UNIT III
PHILIPPINE WRITING DURING THE PERIOD OF EMERGING NATIONAL
CONSCIOUSNESS
THE PHILIPPINES IN THE 19TH CENTURY
Major forces were at work in the 19th century which were to
eventually lead to the cretion of national conciousness among the Filipino
people and culminate in the separation of the colony from spain.
With the opening of its ports to international trade in 1834 and the
opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the Philippines was plunged into an era
of significant socio-economic changes. The foreign markets' interest in the
archipelago's export products such as abaca, copra, sugar, and tobacco
opened up vast tracts of land for cultivation. Attracted by the islands'
economic potentials, foreign firms moved in to engage in commercial
agriculture, stepping up production through improved machines and
scientific methods of cultivation. Banking and other credit facilities were
opened. The increase in international trade brought in more revenues and
on the whole, improved the colony's economic conditions.
Relative prosperity was especially enjoyed by a small group of
indios and mestizos engaged in agriculture and trade. This group became
the nucleus of an emerging middle class. With their wealth, they inevitably
acquired social prestige and rose to positions of prominence in their
communities. They sent their children to good schools in Europe as well as
in Manila. By then university education in the country had been opened to
the natives following the pas- sage of the Educational Degree of 1863.
Those who went abroad stepped right into the liberal atmosphere
of the European continent. The experience awekened them to the urgent
need for governmental reforms in the colony.
The opening of the Philippines to world trade also allowed a steady
flow into the country of liberal ideas and of information regarding political
and economic developments abroad.
Emboldened by developments in Europe and by the appoinment in
1869 of a sympathetic and liberal governor-general, Carlos Ma. de la
Torre,, the middle class spearheaded a movement for reforms. Hitting at
the abuses and discriminating practices of the Spanish civil and religious
authorities they agitated for equal political rights with the Spanish
nationals. At the same time, the Filipino clergy was carrying on its
movement for the secularization of the parishes. Leading the movement
was Fr. Pedro Pelaez who wrote letters and articles defending the native
priests' ability to administer parishes and their loyalty to Spain. After his
death, his young disciple, Fr. Jose Burgos, continued the stuggle by writing
articles and pamphlets in be- half of the native clergy.
The movement for reforms grew until stringent measures were
taken to suppress it by Dela Torre's successor, Rafael de Izquierdo. The
execution of the three priests, Frs. Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and
Jacinto Zamora at Bagumbayan in 1872 and the widespread imprisonment,
exile and execution of other patriots put a temporary halt to the
movement locally. But it also forced a number of Filipinos to escape to
European, particularly to Spain, to continue the work along with other
idealistic natives pursuing their studies there.
The last few decades of the century were thus a period of growing
social conscious- ness and restlessness, marked specially by the
appearance of two major movements: The Propaganda movement and,
when it failed, the Revolutionary Movement.
THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT AND THE LITERATURE OF PROTEST
The organized movement which was to be labeled the "Propaganda
Movement" was launched in Spain by a group of young college students
and graduates, among whom were Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar,
Graciano Lopez- Jaena Mariano Ponce, Juan Luna, Felix Resurrection
Hidalgo, Jose Ma. Panganiban, and Fernando Canon. The Propagandists
were not out to work for the independence of the colony, but for its
assimilation to Spain as a province and, consequently, for the treatment of
the Filipinos as Spanish citizens, enjoying the same rights as the Spanish
nationals.
The writings of this period cannot be could literature, strictly
speaking, except perhaps for the novels and poems of Rizal. Nevertheless,
they are important to consider because of their role in developing a sense
of nation- hood among the Filipinos. Published as occasional articles in
various Madrid publications and in the propagandists, own newspaper. La
solidaridad, they were mostly essays and tracts protesting against the
denial of certain political rights to the Filipino people, belying the claims of
some Spanish writers that the natives were recially and culturally inferior
to the Spaniards and that the Philippines had no boast of before it became
a Spanish colony.
The most prolific writer among the propagandists was Rizal.
Playwright, essayist, poet, and novelist, he wrote two plays, Junto al Pasig
and El consejo de los dioses: an annotated edition of Morga's Sucesos de
las islad filipinas; a number of essys, among which are "sobre la indolencia
de los Filipinos" and "Filipino dentro de cien anos" around forty poems;
and two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. His "Ultimo Adios"
is con- sidered by critics as his poetical masterpiece. A much longer poem,
however is "Mi Retiro," which we have included in this unit. Written in
response to his mother's request, it is regarded as Rizal's profoundest
noblest poem.
Marcelo H. del Pilar, who used "Dolores Manapat" and "Plaridel" as
pen names, was the Spanish authorities in the Philipines. His works were
many and varied, among which were La Soberania monacal en filipinas and
La frailocracia filipina, both of which exposed the abuses of the friars and
their oppression of the indios; Caiigat Cayo, an indictmnet of Fr. Jose
Rodriguez's critique of Rizal's Noli: and Dasalan at Toksohan, an antifriar
satire written in parody of the cathechism and prayer book. His "Sagot ng
Espanya sa Hibik ng Pilipinas" is a second of a triad of poems, the first
having been written by Hermenegildo Flores, Del Pilar's teacher, and
entitled "Hibik ng Pilipinas sa Ynang Espanya." Del Pilar's poem caused
Andres Bonitacio to write a responce, completing the triad - "Katapusang
Hibik nang Pilipinas.
Graciano Lopez-Jaena founded La Solidaridad and was its editor
until Del Pilar took over the editorships. Jaena wrote a novelette in
Hiligaynon, Fray Botod, a satire about a potbellied, abusive, and immoral
frair. To escape persecution by the friars whom he angered with his work,
he fled to Spain
THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD AND ITS WRITERS
The Revolutionary Period had two phases. The first phase, the
revolution against Spain, produced writings mostly in Tagalog and the
literary field was dominated by the key men of the Katipunan, Andres
Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto.
Bonifacio has two outstanding poems in Tagalog aside from his
"Katapusang Hibik": "Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Bayan" and "Pahimakas," a
translation of Rizal's farewell poem. He also wrote Ang Dapat Mabatid
nang mga Tagalog and Katungkulang Gagawin ng Mga Anak ng Bayan.
An ardent revolutionary, Jacinto edited and contributed many
articles to Kalayaan, the organ of the Katipunan. He wrote a series of
articles on human rights, liberty, government, and love of country under
the title "Liwanag at Dilim." Proficient in both Tagalog and Spanish, he is
also known for "A la patria," written in the style of Rizal's "Ultimo Adios",
"A mi madre”, a touching ode, and Kartilla ng Katipunan.
The second phase of the Revolution was the Philippine-American
War. It was marked by the appearance of serious essays and political
discourses, mostly written by Apolinario Mabini, the "Brains of the
Revolution." Mabini's most important literary work is El Verdadero
Decalogo.
REPRESENTATIVE WORKS

MI RETIRO (A mi madre) - Jose Rizal
Addition: Mi Retiro (“My Retreat”) was written by Rizal while in exile in
Dapitan. From his mother’s prodding, Rizal revived his writing of poems
where he expressed his serene life and his acceptance of his destiny and
whatever justice will be given him.

FRIAR BOTOD – by Garciano Lopes Jaena translated by Phyllis
Tiongco
Addition: The story of Fray Botod by Graciano Lopez Jaena portrayed an
early Spanish priest from the colonial era of the Philippines as greedy,
corrupt, hypocrite, gluttonous, and lustful. As a form of propaganda and
protestation, his work aimed to expose these horrendous characteristics of
these abusive priests.

MY RETREAT – Traslated by Charles Derbyrshire
Addition: (also known as “Mi Retiro” in Spanish) is a poignant poem
written by Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. In this piece,
Rizal reflects on his life during exile in Dapitan from 1892 to 1896.
In “My Retreat,” Rizal celebrates the beauty of nature, the
simplicity of existence, and the profound connection between humanity
and the elements. His exile becomes a canvas for poetic reflection,
reminding us that even in solitude, life can be abundant and meaningful.

DASALAN AT TOCSOHAN (Excerpts) – Marcelo H. del Pilar
Addition: The work criticizes the abuses committed by the friars against
Filipinos during that time. It takes the form of a prayer booklet or
pamphlet and features several parodies of prayers related to the friars’
greed, misconduct, and malpractices. In this biting satire, the friars are
portrayed as replacing God, imposing their rules on the Filipino population.
The work sheds light on the oppressive practices of the religious
authorities and serves as a powerful commentary on the social and
political climate of the period
 Amain Namin - a parody of the “Our Father” prayer. It
humorously reimagines the traditional prayer, criticizing the
friars and their hypocrisy. In this version, Marcelo Del Pilar uses
biting language to expose their abuses of power.
 Aba Guinoong Baria - a satirical parody of the Catholic prayer
“Hail Mary” (also known as “Ave Maria”). In this humorous
version, the traditional phrases are replaced with irreverent
lines that criticize the friars and their corrupt practices.

HIBIK NG PILIPINAS SA YNANG ESPANA – by G.Herminigildo Flores
Addition: “Hibik ng Pilipinas sa Inang Espanya” is a poignant Filipino poem
written by Hermenegildo Flores in 1888. It expresses the Philippines’
lamentations and grievances toward Spain, its colonial motherland. The
poem reflects the struggles and abuses faced by Filipinos during the
Spanish colonial period.
The poem highlights the exploitation by the clergy, excessive taxation,
and the hardships endured by the Filipino people. Despite the suffering,
the poem also emphasizes the Filipinos’ unwavering love for their
homeland.
The poem serves as a powerful critique of the oppressive Spanish rule
and resonates with the sentiments of many Filipinos during that era. It
stands as a testament to the resilience and longing for justice among the
Filipino people.

SAGOT NG ESPANA SA HIBIK NANG PILIPINAS – by Marcelo H. del
Pilar
Addition: The answer to the Spanish Cry of the Philippines is a famous
poem by Marcelo H. del Pilar. It was written in response to Hermenegildo
Flores' famous poem, "Cry of the Philippines to Mother Spain" in 1888. In
the famous poem of Flores, the suffering of the Philippines under the
Spanish is described. Del Pilar, on the other hand, responded to this
popularity, in which he expressed the Philippines' grievances to Spain. Del
Pilar's poem shows love for the country and opposition to the abuses
committed by the invaders. It is an important part of Philippine literature
that shows feelings of patriotism and resistance to colonialism.

KATAPUSANG HIBIK NG PILIPINAS – by Andres Bonifacio
Addition: (poem) It is a sign of hatred and threats to those who have taken
over our country. In the poem, the Tagalogs express their deep feelings at
the hands of their conqueror.

PAG-IBIG SA TINUBOANG BAYAN – by Andres Bonifacio
Addition: A compelling poem about one’s love for the nation -an ideology
at the very heart of the revolution.

FROM LIWANAG AT DILIM (Excerpts) – by Emilio Jacinto
Addition: Liwanag at Dilim” (translated as “Light and Darkness”) is a
thought-provoking essay written by Emilio Jacinto, a prominent figure in
Philippine history. In this work, Jacinto delves into profound themes
related to freedom, political authority, and the responsibilities of leaders.
 Kalayaan - The publication of the first issue of the Kalayaan
helped swell the ranks of the Katipunan and win more
adherents to its side. Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and Dr.
Pio Valenzuela created Kalayaan, an all-Tagalog newspaper, to
advocate for complete Philippine independence.