Indolence of the Filipino

Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal

 The Indolence of the Filipino

La Solidaridad

Indolence of Filipino: Originally published in "____" in five installments from July 15 to September 15, 1890.

La Indolencia de los Filipinos

part of Rizal’s educational campaign, aiming to awaken Filipinos to their faults and criticize Spain’s colonial system; suggests that early discontent stemmed from a misunderstanding of Filipinos' capabilities, emphasizing political inexperience rather than racial inferiority.

American

____ administration in the Philippines mirrors Spanish colonial history, with some Americans seen as less credible representatives.

Dr. Sancianco

_____, in his work Progreso de Filipinas, asserts that Filipino indolence does not exist and is a baseless claim, supported by Spanish authorities' reports.

Indolence

has been misinterpreted to mean a lack of love for work and energy.

negative stereotype

The misuse of indolence has led to the perpetuation of a _________, akin to how superstitions blamed the devil for unexplainable phenomena in the Middle Ages.

Climate

____ is a significant factor: hot climates naturally encourage rest and quiet, while cold climates incite labor and action.

Europeans

____ in tropical countries often lead lives of leisure, contradicting their criticisms of the local population.

Mismanagement

is the true cause of indolence, not an inherent trait of the people.

tropical countries

• Europeans often avoid strenuous labor in _____, instead living comfortably with numerous servants, contradicting their criticisms of local indolence.

• The active European, after a season of hard work, takes a break during the summer, just as the Filipino might need to rest due to continuous heat.

Chinaman

hardworking ___ in the Philippines engages mainly in trade, rarely in agriculture, indicating the climate's impact on labor choices.

treatment system

the patient’s debility is the cause or effect of prolonged bad treatment. Patient blames the ____.

symptoms

As the situation worsens, responsibility is dodged, and ___ are treated rather than causes.

malady

referred to as indolence

new elements

combat indolence

Christianity and colonial governance

Observations by modern travelers on the decline in native industriousness.

• Questioning if the imposition of ____ contributed to the decline.

Global Human Nature

• Acknowledgment that all humans have a natural inclination toward avoiding hard work.

• Examples from other cultures to illustrate universal tendencies toward leisure

Re-examination of Causes

Need for a deeper understanding of the historical and systemic causes of the change in Filipino industriousness.

Wars and internal conflicts

disrupted societal stability.

coercion and persuasion

The local population was subjected to control through both ____, leading to conflict and loss of skilled laborers. Insurrections and executions further diminished the workforce.

Limahong

The invasion by ____and continuous military engagements, aimed at defending Spanish interests and expanding their territories in regions like Borneo and Indo-China, led to a drain on the local labor force.

Mindanao and Sulu

 Persistent attacks from pirates, especially from____, severely affected the local population.

Dumangas

Depopulation: Examples like ___, where the population drastically decreased due to the demand for laborers for maritime expeditions, illustrate the severe impact on local demographics.

demand for labor

The continuous ____ in shipbuilding and warfare exhausted both human and natural resources, leading to a decline in agriculture and other local industries.

encomenderos

The exploitation by ___ (landholders) and corrupt practices within the administration led to economic stagnation and widespread discontent among the local population.

China and Mexico

The reliance on trade with ____, while beneficial to some, did not significantly contribute to local development. The export of goods like wax, gold, and cotton was minimal compared to the potential benefits.

Gaspar de San Agustin

noted a significant reduction in population due to natives being conscripted for expeditions.

Morga

___’s account of piratical invasions reaching Manila, causing fear and devastation.

Fernando de los Rios Coronel and Gaspar de San Agustin

____'s accounts of the severe labor conditions for natives cutting timber for shipbuilding.

Philip II

___'s reprimand to Bishop Salazar highlights various abuses leading to population reduction.

Friars

___' advisories to parishioners to stop work in mines and commerce further reduced industry.

Religious corporations

benefit from maintaining the natives in a state of ignorance and semi-starvation to ensure their own continued authority and relevance.

intellectual and moral development.

The colonial system, under the guise of religious and civilizing missions, has severely impacted native ___.

Religious indoctrination

emphasized reliance on miracles and rituals over practical efforts, further promoting laziness.

systemic oppression and lack of opportunities

The indolence of the Filipino people was not inherent but a result of _____ for growth and development.

colonial elite

___’s disdain for manual labor and the desire of natives to imitate them fostered aversion to work.

Mutual Influence

The government and people are interconnected. A corrupt government cannot thrive among righteous people, and vice versa.

Causes of indolence

• Defects in Training: Inadequate and repressive education.

• Lack of National Sentiment: Weak sense of national identity and unity.

Home and Educational Institutions

Limited training at home and oppressive education stifles ambition and encourages stagnation.

understanding

Lifelong indoctrination into religious practices without ____ fosters contradictions and paralyzes energy.

Colonial inferiority

• Self-perception: Constant reinforcement of inferiority inhibits ambition.

• External Validation: Reliance on foreign validation for identity and worth.

Cultural Trade-off

Exchanging local values for foreign practices leads to a loss of national identity.

Administrative inefficiency

The lack of cohesive opposition and initiative leads to administrative inefficiency and societal stagnation.