Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años
(The Philippines a Century Hence)
Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años – An essay by Rizal published
in La Solidaridad (Madrid), forecasting the future of the Rizal’s Forecast
Philippines within a hundred years. Rizal reflected on the
country’s glorious past, economic decline, and the roots of Rizal predicted two possible futures:
Filipino suffering under Spanish rule. He warned Spain that its
domination could end catastrophically, similar to the French • continued Spanish rule with reforms and greater
Revolution, and wrote to awaken Filipino nationalism. liberty, or
• Filipino independence through revolution if abuses
Cause of Miseries persisted.
He advocated for liberty through peaceful negotiation, not
Rizal identified the main causes of Filipino suffering: total separation, and foresaw eventual Filipino success in
gaining independence.
• Spain’s military laws led to population decline,
poverty, and societal stagnation.
Relevance and Lesson
• Deterioration of Filipino culture due to Spanish
conquest, causing loss of heritage and hope. The essay remains relevant, emphasizing the importance of
values, mindset, and national identity. Rizal highlighted the
• Passivity and submissiveness to colonizers, enforced failure of colonial efforts to suppress nationalism and the
by friars using force and intimidation. eventual triumph of Filipino independence.
Awakening of Nationalism Challenges for Filipinos
Despite efforts to keep Filipinos uneducated and Rizal questioned if Filipinos are truly free, noting issues like
impoverished, national consciousness emerged. Filipinos elite control, inequality, failure in family, education, and
began to act for change and survived wars and famine, leadership, and lack of national discipline. He warned against
proving Spain could not stop their progress. mediocrity and stressed the need for public awareness, unity,
and responsibility to build a better society.
Sobre la Indolencia de los Filipinos
(The Indolence of the Filipinos)
Sobre la Indolencia de los Filipinos – Rizal’s longest essay,
published in La Solidaridad (July 15 – September 15, 1890), Filipino Factors
defending Filipinos against accusations of laziness. Rizal
argued that pre-Spanish Filipinos were industrious, but Rizal also noted Filipino traits contributing to indolence:
Spanish rule caused economic decline. • inferiority complex,
• reliance on miracles,
Causes of Indolence • lack of ambition, and
• weak national sentiment.
• Galleon Trade cut off Asian trade, destroying local
businesses. Solution
• Forced labor and wars forced Filipinos into public Rizal emphasized good education and liberty as keys to
works, abandoning agriculture and industry. progress and overcoming indolence.
• Lack of protection from invaders led to destruction
and nomadism.
• Poor education focused on prayers, not practical
knowledge.
• Spanish officials set a bad example, despising manual
labor.
• Gambling was widespread, promoted by officials and
friars.
• Crooked religious teachings discouraged work,
promising heaven to the poor.
Letter to the Young Women of Malolos
Letter to the Young Women of Malolos – A famous essay by 5. Duties and Responsibilities of a Wife to Her Husband
Jose Rizal written on February 22, 1889 in London, in
response to a request from Marcelo H. del Pilar, commending o Rizal advised wives to aid their husbands,
the courage of 20 young women from Malolos who petitioned share in their perils, avoid causing worry, and
Governor-General Weyler on December 12, 1888, to open a sweeten moments of affliction, thus
night school to study Spanish under Teodoro Sandiko, despite preserving the identity of the race.
opposition from Fr. Felipe Garcia. 6. Counsel to Young Women on Their Choice of a
Lifetime Partner
Salient Points: o Rizal advised unmarried women to look
beyond appearances and seek men with:
1. Rejection of the Spiritual Authority of the Friars
1. A noble and honored name
o Rizal criticized that not all priests embodied
the true spirit of Christ and His Church. Many 2. A manly heart
were corrupted by worldly desires and used 3. A high spirit incapable of being
force and intimidation to control people. satisfied with engendering slaves
2. Defense of Private Judgment
Summary of Main Points (Zaide & Zaide, 1999)
o Rizal encouraged women to think for
themselves, not blindly follow authority,
especially when it contradicts reason and 1. Filipino mothers should teach their children love of
moral conscience. God, country, and fellowmen.
3. Qualities Filipino Mothers Need to Possess 2. Filipino mothers should be glad and honored, like
Spartan mothers, to offer their sons in defense of
o Rizal emphasized that mothers should be their country.
noble wives-decent, dignified, submissive,
tender, and loving. 3. Filipino women should know how to protect their
dignity and honor.
o Mothers should rear their children in the
service of the state, teaching love of God, 4. Filipino women should educate themselves while
country, and fellowmen, referencing the retaining good racial values.
women of Sparta.
5. Faith is not merely reciting prayers and wearing
o Mothers must set standards of behavior for religious pictures, but living as true Christians with
men around them, instilling activity, industry, good morals and manners.
noble behavior, and worthy sentiments in
their husbands.
Event and Context:
4. Duties and Responsibilities of Filipino Mothers to
Their Children • The letter was inspired by the successful petition and
o Mothers must be role models, as children establishment of a night school in Malolos, with
imitate what they see at home. If mothers Señorita Guadalupe Reyes as teacher, despite
submit blindly to friars, children will grow up opposition from the Spanish friar.
submissive and uncritical.
• Rizal’s letter was a response to Marcelo H. del Pilar’s
request to recognize the women’s extraordinary
courage.
