Indolence of the Filipinos
By Jose Rizal
La Indolencia de
los Filipinos, more popularly known in its English version, "The Indolence
of the Filipinos," is a exploratory essay written by Philippine national
hero Dr. Jose Rizal, to explain the alleged idleness of his people during the
Spanish colonization.
SUMMARY
The Indolence of
the Filipinos is a study of the causes why the people did not, as was said,
work hard during the Spanish regime. Rizal pointed out that long before the
coming of the Spaniards, the Filipinos were industrious and hardworking. The
Spanish reign brought about a decline in economic activities because of certain
causes:
First, the establishment of the Galleon Trade cut off all previous
associations of the Philippines with other countries in Asia and the Middle
East. As a result, business was only conducted with Spain through Mexico.
Because of this, the small businesses and handicraft industries that flourished
during the pre-Spanish period gradually disappeared.
Second, Spain also
extinguished the natives’ love of work because of the implementation of forced
labor. Because of the wars between Spain and other countries in Europe as well
as the Muslims in Mindanao, the Filipinos were compelled to work in shipyards,
roads, and other public works, abandoning agriculture, industry, and commerce.
Third, Spain did not protect the people against foreign invaders and pirates.
With no arms to defend themselves, the natives were killed, their houses
burned, and their lands destroyed. As a result of this, the Filipinos were
forced to become nomads, lost interest in cultivating their lands or in
rebuilding the industries that were shut down, and simply became submissive to
the mercy of God.
Fourth, there was a crooked system of education, if it was to
be considered and education. What was being taught in the schools were repetitive
prayers and other things that could not be used by the students to lead the
country to progress. There were no courses in Agriculture, Industry, etc.,
which were badly needed by the Philippines during those times.
Fifth, the
Spanish rulers were a bad example to despise manual labor. The officials
reported to work at noon and left early, all the while doing nothing in line
with their duties. The women were seen constantly followed by servants who
dressed them and fanned them – personal things which they ought to have done
for themselves.
Sixth, gambling was established and widely propagated during
those times. Almost everyday there were cockfights, and during feast days, the
government officials and friars were the first to engage in all sorts of bets and
gambles.
Seventh, there was a crooked system of religion. The friars taught the
naive Filipinos that it was easier for a poor man to enter heaven, and so they
preferred not to work and remain poor so that they could easily enter heaven
after they died.
Lastly, the taxes were extremely high, so much so that a huge
portion of what they earned went to the government or to the friars. When the
object of their labor was removed and they were exploited, they were reduced to
inaction. Rizal admitted that the Filipinos did not work so hard because they
were wise enough to adjust themselves to the warm, tropical climate. “An hour’s
work under that burning sun, in the midst of pernicious influences springing
from nature in activity, is equal to a day’s labor in a temperate climate.”
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