I. Rizal analyzed the effects of Spanish colonization on the Philippines, including how it led to rampant poverty, a decreased population, and the loss of indigenous culture and Filipino spirit. II. He considered what the future of the Philippines may be within a century, whether it would continue as a Spanish colony or gain independence, and what sacrifices would be required to change its status. III. Rizal predicted that if reforms did not happen, the oppression and lack of liberties would lead to a revolution. He believed the Philippines would either remain a Spanish colony with more laws and freedom, or declare independence through heroic conflicts.

1. THE PHILIPPINES,
A CENTURY HENCE
DR. JOSE P. RIZAL

2. Historical Background
Title: Filipinas dentro de cien años
Publication date: September 30, 1889 -February 1,
1890
Place of publication: Madrid
*First published in La Solidaridad

3. “IN ORDER TO READ THE DESTINY OF A PEOPLE, IT
IS NECESSARY TO OPEN THE BOOK OF THE PAST”

4. ISSUES CONCERNING OUR COUNTRY:
Spain’s implementation of her military policies
- The Philippine population decreased dramatically
- Poverty becomes more rampant than ever, and farmlands were left to
wither

5. ISSUES CONCERNING OUR COUNTRY:
• Lack of freedom of the press.
• Rizal stated that the Philippines will remain under Spanish domination,
but with more law and greater liberty, or they will declare themselves
independent after steeping themselves and the mother country in
blood.
• In this essay we see his urge to put freedom in our land through
peaceful negotiations with the Spanish government.

6. The Philippines a Century Hence is an essay written by Philippine national hero
Jose Rizal to forecast the future of the country within a hundred
years. Rizal felt that it was time to remind Spain that the circumstances that
ushered in the French Revolution could have a telling effect for her in the
Philippines.
This was published in La Solidaridad that starts by analyzing the various causes of
the miseries suffered by the Filipino people:
Spain’s implementation of her military policies – because of such laws, the
Philippine population decreased dramatically. Poverty became more rampant
than ever, and farmlands were left to wither. The family as a unit of society was
neglected, and overall, every aspect of the life of the Filipino was retarded.

7. Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino indigenous culture – when Spain
came with the sword and the cross, it began the gradual destruction of the
native Philippine culture. Because of this, the Filipinos started losing confidence
confidence in their past and their heritage, became doubtful of their present
lifestyle,
and eventually lost hope in the future and the preservation of their race

8. Summary:
Part I . Effects of the Spanish Colonization
I.
Poverty became rampant.
The population decreased and the aspects of the life of the Filipino were
retarded.
The Filipinos lost their indigenous traditions and culture.
The Filipino spirit was broken

9. II. What will be the future be?
Will the Philippine Islands continue to be a Spanish colony, and if so,
what kind of colony?
Will they become a province of Spain, with or without autonomy? And to
reach this stage, what kind of sacrifices
Will they be separated from the mother country to live independently, to
fall into the hands of other nations, or to
neighboring powers.

10. PART II
I. What will become of the Philippines w/in a century? Will they continue to be a
Spanish colony?
- For those who have a strong spirit over the liberty of the country, independence was
assured.
- but for those who are discouraged and disillusioned by sad experience shall be a
PRISON of the colony FOREVER

11. II. Now then, are the Philippines in the same condition they were three centuries ago?
- For the liberal Spaniards: the ethical condition of the people remains the same
- For the friars and their followers: they have progressed
- For many Filipino ethics: they have retrograded
A. Spaniards were able to take hold of the Philippines for three centuries because
Filipinos remained faithful,
their independence, in exchange for all the promises given to them.
B. Filipinos see the Spaniards as protectors but soon realize that they are its exploiters
and executioners.
C. Enlightenment is spreading and the persecution it suffers quickens it.

12. III. If this state of affairs should continue, what will become of the Philippines within a
century?
People start to awaken and if the government doesn’t change its acts, a revolution
will occur.
What do the people like?
A. A Filipino representative in the Cortes and an authorized voice to cry out against
all kinds of abuses.
B. To practice their human rights.
Possible outcomes:
- The Philippines will remain under Spanish domination, but with more law and
greater liberty.
- They will declare themselves independent

13. PART III
I. The importance of the free press was emphasized in this part.
II. Free press is needed in order to voice out their complaints and suggestions towards
the reformation of the country
III. It will also keep the government in touch with public opinion.
IV. The injustice reasons of the Spanish government were also tackled on why they
wouldn’t risk putting a Filipino representative in the Spanish Cortes.
https://www.coursehero.com/file/76086098/The-Philippines-A-Century-Hencepdf

14. PART III
I. Spanish colonization was explained scientifically.
- The existence of a foreign body w/in another endowed with strength and activity is contrary to all-
natural and ethical laws. Science teaches us that it is either assimilated, destroys the organism, is
eliminated, or becomes encrypted.
- The terrible lessons and hard teachings that these conflicts will have afforded the Filipinos will
operate to improve and strengthen their ethical nature.
II. If the Philippines may be able to secure their independence after heroic and
stubborn conflicts, they can be rest assured that no Western countries will dare to take
take up what Spain was unable to hold.
III. Africa will be taking the attention of European countries, and with the American
Republic whose interest lies in the Pacific and would like to have foreign possession
may most likely be the next conquerors of the “Pearl of the Orient Sea”.
https://www.coursehero.com/file/76086098/The-Philippines-A-Century-Hencepdf