Arellano, Alia Katrina H.

July 3, 2017
2014 04020 PI 100 X3-A

Homework

Jose Rizals essay entitled To the Women of Malolos was written on February 22, 1889,
addressed to a group of young women in Malolos supporting their project of putting up a night school
where they could be taught the Spanish language. These Women of Malolos, led by Alberta Uitangcoy-
Santos along with Basilia Villario Tantoco, is comprised of 20 women from Malolos, Bulacan who are
from prominent Chinese-Filipino families. On December 12, 1888, they wrote a letter to Governor-
General Valeriano Weyler about their petition to open up a night school. However, Spanish priest Fr.
Felipe Garcia objected their plan; thus, the Governor-General turned down their petition. Despite this, the
Women of Malolos still continued with their petition until they succeeded in obtaining the governments
approval with the condition that Seorita Guadalupe Reyes would be their teacher, and that classes would
be held in the day-time. This incident came to the attention of many people in the Philippines and even in
Spain. Marcelo H. Del Pilar, who was in London at that time, wrote to Rizal on February 17, 1889,
requesting him to send a letter in Tagalog to the brave women of Malolos. Rizal then sent the letter to Del
Pilar on February 22, 1889 for transmittal to Malolos ("Today in Philippine History, February 22, 1889,
Dr. Jose Rizal wrote to a group of young women of Malolos", 2012).

In his letter, Rizal gives honor to the women of Malolos who had the immense desire to educate
themselves. He compared the Women of Malolos to the Spartan Mothers of Europe. Rizal emphasized the
importance of Filipino mothers and referred to the different women in society the mothers, daughters,
wives and the unmarried. In summary, Rizal talked about 5 main points: first is that Filipino mothers
should teach their children about the love of God, country and fellowmen; second, Filipino mothers
should be glad to offer their sons in defense of their country; third, Filipino women should know how to
protect their dignity and honor; fourth, Filipino women should educate themselves aside from retaining
their good racial values; and fifth, that faith is not merely defined as reciting prayers and by wearing
religious figures, but it is about living with good morals (M., 2013).

Sources:
Daruca, E. (2013). Rizal's Letter: To the Young Women of Malolos (Full Copy). Rizal: Buhay ni Jose P.
Rizal. Retrieved 1 July 2017, from http://kwentongebabuhayrizal.blogspot.com/2013/07/to-young-
women-of-malolos-full-copy.html
M., A. (2013). Rizal's Letter to the Women of Malolos. SlideShare. Retrieved 1 July 2017, from
https://www.slideshare.net/imsandra21/rizals-letter-to-the-women-of-malolos
Today in Philippine History, February 22, 1889, Dr. Jose Rizal wrote to a group of young women of
Malolos. (2012). The Kahimyang Project. Retrieved 1 July 2017, from
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/950/today-in-philippine-history-february-22-1889-dr-
jose-rizal-wrote-to-a-group-of-young-women-of-malolos