REFORM TO

INDEPENDENCE, 1872-1898
• La Solidaridad
• Ang dapat mabatid ng mga Tagalog
• Ang Kartilya ng Katipunan
 The Period of Enlightenment
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.
 The Propaganda Movement
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.
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.

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.
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.
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.
LA SOLIDARIDAD was an organization created in Spain on
December 13, 1888. Composed of Filipino liberals exiled in 1872
and students attending Europe's universities, the organization
aimed to increase Spanish awareness of the needs of its colony,
the Philippines, and to propagate a closer relationship between
the Philippines and Spain.

Headed by José Rizal's cousin, Galicano Apacible, it also issued

a newspaper of the same name which was published
in Barcelona, Spain on February 15, 1889. It was edited
by Graciano López Jaena and later on by Marcelo H. del
Pilar. The social, cultural, and economic conditions of the
colonial Philippines was published in La Solidaridad. Speeches
of the Spanish liberals about the Philippines was also featured in
the newspaper.
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.

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.
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 39 th 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 are:

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 IndoChina)
PEDRO PATERNO
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 wrtings:

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 1. ANG LUPANG TINUBUAN
identity behind his penname (My Native Land)
JORMAPA.
2. ANG AKING BUHAY
He was also known for having (My Life)
photographic mind. He was a
member of a number of 3. SU PLANO DE ESTUDIO
movements for the country. (Your Study Plan)

Some of his writings were: 4. EL PENSAMIENTO

(The Thinking)
PERIOD OF ACTIVE
REVOLUTION

(1896-1898)
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.
ANG DAPAT MABATID NG MGA TAGALOG
1. 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.

3. 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.
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.
He was born in Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas on July 22,
1864. Because he was born of a poor family he had to work
in order to study.
He became known to his professors and classmates at
Letran and the UST because of his sharp memory and the
simple clothes he used to wear throughout his schooling.
He became the right-hand of Emilio Aguinaldo when the
latter founded his Republic in Malolos.
His contributions to literature were writing on government
society, philosophy and politics.
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.

4. A LA PATRIA
(To My Country).
His masterpiece.
ANG KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN
Served as the guidebook for new members
of the organization, which laid out the
group's rules and principles. The first
edition of the Kartilya was written by Andres
Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto will later pen a
revised Decalogue.
Teachings of the Katipunan
The order for those who want to join the association shall have
the full understanding and knowledge of its guiding principles
and main teachings so that they may perform their duties
wholeheartedly. The Association pursues the most worthy and
momentous object of uniting the hearts and the mind of
the Tagalog by means of inviolable oath in order that the union to
be strong enough to tear aside the thick veil that obscure
thoughts and find the true path of reason and enlightenment.
The foremost rules is the true love of native land and genuine
compassion for others, for everyone shall be treated equal and
true brethren.
As soon as anybody enters the association, he shall perforce
renounce disorderly habits and shall submit to the authority of
the sacred commands of the Katipunan. All acts contrary to
noble and clean living are repugnant here, and hence the life of
anyone who wants to affiliate with this Association will be
submitted to a searching investigation.

If the applicant merely wishes to know the secrets of the

Association, or to seek personal gratification, or to know who is
here in order to sell them for a handful of silver, he cannot
proceed, for the many who are watching him will already know
his intentions, and will immediately have recourse to an effective
remedy, such as befits traitors. Only actions are demanded and
esteemed; hence anybody who is not willing to act should not
enter, no matter how good a speaker he might be.
Decalogue of the Katipunan
Originally titled Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Z. Ll. B. (Duties
of the Sons of the People) It was never published because
Bonifacio believed that Jacinto's Kartilya was superior to what he
had made.
1. Love God with all your heart.
2. Bear always in mind that the love of God is also the love of
country, and this, too, is love of one's fellowmen.
3. Engrave in your heart that the true measure of honor and
happiness is to die for the freedom of your country.
4. All your good wishes will be crowned with success if you have
serenity, constancy, reason and faith in all your acts and endeavor.
5. Guard the mandates and aims of the K.K.K. as you guard your
honor.
6. It is the duty of all to deliver, at the risk of their own lives and
wealth, anyone who runs great risks in the performance of his
duty.
7. Our responsibility to ourselves and the performance of our
duties will be the example set for our fellowmen to follow.
8. Insofar as it is within your power, share your means with the
poor and the unfortunate.
9. Diligence in the work that gives sustenance to you is the true
basis of love—love for your self, for your wife and children, for
your brothers and countrymen.
10. Punish any scoundrel and traitor and praise all good work.
Believe, likewise, that the aims of the K.K.K. are God-given, for
the will of the people is also the will of God.
Here are some Emilio Jacinto 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)
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.
Thank you!

http://aprilmaynjune.weebly.com/lit-1/the-
period-of-enlightenment-1872-1898