Rizal Law, Nationalism, and 19th-Century Philippine Context

Vocabulary flashcards covering the Rizal Law, Benedict Anderson’s nationalism theory, 19th-century Philippine socio-economic context, and key elements of Jose Rizal’s life and works.

Republic Act No. 1425 (Rizal Law)

1956 Philippine law mandating the study of Jose Rizal’s life, works, and writings in all schools to foster nationalism.

Noli Me Tangere

Jose Rizal’s 1887 novel exposing social injustices under Spanish rule; central text required by the Rizal Law.

El Filibusterismo

Rizal’s 1891 sequel to Noli Me Tangere, portraying intensified colonial oppression and revolutionary ideas.

Senate Bill 438

Original 1956 bill filed by Senator Claro M. Recto that evolved into Republic Act No. 1425.

House Bill 5561

Identical measure to Senate Bill 438 filed in the House by Rep. Jacobo Z. Gonzales supporting the Rizal Law.

Anti-Rizal Bill

Opposition proposal seeking to limit compulsory reading of Rizal’s novels, citing religious concerns.

Catholic Action of Manila (CAM)

Lay Catholic group that led organized resistance to the Rizal Bill for its perceived anti-church passages.

Fr. Jesus Cavanna

CAM representative who argued most pages of Rizal’s writings were anti-Catholic, fueling opposition.

Knights of Rizal

Civic organization that supported passage of the Rizal Law to honor the national hero.

Imagined Community

Benedict Anderson’s concept of a nation as a socially constructed community imagined by its members.

Benedict Anderson

Political scientist who introduced the theory of imagined communities in his 1983 work on nationalism.

Print Capitalism

Anderson’s idea that mass-produced print materials (e.g., newspapers, novels) enable shared national consciousness.

Ilustrados

Educated Filipino elite of the 19th century who spread liberal ideas and nationalist sentiment through print media.

Propaganda Movement

Reformist campaign (1880s-1890s) by ilustrados like Rizal advocating for rights and representation under Spain.

Galleon Trade

1565-1815 Manila–Acapulco trade route that monopolized Philippine commerce and hindered local economic growth.

Encomienda System

Spanish colonial labor arrangement granting settlers rights over indigenous labor and tribute.

Tribute System

Colonial tax in goods or services imposed on Filipino natives, often resulting in forced unpaid labor.

Suez Canal

1869 waterway linking Europe and Asia that shortened travel to the Philippines and intensified colonial trade.

Peninsulares

Spaniards born in Spain who occupied top colonial posts in the Philippines.

Insulares

Spaniards born in the colonies; ranked below peninsulares in the colonial social hierarchy.

Mestizos

People of mixed ancestry (often Spanish-Filipino) who played key roles in trade and local governance.

Indios

Native Filipinos under Spanish rule who possessed the fewest rights within the colonial caste system.

Tobacco Monopoly

1776-1880 government control mandating specific provinces grow tobacco exclusively for state purchase.

Educational Decree of 1863

Spanish royal order establishing a public education system for Indios, though limited and religiously oriented.

Ateneo Municipal de Manila

Jesuit school where Rizal earned a Bachelor of Arts with highest honors in 1877.

GomBurZa

Fathers Gomez, Burgos, Zamora—Filipino priests whose 1872 execution inspired Rizal’s reformist zeal.

La Solidaridad

Reformist newspaper (1889-1895) of the Propaganda Movement advocating Filipino rights in Spain.

Amor Patrio

Rizal’s 1882 essay “Love of Country,” published in Diariong Tagalog, promoting Filipino patriotism.

A Las Flores de Heidelberg

Poem Rizal wrote in Germany (1886) expressing homesickness and love for the Philippines.

Universidad Central de Madrid

Spanish university where Rizal pursued Medicine and Philosophy & Letters (1882-1884).

Dr. Otto Becker

German ophthalmologist under whom Rizal trained at Heidelberg University Eye Hospital.

Veteranos de la Revolucion

Group of Philippine Revolution veterans supporting the Rizal Bill’s passage.

Alagad ni Rizal

Pro-Rizal civic association advocating integration of Rizal’s works into education.

Free Masons (Philippines)

Fraternal order backing the Rizal Law; many ilustrados, including Rizal, were members.

Knights of Columbus

Catholic fraternal organization that opposed the Rizal Law alongside other church groups.

Catholic Teachers Guild

Educators’ group resisting mandatory reading of Rizal’s anti-clerical novels.

Secularization Movement

19th-century campaign for Filipino priests to lead parishes, fostering nationalist sentiment.

Opening of Philippine Ports (1855-1873)

Spanish policy that allowed foreign trade in cities like Iloilo, Panay, and Cebu, integrating the colony into world markets.

Steam-Driven Sugar Refinery

Industrial innovation that boosted Philippine sugar production and export in the late 19th century.

Colegio de San Jose (Manila)

School where young Rizal honed Latin and philosophy before studying abroad.

Segunda Katigbak

Rizal’s first romantic interest during his Ateneo years influencing his early poetry.

University Eye Hospital (Heidelberg)

Medical center where Rizal gained advanced ophthalmological training in 1886.

Sa Aking Mga Kabata

Poem attributed to eight-year-old Rizal emphasizing love for one’s native language.

“Horizontal Comradeship”

Anderson’s term for equal feeling of solidarity among members of an imagined nation.

Tithe and Tribute

Colonial taxes that burdened Filipino peasants and stoked calls for reform.

Jose V. Basco

Governor-General who instituted the Philippine tobacco monopoly in the late 18th century.

Industrial Revolution (global impact)

19th-century technological shift that transformed economies worldwide, though the Philippines remained largely agrarian.

Neckar River

German river that inspired Rizal’s nostalgia-laden poem “A Las Flores de Heidelberg.”},{