Republic of the Philippines

North Eastern Mindanao State University

Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University (SDSSU)
Bislig Campus
Maharlika, Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur

9The Philippines:
A Century Hence

It’s been 126 years since Dr. Jose Rizal’s death, turning 127 th this upcoming
December 30 2023. He’s been heralded as the Philippine National Hero due to his
tremendous contribution against the Spanish ruling by the use of his knowledge and
works. In his time, he made a lot of works that made the Filipinos awakened their
inner patriotism and nationalism on their beloved country to fight against the
Spanish colonization which made him earned the title of being the National Hero of
the Philippines but did you know? That Rizal’s works does not just entails about the
present things happening in his time in Spanish colonization but also tried to predict
the future of this country’s nation in a century? Come and Let’s find out the work of
Rizal entitled “Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años.”
Rizal’s “Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años” (translated as “The Philippines within One
Hundred Years” or “The Philippines A Century Hence”) is an essay meant to
forecast the future of the country within a hundred year it is a socio-political essay
written in four parts. This essay, published in La
Solidaridad of Madrid, reflected Rizal’s sentiments about the glorious past of the
Philippines, the deterioration of the Philippine economy, and exposed the foundations
of the native Filipinos’ sufferings under the cruel Spanish rule. It is one of the most
significant political works of the movement in Spain.
Rizal tracing the circumstances that brought about the awakening of the Filipino and
consequently the birth of the Filipino spirit of a nation. He underscores the need to
establish a new kind of political relationship between Spain and the Philippines if the
former does not wish a total break-up with the latter. Spain is being given a sort of
ultimatum: reform or independence. More importantly, Rizal, in the essay, warned
Spain as regards the catastrophic end of its domination – a reminder that it was time
that Spain realizes that the circumstances that contributed to the French Revolution
could have a powerful effect for them on the Philippine islands.
Part of the purpose in writing the essay was to promote a sense of nationalism among the Filipinos – to awaken their
minds and hearts so they would fight for their rights.

INSTRUCTOR: SIR CRISTIAN JOHN B. URTOLA, LPT

 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University (SDSSU)
Bislig Campus
Maharlika, Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur

CAUSES OF MISERIES
The first part of the essay entails about analyzing the various causes of the desolations suffered by the Filipino people
1. Depopulation caused by military campaigns
- Because of such laws and policies, the Philippine population decreased especially males being
recruited to military being away with families that can’t support by themselves
2. Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino indigenous culture
- Because of this, the Filipinos started losing confidence in their past and their heritage, became
doubtful of their present lifestyle, and eventually lost hope in the future and the preservation of their
race. The natives began forgetting who they were their valued beliefs, religion, songs, poetry, and
other forms of customs and traditions
3. Retardation and retrogression
- Education are rights given only to selected few. The tribal tutors were replaced by Spanish
mercenaries as well as the Church which made the education is relegion-oriented
4. Poverty and neglect of families because of male recruitment for militarism
- Male recruits are prioritized for military campaigns which lead to families unable to support and
sustain themselves
These are the various causes as to why Filipinos will eventually retaliate under his foresight prediction. The question
then arises as to what had awakened the hearts and opened the minds of the Filipino people with regards to their
plight. Eventually, the natives realized that such oppression in their society by foreign colonizers must no longer be
tolerated.
One of the questions of Rizal is if the Spaniards can exhibit growth and improvement against Filipinos despite the
abuses. Various reasons may affect growth progress but Rizal was optimistic despite the unfortunate situations.
Eventually, there will be still progress in the motherland and for those aspects, these are the following arguments he
made
1. Keeping the people uneducated and ignorant had failed. National consciousness had still awakened, and great
Filipino minds still emerged from the rubble.
2. Keeping he people impoverished also came to no avail. On the contrary, living a life of eternal destitution had
allowed the Filipinos to act on the desire for a change in their way of life. They began to explore other
horizons through which they could move towards progress.
3. Exterminating the people as an alternative to hindering progress did not work either. The Filipino race was
able to survive amidst wars and famine, and became even more numerous after such catastrophes. To wipe out
the nation altogether would require the sacrifice of thousands of Spanish soldiers, and this is something Spain
would not allow.
Rizal concluded that despite the pain, Filipinos will eventually grow and flourish as well as the country in their own
way. What needs to be done is to change her colonial policies so that they would suit the Philippine society and to the
rising nationalism of the people.
RIZAL’S FORECAST
What will become of the Philippines within a century? Will they continue to be A Spanish Colony? Spain was able to
colonize the Philippines for 300 years because the Filipinos remained faithful during this time, giving up their liberty
and independence, sometimes stunned by the attractive promises or by the friendship offered by the noble and
generous people of Spain.
In the early stage, Filipinos will see them as protectors but as time goes by, they will realize that they are exploiters
and abusers. This reason will eventually spark the heart and mind of Filipinos to the point of retaliation if Spain don’t

INSTRUCTOR: SIR CRISTIAN JOHN B. URTOLA, LPT

 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University (SDSSU)
Bislig Campus
Maharlika, Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur

change its acts which may lead to revolution. Filipinos want to have liberty as well as the freedom to exercise their
rights. If these aspects will happen, Filipinos will still be a colony of Spain but with more laws and greater liberty.
Similarly, Filipinos will declare themselves independent.
Rizal’s confidence of awakening the countrymen’s heart and mind regarding their plight is 100%. Though Rizal only
want liberty and not separation from the colonizer, he urges to set this country free though peaceful negotiations and if
not, he already prophesized that the Filipinos revolution against Spaniards winning independence sooner or later.
Though lacking in weapons and combat skills, the natives waged war against the colonizers and in 1898, the
Americans wrestled with Spain to win the Philippines.
Years after Rizal’s death, the Philippines attained its long-awaited freedom —a completion of what he had written in
the essay, “History does not record in its archives any lasting domination by one people over another of different
races, of diverse usages and customs, of opposite and divergent ideas. One of the two had to yield and succumb.”
This essay tells us that we are historically persevering and are strong minded. Those years of colonization served us a
valuable lesson that no matter how pain they inflict to us, our loved for our country is more than our own life.
Nationalism eventually thrived and many of the predictions of Rizal came true. The country became independent after
three centuries of abusive Spanish rule and five decades under the Americans.

CHALLENGES THAT CONFRONT THE FILIPINOS

The question of Filipino independence lies in the ongoing control of the economy by an elite oligarchy and the
widening gap between the rich and the poor. The country's national character is hindered by flaws in family,
education, and political leaders, which hinder its desired visions of competitiveness. These flaws include a lack of
appreciation for the rule of law and maintaining high standards of excellence. As a divided and fragmented people,
governance challenges include connecting with communities and using communication technologies to inform and
educate. Delays in peace talks indicate a lack of determination in establishing a more peaceful and stable social order.
Growing social and income gaps indicate the inability to forge a common bond with marginalized communities.
Communication technologies have been used to create chaos and spread fake news, but they are essential for
establishing a fairer, kinder society.

OTHER RELATED WRITINGS

Apart from Rizal’s essay on The Philippines: A Century Hence, he had also penned several other brilliant writings that
helped awaken the sense of patriotism among the early Filipinos, which paved the way for Philippine Revolution.
Discussed briefly below are the two other timeless writings:

SOBRE LA INDOLENCIA DE LOS FILIPINOS

(The Indolence of the Filipinos)
This is said to be the longest essay written by Rizal, which was published in five installments in the La Solidaridad,
from July 15 to September 15, 1890. The Indolence of the Filipinos is a study of the causes why the people did not, as
was said, work hard during the Spanish regime.  Rizal pointed out that long before the coming of the Spaniards, the
Filipinos were industrious and hardworking.  The Spanish reign brought about a decline in economic activities
because of certain causes:
First, the establishment of the Galleon Trade cut-off all previous associations of the Philippines with other
countries in Asia and the Middle East. As a result, business was only conducted with Spain through Mexico. Because

INSTRUCTOR: SIR CRISTIAN JOHN B. URTOLA, LPT

 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University (SDSSU)
Bislig Campus
Maharlika, Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur

of this, the small businesses and handicraft industries that flourished during the pre-Spanish period gradually
disappeared.
Second, Spain also extinguished the natives’ love of work because of the implementation of forced labor.
Because of the wars between Spain and other countries in Europe as well as the Muslims in Mindanao, the Filipinos
were compelled to work in shipyards, roads, and other public works, abandoning agriculture, industry, and commerce.
Third, Spain did not protect the people against foreign invaders and pirates. With no arms to defend
themselves, the natives were killed, their houses burned, and their lands destroyed. As a result of this, the Filipinos
were forced to become nomads, lost interest in cultivating their lands or in rebuilding the industries that were shut
down, and simply became submissive to the mercy of God.
Fourth, there was a crooked system of education, if it was to be considered an education. What was being
taught in the schools were repetitive prayers and other things that could not be used by the students to lead the country
to progress. There were no courses in Agriculture, Industry, etc., which were badly needed by the Philippines during
those times.
Fifth, the Spanish rulers were a bad example to despise manual labor. The officials reported to work at noon
and left early, all the while doing nothing in line with their duties. The women were seen constantly followed by
servants who dressed them and fanned them – personal things which they ought to have done for themselves.
Sixth, gambling was established and widely propagated during those times. Almost everyday there were
cockfights, and during feast days, the government officials and friars were the first to engage in all sorts of bets and
gambles.
Seventh, there was a crooked system of religion. The friars taught the naïve Filipinos that it was easier for a
poor man to enter heaven, and so they preferred not to work and remain poor so that they could easily enter heaven
after they died.

Lastly, the taxes were extremely high, so much so that a huge portion of what they earned went to the
government or to the friars. When the object of their labor was removed and they were exploited, they were reduced to
inaction.
Rizal admitted that the Filipinos did not work so hard because they were wise enough to adjust themselves to the
warm, tropical climate.

When the Filipinos wanted to study and learn, there were no schools, and if there were any, they lacked sufficient
resources and did not present more useful knowledge; when the Filipinos wanted to establish their businesses, there
was not enough capital nor protection from the government; when the Filipinos tried to cultivate their lands and
establish various industries, they were made to pay enormous taxes and were exploited by the foreign rulers.
However, it is also important to note that the indolence of the Filipinos did not only stem from the many factors
related to the Spanish colonizers. There are, how-ever, other factors attributable to the Filipinos themselves and these
are the following:
1. The feeling of inferiority is very much prevalent among the Filipinos. This paralyzes all possibilities for growth
and development, giving the Filipinos a tendency to give up without exerting extra effort.
2. With the antiquity of epics and legends in the country, the Filipinos have the propensity to place all hopes on
miracles. This is seen among the Filipinos who lead a contemplative and lazy life while giving money to the Church
in the hope of miracles and wonderful future ahead.

INSTRUCTOR: SIR CRISTIAN JOHN B. URTOLA, LPT

 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University (SDSSU)
Bislig Campus
Maharlika, Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur

3. The Filipinos have developed a lack of spirit to pursue lofty purposes. Since we have been conditioned as an
inferior race, Filipinos opt to conform to routine activities up to the point that they no longer aspire to become greater
individuals.
4. There is lack of national sentiment among many of us. Instead of being proud of what the country has achieved,
we sometimes tend to focus more on the negative situations. As Rizal puts its, “A man in the Philippines is only an
individual; he is not a member of a nation.”

In conclusion to his Essay, Rizal emphasized on the need for good education and liberty as the main solutions to
achieving progress in the Philippines, and in solving the problem of indolence.

LETTER TO THE YOUNG WOMEN OF MALOLOS

“To the Women of Malolos” was originally written in Tagalog.  Rizal penned this writing when he was in London, in
response to the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar.  The salient points contained in this letter are as follows:

1. The rejection of the spiritual authority of the friars – not all of the priests in the country that time embodied
the true spirit of Christ and His Church.  Most of them were corrupted by worldly desires and used worldly
methods to effect change and force discipline among the people.
2. The defense of private judgment
3. Qualities Filipino mothers need to possess – as evidenced by this portion of his letter, Rizal is greatly
concerned of the welfare of the Filipino children and the homes they grow up in.
4. Duties and responsibilities of Filipino mothers to their children
5. Duties and responsibilities of a wife to her husband – Filipino women are known to be submissive, tender, and
loving.  Rizal states in this portion of his letter how Filipino women ought to be as wives, in order to preserve
the identity of the race.
6. Counsel to young women on their choice of a lifetime partner

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF FILIPINO MOTHERS TO THEIR CHILDREN

Rizal stipulates a number of important points in this portion of his letter to the young women of Malolos.  The central
idea here, however, is that whatever a mother shows to her children is what the children will become also.  If the
mother is always kissing the hand of the friars in submission, then her children will grow up to be sycophants and
mindless fools who do nothing but do as they are told, even if the very nature of the task would violate their rights as
individuals.

QUALITIES MOTHERS HAVE TO POSSESS

Rizal enumerates the qualities Filipino mothers have to possess:

1. Be a noble wife.
2. Rear her children in the service of the state – here Rizal gives reference to the women of Sparta who embody
this quality
3. Set standards of behavior for men around her.

RIZAL’S ADVICE TO UNMARRIED MEN AND WOMEN

INSTRUCTOR: SIR CRISTIAN JOHN B. URTOLA, LPT

 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University (SDSSU)
Bislig Campus
Maharlika, Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur

Jose Rizal points out to unmarried women that they should not be easily taken by appearances and looks, because
these can be very deceiving.  Instead, they should take heed of men’s firmness of character and lofty ideas.  Rizal
further adds that there are three things that a young woman must look for a man she intends to be her husband:

1. A noble and honored name

2. A manly heart
3. A high spirit incapable of being satisfied with engendering slaves.
4.

SUMMARY

“To the Women of Malolos” centers around five salient points (Zaide &Zaide, 1999):

1. Filipino mothers should teach their children love of God, country and fellowmen.
2. Filipino mothers should be glad and honored, like Spartan mothers, to offer their sons in defense of their
country.
3. Filipino women should know how to protect their dignity and honor.
4. Filipino women should educate themselves aside from retaining their good racial values.
5. Faith is not merely reciting prayers and wearing religious pictures. It is living the real Christian way with
good morals and manners.

In recent times, it seems that these qualities are gradually lost in the way Filipino women conduct themselves.  There
are oftentimes moments where mothers forget their roles in rearing their children because of the overriding idea of
having to earn for the family to supplement their husband’s income.  Although there is nothing negative about
working hard for the welfare of the family, there must always be balance in the way people go through life.  Failure in
the home cannot be compensated for by any amount of wealth or fame.

INSTRUCTOR: SIR CRISTIAN JOHN B. URTOLA, LPT