UNIT 3:

THE WORKS OF RIZAL

https://www.rappler.com/voices/imho/reading-understanding-appreciating-jose-rizal
Module 7: Noli Me Tangere

OVERVIEW

In more than a century since its appearance, José Rizal's Noli Me Tangere has become widely
known as the great novel of the Philippines. A passionate love story set against the ugly political
backdrop of repression, torture, and murder, "The Noli," as it is called in the Philippines, was the
first major artistic manifestation of Asian resistance to European colonialism, and Rizal became
a guiding conscience—and martyr—for the revolution that would subsequently rise up in the
Spanish province. Written in Spanish and published in 1887, José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere played
a crucial role in the political history of the Philippines. Drawing from experience, the conventions
of the nineteenth-century novel, and the ideals of European liberalism, Rizal offered up a
devastating critique of a society under Spanish colonial rule.
The plot revolves around Crisostomo Ibarra, mixed-race heir of a wealthy clan, returning home
after seven years in Europe and filled with ideas on how to better the lot of his countrymen.
Striving for reforms, he is confronted by an abusive ecclesiastical hierarchy and a Spanish civil
administration by turns indifferent and cruel. The novel suggests, through plot developments,
that meaningful change in this context is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The following are the learning outcomes we are expected to achieve by the students at the end
of this module:
• Appraise important characters in the novel and what they represent; and
• Examine the present Philippine situation through the examples mentioned in the novel.
TEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF NOLI ME TANGERE
• Literally translated, the Latin words “noli me tángere” means, “touch me not”
• Taken from John 20:17 when Mary Magdalene holds on to Jesus and he tells her not to
touch him.
John 20:17 “Jesus said to her: “Stop clinging to me. For I have not yet ascended to the
Father. But be on your way to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father
and to your Father and to my God and your God.”
• The Noli me tángere can be regarded as a historical novel, as it has mostly fictional
characters but also historical persons like Father Burgos who lived in actual places within
a social system that was then typical of a colonized land.
• Contains 63 chapters and an epilogue.
• In the preface of his novel Rizal promises “to reproduce the condition (of the country)
faithfully, without discrimination”. He wants to sacrifice “to truth everything”.
• Rizal wrote in his dedication page in the Noli me tángere, “I will strive to reproduce thy
condition faithfully, without discriminations; I will raise a part of the veil that covers the
evil…”
• He clearly stated his intention of giving an accurate picture of the conditions in the
Philippines at the time, and this gives the reader a good idea what the main theme would
be.

SUMMARY
❖ It begins with a dinner given in honor of Crisostomo Ibarra by Capitan Tiago at his house
in Calle Anloague on the last day of October.
❖ Ibarra is a young and rich Filipino who had just returned after 7 yrs. of study in Europe. He
was the only son of Don Rafael Ibarra, friend of Capitan Tiago, and a fiancé of beautiful
Maria Clara, supposed daughter of Capitan Tiago.
❖ Ibarra upon his arrival, produced a favorable impression among the guests except for
Padre Damaso who was rude to him. In accordance with a German custom, he introduced
himself to the ladies.
❖ During the dinner, other conversation centered Ibarra’s studies and travels abroad. Padre
Damaso was in a bad mood because he had a bony neck and a hard wing of the chicken
tinola. He tried to discredit Ibarra’s remarks.
❖ After dinner, Ibarra left Capitan Tiago’s house to return to his hotel. On the way, the kind
Lieutenant Guevara told him the sad story of his father’s death in San Diego.
❖ On hearing about his father’s sad story, Ibarra thanked the kind Spanish lieutenant and
vowed to find out the truth about his father’s death.
❖ The following morning, he visited Maria Clara, his childhood sweetheart. After the romantic
reunion with her, he went to San Diego to visit his father’s grave.
❖ It was All Saint’s Day. At the cemetery, the grave digger told Ibarra that the corpse of Don
Rafael was removed by order of the parish priest to be, buried in the Chinese cemetery;
but the corpse was heavy and it was a dark and rainy night so that he (the grave-digger)
simply threw the corpse into the lake.
❖ Ibarra was angered by the grave-digger’s story. He left the cemetery. On the way, he met
Padre Salvi and in a flash, Ibarra pounced on the priest, demanding redress for desecrating
his father’s mortal remains.
❖ Padre Salvi told him that he had nothing to do with it for Padre Damaso, his predecessor,
was the parish priest at that time and was responsible for it. Convince of Padre Salvi’s
innocence, Ibarra went away.
Several interesting people Ibarra met in his town:
o Tasio the philosopher- the wise old man whose ideas were too advanced for his times
so that the people who could not understand called him “Tasio the Lunatic”.
o Spineless gobernadorcillo- catered the wishes of the Spanish parish friar.
o Don Filipo Lino- teniente-mayor and leader of the liberal faction in the town.
o Don Melchor- captain of the cuadrilleros. (town police)
o Don Basilio and Don Valentin- former gobernadorcillo who were prominent citizens.

❖ A most tragic story in the novel is the tale of Sisa, who was formerly a rich girl but became
poor because she married a gambler, and a wastrel at that. She became crazy because
she lost her two boys, Basilio and Crispin, the joy of her wretched life.
❖ Capitan Tiago, Maria Clara, and Aunt Isabel arrived in San Diego. Ibarra and his friends
give picnic at the lake.
❖ Among those present in this picnic were Maria Clara and her four girlfriends- Siñang,
Victorina, Iday, and Neneng; Aunt Isabel, Capitana Tika, Andeng, Albino, and Ibarra and
his friends. One of the boatmen was a strong and silent peasant youth named Elias.
❖ An incident of the picnic was the saving of Elias’ life by Ibarra.
❖ Another incident was the rendering of a beautiful song by Maria Clara who had a sweet
voice.
❖ After Maria Clara’s song, they went ashore. The luncheon was served, and everybody
enjoyed eating.
❖ After the meal, Ibarra and Capitan Basilio played chess and as Maria Clara and her friends
were enjoying the game “Wheel of Chance”, Padre Salvi came and tore the book into
pieces, saying that it was a sin to play such game.
❖ Shortly thereafter, a sergeant and four soldiers of the Guardia Civil suddenly arrived,
looking for Elias, who was hunted for (1) assaulting Padre Damaso and (2) throwing the
alferez into a mud hole.
❖ Fortunately Elias had disappeared, and the Guardia Civil went away empty-handed.
❖ During the picnic also, Ibarra received a telegram from the Spanish authorities notifying
him the approval of his donation of a schoolhouse for the children of San Diego.
❖ The next day Ibarra visited old Tasio to consult him on his pet project about the
schoolhouse. Tasio was pessimistic about the project of Ibarra. However, the construction
of the schoolhouse continued under the supervision of the architect called Ñor Juan.
❖ Meanwhile San Diego was merrily preparing for its annual fiesta, in honor of its patron saint
San Diego de Alcala.
❖ In the morning of the fiesta there was a high mass in the church, Padre Damaso gave the
long sermon, in which he expatiated on the evils of the times that were caused by certain
men, who having tasted some education spread pernicious ideas among the people.
❖ After Padre Damaso’s sermon, the mass was continued by Padre Salvi. Elias quietly
moved to Ibarra, who was kneeling and praying by Maria Clara’s side, and warned him to
be careful during the ceremony of the laying of the cornerstone of the schoolhouse
because there was a plot to kill him.
❖ Elias suspected that the yellowish man, who built the derrick, was a paid stooge of Ibarra’s
enemies.
❖ True to his suspicion, later in the day, when Ibarra, in the presence of a big crowd, went
down into the trench to cement the cornerstone, the derrick collapsed.
❖ Elias, quick as a flash, pushed him aside, thereby saving his life. The yellowish man was
the one crushed to death by the shattered derrick.
❖ At the sumptuous dinner that night, a sad incident occurred. The arrogant Padre Damaso,
speaking in the presence of many guests, insulted the memory of Ibarra’s father.
❖ She introduced to Capitan Tiago’s young Spaniards, Don Alfonso Linares de Espadaña,
cousin of Don Tiburcio de Espadaña and godson of Padre Damaso’s brother in law.
 ❖ Linares was a penniless and jobless, fortune hunter who came to the Philippines in search
of a rich Filipino heiress. Both Doña Victorina and Padre Damaso sponsored his wooing
of Maria Clara, but the latter did not respond because she loved Ibarra.
❖ The story of Elias like that of Sisa, was a tale of pathos and tragedy. He related it to Ibarra.
❖ Elias roamed from place to place, looking for his sister. He heard later that a girl answering
to his sister’s description, was found dead on the beach of San Diego. Since then, Elias
lived a vagabond life, wandering from province to province – until he met Ibarra.
❖ Elias, learning of Ibarra’s arrest, burned all the papers that might incriminate his friend and
set Ibarra’s house on fire. Then he went to prison and helped Ibarra escape.
❖ He and Ibarra jumped into a banca loaded with sacate (grass). Ibarra stopped at the house
of Capitan Tiago to say goodbye to Maria Clara.
❖ In the tearful last scene between the two lovers, Ibarra forgave Maria Clara for giving up
his letter to her to the Spanish authorities who utilized them as evidence against him.
❖ On her part, Maria Clara revealed that those letters were exchanged with a letter from her
late mother, Pia Alba, which Padre Salvi gave her. From his letter, she learned that her
real father was Padre Damaso.
❖ After bidding Maria Clara farewell, Ibarra returned to the banca. He and Elias paddled up
the PasigRiver toward Laguna de Bay. A police boat, with the Guardia Civil on board,
pursued them as their banca reached the lake. Elias told Ibarra to hide under the zacate.
❖ As the police boat was overtaking the banca, Elias jumped into the water and swam swiftly
toward the shore. In this way, he diverted the attention of the soldiers on his person,
thereby giving Ibarra a chance to escape.
❖ The soldier fired at the swimming Elias, who was hit and sank. The water turned red
because of his blood. The soldiers, thinking that they had killed the fleeing Ibarra returned
to Manila. Thus Ibarra was able to escape.
❖ Elias seriously wounded, reached the shore and staggered into the forest. He met a boy,
Basilio, who was weeping over his mother’s dead body.
❖ He told Basilio to make a pyre on which their bodies (his and Sisa) were to be burned to
ashes.
❖ It was Christmas Eve, and the moon gleamed softly in the sky. Basilio prepared the funeral
pyre.
❖ As life’s breath slowly left his body. Elias looked toward the east and murmured: “I die
without seeing the dawn brighten over my native land.” You, who have it to see, welcome
it! And forget not those who have fallen during the night.

The novel has an epilogue which recounts what happened to the other characters.
o Maria Clara, out of her loyalty to the memory of Ibarra, the man she truly loved, entered
the Santa Clara nunnery.
o Padre Salvi left the parish of San Diego and became a chaplain of the nunnery.
o Padre Damaso was transferred to a remote province, but the next morning he was
found dead in his bedroom.
o Capitan Tiago the former genial host and generous patron of the church became an
opium addict and a human wreck.
o Doña Victorina, still henpecking poor Don Tiburcio, had taken to wearing eye-glasses
because of weakening eyesight.
o Linares, who failed to win Maria Clara’s affection, died of dysentery and was buried in
Paco cemetery.
o The alferez, who successfully repulsed the abortive attack on the barracks, was
promoted major. He returned to Spain, leaving behind his shabby mistress, Doña
Consolacion.
o The novel ends with Maria Clara, an unhappy nun in Santa Clara nunnery – forever
lost to the world.
CHARACTERS
A. Main Characters

1. Ibarra (Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin)

Son of a Filipino businessman, Don Rafael Ibarra, he studied in Europe for seven years. Ibarra
is also María Clara's fiancé. Upon his return, Ibarra requested the local government of San Diego
to construct a public school to promote education in the town.

Image source: Noli Me Tangere Wiki

2. María Clara (María Clara de los Santos y Alba)

She was raised by Capitán Tiago, San Diego's cabeza de barangay and is the most beautiful
and widely celebrated girl in San Diego. In the later parts of the novel, María Clara's identity was
revealed as an illegitimate daughter of Father Dámaso, former parish curate of the town, and
Doña Pía Alba, wife of Capitán Tiago. In the end she entered local covenant for nuns Beaterio
de Santa Clara.

Image source: Noli Me Tangere Wiki

 3. Capitán Tiago (Don Santiago de los Santos)
He is a Filipino businessman and the cabeza de barangay or head of barangay of the town of
San Diego. He is also the known father of María Clara. He is also said to be a good Catholic,
friend of the Spanish government and was considered as a Spanish by colonialists. Capitán
Tiago never attended school, so he became a domestic helper of a Dominican friar who taught
him informal education. He married Pía Alba from Santa Cruz.

Image source: Noli Me Tangere Wiki

4. Padre Dámaso (Dámaso Verdolagas)

A Franciscan friar and the former parish curate of San Diego. He is best known as a notorious
character who speaks with harsh words and has been a cruel priest during his stay in the town.
He is the real father of María Clara and an enemy of Crisóstomo's father, Rafael Ibarra. Later, he
and María Clara had bitter arguments whether she would marry Alfonso Linares or go to a
convent. At the end of the novel, he is again re-assigned to a distant town and is found dead one
day.

Image source: Noli Me Tangere Wiki

 5. Elías
He is Ibarra's mysterious friend and ally. Elías made his first appearance as a pilot during a
picnic of Ibarra and María Clara and her friends. He wants to revolutionize the country and to be
freed from Spanish oppression.

Image source: Noli Me Tangere Wiki

6. Filosofo Tacio (Pilosopo Tasyo)

Seeking for reforms from the government, he expresses his ideals in paper written in a
cryptographic alphabet similar from hieroglyphs and Coptic figures hoping "that the future
generations may be able to decipher it" and realized the abuse and oppression done by the
conquerors. His full name is only known as Don Anastacio. The educated inhabitants of San
Diego labeled him as Filosofo Tacio (Tacio the Sage) while others called him as Tacio el Loco
(Insane Tacio) due to his exceptional talent for reasoning.

Image source: Noli Me Tangere Wiki

 7. Sisa
Sisa, Crispín, and Basilio represent a Filipino family persecuted by the Spanish authorities.
Narcisa or Sisa is the deranged mother of Basilio and Crispín. Described as beautiful and
young, although she loves her children very much, she cannot protect them from the beatings of
her husband, Pedro.

Image source: Noli Me Tangere Wiki

8. Crispín
He is Sisa's 7-year-old son. An altar boy, he was unjustly accused of stealing money from the
church. After failing to force Crispín to return the money he allegedly stole, Father Salví and the
head sacristan killed him.

Image source: Noli Me Tangere Wiki

 9. Basilio
He is Sisa's 10-year-old son. An acolyte tasked to ring the church bells for the Angelus, he faced
the dread of losing his younger brother and falling of his mother into insanity.

Image source: Noli Me Tangere Wiki

B. Other Characters
1. Padre Hernando de la Sibyla – a Dominican friar. He is described as short and has
fair skin. He is instructed by an old priest in his order to watch Crisóstomo Ibarra.
2. Padre Bernardo Salví – the Franciscan curate of San Diego, secretly harboring lust
for María Clara. He is described to be very thin and sickly. It is also hinted that his last
name, "Salvi" is the shorter form of "Salvi" meaning Salvation, or "Salvi" is short for
"Salvaje" meaning bad hinting to the fact that he is willing to kill an innocent child,
Crispin, just to get his money back, though there was not enough evidence that it was
Crispin who has stolen his 2 onzas.
3. El Alférez or Alperes – chief of the Guardia Civil. Mortal enemy of the priests for power
in San Diego and husband of Doña Consolacion.
4. Doña Consolacíon – wife of the Alférez, nicknamed as la musa de los guardias civiles
(The muse of the Civil Guards) or la Alféreza, was a former laundrywoman who passes
herself as a Peninsular; best remembered for her abusive treatment of Sisa.
5. Doña Victorina (Doña Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña)
She is an ambitious Filipina who classifies herself as a Spanish and mimics Spanish ladies by
putting on heavy make-up.
6. Don Tiburcio de Espadaña – Spanish Quack Doctor who is limp and submissive to
his wife, Doña Victorina.
7. Teniente Guevara - a close friend of Don Rafael Ibarra. He reveals to Crisóstomo how
Don Rafael Ibarra's death came about.
8. Alfonso Linares – A distant nephew of Tiburcio de Espanada, the would-be fiancé of
María Clara. Although he presented himself as a practitioner of law, it was later
revealed that he, just like Don Tiburcio, is a fraud. He later died due to given
medications of Don Tiburcio.
9. Tía Isabel - Capitán Tiago's cousin, who raised Maria Clara.
10. Governor General (Gobernador Heneral) – Unnamed person in the novel, he is the
most powerful official in the Philippines. He has great disdains against the friars and
corrupt officials, and sympathizes Ibarra.
11. Don Filipo Lino – vice mayor of the town of San Diego, leader of the liberals.
 12. Padre Manuel Martín - he is the linguistic curate of a nearby town, who says the
sermon during San Diego's fiesta.
13. Don Rafael Ibarra - father of Crisóstomo Ibarra. Though he is the richest man in San
Diego, he is also the most virtuous and generous.
14. Dona Pía Alba - wife of Capitan Tiago and mother of María Clara. She died giving
birth to her. In reality, she was raped by Dámaso so she could bear a child.
15. Salomé - Elías' sweetheart. She lives in a little house by the lake, and though Elías
would like to marry her, he tells her that it would do her or their children no good to be
related to a fugitive like himself.

IMPORTANCE OF THE NOVEL

• The theme of ‘Noli me Tangere’ comes from the Gospel of John. John tells that when
Jesus showed himself after the Resurrection, it was first to Mary Magdalene.
• Jesus called her and she turned round and saw him. But Jesus did not want her to touch
him. He said literally to her, “Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the
Father.
• But go to the brothers and tell them: I am ascending to my father and your Father, my
God and your God.”
• He focuses on an administration crawling with self-seekers, out to make their fortune at
the expense of the Filipinos, so that the few officials who are honest and sincere are
unable to overcome the treacherous workings of the system, and their efforts to help the
country often end up in frustration or in self-ruin.
• The Noli is Rizal's exposé of corrupt friars who have made the Catholic religion an
instrument for enriching and perpetuating themselves in power by seeking to mire
ignorant Filipinos in fanaticism and superstition.
• According to Rizal, instead of teaching Filipinos true Catholicism, they control the
government by opposing all progress and persecuting members of the ilustrado unless
they make themselves their servile flatterers.
• Rizal does not, however, spare his fellow countrymen.
 The superstitious and hypocritical fanaticism of many who consider themselves
religious people;
 the ignorance, corruption, and brutality of the Filipino civil guards;
 the passion for gambling unchecked by the thought of duty and responsibility;
 the servility of the wealthy Filipino towards friars and government officials;
 the ridiculous efforts of Filipinos to dissociate themselves from their fellowmen
or to lord it over them--all these are ridiculed and disclosed.
• Rizal nevertheless balances the national portrait by highlighting the virtues and good
qualities of his unspoiled countryman:
o the modesty and devotion of the Filipina, the unstinting hospitality of the Filipino
family,
o the devotion of parents to their children and children to their parents,
o the deep sense of gratitude, and
o the solid common sense of the untutored peasant.
• It calls on the Filipino to recover his self-confidence, to appreciate his own worth, to
return to the heritage of his ancestors, and to assert himself as the equal of the Spaniard.
• It insists on the need of education, of dedication to the country, and of absorbing aspects
of foreign cultures that would enhance the native traditions."

SUMMARY
This novel has a lot of symbolism and real-life events that opened the eyes of the Filipino
people during the Spanish colonization to start the revolution and overthrow the Spanish
colonizers. Every character in Noli Me Tangere has a role that depicts different roles in
Philippine society to fight for the freedom of the country. Jose Rizal represented his persona as
Crisostomo Ibarra who was a rich character yet he was rebellious who fought for the freedom
of the Spaniards while Elias who was poor and oppressed by the Spaniards but he sacrificed
his life so that Crisostomo can escape because he believed that Crisostomo has a better chance
to fight against the Spaniards. Elias’ sacrifice paved the way to Crisostomo Ibarra’s revenge
against the Spaniards in the sequel of the novel “El Filibusterismo”. Noli Me Tangere is a novel
that was an advisory for the Filipinos to fight against the colonizers and today’s reminder of our
history. The characters and the events in the story resemble our life, culture, and beliefs of
Filipino people. This literary piece will mark in our hearts the values that the novel tells us to be
a good role model that will benefit our country. Reading this literary piece will make us realize
the true meaning of nationalism and be a catalyst for change.
Module 8: El Filibusterismo

OVERVIEW
Hi there! Congratulations on completing the seventh module of this course. I hope your eagerness
to learn will last throughout the semester. Now that you have finished learning the novel of Rizal
titled Noli Me Tangere, let us now proceed to the next topic!
Welcome to the eight lesson of the course on the Life and Works of Jose Rizal. This lesson
provides a discussion and analysis of the novels of Dr. Jose Rizal. It discusses the important
information about the novels and discusses Jose Rizal’s thoughts and ideas imbedded his novel.
Are you ready? Let’s proceed to the expectations you must overcome after learning this module.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
The following are the learning outcomes we are expected to achieve by the students at the end
of this module:
a. Discuss the basic information/facts about the novels of Rizal
b. Relate the novels to the present Philippine society
c. Compare and contrast the novels written by Rizal
d. Analyze the historical context of the novels written by Rizal
e. Form conclusions on the value of Rizal’s novels at present

Introduction

Rizal’s second novel, El Filibusterismo unfolds the 19th century Philippine society and social
injustices that Rizal and his countrymen experienced. In 1912, Charles Derbyshire translated
Rizal’s novel into English titled “The Reign of Greed” which stated that this novel exemplifies the
opinion on political and social conditions in the country that Rizal made in his prime years. It also
reflects Rizal’s disappointments and discouragements in his desire for reform through its more
serious and less optimistic role.
EL FILIBUSTERISMO
It was published in 1891 in Brussels, Belgium through the financial aid from Valentin Ventura. The
title was derived from the word filibustero a word which according to Jose Rizal was little known
by the Filipinos at that time and that the educated class feared the reach of the word. This word
was also used by the Spanish authorities to refer to a revolutionary person. Rizal further defined
filibustero as a dangerous patriot who will soon be hanged or a presumptuous man. Jose
Rizal dedicated the novel to the GOMBURZA –the three priests who were executed in
Bagumbayan for being implicated in the Cavity Mutiny in 1872. Like the Noli Me Tangere, it was
written in Spanish and intended to raise political consciousness in relation to the state of affairs in
the Philippines observed by Rizal. The theme of the El Filibusterismo focuses on revolution as an
alternative solution to reforms that failed to create significant change in the country. However,
Jose Rizal also emphasized the danger of a revolution that is built upon hatred and vengeance or
personal vendetta.

Thoughts And Ideas Of Jose Rizal In The Novel

1. Jose Rizal’s thoughts of how justice must be attained

Jose Rizal through the characters of Kabesang Tales and Simoun discussed the moral issues in
attaining justice especially when the injustices were committed by Spanish authorities. Through his
El Fili, Rizal clearly put across his message: 1) incompetent leaders, corrupt officials, and the
system of government in the Philippines could steer Spain to its downfall. In it, Simoun vented:
“What is a man to do when he is denied justice? Take the law into his own hands or wait for Spain
to give him his right…?” and underscored that people will be forced to resist the system and
mobilize movements to fight for their rights when their petitions fall on deaf ears; and 2) good
leadership is not driven by self- interest but of the significance of national sentiment to protect the
society from all forms of injustice and repression.
Although Rizal openly criticized the Spanish officials influenced by the friars for their corruption
and mistreatment of the natives, he also disapproved of fellow Filipinos who failed to act on the
challenges brought about by the abusive Spanish leadership. Such was exemplified by:
1) Basilio, who, despite all the sufferings that he and his family encountered, initially
decided against supporting Simoun’s bid to overthrow the government, and
2) Señor Pasta, who, in order to serve only the interest of those that employed him,
abandoned his principles.
Rizal undoubtedly unmasked the colonial government’s injustices, but he also irrefutably
challenged the Filipinos to defend their rights through the pages of his El Fili which additionally
carries the message: social, economic, and political reforms in the country can be pulled off
through good leadership and governance when leaders have the “moral fiber” and are willing to
abandon their self-interest for the constituents’ benefit.

2. Revolution as an alternative to reform

Jose Rizal discussed the alternatives for the Philippines and Filipinos in the debate between
Simoun and Basilio about reform and revolution. Simoun tried to convince Basilio that revolution is
the only way to attain independence and progress. Basilio remained
naïve andmaintained that social change could be achieved through the reforms that Spain will
grant the Philippines. He was hoping to alleviate the physical ills of the Filipinos and live his own
life and fulfill his ambition of becoming a doctor.
Jose Rizal suggested that rebellion or revolution that will topple the Spanish colonial regime could
be an alternative for the failure of reforms coming from Spain. The failure of the rebellion was
attributed not on the idea of rebellion as a means of social change but on the motives and qualities
of the people who supported and initiated the rebellion.

3. Education and Language

While Simoun was scheming to overthrow the government through a revolution, Basilio and his
fellow students rallied for the establishment of a school that would support the natives learning the
Spanish language. Simoun disapproved of this for it would signify the “death of national identity
and the institutionalization of tyranny” (Wani-Obias et al., 2018). He reprimanded the students
and questioned their advocacy by saying:
“What will you be in the future? A people without character, a nation without liberty. Everything in you will
be borrowed, even your very defects. You are asking to be Hispanized… Why do you now come with
your teaching of Spanish, a pretension that would be ridiculous were it not for its deplorable
consequences? Do you wish to add another idiom to the more than forty already spoken in the islands
so that you may understand each other, each time, less…? Spanish will never be the common language
in the country; the people will never speak it because for the ideas of its mind and the sentiments of its
heart there are no words in that idiom. Each country has its own, as it has its manner of feeling. What
will you gain with Spanish? …instead of making yourselves free, make yourselves truly slaves! Nine
out of ten of those among you who presume to be enlightened, are renegades to your motherland.
Those among you who speak that language is indifferent to their own tongue…”

For Basilio, however, improving the lives of his fellow Filipinos and saving the country from its
unfortunate situation would be through proper education that the current government may grant
and that revolution that Semoun wanted is not the right way towards freedom.

4. Qualities that a leader of social change must possess

Jose Rizal might be advocating rebellion as a means of social change but killed Simoun - the
main character that instigated rebellion against the Spanish authorities. Historians and Rizal
scholars inferred that Simoun was killed in the novel for he was not worthy to lead the rebellion. It
was pointed out that though the motive of rebellion is noble and justified (social transformation),
Simoun’s objectives were personal hatred and vengeance for the injustices committed to him and
to his family and loved ones. Simoun manipulated others to get his vengeance.
The failure of revolution was further explained by Rizal through the character of FatherFlorentino
who stressed the importance of education, justice and morality in the attainment of freedom.
The Defects Of The Spanish Colonial Regime And The Filipino People

Jose Rizal did not only focus on the evils of the Spanish authorities and clergies but also the
defects of the Filipino people. Rizal pointed out through the characters in the novel such as those
of Doña Victorina, Basilio, Simounand Kabesang Tales how Filipinos have imbibed these defects
brought about by the Spanish colonial regime.

EL FILIBUSTERISMO’S RELEVANCE THROUGH TIME

Jose Rizal may have been executed more than a century ago, but his written works remain crucial
to the evils that cost him his life: incompetent leadership, corruption, abuse of women, and the
influence of the Catholic Church over matters in politics and of the society, evidently persist in our
time and are plaguing us today. In addition, Rizal’s ideas remain applicable and carry some
“inspirational value” even up to this day.
This suggests that an in-depth grasp of this novel’s historical authenticity is imperative as it afforded
the story a foundation. One must then be well-informed of the social background of the period when
reading a historical novel. With its facilitative function, history therefore becomes a tool in the
interpretation of a literary work such as Rizal’s El Fili through which we see our past and our
present – El Fili’s attribute that renders it “enduringly significant.” Despite Rizal’s objective of
describing the 19th century Philippine society and of unmasking the social injustices through his
El Fili, we in the process see ourselves, our bad habits, our flaws, and our unkindness because
the circumstances described in its pages are the very circumstances currently confronting us and
its characters are the individuals we continue to encounter. This therefore urges us to act in
response to his sincere aspiration for vital societal and individual reforms.
Renato Constantino (1971) on Rizal’s wisdom further said, “One hand holds a mirror to shame us
and the other points the way to our regeneration. Yet, the truth is that the mirror was not meant
to reveal our image, but the image of the people and the society of Rizal’s time.” In the process,
however, we were made to see ourselves and our own problems.

Message to the Filipino Youth

Through El Fili’s Padre Florentino, a patriotic Filipino priest, Rizal raised a series of questions:
“Where are the youth who will dedicate their time, their dreams, and their enthusiasm for the welfare
of their country? Where are they who would generously shed their blood to wash away so much
shame, so much crime, so much abomination?… Where are you youth who will incarnate in
yourselves the vigor of life that has fled from our veins, the purity of ideas that have been soiled in
our minds, and the fire of
enthusiasm that has been extinguished in our hearts?… We wait for you, O youth! Come, for
we await you!”

For Rizal, the youth that would one day lead the nation is the future of the country. The path of
tomorrow would be shaped by these youths’ actions today. Hence Rizal underscored the gravity
of the youth’s role in challenging the government as demonstrated by Basilio and Isagani’s effort
for education reforms. Simoun might have seen it as “a way of embracing the Hispanization of the
country,” but it could also be regarded as Rizal’s way of illustrating the youth’s faculty when they
aspire for government reforms.
CHARACTERS OF EL FLIBUSTERISMO
Simoun or Crisostomo Ibarra represents the revolutionaries during that
time, he is the main protagonist in Rizal’s first novel,Noli Me Tangere but
in the second novel he return as a rich jewelry salesman, Simoun. He is
known to be the influential in the Spanish colonial government in the
Philippines. He seeks to ignite the sentiments of the Filipinos, so that a
revolution may arise.

Isagani was one of the members of the student organization attempting

to find the Castilian Academy. The adopted nephew of Padre Florentino,
he joined the other students in their efforts to establish the academy,
becoming entangled with the group’s affairs alongsihis close friend
Basilio.

Padre Florentino was the priest of the town of Tiani and the adoptive
uncle of Isagani. The only Indio priest that was introduced by Rizal’s
novels. His character was centered on hope and peace. He eventually
came to shelter both Don Tiburcio and Simoun from their respective
threats.

Placido Pinetente was a scholar and a victim of a self-centered

professor. He was considered a very good student and was so smart that
the parish priest called him subversive. He walked out from school and
joined the plan of Simoun.

Ginoong Pasta was a lawyer who also works as a consultant for the
friars. He was a former idealistic Filipino but later become a self- centered
person.

Juliana de Dios or Juli was the daughter of Kabesang Tales and the
sweetheart of Basilio. When her family falls into debt she decided to
become a servant rather than sell the locket that Basilio has given to her.
Because of the different misfortunes that she experienced she committed
suicide.

Basilio the older brother of Crispin. Following his mother’s death and his
brother’s disappearance, Basilio fled the town and was taken in by
Capitan Tiago. Living in Manila, he became a medical student and also
joined in attempting to found the Castilian Academy.
 Kabesang Tales or Telesforo de Dios, was a former cabeza de
barangay of San Diego. Struggling to gain ownership of the land he tilted,
he eventually abandoned his family to join a group of bandits in the
province known as Matanglawin.

Maria Paulita Gomez was the niece of Doña Victorina and the
sweetheart of Isagani. Following Isagani’s imprisonment, Paulita broke
their relationship off and maried Juanito instead.

Don Custodio was a Chairman of Superior Commission of Primary

Instruction. A Spaniard who placed in high position in the government
even if he was not educated and did not have enough skills.

*Images source: Noli Me Tangere Wiki

SUMMARY OF EL FILIBUSTERISMO
The protagonist of El Filibusterismo is a jeweler named Simoun. He is the new identity of
Crisostomo Ibarra who, in the prequel Noli, escaped from pursuing soldiers. It is revealed that
Crisostomo dug up his buried treasure and fled to Cuba, becoming richer and befriending Spanish
officials.
After many years, the newly fashioned Simoun returns to the Philippines, where he is able to
freely move around. He is a powerful figure not only because of his wealth but also because he
is a good friend and adviser of the governor general.
Outwardly, Simoun is a friend of Spain; however, in secret, he is plotting a terrible revenge against
the Spanish authorities. His two obsessions are to rescue his paramour Maria Clara from the
nunnery of Santa Clara and to foment a Philippine revolution against Spain.
The story of El Filibusterismo begins on board a steamer ship sailing up the Pasig river from Manila
to Laguna de Bay. Among the passengers are Simoun; Doña Victorina, a pro- Spanish native
woman who is going to Laguna in search of her henpecked husband, Tiburcio de Espadaña, who
has deserted her; Paulita Gomez, her beautiful niece; Ben-Zayb (anagram of Ibañez), a Spanish
journalist who writes silly articles about the Filipinos; Padre Sibyla, vice- rector of the University of
Santo Tomas; Padre Camorra, the parish priest of the town of Tiani; Don Custodio, a pro-Spanish
Filipino holding a position in the government; Padre Salvi, thin Franciscan friar and former cura of
San Diego; Padre Irene, a kind friar who was a friend of the Filipino students; Padre Florentino, a
retired scholarly and patriotic Filipino priest; Isagani, a poet-nephew of Padre Florentino and a
lover of Paulita; and Basilio, son of Sisa and promising medical student, whose medical education
is financed by his patron, Capitan Tiago.
A man of wealth and mystery, Simoun is a very close friend and confidante of the Spanish
governor general. Because of his great influence in Malacañang, he was called the “Brown
Cardinal” or the “Black Eminence”. By using his wealth and political influence, he encourages
corruption in the government, promotes the oppression of the masses, and hastens the moral
degradation of the country so that the people may become desperate and fight. He smuggles
arms into the country with the help of a rich Chinese merchant, Quiroga, who aspires to be
Chinese consul of Manila. His first attempt to begin the armed uprising did not materialize
because at the last hour he hears the sad news that Maria Clara died in the nunnery. In his
agonizing moment of bereavement, he did not give the signal for the outbreak of hostilities.
After a long time of illness brought about by the bitter loss of Maria Clara, Simoun perfects his
plan to overthrow the government. On the occasion of the wedding of Paulita Gomez and
Juanito Pelaez, he gives a wedding gift to them a beautiful lamp. Only he and his confidential
associates, Basilio (Sisa’s son who joined his revolutionary cause), know that when the wick
of his lamp burns lower the nitroglycerine, hidden in its secret compartment, will explode,
destroying the house where the wedding feast is going to be held killing all the guests, including
the governor general, the friars, and the government officials. Simultaneously, all the
government buildings in Manila will be blown by Simoun’s followers. As the wedding feast
begins, the poet Isagani, who has been rejected by Paulita because of his liberal ideas, is
standing outside the house, sorrowfully watching the merriment inside. Basilio, his friend,
warns him to go away because the lightened lamp will soon explode.
Upon hearing the horrible secret of the lamp, Isagani realizes that his beloved Paulita is in
grave danger. To save her life, he rushes into the house, seizes the lightened lamp, and hurls
it into the river, where it explodes. The revolutionary plot is thus discovered. Simoun is cornered
by the soldiers, but he escapes. Mortally wounded, and carrying his treasure chest, he seeks
refuge in the home of Padre Florentino by the sea. The Spanish authorities, however, learns of
his presence in the house of Padre Florentino. Lieutenant Perez of the Guardia Civil informs
the priest by letter that he will come at eight o’clock that night to arrest Simoun.
Simoun eludes arrest by taking poison. As he is dying, he confesses to Padre Florentino,
revealing his true identity, his dastardly plan to use his wealth to avenge himself, and his
sinister aim to destroy his friends and enemies. The confession of the dying Simoun is long
and painful. It is already night when Padre Florentino, wiping the sweat from his wrinkled brow,
rises and begins to meditate. He consoles the dying man saying: “God will forgive you Señor
Simoun. He knows that we are fallible. He has seen that you have suffered, and in ordaining
that the chastisement for your faults should come as death from the very ones you have
instigated to crime, we can see His infinite mercy. He has frustrated your plans one by one,
the best conceived, first by the death of Maria Clara, then by a lack of preparation, then in
some mysterious way. Let us bow to His will and render Him thanks!”
Watching Simoun die peacefully with a clear conscience and at peace with God, Padre
Florentino falls upon his knees and prays for the dead jeweler. The priest then takes the
treasure chest and throws it into the sea.
 UNIT IV:
THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF RIZAL
Module 9: The Philippines A Century Hence

OVERVIEW

The Philippines A Century Hence is an essay written by Jose Rizal to forecast the
future of the country within a hundred years. Rizal felt that it was time to remind Spain that the
circumstances that ushered in the French Revolution could have a telling effect for her in the
Philippines. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part
of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. Philippines will try to cut ties of our
motherland with its captors through violent means.

Originally written in Spanish as “Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años” translated in English

by Charles E. Derbyshire. One of the most significant political works of the Filipino Reform
movement in Spain. This essay was serially published in the La Solidaridad. It supplements
the national hero’s great novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. It consists of four parts
discussing the several issues that concern our country.

Try to read some of its part and feel his strong opposition to the abuse of Spaniards
and conveyed messages that he hoped would inspire his fellow countrymen. He used his
intelligence to put into light the real situation of Philippines and enlightened the minds of
Filipinos. And reflect on what would you do to protect our identity.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The following are the learning outcomes we are expected to achieve by the students at the
end of this module:
• Discuss the content of the essay; and
• Explain the impact of the essay to the rise of the Philippine Nationalism.
WHY RIZAL WROTE THE PHILIPPINES A CENTURY HENCE?

➢ Jose Rizal did the Philippines and Spain a great service during the centennial
celebration of the French revolution held in France in 1889 by writing five articles for
La Solidaridad.
➢ France was rocked by a series of revolutionary outbreaks from May 5 to August 5,
1789, ending centuries of tyranny and oppressions.
➢ Conscious of significance of historical events in the lire of nations and people, Rizal
felt that it was timely to remind Spain that the forces which brought about the Spanish
revolution and the French revolution, could be disastrous for her in the Philippines.
➢ Rizal showed that if Spain did not change her colonial policies in order to maintain her
rule over the country, an inevitable cataclysm will follow.
➢ Rizal maintained that the Philippines would remain Spanish:
• If the former could be helped to enter the life of law and civilization
• If the rights of the individuals were respected there.
• If other human rights were granted the inhabitants.
• If the liberal policy of the government was carried out without trickery,
meanness, subterfuge or falsehood.

THE PHILIPPINES A CENTURY HENCE: ANALYSIS

This essay was published in La Solidaridad. It starts by analyzing the various causes of the
miseries suffered by the Filipino people:
✓ Spain’s implementation of her military policies – because of such laws, the
Philippine population decreased dramatically. Poverty became more rampant than
ever, and farmlands were left to wither. The family as a unit of society was neglected,
and overall, every aspect of the life of the Filipino was retarded.
✓ Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino indigenous culture – when Spain
came with the sword and the cross, it began the gradual destruction of the native
Philippine 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.
✓ Passivity and submissiveness to the Spanish colonizers – one of the most
powerful forces that influenced a culture of silence among the natives were the Spanish
friars. Because of the use of force, the Filipinos learned to submit themselves to the
will of the foreigners.

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 question Rizal raises in this essay is whether or not Spain can indeed prevent the
progress of the Philippines:
• Keeping the people uneducated and ignorant had failed. National consciousness had
still awakened, and great Filipino minds still emerged from the rubble.
 • 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.
• 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.
Spain had no means to stop the progress of the country. She needs to is to change her
colonial policies, the needs of the Philippine society must achieve. These issues caused the
rising of nationalism among Filipino people.

In 1898, Rizal had envisioned in his essay came true, the Americans wrestled with Spain
to win the Philippines, and eventually took over the country. Theirs was a reign of democracy
and liberty. Five decades after Rizal’s death, the Philippines gained her long- awaited
independence. This was in fulfillment of what he had written in his essay: “History does not
record in its annals 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.”

SUMMARY
The Philippines A Century Hence
Part 1: Foreshadowing of past events.
Oppressive Colonization by Spain Filipinos become ashamed of their culture.
Filipino developed colonial mentality. Rampant racial siscrimination by Spanish
journalist and friars the educated Filipinos who sought reforms. Reformists dealt
violently. According to Rizal, enlightenment is spreading among Filipinos. The
Philippines has experienced misfortunes scattering all over its islands and to
brutalized its people is unacceptable. These common misfortunes gave way in
awakening the Filipino spirit.

Part 2: Change cannot be prevented.

People are thirsting for reformation. The current colonial policies need to adjust
with the people’s growing need. If not, people would seek Civil liberties and
national identities different from Spain.

Part 3: What Spain could do to keep Philippines a colony

Reforms must come from its authorities to be peaceful and effective. It cannot
come from the masses for there will be bloodshed.

Part 4: People towards Spanish Citizenship

Filipinos would do everything to obtain just a little education and if Filipinos were
intelligent enough to pay taxes, then they’re also intelligent enough to elect
representatives to guide them.

UNIT IV:
THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF RIZAL
Module 10: Jose Rizal and the Philippine Nationalism:
Bayani and Kabayanihan

OVERVIEW

In this module, you are going to learn about Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism-
Bayani and Kabayanihan. Are you ready? Let’s proceed to the expectations you must
overcome after learning this module.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The following are the learning outcomes we are expected to achieve by the students at the
end of this module:
• Interpret views and opinions about bayani and kabayanihan in the context of
Philippine history and society.
• Assess the concepts of bayani and kabayanihan in the context of Philippine
society.
.

BAYANI AT KABAYANIHAN
The word “Bayani” or hero in Filipino is someone who saves somebody’s lives.
However, this word carries a deeper context wherein only those people who are willing to
suffer and sacrifice themselves for the good of the country are worthy enough to be called as
such. Being called a hero requires a greater act of bravery.

Dr. Jose P. Rizal was a man of intellectual power and artistic talent whom Filipinos
honor as their national hero. Rizal is not only admired for possessing ntellectual brilliance but
also for taking a stand and resisting the Spanish colonial government. While his death sparked
a revolution to overthrow the tyranny, Rizal will always be remembered for his compassion
towards the Filipino people and the country. Another remarkable hero that we all know is
Andres Bonifacio. The Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng
Bayan or KKK played a huge role in the revolt of the Filipinos against the Spaniards. In the
center of that revolution was its founder, Supremo Andres Bonifacio. Furthermore, according
to Vallejo Jr., (2010), Filipinos also remember General Antonio Luna as a brilliant, brave soldier
and tactician of the second phase of the Revolution and the proverbial hothead but
never as the excellent scientist. He has no epitaph but perhaps his words before leaving exile
in Europe for Manila are apt: “I will fight and offer my life, my small knowledge and science for
the liberation of the Motherland.”

What does it take to be a hero? The heroism in real life does not require someone to
sacrifice his or her life to be called a bayani. The people that we set up as heroes are people
that generally go above and beyond in terms of the call of duty, they do things that are
extraordinary. The act of heroism is debatable to some people however, for any hero, it's
enough just knowing they helped someone else. That's what makes them a true hero.

DR. JOSE P. RIZAL

José Protasio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda was born on
June 19, 1861 to Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo in the town
of Calamba in the province of Laguna. He had nine sisters and one
brother. At the early age of three, the future political leader had
already learned the English alphabet. And, by the age of five, he could
already read and write.

Rizal had been very vocal against the Spanish government,

but in a peaceful and progressive manner. For him, “the pen was
mightier than the sword.” And through his writings, he exposed the
corruption and wrongdoings of government officials as well as the
Spanish friars. While in Barcelona, Rizal contributed essays, poems,
allegories, and editorials to the Spanish newspaper, La Solidaridad.
Most of his writings, both in his essays and editorials, centered on
individual rights and freedom, specifically for the Filipino people. As
part of his reforms, he even called for the inclusion of the Philippines to become a province of
Spain. But, among his best works, two novels stood out from the rest – Noli Me Tángere
(Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of the Greed). In both novels, Rizal harshly
criticized the Spanish colonial rule in the country and exposed the ills of Philippine society at
the time. And because he wrote about the injustices and brutalities of the Spaniards in the
country, the authorities banned Filipinos from reading the controversial books. Yet they were
not able to ban it completely.

Days before his execution, Rizal bid farewell to his motherland and countrymen
through one of his final letters, entitled Mi último adiós or My Last Farewell. Dr. José Rizal was
executed on the morning of December 30, 1896, in what was then called Bagumbayan (now
referred to as Luneta). Upon hearing the command to shoot him, he faced the squad and
uttered in his final breath: “Consummatum est” (It is finished). According to historical accounts,
only one bullet ended the life of the Filipino martyr and hero.

The Americans decided for him being a national hero at their time in the country. It is
said that the Americans, Civil Governor William Howard Taft, chose Jose Rizal to be the
national hero as a strategy. Rizal didn't want bloody revolution in his time. So they wanted him
to be a "good example" to the Filipinos so that the people will not revolt against the Americans.
Rizal became a National Hero because he passed the criteria by being a National Hero during
the American period.
Adding that, Rizal passed the Criteria for National Heroes:
1. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for
the nation’s freedom. In reality, however, a revolution has no end. Revolutions are only
the beginning. One cannot aspire to be free only to sink back into bondage.
2. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system or life of freedom and order
for a nation. Freedom without order will only lead to anarchy. Therefore, heroes are
those who make the nation’s constitution and laws. To the latter, constitutions are only
the beginning, for it is the people living under the constitution that truly constitute a
nation.
3. Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation.
(As defined by Dr. Onofre D. Corpuz)

Additional Criteria for Heroes:

1. A hero is part of the people’s expression. But the process of a people’s internalization
of a hero’s life and works takes time, with the youth forming a part of the internalization.
2. A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations.
3. The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history,
but of the entire process that made this particular person a hero.

PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION
According to Kennedy, (2019), Progressive education is a reaction to the traditional
style of teaching. It's a pedagogical movement that values experience over learning facts at
the expense of understanding what is being taught. When you examine the teaching styles
and curriculum of the 19th century, you understand why certain educators decided that there
had to be a better way.

Talisay: The First Progressive School In Asia

Upon his arrival in Dapitan, Rizal lived in the house of the governor and military
commandant, Capt. Ricardo Carnicero, which was just across the town’s central plaza. He
later bought, with Carnicero and another Spaniard residing in Dipolog, a lottery ticket. This
was to prove fortuitous. Rizal’s lottery ticket won second prize—20,000 pesos—which was
awarded on September 21, 1892, and promptly divided among themselves by the three men.
From his share of 6,200 pesos, Rizal gave 2,000 pesos to his father and 200 pesos to pay his
debt to his friend Basa in Hong Kong.

With what remained of his lottery earnings, Rizal was able to move to Talisay, a coastal
barrio off the Dapitan poblacion named after the talisay, a large deciduous tree that is usually
found along Philippine seashores. Rizal bought a 16-hectare piece of land. But, as he noted
in his February 8, 1893 letter to his brother-in-law Manuel Hidalgo, there were no talisay trees
in Talisay, so Rizal thought of naming his place Balunò or Baunò, after the large trees that
actually grew there. The first thing he did was to clear the land “to sow rice and corn”. Then
he built a house, a clinic and a school for local boyswho he described as mostly “poor and
intelligent.” On March 7, 1893, he wrote to Hidalgo saying:

“My house will be finished either tomorrow or after tomorrow. It is very pretty for its
price (40 pesos) and it turned out better than what I wanted. My lot cannot be better and I am
improving it every day... I’m sure that if you come, you will be pleased with my property. I have
plenty of land to accommodate at least five families with houses and orchards.”

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
In addition to being Dapitan’s unofficial or non-governmental public health provider,
Rizal engaged in what we now call “social entrepreneurship”, perhaps the first Filipino, if not
the first Asian, to do so. Social entrepreneurship is innovative business activity aimed
principally at benefiting and transforming the community in which it is undertaken (with most
of the profit reinvested back into the community).

Rizal formed Dapitan’s first farmers’ cooperative, the Sociedad de Agricultores

Dapitanos (SAD), where capital was to be provided by “socios industriales” (industrial
partners) and “socios accionistas” (shareholders). As stated in the Estatutos de la Sociedad
de Agricultores Dapitanos, 1 Enero 1895, the SAD aimed to “improve/promote agricultural
products, obtain better profits for them, provide capital for the purchase of these goods, and
help to the extent possible the harvesters and laborers by means of a store (co-op) where
articles of basic necessity are sold at moderate prices”. Rizal also engaged in a joint-venture
with a certain Carreon (a Spanish businessman) for the construction and operation of a lime-
burner (for making building mortar), whereby Rizal would provide capital and Carreon would
mobilize and supervise labor whose wages were to be paid by Rizal; these advances would
be deducted from the sale proceeds of lime, the profit thereof to be equally divided between
Rizal and Carreon.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
In his four years in Dapitan, Rizal played multiple roles: doctor, social worker, farmer,
social entrepreneur, public works engineer, town planner, school founder, teacher and
scientist. He worked with the people as a civic volunteer, for he was unwaged and without an
official title. Whatever earnings he made from his social entrepreneurship and from his wealthy
patients went to the upkeep of his household, school and hospital. He took to his tasks with
vigor and vitality—mindful that they were all part of his pledge to do everything he could for
Dapitan. Rizal’s four years there are unparalled in the history of the Philippines, if not
Southeast Asia.

The model community that Rizal built in Talisay has since been made into a stale
museum of replicas of his house, school and clinic, sitting like fossilized relics on manicured
lawns for the benefit of the uncomprehending tourist. This shrine, which is overseen by the
National Historical Commission (formerly the National Historical Institute) but managed by the
local government, comprises 10 hectares of Rizal’s original 16-hectare property in Talisay.
The other six hectares were gifted by Rizal to his pupil and valet Jose Acopiado in 1896, when
he set off for Manila enroute to Cuba. The Acopiado heirs now occupy some three hectares;
the rest have been taken over by squatters, among them a Rizalista cult. The beach is littered
with the plastic detritus of modern living.

Many of Rizal’s community projects must have been carried out through a system of
cooperative labor that we now call batarisan. We could likewise imagine that the many
recipients of Rizal’s services as a medical doctor, a secondary school teacher, a community
worker, and organizer/manager of his farm cooperative ‘paid’ or reciprocated by lending their
labor-time to his community projects. Thus, even with minimal financial resources, the projects
were realized by sheer community spirit.

RIZAL AWAKENED THE MIND AND PERSPECTIVE OF FILIPINOS

TOWARDS NATIONALISM
Rizal’s chief aim was to reform Philippine society, first by uncovering its ills and second,
by awakening the Filipino youth. His enemies were the oppressive colonial government, but
especially the corrupt elements among the friars, members of the religious orders that exerted
the greatest influence over the government and thereby held complete sway over the lives of
the Filipinos.

Rizal knew the best way to awaken the youth and lead them toward right action was
through education, but especially foreign education. For local education, being controlled by
the friars then kept the Filipinos in the dark, ignorant of their rights and heritage- and meek in
the face of oppression. This was partly why he left for Spain in 1882, to continue his studies
there. Of his vision for the Filipinos, Rizal wrote his comrade Mariano Ponce in 1888: “Let this
be our only motto: For the welfare of the Native Land. On the day when all Filipinos should
think like him [Del Pilar] and like us, on that day we shall have fulfilled our arduous mission,
which is the formation of the Filipino nation”. To Rizal that nation was a nation free of injustice,
oppression and corruption. May the Filipinos of today finally begin fulfilling this timeless
challenge of Rizal.

SUMMARY
❖ Bayani nd Kabayanihan of Dr. Jose Rizal.
❖ Our country's national hero.
❖ He fought and sacrifies himself for the freedoom of our nation.
❖ He was brave enough to write nd express his thoughts againts the abusive Spanish
Colonials that enlightened the minds of the Filipino people resulting in the Philippines
Revolution and late acquiring our independence.
❖ Rizal formed Dapitan's first farmers cooperative the Sociedad de Agricultores
Dapitanos (SAD)
❖ RIZAL played multiple rules: doctor,social worker, farmer, social entrepreneur, public
works, engineer, town planner, school founder, teacher and scientist.
Module 11: Jose Rizal and the Philippine Nationalism:
National Symbols

OVERVIEW

Now that you have finished learning about “Bayani and Kabayanihan” of Dr. Jose P.
Rizal let us now come to the next topic. In this module, you are going to learn about Jose Rizal
and Philippine Nationalism: National Symbol. Are you ready? Let’s proceed to the
expectations you must overcome after learning this module.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The following are the learning outcomes we are expected to achieve by the students at the
end of this module:
1. Examine the values highlighted of the various representation of Jose Rizal as
national symbol.
2. Advocate the values Rizal’s life encapsulated.

RIZAL AS A NATIONAL SYMBOL

Symbols express thoughts that are represented by things. Those things are
conventionally associated with meanings that made them called to be a symbol. There are two
types of symbols: either officially or traditionally. National symbols represent and distinguish a
certain country from other country. It also somehow unites its people and provoke some sense
of nationalism.
The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines defined that
national symbols represent the country’s traditions and ideas that also convey the principles
of the Philippine Sovereignty (self-governing state) and national solidarity (unity). According to
NCCA, official national symbols of the Philippines are the following: Philippine national flag,
Lupang Hinirang, sampaguita, narra, Philippine eagle, Philippine pearl and arnis. However,
there is also a list of our country’s unofficial but traditional national symbols: anahaw, mango,
carabao or tamaraw, bahay-kubo, bangus, tinikling and adobo or sinigang.
DESIGN OF THE PHILIPPINE FLAG
Section 4. The flag of the Philippines shall be blue, white and red with eight-rayed
golden-yellow sun and tree five pointed stars, as consecrated and honored by the people.
Meaning, white triangle signifying the distinctive emblem of the famous Society of “Katipunan”
which by means of its blood compact inspired the masses to rise in revolution, the tree stars,
signifying the tree capital Islands of this Archipelago- Luzon, Mindanao and Panay where
revolutionary movement started; the sun representing the gigantic steps made by the sons of
the country along the path of Progress and Civilization; the eight rays signifying the eight
provinces –Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna and Batangas-
which declared themselves in a state of war as soon as the first revolt was initiated and the
tree colors of Blue, Red and White commemorating the Flag of the United States of North
America, as a manifestation of our profound gratitude towards this Great Nation for its
disinterested protection which is lent and continues lending us.

MGA PAMBANSANG SAGISAG:

KATEGORYA SAGISAG LARAWAN

Pambansang
Watawat

Pambansang
Jose Rizal
Bayani
Panbansang
Sampaguita
Bulaklak

Pambansang
Anahaw
Dahon

Pambansang
Narra
Puno
Pambansang
Mangga
Prutas

Pambansang
Bangus
Isda

Pambansang
Bahay-kubo
Bahay

Pambansang
Agila
Ibon
Pambansang
Kalabaw
Hayop

Pambansang
Kalesa
Sasakyan

Pambansang
Perlas
Hiyas

Pambansang
Barong
Kasuotan ng
Tagalog
Lalaki
Pambansang
Kasuotan ng Baro't Saya
Babae

Pambansang
Arnis
Laro

Pambansang
Tinikling
Sayaw
 Dr. Jose Rizal is the country’s well-known national hero but nonetheless belongs to the
unofficial national symbol category. However, this does not make him less of a symbol of the
Philippines. Rizal’s name elicits the name of our country internationally. The monuments built
by people in countries where he had been and his books in foreign libraries bear the name of
the Philippines.

According to Dr. Esteban De Ocampo, no other Filipino hero can surpass Rizal. He
said that his birthdate and day of his execution are constantly commemorated by the Filipino
people. Rizal’s name is a byword and his picture are evident in the postage stamps and the
one-peso coin. Numerous towns, barrios and streets were named after him as wells as
educational institutions, societies and trade names. Some people were even named “Rizal” or
“Rizalina” by their parents because of their adoration to Rizal. He also emphasized that Rizal
as the Filipino writer whose teachings and noble thoughts are frequently invoked and quoted
by authors and public speakers on most occasion and it is because according to Rafael Palma,
the doctrines of Rizal are not for one epoch but for all epochs and they are today as they are
valid yesterday.

VALUES HIGHLIGHTED BY RIZAL’S LIFE

The following are the values of Rizal as a National Symbol:
1. Nationalism. Nationalism desires to attain freedom and political independence especially
by a country under foreign power. Jose Rizal’s life works and writings radiates this value.
2. Patriotism. Patriotism denotes proud devotion and loyalty to one’s nation.
3. Faith in God. When Rizal was studying in Madrid, Spain, Rizal thoughts his letters assured
his mother of his faith in God.
4. Love of Fellowmen. Rizal’s thoughts on love for our fellowmen is biblical and timeless.
5. Love of Parents. Rizal’s love for his parents is great and very admirable.
6. Devotion to Truth. Rizal’s persevering search for truth is serving his country was a
motivating virtue.
7. Purity and Idealism. Rizal’s was guided by his ideals and he was extraordinary in the
purity of his thoughts.
8. Noble thoughts and Conduct. Rizal’s works and writing promoted good conduct, clean
conscience and upright thinking.
9. Charity. All his sacrifices for his country were charitable acts for his fellowmen.
10. Dedication to Duty. Dedication was ones of Rizal’s virtue; he dedicated his whole life in
securing freedom for his country.
11. Moral Courage. The moral courage that Rizal had signified is worth imitating by our
present leaders.
12. Willpower. The strong determination of Rizal, allowed him to express his ideals and wills
through calmness and peace.
13. Integrity. This refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
14. Sincerity. Rizal’s sincerity is manifested in his acceptance that whatever he possessed
he owed them to God who had planned a duty he had to carry out.
15. Self-Denial. The self-denial of Rizal involved self-sacrifice and altruism.
16. Perseverance. This value let him show his strength in meeting and enduring pain,
adversity and peril.
17. Discipline and Self-Control. Rizal’s used reason to determine his actions regardless of
his desires. In fact, he deprived himself of many unsound pleasures.
18. Initiative. The ability to assess and initiate things independently.
19. Prudence. This is care, caution and good judgement as well as wisdom in looking ahead.
20. Chivalry, Courtesy and Politeness. Rizal was an ideal gentleman, one of the qualities
of being a chivalry. In addition, he was always ready to help weak or women.
21. Frugality. He also showed the quality of being economical with money and any other
resources; in simple way, thriftiness.
22. Love for Justice. Rizal found his joy in being just in fighting for justice.

CRITERIA FOR NATIONAL HEROES: Executive Order No. 75, 1993

On March 28, 1993, President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No. 75 creating
the National Hero Committee under the office of the President “to study and recommend the
proclamation of National Heroes”. After series of thorough discussions, the commission came
up with the new criteria comprising 10 points of standards (Galang, 2021):
1. The extent of a person’s sacrifices for the welfare of the country;
2. The motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal: (Was his ideal purely
for the welfare of the country and without any taint of self-interested motives? Most of
all, the method of attainment should be morally valid.)
3. The moral character of the person concerned; (The person should not have any
immorality issue that affected his ideal).
4. The influence of the person concerned on his age/generation and/or the succeeding one;
5. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for
the nation’s freedom; (They must have desired the country’s freedom in any situation
especially when there’s a threat of invasion in any form).
6. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order for
a nation; (For instance, someone who helps for the orderliness of the country).
 7. Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation;
8. A hero is part of the people’s expression; (The citizen must have recognized and
acknowledged the person as a hero).
9. A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations; (His concern for the
future generations must be seen in his decisions and ideals).
10. The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in
history but also the entire process that made his particular person a hero.

Recommended Figures as National Heroes (Galang 2021)

1. Jose Rizal
2. Andres Bonifacio
3. Emilio Aguinaldo
4. Apolinario Mabini
5. Marcelo H. del Pilar
6. Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat
7. Juan Luna
8. Melchora Aquino
9. Gabriela Silang

However, no law, executive order or proclamation has been officially enacted or

issued proclaiming any Filipino historical figures a national figure. But, in spite of the
absence of any official declaration openly proclaiming them as national heroes “they
remain admired and revered in their role in Philippines history. Heroes, according to
historians, should not be legislate. Their appreciation should be better left tor academics.
Acclamation for heroes, they felt, would be recognition enough.
Nonetheless, some Filipino heroes who are not officially proclaimed was given
an implied recognition by making the significant days in their lives a national holidays.

National Holidays
1. December 30, 1896 - Jose Rizal’s day of execution.
2. November 30, 1863 - Andres Bonifacio’s date of birth.
 SUMMARY
❖ Rizal as National Symbol
❖ Our Country's National Hero.
❖ The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA)
❖ Values Highlighted in Rizal’s life
❖ Criteria for National Heroes: Executive Order No.75,1993
❖ Recommended Figures as National Heroes (Galang 2021)