Philippine Nationalism

Nationalism is as old as the history of humankind. In the struggle for Philippine freedom, there have
been periods when resilient nationalist feeling afire our people to action and other eras when
nationalism seemed to be misremember. Not only did nationalism as sentiment advocated different
subdivisions of humanity.

The elite articulated the nationalist goals of the opulent Filipino’s when they demanded restricting the
system of government, which would give them participation in political rule and a more significant share
in economic benefits. The people led by Rizal went further than the illustrados. They established the
utmost nationalist dedication when they instinctively regarded the call of the Katipunan and fought and
anti-colonial revolution against Spain. They virtually won their sovereignty when the new colonist
challenged them.

The argument concluded that Rizal’s state of mind was now fully molded and thorough, and possibly not
by coincidence, it is expressions accords with is parting from his fatherland. Vicente Gella, when he
wrote “Love of Country”, (June 1882):

“If the absence of the son from the bosom of his esteemed family is sad, no less will be that of a friend
who, being very dear to all of us… his friend and comrades, now is away from us seeking the welfare that
we all desire. Had it not been for that, the separation would have been more painful for the distance that
separates us. May God help you for the good that you di to your fellow countrymen.”

Rizal has faith that Filipinos could only foster there, wisdom of nationalism by studying history. Rizal
factual thought of one’s self and drive the homeland to great things. Rizal expresses nationalism as the
impression of oneness by an assemblage of people who hold shared customs, communal history, a set
goals, and credence in a specific future. There is a solid proof of identity with the beliefs, the heroes and
the attributes of a country.

For Filipinos, with a nous of nationalism it is essential, to be reminded that without people like Rizal,
who stirred Nationalism inside them, they would not have freedom, they wouldn’t have an identity, they
would still be a divided nation and still be slaves of their own country. This sense of nationalism is vital
to every Filipinos and be reminded of the thoughts of Rizal about the Filipino youth. When he said :” Ang
kabataan ang pag asa ng bayan.”

What is Nationalism?

Nationalism is a concept with a comprehensive and broad meaning. It is an idea where the meaning lies
on how people view things according to their personal experiences and beliefs. Preferably, it is
understood as the feeling of belongingness which boost the spirit of oneness with fellow compatriots
and, at the same time, looking up to aspiration for a developing nation. In short, nationalism is viewed as
a fundamental building block in the attainment of national unity and progress.

The Creed or political ideology that involves an individual identifying with, or becoming attached to ones
nation. The birth of colonial policy, and language issues. Nationalism does not exist overnight nor
sentiment that burst out in just one day. Several factors gradually develop. It is a product nourished by
shared ideals and aspirations for national freedom and identity.
The Start of Filipino Nationalism (the 1760s- 1820s)

The term “Filipino” started from Spanish criollos that settled in the Philippines. In the 333 years rule of
the Philippines, the Spanish leaders referred to the native as indios. Indio is being described as nothing
someone who does not exist, neither right nor privileges to enjoy with. Better are the Spaniards born in
the Philippines because they have an identity, they are known as creoles or insulares. Spaniards born in
mainland but residing in the Philippines were referred to as peninsulares. Those of mixed ancestry
referred to as mestizos. Filipino nationalism started with an upsurge of patriotic views and wisdom for
nationalism started with an upsurge of patriotic views and wisdom for nationalistic in the 1880s. the
Philippines ready to face the consequence of Spanish rule for than three centuries. The Philippine
Revolution of 1896 was the backbone of the first nationalist revolution in Asia. These nationalism
arguments have led to wide ranging campaign for social, political, and by the Peninsulares in the
Philippines. The insulares, despite being regarded several government positions. Creoles are even part
of the majority of the government bureaucracy. The sense of national awareness in late 1800 came to
the mind of the Filipinos that eventually led to the Philippine Democracy.

Essential factors that brought significant change:

1. Economy
2. Education; and
3. Secularization issues of parishes.

These factor gave way to the emergence of nationalism in the Philippines. The Philippines opening to
the international trade. The influx of Liberal ideas and the rise of bourgeoisie in Europe. “ The call for
reform of the propaganda movement is the first manifestation of nationalism, and fight was very
evident both in the Philippines and Spain.

Economy

The Acapulco – Manila trade route started in 1568. The Spanish treasure fleets and its eastward rivals,
the Portuguese India Armadas routes of 1498-1640. However the galleon trade between manila and
Acapulco declined due to the arrival of the ship Buen Consejo in 1765, as they took the shorter route,
the Cape of God Hope was much shorter for it will only take three months from Spain to the Philippines.
Whereas the travel of the galleon trade would take five months. The event proved that the Portugal
already past its prime in controlling the roue via Cape of God Hope, which was already under Dutch
control as early as 1652. Shorter journeys to and from Spain brought faster trade and quicker spread of
ideas from Europe. Also, the growing sense of economic insecurity in the later years of the 18th century
led the creoles to turn their attention to agricultural production. The creoles gradually changed from a
very government-dependent class into capital-driven entrepreneurs. Their turning of attention towards
guided soil caused the rise of the large private haciendas. Various government and church position
transferred to the roles of the peninsulares who were characterized mostly in 19 th century Philippine
history as corrupt bureaucrats. Jose Basco, the 44 th governor-general of the Philippine under Spanish
colonial rule.

During the 1780s, two were established in order to enhance the financial capacity of the Philippine . this
were the economic societies of friend of the country and the royal company of the Philippines the
former, introduce by governor general Jose Basco in 1780, was composed of leading men in business,
industry, and profession where the society was tasked to explore and exploit the natural resources of
the archipelago. It offered local and foreign scholarships, besides training in agriculture and established
an academy of the silversmith and gold beaters guild and the construction of the first paper mill in the
Philippines in 1825. The latter, created by Carlos III on march 10,1785, was granted an exclusive
monopoly of bringing it to Manila; Chinese and Indian goods were being shipped directly on Spain via
the Cape of God Hope. It was stiffly objected by Dutch and English who saw it as a direct attack on their
trade of Asian goods. It was also vehemently opposed by the traders of the galleon trade who saw it as
completion.

Economy

Governor General Jose Raon, implemented the royal order from Spain, that every village or barrio must
have a school and dedicated teacher. The implementation of the order expanded the reach of primary
education during Spanish era. Also, during the 18 th century, modern agricultural tools made many
people leave farming for pursuing academic and intellectual courses. After the arrival of Buen Consejo,
the Philippines had more direct contact with Europe and ideas circulating. Thus, the Philippines was
influenced by the principles during the age of enlightenment and radical changes during the French
revolution.

Secularization issue of friars

By royal decree on February 27,1767, King Carlos III ordered the Jesuits to be expelled from Spain and all
her colonies. The decree reached the Philippines in early 1768, wherein Governor-General Raon tried to
do the Jesuits favor by delaying the implementation of the high order in exchange for bribes. It gives the
Jesuit friars time to hide all their possession and destroy documents that could be held against them,
which were supposed to be confiscated. The first batch of Jesuits numbered 64, left manila only by May
17,1768. This event caused Ron to face prosecution from the next Governor General. As ordered by the
king of Spain. Raon died before the judgement for him was laid. The expulsion of Jesuit friars from the
country resulted in a shortage of priests in the parishes. It prompted the current manila archbishop,
Basilio Sancho Justa, to launch his project; the secularization of the Philippines parishes. Sancho
reasoned out that the friars were only sent to facilitate missions to areas that are not yet much
Christianized. Native priest must be ordained to facilitate the parishes since the Philippines was already
Christian country. Sancho recruited every Indio he got to become priest. There was even a joke at the
time that that there was no one to man the galleon anymore since sancho had made them all priests.
The secularization partly failed because many members of the newly formed native clergy soiled the
parishes with their ignorance, sloths, and the like. One achievement of sancho’s secularization was the
establishment of a school for native boys who aspire to become priests.