SAN JOSE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

San Jose, Malilipot, Albay

MODULE 2
SUBJECT: Life and Works of Jose Rizal
INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Rizaldy Ballon
UNITS: 3

MODULE 2: 19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES IN RIZAL’S CONTEXT

I. INTRODUCTION

Pursuant to the De La Salle University professor, Dr. Jose Victor Z. Torres, the best way to let
students appreciate the life of Rizal and to relate their lives to the hero was to introduce first the
environment and the scenarios during the time when Rizal was born or even the situation in the
Philippines during the 19th century- “The Century of Change.”

In line with the words of historian, Gregorio Zaide, in order to appreciate and understand the
life of Rizal, it is necessary to know the historical background of the world and of the Philippines
during his times. The 19th century when he lived was a century of ferment caused by the following
winds of history. In Asia, Europe and the Americas, events urged inexorably like sea tides,
significantly affecting the lives and fortunes of mankind.

Basically, as we decipher several primary sources or even secondary sources that described the
situations in the Philippine during that time, it can be seen that the society was filled with “social
cancer” that needs to be solved as per the colonization of Spaniards.

At the end of Module 2, you are expected to answer the key question below:

“How can you describe the time of Jose Rizal as a Filipino?”

II. LEARNING COMPETENCIES/OBJECTIVES

In this module, you should able to:

1. Describe the social, political and economic conditions of the Philippines during Rizal’s times.

2. Mapping the changes in the 19th century Philippines categorizing the social, political and
economic changes.

3. Explain how the prevailing philosophical thinking of Europe affected the rest of the world
including the Philippines.
 III. PRE-ASSESSMENT

Without looking/searching in any books, what are your ideas on the Philippine politics, economy
and society during the time of Rizal? Enumerate atleast five situations.

1. ___________________________________

2. ___________________________________

3. ___________________________________

4. ___________________________________

5. ___________________________________

IV. DISCUSSION

1. Political Aspect

Impact of the Bourbon Reforms

This political reform sets the economic and political legislation promulgated by the
Spanish crown under various kings like King Philip V (1700-1746), King Ferdinand VI (1746-1759),
King Charles III (1759-1788) and Charles IV (1788-1800). Besides, it pursued the state supremacy
over the Catholic church, resulting to the suppressing of Jesuits in 1767 as well as ecclesiastical
privileges.

It gave deep consequences of colonial policy innovations in areas such as Mexico and
Philippines that was why it gave also the Philippine natives the idea that colonization could be
done without much intervention from Catholic church.

Cadiz Constitution/Spanish Constitution of 1812

It was a liberal constitution promulgated by the 300 deputies from Spanish America and
Philippines on March 18-19, 1812 at Cadiz Port, Mediterranean to end the abuse of conservative
ideas in Spain. In Manila, an election held to name the Filipino delegate who will represent the
Philippines, and it was Ventura Delos Reyes.

It declares “sovereignty resides the nation, which the exclusive right to establish its
fundamental laws.” Likewise, it established universal male suffrage; constitutional monarchy;
freedom of press, land reform, free enterprise and allowing colonies to have representatives in
Spanish Cortes.

Later, it was declared invalid by King Fernando VII and restored “Absolutism.” This
constitution was not been implemented in the Philippines (supposedly in 1815) but resulted in
revised system of Spanish Government in the Philippines like the abolition of Galleon Trade,
converting mercantilism to free-trade and Ilocos rebellion and advent of liberalism.
2. Economic Aspect

End of Galleon Trade

Longest economic trading route through Galleon ships going back and forth between
Manila, Cebu and Acapulco, Mexico (1565-1815). Philippines sent mangoes, tamarinds, rice,
carabaos, Chinese tea textiles, Tuba (coconut wine) to Mexico, while guava, avocado, papaya,
pineapple etc. were sent by Mexico to the Philippines.

This economic transaction was ended on September 14, 1815 when Mexico gained its
independence from Spain and it was abolished because of the efforts of Valentin Delos Santos as
representative in Spanish Cortes (1810-1813). Filipinos before wanted to end this economic
policy because of its abusive system for the country.

Opening of Suez Canal

It was an artificial way that connects the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea in Egypt that
was officially opened on November 17, 1869 by the leadership of Ferdinand de Lesseps. It
decreased the travel time of Philippines to Spain from three months to 32-40 days.

It furthered the importation of liberal books, newspapers and magazines from Europe
and America. Through this, the European ideologies and philosophies went to the Philippines
and influenced several Filipino liberals to fight for their civil rights.

3. Social Aspect

Rise of Chinese Mestizos

This was s new social class in the Philippines during 19th century who developed the
commercial agriculture and owned several haciendas of sugar, coffee and hemp.

Later, they became the education and finance leaders because of non-existence of
Spanish Mestizos ascended to position of power in Philippine society.

Rise of Inquilinos

They were tenants in the haciendas owned by Spanish friars and their families began to
accumulate wealth through farming and production.

Their rise started when the country required intense cultivation of land for mass
productions after the end of Galleon trade and the opening of Suez Canal.

Aside from the mentioned situations during Rizal’s time, there were many evil scenarios
happened; instability of colonial administration, corrupt officialdom, no Philippine
representative in Spanish cortes, no equality before the law, racial discrimination, Frailocracy
and forced labor.

V. EVALUATION
A. Create a poem with 4 stanzas that describes Rizal’s Philippines during 19th century featuring
its political, economic and social scenarios.