Rizal the Propagandist

WORKS AND WRITING OF JOSE RIZAL

Contributions to the diaryong tagalog and La solidaridad

Diariong Tagalog

·         founded by Marcelo H. del Pilar

·         first Tagalog daily (newspaper)

·         denounced Spanish maladministration of the Philippines

"Amor Patrio'

·         written in Barcelona, Spain

·         his first nationalistic essay written on Spain's soil

·         sent through a friend in Manila, Basilio Teodoro

·         appeared in print in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882 under the pen name Laong Laan

·         appeared in both Spanish and Tagalog

·         Spanish text was the one originally written by Rizal in Barcelona | Tagalog text was a Tagalog translation made by M.H. del Pilar

QUOTES OF RIZAL

“What we will here discuss has an element of beauty, and for that matter it is a commonplace topic - love of country.

...

More than likely, it is these beauteous elements and fond memories which strengthen the bond that ties us to the land of our birth, causing while we are in our country a sense of well-being, or when we go away, the pathological condition of severe depression and cruel nostalgia.”

 

“Love of the country is perhaps the most constant of emotions, if there ever be anything constant in the human heart, and, it seems, will not leave us even in the tomb.

...

As children we love to play games which we abandon in our adolescent years. In our youth we work for an ideal, but later we become disillusioned and turn away from it in favor of something more positive and practical. As parents we lose children to death and time wipes away our sorrow much like the widening sea makes the shore vanish from sight as the ship sails into the deep. In contrast, the love for country is never wiped away once it finds a place in the human heart, for it bears the divine seal which

makes it eternal and indestructible.”

“It has always been said that love is an extremely powerful force behind most noble activities. Well then, of all loves, the love of country has inspired the grandest, the most heroic and the most selfless of deeds. Do read history books or historical records and traditions.

Some have sacrificed their youth, their joys; others have dedicated the brilliance of their genius; still others shed their blood. All have bequeathed an immeasurable fortune, the liberty and glory of the beloved country. And what in turn does she do for them? She weeps and proudly presents them to the world, to posterity and her children, as worthy of emulation.

But alas, oh beloved country, if there shine heroic virtues in your honor, and superhuman sacrifices are offered in your name, how many

injustices still prevail!”

 

“Whatever be then our situation, let us love her and wish her nothing but her good. Thus we will work for that end which God has wished for all humankind, universal harmony and peace in all creation.

You whose ideals of the past are lost, you whose hearts are wounded and whose dreams have vanished one by one, you are like the trees of autumn without flowers and leaves, and wishing to love, you find nothing worthy of your affections: here is your native land; love her.

You who have lost father or mother or brother or spouse or child, or a beloved on whom you were building your dreams, and find within yourselves nothing but a vast and terrifying emptiness: here is your own country, love her as she deserves.”

Los Viajes

"Travels"

Rizal shared his thoughts on travel and the many great things that come with it.

Revista de Madrid

"Review of Madrid"

written in Madrid on

November 29, 1882

was returned to him because the Diarong Tagalog had ceased publication.

“What can never be stolen from Nature is that vivid impression that she alone can and knows how to impart --- the music of the birds,

the movement of the trees,

the aroma peculiar to the place --

the inexplicable something the traveler feels that cannot be defined

and which seems to awaken in him

distant memories of happy days,

sorrows and joys gone by, never to return.”

- JOSE RIZAL, "LOS VIAJES"

WRITINGS OF RIZAL

La Solidaridad

newspaper created with the same name of the organization composed of Filipino liberals in Spain which was originally published in Barcelona.

aimed to increase Spanish awareness of the needs of its colony, the Philippines.

Rizal wrote articles for the La Solidaridad in defense of his oppressed people and as a reaction to certain events.

Los Agricultores Filipino

"The Filipino Farmers"

25 March 1889

the first article of Rizal published in La Solidaridad.

depicted the deplorable conditions of the Filipino farmers especially those of Laguna - the struggle, discrimination, and injustices from Spanish government officials and guardia civil.

boldly expressed desire for rich fairness and justice to those in the marginalized sector of society - the farmers.

A La Defensa

"To La Defensa"

30 April 1889

a reply to an anti Filipino writing of a Spanish author Patricio de la Escosura which was published by La Defensa on March 30, 1889.

refuted the views of Escosura and pointed deceitful influence of the friars to the Philippines.

La Verdad Para Todos

"The Truth for All"

31 May 1889

counter to the Spanish charges that the natives were ignorant and sinful

explored the root of the criticisms of the Spaniards against the natives.

Vicente Barrantes' Teatro Tagalo

"To Vicente Barrantes on the Tagalog Theater"

15 June 1889

a two part open letter replying to the criticisim of Barrantes against the Tagalog theater.

Rizal exposed Barrantes' lack of knowledge on the Tagalog theatrical art.

Defensa del Noli

"In Defense of the Noli"

18 June 1889

response to attacks on the Noli me Tangere.

attacks were mostly coming from Spanish friars and authorities labelling Rizal as ungrateful and anti-Catholic.

his critics sees the novel as a criticism to the Spanish rule and pushed to ban the novel.

Verdades Nuevas

"New Facts" / "New Truths"

31 July 1889

response to a letter of Vicente Belloc Sanchez which was published on July 4, 1889 in 'La Patria', a newspaper in Madrid.

Una Profanacion

"A Desecration" / "A Profanation"

31 July 1889

mockingly attacked the friars for refusing to give Christian burial to Mariano Herbosa, Rizal's brother in law, who died of cholera in May 23, 1889.

Crueldad

"Cruelty"

15 August 1889

Rizal's witty defense of Blumentritt from the libelous attacks of his enemies.

Diferencias

"Differences"

15 September 1889

response to the position expressed by the newspaper La Patria, which had questioned Rizal's article Verdades Nuevas.

Inconsequencias

"Inconsequences"

30 November 1889

Rizal's defense of Antonio Luna against Pablo Mir Deas in the Barcelona newspaper "El Pueblo Soberano".

Llanto y Risas

"Tears and Laughter"

30 November 1889

Rizal condemned the racial prejudice of the Spaniards against the brown race.

Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años

"The Philippines a Century Hence"

series of articles issued on September 30, October 31, December 15, 1889 and February 15, 1890

reviewing the great powers and considering the aims & attitudes of neighboring countries & other foreign powers, he concluded that an independent Philippines need not worry about European powers which shall be concentrating its energies & interest in the African continent (***slave trade) but there is a possibility that the US may have interest in grabbing for itself overseas possessions (***Spain ceding the Philippines to America) .

Ingratitudes

"Ingratitude"

15 January 1890

reply to Governor General Weyler who told the people in Calamba that they "should not allow themselves to be deceived by the vain promises of their ungrateful sons".

Sobre La Nueva Ortografia De La Lengua Tagala

"On The New Orthography of The Tagalog Language"

15 April 1890

advocated the Flipinization of its orthography

example: the Tagalog letters 'k' & 'w' should be used instead of the Spanish 'c' & 'o'.

Sobre La Indolencia De

Los Filipinas

"The Indolence of the Filipinos"

published in five consecutive issues on July (15 and 31), August (1 and 31) and September 1, 1890.

argued that Filipinos are innately hardworking prior to the rule of the Spaniards & it was actually the Spanish colonization that brought the decrease in the productive activities of the natives.

MUST READ WORKS OF RIZAL

 

Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)

- A novel written by Rizal during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines. The novel revolves around the character named Crisostomo Ibarra, who returns home after studying in Europe for 7 years. On his return, he is seen by the Spanish colonizers that he will be a threat to their power. How will he confront this issue?

 

El Filibusterismo (The Subversive)

- The sequel to Rizal’s first novel, Noli Me Tangere, and his last novel. Crisostomo Ibarra, who is now 13 years older, believed to have died in the first novel but disguised as Simoun, a wealthy jeweler who has gained the trust of the governor general. He now incites a reform against the Spanish colony.

 

To the Philippines

- A sonnet that Jose Rizal delivered to Andres Bonifacio disguised as a love letter for Josephine Bracken but in actuality, a warning for the revolutionary movement that their troops are lacking military knowledge and insufficient of weaponry.

 

Himno al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor)

- Was written by Rizal as response to a request from his friends in Lipa, Batangas. A poem about laborers to work and strive in any condition, whether in war and in peace.

 

A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)

- A inspiring poem that sheds optimism to the Filipino people. This shows that the countrymen are capable of reaching greater heights and shaping a great future for the motherland.

 

Song of Maria Clara

- A poem about how much Maria Clara loves her country, even viewing it as her human mother that takes care of her.

 

Education Gives Luster to the Motherland

- A poem about the power of education that helps the young bring the motherland to the top and correct the faults in the system.

 

Memories of my Town

- A poem about Rizal’s longing and nostalgic moments in his old town. The feeling

of looking back at the time of innocence and never understanding the sorrows.

 

Goodbye to Leonor

- A heartbreaking poem dedicated to his childhood sweetheart, Leonor Rivera.    

 

Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell)

- A poem written by Rizal before his execution in Bagumbayan, now Luneta. The poem is about his last farewell to the country and the people he loved so much.