The Philippines: A Century Hence

It’s been 126 years since Dr. Jose Rizal’s death, turning 127 th this upcoming December 30 2023. He’s
been heralded as the Philippine National Hero due to his tremendous contribution against the
Spanish ruling by the use of his knowledge and works. In his time, he made a lot of works that made
the Filipinos awakened their inner patriotism and nationalism on their beloved country to fight
against the Spanish colonization which made him earned the title of being the National Hero of the
Philippines but did you know? That Rizal’s works does not just entails about the present things
happening in his time in Spanish colonization but also tried to predict the future of this country’s
nation in a century? Come and Let’s find out the work of Rizal entitled “Filipinas Dentro De Cien
Años.”

Rizal’s “Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años” (translated as “The Philippines within One Hundred Years” or
“The Philippines A Century Hence”) is an essay meant to forecast the future of the country within a
hundred year it is a socio-political essay written in four parts. This essay, published in La Solidaridad
of Madrid, reflected Rizal’s sentiments about the glorious past of the Philippines, the deterioration of
the Philippine economy, and exposed the foundations of the native Filipinos’ sufferings under the
cruel Spanish rule. It is one of the most significant political works of the movement in Spain.

Rizal tracing the circumstances that brought about the awakening of the Filipino and consequently
the birth of the Filipino spirit of a nation. He underscores the need to establish a new kind of political
relationship between Spain and the Philippines if the former does not wish a total break-up with the
latter. Spain is being given a sort of ultimatum: reform or independence.. More importantly, Rizal, in
the essay, warned Spain as regards the catastrophic end of its domination – a reminder that it was
time that Spain realizes that the circumstances that contributed to the French Revolution could have
a powerful effect for them on the Philippine islands.

Part of the purpose in writing the essay was to promote a sense of nationalism among the Filipinos –
to awaken their minds and hearts so they would fight for their rights.

CAUSES OF MISERIES

The first part of the essay entails about analyzing the various causes of the desolations suffered by
the Filipino people

1. Depopulation caused by military campaigns

- Because of such laws and policies, the Philippine population decreased especially
males being recruited to military being away with families that can’t support by
themselves
2. Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino indigenous culture
- Because of this, the Filipinos started losing confidence in their past and their
heritage, became doubtful of their present lifestyle, and eventually lost hope in the
future and the preservation of their race. The natives began forgetting who they
were their valued beliefs, religion, songs, poetry, and other forms of customs and
traditions
3. Retardation and retrogression
- Education are rights given only to selected few. The tribal tutors were replaced by
Spanish mercenaries as well as the Church which made the education is relegion-
oriented
4. Poverty and neglect of families because of male recruitment for militarism
 - Male recruits are prioritized for military campaigns which lead to families unable to
support and sustain themselves

These are the various causes as to why Filipinos will eventually retaliate under his foresight
prediction. The question then arises as to what had awakened the hearts and opened the minds of
the Filipino people with regards to their plight. Eventually, the natives realized that such oppression
in their society by foreign colonizers must no longer be tolerated.

One of the questions of Rizal is if the Spaniards can exhibit growth and improvement against Filipinos
despite the abuses. Various reasons may affect growth progress but Rizal was optimistic despite the
unfortunate situations. Eventually, there will be still progress in the motherland and for those
aspects, these are the following arguments he made

1. Keeping the people uneducated and ignorant had failed. National consciousness had still
awakened, and great Filipino minds still emerged from the rubble.
2. Keeping he people impoverished also came to no avail. On the contrary, living a life of eternal
destitution had allowed the Filipinos to act on the desire for a change in their way of life.
They began to explore other horizons through which they could move towards progress.
3. Exterminating the people as an alternative to hindering progress did not work either. The
Filipino race was able to survive amidst wars and famine, and became even more numerous
after such catastrophes. To wipe out the nation altogether would require the sacrifice of
thousands of Spanish soldiers, and this is something Spain would not allow.

Rizal concluded that despite the pain, Filipinos will eventually grow and flourish as well as the
country in their own way. What needs to be done is to change her colonial policies so that they
would suit the Philippine society and to the rising nationalism of the people.

RIZAL’S FORECAST

What will become of the Philippines within a century? Will they continue to be A Spanish Colony?
Spain was able to colonize the Philippines for 300 years because the Filipinos remained faithful
during this time, giving up their liberty and independence, sometimes stunned by the attractive
promises or by the friendship offered by the noble and generous people of Spain.

In the early stage, Filipinos will see them as protectors but as time goes by, they will realize that they
are exploiters and abusers. This reason will eventually spark the heart and mind of Filipinos to the
point of retaliation if Spain don’t change its acts which may lead to revolution. Filipinos want to have
liberty as well as the freedom to exercise their rights. If these aspects will happen, Filipinos will still
be a colony of Spain but with more laws and greater liberty. Similarly, Filipinos will declare
themselves independent.

Rizal’s confidence of awakening the countrymen’s heart and mind regarding their plight is 100%.
Though Rizal only want liberty and not separation from the colonizer, he urges to set this country
free though peaceful negotiations and if not, he already prophesized that the Filipinos revolution
against Spaniards winning independence sooner or later. Though lacking in weapons and combat
skills, the natives waged war against the colonizers and in 1898, the Americans wrestled with Spain
to win the Philippines.

Years after Rizal’s death, the Philippines attained its long-awaited freedom —a completion of what he
had written in the essay, “History does not record in its archives any lasting domination by one
people over another of different races, of diverse usages and customs, of opposite and divergent
ideas. One of the two had to yield and succumb.”
This essay tells us that we are historically persevering and are strong minded. Those years of
colonization served us a valuable lesson that no matter how pain they inflict to us, our loved for our
country is more than our own life. Nationalism eventually thrived and many of the predictions of
Rizal came true. The country became independent after three centuries of abusive Spanish rule and
five decades under the Americans.