%
THE INDOTH'ICE OT THE FtrI.IPINOS
rple, without distrusting men,
rething more lofty, in someone
neone who knows better the
red promise.
and has promised victory to
rho struggles, to one who acts
; redemption after the sacrifice.
and God will fuIfill his!
:t*
I
Doetor Saneianco in his Progreso de Filipinas (Philippine Progress) has dealt with this qr:estioncackled about it, as he says. Citing iacts and reports furnished by the very same Peninsular authorities who govern
the Philippines, he has demonstrated that such indolence
does not exist and whatever is said about it does not deserve
a reply nor even s.light.attention.
However, as it is still being discussed, not only by the
government employees who hold it responsible for their
orvn stupidities, not only by the friars who consider it neeessary to make themselves irreplaceable, but also by serious
and disinterested persons; and as against the evideuee cited
by Dr. Sancianco, others of greater or less weight ean be
presented, it seems to us desirable to study thoroughly this
question without contempt or sensitiveness, without bias,
without pessimisrn. And as we carr only serve our country
by telling her the truth, however bitter it be, as a categorieal
and artificial denial cannot destroy a real and positive
faet, despite the briliiance of .the arguments, as a mere
assertion is not enough to create an impossible thing, 'ive
are going to examine the question calmly with ail the
impartiality of which a man is capable who is ccnvinced
that there is no redemption unless based soiidly on virtue.
Very much misused is the word indolence, in the sense
of little love for work, iack of aetivity, ete.; but ridicule
has covered the misuse. This popular subject has sufiered
the same fate as certain panaceas and specifics which have
been discredited because of Jhe impossible virtues attributed to them by charlatans. In the Medieval Age, and
'
?27
228
even in many Catholic countries of our times, whatever suF\erstitious folk cannot understand, or men because
of malice refuse to confess, is attributed to the devil; in
the Philippines, one's own and another's shortcomings, the
stupidities of some, and the crimes of others are attributed
to indolence. Thus, as in the Medievai Age, one who tried
to seek an explanation of naturai phenornena outside of
the devii's influence was persecuted,'in the Philippines one
who seeks the origin of his ignoraace beycnd the accepted
meets a worse fate.
-beliefs
It turns out that there are some who are ver3r much
interested in declaring this misuse a dogma and others in
combatting it as a ridiculous superstition, if not a punishable fraud. Iilowever, it should not be deduced that a
thing does not exist because of its misuse.
We believe that there shouid be something behurd so
much outcry, for so many people cannot have agreed to
lie at the same time, among whom, as we have said, are
some very serious and disinterested individuals. Some
will act in bad {aith through levity, through lack of discernment, faulty reasoning, ignorance of the past, etc.,.
others wili repeat what they hear without investigation
nor reflection; others will speak through pessimism or
impelled by that human characteristic which regards perfect or almost perfect 'vhatever is one's own and defective
what is another's; but it cannot tre denieC thai there are
some who worship truth, if not always the truth itseif, at
least its semblance, which is truth in the mind of the erowd.
Analyzing carefuily then all the incidents and a}l the men
we have known since our childhood and the Life in our
country, we believe that indolence exists there.' The
Filipinos who can stand beside the most active men of the
pfhis article was written in Spain and hence the use
of ,,therer' in
relerring to the Philippines. It was published in instalments irr La Sotidortdod., Yol. II, 158-160. (15 July 1890), 167-169 (31 July 1890), 1?8-180
(15 Au8rrst 1830), 190-195 (31 August 1890), 203-204 (1 September 1890).
a
world will doubtless not chi
true that there they have
against the climate, against r
we should not take the excen
we should seek the weUare
what we believe is true. 't
indolence actually and posil
t
regarding it as the couse of tt
we should regard it as the efi
ness, which fosters the growth
Wilh the exception of Dr.
dealt with the subjeet of ir
with denying or affirming it;
has studied its eauses. Ilo
existence and exaggerate it :
to prescribe remedies taken h
other Dutch and English cc
having seen a fever cured wif
this fish for every rise in ter
patients.
We shall do the opposite.
we shall examine the causes
strictly speaking, is not a ci
however in its true worth the
The predisposition exists.
The warm climate requires
ua1, just as cold incites him
this reason the Spaniard is m
and the French more so tl
Europeans who accuse the Pt
lence (and I'm no longer re
also to the Germans and Eng
the tropical countries? Sur
never walking but riding, ng
move their shoes but even to
228
ountries of our times, whatof understand, or men because
, is attributed to the devil; in
urd another's shortcomings, the
crimes of others are attributed
re Medieval Age, one who tried
naturai phenomena outside of
secuted, in the Philippines one
ignorance beycnd the accepted
are some rvho are very much
misuse a dogma and others in
s superstition, if not a punlshhould not be deducerl ihat a
e of its misuse.
rould be something behind so
people eannot have agreed to
g whom, as we have said, are
sinterested individuals. Some
3h levity, through lack of dis, ignorance of the past, etc.l
rey hear without investigation
speak through pessimism or
aracteristie which regards perlver is one's own and defective
mnot be denied that there are
uot always the truth itself, at
truth in the mind of the erowd.
rll the incidents and ail the rnen
childhood and the l"ife in our
indolenee exists there.l The
ide the most active men of the
ain and henee the use of ..there, irr
s published in instalments in .Lo Soli1890), 167-163 (31 July 1890), 1?8-190
st 1890), 2W-ZA4 (1 Septcmber 1890).
229
world will doubtless not challenge this adrriission. It is
true' that there they have to work and struggle mueh
against the climate, against nature, and against men; but
we should not take the exception for the general rule and
we should seek the welfare of our country by stating
what we believe is true. 'W'e must eonfess that there
indolence actually and positively exists; but instead of
regarding it as the cause of the backwardness and disorder,
we should regard it as the effect of rlisorder and backwardness, which fosters the growth of a disastrous predtsposttion.
\4rith the exception of Dr. Sancianco, those who have
dealt with the subject of indolence have been satisfied
with denying or affirrning it; we d.on,t know anyone who
has studied its causes. However, those who admit its
existence and exaggerate it more or less have not failed
to prescribe remedies taken here and there, from Java and
other Dutch and Engiish colonies, like the quack who,
having seen a fever cured with a dozen sard.ines, prescribed
this fish for every rise in temperature he observed in his
patients.
We shall do the opposite. Before proposing a remedy,
rve shall examine the causes and though a predisposition,
strictly speaking, is not a cause, lve are going to study
however in its true worth the predisposition due. to nature.
The predisposition exists. Why shouid it not exist?
The warm climate requires quiet and rest for the indivirl.
ual, just as cold incites him to work and to action. For
this reason the Spaniard is more indolent than the French,
and the French more so than the German. The very
Europeans who accuse the peoples of the colonies of indoIence (and I'm no ionger referring to the Spaniards but
also to the Germans and Englishmen), how do they live in
the tropical countries? Surrounded by many servants,
never walking but riding, nepding servants not only to remove their shoes'but even to fan them! And nevertheress
230
l,ive and eat better, work for themselves and to enrich
elves, with the hope of a Iuture, free, respected, while
poor
colonial, the ind,olent colonial, is poorly nourished
.,i6.:, tbd
for. others.,. and is forced and
;t'-treii Uy.ut.*ithout.h:ry:-]"tl:
'What? The white men will reply
to
work!
i"i +*p"tled
k lertr"p that they are not made to sufier the rigors of the
?. 6hrat.. A mistakel Man can live under any climate if he
requirements anci conditions.
$ ffsly adapt himseif to its
the
in
the
European
warm countries is the abuse
fffiat tills
;E ;:;- ' lffiat
. ; oJ:alcohol, the desire to live as in his own country under
s-ry and another sun, We the inhabitants of trop
live well in northern Europe whenever we
eduntries
'tfre
same preeautions as the people there do. The
Sgopeans can also live well in the torrid zone if they
would only get rid of their prejudices.
The fact is that in the tropical countries severe work is
not a good thing as in cold countries, for there it is annihilation, it is death, it is destruction. Nature, as a just
4gther knowing this, has therefore made the land more
{ertile, more productive, as a compensation. An hour's
*ork under that burning sun and in the midst of pernicious
influences coming out of an active nature is equivalent to
a day's work in a temperate climaie; it is proper then that
the land yield a hundredfold! Moreover, don't we see the
active European who has gained strength during winter,
who feels the fresh blood of spring boil in. his veins, don't
\4?e see him abandon his work during the few days of his
changeable summer, close his office, where the work after
all is not hard-for D&ny, consisting of talking and gesticulating in the shade beside a desk-run to wateringplaees, sit down at the caf6s, stroll about, etc.? What
wonder then that the inhabitant of tropical countries, worn
out and wiih his blood thinned by the prolonged and excessive heat, is redueed to inaction? Who is the indolent
one in the offices in Manila? Is it the poor clerk who
comes in at eight in the morning and leaves at one o,clock
in the afternoon with on\
writes and works by hims
his chiel who eomes in a
before twelve, reads his nerr
feet stretched out on a'chai
everything with his friends?
Indio coadjutor, poorly paid
visit all the indigent sick liv
curate who gets fabulously
eats and drinks well, and d
he can collect exeessive fee
Leaving aside the Europei
Chinese engage, the indusl
their country driven by hur
ambition is to amass a small
of some 'porters, an occupa
foilow, almost all of them a
merce; so very rarely do thr
know of no one. The Chir
other colonies do so only f,
and then retire.
W9 find then the tenden
and rve have to admit it ai
alter natulal laws, and beca
have disappeared. Man is n
His aim is not merely to pro
rvhite Christians rvho rvish tc
a kind of mo'tive power so
less costly than steam. His
yrassions of another man. I
for himself and his fellor+'
towards progress and perfec
The evil is not that a t
exists, btrt that it is fostered
as weil as among nations,
1
but also tendencies toward
230-
work for themselves and to enrich
i 3f * future, free, respected, while
tol?t colonial, is poorly nourished
bi\ for others, and is for."a ,rJ
rat? The white men will reply
t made to sufier the rigors il;
tn caq live under any climate"f
if he
r its requirements and conditioni.
n the warm countries is the
uburu
live as in his own country
under
sun. lVe the inhabitants of trop
r northern Europe *h"rrurru" o]u
s as the people there do. The
weII in the tomid ,o"u if tiuy
ir prejudices.
bopical countries severe
work is
d-countries, for there it
is annidestruction. Nature, as just
a
therefore made tf,u furra
*J.
as a compensation. An
hour,s
m and in the midst oi p".ni.ior.
n active nature is equivalent
to
n-climate; it is proper then
that
ld!. Moreou"., drrrl, *u ."u-iil
g"i"ud strength during wirrt"r,
rf spring boil in his
veins, don,t
ork during the few a"vr'oi
ij,
ris offiee, where.the
work after
consisting of talking
and gesti-
ii:
" desk-run to *"di;;-
rf6s, stroll about, ete,? .l{hat
.h{ :f tropical countries, worn
p"d by the prolonsed and exinaction? Who is ifru
inaof.nt
Is it the poo, .1""k
1?
ning alrd leaves at one *ho
",;fr.i
23t
in the afternoon with only his parasol, and copies and
writes and worl<s by himself and for his chief, or is it
his chief who comes in a carriage at ten o,clock, leaves
before twelve, reads his newspaper u,hile smoking
with his
feet stretched out on a'chair or a table, or rp"ufing ill of
everything with his friends? who is the indolent one, the
Indio coadjtrtor, poorly paid and badty treated, who has
to
visit all the indigent sick riving in the eountry, or the friar
curate who gets fabulously rich, goes about in a carriage,
eats and drinks well, and does not troubre himserf unress
he can collect excessive fees?
Leaving aside the Europeans, in what hard work do the
chinese engage, the industrious chinese who flee from
their country driven by hungei and want and whose sore
ambition is to amass a sma[ fortune? with the exception
of some'porters, an oceupation which the Filipinos also
follow, almost all of them are engaged in trading, in eommerce; so ve'y rarely do they take up agrieulture that
we
know of no one. The Chinese who cuitivate the soil in
other colonies do so only for a certain number of years
and then retire.
w9 find then the tendency to indolence very natural
and rve have to admit it and bless it because we cannot
alter natu'al laws, and because *,ithout it the race would
have disappeared. Man is not a brute, he is not a machine.
His aim is not merely to produce despite the claim of some
rvhite christians rvho lvish to make of the colorld christian
a kind of mcitive power somewhat more .intelrigent and
less costly than steam. His purpose is not to satisfy the
1:assions of another man. His object is to seek happiness
for himself and his fellorv men by following thl road
towards progress and perfection.
The e'il is not that a more or ress latent indolence
exists, but that it is fostered and magnified. Among men,
as well as among nations, there exist not only apiitudes
but also tendencies t,ward good and evil. To foster the
I
,232
good ones and. aid them, as well
as correct the bad ones
and repress them would be the duty
of society o.of gor"rr,ments, if less noble thoughts did not
absorb their attention.
The evil is that indolence in the phitippine,
i;-; *lerrin"a
indolence, a snow-ball indolence, if
we
b; p".trrr"a
the expression, an evil w-rrich increases "r*
in direct proportion
to the square of the periods of time, an
effect oi;ir;*r""r,_
ment and backwardness, as we said and
not a eause of them.
others w* think otherwise, .rp".trirr-'rh*";;"ir"r"
h3nd in-the misgovernment, but it does
not *"tt""i*" fr"r""
affirrned one thing and we are going
to prove it.
II
when the condition, of the patient is examined
after a
Iong chronic illness, the question may
arise whether the
weakenihg of the fibers and the debility
of the orr*,
responsible for the persistenee of
".u
the *ruay o" il'lorrrrrruation is the effect of the poor treatment.
The attend.ing
physician attributes the failure of
his skilr to iiu' ooo"
constitution of the patient, to the climate,
to his
ings, etc. on th.e other hand, the patient
will"""."u"aattribute
aggravation
j\
of his ilness t" ir," method
of
treatment
followed. only 'che eommon men, trr- -;;;
*u,
shake their heads unable to reach
a decision. "".r,
Something like this. happens to the philippine
question.
Instead of physician, read philippines;
insteatl
of malady,
indolence.
As it happens in similar cases, when_ patient
a
gets worse,
everybody loses his head, eaeh one dodges
the
to throw it to somebody else, and instead responsibiiity
of djs"ove"irrg
the:eauses to combat the evil i"
ii"*, they devote themselves at best to attacking the symptoms.
Ifere a bloodIetting, a tax; there a plaJ"r, fo;;
Iabor; farther there a
sedative, a trifling refoim, etc.
Er.;
-orr",
a- new remedy:
il"'ltlfi:,*rT:
viaticum, the friars; another piopor.,
a shower-bath; stilr
;;;;","rh"'r:rtJ
4
another, preteuding to hold r
ftrsion. "Nothing; the patieat I
red corpuscles; some tiay wl
agricultural colony which will
So on all sidss there are ]
clenehing of fists, many ernpl
great deal of talk, much fear
end!
Yes, hlood transfusion, U
new vitality! Yes, if the ne
you are going to introduce ir
globules that were a cancer i
resist the evils of the organil
blood-lettings that she underg
sistance than eight million red
disorders, all the ilegeneration
pal organs, be thaxl<ful thal
coagulations which impede c
grenes, be thankful that they
While the patient breattres
and however late we may be, :
superfluous, at least, if she die
known. We are not trying t
physician and strll less on the
mentioned, if the predispositio
and natural predisposition--di
disappear, a vietim of excessiv
Indolence in the Philippine
not a hereditary one. The Fil
what they are now, witnesser
the first years of the discover;
lhe Malqyan Filipinos befo
peans earried on an active t
selves but also with all thei
Chinese manuscript of the Xn
Hirth (Globas, Sept. 1889) aa
aother occasion, speai<s of I
1
233
12
well as correct the bad ones
e duty of society or of govern'
fid not absorb their attention.
the Philippines is a magtrified
nee, if we may be Permitted
increases in direct ProPortion
f time, an effect of misgovern'
e said and not a cause of them.
especially those who have a
rut it does not matter; we have
e going to prove it.
tr
e patient is examined after a
:stion may arise whether the
the debility of the organs are
p of the malady or its continoor treatment. The attending
lure of his skill to the poor
r the climate, to his surroundmd, the patient will athibute
s to the method of treatment
o. men, the curious ones, will
l reach a decision.
:ns to the Philippirre question.
Philippines; instead of malady,
ses, when a patient gets worse,
fi one dodges the responsibility
se, and instead of discovering
il in them, they devote themthe symptoms. Ifere a bloodr, forced labor; farther there a
c. Every new amival proposes
nae, the relic of a saint, the
r proposes a shower-bath; still
another, pretending to hold modern id.eas, a blood transfusion. "Nothing; the patient has only eight million indolent
red corpuscles; some tiny white ones in the form of an
agricultural colony which will get us out of the trouble."
So on aII sidss there are lamentations, gnawing of lips,
clenching of fists, many empty words, much ignorance, a
great deal of talk, much fear. The patient is ntiaring his
end!
Yes, hlood transfusion, blood transfusion! New life,
new vitality! Yes, if the nern' white corpuscles, all 'that
you are going to introduce into her veins, the nevr white
globules that were a cancer in another organism, have to
resist the evils of the oriJanism, have to resist the many
blood-lettings that she undergoes eani day, have more resistance than eight million red corpuscles, must cure all the
disorders, all the degeneration, all the trouble in the principal organs, be thankful that they are transformed into
coagulations which impede cireulation and produce ganllrenes, be thankful that they do not reproduce the cancer!
Whiie the patient breathes, we should not lose hope,
and however late we may be, never is a conscientious study
superfluous, at least, if she dies, the cause of death will be
known. We are not trying to put all the blame on the
physician and still less on the patient. As we have already
mentioned, if the predisposition due to the climate-a just
and natural predisposition-did not exist, the raee would
disappear, a victim of excessive work in a tropical country.
Indoience in the Philippines is a chroni.c malady, but
not a hereditary one. The Filipinos have not always been
what they are now, witnesses being all the historians of
the first years of the discovery of the Philippines.
the Malqyan tr'ilipinos before the coming of the Europeans carried on an aetive trade, not only among themselves but also with all their neighboring countries. A
Chinese manuscript of the XIII century, translated by Dr.
Hhth (Globus, Sept. 1889) and which we will take up on
mother occasion, speai<s of the relations of China wi-th
234
I
the IslandsTpurely commercial relations-and the activity
and honesty of Luzon traders who 'took Chinese products
and distributed them throughout the Islands, traveling for
nine months, and returned afterwards to pay religiously
even for goods that the Chinese did not remember to have
given them. The products which they exported in exchange were crude wax, cotton, pearls, tortoise-sheli, betelnuts, dry-goods, etc.
The first thing noticed by Pigafetta, who came with
Magellan lrL 1.521, on arriving in Samar-the first island of
the Archipelago they reached-was the courtesy and kindness of the inhabitants (cortest. e'bu,oni) and their trade.
"To honor our captain," he says, "they conducted him to
their boats where they had'their merehandise consisting
of cloves, cinnamon, pepper, nutmegs, maee, gold, and other
things; and they made us understand through gestures
that such articles could be found in the islands to which
weweregoing...."
Further on he mentions vessels and utensils of pure
gold he found in Butuan where the people were engdged
in mining; he describes the silk dres*"es, daggers with long
gold hitts and scabbards of carved rvood, gold teeth,
and others. Among the cereals and fruit; he merttions rice,
millet, oranges, lemon, Indian corn, etc.
That the Islands maintained relations with neighboring
countries and even with distant ones was proven by the
Siamese boats loaded with gold and slaves which Magelian
found at Cebri. These boats paid certain duties to the
ruler of the island. In the same year 1521 the survivors
of Magellan's expedition found the son of the rajah of
Luzon who, as captain-general of the Sultan of Borneo and
admiral of his fleer, had conquered for him {he great city
of Lave (Sarawak?). Might this captain, who was greatly
feared by all his enemies (temuto somrnamente de gentili),
t Literally.
"extremely feared by the heathen".
z
be the najah Matanda who
found in Tondo in 1570?
In 1539, the warriors of Ie
able shuggle for Sumatra, ar
Siry Timor, Rajah oI Batta, r
terrible Alzadin, Sultan of At
of the Far East. (Marsileu,
xx)
At that time, that sea, w
a handful of emeralds on
i
directions junks, paraus, boh
shuttles and so large that
ro-\ilers on one side (Morga)
commerce, industry, and agri
moving to the tune of war sonl
of the prowess of Philippir
Chapter XV.)
rffealth abounded in the tr
the abundance of foodstufis
bitants alrnost all of whom
(quost, tutti larsarano i popri
survivors of Magellan's ex;red
provisioned. Shortly after, :
a vessel, plundered and sacker
giarnmo) and captured in it
of . Paragua together with his
In this sarne vessel they ca1
this is the first mention of Phi
bards were used by the chie
savages in the interior.
They let him ransom hnnsel
ing 400 measures (cavanes)
and 450 chickens. llhis is the
in Philippine history. the Pr
'Lombard; Lantako; It is ttre s.mail
234
rcial relations-and the activity
ers who 'took Chinese products
ghout the Islands, traveling for
I afterwards to pay religiously
nese did not remember to have
; which they exported in exiton, pearls, tortoise-shell, betel-
by Pigafetta, who came with
rg in Samar-the first island of
d-was the courtesy and kindrtesi e .buoni) and their trade.
, says, "they conducted him to
I their merchandise consisting
nutmegS, mace, gold, and other
understand through gestures
found in the islands to which
vessels and utensils of pure
'here the people were engdged
silk dres-"es, daggers with iong
of carved wood, gold teetlr,
lals and fruits he mentions rice,
an corn, etc.
red relations with neighboring
;tant ones was proven by the
old and slaves which Magellan
,ts paid certain duties to the
same year 1521 the survivors
und the son of the rajah of
aI of the Sultan of Borneo and
quered for him {he great city
I this captain, who was greatly
muto sommomente de gentili),
te heathea".
235
!e the najah Matanda whom the spaniards afterwards
found in Tondo in 1ST0?
In 1539, t,e warriors of Luzon took part in
the formidable skuggie for-sumaha, and under itu
o"a"",
Si.v.Ti*or, pui* of Batta, conquered ,"d
;;;ilw"i'arei
the
terrible AJzadin, S** of Atchirl celebrated,
in tJle arrnals
of the Far East. (I$arsileu, Ilistory o! Sumatro,
Chapter
xx)
At that time, ttrat sea, where float these islands
like
a handful of emeralds on a crystal tray,
sailed in all
directions junks, par&us,-balangols,
rsintas_<raft light as
shuttles and so
that
thly"
can
ho1d, one hundred
_t"g"
ro-wers on one side
(Morga); that sea bore ur""y*h""u
commerce, indushry, and agriculture
by the force ot'ou",
moving to the tune ofvar songs, genealogy
songs, uoi .or,g,
of tle prowess of philippirie'i.itiur. (Colin,
Book I,
Chapter XV.)
l'ealth abounded in the rslands. pigafetta telrs
us of
the abundance of foodstu-ffs in paragua
and of its inhabitants alrnost all of whom cultivated
their
own farms
(quan tutii lauary, pow campi.)
On
this island the
!
survivors of Magellan's
expedition rvere well received and
provisioned. Shortly after, these
saine people captured
a vessel, plundered and sacked it (pigtiammo'e r,o
,ir"nrngian'mo) and captured in it the
of the same Island
of. Paragua together with his son "hiuf
ald brother.
In this sarne vessel they captured. bronze
lombards,, and
this is the first mention oi er.iippine artiilery.
These rombards were used by the chief oi paragua
in
fighting the
savages in the interior.
They let him ransom himseU within
seven days, demand'ZOing 400 measures (cavanes) of rice, 20 pigs,
So"t ,
and 450 chickens. fhis is the first
case of piracy reeorded
in Philippine history. The paragua chief paid
everything
'Ircmbard;
It is the snnall Moro canno. still in r:se. (Rizal)
.Lanta,ko;
236
and moreover spontaneously added coeonuts, bananas, sugar
cane, and jars fuli of palm-wine. When Caesar was taken
prisoner by the corsairs and required to pay a ransom of
iwenty-five talents, he replied: "I'11 give you fifty, but
afterwards I'1I have You crucified!"
the chief of Paragua was rnore generous: He forgot'
while his eonduct might reveal weakness, it also showed
that the islands had abundant supplies. This chief was
named Tuan Mahamud; his brother, Guantail; and his sotl,
Tuan Mahamed. (Martin M6ndez, Purser of the ship
Victoria, Archivo de Indias).
A very extraordinary thing which showed the facility
with which the Filipinos learned Spanish was that fifty
years before the arrival of the Spaniards in tuzon, in the
.tr"ry tu*" year of 1521 when they first earne to tire Islands,
there were already people oI Luzon who understood Cas'
tilian. In the negotiations for peace between the survivors
of Magelian's expedition and the ehiefs of Paragua after
the death of the servant-interpreter Henr5r, "they availed
themselves of the services of a Moro who had been captured
in the iciand of the King of Luz6n who understood some
Castilian," (Martin M6ndez, dnc. c'tt.) Wbere did this extemporaneous interpreter learn Castilian? In the Moluceas? In Malacea, from the Portuguese? In Cebri during
the short stay of Magellan's expedition? The Spaniards
had not reaehed Luz6n before 1571.
Legazpi's expedition found in Butuan several traders
from Luz6n embarked in their tr)araws (boats) laden with
iron, wax, biankets, porcelain, etc. (Gaspar de San Agustin), plenty of foodstufis, trade, activity, life in all the
southern islands. The first news they heard was that
Luz6n, or its capital, Manila, was the point to which the
largest boats from China went and that even the traders
from Borneo went there to get their stock. (G. de S' A.)
They reached the Island'of Cebri, "abounding t'n prouisions, with mines and gold placers and peopled with
natives", as Morga says. ,o
frequented by many ships I
kingdoms near India,,, says
received peacefully, soon
taken by force and burned
supplies and naturally faml
one hundred thousand inhi
and among the members of
boring islands quickly rer."
the abundance of their owa
All the histories of those
in long accounts of the inr
people--mines, gold placers,
(trade), shipbuiiding, poult
cotton-weaving, &stilleries,
fisheries, the civet industry,
A11 these eould be found at r
time and conditions of the l
was life, there was aetivity, tl
And if this, which is a der
whose mind is imbued nitl
worth should be the testim
Morga who vras Lieutenant
and ,Iustiee in the Audiencia,
after rendering valuable ser
appointed Criminal Judge in
Counsellor of the Inquisitiol
highly credibie, not only be
have spoken of him in terrrs
also because his work-from
tioni-is written with much
with reference to the Authorit
as to the mistakes they comn
says in chapter VIII, speeki.
Chinese-"are, verv far from
and have euen forgotten mucl
236
r added coeonuts, bananas, sugar
.wine. When Caesar was taken
d required to pay a ransom oI
fied: "I'11 give you fifty, but
aified!"
as more generous: He forgot.
eveal weakness, it also showed
ilant supplies. This chief was
brother, Guantail; and his son,
M6ndez, Purser of the ship
).
ing which showed the facility
.ear:red Spanisir was that flfty
t}e Spaniards in Luzon, in the
u they fiist came to the Islands,
of Luzon who understood Casbr peace between the suryivors
rd the chiefs of Paragua after
terpreter Hen4r, "they availed
a Moro who had been captured
f Luz6n who understood some
, iloc. czt.) Where did this exrarn Castilian? In the MoluePortqguese? In Cebf during
's expedition? The Spaniards
re 1571.
nd in Butuan several traders
retr parauts (boats) iaden with
n, etc. (Gaspar de San Agustrade, activity, life in all the
t news they heard \&'as that
a, was the point to which the
'ent and that even the traders
et their stock" (G. de S.A.)
of Cebri, "abounding in prouild placers and peopled with
E
237
natives", as Mlsa
.,y"ry populous
and the pofr is
"1y1.
frequented b,
ships
that-errne
from tb.e islaads and
kingdoms near TT,
India,,, ,l* Co-fri,- and although
-m they were
received peaeefully, ,ooo
dir.ord"*";*
-Tb;
;;, was
taken by force *d b*rr"d.
fire
destroyed
the food
suppries and naturany faminu
b"oku out in that town
of
one hundred thousand inhabitaats,
as
the
historians
say,
and among the members
of *"
U,riliJneigh_
boring islands q-*:klv
""p"Aiuoo;
the situation, thanl., to
the abundance of th"; "";u;J
f*f
,,rppLi*r.
AII the histories of tt";ose &J
il;;'#;*.,ilr*
in tong ,..o,r.rt",:f
.rhu
people_mirr"., g,oJ.d placers,
looml,. culti"";J
b"rtu",
(trade), shipbuiidrng, po,rlir,
*U
cotton-weaving, &stilleries,
manufagture of armsr pearlfisheries, the civet industry,
fr"r" ta leather
;;;
;q ;;1.;-r;;,:rl
AIt these courd be found."i ur""y
time and conditions of the Irl;d",
was life, there was activity, tlere
*tl
indusfury, etc.
*n.
"r"t;;;irif;fr*
they prove that there
wrs mor"ment.
And if this, which is a deduction,
does not convinee one
whose mind is ilfued with
unjust
prejudices, of some
.worth should be
testimony
,fr.
O".
Morga who was _the
"f of*".i"I""a
T,ieutenant Cor"*o"
the
irir[***
and Justiee in the Audiencia oi
U*rrit" for seven
V"r"r, *a
after rendering val rable servicer., ,iru t .H;;;,
,*
appointed criminal Judge in the
Audiencia of Mexico and
Counsellor of the Inquisition.
Ifi;
highty eredibie, not only bu."uru testimony, we sa5/, is
,ii"Ii'j"l'1_:_:1,
haveipok"r, oi'rrir, in terms ,h"t;":dl,"*"
also because his work_fro*
*ii.i
tioni-is
with much
with reference to the iuthoriti*
tru" phiiippine, ,rwe,
as to the mistakes they commttrJ- .,*u
;;;r;;;.;{**.
says in chapter WII, speaking
oi
the
occupations
of the
Chinese-,,are, very fo f.o*:pilr*l*
these
occupations
and have euen forgotten
much-obri 1ar:ming, poultrg
and,
;lt;;;
H"TillH;
;;;;:rff"Jl1ffiT;
238
stock-raising. wear./tng cotton blanketa as theg used to ilo
ushen theg were pogans and along time ofter the conquest of
the countrY,"
The whole chapter vIII of his *ork deals with this. moribund and greatly forgotten industry and yet in spite of that
how long is his chaPter VIII!
And not only Morga, not only Chirinb, Colin, Argensola,
Gaspar de San Agustin, and others agree in this matter;
rriodern travelers after two hundred and fifty years, consiCering the prevailing decadence and rnisery, assert the
sanne thing. When Dr. Hans Meyer saw how well the uncolquered tribes cultivate their land, working energetically,
he asks himself if they would not become indolent when
they ir. turn were converted into Christianity and placed
under a paternal government.
Consequently the -Filipinos, in spite of the climate, in
spi.te of their few nbcessities (they then had less than now)
were not the indolent creatures of our time, and as we
shall see later on, neither were their morals and their mode
of living what they are now pleased to attribute to them.
How then and in what way was the active and enterprising heathen Indio of ancient times converted into a lazy
and indolent Christian, as our contemporary writers say of
him?
We have already spoken of the Inore or less latent tend'
ency to inclolence existing in the PhiUppines and -should
exist everywhere, in the whole world, in every man, for
all of us hate work in varying degrees, according to whether
it is more or less hard, more or less unprofitable. The
d.olce tar niente of the Italians, the rasccrse la barnga
(scrateh the belly) of the Spaniards and the supreme
ambition of the botugeois to live in peaee and tranquility
on his income, attest this.
What forces contribute to awaken from its lethargy thls
terrible predisposition? How did the Filipino people so
devotecl to their custotns a
their former indushy, rtheir
the point of forgetting com:
.
A fatal combination of c
ent of the will despite th
offspring of stupid.itf and if
corollaries of false principk
of more or less base passior
wopk, an evil which instead r
mature reflection, and recogl
by a deplorable policy ttrror
obstinaey, has gone from ba
condition in which we see it
First eame the wars, in!
new order naturally brough,
subject the people either by c
fights, there were deaths; tho
fully Seemed to repent of it;
and some occurred;' naturall
many skilied workers perishe
invasion of Limahong, add thr
inhabitants of the philippiur
the honor of Spain, to exk
Borneo; in the Moluccas, ar
Dutch foe, costiy wars; futil
it was known that thousanc
archers and rowers were s(
they ever returned to their l
at one time Greece sent to
Filipino youth who joined the
farewell forever. Before the
stormy sea, the endless wan
For this reason, G. de San Ag
there were many people in tL
t
239
bhnkets os theg used to do
mg time olter the conquest ot
is work deals with this. mori'
lustry and yet in sPite of that
rty Chirinb, Colin, Argensola,
others agree in this matter;
undred and fiftY Years' conence and rniserY, assert the
Meyer saw how well the unr land, working energeticallY,
d not become indolent when
into CliristianitY and Placed
:
, in spite of the climate, in
.they then had less than now)
res of our time, and as we
e their morals and their mode
pleased to attribute to them.
ay was the aetive and enter:nt times eonverted into a lazY
r contemporary writers saY of
I the rnore or less latent tend'
n the Philippines and should
role world, in every man, for
gdegrees, according to whether
,re or less unprofitable. The
lians, the rascorse la barnga
Spaniards and the supreme
I live in peace and tranquilitY
awaken from its lethargy thls
w did the Filipino people so
devoteil to their customs as to border on habit, abandor,
their former industry, ,their trade, their sea-faring, etc. to
the point of forgetting compietely their past?
III
A fatal eombination of circumstances, some independ,-
ent of the will despite the efforts of men, others the
ofispring of stupidity and ignorance, others the inevitabre
eorollaries of false prineiples, and still others the result
of more or less base passions, has indueed the decline of
work, an evil which instead of being remedied by prudence,
mature reflection, and recognition of the errors eommitted.
by a deplorable policy through regrettable blind.ness and
obstinacy, has gone from bad to worse until reaching the
condition in which we see it now.
First came the wars, internal disturbances which the
new order naturally brought about. It was necessary to
subject the people either by cajolery or by force; there were
fights, there were deaths; those who have submitted peacefully Seemed to repent of it; insurrections were suspected
and some occurred; naturally there were executions and.
many skilled workers perished. To these disorders add the
invasion of Limahong, add the eontinuous wars io which the
inhabitants of the Philippines were &agged to maintain
the honor of Spain, to extend the sway of her flag in
Borneo; in the Moluccas, and Indochina. To repel the
Dutch foe, costiy wars; futile expeditions in each which
it was known that thousands aud thousands of Filipino
archers and rowers were sent but nothing was said if
they ever returned to their homes. Like tiie tribute that
at one time Greece sent to the Minotaur of Crete, the
Filipino youth who joined the expedition bade their country
farewell forever. Before them, in the horizon, wes tire
stormy sea, the endless wars, the hazardous expeditions.
For this reason, G. de San Agustin says: ,,Though formeriy
there were many people in this town of Durnangrs, in th*
244
course of time there has been a, gredt dtminution because
the natioes are the best soilors and most skilled, rotuJers
on the whole coast, and so the governors in the port of
Iloilo get here most of the crew for the vessels they send
out
When the Spaniards anived in this island
(Panay), it is said it had more than flfty thousand families;
but they diminished greatly , r . . and at present they are
about fourteen thousand tax-payers . . . ." From fiftythousand families to fourteen thousand tax-payers in a little
over half a century!
'We
would never get through if we had to quote all the
evidence presented by authors on the frightful diminution of
the inhabitants of the Philippiaes in the first years following the discovery. In the time of their first bishop, that
is, ten years after Legazpi, Philip II said that they had
been reduced to less than two-thirds.
Add to these fatal expeditions that wasted all the moral
and material energies of the country the frightfuI depredati,ons of the terrible pirates of the South instigated and
erlcouraged by the Government, first to provoke a quarrel
with them and afterwards. to leave unarmed the islands
subjected to it. During these incursioru, which reached the
very shores of Manila until Malate itseU, could be seen
through the sinister glow of burning towns depart Ior captivity and slavery chains of wretched men who had not been
able to defend themselves, leaving behind them the ashes of
their homes and the corpses of their parents and children.
Morga, who gives an account of the first piratical incursion,
says: "This boldness of the Mindanaos in the Pintados
Islands caused great damage and fear and fright which they
instilled in the inhabitants who, being under Spanish rule,
were disarmed and subjected to tributes so that they were
left without the means to defend themselves nor were
they protected by the Government, unlike the time when
there qrere nc Spaniards in the land . . . ." These piratical
incu-rsions reduced more and more the number of inbabit-
24L
ants' of the philippines, ior the
notorious for their atrocities anr
they consider.ed it Dec€SSar1, in 6
pendence to rveaken the Spaniar
of their subjects or because the5
hatred and profound resentmenl
pinos who, though belonging
helped the foreigners to deprir
liberty. And these expeditions
ries, occurring five or ten times i
cost the Islands mor.e than eighl
"With the invasions of the pi:
naos", says Fr. G. de San Ag
Bantayan Island has greatly dimi
captured the inhabitants u,ith e
and were far from Cebri rvher.e
year L688 the Jolo enemy caus
island Ieaving it almost d.epopuh
These severe attacks coming
counter effect on the interior u,h
comparisons, was like the effect o
individual who has just lcst a grei
to face so many calamities, to secr
offensive in these disastrous stru
cose Joloan from his neighbors
the needs of the empire of the
reasons why the philippines *.as
position between New Spain an(
porary documents attest); to v.,rr
growing colonies of the Moluccas
some neighbors; in short to mail
with New Spain, it was necess€u
large ships which. as we have see
the country because of their equipt
t'equired, were not less so for tl
Fernando de los Rios Coronel, w
,
40
,n a gteat ih,minution beeduse
brs and most skilled, rowers
the governors in the port of
rew for the vessels they send
iads arived in this island
e than flfty thousand families;
, . . '. and at present they are
E-payers, . . ." From fiftythousand tax-payers in a Iittle
gh if we had to quote all the
ion the frightful diminution of
rines in the first years followme of their first bishop, that
Philip II said that they had
vo-thirds.
rns that wasted all the moral
:ountry the frightful depredaof the South instigated and
nt, firsi to provoke a quarrel
I leave unarmed the islands
incursions, whieh reached the
Malate itself, eould be seen
lurning towns depart for capetched men who had not been
ring behind them the ashes of
rf their parenk and children.
f the first piratical incursion,
IHindanaos in the Pintados
nd fear and fright which they
o, being under Spanish rule,
!o tributes so that they were
lefend themselves nor were
nent, unlike the iime when
land. . . ." Thesepiratieal
more the number of inbabit-
24L
ants'of the Phitippines, i'or the independent
Malays were
notorious for their atrocities and murders
whethe, i".urr"
they considered it necessary in order
to preserve their inde_
pendence to rveaken the Spaniards
by .educirrg thu ,r-b".
of their subjects or because they were animated
by a great
hatred and profound resentmerri against
the christia. Fiii_
pinos who, though belonging to
their r.ace, served and
helped the foreigners to deprive them
of
p.ecious
liberty' And these expeditions lasted nearrytheir
threJ centuries, occuming five or ten times a year,
and each expedition
cost the Islands mole than elght Lundred
prisonels.
"With the invasions of the pirates, Joloans,
and Mincla_
naos", says Fr. G. de San Agustin, .,the
population of
Bantayan Island has greatry diminished,
bu""*"'thu pirut",
captured the inhabitants with ease as
they had no forts
and x'ere far from Cebri w-here help
could come. In the
year 1688 the Jolo enemy caused much
damage in this
island leaving it almost depopulated..,, (p..3g0)
These severe attacks coming from outside
produced a
counte. effect on the interior which. following
our crinicar
comparisons, was like the effect of a
cathartic or diet on an
individual who has just lcst a great crear of blood.
In order
to- face so many calamities, to secure
their hcld, to tal<e the
offensive in these disastrous struggres, to
isorais the bericose Joloan from his neighbors of the
south, to care
the needs of the empire of the Indies (for one of for
the
reasons why the philippines was retained
was its strategic
position between New spain and the Indies.
as contemporary documents attest ) ; to wrest from the
D,tch their
growing colonies of the Moruccas and get rid
of troubresome neighbor.s; in short to maintain the
trade of China
with New Spain, it was necessary to construct nerv
and
Iarge ships which. as we hr,re ."er, costly
as they wer.e to
the country because of their equipment and
the r"owers they
t'equired, were not less so for the way they
were built.
Fernando de los Rios Coronel, who fought in
there *rrs
242
and later becamc a priest, speaking of these ships to the
king, said that "As the.y w'ere so large, the necessal'5r 11*5",'
scarcely could bc found in the mountains (of rhe. I']hilippines!) and thus it lvas imirerative to seek it eve'n rvith great
difficu.ity. in the interior and once found, in order to haul and
bring it to the shipyard, it was necessary to employ so manJmen that the towns of the sut'rottnding countt'y becatne
depopulated. They got'it out with immense labor, damage,
and cost to them. The Indios furnished the masts o[ a
galleon, according to the Franciscan friars; and I hearC.
the governor of the province whel'e they *'ere cut. lvhich
is Laguna de Bay, say that to haul thetn seveu league-;
across iough mountains took 6,000 i:r,dicts th,t'ee 'nrc:'rths
and theg were paid bg tlte touotts 40 reales eaclt. a nt"olnth,
tllithoi,lt food wh.ich the uretclrcd lridio' has to get him^
self...."
And Gaspar de S. Agustin says: ''In these times (1690)
Bakolor has not the people that it had in the past on
account ot: the'uprising in that province under Governor
Sabiniano Manrique de Lara and of the continuous cuttirtg
of timber for His Maiestg's shipyards, which, hinders them
from cultiuating the uerg fertile ploin' theE hotse, etc."
If this is not sufficient to explain the depopulation of the
Islands and the neglect o[ industry, agriculture, and co-mmerce, then add "the lndios who were hanged, those rvho
left their wives and children and fled in disgust to the
mountains, those who were sold into slavery to pay the
taxes levied on them", as Fernando de ios Rios says. Add
all this to what Philip II said in reprimanding Bishop
Salazar about "lndios sold by some encomenderos to others,
those flogged to death; the women who are crushed to
death by their heavy burdens and who sleep in the fields
and give birth and nurse their children there and die bitten
by poisonous insects; the many who are executed and left
to die of hunger, and who die lor eating poisonous
and the children killed by their mothers at
herbs
birth,r' arrd you will under
years the population of the
tbfud. We don't say this or
de San Agustin, the anti-l
e*cellence, and he proved it
by mentioning often the st:
farms once flourishing and
populated towns which be
families of principales.
Is it strange then that thr
should be &spirited when ir
they could not tell if they r
they have planted, if their
or if their crop would feer
strange when we see the pl
time advise their poor paris
&om the tyranny of the eao
mines, to abandon their ind
pointing to them heaven as
for death as their only conr
Man works for a purpose
reduce him to inaction. Th
world will fold his arms th
folly to be so, that his m
trouble, that because of it he
at home and the greed of
seems that these thoughts ne
who cry out agairxt ihe ind
Even if the Filipino were
if we supposE that his zrial',
movement of a wheel fitted
in motion; even if we regar
and understandirg of the 1
have to explain the existenc
the farms by their tiilers-mr
of their homes by wars and I
1
2
)caking of these ships to the
so large, the necessat'5r ti*Uur
re rnountains (of Lire. Philip,tive to seek it even rvith great
rce found, in order to haul and
; necessary to employ so manJsurrotrnding country becatne
rvith immense labor, damage,
ios furnished the masts o[ a
'anciscan friars; and I hearC.
u'here they lvere ctrt. rvhich
to haul them seven league-;
k 6,000 Indios three 'nto:l-tlts
cuns 40 reales each a ntonth,
*clrcd lndia' has to glet hint-
says: 'In these times (1690)
that it had in the past on
hat province under Governor
and of the continttous cuttittg
;hipgat'ds, which hinders thern
'tile plain theg haue, etc."
rxplain the depopulation of the
rdustry, agriculture, and coinrvho were hanged, those rvho
rn and fled in disgust to the
sold into slavery to pay the
'rnando de los Rios says. Add
said in reprimanding Bishop
I some encomenderos to othels,
women who are crushed to
rs and who sleep in the fields
ir children there and die bitten
rny who are executed and left
bo die lor eating poisonous
ln killed by their mothers at
243
birth,t' arrd you will understand how in less than thirty
years the population of the Philippines was reduced onethird. We don't say this ourselves; it was said by Gaspar
de San Agustin, the anti-Filipino Augustinian friar por
ercellence, and he proved it t-hroughout the rest of his work
by mentioning often the state of neglect in whieh lay the
farms once flouri"hing and so well cultivated, the sparsely
populated towns which before were inhabited bir many
farniliss of prinCipales.
Is it strange then that the inhabitants of the phitppines
should be dispirited when in thg face of so many caramities
they could not tell if they would ever see sprout the seed
they have planted, if their farms would be their graves,
or if their crop would feed their executioner? What is
strange when we see the pious but impotent friars of that
time advise their poor parishioners, in order to free them
from tlre tyranny of the encomenderos, te stop work in the
mines, to abandon their industries, to destroy their looms.
pointing to them heaven as their sole hope, preparing them
for death as their only consolation?
Man works for a purpose; remove the purpose and you
reduce him to inaction. The most industrious man in the
world will fold his arms the moment he learns'that it is
Iolly to be so, that his work will be the cause of his
trouble, that because of it he will be the object sf vexations
at home and the greed of the pirates from outside. It
seems that these thoughts never crossed the minds of those
who cry out agairst the indolence of the Filipinos.
Even if the Filipino were not a man like the rest; even
if we supposE that his zeal for work is as essential as the
movement of a wheel fitted in the gear of other wheels
in motion; even if we regard him as lacking in foresight
and understanding of the past and the present; we still
have to explain the existence of the evil. The neglect of
the farms by their tillers-many of whom were dragged out
of their homes by wa's and piracy-was sufficient to nullify
244
the hard labor of so many generations. In the Philippines,
abandon for a year the best cultivated land and you will
see that you will have to begin all over again. The rain
will wi.pe out the furrows, the floods will drown the
planting, weeds and shrubs will grow everyv/here, qnd on
seeing io rnuch futile labor, the farmer drops his hoe and
abandons his plow. Isn't there left the fine life of a pirate?
thus is understood the sad disappointment we find in
the writings of the friars of the XVII centur5r in speaking
of flooded plains, once very fertile, of depopulated provinees and towns, of products which have disappeared
from trade, of the extermination of leading families. Those
pages seem like a sad and monotonous night seene after a
lively day. About Cagayan, Fr. San Agustin said with sad
brevity: "They had mueh cotton which they made into
good eloth that the Chinese and the Japanese bought and
carried BWay.l' In the time of this historian industry and
eonomeree had come to an end!
It seems that these causes are suffieient to breed indolence even in the bosom of a beehive. Thus is explained
why after thirty-two years of Spanish rule, the circumspect and 'prudent Morga said that the lndtos "have
forgotten much about farming, poultry and sioch raising,
co',;ton gtowing, and weaving of blankets as they did when
they were Pagans and lorug after the country liad been
conquered.
Still they struggled on for a long time against indolence,
indeed, but their enennies were so many that at last they
gave up.
It is very true that vre h
becomes disturbed and dis<
youngest child nor the st
if his power is unlimited.
not responsible for his ar
not being free. are not rr
fortunes or their woes. I
n'ill be seen later on. we
perpetuation of such a diso
Among other things the
the evil and aggravate it:
(1) The eonstantry less
in the Philippines. The G
contact betrve.en the Filipir
raee who are independen
Siamese, Cambodians, and .
and feelings differ very mu
has looked upon them with
harshly, as Morga attests
until they have finally stop
fact, the Government at one
rvere planning. an uprising;
was n<.rt even an atteml
executions indeed. And a
'the
oniy ones that absorbe
wit!- them being cut off, thr
also ceased. The only tnc
the Philippines continued c
Spain, and this trade benefil
individuals of Manila. In
to send to the Philippines itr
which led to the closing d,
and ruined Spanish industr
silver that every yea! was
Mexico. Nothing from the
,
ry
'We know the causes that predisposed and provoked the
evil. Let us now see what factors foster and sustain it. In
this connection, the Government and we the governed
should bow our heads and say: We deserve our fate.
14
xerations. In the Philippines,
cultivated land and you will
Srn all over again. The rain
the floods wrll drown the
rill grow everJrwhere, end on
lhe farmer drops his hoe and
:e left the fine life of a pirate?
d disappointment we find in
tre XVII centur5r in speaking
fertile, of depopulated provets which have disappeared
on of leading families. Those
onotonous night seene after a
0r. San Agustin said with sad
otton which they made into
rnd the Japanese bought and
of this historian industry and
d!
are sufficient to breed indor beehive. Thus is explained
rf Spanish rule, the circumsaid that the Indios "have
rg, poultry and sioch raising,
of blankets as they did when
after the country had been
a long time against indolence,
re so many that at last they
v
rredisposed and provoked the
ctors foster and sustain it. In
ment and we the governed
': We deserve our fate.
245
It is rrery true that vre have once said that wher-r a house
becomes disturbed and disorderly, rve should not blame the
youngest child nor the servants but its head. especially
if his power is unlimited. He who does not act freely is
not responsible for his actions; and the Filipino people,
not being free. are not responsible either for their misfortunes or their woes. It is true we said this; but as
will be seen later on. we also have a large share in the
perpetuation of such a disorder'.
Among other things the following contiibuted to foster
the evil aud aggravate it:
(1) The constantty lessening encoulagement to labor
in the Phiiippines. The Government. fearing the frequent
contact betrveen thc Filipinos and other men of the same
race who are independent and free like the Borneans,
Siamese, Cambodians, and Japanese-people whose customs
and feelings differ very much from those of the Chinesehas looked upon them with great mistrust and treated them
harshly, as Morga attests in the latter part of his book,
until they have finally stopped eoming to the country. In
fact, the Government at one time thought that the Borneans
were planning. an uprising; we say thouglfi, because there
was not even an attempt, though there were many
executions indeed. And as these nations were precisely
'the
only ones that absorbed Philippine products, relations
witt- them being cut off, their consumption of our products
also ceased. The only twc countries whose relations with
the Philippines continued were China and Mexico or New
Spain, and this trade benefited only China and some private
indiviciuals of Manila. In fact, the Celestial Empire uJed
to send to the Philippines its junks laden with merchandise,
which ied to the closing down of the factories in Seville
and ruined Spanish industry, and returned laden vrith the
silver that every year v/as sent to the Philippines from
Mexico. Nothing from the Philippines then *rr".rt to China,
?A'
248
not even gold, for in those years the Chinese traders would
accept no payment except silver coin. To Mexico went
something more-some blankets and textile which the
encomenderos obtained by force or bought at.an absurd
price fronr the Fiiipinos. Also went small quantilies of
wax, amber, gold, civet, etc., but no more, as Admiral Jer6nimo de Bafruelos y Carrillo attested, when he petitioned
tlre King to allow tlte people of Manila to load as manu
ships as tltey could usith. the prodtr,cts of the countrg, such
os u)or. gold., perttrmeg, iuory, and cotton eloth tohich theg
Thus usould theg win
shou.Id buy from tha natfues
peoples,
the triendsltip of th.ese
Juntish. Neus Spain with their
products, and the rnoneg brough.t to Manila usould. not leaue
this place.
The coastwise trade, so flourishing formerly, disappeared
on account of the piraey of the Malayans of the South;
and trade in tlre interior of the Islands almost disappeared
completely owing to restrictions, passports, and other administrative requirements.
Of no little importance weJe the impediments and
obstaclbs u'hich since the very beginning have been thrown
in the .vay of the farmer by the rulers who were influenced
by childish fear and saw everyrvhere signs of conspiracies
and uprisings. The Filipinos were not allowed to go to
their rrqork or farms (granjeri.as as they were then calied)
unless with a permit from the Governor or the provincial
governors and justices and even of the priests, as Morga
says. Those who know the administrative slowness and
confusion in a country where the authorities rvork scarcely
two hours a day; those who know the cost of going to and
coming from the provincial capital to ask for a permit;
those who are aware of the petty retaliation of the little
office tyrants will understand how with this barbaric
arrangement it is possible to have only the most absurd
agriculture. It is true that this absurdity-which would
be ludicrous if it weqe not so serious-has disappeared
long ago; but il the ruling h
and reguiations have been su
pirate has disappeared, but tl
the farms and awaiting to kidr
Well now, the Governmeut whir
denies all the farmers even
does allow it, it makes its ar
withdraws it at pleasure. A
farmer, thanks to his Ereans
his meager eapital into the fu
opened; but, when harvest ti:
Government-which is unabl
deprive him of his weapon.
defend himself and without
inaction and abandoned the fa
in gambling as a better rneens
,
gambling'table is under goven
A deplorable eounselor is fear,
but, in confiscating the w-eapon
,
foe!
The miserly return ihat the
would in the end discourage h
we learn that the encornenilet
slavery and compeiling them to
the rest sell them their product
for nothing or cheated them n
ing ab-out Ipi6n in Panay Fr. (
was formerly very rich in g
vexations they received from
they have ceased getting it, p
than to suffer such hardship
speaking of other toums, h" sr:
the bad treatment of the erlcon
istration of justice had treated
their children, and they only Ioo
at the expense of the modest
247
,6
rrs the Chinese traders would
rlver coin. To Mexico went
kets and textile which the
)rce or bought at. an absurd
lso went small quantities of
but no more, as Admiral Jer attested, when he petitioned
t of Manila to load, ds rnony
products of the countrg, such
, and. cotton cloth, uhich th,eg
Thus uould theE win
, tundsh Neus Spain u:ith their
gllr to M,antla wou.ld not leate
rishing formerly, disappeared
the Malayans of the South;
re Islands almost disappeared
)ns, passports, and other ad-
tr,ere the impediments and
'beginning have been thrown
re rulers who were influenced
ryrvhere signs of conspiracies
; were not allowed to go to
hs as they were then called)
e Governor or the provincial
ven of the priests, as Morga
adrninistrative slowness and
the authorities rvork scarcely
;now the cost of going to and
capital to ask for a permit;
petty retaliation of the little
rd how with this barbaric
have only the most absurd
this absurdity-which would
so serious-has disappeared
long ago; but if the ruling has disappeared other things
and regulations have been substituted for it. The Moro
pirate has disappeared, but the handit remains, infesting
the farms and awaiting to kidnap the farmer for a ransom.
Well now, the Government which constantly fears the people,
denies all the farmers even the use of a rifle, or if it
does allow it, it makes its acquisition very difficult and
withdraws it at pleasure. And so it happens that the
farmer, thanks to his means of defense, sows and pours
his meager capital into the lurrows he has so laboriously
opened; but, when harvest time comes, it occurs to the
Government-which is unable to repress banditry-to
deprive him of his weapon. Then, without a means to
defend himseif qnd without security, he is reduced to
inaction and abandoned the farm, the work, and indulges
in gambling as a better means of gaining a livelihood. The
gambling-table is under government protection; it is saferl
A deplorable counselor is fear, which does not oniy weaken,
but, in confiscating the weapons, strengthens the very same
foe!
The miserly return that the Filipino gets from his labor
would in the end discourage him. Through the historians
we learn that the encomenderos, after reducing many to
slavery and compelling them to wcrk for their benefit, made
the rest seli them their products at an insignificant price or
for nothing or cheated them with false measures. Speaking about Ipi5n in Panay Fr. G. de San Agustin says: "It
was formerly very rich in gold . . . but irked by the
vexations they received from some provincial governors,
they have ceased getting it, preferring to live in poverty
than to suffer such hardships." (P. 3?8) Further oD,
speaking of other towns, he says: "They were imitated'by
the bad treatment of the encomend.eros who, in the administration of justice had treated them more like slaves than
their ehildren, and they <.rnly looked after their own interests
at the expense of the modest fortunes and lives of their
248
charges." (P. 422) Further on: "In Leyte, where they
wanted to kill an encotnendero of the town of Dagami for
the great vexations that he was causing them, demanding
for a tribute of wax which he weighed on a false balance
he himseU has made . . . ."
This state of aftairs has lasted a long time and stiil exists,
despite the fact that the breed of eneornenderos has become
extinet. A name is gone but the vice and passions do not
disappnar while reforn'rs merely change narnes.
The wars with the Dutch, the invasions and piracy of
the Joloans and Mindanaos have ended, the people have
been transformed; new towns have arisen while others
have become impoverished; but surviving are the vexa'
tions and the frauds as much as, if not worse than in those
early years. We will not cite our ovrn experiences, for
aside from the faet that we don't know which to select,
critical individuals may reproaeh us with being partial;
neither will we cite those of other Filipinos who write for
the newspapers, no. We will confine ourselves to translating the words of a modern French traveler who stayed
in the Philippines for a long time: ". . . the good curate",
he says, referring to the rosy pieture of the Philippines given
him by a member of a religious'order, "had not told me
of the governor, (Alcalde Mayor) the highest functionary
of the district, who is so busy with enriching himsel'f that
he has no time to tyrannize his docile subjects' The
governor, in eharge of administering the country and collecting the various taxes in the name of the Government,
devotes himself ahnost entirely to business; for him the
high and noble functions of his ofiEce are nothing more
than instrurnents for personal gain. He monopolizes all
business, and instead of stimulating around him iove of
work, instead of curbing the very natural indolence of
the natives, abusing his authority, he thinks of nothing
else bu.t of destroying ali competition whieh might bother
him or attempt to share in his profits. Little does it
matter if the counby is iu
without trade, without i:
gets rich quickly."
The traveler, however,
particular-ly the govenaor;
We are not quoting pas
travelers because we don'l
we don't want to quote ft
The great difficulty th.
with the Administration al
off every commereial or
Filipinos and all those in
to engage in business tu
many eomings and goinl
and how much patieuce a
Government a pefmit for
on the good will of this o
on a good bribe to another
the applicatiori, a gift to tt
pass it on to his chief. Ot
good humor and time to lor
talent to see its expedieuq
stupidity not to seent a n
enterprise; and may they r
hunting, or playing cards r
eonvents'or in their counb
patience, a great knowledg
mo.ney, much politics, m:
How strange it is that the
despite its very fertile soil
1
most flourishing csuntries
and well-being frona the &
right? The rnost commerci
have been the freest counl
Unite<i States prove this.
248
ter on: "In lreyte, where they
d,qo ol the town of Dagami for
B was causing them, demanding
r.tre weighed on a false balance
ded a long time and stiil exists,
rcd of encotnenderos has beeome
lut the vice and passions do not
erely change names.
:h, the invasions and piraey of
s have ended, the people have
rwas have arisen while others
[; but surviving are the vexafi as, if not worse than in those
cite oui own experiences, for
re don't know which to selecf
:proach us with being partial;
f other Filipinos who write for
rill confine ourselves to trans-
xn French traveler who stayed
g time: ".
the good curate,,,
' picture of the Philippines given
igious'order, "had not told me
trayqr) the highest functionary
ttsy with enriching himseLf that
nizs his docile subjects. The
rinisfsping the eountry and colthe name of the Government,
irely to business; for him the
lf his office are nothing more
,nal gain. He monopolizes all
imulating around him love of
lhe very natural indolence of
rthority, he thinks of noihing
rmpetition which might bother
in his profits. Little does it
249
matter if the countr5r is impoverished, is without education,
without trade, without industry, provided the governor
gets rich quickly."
The traveler, however, has been unfair in picking out
particularly the govemor; why the governor only?
We, are not quoting passage$ from the writings of other
travelers because we don't have their works before us and
The great difficulty that every enterprise encountered
with the Administration also contributed not a little to kill
off every eommercial or industrial movement. All the
Filipinos and all those in the philippines who have wished
to engage in business know how many documents, how
many comings and goings, how many stamped paperxi,
and how much patience are necessary to secure from the
Government a pefmit for an enterprise. one must count
on the good will of this one, on the influence of that one,
on a good bribe to another so that he would not pigeonhole
the applicatiori, a gift to the one further on so that-he rnay
pass it on to his chief. one must pray to
God to give him
good humor and time to look it over; to give anothei enough
talent to see its expediency; to ore further away sufficient
stupidity not to scent a revolutionary purpose Lehind the'
enterprise; and may they not spend their time taking baths,
hunting, or playing cards with the Reverend Friars in their
convents or in their country houses. And above all, much
patience, a great knowledge of how to get along, plenty
of
moRey, much politics, many bows, complete ,"jign"iiorr.
How strange it is that the philippines should ,"*J' poo,
despite its very fertile soil when History tells ,s thaf the
most flourishing eountries today date their development
an$ well-being foom the day they got their libertv
.iuit
right? The rnost commercial and most industriou-s countries
"ni
have been the freest countries. France, England, and the
Unite<i States prove this.. Hong Kong, which is not worth
250
the most insignificant island of the Philippines, has more
commercial activity than all our islands put together
because it is free and well governed'
Trad.ing urith- China which rvas the whole occupation
of the colonizers of the Philippines was not only prejudicial
to Spain but also to.the Iife of her colonies. In fact, the
government officials and private citizens of Manila, finding
an easy means oI enriching themselves, neglected everything. They did not see to it that the land is cultivated
nor did they encourage industry. For what? They had
the trade with China; all they had to do was to take
advantage of it and gather the gold that dropped on its
path from Mexico to the interior of the Celestial Empire,
an abyss from which it did not come out again.
The pernicious influence of the rulers, that of surrounding
themselves with servants and despising physical or manual
labor as unworthy of the nobility and aristocratic pride
of the heroes of so rnany centuries; those lordly manners
that the Filipinos have translated into Tila ka Kasttla
(You're like a Spaniard); and the desire of the ruled to be
the equal of the rulers, if not entirely, at least in manners-all these naturally produced aversion to activity ahd hatred
or fear of work'
Moreover, why work? Many Filipinos said to themselves, The curate says that the' rieh man will not go to
heaven. The rich man on earth is exposed to all kinds
of vexation, to all kinds of trouble: to be appointed Cabeza
Ce Barangag (Head of the Barangay), to be deported if
an uprising breaks out, to be forced to lend money to the
military chief of the town, who, in order to pay you for
favors received, will seize your workmen and farm animals
to compel you to beg him for clemency and thus very easily
pays up. Why be.rich? So that ail the officers of justice
would keep a lynx eye on your actions; so that a.t the least
mistake they wouid stir enemies against you and indict you
and coneoct a labyrinthine and complicated story against
2t
you from which,you can on!
thread but by Dana,s o showa
if you are not afterwards set
need be. The lzrdio, whom t
imbecile, is not so much so
that it is ridiculous to work
he did. A saying of his is thl
fat, and aE among his bad qr
of applying to hirnself all the
he hears, he prefers to rernai
playing the r6le of the wretch
Add to this the introducti
Teaq to say that before the
did not gambl+_the pe
lndio1
in adventurous and excitable
is one of them. pigafetta te[s
on Peragua Island_cockfigbti
in Luz6n and all the islandl, f,
gams are found two Tagalog
tlri (Saft). But there ; ;"
Goverament is resporuible for
i
Tliough Pigafetta iells us abo;
gUa and not Cebti or
any othe
r
;
<
he stayed-a long time. itorg"
the fact that he spent ,"r*- y
scribes verious kinds of fowl
Neither does Morga speak ;I
about vices and otlrer tefects,
or lessl insignificant. Moreover,
two.Iagalog words-scb*g ;
":t,.:t#"r#'AtL,i"ffi
-.--.-.
1
I* of thread ro gurac iirn ;;;
EoEsttr.
l
;l,H:ffi:1*.,htI
25L
the Phiiippines, has more
our islands put together
rned.
was the whole occupation
les was not only prej.udiciai
her colonies. In fact, the
r citi2ens of Manila, finding
,emselves, negleeted everythat the land is cultivated
ry. For what? They had
y had to do was to take
: gold that dropped on its
or of the Celestial Empire,
come out again.
: rulers, thai of surrounding
espising physical or manual
ility and aristocratic pride
rries; those lordly manners
.ated into Tila ko Kastrla
he desire of the ruled to be
tirely, at least in manners-:rsion to activity ahd hatred
ry Filipinos said to themhe rieh man will not go to
:th is exposed to a1l kinds
ble: to be appointed Cabeza
rangay), to be deported if
orced to lend money to the
o, in order to pay you for
workmen and farm anintals
3mency and thus very easily
rat ail the officers of justice
actions; so that at the ieast
s against you and indict you
il complicated story against
vju fym which'you can only get out, not by Ariadne!.
thread but by Dana's ! shower of gold, and stiil be grateful
if you are not afterwards set aside for some other-case if
need be. The Indio, whom they pretend to regard as an
irnbecile, is not so rnuch so that he does not trnderstand
that it is ridiculous to work himself to death to live as
he did. A saying of his is that swine is cookei!;n its dnil
f1t, a1d as among his bad qualities he has the good one
of applying to hirnself all the reproaches and censLes that
he hears, he prefers to remain miserable and indolent to
playing the r6le of the wretched pachyderm.
Add to this the introduction bf gambling. .lVe don,t
y"-T ,: :.y that before the coming of tt Jpaniards the
"
Indios did not gambl*-the passion for gambliig
is innate
in advent,rous and excitable races. and-the nai"vr,,"""
is one of them. pigafetta tells us of cockfights ani betting
ort Paragua Island-cocrcfighting must
h"r" existed
in Luz6n and all the islands, for in the terminorogy
"rro
oi trr.
g4me are found two Tagalog words- sobong
-trrat *a
tan (eaft). But there is not the reast doubi<niirtl
the
Goverament is resporuibre for its promotion and perfection.
fiiough Pigafetta terls us about ii rr" mentions onry paragua and not cebt or any other island in the
soutti *h.r"
he stayed a long tirne. Morga does not mentioi
it, a"rpit"
the_fact that he spent r.u"r, years in Manila; ,#
i" a"scribes verious kinds of fowl, rvild hens,
Neither does Morga sp_eak of garnbri"g *rr.r,
"rra i""oo.t
"r.
t"il.,
about vices and other defects. rrro"u o" Iess hiddei,
more
or less insignificant. Moreover, with the.exception'oi
the
two-Tagalog words-sobong and tori,-tlie otir*"r** of
'SJre was. thc daughhr, according to Grcek mythology, of King
Mboc
of Crete, who g've lheseus, e hci and soi
xing;,egeue-ii.et-",
.of
thrcad to sntda hirrr out ot thc tabyrin6-"i
ti;d;ooL. .
;y*:t
rfu
atrriet my-tholo6r.rhc wa.r ttc mcther of pcrrcus
by zc'* urhc
fo** tor"r.
vbltrd hcr er r goldco rhowc,r f" U
)
,f the Philippines, has more
. our islands put together
,erned.
was the whole oecupation
ines was not only prejudicial
rf her colonies. In fact, the
te citizens of Manila, finding
hemselves, neglected every: that the land is cultivated
try. For what? They had
ey had to do was to take
re gold that dropped on its
ior of the Celestiai Empire,
t come out again.
re rulers, that of surrounding
lespising physical or manual
bility and aristocratic pride
;uries; those lordly manners
;lated into Tila ka Kastila
the desire of the ruled to be
rtirely, at least in manners-ersion to activity aird hatred
ay Filipinos said to themlhe rich man will not go to
rth is exposed to ail kinds
.bie: to be appointed Cabeza
uangay), to be deported if
brced to lend money to the
ro, in order to pay you for
workmen and farm animals
emency and thus very easily
hat ail the officers of justice
' actions; so that at the least
s against you and indict you
il complicated story against
25L
you from which you can only get out, not by Arladne,s.
thread but by Dana's E shower of gold, and still be grateful
if you are not afterwards set aside for some other case if
need be. The Indio, whom they pretend to regard as an
imbecile, is not so much so that he does not understand
that it is ridiculous to work himself to death to live as
he did. A saying of his is that swine is coolced in its iwn
fot, and as among his bad qualities he has the good one
of applying to hiraself all the reproaches and cerrsures that
he hears, he prefers to remain miserable and indolent to
playing the r6le of the wretched pachyderm.
Add to this the introduction bf gambling. I[e don,t
meal to say that before the coming of the spaniards the
Indios did not gamble-the passion for gambling is innate
in adventurous and excitable races.andlhe MJayan race
is one of them. Pigafetta tells us of cockfights and betting
ort Paragua Island-cockfighting must also have existed
in Luz6n and all the islar,rds, for in the terminology of the
gqmc are found two Tagalog words-s abong
<ng[t) and
tan (gaft). But there is not the least doubt tlr"t tt
Government is responsible for its promotion and perfection."
Tliough Pigafetta tells us about it, he mentions orrly patagua and not cebri or any other island in the south where
he stayecl a long time. Morga does not mention it, despite
the fact that he spent seven years in Manila, and he describes various ktnds of fowl, rvild hens, and roosters.
Neither does Morga speak of gambling when he talks
about vices and other defects. more or iess hidden, more
or less insignificant. Moreover, with the.exceptlon of the
two-Tagalog words-scbong and tari-ttie oth"", are of
r
slrc was thc daughtrr, according to Greek mythology, of King Mha
of Crete, who g've ltese.s, a hcro and son of Klng -aue"u. ii-a&or",
e bdl of thread to gutdc hirn out of tl'c labrrrinth-or [.-uiaoi*,
BoErt€r.
.
'Iu-cl$d€rt n;4hology rhc war {tc uoiher of pcrlctll by Zcu* who
vLltrd hcr er r goldca rLovcr.la bcr prlca: torcr.
252
Spanish origin, like soltodc (the.act of seJting free the cocks
for the fight and the fight itself) pgstri (from the Spanish
word opuesta, bet), logro (winnings), pogo (payment),
sentenaador (referee), cose (to cover the bets), etc. We
say the sarne about gambling. The qord sugal (from the
Spanish jugar, to gamble), like kumpisal (confesar, to
confess to a priest) indicates that gambling was unknown in
the Philippines before the Spaniards, the Tagalog word lord
(play) not leing equivalent to sugol. The word balaso,
(from the Spanish baraiar) proves that the introduction of
playing-cards was not due to the Chinese, who also have a
kind of playing-cards, because if it were so, it wouid have
taken the Chinese name. What more? The words tayd
(tallar, to bet) , pais-paris (Spanish pares, pairs of cards),
politana (napolitana, a winning combination of cards) , sapote
(to statk the cards) , Kapote (to slam) , monte (a cardgame), etc., all prove the foreign origin of this terrible
plant which only produces vice and has found in the
character of the lndio a suitable soil, fertilized by circumstances.
Along with gambling whieh breeds dislike for steady
and difficult work by its promise of easy money and its
appeal to the emotions, with the lotteries, with the pro'
digality and hospitality of the Filipinos went also, to su'ell
this train of misfortunes, the religious functions-the large
number of fiestas, the lengthy Masses at which women spetrt
their, whole.mornings, the novenae, their afternoons, and the
processions and rosaries, their nights. Consider that lack oI
eapital, lack of means, paralyzes all activity and you will
'ire indolent; for if any
see why tlne lndio must perforce
money might remain to him from the trials, imposts
exactions, he would have to give it to the curates for bulls.
scapularies, candles, novenae. etc. And if this does nd
,rlm." to produce an indolent character, if climate and
nature are not enough in themselves to daze him ,'d
.
deprive him of all energy, thr
his religion teach him to irz
season, not by means of
prayer-s; to protect his anima
water, exorcisms, and bene
animal; to drive away the lo
the image of St. Augustine,
trust greatly in God, but ii
and, not bother the Creato
importunities redound to the
have obseled that the people
are the laziest, just as spoiled
Whether they believe in mir
they
lazy because they t
-are
say; but the fact is that the
before the word miracle u,as i
The facility with *,hich ind
endless worr!, of all people h
a seeret report, an administra
of being a filibustero (rebel)
which need not be proven or
necessary to produce the desi
dence in the future; the unc
of one's labor, as in a city in t
every individual ;,ields to fatr
or goes about amusing hiEsr
days that remain of his life n
possible.
The apathy of the Governn:
pertainin.g to commerce or
al
Iittle to foster indolence. Th,
all either for the manufacturer
r:ient gives no aid either wher
the Iocusis lay waste the fields,
in its path the wealth of the lan
a market for the products of
252
i the act of setting free the cocks
itsetf) pg,std. (from the SPanish
lwinnings), pago (PaYment),
e (to cover the bets), etc' We
r1g. The word sugal. (Irom the
). like kumPisal. (confesar, to
s that gambling was unknown in
ipaniards, the Tagalog word lord
rnt to sugal. The word balasa
) proves that the introduction of
to the Chinese, who also have a
ruse if it were so, it would have
What more? The words tagd
(Spanish T)ares, Pairs of cards),
ring combination of cards) , saPote
tote (to slam) , monte (a carde foreign origin of this terrible
es vice and has found in the
uitable soil, fertiiized by circum*'hich breeds dislike for steadY
promise of easY money and its
rith the lotteries, with the Pro'
the Filipinos went also, to swell
the religious functions-the large
rh1'Masses at which women sPent
novenae, their afternoons' and the
:eir nights. Consider that lack oi
ual5,zes all activitY and You wili
oerforce be indolent; for if an1'
him from the trials, imPosts
to give it to the curates for bulis.
:nae. etc. And if this does no:
d.olent character, if climate ani
rn themselves to daze him ani
253
deprive him of all energy, then consider that the doctrines
of
his religion teach him to irrigate his fields during tlre crryseason, not by means of canals but with Masses
:rncl
praye's; to protect his_animal during an epiclenric
with holy
water, exorcisms, and benedictions costing five chcrc,s an
animal; to drive away the locusts lvith a pi.ocersinn led
by
the imagg of St. Augustine, etc. Doubtllss it is good to
trust greatly in God, but it is better to do what one can
and' not bother the creator so often even when trrese
importunities redound to the benefit of tlis minister.s. .we
have observed that the peopres who berieve most in miraeles
are the laziest, just as spoiled children are the most ilr-bred.
whether they believe in miracles to lull their lazi,ess ol.
they are iazy because they believe in mirac]es, we cannot
sa-v; but the faet is that the Firipinos were much
less lazy
before the word miracle was introduced into their language.
The faciiity with which individuai liberty is curtaiiei;
the
endless worry of all peopre knowing that ihey are riabre
to
a secret report, an administrative action, and to be accused
of being a filibustero (reber) or a suspect, an accusati,n
which need not be proven or is the preserlce of the accuser.
necessary to produee the desired result; the lack of
co,fidenee in the {uture; the uncertainty of reaping the Iruit
of one's labor, as in a city in the grip of an eiidJmic rvhere
every individual yields to fate, shuts himself in his house
or goes about amusing himself trying to spenrl. the few
days that remain of his rife in the least disagreeable way
possible.
The apathy of the Government itserf toward everythiirg
pertaining to commerce or agriculture contributes not
a
little to foster iqdolence. There is no encourageurent at
all either for the manufacturer or the farmer; thl Government gives no aid either when the harvest is poor, when
the loeusis lay waste the fields, o.when a typhoon
destroys
in iis path the wealth of the land; nor does it-bother to seek
a market for the products of its coronies. why shourd
2s4
it do so when these same products are burdened with
imposts and duties and h:rve uo [t'ee entry in the ports of
the mothel. countl'y, nor. is thei}' consttmptiotr thet'e encourageci? While we see all the $'alls of London covered
with advertisements of the prociucts of its colonies, while
the English make heroic eflorts to substitute Ceylon tea for
Chinese, they themselves starting the sacrifice of their
taste and stomach, in Spain with the exception of tcbaceo,
nothing Ironr the Philippines is knorvn, neither its sugar,
coffee, hemp, fine textile, nor its llocano blankets' The
name of Manila is kirown only thanks to the shawls from
China or Indochina which at one time reached Spain by way
of Manila-silk shawls embroidered fantastieally but coarsely
wilich no one in Manila has thought of imitating, as they
are so easily made; but the Government is engrossed in
other things and the Filipinos do not knorv that in the
Peninsula such articies are more esteemed than their delieate pifi.a embroideries and very fine jusi gauze. Just as
our indigo trade disappeared due to the fraudulent manipulations of the Cliinese whom the Government could not
watch, busy with other things as it w'as, so are our other
industries now dying. The fine manufactures of ihe Bisayas are gradually disappearing from the market and frora
use, the people getting poorer cannot affcrel to l:uy the
costly fabrics and have to be content with calico or ihe
irnitations by the Germans who in:itate even the rvorks
of our silversmiths.
The fact that the best estates, the best tracts cf lanri !n
some provinces, the more profitable ones because of tireir
accessibility, are in the hands of the religi.ous corporations
whose desideratum is the ignorance ancl the eondition of
semi-wretchedness of the Filipinos so that they can continue
governing them and make themselves nece$sary to their
hapless existence, is one of the reasons why many tonns
do not progress despite the efiorts of ttrelr inhabitants.
\Ye will be contradicted with the argument that the towns
255
rhich are the property of the I
than those which do not trelong
Just as their brethrerr in Europe,l
have chosen the best valleyl, t
cultivation of the vine or the ma
the Philippine monks have knoq
towns, the beautiful plains, th
ttake of them very rich estat€s.
have deceived many by makr,rg I
estates were p:oiperiag it *r" t
6eir superyision and ihey hane
the E'ilipino. But they forlet tbat
they have not succeeded to ger
tacts of land for one reiuion o
Baurang and Liang, are inferior to
regions cultivated entirely by Filip
iaterference.
Add to this laek of matcrial in
moral suppor.t and you,ll see tt
rho is not lazy must be a fool
frat future awaits one who dl
rfirdies, who rises above the cro.
co_rnes a great chemist 6
through stu
a long course of training during w
uent no: anyone gave him the Ie
tte,uaiveriity and works. A ;
beld to fill a eertain position. Ib
Lb knowledge and persev€rance n
il the position is abolished becau
to gtve the reason. But .when a
'The great chemist" alluded to was &
_'
Ec position for which L" e."Ii6l'ib*;;
frector
---_-- of the Municipal Laboratory of
E
8000.00. $rhen the go""-o, genenl, Vt
I
-:.r e Fiiipinq hc reduc.ed the catary to
: Xariano poncc, dated London" S D.._-;
E' rr-88.)
2s4
255
ie products are burdened witl
ve llo [r'ee entry in the polts d
is their consumptiou there er'
all the s,alls of London covered
I procitrcts <-,f its colonies, rvl,ilt
lorts to substitute Cel,lon tea for
starting the sacrifice of their
r rvith the exception of tcbaceq
tes is knorvn, neither its sugar,
nor its llocano blankets. Tb€
only thanks to the shawls from
t one time reached Spain by way
'oidered fantastieally but coarsely
rs thought of imitating, as they
re Government is engrossed in
rinos do not know that in the
more esteemed than their deliI very fine jusi gauze. Just as
d due to the fraudulent rnan!hom the Government could not
ngs as it was, so are our other
r fine manulactures of ihe Bisaring from the rnarket and frore
orer cannot afforei t0 bu, ,h.
be content with calico or ihe
s who irnitate even the rvorks
itates, the best traets cf iand in
profitable ones because of tireir
rds of the rel-igious corporations
ignorance and the eondition of
Jipinos so that they can continue
r themselves necessary to their
f the reasons why rnany towns
he efforts of their inhabitants.
th the argurnent that the towns
t:-- are the property of the friars are relatively richer
:;: those which do not berong to them. l{e beiieve itr
.i"=: as their brethren in Europe, in forrnding their convents,
-'': chosen the best valreys, the best uprands for the
-"'--"'ation of the vine or the manufacture of bu.",
so also
-' Philippine monks have known how to select the best
=:=s, the beautiful plains, the well_watered fields to
-=ie of them very rieh estates. For sometime the friars
-.''e deceived many by rnaking them berieve that if these
=-ies were proipering it was bmatrse they were under
=3-r supervision and they have goaded the indolence of
=: Filipino. But they forget that in some provinces, where
-:1' have not succeeded to get possessi,on of th" iest
:acts of land for one reason or another, their eslates,
3:urang and Liang, are inferior to Taal, Balayan, .rrJ
iip",
.=gions cultivated entirely by Filipinos, without
rrry *oitirh
-:erference.
Add to this laek of material inducement the absence
of
aoral support and you,ll see that in that .orrit"y" onu
rho is not lazy must be a foor or at reast an imiecile.
what future awaits one who distinguishes himseu,who
shrdies, wlio rises above the crowdf
y";;;
A
U.comes a great chemist 6 through study anr
"I"nafter
sacrifiJe and
a long ceurse of training during which
neither tr." ii"*r"ment nor anyone gave him the least help, graduates
from
theruniversity and works. A competitive examination
is
held to fiIl a certain position. The young *"i"i"".*u
his knowledge and perseverance wins it, Lut
"r
winning
it the position is aborished because . .. . we after
do not wish
to give the reason. But.when a munieipar raboratory
l$
great
"The
chemiat,'-alluded to nas Anaeleto del
'
Bssario, a l.ilipino
The position for which he_qualified thr;;h
;o-petitive examination was
%
Director of the Munieipat Iaboratory of il*U"
wit$ an arurual J*
Wben the governor general, valeriano Weyler,
:q000.00.
"
hc war e Filipinq Le r$yced- tfri *f""y to !S0O.O0 year. Iearned that
(gtzal,s letter
to Marhno ponce, dated landon, g o."o.uui-rggg a
in Eprrtorcrto giaolino,
4 r-u.;
-
256
closed in order to abolish the position of director who got
his post through a competitive exarnination, while other
positions, like that of press censor, are retained, it is because
of the belief that the light of progress !{[ hurt the
people more than all the adulterated foods. In t}e same
way, another yoring man t wins a prize in a literary contest.
and as long as his identity was unknowu, his y7s3t1.ig
.liscussed, the ne\lrspapers praise it, and consider it a
masterpiece; the sealed envelopes are opened, the winner
turns out to be a Filipino, and ,ynong tle losers are Peninsulars; then all the newspapers extol the losers! Not
one word of encouragement foom the Government nor from
anybody for the native who fondly culAvates ttre language
and literature of the mother couatry! Fina1ly, leaving
out many other more or less insignificant reasons, ttre
enumeration of whieh would be interminable, we are going
to conclude this dreary list with the principal one and
the greatest of all-theeducation of the Filipino.
The edueation of the Filipino from birth until the
is brutallzing, depressing, and anti-h,man (the word
human is not expressive enough; whether the
approves it or not, let it go). IJndoubtedly, the
ment, some Jesuit pries$ and some Dominiqans like
Benavides, have done much by {ounding colleges,.pri
schools, etc. But this is not enaugh; their effect turns
to be useless. For five or ten years t.he youth comes
contact with books, chosen by the very same priests
boldly declare that it is aa evil for ttre Filipinos to
Castilian, that the Eilipino should aot be setrrarated
his carabao, that he should not have any further
etc. During these five or ten years the majority of
? Tlris was Riza] himsell whose compci{on El Couelo de bs
won first prize.in the contest sponsored by the Liceo Artistico-Literario
Manila in 18?9 when he bas a studert at the University of Santo Tom6g
8 The Real Academia de Ia I-engua, the authority ou the Spsnjsh
and publisher of what is popularly catled Diccicuario de la Lengua
have grasped nothing more
what the books say, not evr
selves, During these five <
tq eontend tfith the daily
dignity, gradually o, b*L
that eternal,, tenacious, pet
natrve, to make him accept.
Ievel of a beast, an efioti' sr
viduals, writers or not. If t
on some, on others it has an
ing of a eord that is stretch
try to make of the Filipino
from.him divine actions. A
cause he must be a God
w
under that ciimate and the cin
Deprive a man then ol his ,l;g,
him of his moral stamiaa bi
erren to those who want to mak
fo creation has his spur, his E€
respect; tahe it away from him
md he who demands activity ft
worms.
Thus is explained, why tle
.Ionger
the same.as those of tl" f
morally or physieaitry.
Ihe old writers, like Chirin
pleased to describe them as
aptitudes for anything they tal
and resolute, very clean and r
clothing, and of good mien al
Others delight in detailed aecour
qleasant manners, of their aptit
dancing, and singing, of the facili
not only Spanish but also Latir
themselves (Colin) I others, of
their dealings and thet social ,
.l
o03{83*r?
256
251
h the position of direetor who got
petitive exqrnination, while other
s censor, are retained, it is because
Iight of progress vrilt hurt the
r adulterated foo<is. In tle same
t wins a prize in a literary contest,
rtity was unknown, his work is
:rls praise it, and eonsider it a
mvelopes are opened, the winner
ro, and among the losers are Perewspapers extol the losers! Not
nt from the Government nor from
rho fondly cultivates t.he language
rother countr5r! Fi:ra1ly, leaving
rr less insignificant reasons, tfue
,uld be fu1fu3rninafule, we are going
list with the principal one and
dueation of ttre Filipino.
llipino from birth until the grave
, And antr-human (the word iaenough; whether the Academy'
go). Undoubtedly, the Governs and some Dominiqans like Fr.
rch by founding colleges, -primary
not eaaugh; their effect turns out
or ten years tbe youth comes in
rn by t"he very same priests who
u evil for the Filipinos to know
p should uot be separated from
ld not have any further ambition,
ten years the majority of sfudents
se eompeition EL Couelo ik bs D:otes.
rasorcd by the Liceo Artistico-Literario de
udent at the University of SaDto Tom{s.
gua, the euthority on the Spsnjsh language
y called Diccicuario de Ia Lengua Espefiola.
have grasped nothing more than that no one understands
what the books say, not even perhaps the professors themselves. During these five or,ten years the students have
tq contend ffith the daily preaching that lowers human
dignity, gradually or brutally killing their self-respectthat eternal,,. tenacious, persistent effort to humble the
native, to make him aceept the yoke, to reduee him to the
level of a beast, an effort supported by some private individuals, writers or not. If this produces the desired effect'
on some, on others it has an opposite effect, Iike the breaking of a cord that is stretehed too far. fhus, while they
try to make of the Filipino a kind of animal, they e;pect
from.him divine actions. And we say divine actions because he must be a God who does not beeome indolent
under that climate and the eircumstances already mentioned.
Deprive a marl then of his dignity, and you not only deprive
him of his moral starriina but also yo_q render him useless
even to those who want to make-use of him. Every being
in creation has his spur, his mainspring; man's is hi.s selfrespect; take it away from him and he becomes a corpse;
and he who demands activity from. a corpse will find only
worms.
Thus is explained why the Filipinos oi today are no
ionger the same.as those of the time of the discovery, either
morally or physieaily.
llhe old writers, like Chirino, Morga, and Colin, are
pleased to describe thenr as "weli-featured with good
aptitudes for anything they take up, keen and irascible,
and resolute, very elean and neat in their persons and
clothing, and of good mien and bearing" etc. (Morga)
Others delight in detailed accounts of their intelligenee and
pleasant manners, of their aptitude for music, the drama,
dancing, and singing, of the facility with which they learned,
not only Spaniih but also Latin, which they aequired by
themselves (Colin) I others, of their exquisite urbanity in
,n"tl*,"*gs and their social life; others, like the eariy
258
Augustinians whose accounts Gaspar de San Agustin copies,
frnd them more gallant and genteel than the inhabitants of
the Moluceas, etc. "All live ofi their husbandry", adds
Morga, "their farms, fisheries, and trade, sailing frorn
island to island and going by land from one province to
the other."
On thg other hand, our present-day writers, withsut
being better than the old ones, either. as men or as historiaDs, without being more brave than Hern6n Cortes and
Saleedo, nor more prudent than Legazpi, nor more righteous than lVlorga, nor more studious than Colin and Gaspar
de San Agustin,:our writers today, we say, find that the
lndio is '1a creature something more than a monkey but
much less than a rnan, an anthropoid, dull-witted, imbecile,
exceedingly homely, dirty, meek, smiling, ill-dressed, indolent, vicious, Iazy, brainless, unmoral, etc."
To what is this retrogression due? Is it the lucky civilization, is it the religion of salvation of the friars, called
euphemistically of Jesus Christ, that has produced this
miracle, that has arrophied his brain, paralyzed his heart
and converted him into the vicious animal that writers
depict?
Alas! The whole misfortune of the Fiiipinos of today is
that they have become brutes only half-way. The Filipino ii convinced that to be happy it is neeessary lor him
to lay aside his dignity as a rational being, to hear Mass,
ro confess, obey the curate, believe whatever he is told, pay
whatever is demanded of him, pay and always pay; toil,
sufier and keep silent, without aspiring to knorv, io under.
stand not even Castilian, usithout separating himsef lrqm
his carabao, as the friars impudently say,D without protesting
against an injustice, against an arbitrariness, against an
assault, against an insult; that is, not to have a heart, brain,
or gall-a creature with arms and a purse full of golde Cl. Fray Miguel Lucio Bustamante, Si Tandong
Bcsrong Macunat, lffJi,
I parnphlet written in Tagalog against educa,ing the Filipinos.
259
there's the ideal lnilio! Unfort
talization is not yet eomplete, or
is inherent in his being in spi&
protests, he still aspires, he thir
there's the trouble!
v
In the preceding chapter we r
ing from the governrnent whic
evil we are discussing. Now
those emanating from the pec
ments are correlated and comp
ernment is an anomaly amoag a
orrupt people cannot exist un
Like people, like goveramen! r
popular adage.
All these causes can be redur
of education and laek of nationr
We have already spoken oI I
the beginning, so we will not
from it.
Ihe very limited home edur
sterile education in the few edt
subjection of youth to his elders
aspire to excel those who prece
content to follow or walk beb
evitably results from this, and as
copying faiis to develop hi5 inhs
.becomes sterile; hence decadenci
derived from the absence of sti:
The modesty infused into th
or to speak more clearly, ffug insir
daily and constant plucking of tt
fly to the region of light, dqade
all tendeney towards advaneeme
a man gives up without fighting
,
I
259
aspar de San Agustin copies,
lteel than the inhabitants of
ofi their husbandry", adds
s, and trade, sqiling from
land from one province to
resent-day writers, without
, either. as men or as histove than Herndn Cortes and
m Legazpi, nor more rightIiou-s than Colin and Gaspar
rday, we say, find that the
; more than a monkey but
opoid, dull-witted, imbecile,
ek, smiling, ill-dressed, inuomoral, etc."
due? Is it the lucky civillvation of the friars, called
it, that has produced this
brain, paralyzed his heart
icious animal that writers
of the Fiiipinos of today is
only half-way. The Filippy it is necessary for him
tional being, to hear Mass,
ve whatever he is told, pay
pay and always pay; toil,
tspiring to knorv, to under.
ut separating himselt from
rtly say,o without protesting
r arbitrariness, against an
not to have a heart, brain,
urd a purse full of gold-
i Tan-ilang Bosrorrg Macunat, L88i,
iuca.ing the Filipinos.
ihere's the ideal Indio! Unfortunately, or because tlle brutalization is not yet complete, or because the quality of man
is inherent in his being in spite of his condition, the lndio
protests, he still aspires, he thinks and strives to rise-and
there's the trouble!
v
In the'preceding ehapter we outlined the .causes proceeding from the government which foster and maintain the
evil we are discussing. Now it behooves us to anal5ze
those emanating from the people. Peoples and governments are correlated and complementary. A stupid government is an anomaly among a righteous people, just as a
corrupt people cannot exist under rulers and wise laws.
Like people, like goverrlment, we will say, paraphrasing a
popular adage.
All these causes can be reduced to two classes: Defects
of education and laek of national, sentiment.
'We have
already spoken oI the influence of climate at
the beginning, so we will not treat of the effects arising
from it.
The very limited home education, the tyrannical arrd
sterile education in the few educational centers, the biin.l
subjection of youth to his elders, influence the mind not to
aspire to excel those who preceded hiar and. merely to be
content to follow or walk behind them. Stagnation inevitably results from this, and as he who devotes hirnself to
copying faiis to develop his inherent qualities, he naturally
becomes sterile; hence decadence. Indolenee is a corollary
derived from the absence of stimulus and vitality.
The modesty infused. into the conviction ol everyone,
or to speak more clearly, the insinuated inferiority, a kind, of
daily and constant plucking of the soul so that it would not
fly to the region of light, deadens the energies, paralyzes
all tendency towards advaneement, and at the least strife
a man gives up without fighting. If by one of those rare
260
aicidents, some madman, that is, an active man, excels,
instead of his example serving as a stimulus to others, it
only induces them to persist in their indolence' "There is
the one who will work for us, iet us sleep!," relatives and
friends say to themselves. It is true also that sometimes
the spirit of rivalry is awakened, but only it awakens rvith
bad humor and envy and instead of being a helpful lever,
it is a discouraging obstacle.
Nurtured with the stories of anchorites who lead a contemplative and lazy life, the Filipinos spend theirs giving
their money to the Chureh in the hope of miracles and
other wonderful things. 'Their will is hypnotized. Since
childhood they have learned to act mechanically, without
knowing the purpose, thanks to the exercise imposed upon
lhem very. early of praying for whole hours in an unknown
language, of worshipping without understanding, of accept'
ing beliefs without questioning, of imposing upon themselves absurdities, while the protests of reason are repressed.
Is it any wonder that the Filipino, with this viciow
dressi:rg of his intelligence and u,ill, who was formeff
logical and consistent-as proven by.the analysis of his past
and his language-should now be a monstrosity of disastrous contradictions? This incessant struggle between
reason and duty, between his organism. and his new ideals,
this civil war which disturbs the peace of his conscienee
all his life, will in the end paralyz,e all his energies, and
with the aid of the severe climate, makes his eternal
vacillation, his doubts, the orilin of his indolent disposition.
can't do more than old So and So!-Don't aspire
-"You
to be greater than the eurate! You belong to an in{erior
race! You haven't any energy." They say this to the
child; and as it is repeated so often, it has perforce become
engraved in his mind and thence it seals and shapies all
his actions. The child or the youth who tries to be anything else is charged of being vain and presumptuous; the
curate ridicules him with cruel sarcasm, his relatives look
upon him with fear, and str
going forward! Get in line
His mind conditioned thus,
pernicious of ali routines-a
but imposed and forced. Ar
self is not naturally incliner
disposed to accept ail the tn
to all strangers. The good :
seduce him, and captivate h
times he exchanges the good
to him adorned and glitterin
are freedom to give axpans[6
and good examples, beautiful l
necessary for his spirit, thougl
by the elements and the ovet
mighty'forces, to store up enr
in order to struggie against
unfavorable natural environr
progress it is essentiai that
speak, shouid boil in his vei
requires change, implies tle
erected as God, for the prest
over the old and aceepted onr
to his fancy, to ofier him e:
him with lights like the ignis'
at night; ail the flattering pro
not suffice so iong as his spir
is not respected.
?he reasons arising foom I
ment are even more lamenta
Convinced through insinual
bewildered by his education-.
cussed above can be called er
susceptibility and poetical in
the Filipino in the gxghang€
the different nations, allows
260
that is, an active man, exeeh
rving as a stimulus to others, it
ist in their indolence. ,,There b
: us, let us sleep!," relatives and
It is true also that sometimel
keaed, but only it awakens with
instead of being a helpful lever,
e.
s of anchorites who lead a conhe Filipinos spend theirs grving
h in the hope of miracies and
Iheir will is hypnotized. Since
Bd to act mechanically, without
ks to the exercise imposed upon
for whole hours in an unknown
dthout understanding, of aeceptluing, of imposing upon themprotests of reason are repressed-
the Filipino, with this vicious
l and u'ill, who was formeff
roven by.the analysis of his past
row be a monstrosity of disas-
s incessant struggle between
is organism.and his new ideals,
bs the peace of his conseienee
paralyze all his energies, and
ne climate, makes his eternal
rilin of his indolent disposition.
r old So and So!-Don.t aspire
rte! You belong to an in{erior
lergy." Thuy say this to the
o often, it has perforee beiome
thence it seals and shapes all
he youth who tries to bL anyrg vain and presumptuous; the
uel sarcasm, his relatives look
upon him with fear, *u ,::*ers pity him greatly. No
going forward! Get in line and follow the crowd!
HiS mind conditioned thus, the Fiiipino follows the most
pernicious of all routines-a routine, not based on reason
but imposed and foreed. And note that the Filipino him-
self is not naturally inclined to routine, for his mind is
disposed to accept all the truth, just as his house is open
to
strangers. The good and the beautiful attraet him,
_all
seduce him, and captivate him; like the Japanese, marly
times he exchanges the good for the bad, if it is presented
to him adorned and glittering. What he lacks principally
are freedom to give expansion to his adventuresome spirit
and good examples, beautiful prospeets in the distance. It is
necessary for his spirit, though it is dismayed and frightened
by the elements and the overwhelming manifestation of its
mighty'forces, to store up energy, to pursue 1ofty purposes,
in order to struggle against the obstacles in the midst of
unfavorable natural environment. In order that he may
progress it is essential that a revolutionary spirit, so to
speak, should boil in his veins, since progress necessarily
requires change. implies the overthrow of the past, there
erected as God, for the present, the triumph of r.ew ideas
over the old and accepted ones. It is not enough to appeal
to his faney, to offer him exquisite things, nor to dazzle
him with lights like the ignis fatuu.s w\ich mislead traveiers
at night; all the flattering promises of the fairest hopes will
not suffice so long as his spirit is not free, his intelligence
is not respected.
The reasons arising from the.absence of nationar sentiment are even more lamentable and more transeendental.
convinced through insinuation of his inferiority, his mind.
bewildered by his education-if the brutalization we discussed abo.ve can be called edueation-with only his racial
susceptibility and poetical imagination remaining in him,
the Filipino in the exchange of usages and. ideas among
the different nations, allows himself to be guided. by his
262
fancy and self-love. It is sufficient that a foreigne" p'"i'"
to him the imported merchandise and find fault with the
native product for him to shift hastily, without thinking
that everything has its weak side and the most sensible custom appears ridiculous to the eyes oi those who do not follow
it. They dazzled him with tinsel, with strings of multicolored glass beads, with noisy rattles, shining mirrors,
and other trinkets, and in exehange he gave his go1d, his
conscience, and even his liberty. He changed his religion
for the rituals of another religion, the convictions and
usages dictated by his climate and his neeessities for other
usages and other convictions which have gro$/n under
another sky and under a difterent inspiration. His spirit,
disposed to everything which seemed to be good, then was
transformed aceording to the taste of the natioa that imposed upon him its God and its laws; and as the trader
with whom he dealt did not bring along the useful iron
implements, the hoes to till the fields, but stamped papers,
crucifixes, bulls, and prayer-books; as he did not have for
an ideal and prototype the tanned and muscular laborer
but the aristocratic lord, carried in a soft litter, the result
was that the imita.tive peopie became clerks, devout, prayerloving, acquired ideas of luxurious and ostentatious living
without improvirig correspondingly their means of subsistence.
l\{oreover, the lack of national sentiment breeds another
evil which is the icarcity o! any opposition to the measures
that are prejudicial to the people and the absence -of any
initiative that wili redound to their welfare. A man in the
Philippines is only an individual; he is not a member of a
nation. He is deprived of the right of association and
therefcre he is weak and inert. The Philippines is an
organism whose cells must have no arterial system to
water them, nor a nervous system to register their impressions; nonetheless these celis must yield their product, get
it where they can; if they perish, let them perish. In the
2
opinion of some persons, thfo
may rernain a colony. perha
a colony may flourish.
The result of this is that
rnulgated, no oR€ protests; ev
until later the evils are felt
as the organism ncither has n
proceeds, believing that the
t
needs a reform but as he mu
and gets no reform. Th" pa
breathe fresh air; but -as sr
susceptibility of the physician
ready provided everything ne
guishes for fear of receiviig
a
and a new blood-letting. And
In addition to this, Iove of
have ot accepting the few adn
the lot of the Filipinos on accou
ances they bring them, lead to
stupid and incompetent men
who submit to everythhg, w
and exactions of the curates
:
with imbeciiity in the lower e
giddiness in the upper, with
endiess apprenticerlipr. *itU
administrative obsthcles, wittr i
neither initiative nor cohesion,
who nearly all strive tb anass a
country, with people who exis
birth, to create prosperit5r, t
industry, to establish entripris
prosper with difficulty even i
countries, cannot be expected tr
Yes! Every attempt is use!
from a profound study of the r
order to combat indolence sop
,
263
ient that a foreigner praise
se and find fault with the
! hastily, without thinking
l and the most sensible cuss oi those who do not follow
sel, with strings of multiy rattles, shining mirrors,
ange he gave his gold, his
'. He changed his religion
igion, the convietions and
nd his necessities for other
which have grown under
ent inspiration. His spirit,
emed to be good, then was
ste of the nation that imts laws; and as the trader
ring along the useful iron
fields, but stamped papers,
,ks; as he did not have for
rned and muscular laborer
I in a soft litter, the result
ame clerks, devout, prayerous and ostentatious living
ngly their means of sub-
il sentiment breeds another
opposition to the measures
ile and the absence of any
reir welfare. A man in the
I; he is not a member of a
r right of association and
rt. The Philippines is an
ave no arterial system to
rm to register their impresust yield their producl, get
h, let them perish. In the
opinion of some per:sons, this is desirable so that a colony
may remain a colony. Perhaps they are right, but not that
a colony may flourish.
The result of this is that if a harmful measure is p*emulgated, no oR€ protests; everything goes well apparently
until later the evils are felt. Another bloodJetting and
as the orginism neitl?er has nerves nor voice, the physician
proceeds, believing that the treatment is n+t injurious. He
needs a reform but as he must not speak, he keeps silent
and gets no reform. The patient wants to eat, wants to
breathe fresh air; but'as such desires may oftend the
susceptibility of the physician who thinks that he has already provided everything necessary, he sufiers and languishes for fear of receiving a bawling, enduring a plaster,
and a new blood-letting. And so on indefinitely.
In addition to this, love of peace and the horror many
have of accepting the few administrative posts that fall to
the lot of the Filipinos on account of the troubles and annoyances they bring thern, lead to the appointment of the most
stupid and incompetent men to municipal posts-officials
who submit to everything, who endure ali the caprices
and exactions of the curates and their superiors. And
with imbecility in the lower echelons, and ignorance and
giddiness in the upper, with the frequent changes and
endless apprenticeships. with great fear and ,r,r*u"o.r,
administrative obsthcles, with a voiceless people that have
neither initiative nor cohesion, with government employees,
who nearly all strive to aihass a fcrtune and return to their
country, with people who exist with great dif;Eeult3r from
birth, to create prosperity, to develop agriculture and
industry, to establish entelprises and associations, urhich
prosper with difficulty even in free and well-organized
countries, cannot be expeeted to happen in the Philippines.
Yes! Every attempt is useless whieh does not spring
&oro a profouad study of the malady that aflicts us. In
order to combat indolence sopre have proposed increasi+gl
264
tlre needs of the lnd.i'o, raising his taxes, etc. Vlhat hap
pened? Criminals have multiplied; penury has been
aggravated. lllhy? Because the Indao already has enough
necessities with the Church functions, feasts, head-ships
of the barangag, and bribes that he must give so that
his life may drag on wretchgdly. The eord is already too
taut.
olile
have heard many complaints and every day we read
papers about the eftorts the Government is making
the
in
to pull the country out of its state of indolence. In considering its plans, its illusions, and its difficulties comes to
our mind the story of the gardener who wished a tree he
planted in a small pot to grow big. The gardener spent his
tirne fertilizing and watering the handful of earth, pruning
the plant frequently, pulling at it to lengthen it and hasten
its growth, grafting on it cedars and oaks until one day
the little tree died. The gardener was convinced that it
belonged to a degenerate species. He attributed the failure
of his experiment to everything exc€pt to the iaek of soil
and to his indescribable foIly.
I[ithout education and liberty-the soil and the sun of
mankir.d-no reform is possible, no m(asure can give the
desired result. This does not mean that we should first
demand for the Filipino the education of the sage and
all imaginable liberties before putting a,hoe in his hand or
placing him in a workshop; such a pretension would be an
absurdity and vain folly. What we want is that no obstacles
be placed on his way, not to increase the many that the
glimate and the situation of the isiands already ereate for
him, not to begrudge him educational opportunities for fear
that when he becomes intelligent he will separate from
the colonizing nation or demand rights to which he is
entitled. Since some day or other he will become enlightened, whether the Government likes it or not, let his
enlightenment be as a gift given to him and not as a spoil
of war. 'We wish the policy to be sincere and consistent
265
or highly civilizing, without
distrust, without fsar ne1 Ynisg
the sake of the good, civilizatio
without ulterior thoughts of
if not, a policy of courageous, r
and selfish, without hypocrisy
thought out and studied slrs-te
pelling obedience, fe; lrrling t
to enjoy. If the. Government
assured that some day or othe
find a people who will be witt
there's nothing like a favor tr
or it is either hurled into his
spite of himself. If the Gove
systematic and regulated explo
independence of the colonists v
sheen of opulence, paying witt
Ireedom, as the English do irr I
rule of native potentatm, ther
ways, construct railroads, fostr
Government attend more to u
to the interests of the four fi
out intelligent employees to d,
a}l well paid, so that they w
and lay aside ali religious pr
advantage in that while it ma5
the instinct of liberty, yet ihe
lose her colonies she will at l
and not regret haying reared
;
*+
il
ug his taxes, etc. What hap-
rultiplied; penury has been
: the Indio already has euough
. functions, feasts, head-ships
s that he must give so that
dly. The cord is already too
rlaints and every day we read
:ts the Government is making
s state of indolence. In cons, and its difficulties comes to
rdener who wished a tree he
r big. The'gardener spent his
the handful of earth, pruning
at it to lengthen it and hasten
dars and oaks until one day
rdener was convinced that it
:ies. He attributed the failure
ring except to the iack of soil
/.
erty-the soil and the sun of
ible, no m(.asure can give the
of mean that we should first
e education of the sage and
e putting a.hoe in his hand or
;uch a pretension would be an
rat we want is that ho obstacles
o increase the many that the
ttre isiands already create for
rcational opportunities for fear
lligent he will separate from
:mand rights to which he is
rr other he will become enmment likes it or not, let his
lven to him and not as a spoil
f to be sincere and consistent
26s
or highly civilizing, without petty reservhtions, without
distrust, without fear nor misgivings, wishing the good
for
the.sake of the good, civili"ation for the sake of civhization,
without ulterior thoughts of gratitude or ingratitude,
or
if not, a policy of courageous, open exploitatioi, tyru.r.ri."t,
and selfish, without hypoc,sy or clueeptio", *niJ""*"u
thought out and studied system for domination and.
corl-:
pelling obedience, for ruling to get rich, and. getting
rich
.to enjo_y., If the. Gover,nment adopts the first,-it cai rest
assured that some day.or other it wirl reap
trre f"uits anj
people who wil be with it at heart
i"
l"d
I
there's nothing like a favor to wirr friendship
o, urr*ity,
or it is either hurled into his face or bestowed
ii* i"
spite of himself. u the Government decides in""
favor of
systematic and regulated exproitation, stifling
the desire for.
i.dependence of the coronisk with the
iingle-of e"ra *-J ii"
sheen of opulence, paying with. materiar iveartriirr"i".t-ri
freedom, as the English do in Ind.ia, leaving them
,rrau, ifru
rule of native potentates, then build
f"v
"o*J",
'rrrays' construct railroads, foster freedom
""ileti.igiof trade;
t-he
Government attend more to material interesk
irr"i
il
];;il;
to the interesh of the four friar corporatio"r,""ii*
h;;; ;";;
out intelligent employeel to develop industry,.5ust
5udges,
all well paid, so that they wouid not pilfer oi bu-"";;:
and lay aside all religious pretext. This poricy has
the
advantage in that while it may not compreteiy
tutt ir }".p
the instinct of liberty, yet the day that it"'"r"ri.",
;;;;
lose her colonies she wil at ieast keep the
s"iJ
and not regret having reared. ungrateful childien. "*r"r"a
***
.t