Synthesis: Rizal Law - Socio-Economic Changes

The Philippines experienced a lot of socioeconomic changes throughout the 19th

century. It comprises much of what the country currently is because of those times. Haciendas,
also known as the "cash-crop economy," which rose in the 19th century as a result of the
economic situation in the Philippines. where a sizable portion of the land would be used for
income crops. Coffee, abaka, tobacco, and sugar are some income crops. Due to its openness to
international trade and the abundance of these goods there, the Philippines rose to prominence as
a major supplier of these goods for export and gained recognition throughout the world. These
events marked the transition from a barter economy to a moneyed one.

Due to cash crops and the ability to build, the 19th century saw the emergence of the
middle class, with land being the main source of wealth, and the development of technological
linkages between the Philippines' dispersed islands. Railroads, steamships, and improvements in
communication allowed the regional variety of the Philippines to become interconnected. The
Filipinos also saw literacy as a decolonization tool; they saw it as a weapon. However, with the
feudalistic and colonialistic approach of the Spaniards to the Filipinos, they were rather just
slaves even having the opportunities in its developing country.

It was during this time that the middle class of educated Filipinos began to emerge, and
with it, a desire for independence arised (Britannica, 2020). Prior to 1872, the majority of the
opposition came from the Filipino clergy, who disliked the Spanish colonizers' control over the
Roman Catholic Church in the country. In that year, a pretext for additional Spanish repression
was provided by the short-lived Cavite Mutiny, an uprising against the Spaniards. A wave of
anti-Spanish feeling was fueled by the crucifixion of three Filipino priests coined as the
“GomBurZa” composed of the three priests José Burgos, Mariano Gómez, and Jacinto Zamora
who were accused for plotting with the rebels in Cavite.

Reform-minded Filipinos who are also considered the illustrados fled to Europe, where
they continued the Propaganda Movement, a literary movement. Dr. José Rizal became the most
influential propagandist . His book Noli me tángere (1886; The Social Cancer, 1912) and El
Filibusterismo revealed Manila's rotten culture and sparked the independence movement. Rizal’s
literary works are artistic expressions of his feelings, experiences, and ideals during this time. As
Sicat (2019) holds, principles of Jose Rizal were a result and synthesis of the Enlightenment
philosophy's teachings which are a product of the expansion of individual freedom, social
development, tolerance, scientific understanding, constitutional democracy, and the separation of
church from state.

Moreover, Rizal was known for his love towards his family, education and his fellowmen.
Dr. Rizal embraced the thirst for knowledge and was a pioneer in numerous scientific domains.
He thought that in order for a country to go through a difficult time in its history, it needed to
become enlightened and united. Even centuries later, our people are still inspired and motivated
to action by his great and timeless works because of his ferocious passion for his nation.Thus, its
now more than ever than the youth must appreciate and awaken these ideals amongst us all.

References:

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, May 28). Philippine Revolution. Encyclopedia

Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Philippine-Revolution

Sicat, G. (2019, January 5). Jose Rizal’s Ideals and Ideas. https://econ.upd.edu.ph/perse/?p=7208