Chapter 4: The Period of Enlightenment (1872-1898)

Historical Background
A. Highlights of the Propaganda Movement
DR. JOSE P. RIZAL – Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Alonzo y Realonda was born on June 19, 1861
at Calamba, Laguna. 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 the Spaniards.
2. MI ULTIMO ADIOS (My Last Farewell) – this was a poem of Rizal while he was incarcerated
at Fort Satiago.
3. 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.
4. A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA (To the Filipino Youth) – a poem dedicated to the Filipino youth
studying at UST.
5. EL COSEJO DE LOS DIOSES (The council of the Gods) – allegorical play manifesting
admiration for Cervantes.
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 Augut 30, 1850. 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.
Writings of Marcelo H. del Pilar
1. 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.
2. 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).
GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA (1856-1896) – a most notable hero and genius of the Philippines, 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 Europians. He is a known writer and orator in the Philippines.
The Works of Graciano Lopez Jaena
1. SA MGA PILIPINO...1891… A speech which aimed to improve the condition of the Filipinos
to become free and progressive.
2. 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.
B. OTHER PROPAGANDISTS
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.  LA TERTULIA FILIPINA (A Filipino Conference or Feast). Depicts a Filipino custom which
he believed was much better than the Spanish.
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.
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 wrtings:
1. NINAY. The first social novel in Spanish by a Filipino.
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)
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).
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.
 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.
4. A LA PATRIA (To My Country). His masterpiece.
C. 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.
D. 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.