The Life and Works of Rizal – Key Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key people, works, pen-names, and events related to José Rizal and the Propaganda Movement.

Graciano López Jaena

Founder of La Solidaridad, the patriotic newspaper established in Barcelona that became the mouthpiece of the Propaganda Movement.

La Solidaridad

A fortnightly periodical (newspaper) that served as the official organ of the Propaganda Movement, published in Barcelona.

Propaganda Movement

Reformist campaign of Filipino expatriates in Spain advocating political, social, and economic reforms for the Philippines during Spanish rule.

La Visión del Fray Rodríguez

A pamphlet written by José Rizal (under the pen-name Dimas-Alang) in defense of his novel against the criticisms of Fray Rodríguez.

Dimas-Alang

One of José Rizal’s pen-names, used when he published La Visión del Fray Rodríguez in Barcelona.

Letter to the Young Women of Malolos

An 1889 Tagalog letter by Rizal praising the Malolos women for founding a Spanish-language school despite clerical opposition.

New Edition of Morga’s Sucesos

Historical work annotated and dedicated by Rizal to the Filipino people to remind them of their pre-colonial glory.

The Philippines Within a Century

Rizal’s essay predicting the decline of Spanish rule in Asia and examining Spain’s colonial policies in the Philippines.

The Indolence of the Filipinos

A scholarly essay by Rizal refuting the accusation that Filipinos were naturally lazy, explaining historical and social causes of perceived indolence.

Laong Laan

Rizal’s pen-name meaning “Ever Ready,” mentioned in an 1890 letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar.

El Filibusterismo

Rizal’s second novel, completed in 1891, dedicated to the martyred priests Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora (Gomburza).

Valentín Ventura

Friend of Rizal who financed the printing of El Filibusterismo when Rizal ran short of funds in Paris.

Gomburza (Gómez, Burgos, Zamora)

Three Filipino priests executed in 1872; honored by Rizal in the dedication of El Filibusterismo.

Original Manuscript of El Filibusterismo

Rizal’s handwritten manuscript, now preserved in the Filipiniana Division of the National Library of the Philippines in Manila.

Marcelo H. del Pilar

Propagandist to whom Rizal wrote about using the pen-name Laong Laan and shared his forebodings in 1890.

Mariano Ponce

Propaganda Movement colleague who described El Filibusterismo as the ‘true twin’ of Noli Me Tángere in a letter to Rizal.

Realonda Surname Incident

Arrest of Rizal’s mother in 1890 for allegedly not using her legal surname ‘Realonda,’ forcing her to walk from Calamba to Santa Cruz.