Lesson 2: Conditions of the Philippines in the Advent of Rizal

 Economic Condition
What do you notice?
 There is already an existing MARKET life that time.
 The first notable observation at the time was Manila and is regarded as an
“open zone.”
- Holding influences on culture, language, and communication.
- Being an open zone, few Chinese people were in the Philippines during
the early times of the Spaniards colonization.
- They were required to pay high taxes and restrictions are imposed on
them such as they could not travel to other parts of the island.
- Marrying a woman and being baptized to Catholicism permitted the
Chinese to enjoy privileges and incentives. This result on the birth of
mestizo.
- Chinese population increased and commercial activities were controlled
by the Chinese traders which pose alarm to the government and they
employ taxation control and conversion to protect their own interest.
- Contributory in becoming economically independent middle-class
entrepreneurs was the strife from domestic to export agricultural
production during the mid-19th century opened opportunities for Filipino
middle classes for gainful profit as well as the influx of machinery and
consumer goods from the west country, it enabled them to send their
children to higher educational institutions like letran, san jose, and santo
tomas even in Spain.
- The strategy used by the mestizos proved effective and brought fortune
to their families, they were proficient merchants.
- They founded a strong retail connection in the cities and provinces in the
island.
- The Chinese mestizos continued to dominate the race and from the Iraq
ascended a hero that is now Dr. Jose Rizal.
 Political Condition
 Cadis Constitution of 1812
- It was important event because it participated by the delegates coming
from the Philippines
- It is the earliest constitution of Spain and embraced the principle of free
thinking and equality of all the citizens.
Does it cover the rights of the Filipino living in colony?
- Ventura De Los Reyes Y De la Serena was the representative of the
country in this assembly raised concerns on improving the condition in
the country
- He stood up for reforms that will serve the interest of all inhabitants in
the country
 - Liberalism in Europe also brought important change in the Philippines.
The political struggle between the liberals and the conservatives inspired
the natives and creoles to claim equality with the Spaniards
- Launching of suez canal in 1869 resulted from easy voyage between
Spain and Philippines hence, Spanish bureaucrats were able to stay
longer and practice corruption
- The Guardia Civil become oppressive, they extort and bully farmers for
the social condition
 Social Condition
 Social Stratification

- Middle class composes of Principalia, Spanish mestizo, and Chinese

mestizo who were usually elected Gobernadorcillo or mayors today
- Indios are the lower-class natives, laborers, and workers in the field they
were reserved and loyal to their masters
- Although middle and lower class have different economic and political
status, they were bound by a common aspiration to be free from
colonizers

As a conclusion, Rizal will not be the Rizal that we know today if it is not for the social
condition of his time. He might not been to Europe if his family did not support him or let us
say he was not coming from a middle-class family.