Digital Magazine of the Life & Works of Rizal

RIZAL A HERO'S STORY

"FILIBUSTERO" A GLIMPSE ON JOSE'S LIFE & WORKS

THE MAN BEHIND OUR FREEDOM

19TH CENTURY The Spain's Regime in Philippines

THE ONE WHO WIELDED HIS PEN TO OPEN THE THE NATION'S EYES

GROUP 8's PUBLICATION

Table of

19TH-CENTURY REGIME OF SPAIN IN THE PHILIPPINES BRIEF BACKGROUND

FACTS ABOUT HIM GATHERED INFORMATIONS

Contents HIS WORKS THOUGHTS/CONCEPTS/IDEOLOGIES 2 POEMS 2 NOVELS 2 ESSAYS

OUR THOUGHTS OF HIM MEMBERS OF THE GROUP SHARING THEIR THOUGHTS OF HIM

S P A I N ' S

R E G I M E

O N

P H I L I P P I N E S

19th Century Philippines Political and economic changes in Europe were finally beginning to affect Spain, and hence the Philippines, by the late 18th century. The eventual abolition of the galleon to Acapulco's monopoly served as a significant commerce stimulant. The last galleon arrived in Manila in 1815, and by the mid-1830s, the city was practically completely accessible to foreign traders. After the Suez Canal was completed in 1869, demand for Philippine sugar and abaca (hemp) surged even faster, and the volume of exports to Europe increased even more.

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S P A I N ' S

R E G I M E

O N

P H I L I P P I N E S

Social Structure In the nineteenth century, the Filipinos were subjected to a feudalistic and masterslave relationship with the Spaniards. Their social structure can be divided into three categories:

Highest class –Spaniards, peninsulares, and friars are among those that belong to this group. They have the authority and power to dominate the Filipinos. They adored their jobs and were free to do as they pleased.

Middle Class –Natives, mestizos, and criollos are among the individuals who fall under this category.

Lowest class –Only Filipinos are included in this class.

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S P A I N ' S

R E G I M E

O N

P H I L I P P I N E S

Political System and the Sources of Abuses in the Administrative System In the nineteenth century, the Filipinos were controlled by Spaniards. The Filipinos were enslaved by the Spaniards. The Spaniards claimed their taxes and worked under the Spaniards' authority. Abuses in the Administrative System's Sources:

1. Officials with lower qualifications, a lack of commitment to duty, and moral courage to resist corruption for the sake of material advancement were appointed. The Spaniards used their power and authority to collect and waste the money of the Filipinos.

2. The functions of the church and state unions were far too convoluted or complex.

3. Manner of obtaining the position. The Spaniards had the power to appoint different roles because of their power. The highest bidder, who happens to be the country's Governor-General, is chosen to fill vacancies.

4. Term of office. The length of time a person (typically a politician) serves in a given office is determined by the King of the country's wishes.

5. Distance of the colony.

6. Personal interest over the welfare of the State 7. During the 19th century, they were corrupt, with the Alcaldias/Alcalde being the most corrupt of the corrupt. Administrators, judges, and military commandants make up the Alcaldias/Alcalde.

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S P A I N ' S

R E G I M E

O N

P H I L I P P I N E S

Educational System In the late nineteenth century, the Philippines' educational system drew a lot of criticism. The following are some examples:

Overemphasis on religious matters Obsolete teaching methods Limited curriculum Poor classroom facilities Absence of teaching materials Primary education was neglected Absence of academic freedom Prejudice against Filipinos in the schools of higher learning Friar control over the system

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G A T H E R E D

I N F O R M A T I O N S

A B O U T

H I M

Facts About Rizal

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G A T H E R E D

I N F O R M A T I O N S

A B O U T

H I M

Facts About Rizal There are three animals named after Rizal.

These animals were what he collected when he was exiled in Dapitan: abogonia rizalie, a type of small beetle; Drago Rizalie, a species of dragonfly and Racoforus Rizalie, a species of toad.

Rizal had to pawn a ring belonging to his sister Saturnina to pay for his examinations while studying in Spain.

A B O G O N I A

Rizal was only five feet and three inches tall S A T U R N I N A

but had a waistline of 25-26 inches. He also had a big head. His hats were 6 1/2 inches across and the interior measures eight inches from front to back

On the night before his execution, Rizal slipped

unidentified

documents

into

his

pockets and shoes. He did this because he assumed that after his execution, his body would be returned to his family. But as we all know, His remains, however, were thrown in an unmarked grave at Paco cemetery by Spanish officials. The documents have since decayed, and their contents have never been discovered.

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R I Z A L I E

G A T H E R E D

I N F O R M A T I O N S

A B O U T

H I M

Facts About Rizal Rizal had his third unfinished novel. Rizal began this unfinished work in Hongkong in 1892, and historians call it "Maka-misa."

Maka-misa is not the novel's title, but rather a single chapter from the unfinished work. He started writing it in Tagalog but soon gave up and switched to Spanish.

Rizal, a polyglot, was prone to change from one language to the next. Because of his habit of switching languages, his biographers had trouble interpreting his writings. He spoke 22 languages fluently.

M A K A M I S A

T H E B A P T I S M O F T W O B R O T H E R S

In Germany, Rizal created a series of funny cartoons

called

"The

Baptism

of

Two

Brothers." He created the comic strip to amuse his landlord's children. In the comic strip, he used cuss words.

Rizal composed the “Treatment and Cure of the Bewitched,”

a

long

written

lecture

on

witchcraft with translation, while in Dapitan.

It stated that witches are not usually old and ugly.

While in Dapitan, Rizal founded a school with 21 students who were never charged a fee but R I Z A L ' S

S C H O O L

I N

were obliged to labor for the community by

D A P I T A N

Rizal.

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A B O U T

H I M

Facts About Rizal Even at an early age, he was already a

R I Z A L ' S S C U L P T U R E

remarkable sculptor. When he was just 14 years old, Rizal carved a 9-inch sculpture of the Sacred Heart out of batikuling wood.

When the Jesuit fathers visited Rizal in December 1896, they took this figurine to Fort Santiago. Rizal produced 40 remarkable works out of plaster, terra-cotta, wax, and clay, in addition to his wood sculptures.

Rizal healed himself of Tuberculosis and became known as a TB expert.

Except for music, Rizal was outstanding and

L E O N O R V A L E N Z U E L A

prolific in a wide variety of areas.

R I Z A L ' S

Rizal once wrote Leonor Valenzuela, a tall girl from Pagsanjan, a love note written in invisible ink. The message could only be understood by putting the letter over a lamp or candle. One of Rizal's early sweethearts was Leonor Valenzuela. When Rizal had to depart for Spain, they had to part ways.

The firing squad for Rizal's death consisted of eight Filipinos armed with Remington rifles.

There were also eight Spanish troops behind them with Mausers, ready to fire Filipino soldiers if they refused to kill Rizal.

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E X E C U T I O N

H I S

T H O U G H T S ,

C O N C E P T S ,

A N D

I D E O L O G I E S

Rizal's Works

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U N D E R S T A N D I N G

T H E

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P O E M S

“Mi Retiro” (My Retreat)

This poem was written by Jose Rizal in 1895, for his family and loved ones. He wrote this poem during his exile in Dapitan from1892 to 1896. "My Retreat" is a poem about nature and the solace that nature provides to his lonely exile and through it, memories of people and places now gone. The poem tells the story of his escaping the chaos of modern life to be alone with nature and reflect. Whoever the author is, they claim to withdraw to repose in order to be at rest, to calm the pain, or to forget the stresses of life. For a while, he is satisfied with everything around him, admiring nature, but when he grows lonely, he recalls that God is always with him. He briefly describes his faith and God's capacity to always be present with him. Then, as he sits, he is overcome with a sudden recall of everything he perceived as pain, and he realizes that they were what they were, and it is his decision to view them as he previously did. He resolves to return to the world from which he previously chose to escape after second-guessing his decision to stay and die in his own seclusion.

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“Mi Ultimo Adios” (My Last Farewell)

Dr. José Rizal's last piece of writing, Mi Ultimo Adios, was his final work. He wrote it on the eve of his execution. His farewell to the world may be seen in the poem.

Reading the poem reveals the author's admiration for his homeland. Rizal proclaims his desire to die for his countrymen and bids farewell to his loved ones, his homeland, and everyone he cared about. Reading the poem reveals the author's thoughts toward his friends, nation, and the world as he commemorates his exile.

He also hopes that today's youth will continue the battle for independence that he has fought for, and he is grateful to several Filipinos who have given their lives for the love of their homeland. He never regretted putting his life in jeopardy and was successful in carrying out his destiny, which was to die for his country, due to his resolve and great desire for political change for the equality of Spaniards and Filipinos.

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“Noli Me Tangere” (Touch Me Not)

The first novel published by Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, “Noli Me Tangere,” reflects its author’s determination to free the Philippines from the Spaniards. True enough, Rizal’s work represented the hardships of the Tagalogs, as he sought to redeem the country and its people by exposing the Spanish colonizers’ barbarism, greed, cruelty, and ignorance. He was the first to present such a bold picture of life in the Philippines in the 1800s. Likewise, while “Noli Me Tangere” depicts several facets of achieving independence, Jose Rizal focuses on social climbers, abusive authority, familial love, self-sacrifice, purity, and faithfulness.

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“Noli Me Tangere” (Touch Me Not)

Noli Me Tangere focuses on how the Catholic church was able to conquer and rule the Philippines as a result of Spain’s colonization. Colonialism created tensions that, around a decade after Rizal’s work was released, led to the Philippine Revolution, a revolution against Spain’s oppressive religious and governmental bodies. Through Ibarra, the book’s protagonist who returns to the Philippines after having spent seven years in Europe, Rizal shows the shocking extent to which the Catholic friars have commandeered the country’s politics and culture, manipulating the lives of Filipino citizens in an attempt to assert authority and influence. Thus, Rizal illustrates the Catholic priests’ corruption and their unchecked power, which doesn’t stem from actual religious zeal, but rather from a love of supremacy that colonization has enabled and encouraged.

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“El Filibusterismo” (The Reign of Greed)

El Filibusterismo was written in dedication to the three martyred priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, whose deaths left an indelible mark in his mind. Like Noli Me Tangere, El Fili aims at enlightening society, at bringing the Filipinos closer to the truth. But whereas in the first novel, we are encouraged to ask and aspire for change and liberation, in this novel, the society is urged to open its eyes to reality and rebel against the Spanish government for its oppression and abuse. Outright hatred and anger may already be felt at the opening of the novel, as Simoun supports abuse and tyranny in the Spanish government, with the expectation that the people will reach the limits of their endurance and proclaim a revolution. Simoun, who is actually Noli's Ibarra in disguise, conveys an entirely different personality in El Fili. While Ibarra is trusting, aspiring, and loving, Simoun is now cunningly careful in his dealings, distrusting, and extremely bitter.

Something changed in Rizal, and this is reflected in the personalities he gave his El Filibusterismo characters.

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“To The Young Women of Malolos”

This famous essay, originally written in Tagalog and dedicated directly to the ladies of Malolos, Bulacan, was written by Rizal to answer Marcelo H. Del Pilar's request. Rizal was amazed by the bravery of the 20 Malolos young ladies who planned to establish a school where they could learn Spanish despite the resistance of Felipe Garcia, Malolos' Spanish parish priest.

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“To The Young Women of Malolos” The letter stated Rizal's desire for women to be granted the same educational opportunities as men. Young women were not educated in the past because of the principle that they would soon be wives and that their primary job would be to care for the household and children. Rizal, however, advocated women's right to education. Rizal stated the following points in his letter to the young women of Malolos: The country's priests at the time did not exemplify the real spirit of Christianity.

Private judgment should be used.

Mothers should be the embodiment of the ideal woman, teaching their children to love God, nation, and fellowmen.

Mothers should raise their children in the service of the state and set standards of behavior for men.

Filipino women must be noble, decent, and dignified, obedient, compassionate, and devoted to their husbands.

Young ladies must educate themselves, follow the real Christian way with solid values and manners, and choose a lifetime partner wisely.

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“Sobre La Indolencia De Los Filipinas” (The Indolence of the Filipinos)

Sobre La Indolencia De Los Filipinas, more popularly known in its English version, "The Indolence of the Filipinos." It is an essay written by Dr Philippine national hero Dr Jose Rizal to explain the alleged idleness of his people during the Spanish colonization. It was published in La Solidaridad in five consecutive issues on July (15 and 31), August (1 and 31) and September 1, 1890.

Prior to the Spaniards' control, Rizal said, Filipinos were intrinsically diligent.

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“Sobre La Indolencia De Los Filipinas” (The Indolence of the Filipinos)

The Spanish colonization was what caused the natives' productive activity to decline.

Rizal justified the alleged Filipino laziness by citing the following factors:

The Galleon Trade undermined the Philippines' historical linkages with other Asian and Middle Eastern

countries,

destroying

small

local

enterprises and handicraft industries.

The Spanish forced labor compelled Filipinos to work in shipyards, roads, and other public works projects, forcing them to forsake their agricultural land and industries.

Because Spain did not defend them from pirates and foreign invaders, many Filipinos became landless and wanderers.

The

colonizers'

educational

system

was

impractical since it was primarily based on repetitive prayers and had nothing to do with agricultural or industrial technology.

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“Sobre La Indolencia De Los Filipinas” (The Indolence of the Filipinos)

The Spaniards set a poor example by arriving late and leaving early in their offices, and servants constantly followed Spanish women.

Gambling, such as cockfights, was founded, encouraged, and openly performed by Spanish government officials and friars, particularly on feast days.

The

corrupt

religious

system

discouraged

natives from working hard by teaching that it is easier for a poor man to attain heaven.

The extremely high taxes were discouraging because a large portion of locals' wages went mainly to authorities and friars.

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“Sobre La Indolencia De Los Filipinas” (The Indolence of the Filipinos)

Furthermore, Rizal argued that Filipinos were just wise in their degree of effort in the current circumstances. He explained, "violent work is not a good thing in tropical countries as it would be parallel to death, destruction, annihilation." Rizal concluded that the supposed laziness of natives was a byproduct of Spanish colonization.

"violent work is not a good

thing in tropical countries as it

would be parallel to death,

destruction, annihilation"

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Our Thoughts Of Rizal

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Our Thoughts Of Rizal Dr. Jose Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, commonly known as Dr. José Rizal, used his writings to fight for our independence. He has opened the eyes of many Filipinos with his works such as Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. If it wasn’t for him then maybe Filipinos won’t see the oppression of the Spaniards, Katipunan might not be founded, we might still be under the Spanish colony up to this very date, and we might never taste the independence we enjoy now. It was all because of Rizal's sacrifices and hard work, which made his compatriots recognize how unjustly the Spanish government treated us, Filipinos in our very own nation. It’s all thanks to him, nationalism arose as a result of his efforts.

- Gallardo, Shallie Mar

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Our Thoughts Of Rizal Apart from being the Philippines' national hero, Jose Rizal was also regarded as the First Filipino, the Pride of the Malayan Race, and the Greatest Malayan, among other titles. He was regarded as a genius, a jack of all trades, a patriot, a model brother, and a perfect son by many. Other than being one of our country's known heroes, Rizal’s works and bravery to write his thoughts about the abusive and inhumane actions and treatments of Spaniards towards his fellow Filipino is one reputable and honorable deed for many Filipinos in the country. How he fought and represented the voice of the Indios through his works and novels is how he earned the most respect and admiration from millions of Filipinos from then, up to this time’s generation.

- Hong, Ann

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Our Thoughts Of Rizal Jose Rizal’s patriotism and bravery has made a significant impact in the lives of all Filipinos throughout his lifetime and to this day. Known as the Philippines’ National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was also the one who led the Filipinos to start a revolution against the Spanish Government. He revealed and opened our eyes to the truth behind the Spanish government's unfair system, their discrimnation towards the Filipinos and the prejudice. As someone who experienced these treatments of the Spaniards even during his young age, Jose Rizal’s eagerness to acquire education and to gain knowledge never ceases, and thus as an adult, he utilized his intelligence, talents and his skills to deliver and portray the condition and situation of the Filipinos with bravery and with full honesty through his literatures and his acts. Indeed, Jose Rizal is a really great and admirable individual who led us to the freedom and independence that we now enjoy.

- Iglupas, Honeylou

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Our Thoughts Of Rizal Gat. Jose Rizal, if I were to be asked what is he to my eyes? I would probably say it along the lines of ;

A person that is synonymous with the word freedom, the one who opened the eyes of our ancestors, the one who valiantly wielded his pen instead of any other lethal weapon for the sake of our motherland, the one who is behind the disclosure of how the colonists had defiled our sacred soils and people.

He had no desire for a revolt or any of its kind, all he had wished for is his fellow countrymen to be seen in and put in the same ground as the Spanish pilgrim. He hoped for that his compatriots of the same land to have the same opportunity of acquiring knowledge and positions they are worthy of regardless of their gender or where they come from but the colonist's regime's corrupt officials had not only turned a blind eye on the situation but also tried to abuse their power more, raising taxes, implementing more harsh punishment, and banned his works. It is might be a fact that his life is shrouded in mystery for there is somewhat a lack of records of how past events have truly unfolded in his time but it is also an indisputable truth that his works speak for themselves, his works speaks; brilliance, intelligence, partiality, and is full of reasoning. It might've given a hint of revolution to those who have read them but he did not wish for that much loss of blood. truly, a hero who can never be forgotten.

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Our Thoughts Of Rizal Dr. José Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero, is recognized not only for being an intellectual genius, but also for making a stand against the Spanish colonial government and resisting it. Rizal will be remembered for his compassion towards the Filipino people and the country, even though his death triggered a movement to overthrow the government.

- Jimenea, Lj Mae

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Our Thoughts Of Rizal Rizal is one of the most revered figures in Philippine history because of his contributions to historical development. The Filipinos proclaimed him as the national hero of the Philippines. Rizal came from a wealthy family, and despite not coming from the masses and being just a limited Filipino, he saw the grievances and injustices of society. That is why he used his writings in expressing his ideals and the unjust system of the Church and the government, such as Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Regardless of being a limited Filipino who cared for the Filipino people and served the country by doing what he needed to do during his time with his own abilities.

Rizal was successful in voicing his goals and aspirations. He inspired the Filipinos to do the revolution despite his refusal because he was up for reformation to have equal rights and better education for the Filipinos. Rizal is against revolution and is different from other national heroes in other countries who participated in the revolution. He failed to empathize with the people who wanted armed struggles because he believed that reforms must come from above.

The life and works of Rizal made me see him more than him being a national hero. In reality, he is also a normal human being, and he makes mistakes just like everyone else. Regardless of his weaknesses, Rizal made contributions and legacies towards the development of the history of the Philippines.

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Our Thoughts Of Rizal Dr. Jose Rizal is one of the most revered Filipino figures. He was proclaimed the National Hero of the Philippines. This is due to the fact that he was the one who effectively ignited the Filipinos' desire to launch a revolution against the Spanish government in order to achieve freedom and control of the country. Dr. Rizal is well-known for being a propagandist against the Spanish government, and his method of combat was to use his literature to expose the terrible and inhumane treatment of the Spanish government in the Philippines. Although he is opposed to the idea of a bloody revolution since he believes that the only way to get freedom is to prove to Spain that we Filipinos are deserving of it. Despite his opposition to the idea of revolution, many Filipinos remain inspired and have begun a revolution against the Spanish government. I admire Dr. Jose Rizal's bravery, for him to use his intellect to break down a very hard wall for his fellow Filipino is an act deserving of honor and respect in my opinion.

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Reference 36 Amazing Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Jose Rizal. (2019, June 19).

Retrieved June 12, 2021, from https://filipiknow.net/jose-rizal-facts/

A Literary Analysis on “My Last Farewell”. (2020, Nov 11). Retrieved June 12, 2021 from https://samploon.com/a-literary-analysis-on-my-last-farewell/

Admin, E. (2018, July 26). Talisay forest home. Institute of Environmental Science for Social

Change.

Retrieved

June

12,

2021,

from

https://essc.org.ph/content/archives/7683/

Mañebog, J. (2014, May 13). Jose Rizal’s Essays and Articles. OurHappySchool.

Retrieved

June

12,

2021,

from

https://ourhappyschool.com/literature/jose-

rizal%E2%80%99s-essays-and-articles

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Reference My retreat Mi ultimo adios to the Flowers of Heidelberg. (n.d.). Course Hero.

Retrieved June 12, 2021, from https://www.coursehero.com/file/47709612/rizal-group5pptx/#:~:text=My%20Retreat%20%EF%82%97%20Jose%20Rizal,from%20bamboo%2 C%20wood%20and%20nipa.

Philippines - The 19th century. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved June 12, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-19th-century

Philippines in the 19th Century. (2014, July 27). Dimasalang Laong Laan. Retrieved June 12, 2021, from https://dimasalanglaonglaan.wordpress.com/philippines-in-the19th-century/

Sarmiento, V. M. (n.d.). 10 interesting things about Dr. Jose Rizal. Retrieved June 12, 2021, from https://pia.gov.ph/features/articles/1003610

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On this battlefield, man has no better weapon than his intelligence, no other force but his heart.

- Jose Rizal -

JUNE 2021