Jose Rizal Some Essays/Articles

1. JOSE RIZAL'S
ESSAYS AND
ARTICLES

2. These writings awakened
the Filipino patriotism and
paved the way for
Philippine Revolution.
Moreover, his writings were
living proofs that “The pen
is mightier than the sword.”
THE NATIONAL
HERO DR. JOSE
RIZAL COMPOSED
SEVERAL
BRILLIANT
WRITINGS IN HIS
LIFETIME.

3. ARTICLES IN DIARIONG TAGALOG
• El Amor Patrio (The Love of Country)
This was the first article Rizal wrote on the Spanish soil. Written in August of 1882, it was
published in Diariong Tagalog. He used the pen name Laong Laan (ever prepared) as a byline for
this article, and he sent it to Marcelo H. Del Pilar for Tagalog translation.
Written during the Spanish colonization and reign over the Philippine islands, the article aimed to
establish nationalism and patriotism among the natives. Rizal extended his call for the love of
country to his fellow compatriots in Spain, for he believed that nationalism should be exercised
any where a person is.
• Revista De Madrid (Review of Madrid)
This article written by Rizal on November 29. 1882 was unfortunately returned to him because
Diariong Tagalog had ceased publications for lack of funds.

4. ARTICLES IN LA SOLIDARIDAD
• Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers)
This essay dated March 25, 1889 was the first article of Rizal published in La Solidaridad. In
this writing, he depicted the deplorable conditions of the Filipino farmers in the Philippines,
hence the backwardness of the country.
• A La Defensa (To La Defensa)
This was in response to the anti-Filipino writing of Patricio de la Escosura published by
La Defensa in its March 30, 1889 issue. Written on April 30, 1889, Rizal's article refuted the
views of Escosura, calling the readers' attention to the insidious influences of the friars to the
country.
• Los Viajes (Travels)
Published in the La Solidaridad on May 15, 1889, this article tackled the rewards gained
by people who have traveled to many places in the world.
• La Verdad Para Todos (The Truth for All)
This was Rizal's counter to the Spanish charges that the natives were ignorant and
depraved. On May 31, 1889, it was published in the La Solidaridad.

5. • Vicente Barrantes' Teatro Tagalo
The first installment of Rizal's Vicente Barrantes was published in the La Solidaridad on June
15, 1889. In this article, Rizal exposed Barrantes’ lack of knowledge of Tagalog theatrical art.
• Defensa Del Noli
The manuscripts of the “Defensa del Noli" was written on June 18, 1889. Rizal sent the
article to Marcelo H. Del Pilar, wanting it to be published by the end of that month in the
La Solidaridad.
In this article dated July 31, 1889, Rizal replied to the letter of Vicente Belloc Sanchez, which
was published on July 4, 1889 in La Patria, a newspaper in Madrid. Rizal addressed Sanchez's
allegation that the provision of reforms to the Philippines would devastate the diplomatic rule
of the Catholic friars.
• Verdades Nuevas (New Facts/New Truths)
• Una Profanacion (A Desecration/A Profanation)
Published on July 31, 1889, this article mockingly attacked the friars for refusing to give
Christian burial to Mariano Herbosa, Rizal's brother-in-law, who died of cholera on May 23,
1889. Being the husband of Lucia Rizal (Jose's sister). Herbosa was denied of burial at the
Catholic
cemetery by the priests.

6. • Crueldad (Cruelty)
Dated August 15, 1889, this was Rizal's witty defense of Blumentritt from the libelous attacks
of his enemies.
• Diferencias (Differences)
Published on September 15, 1889, this article countered the biased article titled "Old Truths,"
which was printed in La Patria on August 14. 1889. "Old Truths" ridiculed Filipinos who asked for
reforms.
• Inconsequencias (Inconsequences)
The Spanish Pablo Mir Deas attacked Antonio Luna in the Barcelona newspaper El Pueblo
Soberano. As Rizal's defense of Luna, he wrote this article which was published on
November 30, 1889.
Other Rizal's articles, which were also printed in La Solidaridad were A La Patri (November
15. 1889). Sin Nobre (Without Name) (February 28, 1890), and Cosas de Filipinas (Things
about the Philippines) (April 30, 1890).

7. Historical Commentaries Written in London
“Ma-yi”
This historical commentary was written by Rizal in London on December 6, 1888.
"Acerca de Tawalisi de Ibn Batuta"
This historical commentary is believed to form part of “Notes” (written in collaboration with
AB. Meyer and F. Blumentritt) on a Chinese code in the Middle Ages, translated from German
by Dr. Hirth. Written on January 7, 1889, the article was about the Tawalisi, which refers to the
northern part of Luzon or to any of the adjoining islands.
It was also in London where Rizal penned the following historical commentaries ” La Political”
(Colonial Policy In the Philippines). "Manila En El Mes De Diciembre” (December 1872),
"Historia De La Familia Rizal De Calamba” (History of the Rizal Family of Calamba), and
"Los Pueblos Del Archipelago Indico” (The Peoples of the Indian Archipelago)

8. Other Writings in London
Jose Rizal, upon receipt of the news concerning Fray Rodriguez bitter attack on his novel Noli
Me Tangere, wrote this defense under his pseudonym Dimas Alang Published in Barcelona, it is a
satire depicting a spirited dialogue between the Catholic saint Augustine and Rodriguez.
In this pamphlet, Rizal demonstrated his profound knowledge in religion and his biting satire.
• La Vision Del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of Fray Rodriguez)
Originally written in Tagalog, this famous essay directly addressing the women of Malolos, Bulacan, was
written by Rizal as a response to Marcelo H. Del Pilar's request. The letter expressed Rizal's yearning that
women be granted the same chances given to men in terms of education.
Some of the points mentioned by Rizal in his letter to the young women of Malolos:
(a) The priests in the country at that time did not embody the true spirit of Christianity;
(b) Private judgment should be used;
(c) Mother's should be an epitome of an ideal woman who teaches her children to love God, country. and
fellowmen;
(d) Mothers should rear children in the service of the state and set standards of behavior for men around her;
(e) Filipino women must be noble, decent, and dignified and they should be submissive, tender, and loving to
their respective husband, and
(f) Young women must edify themselves, live the real Christian way with good morals and manners, and
should be intelligent in their choice of a lifetime partner.
• “To The Young Women of Malolos”

9. • Ang Mga Karapatan Ng Tao (The Rights Of Man)
On March 2. 1892, Rizal wrote this account of his visit to the colonial prison of Hong Kong.
He contrasted in the article the harsh Spanish prison system with the modern and more
humane British prison system.
WRITINGS IN HONG KONG
Written in 1891. this was Rizal's appeal to Spain to rectify the wrongs, which the Spanish
government and clergy had done to the Calamba tenants.
This was Rizal's Tagalog translation of "The Rights of Man," which was proclaimed by the
French Revolution in 1789.
• A La Nacion Espanola (To The Spanish Nation)
• "Sa Mga Kababayan" (To My Countrymen)
This writing of December 1891 explained the Calamba agrarian situation.
• "Una Visita A La Victoria Gaol (A Visit To Victoria Gaol) March 2, 1892

10. • Colonisation Du British North Bornea, Par De Familles De Iles Philippines
(Colonization Of British North Borneo By Families From The Philippine Islands)
This was Rizal's elucidation of his pet North Borneo colonization project.
"Proyecto De Colonizacion Del British North Borneo Por Los Filipinos ” (Project of the Colonization Of
British North Berneo by the Filipinos In this writing. Rizal further discussed the ideas he presented in
"Colonization of British North Borneo by Families from the Philippine Islands.”
• "La Mano Roja" (The Red Hand)
This was a writing printed in sheet form. Written in Hong Kong, the article denounced the frequent
outbreaks of fires in Manila.
• "Constitution of the La Liga Filipina”
This was deemed the most important writing Rizal had made during his Hong Kong stay. Though it
was Jose Ma. Basa who conceived the establishment of Liga Filipina (Philippine League), his friend and
namesake Jose Rizal was the one who wrote its constitution and founded it.
Because of the request of Rizal's friend Dr. Reinhold Rost, the editor of Trubner's Record
(a journal devoted to Asian Studies). Rizal submitted two articles:
• Articles for Trubner's Record

11. 2 Articles Submitted
Published in May 1889, the article contained Filipino proverbs and puzzles.
- “Specimens of Tagal Folklore”
It was a comparative study of the Japanese and Philippine folklores. In this essay, Jose
Rizal compared the Filipino fable. "The Tortoise and the Monkey" with the Japanese fable "Saru
Kani Kassen" (Battle of the Monkey and the Crab).
Citing many similarities in form and content, Rizal surmised that these two fables may have
had the same roots in Malay folklore.
Among other things, Rizal noticed that both versions of the fable tackled about morality as
both involved the eternal battle between the weak and the powerful. The Filipino version,
however, had more philosophy and plainness of form whereas the Japanese counterpart had
more civilization and diplomacy.
- “Two Eastern Fables” (June 1889)

12. 0THER WRITINGS
• Pensamientos De Un Filipino (Reflections of A Filipino)
Jose Rizal wrote this in Madrid, Spain from 1883-1885. It spoke of a liberal minded and anti-friar
Filipino who bears penalties such as an exile.
• Por Telefono
This was a witty satire authored by "Dimas Alang" (one of the hero's pen names) ridiculing the
Catholic monk Font, one of the priests who masterminded the banning of the "Noli." Published in
booklet form in Barcelona, Spain, it narrated in a funny way the telephone conversation between
Font and the provincial friar of the San Agustin Convent in Manila.
• La Instruccion" (The Town Schools In The Philippines)
Using his penname "Laong Laan." Rizal assessed in this essay the elementary
educational system in the Philippines during his time. Having observed the
educational systems in Europe, Rizal found the Spanish -administered education in his
country poor and futile. The hero, thus, proposed reforms and suggeted a more
significant and engaging system.