SOCSCI 3 PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Individual Student Program Lesson Handout

The Birth of Filipino Nationalism

1. How did nationalism start in the Philippines?

2. Who is the father of Philippine Nationalism?
3. How Rizal and his works contribute to the Philippine Nationalism

Lesson 5 – Filipino Nationalism

Using a combination of the sword and the cross, the Spaniards were able to maintain their
rule in the Philippine islands for 333 very long years. A Spanish Army, led by Spanish officers
and composed of Filipino soldiers, threatened or forced obedience to Spanish laws such as the
payment of tributes or taxes to the Spanish crown. While the Spanish missionary orders
persuaded and convinced the indios (as they enjoyed calling the Filipinos) of the benefits and
benevolence of Spanish rule. And for over three centuries, the Filipinos bowed down to the
Spaniards. But not always.

Since the beginning of Spanish rule, a group of Filipinos would rise up and revolt against
the Spanish authorities, be they be provincial governors, Guardia Civil, or Spanish priests. In
every province, the locals would unite to fight the Spaniards. And in every decade, at least one
rebellion would occur. Unfortunately, however, the disorganized and barely armed Filipino
uprising were all defeated by the Spanish Army, and their complaints against Spanish rule left
unanswered.

Besides the lack of organization and lack of weapons of the Filipino rebels, they lost
because of the lack of unity among the Filipinos. Actually, at this time, the natives of the
Philippine islands were still not called Filipinos, but only as Indios or as Tagalogs,
Kapampangans, Ilocanos, Igorots, Bicolanos, or Bisayans depending on their home province.
There was no national identification yet, only regional or provincial loyalties. Thus, the Bisayans
viewed the Tagalogs as another people, the Bicolanos saw the Ilocanos as sort of foreigner, and
vice versa.

So the numerous uprisings that erupted were only provincial uprisings, and rarely spread
to other provinces. And the few Spaniards in the Philippines were able to defeat the more
numerous rebels by enlisting the help of other provinces: a Bisayan rebellion is suppressed by
the Kapampangans, a Kapampangan revolt by the Tagalog, and the Tagalog uprising by the
Bisayans. This develop a certain hatred and enmity among the different provinces, and prevented
them from identifying with the other and uniting into a common people. Divide and Conquer, the
motto of colonizers everywhere.

But in the 19th century, the revolutionary ideas spreading in Europe finally reached the
Philippines. Among these was nationalism (the ideal of uniting a common people under one
country). Consequent to this is the natural right of that common people to rule themselves and
not be ruled by a foreigners. European ideas reached the Philippines through newspapers and
books that arrived with the foreign traders or were brought home by the ilustrados (the rich
indios that were able to study in Spain and other European universities).

In mid 19th century, this found expression in the clamors of indio (who now called
themselves Filipino) priests for the transfer of the control of the parish church from the
missionary Spanish friars to the Filipino diocesan priests. In February 1872 however, it was
violently silenced through the execution of the leaders (Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos,
Jacinto Zamora) after the failed Cavite Munity. But slowly, in the following decade, the
campaign for Filipino rights in the administration of churches, also in government service,
business, and civil life, was revived by young Filipino students abroad who were collectively
called propagandists.

Their campaign was the Propaganda Movement. It was a peaceful campaign for the
Filipino identity, for Filipino rights, for Filipino duties. It was carried out through creative
means. Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Mariano Ponce, Jose Maria
Panganiban, Eduardo Lete, Julio Llorente, Juan Luna, Antonio Luna, Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo,
and other members wrote and published newspapers (La Solidaridad, Espana en Filipinas), books
and articles (Noli Me Tangere, Fray Botod), painted (Spoliarium, Christian Virgins Exposed to
the Public), and organized (Solidaridad, Circulo Hispano-Filipino). All these activiities were
intended to popularized the unjust conditions suffered by the Filipinos under Spanish
administration in the Philippines, and to suggest reforms to Spanish authorities in Madrid.

SYNOPSIS OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Pre-Spanish Times

There are two theories on the origins of the first Filipinos, the inhabitants of what will
later be called the Philippine Islands and eventually the Republic of the Philippines. See
the Early Inhabitants of the Philippine Islands.
 
In the beginning of the 3rd century, the inhabitants of Luzon island were in contact and
trading with East Asian sea-farers and merchants including the Chinese. In the 1400's the
Japanese also established a trading post at Aparri in Northern Luzon.
 
In 1380, Muslim Arabs arrived at the Sulu Archipelago and established settlements which
became mini-states ruled by a Datu. They introduced Islam in the southern parts of the
archipelago including some parts of Luzon and were under the control of the Muslim sultans of
Borneo. They had a significant influence over the region for a couple of hundreds years. The
Malay Muslims remained dominant in these parts until the 16th century.
 
Philippine History During the Spanish Colonial Times
 
In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer who was serving the Spanish crown,
landed in Samar Island on his voyage to circumvent the globe. He explored the islands and
named it Archipelago of San Lazaro. Magellan was killed during a rebellion led by a Datu
named Lapu Lapu in Mactan Island (adjacent to Cebu Island). Spain continued to send
expeditions to the island for financial gain and on the fourth expedition, Commander Ruy Lopez
de Villalobos, named the islands: Philippines, after Prince Philip (later King Philip II), heir to the
Spanish throne. Spain ruled the Philippines for 356 years.
 
In 1565, King Philip II appointed Miguel Lopez de Legazpi as the first Governor-General of the
Philippines. Legazpi chose Manila to be it's capital because of it's natural harbor. Spain's legacy
was the conversion of the people to Catholicism and the creation of the privileged landed class.
Because of abuses and suppression of the Spaniards, a Propaganda Movement emerged with the
aims for equality between Filipinos and Spaniards. The arrest of propagandist Dr. Jose Rizal and
execution in 1896 gave fresh momentum to Filipino rebels to fight against Spain.
 

The Propaganda Movement

Question for discussions

1. How did the propaganda movement begin?

2. What was the main goal of the Propaganda movement?
3. What was Rizal involvement in Propaganda movement?
4. Who establish the Propaganda movement?

La Liga Filipina

In 1892, Jose Rizal (full name: Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonzo)

returned to the Philippines and proposed the establishment of a civic
organization called “La Liga Filipina.” On July 3, 1892, the following were
elected as its officers: Ambrosio Salvador, president: Agustin dela
Rosa, fiscal; Bonifacio Arevalo, treasurer; and Deodato Arellano, secretary.
Rizal functioned as its adviser.

La Liga Filipina aimed to:

▪ Unite the whole country

▪ Protect and assist all members
▪ Fight violence and injustice
▪ Support education
▪ Study and implement reforms

La Liga Filipina had no intention of rising up in arms against the government; but the Spanish

officials still felt threatened. On July 6, 1892 only three days after La Liga Filipina’s
establishment, Jose Rizal was secretly arrested. The next day, Governor General Eulogio
Despujol ordered Rizal’s deportation to Dapitan, a small, secluded town in Zamboanga.

La Liga Filipina's membership was active in the beginning; but later, they began to drift apart.

The rich members wanted to continue supporting the Propaganda Movement; but the others
seemed to have lost all hope that reforms could still be granted. Andres Bonifacio was one of
those who believed that the only way to achieve meaningful change was through a bloody
revolution.
 
La Solidaridad
 
In order to help achieve its goals, the Propaganda Movement put up its own newspaper, called La
Solidaridad. The Soli, as the reformists fondly called their official organ, came out once every
two weeks. The first issue saw print was published on November 15, 1895.

The Solidaridad’s first editor was Graciano Lopez Jaena. Marcelo H. del Pilar took over in
October 1889. Del Pilar managed the Soli until it stopped publication due to lack of funds.

Why the Propaganda Movement Failed

The propaganda movement did not succeed in its pursuit of reforms. The colonial government
did not agree to any of its demands. Spain itself was undergoing a lot of internal problems all
that time, which could explain why the mother country failed to heed the Filipino’s petitions.
The friars, on the other hand, were at the height of their power and displayed even more
arrogance in flaunting their influence. They had neither the time nor the desire to listen to the
voice of the people.

Many of the reformists showed a deep love for their country, although they still failed to
maintain a united front. Because most of them belonged to the upper middle class, they had to
exercise caution in order to safeguard their wealth and other private interests. Personal
differences and petty quarrels, apart from the lack of funds, were also a hindrance to the
movements success. Lastly, no other strong and charismatic leader emerged from the group aside
from Jose Rizal

The Katipunan is born

Andres Bonifacio was also a member of La Liga Filipina, although he soon lost hope in gaining
reforms though peaceful means. This feeling was especially heightened when Jose Rizal was
exiled to Dapitan. Bonifacio became convinced that the only way the Philippines could gain
independence was through a revolution.

Bonifacio then founded the “Katastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipuanan ng mga Anak ng

Bayan” (KKK) on July 7, 1892 in a house on Azcarraga street (now Claro M. Recto), in Tondo
Manila.

The Katipunan had colorful beginnings. As a symbol of the member’s loyalty, they performed

the solemn rite of sanduguan (blood compact), wherein each one signed his name with his own
blood..

The members agreed to recruit more people using the “triangle system” of enlistment. Each
original member would recruit tow new members who were not related to each other. Each new
member would do the same thing, and so on down the line. Members were also asked to
contribute one Real (about 25 centavos) each month in order to raise funds for the association.

The KKK members agreed on the following objectives:

▪ The political goal was to completely separate the Philippines from Spain after declaring the
country’s independence.
▪ The moral goal was to teach the Filipinos good manners, cleanliness, hygiene, fine morals, and
how to guard themselves against religious fanaticism..
▪ The civic goal was to encourage Filipinos to help themselves and to defend the poor oppressed.

The “Kataastaasang Sanggunian” (supreme council) was the highest governing body of the
Katipunan. It was headed by a supremo, or president. Each province had a “Sangguaniang
Bayan” (Provincial Council) and each town had a “Sangguniang Balangay” (Popular Council).

The Leaders of the Katipunan:

▪ Deodato Arellano -Supremo
▪ Ladislao Diwa -Fiscal
▪ Teodora Plata -Secretary
▪ Valentine Diaz -treasurer
▪ Andres Bonifacio -controller

Jose Rizal and the Katipunan

Jose Rizal never became involved in the organization and activities of the Katipunan; but the
Katipuneros still looked up to him as a leader. In fact, Rizal’s name was used as
a password among the society’s highest-ranking members, who were called bayani.

Andres Bonifacio had already known Rizal during his La Liga Filipina days, although Rizal did
not know Bonifacio personally Nevertheless, Bonifacio so respected Rizal’s intelligence and
talent that in June 1896, he sent Dr. Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to seek Rizal’s advice on the
planned revolution.

Rizal told Valenzuela that the timing was not right for a revolution. The people were not yet
ready and they did not have enough weapons. He suggested that the Katipunan obtain the support
of wealthy and influential Filipinos first, in order to gain financial assistance. He also
recommended Antonio Luna as commander of its armed forces, since Luna had much knowledge
and expertise in military tactics.

Valenzuela returned to Manila on June 26 and relayed Rizal’s advice to Bonifacio, who admitted
that it would indeed be fatal for the Filipinos to fight without enough weapons. However, there
was no stopping the Revolution. Bonifacio ordered his men to prepare for battle. He directed
them to store enough food and other supplies. Battle plans were made with the help
of Emilio Jacinto. It was suggested that the revolutionary headquarters be located near the seas or
mountains to provide for an easy retreat, if necessary.

The Struggle for Nationhood

The Katipunan is Discovered

Rumors about a secret revolutionary society had long been in circulation, although no solid
evidence could be found to support them. The big break as far as the Spanish authorities was
concerned, came on August 19, 1896 when a KKK member, Teodoro Patiño told his sister
Honoria about the existence of the Katipunan. Patiño was a worker in the printing press
of Diario  de Manila. Honoria was then living with nuns in a Mandaluyong orphanage.

The information upset Honoria so much that she told the orphanage’s Mother Superior, Sor
Teresa de Jesus, what her brother had revealed. Sor Teresa suggested they seek the advice of
Father Mariano Gil, the parish priest of Tondo.

After hearing Patiño’s revelations, Father Mariano Gil-accompanied by several Guardias Civiles
immediately searched the premises of Diario de Manila and found evidence of the Katipunan’s
existence. The governor general was quickly informed. The printing press was padlocked and
hundreds of suspected KKK members were arrested. 

The Cry of Pugad Lawin

News about the discovery of the Katipunan spread to Manila and nearby suburbs, and Andres
Bonifacio immediately called for a general meeting. Various wings of the Katipunan gathered at
the house of Juan Ramos in Pugadlawin on August 23, 1896. Ramos was the son of Melchora
Aquino, also known as “Tandang Sora” and was later acknowledged as the Mother of
the Katipunan."

Bonifacio asked his men whether they were willing to fight to the bitter end. Everyone shouted
their approval, except for Teodoro Plata, who though that it was too soon for a revolution.
Heartened by his men’s response, Bonifacio then asked them to tear their cedulas
(residence certificates) to pieces, as a sign of their defiance and determination to rise against
the Spaniards. The men immediately tore up their cedulas, shouting, Mabuhay ang Pilipinas
(long live the Philippines) -known as the Cry of Pugadlawin.

The Katipunan in Cavite

Cavite soon became the center of the Revolution, and the Katipuneros there divided themselves
into the Magdalo and Magdiwang factions. Baldomero Aguinaldo, brother of Emilio Aguinaldo,
headed the Magdalo group, which was stationed in Kawit. General Mariano Alvarez led the
Magdiwang group, which was stationed in Noveleta.
 

The Biak-na Bato Republic

Emilio Aguinaldo established his headquarters in Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan province. The news

immediately spread throughout the country, and the revolutionaries were once more in high
spirits. General llanera, who was in Nueva Ecija, declared his support for Aguinaldo. In July
1897, Aguinaldo established the Biak-na-Bato Republic and issued a proclamation stating the
following demands:

The two groups fought in separate battles. Emilio Aguinaldo overran Kawit on August 31, 1896,
while Alvarez attacked Noveleta. In Bacoor, Aguinaldo tried to intercept Spanish reinforcements
coming from Manila; but he was repulsed and forced to retreat to nearby Imus. Here, on the
morning of September 5, he defeated the Spanish troops under the command of General Aguirre.
A hundred Spaniards were killed and 60 weapons were confiscated. Aguinaldo was hailed as a
hero. The adoring Caviteños referred to him as “General Miong” and no longer “Kapitan
Miong.”

General Aguinaldo’s numerous victories in the battlefield made him the acknowledged
revolutionary leader in Cavite. He issued a proclamation on October 31, 1896 enjoining the
people to take courage and continue fighting for Philippine independence.
 
Owing to the defeat of the Spaniards in Cavite, Camilo de Polavieja replaced
Ramon Blanco as governor general on December 13, 1896. Polavieja was more successful than
his predecessor and slowly regained one-third of the province.
 
Andres Bonifacio's Execution
 
While Aguinaldo was recognized as leader by the Magdalo faction, Bonifacio was recognized as
the leader of the Katipunan by the Magdiwang faction. An assembly was held in Imus, Cavite on
December 31, 1897 to settle the leadership issue but was not successful. Then on March 22,
another assembly was held at Tejeros (known as the Tejeros Convention) to elect officers of the
revolutionary government. Aguinaldo won as president while Bonifacio was relegated as the
Director of the Interior. Bonifacio rejected the elections and declared it void. Bonifacio later
formed the Naic Military Agreement, essentially creating a government contending Aguinaldo's.
Soon after, Bonifacio was captured, stood trial, and was sentenced to death by a War Council of
Aguinaldo's government. Aguinaldo initially commuted the sentence to deportation but later
reversed the commutation upon pressure from Pio Del Pilar and other officers. On orders from
General Mariano Noriel, Andres Bonifacio was executed at the foothills of Mt. Buntis by Major
Lazaro Makapagal on May 10, 1897.

The Revolution Continues

Bonifacio’s death did not deter the Filipinos from fighting for their freedom. The Spanish
government, for its part, doubled its efforts in trying to control Cavite, which was considered the
seat of the Revolution. When Governor General Primo de Rivera replaced Camilo Polavieja on
April 27, 1897, he immediately marched to Naic, Cavite to persuade the Filipinos to surrender.
The rebels, however, stood their ground.

Aguinaldo realized that Cavite was no longer safe for his men. They moved to Batangas, where
they temporarily set up camp in the town of Talisay. However, Spanish soldiers were able to
pursue them there. Thus, they retreated to Morong on June 10, 1897 and proceeded to Biak-na-
Bato in Bulacan.

Question and answers for the student learning assessment

1. How did nationalism start in the Philippines?
The sense of national consciousness came from the Creoles, who now regard themselves as
"Filipino". It was brought to its advent by three major factors: 1) economy, 2) education and 3)
secularization of parishes. These factors contributed to the birth of the Filipino Nationalism.
2. Who is the father of Philippine Nationalism?
Dr. Jose Rizal
3. How Rizal and his works contribute to Philippine Nationalism?
His novels awakened Philippine nationalism
While in Barcelona, Rizal contributed essays, poems, allegories, and editorials to the Spanish
newspaper, La Solidaridad. ... In both novels, Rizal harshly criticized the Spanish colonial rule in
the country and exposed the ills of Philippine society at the time.
4. How did the propaganda movement begin?
It was started by members of the Filipino community who left the country for Europe to pursue
their studies. ... Their sense of nationalism coupled with freedom in Europe saw the beginning of
the Propaganda movement, to instigate change in their home country. They mostly used
literature to agitate for change.
5. What was the main goal of the Propaganda movement?
The main goals of the Propaganda Movement was to create reforms in the Philippines.
Students, who created the movement, wanted the Philippines to be acknowledged as a province
of Spain and to be represented in the Spanish Cortes.
6. What was Rizal involvement in Propaganda movement?
Rizal became a leader of the reformist movement called Propaganda, an unwavering campaign
for political and social freedoms, lobbying the peninsular government, using their connections
with the liberal Spanish politicians.
7. Who establish the Propaganda movement?
It was organized and participated by the illustrados.  Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar and
Graciano Lopez Jaena are the leaders of the said movement.