Today we will discuss about the Birth of National

Consciousness and Filipino Nationalism, the reasons

why Rizal was considered a National Hero and the
service given and sacrificed by him for the sake of our
Country. We will also discuss the reasons why our nation
is considered as an imagined community.

LESSON PROPER

Rizal and the Theory of Nationalism

J
osé Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, is not only admired
for possessing intellectual 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.

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, José could
already read and write.

When he enrolled in the Ateneo Municipal de Manila (now referred to as Ateneo De Manila University),
he dropped the last three names from his full name, after his brother’s advice – hence, his more popular
name José Protasio Rizal. His performance in school was outstanding – winning various poetry
contests, impressing his professors with his familiarity of Castilian and other foreign languages, and
crafting literary essays that were critical of the Spanish historical accounts of pre-colonial Philippine
societies.

A man with multiple professions. While he originally

obtained a land surveyor and assessor’s degree in Ateneo,
Rizal also took up a preparatory course on law at the
University of Santo Tomas (UST). But when he learned that
his mother was going blind, he decided to switch to medicine
school in UST and later on specialized in ophthalmology. In
May 1882, he decided to travel to Madrid in Spain, and
earned his Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central
de Madrid.
Apart from being known as an expert in the field of medicine, a poet, and an essayist, Rizal exhibited
other amazing talents. He knew how to paint, sketch, and make sculptures. Because he lived in Europe
for about 10 years, he also became a polyglot – conversant in 22 languages. Aside from poetry and
creative writing, Rizal had varying degrees of expertise in architecture, sociology, anthropology,
fencing, martial arts, and economics to name a few.

His novels awakened Philippine nationalism 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. As more Filipinos read the books, their eyes opened to the truth that they
were suffering unspeakable abuses at the hands of the friars. These two novels by Rizal, now
considered his literary masterpieces, are said to have indirectly sparked the Philippine Revolution.
 Upon his return to the Philippines, Rizal formed a
progressive organization called the La Liga Filipina. This
civic movement advocated social reforms through legal
means. Now Rizal was considered even more of a threat
by the Spanish authorities (alongside his novels and
essays), which ultimately led to his exile in Dapitan in
Northern Mindanao.

This however did not stop him

from continuing his plans for reform. While in Dapitan, Rizal built a school,
hospital, and water system. He also taught farming and worked on
agricultural projects such as using abaca to make ropes.

Rizal was granted leave by then Governor-General Blanco, after

volunteering to travel to Cuba to serve as doctor to yellow fever victims. But
at that time, the Katipunan had a full-blown revolution and Rizal was accused
of being associated with the secret militant society. On his way to Cuba, he
was arrested in Barcelona and sent back to Manila to stand for trial before
the court martial. Rizal was charged with sedition, conspiracy, and rebellion
– and therefore, sentenced to death by firing squad.

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.

His legacy lives on after his death, the Philippine

Revolution continued until 1898. And with the assistance
of the United States, the Philippines declared its
independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. This was the
time that the Philippine flag was waved at General Emilio
Aguinaldo’s residence in Kawit, Cavite.

Some Literary Pieces of Dr. Jose Rizal

To the Filipino Youth

Rizal wrote this literary poem when he was still studying at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST).
Originally written in Spanish (A la juventud filipina), Rizal submitted this piece for a poem contest
organized for Filipinos by the Manila Lyceum of Art and Literature. At the age of 18, this work is beaming
with strong messages to convince readers, the youth in particular, that they are the hope of the nation.
He also stresses the importance of education to one’s future. Rizal won the first prize and was rewarded
with a feather-shaped silver pen and a diploma.

To the Young Women of Malolos

Addressed to the Filipino women, Rizal’s letter entitled To The Young Women of Malolos reflects his
inheritance and issues reminders to Filipino women. In his letter, he addresses all kinds of Filipino
women – mothers, wives, and even the single women. Throughout this literary piece, he highlights the
qualities that Filipino mothers should possess, the duties of wives to their husbands and children, and
a counsel on how young women should choose their lifetime partners. The idea behind this letter
sparked after he was impressed by the women of Malolos who won the battle they fought. Rizal advises
women to educate themselves, protect their dignity and honor, and live with good manners – setting up
as a role model.
Hymn to labor

Jose Rizal’s patriotism is shown in this poem where he urges his fellowmen to strive and work for their country
whether in war or in peace. This poem was originally written in Tagalog as Imno sa Paggawa.

Noli Me Tángere

One of the most sought-after books in Philippine literature until today, is Rizal’s famous novel titled Noli
Me Tángere (Touch Me Not). Driven by his undying love for his country, Rizal wrote the novel to expose
the ills of Philippine society during the Spanish colonial era. At the time, the Spaniards prohibited the
Filipinos from reading the controversial book because of the unlawful acts depicted in the novel. Yet
they were not able to ban it completely and as more Filipinos read the book, it opened their eyes to the
truth that they were being manhandled by the friars. In this revolutionary book, you’ll learn the story of
Crisostomo Ibarra, how he dealt with Spanish authorities, and how he prepared for his revenge, as told
in Rizal’s second book, El Filibusterismo.

El Filibusterismo

This is Rizal’s sequel to his first book, Noli Me Tángere. In El Filibusterismo (The Reign of the Greed),
the novel exhibits a dark theme (as opposed to the hopeful atmosphere in the first novel) in which it
depicts the country’s issues and how the protagonist attempts a reform. The story takes place 13 years
after Noli Me Tángere, where revolutionary protagonist Crisostomo Ibarra is now under the guise of
Simoun – a wealthy jewelry tycoon. Because the novel also portrays the abuse, corruption, and
discrimination of the Spaniards towards Filipinos, it was also banned in the country at the time. Rizal
dedicated his second novel to the GOMBURZA – the Filipino priests named Mariano Gomez, Jose
Apolonio Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora who were executed on charges of subversion. The two novels
of Rizal, now considered as his literary masterpieces, both indirectly sparked the Philippine Revolution.

The Birth of National Consciousness

Filipino Nationalism

Filipino Nationalism is an upsurge of patriotic sentiments and nationalistic ideals in the Philippines of
the 19th century that came consequently as a result of more than two centuries of Spanish rule and as
an immediate outcome of the Filipino Propaganda Movement (mostly in Europe) from 1872 to 1892. It
served as the backbone of the first nationalist revolution in Asia, the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
The Creole Age (1780s-1872)

The term 'Filipino' in its earliest sense referred to

Spaniards born in the Philippines or Insulares and
from which Filipino Nationalism began. Traditionally,
the Creoles had enjoyed various government and
church positions—composing mainly the majority of
the government bureaucracy itself. The decline of
Galleon Trade between Manila and Acapulco and
the growing sense of economic insecurity in the later
years of the 18th century led the creole to turn their
attention to agricultural production. Characterized mostly in Philippine history as corrupt bureaucrats,
the Creole gradually changed from a very government-dependent class into capital-driven
entrepreneurs. Their turning of attention towards gild soil caused the rise of the large private haciendas.

The earliest signs of Filipino Nationalism could be seen in the writings of Luis Rodriquez Varela, a
Creole educated in liberal France and highly exposed to the romanticism of the age. Knighted under
the Order of Carlos III, Varela was perhaps the only Philippine Creole who was actually part of
European nobility. The court gazzette in Madrid announce that he was to become a Conde and from
that point on proudly called himself 'Conde Filipino'. He championed the rights of Filipinos in the islands
and slowly made the term applicable to anyone born in the Philippines. However, by 1823 he was
deported together with other creoles (allegedly known as Hijos del Pais), after being associated with a
Creole revolt in Manila led by the Mexican Creole Andres Novales.

Varela would then retire from politics but his nationalism was carried on by another Creole Padre
Pelaez, who campaigned for the rights of Filipino priests and pressed for secularization of Philippine
parishes. The Latin American revolutions and decline of friar influence in Spain resulted in the increase
of the regular clergy (friars) in the Philippines. Filipino priests were being replaced by Spanish friars
and Pelaez demanded explanation as to the legality of replacing a secular with regulars—which is in
contradiction to the Exponinobis. Pelaez brought the case to the Vatican almost succeeded if not for
an earthquake that cut his career short and the ideology would be carried by his more militant disciple,
Jose Burgos. Burgos in turn died after the infamous Cavite Mutiny, which was pinned on Burgos as his
attempt to start a Creole Revolution and make himself president or 'reyindio'. The death of Jose Burgos,
and the other alleged conspirators Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora, seemingly ended the entire
creole movement in 1872. Governor-General Rafael de Izquierdo unleashed his reign of terror in order
to prevent the spread of the creole ideology—Filipino nationalism.

But the creole affair was seen by the other natives as a simple family affair—Spaniards born in Spain
against Spaniards born the Philippines. The events of 1872 however invited the other colored section
of the Ilustrado (intellectually enlightened class) to at least do something to preserve the creole ideals.
Seeing the impossibility of a revolution against Izquierdo and the Governor-General’s brutal reign
convinced the ilustrado to get out of the Philippines and continue propaganda in Europe. This massive
propaganda upheaval from 1872 to 1892 is now known as the Propaganda Movement. Through their
writings and orations, Marcelo H. delPilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena and Jose Rizal sounded the trumpets
of Filipino nationalism and brought it to the level of the masses. Rizal’s Noli me tangere and El
filibusterismo rode the increasing anti-Spanish sentiments in the islands and was pushing the people
towards revolution. By July 1892, an ilustrado mass man in the name of Andres Bonifacio established
a revolutionary party based on the Filipino nationalism that started with ' los hijos del pais'—Katipunan
ng mga Anak ng Bayan. Ideology turned into revolution and gave Asia its first anti-imperialist/nationalist
revolution by the last week of August 1896.
WEEK 2

Causes of the Awakening of the Filipinos’ National Consciousness

The opening of Manila (1834) and other parts of the Philippine to foreign trade brought not only
economic prosperity to the country but also a remarkable transformation in the life of the Filipinos. As
the people prospered, their standard of living improved. They came into contact with foreign ideas and
with travelers from foreign lands. They read periodicals and books, including those brought in from
abroad. As a result, their mental horizons were broadened. They became discontented with the old
order of things and wanted social and political changes that were in harmony with the freer spirit of the
times.
Economic prosperity produced a new class of Filipinos–the intelligentsia–educated, widely read, and
enlightened individuals. Many Filipinos had learned Spanish, and some knew other Western languages
such as French, English, and German. Boldly patriotic, they discussed social and economic problems
and advocated reforms to remedy the evils of colonialism. Many of them sent their children to colleges
and universities not only in Manila but in Europe too. From the intelligentsia came patriotic leaders who
sowed the seeds of Filipino nationalism. Among these were Father Pedro Pelaez, Father Jose Burgos,
Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. delPilar, the Luna Brothers (Juan and Antonio), Jose ma. Panganiban,
Mariano Ponce, Graciano Lopez Jaena and Pedro A. Paterno.

Through the newly opened ports of the Philippines streamed liberal and modern idea. These ideas
were contained in books and periodicals brought in by ships form Europe. These included ideas of
freedom of the American and French revolutions and enlightened thoughts of Montesquieu, Rousseau,
Voltaire, Locke, Jefferson, and other philosophers of freedom. The Filipinos began to wonder at the
deplorable situation in the Philippines. In their minds sprouted the aspirations for reforms, justice, and
liberty.

The opening of the Suez Canal which was built by Ferdinand de Lesseps to world shipping on
November 17, 1869, linked the Philippines closer to Europe. It promoted the flow of ideas of freedom
into the Philippines.
Opening of the Philippines to world trade from 1834 to 1873

This stimulated the economic activities in the country which brought prosperity to some of the Filipinos
but most of all to the Chinese and the Spaniards. It resulted to the rise of a new social class referred to
as “Middle Class” or the “Illustrados”.

• Acquired material wealth

• Improved their social stature and influence

• Clamored for social and political equality with the colonial masters

Influx of Liberal Ideas

With the opening of the Philippines to world trade, European ideas freely penetrated the country in
form of printed books, newspapers, and treatises made available to the natives as they participated in
the process of exchange of goods and products. The new knowledge and current events they learned
and acquired outside affected their ways of living and the manner of their thinking.

The Rise of the Middle Class

The middle class or the Illustrado family sent members of their family particularly male children to study
abroad. These students would be exposed to European thoughts and would later lead in call for reforms
Filipino patriots and propagandist mostly came from this class.
Opening of Suez Canal

The Suez Canal was created by a French engineer named Ferdinand de Lesseps

This man-made canal made transportation easier, making the transfer of goods and ideas better and
faster. With the opening of this canal, the distance of travel between Europe and the Philippines was
significantly shortened and brought the country closer to Spain. With this canal, the trip was reduced to
only 32 days. The opening of the Suez Canal facilitated the importation of books, magazines and
newspapers with liberal ideas from Europe and America which eventually influenced the minds of Jose
Rizal and other Filipino reformists. Political thoughts of liberal thinkers like Jean Jacques Rousseau
(Social Contract), John Locke (/two Treatises of Government), Thomas Paine (Common Sense) and
others entered the country (Maguigad & Muhi 2001; 62).

The opening of this canal in 1869 further stimulated the local economy which give rise—as already
mentioned above--to the creation of the middle class of mestizos and illustrados in the 19th century.
The shortened route has also encouraged the ilustrados led by Rizal to pursue higher studies abroad
and learn liberal and scientific ideas in the universities of Europe. Their social interaction with liberals
in foreign lands has influenced their thinking on politics and nationhood.

Liberal Regime of Carlos Ma. Dela Torre

The first-hand experience of what it is to be liberal came

from the role modeling of the first liberal governor general
in the Philippines—Governor General Carlos Ma. Dela
Torre. Why Govenor Dela Torre was able to rule in the
Philippines has a long story. The political instability in
Spain had caused frequent changes of Spanish officials
in the Philippines which caused further confusion and
increased social as well as political discontent in the
country. But when the liberals deposed Queen Isabela II
in 1868 mutiny, a provisional government was set up and
the new government extended to the colonies the reforms
they adopted in Spain. These reforms include the grant of
universal suffrage and recognition of freedom and
conscience, the press, association and public assembly.
General Carlos Ma. De la Torre was appointed by the
provisional government in Spain as Governor General of
the Philippines (Romero et al 1978: 21).

The rule of the first liberal governor general in the person of General de la Torre became significant in
the birth of national consciousness in the 19th century. De la Torre’s liberal and pro-people governance
had given Rizal and the Filipinos during this period a foretaste of a democratic rule and way of life. De
la Torre put into practice his liberal and democratic ways by avoiding luxury and living a simple life.
During his two-year term, Governor De la Torre had many significant achievements. He encouraged
freedom and abolished censorship (Maguigad & Muhi 2001: 63). He recognized the freedom of speech
and of the press, which were guaranteed by the Spanish Constitution. Because of his tolerant policy,
Father Jose Burgos and other Filipino priests were encouraged to pursue their dream of replacing the
friars with the Filipino clergy as parish priests in the country (Zaide 1999: 217).

Governor De la Torre’s greatest achievement was the peaceful solution to the land problem in Cavite.
This province has been the center of agrarian unrest in the country since the 18thcentury because the
Filipino tenants who lost their land had been oppressed by Spanish landlords. Agrarian uprisings led
by the local hero, Eduardo Camerino, erupted several times in Cavite. This agrarian problem was only
solved without bloodshed when Governor De la Torre himself went to Cavite and had a conference with
the rebel leader. He pardoned the latter and his followers, provided them with decent livelihood and
appointed them as members of the police force with Camerino as captain.
✓ It was during his term as governor general that freedom of speech was allowed among the
Filipinos
✓ De la Torre was a well-loved leader because he was concern with the needs of the natives
✓ He ordered the abolition of flogging as punishment for military disobedience
✓ He implemented the Educational Decree of 1863 and the Moret Law which delimit
the secularization of educational institutions and allowed the government to take control among
different schools and academic institutions.

NATIONALISM

According to Gellner, “nationalism” is not the awakening of nations to self- consciousness: it invents
nations where they do not exist. The drawback to this formulation, however, is that Gellner is so anxious
to show that nationalism masquerades under false pretences that he assimilates “inventions” to
“fabrication” and falsity, rather than to “imagining” and creation.

RIZAL AND NATIONALISM

Acquiring a better understanding of Rizal’s life demands a deeper and more profound analysis of his
life and writings. His firm beliefs were the results of what he had seen and experienced during his
European days. Thus, to clear up vague thoughts about him requires a glimpse into his past. Rizal was
one of the elites who demands changes in the Philippine government during the Spanish colonization.

• Together with his other ilustrado friends, Rizal voiced the inclusion of Filipinos as representatives
in the Cortes.
• Filipinization in churches and equal rights were among the requests made by Rizal to the
Spanish government.
• Rizal fought for equality with the Spaniards. Rizal and his fellow ilustrados wanted to acquire the
same education and wealth as the Spanish students and families in the Philippines have.

The unheard cries of the natives and the increasing fame of Rizal fueled revolts in the country. The
natives organized groups and continued to engage in bloody battles to acquire reforms and democracy.
Rizal’s writings made a huge impact on the minds of the native who wished to break free from the
abuses of the Spaniards. When Rizal was imprisoned, numerous plans to break him out of jail were
initiated by the revolting group but none of them prospered as Rizal preferred to engage in a bloodless
battle for independence.

The dilemma that Rizal faced was depicted in his two famous novels, the Noli and El Fili
In Noli Me Tangere, Rizal was represented by both Elias and Ibarra.

✓ In the chapter, “Voice of the Hunted,” Elias believed in the need for radical reforms in the armed
forces, priesthood, and administrative justice system. While, Ibarra did not agree with the reforms
Elias wanted and believed in the power of the authorities and the need for necessary evil.

✓ In the chapter, “Elias’ Story,” Elias saw the need for an armed struggle and resistance against the
opposing forces while Ibarra disagreed and believed that education was the key to make the people
liberated, so he encourages the building of schoolhouses to educate those who are worthy of it.
✓ In the chapter “Chase on the Lake,” Elias suddenly had a change of heart; he believed in reforms
while Ibarra became a filibuster, initiating revolution. This change of heart in Ibarra was a product of
hardships and the desire to attain personal vengeance

✓ This trend of vagueness continued in the novel El Fili, were Rizal was reflected in the characters of
Simoun, Basilio, and Padre Florentino.

✓ In the conclusion of the El Fili, Rizal has implied his resolution when in the story, he killed Simoun,
the promoter of revolution, and made Padre Florentino, an advocate of peace.

✓ In real life, Rizal reiterated his stand regarding this issue in his December 15 Manifesto when he
declared that he was against the revolution, and he favored the reform programs, especially
regarding education.

In the process of making circumstances favorable for both, his appeal was for reforms and education.
What would liberate the people was the massive movement of the natives united against the
oppressors. When Rizal died, the natives were able to push through their freedom with their strong
nationalism that had been heated up and strengthened by his artistic and realistic viewpoints in his
writings. He had influenced numerous natives to fight for independence.

The result of independence was very sweet for the Filipinos who fought and died for it, and it was a
regret feel that Rizal was not able to see that the revolution that he did not favor was what liberated his
people.

Nationalism usually springs from the consciousness of a national identity of being one people. It is that
all pervading spirit that binds together men of diverse castes and creeds, clans and colors, and unites
them into one people, one family, one nation with common aspirations and ideals (Anderson, 1983)

IMAGINED COMMUNITY

An IMAGINED COMMUNITY is a concept developed by Benedict Anderson in his 1983 book Imagined
Communities, to analyze nationalism. Anderson depicts a nation as a socially constructed community,
imagined by the people who perceive themselves as part of that group.

NATION

“An imagined political community- and imagined as both inherently limited and sovereign”.
(Benedict Anderson, Imagined Community)
It is an anthropological spirit, then I propose the following
definition of the Nation: it is an imagined community-and
imagined as both inherently limited and sovereign.

• “Imagined” means that we will never meet the majority of

the community members. It is imagined because members
cannot all know each other. The members of even the
smallest nation will never know most their fellow-members,
meet them, or even hear of them. Yet in the minds of their
lives the image of their communion
• Nation as “limited” meaning that it co-exists with other
nations on the same plane. Also, because of finite
boundaries.
• “Sovereign” means that it is self-governing, not ruled by an
outside power (as in imperialism) or by a higher power (as
in older religious world news.) It is imagined as sovereign
because the concept was born in an age in which
enlightenment and Revolution were destroying the
legitimacy of the divinely-ordained, hierarchical dynastic
 realm. It is imagined as sovereign because it is not religious or monarchic.
• Finally, it is imagined as a community because, regardless of the actual inequality and
exploitation that may prevail in each nation is always conceived as a deep, horizontal
comradeship.

National identity is a sense of a nation:

• as a cohesive whole
• as represented by distinctive traditions, culture, and language.

REFERENCES

Text Books:
Anderson, B. 1998. Introduction. In Imagine communities. Reflections on the origins of spread of
nationalism, 1-7. Revised Ed. London and New York: Verso Pasig City

Online References:
Ronica Valdeavilla, The Life and Legacy of José Rizal: National Hero of The Philippines, June2018
Retreived September 3, 2020 https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/the-life-and-legacy-of-
jose-rizal-the-philippines-national-hero/
Ronica Valdeavilla Writer27 April 2018
Retrived September 3, 2020 https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/the-8-most-important-
literary-works-by-jose-rizal/

https://www.joserizal.com/to-the-philippines/

https://www.joserizal.com/hymn-to-
labor/#:~:text=Jose%20Rizal's%20patriotism%20is%20shown,in%20war%20or%20in%20peace

Learning Materials

1. Worksheet (teacher-made)

Genealogy of Rizal and His Descendants

LEARNING CONTENT

Introduction

J
ose Rizal lived in the nineteenth century, a period in
history when changes in public consciousness were
already being felt and progressive ideas were being
realized. Studying Rizal’s genealogy, therefore, will lead
to a better understanding of how Rizal was shaped and
influence by his family.
LEARNING PROPER

A
s discussed in the previous modules, Rizal was born on
June 19, 1861 in the town of Calamba, province of
Laguna. Calamba, the town with around three to four
thousand inhabitants, is located 54 kilometers south of Manila. It
is found in a heart of a region known for its agricultural prosperity
and is among the major producers of sugar and rice, with an
abundant variety of tropical fruits. On the Southern part of the
town lies the majestic Mount Makiling, and on the other side is
the Lake called Laguna the Bay. The wonders of creation that
surrounded Rizal made him love nature form an early age. His student memoirs show how his love of
nature influenced his appreciation of the arts and sciences.

Rizal’s father, Francisco Mercado, was a wealthy farmer who leased lands from the Dominican Friars.
Francisco’s earliest ancestors were Siang-co and Zun-nio, who later gave birth to Lamco. Lam-co is
said to have come from the district of Fujian in Southern China and migrated to the Philippines in the
late 1600’s. In 1967, he was baptized in Binondo, adopting “Domingo” as his first name. He married
Ines de la Rosa of a known entrepreneurial family in Binondo. Domingo and Ines later settled in the
estate of San Isidro Labrador, owned by the Dominicans. In 1731, they had a son whom they named
Francisco Mercado. The surname Mercado, which means “market,” was a common surname adopted
by many Chinese merchants at that time (Reyno, 2012).

Francisco Mercado became one of the richest in Biñan and owned the largest herd of carabaos. He
was also active in local politics and was elected as capitan del pueblo in 1783. He had a son named
Juan Mercado who was also elected as capitan del pueblo in 1808, 1813, and 1823. (Reyno, 2012).

Juan Mercado married Cirila Alejandra, a native of Biñan. They had 13 children, including Francisco
Engracio, the father of Jose Rizal. Following Governor Narcisco Claveria’s decree in 1849 which
ordered the Filipinos to adopt Spanish
surnames, Francisco Engracio added the
surname “Rizal,” form the word “racial”
meaning “green field”, as he later settled in
the town of Calamba as a framer growing
sugar cane, rice, and indigo. Being in a
privileged family, Francisco Engracio (1818-
1898) had a good education that started in a
Latin school in Biñan. Afterwards, he
attended the College of San Jose in Manila.
IN 1848, Francisco married Teodora Alonso
(1826-1911) who belonged to the one of the
wealthiest families in Manila. Teodora, whose father was a member of the Spanish Cortes, was
educated at the College of Sta. Rosa. Rizal described her as a “woman of more than ordinary culture”
and that she is “a mathematician and has read many books” (letter Blumentritt, November 8, 1888).
Because of Francisco and Teodora’s industry and hard work, their family became prominent member
of the principalia class in the town of Calamba. Their house was among the first concrete houses to be
built in the town. Rafael Palma, one of the first biographers of Jose Rizal, described the family’s house:

“The house was high and even

sumptuous, a solid and massive
earthquake-proof structure with
sliding shell windows. Thick walls of
lime and stone bounded the first
floor; the second floor was made
entirely of wood except for the roof,
which was of red tile, in the style of
the buildings in MANILA AT THAT
TIME. Francisco himself selected the
hardest woods from the forest and
had them sawed; it took him more
than two years to construct the
house. At the back there was an
azotea and a white, deep cistern to
hold rain water for home use.”

Rizal and the Lessons His Mother Taught Him

by Ma. Cielito G. Reyno published by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (2018)

Of all the persons who had the greatest influence on Rizal’s

development as a person was his mother Teodora Alonso. It
was she who opened his eyes and heart to the world around
him—with all its soul and poetry, as well as its bigotry and
injustice. Throughout his brief life, Rizal proved to be his
mother’s son, a chip off the old block, as he constantly strove to
keep faith the lessons she taught him.

His mother was his first teacher, and from her he learned to
read, and consequently to value reading as a means for learning
and spending one’s time meaningfully. It did not take long
before he learnt to value time as life’s most precious gift, for she
taught him never to waste a single second of it. Thus as a
student in Spain he became the most assiduous of students, never missing a class despite his
activities as Propaganda leader, or an examination, despite having to take it on an empty stomach. By
his example, he inspired his compatriots – those who had sunk into a life of dissipation, wasting time
and allowances on gambling and promiscuity- to return to their studies and deserve their parents’
sacrifices back home.

From his mother he learnt the primacy of improving oneself- thus growing up he took pains to
comprehend the logic of mathematics; to write poems; to draw, and sculpt; to paint. Sadly, for all
these he earned not only glory but also the fear of myopic souls.

By taking the lead in running the family’s businesses- farms, flour and sugar milling, tending a store,
even making fruit preserves, aside from running a household, Teodora imbibed in him the value of
working with one’s hands, of self-reliance and entrepreneurship. And by sharing with others she
taught him generosity and helping to make the world a better place for those who had less in the
material life. All these lessons he applied himself during his exile in Dapitan, as he improved its
community by building a dam; encouraging the locals to grow fruit trees, establishing a school, even
documenting the local flora and fauna.

His mother also taught him to value hard-earned money and better yet, the importance of thrift and of
denying oneself, and saving part of one’s earnings as insurance against the vagaries of life. Thus he
learned to scrimp and save despite growing up in comfort and wealth. These would later prove very
useful to him during his stay in Europe as he struggled with privation, considering the meager and
often delayed allowance that his family sent him (by then his family was undergoing financial reverses
due to land troubles). Whenever his precious allowance ran out, he went without lunch and supper,
putting up a front before everyone by going out of his dormitory every day to give the impression that
he took his meals outside. But, as he walked the streets of Berlin or Barcelona, his nostrils would be
assailed by the delicious aroma of the dishes being cooked within buildings and houses, increasing
his hunger pangs and his suffering all the more. Other times he saved up on rent by foregoing
breakfast altogether, his breakfast consisting of biscuits and water for a month.

Above all, it was from her he learned about obedience, through the story of the moth that got burned
by the flame because he disobeyed his mother moth’s warning not to get too near the flame. But life
as it often happens has poignant way of turning around, for it was obedience to the Catholic Church,
as his mother taught him, which proved too hard to live by especially when he struggled with a crisis
of faith in its teachings. Teodora took none too gently his defection from the Church, which she saw
was an apostasy from faith itself.

One of the turning points of his life, which had a profound influence on his becoming a political activist
later on, was the unjust arrest of his mother on the charge of conspiring to poison a relative, despite
the lack of evidence against her. But what made the arrest even worse was her humiliating treatment
at the hands of authorities who made her walk all the way from Calamba to the provincial jail in Santa
Cruz, which was 50 kilometers far. There she was imprisoned for two years before gaining her
freedom. All these she took with calm and quiet dignity, which Rizal though only a child of eleven
about to embark on secondary school in Manila would remember and replicate during his final
moments just before a firing squad snuffed out his meaningful life on that fateful December morn in
1896.

Rizal and His Siblings

 Saturnina Mercado Alonso Rizal – Hidalgo was the eldest daughter among the children of
Francisco and Teodora. She was married to Manuel Hidalgo and had five children. She reported daily
events that happened in Calamba and told stories about their life. She sends letters which contained stories
and events that have happened in Calamba. Saturnina is a very close sister of Jose Rizal, it was stated in
one of the 9 letters that they exchanged, she expressed that she was missing her brother when he was in
Madrid. (Saturnina Rizal - Wikipilipinas, 2011)

Paciano Rizal was the elder and only brother of Jose Rizal. He supported his brother financially when he
was in school. He was able to send him to Europe to study, with only 700 pesos. He was very supportive
that he gave up his dreams in studying and gave it to his brother. He was then tortured by the Spaniards
when Jose was kept imprisoned in Fort Santiago because he refused to condemn his younger brother.
After the execution of Jose Rizal, Paciano joined the revolution. He then died at the age of 79 due to
Tuberculosis.

Jose Rizal’s other sisters namely; Narcisa, Olympia, Lucia, Maria, Concepcion, Josefa,Trinidad, and
Soledad, weren’t really involved too much in Rizal’s life. Narcisa was a teacher and a musician. It was said
that she could recite almost all the poems made by his younger brother. Olympia, was a telegraph operator
from Manila. Rizal approaches her and sometimes talks about his love life with Segunda Katigbak. Lucia
was the fifth of the Rizal family who was married to Mariano Herbosa. Maria, the sixth child, married Danile
Faustino Cruz of Binan Laguna.

Concepcion, who was the next child after Rizal, died when she was three. She was also known as “Concha”.
When Concha died of sickness in 1865, Jose mournfully wept at losing her. He later wrote in his memoir,
“When I was four years old, I lost my little sister Concha, and then for the first time I shed tears caused by
love and grief.” From Concha’s life we could learn that not a few children in those times died young. If
records are correct, more than ten of Rizal’s nieces and nephews also died young, not to mention that
Jose’s child himself experienced the same fate.

Josefa, also called “Panngoy” by her family, remained a spinster all throughout his life. She was a member
of Katipunan. Lastly, Soledad the youngest of them all was married to Panteleon Quintero, a native of
Calamba. She also became a teacher and it was said that she is the most educated among all the sisters.

REFERENCES

Textbooks

Rhodalyn, Wani-Obias et al. (2018). The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. C& E Publishing, Inc
Virlyn Francisco et al. (2018). Rizal, A modular Approach. MINDSHOPPERS CO., INC.

Online
Ma. Cielito G. Reyno, Rizal and The Lessons His Mother Taught Him, September 18, 2012
Retrieved September 15, 2020 https://nhcp.gov.ph/rizal-and-the-lessons-his-mother-taught-him/

Jensen DG. Mañebog Concepcion Rizal: The Hero's First Grief 2013
Retrieved September 15, 2020 https://ourhappyschool.com/history/concepcion-rizal-heros-first-grief

https://www.scribd.com/document/146670963/Rizal-and-His-
Family#:~:text=Rizal%20and%20his%20siblings%20were,a%20second%20father%20to%20him.
 The Chinese mestizo in Philippine history

LEARNING CONTENT

Introduction

hilippine history is not complete as basis for understanding contemporary society unless it

P includes the contributions of the Chinese mestizos to the development of the Philippines as a
nation They played a significant role in the formation
of the Filipino middle class, in the call for reforms, in the
1898 revolution, and in the formation of Filipino nationalism

The Chinese mestizos were an important element of the

Philippine Society in the 19th century. They played a
significant role in the formation of the Filipino middle class,
agitation for reforms, in the 1898 revolution, and in the
formation of what is now Filipino nationality. In contemporary
times their role in nation building continues.

LESSON PROPER

Chinese History in the Philippines

A
s early as the 16th century, the Chinese were already in the Philippine archipelago. However,
some historians asserted that it was during the pre-colonial period that the Chinese first arrived
in the country as merchants between the coasts of Manila and China. Still, it was only during
the Spanish colonial period that Chinese immigrants became prominent in Philippine society. In 1594,
the Spanish Governor Luis Perez Dasmariñas created Binondo as a permanent settlement for Chinese
mestizos who converted to Catholicism. In this part of Manila Chinese merchants and traders were free
to do their business. Binondo also became the place of intermarriages between Chinese immigrants
and Filipino natives, thus the emergence of Chinese mestizos. As the Chinese population increased,
the Spaniards saw them as a threat to their own rule. They feared that the Chinese would be far less
loyal to the Spanish regime than the indios. Nevertheless, one fact that the Spaniards could not discount
then was that the Chinese became pivotal to their colonial rule because they provided valuable capital
to Manila. Thus, despite orders of expelling all Chinese from the Philippines, Governor Dasmarinas
realized that Manila needed the Chinese for economic reasons.

Chinese mestizo communities, aside from Binondo, emerged in many other parts of the archipelago.
In Manila, notable communities were Santa Cruz and Tondo. In the early 17th century, more than 100
Chinese individuals were married to native Filipinos in Iloilo, Pampanga, and Cebu. In northern Luzon,
Chinese mestizos could be found in Pangasinan, Benguet, and Mountain Province

From the beginning of the Spanish colonial period until 1740, the inhabitants of the Philippines were
classified into three: Spaniards, Indios, and Chinese. As the Chinese mestizo population grew
questions regarding their legal status as inhabitants of the country arose. It was only in 1741 that their
legal status was officially established when the whole population of the Philippines was reclassified into
four according to tax payment or tribute. These classes are the (1) Spaniards and Spanish mestizos,
(2) Indios, (3) Chinese, and (4) Chinese mestizos. Spaniards and Spanish mestizos were not required
to pay tribute or tax, whereas the three other classes were required to pay taxes depending on their
income More so, a policy that limited the number of Chinese individuals who could reside in the
Philippines and restricted their area of settlement was implemented. At the end of the 19th century,
there were almost 500,000 Chinese mestizos in the Philippines with 46,000 living in Manila. A Chinese
mestizo then was:

• any person born of a chinese father and indio mother

• a spanish mestiza who married a chinese mestizo, or
• a child of a Spanish mestiza and a Chinese mestizo.
However, a Chinese mestiza and an Indio were listed as Indios.

Significance of the Chinese Mestizo

The expulsion of Chinese immigrants in the Philippines enabled the Chinese mestizos to take over the
markets that the former previously controlled. Chinese mestizos became prominent and influential
figures in the area of industry, commerce, and business during the Spanish colonial period. They carried
on a lucrative commerce by collecting goods from the north and selling them to Manila and nearby
provinces They monopolized the internal trading in the Philippines while the Spanish mestizos were
concerned with foreign trade. The entrepreneurial power of the Chinese mestizos gave way to the
emergence of the Philippine middle class described as "more active and enterprising, more prudent
and pioneering, more oriented to trade and commerce than the Indios" (Bowring, 1963). They shared
economic power in terms of exports and imports. They became landholders, wholesalers, retailers, and
owners of the majority of the artisan shops.

Aside from contributing to economic stability, another significant role that Chinese mestizos played in
Philippine society was the formation of the Filipino identity. This was evident during the latter part of
the 19th century when they became clearly influential in the economy of the Philippines as a Spanish
colony. This caused the Spaniards to be concerned with the ability of the Chinese mestizos to cause
discord in society. By 1800s, Chinese mestizos in the provinces began to form opinions regarding the
Spanish colonial rule. It was also difficult to separate the Indios from the Chinese mestizos since they
identified themselves with each other socially and culturally. Chinese mestizos shared grievances with
the Indios about the harsh conditions under the Spanish rule. Spaniards feared that the independent
mindset and liberalism of Chinese mestizos might influence the political consciousness of Indios.
Evidently, this emergent middle class, the Chinese mestizos, rekindled and intensified the growing
national opposition to colonial abuses and demanded sweeping social reforms.

The most vivid manifestation of the budding sense of Filipino nationalism appeared in the late 1870s in
the writings of Pedro Paterno and Gregorio Sanciano, who were both Chinese mestizos. Paterno and
Sancianco wrote about the essence of being a Filipino, defended the dignity of the Filipinos, and
explained the supposed indolence of the Indios. Their writings were nurtured by Jose Rizal, a known
pride of the Malay race but also a Chinese mestizo. Rizal descended from a pure Chinese ancestor
and a long line of Chinese mestizos and mestizas.

The significant role of the Chinese mestizos in the making of the nation was highly evident at the turn
of the century. Their involvement in the armed revolt against the colonizers showed that they recognized
Spain as the enemy--the oppressor. The Philippine Revolution of 1896 to 1898 was the act of
determination on the part of Filipinos-Indios and Chinese mestizos alike-to claim for themselves and
for future generations the incomparable birthright of nationhood.

Rizal and the Chinese Mestizos

Rizal is a fifth generation Chinese mestizo. However, he and his father were considered as Indios.
Some documents and scholarly papers noted that Rizal disliked being called Chinese mestizo or Tsinoy
(in the modern sense) and dissociated himself from any Chinese relations.

Through his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Rizal exposed the abuses and corruption
of the Spanish authorities, condemned the oppression of the people by the colonizers, and ridiculed
the hypocrisy and overbearing attitude of the Spanish friars. He also depicted the bloody revolution that
sparked people's fury and eventually led them to revolt. At the same time, as a sign of his contempt
towards Chinese immigrants in the Philippines, his novels brimmed with insults and scorn for them.
Rizal clearly manifested his anti-Chinese feelings in his writings, as well as in his correspondence with
family and friends. By virtue of his lineage, Rizal could have had a special connection with the Chinese,
but such was not the case.

The concern on whether Rizal's disdain over his Chinese lineage made him less of a hero is not
something to argue about Chinese mestizo or not, Rizal is a nationalist and a Filipino

Renegotiating Social Stratification

The Philippine society felt the impact of the developing economy. As a result, social relations underwent
redefinitions and the changing dynamics brought about a renegotiation of social stratification. With the
growing relevance of the mestizo population, new lines were drawn with the following social strata:

Peninsular Pure-blooded Spaniard born in the Iberian Peninsula

Insular Pure-blooded Spaniard born in the Philippines

Born of mixed parentage, a mestizo can be:

Mestizo Spanish Mestizo- one parent is Spanish; the other is native
Chinese mestizo- one parent is Chinese the other is a native

Wealthy pure-blooded native supposedly descended from the kadatoan

Principalia
class

Indio Pre-blooded native of the Philippines

Chino infiel Non-Catholic pure blooded Chinese

As the Spaniards lost economic power in the nineteenth century, they asserted dominance by virtue of
their race. This issue brought complications with the rising principalia and mestizo populations who
realized their indispensable position in society as movers and facilitators of the economy. The
renegotiation continued throughout the century as the mestizos and the principalia elite eventually
demanded social recognition that the pure-blooded Spaniards had consistently denied them.

These wealthy mestizos and members of the principalia continued to amass economic and cultural
capital. They also availed themselves the opportunity to obtain higher degrees of education not only in
Philippines but also in Europe. These activities augmented their relevance in society as it was from
these ranks that articulations of nationalism would emerge.

References

Textbooks

Rhodalyn, Wani-Obias et al. (2018). The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. C& E Publishing, Inc

Virlyn Francisco et al. (2018). Rizal, A modular Approach. MINDSHOPPERS CO., INC.

Online

The Chinese Mestizo in Philippine History, retrieved from:

https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/bitstream/handle/1808/1129/CEAS.1964.n10.pdf?sequence=1