Tab 1

The Power of Words: Jose Rizal's Agenda-Setting in the Fight for Philippine
Independence

INTRODUCTION
The Propaganda Movement (1872-1892) was the first Filipino nationalist
movement, led by a Filipino elite and inspired by the proto nationalist activism of figures
such as José Burgos and by his execution at the hands of colonial authorities. The
Propaganda Movement played a crucial role in shaping Filipino national identity by
fostering a sense of unity among Filipinos against colonial oppression. Through
literature and advocacy, it promoted awareness of social injustices and encouraged a
collective identity based on shared experiences under Spanish rule. This movement
helped instill pride and awareness of Filipino culture and history, ultimately galvanizing
support for a broader nationalist sentiment that sought independence. This campaign
was carried out by Filipino ilustrados and sympathetic Spaniards and other foreigners.
Jose Rizal was a part of this campaign. Propagandists wrote the grievances in La
Solidaridad; it was the principal organ of the propaganda movement. It was the first
publication where Filipino writers can publish their articles, poems, and opinions about
the Philippines. Rizal’s writings ventilating the grievances of filipinos were Filipinas
Dentro De cien Años (The Philippines a Century Hence), Sobre la Indolencia De los
Filipinos (On the Indolence of the Filipinos), The Letter to Young Women of Malolos and
more.

Furthermore, La Liga Filipina was founded by Dr. José Rizal on July 3, 1892, was
a landmark organization in Philippine history. It was established during Spanish colonial
rule and aimed to unite Filipinos and advocate for peaceful reform rather than violent
revolution. The Liga's primary goals were to promote social justice, economic
development, and collective welfare among Filipinos. Although short-lived due to Rizal's
arrest and exile, La Liga Filipina's ideals laid the groundwork for subsequent
revolutionary movements like the Katipunan, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's
struggle for independence.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This study aims to investigate the agenda-setting theory in relation to José
Rizal's contributions during the Propaganda Movement. Below are the questions that
will guide us during the case study exploration;

1. How the Propaganda Movement impacted the formation of Filipino national identity in
the late 19th century?
2. To what extent did La Liga Filipina influence subsequent revolutionary organizations,
such as the Katipunan, in their pursuit of independence?
3. How did Jose Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo help Filipinos to
wake up and fight for their independence?

BODY
PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT and LA SOLIDARIDAD
The Propaganda Movement played a crucial role in shaping Filipino national
identity by fostering a sense of unity among Filipinos against colonial oppression.
Through literature and advocacy, it promoted awareness of social injustices and
encouraged a collective identity based on shared experiences under Spanish rule. This
movement helped instill pride and awareness of Filipino culture and history, ultimately
galvanizing support for a broader nationalist sentiment that sought independence. The
methods used by the Propaganda Movement, primarily through publications and
education, were somewhat effective in raising awareness about the injustices of
Spanish rule. In 1888 Filipino expatriate journalist Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the
newspaper La Solidaridad in Barcelona. Throughout its course, La Solidaridad urged
reforms in both religion and government in the Philippines, and it served as the voice of
what became known as the Propaganda Movement. One of the foremost contributors to
La Solidaridad was the precocious José Rizal y Mercado. Rizal wrote two political
novels—Noli me tangere (1887; Touch Me Not) and El filibusterismo (1891; The Reign
of Greed)—which had a wide impact in the Philippines. López Jaena, Rizal, and
journalist Marcelo del Pilar emerged as the three leading figures of the Propaganda
Movement, and magazines, poetry, and pamphleteering flourished.

LA LIGA FILIPINA
While José Rizal was the ideological leader of La Liga Filipina, its first president
was Ambrosio Salvador, with other notable members including Andres Bonifacio, who
later took a more radical stance as the founder of the Katipunan. La Liga Filipina's
membership drew from different social classes, including intellectuals, reformists, and
ordinary citizens seeking social change. Only four days after its establishment, Rizal
was arrested and exiled to Dapitan, which effectively ended the operations of La Liga
Filipina. The arrest signaled the colonial government’s fear of any organization
advocating reform. Despite its short existence, La Liga's ideals endured. Its members,
most notably Andres Bonifacio, recognized the limitations of peaceful reform under
colonial rule. This realization prompted the shift toward armed resistance, culminating in
the establishment of the Katipunan in 1892. The Katipunan's approach differed sharply
from La Liga's, as it sought immediate independence through revolution rather than
reform.

Though it existed for only a short period, La Liga Filipina left a lasting impact on
Philippine history. It embodied the hope for peaceful reform that aims to promote social
unity, protect citizens from injustice, and stimulate economic and educational progress.
While the Spanish authorities quickly dismantled the organization, its legacy endured.
The principles it championed were later adopted by more radical groups like the
Katipunan, which pursued independence through armed revolution. Rizal's vision for
reform, though unrealized during his lifetime, continued to inspire subsequent
movements for Filipino freedom.

NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO

José Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as a powerful call to

awaken the Filipino consciousness and ignite the desire for independence. These
novels served as a beacon of enlightenment, aimed at educating Filipinos and fostering
a deeper understanding of their own identity. Rizal sought to counter the widespread
foreign misconceptions of the Filipinos as ignorant and subservient, presenting them
instead as capable, intelligent, and deserving of respect. Through his vivid depictions of
the social, political, and religious struggles under Spanish colonial rule, Rizal masterfully
illuminated the oppressive realities faced by his fellow countrymen.

Noli Me Tangere exposed the systemic corruption, inequality, and the abuse of
power by both the clergy and the government, while El Filibusterismo highlighted the
consequences of oppression, particularly the desire for vengeance and revolution. Both
novels emphasized the profound influence of religion on the Filipino way of life, showing
how it was both a source of solace and a tool for exploitation. Through his poignant
narratives, Rizal urged Filipinos to reflect on their situation, to seek unity, and to
recognize their collective power in the pursuit of freedom and justice. These works
ultimately played a critical role in galvanizing the movement for independence, leaving
an indelible mark on the nation’s history.

The legacy of "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" endures to this day,
reminding Filipinos of their history, identity, and the ongoing struggle for justice and
sovereignty. These novels remain timeless testaments to the power of literature as a
tool for change and the enduring impact of one man's unwavering dedication to his
country and his people.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Propaganda Movement, led by José Rizal and other Filipino
ilustrados, played a key role in shaping the country’s identity and pushing for
independence from Spanish rule. Through publications like La Solidaridad and Rizal’s
novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, the movement raised awareness of social
issues and united Filipinos. Rizal’s La Liga Filipina aimed for peaceful reform but ended
when he was arrested and exiled.

Though short-lived, the Propaganda Movement helped spark the Katipunan,

which led to independence. Rizal's writings inspired Filipinos to fight for justice and
freedom. The legacy of the movement lives on, reminding Filipinos of their history and
struggle for sovereignty. This study shows how Rizal’s works shaped public opinion and
inspired action, proving the lasting power of ideas in the fight for freedom and justice.
REFERENCES:

Alberto Florentino, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

https://www.torrossa.com/gs/resourceProxy?an=5530372&publisher=FZ0661#page=25
3

Benedict R O'Gorman Anderson, Forms of consciousness in El Filibusterismo 2006.

https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.993583966119761

Citizenship and civic education: A critical elaboration on the pedagogy of Rizal’s La Liga
Filipina
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=la+liga+filipina&btnG=#d=
gs_qabs&t=1733570698755&u=%23p%3DHai5vX1iJloJ

EconPapers – La Liga Filipina: Rizal and Institutional Change

https://econpapers.repec.org/RePEc:phs:prejrn:v:48:y:2011:i:2:p:151-182

John N. Schumacher, The Propaganda Movement, 1880-1895: The Creation of a

Filipino Consciousness, The Making of the Revolution (Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila
University Press, 2000),
https://unipress.ateneo.edu/product/e-book-propaganda-movement-1880-1895-creation
-filipino-consciousness-making-revolution

Propaganda movement, the. (n.d.). Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School.
https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/propaganda-movement
Tab 2
Script for Report: The Propaganda Movement and José
Rizal's Legacy

[Intro Music and Opening Shot]

Host: "Welcome to our report on the Propaganda

Movement and the enduring legacy of José Rizal. Today,
we'll explore how this movement shaped Filipino national
identity and paved the way for the country's struggle for
independence."

[Cut to Visuals of the Propaganda Movement]

Host: "The Propaganda Movement was a crucial period in

Philippine history, marked by a surge in literary and
journalistic activism. Through publications like La
Solidaridad, Filipino expatriates in Spain, including
Graciano Lopez Jaena and José Rizal, advocated for
reforms in the Philippines."

[Cut to Visuals of La Solidaridad]

Host: "La Solidaridad, founded in 1888, served as the
voice of the Propaganda Movement. It urged reforms in
both religion and government, highlighting the injustices
faced by Filipinos under Spanish rule."

[Cut to Visuals of José Rizal]

Host: "José Rizal, a leading figure of the Propaganda

Movement, wrote two influential novels: Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo. These works exposed the systemic
corruption and oppression faced by Filipinos, inspiring a
sense of national identity and unity."

[Cut to Visuals of La Liga Filipina]

Host: "La Liga Filipina, founded by Rizal in 1892, aimed to

promote social unity, protect citizens from injustice, and
stimulate economic and educational progress. Although it
existed for only a short period, its legacy endured,
influencing subsequent movements for Filipino freedom."

[Cut to Visuals of the Katipunan]

Host: "The Katipunan, founded by Andres Bonifacio, took
a more radical stance, seeking immediate independence
through revolution. This marked a shift from the peaceful
reform advocated by La Liga Filipina."

[Cut to Visuals of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo]

Host: "Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tangere and El

Filibusterismo, remain timeless testaments to the power of
literature as a tool for change. They continue to inspire
Filipinos to reflect on their history, identity, and the ongoing
struggle for justice and sovereignty."

[Closing Shot and Outro Music]

Host: "In conclusion, the Propaganda Movement and José

Rizal's legacy have had a profound impact on Philippine
history. Their advocacy for reforms, national identity, and
independence continues to inspire Filipinos today. Thank
you for joining us on this report."

[End Screen with Credits]

Note: The script is designed to be approximately 5-7
minutes long, depending on the pace of the narration and
the visuals used. The host can adjust the script to fit the
time frame and add or remove sections as needed.