Dungca-3bsit6d Act2

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Dungca, Rodger S.

3BSIT6D
Activity No. 2 – The Philippines in the 19th Century (Rizal’s Context) [Reaction Paper]

The Philippines in the 19th century was a blast in the past where the time of Filipinos

experience extreme oppression and suffering from the Spaniards. When I researched the context

of Rizal's life, it was horrible and painful how the Spaniards took advantage to take over from

the Filipinos. There is an inequality in the social hierarchy of slaves and fools who had no right

to get what they deserved. The taxes increased, promotion of monopoly and reforms promised to

the Filipino people aren't meet. Government Officials who are supposed to promote peace and

order abuse their power and authority that brought violence to the people. Friars who are

supposed to strengthen faith in religion are greedy and cruel to show injustice towards the weak.

Also, there is an imbalance of justice that is supposed to everyone but served only to those who

are in the upper class of the social hierarchy. The impact of these changes affects the Filipinos

which considering the beginning of what the people experience until the present day.

In the time of Rizal, he is generally known as a reformist, and his work illustrates the

belief that reform was only a necessary step towards the goal, independence from Spain. That’s

why he wrote the two best novels “Noli Me Tangere” (1887) and “El Filibusterismo” (1891)

shows awaken the Filipinos to fight for their freedom and stand for their right. It had made me

realize that war does not necessarily have to end through means of violence, it could always be

ended peacefully, through words and maybe even forgiveness. Words are far stronger than any

gun. Vengeance is not ours, it’s God. Evilness is at every corner but you shall not fear because

good will always prevail.


The 19th century is a part of history especially the Spaniard's regime that we shouldn’t

bury and forget although it’s painful to recall these times. It reminds us how Rizal and other

propagandists fought hard to get back our freedom, our rights as Filipino people, and the land

that is rightfully ours. That is the time when the true sense of nationalism arises. Rizal’s

observation became so relevant and changes shaped his ideas, works, and actions which in turn,

rippled to the Filipinos to fight for freedom and justice. He showed us that knowledge and

mind are one great weapon, that if properly use the pen is mightier than any sword in the

world.

I learned a lot about the Philippines in the 19 th century from Rizal’s perspective, the

challenges and responses on how the Spaniards change the course in the lives of the Filipinos but

on the other hand their prejudice that destroys humanity. I heard about the life of Rizal before in

some of my subjects’ way back high schooldays, his background, personal life and work, the

contribution that brought justice and independence from the Spanish regime. But in this kind of

reading articles and scanning the information, there is a lot about him. I remember his statue in

Manila that signifies patriotism and nationalism, that’s why he is our national hero. He is the

voice of truth that every Filipino should know. Even in our present day, a lot of experiences that

we’re brought from the past exposed once again but remember as Filipinos, we should speak the

true value of freedom in our society and the rest of the world that have a vision as a nation united

as one.

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