Let’s have a little background of the Philippine History.

1521 The Colonial Era

The Philippine Islands were first discovered by Europeans when Portuguese explorer
Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521 to assert the land for Spain. Lapu-Lapu, a native
leader, defeated him there at the Battle of Mactan, and he died as a result.

1542 The Philippines

The archipelago is asserted by a Spanish expedition led by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, who
names them Philippines in homage to Prince Philip, later King Philip II of Spain, and thus
the Philippines get to be a part of the Spanish Empire.

1570 Controlling the Country

Martin de Goiti was dispatched to Luzon in 1570 on the orders of Legazpi, who had seized
possession of the Maynila Kingdom. Legazpi then altered the Philippines' capital from
Manila to Manila. He also gave Luzon the new title of Nueva Castilla. The
country's Legazpi was the first governor-general. Manila has become the headquarters
of the entire Spanish East Indies, and the archipelago served as Spain's administrative
center. a base in the east

Now, let’s see how things changed for the Philippines during the 19th century.

1830 –1835 World Market (Manila)

Pasqual Enrile y Alcedo (13 April 1772 – 6 January 1836), a native of Cádiz, Spain, was
the Spanish governor-general of the Philippines from December 23, 1830 to March 1,
1835.[1] He was among the most illustrious rulers of the archipelago, on account of his
ability, uprightness, and zeal for the public welfare. Enrile was especially active in building
highways and providing other means of communication to bring the inland and the
maritime provinces into communication with each other.

1835-1837 Chamber of Commerce

PEDRO ANTONIO SALAZAR CASTILLO Y VARONA—Native of Ibrillos (Rioja), and
military officer; comes to Manila with appointment as segundo cabo; becomes governor
(ad interim), September 9, 1835; royal council of Spain and the Indies abolished by royal
decree, September 28, 1836; by the promulgation in Madrid (June 18, 1837) of the
political constitution of the Spanish monarchy, the Philippines lose their representation in
the Cortés; term as governor, September 9, 1835-August 27, 1837.
1837–1838 Manila as an Open Port
ANDRÉS GARCÍA CAMBA—Knight of the Order of Santiago, and mariscal-de-campo;
captured with royal army at battle of Ayacucho, Peru, December 9, 1824; residence in
Manila April, 1825-March, 1835; receives royal approbation to appointment as
commander-in-chief of military forces at Manila, May 22, 1826; appointed director of La
Sociedad Económica de Amigos del Pais; elected to represent the Philippines in Spanish
Cortés, 1834; appointed secretary of war (ad interim), August 15, 1836; elected to Cortés
to represent Lugo (but did not sit), October 2, 1836; arrives at Manila, August 24, 1837;
takes charge of government, August 27, 1837; given name of "El Deseado" ("the
desired"); is opposed politically and by the ecclesiastics; term as governor, August 27,
1837-December 29, 1838; after return to Spain, elected senator for Valencia; minister of
the marine, commerce, and government of the colonies, May 21, 1841-May 25, 1842.

1838–1841 Florante at Laura

LUIS LARDIZÁBAL—Arrives at Manila, December 26, 1838; enters upon government,
December 29 (Montero y Vidal) or 30 (Mas), 1838; first issue of weekly paper, Precios
corrientes de Manila ("Prices current in Manila") in Spanish and English, July 6, 1839;
province of Nueva Vizcaya created, 1839; project for monument to Magalhães on the islet
of Mactan submitted to supreme government, 1840; solicits recall; term as governor,
December 29, 1838-February, 1841; death at sea on return voyage to Spain.

1871 Governor General

Rafael de Izquierdo became Governor-General on April 4, and he put restrictions on
talking about politics and secularizing the churches back in place. He also stopped arts
and trades from starting up in Manila and kicked out all natives and mestizos from the
civil and military service.

1872 Execution of GOMBURZA

Fathers Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora were accused of alleged
complicity in insurrection and were condemned to death by garrote in Bagumbayan Field
on February 17, 1872, by the Spaniards. They were executed by the garrote.

1873 Doña Teodora's imprisonment

Doña Teodora was imprisoned in 1871 and jailed for a period of two years after she made
a false accusation that Rizal's mother and uncle were attempting to poison her (1873). In
1873, after being compelled to have her defense presented in front of the Supreme Court
in Manila, she was found not guilty and freed. The reputation of the Rizal family, on the
other hand, had already been unjustly and irreversibly sullied, and this was something
that young Pepe was not going to forget.
1880 Guardia Civil
The most dreaded instrument for the summary arrest of persons labelled by friars as
Filibusteros and Erehes was the Guardia Civil.

1887 Noli Me Tangere

The novel "Noli Me Tangere" was penned by Jose Rizal, who is considered to be one of
the national heroes of the Philippines. It was published in 1887, and it voiced criticism
over the colonial rule that Spain maintained over the Philippines at the time.

1889 La Solidaridad
The Propaganda Movement was led by Jose Rizal, who also founded the newspaper La
Solidaridad. The newspaper was published in Spain as well as the Philippines, and it
served as the movement's primary means of communication.

1872-1892 Propaganda Movement

After the three priests became interested in the Spaniards, the Propaganda Movement
was established. Members such as Graciano López Jaena, publisher of La Solidaridad,
the movement's primary organ; Mariano Ponce, the organization's secretary; and José
Rizal, author of Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo; Mariano Ponce, the organization's
secretary; and Marcelo H. del Pilar were all prominent members.

1891 El Filibusterismo
- is the second novel written by Dr. Jose Rizal and it was a sequel to Noli Me tangere, it’s
a novel and a fiction that was published in 1891. The second and last novel completed
by José Rizal is a dark, brooding, at times satirical novel of revenge, unfulfilled love, and
tragedy, the Fili.

1892 (July 3) La Liga Filipina

La Liga Filipina was a group created by Doctor Jose Rizal on July 3, 1892, in the
Philippines. The aims were: To unite the whole archipelago into one society with equality
for Filipinos and Spaniards in the Philippines. The purpose of La Liga Filipina was to build
a new group that sought to involve the people directly in the reform movement.
1897 Katipuneros
An organization that considered Andres Bonifacio as the leader of the group, which
successfully fought the Spanish. Most of the members were Tagalog. They were
interested in the overthrow of Spanish rule and founded an organization following
Masonic rites and principles to organize armed resistance and terrorist assassinations
within a context of total secrecy.

1898 (May 19) Spanish- American War

U.S. victory in the war produced a peace treaty that compelled the Spanish to relinquish
claims on Cuba and to cede sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to
the United States. America's support for the ongoing struggle by Cubans and Filipinos
against Spanish rule, and the mysterious explosion of the battleship U.S.S. Maine in
Havana Harbor

1898 (June 12) First Philippine Republic

Philippine independence was declared, during the Spanish-American War, Filipino rebels
led by Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the Philippines after 300 years
of Spanish rule.

1898 Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American War and forced Spain to cede the
Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the United States.

1899 (February 4) Ratified Treaty

The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty, fighting broke out between American forces and
Filipino nationalists led by Emilio Aguinaldo who sought independence rather than a
change in colonial rulers.

1899 Philippine – American War

Emilio Aguinaldo promulgated a declaration of war against the United States of America
that begins the Philippine – American War.
 Conclusion
Philippines in 19th century

The nationalism in the Filipino citizens is already there because all the Filipino
wants are just what is best for their family and the country. In addition, the experiences of
feudalism and slavery of the Filipinos from the country’s colonizers. Thus, the incapability
of the Filipinos to be part of the highest class in their country for they are not educated
enough and are not wealthy enough to be. Hence, the rules and practices are set by the
Spaniard, as they are said to be the “master” in the slave-master relationship of the
Filipinos and the Spaniards.
As there’s an evident prejudice against the Filipinos, for discrimination against
lowest class are utilized. Hence, the accusations against Filipino citizens are made and
death is imposed as they are found guilty of alleged crimes or misdeed. Consequently,
the death of GOMBURZA triggered the Filipinos to fight for the country and their fellow
countrymen. Thus, the formation of the Propaganda Movement which is considered the
first nationalist movement led by a Filipino.
There are numerous people who fought for the country’s freedom. Dr. Jose Rizal
is already given for he fought for the country using his pen and paper, his works and
writings. Another one is Andres Bonifacio who led and founded Katipunan, together with
Deodato Arellano, Ladislao Diwa, Teodoro Plata and Valentín Díaz. In addition, the
propaganda movement that made the Spaniards attentive to their next move.
The idea and concept of nationalism within the Filipinos is already anticipated, it
just needs a little more push, motivation and preparation, for the Filipinos to be ready to
fight for the country and their fellow countrymen. Hence, the fight for the country’s freedom
is not as easy as a snap for lives, bonds and even trust are sacrificed.