La Solidaridad and the Propaganda Movement

Study Notes

La Solidaridad

The official newspaper of the Propaganda Movement
Published in Barcelona, Spain, from February 15, 1889 to November 15, 1895
First editor: Graciano Lopez Jaena
Marcelo H. del Pilar became editor in December 15, 1889
Publication ceased due to lack of funds

Aims

Advocated for peaceful political and social change
Highlighted Philippine problems to Spain for reform
Opposed harmful traditional beliefs and practices
Supported progress and liberal ideas
Fought for Filipinos’ rights to democracy, justice, and happiness

Contributors

Del Pilar (Plaridel)
Rizal (Laong Laan)
Mariano Ponce (Naning, Tikbalang, Kalipulako)
Antonio Luna (Tagalog)
Jose Ma. Panganiban (Jomapa)
Dominador Gomez (Ramiro Franco)
Pedro Paterno
Isabelo de los Reyes
Antonio Ma. Regidor
Jose Alejandro
Eduardo de Lete
Ferdinand Blumentritt
Miguel Morayta

Jose Rizal’s Contributions to La Solidaridad

The Filipino Farmers (Los Agricultores Filipinos) (March 25, 1889)
- Described the plight of Filipino farmers and the detrimental effects on the country
To La Defensa (A La Defensa) (April 30, 1889)
- Replied to anti-Filipino sentiments in Patricio de la Escosura’s ‘La Defensa’
- Argued against Escosura’s views and exposed the negative influence of friars
Travels (Los Viajes) (May 15, 1889)
- Highlighted the benefits and knowledge acquired through global travel
The Truth for All (La Verdad Para Todos) (May 31, 1889)
- Addressed Spanish accusations of Filipino ignorance and immorality
Vicente Barrantes' Tagalog Theatre (Vicente Barrantes' Teatro Tagalo) (June 15, 1889)
- Exposed Vicente Barrantes’ misunderstanding of Tagalog theatre
Defense of the Noli (Defensa Del Noli) (June 18, 1889)
- Manuscript sent to M.H. del Pilar for publication in La Solidaridad
New Facts/New Truths (Verdades Nuevas) (July 31, 1889)
- Response to Vicente Belloc Sanchez’s claim that reforms would weaken friar power
A Desecration/A Profanation (Una Profanacion) (July 31, 1889)
- Condemned the denial of a Christian burial to Mariano Herbosa (Rizal’s brother-in-law) by friars
Cruelty (Crueldad) (August 15, 1889)
- Defended Blumentritt against false accusations
Differences (Diferencias) (September 15, 1889)
- Refuted La Patria’s mockery of Filipinos advocating for reform
Inconsequences (Inconsequencias) (November 30, 1889)
- Defended Antonio Luna against attacks from Spanish journalist Pablo Mir
Tears and Laughter (Llanto Y Risas) (November 30, 1889)
- Condemned Spanish racial discrimination against people with brown skin
The Philippines within One Hundred Years (Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años) (serialized from September 30, 1889 to February 15, 1890)
- Predicted the end of Spanish rule and the arrival of American colonization
Ingratitude (Ingratitudes) (January 15, 1890)
- Replied to Governor-General Weyler’s claims about Filipinos being ungrateful
On the New Orthography of the Tagalog Language (Sobre La Nueva Ortografia De La Lengua Tagala) (April 15, 1890)
- Supported new Tagalog spelling rules and acknowledged Dr. T.H. Pardo de Tavera’s contributions
The Indolence of the Filipinos (Sobre La Indolencia de los Filipinos) (serialized from July 15 to September 1, 1890)
- Challenged Spanish claims of Filipino laziness
- Argued that Filipinos were hard workers before colonization and their decline was due to Spanish oppression