Filipino people Essay

Rizal pointed out that long before the coming of the Spaniards, the Filipinos were industrious and hardworking. It is the Spanish reign that brought about a decline in economic activities because of certain causes. First, the establishment of the Galleon Trade cut off all previous associations of the Philippines with other countries in Asia and the Middle East. As a result, business was only conducted with Spain through Mexico. Because of this, the small businesses and handicraft industries that flourished during the pre-Spanish period gradually disappeared. Second, Spain also extinguished the natives’ love of work because of the implementation of forced labor. the Filipinos were compelled to work in shipyards, roads, and other public works, abandoning agriculture, industry, and commerce. Third, Spain did not protect the people against foreign invaders and pirates. With no arms to defend themselves, the natives were killed, their houses burned, and their lands destroyed. As a result of this, the Filipinos were forced to become nomads, lost interest in cultivating their lands or in rebuilding the industries that were shut down, and simply became submissive to the mercy of God. Fourth, there was a crooked system of education. What was being taught in the schools were repetitive prayers and other things that could not be used by the students to lead the country to progress. There were no courses in Agriculture, Industry, etc. , which were badly needed by the Philippines during those times. Fifth, the Spanish rulers were a bad example to despise manual labor. The officials reported to work at noon and left early, all the while doing nothing in line with their duties. The women were seen constantly followed by servants who dressed them and fanned them – personal things which they ought to have done for themselves. Sixth, gambling was established and widely propagated during those times. Almost everyday there were cockfights, and during feast days, the government officials and friars were the first to engange in all sorts of bets and gambles. Seventh, there was a crooked system of religion. The friars taught the naive Filipinos that it was easier for a poor man to enter heaven, and so they preferred not to work and remain poor so that they could easily enter heaven after they died. Lastly, the taxes were extremely high, so much so that a huge portion of what they earned went to the government or to the friars. When the object of their labor was removed and they were exploited, they were reduced to inaction. Rizal admitted that the Filipinos did not work so hard because they were wise enough to adjust themselves to the warm, tropical climate. â€Å"An hour’s work under that burning sun, in the midst of pernicious influences springing from nature in activity, is equal to a day’s labor in a temperate climate. † According to Rizal, all the causes of indolence can be reduced to two factors. The first factor is the limited training and education Filipino natives receive. Segregated from Spaniards, Filipinos do not receive the same opportunities that are available to the foreigners. They are taught to be inferior. The second factor is the lack of a national sentiment of unity among them. Because Filipinos think they are inferior, they submit to the foreign culture and do everything to imitate it. The solution, according to Rizal, would be education and liberty. Rizal’s Philosophy of the Human Person 1. Freedom from friar influence pervades the letter and Rizal proffered a stinging rebuke against them by saying that God’s command is different that of the priest. 2. According to rizal, the integrity of conduct is no longer about â€Å"prolonged kneeling†, large rosaries, soiled scapular. † 3. That living the Christian life is far richer and immensely beneficial if we have faith in God within reason and what is just, because unquestioning obedience would sustain the bondage that has imprisoned even the conscience of man, who is â€Å"born without chains. † 4. The mind, according to Rizal, is a gift from God that must be kindled if we are to sustain our faith and illumine whatever activity man does, even with regards to faith. 5. Faith and reason doesn’t cancel each other, they are like the two wings of one bird or the chambers of one heart; neither can stand without the other and one is designed to reinforce the other. 6. For Rizal this is the only way to understand the function of reason in the strengthening of faith. Rizal’s Feminist Thoughts 1. Rizal found comfort and encouragement from the display of valor made by the youthful ladies of malolos; 2. In his letter, he expresses great joy and satisfaction over the battle they had fought. 3. In this portion of Rizal’s letter, it is obvious that his ultimate desire was for women to be offered the same opportunities as those received by men in terms of education. 4. During those days young girls were not sent to school because of the universal notion that they would soon only be taken as wives and stay at home with the children. 5. Rizal, however, emphasizes on freedom of thought and the right to education, which must be granted to both boys and girls alike regardless of gender. Moral Responsibilities of Woman 1. For Rizal, the woman is the first teacher of mankind and the mother of civilization. 2. Rizal says let us be reasonable and open our eyes, especially the women, because they are the ones who open the minds of men. 3. Consider that a good mother is different from the one created by the friars. 4. Raise your children close to the image of the true God — the God who cannot be bribed, the God who is not greedy, the God who is the father of all, who is not partial, the God who does not fatten on the blood of the poor, who does not rejoice at the plaint of the afflicted, and does not confuse the intelligent mind. 5. Awaken and prepare the mind of the child for every good and desirable idea — love for honor, sincere and firm character, clear mind, clean conduct, noble action, love for one’s fellow men, respect for God — teach this to your children. 6. The central idea here is that whatever a mother shows to her children is what the children will become also. 7. If the mother is always kissing the hand of the friars in submission, then her children will grow up to be minions and mindless fools who do nothing but do as they are told, even if the very nature of the task would violate their rights as individuals. 8. Rizal also enumerates the qualities Filipino mothers have to possess. 9. A mother should be a noble wife and should rear her children in the service of the state. 10. A woman should set standards of behavior for men around her. Rizal’s Points for Reflection 1. In closing the letter, Rizal gave some 7 principles to the women of Malolos. 2. The 1st and the 4th principles are to take courage in engaging ones self in social action to assist others. 3. The 2nd principle is to consult with frankness and bravery and inculcate self respect in each and all. 4. The 3rd principle is to wing our way from the bondage of ignorance and that we should examine the truth in our own way. 5. The 5th principle reiterates the ideal that the instruction of children be given to the mothers first obligation. 6. The 6th and 7th principles want us to examine justice and equality as twin pillars of civilization and that each one must work for its full realization and that we must examine carefully the religious teachings being given us. Rizal was very impressed to the fighting spirit of the young women of Malolos had shown. In this letter of Rizal, it is obvious that his ultimate desire is to have women the same opportunity men received in terms of education. During those days young girls was not sent to school because of the universal notion that they would soon be only taken as wives and stay only at home with the children. But Rizal emphasizes on freedom of thought and right for education that both girls and boys should have. He had also shown to this letter all about that Spaniards friars. He cited, â€Å"God gave each individual reason and a will of his or her own to distinguish the just from the unjust; all were born without shackles and free, and nobody has a right to subjugate the will and the spirit of another. † We are all born equal, naked and without bonds. God did not create man to be a slave of others. A man who does not think for himself and allowed him to be guided by the thought of another is like the beast led by a halter. God give us intelligence that we may use against this slavery of others. We must be dignified, have faith on him and work together as one. In this letter he emphasizes different points. One is that Filipino mothers should teach her children love of God, country and fellowmen. Filipino mothers should be glad and honored, like Spartan mothers, to offer their sons in defense of their country. Filipino women should know how to protect their dignity and honor. They should educate themselves aside from retaining their good racial values. Faith is not merely reciting prayers and wearing religious pictures. It is living the real Christian way with good morals and manners. In recent times, it seems that these qualities are gradually lost in the way Filipino women conduct themselves. In recent times, it seems that these qualities are gradually lost in the way Filipino women conduct themselves. There are oftentimes moments where mothers forget their roles in rearing their children because of the overriding idea of having to earn for the family to supplement their husband’s income. Although there is nothing negative about working hard for the welfare of the family, there must always be balance in the way people go through life. Failure in the home cannot be compensated for by any amount of wealth or fame.