NAME:_________________________________________ One striking example of Rizal’s early writing that

GRADE & SECTION:_____________________________ undermined the Spanish policy was a poem written in 1875
entitled, Education Gives Luster to Motherland. This poem
Liberalism: Rizal’s Greatest Legacy to the Filipinos showed his propensity to promote the importance of
education for the country. This was contrary to the unwritten
By Jacob O. Apostol The Netherlands January 4, 2018 policy of the Spanish authorities who wanted to limit the
access to education only for a few aristocratic families in the
(Just 7 days ago, last year, 30th December 2017, Philippines during those times. The Spanish government
marked the 150th death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal who didn’t encourage the natives to undergo a formal education
was one of the greatest Filipino heroes of all time. His life, for fear that they might use their erudition against the status
works, and writings are still highly relevant today. Therefore, quo.
this article is dedicated to his unblemished memory). In his winning poem To the Filipino Youth, Rizal
Francis Fukuyama, an American social scientist called on the Filipino youth of his time to develop their
who wrote a famous political book The End of History and talents and reason in order for them to excel in the fields of
the Last Man, declares that 20th century was the triumph of arts and science. This is a living proof that Rizal had laid his
western liberal democracy. But what does liberalism really faith in the ability of the Filipino youth to use reason in
mean for the Filipinos? Many Filipinos don’t have any idea fulfilling their human flourishing and freedom.
about liberalism as a political ideology. They surely know the A closer look at development of liberalism in the
word, but not the meaning since it is always associated with Philippines would give us a glimpse of how it eventually
one of the oldest political parties in the Philippines. shaped Rizal’s thinking and the myriad factors that formed a
Maybe, a little historical discussion on this concept congruence of his strong political conviction. It all started
would help us better understand this ideology. The word from the Enlightenment movement that took its roots during
liberalism is always associated with the Western ideology. In the mid-decades of the 17th and 18th centuries in Western
fact, it is considered as the most controversial ideology in Europe.
modern history. This ideology emphasizes the primacy of The most defining events that engulfed most parts
individualism in the realm of hierarchical values and beliefs of Europe with liberal ideals were the American Declaration
in society. It promotes the virtue of equality, individual of Independence in 1776 and the French Revolution of 1789.
uniqueness and freedom. It also believes in the power of Its progress provided a fertile ground for political thinkers to
reason in search for human flourishing and happiness, and advocate a cluster of ideas centered on individual liberty,
rejects the notion of tradition, collectivism, and human justice, and equality before the rule of law that later
imperfection. challenged the traditional institutions and beliefs in the
For us, Filipinos, liberalism was part of our political nineteenth century Europe. John Locke, Montesquieu, John
history. It began to grow during the last decades of the 19th Stuart Mill, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and among
century Spanish colonization in the Philippines, and others, were the purveyors of liberalism who sought to
deepened throughout the American occupation in the 20th understand and explore the complex world through the lens
century. Liberalism has partly shaped our laws, culture, of reason. Europe, the birthplace of liberalism, became the
tradition and way of thinking since then. But, are we aware battleground for intellectual discourses among scholars,
that Rizal’s greatest legacy for the Filipinos was his liberal students, and politicians as well.
ideas? So much of it, the powerful influences of liberal
Rizal’s thinking revolved around the ambit of ideas spilled over European colonies, especially during the
liberalism. He had already cultivated liberal ideas by heart late part of the 19th century. The Philippines, being a
even long before the Filipino intellectuals of the 19th century Spanish colony that time, was no exception. Spain ruled the
Philippines embraced it during the Spanish rule. Indeed, his Philippines for more than three centuries, but its long rule
liberalism was solely responsible for what he is today being was characterized by intolerance, oppression, and
acclaimed as one of the greatest Filipino Heroes. It was his discrimination.
liberal ideas, as the main culprit, which led his life into the However, when Governor Maria dela Torres was
grave, but put him in the pantheon of great Filipino heroes. assigned to head the Spanish administration in the
Let’s see some of Rizal’s writings that shed light on Philippines in 1869, he instituted political reforms by
his liberal ideology. As a young boy, Rizal already showed implementing a liberal policy. The indios (name given to
his deep interest in liberal ideas through his various writings. native Filipinos during the Spanish period) savored for the
Those ideas about the virtue of education, justice, individual first time the atmosphere of freedom and tolerance. But, the
freedom, equality before the rule of law and among others change of political power in Spain shortened Governor Maria
found expression in his famous poetry, essays, and novels. dela Torres reign in the Philippines from 1868 to 1870.
No doubt, Rizal was not only a born writer, but was also Nevertheless, during his stint, he was able to implant the
destined to be a purveyor of liberalism in the Philippines. seed of liberalism in the Philippines which later blossomed
Rizal’s writing ability became his tool to spread the into a movement.
beauty of liberal principles for his countrymen, and in The execution of the three Filipino priests known as
particular, the passel of intellectuals of his days. His ideas the GOMBURZA affected the young Rizal’s way of thinking.
were so powerful and captivating that touched the But, it was in Europe where Rizal’s mind was developed to
conscience of many ordinary people of his time. These were the fullest towards liberalism. While in Europe, Rizal had the
the very ideas that caught the attention of the Spanish chance to freely express his liberal ideas to the fullest
authorities, not only because of their nationalistic fervors, but without fear of persecution or imprisonment. His adamant
also because of their political values, which were at criticism on Spanish policy in the Philippines made him the
loggerhead with the Spanish government’s conservative leading voice of liberalism for his countrymen.
policy in the Philippines. Rizal believed that the implementation of liberal
policies in the Philippines was inevitable. In his essay The
Philippines in the Century Hence published in 1889, Rizal
warned Spain that it would lose the Philippines to Imperial
America if it failed to reform its policy on the natives. His
prophecy finally proved true by history. Ironically Rizal’s
advocacy for liberal reform led him to his fate. But, he
accepted it without remorse. His execution in 1896 signalled
the end of peaceful struggle for liberal reform and the
beginning of armed struggle for separation from Spain. But,
it was the liberal Rizal who molded the separatists to choose
death in the name of freedom over life under the evil of
tyranny.
As Rizal faced his death in Bagumbayan, he
watered the seed of liberalism with his own blood so that the
future of the Filipino nation would be secured against the
danger of ignorance, bigotry and the tyranny of colonial rule.

ACTIVITY 2 - A

Answer the questions below and write in a separate sheet of

paper.
1. How does liberalism create an impact on Rizal’s life?
2. How does liberalism shape the social and political life of
Filipinos?
3. What political ideology/ies contributed a great influence in
your life? How are these reflected in your daily
undertakings?
4. If you will be given a chance to speak to the whole world
that desperately desires for a sustainable development, what
would it be? Why?

ACTIVITY 2 - B
Based on what you have learned from the lesson,
write a letter showing your satisfaction or dissatisfaction to
the present administration. Focus on either accomplishments
or inadequacies in the exercise of political ideologies aimed
for initiating reforms which are geared towards promoting
national improvement and sustainable economic growth.

Rubrics:
Content – 10pts.
Organization of ideas – 5pts.
Format and mechanics – 5pts.
Total: 20pts.

ACTIVITY 2 – C (Poster Making)

Choose 1 Political Ideology and create a POSTER in LONG

COUPON BOND PAPER showing the impacts of this
ideology to our society.
Criteria for Poster Making:
Relevance -5
Content -5
Presentation - 5
Total - 15 points