Chapte
r 2
The Philippines in the 19th Century
as Rizal’s Context

The context of the world and
the Philippines in Rizal’s time
How social, political, economic,
and cultural events of the 19th century
shaped Rizal to become a hero

The Context of the World
and the Philippines in Rizal’s Time
 Political Context
 Economic Context
 Socio-Cultural Context

 Political
Context
The 19th century was a period of massive
changes in the world. Spain was slowly losing
most of its colonies that became a period of
colonial instability. As a result, the Filipino
people suffered from the evils of colonial
rule.

1. Maladministration of justice
2. No equality before the law
3. Racial prejudice against
native Filipinos
Evils of Colonial rule:

4. Forced labor or polo y servicio
The workers were called as polistas,
while mandatory labor itself was called
polo.
Some people in the community were
exempted from rendering forced labor
such as: aristocracy or principalia, well-
off Filipinos, government officials like

the gobernadorcillos or cabeza de
barangay and school teachers.
Therefore, poor and uninfluential Filipinos
had no choice but to render forced labor.
Falla – the payment given by wealthy
Filipinos to be exempted from forced
labor, amounting to seven pesos.

1811 – the Philippines was represented
by a 71-year old Filipino-Spanish
merchant named Ventura de los
Reyes.
6. Lack of representation in the
Spanish Cortes
5. Frailocracy or the government
rule of the friars

 Economic
Context
The technological innovations brought about
by the industrial revolution paved the way
for the invention of tools, ships, and other
types of machinery. The opening of Suez
Canal brought trade, countries, and people
closer to each other.

Suez Canal – is a waterway that connects
Europe to Asia by creating a direct shipping
route without having to circumnavigate the
African continent.
The opening of the Suez Canal also brought
several advantages to the Philippines.
First, the distance of travel between Europe
and the Philippines was significantly
shortened.

Second, it brought the country closer to
Spain.
With travel significantly shortened, the
Filipino ilustrados were able to send their
children to universities in Europe.
Ilustrados – refers to middle-class Filipinos
who were educated in Spain and were
exposed to nationalistic ideas.

The education gained by these ilustrados
opened their minds to the opposing
conditions that are happening in the colony
(Philippines) and the mother country (Spain).
Being enrolled in prestigious universities in
Europe, these Filipino ilustrados witnessed
how the mother country enjoyed freedom,
free from biases, injustices and racial
discrimination.

 Socio-Cultural
Context
The 19th century also brought socio-cultural
changes in Spain and the Philippines.
First, there came the rise of the
enlightenment period, where people began to
rely on human reason rather than faith and
religion.

With the increasing demand for abaca and
other crops in Europe, there was a need for
more Filipino people to cultivate lands.
Second, the 19th century Philippines saw the
rise of middle-class, the principalias.
1834 – Manila became a free port primarily
to European traders.

To further the economic gain of Spain, the
Spanish officials recommended the
exploitation and cultivation of the Philippine
resources to expand its trade relationship with
Asia and Europe.
To enhance their trading capacities, Spain
implemented the following measures:
1. Reformation of the Galleon Trade

2. Settlement of the Spaniards in the
provinces for agricultural and trade purposes
3. Government expropriation of the landed
estates of the friar corporations
With these measures, the Spanish
Government was now duty-bound to allow
Filipinos to rent and cultivate agricultural
lands. To achieve this, more families had to
engage in farming.

Among those principalia families who
benefited from leasing the land owned by the
Dominican estate was the family of Rizal.
Out of the Rizal’s family income from the land,
they could afford to send Rizal for western
education.

However, despite these social developments,
agricultural unrest continued to grow.
Most of the land rented by the Filipinos from
these friars estates were reduced due to
several factors such as: land reform, church
donations, inheritance, revolt, or
misfortune.

How social, political, economic,
and cultural events of the 19th century shaped
Rizal to become a hero
First, Rizal is a product of the 19th century.
Would Rizal be who he is today if the
Philippine context in the 19th century were
different?

Second, Rizal responded to the needs of the
time.
The Filipinos’ deplorable political and social
conditions paved the way for Rizal to rise
against the Spaniards and call out
inefficiency, injustice and racial
discrimination.

Lastly, Rizal’s idea of a Filipino nation would
not be possible without the events of the 19th
century.
The success of Rizal and other Filipino
people to achieve independence was a
response to fulfill their growing desire for
justice, equality and freedom.

The independence that we have today is the
result of how Rizal, together with other
Filipino heroes in history, fought hard to
achieve the blessings of independence and
democracy.

1. Describe how the Industrial Revolution
shaped the 19th century Philippines
especially Rizal.
2. How do you think the political, economic
and socio-cultural events of the 19th
century shaped Rizal’s ideals for
nationalism and Filipino identity?
ASSIGNMENT…

INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY
“Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo
Ngayon?”
Film Viewing
Movie YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/tyBRhxAPiR0

Based on the movie, please answer the following guide
questions to assess further your understanding of the film
and how it depicted the 19th century Philippines.
1. Describe the 19th century Philippines as reflected in the
film.
2. Based on your reading, what can you say about the
film’s representation of the 19th century?
3. What is the main question that the film seeks to
answer?
4. What is your personal understanding and own reflection
on the film?

Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________________
Course & Section: _________________________ Activity #: _________
____________________________________
Based on the movie, please answer the following guide questions to assess further your understanding of the film and how
it depicted the 19th century Philippines.
1. Describe the 19th century Philippines as reflected in the film.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Based on your reading, what can you say about the film’s representation of the 19th century?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the main question that the film seeks to answer?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4. What is your personal understanding and own reflection on the film?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
“Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?”