Activity 4: Past and Present (Group of 4)

Juxtapose your observations about the contemporary society with what

Rizal saw in late nineteenth century Philippines. In the second column
on the table below, write Rizal’s observations about the aspect
mentioned. In the third column, write your own observations of present-
day conditions. You can mention specific examples.

Rizal’s Observations Your Observations in

Aspect of
as the Present
Philippine
Depicted in the Context
Society
Noli Me Tangere
Because we have a voting
According to Rizal, the
system that gives us the
government and officials at the
flexibility to make our own
time were Spanish friars who
decisions, today's government
had only been appointed by
Government and leaders are a great
Spanish colonizers. Abuses
officials improvement over Rizal's day.
committed by Spanish
They no longer abuse their
authorities and friars after the
power excessively. The only
establishment of colonial
thing they have in common
control.
with Spaniards is corruption.
In comparison to all other
non-governmental sectors, we
The church was established in
can now conclude that the
the past by Spanish friars who
church is performing its duties
Church and colonized us while abusing
exceptionally well. In terms of
Religion their authority as the nation's
religion, nothing has changed;
rulers. They brought their
we still adhere to the
faith, which is Catholicism.
Catholicism that the Spaniards
introduced to us.
The most valuable possession
a person may have, in my
Rizal understood the
opinion, is education.
significance of education in the
Education Considering that it is the one
growth of the nation and its
treasure that cannot be taken.
citizens.
And knowledge itself is a
force.
It was more of a planned The ability to select
marriage during the time of what and who we want to
Rizal. Because it was not marry exists now in the 21st
Courtship
common in his day for lovers century. In the era of Rizla, it
to get married, it depends on was the complete opposite.
social standing.
 When it comes to the Catholic
Church's exploitation,
violence, and abuses, the
wealthy and powerful behave
as accomplices, blind agents,
Rich and poor and executioners. People who
were poor among the
colonized were like phantom
figures. The rich continue to
get richer while the poor
continue to get poorer.
As a result of the extreme
injustice that humanity at the
time had toward women,
Rights of Women
women's voices were ignored
and their pride and dignity
were lost.
Before, marriage was
accomplished by agreements,
and love wasn't really a factor.
Marriage They are unable to choose
their spouse since, in most
cases, their parents decide
who they will wed.
The wealthy, who hold
authority, oppress the poor.
The poor and innocent are
being held accountable for
wrongdoing. The rich continue
to get richer while the poor
continue to get poorer. The
instability won't end as long as
they (the wealthy) remain in
power.
Now that a legislation
protecting women's rights has
been passed, women are
now free to speak out in favor
of their rights.
Nowadays, we still value
marriage, but we also value
our individual rights much
more, which is why we may
now select who we want to
marry. Even though it
sometimes occurs, arranged
marriages are less common
today. Nowadays, we still
value marriage, but we also
value our individual rights
much more, which is why we
may now select who we want
to marry. Even though it
sometimes occurs, arranged
marriages are less common
today.