To The Young Women of Malolos

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Spaniards brought Patriarchal Values & Patriarchal Education about women.

● Women were tied to the house and their roles were confined exclusively to
housekeeping and child rearing.
● Women were also taught to be compliant to elders and always submissive to males.
● Women were oriented to focus on building skills.
● Women were banned from participating in political undertakings.
● Young girls were not sent to school.
● Education for Women was more of a privilege than a right.
● Separate schools for Men and Women.

Who are the women of malolos?

● The Women of Malolos - a group of twenty women from prominent Chinese-Filipino
families of Malolos, Bulacan who participated in a peaceful movement for Educational
Reform.
1. Elisea Tantoco Reyes
2. Juana Tantoco Reyes
3. Leoncia Santos Reyes
4. Olympia San Agustin Reyes
5. Rufina Reyes
6. Eugenia Mendoza Tanchangco
7. Aurea Mendoza Tanchangco
8. Basilia Villarino Tantoco
9. Teresa Tiongson Tantoco
10. Maria Tiongson Tantoco
11. Anastacia Maclang Tiongson
12. Basilia Reyes Tiongson
13. Paz Reyes Tiongson
14. Aleja Reyes Tiongson
15. Mercedes Reyes Tiongson
16. Agapita Reyes Tiongson
17. Filomena Oliveros Tiongson
18. Cecilia Oliveros Tiongson
19. Feliciana Oliveros Tiongson
20. Alberta Santos Uitangcoy

● December 12, 1888 - they asked Governor-General Valeriano Weyler for permission to
open a night school where they could be taught the Spanish Language. Unfortunately,
the Spanish parish priest Fr. Felipe Garcia objected.
● They desired to learn the Spanish language because it was the language of politics and
society.
 ● The government communicated directly with the friars who knew both the spanish and
the native language.
● To the friars, it would be better not to teach the natives and mestizos the Spanish
language so that their minds will not be penetrated by the liberal ideas since most books
were written in Spanish.
● February 1889 - The women bravely asked again for permission and in the end their
permission was granted.

BACKGROUND

● February 17,1889 - To praise these young women for their bravery and courage, Marcelo
H. del Pilar requested Rizal to write a letter commending the young women.
● February 22, 1889 - In response to the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar, Rizal wrote the
letter “To the Young Women of Malolos”
● The letter was written in Tagalog, while Rizal was in London.
● Rizal’s ultimate desire was to afford Filipino women with the same opportunities enjoyed
by men in education.
● He urged women to be vigilant over their rights and not to be docile and passive.
● The letter was not just to praise the women of Malolos, but it also gave advice to Filipino
mothers, single men & women and the qualities in choosing a lifetime partner.

1. Salient points of the letter

● The rejection of the spiritual authority of the friars

● The defense of private judgment
● Qualities Filipino mothers need to possess
● Duties and responsibilities of Filipino mothers to their children
● Duties and responsibilities of a wife to her husband
● Counsel to young women on their choice of a lifetime partner

2. Responsibilities of Filipino mothers

● The central idea is that whatever a mother shows to her children is what the
children will become also.
● For example, mothers who kiss the hand of the friars should expect children who
are not only stupid but also exploited slaves.
● Rizal stressed the need for mothers to educate their children on the following:
love for honor; sincere and firm character; clear mind; clear conduct; noble
action; love for one’s fellow men; and respect for God.
● Rizal enumerates the qualities Filipino mothers have to possess:
1. Be a noble wife.
2. Rear her children in the service of the state – here Rizal gives reference
to the women of Sparta who embody this quality.
3. Set standards of behavior for men around her.
 ● Compare and Contrast
- Up to this day, mothers shall be the role models of their children.
- During the Spanish period, the responsibilities of a mother were limited
only inside the house while modern mothers often balance multiple duties
such as child rearing and working to support financial needs.
- Nowadays, mothers have more opportunities, rights and a broader role in
their families.

3. Advice to unmarried men and women

● Unmarried men should not consider physical beauty nor the sweetness character of a
woman.
● Unmarried women should not be easily taken by appearances and looks
● Instead, they should take heed of men’s firmness of character and lofty ideas.
● Three things that a young woman must look for a man she intends to be her husband:
1. A noble and honored name
2. A manly heart
3. A high spirit incapable of being satisfied with engendering slaves

● Compare and Contrast

- Both unmarried men and women are still taught by the elderly to not consider
physical looks in looking for a husband/wife.
- However, the society of today seems to be shifting towards a looks over attitude.

4. SUMMARY (Zaide & Zaide, 1999)

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

Explain how this document reflects Rizal’s views on Feminism.

- The letter “To The Young Women of Malolos” reflects Rizal’s support towards women’s
education.
- Rizal was busy annotating Morga’s work during the time he received the letter of Marcelo
H. del Pilar, requesting him to write a letter about the women of Malolos but he still
managed to write the letter to show his support on feminism and to equality of education
also.
- The content of the letter showed Rizal views on education as a right for both men and
women.