HISTORY 3: LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

Name/s:

MANGMANG, Eymard Michael

NERVIDA , John Patrick

ODDERA , Simone

RAMOS, Christine Marielle

SORIANO, Allan

I. Noli and colonial society

Complete the table below by identifying what the major characters in Noli Me Tangere
symbolize in relation to colonial Philippine society. You may opt to explain each symbolism.

Character Symbolism
Crisostomo Ibarra
Crisostomo Ibarra symbolizes the educated Filipino elite or the
modern Filipinos who have been exposed to European ideals and
education. He's all about improving things in the Philippines and
wanting positive change. And when he comes back from overseas,
it's like this moment where Filipino pride and the hope for a brighter
future.
Maria Clara
Maria Clara is like the perfect Filipino woman or the traditional
Filipinos back in the day when the Spanish were in charge. She is
a symbol of purity, and innocence, and deals with the pressure
from society to fit into certain roles. Her character shows how
women were limited in colonial times.
Capitan Tiago
Capitan Tiago represents the rich Filipinos who got benefits and
power by teaming up with the Spanish authorities. He represents
the Ilustrado class, who often had mixed loyalties due to their
interests, wealth, and connections.
Padre Damaso
Padre Damaso is a symbol of the messed up and oppressive
religious authority of the Spanish friars in the Philippines. He just
 shows how the clergy took advantage of the Filipino people and
used their faith to get what they wanted.
Sisa
Sisa is like the symbol of all the suffering people in the Philippines
during Spanish colonial times. Her character represents how the
regular folks, especially those who were ignored or mistreated,
often got treated unfairly and taken advantage of.
Pilosopo Tasio
Pilosopo Tasio, or Don Anastasio as some call him, represents the
intellectual and enlightened individuals who question the norm and
want to make things better by using their smarts. He’s all about
pushing for education and getting people to think outside the box
for some real change.
Dona Victorina
Dona Victorina is like those Filipinos who wanted to be even more
"Spanish" than the actual Spaniards. She shows how obsessed
people were with copying the colonizers and wanting to be just like
them to look important.
Basilio
Basilio represents the youth of the Philippines and the hope for the
future. He's a symbol of the power to make things better and bring
about reform, especially through education. Basilio's journey in the
story mirrors the struggles and chances that the young generation
encounters in a colonial society.
II. The continuing relevance of Noli Me Tangere

Imagine yourselves writing an updated version of the Noli Me Tangere today. Juxtapose your
observations about the contemporary society with what Rizal saw in the 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.

Aspect of society Rizal’s observations as Your observations in the

depicted in Noli Me Tangere present context
Government and officials
The Government was run by Up until present times,
selfish and corrupt individuals. corruption is still rampant.
There were very few officials There were more corrupt
who were truly honest and officials than sincere ones.
sincere. The head of the Government officials abuse
Philippines is the governor- their power. Some of the
general. Civil guards, religious officials manipulate the
leaders, and other prices of goods and services
government officials abused without letting the sincere
their powers to mistreat officials and citizens know.
people and control those they
thought would be a problem
for the Spanish rule.

Church and religion

The friars leveraged the While isolated instances of
Catholic Church for their corruption exist within the
enrichment and to secure Church, it can be argued
positions of authority, while that, on the whole, the
also exercising control over Church effectively fulfills its
the local populace through the responsibilities when
use of excommunication, compared to other non-
penalties, and charges of governmental sectors. The
heresy. During that period, the separation of Church and
Church held significant sway State is a fundamental
over government officials. principle, with neither having
Spaniards employed religion control over the other.
 as a means to exert power Nowadays, Freedom of
over native populations and Religion prevails, ensuring
Indios, ruling as despots. The people's rights to select their
friars also turned religion into faith and show respect for all
a profitable venture through religions.
practices like simony and the
sale of plenary indulgences.
Education In the past, access to Access to basic education
education was characterized has improved, and
by inequality. Children were technology has opened up
mandated to learn Spanish countless learning
since it was the essential opportunities. But the
medium of communication. struggle isn't over.
Higher education was likewise Disparities in educational
restricted, primarily accessible quality still exist, with some
to those with financial means. schools being underfunded
The Spanish colonial rulers and many people facing
deliberately maintained a tight unequal access to
grip on knowledge to preserve resources. Moreover, we're
their power and authority. faced with the challenge of
adapting education to a
rapidly changing world,
emphasizing skills like digital
literacy, critical thinking, and
adaptability in the face of
automation. Issues like
student debt, the digital
divide, and the evolving
nature of work and careers
also add complexity to the
education landscape.
Romantic relationships
Rizal depicted the limitations In contemporary society,
(courtship, marriage, etc.)
and restrictions imposed on there is more openness and
romantic relationships, acceptance of diverse
particularly between Filipinos romantic relationships,
and foreigners. He highlighted including intercultural and
 the societal norms and same-sex relationships.
expectations that hindered However, societal
genuine love and choice in expectations and norms can
marriage. still influence individuals’
choices and relationships to
some extent.
Pastimes/hobbies
Rizal showed how colonial With technological
society had limited avenues advancements, people now
for leisure and recreation, have a wider range of
particularly for the common pastimes and hobbies. The
people. He criticized the internet and social media
obsession with social status have provided platforms for
and the lack of opportunities self-expression and
for personal growth and self- community-building.
expression. However, there is also a
concern about the excessive
use of technology and its
impact on mental health and
social interactions.
The rich and the poor
Today, we witness economic
In Rizal's time, he saw a
inequality, where a small
glaring gap between the
percentage of people
wealthy Spanish friars and the
accumulate significant
struggling Filipino masses.
wealth while many others
The friars enjoyed privilege,
struggle to make ends meet.
while many Filipinos faced
The poor still need help in
high taxes, forced labor, and
terms of accessing quality
poverty.
education, healthcare, and
employment opportunities.
Social class distinctions
remain, although they may
take on different forms in our
more interconnected,
globalized world.
Life in the city
Rizal painted a grim picture of Cities have evolved and
city life in the 19th century, we've seen progress in
marked by corruption, moral terms of infrastructure,
decay, and limited technology, education, and
opportunities for Filipinos. The healthcare access. Yet, cities
city was rife with injustice and still grapple with issues like
exploitation. traffic congestion,
environmental degradation,
and rising living costs.
Corruption and social
problems persist, but they
manifest differently due to
changes in governance
structures and technology's
impact on our daily lives.

Original Document by: Sir James Martin Ambat

Reference:

Obias, R., Mallari A.A., Reguindin-Estella, J. (2018). The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. C &
E Publishing, Inc.