I.

The Philippine Condition

The synthesis of the Philippine condition through times thematically measured through a
historiographical barometer:

PAST PRESENT FUTURE

(Pre-colonial Philippines ) (19th Century Philippines) (20th to 21st Century Philippines)
The people in the Philippines The Filipino faith has shifted The Philippines rose to be a
were rich in their beliefs and from paganism to the Catholic- Catholic-dominated country
mythology of divinities (Sidapa influenced Christianity where the clergy remains to have
and Bulan, etc.) and higher introduced by the European a strong influence over the
beings; their myths, epics, and colonizers, almost dominating grassroots level of society. In
legends (Hinilawod, Saragnayan) the Philippine mind-set through addition, religion has exhibited
were the cultural and spiritual indoctrination and baptism. ascendancy in politics as :
foundation of their faith which Religious faith in the time of the
attributed to the development of Spaniards was used as an  Iglesia ni Cristo on
tribes and groups existing in the instrument for indio restriction electoral votes.
country in a rounded degree of forced order by blind devotion  The Islamic tribes on the
social establishment (Alcina, (Analysis of Noli Me Tangere; Bangsamoro
1668). Domogen, 2019). Autonomous Region of
Muslim Mindano.
The pre-colonial faith has The death of a heritage:  The institutionalized
become the basis of society’s Filipinos changed masters, Catholic Church over
lifestyle in the past. perhaps in hope to gain state issues.
something from the Spaniards1
(Philippines, A Century Hence; Having liege over and of the
Craig, 2011). mass grants power to a clutch-
recognized authority; hence, the
ability to influence faith has
become the ultimate power for
cognitive and social conditioning
on the basis of morals and social
correctiveness.
Native Filipinos have showcased Then, if the native does not shake Filipinos have become apolitical
the courage and strength of the off his indolence he cannot and socially apathetic of the
Malay blood to defend their complain when he sees all the relevant issues that impact their
honor and their territory: offices filled by Castilas2 respective communities or the
(Philippine, A Century Hence; state in an overview. The
 The youth, Raja Mora Craig, 2011). Filipinos are slowly losing the
defending his territory in Contrary to the past, the Filipinos criticality that has been
Luzon from the Chinese did not lose their attentiveness introduced and passed on by their
greed (The Annotations towards the political condition of heroic ancestors that stood strong
of Rizal on Antonio the country then. However, they for and in their causes.
Morga’s Sucesos de las only needed the push—the
Islas Filipinas). collective ignition of the indie
 Lapu-Lapu and the spirit—to protest against the
colonizers which was sparked by
1
The Filipinos have been shrewd in the exertion of their loyalty to their country. In the past, it can be taken that the
“shifting of masters” as Jose have insighted of the Filipinos was due to the prospect of securing their safety but not
limited thereof. The most basic division then can be dichotomized in the observance of classicism. There were those
who were true to submitting to foreign masters, but there are those who simply do to safeguard their lives. However
at present, the Filipinos are faced with the sad reality of shifting patriotism and loyalty to the country. Masters
pertain to those forces that rise above the patriotic and nationalistic spirit of the Filipinos (Domogen, 2019).
2
A hundred and years after the prediction of Jose, the same attitude of the Filipinos remain. Perhaps the denotation
of Jose to indolence is not the literal definition of the term, but figuratively dwells on the actions that the Filipinos
take in order to assert the reforms that they expect of on the government. It is duly noted that there is quite a number
of Filipinos who are strong in the manifestation of their activism which is a result of their mass orientation.
However, the political indolence of the Filipinos to expect change is stalwartly demonstrated to be a trend. At
current, it can be motioned during the elections and all throughout the terms of every passing administration. Sad to
say that most Filipinos live in the blinded image of development by supporting anti-human programs (tokhang, graft
and corruption) and remain passive on their participation not unless they become victims of extreme subjugations
which is reflective to the increasing and consistent trust survey of Duterte every year (Pulse Asia, 2016 to 2019)—if
contextualized to the current administration (Domogen, 2019).

1
 people of Cebu
defending the lands from
the invasion of Magellan.
Raja Soliman, also known as
Raja Mora, defended his territory
in Luzon (ibid). On the other
hand, tribal wars exists in the
past as a result of needed local
migration for survival.
Jose. At present, the same
catalyst is required to spur
participation.
But in proportion as the
commerce of the western coast of
America extends the influence of
the American elements over the
South Sea, the ensnaring spell
which the great republic
exercises over the Spanish
colonies will not fail to assert
itself in the Philippines also
(Philippine, A Century Hence;
Craig, 2011).
The Philippines has been indeed
colonized by the Americans
succeeding the Spaniards. World
War II3 is proof for it and the
Treaty in Paris concretized it
between the Americans and the
Spanish government. The
influence (colonization) as
perceived by Jose may not have
happened a century after;
however, that does not remove
the truth that the Americans may
still have a stronghold in the
Philippines4 (Domogen, 2019).
On 2014, the former President
“Noynoy” Aquino has opened
the doors of the military the
country with the Visiting Forces
Agreement (VFA) between the
United States and the Philippines
(Velasco, 2015) which gives in to
potential military penetration and
military-politics of the
Philippines due from the
Americans (Domogen, 2019).
The Filipinos are threatened by
foreign forces through indirect
measures of colonization.
Neocolonialism is a trend to
retain the stronghold of states
over the other. However, at
present, with the strengthening of
international relations and global
relations, there rises the
confusion on being highly-
influenced, colonized, affiliated,
in partnership with, or
economically and politically
connected5.

The death of a heritage. Cultural decay has been the misery of every passing generation. As progress
moves in time, along with the demands of society, heritage has always been put in the looms of uncertain
preservation. The Filipino heritage has been tested and met its bane multiple times in the past that it is an
irony to even call them as heritage at present.

Certainly, time in itself is not the sinner of this cultural crime. Rather, the modifiers that construe history
and the nation’s foundation of practices: mass participation and orientation, social acceptance, and
dogmatic influences.

The participation of the Filipinos driven by the orientation of the collective groups that make up the state
allows the people to have a shift in their normative views. The retention of status quo on cultural
perspective shifts along with the arising social trends that alter even the perception of practitioners—cum
the expected cultivators and preservers of culture, the youth—in the landscape of social acceptance. The
simplest resemblance of the idea is elucidated in the example of the dying practice of the use of “po” and
“opo”. Exposingly, in a society where the criteria on attaining and benevolently showing respect to
3
Although the Philippines was conquered by the Japanese people during the Second Great War, the Philippines
remained to be ally of the Americans during the bloody onslaught between nations. Regardless, the Americans
should not be held as heroes per say for their efforts to “free” the Philippines, because even in their own efforts,
engaged into warfare with the Filipinos to conquer our lands.
4
Neocolonialism is a political and economic instrument used by the Americans to retain its clutch over the country
(Marcos and the Technocrats; Lichauco, 1993).
5
In line with it, globalization has become a trend after industrialization following the widened impact of the
development; and with a global economy that affects all, Philippines continues to be with the tides of other countries
in achieving development under or not as a colony (Domogen, 2019). The market has played a vital role in the
reintroducing foreign industries, and sadly, the Filipinos seem to be strongly captivated by them over local
developments.

2
another has been complexly threated. The youth at present, have seemingly grown bigger over the
traditional orientation subjectively scrutinized, the fact remains—of present and future value—that time
will come where the borders of respect will no longer be identified.

Dogmatic influence also is an abstruse logic from ambitious ideologies that penetrate the thinking of
people. These influences kill culture on a sense that the feeding of what is supposed to be “right” or
“wrong”, especially in the moral reasoning of setups, defer the value and relevance of culture.

Indeed, there is yet to be any substantial basis that can be used as evidence in labelling the cognitive and
social understanding established by influences as cultural corruption, but it can be taken that doctrines of
various beliefs have altered that reception and deviation of people on a specific practice, or culture in
general.

Death of transformative and reforming criticality. The inkling is an observation that the death of
critical minds will kill the nation and its people by allowing the social ills to promulgate.

Even so, it is faulty to generalize that Filipinos share the same sentiment over social issues. In fact, the
Filipinos are even divided in their actions to push for their respective beliefs. Thus, we have divisions that
split even the classes6 of society. Sans the varying and conflicting ideas of individuals, perspectival
diversity would not nurture the balance of a liberal society.

Notable that smaller communities still maintain their radicalness which is often driven from the collective
sentiment of the people commonly associated to deviations (e.g. the Cordilleran people and the story of
Makling Dulag on the conversion of native lands along the boundaries of the Montanosa).

Hence, is it safe to assume that critical thinking is not hereditary, but is a state of the mind? Definitely.
According to Farnam Street (2019), the ideal state of mind fluctuates between thinking and engaging,
taken from whatever the current situation demands of a person. There is not formula that dictates whether
one should be in a state of mind or another. Likened with dancing, one must learn to find the beat and
rhythm in order to delicately move with what and how the situation requires.

Trade as an instrument for colonization. In pre-colonial Philippines, trade has preceded colonization.
The barter system introduced by the Chinese is the first account in the history of the country recognized
as the medium of trade. At present, trade has become a latent medium for colonization.

In the lens of neo-colonialism, 19th Century Philippines has been wooed by the Americans economically.
The demands for necessities have drastically changed by influencing the Filipino mind-set on their
supposed needs in the introduction surplus American products to the people. Hence, the penetration of
multinational corporations like Proctor and Gamble and their presentation of hair conditioning products
along with their social acclimatisation that conditioners are a need of the Filipinos.

In scrutiny, should capitalist motive be blamed for the economic deference a country? The single
intention of a business market player should not be the blame for economic tying; however, the political
dictate—given the influence—of a state to another, is and should be.

6
Such proves that the economic status of people is not the only division that should and can be recognized as the
segmentation of society is inferred differently across disciplines.

3
Lichaoco (1993) defended that it is in the intention of the Americans to own the trade of the Philippines
by being the market lab-rat of the power. By being the receiving end of surplus goods, and
institutionalizing the free-trade system in the country as a mechanism for transactions, the local produce
meets its demise, and the foreign imports flourishes—which in the end, kills the local industry and
satisfies the economy of the foreign player.

At the turn of the 21st Century, it is not impossible to digest the truths of Licahuco’s analysis. The
narratives in his book The Philippine Crisis is still an authoritative reference that infers why the condition
of the nation has been summed to a whiplash of setbacks. Much so that inflation is slowly being the cause
of the rapid increase of poverty of most Filipinos. Thus, it is benign to fear the instability of the states’
political and economic welfare.7

II. Evaluation on Jose’s Ideas on Historiography

Nietzsche’s Genealogy of History. Nietzche gave definition to the word genealogy 8 as the record or
account of history and other variables that are most often than not based on paradigms.

For Jose, history is a significant instrument used in understanding the past. History tells of the story of the
Filipinos in the best, so it is only important for the people of his kind to know about the pre-colonial facts
that honed the beliefs, cultures, and social constructs of society. As an historian, Jose also noted that
having written accounts of both the past and present is important in the passing of the stories of the
people. Thus, he has been devoted to creating multiple literatures that exposes the condition of the people
during his time.

In addition, as Jose is very particular on the accuracy of historical references, he has been strong in the
defense of his country’s saga; hence, he is academically and personally challenged to annotate wrong
accounts about the Philippines as witnessed in his rectification of Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas.

Presumably, it is in the cause that wrong accounts of the past kill the history of the nation and its people
through historical deletion and revisions by promulgating wrong information on and of historical
accounts. In addition, it delivers wrong narratives about the history of the Filipinos prior to the invasion
of the Spaniards and in the process thereof (Domogen, 2019). Thus, urged Jose to assert corrections.
Undeniably, the loss of history and important beliefs, practices, values, and alike served as leverage in the
fading of the identity of the Filipinos.

Circumscription Theory of Robert Carneiro. Evident to Jose is the role of the Spanish colonizers in
the landscaping of the state’s condition economically, politically, and socially. Among his notable
insights relevant to Carneiro’s theory is the development that succeeds as a requirement in the Philippines
if the country is to remain under the colonizer’s hold whenever Spain has any political developments or
decays in their own.

7
Total word count of the explanation following the table: 1,389 words. Word count includes the explanation on the
footnote.
8
Genealogy records the history of all manner of things, morals, ideals, metaphysical concepts, liberty, religion--"as
they stand for the emergence of different interpretations, they must be made to appear as events on the stage
of historical process" (Foucalt, n.d).

4
In the segment of his essay entitled, The Philippines, a Century Hence, Jose noted that if Spain is to
undergo any political transformations, Philippines will have to follow in the adoption of their political
changes if the country is to remain to be the colony of it.

In addition, warfare has cultivated the condition of the state on a sense that native ascendancy is at call.
The number of ilustrados who were willing to fight for their country’s independence has increased during
the time of Jose. With that, there have been many ideas and contentions that arose on how to achieve
liberty for the Filipinos. To some, it must be through revolution; however for Jose, it must be through
reform (diplomatic), and the last suit should only be revolution with and through a united Filipino spirit
for the cause.

Thomas Carlyle and the Great Man Theory. Influence is attributable to knowledge. In my analysis of
Jose, I believe his recognition of a great person is one of significant contribution not limited to the
country, but even across disciplines. Being the academic that he is, it is understandable that Jose is
definitely fascinated with authors, scientists, and influencers of notable contribution and skill in their
discipline. By that, to Jose, among great people are those of immense intellect.

Furthermore, Jose is also a person of strong faith and morals. He is made, thus he sought to believe, that
the integrity of a person lays on what they are willing and how they will act in sacrifice for the country
(Cavite Mutiny).

Great Man: Jose Rizal. By the criteria of Carlyle, Jose is a great man of his own for his nationalistic
efforts which resulted to decisive historic effects. Notable to him is not merely his cause and contribution,
but his perseverance to fight for what he thinks is right even if he does it alone (Borneo Project), and how
he strongly stood for his belief.

The Annotations of Jose and the Falsification Theory. False hypothesis and deviations against the truth
are common encounters to Jose. From his defense on the content of his novels, to his arguments with the
clergy on the supposed action for the religious doctrine promulgated, Jose has been engaged in many
debates that question the present truth.

However, in relevance to historical accuracy, Jose’s greatest correction of mistaken facts was evident in
his annotations of Morga’s book published in the 1600s entitled, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, which
tells of the story of the Filipinos in the past as observed by the former governor general. For Jose,
corrections are not merely corrections in history. Other from they are the tale of the people, they are
important modifiers that tell of the origin of things, and are substantial evidences that can be used in the
study of the past. Thus, in order for people to understand the present correctly, the past must be free of
false narratives.

Historic Recurrence: The Philippine Crisis. There is little idea of Jose on Mark Twain’s theory on
Historic Recurrence. However, apparent to the current condition of the Philippines, the problems that

5
were encountered by the Filipinos then is in a seemingly palpable cycle. Among the recurrences during
the time of Jose to present are:

1. The agrarian problems in Calamba to the agrarian subjugations from business people and
corporate figures like the Villars.
2. Frailocracy of the Spanish friars all throughout the Philippines during the 16 th to the 19th Century
to the assertion of religious beliefs of the different Christian institutions on state bills and laws,
social trends, and welfare: Reproductive Health Law, Divorce Bill, SOGIE Bill, the LGBTQIA,
etc.

III. Book Review: JOSE RIZAL: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist and
National Hero

JOSE RIZAL: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist and National Hero (Second
Edition) by Dr. Gregorie F. Zaide and Dr. Sonia M. Zaide. Its paperback copy was published by Advil
Publishing Incorporated in 2014; however, the first edition of the book, which was written solely by
Gregorie Zaide was published in the 19th of June 1983.

The book as described by Goodreads (2017), is to be:

A classic biography of the Philippines' National Hero, this book revises the previous
edition written for the Jose Rizal Centennial with fresh insights, new data, and new
appendices. One of the best-selling books on Rizal, this volume contains new
information about the condition in Rizal's times, the attempt on his life in Dapitan, his
prophetic views about the Philippines, and other data. in particular, it corrects the
impression that Rizal had been a "colonial-made hero" and affirms that he was a hero
for all seasons and for all people -- Filipinos, Spaniards, Americans, Germans,
Austrians, Malays, Indonesians, etc. His famous diary, essays, letters, and also poems
are found either in excerpt or in entirety. His famous novels and incomplete works are
also discussed within.

Substantive Content. Zaide and Zaide’s (1999) literature is recognized to be an authoritative source
since it contains a summary of almost all of Jose’s literature, including his significant novels—Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Other from the hero’s masterpieces, the biography of Jose was also
included in the source. Indeed, the couples’ literary contribution to the academe is helpful to students and
other end users. However, in the critic of the substantive content of the book, the narrative is limited to
the exposition of Jose’s brain children and story—which somewhat is a recognized limitation since it is
mainly created to exhibit such content.

Cover: Portrait of Jose. The most evident figure as seen in the cover page of the second edition of the
couple’s9 book synthesizing Jose’s literary works and life was the portrait of the subject himself. As by
matter, it is fairly reasonable to incorporate the image of Jose in the cover page because the book in its
essence tells of almost everything of the national hero. Digging deeper into the possible symbolisms in

9
Pertaining to Gregorie and Sonia Zaide who both contributed in the creation of the book.

6
the image used—noticeable that the portrait used has a vintage theme since the coloring of the print was
yellowish. Whether it be due to the limitation of the ability of the technology available for printing before,
or the quality of paper used—it speaks that even in the image alone, there exists the historical relevance
of the output (Domogen, 2019).

Jose Mercado Rizal is a person of the past. Yet his story is something that weighs value even at present.
Jose, being a prominent figure in various literature for his works and contribution to the state and the
nations of the Philippines, is immortalized in the academe and philosophies of peoples in many societies.
Consequently, his physical representation is but an image for tangible recognition, but for the lack of
better word, he no longer needs to be impressive visually for he was and is already impeccable in many
ways (Domogen, 2019)10.

Uncloaked Jose. In the portrayal of Jose, Zaide and Zaide (1999) pictured the hero to be a person of
unattainable feat— seemingly showing that Jose is a superhuman as compared to others. In relevance, it
lacked highlight that Jose is merely a Filipino with big aspirations for the country—an explorer and a
liberated individual whose passionate in uplifting the minorities (To the Young Women of Malolos) and
igniting the nationalistic sentiment and flame in the hearts of the Filipinos. True enough, Jose is a genius,
but he is also a person who seeks for peaceful living for the Filipinos and justice for the Fatherland.

REFERENCES

Alcina, F. (1668). Pre-colonial Philippine Tales. Retrieved on November 23, 2019, from:
http://precolonailphilippinesmyths.blogspot.com/

Craig, A. (2011). The Guttenberg Project of the Philippines, A Century Hence by Jose Rizal .
Guttenberg Project.

10
In layout design, to highlight the primary object, it is best to limit the adding much negative space that
might distract the audience from recognizing a key representation or symbolism that tells something
about an art or a cover.

7
Pulse Asia Philippines (2019). June 2019 Nationwide Survey on the Performance and Trust
Ratings of the Top Philippine Government Officials . Retrieved on November 19, 2019,
from: http://www.pulseasia.ph/june-2019-nationwide-survey-on-the-performance-and-
trust-ratings-of-the-top-philippine-government-officials/
Lichauco, A. (1993). The Philippine crisis : a study of the processes, techniques and policies
that have kept Filipinos poor and what should be done . Word Cat Libraries.

Velasco, M. (2015). The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) in the Philippines: Insights on Issues
of Sovereignty, Security and Foreign Policy. Vol. 3 No. 4, 82-89. Asia Pacific Journal of
Multidisciplinary Research

Foucalt, M. (n.d.). Nietsche, Geneaology, History. Retrieved on November 24, 2019, from:
https://labyrinthine.fandom.com/wiki/%22Nietzsche,_Genealogy,_History%22

Domogen, F. (2019). Activity Paper 1F. Saint Louis University.

Goodreads (2017). JOSE RIZAL: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist and
National Hero. Retrieved on November 24, 2019, from:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11741765-jos-rizal

Zaide, G. & Zaide, S. (1999). JOSE RIZAL: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer,
Scientist and National Hero (Second Edition). Advil Publication Inc.