Jose Rizal and Filipino Nationalism

Jose Rizal's Nationalism

• Nationalism is not exclusive to one person but a natural tendency anyone can possess.
• It became the seed of heroism among Filipino patriots.
• Rizal, considered a great hero, aimed to leave a lasting mark for his people.
• His contributions to knowledge earned him respect worldwide.
• Rizal sought knowledge not for personal satisfaction but for his motherland.
• He is considered a hero with remarkable national consciousness.

Lesson Objectives

• Identify key factors shaping Dr. Jose Rizal's nationalistic spirit.
• Determine the importance of nationalistic consciousness for understanding Filipino national identity.

Lesson Content

• Rizal's participation in Nationalist Movements
• The impact of his early childhood environment on his unwavering nationalism

Participation in Nationalist Movements

• Spanish oppression led to revolts in the Philippines.

The Propaganda Movement

• In 1892, Filipino compatriots formed the Propaganda Movement to pursue their aims and objectives for the benefit of Filipinos.

The Propagandists

• The Propagandists aimed for peaceful reforms in the Philippines.
• Notable members included:
  • Marcelo del Pilar
  • Antonio Luna
  • Juan Luna
  • Graciano Lopez-Jaena
  • Pedro Paterno
  • Mariano Ponce

Factors That United the Propagandists

• The abolition of the Tobacco Monopoly in 1881, marking the end of Spanish tobacco monopoly in the country
• Misrepresentation of Filipinos at the Exposicion Filipina in 1887, causing Spanish authorities to deny reforms.
• Quioquiap's attack on Filipinos as a race, citing their mental and physical incapacity, which stirred the Filipinos' sense of identity and pride.
• The victory of Luna and Hidalgo in 1884 during an art exposition in Madrid, which they viewed as a proof that Filipino can rise to greatness.
• The desire to publish their own newspaper

La Solidaridad

• The Propaganda Movement's main newspaper, La Solidaridad, exposed the pleas of prolific writers against Spain, then called Mother Hispania.
• In 1889, Propagandists used La Solidaridad to air nationalistic sentiments and advocate for reforms from the Spanish government

Demanded Reforms

• Social and Political Freedom
• Freedom of the Press, of Speech, of assembly
• Equality before the law
• Participation in governmental affairs
• Promotion of Education
• Stoppage of the Guardia Civils' abuses and the deportation of citizens.

La Liga Filipina

• Rizal founded the Liga Filipina on July 3, 1892, to promote reform in the Philippines.
• The organization had five aims to alleviate social ills through peaceful means.
• Andres Bonifacio, Domingo Franco, and Apolinario Mabini were avid followers of the league.
• It was considered a successful road to freedom that inspired people seeking change.
• Although efforts were made to revive the goals of freedom and independence for the country, the organization was laid frozen upon Rizal's capture.

Rizal's Early Sense of Nationalism

• Love, affection, and loyalty at home enhanced Rizal's artistic abilities.

The Story of the Moth

• The story of the moth that was burned for not heeding to her mother's advise of not coming close to the candle light, depicted to be a source of heroic implication.
• The moral taught by his mother was a heroic implication.
• His mother wanted warning against danger, but Rizal saw touching the light of freedom as worthwhile, even at the cost of his life.

The Reflection at the Laguna De Bay

• Rizal expressed witnessing the Guardia Civil caning unarmed villagers daily
• This account showed sympathy for countrymen experiencing frequent abuses.

The Imprisonment of Dona Teodora

• Rizal's mother, Dona Teodora, was accused of poisoning Rizal's sister-in-law and imprisoned by the Guardia Civil without proof.
• Rizal learned about injustice and unfairness from these events.

The GomBurza Execution

• In 1872, Fr. Gomez, Fr. Burgos, and Fr. Zamora were beheaded by Spanish officials for allegedly masterminding the Cavite Mutiny, which caused anger.
• The family was grief-stricken, as Paciano was a close friend of Padre Burgos that gave him a glimpse of injustice at an early age.

Early Writings

• Rizal's poems contained traces of nationalistic sentiment.
• Examples include:
  • To the Memory of My Town
  • My First Inspiration
  • Al Nino Jesus
  • Felicitation
  • The Intimate Alliance of Religion and Good Education
  • Beside the River Pasig
  • To the Filipino Youth
  • The Council of the Gods
  • The Love of Country