The REFORM Movement of the Philippines 1

The Philippine Reform Movement, which emerged in the late 19th century, was a crucial period of political and social upheaval that sought to address the deep-seated issues under Spanish colonial rule. Driven by a desire for greater autonomy, social justice, and political reform, this movement laid the groundwork for the eventual Philippine Revolution and independence.

At its core, the Reform Movement was fueled by the discontent of Filipino intellectuals and reformists who were dissatisfied with the oppressive Spanish regime. Prominent figures in this movement included José Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano López Jaena, who were central to the campaign for reforms. They were motivated by a vision of a more equitable and modern society, and their advocacy was largely channeled through the publication of influential works and participation in reformist organizations.

José Rizal, a key leader and symbol of the movement, used his writings to expose the corruption and abuses of the Spanish authorities and the friars. His novels, "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," served as powerful critiques of colonial rule and were instrumental in rallying public sentiment against Spanish oppression. Rizal’s intellectual approach to reform advocated for peaceful change through education and enlightenment, and he became a martyr for the cause after his execution in 1896.

Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano López Jaena, along with Rizal, played significant roles in organizing and mobilizing support for reform. Del Pilar, who edited the newspaper "Kalayaan" (Freedom), was a fierce critic of the Spanish friars and sought to expose their corrupt practices. His efforts, coupled with López Jaena's influential writing in "Kalayaan" and his public speeches, galvanized public opinion and highlighted the urgent need for reform.

The movement also saw the formation of organizations like La Liga Filipina, founded by Rizal in 1892. This organization aimed to unite Filipinos in their quest for reform and was instrumental in fostering a sense of national identity and unity among the diverse ethnic and regional groups in the Philippines. La Liga Filipina’s goals included social and economic reforms, as well as advocating for more representation in the Spanish colonial government.

Despite their efforts, the Reform Movement faced significant resistance from the Spanish colonial government, which was determined to maintain its control over the archipelago. The Spanish authorities' harsh crackdown on reformist activities and their persecution of key figures led to increased tensions and ultimately contributed to the radicalization of the movement.

1. The REFORM
Movement

2. The Role of the Middle
Class

FILIPINO MIDDLE CLASS

They rose to a position of power in the
Filipino Community

Spanish authorities looked down upon
them

The “natives”, on the other hand, looked
at them with suspicion

They were looking for a “place in the sun”

3. The NATURE of the Reform
Movement

ASSIMILATION
accomplished in a
peaceful manner.
España y Filipinas by Juan Luna:
Portrays the propagandists hope of
assimilation.

4. The NATURE of the Reform
Movement

The Reformists (Propagandists) believed
in the power of WORDS, and not of the
sword, to achieve their purpose.

There was NO clamor for independence,
the reformists believed that the Filipinos
would be better off if they were to
become Spanish Citizens.

5. As Spanish Citizens:

Representation in the Spanish
Cortes: Filipinos could propose and
participate in the approval of
laws beneficial to the country.

Immunity from abuses

Freedom from paying unreasonable
taxes.

6. The Great Reformists

Only a few of the sons of the wealthy
Filipinos that went to Spain joined the
Propaganda Movement

They were those who were concerned
of their country

7. Graciano Lopez-Jaena

The GREAT ORATOR

He wrote FRAY BOTOD
which deals with the
ignorance, abuses and
immorality of a friar
named Botod

He founded the LA
SOLIDARIDAD (Sol)

8. Marcelo Hilario del Pilar
The POLITICAL
ANALYST of the Filipino
Colony in Spain
He founded DIARIONG
TAGALOG
Dec. 1889, he took over
the editorship of the Sol
and became the moving
spirit behind the
Reform Movement

9. Dr. Jose Rizal
NATIONAL HERO
Wrote his first poem
at the age of eight
Wrote two great
novels: the NOLI and
the FILI
Died as a martyr on
Dec. 30, 1896 in
Bagumbayan

11. Rizal with MH del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, a close collaborator of del Pilar at the Sol

12. The Filipino student community in Madrid, taken in 1890.

13. The execution of Jose Rizal in Luneta on December 30, 1896.

14. La Solidaridad
The Official Organ
of the Propaganda
Movement

15. La Solidaridad

The paper was dedicated to:

Expose the conditions in the Philippines;

Defend the Filipinos against malicious
and slanderous attacks of the hired
writers of the friars; and

Publish studies about the Philippines
and the Filipinos

16. La Solidaridad

In writing for the Sol, the Reformists
used pen names for obvious reasons:

J. RIZAL: Dimas Alang; Laong Laan

M. PONCE: Tikbalang; Naning; Kalipulako

ANTONIO LUNA: Taga-ilog

MH del PILAR: Plaridel

JOSE MA. PANGANIBAN: Jomapa

G. LOPEZ-JAENA: Diego Laura

17. La Solidaridad

Accomplishments of the Sol:

It represented the ideals of the Filipino
Reformist Group;

It exposed the evils in the Philippine
Society;

It belied the claim that Filipinos had no
civilization before the coming of
Spaniards.

18. Hispano-Filipino
Association

Composed of Filipinos and Spaniards who
favored the granting of reforms in the
colony.

To make the propaganda work effective,
the society was divided into 3 sections:

The POLITICAL Section under M.H. del Pilar

The LITERARY Section under Mariano Ponce

The SPORTS Section under Tomas Arejola

19. Rizal with Luna and Valentin Ventura at their favorite sport of fencing.

20. Hispano-Filipino Association
They believed that the reforms needed in
the Philippines were:

The compulsory teaching of Spanish in all
schools;

The suppression of inhuman punishment in all
jails and tribunals of justice;

The establishment of a civil registrar and the
register of deeds;

The abolition of unfair taxes;

The establishment of secondary schools in the
archipelago;

21. Hispano-Filipino Association

Reforms needed:

Reforms in UST in order to raise it to the
rank of the universities in Spain;

The establishment of agricultural banks;

The initiation of reforms in the public
administration; and

The construction of good roads and
railways.

22. La Liga Filipina

A civic society founded by Rizal

Aims:

To unite the whole archipelago into one
compact, vigorous and homogenous body;

Mutual protection in every want and necessity;

Defense against all violence and injustice;

Encouragement of instruction, agriculture and
commerce;

Study and application of reforms.

23. La Liga Filipina
At first the Liga was quite active.
Bonifacio in particular exerted
great efforts to organize chapters
in various districts of Manila.
A few months later, however, the
Supreme Council of the Liga
dissolved the society.

24. La Liga Filipina

The reformist leaders found out that
most of the councils were no longer
willing to send funds to the Madrid
propagandists

This was because they had become
convinced that peaceful agitation for
reforms was futile.

25. La Liga Filipina
The Liga membership split into two
groups:
1.Cuerpo de Compromisarios:

the conservatives which pledged to
continue supporting the La Solidaridad

It lasted only for a few months for its
members, though patriotic, were passive
and too conservative to make the society
an effective medium of the Propaganda.

26. La Liga Filipina
2.Katipunan

A secret society of radicals led by
Bonifacio

Organized on the very day Rizal was
deported to Dapitan.

27. The Failure of the Reform
Movement
Causes of the
Failure of the
Reform Movement:
1.Spain was too pre-
occupied with its
own internal
problems to give a
thought to the
Colonial Problem.

28. The Failure of the Reform
Movement
2.The Friars were too powerful even
in Spain. The Sol was counteracted
by the influential and powerful
newspaper of the friars, the LA
POLITICA DE ESPAÑA EN
FILIPINAS

29. The Failure of the Reform
Movement
3.The movement has no sufficient
means to carry out their aims;
4.The propagandists were divided
against themselves by petty
jealousies.

30. Although the Reform Movement was
a failure in the achievement of its
goals, it was still a success for its
failure led to the founding of the
Revolutionary Katipunan with
separatist aims.