19 Century

th

Philippines as
Rizal’s Context
Group 1
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time
The Philippine policies during Rizal’s time wore generally coming from Spain and
implemented by the Governor General and the Catholic Church,

 In 1850, Filipino priests or seculars already hold positions as parish priests, auxiliary or in
acting capacity.

 In 1854, the Spanish government in the Philippines implemented the “cartas de radio”
(special radius permit) whose primary aim was to ensure public safety from strangers. A
Filipino traveling in another province should carry an identification paper.
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time
 In response to the Royal decree on the opening of ports in the Philippines to prevent the
uncontrolled entrance of radical books and literature in the country, the Catholic Church
and Spanish government created a permanent Board of Censorship in 1856.

 In 1857, Governor General Norzagaray, in answering problems of banditry and theft,

publicized executions of bandits and thieves, dead or alive.
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time
• Under the administration of Norzagaray, the country was generally peaceful and enjoyed
minimal progress. School for Girls, School for Botany and Agriculture were established.

• From 1861 to 1872, were the years that Rizal was born and reared by his mother, father, sisters,
and older brother.

• The boy Rizal witnessed also the melancholy of his older brother Paciano, when the three
priests, know in history as GOMBURZA, were executed in Bagumbayan.
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time
In February 1861, five months before the birth of Rizal, Board of Reform in the Philippines
met and discussed the further promotion of the teaching of Spanish Language in the
country. Influential friars argued in that meeting that knowledge of the Spanish language,

In September 1861, three months after the birth of Rizal, a Royal Decree was issued
that threatened the Filipino clergy who were already administering parishes in Manila at
that time.
 Improvement of
Philippine Education
under Spain
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time

■ Primary instruction was made compulsories for all children between

ages seven and twelve. Rizal on his part availed of the law when he
was nine years old.
■ Parents and guardians were to send their children or wards to the
public schools, unless they showed that the latter were receiving
adequate instructions at home or in a private school.
■ Non-fulfillment of this legal duty was punishable with fine.
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time

● The subjects to be taught in schools in the country were:

Christian doctrine, reading. Writing, Spanish, arithmetic,
geography, agriculture good manners, and music.  
● Female students studied the same subjects with male
students   except agriculture and geography, which were
substituted with sewing and embroidery.  
 The Philippines in Rizal’s Time

● Also established by means of decree was the founding of a Normal

School in line with European countries
● The Moret Decree of 1870. This was imposed against the will of the friars
in the Philippines, which secularized higher education in country, giving
opportunities or ay Filipinos to teach in university and colleges  
● Under Governor General Rafael Izquierdo, he decreed the creation of
schools’ tor boys, girts and adults in every tow with financial support
from the government.  
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time
● The succeeding events had a direct impact on the life of Dr. Jose Rizal.
The Philippines, under Spain, would experience continuous social,
educational, and economic changes primarily because in Spain, changes in
political and social aspects occurred rapidly and radically.

● Education Reform of 1863: This education reform benefited Rizal in his

formal schooling in Binan, Laguna and Ateneo de Manila. This was
considered in Rizal’s time as the modern system of state-regulated
education established in the Philippines with the following provisions:
Great Filipinos
During Rizal's
Time  
 The Philippines in Rizal’s Time
 Father Pedro Pelaez, who was born in 1812. He was the son of Jose Pelaez, the Spanish
Alcalde Mayor of Laguna and Josefa Sebastian, a Filipina. He studied  at the University of' Santo
Tomas, where the finished the following degrees*  Bachelor of Arts (1829), Bachelor of Theology
{1833), Licentiate in Theology  (1836) and Doctor of Sacred Theology (1844). He became the parish
priest of  Manila Cathedral, and in 1862 at the age of 50, he became the first Filipino to  is as
Ecclesiastical Governor of the Philippines.

Fr. Pedro Palaez

Philippines
social
system in
Rizal’s time
 The Philippines in Rizal’s Time (Social
System)
The succeeding statements presented the social condition of the
Philippines from Rizal's birth to 1872. Were some incidents involved Rizal
and his family:

● As decreed by the Spanish government, censorship of written material was

limited to points of faith and morals. This is the reason why Rizal was not
immediately arrested when he wrote the Noli Me tangere and El
Filibusterismo upon his return to the Philippines in 1887 and 1892.
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time (Social
System)
● There was also the organization of the "Guardia Civil to ensure
interprovincial peace and order in the Philippines.

● Manila group of liberal intellectuals, joined by some Spanish liberals,

submitted in 1869 a formal petition to the Spanish provisional
government asking or the grant universal suffrage for the Filipinos
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time (Social
System)

● In July of 1869, while Rizal was studying in a school in Biñan,

Laguna, for the 1st time, a public rally was held in Manila,

● Civil Liberties for Filipinos: Governor General De la Torre abolished

Censorship of the press and encouraged open discussion on the
problems of the country. He declared the freedom of speech and press
the Philippines.
 The Philippines in Rizal’s Time (Social
System)

● He protected Filipino priests from disrespect against Spanish friars, and at

one point, he even rebuked erring friars in such practice. He also pushed
for the Filipinization of Guardia Civil as part of his liberal reforms

● When Rizal was in Ateneo in 1872, t was already Governor General Rafael
izquierdo who held the absolute power in the country, representing King
Amadeo Savoy of Spain
The Spanish
Oppressive
System
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time

Political Instability in Spain

● The 19th Century was a turbulent century of politics in Spanish story Zaide,1944).
It was a period of political instability owning to the frequent and fall of ministries
and constitution to save the country from political disunity.

● From 1834 to 1861 Spain had adopted four constitutions, elected 28 parliaments
and installed no less 529 ministers, with portfolios; followed in subsequent years
by party strife’s, revolutions and other political upheavals
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time
Corrupt Government Officials
• A big number of the colonial officials sent to the Philippines
in the 19th Century were corrupt. They leave Spain poor and
come back millionaires. They permit illegal gambling by
accepting bribes and permit to evade in exchange of gifs
and treasures.

Gen. Rafael de Izquierdo (1871-1873)

A boastful and ruthless governor general who

ordered the execution of Father Mariano Gomez, Jose
Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora.
Admiral Jose Malcampo
(1874-77)

was a good Moro fighter, but

was an inept and weak
administrator

General Fernando Primo de Rivera (1880-83 and 1897-

98)
• Governor General for two terms enriched himself
by accepting bribes from gambling casinos in
Manila which he scandalously permitted to operate.
General Valeriano Weyler (1888-91)

• A cruel and corrupt governor general

of Hispanic-German ancestry, arrived
in Manila a poor man and returned to
Spain millionaire.

General Camilo de Polavieja (1896-97)

• An able militarist but heartless governor general, was
widely detested by the Filipino people for executing Dr.
Rizal.
Human Right
Denied to
Filipinos
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time
• Spanish Constitution of 1812 and the
succeeding constitution provides for
freedom of speech, freedom of press,
freedom of association and other human
rights except freedom of religion but
these freedoms were never enjoyed by
the Filipinos.
 Racial
Discrimination
Racial discrimination
Racial discrimination was prevalent in all
parts of the Philippines. Filipinos were
called Indios! because of the browned-
skinned and fat-nosed while the
Spaniards were called Bangus! because
of their pale-complexioned and high
nose.
Maladministration
of justice.  
 There was injustice in the
courts during the Spanish
period Spanish judges and
fiscal are often times ignorant
of laws. Filipinos. They
cannot afford the heavy
expenses of litigations.
Wealth and color of the skin
were the prime factors to win
the case  
Frailocracy
 The Philippines in Rizal’s Time

● The Frias are very powerful during the

Spanish period due to the policy of the
unity of the church and the state. The
friars practically rule the country.
 The Philippines in Rizal’s Time

● They can dictate the governor- General

on decision making, There were times
were archbishop ruled as governor-
general. Archbishop Francisco  dela
Cuesta(1719-1721)and Archbishop
Manuel Rojo(1761-1762) and Bisho 
Guande Arrechedarrcia and Obispo
Manuel (1745-1750), Lino de Espiritu 
(1759-1761).
Force Labor.  
 The Philippines in Rizal’s Time

● Filipinos regardless of age and health

render forced labor or (polo) to the
Spanish government. Well-to-do
among them were able to escape this
manual labor by paying the falla, to be
exempted from the polo.
 Abrasive
Guardia Civil  
 The Philippines in Rizal’s Time

● They are Constabulary created by Royal

Decree of March 24, 1838, for the purpose
of maintaining internal peace and order in
the Philippines. This Guardia civil abused
their authorities. They maltreated the
innocent people, looting their properties and
even rape women.  
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time

● No Philippine Representation to the Spanish Cortes.  

● In 1810 to 1813 the Philippines experienced her first period of

representation in the Spanish Cortes.
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time

● It was Ventura de los Santos who became the  first representative and
tools active in framing the Constitution of 1812 and  was able to
abolished the galleon trade.

● The representation to the Cortes was abolished 1837, since then the

Philippines had no means to exposed the anomalies perpetuated by the
Spanish officials in the Philippines.  
 Calamba,
Laguna at the
Time of Rizal's
Birth  
The Philippines in Rizal’s Time

● Calamba is an enchanted town as described by Palma (1949), It is

situated between Laguna de Bay and Mt. Makiling, it is gifted with
picturesque beauty that provided he young Rizal the inspiration and
spring board to tone his poetic and artistic sensibilities.  
Whoa!
Group 1
Lara Audriele Argana
Shmi Ayn Ileto BalgosBagao
Elisha David Bagao
Justine Jayne Orias Ballatan
Marie Anmonette Bañares
 Thanks!
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