UNIT III

Spanish colonization of the Philippines started in 1565 during the time

INTRODUCTION of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the first Spanish Governor- General in
the Philippines. Literature started to flourish during his time. The spurt
continued unabated until the Cavite revolt in1872. There are so many
Spanish influences which gave great contribution to the Philippines.
This hand out however will only focus on one of its influences, the
Evolution of the Filipino Alphabet which has a great impact on what we
are now.

After studying the lesson, you are expected to:

LEARNING
1. Enhance your literary journey on the different genres of literature
OUTCOMES
during the Spanish period;
2. Explain the occurrences that led to the Period of Enlightenment;
4. Discuss the meanings and significance of the literary outputs of the
Filipino writers during the Period of Enlightenment;

Historical Background
It is an accepted belief that the Spanish colonization of the Philippines started in
1565 during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first Spanish governor-general in the
Philippines. Literature started to flourish during his time. This spurt continued unabated until
the Cavite Revolt in 1872. The Spaniards colonized the Philippines for more than three
centuries. During these times, many changes occurred in the lives of Filipinos. They
embraced the Catholic religion, changed their names, and were baptized.

Their lifestyles changed too. They built houses mad of stones and bricks, used
beautiful furniture like the piano and used kitchen utensils. Carriages, trains and boats were
used as means of travel. They held fiestas to honor the saints, the pope and the governors.
They had cockfights, horse races and the theater as means of recreation. This gave rise to
the formation of the different classes of society like the rich and the landlords. Some Filipinos
finished courses like medicine, law, agriculture and teaching. Many Filipinos finished their
schooling already had been established.

Spanish Influence on Philippine Literature

Due to the long period of colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards, they have
exerted a strong influence on our literature.

1. The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman alphabet.
2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
3. The Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lent many
of its words to our language.
4. European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs,
corridos, and moro-moros.
5. Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other dialects.
6. Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano and Visayan
7. Our periodicals during these times gained a religious tone.
The First Books

1. Ang Doctrina Cristiana (The Christian Doctrine)

This was the first book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in xylography. It was written
by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog and Spanish. It contained the
Pater Noster (Out Father), Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen), the Ten
Commandments of God, the Commandments of the Catholic Church, the Seven Mortal Sins,
How to Confess, and the Cathecism. Three old original copies of this book can still be found
at the Vatican, at the Madrid Musem and at the US Congress. It contains only 87 pages but
costs $5,000.0.

2. Nuestra Señora del Rosario.

The second book printed in the Philippines was written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in
1602, and printed at the UST Printing Press with the help of Juan de Vera, a Chinese
mestizo. It contains the biographies of saints, novenas, and questions and answers on
religion.

3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre (in Spanish and Tagalog).

This is the first book printed in typography.

4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat.

This is a Biblical story printed in the Philippines and translated to Tagalog from Greek
by Fr. Antonio de Borja. It is believed to be the first Tagalog novel published in the
Philippines even if it is only a translation. The printed translation has only 556 pages. The
Ilocano translation in poetry was done by Fr. Agustin Mejia.

5. The Pasion.
This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ. It is read only during
Lent. There were 4 versions of this in Tagalog and each version is according to the name of
the writer. These are the Pilapil version (by Mariano Pilapil of Bulacan, 1814), the de Belen
version (by Gaspar Aquino de Belen of Bat. in 1704), the de la Merced (by Aniceto de la
Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan in 1856) and the de Guia version (by Luis de Guia in 1750).
Critics are not agreed whether it is the Pilapil or the de la Merced version which is the most
popular.

6. Urbana at Felisa.
A book by Modesto de Castro, the so called Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog.
These are letters between two sisters Urbana at Felisa and have influenced greatly the
behavior of people in society because the letters dealt with good behavior.

7. Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary).

A collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary. Fr. Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest,
wrote this in 1865 and it was popular especially during the Maytime “Flores de Mayo”
festival.

Literary Compositions

1. Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (Art and rules of the Tagalog language).
Written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose and translated to Tagalog by Tomas Pinpin in
1610.

2. Compendio de la Lengua Tagala (Understanding the Tagalog language).

Written by Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin in 1703.
3. Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (Tagalog vocabulary).
The first Tagalog dictionary written by Fr. Pedro de San Buenaventura in 1613.

4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampanga vocabulary).

The first book in Pampanga written by Fr. Diego in 1732.

5. Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya (Bisayan vocabulary).

The best language book in Visayan by Mateo Sanchez in 1711.

6. Arte de la Lengua Ilokana (The Art of the Ilocano language).

The first Ilocano grammar book by Francisco Lopez.

7. Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol language).

The first book in the Bicol language and written by Fr. Marcos Lisbon in 1754.

Folk Songs
Folk songs became widespread in the Philippines. Each region had its national song
from the lowlands to the mountains of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Folk songs truly
manifest the artistic feelings of the Filipinos. They show the Filipinos’ innate appreciation for
and love of beauty. The examples are Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong
Banggi and Atin Cu Pung Singsing.

Leron – leron Sinta

Leron, leron, sinta, buko ng papaya Leron, leron, sinta, buko ng papaya
Dala-dala'y buslo, sisidlan ng sinta Dala-dala'y buslo, sisidlan ng sinta
Pagdating sa dulo'y nabali ang sanga Pagdating sa dulo'y nabali ang sanga
Kapos kapalaran, humanap ng iba Kapos kapalaran, humanap ng iba

Gumising ka, Neneng, tayo'y manampalok Gumising ka, Neneng, tayo'y

Dalhin mo ang buslong sisidlan ng hinog manampalok
Pagdating sa dulo'y lalamba-lambayog Dalhin mo ang buslong sisidlan ng
Kumapit ka, Neneng, baka ka mahulog hinog
Pagdating sa dulo'y lalamba-lambayog
Ako'y ibigin mo, lalaking matapang Kumapit ka, Neneng, baka ka mahulog
Ang baril ko'y pito, ang sundang ko'y
siyam Ako'y ibigin mo, lalaking matapang
Ang lalakarin ko'y parte ng dinulang Ang baril ko'y pito, ang sundang ko'y
Isang pinggang pansit ang aking kalaban siyam
Ang lalakarin ko'y parte ng dinulang
Isang pinggang pansit ang aking
kalaban

Leron, Leron sinta or "My Dear, Little Leron," is a popular Filipino folk song from the
Tagalog region. It is traditionally a work song, representing those who work in the fields
harvesting fruits, though the origin is unclear due to the lack of scholarly literature that
examines Philippine folk music.

Dandansoy

Dandansoy, bayaan ta icao Dandansoy, con imo apason

Pauli aco sa Payao Bisan tubig di magbalon
Ugaling con icao hidlauon Ugaling con icao uhauon
Ang Payaw imo lang lantauon Sa dalan magbobonbobon.
 Dandansoy is a Visayan Folk Song that's also sung as a lullaby. Dandansoy is the
name of a boy. This song is about the singer leaving Dandansoy to go back to her
hometown.

Sarong Banggi
Sarung banggi,sa higdaan Si sakuyang mata iminulat Kaidtong

Nakadangog ako nin huni nin Kadikluman ako nangalagkalag

Sarong gamgam Saru Bako Si sakong paghiling pasiring
Katarungan Bako kundi Sa itaas Simong lawog
simong boses iyo palan Nahilig ko maliwanag

Sarung banggi, sa higdaan Dagos ako bangon Si sakuyang

Nakadangog ako nin huni nin mata iminulat Kaidtong
Sarong gamgam Saru Bako kadikluman ako nangalagkalag
Katarungan Bako kundi Si sakong paghiling pasiring
simong boses iyo palan Sa itaas Simong lawog
Nahilig ko maliwanag
Dagos ako bangon

The singer was awakened by a bird's sad song, which he thought was a puppy, but
he really loves it. A love song, the song of resistance is Sarung Banggi. This was a protest
against political repression in the United States.

Recreational Plays
There are many recreational plays performed by Filipinos during the Spanish times.
Almost all of them were in poetic form. Here are examples:

1. Tibag – the word tibag means to excavate. This ritual was brought here by the Spaniard to
remind the people about the search of St. Helena for the Cross on which Jesus died.

2. Lagaylay – this is a special occasion for the Pilareños of Sorsogon during Maytime to get
together. As early as April, the participating ladies are chosen and sometimes, mothers
volunteer their girls in order to fulfill a vow made during an illness or for a favor received. In
some parts of Bicol, a different presentation is made but the objective is the same – praise,
respect and offering of love to the Blessed Cross by St. Helen on the mound she had dug
in.

3. The Cenaculo – this is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of
Jesus Christ. There are two kinds: the Cantada and Hablada. In the Hablada the lines are
spoken in a more deliberate manner showing the rhythmic measure of each verse and the
rhyming in each stanza and is more dignified in theme; the Cantada is chanted like the
Pasion. The Cenaculo is written in octosyllabic verse, with 8 verses to the stanza. The full
length versions take about 3 nights of staging. Performers come in costumes with wigs and
performers are carefully chosen for their virtuous life. One performs the role of Jesus Christ
and another the role of the Virgin Mary. Many famous Cenaculo players come from the
Tagalog regions although there are also those from Ilocos, Pampanga, Bicol and both
Sibulanon and Hiligaynon.

4. Panunuluyan – this is presented before 12:00 on Christmas Eve. This is a presentation of

the search of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn wherein to deliver the baby Jesus.
5. The Salubong (or Panubong) - The Salubong is an Easter play that dramatizes the
meeting of the Risen Christ and his Mother. It is still presented in many Philippine towns.

6. Carillo (Shadow Play) – this is a form of dramatic entertainment performed on a moonless

night during a town fiesta or on dark nights after a harvest. This shadow play is made by
projecting cardboard figures before a lamp against a white sheet. The figures are moved like
marionettes whose dialogues are produced by some experts. The dialogues are drawn from
a Corrido or Awit or some religious play interspersed with songs. These are called by various
names in different places: Carillo in Manila, Rizal and Batangas and Laguan; TITRES in
Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Bataa, Capiz and Negros; TITIRI in Zambales; GAGALO or
KIKIMUT in Pampanga and Tarlac; and ALIALA in La Union.

7. The Zarzuela – considered the father of the drama; it is a musical comedy or melodrama
three acts which dealt with man’s passions and emotions like love, hate, revenge, cruelty,
avarice or some social or political proble.

8. The Sainete – this was a short musical comedy popular during the 18th century. They
were exaggerated comedies shown between acts of long plays and were mostly performed
by characters from the lower classes. Themes were taken from everyday life scenarios.

The Moro – moro

This was performed in town fiestas to entertain the people and to remind them of
their Christian religion. The plot is usually the same that of a Christian princess or a
nobleman’s daughter who is captured by the Mohammedans. The father organizes a rescue
party where fighting between the Moros and the Christians ensue. The Mohammedans are
defeated by some miracle or Divine Intercession and the Mohammedans are converted to
Christianity. In some instances, the whole kingdom is baptized and converted. One example
of this is Prinsipe Rodante.

Karagatan
This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature celebrated during the death of a
person. In this contest, more or less formal, a ritual is performed based on a legend about a
princess who dropped her ring into the middle of the sea and who offered here hand in
marriage to anyone who can retrieve it. A leader starts off with an extemporaneous poem
announcing the purpose. He then spins a “lumbo” o “tabo” marked with a white line.
Whoever comes in the direction of the white line when the spinning stops gets his turn to “go
into the sea to look for the ring.” This means a girl will ask him a riddle and if he is able to
answer, he will offer the ring to the girl.

Duplo
The Duplo replace the Karagatan. This is a poetic joust in speaking and reasoning.
The roles are taken from the Bible and from proverbs and saying. It is usually played during
wakes for the dead. I. THE BALAGTASAN. This is a poetic joust or a contest of skills in
debate on a particular topic or issue. This is replaced the DUPLO and is held to honor
Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.

Dung – aw
This is a chant in free verse by a bereaved person or his representative beside the
corpse of the dead. No definite meter or rhyming scheme is used. The person chanting it
freely recites in poetic rhythm according to his feelings, emotions and thoughts. It is
personalized and usually deals with the life, sufferings and sacrifices of the dead and
includes apologies for his misdeeds.

Awit and Corrido

Some use these two interchangeably because distinction is not clear.
 On your answer sheet, write what each item is describing.
EVALUATION
1. The first Spanish governor-general in the Philippines.
2. What were the changes occurred in the lives of the Filipinos
during the Spanish Period?
3. The first Filipino Alphabet.
4. This was the first book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in
xylography.
5. This was a book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ.
6. A book by Modesto de Castro, the so-called Father of Classic
Prose in Tagalog
7. This is a presentation of the search of the Virgin Mary and St.
Joseph for an inn therein to deliver the baby Jesus
8. This is a short musical comedy popular during the 18th century.
9. It is a personalized and usually deal with the life, sufferings and
sacrifices of the deed and includes apologies for his misdeeds
The Period of Enlightenment (1872-1898)
Historical Background
After 300 years of passivity under Spanish rule, the Filipino spirit reawakened when
the 3 priests Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were guillotined without sufficient evidence of guilt.
This occurred on the 17th of February. This was buttressed with the spirit of liberalism when
the Philippines opened its doors to world trade and with the coming of a liberal leader in the
person of Governor Carlos Maria de la Torre. The Spaniards were unable to suppress the
tide of rebellion among the Filipinos.

The once religious spirit transformed itself into one of nationalism and the Filipinos
demanded changes in the government and in the church. A. The Propaganda Movement
(1872-1896) This movement was spearheaded mostly by the intellectual middle-class like
Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar; Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose
Ma. Panganiban, and Pedro Paterno. The objectives of this movement were to seek reforms
and changes like the following:

1. To get equal treatment for the Filipinos and the Spaniards under the law. 2. To make the
Philippines a colony of Spain. 3. To restore Filipino representation in the Spanish Cortes. 4.
To Filipinize the parishes. 5. To give the Filipinos freedom of speech, of the press, assembly
and for redress of grievances.

Highlights of the Propaganda Movement

There were three principal leaders of the Propaganda movement. They were Jose P.
Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano Lopez Jaena. Here are highlights about them and
what they have done for our country. DR. JOSE P. RIZAL Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado
Alonzo y Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 at Calamba, Laguna. His first teacher was
his mother Teodora Alonozo. He studied at the Ateneo de Manila, started medicine at UST
and finished at the Universidad Central of Madrid. He also studied at the University of Berlin,
Leipzig and Heidelberg.

He died by musketry in the hands of the Spaniards on December 30, 1896 on

charges of sedition and rebellion against the Spaniards. His pen-name was Laong Laan and
Dimasalang. His books and writings:

1. NOLI ME TANGERE. This was the novel that gave spirit to the propaganda
movement and paved the way to the revolution against Spain. In this book, he
courageously exposed the evils in the Spanish-run government in the
Philippines. The Spaniards prohibited the reading of this novel but a lot of
translations were able to enter stealthily in the country even if it means death to those
caught in possession of them. The NOLI gave Philippine literature the immortal
characters Maria Clara, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, Elias, Sisa, Pilosofong Tasio, Doña
Victorina, Kapitana Maria, Basilio and Crispin, Rizal had a powerful pen in the
delineation of these characters.

Noli Me Tangere (Summary)

Juan Crisostomo Ibarra is a young Filipino who, after studying for seven
years in Europe, returns to his native land to find that his father, a wealthy
landowner, has died in prison as the result of a quarrel with the parish
curate, a Franciscan friar named Padre Damaso. Ibarra is engaged to a
beautiful and accomplished girl, Maria Clara, the supposed daughter and
only child of the rich Don Santiago de los Santos, commonly known
as Capitan Tiago.
Ibarra resolves to forego all quarrels and to work for the betterment of his
people. To show his good intentions, he seeks to establish, at his own
expense, a public school in his native town. He meets with ostensible
support from all, especially Padre Damaso’s successor, a young and
gloomy Franciscan named Padre Salvi, for whom Maria Clara confesses
to an instinctive dread.

At the laying of the cornerstone for the new schoolhouse, a suspicious

accident, apparently aimed at Ibarra’s life, occurs, but the festivities
proceed until the dinner, where Ibarra is grossly and wantonly insulted
over the memory of his father by Fray Damaso. The young man loses
control of himself and is about to kill the friar, who is saved by the
intervention of Maria Clara.

Ibarra is excommunicated, and Capitan Tiago, through his fear of the

friars, is forced to break the engagement and agree to the marriage of
Maria Clara with a young and inoffensive Spaniard provided by Padre
Damaso. Obedient to her reputed father’s command and influenced by
her mysterious dread of Padre Salvi, Maria Clara consents to this
arrangement, but becomes seriously ill, only to be saved by medicines
sent secretly by Ibarra and clandestinely administered by a girl friend.

Ibarra succeeds in having the excommunication removed, but before he

can explain matters, an uprising against the Civil Guard is secretly
brought about through agents of Padre Salvi, and the leadership is
ascribed to Ibarra to ruin him. He is warned by a mysterious friend, an
outlaw called Elias, whose life he had accidentally saved; but desiring first
to see Maria Clara, he refuses to make his escape, and when the
outbreak page occurs, he is arrested as the instigator of it and thrown into
prison in Manila.

On the evening when Capitan Tiago gives a ball in his Manila house to
celebrate his supposed daughter’s engagement, Ibarra makes his escape
from prison and succeeds in seeing Maria Clara alone. He begins to
reproach her because it is a letter written to her before he went to Europe
which forms the basis of the charge against him, but she clears herself of
treachery to him. The letter had been secured from her by false
representations and in exchange for two others written by her mother just
before her birth, which prove that Padre Damaso is her real father. These
letters had been accidentally discovered in the convento by Padre Salvi,
who made use of them to intimidate the girl and get possession of Ibarra’s
letter, from which he forged others to incriminate the young man. She tells
him that she will marry the young Spaniard, sacrificing herself thus to
save her mother’s name and Capitan Tiago’s honor and to prevent a
public scandal, but that she will always remain true to him.

Ibarra’s escape had been effected by Elias, who conveys him in

a banka up the Pasig to the Lake, where they are so closely beset by the
Civil Guard that Elias leaps into the water and draws the pursuers away
from the boat, in which Ibarra lies concealed.

On Christmas Eve, at the tomb of the Ibarras in a gloomy wood, Elias

appears, wounded and dying, to find there a boy named Basilio beside
the corpse of his mother, a poor woman who had been driven to insanity
by her husband’s neglect and abuses on the part of the Civil Guard, her
 younger son having page disappeared some time before in the convento,
where he was a sacristan. Basilio, who is ignorant of Elias’s identity,
helps him to build a funeral pyre, on which his corpse and the
madwoman’s are to be burned.

Upon learning of the reported death of Ibarra in the chase on the Lake,
Maria Clara becomes disconsolate and begs her supposed godfather,
Fray Damaso, to put her in a nunnery. Unconscious of her knowledge of
their true relationship, the friar breaks down and confesses that all the
trouble he has stirred up with the Ibarras has been to prevent her from
marrying a native, which would condemn her and her children to the
oppressed and enslaved class. He finally yields to her entreaties and she
enters the nunnery of St. Clara, to which Padre Salvi is soon assigned in
a ministerial capacity.

2. EL FILIBUSTERISMO. This is a sequel to the NOLI.While the NOLI exposed the

evils in society, the FILI exposed those in the government and in the church.
However, the NOLI has been dubbed the novel of society while that of FILI is that of
politics.

El Filibusterismo (Summary)

The protagonist of El Filibusterismo is a jeweler named Simoun. He is

the new identity of Crisostomo Ibarra who, in the prequel Noli, escaped
from pursuing soldiers. It is revealed that Crisostomo dug up his buried
treasure and fled to Cuba, becoming richer and befriending Spanish
officials.

After many years, the newly fashioned Simoun returns to the Philippines,
where he is able to freely move around. He is a powerful figure not only
because of his wealth but also because he is a good friend and adviser
of the governor general.

Outwardly, Simoun is a friend of Spain; however, in secret, he is plotting

a terrible revenge against the Spanish authorities. His two obsessions
are to rescue his paramour Maria Clara from the nunnery of Santa Clara
and to foment a Philippine revolution against Spain.

The story of El Filibusterismo begins on board a steamer ship sailing up

the Pasig river from Manila to Laguna de Bay. Among the passengers
are Simoun; Doña Victorina, a pro-Spanish native woman who is going
to Laguna in search of her henpecked husband, Tiburcio de Espadaña,
who has deserted her; Paulita Gomez, her beautiful niece; Ben-
Zayb (anagram of Ibañez), a Spanish journalist who writes silly articles
about the Filipinos; Padre Sibyla, vice-rector of the University of Santo
Tomas; Padre Camorra, the parish priest of the town of Tiani; Don
Custodio, a pro-Spanish Filipino holding a position in the
government; Padre Salvi, thin Franciscan friar and former cura of San
Diego; Padre Irene, a kind friar who was a friend of the Filipino
students; Padre Florentino, a retired scholarly and patriotic Filipino
priest; Isagani, a poet-nephew of Padre Florentino and a lover of Paulita;
and Basilio, son of Sisa and promising medical student, whose medical
education is financed by his patron, Capitan Tiago.
A man of wealth and mystery, Simoun is a very close friend and
confidante of the Spanish governor general. Because of his great
influence in Malacañang, he was called the “Brown Cardinal” or the
“Black Eminence”. By using his wealth and political influence, he
encourages corruption in the government, promotes the oppression of
the masses, and hastens the moral degradation of the country so that the
people may become desperate and fight. He smuggles arms into the
country with the help of a rich Chinese merchant, Quiroga, who aspires
to be Chinese consul of Manila. His first attempt to begin the armed
uprising did not materialize because at the last hour he hears the sad
news that Maria Clara died in the nunnery. In his agonizing moment of
bereavement, he did not give the signal for the outbreak of hostilities.

After a long time of illness brought about by the bitter loss of Maria Clara,
Simoun perfects his plan to overthrow the government. On the occasion
of the wedding of Paulita Gomez and Juanito Pelaez, he gives a wedding
gift to them a beautiful lamp. Only he and his confidential associates,
Basilio (Sisa’s son who joined his revolutionary cause), know that when
the wick of his lamp burns lower the nitroglycerine, hidden in its secret
compartment, will explode, destroying the house where the wedding
feast is going to be held killing all the guests, including the governor
general, the friars, and the government officials. Simultaneously, all the
government buildings in Manila will be blown by Simoun’s followers.

As the wedding feast begins, the poet Isagani, who has been rejected by
Paulita because of his liberal ideas, is standing outside the house,
sorrowfully watching the merriment inside. Basilio, his friend, warns him
to go away because the lightened lamp will soon explode.

Upon hearing the horrible secret of the lamp, Isagani realizes that his
beloved Paulita is in grave danger. To save her life, he rushes into the
house, seizes the lightened lamp, and hurls it into the river, where it
explodes.

The revolutionary plot is thus discovered. Simoun is cornered by the

soldiers, but he escapes. Mortally wounded, and carrying his treasure
chest, he seeks refuge in the home of Padre Florentino by the sea.

The Spanish authorities, however, learns of his presence in the house of

Padre Florentino. Lieutenant Perez of the Guardia Civil informs the
priest by letter that he will come at eight o’clock that night to arrest
Simoun.

Simoun eludes arrest by taking poison. As he is dying, he confesses to

Padre Florentino, revealing his true identity, his dastardly plan to use his
wealth to avenge himself, and his sinister aim to destroy his friends and
enemies.

The confession of the dying Simoun is long and painful. It is already night
when Padre Florentino, wiping the sweat from his wrinkled brow, rises
and begins to meditate. He consoles the dying man saying: “God will
forgive you Señor Simoun. He knows that we are fallible. He has seen
that you have suffered, and in ordaining that the chastisement for your
faults should come as death from the very ones you have instigated to
crime, we can see His infinite mercy. He has frustrated your plans one by
 one, the best conceived, first by the death of Maria Clara, then by a lack
of preparation, then in some mysterious way. Let us bow to His will and
render Him thanks!”

Watching Simoun die peacefully with a clear conscience and at peace

with God, Padre Florentino falls upon his knees and prays for the dead
jeweler. The priest then takes the treasure chest and throws it into the
sea.

3. MI ULTIMO ADIOS (My Last Farewell). This was a poem by Rizal while he was
incarcerated at Fort Santiago and is one that can compare favorably with the best in
the world. It was only after his death when his name was affixed to the poem. The
poem originally had no title. It was Mariano Ponce who suggested the title Mi ultimo
adios.

Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell)

by Jose P. Rizal

Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,

Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

On the fields of battle, in the fury of fight,

Others give you their lives without pain or hesitancy,
The place does not matter: cypress laurel, lily white,
Scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom's site,
It is the same if asked by home and Country.

I die as I see tints on the sky b'gin to show

And at last announce the day, after a gloomy night;
If you need a hue to dye your matutinal glow,
Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so,
And gild it with a reflection of your nascent light!

My dreams, when scarcely a lad adolescent,

My dreams when already a youth, full of vigor to attain,
Were to see you, gem of the sea of the Orient,
Your dark eyes dry, smooth brow held to a high plane
Without frown, without wrinkles and of shame without stain.

My life's fancy, my ardent, passionate desire,

Hail! Cries out the soul to you, that will soon part from thee;
Hail! How sweet 'tis to fall that fullness you may acquire;
To die to give you life, 'neath your skies to expire,
And in your mystic land to sleep through eternity !

If over my tomb some day, you would see blow,

A simple humble flow'r amidst thick grasses,
Bring it up to your lips and kiss my soul so,
And under the cold tomb, I may feel on my brow,
Warmth of your breath, a whiff of your tenderness.

Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry,

Let the dawn send forth its fleeting, brilliant light,
In murmurs grave allow the wind to sigh,
And should a bird descend on my cross and alight,
Let the bird intone a song of peace o'er my site.

Let the burning sun the raindrops vaporize

And with my clamor behind return pure to the sky;
Let a friend shed tears over my early demise;
And on quiet afternoons when one prays for me on high,
Pray too, oh, my Motherland, that in God may rest I.

Pray thee for all the hapless who have died,

For all those who unequalled torments have undergone;
For our poor mothers who in bitterness have cried;
For orphans, widows and captives to tortures were shied,
And pray too that you may see you own redemption.

And when the dark night wraps the cemet'ry

And only the dead to vigil there are left alone,
Don't disturb their repose, don't disturb the mystery:
If you hear the sounds of cithern or psaltery,
It is I, dear Country, who, a song t'you intone.

And when my grave by all is no more remembered,

With neither cross nor stone to mark its place,
Let it be plowed by man, with spade let it be scattered
And my ashes ere to nothingness are restored,
Let them turn to dust to cover your earthly space.

Then it doesn't matter that you should forget me:

Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I'll sweep;
Vibrant and clear note to your ears I shall be:
Aroma, light, hues, murmur, song, moanings deep,
Constantly repeating the essence of the faith I keep.

My idolized Country, for whom I most gravely pine,

Dear Philippines, to my last goodbye, oh, harken
There I leave all: my parents, loves of mine,
I'll go where there are no slaves, tyrants or hangmen
Where faith does not kill and where God alone does reign.

Farewell, parents, brothers, beloved by me,

Friends of my childhood, in the home distressed;
Give thanks that now I rest from the wearisome day;
 Farewell, sweet stranger, my friend, who brightened my way;
Farewell, to all I love. To die is to rest.

4. SOBRE LA INDOLENCIA DE LOS FILIPINOS (On the Indolence of the Filipinos).

An essay on the so-called Filipino indolence and an evaluation of the reasons for
such allegations.

5. FILIPINAS DENTRO DE CIEN AÑOS (The Philippines within a Century). An essay

predicting the increasing influence of the US in the Philippines and the decreasing
interest of Europe here. Rizal predicted that if there is any other colonizer of the
Philippines in the future, it would be the US.

6. A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA (To the Filipino Youth). A poem Rizal dedicated to the
Filipino youth studying at UST.

7. EL CONSEJO DE LES DIOSES (The Council of the Gods). An allegorical play

manifesting admiration for Cervantes.

8. JUNTO AL PASIG (Beside the Pasig River). Written by Rizal when he was 14
years of age.

9. ME PIDEN VERSOS (You asked Me for Verses); 1882 and A LAS FLORES DE
HEIDELBERG (To the Flowers of Heidelberg). Two poems manifesting Rizal’s
unusual depth of emotion.

10. NOTAS A LA OBRA SUCESOS DE LAS FILIPINAS FOR EL DR. ANTONIO DE

MORGA (Notes on Philippine Events by Dr. Antonio de Morga): 1889

11. P. JACINTO: MEMORIAS DE UN ESTUDIANTE DE MANILA (P. Jacinto:

Memoirs of a Student of Manila) 1882

12. DIARIO DE VIAJE DE NORTE AMERICA (Diary of a Voyage to North America)

MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

Marcel H. del Pilar

Marcelo H. del Pilar is popularly known for his pen name of Plaridel, Pupdoh, Piping
Dilat and Dolores Manapat. He was born at Cupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan on August 30,
1850. His parents were Julian H. del Pilar, noted Filipino writer and Biasa Gatmaita. His
brother was the priest Fr. Toribio del Pilar who was banished to Marianas in 1872. Because
there were many children in the family, Marcelo gave up his share of his inheritance for his
other brothers and sisters. Marcelo started schooling at the school of Mr. Flores and then
transferred to that of San Jose before UST. His last year in law school was interrupted for 8
years after he had quarrel with the parish priest during a baptism at San Miguel, Manila in
1880.

He established the Diariong Tagalog in 1883 where he exposed the evils of the
Spanish government in the Philippines and in order to avoid the false accusations hurried at
him by the priests. To avoid banishment, he was forced to travel to Spain in 1888. He was
assisted by Fr. Serrano Laktaw in publishing a different Cathecism and Passion Book
wherein they made fun of the priests. They also made the DASALAN AT TOCSOHAN and
KAIINGAT KAYO taken from the word IGAT, a kind of snake fish caught in politics.

Upon his arrival in Spain, he replaced Graciano Lopez Jaena as editor of LA

SOLIDARIDAD, a paper which became the vehicle thru which reforms in the government
could be worked out. This did not last long for he got sick and even to reach Hong Kong from
where he could arouse his countrymen. He died of tuberculosis in Spain but before he died,
he asked his companions to tell his wife and children that he was sorry he wasn’t able to bid
them goodbye; to tell others about the fate of our countrymen and to continue helping the
country.

Plaridel has truly earned a niche in the history of our nation. Even today, countless
streets have been named after him. The former Kingwa has been named Plaridel, the
Malolos High School is now Marcelo H. del Pilar High School and above all, his patriotism
and bravery will remain alive in our memories.

Writings of Marcelo H. del Pilar

1. PAGIBIG SA TINUBUANG LUPA (Love of Country). Translated from the Spanish
AMOR PATRIA of Rizal, published on August 20, 1882, in Diariong Tagalog. •

2. KAIINGAT KAYO (Be Careful). A humorous and sarcastic dig in answer to Fr.
Jose Rodriquez in the novel NOLI of Rizal, published in Barcelona in 1888. He used
Dolores Manapat as pen-name here.

3. DASALAN AT TOCSOHAN (Prayers and Jokes). Similar to a cathecism but

sarcastically done agains the parish priests, published in Barcelona in 1888. Because
of this, del Pilar was called “filibuster.” Done in admirable tone of supplication and
excellent use of Tagalog.

4. ANG CADAQUILAAN NG DIOS (God’s Goodness). Published in Barcelona, it was

also like a cathecism sarcastically aimed against the parish priests but also contains
a philosophy of the power and intelligence of God and an appreciation for and love
for nature.

5. SAGOT SA ESPANYA SA HIBIK NG PILIPINAS (Answer to Spain on the Plea of

the Filipinos). A poem pleading for change from Spain but that Spain is already old
and weak to grant any aid to the Philippines. This poem is in answer to that of
Hermenigildo Flores’ Hibik sa Pilipinas (A Plea from the Philippines).
6. DUPLUHAN…DALIT…MGA BUGTONG (A poetical contest in narrative sequence,
psalms, riddles). A compilation of poems on the oppression by the priests in the
Philippines.

7. LA SOBERANIA EN PILIPINAS (Sovereignty in the Philippines). This shows the

injustices of the friars to the Pilipinos. 8. POR TELEFONO (By Telephone) 9.
PASIONG DAPAT IPAG-ALAB NG PUSO NG TAONG BABASA (Passion that
should arouse the hearts of the readers)

Graciano Lopez Jaena

A most notable hero and genius of the Philippines, Graciano Lopez Jaena was born
on December 18, 1856 and died on January 20, 1896.The pride of Jaro, Iloilo, he won the
admiration of the Spaniards and Europeans. He is a known writer and orator in the
Philippines. He wrote 100 speeches which were published by Remigio Garcia, former
bookstore owner in Manila Filatica and which are still read up to no by modern
Filipinos. Lopez Jaena left the Philippines in 1887 with the help of Don Claudio Lopez, a
rich uncle, in order to escape punishment form his enemies and arrived at Valencia, the
center of the Republican movement of the Spaniards. He gained the acquaintance of the
high officials like Piy Margall, Morayta, Moret, Castelar, and Salmeron.From Valencia, he
moved to Barcelona where he established the first magazine LA SOLIDARIDAD.
 This later became the official voice of the Association Hispano de Filipinas (a Filipino-
Spanish Association) composed of Filipinos and Spaniards who worked for reforms in the
Philippines. Because of this, Jaena successfully showed the Spaniards and the people of the
world how a newspaperman can introduce changes in law and reforms towards a better life
and progress. Jaena, although he didn’t become a professor, was also a teacher in a sense
to his friends and relatives in the Philippines.

Like Antonio Maria Regidor, Tomas G. del Rosario and Felipe Calderon, he stood for
the separation of church and state for free education, better government and schools,
freedom of worship and for an independent and free university. He sided with Rizal in the
controversy between Rizal and del Pilar over who should head the Association Hispano de
Filipinas in Madrid. He returned to the Philippines to ask for donations to continue a new
government called El Latigo Nacional or Pambansang Latigo. He sold the rights of La
Solidaridad ot del Pilar who had become a lawyer and had brought in money from his
sojourn in Spain.

Graciano Lopez Jaena died in a charity hospital in Barcelona on January 20, 1896,
eleven months before his best friend Rizal was shot at the Luneta on December 30, 1896.

The Works of Graciano Lopez Jaena

1. ANG FRAY BOTOD (Friar Botod). One of his works written in Jaro, Iloilo in 1876,
six years after the Cavite Revolt attacking the friars in the Philippines. He
exposed how some of the friars were greedy, ambitious and immoral.
2. LA HIJA DEL FRAILE (The Child of the Friar) and EVERYTING IS HAMBUG
(Everything is mere show). Here Jaena explains the tragedy of marrying a Spaniard.
3. SA MGA PILIPINO...1891… A speech which aimed to improve the condition of the
Filipinos to become free and progressive.
4. TALUMPATING PAGUNITA KAY KOLUMBUS (An Oration to Commemorate
Columbus). A speech he delivered in Madrid on the 39th anniversary of the discovery
of America
5. EN HONOR DEL PRESIDENTE MORAYTA DE LA ASSOCIACION HISPANO
FILIPINO 1884. Here he praised Gen. Morayta for his equal treatment of the
Filipinos.
6. EN HONOR DE LOS ARTISTAS LUNA Y RESURRECCION HIDALGO. A sincere
expression of praise for the paintings of Hidalgo on the condition of the Filipinos
under the Spaniards.
7. AMOR A ESPAÑA O A LAS JOVENES DE MALOLOS (Love for Spain or To the
Youth of Malolos). The theme is about how girls were taught Spanish in schools and
whose teachers were the governors-general of the place.
8. EL BANDOLERISMO EN PILIPINAS (Banditry in the Philippines). Jaena refuted
the existence of banditry in the Philippines and of how there should be laws on
robbery and other reforms.
9. HONOR EN PILIPINAS (Honor in the Philippines). The triumphant exposition of
Luna, Resurrecion and Pardo de Tavera of the thesis that intellect or knowledge
gives honor to the Philippines.
10. PAG-ALIS SA BUWIS SA PILIPINAS (Abolition of Taxes in the Philippines)
11. INSTITUCION NG PILIPINAS (Sufferings of the Philippines). Jaena refers here to
the wrong management of education in the Philippines 1887.

Other Propagandists

Antonio Luna
Antonio Luna was a pharmacist who was banished by the Spaniards to Spain. He
joined the Propaganda Movement and contributed his writings to LA SOLIDARIDAD. Most of
his works dealt with Filipino customs and others were accusations about how the Spaniards
ran the government. His pen name was Tagailog. He died at the age of 33 in June 1899. He
was put to death by the soldiers of Aguinaldo because of his instant rise to fame which
became a threat to Aguinaldo.

Some of his works were:

1. NOCHE BUENA (Christmas Eve). It pictured true Filipino life.
2. SE DEVIERTEN (How They Diverted Themselves). A dig at a dance of the
Spaniards where the people were very crowded.
3. LA TERTULIA FILIPINA (A Filipino Conference or Feast). Depicts a Filipino
custom which he believed was much better than the Spanish.
4. POR MADRID (For Madrid). A denouncement of Spaniards who claim that the
Philippines is a colony of Spain but who think of Filipinos as foreigners when it comes
to collecting taxes for stamps.
5. LA CASA DE HUEPEDES (The Landlady’s House). Depicts a landlady who looks
for boarders not for money but in order to get a husband for her child.

Mariano Ponce
Mariano Ponce became an editor-in-chief, biographer and researcher of the
Propaganda Movement. He used Tikbalang, Kalipulako, and Naning as pennames. The
common themes of his works were the values of education. He also wrote about how the
Filipinos were oppressed by the foreigners and of the problems of his countrymen. Among
his writings were:

1. MGA ALAMAT NG BULACAN (Legend of Bulacan). Contains legends, and

folklores of his native town.
2. PAGPUGOT KAY LONGINOS (The Beheading of Longinos). A play shown at the
plaza of Malolos, Bulacan.
3. SOBRE FILIPINOS (About the Filipinos)
4. ANG MGA PILIPINO SA INDO-TSINA (The Filipinos in Indo-China)

Pedro Paterno
Pedro Paterno was a scholar, dramatic, researcher and novelist of the Propaganda
Movement.He also joined the Confraternity of Masons and the Asociacion Hispano-Pilipino
in order to further the aims of the Movement. He was the first Filipino writer who escaped
censorship of the press during the last day of the Spanish colonization.

The following were a few of his writings:

1. NINAY. The first social novel in Spanish by a Filipino.

2. A MI MADRE (To My Mother). Shows the importance of a mother especially in the
home.
3. SAMPAGUITA Y POESIAS VARIAS (Sampaguitas and Varied Poems). A
collection of his poems.

Jose Ma. Panganiban

Jose Ma. Panganiban hid his identity behind his penname JORMAPA. He was also
known for having photographic mind. He was a member of a number of movements for the
country.

Some of his writings were:

1. ANG LUPANG TINUBUAN (My Native Land)
2. ANG AKING BUHAY (My Life)
3. SU PLANO DE ESTUDIO (Your Study Plan)
 4. EL PENSAMIENTO (The Thinking)

Period of Active Revolution (1896-1898)

Historical Background
The Filipinos did not get the reforms demanded by the propagandists. The
government turned deaf ears to these petitions; oppression continued and the church and
the government became even more oppressive to the Filipinos. The good intentions of Spain
were reversed by the friars who were lording it over in the Philippines. Because of this, not a
few of the Filipinos affiliated with the La Liga Filipina (a civic organization suspected of being
revolutionary and which triggered Rizal’s banishment to Dapitan). Like Andres Bonifacio,
Emilio Jacinto, Apolinario Mabini, Jose Palma, and Pio Valenzuela decided that there was
no other way except to revolt.

The gist of literature contained mostly accusations against the government and was
meant to arouse the people to unite and to prepare for independence. D. Highlights of the
Active Revolution The noted leaders of this period were Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and
Apolinario Mabini. These are their contributions to our country.

Andres Bonifacio
Andres Bonifacio is best known as the Father of Filipino Democracy, but more than
others, as the Father of the Katipunan because he led in establishing the Kataas-taasan,
Kagalang- galanga Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK). Andres Bonifacio came from a
poor family and it is said that what he learned he got from the school of experience. He was
a voracious reader and among those he loved to read which aroused his revolutionary spirit
were the NOLI and the FILI of Rizal.

He joined the La Liga Filipina founded by Rizal in 1892. He established the

Katipunan which triggered the spirit of freedom especially when Rizal was banished to
Dapitan, Mindanao. Bonifacio is better known as the great Revolutionary rather than a writer
but he also wrote things which paved the way for the revolution and which also became part
of our literature.

Among his works were:

1. ANG DAPAT MABATID NG MGA TAGALOG (What the Tagalogs Should Know)

Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog

Ytong Katagalugan na pinamamahalaan ng unang panahon ng ating
tunay na mga kababayan niyaong hindi pa tumutungtong sa mga lupaing ito
ang mga kastila ay nabubuhay sa lubos na kasaganaan, at
kaguinhawahan. Kasundo niya ang mga kapit bayan at lalung lalo na ang
mga taga Japon sila'y kabilihan at kapalitan ng mga kalakal malabis ang pag
yabong ng lahat ng pinagkakakitaan, kaya't dahil dito'y mayaman mahal ang
kaasalan ng lahat, bata't matanda at sampung mga babae ay marunong
bumasa at sumulat ng talagang pagsulat nating mga tagalog. Dumating ang
mga kastila at dumulog na nakipagkaibigan. Sa mabuti nilang hikayat na di
umano, tayo'y aakain sa lalung kagalingan at lalung imumulat ang ating
kaisipan, ang nasabing nagsisipamahala ay ng yaring nalamuyot sa tamis ng
kanilang dila sa paghibo. Gayon man sila'y ipinailalim sa talagang kaugalian
ng mga tagalog na sinaksihan at pinapagtibay ang kanilang pinagkayarian sa
pamamaguitan ng isang panunumpa na kumuha ng kaunting dugo sa
kanikanilang mga ugat, at yao'y inihalu't ininom nila kapua tanda ng tunay at
lubos na pagtatapat na di mag tataksil sa pinagkayarian. Ytoy siang
tinatawag na "Pacto de Sangre" ng haring Sikatuna at ni Legaspi na pinaka
katawan ng hari sa España.
 Buhat ng ito'y mangyari ay bumibilang na ngayon sa tatlong daang
taon mahiguit na ang lahi ni Legaspi ay ating binubuhay sa lubos na
kasaganaan, ating pinagtatamasa at binubusog, kahit abutin natin ang
kasalatan at kadayukdukan; iguinugugol natin ang yaman dugo at sampu ng
buhay sa pagtatangol sa kanila; kinakahamok natin sampu ng tunay na mga
kababayan na aayaw pumayag na sa kanilay pasakop, at gayon din naman
nakipagbaka tayo sa mga Ynsik at taga Holanda na nagbalang umagaw sa
kanila nitong Katagalugan.

Ngayon sa lahat ng ito'y ano ang sa mga guinawa nating paggugugol

nakikitang kaguinhawahang ibinigay sa ating Bayan? Ano ang nakikita
nating pagtupad sa kanilang kapangakuan na siang naging dahil ng ating pag
gugugol! Wala kung di pawang kataksilan ang ganti sa ating mga pagpapala
at mga pagtupad sa kanilang ipinangakung tayo'y lalung guiguisingin sa
kagalingan ay bagkus tayong binulag, inihawa tayo sa kanilang hamak na
asal, pinilit na sinira ang mahal at magandang ugali ng ating Bayan; Yminulat
tayo sa isang maling pagsampalataya at isinadlak sa lubak ng kasamaan ang
kapurihan ng ating Bayan; at kung tayo 'y mangahas humingi ng kahit
gabahid na lingap, ang naguiguing kasagutan ay ang tayo'y itapon at ilayo sa
piling ng ating minamahal na anak, asawa at matandang magulang. Ang
bawat isang himutok na pumulas sa ating dibdib ay itinuturing na isang
malaking pagkakasala at karakarakang nilalapatan ng sa hayop na
kabangisan.

Ngayon wala ng maituturing na kapanatagan sa ating pamamayan;

ngayon lagui ng guinagambala ang ating katahimikan ng umaalingawngaw
na daing at pananambitan bunton hininga at hinagpis ng makapal na ulila,
bao't mga magulang ng mga kababayang ipinanganyaya ng mga manlulupig
na kastila; ngayon tayo'y malunod na sa nagbabahang luha ng Yna na nakitil
na buhay ng anak sa pananangis ng sanggol na pinangulila ng kalupitan na
ang bawat patak ay katulad ng isang kumukulong tinga, na sumasalang sa
mahapding sugat ng ating pusong nagdaramdam; ngayon lalut lalu tayong na
bibilibiran ng tanikala ng pagkaalipin, tanikalang nakalalait sa bawat lalaking
may iniingatang kapurihan. Ano ang nararapat nating gawin? Ang araw ng
katuiran na sumisikat sa Silanganan, ay malinaw na itinuturo sa ating mga
matang malaong nabulagan ang landas na dapat nating tunguhin, ang
liwanag niya'y tanaw sa ating mga mata, ang kukong nag akma ng
kamatayang alay sa ating ng mga ganid na asal. Ytinuturo ng katuiran, na
wala tayong iba pang maaantay kundi lalut lalung kahirapan, lalut lalung
kataksilan, lalut lalung kaalipustaan at lalut lalung kaalipinan. Ytinuturo ng
katuiran, na huag nating sayangin ang panahon sa pagasa sa ipinangakong
kaguinhawahan na hindi darating at hindi mangyayari. Ytinuturo ng katuiran
ang tayo'y umasa sa ating sarili at huag antain sa iba ang ating
kabuhayan. Ytinuturo ng katuiran ang tayo'y mag kaisang loob magka isang
isip at akala at ng tayo'y magkalakas na maihanap ang naghaharing
kasamaan sa ating Bayan.

Panahun na ngayong dapat na lumitaw ang liwanag ng katotohanan;

panahon ng dapat nating ipakilala na tayo’y may sariling pagdaramdam, may
puri, may hiya at pagdadamayan. Ngayon panahun ng dapat simulan ang
pagsisiwalat ng mga mahal at dakilang aral na magwawasak sa masinsing
tabing na bumubulag sa ating kaisipan; panahun na ngayong dapat makilala
ng mga tagalog ang pinagbuhatan ng kanilang mga kahirapan. Araw na
itong dapat kilalanin na sa bawat isang hakbang natin ay tumutuntong tayo at
 nabibingit sa malalim na hukay ng kamatayan na sa ati’y inuumang ng mga
kaaway.

Kaya! oh mga kababayan! ating idilat ang bulag na kaisipan at

kusang igugol sa kagalingan ang ating lakas sa tunay at lubos na pag asa na
mag tagumpay sa nilalayong kaguinhawahan ng bayang tinubuan.

2. KATUNGKULANG GAGAWIN NG MGA ANA NG BAYAN (Obligations of Our

Countrymen). This is an outline of obligations just like the 10 commandments of God.

2. PAG-IBIG SA TINUBUAN LUPA (Love of One’s Native Land). A poem with a title
similar to that of Marcelo H. del Pilar. 4. HULING PAALAM (Last Farewell). A
translation of Mi Ultimo Adios of Rizal in Tagalog.

Apolinario Mabini
Apolinario Mabini is known in literature and history as the Sublime Paralytic and the
Brains of the Revolution. Born into a peasant family, Mabini studied at San Juan de Letran
College in Manila and won a law degree from the University of Santo Tomás in 1894. In an
insurrection organized in August 1896 by nationalists, he joined the forces of the patriot
general Emilio Aguinaldo and soon became his right-hand man.

When the Spanish–American War broke out in 1898, Mabini urged cooperation with
the United States as a means to gain freedom from Spain. At a convention held at the
market town of Malolos in September and October 1898, an independent republic was
proclaimed with Aguinaldo as its president; Mabini drew up its constitution, which resembled
that of the United States. When the United States announced, however, that it would annex
the Philippines, Mabini joined Aguinaldo in a renewed struggle for independence.

He was captured by U.S. troops in December 1899 and, because he refused to

swear allegiance to the United States, was exiled to Guam, not being allowed to return home
until a few months before his death. Mabini wrote La revolución filipina, which was published
in 1931.

Here are some of his works:

1. EL VERDADERO DECALOGO (The True Decalogue or Ten Commandments).
This was his masterpiece and his aim here was to propagate the spirit of nationalism.

2. EL DESAROLLO Y CAIDA DE LA REPUBLICA (The Rise and Fall of the

Philippine Republic)

3. SA BAYANG PILIPINO (To the Filipino Nation)

4. PAHAYAG (News)

Emilio Jacinto
Emilio Jacinto was the intelligent assistant of Andres Bonifacio in the establishment
of the Katipuna. He is called the Brains of the Katipunan. He edited Kalayaan (Freedom) a
Katipunan newspaper. Bonifacio withdrew his writing of the Kartilya in deference to Jacinto’s
work as secretary of the Katipunan. His Kartilya was the one followed by the members of the
organization.

Here are few of his writings:

1. KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN (A primer book on the Katipunan)
 2. LIWANAG AT DILIM (Light and Darkness). A collection of essays on different
subjects like freedom, work, faith, government, love of country.

3. A MI MADRE (To My Mother). A touching ode to his mother.

3. A LA PATRIA (To My Country). His masterpiece.

Other Revolutionists
Jose Palma
Jose Palma became popular because of his Himno Nacional Filipino (The Philippine
National Anthem) which was set to music by Julian Felipe. He was born in Tondo, Manila on
June 6, 1876. His brother Rafael Palma became the president of the UP. He joined the
revolution against the Americans together with Gregorio del Pilar, the youngest Filipino
general who died during the revolution.

Aside from the National Anthem, here are his other works:
1. MELANCOLIAS (Melancholies). A collection of his poems.
2. DE MI JARDIN (In My Garden). A poem expressing one’s longings for his
sweetheart.

Newspapers during the Revolution

In the effort of the Revolutionists to spread to the world their longings for their
country, many newspapers were put up during the Revolutionary period.

They were:
1. HERALDO DE LA REVOLUCION. Printed the decrees of the Revolutiary
Government, news and works in Tagalog that aroused nationalism.

2. LA INDEPENDENCIA (Independence). Edited by Antonio Luna and whose aim

was for Philippine Independence.

3. LA REPUBLICA PILIPINA (The Philippine Republic). Established by Pedro

Paterno in 1898.

4. LA LIBERTAD (Liberty). Edited by Clemente Zulueta.

Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

EVALUATION 1. How did Philippine Literature take shape during the early years of
Spanish regime?
2. How does the Filipino spirit reawaken after 300 years of passivity
under Spanish rule?
3. Give 2 objectives of the Propaganda Movement which sought to
seek reforms and changes.
4. This is a sequel for the NOLI ME TANGERE
5. Marcelo H. Del Pilar established the _______in 1882, where he
expressed the evils of the spanish government in the Philippines
6. This became the official voice of the Associacion Hispano de
Filipinas. He is the Father of Filipino Democracy and the Father of
the Katipunan
8. He is the Brains of the Katipunan
9. The Sublime Paralytic and the Brains of the Revolution
10. He became popular because of his Himno Nacional Filipino (The
Philippine National Anthem)