The Philippines A Century Hence
The Philippines A Century Hence
The Philippines A Century Hence
PHILIPPINES A
CENTURY
HENCE
BY DR. JOSE RIZAL
• “In the Philippine Islands the American
government has tried, and is trying, to
carry out exactly what the greatest
genius and most revered patriot ever
known in the Philippines, Jose Rizal,
steadfastly advocated.”
• -From a public address at Fargo, N.D., on April 7th 1903, by
the President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt.
INTRODUCTION
A sketch map, by Dr. Rizal, of spheres of influence in the Pacific at the time of writing “The Philippines A Century
Hence,” as they appeared to him.
THE PHILIPPINES
A CENTURY
HENCE
• Published between September
30, 1889 - February 1, 1890,
originally written as “Filipinas
dentro de cien anos” is a
socio-political essay written in
four parts in the magazine La
Solidaridad by José Rizal. It was
then translated by Charles
Derbyshire. It was published in
Madrid, Spain.
• Jose Rizal made the essay 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.
MAIN POINTS
• PART ONE • PART TWO
Analysis of the past Comparison of the past and present (at the
time of writing) condition of the Philippines
1. Spain’s implementation of her
military policies 1. Maintenance of Spanish authority
2. Role of priests
2. Deterioration and disappearance
of Filipino indigenous culture a. Emergence of an enlightened class
3. Passivity and submissiveness to the b. Prevention of progress of the Philippines
Spanish colonizers 1. Brutalization of the masses through a
caste addicted to the government
Realization of the oppression of the
colonizers 2. Impoverishment of the country
3. Gradual extermination of the
inhabitants
MAIN POINTS
PART FOUR
• The future of colonization
1. Assimilation
2. Extermination
PART THREE
3. Encystment
• Transformation in a political sense • Accumulation of acts of injustice
• Reforms • Philippines and the other foreign powers
1. Freedom of the press 1. England
2. Germany
2. Inclusion of Filipino deputies in
3. France
the government
4. Holland
3. Equal educational
5. Japan
opportunities
6. United States
• A message to Spain
CHAPER I
T H E P H I L I P P I N E S A C E N T U RY H E N C E
• Following our usual custom of facing squarely the most difficult and
delicate questions relating to the Philippines, without weighing the
consequences that our frankness may bring upon us, we shall in the
present article treat of their future.
• In order to read the destiny of a people, it is necessary to open the
book of its past, and this, for the Philippines, may be reduced in
general terms to what follows.
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.
• 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 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.
• Passivity and submissiveness to the Spanish colonizers – one of the most powerful
forces that influenced a culture of silence among the natives were the Spanish friars. Because of
the use of force, the Filipinos learned to submit themselves to the will of the foreigners.
Source: http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/
THE PHILIPPINES
A CENTURY HENCE
• The question then arises as to what had awakened the
hearts and opened the minds of the Filipino people with
regards to their plight. Eventually, the natives realized that
such oppression in their society by foreign colonizers must
no longer be tolerated.
QUESTIONS
T H E P H I L I P P I N E S A C E N T U RY H E N C E
I. WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE
PHILIPPINES WITHIN A CENTURY? WILL
THEY CONTINUE TO BE A SPANISH
COLONY?
a. For those who have a STRONG SPIRIT over the liberty of
the country, INDEPENDENCE was ASSURED.
b. But for those who are DISCOURAGED and
DISILLUSIONED by sad experience shall be a PRISON of
the colony FOREVER.
II. NOW, THEN, IS THE PHILIPPINES IN THE SAME
CONDITION THEY WERE THREE CENTURIES AGO?