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Brotherhood - can be experienced in various ways, from the bayanihan up to community service. "Sisterhood" is the "girl-power" version of this, where women take the lead in doing service

blood compact - where they both partake in wine in a shared goblet mixed with their blood. Blood compacts were usually done to signify that both parties are willing to die for each other's cause.

Sandugo - The Filipino term for this is (trans. one blood or unified blood).

El Pacto de Sangre - created by the Filipino National Artist Juan Novicio Luna.

The Spanish term for blood compact is Pacto de Sangre, roughly translated as a pact of blood and sandugo in Filipino.

Antonio de Morga - born Antonio de Morga Sanchez Garay on November 29, 1559, was a Spanish lawyer who headed the Real Audiencia de Manila for 20 years.

Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Events in the Philippine Isles) - which Jose Rizal annotated and reprinted this in hopes of awakening Philippine patriotism. He made this historical source based on his knowledge and experiences, with several pieces of documentary research and first-hand observation.

Ferdinand Magellan did the blood compact with Rajah Humabon in hopes of winning the trust of the natives of the pre-colonial era.

Miguel Lopez de Legaspi - arrival, he did the blood compact, this time with Rajah Sikatuna of Bohol . This eventually began the conquest of both land and faith to the natives, winning out the natives in their Pontifical and Royal missions.

To the Filipinos, since the pre-colonial Philippines were wrapped in civil conflicts with other tribes and/or barangays, the concept of divide et impera [Lat. divide and conquer ] was easily applied by the Spanish conquistadores.

Rizal's annotations on de Morga's account were banned during the Spanish period. A probable reason could be the language barrier since most would prefer to read his novels than with his historical research. Another factor is that his historical analysis is already dated due to the advancements in historical, archaeological, and ethnographical researches.

Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas main objective  was to provide a view for the Spanish readers of their deeds in discovering, conquering, and converting the natives. It also explained how they have amassed wealth from the various kingdoms from the conquered and converted indios

cockfighting and belief in supernatural beings (like engkanto) in the Philippines, especially on Negros Island. Aguilar suggests that these traditions reflect deeper societal tensions between following and resisting colonial rule.

Confession- used as a way to control Filipinos during the early colonial period in the Philippines. According to Vicente L. Rafael in his book Contracting Colonialism (1988), confession wasn't just a religious practice; it was also a tool for power. Here's a simpler breakdown:

Confession as Control:

Spanish priests made Filipinos confess their sins, which put them in a position of power over the locals. By confessing, Filipinos had to follow the rules set by the priests, who acted as a link between them and God.

Language as Power:

Confession was done in a foreign language (Spanish), which forced Filipinos to adapt and changed how they saw themselves. This showed how language was used to control and reshape Filipino identity.

Resistance by Filipinos:

Filipinos didn’t always fully give in to the priests’ demands. Some used clever ways, like being vague or avoiding certain topics in their confessions, to push back against the colonizers’ authority.

Big Picture:

Rafael shows that confession wasn’t just about religion—it was part of a bigger strategy by the Spanish to take control, using language and culture to change how Filipinos lived and thought.

Climate and National Identity:

While living in Europe, the ilustrados compared the Philippines’ tropical climate to Spain’s environment. They saw the tropics not as a place of laziness, as the Spanish often described it, but as a source of creativity and brilliance. For instance, Rizal, in his Brindis speech, credited the tropical climate for inspiring the artistic achievements of Filipino painters like Juan Luna and Félix Resurrección Hidalgo.

Homesickness and Romanticization:

Being far from home, the ilustrados missed the Philippines’ warm and lush environment. For example, Antonio Luna felt disappointed with Spain’s dry landscape, and Marcelo H. del Pilar complained about the cold and gloomy winters. These experiences made them appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the Philippines even more.

Political and Cultural Significance:

The ilustrados used their admiration for the Philippines’ climate in two ways:

To defend Filipino identity and prove their talents against Spanish stereotypes.

To criticize Spanish colonial rule, showing that the Philippines’ environment helped foster greatness instead of hindering it.

 

Ilustrados who went to Europe to enact their Propaganda Movement to raise awareness of the Filipino condition during the Spanish Occupation:

Jose Rizal - The most well-known ilustrado. He was a doctor, linguist, mixed martial artist, poet, novelist, writer, teacher, and scientist, to name a few of his distinctions. His well-known works are Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

 Marcelo del Pilar - Gregorio del Pilar's uncle with a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue. He was a

fierce writer and critic of the Catholic church, particularly the corrupt friars of the Religious Orders.

Juan Luna - A passionate artist with a background on realism and romanticism. He was the first Filipino artist to win a gold medal for composing his most famous paintings, Spoliarium and the El Pacto de Sangre. A little-known fact about him was that he was friends with the King of Spain, Alfonso XII.

Antonio Luna - Juan Luna's fierce younger brother who was a scientist and writer before studying military science and became a general himself at the Philippine-American War. He's best remembered from the film Heneral Luna and through his engineering designs, such as the Luna Line, a military trench designed for guerilla warfare.

Graciano Lopez Jaena - The journalist, orator, editor, and owner of La Solidaridad. Many historians regard him as one (1) of the best, alongside Marcelo del Pilar and Jose Rizal -- calling them the Ilustrado's "Triumvirate."

Mariano Ponce - Most knew him from his well-known pen name, Tikbalang. Ponce was a physicianturned-writer-politician for Bulacan. His famous writing was Ang Wika ng Lahi, which tackled the importance of having a national language. He became a prominent member of the Nacionalista Partido, now known as the Nacionalista Party.

Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo - Another renowned Filipino painter that won alongside Juan Luna. He netted the silver medal with his artwork Las virgenes Cristianas expuestas al populacho (The Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace), a historical impressionist painting that depicted female Christians being mocked and debased by boorish Roman men.

Isabelo de los Reyes - Also known as Don Belong, is widely remembered for writing Ang Singsing ng Dalagang Marmol (The Marble Daughter's Ring), as well as being the founder of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, now known as the Philippine Independent Church -- or the Aglipayan church.

Dominador Gomez - The nephew of Fr. Mariano Gomez, this physician, was once a fiery orator and critic of both Spanish and American rule. But, his lasting legacy was when he unwittingly agreed to shorten his sentence by aiding the Americans in arresting Macario Sakay, Aguinaldo's general who fought and led the country in his [Aguinaldo] absence, in a pretense of peaceful negotiation.

The ilustrados - were a group of educated Filipinos in the late 19th century who fought for reforms to improve the lives of their fellow Filipinos under Spanish rule.

 

Here are the key reforms they advocated for:

Assimilation of the Philippines as a Province:

They proposed that the Philippines should be treated as an official province of Spain, rather than just a colony or territory. This would allow Filipinos to be treated as equals to Spaniards, fostering better relations and reducing the gap between the colonizers and the colonized.

Secularization of the Church:

The ilustrados fought for the secularization of church parishes, meaning that Filipino priests should replace Spanish friars in church leadership. This was a response to the shortage of Spanish priests and the growing demand for more Filipino participation in the Church. Many Filipino priests had already died fighting for this cause.

Public Education Independent of Friars:

They pushed for the establishment of more public schools that were not controlled by the friars. The ilustrados wanted education to be more accessible to Filipinos, especially the poor, without religious influence.

Abolition of Polo and Bandala:

The ilustrados opposed the polo (forced labor) and bandala (forced sale of goods to the government) systems, which they saw as unfair to the poor. These practices forced Filipinos to work without pay and pay taxes that they couldn't afford, which they viewed as exploitation. They fought for the basic rights and freedoms of the indios (Filipinos).

Representation in Government:

The ilustrados believed that Filipinos were just as capable as the Spaniards and fought for the right to hold government positions. They also wanted Filipinos to be represented in Spain’s Cortes Generales (the Spanish Parliament), where decisions affecting the Philippines were made.

 

these reforms weren't merited and unsuccessful because of the following reasons:

Spain’s Internal Conflict:

During this period, Spain was facing its own internal struggles. The monarchy was overthrown, and Queen Isabella II was exiled, leaving Spain in a state of political turmoil. This instability affected the Spanish government and its colonies, including the Philippines.

Financial Difficulties for the Ilustrados:

The ilustrados, especially those studying and working abroad, often struggled with limited funds. José Rizal, for example, faced significant financial difficulties due to the high cost of living in Spain.

Discontent and Mistrust Among the Ilustrados:

Within the ilustrado movement, there was division and rivalry. A key moment of this tension was the election of a new leader for La Solidaridad, a group advocating for reforms in the Philippines. The election caused a split between two factions:

The Rizalistas: Supporters of José Rizal, who believed that La Solidaridad should focus on political reforms and raise awareness about the political issues in the Philippines.

The Pilaristas: Supporters of Marcelo del Pilar, who believed La Solidaridad should be the voice of the oppressed Filipinos, especially the poor and downtrodden, who suffered because of the corrupt friars and their greed.

Resolution of the Conflict:

Eventually, Rizal chose not to take the leadership position, and the rivalry between the two factions was resolved. Rizal then focused on completing his novel, while del Pilar continued to lead La Solidaridad, which was originally founded by Graciano LĂłpez Jaena.

El Filibusterismo - is a sequel of Noli Me Tangere, which means "TheReign of Greed." Granted, it means a person who engages in an unauthorized war against a foreign nation.

Rizal used the term filibustero to describe the GomBurZa

Protagonist - Basilio

A deuteragonist - is known as the secondary character, the pangalawang bida, which in the novel is none other than Crisostomo Ibarra, now named Simoun.

Simoun - He now posed as a jeweler and plotted to start an armed rebellion against Spain. He's driven by vengeance due to the series of unfortunate events that befell him when he got home

A tritagonist - is known as the tertiary character, or the pangatlong bida, which is Isagani in the novel.

Isagani -  He is an idealistic youth full of love and optimism until events in the novel, which seemed minor at first, nearly destroyed his once simple and happy life.

This novel showed Jose Rizal's adamant conviction in his mission to seek reforms instead of an armed rebellion. It is further supported by the ending of El Filibusterismo, where Simoun committed suicide by poisoning and confessed his plans to Padre Florentino, who absolved him of his sins. One (1) of his confessions stated that the country is truly not yet ready for an armed rebellion.

The "Early Customs and Practices" - chapter in Teodoro Agoncillo's History of the Filipino People examines the social, cultural, and legal systems of the pre-colonial Filipinos. Here's a simpler summary of the key points:

Barangays and Social Classes:

Early Filipinos lived in barangays (small villages) led by a datu (chief). The society had distinct social classes:

Timawa: Freemen who were not slaves.

Alipin: Slaves, divided into:

Aliping saguiguilid: Household slaves with no property.

Aliping namamahay: Slaves who owned their own homes.

Maharlika: Nobles or warriors with higher social status.

 

Marriage and Dowries:

Marriages were important social alliances, and dowries played a significant role. The bigay-kaya was a dowry paid by the husband to the bride's family. Divorce was allowed under certain circumstances like adultery or desertion.

Religion and Spirituality:

Early Filipinos believed in animism, where they worshipped anitos (spirits or deities) and performed rituals for protection, healing, and good harvests. The babaylan (spiritual leaders) led these rituals.

Legal System:

The legal system was based on batasan (customary law), which was passed down orally and interpreted by elders. Trial by ordeal was a common practice where the accused had to perform difficult tasks to prove their innocence. Penalties for offenses ranged from fines to slavery, depending on the severity.

 

 

Benedict Anderson’s book offers a fresh perspective on José Rizal’s two major novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, by examining the language used in both works. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

Language and Political Vocabulary:

Anderson looks at how Rizal's use of language—specifically Spanish, Tagalog, and lengua de Parian (the dialect of the Chinese mestizo class)—evolved between Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. He tracks how Rizal’s political and social vocabulary changed over time, reflecting his growing political awareness.

Language and Power Dynamics:

Anderson explores how the choice of language in the novels reflects changing power and class dynamics in colonial Philippines. The languages used by different characters, including the narrator, symbolize these shifting dynamics. For example, the shift in Rizal's attitude toward Chinese mestizos shows how the colonial tensions were mirrored in his work.

Audience and Racial Tensions:

Anderson highlights how Rizal’s intended audience changed over time. In El Filibusterismo, Rizal’s writing became more critical of the Chinese mestizo class, which symbolizes broader racial and national conflicts in the Philippines during the colonial era.

Contemporary Filipino Identity:

The study also delves into how Rizal’s writing reflects the formation of modern Filipino identity, influenced by the conflict between Spanish colonial rule and the rising nationalist sentiments among Tagalog speakers. Anderson emphasizes how Rizal’s use of different languages created a form of lingua franca in Manila, bridging different classes and reflecting the complex political and national ambitions of his characters.

Language and Larger Themes:

Ultimately, Anderson’s analysis shows how language in Rizal's novels is deeply intertwined with political, social, and cultural themes. Through narrative and character development, Rizal used language to address the larger issues of colonialism, nationalism, and identity.

 

Renewed Activity in Madrid

Reorganization of the Propaganda Movement: After a period of inactivity, the Propaganda Movement was revived in Madrid. The movement aimed to advocate for reforms in the Philippines.

Key Figures: Notable members included Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano López Jaena, and José Rizal. They played important roles in reviving the movement and pushing for reforms.

Tactics Used: The movement utilized various strategies such as writing articles, publishing newspapers, and lobbying for political reforms to raise awareness of the issues faced by Filipinos under Spanish rule.

Rizal’s Break with Del Pilar

Differing Approaches: Rizal and del Pilar had contrasting views on how the movement should proceed. Rizal preferred a more moderate, peaceful approach, while del Pilar advocated for more radical reforms and actions.

The Split: This difference led to a divide within the movement, with Rizal’s supporters becoming known as the Rizalistas and del Pilar’s supporters as the Pilaristas.

Rizal's Focus Shift: After stepping down from leadership, Rizal chose to focus on his literary works rather than continuing his active involvement in the movement. Del Pilar continued to lead the Propaganda Movement after Rizal's departure, with Rizal offering his support.

The Filipino Past and Education for the Future

Rizal’s Emphasis on History and Culture: Rizal believed that understanding Filipino history and culture was essential in fostering a strong national identity.

The Role of Education: He saw education as crucial for the development of Filipino consciousness and preparing the nation for future independence.

Impact of Rizal’s Literary Works: Rizal’s novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were instrumental in shaping Filipino national identity and inspiring the revolution against Spanish rule.