Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2
Q2. How did the Friars educate the natives so that they will always abide with fear to the
Spaniards?
I – INTRODUCTION
Friars were widely considered as powerful and tyrannical agents of colonization and
hegemony during the course of Philippine history. No doubt, the Christianization of the Philippines
was one of their most enduring achievements. In the economic, political, social and cultural
aspects of our country, as we all know, during Spanish rule, friars or certain missionaries played a
major role here.
In regards to Jose Rizal, he became hostile to the Spanish friars at one point in his life as a
result of a combination of exposure to European intellectual trends of the time, living distant from his
family at a young age, youthful pride and ambition, and imprudent readings. The book accepts
Rizal's valid objections against clergymen, which originated from situations that infuriated his sense
of justice.
II a – 1st RRL
According to Maghuyop (2018), intellectual advancement can be noticed among the middle
class and was always repressed by the friars for fear that the information would expose the
country's inequities. He went on to say that the takeover of the educational system by friars
resulted in an overemphasis on religious subjects, antiquated teaching methods, insufficient
classroom facilities, a limited curriculum, and a shortage of teaching materials such as books. It
was felt that there was a lack of care in the promotion of primary schools as a result of the lack of
academic freedom.
II b – Discussion in 1st RRL
In other words, the Indianos were educated through religion by Spanish friars and
missionaries. The early friars mastered the Baybayin script in order to communicate more
effectively with the islanders, notably in religious matters. This language was then used for
religious education.
III a – 2nd RRL
Meanwhile, several friars made significant contributions to the development of the printing
press, medicine, science, architecture, music, grammar, dictionaries, literature, and the arts, all of
which became part of Filipino culture. In addition, they brought new crops, plants, and animals from
Europe and Mexico. They also taught the indigenous new skills like as dyeing, brick-making, and tile-
making (Agoncillo, 1990)
III b – Discussion in 2nd RRL

However, when the friars rose to prominence, abuses among the Filipinos happened. The
problem of the friar lands was one of the catalysts for the start of the Philippine Revolution. The
friars owned the majority of the lands, particularly in the Tagalog region. Mortgage settlements and
outright land grabbing were rampant. The friars' abuses of his constituents/flock were visible.
So, democratization of churches became a controversy as well, because the patrons
refused to give up their churches to the Filipino seculars. The friars' excesses are shown vividly in
Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Del Pilar's La Soberania Monacal en Filipinas, and
Lopez-Jaenas' Fray Botod. Several gobernadorcillos led the first and only open anti-friar march
against severe church abuses, notwithstanding its failure.
IV – GENERAL CONCLUSION
Throughout the context, it became clear that Rizal's power of imagery was used to precisely
depict the religious traditions of the day and the behaviors of the friars. It had an important role in
the lives of the characters, and practicing the Catholic faith evoked varying reactions from them.
While religion was beneficial to some of the people, it also provoked feelings of rage and animosity
in others.
V – CLOSING STATEMENT
Frailocracy finally ended during the early days of the Philippine Republic and the American
Occupation. We can clearly observe the clergy's impact in our education system and culture today.
Even if they are fewer in number, they continue to react to and engage in the country's political affairs,
as seen by the EDSA People Power revolutions.
VI – REFERENCES
Agoncillo, T. A. (1990). History of the Filipino people. Quezon City [Philippines], Garotech Pub.
Maghuyop, R. (2018). The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House
Inc., pg 7-12

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