Hyperlinked

1. Rizal’s Diagnosis of
Filipino Society

2.  An in-depth analysis of the Noli Me
Tangere reveals Rizal’s diagnosis of
Filipino society of this time.
 From his novel, he made it clear that the
friars were enemies of:
- Reform
- Progress
- Justice in the country

3.  One clear proof was the case of the school
building project, proposed by Ibarra.
 Padre Damaso opposed to it.
 The latter opposition stemmed from his
opinion that it could be a potent fortress
for rebellion.

4.  Rizal was basically impartial in his
assessment of the situation in the
Philippines then because of the fact that
the misfortunes of his family had prior to
the writing and publication of the Noli
were not due to the misdoings of the
friars (Guerrero, 1998)

5.  Three reasons:
 The agrarian problem in Calamba between the
tenants and the Dominicans.
 The influence of the Spanish anti-clericalism.
 The foregoing was Rizal’s over-all assessment of
the Philippine political situation in 1886-18872.

6. Was Rizal correct in his analysis?
 Seventy years after the publication of
Noli, the research was undertake by the
Catholics on the Philippine political
situation confirmed the veracity of Rizal’s
contention (Gurrero, 1998)

7.  The friars wielded so much powers, such that
they were the real authority in the different
pueblos, throughout the archipelago, due to
the following roles they played then:
 Parish priest
 Tax collector
 School inspector
 Superintendent of public works by forced
labour
 Intelligence office
 President of all local boards

8.  Jaena’s study of the Philippine institutions, as
cietd by Guerrero (1998), likewise confirmed
the correctness of Rizal’s evaluation of
Philippine society.
As pointed out by Jaena:
- The parish priest in each town can be head of
authority-the town mayor. This was because local
election was controlled and manipulated by the
parish priest.
- Only the candidates endorsed by the and
acceptable to the parish priest.

9.  Owning to the friar control of practically
all aspects of Filipino society, it was
impossible then to seek reform and relief
within the colony.
 Rizal and the other propagandist felt it
wise to do it outside the Philippines
 The propaganda was undertake in Spain.

10. Noli Me Tangere as the
Charter of Filipino
Nationalism

11.  The novel can be considered a charter of
Filipino nationalism (Schumacher, 1977)
 It calls on the Filipino to:
- regain his self-confidence
- appreciate his self-worth
- return to the heritage of the ancestors
- assert himself as a co-equal of the
Spaniards

12.  Likewise insist in the need for education,
dedication to the country; assimilating the
aspects of Western cultures and that
could enhance native traditions.

13.  The novel does not only expose the social
maladies in the Philippines during Rizal’s
time.
 It outlines the reforms needed in Filipino
society then.

14. Reforms
 Radical reforms in the armed forces,
clergy and the administration of justice
 More respect for human dignity
 Greater security for the individual
 Less strength in the constabulary
 Less privileges for organizations prone to
abuses and corruption

15.  Rizal through Elias, mouthed the solution
to bring about the needed reforms.
 “It is never a crime to fight for one’s
country”- Elias/Ibarra

16.  Noli Me Tangere presented a problem, the
need for change in the country under
Spanish tutelage.
 On the contrary, it did not offer any
solution to address the same (Guererro,
1998)
 What could be the reasons behind this?

17.  First, Rizal was not that sure as to which
solutions to implement. Should it be a
revolution? Should it be assimilation
under the Spanish Crown?
 Finally, Rizal was prudent enough not
openly favour independence and
revolution

18.  The novel is a major turning point in
Rizal’s life
 Rizal had become a prisoner of Noli Me
Tangere’s logic
 Moreover, Rizal had opted to choose his
enemy, the friars in the Philippines