FIRST YEAR COLLEGE – BS ACCOUNTANCY

Art Appreciation 3. Art as Form

MODULE 1 LESSON 1 - Immanuel Kant, influential theorist at the end of 18th
Introduction to Art Appreciation century, believed that art should be judged only on its
(Philosophy, Assumptions, Creativity and Imaginations) formal qualities because the content of the work of art is
not of aesthetic interest. Formal qualities became
Philosophy of Art important when art became more abstract in the 20th
Every person is born with the innate desire to create art, and century and the principles of art and design (balance,
similar to other professions, training is essential in honing skills to rhythm, harmony, unity) were used to define and assess
produce art. Art education broadens a person's comprehension, art.
development, and visions of art. In this, it explains the philosophy of
art and brings an understanding of diversity, how people lived in the Some Definition (Comments and Quotes) on Art
past, and connects the issues concerning contemporary life and art Rene Magritte
today. - Art evokes the mystery without which the world would not
There is no one universal definition of art though there is a exist.
consensus that is it the conscious creation of something beautiful or
meaningful using skill and imagination. Frank Lloyd Wright
- Art is a discovery and development of elementary principles
Etymology of nature.
Art
- Related to the Latin word “ars: - which means art, skills or Thomas Merton
cradt. - Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the
- The first known use of the word comes from 13 century th same time.
manuscripts.
Pablo Picasso
The definition of art has generally fallen into three categories: - The purpose of Art is washing the dust of daily life off our
1. Art as Representation souls.
- Mimesis. Plato first developed the idea of art as mimesis
in Greek, meaning copying or imitation. Hence, for Laurie Anderson
centuries, the primary meaning of art was defined as - Art without emotion is like chocolate cake without sugar.
the representation or replication of something that is
beautiful or meaningful. Vincent Van Gogh
2. Art as Expression of Emotional Content - Art is to console those who are broken by life.
- Expression became important during the Romantic
Movement with artwork, expressing a definite feeling as Basic Assumptions of Art
in the sublime or dramatic. Audience response was 1. Art is Universal
important for artwork was intended to evoke an - All artistic creations, regardless of forms, have the same
emotional response. potential to communicate with anyone which connect
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the world and reflect cultural, political, and social Art as a Production of Imagination, Imagination as a Product
dynamics. of Art
Imagination is not constrained by the walls of the norm, but
2. Art involves experience goes beyond that. That is why people rely on curiosity and
- When the audience encounters art, they are connecting imagination for advancement. Through imagination, one is able to
with the artist experience and transforming the craft something bold, something new, and something better in the
meaning of the art with their own. hopes of creating something that will stimulate change. Imagination
allows endless possibilities.
3. Art is not a Nature
- Art is a man;s way of interpreting nature. They paint Art as Expression
nature in art in the form of beautiful and idyllic images Art is an expression made visible by a form. The expression
of animals and landscapes. contained in the form is an attempt to translate the unnamed and
- “Art is not a nature” means that it is not a natural the unknown. Intrinsic to our existence as humans is our quest to
occurrence. However, man has taught himself to find art create meaning, and art allows that process to take place. Making
in nature. meaning involves understanding our surroundings and marking our
experiences. Art, at its root, is an expression and the artist is an
Art Appreciation: Creativity, Imagination and Expression expresser, translating in order to create meaning. Art expresses and
It takes an artist make art. One may perceive beauty on a translates, art acknowledges and reveals, art transfers and art
daily basis. However not every beautiful thing that can be seen or intervenes. art is an expression is complex and raises questions:
experienced may truly be called a work of art. Art is a product of What does art express? Why does art express? How does art
man’s creativity, imagination and expression. No matter how express?
perfectly blended the colors of a sunset are and no matter how
extraordinarily formed mountains are, nature is not considered art MODULE 1 LESSON 2
simply because it is not made by man. Basic Art Criticism

Art Appreciation as a Way of Life Four Steps in Art Criticism

Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre 1. Describe
- He defined art as the process of depicting a different view of - Tells what you see (the visual facts).
the world. - Questions under describe are:
- He believed that every artwork has its own beauty, and those 1. What is the name of artist who created the work?
with a fine sense of appreciation can truly experience it. 2. What kind of an artwork is it?
3. What is the name of the artwork?
Role of Creativity in Art Making 4. When was the artwork created?
Creativity requires thinking outside the box. 5. Name some other major events in history that
Creativity is what sets apart one artwork from another. occurred at the same time this artwork was
Being creative nowadays can be quite challenging. created?
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6. List the literal objects in the painting (trees,
people, animal, mountains, rivers, etc.) 3. Interpretations
7. What do you notice first when you look at the - It seeks to explain the meaning of the work based on
works? Why? what has learned and what the artist is trying to say.
8. What kind of colours do you see? How would you - Questions under interpretation are:
describe them? 1. What was the artist’s statement in this work?
9. What shapes can we see? What kind of edges do 2. What do you think it means?
the shapes have? Do the shapes have? 3. What does it mean to you?
10. Are there lines in the work? If so, what kind 4. How does this relate to you and your life?
of lines are they? 5. What feelings do you have when looking at this
11. What sort of textures do you see? How artwork?
would you describe them? 6. Do you think there are things in the artwork that
12. What time of daylight is it? How can we tell? represent other things-symbols?
13. What is the overall visual effect or mood of 7. Why do you think that the artist chose to work in
the work? this manner and made these kinds of artistic
decisions?
2. Analyze 8. Why did the artists create this artwork?
- In this step, consider the most significant art principles
that were used in the artwork like texture, shapes, 4. Judgements
forms, colours, lines and sensory qualities. - This is the personal evaluation based on the
- Questions under analyse are: understanding of the works.
1. How has the artist used colours in the work? - Questions under judgements are:
2. What sort of effects do the colours have on the 1. Why do you think that this work has intrinsic value
artwork? or worth?
3. How has the artist used shapes within the work of 2. What is the value do you find in the work?
art? 3. Does the work have benefit to others? Do you find
4. How have lines been used in the work? that the work communicates an idea, feeling or
5. What role does texture plays in the work? principle that would have value for others?
6. How has the artist used light in the work? Is there 4. What kind of effect do you think the work could
the illusion of a scene with lights and shadows or have for others?
does the artist use light and dark values in a more 5. Does the work lack value or worth? Why do you
abstracted way? think this is so?
7. How has the overall visual effect or mood of the 6. . Rather than seeing the work as being very
work been achieved by the use of elements of art effective or without total value, does the work fall
and principles of design? somewhere in-between? Do you think the work is
8. How was the artist’s design tools used to achieve just okay? What do you base this opinion on? The
a particular look or focus?
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use of elements of art? Lack of personal - Consisted of forms carved in stones and woods.
expression? The work lacks a major focus? - Sun, moon, stars, and sacred animals were a common
subject of art during this period.
How to take criticism like a champ? - Artist also decorated the tombs of the dead with scenes
Here are the following tips that will help you receive and digest from his life and signs of his rank and profession with
other people’s comments in an effective way: the assurance that his spirit may continue his existence
1. Know your why. within the tomb.
2. Consider the source, not all criticism has value.
3. Take control of your initial reactions.  Egypt
4. Remember the benefit of receiving feedbacks. - Among th
5. Listen carefully. - e places in the world were civilization was cradled.
6. Deconstruct feedbacks.
7. Appreciate other opinions. Hellenistic Art (4th Century = 1st BC)
8. Learn how to judge your win artwork. - This art was created during an age characterized by a
strong sense of history as it is generally taken to begin
MODULE 1 LESSON 3 with the death of Alexander the Great.
Art History - The death of Alexander made these dynasties and
alliance broke up into smaller kingdoms infused with
History of Art Greek cultural elements.
Ancient Art (3000 BC – 300 BC)
- Started during the Old Stone Age. Medieval Art
- Developing capacity in producing tools and weapons for - Spans from the fall of the Roman Empire to the
survival marked this period. beginning of the Renaissance.

 Paleolithic era  Middle Ages

- An ancient cultural phase of human history - Art evolves as human continue addressing to the
(literally “Old Stone Age) spanned between two traditional and the new, including biblical subjects,
and a half to three million years. Christian dogma, and classical mythology.
- This introduces concepts of three period namely:
 Paleolithic art Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine.
- Related to the Late Upper Paleolithic era of art
history. Renaissance
- This started about 40 000 years ago and - This term translated to “rebirth”.
continued through the Ice Age of Pleistocene, - Renaissance art emphasized paintings that depicted
which ended around 8 000 BCE. man and nature in the fresco technique with simplicity,
gesture, and expression.
Egyptian Art (31st Century BC – 4th Century AD)
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- Sought fulfilment in daily life and believed individuals
had dignity and worth, Post Modern Art (1950 – mid 1980)
- Art aimed to please the public as artists were able to
Baroque Period achieve the simplicity, brilliance, perfect balance and
- Elaborately covered with decoration. brightness of colours, and sense of depth in painting.
- These appeal to the emotion of the viewers as it is
ornate and sensual.  Postmodern Sculpture
- The paintings show figures in diagonal, twists, and - Showed realistic figures which depicted
zigzags. perfect human anatomy with a calm and
- Artists make use of different elements such as light and reflective look.
shadow to produce dramatic effects.
- In terms of architecture, it flourished in the seventeenth Contemporary Period (20th Century – Present)
century and is characterized primarily as a period to - Characterized by its diversity and difficult nature with a
elaborate sculptural ornamentation. vibrant mixture of materials, techniques, ideas that
challenge the traditional and defy simple definition.

Eastern Art
Mesopotamia
- The land between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates.

5 Main Tribes of Mesopotamia

 Sumer  Assyria
 Akkad  Chaldea
 Babylonia
- Periods known for it’s the most influential movements,
Sumerian
which are:
- Worked in gold and lapis as well as clay and wood.
 Impressionism  Dada
- Pottery was so good that they used it as a money
 Fauvism  Surrealism
system, trading pottery for foods and other items.
 Cubism  Abstract
- Made complex chairs from wood and reeds.
 Futurism Expressionism
 expressionism  Pop Art
Babylonia
- They too worked in gold, lapis, woods, and clay.
Rococo
- They also made jewelry, musical instruments, small
- Emerged during the Enlightenment.
statues, intricate chairs, weapons, jewellery and
- Emphasizes goals of knowledge, freedom, happiness.
mosaics.
- Pastel, light, soft colors.
- Feelings of playfulness, happiness, romance.
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- The Babylonians are also credited with making the first - Let the artist to emphasize the immediate impression he
colored eggshells. has of a specific moment or scene.
- Began in France and wanted to capture a moment in
Assyrian time.
- They created murals and paintings that showed them - Began in the 1860s and became most popular in 1870s
fighting or hunting. and 1880s.
- Their murals showed how royalty lived.
Post-impressionism
Chaldean - A subjective approach to painting, as artists opted to
- Made in the vicinity of the site of Nineveh. evoke emotion than realism in their work.
- These include symbolic motifs, unnatural colour, and
Neoclassicism painterly brushstrokes.
- It introduced a universal revival in the classical notion - Began from 1885 to 1910.
that mirrored what used to be going on in political and
social arenas of the time, leading to the French Neo-impressionism
Revolution. - Characterized by the use of the divisionist technique.
- Divisionism
Romanticism  Attempted to put impressionist painting of
- Emphasis on the goodness of mankind. light and colour on a scientific basis by
- Works additionally promoted: using an optical mixture of colours.
 Justice  Social Order
 Equality Expressionism
- Started from Germany, early part of 1900s.
Realism - Artist wanted to paint about emotions.
- Accurate, detailed, unembellished depiction of nature or - Convey emotions rather than reality.
contemporary life.
- Can be located in historic Hellenistic Greek sculptures Fauvism
precisely portraying boxers and decrepit historical - Complementary colourings are pairs of shades that
women. appear contrary to the other on scientific models such
- Art movements that revolted against the emotional and as the color wheel, and when used side-by-side in the
exaggerated themes of Romanticism. (1840 – 1880) painting make every other seem brighter.
- Try to depict the real world exactly as it appears. They - Optimistic realism.
painted everyday subjects and people. - It is presenting the real life subject with the use of
bright colors suggesting comfort, joy and pleasure.
Impressionism
- Developed by Claude Monet and other Paris-based Futurism
artists from the early 1860s.
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- Common themes were focused on the restlessness and
fast-pace of modern life.
- It highlighted the speed, energy, dynamism, and power
of machines.

The Difference Between Art Appreciation and Art History

Art Appreciation Art History
The application of basic tools of To learn the history and
visual literacy in order to development of art in order to
understand and appreciate understand it as part of a large
works of art. historical context
It is done without knowledge An ability to examine and
and historical content of the interpret work based on its
work historical content.
Can be subjective depending on Objective since it talks about
personal preference to the origins of artworks.
aesthetics and form
Arts Appreciation focused on Arts History is focused to know
study in order to better everything about the civilization
understand and analyze an art. of art. It also provides the
It also describes and criticize knowledge to the person to
every form of art. provide and produce progress
about art.
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Ethics - Asserted that a good life is concerned with obtaining
MODULE 1 LESSON 1 happiness, and that happiness can be obtained through
Introduction to the Concepts and Meaning of Ethics human effort.
- Believes that turning one’s attention away from the body and
What makes a Person Happy? toward the soul is the key to happiness.
Man has the ability to think because he is a rational being. As
a result, he possesses the innate ability to ponder his life Aristotle
purpose. This can be done for self-satisfaction or in search - “The good life is a moral concept.”
of a good or beautiful life. - His goal is to define the guidelines for human to follow in
We frequently striver for a good life – one that is worth living, order to achieve happiness as a community.
happy, or satisfying. - He asserted that all human life is made up of activity.
- He also claimed that human engage in these activities to
Plato achieve a goal, and that this goal must be good or we will not
- The Greek Philosopher defines a good life as “secured participate in the endeavor.
enjoyment of what is good and beautiful.” - His idea of happiness raise the question of how we should live.
- The best life is one in which a person is either pursuing the The question is about a person’s personality or
pleasure of intellectual virtuousness or exercising intellectual characteristics.
virtuousness. - He also claimed that living a virtuous life is the ultimate goal
- He also proposed the Four Cardinal Pillars. of human existence.
 Four Cardinal Pillars
- Thought to be useful tool for grounding humans Confucius
in excellence and may even be the key to greater - He wrote that happiness can be acquired through rituals as
happiness – prudence, temperance, justice, and “religious sacrifice.
fortitude.  Religious sacrifice
- These are the steps or acts whereby spiritual
Democritus being are properly served and human happiness
- “Happiness does not dwell in flocks of cattle or gold. obtained.
Happiness, like unhappiness, is a property of the soul. And it
is right that men should value the soul rather than the body; - He construes rituals as a criterions for virtues such as
for the perfection of the soul corrects the inferiority of the respectfulness, carefulness, courage and forthrightness.
body, but physical strength without intelligence does nothing - He reiterate the Golden Means State.
to improve the mind. Men finding happiness neither utilizing  Golden Means State
the body nor through possession, but uprightness and - To choose what is good and firmly hold it fast.
wisdom.”
Lao Tzu
Socrates - He pave a road map to happy life in his writing in the Tao Te
Ching.
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- According to him, the pathway to good life is emptiness and  It is concerned with questions of how people should act,
being still. as well as the search for a definition of right conduct
- “To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” and the good life.
 We need to let go of our schedules, worries and  It aims to provide answers to the questions, "What is the
complex thoughts for a while and simply experience the best way for people to live?" “In what circumstances are
world. certain actions right or wrong?”
- “The usefulness of a pot comes from its emptiness. Empty - 'Ethics' attempts to provide norms for the goodness and
yourself of everything, let your mind become still.” badness of a particular act.
 If we are too busy and always doing things in a haste,
we deprived ourselves of the human experience that Reyes (1989)
came from nature as part of our inheritance. - It is a set of human behavior rules that have been influenced
by societal standards or by himself in relation to his society.
Thomas Aquinas - Ethics is a philosophical science that studies the morality of
- He asserted that true knowledge can only be found in human acts. As a science, ethics is concerned with the
knowledge of God. analysis of the nature of the human conduct from the point of
- In his view, happiness and enjoyment are two different view of morality (Roa, 2012).
matters. Enjoyment come from worldly goods and physical
pleasure while perfect happiness may be possible only in the Ethics Vs. Morality
afterlife. The roots of the words “ethics” and “morality” meant the same
- He reiterate the two categories of virtue such as Aristotelian thing. One was a translation of the other which relate to “right”
virtues of wisdom, courage, moderation, friendship, and and “wrong” conduct.
Theological virtues revealed to man through Jesus Christ:
faith, hope, and love. Ethics
- It is often used in connection with the activities of
Ethics, as Defined organisations and with professional codes of conduct.
Ethics Illustrations:
- Comes from the Greek word ‘ethos’ (/ˈiːθɒs/ or US: /ˈiːθoʊs/) Medical and business ethics, which are often formalised in terms
which means “customs” or "character". of exhaustive sets of rules or guidelines stating how employees
- Used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that makes up a are expected to behave in their workplaces (such as in respect of
community, nation, or ideology. a duty of care or confidentiality that health-care workers owe to
- As a discipline, is a branch of philosophy that studies ideal their patients; or the medical ethical principles of beneficence,
human behavior and ideal ways of living. non-maleficence, respect for autonomy, and justice).
 In other words, it is a subfield of philosophy concerned
with systematizing, defending, and recommending Morality
concepts of right and wrong behaviour. - More often used in connection with the ways in which
individuals conduct their personal, private lives, often in
relation to personal financial probity, lawful conduct and
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acceptable standards of interpersonal behavior (including → Worked in a hospital and only had enough
truthfulness, honesty, and sexual propriety). dosage of a particular drug to either keep
Illustrations: one patient who is severely sick from dying,
 Always tell the truth or five patients who are less sick and could
 Keep your promises. share the dosage from dying, which would
 Do not destroy property. you choose?
 Take responsibility for your actions. → Would choose the five patients who require
 Treat others as you want to be treated. less of a dosage to receive the medicine,
allowing the sixth patient to die, as this
Ethics and its Branches produces the most moral good.
Normative Ethics
- It is the branch of ethics concerned with establishing how  Deontology
things should or ought to be, how to value them, which things - An approach to ethics that emphasizes the
are good or bad, and which actions are right or wrong. It rightness or wrongness of actions rather than the
attempts to develop a set of rules governing human conduct, rightness or wrongness of the consequences of
or a set of norms for action. (Britannica, 2021). those actions.
- Involves moral judgement based on ethical norm or theory. Illustration:
This consists both of the basic moral principles and values and → A software engineer learn that a nuclear
the particular moral rules that govern people’s behavior, missile is about to launch that might start a
which is right or moral and wrong or immoral. war. He can hack the network and cancel
the launch, but it’s against his professional
Three Tasks of Normative Ethics code of ethics to break into any software
1. To form into a related whole the various norms, rules system without permission. And, it’s a form
and values of a society’s morality. of lying and cheating. Deontology advises
2. To find the basic principle from which the particular not to violate this rule. However, in letting
norm can be derived. the missile launch, thousands of people will
3. To justify an ethical norm or moral principles. die.

Categories of Normative Ethics  Virtue Ethics

 Consequentialism - Focuses on the inherent character of a person
- Teleological rather than on the nature, or consequences of
- Argues that the morality of an action is contingent specific actions performed.
on the action’s outcome or result. Illustration:
- Morally right action is one that produces a good → At work, Bob is a teacher, and his
outcome or consequences. compassion has a place there. He helps his
Illustration: colleagues regularly and goes out of his way
to make sure job gets done.
 FIRST YEAR COLLEGE – BS ACCOUNTANCY
their truth or falsity are independent of our
Descriptive Ethics beliefs, feelings or other attitudes towards the
- A value-free approach to ethics that investigates ethics things being evaluated.
through observations of actual choices made by moral agents
in practice.  Moral Anti-Realism
- It is the study of people's moral beliefs and assumes the - It holds that there are no objective moral values
existence of, rather than explicitly prescribing, theories of and can be classified into three types depending
value or behavior. on whether ethical statements are considered
- A descriptive study of ethics describes how people, subjective claims.
particularly groups, make moral judgments without passing
judgment on these judgments. This type of research is Applied Ethics
frequently done by social scientists, such as historians or - It is a philosophical discipline that attempts to apply ethical
sociologists who study different moral standards over time or theory to real-life situations.
across cultures. - Bioethics, environmental ethics, business ethics, sexual and
- If normative ethics is concerned with prescribing how one social ethics are a few examples.
should act and descriptive ethics is concerned with how
people make moral judgments, questions concerning the Ethics and other Fields of Sciences
nature of ethical statements are said to belong to a different Ethics and Logic are very much connected because a
branch of ethics known as "meta-ethics." human person will not be able to acquire the knowledge of
right living without having obtained the knowledge of right
Meta-Ethics thinking first. We all know for a fact that no person can live
- Philosophy’s main field of study. properly or morally without first thinking rightly or logically.
- The word 'meta' in the phrase 'metaethics' means 'above.' Ethics is connected with psychology because both sciences
- The attempt to answer ethical questions is known as meta deal with the study of man, the human nature, and the human
ethics. behaviour. If psychology studies how a man behaves, ethics
- This is primarily concerned with the meaning of ethical deals with how man ought to behave.
judgments, and it seeks to comprehend the nature of ethical Since ethics deals with the moral order, which necessarily
properties, statements, attitudes, and judgments, as well as includes the social order, it is therefore, proper to say that
how they can be supported or defended. Ethics and Sociology are related to one another.
- It is also concerned with analysis of the meaning of the words Ethics became connected to economics because as one
and the logic of moral reasoning. works to earn a living, he has to consider the others. As a
social being, man should always bear in mind that he must
Categories of Meta-Ethics also consider the welfare of others and not only his own
 Moral Realism welfare.
- It holds that there are objective moral values, so Education plays a very important role in the life of people as
that evaluative statements are essentially factual it gives direction, goal, worth and meaning to human beings.
claims, which are either true or false, and that In order to help the students in making his life’s goal and
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direction clearer, it is necessary to integrate ethics into the - Is someone who can distinguish between right and wrong and
curricula. Students must be taught the importance of correct be held accountable for his or her own actions.
living so that by doing so, they will be able to realize that this - Have a moral obligation not to inflict unjustified harm.
life should be made truly worth living for.
Law should be connected with ethics because a human Moral Dilemma
person who follows a law must be able to understand why Dilemma
such law should be followed in order to make the following of - Is derived from the Greek words "dis," which means "twice,"
the law worthwhile and meaningful. and "lemma," which means "assumptions" or "premise."
As ethics deals with moral goodness, it is therefore, proper to - A is a situation in which a difficult choice must be made
say that it is related to Aesthetics because goodness and between two or more options.
beauty are very much intertwined. We consider the good as
beautiful and the beautiful as good. Moral Dilemmas
Both ethics and religion are connected to one another - Situations in which the moral agent must consider two or
because they are both based on the same postulates i.e., the more moral values or duties but can only honor one of them;
existence of creator, the freedom of the will in man, and the as a result, regardless of the decision, the individual will
retribution in the afterlife. violate at least one important moral concern.
In order to attain a good government, both leaders and their - Hypothetical short stories that describe a situation in which
subordinates must necessarily learn to live a moral life. two moral reasons conflict, such as the duty not to kill and the
Ethics and art are connected usually in art that provokes duty to help.
and disturbs. Such art stirs up the artists or viewer's personal
beliefs, values, and morals due to what is depicted. Because Moral Relativism
art is subjective, it is vulnerable to ethical judgment. (Roa, Relativism
2012). - Belief that knowledge, truth, and morality are not absolute in
our culture and society.
MODULE 2 LESSON 1 - Is the view that truth and falsity, right and wrong, standards
The Moral Agents and Cultural Relativism of reasoning, and procedures of justification are products of
differing conventions and frameworks of assessment and that
Moral Agents their authority is confined to the context giving rise to them.
Moral Agents - covers views which maintain that—at a high level of
- Being who are capable of acting morally. abstraction—at least some class of things have the properties
- Three distinguishing characteristics of moral agents: they have (e.g., beautiful, morally good, epistemically
 The ability to reason, judge, and act with regard to right justified) not simpliciter, but only relative to a given
and wrong. framework of assessment (e.g., local cultural norms,
 The expectations that they will adhere to moral individual standards), and correspondingly, that the truth of
standards for their actions. claims attributing these properties holds only once the
 Morally responsible for their actions and accountable for relevant framework of assessment is specified or supplied.
their consequences.
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- Gilbert Harman (2011), moral relativism is the belief that 6. Even before the coming of Spaniards, Filipinos are already
there is not a single true morality. There are a variety of considered as very religious. Because of this, Filipino will
possible moralities or moral frames of reference, and whether accept his fate and destiny as part of the will of God.
something is morally right or wrong, good or bad, just or 7. Filipinos were able to develop patience and they are capable
unjust, etc. is a relative matter—relative to one or another of making use of whatever is available in the environment.
morality or moral frame of reference. Something can be
morally right relative to one’s moral frame of reference and
morally wrong relative to another.

Cultural Relativism
Cultural Relativism
- It is a view that ethical systems and cultural beliefs vary from
one culture to another.
- It comes from the idea that moral standards are product of
society.
- This philosophical principle started from Greek philosopher
Protagoras of Abdera.
- the idea that a person's beliefs and practices should be
understood based on that person's own culture.

The following is a review of the Filipino Character by Buenaflor, et.al

(2018) which may be evident in the Filipino culture as the basis of
our moral decisions:
1. A typical Filipino has a high regard for others. This is known as
pakikipagkapwa. Filipinos have basic sense of justice and
fairness and a strong concern for others.
2. Filipinos have a strong sense of family orientation. Filipinos
consider family as source of Filipino identity.
3. Filipinos also have a different sense and perception of joy and
humor. Because of the ability of man to laugh at their own
troubles, they were able to develop a very important coping
mechanism.
4. Filipinos are flexible, adaptable and creative. A Filipino can
easily rise up again and cope up once more to life’s
complexities.
5. A typical Filipino is known for hard work and industriousness.
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The Life and Works of Jose Rizal - Commencement of debates about the bill.
MODULE 1 LESSON 1 - On the same day, Laurel proposed amendments so as to
RA 1425: THE RIZAL LAW move the procedure to the next step.

Background of the Rizal Bill  May 14, 1956

The Postwar Period witnessed a Philippines beset by - Similar amendments were adopted to the House
difficulties and problems. Version.

Republic Act No. 1425  May 17, 1956

- Commonly referred to as the Rizal Law. - The Senate and the House version were approved.
- Primarily intended to address “ a need for re-dedication to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived  June 12, 1956
and died>” - President Magsaysay signed the bill into law.

From Rizal Bill to Rizal Law The Debates about the Rizal Bill
 April 3, 1956 1. Senator Jose P. Laurel
- Senate Bill No. 438 was filled by the Senate - “Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by
Committee on Education. all Filipinos. They must be taken to heart, for in their
pages we see ourselves as in a mirror, our defects as
 April 17, 1956 well as our strengths, our virtues as well as our vices.
- Jose P. Laurel sponsored the Senate Bill 438. Only then would we become conscious as a people and
so learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that
 April 1956 ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-respect and
- The Catholic Church began to express opposition freedom.”
against the passage of the bill.
- On the same month, Claro M. Recto, its main author, 2. Senator Claro M. Recto
entered into a fierce battle arguing the passage of SB - “Rizal did not pretend to teach religion when he wrote
438. those books. He aimed at inculcating civic
- Also the same month, House Bill No. 5561, an consciousness in the Filipinos, national dignity, personal
identical version of SB 438, was filled by Rep. Jacobo pride, and patriotism and if references were made by
Z. Gonzales. him in the course of his narration to certain religious
practices in the Philippines in those days, and to the
 May 2, 1956 conduct and behavior of erring ministers of the church,
- The House Committee on Education approved the House it was because he portrayed faithfully the general
Bill without amendments. situation in the Philippines as it then existed.”

 May 9, 1956 3. Senator Francisco “SOC” Rodrigo

 FIRST YEAR COLLEGE – BS ACCOUNTANCY
- “A vast majority of our people are, at the same time,  Emilio Aguinaldo
Catholic and Filipino citizens. As such, they have two  Andres Bonifacio
great loves: their country and their faith. These two  Apolinario Mabini
loves are not conflicting loves. They are harmonious - Other factors that contributed to Rizal’s acceptance as
affections, like the love for his father and for his mother. the Philippine’s official hero include the following:
This is the basis of my stand. Let us not create a conflict  Rizal was already dead at the time the Americans
between nationalism and religion, between the began their aggression in the Philippines
government and the church.”  No embarrassing anti-American quotations could
ever be attributed to Rizal
Rizal Law and the Teaching of the Rizal Course  Rizal’s dramatic martyrdom had already made
Objectives: him the symbol of Spanish oppression.
→ To rededicate the lives of the youth to the ideals of freedom - Rizal is a hero in the sense that he was able to see the
and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died; problems generated by historical forces, discern the
→ To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and new social needs by the historical development of new
works in shaping the Filipino character; and social relationships, and actively participate in meeting
→ To gain an inspiring source of patriotism thru the study of these needs.
Rizal’s life, works and writings.
Goals: Teodoro Agomcillo (1986)
→ To recognize the relevance of Rizal’s ideals, thoughts, - He writes that the Americans accepted Rizal as a
teachings and life values to present conditions in the national hero because he was a symbol of assimilation,
community; which was their policy in the Philippines at that time.
→ To apply Rizal’s ideas in the solution of day-to-day situations - Rizal never favored revolution, preferring a gradual
and problems in contemporary life; process of change through education that suited
→ To develop and understanding and appreciation of the American objectives.
qualities, behavior and characters of Rizal; and
→ To foster development of moral character, personal discipline, Leon Maria Guerrero
citizenship and vocational efficiency among the Filipino youth. - In making Rizal as our Filipino national hero, a number
of conclusions can be drawn:
Who Chose Rizal to be our National Hero  Since the Filipino love peace, they have chosen to
Renato Constantino (1969) magnify a man of peace above a man of war
- Contrary to the belief of many Filipinos, Rizal was not an  Because Filipinos are lovers of freedom and
American-sponsored hero justice, they have given their worship to a man
 He claimed that the Americans were responsible who gave up all comforts and pleasures of peace
for endorsing him as the national hero of the for their sake
Philippines.  Filipinos prize virtue more than victory and
- He cited the efforts of the Taft Commission in 1901 in sacrifice above success.
selecting Rizal from a group of heroes that included: - Rizal was the first Filipino.
 FIRST YEAR COLLEGE – BS ACCOUNTANCY
 This was because it was Rizal who first called the
Philippines his fatherland.  Birth of Manila – Acapulco Trade
- It was he who taught his countrymen that they could be - In 1565, the Spanish government closed the part
something else, Filipinos who were members of the of Manila to all countries except Mexico, thereby
Filipino nation. giving birth to the Manila-Acapulco Trade,
- He was the first to work towards the unification of the popularly known as “Galleon Trade”.
Philippine archipelago into a compact homogeneous
body based on common interests and mutual  Galleon Trade
protection. - It was a ship trade going back and forth between
Manila and Acapulco Mexico.
Proof that Rizal was Chosen by Filipinos - The trade served as the central income-
1. The Katipunan regarded him as its honorary member. generating business for Spanish colonies in the
2. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree making December 30 Philippines.
as a “day of mourning for Rizal and other victims of
revolutions”.  Discovery of the Galleon Trade
3. On December 3o, a group of mason in Daet, Camarines Norte - It started when Andres De Urdaneta, in convoy
erected a simple monument for Rizal. under Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, discovered a
4. The Philippine Commission authorized the establishment of return route from Cebu to Mexico in 1565.
Rizal’s monument in Luneta through Act No. 243.
5. By virture of Act 136, the Province of Rizal was made. B. Opening of Suez Canal
6. As a sign of admiration and respect, Filipino businessmen o Geographical Location of Suez Canal
named their businesses after Rizal. - An artificial sea level waterway in Egypt, the Suez
7. The present one peso coin bears his likeness. Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red
Sea through the Isthmus of Suez.
MODULE 1 LESSON 2
19TH Century as Rizal’s Context o Construction of the Suez Canal
Unveiling the Various Economic, Social, and Political - Ferdinand de Legaspi
Changes that Transpired during the 19th Century Focusing - A French diploman to which on his
on Rizal’s Views and Experiences leadership, it was constructed by the Suez
Canal Company between 1859 and 1869.
The Economic Context
A. End of Galleon Trade - November 17, 1869
 Local Tradings - It was officially opened.
- Our locals were already trading with China, Japan,
Siam, India, Cambodia, Bormeo, and the Mollucas o Opening of the Suez Canal
when the Spanish colonizers came to the
Philippines.
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- The distance travel between Europe and - The Spanish government legalized opium use
Philippines was considerably abbreviated and thus and established a government monopoly on
virtually brought the country closer to Spain. Opium importation and sales.

o Before the Opening of the Suez Canal o 1850

- A steamer from Barcelona had to sail around the - Monopolies had been established on a number of
Cape of Good Hope to reach Manila after a products, which were largely controlled by the
menacing journey of more than three months. colonial government.
 Spirituous Liquors (1712 – 1864)
C. Rise of the Export Crop Economy  Betel Nuts (1764)
o 1820 and 1870  Tobacco (1782 – 1882)
- The Philippines was well on its way to developing  Explosives (1782 – 1882)
an export crop economy between this years.
o Tobacco Monopoly
o Sugar, Manila Hemp, Coffee - Most contentious and oppressive of the monopoly
- Produced by foreign market. systems.

o The Development of the Philippines Export Crop Tobacco Monopoly

Industry was facilitated by the Commercial Activities o Governor General Jose Basco
of North Europeans and North American - He placed government control over the Philippine
Merchants, who provided capital, organization, and Tobacco Industry on March 1, 1782.
access to foreign market and sources of imports.
o 100 years
D. Monopolies - Long it lasted before being repealed in 1882.
Aim Order
Monopoly Contracting To increase government In the provinces of
- Another significant source of wealth during the post- revenue, as the colony's Cagayan Valley, Ilocos
galleon era. annual subsidy from Norte, Ilocos Sur, La
Mexico was no longer Union, Isabela, Abra,
After 1850 sufficient to maintain it. Nueva Ecija, and
- Government monopoly contracts for the collection of Marinduque, an order was
various revenues were open to foreigners. issued authorizing
widespread tobacco
Opium Monopoly cultivation.
o 1840s Monopoly System
These provinces grew The system established
nothing but tobacco and the minimum number of
 FIRST YEAR COLLEGE – BS ACCOUNTANCY
sold it exclusively to the tobacco plants that each  Apart from religion, native children were taught to
government at a family must sell to them. read, write, and do basic arithmetic, as well as
predetermined price, Nobody was permitted to some vocational and practical arts subjects.
leaving local farmers with keep even a few tobacco  Students were also taught Latin instead of
little or no profit. leaves for personal use, Spanish.
obliging local farmers to  Latin
purchase tobacco grown - Official language of the Catholic
by the government. church.
Fines Exportation
Fines and / or Tobacco was exported by o Spanish Friars
punishments were the colonial government - Believed that natives would be incapable of
sanctioned to anyone who to other countries and to matching their abilities, and thus one way for
would transgress any of Manila's cigarette them to quickly learn was through strict discipline,
the decrees under the factories. such as corporal punishment.
system.
o Co-education
The Social Background - During the Spanish regime, there was no co-
A. Education in the 19th Century education; boys and girls attended separate
o Leyes de Indias (Indianas Laws) schools. College students are taught history, Latin,
- Mandated by King Philip II that Spanish geography, mathematics, and philosophy.
authorities educate locals, teach them to read and
write, and to learn Spanish. o University Education
- Was opened in the country during the early part of
o Spanish Missionaries the 17th century.
- Established schools and somewhat educated the - Colleges and universities were restricted to
locals, but did not teach them the Spanish Spaniards and those descended from Spaniards.
language seriously, fearful that the Indios would
acquire such knowledge and turn out to be their o 19th Century
co-equal. - They began accepting indigenous people.

o Parochial schools o 1863

- Established by missionaries such as the - A royal decree established the Philippine’s Public
Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, and School System.
Dominicans in their parishes.
B. The Rise of Chinese Mestizos
o Subjects Taught 1. The Chinese were predated in terms of overseas trade by
Malay seafarers from the Champa and Sri Vijaya Empires.
 FIRST YEAR COLLEGE – BS ACCOUNTANCY
In comparison to the Malays, the Chinese were latecomers all revolts. Thus, their community recovered following the
to the Philippines in terms of trade and migration. British invasion.
2. The Pandanan wreck site in southern Palawan 10. As an ethnic group, the Chinese, dubbed sangleyes by
revealed what appeared to be a Chinese vessel based on the Spaniards, were among the lowest rung of the colonial
the cargo of porcelain plates and jars that remained intact. society, just above the Moros or Muslims and the Infleles,
Chinese commerce began much later, around 900 AD, or what the Spaniards referred to as the Philippines'
via Chinese vessels. uncivilized peoples, which included the Tinggutanes,
3. By the time of the Ming Dynasty, during the reign of Igorots, and Aetas.
Emperor Yungle (Yung Lo), China's gates had been 11. In order to be accepted into the colonial society and to be
opened to the world, and the Chinese ports of Amoy and allowed to stay in the islands first, the Chinese had to be
Swatow were the origins of Southeast Asia's boat trade. baptized. The institution of baptism also allowed the pagan
4. Chinese first arrived in the Philippines during the Ming Chinese to link up with people with influence.
Dynasty. They traded with and lived among the 12. The Spaniards were reliant on the Chinese due to their
indigenous people. The Ming Shih or Ming Annals skill as artisans and laborers.
contain descriptions of the indigenous people's honesty 13. Without the assistance of Chinese printers, the first book
despite their barbarian nature. printed in the Philippines, the Doctrina Christiana, would
5. The Chinese were permitted to live within what is now not be possible. The book was printed not just in Spanish
Intramuros upon the establishment of Spanish rule. This but also in Chinese and in Tagalog using the Chinese
was the original Parian or Chinese community in Manila, method of wood block printing
providing Spaniards with access to the Chinese's skills as 14. Numerous religious images, most notably that of Nuestra
bakers, cooks, stonemasons, and shoemakers. Señora de la Naval, were carved by Chinese artisans,
6. During the first Chinese revolt, the Chinese almost routed who left their mark on the statue with the Virgin's Chinese-
the Spaniards had it not been for the help and support of looking almond eyes and the three lines around her neck, a
Japanese mercenaries and indigenous troops. They were Chinese symbol for a person of high rank and morality.
routed and driven away. 15. They intermarried with the indigenous population, forming
7. The expulsion had a devastating economic impact on the a new social caste known as the mestizo sangley or the
newly formed colony, as there were no more shoemakers, Chinese mestizo, the counterpart to the mestizo Español or
bakers, or even laundrymen to serve the Spanish Spanish mestizo.
community. They were eventually allowed to return to the 16. 1741, a new social classification was established for
Philippines. taxation purposes - a pure Chinese was taxed at 6 pesos;
8. They were initially permitted to establish themselves a mestizo Chinese was taxed at 3 pesos; and an Indio was
outside the city, in what is now the Manila Post Office. taxed at 1.50 pesos. Spaniards and mestizos from Spain
They were later relocated across the Pasig River to the were exempted from the aforementioned tax.
Binondo district. 17. As the local Chinese and Chinese mestizo community
9. Other Chinese revolts occurred in the Philippines. The last became more prosperous, they began to demonstrate their
significant one occurred in 1762, during the British wealth through their way of life. Mestizos invented clothing
invasion of Manila. The Chinese were ruthlessly routed in by embroidering intricate designs on piña cloth, resulting in
 FIRST YEAR COLLEGE – BS ACCOUNTANCY
the barong Filipino, and by adorning their headwear and integrated into colonial colonial period, Chinese
altars with silver. society, resulting in mestizos played a significant
18. The wealthy mestizos' homes became known as the intermarriages with Indios economic role. They shaped
Bahay na Bato. Mestizo Chinese also advanced beyond and the birth of Chinese the changing economy of the
the friars' basic education, with a number pursuing higher mestizos. 19th by acquiring land,
education. Other Chinese-Filipinos excelled in other fields, amassing wealth, and
such as Tomas Pinpin, who was dubbed the "Prince of wielding influence.
Filipino Printers." C. The Rise of Inquillinos
19. The Chinese community developed into a vital economic o Inquillino
force in the Philippines. They controlled the majority of the - At least in modern Spanish, has the same
country's shopping malls, banks, airlines, and shipping meaning as the English word “tenant”.
lines. - the term refers to a qualified system of tenancy or
20. As a result of their wealth, they became targets for the right to use land in exchange for rent.
corrupt politicians seeking campaign funds as well as
kidnap for ransom groups.
21. Many began as small business owners but rose to
prominence as industry leaders due to their business
acumen and discipline.

Influx of Chinese Chinese: Necessary

Settlement Outsider
Spanish suspicion of the The Chinese established
Chinese grew as a result of themselves as "necessary
the influx of Chinese outsiders" in the colonial
settlements in the society of the Philippines.
Philippines. These sentiments While the Spaniards were
resulted in the establishment suspicious of the Chinese,
of stringent state policies they recognized the critical
toward the sangley, ranging role they played in
from increased taxes to the sustaining the economy. The
The Political Landscape
restriction movement Chinese infused the
A. Liberalism
associated with the economy with vitality, from
- is a worldview founded on principles of freedom and
establishment of the Chinese the goods loaded on galleons
equality.
enclave (Parian) to outright to the development of retail
- It encompasses a diverse range of political ideologies
expulsion policies. trade.
that consider individual liberty to be the most significant
Birth of Chinese Mestizos The Chinese Mestizos
political goal, and underscore individual rights and
These Chinese eventually Throughout the Spanish opportunity of equality.
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- Liberals generally believe that government is necessary o World Trade (19th Century)
to protect individuals from abuse by others, but they - When the Philippines was opened to world
also recognize that government can pose a threat to trade in the 19th century, liberal ideas from
liberty. America carried by ships and people from
o French Revolution foreign ports started to penetrate the
- It began as a political revolution in Europe, country and sway the ilustrados. These
and then spread to other parts of the world. political thoughts included the ideologies of
With the battle cry of 'Liberty, Equality, and the American and French revolutions.
Fraternity,' this revolution ushered in a
period of profound change in France's o Opening of the Suez Canal
political history, as the French governmental - The opening of the Suez Canal eased
structure was transformed from absolute importation of books, magazines and
monarchy to a more liberal system based on newspapers with liberal ideas from the
the principles of citizenship and inalienable West, which eventually influenced the
rights. thinking of local reformists such as Jose
Rizal. Additionally, it enticed an increasing
o Spain’s Political Disturbance number of liberal Spaniards and Europeans
- Spain later endured a turbulent century of to visit the country and mingle with the
political turmoil as a result of the French indigenous people. Moreover, the shortened
Revolution, which included "numerous route has encouraged ilustrados such as
changes in parliaments and constitutions, Rizal to pursue higher education abroad and
the Peninsular War, the loss of Spanish study liberal ideas in European universities.
America, and the struggle between liberals
and conservatives." In Spain, liberals viewed o Philippines Actual Experience of Liberalism
the Catholic Church as a foe of reform. . This - The Philippines' actual experience of
anti-clericalism movement gained strength liberalism stems from Governor-General
in the nineteenth century. Carlos Maria De la Torre, the country's
"first liberal governor-general". Following
o Political Changes the 1868 mutiny in which liberals in Spain
- Liberals also introduced radical changes to exposed Queen Isabela II, a provisional
the structure of government in Spain. These government was formed, and the new
political shifts had their repercussionsthe government extended the reforms
Philippines, "cracking the fabric of the old implemented in the motherland to Spain's
colonial system and introducing perilous colonies. The liberal General De la Torre was
possibilities of reform, equality, and even appointed Governor-General of the
emancipation through the cracks." Philippines by the provisional government.
He held the position from 1869 to 1871 and
 FIRST YEAR COLLEGE – BS ACCOUNTANCY
is widely regarded as the most loved of all diverse empire. Furthermore, contradictory objectives of
Spanish Governors-General assigned to the by the mid-1790s, there Madrid's policymakers, who
country. were instances when struggled haltingly to
European conflicts forced balance the crown's
B. Impact of Bourbon Reform Charles IV to switch policies numerous commercial,
When the Spanish Bourbon King Philip IV (1700 – 1756) in order to finance Spain's administrative, fiscal, and
assented to the throne, he and his successors, Ferdinand VI wars. military objectives.
(1746 – 1759), Charles II (1759 – 1788), and Charles IV (1788
– 1807), advocated a century-long effort to reform and modify C. Cadiz Constitution
the Spanish empire. These policy changes were known jointly o March 1812
as the Bourbon Reforms.  A liberal constitution was the promulgated in
Aim Reform Policies Cadiz.
The Bourbon Reforms Bourbon reform policies were
sought to curb illicit advantageous to the o Cadiz Constitution
commerce, reclaim control Philippines, which was under  Drafted by elected representatives, was
over transatlantic trade, limit Spain from 1565 to 1898. implemented in almost all areas of the Hispanic
the power of the church, They undoubtedly had an Monarchy that remained under the Spanish
reform state finance in order effect on how Spanish crown's control. The milestone constitution
to replenish the dwindling administrators ran the influenced numerous other European
royal coffers, and tighten colony, but only to a limited constitutions, as well as the post-independence
administrative and political extent. For one thing, the American states.
control within the empire. Philippines was practically  Europe's first constitution to address national
inaccessible to Spain, making sovereignty, recognizing that sovereignty
it difficult for Bourbon originates with the people, not the king.
advocates to monitor
whether reform policies were o Spanish Constitution of 1812
being implemented properly  Universal in scope, as it included residents of
in Spain’s Colony in the Far foreign countries such as the Italian Kingdoms and
East. even the Philippines.
Reform Processes Effectiveness of the
Reform o Mediterranean Port of Cadiz
The reform process was seen There were questionable  It is where a group of approximately 300 deputies
as so complex, much so that matters as regards the from Spain, Spanish America, and the Philippines
Spanish reformers effectiveness of the Bourbon promulgated a liberal constitution during the
sometimes promoted reform project. The policies French army's occupation of nearly the entire
distinctly different kinds of were incompatible with the Iberian Peninsula that fateful year. This was made
policies for provinces in its diverse and frequently
 FIRST YEAR COLLEGE – BS ACCOUNTANCY
possible by the British navy's protection of the 6. The 250-year trade came to an end on September
city. 14, 1815, when Mexico declared independence.

o Pedro Perez de Tagle and Jose Manuel Coretto o Opening of the Suez Canal
 First delegates from the Philippines who take their 1. The Suez Canal reduced the voyage from over three
oath of office in Madrid. months to between 32 and 40 days.
2. It developed into a significant advantage in
o King Fernando VII commercial enterprises, particularly those between
 The reason why the constitutional monarchy that Europe and East Asia.
the Cadiz Constitution attempted did not 3. It served as a significant factor development of Jose
materialize because he declared it invalid in May Rizal's and other Filipino ilustrados' nationalistic
1814 and restored absolute monarchy. desires.
4. It expedited the importation not only of commercial
Impact of the Events that Occurred during the 19th Centuury products but also of books, magazines and
A. Economic Context newspapers with liberal ideas from America and
o End of Galleon Trade Europe, which ultimately affected the minds of Rizal
1. The mango de Manila, tamarind and rice, carabao, and other Filipino reformists.
cockfighting, Chinese tea and textiles, fireworks 5. The political views of Western liberal thinkers
display, and tuba making all made their way to entered the Philippines. Additionally, the shortened
Mexico via the trans-Pacific trade. route stimulated more Spaniards and Europeans with
2. On the other hand, the return voyage introduced a liberal ideas to the country, where they interacted
variety of valuable flora and fauna to the Philippines, with local reformists.
including guava, avocado, papaya, pineapple, horses, 6. The canal enabled the ilustrados, particularly Jose
and cattle. Rizal, to pursue higher education abroad and study
3. Manila developed into a trading hub, where China, science and liberal arts in European academic
India, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries institutions. Their social dealings with Western
consolidated their goods for shipping. Those who run liberals shaped their views on nationhood, politics,
the hub and did most of the work were primarily and government.
Chinese.
4. With the massive migration of Chinese as a result of o Rise of the Export Crop Economy
the Galleon Trade, the Spaniards feared them, taxed  Numerous economic activities in the country's
them, exiled them to the Parian, and eventually new export-crop economy provided numerous
massacred some of them when tensions rose. opportunities for the growing Chinese population.
5. The Manila Galleon Trade allowed for the introduction Previously concentrated in Manila, many Chinese
of modern, liberal ideas to the Philippines, eventually relocated to provinces known for their export
inspiring a gradual movement for independence from crops: the hemp-growing regions of Southeastern
Spain. Luzon and the Eastern Visayas, the sugar
 FIRST YEAR COLLEGE – BS ACCOUNTANCY
producing regions of the Western Visayas, and the the Ilustrados was Jose Rizal, who inspired the
tobacco-producing regions of Northeastern Luzon. craving for freedom and independence with his
novels written in Spanish.
o Monopolies
1. The tobacco monopoly benefited the government by o The Rise of Chinese Mestizo
increasing revenue and elevating Philippine tobacco  The rapid pace of economic development in the
to prominence throughout Asia and some parts of Philippines during the nineteenth century,
Europe. accelerated by several of the factors mentioned
2. The monopoly resulted in food shortages, as basic above, resulted in the emergence of a new breed
crops such as rice were neglected and abandoned. of wealthy and influential Filipino middle class.
3. A century of hardship and social injustice brought Previously unheard of in earlier centuries, this
about by the tobacco monopoly compelled Filipinos class of Spanish and Chinese mestizos rose to
in general, and Novo Ecijanos in particular, to seek prominence in Philippine society and eventually
independence from colonial servitude. became leaders in education and finance

B. The Social Background o The Rise of the Inquillinos

o Education in the 19th Century  The inquilino system became so lucrative that
1. As a result of the growing number of educated some inquilinos acquired their own land and
natives a new social class known as the ilustrados ventured into other lucrative commercial
emerged in the country. Despite their wealth and ventures. Some inquilinos even abandoned
education, the ilustrados were still regarded as farming altogether, delegating the task entirely to
inferior by the Spaniards. One of the ilustrados' their subtenants.
objectives was to achieve parity with the proud  There were also conflicts between estate owners
Spaniards. and their workers. These arose as a result of
2. With the opening of the Suez Canal, which made excessive taxation and land rent collection, the
travel to Europe faster, easier, and more affordable, decline of sharing agreements, excessive labor
many locals took advantage of the opportunity to demands, and capricious crop price fixing.
pursue a higher education on the continent, typically  Peasants have taken up arms in protest of alleged
in Madrid and Barcelona. There, in the liberal Jesuit, Dominican, Augustinian, and Recollect
environment, nationalism and a desire for reform abuses and usurpation of their lands. The relative
flourished. freedom acquired by the inquilinos through
3. The new enlightened class in Philippine society would subleasing their farms gave them a tactical
later lead the Philippine independence movement advantage in organizing and leading these
using the Spanish language as their key means of peasant protest movements
communication. Out of this talent group of students
from the Philippines arose what came to be known as o Bourbon Reform
the Propaganda Movement. The most prominent of
 FIRST YEAR COLLEGE – BS ACCOUNTANCY
 There were very different impacts of reforms in
the diverse Spanish empire, having deep
consequences of colonial policy innovations in
areas, such as Mexico, while in some other
regions, such as the Philippines, Chile and New
Granada, the reforms had a much more limited
impact. Overall, it gave people, especially the
natives of the Philippines, the idea that
colonization could be done without much
intervention from Catholic Church.

o Cadiz Constitution
 Cadiz was a very significant period in the political
history of the Spanish-speaking world at least. For
the locals in the Philippines, one critical creed
enshrined in the constitution was the exemption
of the natives from paying tribute and performing
public services under the constitution's equality
clause.
 For the Philippines' freedom-loving people in the
nineteenth century, the constitution was extremely
influential because it was a liberal constitution that
vested sovereignty in the people, recognized men's
equality and the citizen's individual liberty, and
granted the right of suffrage.