The Philippines a Century Hence: an Attempt to Recall

As an attempt to keep up with the spirit of the National Heroes Day (which we've spent working overtime btw 0_o), I decided to read an essay of Rizal - The Philippines a Century Hence. At school, I think I only managed to read excerpts of the essay, but wasn't able to read it in it's entirety. I was curious to know if the predictions of a genius from a hundred years ago could even be close truth.

 

For one, I think that is a really ambitious feat. How can you even hope to imagine what the world would be like in a hundred years? More so with much detail?

 I am definitely no historian, I couldn't even pride myself with having a competent grasp of history. Nevertheless I do have a love for country, which will always keep me interested with her stories.

"I do not write for this generation. I am writing for other ages. If this could read me, they would burn my books, the work of my whole life. On the other hand, the generation which interprets these writings will be an educated generation; they will understand me and say: Not all were asleep in the night-time of our grandparents'."

—Pilosopong Tasyo, Noli Me Tangere.

May I just say that this is a very fitting introduction of the book. It reminds you, right there and then, that what you're about to read is the work of a visionary.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge "- Albert Einstein.

One of the first few things I had to remember was that, this battle with Spain, this independence, it didn't happen all in a jiffy. It was a 300-year relationship. It had its ups and downs. In a way, it was mutually beneficent in both parties, with the conqueror having its share of taxes/goods, and the colonized (or at least some of them), having a taste of Spaniard-civilization. I mean you can't live together for centuries without developing a kind of love-hate relationship. But Spain pushed the buttons too far. Having robbed the Filipinos of their identities, cultures, and freewill, they even managed to insult and inflict immeasurable pain on their subjects. Probably just like greedy bullies who just wanted more and more.

 "There now exists a factor which was formerly lacking—the spirit of the nation has been aroused, and a common misfortune, a common debasement, has united all the inhabitants of the Islands."

As with all relationships, we can only take so much. Filipinos will try to bear its burden right to the very end. It will try to accept its fate, try to eat up its dreams… but only to a certain extent.

 Like a bitter breakup. The colony will fight its way out.

 "It is impossible to brutalize the inhabitants of the Philippines!"

Reminds you of the EDSA revolution, yes? 

Communication between the islands was increasing, and so did the shared sentiments. Decades of pain and suffering were taking their toll, and the common cause was finding a more stable ground. Rizal refuses to imagine the horror that his country would go through, if a revolution breaks forth.

"The Philippines, then, will remain under Spanish domination, but with more law and greater liberty, or they will declare themselves independent, after steeping themselves and the mother country in blood. As no one should desire or hope for such an unfortunate rupture, which would be an evil for all and only the final argument in the most desperate predicament, let us see by what forms of peaceful evolution the Islands may remain subjected to the Spanish authority with the very least detriment to the rights, interests and dignity of both parties."

 This is the part where I felt thankful that Rizal did not turn out to be a fortune-teller. To even imagine the Philippines under Spanish colonization a century after is evil, at least for the 20th century kid in me. And well, the conditions he supplied with were not met anyway. We all know what happened next.

***

On the succeeding chapters, Rizal tries to analyze the situation, and in fact, tries to provide an insider's view for Spain. He explores the many ways that Spain can retain it's ownership of the Philippines. He discusses the current ills of the society and proposes ways to deal with it. There is not sense of rebelliousness at all.

I couldn't help but wonder his breadth of knowledge. This comes from a man who has had a healthy sense of World view. He made references to political situations in England, Holland, Russia, Germany, and China, and from these he was able to make approximations on how events in the Philippines would turn out. I'd say he's one of our pioneering sociologists and political analysts. It just reminds you that the scene is entirely different, once you are able to get a grasp of the bigger picture, and how everything is simply interconnected.

"… this transformation will be violent and fatal if it proceeds from the ranks of the people, but peaceful and fruitful if it emanate from the upper classes."

This point has been repeatedly emphasized by Rizal, in his whole life, I believe. That a revolution from down under would be chaos, but transformation from the leaders is more fruitful.

I do share this insight, which makes me believe in the power of influential leaders. In the same way that dictatorship breeds hatred, good leaders are able to breed inspiration, which is all the more powerful when rallied for a common goal.

I was amazed to learn, that the Spaniards were actually colonized by the Moors for 7 centuries before finding their freedom. It is true indeed, that the less you remember your history, the more likely you are to repeat your mistakes over and over again.

So you! Yes you! Better brush up on your history or else...lol.

"The Spaniard is gallant and patriotic, and sacrifices everything, in favorable moments, for his country's good. He has the intrepidity of his bull. The Filipino loves his country no less, and although he is quieter, more peaceful, and with difficulty stirred up, when he is once aroused he does not hesitate and for him the struggle means death to one or the other combatant. He has all the meekness and all the tenacity and ferocity of his carabao."

What amazes me, is the fact that Rizal was able to accurately paint a picture of the Filipino, which applies UP UNTIL NOW. The Filipino may have had his colonial tendencies, inferiority due to his conquered race/loss of identity, and the meekness that keeps him from being confrontational, but he IS VERY TOUCHY when it comes to dissing his country, and can fight to all odds when he needs to.

 

In as much as they have almost erased our pre-colonial roots, could it be possible that we still share that same bloodline and oneness of heart even after all these years? :)

" Perhaps the great American Republic, whose interests lie in the Pacific and who has no hand in the spoliation of Africa, may some day dream of foreign possession. This is not impossible…"

• I'm not sure of the political scene at the time, America seems to be a blooming rose at this time, nevertheless this one's really amusing. He was able to guess it right, that America would be very much interested in the Philippines. In fact we're up on their claws until now…

Rizal did consider a margin of error when it comes to his predictions. He knew that 'accidents' or twists of fate may change the turn of events for good. Nevertheless, the whole piece kind of made me feel insightful, and prompted me to reflect on how we are now, as a nation.

I'm not sure if I liked what I saw, but at least we've got a huge potential.

Towards the end I couldn't help but wonder if it really was right to hail him a national hero. As we all know, the revolution was the concrete first step that the masses took to claim our independence. His farewell address and subsequent testimonies on court show that he is vehemently against the revolution and refused to support nor get involved with it. He is an elite educator who believed in the diplomatic means of achieving the goal. And while I do share his beliefs, we also have to accept that all of these wouldn't have happened, if the revolution did not take place, if Pio Valenzuela and company followed Rizal's advice.

Or would it?

"My countrymen, I have given proofs that I am one most anxious for liberties for our country, and I am still desirous of them. But I place as a prior condition the education of the people, that by means of instruction and industry our country may have an individuality of its own and make itself worthy of these liberties." 

We would never really know…

What we cannot deny, is that Rizal was the key eye opener, and unifier, of the people. He planted the seeds, albeit unknowingly. But maybe that is one of the twists of fate that he has predicted. And for that we will always be thankful.