GERIZAL SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT ARALIN 3

"How to become a true Filipino nationalist based on the meaning and basis of
nationalism developed by heroes and events in the 19th Century?"

The 19th century is an important timeline for Philippine nationalism. It was a

period where the Spanish regime in the Philippines was being challenged by the very
people they have come to rule. It is important to note that during this period, the
concept of nationalism among Filipinos in that time is somewhat different from the
concept of nationalism we have now, due to the fact that they are under centuries of
rule by the Spaniards. The definition and concept of nationalism in the 19th century
cannot be explained by only analyzing the life and ideology of Jose Rizal, but also
cannot be understood without reviewing his nationalistic thoughts. According to
Schumacher, there are 4 aspects that influenced his sense of nationalism. It is
important to analyze these aspects as it would help in understanding the relevance of
various developments to his ideas and thought process, that would eventually lead to
the symbolism of nationalism.

Firstly, without the booming of the economy in the 19th century, the nationalist
movement and belief would not have happened. The thriving economy during that time
allowed Filipinos in the middle class to upper class groups to profit from it. This is the
time where Western machineries were being traded to the Philippines since these are
goods that Spain could not provide. The Philippine’s main exports during that time were
its agricultural resources such as rice, sugar and abaca. The main beneficiaries from this
were hacienderos and friar owned hacienda. Since business was thriving, it brought
more conflict between the hacienderos and the tenant as the lands were growing in
value and the rent payments increased.This is considered to be an agrarian revolution
in modern terms, and this would later weaken the Spaniard’s hands in Philippine
politics.

Secondly, the economic development that the country made had a direct impact
on the political developments. Modernized Filipinos saw the Spaniards as the causes of
the prosperity of the country. The dispute between the Spain Liberals and
Conservatives made it difficult to impose policies for colonies overseas. This resulted in
the parties dumping their men as job-seekers, taking the positions of the government
and stuffing themselves with more money. Because of this, the Filipinos were not able
to take high ranking positions that would be able to make significant change, instead,
Spaniards, who had no interest in the country were given these titles. This led to the
exploitation of the country’s funds, to be used for their own welfare. Much worse than
corruption, was the “lack of funds” to be able to provide basic necessities for schools,
public infrastructures, and the maintenance of peace and order. The Guardia Civil
abused their power, being very hostile to farmers and other workers, and used their
position to benefit themselves. The taxes charged to the Filipinos never reached the
public infrastructures, and worst of all, the high tariffs imposed by the government
charged the Filipinos made it impossible to purchase cheaper goods from overseas and
settle for the Spanish textiles. The abuse by the government to the Filipinos made them
understand that the Spanish regime had no interest in the overall welfare of the
country. This abuse of power by the Spanish government would later motivate the
Filipinos to fight against them.

Thirdly, one of the most important factors of the rising nationalism was the
cultural development that was conveyed through education. The European intellectual
atmosphere allowed students to express their ideas, inciting nationalism. This allowed
lower to middle class citizens to enroll and learn liberal and progressive ideas. One
major factor in the cultural development was the return of the Jesuits in the country.
There they provided Spanish speaking teachers for the Filipinos under their primary
education. To the Filipinos, this symbolizes the hope and progress of the Philippine
education as this would spark a sense of nationalism in the hearts of Filipinos. In
Ateneo, students were taught different things from literature, science to even
philosophy, which taught them a sense of nationalism. Another factor in analyzing the
development of nationalism was the experience of Filipinos studying in Spain. There,
they observed the liberties experienced by its people, and compared it to how backward
and corrupt the Spanish government was.

Lastly, the development of education in the country impacted the religious

progress of the church to the people. With the simulation of nationalism through
education, people were increasingly aware of the abuses of the Spanish government.
Ilustrados were increasingly anti-friar and even anti-catholic. As the government
continued to dissatisfy the needs of the public, the Spanish always pushed the Filipinos
back to their religion in Catholicism. It is in this way that they are able to take full
advantage of the Filipinos since the friars and the church were an integral part of the
government during that time. The strong influence of the church and the friars to the
Filipino people explains why nationalists such as Rizal made them their main targets, as
they could use their undeniable power to use as leverage to make the people do
whatever they want. This can be seen in the novels written by Rizal, as it exposed the
corruption of power by the friars.

The basis of nationalism developed by the Filipinos during the 19th century are
developed from 4 aspects: the economical development, the political development, the
cultural development and the religious development. Nationalism has spread first to the
upper and middle classes of the society through education or ideas by foreign entities.
For the Filipinos who belong to the Upper and middle-class, Assimilation, liberalism, and
democracy with Spain were the common ideas for being a Filipino nationalist in that
period with Rizal as one of the heroes to set an example for those ideas. For the
Filipinos in the lower-middle or low class of society, joining the revolution is the
nationalistic way with the idea of a free Philippines from the Spanish rule. Due to the
abuse and racial discrimination by the Spaniards and with failed attempts of reformation
by the upper and middle class. For them, there was no other choice but a revolution to
take place with Andres Bonifacio as the founder and hero to set an example for the idea
of fighting for a separate nation.

To become a true Filipino nationalist, one should be willing to do everything to

improve and make a change in the country. One would have to understand the history
of Philippine nationalism; the reason why Filipinos resented the Spanish regime and
realize the abuses of the church during that time. In the past, they knew that if they
were to go rebel against the government, this would mean that they would have to
abandon their religion. Despite this, many Filipinos still continued to fight, and died
trying to liberate the country from these oppressors. It is their willingness to make a
change, given the difficult circumstance that showed the nationalist’s love for the
country. In the same way how Rizal was still pushing to publish his two novels
considering the risks of doing so. His actions convey the feelings in his heart for the
country and to the Filipinos, that would eventually inspire them to rally together and
fight the Spanish government. Whether it be a pen or a sword, being a true Filipino
nationalist means that he or she will be putting the country and his own countrymen
above all else.

"What are the meanings and characteristics of a truly nationalist Filipino

based on the interpretation of Filipino heroes in the 19th Century?"

The most prominent evidence of the Nationalist movement began with the
critique of the ilustrado of the Catholic Church, a major key institution that propagated
the Spanish colonization. To maintain their superiority over the Filipino people, it was
not until 1863 when public education was finally provided in the Philippines, and even
the existing education institutions were still controlled by the church. Despite the
clerical oversight of Philippine Higher education, the more privileged Filipino students
who studied overseas were the first to recognize the colonial malady plaguing the
country and sought for the cure through the instigation of the Propaganda Movement.
Being able to have the consciousness of how one’s country has suffered in the hands of
other countries is a characteristic of a true nationalist.

Among the six-item criteria provided by Dr. Corpuz and Dr. Lagmay in
determining what constitutes as a hero is “having the concept of nation and
therefore aspiring and struggling for the nation’s freedom”. A renowned
example would be Dr. Jose Rizal. His realization of the backwardness of Filipino society
as perpetuated by the Spanish colonizers led to the propagation of an integral
discovery: the importance of applying modern historical methods for the creation of
national consciousness among his countrymen. According to Rizal, a truly nationalist
Filipino regards the nation as transhistorical. He regards the motherland as an idol, in
the way that she is “beautiful, brilliant, sublime but implacable, fierce and demanding”
and moreover, akin to the light enclosed in clear crystal, wherein she “goes forth in the
most vivid splendor” (Rafael Vicente, 1990). In a time when even Filipinos had been
conditioned to deprecate themselves, a truly nationalist Filipino recognizes the utmost
value of the nation and its people.

Moreover, a truly nationalist Filipino is willing to fight for the nation’s freedom.
Rizal himself was ready to die for the country, as evident in his letters to his family.
Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan embodied the unity of revolutionary consciousness
and revolutionary practice and they had resigned their lives to attain Philippine
independence (Constantino, 1972). It is also worthy to note that this heroism is not
limited to herculean efforts in the warfield or against the oppressive system, as it also
comes in the sacrifices and contributions of the ordinary Filipino, such as providing
refuge to Filipino revolutionaries or caring for the sick and wounded. Much like the
definition of a Modern Filipino Hero, it is the characteristic of functioning as a
servant-leader, abundant in the ability to look beyond one’s self-interest.

Dr Corpuz and Dr Lagmay also included “A hero thinks of the future,

especially the future generations.” as one of the criteria of a true hero. Rizal was
determined to modernize the Philippines, but his main goal was to give the freedom
that the country deserves. He aspires for the Philippines to be a country free from
tyrants because the Filipinos are not slaves of their own country. Being able to see the
free people who are proud of their past and work together to achieve one common goal
for a better future for the country is a vision that has been the focus point of the
nationalist movement during the 19th century (Schumacher, 1991). A true nationalist is
one who is able to look beyond what is favorable in the short-term, but recognizes
what will be beneficial for the country in the long term. Our heroes did not think twice
in sacrificing their lives for the future Filipinos; thus, it is due to their contributions that
we continue to enjoy the product of their struggles. Therefore, a truly nationalist
Filipino is one who does not merely settle for less, as he yearns to pass on a better
world to the next generation.

In conclusion, a true nationalist hero has three significant characteristics. It is

imperative to love and recognize the value of one’s own nation and its people-- to view
the Philippines as more than just an island surrounded by sea, but as a mother who
nurtures, provides and loves its people. When the mother is beset with difficulties, a
truly nationalist Filipino steps up to protect, defend and fight for her--at any cost. With
this, they look beyond their own human desires, but prioritize the needs of the nation,
the people, and the generations to come.
References:

Constantino, R. (1972). Veneration without understanding. Journal of Contemporary

Asia, 1:4, 3-18, DOI: 10.1080/00472337185390141

Cruz, R. (N.D). Nationalism in 19th Century Manila. Retrieved from:

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a3fa/cd360a5a96b984a370cad19f43b16d90cfd7.p
df

Rafael, V. (1990). Nationalism, Imagery, and the Filipino Intelligentsia in the Nineteenth
Century. Critical Inquiry, 16(3), 591-611. Retrieved August 15, 2020, from
www.jstor.org/stable/1343641

The Manila Times. (2015). The Making Of A Philippine National Hero. Retrieved August
15, 2020, from
https://www.manilatimes.net/2015/08/29/weekly/the-sunday-times/the-making-of-
a-philippine-national-hero/213977/

Schumacher, J. N. (1991). The Making of a Nation: Essays on Nineteenth-Century

Filipino Nationalism. Chapter 2. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press.