Chapter 1- Rizal Life: An Overview
I. Early Childhood and Education
Birth: Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, as the
seventh child of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso y Quintos.
Baptism: He was baptized on June 22, 1861, by Rev. Rufino Collantes, with
Rev. Pedro Casañas acting as his sponsor.
Early Teachers: * His mother was his first teacher, teaching him the alphabet
at age three. Leon Monroy taught him the rudiments of Latin for five months before
Monroy's death.
Early Influences:
Uncle Manuel Alberto: Focused on Rizal's physical development and
appreciation for nature.
Uncle Gregorio: A scholar who instilled a love for education in Rizal.
Early Talent: At age eight (1869), he wrote his first poem, "Sa Aking Mga
Kabata" (To My Fellow Youth), which focused on the theme of loving one's own
language.
First Formal Schooling (Biñan):
In June 1869, he was brought to the school of Maestro Justiniano Aquino
Cruz.
He excelled academically, surpassing his classmates in Spanish, Latin, and other
subjects. He also apprenticed under an old painter named Juancho.
II. Higher Education
Ateneo Municipal de Manila: In 1877, at age 16, he earned a
Bachelor of Arts degree with a grade of "excellent".
University of Santo Tomas (UST): He initially enrolled in Philosophy and
Letters (1877) and later Medicine (1878).
Surveying Course: Simultaneously with his UST studies, he took a surveyor
course at Ateneo, passing the examination in 1878, though he was not granted a
license until 1881 due to his age.
Studies Abroad: * Dissatisfied with the atmosphere at UST, he sailed for
Spain in 1882 to study at the Central Universidad de Madrid. He earned a Licentiate
in Medicine (1884) and a degree in Philosophy and Letters with "excellent" marks
(1885).
III. Nationalistic Works and Exile
Major Publications: * Noli Me Tangere (1887): A satirical novel published
in Berlin exposing the arrogance of the Spanish clergy.
Successos de las Islas Filipinas (1890): An annotated reprint published in
Paris to prove Filipinos had a pre-colonial civilization.
El Filibusterismo (1891): A more revolutionary sequel to the Noli, printed in
Ghent.
Polyglot: Rizal mastered 22 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English,
French, German, and Sanskrit.
Exile in Dapitan (1892–1896): * Following his arrest in July 1892, he was
exiled to Dapitan.
During this time, he practiced medicine, taught local students English and Spanish,
engaged in agriculture, and constructed a water dam and a relief map of Mindanao.
IV. Martyrdom
Trial: When the Philippine Revolution broke out in 1896, Rizal was linked to
the revolt through what he termed a "mock trial" involving witnesses he was never
allowed to confront.
Final Poem: While imprisoned in Fort Santiago, he wrote "Ultimo Adios"
(Last Farewell), a masterpiece expressing his love for his country.
Execution: On December 30, 1896, at age 35, Rizal was shot at Bagumbayan
Field (now Luneta) by order of the court martial.
V. Attributes and Legacy
Rizal is described as a "versatile genius" who excelled in numerous fields, including:
Science & Medicine: Ophthalmic surgeon, scientist, and naturalist.
Arts & Literature: Novelist, poet, sculptor, and painter.
Education & Society: Educator, sociologist, economist, and linguist.
Professional: Architect, surveyor, and scientific farmer.
Chapter 3 - Spanish Colonial Government.
National Government Structure
The King of Spain: The ultimate authority who initially ruled through the
Viceroy of Mexico (until 1821) and later directly through a Governor General.
The Governor General (GG):
Served as the King’s representative and the highest-ranking official in the
Philippines.
Powers: Implemented royal decrees, appointed/dismissed public officials
(except those chosen by the King), and managed colonial operations.
Requirement: Must be a Peninsulares (a Spaniard born in Spain).
Notable GGs:
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (1st)
Guido de Lavezares (2nd)
Diego de los Rios (Last).
Checks on Power: Because power was often abused, three bodies were created to
investigate officials:
The Residencia: A special judicial court that investigated a Governor
General's performance at the end of his term.
The Visita: Conducted by a Visitador General sent from Spain to observe
conditions and report directly to the King.
The Royal Audiencia: The highest court in the land; it served as an advisory
body to the GG and audited government expenditures.
A. Local Government Units (LGU)
Provincial Government:
Alcadia: Fully subjugated provinces led by an Alcalde Mayor (Salary:
P300/month).
Corregimiento: Provinces not yet fully under Spanish control, led by a
Corregidor.
Privilege: Both could participate in the Indulto de Comercio (right to join the
Galleon Trade).
Municipal Government: * Provinces were divided into Pueblos (towns)
headed by a Gobernadorcillo ("Little Governor").
Cabeza de Barangay: Responsible for peace, order, and recruiting men for
public works in the barrios.
City Government: Larger towns were called Ayuntamiento, managed by a
city council known as the Cabildo.
C. Economic Changes
Systems: Spain introduced the Encomienda system, Tribute (taxes), and Polo
(forced labor).
Trade: The Galleon Trade linked the Philippines to Mexico; however,
overall economic development was considered slow.
Chapter 2 - Development of Philippine Nationalism
I. Understanding Nationalism
Definition: A devotion to one's country, a sense of unity, and the desire for
independence.
Initial Failure: Early revolts against Spain failed because of a lack of
national leaders and the absence of a unified national sentiment (regionalism).
II. Factors that Led to Philippine Nationalism
Several key developments in the 19th century helped Filipinos transition from
regional revolts to a national movement:
Liberalism from Europe: * The 1868 revolution in Spain deposed Queen
Isabella II and established a provisional republic.
Governor-General Carlos Maria de la Torre: A "fierce liberal" who
brought democratic principles to the Philippines, encouraging freedom of speech and
local participation.
Opening of the Suez Canal (1869): This shortened the travel time between
Europe and the Philippines, allowing liberal ideas, books, and news to flow into the
country more easily.
Rise of the "Clase Media" (Middle Class): Families who grew wealthy
through agriculture and trade could afford to send their children (Ilustrados) to study
in Europe.
The Secularization Movement: * Filipino priests (Seculars) demanded the
right to manage parishes, which were then controlled by Spanish friars (Regulars).
The GOMBURZA Martyrdom: In 1872, Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose
Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora were executed for alleged involvement in the Cavite
Mutiny. This event is cited as a major "turning point" that unified Filipinos in grief
and anger.
III. The Propaganda Movement
The Ilustrados (enlightened ones) used the "power of the pen" to seek reforms rather
than revolution.
Goals: Equality between Filipinos and Spaniards, representation in the
Spanish Cortes, and secularization of parishes.
Key Figures: Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano Lopez Jaena.
La Solidaridad: The official newspaper of the movement used to voice
Filipino grievances to the Spanish government.
IV. La Liga Filipina
Founded by Jose Rizal on July 3, 1892, upon his return to the Philippines.
Officers: Ambrosio Salvador (President), Deodato Arellano (Secretary), and
Rizal (Adviser).
Aims:
1. Unite the whole archipelago.
2. Mutual protection in every want and necessity.
3. Defense against all violence and injustice.
4. Encouragement of education, agriculture, and commerce.
Outcome: Although it was a peaceful civic society, the Spanish felt
threatened. Rizal was arrested on July 6, 1892, and deported to Dapitan.
V. The Katipunan (KKK)
With the failure of the peaceful Propaganda Movement and Rizal's exile, Filipinos
turned to radical means.
Founder: Andres Bonifacio.
Shift in Strategy: The movement moved from seeking "reforms" (Propaganda) to
seeking "independence" through revolution.