Assignment #4

This are the following questions:

1. Write an essay about the student's education during the time
of Rizal.
During the time of Rizal, or during the late 18 th to early 19th
century, the Friars occupied the Philippines. These friars controlled
the educational system in the Philippines and they were able to
own different schools comprising from the primary level to the
tertiary levels of education. The people who took charge in
teaching, implementation of the rules and regulations and the
monitoring of students were assigned to the missionaries during
that time. The teachings of the Catholic religion were emphasized
to the levels of education in the schools owned by the friars. In the
primary level, they were taught of the Christian Doctrines, how to
read Spanish books and a little of the native’s language. In the
universities, Science and Mathematics were not very much
introduced to the students. Instead of Spanish, students were
taught how to speak and understand Latin. Discrimination during
the early times was very much utilized. This is because the schools
before were exclusive only for the Spaniards. Filipinos were only
able to attend school in the late 19 th century. Some schools also
limited their lodging to the sons of wealthy Filipino families. Friars
hardly discriminated Filipinos because even if they were able to
enter school and study, the friars believed that Filipinos would not
still be able to match their skills and they will only learn fast if they
would strictly implement disciplinary actions or the means of
applying corporal punishment. Also, during their time, the schools
for boys and girls were separated. Schools for the boys were the
first ones that were established. In 1565, Augustinians built the
first school in the Philippines that was situated in Cebu.

During the Spanish regime, college was already equal to a

university. The most common course was Bachelor of Arts or
Bachiller en Artes. In 1589, the Jesuits established the first college
for boys in Manila and it was named “Colegio de San Ignacio.” They
also established other schools like Colegio de San Idelfonso in Cebu
in 1595 and Colegio de San Jose in 1601. For the meantime, the
school Escuela Pia was entrusted by the government to the Jesuits.
Later, this was called Ateneo de Municipal which is now the famous
Ateneo de Manila University. While the Dominicans also made a
name as they established one of the popular universities in the
Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas that was opened in
1611. Dominicans also built the San Juan de Letran but only for
the orphaned boys. The first college school for girls was opened in
1589 and this was Colegio de Santa Pontenciana. Colegio de Santa
Isabel opened in 1632. The religious congregations also established
schools for the girls and it was eventually called beaterio. It was
meant for orphaned girls who could not afford to attend school and
educate themselves. The subjects in the beaterio taught
housekeeping, cooking, sewing and embroidery making. Even if
discrimination was utilized before by the friars, they also brought
a good impact to us, Filipinos. The friars were effective in
evangelizing the catholic religion to the Filipinos. There is one
major failure in the educational system of the religious parishioners
and it was the preventing the Filipinos to learn other bodies of
knowledge. They limit education to the teaching of Spanish, Latin
and Filipino language, the teaching of Religion was also
emphasized. Mathematics and Science was absolutely neglected.
Education under the Spanish administration was privileged only to
Spanish students. Philippine education was only a means to remain
in the Philippines as colonizers. Filipinos became followers to the
Spaniards even if these things happened here in the Philippines.
Filipinos were greatly influenced by the Spaniards to the extent
that even their lifestyles were already influenced by the Spaniards.
The educated Filipinos were called as ilustrados and they began
movements directed towards change in the government of the
Philippines. They wanted to be the same level with the proud
Spaniards. The growing number of ilustrados in the Philippines is
considered as one of the major effects of education by the
Spaniards in the Philippines.

2. In your own words tell something about the Life of Rizal in

Europe.
Rizal was not only in Europe to write letters to foreign friends and
attend parties; he was there to study and, eventually, campaign
for reforms. His stay exposed him to different cultures and
practices, good and bad. ... Europe was in his heart, but his heart
was still for the Philippines. His stay in that continent was no bed
of roses; the cost of living was high and his own family, being in
turmoil over land disputes, had difficulty sending him money. Rizal
was not only in Europe to write letters to foreign friends and
attend parties; he was there to study and, eventually, campaign
for reforms. Without the knowledge of his parents, Rizal traveled
to Europe in May 1882. ... Rizal earned a Licentiate in Medicine at
the Universidad Central de Madrid, where he also took courses in
philosophy and literature. It was in Madrid that he conceived of
writing Noli Me Tangere. His biggest sacrifice laid from being a
Filipino. To be specific, Rizal like other Filipinos who studied in
Europe, live alone and survive hardship and homesick through
being with friends and fellow Filipino student.