The Destiny of the Filipino People (PDF)

**The Destiny of the Filipino People** **The Philippines a Century Hence** **Intended Learning Outcomes** Present Rizal's arguments on what the Philippines will be like in the future. Rizal's work, The Philippines a Century Hence: was serialized in La Solidaridad in four installments from Septem...

**The Destiny of the Filipino People** **The Philippines a Century Hence** **Intended Learning Outcomes** Present Rizal's arguments on what the Philippines will be like in the future. Rizal's work, The Philippines a Century Hence: was serialized in La Solidaridad in four installments from September 30, 1889, to January 31, 1890. In this essay, Rizal attempts to answer the basic question of whether the Philippines will remain a Spanish colony or not. Rizal's essay titled "The Philippines a Century Hence" presents compelling arguments on what the state of the country will be like in the future. The first part of Rizal's essay does this by illustrating that with the arrival of the Spaniards, the Filipinos were forced to accept the subject themselves to a new and foreign culture. By the nineteenth century, economic conditions had become better in the Philippines and Rizal recognized this. However, beyond the material prosperity, he points out that the Filipinos remain brutalized and oppressed. Since advancement or progress is clearly inevitable, Rizal poses the question on whether the Philippines will remain a colony of Spain despite all the changes. He states that the Philippines will remain a colony of Spain if the mother country implements reforms such as freedom of the press and representation in the Rizal also concedes that if Spain does not grant these reforms, the Filipinos will likely become independent after a violent and bloody revolution. The final part of Rizal's work presents another interesting point of discussion since he attempts to look into the future of the country. He argues that if the Philippines becomes free in the future, this independence will be short-lived since the United States of America will probably acquire and colonize the country as one of its territories. In the end, Rizal makes a strong assertion that Spain must grant the Filipinos reform, for as he eloquently states, "It is better to keep pace with the desire of a people that to give way before them; the former begets sympathy and love, the latter contempt and anger." **Biography and National History** Intended Learning Outcomes: Explain the history of biographical writing in the Philippines, and Appraise the importance of biography and national history. In the previous topics, you have seen how Rizal\'s biography has been incorporated into the context of Philippine history and society. You have learned that the story of an individual is best understood within a historical setting which can help you chart the major turning points of his/her life. Rizal, as a product of his time, cannot be fully understood without looking at the period in which he lived. Such factors are important in the study of his life and works. The Philippine history noted the publication of the considered first biographies focusing on the life of the missionaries who worked in the evangelization of the natives. These Spanish-written narratives can be read in religious chronicles and histories citing the missionaries ' important roles in building churches or even bridges and fortresses. Filipino biographies can only be found in the accounts of the Spanish priests who reported on how they defended Spain and the Catholic faith against the Filipino "enemies". **What can we learn from early colonial biographies?** Early colonial Filipino biographies, therefore, are narratives of Filipino fighters who were seen as "enemies of the state." **Study on Biographies after Spanish and American Colonization** The study on biographies broadened. One monumental work in the history of life-writing in the country is that of E. Arsenio Manuel in 1955, a four-volume compilation entitled Dictionary of Philippine Biography. Two years after, D. H. Soriano and Isidro L. Retizos published **The Philippines Who's Who, a book about the lives of 400 Filipinos and their achievements.** **Historian and biographer Gregorio Zaide also published his Great Filipinos in History in 1970.** *He and his daughter revised the book in 1988 with the title Rizal and Other Great Filipinos, featuring the biographies of forty heroes, the foremost of which is Rizal.* The purpose of the revised book, as summed up by Sonia Zaide was "to inspire the younger generations of Filipinos to love and serve their country. Today, many Filipino biographies have been written. Undoubtedly, Jose Rizal's life and works have always been the favorite subject of writers and biographers. Among the most known biographies of Rizal include the books of Austin Craig (1913); Carlos Quirino (1940); Rafael Palma (1949); Leon Ma. Guerrero (1963); Gregorio Zaide (1981); and Austin Coates (1992). **What purpose does historical biography serve for Filipinos?** Historical biographies, therefore, serve as means or tools to study the lives and experiences of Filipinos, particularly of Philippines heroes from which **one can learn and be inspired to serve the country.** According to Ferratori (1983), **the goal of studying a biography is to "read a society through an individual's story".** What does it mean? **Biography and National History** In history, it is always important to connect the individual's life story with the historical situation he/she was in. Remember that the goal of studying a biography is to **"read a society through an individual's story"** ( Ferratori, 1983) Understanding Rizal, therefore, means comprehending the context of his time. Rizal's biography, for example, is not complete without mentioning the Industrial Revolution and the American revolution which happened years before he was born. The social impact of these events shaped the society in which Rizal had lived. Moreover, Rizal's life covers the period from 1861 to 1896; therefore, it is inevitable to look into the events in the Philippines during the nineteenth century. Specific episodes in Philippine history, like the **rise in power of the Catholic Church**, called by the reformists as **frailocracy**; the opening of the Suez Canal and the Philippines to free trade; the liberal rule of Carlos Ma. Dela Torre; the Cavite Mutiny of 1872 that resulted in the execution of Gomburza; and the founding of the Propaganda Movement in the 1880s, were all significant in shaping Rizal's views and ideas. **Frailocracy** A notorious invisible government existed in Spanish Philippines. This government was called \"frailocracy\" meaning rule of the friars. During the last decades of the 19th century the Spanish friars were so influential and powerful that they practically ruled the Philippines. Not all Governor-General who ruled the Philippines were hated. One of them was loved by Filipinos because of his liberal style of leadership. **Liberal regime of Carlos Maria Dela Torre** An outspoken liberal, de la Torre extended to Filipinos the promise of reform. In a break with established practice, he fraternized with Filipinos, invited them to the governor\'s palace, and rode with them in official processions. He served as Governor-General of the Philippines from 1869 to 1871 and is considered to be the most beloved of the Spanish Governors-General ever assigned in the Philippines. **Biography and National History** Rizal was born and grew up in a period of massive changes not just in Europe but also in Spain and the Philippines. **Take note** Biography could be a tool for understanding a particular period of history. An individual's life cannot be detached from the milieu that shaped his/her views and ideas. An individual's life