Rizal: Life, Context, and Influence

Unit Overview: The Life and Times of Rizal

• This chapter explores the life and context of Jose Rizal, examining his influence on Filipino nationalism.

Introduction to Rizal

• José Rizal is widely considered the greatest hero due to his martyrdom for the Philippines.
• Rizal was a multifaceted individual: a poet, doctor, anthropologist, sculptor, surveyor, farmer, novelist, essayist, historian, teacher, and a polyglot proficient in 22 languages.
• Historians view Rizal as the main inspiration behind Filipino nationhood.
• Rizal's legacy is viewed differently across sectors, some view him as a saint or messiah.
• Rizal also received criticism, labelled as an agitator, wanderlust, power-hungry and unpredictable.
• Rizal's work inspired Andres Bonifacio and the founding of the Katipunan, with his name even used as a password.
• The unjust execution of the GOMBURZA priests fueled Rizal's nationalist views and second novel, El Filibusterismo.

Conditions in Europe, America, and Spain

• The 19th century marked a period of significant transformation globally.
• The Age of Enlightenment, reaching its peak in France, promoted freedom, liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty, sparking the French Revolution in 1789.
• The French Revolution led to the overthrow of King Louis XVI's monarchy, establishing the French Republic.
• The French Republic was short lived following Napoleon's regime.
• Philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and John Locke influenced revolutionary ideas worldwide.
• Revolutions for equal rights spread across Europe beginning in 1848, challenging absolute monarchies.
• In 1861, the year of Rizal's birth:
  • Tsar Alexander II emancipated Russian serfs.
  • Italy, under Guiseppe Garibaldi, expelled Austrians and unified Italian states, diminishing Church control.
  • Germany began a unification process that concluded in 1871.
• In the United States, President Abraham Lincoln's emancipation of black slaves ignited the American Civil War (1861-1865).
• Mexican forces defeated the French-backed regime of Archduke Maximilian.
• France experienced the fall of Napoleon III and the establishment of a republic.
• Spain retained only a few colonies, including the Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Spanish Sahara.

Need for Reforms: Representation

• During Napoleon's reign, Spain allied with France against Great Britain within the Continental System.
• Napoleon invaded Spain in 1808, placing his brother Joseph on the throne.
• Spanish patriots, resisting French rule, convened in Cadiz to draft a constitution.
• The Cadiz Constitution introduced colonial representation in the Spanish parliament, the Cortes.
• Ventura de los Reyes, a Philippine-born Spaniard, represented the colony in the Cortes for the first time.
• After Napoleon's defeat, King Ferdinand VII dissolved the Cortes, angering Spain's American colonies and spurring them to pursue independence.
• In 1820, the Spanish people rebelled and forced Ferdinand to reinstate the Cortes.
• The Cortes' restoration was brief.
• France intervened to restore Ferdinand's absolute rule, leading to the Cortes' abolishment.
• The Cortes was restored again in 1833.
• A secret session decided against granting the Philippines representation.
• The Philippines lacked representation in the Cortes moving forward.
• Reformists like Rizal advocated for representation, believing it would grant Filipinos a voice and equal rights.
• Queen Isabela II succeeded Ferdinand VII.
• Queen Isabela II's reign was marked by mismanagement and decadence.

Conditions in Asia in the 19th Century

• Renewed European encroachment occurred due to the weakening of Spain and Portugal, coupled with the ascent of Great Britain and France.
• Great Britain:
  • Gained Hong Kong as a colony.
  • Forced China to open five ports after the Opium War (1839-1842).
  • Humiliated China further with the Arrow War (1856-1858).
  • Annexed Kowloon, expanding Hong Kong.
  • Seized Burma after three Burmese Wars (1824-1826, 1862-1863, 1885-1886).
• Commodore Matthew Perry led the Americans in forcing Japan to open trade in 1854, but Japan resisted unfavorable terms and western requests.
• India became a British crown colony in 1858 after the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857.
• Indo-China became a French protectorate after France suppressed the kingdoms of Annam and Cochin-China, with Filipino troops from Manila participating in the conquest.
• Malaysia became a British protectorate and colony, while Indonesia was conquered by the Dutch.

Conditions in the Philippines in the 19th Century

• Liberal movements from Europe influenced the Philippines.

• Citizens in Ilocos opposed the abolishment of the Cadiz Constitution, but the revolt was quelled.

• In 1826, Mexican soldiers, led by Lt. Andres Novales, mutinied due to discrimination, seeking Filipino support, but were suppressed and executed.

• Apolinario de la Cruz led the Cofradia de San Jose, a religious organization, which revolted in 1841-1842 after being denied priesthood and was suppressed.

• Native revolts were suppressed, revealing a lack of national unity, which Spaniards exploited using a divide-and-rule strategy.

• The Spaniards were a minority in comparison to the six million native Filipinos.

• The Spanish maintained control through native officals.

• The Spaniards retained the loyalty of native officials by granting special privileges.

• Gobernadocillos were granted the titles Capitan Municipal, Teniente and Cabeza bestowing privileged status in society.

• Principals were decedents from loyal datus during colonization.

• Principals were exempt from taxes, community labour and entitled to a portion of collected fees.

• After their terms, former officials were able to be re-elected.

• Spain controlled the Philippines for over 300 years through influence over native leaders.

• The 19th-century changes significantly impacted the Philippines.

• The Philippines engaged in forbidden trade through colonial officials.

• The mercantilist policy was scrapped in 1834 with the opening of Manila to world trade.

• The Philippines experienced a high demand for products such as sugar, coffee, tobacco, dyestuff, and rice, leading to trade opportunities and a rise of Mestizo families.

• They became affluent and form the Middle Class.

• The increased wealth led to better homes, education in Manila seminaries, equality concerns, and secularization issues.

• Equality was the cry of the times, which influenced Rizal and made him question his life.

The Religious Front: Secularization

• Secularization, a matter concerning the Philippine Catholic clergy, persisted as an issue alongside political and social reforms.

• Since the 16th century the Spanish king and the Pope wished the parishes to turn to secular priests.

• From the beginning of the Spanish colonization the establishent and administration of the country's parishes was done by regular priests who belong to different religious orders such as the Augustinians, Recollects, Jesuits, Fraciscans, and Dominicans.

• Initially, the orders came as missionaries to the Philippines.

• During the course of the Spanish rule seculars had demanded the papal orders be implemented.

• The demands turned into failures because the secular priests from the Philippines were wanting and deemed unfit to lead the parishes.

• Opportunities presented themselves to seculars to occupy parishes after the jesuits were expelled in 1767.

• Parishes held by seculars returned to regular priests after they died.

• The reverse secularization issue became a race issue.

• Peninsulares were Spaniards born in Spain, while Spaniards born in the Phillippines were called Filipinos.

• Spanish regulars fought against Filipino seculars.

• Filipino priests like Fathers Pedro Pablo Pelaez, Jacinto Zamora, Mariano Gomez, and Jose Burgos championed for equal rights with the Spaniards and reduction of church influence in politics.

• Instructions were given from the King of Spain and the Pope himself for secularization.

• Friars resisted, stating the Filipino seculars were not ready.

• Filipinos and Seculars like liberal Governor-General Carlos MA. De allowed for Filipino liberals and seculars to voice there grievances.

• The new Governor-General Izquierdo's regime suppressed the right to voice grievances.

• The conservative Spaniards identified the Filipinos for "elimination".

• The Cavite Mutiny served as a pretext for conservatives to eliminate the Filipino liberals.

• The Spanish forces arrested Jose Ma. Basa, Antonio Ma. Regidor, Balbino Mauricio, Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, and Filipino secular priests like Pedro Dandan and Toribio H. del Pilar.

• As identified by Francisco Zaldua Father's Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were out to overthrow the Spanish rulers and install Father Burgos as the future leader.

• The three priests were garroted at Bagumbayan on February 17, 1872.

• Others were sentenced to deportation in Guam and never aloud to return as long as Spain ruled the Philippines.

• Reinforcing spanish Domination was the Spanish clergy helping to establish the contry's parishes and towns with their evangelization.

• They held significant political and religious roles.

• Spanish religious officials acted as "Eyes and Ears" of the government.

• Church positions were used.

• Religious orders contolled country's education.

• The Church operated Parish Schools.

• Religious officials guarded public morals.

• The Parish priest would endorse political positions.

• Religious officials acted as advisers to the governor-general.

• Many religious officials belonged to the regular/friar orders.

• Governor-generals had an average term of three years, while religious officials were deeply entrenched and difficult to enforce sweeping reforms.

The Rizal Law

• In 1956, Senator Claro M. Recto proposed measure which the bill recognized, instilling patriotism among youth and addressing social turmoil during the Hukbalahap insurgency and strong U.S. influence.
• The bill stated it shall be obligator for college and university students to study the life and works of Jose Rizal.
• The Catholic Church opposed it claiming it was anti-Church.
• They expressed concerns about Rizal's novels harming students' religious beliefs and infringing on freedom of religion and conscience.
• The Church lobbied against the law through organizations such as the Accion Catolico, with foriegn priests interfering in policy.
• Church opposed novels because it portrayed at the time of writing and may be harmful.
• In "Noli Me Tangere" only 25 pages are patriotic compared to 120 anti-catholic pages.
• Jesus Paredes stated the novels contain objectionable matters and Catholics have the right to refuse for harm to faith.
• Narciso Pimentel speculates that the law was introduced to "get back" at Catholic voters.
• Lawmakers such as Representative Miguel Cuenco and Senator Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo opposed the bill with Senator Rodrigo stating his son would not read the books.
• Senator's Catholic votsers supported Rectos Rizal Bill.
• Pastoral letters opposing it were read in masses.
• Bishops threatened to shut down schools if Bill was approved.
• Recto rejects Senator Rodrigo's suggestions that annotated versions be used.
• Senator Jose P.Laurel based Senator Roseller Lim and Emmanuel Pelaez's original proposals based on a compromise after a month-long standoff.
• Repubic Act No 1425 Came into effect on June 12, 1956 which granted right for the religious to opt out.
• The original authors were victorious.
• The requires version remains the unexpurgated versions.

Family Background and Birth

• Jose Rizal's date of birth was June 19, 1861.
• Jose Rizal was born in Calamba, Laguna.
• Jose Rizal's father was Francisco Mercado.
• Jose Rizal's mother was Teodora Alonso y Realonda.

Early Education

• Lucas Padua , Leon Monroy were hired as Rizal's first teachers.
• Doña Teodora was also Rizal's first teacher.
• Teodora taught him:
  • Using El Amigo de los Niños as a Reader (The Children's Friend)
  • Giving lesson in "The Story of the Moth"

Other Family Influences in Education

• Uncle Gregorio taught him the value of hard work, independent thinking, and keen observation.
• Uncle Jose encouraged him to sketch, paint, and sculpt,
• Uncle Manuel encouraged physical development and taught him swimming, fencing, wrestling, and other sports.
• Yaya (nanny stories awakened his imagination and creativity of his hometown Calamba.

Artistic Endeavours

• Rizal wrote at least two poems:
  • "Sa Aking Mga Kabata"
  • "Un Recuerdo de Mi Pueblo" ("A Memory of My Town', a poem about Calamba)
• Made sculptures out of mud
• Drew trees, flowers, birds, butterflies, and anything around house.

Formal Education

• Rizal was formally educated in Biñan, Laguna.
• Justiniano Aquino Cruz was his teacher
• Cruz enforced discipline with a short, thin stick on children
• Doña Teodora would suffer.
• With the Accusation of trying to poison
• Thrown into jail.
• Rizal Entered Ateneo Municipal as 11 year old.
  • inspired by friend Fr. Fransisco de Paula Sanches, S.J with religious and good education: The Tragedy of St. Eustace, , "In the Memory of My Town", "Intimate Alliance between Religion and Good Education”, "Through Education Motherland Receives Enlightenment"
• Excelled in all academics in atenoe, graduating at top of his class.
• Engaged in other activities
  • Studied painting.
  • Studied sculpture under Teodoro Romualdo de Jesus.
  • He carved the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a batikuling wood
  • He carved the image of the Sacred Heart.
  • He joined the organization Marian Congregation.
  • Fr. Pablo Pastells, S.J was mentor.
  • Member of Academy of Spanish Literature.
  • Member of Academy of Natural Sciences.
  • Fr. Jose VillaClara, S.J encouraged him to pay attention also to the sciences and philosophy.
• Went to study at the Unviersity of Santo Tomas
  • Faculty of Philosophy and letters: majored in Philosophy.
• Returned to Ateneo For Vocational course in land surveying
  • Completed the surveyor's course and was awarded the title perito agrimensor.
  • Passed the examination was still underage at the time and his certificate was his certificate was issued once he turned 20.
• Went to persue further education in medicine in US.
• Submitted entry to "Al La Juventud Filipina" (To The Filipino youth") 1879 winning first prize in the contest. -First time he used phrase "the youth, the fair hope of my country" ("kabataan, pag-asa ng aking bayan).
• Literary Contest 1880 he entered " El consejo De Los Dioses" Council of the Gods.
  • Commemorated anniversary os Miguel Cervantes and Spain's national Poet which awarded him grand prize and a gold ring.
• Produced "Junto Al Pasig" 1 act with positive themes and "A Filipinas".
• Chose to discontinue studies and persue them instead in Spain in pursuit of a cure for his mother's worsening eye condition.

First trip to Europe in 1882

• With blessings from brother Paciano and Uncle Antonio Rivera.
• Decided against parents blessing.
• Secured endorsements from Pedro Paterno.
• Stopped in Singapore, Yemen, srilanka, India to end in Marseilles, France.
  • Marseilles visited novel venue D'lf
  • Noticed French were courteous and spanish weren't.
• Arrived in Barcelona.
• Summer of 1882 he explored the city.
• Studied freedom and liberalism and wrote essays for Diariong Tagalog ("Amor Patrio" and "Los Viajes"
• Met Ateneo classmates at Plaza De cataluña.
• Went to enroll but Madrid on November 1882.
• Studies included:
  • Medicine
  • French, German and English.
  • Fencing and Shooting.
• Engaged with Dr Miguel Morayta a student with free speech.
• Involved with liberal Don Pablo.
• Joined Circulo Hispano Fillipino a social organisation for people who talked on Philippines Reofrms.
• Elder Phillipino memebers in his exile 1872, programmes w poems for reading and debates.
• Joined Freemasonry, a religious based group which viewed in adapted light achieving it through reason and universal brotherhood under masonic names "dimasalang".
• Book collector.
  • Uncle Toms Cabin -Alexandre
  • wandering jew
  • Lives of presdient -horace
• Juan Luna and Filipe Resurreccion won awardsprizewith Rizal celebrating
  • Luna's: Spoliarium
  • Fliipe: Christian exposition
• Rizal voiced speach on someday spain would recognize and their pieces will be exposed to newspaper.
• Graduated June 21 with licenciado en medicina - did not persue doctorate, cannot tech with medicine only with licence.
• Persued philosophy and letters with subresalient grade.
• inspired and started Noli Me Tangere after Uncle Tom's cabins by harriet beecher.

Paris, France

• November 1885 Arrived in Paris
  • Helped his friend.
    • luna
    • pardo de tavera
  • Luna posed for paintings and his own was named Deportacion” and “Alin Mang Lahi

Germany

• Febuary 1886 Arrived in Heidelberg.
  • Helped Dr Otto Beacker.
  • Listened to Beckman and Keuhne's lectures.
  • "To the Flower os Heidelberg" Poem wrote a summer and had the chance to lived with Protestant to get fluent with speaking.
  • Wrote Arithmetic book sent to Prof F.

Other Travels in 1886

• Baltazer in Leipzig the translator of German and Philips books like Schilers William Bell. translated story how Swiss was being translated peacefully in Leipzig in August 1886. Arrived in Dresden to view R Sistine and Philippines museum collection.

Berlin

– Had a meeting with Feodor Jagor

• Met antropologists Rudolpf , and the doctor named Enrest Schweggier also joined societies that resulted in - T. Verknust as a recognised member, did the novels end revisions, the novel was then printed
• He then travelled to Prague after March 1997 Went out to say goodbye to Viola but got himself to Manila Saigon Italy.

Recalmaba and Home time

• Returned established clinic, his mum being his first patient .

Made his town as Physician His first edition was controversy with

• 1896 Dr plo came and he’d gave the intentions that made Dr Bluntritt state suggest to volunteer was the request of Blanc to make a safe transfer back on July with him going Manila board.
• He was stuck on board when he was going for sprain .
• Was arrested while getting on board and returned to the Manila fort where he would face sedition, illegal association of rebellion

The guilty had been put sentenced and was shot on 1986