Beginnings of

Filipino Nationalism
Contributing Factors
Contributing factors:
1) British invasion and occupation exposed
Spains vulnerability
2) Series of revolts showed that regions are
capable to unite and expel the Spaniards from
their territory
3) Secularization movement led by Indio
and mestizo secular priests
4) Opening of foreign ports and Suez Canal
5) The rise of the Middle Class
Laissez-faire and opening of ports
1834 Manila was opened to foreign traders
Also know as let alone policy
full freedom to private individuals and firms
to engage in economic activities without
much interference from the government
Various ports were opened to foreign trade
Iloilo, Zamboanga, Sual (Pangasinan),
Tacloban and Legazpi
The rise of the Middle Class
Manufacturing and agriculture developed the
demand for products from different provinces
Coffee (Batangas), indigo and tobacco (Ilocos
and Cagayan Valley), sugar cane (Negros,
Iloilo, Pampanga, Laguna, and Batangas)
First modern machinery that converted sugar
can into refined sugar led to unprecedented
prosperity of the provinces engaged in sugar
production and to the rise of the middle class
The rise of the Middle Class
Material progress led to social changes as well
Developments in trade and commerce
benefitted the mestizos (Spanish and Chinese)
As agricultural exports increased, inquilinos
or tenants in the haciendas and their families
began to accumulate wealth
Together they constituted the middle class: a
group below the Spanish officials, families
and religious orders but higher or above the
masses (poor, uneducated Indios)
Ilustrados
Had access and privilege to education
schools and universities in Manila and Europe
Wealthy and highly-educated Filipinos
Before 1898, the Filipinos were called indios and
Insulares Filipinos.
Recognized only two classes: peninsulares
(Spaniards born in Spain and residing in the
colony) and insulares (Spaniards born and
residing in the colony)
Started the movement for reforms by
serenading Governor General dela Torre

Opening of the Suez Canal (1869)
Opening of the Suez Canal (1869)
Secularization
Priesthood composed of two classes:
1) Regular priests Dominicans, Recollects,
Augustinians, and the Franciscans who have
a mission to fulfill (Christianization)
2) Secular priests not members of any
religious order
In the Philippines, friars or members of
the religious orders not only made
converts to Christianity but also
occupied parishes (friar-curates)
Secularization
Regulars administered parishes as friar-
curates since they were very few seculars
during the first century of Spanish rule
Numbers increased later on as natives
studied for priesthood and became seculars
Controversy started when the seculars
asked for their right to administer the
parishes friar-curates refused to vacate
the parishes!
This led to the campaign for secularization,
that would be later called Filipinization
Gomburza and the Cavite Mutiny
Spanish mestizos clergy headed the
campaign to secularize the parishes
Father Pedro Pablo Pelaez, Father Jose
Burgos, and later on included Chinese
mestizos, or Indios such as Fathers Jacinto
Zamora, Mariano Gomez, etc.
At the height of the secularization
movement, Gomburza were executed due
to alleged involvement in the Cavite
Mutiny, but no document had been found
to show their involvement until today
The Reform Movement
Educated and wealthy left for Spain where
there was freedom to study and work for the
introduction of reforms in the Philippines
Reformists returned to Philippines for the
Propaganda Movement
Rizal returned and founded La Liga Filipina
Introduced the idea of assimilation of Philippines
as a province of Spain, not as colony
The great triumvirate: Graciano Lopez Jaena
(orator); Marcelo H. Del Pilar (political analyst
and journalist); Rizal (thinker and writer)
What reforms were demanded?
1) Representation in the Spanish Cortes, which is
the law-making body during that period
2) The right to vote
3) Freedom of speech, of assembly, and press
4) Freedom of commerce
5) Removal of friars from the Philippines (because
they were obstacle to progress)
6) Education of the people indios included
7) Reforms in the jails of the country
8) Abolition of diezoms prediales (one-tenth of the
produce of the land as tithes)
Why the reform movement failed?
1) Spanish high officials in Spain were too busy
with their own problems
2) Insufficient funds for effective campaign
3) Reformists themselves were not united
4) Friars in the Philippines had influential friends
and supporters in Spain
Your choices:
1) Noli Me Tangere Synopsis and Allusions
2) El Filibusterismo Synopsis and Allusions
3) Annotation to Morgas Succesos de Las Islas
Filipinas & Letter to the Young Women of
Malolos
4) Rizals Essays
5) Rizals Poems
6) Bonifacio and other National Leaders
7) Return to Philippines La Liga Filipina
8) Arrest, Trial and Execution Mi Ultimo Adios
9) Major Issues (Lovers of Rizal, Dec. 15 Manifesto,
Retraction Controversy)