Why did the Spaniards brand us as indolent?

Long before the Spanish arrived, Filipinos were a hard-working, industrious people. The
Spanish reign brought about a decline in economic activity due to a number of circumstances.
Rizal cites a number of possible causes for the decrease in the cultural and economic standing
of the Filipinos. Conflicts, insurrections, and invasions have disrupted the villages on a regular
basis. The level of destruction has never been higher, and there has been global pandemonium.
In addition, several Filipinos were sent abroad to fight in battles or go on missions for Spain.
This has caused a decrease in population. In order to build ships, many men have been
deployed to shipyards.

How did Rizal and the other Filipino scholars defend the Filipinos against this
labeling from Spain? Why?

He argues for the Filipinos' defense by saying they are not inherently lazy and that they were
involved in economic pursuits like farming and trade long before the arrival of the Spaniards.
Indolence has deeper roots, including abuse and discrimination, inaction by the government,
systemic corruption and red tape, false religious beliefs, and poor examples from some
Spaniards who lead indolent lifestyles, all of which have weakened Filipino values.