MIDTERM

LESSON 5

Examining Rizal’s Historical and Social Context

1. In 19th Century of Rizal  Trade with Mexico and other countries
2. The age of the commercial and was carried on by private ships.
Industrial Revolutions.  Even when galleon trade was existing,
 The 19th century was the century of Rizal. foreign traders were also doing business
 On a world- wide scale the 19th century in the Philippines in violation of royal
was a period of the industrial revolution decrees prohibiting trade with other
which was fueled by a commercial European countries including Spain’s
revolution. enemies like United Kingdom.
 Both revolutions existed together and are  The Spanish government allowed
the cause and result of each other as foreigners to unload goods in Manila
European Nations develop a desire for and stay in the city for several months.
foreign goods, which cannot be produced  The competition with foreigners led to
efficiently in Europe. the demise of another monopoly the
 These goods includes; coffee, Real Compania de Filipinas which was
chocolate, sugar cane, cotton and abolished in the year 1834.
tobacco.  The Inquilinos;
 In the Philippines, when the islands were  The big land owners lease their lands to
still a Spanish colony, it was affected in the primary tenants.
twin commercial and industrial revolutions  These inquilinos sublease the lands to
that were affecting Europe. sharecroppers known as “kasamas”.
 The nature of the economy of the The kasamas who do the actual
islands began to change as the cultivation of the fields.
Philippines, which used to be a mere  The inquilinos on the other hand were in
entrepot or transshipment point for the contract with the traders who sold the
Galleon Trade, began to serve the world goods locally or abroad.
market by exporting its own product.  Dark Side of Commercial Revolution;
 Like: Sugar, tobacco, coffee, abaca  Demand for agricultural goods, more
fiber, etc. lands had to be opened for cultivation.
 In Commercial Revolution;  Lands were titled to those who can read
 Spain, United Kingdom, Netherlands and write.
conducted International Trade throught  Increasing gap between the rich and the
state monopolies. poor.
 In Spain, it was the galleon trade and  Poor tenants either had to bear the
later the Real Compania de España. burden of the sharecropping system and
 In United Kingdom, it was the British the taxes and levies of the government.
East India Company which in Asia.
 Netherlands had the Dutch East India Change in Political Thinking
Company.
 The 19th century was also a century of
 In Philippines; political change.
 The Galleon Trade was abolished and
 Absolute rule was giving way to
the last galleon returned to the
governments with representation from the
Philippines without any cargo in 1817.
people.
  Divine Right Theory. IV to abdicate the throne and replace him
 Social- Contract Theory. with the crown prince Ferdinand VII. When
 Aside from the social contract between the Ferdinand proved to be unsatisfactory to his
sovereigns and the people, the latter demands, Napoleon had him replaced with
realized that they have basic and his own brother Joseph. The Spaniards
inalienable rights. refused to honor Joseph as their king and
 Includes right to free speech, pledged their loyalty to Ferdinand VII whom
expression, the right to unhindered in they called EL Deseado (The Desired One).
thinking, freedom of religion, assembly,  Cadiz Constitution;
equality before the law, freedom of  Gave equal rights to both Spanish
abode, the right to be secure in one’s citizens and colonials.
home, freedom from illegal searches  It abolished forced labor.
and detention, the right to have his side  Ferdinand VII reassumed absolute rule.
heard in a court of law and to face his - He dissolved the Cortes and
accuser the right against testifying abrogated the Cadiz Constitution.
against oneself, the right to be - He also imprisoned all liberals who
represented in government and to be wanted to share power with
consulted on matters of legislation and monarchy.
taxation. The right of happiness which - It because, he persecuted all the
desired universally is embodied in the patriots who helped him during the
Constitution of the United States. French occupation of Spain,
 The revolutionary ideas Maybe equal in Ferdinand who was called EL
terms of rights some rights will have to be Deseado was now called EL Rey
surrendered for the benefit of the majority. Traidor (The Traitor King).
 The revolutionary ideas led to the overthrow  With the abrogation of the Cadiz
of absolute monarchs such as Louis XVI in Constitution forced labor was reinstated
France who was later guillotined followed in the Philippines.
by Queen Marie Antoinette.  In 1833 Ferdinand died and his wife
 The first French democracy following the Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily
overthrow of Louis XVI was a tumultuous (1806-1878) ruled as Queen Regent.
one which saw the executions of thousands - Her daughter who would become
who were depicted as enemies of the Isabella II.
people.
 France would slide back to absolute rule The Rise of the Middle Class;
with the establishment of Napoleon’s  The opening of Manila to global trade
Empire in 1804 and the Restoration of spurred changes in Philippine society.
Bourbon Rule in 1814.
 The beneficiaries of the new economic
order were the traders and inquilinos as
Political Change in Spain brisk trade in agricultural products brought
 Spain was very much affected by the new wealth.
upheavals from neighboring France.  Datu Class became Merchant Class;
 When Napoleon became ruler of France,  Bahay na Bato;
Spain became part of the Continental  Embroidered Shirt/ Barong Tagalog;
System, which tried to starve out its enemy (Fine Jusi and Pina Fibers);
Great Britain through a trade embargo.  Head Gear adorned with silver;
 When the Spanish- French alliance faltered,  House with Balconies;
Napoleon forced the King of Spain Charles
  Living Room adorned with European  The real Filipinos were the Spaniards born
Musical Instruments; in the Philippines called Filipinos Insulares
 Women wore Sapatillas (Slippers) who were either called Filipinos or
adorned with real diamonds. Insulares.
 The new rich and middle class joined the  The full-blooded and Caucasians looked on
ranks of leading citizens called Principales. the progressive indios and mestizos as
 Don; “bestias cargadas de oro” or beasts loaded
 Doña; with gold.
 Señor;  A more derogatory would be chonggos
 Señora; (monkeys).
 Señorito;
 Señorita. The Intellectual Shift: From
 Aside from being affluent in material
possessions the children of the new middle
Religion to Science
class can now attend not just any parochial  The age of Enlightenment of the earlier 18th
school but a college or a university. century which gave birth to a scientific
 School for Boys; (Colegio y Seminario revolution gave emphasis to science rather
de San Juan de Letran- run by than religion.
Dominicans; Jesuit- Run Ateneo  It had its roots in the late middle ages when
Municipal de Manila). Francis Bacon came out with his scientific
 School for Girls; (Colegio de Santa method.
Isabel or La Concordia College).  Scientia- or knowledge should be gained
through a systematic method and the
Obstacle of the Middle Class; results should be empirical and can be
Limpieza De Sangre; replicated. If it cannot be proven, it is
therefore not scientific.
 The only way the Indios and Mestizos can  Man should use logic rather than
advance was through business. Indios can supposition and assumptions.
still enter in the fields of study such as  The scientific method disproved myths and
becoming a lawyers such as Facultated de superstitions. In the same way science
Derecho Civil was opened in the year 1731 began to challenge religion and a clash
or a secular priest. between reason and faith was becoming
 The Spanish adherence to the Limpieza de imminent.
Sangre (Purity of Blood) left some offices  Some men openly defied the established
and positions off limits to indios and Church and adhered to the principles of
mestizos no matter how well they did freemasonry.
improving their economic and social status.  Freemasonry is a brotherhood that was
 The Spanish adherence to the Limpieza de established on the principles of equality
Sangre closed the avenues for among its members and it encouraged free
advancement for the natives. speech and thought. This was opposed to
 Despite their advancement in wealth and the church, which was based on faith and
educational attainment the natives and dogma.
mestizos were looked down by the full-  Freemasonry was introduced to the
blooded Spaniards who were either Philippines by the Europeans. Its rapid
Penisulares or Spaniards born in Spain or change spread in the islands would be in
Creoles or Spaniards born in the colonies. the latter part of the 19th century when
masonic lodges would be established such
 as the lodge Nilad by Pedro Serrano  Create industries; and
Laktaw.  Introduced new plants and animals.
 However; as time went on the character of
The Spanish Empire in Rizal’s the friars changed.
Time  They began to take advantage and
brutalize the people.
 During the 19th century the Philippines was  The town of Miag-ao and Oton; the
one of the last large colonies of Spain that Friars and lay assistants whipped
was left after the independence of its Latin people who did not produce enough
America colonies. It was actually the richest stone to build a church.
of Spain”s last colony.  Friars kept the lowly Indios ignorant
 Under Spanish Rule; because an ignorant people would
1. Philippines; remain docile and cannot protest.
2. Cuba (was the jewel of the Spanish  The Friars knew that the natives already
crown it because of Tobacco and had superstitions and they added their own
Sugar); brand of superstitious based on Christianity.
3. Puerto Rico; They encouraged lavish fiestas so the
people will spend their hard-earned money
The Soberania Monacal- Monastic for the friars. To say no to a friar is to invite
his wrath.
Supremacy in the Philippines
 The church through the friar remained the
 While Spain was moving toward a modern guardian of morals. It also controlled higher
and secular environment the Philippines education in the Philippines. No student can
was stuck in a time warp with the Church be enrolled in higher education institutions
assuming an influential role in the like University of Santo Tomas if it cannot
management of the islands. be proven he was a Catholic. A
 In the 19th century the legacy of the recommendation of a curate is necessary to
patronato real or the royal patron of which enter the University and no heretic can
originated in the Middle Ages in Europe was enter a college or university or graduate
still existing in the Philippines. from it.
 At the time of Rizal; the church continued to  Aside from having very wide and influential
wield political influence over the Filipinos. powers, a friar may stay in the Philippines
 The priests and friars first came to the indefinitely versus the Governor General
Philippines as missionaries. who remained only for an average of two
 A friar is a religious person belonging to the years. A friar may remain in the country
friars orders. The words friar comes from until his death.
the Latin word “Frater” which meant  While institutions in Europe were being
“Brother”. To belong to a friar community secularized the Church remained in the
means to belong to a community brother. pillars of powers and of society. Following
Not all of them are priests. the ouster of Queen Isabella II during the
 During the early years of Spanish rule friars liberal revolution of 1868 there were moves
belonging to these religious order came as to secularize the institutions held by the
missionaries. They worked among the church in the Philippines.
natives, taught them the Gospel and the  The religious especially the Dominicans
principles of the Christian religion. protested vehemently arguing that this
 They also taught them how to till the would put into waste centuries of their work
soil; in the islands. However, a miracle
 happened when the government in Spain
changed.
 The King Amadeo de Savoy declared
Spain as ungovernable people.
 Aside from having political influence, the
church also had a great economic influence
in the islands. Already it was a participant in
the galleon trade, which brought great
wealth. It was also a big landowner.
 The Catholics Church owned lands in
Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Morong and
Manila.
 According to historian Teodoro Agoncillo
48% of the land in the Tagalog region was
owned by the Church through the sale of
produce to sustain their missionary
activities as well as the operations of their
educational and charitable institutions.
 The Dominicans for example own the
haciendas in San Pedro, Calamba Laguna,
Biñan and Santa Rosa Laguna; one
hacienda in Naic, Cavite and more in
Bataan and Pangasinan provinces.
 Topping the abusive nature of the friars was
that some of them lived very immoral lives.
 Some Friars curates lived far from their
superiors and they had many families as
well as mistresses.
 They had children from these mistresses
who were well rewarded and the rewards
came from the sweat of the kasamas or
sharecroppers who farmed the friar estates.
 LESSON 5.2

Spain in Jose Rizal’s Time

 Spain is known as the mistress of the world.  Savoy accepted the throne, after 2 years
 Lost most of Spain Colonies. of difficulty in fulfilling his plan for Spain,
 The empire lost colonies; Savoy faced the Carlist Revolt of 1872.
 In Latin America- Paraguay (1811)  Carlist Revolt – attempted to overthrow
- Argentina (1816) his throne and charged him as stranger
- Chile (1817) in the Spanish Land.
- Columbia and Ecuador (1819) - It because of this, Savoy abdicate
 Central American Countries (1821) his throne.
- Costa Rica  Savoy’s Abdication;
- Honduras  1873 – 1874; The Spanish Liberals
- Guatemala organized Spain’s First Republic.
- El Salvador  First Spanish Republic;
- Nicaragua  Has four (4) Presidents.
 Venezuela (1822)  Failed to implement reforms in the
 Peru (1824) country.
 Bolivia and Uruguay (1825)  But, still they are popular in the country
 Colonies remain on Spain Rule as bearers of liberal ideas and
 Cuba; progressive spirit in Spain.
 Puerto Rico;
 Philippines MANUEL PAVIA
 Spain in Rizal’s Time;
 Due to failure of the new Spanish Republic
 1843 – 1868; Started under the reign of to address the problems of the country.
Queen Isabel II. - Spain was in dangerous situations, it
 Queen Isabel was incompetent in would bring anarchy and chaos, which
running the Spanish Government. was disastrous to the country.
 It result Revolution in the year 1868. - It because of that confusion, the
 Rizal was 7 years old at the time. following historical events had
 Incompetence of Queen Isabel II. happened.
 Successful Spanish revolution of  Historical Events;
September 1868; - In 1874, General Manuel Pavia seized
 Queen Isabel was ousted from the the power of the government through a
throne and barely escaped military takeover.
assassination; - The officials of the Spanish Republic’s
 Due to the triumph of the revolution, the new administration held post of positions
Spanish liberals, created a provisional appointed by General Pavia.
government with Marshall Serrano as
regent of Spain. KING ALFONSO XII
 In 1868 – 1870; (After 2 years);
 The provisional Government offered the  1875 – 1885;
Spanish crown to the son of King Victor  The military dictatorship of Pavia, it
Immanuel of Italy, named Amado Savoy. ended in 1874.
  General Martinez Campos – is one of 2. Sagastas.
the top officials of the army took power  Sagasta was a strong political party.
in late 1874. - headed by Praxedes Mateo
 Supported and headed by strong party Sagasta.
Antonio Canova Del Castillo. - Sagasta was also known as the
 Campos restored the Monarchy in the Spanish Constitutionalist.
country.  Under the reign of Queen Regent
 Campos again declared the son of the Maria Cristina;
deposed Queen Isabel II, named - An arrangement entered into: “in
Alfonso XII, as king of Spain. order to save the Spanish
 Era of Bourbon Revolutionary Restoration parliament.
in Spain. - These arrangement was called
Rotavism.
Major Changes were implemented by King - Rotavism also affected the
Alfonzo XII; Propaganda Movement in which
1. Approved the policy of attraction and Rizal was an active member.
conciliation to the Carlist Revolutionists.
– The leaders of the revolutionary REIGN OF QUEEN REGENT
movement extended him their support MARIA CRISTINA
and loyalty to the government.
2. Adopted a new constitution that  Upon the proclamation of the Queen
embodied many fundamental principles Regent in 1885, Canovas del Castillo
that were fought in the revolution in tendered his resignation to give way to the
1868. New Prime Minister.
3. The constitution also embodied freedom  The Sagastas took control of the Spanish
of worship, freedom of expression, Parliament from resignation of Canovas.
freedom of assembly and freedom of  The government was succeeded by the
domicile. Canovas again, until 1892.
4. The constitution was extended to two  The Sagastas Liberal party took control in
colonies, Cuba and Puerto Rico, but not running the government until 1895.
in the Philippines.  The Canovas took power again in 1897.
 The reign of Alfonso XII was generally;  Why tumultuous politics happen in Spain.
 peaceful;  Reason: Spanish People once said:
 Spain being free from social upheavals;  “We Spaniards are an ungovernable
and people”.
 Free from military coup.  This change in parliament leadership in
Spain and also was the cause of
QUEEN REGENT MARIA frequent changes of Governor Generals
CRISTINA OF AUSTRIA in the Philippines due to Political favors.

 In 1885, King Alfonso died without an heir

to the throne.
 King Alfonso was replaced by Queen
Regent Maria Cristina.
 Queens Regent’s term, her Political Status
of the Spanish Parliament was placed
under two (2) parties.
1. Canovas;
 LESSON 5.3

The Philippines in Jose Rizal’s Time

 The Philippine policies during Rizal’s time - The country was generally peaceful
were generally from Spain and and enjoyed minimal progress;
implemented by the Governor General and - School for Girls;
the Catholic Church. - Establishment of School for Botany
 Laws that were implemented in the country and Agriculture;
were generally for the improvement of  Governor General was given absolute
intellectual and collective ideas. powers in exercising authority.
 This was the time when Filipino priest - The military was expanded to 14,500
became an important figure in the troops.
Catholic Church.  Governor Norzagaray resigned in
 Governor Generals also left their imprint, January of 1860.
either detrimental or positive for Filipinos - Which was one (1) year before the
from 1850 – 1896. birth of Rizal.
 1850 – 1896; These are the laws and - Circular was approved on Aug. 10,
policies were implemented by the Governor 1860 and asking cooperation of friars
General and Catholic Church; who owned educational institutions in
1. In 1850, Filipino priests or seculars the country to teach the Spanish
already hold positions as parish priests, Language in their respective schools.
auxiliary or in acting capacity.  From 1861 – 1872;
2. In 1854, The Spanish Government in the - Rizal was born and reared by his
Philippines implemented the “Cartas de mother, father, sisters and older
Radio” (Special Radius Permit) whose brother.
primary aim was to ensure public safety - This was the time when the young
from strangers. mind was being prepared for further
- A Filipino traveling in another and harder studies.
province should carry an - These were the years of artistic
identification paper. awakening for the boy Rizal, with the
3. 1856, In response to the Royal Decree proper guidance of his mentors.
on the opening of ports in the - Rizal became an artist capable of
Philippines, to prevent the uncontrolled composing written literary forms and
entrance of radical books and literature paintings.
in the country, the Catholic Church and - This was also the time when Rizal
Spanish Government created a witnessed the Spanish Brutality
permanent Board of Censorship. against his mother Doña Teodora
4. In 1857, Governor General Norzagaray, and felt its impact to the Family.
in answering problems of banditry and - The boy Rizal witnessed also the
theft, publicized executions at the same melancholy of his older brother
time, offering financial rewards for the Paciano, when the three priest,
surrender of the bandits and thieves, known in history as GOMBURZA,
dead or alive. were executed in Bagumbayan
 Administration of Norzagaray;  In February 1861;
 1857 – 1860 - Five (5) months before the birth of
Rizal, the Board of Reform in the
 Philippines met and discussed the 1. Primary instruction was made
further promotion of the teaching of compulsory for all children between
Spanish Language in the country. ages seven (7) and twelve (12).
- Promotion of Spanish language in  Rizal on his part availed of the law
the Philippines was approved. when he was nine (9) years old.
- Friars before, they owned 2. Parents and guardians were to send
educational institutions in the their children or wards to the public
country. schools, unless they showed that the
 September 1861; latter were receiving adequate
- Three (3) months after the birth of instruction at home or in private schools.
Rizal, a Royal Decree was issued to 3. Non- fulfilment of this legal duty was
threatened the Filipino clergy, who punishable with fine
were administering parishes in 4. The subjects to be taught in schools in
Manila at that time. the country were;
- Turn over their respective parishes to  Christian Doctrine
the Spanish Recollect Friars.  Reading
- Father Pedro Pelaez, who was born  Writing
of Spanish and Filipino parents.  Spanish
 Held the position of  Arithmetic
Ecclesiastical Governor of the  Geography
Philippines.  Agriculture
 Who opposed the decree and  Good Manners
secured its revocation in1862.  Music
5. Female students studied the same
IMPROVEMENT OF PHILIPPINE
subjects with male students;
EDUCATION UNDER SPAIN
 For Boys: Agriculture and geography.
 The Philippines, under Spain, would  For Girls: Sewing and Embroidery.
experience continues social, educational 6. Establish by means of decree was the
and economic changes primarily because in founding of a Normal School in line with
Spain, changes in Political and Social European countries.
aspect occurred rapidly and radically. 7. The Moret Decree of 1870.
 This events had a direct impact on the  This was imposed against the will of
life of Dr. Jose Rizal. the friars in the Philippines, which
 Liberal ideals, also during this time, started secularized higher education in the
to root deeply in the Philippines. country, giving opportunities for lay
 They were brought by liberal Spaniards Filipinos to teach in universities and
for the Filipino to learn and practice at colleges.
the risk of their lives.  Under Governor General Rafael Izquierdo;
 Function Reforms of 1863;  He decreed the creation of schools for
 This educational reform benefited Rizal boys, girls and adults in every town with
in his formal schooling in Biñan, Laguna financial support from the government.
and Ateneo de Manila.
 This was considered in Rizal’s time as
GREAT FILIPINO DURING JOSE
the modern system of state-regulated RIZAL’S TIME
educational reform, established in the
 Great Filipinos During Rizal’s Time
Philippines.
 The Philippines had its share of great
 The following provisions of Educational
Filipino men, whom Rizal most certainly
system of 1863;
 heard during his time, as a young Boy  Decreed by the Spanish government,
playing in Calamba. censorship of written materials was
limited to points of faith and morals.
Father Pedro Palaez (1812 -1863);
 For other aspects, a Government
 He was born in 1812. Permanent Censorship Commission
 He was the son of Jose Pelaez ( Spanish was to suffice.
Alcalde Mayor of Laguna) and Josefa  This is the reason why Rizal was not
Sebastian. immediately arrested when he wrote
 He studied at the University of Sto. Tomas, the Noli Me Tangere and El
where he finished four (4) degrees. Filibusterismo upon his return to the
1. Bachelor of Arts (1829); Philippines in 1887 and 1892.
2. Bachelor of Theology (1833);  The Governor Generals pf those
3. Licentiate in Theology (1836); times did not find his two (2) novels
4. Doctor of Sacred Theology (1844). subversive or threat to the
 He became the parish priest of Manila government.
Cathedral;  There was also the organization of the
 In, 1862 at the age of 50, he became the “Guardia Civil” to ensure inter provincial
first Filipino to rise as peace and order of the Philippines.
 Manila Group of Liberal intellectuals,
 Ecclesiastical Governor of the Philippines.
joined by some Spanish liberals,
 Fr. Pelaez was active in both public press
submitted in 1869.
and private negotiations, fighting for the
 A formal petition to the Spanish
unfair treatment by Spanish Friars of the
provincial government asking for the
Filipino clergy.
grant of universal suffrage for the
 His legacy after his death in 1863, was his
Filipinos.
best student, Father Jose Burgos, one of
the three (3) priest known as GOMBURZA GOVERNOR GENERAL CARLOS
to whom later, Rizal would dedicated the El
Filibusterismo.
MARIA DE LA TORRE (1869-1871)
Francisco Baltazar;  In July of 1869;
 While Rizal was studying in School in
 Popularly known as Balagtas, who died on Biñan, Laguna, for the first time, a public
February 20, 1862. rally was held in Manila, publicly
 He was the talented student of the Poet announced by Governor- General De La
Jose Batute better known as “Joseng Torre.
Sisiw”.  This won the favors of liberal- minded
 Balagtas became popular with his literary Filipino intellectuals.
masterpiece “Florante at Laura” a symbolic  The Governor General even ordered the
piece written in Tagalog as a song of love, bronze monument of Queen Isabel II,
ordeals and miseries of his native land, melted down, but the Monument was
which was published in 1838. saved by the city council of Manila.
 Civil Liberties for Filipinos;
PHILIPPINE SOCIAL SYSTEM IN  Governor- General De La Torre,
JOSE RIZAL’S TIME abolished censorship of the press and
encouraged open discussion on the
 Social Condition of the Philippines from problems of the country.
Rizal’s birth to 1872.  He declared the freedom of speech and
press in the Philippines.
 He protected the Filipino Priest from Spanish officials become inefficient
disrespect against Spanish friars, and at due to the unstable tenure of office.
one point, he even rebuked erring friars in
such practice. He also pushed for the CORRUPT GOVERNMENT
Filipinization of Guardia Civil as part of his OFFICIALS
liberal reforms.
 1872;  A big number of the colonial officials sent to
 When Rizal was in Ateneo; the Philippines in the 19th Centuries were
 It was Governor General Rafael corrupt.
Izquierdo who held the absolute power  They leave Spain poor and come back
in the country, representing King millionaires.
Amadeo Savo’y of Spain.  They permit illegal gambling by
 In this Era, major portions of the Filipino accepting bribes and permit to evade
Society had thoroughly assimilated with laws in exchange of gifts of treasures.
western culture and had manifested
HUMAN RIGHTS DENIED TO
their interest in arts and sciences.
 Many had already adopted Spanish way FILIPINOS
of dressing for both men and women, at
 Spanish Constitution of 1812;
the same time retaining their native
 Provides for freedom of speech;
virtues.
 Freedom of press;
 Filipinos were very religious and
 Freedom of association; and
faithfully complied with their church and
 other human rights.
spiritual duties. Despite western ideas
- Except: Freedom of religion.
that were introduced in the country, this
- But these freedom, were never
land never curtailed the Filipino honesty
enjoyed by the Filipinos.
and hospitality.

THE SPANISH OPPRESSIVE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

SYSTEM  Racial discrimination was prevalent in all
parts of the Philippines.
 Political Instability in Spain;  Filipinos were called- Indio or Indios ;
 In 19th Century; because of the browned skinned and
 was a turbulent century of politics in flat- nosed; Filipinos also called
Spanish history, (Zaide, 1944). chonggo; while the Spaniards were
 it was a period of political instability called- bangus because of their pale-
owning to the frequent rise and fall of complexioned and high- nose or long
ministers and constitution to serve nose.
the country from political disunity.  Spaniards no matter how stupid they
 From 1834 – 1861; the Spain has are, they occupied the high position in
adopted four (4) constitutions, the community.
elected 28 parliaments and installed
no less than 529 ministers with MALADMINISTRATION OF
portfolios; followed in subsequent JUSTICE
years by party strife's, revolutions
and other political upheavals.  There was injustice in the courts during the
 Political Instability in Spain had an Spanish Period.
adverse affect on the Philippines.  Spanish Judges and Fiscal are often
times ignorant of laws.
  Filipinos cannot go to court because  For purpose of maintaining internal
justice is costly, partial and slow. peace and order in the Philippines.
 They cannot afford the heavy expenses  The Guardia Civil abused their authority.
of litigations.  They maltreated the innocent people,
 Wealth and Color of the skin were the looting their properties and even rape
prime factors to win the case. women.
 No Philippine Representation to the
FRAILOCRACY Spanish Cortes.
 The Friars are very powerful during the  In 1810 – 1813;
Spanish period due to the policy of the unity  The Philippines first period of
of the church and the state. Representation in the Spanish Cortes.
 The Friars practically rule the country.  It was Ventura de los Santos who
 They dictate the Governor- General on became the first representative and
decision making. tools active in framing the Constitution of
 There were also times that Archbishop 1812 and was able to abolished the
ruled as Governor-General. Galleon Trade.
- Archbishop Francisco dela Cuesta  The representation to the Cortes was
(1719 – 1721); abolished in the year 1837.
- Archbishop Manuel Rojo (1761 –  Since then the Philippines had no
1762); means to exposed the anomalies
- Bishop Guande Arrechedarrcia and perpetuated by the Spanish officials in
Obispo Manuel (1745 – 1750); the Philippines.
- Obispo Lino de Espiritu (1759 –  Calamba is an enchanted town as
1761). described by Palma (1949).
 In the municipalities were the higher  It is situated between Laguna de Bay
leader is the elected Filipino. and Mt. Makiling.
- A Gobernadorcillo, act as puppet to  It is gifted with picturesque beauty that
the Spaniards Friar who dictates provided the young
what he is suppose to exercise in his  Rizal the inspiration and spring board to
position. tone his poetic and artistic sensibilities.
 The town at time of Rizal was an
FORCE LABOR agricultural from which is virtually owned by
the Dominican Friars.
 Filipinos regardless of age and health  It became a prosperous town due to
render forced labor or (polo) to the Spanish specialization in the production of sugar.
government.  The people were able to raise and
 Well-to-do among them were able to harvest not only sugar but different kinds
escape this manual labor by paying the of crops.
falla, to be exempted from the polo.  Since the farmers are mare tomato,
 The forced labor created hate on the there lives are full of hardships which
Filipinos because of the abuses connected was intensified by the maltreatment they
with it suffered in the hands of the Guardia
Civil and Dominican Friars.
ABUSIVE GUARDIA CIVIL  The hard situations of the farmers had
 They are Constabulary created by Royal ingrained in the mind of Rizal, the hatred
Decree of March 24, 1888. to the oppressors and exploiters of the
weak by powerful Spaniards
 LESSON 6.1

Jose Rizal and the Chinese Connection

The Role of the Chinese in the Philippines or piña cloth, which resulted in the barong
Filipino, and adorning their headwear and
 Chinese immigration to the Philippines has altars in silver. The homes of the rich
been going on since precolonial period. mestizos became known as the bahay na
 Chinese trade conducted by Chinese bato. Mestizo Chinese also went beyond
vessels began much later around 900 AD. basic education offered by the friars and a
 In the Parian or the Chinese quarter the number of them took up higher education
Spaniards had their shoes made or  The Chinese community became a major
repaired, bought their bread, had their economic lifelihood of the Philippines. They
clothes sewn by Chinese workers. owned most of the shopping malls, banks,
 The Spaniards depended on the Chinese all the airlines and the shipping lines of the
so much that following the Chinese revolt Philippines.
1660, deported what remained of the
Chinese community and prevented the THE ANCESTRY OF JOSE RIZAL: THE
entry of new Chinese immigrants and as CHINESE CONNECTION
result, they found no one to bake their
 Jose Rizal’s bloodline came from a line of
bread, repair their shoes or build their ships.
many ethnicities. His great- great
 They were ministered by the Dominicans
grandfather was a man named Lam-co. He
who held the Church of Binondo. This
was a son of Siang Co and Zunio from the
explain the closeness of the Rizal’s family
village of Sinque in the district Chin Chew
to the Dominicans. The ancestors of the
in Fujian, China.
Rizal's, Lam-co was baptized as Domingo,
 In 1690, Lam-co migrated to the Philippines
after the founder of the Order and through
and settled in Manila. During the early
association with the Dominicans Lam-co
times, China had already a burgeoning
was able to live and work in the Dominican
population and events such as prolonged
hacienda of Biñan.
drought, floods or war can send large
 As for the Chinese community through hard
groups of Chinese trying to settle outside
work and economic savvy the Chinese were
their country.
able to gain economic power. They also
 Lam-co married a Chinese mestiza named
intermarried with the local population
Inez de la Rosa. His name now was
creating a new caste, the mestizo sangley
Domingo Lam-co. His new name was
or the Chinese mestizo, which was the
friendly with the Dominican friars Francisco
counterpart of the mestizo Español or the
Marquez and Juan Caballero who
Spanish mestizo.
convinced him to settle at Dominican estate
 As the local community of Chinese and
in Biñan, Laguna.
Chinese mestizos becomes more affluent,
 In 1783, Francisco Mercado was elected
they began to manifest their wealth in the
Gobernadorcillo or Municipal Mayor of
way they live. Mestizos were responsible for
Biñan Laguna. His son Juan Mercado was
innovating clothes using elaborate designs
elected Capitan del pueblo in 1808. He was
 re-elected to this position in 1813 and 1823.
Juan Mercado was married to a Chinese
mestiza name Cirila Alejandro. The
marriage produced 13 children. One of
these children was Francisco Engracio
Mercado or also known as Francisco
Mercado Rizal, Who is Jose Rizal’s father.
 When he was a young boy Francisco
Mercado Rizal’s father (Juan Mercado
died). Francisco Mercado Rizal at the age
of eight (8) years old, he help his mother
run the family business. The Dominican
hacienda of Biñan produced rice, corn and
sugarcane.
 Under this decree, ordinary indios or
natives had to choose a new surename
from catalogue called Catalogo Alpabetico
de Appellidos. Exempted from this decree
were Filipinos from the old nobility such as
the Lakandulas and Makapagals whose
ancestors helped in the pacification of the
islands. Also exempted were the pure
Chinese who had separate tax.
 Since Mercado’s family already intermarried
with mestizos and lived in the Islands for
generations, they were now considered as
natives. Jose Rizal’s father chose the name
Ricial which meant “green fields”, and later
on the surname modified to “Rizal
Mercado”.
 Jose Rizal’s father married to Teodora
Alonso Realonda, a native of Manila. Her
lineage was said to be traceable to
Lakandula. Her lineage begins with Eugenio
Ursua, a man of Japanese Ancestry. He
was married to a native named Benigna.
Their daughter was named Regina who was
Jose Rizal’s great- grandmother. She was
married to Manuel de Quintos, a mestizo
from Biñan. The union bore a daughter
named Brigida Quintos who was Teodora
Alonso Realonda’s mother.
 LESSON 6.2

Jose Rizal’s Ancestry

 Rizal was a product of the mixture of races. 3. Juan Mercado
 In Rizal’s veins flowed the blood of both - Married Cirila Alejandro, a Chinese-
East and West. These are the following; Filipino mestiza.
 Negrito - Like his father, he was elected
 Indonesian Governadorcillo of Biñan.
 Malay - Capitan Juan and Capitana Cirila had
 Chinese thirteen children, the youngest was
 Japanese Francisco Mercado who was the father
 Spanish of Dr. Jose Rizal.

RIZAL ACESTORS IN THE FATHER 4. Francisco Mercado

SIDE - At the age of 8 his father died (Juan
Mercado).
DON FRANCISCO MERCADO RIZAL - He studied Latin and Philosophy in the
1. Domingo Lamco College of San Jose in Manila.
- a Chinese immigrant from the Fukien - He meet and fall in love Alonso
City of Changchow, who arrived in Realonda, a student in the College of
Manila about 1690. Santa Rosa.
- He was the Great- great grandfather of - Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso
Jose Rizal on his father’s side. Realonda were married on June 28,
- He became a Christian and married to a 1848 and settled down in Calamba.
well- known Chinese Christian girl of
Manila named Ines de la Rosa.
- He used the surname Mercado in the
year 1731.
- The Spanish term “Mercado” means
“Market” in English.
- Domingo Mercado and Ines de la Rosa
had a son named, Francisco Mercado.

2. Francisco Mercado
- Who resided in Biñan.
- Married to a Chinese- Filipino Mestiza,
Bernarda Monica.
- He was elected as Gobernadorcillo
(Municipal Mayor) of the town.
- One of their sons named Juan Mercado
(was Jose Rizal’s Grandfather).
 JOSE RIZAL’S ANCESTOR IN THE
MOTHER SIDE
DONA TEODORA ALONSO REALONDA
 Doña Teodora’s family was the descendant
of Lakan Dula, who is the last native King of
Tondo.
1. Teodora Alonso Realonda
- Her Great-grandfather (Jose Rizal’s
maternal great-great-grandfather) was
Eugenio Ursua (of Japanese Ancestry).

2. Eugenio Ursua
- Married to a Filipina named Benigna
Ochoa.
- Their daughter, Regina Ochoa Ursua.

3. Regina Ursua
- Married to Manuel de Quintos which is a
Filipino- Chinese lawyer from
Pangasinan.

4. Manuel de Quintos
- One of the daughter of Attorney de
Quintos and Regina was “Brigida de
Quintos”.

5. Brigida de Quintos
- Married to Lorenzo Alberto Alonso which
is the prominent Spanish- Filipino
mestizo of Biñan.
- Their children were Narcisa, Teodora,
Gregorio, Manuel and Jose
- Teodora Alonso Realonda was (Dr. Jose
Rizal mother).
 LESSON 7

Land Ownership and the rise of friar lands

 During the precolonial period, lands  The reason for the Dominicans in owning
belonged to the community where the the haciendas is the same as those of other
inhabitants of the barangay or village lived. religious orders: income from these lands
Though the best lands were reserved for through the rent paid by the farmers support
the datu, any person can ask permission Dominican institution such as the University
from the datu where to settle. of Santo Tomas, the Colegio se San Juan
 With the coming of the Spaniards, a de Letran and the Hospital de San Gabriel.
regalian doctrine on the ownership of land  All the religious orders had landholdings.
was adopted. This means all lands The Dominicans, Franciscan, Recollects
belonged to the King. Lands were given to and Agustinians had holdings up to the end
encomenderos as a reward for helping in of Spanish Rule.
the pacification of the islands. These are
called personal encomiendas. Technically THE INQUILINO ROLE IN THE
the encomenderos do not own the land but AGRARIAN PROBLEM
was only its trustee. The word encomienda
 Vast lands owned by individuals and
comes from the word “encomendar” which
institutions were leased to primary tenants
means to commend or entrust
called inquilinos. These inquilinos were
 Later the practice of titling lands was
mostly mestizos and they were more
practiced. Some lands were given to managers rather than actual farmers.
individuals for having done something Physically it was impossible for them to
meritorious to the government such as farm the entire hacienda, which is the
being allies during a foreign invasion. reason they had to hire sharecroppers or
 The religious orders were given lands to kasamas, which was term for tenant
support their evangelical activities. Later farmers. Payment is depending on the
they receive land from pious donors. As arrangement they entered into. It can be a
their financial power grew, religious orders 70/30 or a 50/50 arrangement.
were able to buy lands from their owners.  In many instances the kasama was forced
 In the case of Dominicans, lands were not to borrow from his inquilino and the
only used for agricultural purposes but also borrowing rates were usurious.
for businesses such as shops. South of  The inquilino on the other hand is in charge
Manila the Dominicans manage the of getting the products of the kasamas and
hacienda de Naic, in Cavite extended their they look they look for the best prices of the
borders to San Pedro Laguna. products possible. The inquilinos paid the
landlord the dues for the use of the land
 plus a portion of the harvest. As for the collect the rent he would be gifted with a fat
landlords, they would only wait for the turkey. Paciano managed to get very good
harvest and collect the rent when it is due. terms from the Dominicans. No rent was to
be charged for the first five years as the
THE HACIENDA OF CALAMBA farmers were clearing up the land for
THE ROLE OF RIZAL AND HIS FAMILY cultivation. To keep the goodwill of the
Dominicans Paciano wrote to his brother
 After getting married to Teodora, Francisco Jose in 1883 to refrain from upsetting the
Engracio Mercado decided to move to the friars because they were very kind to his
neighboring town of Calamba where the family. At that time Rizal was already in
Dominicans had a hacienda. In fact, the Spain questioning his faith, the feudal
entire town was a Dominican hacienda. system in the Philippines and domination of
Calamba was originally owned by the the Church in the lives of the Filipinos. He
Jesuits but it became government property was already influenced by Freemasons in
when they were expelled in 1768. The his many encounters in Spain.
Government managed the hacienda up to  When Rizal was still a young boy, he
1808 until it was placed on public auction. wandered about in the hacienda followed by
Jose G. Azanza won in the public bidding his dog. Rizal was known as Moy or Pepe.
and managed the Hacienda de Calamba He had a talent for writing and he wrote a
until 1831. That year Azanza suffered from play, which he sold to the Mayor of Paete
financial difficulties and he was forced to for four pesos.
sell the hacienda to the Dominicans. The  In 1872 tragedy struck the Rizal family, his
hacienda was over two thousand hectares mother was accused of being an
from the boundary of Biñan and Santa Rosa accomplice to an attempted murder. A close
to the foothills of Mount Makiling. relative Don Jose Alberto was accused of
 The Dominicans leased the land to trying to poison his wife Doña Teodora
inquilinos or primary tenants and Francisco Formoso de Alberto. Don Jose was a rich
Engracio Mercado was one of these landowner who went on a trip to Europe.
inquilinos. Don Francisco developed Upon coming home in Biñan he found his
friendly relations with the Dominicans and house in disarray and his wife was caught
was able to leased 500 hectares. To committing adultery. She was found to be
cultivate this vast estate Don Francisco living with another man. Don Jose sought a
hired sharecroppers to do the actual divorce from his wife and had her confined
cultivation. Don Francisco manage the to her room.
farm, Doña Teodora manage a store and a  According to Rizal, his mother tried to
ham press which produced preserved reconcile the two. But Doña Teodora de
meats. Later he was able to build a second Alberto found a way to get back at Don
bahay na bato in another part of Calamba. Jose and Doña Teodora. She alleged that
The Rizal house had a library of more than when she was served food she gave it to
a thousand books, which was a rarity at that the dog and the dog died. Doña Teodora de
time. As one of the principalia Don Alberto then had the alferez or the town
Francisco accommodated visitors to police Chief to have her husband and Doña
Calamba consisting of priest and Teodora arrested. These persons,
government officials. according to Rizal were the persons his
 Don Francisco saw to it that the good family treated with kindness when they
relations with the Dominicans remain were guest at his house. He called the
friendly and cordial. Every time the gobernadorcillo a fanatical puppet of the
Dominican administrator dropped by to friars while the alferez was someone who
 bore a grudge on his family just because Dominicans never paid a single centavo to
Don Francisco refused his request for free the town fiesta. Lastly he demanded that
chickens and turkeys. Also he was refuse the colonial government investigate the
fodder for his horse. The gobernadorcillo Dominicans who may have illegally grab
made Doña Teodora walk from Calamba to lands. He also questioned the legitimacy of
the provincial capitol in Santa Cruz- a their landholdings in Calamba or at least
distance of more than 30 kilometers. part of it.
 After two years of detention, Doña Teodora  It was common knowledge that the
was released. Dominicans illegally extended their
landholdings to cover areas not in the legal
THE HACIENDA DE CALAMBA documents such as the Dominican
CONTROVERSY hacienda of Silang, which extended to
Santa Rosa, leaving the farmers tilling the
 Because of the great favors given by the
lands between the two haciendas landless
Dominicans to Rizal and his family, Rizal
and turned them to tenants when they could
should have been thankful for what he and
not show a document of ownership.
his family received from Order. However,
 In reply to Rizal’s accusations, the
when he first retuned to Europe in 1887 he
Dominicans said that while it was true that
participated in an angry protest against the
they controlled the town and Hacienda of
Dominicans. As a religious order, the
Calamba as well as the neighboring towns
Church is exempted from paying taxes for
of Biñan, San Pedro and Santa Rosa, all
activities connected with the propagation of
these lands were properly titled in the name
the faith. However, it was not exempted
of the order. Many lands were leased to
from paying taxes, which are economic in
settlers free of rent for some period and
nature even if this are used to support
Rizal’s family was one of those who
activities that preach Christian Doctrines,
benefited from the policy. As for the yearly
Emilio Terrero the Governador General
increases in rent, the Dominicans said that
then wanted to investigate the Dominicans
in many of the lands that were rent –free for
to see if they were paying the proper taxes.
many years, it was just right for them to
 Rizal joined the fray and helped draft an
recover their investments. The same would
information regarding the agrarian
apply to those who benefited in the
situations in the Hacienda de Calamba. He
construction of irrigation canals, which
alleged that the tenants were losing money
benefited the farmers.
because the Dominican administrators were
 Regarding their income derived from the
taking advantage of the tenants; that the
haciendas, the Dominicans said that
Dominican landholdings did not just
income from these lands support churches
compromise the farm areas but the entire
and institutions like the University of Santo
town of Calamba itself including the house
Tomas and the College of San Juan de
of the people; that the Dominicans raised
Letran. They never received any subsidy
the rent every year; that the tenants were
from the Spanish government and they had
dispossessed of their lands because of high
to support these institutions as well as
interest rates even if the same tenants were
those abroad.
the ones who cleared the lands; that high
penalties were charged if the rents were not  As for the farmers losing money, the
paid on time and that the management of Dominicans said that the loss of income of
the hacienda confiscated the carabaos, the farmers was not due to increase rents
tools and homes of the tenants if they or poor harvest but because of the laziness
cannot pay. He also reported that the of the farmers themselves who were
addicted to gambling.
 In reconciliatory move, the Dominicans
allowed the tenants to have grace period in
paying the increased rents. The Dominicans
tried to have an amicable settlement with
the farmers. However, after Rizal left
Calamba for Europe in February 1888, the
tenants openly refused to pay their rents.
Their lawyer Felipe Buencamino reportedly
told the tenants not to pay a single cent to
the Dominicans unless they showed that
they really owned the hacienda.
 The tenants won their case at the justice of
the peace in Calamba where according to
historian Fr. Villaroel Paciano practically
dictated the decision of the court. But the
tenants lost when the cased was appealed
to the provincial court at Santa Cruz,
Laguna and at the higher court in Manila.
The Dominicans was able to prove that they
were legitimate owners of the Calamba and
the other haciendas. The case went as far
as the Supreme Court in Madrid where the
Dominicans ultimately won.
 The ruling of the Santa Cruz court was to
have the tenants to pay the Dominicans or
be expelled. Meanwhile without waiting for
the decision of the court in Manila, the
agents of the provincial court supported by
a detachment of soldiers destroyed 50
houses. When the tenants began to return
to their former homes, the new Governor
General, Valeriano Weyler sent more troops
to expel all the defiant tenants. Among
those expelled was Rizal’s own family.
Weyler deported Paciano, his brother-in-law
Silvestre Ubaldo and twenty-five other
individuals to Mindoro. Another brother-in-
law, Manuel Hidalgo, was deported to
Bohol.
 Was Rizal right in agitating his townspeople
against the Dominicans? There were
potential Calambas in other towns and
provinces as the farm and lands were
controlled by the religious orders and
powerful individuals.
 LESSON 7

Jose Rizal First Homecoming in the Philippines

TIMELINE OF JOSE RIZAL’S JOURNEY  The two had congenial conversation on his
plans while in the Philippines and in his
I. Jose Rizal First Sojourn Going to hometown of Calamba. After a few days,
Europe; (France and Germany); (1882- Rizal gave a copy to the Governor General,
1887); (To be discussed Lesson 10 afterwards he immediately proceeded to
Topic 2). Calamba to meet his family, friends and
II. Jose Rizal First Homecoming in the townmates
Philippines); (Lesson 7; Topic 2); (1887-
 Rizal was treated with favor Spanish
1888);
government in the Philippines. Governor
III. Jose Rizal Second Sojourn Going to
General Emilio Terrero y Perinat was a
Europe; (Brazil and Madrid); (1888-
staunched liberal and questioned the Friar
1892); (To be discussed Lesson 10
Estate in Philippines. The Governor of
Topic 2).
Manila Don Jose Centeno, was a high-
IV. Jose Rizal Second Home-coming in the
ranking mason, and Rizal as a Mason,
Philippines. (1892- 1896). (To be
would definitely be protected, not because
discussed Lesson 10 Topic 2).
of favors, but by brotherhood obligation.
JOSE RIZAL ARRIVED IN MANILA  General Tererro gave instructions to the
Civil Guard Lieutenant Jose Taviel de
 On August 6, 1887, Jose Rizal arrived in Andrade to protect Rizal from anyone who
Manila at 9:00 in the evening. might harm him.
 The first Filipino he encountered was a
newspaperman who was astonished when JOSE RIZAL WHILE IN CALAMBA
he read the name Jose Rizal in the list of
 While in-Calamba, and happily united with
passengers.
his family and friends, Rizal became busy
 Immediately upon arrival, Riza! was called applying the modern technique that he
by Governor General Emilio Terrero who learned in Spain, France and Germany,
said, "You wrote a novel that aroused much specifically in the field of Ophthalmology.
comment, and wish to read it." Rizal
 When Rizal opened his clinic in Calamba,
promised the Governor General that he
he was an instant famed Filipino doctor,
would look for one. In the course of their
due to his medical trainings in Europe,
conversation the Governor General
curing many patients and charging them
insisted, 'Not only do I permit it, but I
according to their means of income, Rizal
demand it."
earned considerable amount of money that
 he used in traveling to Asian countries,  In another letter dated August 29, 1886,
America and back to Europe. Rizal's brother-in-law, Mariano Herbosa,
 One of the reasons why Rizal took up wrote him a letter complaining of the
Ophthalmology-was to cure the failing unbearable tax imposed by the friars to the
eyesight of Dona Teodora, who for many tenants, such as tax on irrigated, dry and
years was suffering from cataract. residential lands, Herbosa added:
 The operation was successful, thus, he
Another feature of this system is that,
gained the local title as Ductor Ullman
(German Doctor). He also found time to on the day you accept the conditions,
have a trip with his Spanish Military escort
the contract will be written,
by climbing Mt. Makiling in Laguna, to see
the grandeur of the panorama and viewing which cannot be changed for four years,
nature from the mountaintop.
but the tax is increased every year.
THE HACIENDA DE CALAMBA
 In the interest of Governor General Terrero
 Rizal was in Madrid, Spain when he knew to introduce reforms in the agrarian taxation
of the problem concerning the Hacienda in the country, he gave an official
case. communication dated December 30, 1887,
 It was well known at that time, that the giving instruction to the Department of
Dominican friars, who were in-charge of me Finance of the Central Government to ask
curacy of Calamba, owned the large portion information and figures from the tenants of
of agricultural and residential lands in the the Dominican Estate on their agricultural
area, thus, most of the people, were its land and production for the past three
tenants. years.
 On July 1885, Paciano informed Rizal of the  Upon the receipt of the communication, the
economic crisis or lack of work in the tenants and the principales of Calamba
country. entrusted themselves to Rizal to aid them in
 He sent Rizal a letter concerning the action preparing the report for the government.
of the Dominican Corporation:  This was also Rizal's chance to manifest his
love for the poor Filipinos and question the
Letter: oppressive friars in a formal report.
Comes the month of June and contrary to  After a series of interviews with the
custom all tenants had not paid their principales, farmers and tenants, Rizal
obligations, arrived with a report, which contained the
following summarized statements:
which was enough to scandalize all the friars,
especially the administrator JOSE RIZAL REPORTS
Who, Without stopping to investigate  That the hacienda owned by the friar
corporation, covered the entire town of
what could be the cause of the insolvency,
Calamba, and that the profits gained from
whether it is lack of will, physical impossibility the Hacienda increased due to arbitrary
bad harvest, low price, or the progressive increase in the land rentals every year,
increase in the land rent, he declares vacant all whether with contract or not.
the lands of the estate.  Tenants who cleared productive lands are
strictly obliged to pay rents, the same policy
Frightened, some paid their obligations with
was also applied on unproductive lands.
the proceeds of the distress sate of their sugar.
 High interests were being levied for the accused by his enemies from the church of
tenants who, for valid reasons, delayed in being a German spy's agent of Bismarck,
paying the rents. Failure to pay would mean Protestant, witch, mason and whose soul
confiscation of working animals and condemned to hell.
residences by the Dominican Corporation,  His father Don Francisco refused to allow
 The tenants who paid the high rents were Rizal to go alone or eat in the house of
subsequently the town folk themselves who other families due to the anonymous letters
were never given support or incentive such who's content of which endangered Rizal's
as assistance to agriculture and education life.
of their children.  To ease the growing pressure form the
threats of the church, taking it against his
EFFECTS OF JOSE RIZAL REPORTS family and the government, Rizal decided to
 The report resulted in placing the leave the Philippines for his second sojourn
Dominican friars of Calamba in shame. to Europe. Thus, at 5:00 p.m. February 3,
 The government records showed that the 1888, he departed and said, "On leaving
Catholic friars were guilty of corruption, Manila, I felt that sweetness and
fraud and non-payment of tax in a massive melancholy of six years ago, upon seeing
scale, not only for the past three years but the turrets of the cathedrals and the big
from the first year the Dominican convents." Before leaving the country, Rizal
congregation took hold of the land. left another artistic contribution.
 From a small portion of- land owned by the  His friends from Lipa, Batangas, requested
Jesuits which was bought by the Dominican him to compose for them a hymn to be sung
corporation, now it owned the entire on the feast day of Lipa, which was entitled
Calamba town. However the tax paid by the Himno al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor).
Dominicans was the same when the land  The following lines are excerpts form the
was acquired from the Jesuits. hymn:
 The report also revealed that the Dominican Men:
Corporation was collecting taxes of all sorts
from the land they never owned. Now the East is glowing with light,
 As a result, the tenants of Calamba Go! To the field to till the land,
together with the family of Rizal ceased
paying their rents and taxes to the For the labor of man sustains
Dominican Corporation. This action of the Family, home and Motherland.
native tenants forced the Dominicans to file
eviction charges against the family of Rizal Hard the land may turn to be.
and Calamba tenants. Scorching the rays of the sun above....
JOSE RIZAL LEFT THE PHILIPPINES; for the country, wife and children
REASONS
All will be easy to our love.
 While Rizal was in Calamba, his parents
Thank you......................
and friends were worried of his personal
safety.
 His religious enemies requested Governor
General Terrero to deport Rizal, but due to
lack of case, the Governor refused.
However, he called Rizal in Manila and
asked him to leave the country. Rizal was
 LESSON 8

The Church During the Spanish Period

THE PARISH PRIEST  Governor General: Sebastian
Hurtado de Corcuera
 On the local level, is a friar endorsed the  Issues: Right of sanctuary for
candidates running for office. fugitives who sought asylum in
 Approves who should be admitted to higher churches
educational institutions in the Philippines.  Result: Corcuera was punished and
 He was the guardian of morals in the imprisoned at the end of his term
community
Archbishop of Manila: Arch. Fernando dela
 Chief censor Cuesta
 Keeps record of the people living in his  Governor General: Fernando
community Bustamante Issues: Immunity from
 As a leading member, he is invited to crimes and sanctuary
important gatherings and social events and  Result: Bustamante was eventually
he always occupies the places of honor. murdered by a mob led by churchmen
on October 11, 1719.
THE ARCHBISHOP OF MANILA
 The highest church official in the FAMOUS “BAD” GOVERNOR
Philippines. GENERALS ACCORDING THE
 Most powerful religious official in the colony
CHURCH
 He has a strong influence in the
government, like his local counterpart in the Many governor generals were labeled bad by
parishes, and the nation as a whole. the Church either because they clashed with
 He can influence the decision of the the Archbishop of Manila or were slow to
governor general comply with their wishes.
 He can cause the removal of a governor 1. Gov. Gen. Simon de Anda - replaced the friar
general if he opposes the will of the church curates with secular as soon as they
FAMOUS CONFRONTATIONS resigned or died earning the condemnation
from the regulars and was not forgiven by
BETWEEN THE CHURCH OFFICIALS
them.
AND THE GOVERNMENT 2. Gov. Gen. Jose dela Gandara - as accused by
Archbishop of Manila: Arch. Hernando Guerrero the Church of favoring the liberals.
3. Gov. Gen. Carlos Ma. Dela Torre - accused of Rector of the University of Santo Tomas the
consorting with the liberals and the supervisor of all higher education in the
emerging Filipino middle class during his Philippines – this means that all higher
time academic certificates and titles will be issued
4. Gov. Gen. Emilio Terrero - was disliked by by UST.
the Church for not acting on Rizal’s Noli Me
Tangere and for ordering the investigation
of the Dominicans regarding their hacienda
income.
5. Gov. Gen. Ramon Blanco - dismissed the
friars as alarmists and for not acting on the
issue of suspected existence of Katipuneros
in 1896 as well as for not executing Rizal.

FAMOUS “GOOD” GOVERNOR

a. Arch. Francisco dela Cuesta
GENERALS ACCORDING THE
(October 11, 1719 – August 6, 1721)
CHURCH b. Arch. Juan Arrechederra
They are the governor generals that are (September 21, 1745 – July 20, 1750)
repressive to the Filipinos. c. Bishop Miguel Lino de Ezpeleta
(June 1759 – May 31, 1761)
1. Gov. Gen. Rafael de Izquierdo was the d. Arch. Manuel Rojo del Rio y Vieyra
governor general who ordered the (June 1761 – October 6, 1762)
execution of the three leaders of
secularization movement (the GOMBURZA) DIVISION WITHIN THE CHURCH
in 1872.
The clergy during the Spanish colonial rule is
2. Gov. Gen. Eulogio Despujol. governor
divided into two – the regulars and the
general who ensured that Rizal will not be
seculars.
able to leave the Philippines after his arrival
in 1892 and subsequently ordered Rizal to a. Regular Clergy a clergy who belongs to
be exiled in Dapitan. the religious orders.
3. Gov. Gen. Camilo de Polavieja. known for his b. Secular Clergy a clergy who does not
repressive measures against the masons belong to any religious orders.
and Katipunan suspects; he also signed the
death warrant of Jose Rizal. RELIGIOUS ORDERA IN THE
PHILIPPINES
ARCHBISHOPS OF MANILA AS
a. Dominicans - friars
ACTING GOVERNOR GENERAL OF
b. Augustinians - friars
THE PHILIPPINES c. Recollects - friars
On average, governor generals assigned in the d. Franciscans - friars
Philippines served for 2 years as opposed to e. Jesuits – non-friars
the position of the archbishop who can stay in
VOWS OF THE RELIGIOUS CLERGY
his post indefinitely. Of the 96 recorded
governor generals assigned in the Philippine  They had three vows – chastity, poverty,
Islands, four of them are Archbishops of and obedience.
Manila. The position of the Church in the  As religious clergy, they are supposed to
Philippines was further strengthened when lead a life in seclusion dedicated to prayer
Queen Isabella II issued a decree making the and meditation.
 When not living in seclusion, they must doing their duties for the sake of the
preach the gospels and become Catholic faith.
missionaries. - Bishops and Archbishops on the other
 They are supervised by their own superiors. hand cited Popes Clement IX, Benedict
XIV, and Urban VII, the Canon Law, and
VOWS OF THE SECULAR CLERGY the Council of Trent (1545-1563) – all of
them speaks of parishes held by
 They only had two vows – obedience and
regulars and regulars holding parishes
chastity.
are subject for visitation of the bishops
 Their duties were to minister the spiritual
and archbishops.
needs of the people and live ministering the
 Threat of resignation from the parishes by
people.
regulars if bishops or archbishops would
 They do not live a secluded life.
insists visiting them.
 They are under the jurisdiction of the bishop
- Fr. Domingo de Salazar. He became
or archbishop whose diocese he belongs.
Bishop of Manila and during his tenure,
INTERNAL CONFLICT WITHIN THE WALLS he made it clear that he would visit the
OF THE CHURCH AND THE parishes in his domain to stop any
SECULARIZATION OF THE PARISHES abuses committed in the spread of the
Gospel. A veteran missionary in Mexico
 A conflict on the issue of supervision and and a disciplinarian. Parish priests in
visitation by the bishops and archbishops Mexico who are regular clergies have no
exists since the beginning of the Spanish objection to visitation.
rule in the Philippines.
- Missionaries who belonged to religious Fr. Domingo de Salazar
clergies established churches in the
 Friar curates in the Philippines, however,
Philippines and although they are not
objected reasoning out that if they have
supposed to administer churches, they
defects in administration, it is their
are compelled by the prevailing
provincials who should correct them and
circumstances – there are few or no
threatened him to resign their parishes that
secular clergies to take over parishes.
will lead to vacancies in the parishes.
- Since regular religious priests, they
Bishop Salazar gave up his plan to avoid
insisted that they were under the
vacancies in parishes as a consequence of
jurisdiction of their respective
their parish priest resigning from the
provincials.
administration
 A question of authority over regulars acting
as parish priests. Arch. Miguel Garcia Serrano
- Regulars will have two masters – the
 In 1620, he tried to visit parishes under the
bishop and the archbishops.
regulars but the friar-curates objected
 Issue on the exemption from visitation of
prompting Arch. Garcia to denounce them
the bishops and the archbishops.
to the King in 1622 but nothing came out of
- The regulars cited the directives from
the letter because the regulars threatened
Popes Leo X, Adrian VI, Clement VII,
to resign from their positions.
and Julius III which stated that they were
not subject to visitation by the Arch. Miguel Poblete Casasola
archbishops and bishops and that since
 In 1653, invoking the Papal Bull of 1633
their duty is to spread Christianity and
not to administer parishes, they are ordered all regulars to submit to his
authority and all parishes should be visited.
 He was backed up by the Royal Audiencia  Pope Benedict XIV decreed in 1744 and
to enforce the visitation; the regulars made 1745 that friar curates were subject to
good their threat to abandon their parishes visitation. The archbishop said that he
forcing Arch. Poblete to give up his plan. would enforce the visitation which was
supported by Gov. Gen. Jose Raon, The
Arch. Diego de Camacho
Dominicans finally agreed to yield with
 In the last years of 17th century, Justice of Pope Benedict XIV’s Bull.
the Royal Audiencia began investigating the
In 1776, all regulars occupying curacies should
Regular Orders regarding their land titles;
subject themselves to the visit of their own
they appealed to Arch. Camacho in 1697.
provincials while seculars should be visited by
Taking advantage of the situation, he told
the bishop or archbishop as ordered by the
the regulars that he would side with them
King of Spain. This resulted to the resignation
and support them against the Royal
of some friar curates opening the opportunity
Audiencia if they will agree to canonical
for the native secular priests to replace them.
visitation. The friar-curates objected and
Although there were a number of native priests
sent a memorial to the King of Spain saying
who can replace the vacant parishes, it turned
that the Archbishop had no right to enforce
out that they are not competent enough to
visitation on the curacies and that they
administer the parishes and worse, there were
should be exempted from visitation – they
complaints that the secular priests were vicious
once again threatened to resign from their
compared to the regulars they replaced.
positions.
Pope Clement XI
EXPELLING THE JESUITS IN SPAIN
ANG THE ENTIORE SPANISH EMPIRE
 Instead of helping them, the King sided with
Arch. Camacho and ordered the Royal  The Jesuits had grown in power and
Audiencia to support him. Arch. Camacho influence who have produced noted
also appealed to Pope Clement XI in 1705 educators and scientists.
regarding the issue of visitation – the Pope  They were seen as threats and were
issued an order subjecting the Regulars to accused of causing intrigues and teaching
visitation. But despite that, the regulars radical ideas which tend to subvert the
continued to oppose the order for visitation. people’s loyalty to the monarchy.
Later on, Royal Audiencia withdrew their  In 1767, King Charles issued a decree
support from him because of intrigues of expelling them not just from Spain but also
both parties. from the entirety of Spanish Empire.
 In 1768, the Jesuits were expelled from the
Arch. Francisco dela Cuesta
Philippines, their colleges were closed, and
 He tried to enforce the Papal Bull of properties confiscated by the government.
Clement XI. The recalcitrant Regulars did  Expulsion of the Jesuits provided an
not object on the condition that the opportunity for Arch. Santa Justa to replace
provision regarding the visitation be Jesuit parishes in Pampanga, Bataan, and
suspended temporarily until the pope heard Iloilo with secular priests. By the same year,
their side which the archbishop granted – a Dominican parishes in Binondo and the
clever move by the regulars because Parian were also secularized.
nothing was heard about the papal  When Gov. Gen. Raon died in 1770, he
decision. The request remained in limbo was replaced by Governor General Simon
until 1740s. de Anda. He replaces the friar curates with
seculars as soon as they resigned or died
Arch. Basilio Sancho de Santa Justa
prompting the condemnations from the
 Regulars. He was not forgiven by the friars
and considered him as one of the ‘bad’
governor generals.

LESSON 8.2

The Church in the 19th Century: The Secularization Issue

Awakens Filipino Nationalism
 Dismal result of secularization in the Philippines  Struggle for secularization became racial
prompted the King of Spain to suspend the because on the opposing side were the
secularization of parishes on December 11, Spaniards – this became the rallying point
1776. The suspension gave way for of Filipino nationalism.
reverting parishes held by seculars to the  Secularization issue had a racial aspect of
Regulars and by the dawn of the 19 th limpieza de sangre or racial superiority in
century, secularization declined resulting to the assignment of parishes – it is said that
the secular parishes in Silang, Indang, Naic, Spanish clergy are better than the native
and other towns slowly replaced by the clergy. Because many of them cannot be
Regulars. parish priests, they were relegated to being
 The return of the Jesuits in 1859 and a royal just coadjutors – an assistant.
decree in 1861 mandating the return of the
Jesuit missions in Mindanao held by 19TH CENTURY BRILLIANT FILIPINO
Recollects. To compensate the latter, PRIEST
parishes in and around Manila were given a. Fr. Pedro Pablo Pelaez the most erudite or
to them – parishes that are formerly held by well-educated among the brilliant Filipino
native secular priests. priests.
THE SECULARIZATION MOVEMENT b. Fr. Mariano Gomes he became the parish
priest of Bacoor and protected the ordinary
 The Royal Decree of 1861 led to the rise of natives from the abuses of the Dominicans
a new movement for secularization in the in Cavite and because of his crusade, he
Philippines. was hated by the Regulars.
 The leaders of the Secularization c. Fr. Jose Burgos the youngest and the most
Movement are the Filipino priests – Fr. brilliant with eight degrees from UST.
Pedro Pablo Pelaez, Fr. Jose Burgos, and d. Fr. Jacinto Zamora he was an examiner of
Fr. Jacinto Zamora. priests at the Manila Cathedral.
BRIEF LIBERAL ADMINISTRATION OF no longer exempted from forced labor,
THE PHILIPPINES BY GOV. GEN workers in Cavite Arsenal found sympathy
among the soldiers of the fort led by
CARLOS MARIA DE LA TORRE
Sergeant Lamadrid. The supposed protest
 Encouraged both the laymen and native about wages turned into mutiny.
priests came out into the open to express  The mutiny failed because the
their desire for reforms. reinforcement of Sergeant Lamadrid from
 Pardoned Eduardo Camerino, the leader of Manila which was expected to arrive on
agrarian unrest in Cavite and made him January 17, 1872 never came. The
chief of its police force. supposed signal for uprising is the lighting
 Abolished flogging as punishment for of fireworks in Manila but that night, a noisy
deserters. celebration in Sampaloc district took place
 Dismissed his bodyguards and mingled with that includes fireworks display that the
ordinary people. mutineers in Cavite mistook as the warning
 Listened to ordinary people’s views and signal and started the killing only to find out
complaints just like a popular politician. the next day that they are alone fighting and
 This populist approach was resented by the soon troops from Manila crushed the
conservative Spaniards who disliked the mutiny; Lamadrid killed fighting in the
beasts clothed in gold and waited for an mutiny.
opportunity to get back at them.  The mutiny was used as pretext to go after
 De la Torre’s approach of portraying as a the people who exposed themselves as
liberal, however, is a dubious and enemies of the conservatives during the
calculating move contrary to what the liberal term of Gov. Gen. de la Torre.
Filipinos and natives are made to believe. THE MARTYRDOM OF GOMBURZA
On the open, he is supportive to the
Filipinos but in reality, he was just  It was alleged that Cavite Mutiny was part
identifying their leaders, put them in of a larger conspiracy to bring about the
surveillance, and their communications separation of the Philippines from Spain –
intercepted and opened the main leaders of which are the leaders of
the Secularization Movement.
RESTORATION OF MONARCHY IN  Spanish authorities immediately arrested
SPAIN THE CAVITE MUTINY Frs. Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos, and
Jacinto Zamora; they were charged of
 Prince Amadeo of Savoy became the King
advocating a revolution that would bring
of Spain in 1870 after the defeat of the
about the independence of the Philippines
liberals and the monarchy was restored
from Spain.
leading to the replacement of liberal
governor general with a new one in 1871.  Gambling betrayed the Filipino priests who
are leaders of Secularization Movement. It
 Gov. Gen. Rafael de Izquierdo arrived in
happened that recently, Fr. Zamora wrote in
the Philippines, repealed all the reforms
a piece of paper to his colleagues to bring
initiated by his predecessor and vowed to
‘powder and shot for a meeting tonight’, a
rule with a cross in one hand and a sword in
term for gambling money that they were to
the other. While he had an ear with the
bring for a session of a card game called
complaints of the people, he would not
pangingue. That piece of paper fell into the
listen to them. Instead, he increased taxes
hands of the Spanish authorities.
of state workers to fund the colony.
 It was alleged that Fr. Jose Burgos was the
 Shocked to learn that their wages were cut
leader of the separatist movement while the
half due to tax deductions and that they are
 two priests – Fr. Gomes and Fr. Zamora, retorted and said, ‘So was Christ!’ He was
are his co-conspirators. Fr. Pelaez however told to accept his fate. He was praying while
escaped from being implicated because he the executioner tightened the bolt of the
died when Manila Cathedral was garrote. ‘God Almighty, please receive the
demolished by an earthquake in 1863 – an soul of this inno...’ and his prayer was cut
incident that the friars considered as the short by death.
God’s way of showing his disapproval for  Aside from the three priests, there are other
challenging Spain. members of the native clergy who were also
 A kangaroo trial was held by the Spaniards implicated in the plot such as Fr. Pedro
finding the three accused guilty of treason Dandan and Fr. Toribio del Pilar, the elder
and attempted rebellion. Fr. Burgos’ brother of Marcelo H. del Pilar. The incident
counsel even said that his client confessed as well as the entrenched frailocracy in the
his guilt and he was begging for the mercy country drove the younger del Pilar to
of the court, prompting him to stand up and become one of the most potent enemies of
denounce his lawyer. the friars.
 The three priests were garroted in  There were rich businessmen who were
Bagumbayan Field on February 21, 1872. also implicated in the plot such as Crisanto
The first to be executed before the three delos Reyes, Jose Ma. Basa, Balvino
priest was a false witness, Francisco Diego; Antonio Ma. Regidor, a lawyer;
Zaldua, who believes that the governor Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, and many others.
general will pardon him but his smile upon  Before the execution of the three priests,
his arrival in Bagumbayan diminished when Gov. Gen. Izquierdo asked the Archbishop
the letter of pardon never came of Manila Meliton Martinez to defrock them
 The first to be executed was Fr. Gomes. As but he refused because he doubted their
he approached the chair of the garrote, he guilt of the crimes they are accused. After
said, ‘I AM GOING TO WHERE THE the execution, the Archbishop had the bells
LEAVES OF THE TREES WILL NOT of the Manila Cathedral tolled a requiem for
MOVE WITHOUT THE WILL OF GOD’ the three priests. The natives who were
which a Dominical friar nearby heard and present began to kneel down – a
said unto him, ‘I hope that God will forgive spontaneous act that the Spaniards thought
you for what you have done.’ He retorted as a signal for the natives to fall upon them.
saying, ‘it is you who should be forgiven for There were no rejoicing after the execution
the more grievous thing that you have and the Spaniards hurriedly fled for the
committed.’ His eyeglass fell in the ground, safety in of Intramuros and stayed there for
he knelt to pick them up. His executioner a week without leaving.
knelt before him and said, ‘Father, forgive
me, because I am going to kill you.’ Fr. EFFECTS OF EXECUTION OF THE
Gomes replied to him, ‘That is alright, my THREE PRIESTS
son, do your duty.’
 It was considered as a milestone in
 The second priest to be executed was Fr.
Philippine history as the birth of nationalism.
Zamora who did not say anything because
 The natives started to think as a people of a
his silence was due to the fact that he
nation – no longer Tagalogs, Pampangos,
became insane; his innocent note caused
or Visayans.
his life and the lives of his colleagues.
 It had a cathartic effect that made the
 The last to be executed was Fr. Burgos who
natives as well as the mestizos and
was crying. When he was made to sit in the
Spaniards born in the Philippines that they
garrote chair, he stood up and cried, ‘BUT I
AM INNOCENT!’ The priests beside him
 are separate from the colonizers and they Spanish language to Filipinos; and Arch.
belong to a country. Barnardino Nozaleda, O.P. who clamored
 In the latter part of the 19th century for the arrest of Jose Rizal.
nationalist and movements, the memory of
the three priests was a rallying point.
 Katipunan Sur, a Katipunan chapter in
Bulacan, made a new recruit swear over a
piece of cloth which is part of the soutane of
the executed priests and made them swear
to avenge their unjust deaths. Also present
is a skull of a victim of Spanish injustice
 The Declaration of Independence on June
12, 1898 also invoked the memory of the
three priests as the reason for seeking
separation from Spain.
 Rizal dedicated his second novel, El
Filibusterismo, in their memory and offering
its pages as a tardy tribute to their unknown
graves.

AFTERMATH
 The Church remained a divided social
institution during the rest of the Spanish
period.
 Jesuits are blamed by the Dominicans for
training and inspiring future enemies like
Rizal and the propagandists according to
Fr. Fidel Villaroel, a Dominican historian
during the Philippine Revolution.
 The Regulars blamed the Seculars for
siding the Revolutionists. Among the
Dominicans, a professor named Fr. Evaristo
Rodriguez Arias sent an advice to Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo not to follow the doctrines
of organizations opposed to the Church – a
reference to the Masonic organizations
where he is a member. He also said that it
is a sin to rebel against the established
authority. Arch. Meliton Martinez, who did
not totally side with the reactionary
Spaniards, cautioned the Filipino clergymen
to moderate their demands and not to
provoke the conservatives, even before the
Cavite Mutiny.
 On the other hand, there were clergymen
who are anti-Filipino like Fr. Francisco
Gainza, O.P. who opposed the teaching of