution%20because,class%20to
%20which%20Rizal%20belonged.

Rizal's stand on freedom. Filipinas Heritage Library | Rizal's Stand on Freedom. (1970,
September 15). Retrieved July 18, 2022, from
https://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/articles/rizals-stand-on-freedom/

Did Rizal favor the revolution? A criticism of the Valenzuela memoirs. The Kahimyang
Project. (2014, May 26). Retrieved July 18, 2022, from
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1667/did-rizal-favor-the-revolution-a-
criticism-of-the-valenzuela-memoirs

Philippines - history background. StateUniversity.com. (n.d.). Retrieved July 18, 2022,

from https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1197/Philippines-HISTORY-
BACKGROUND.html