THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

WRITTEN REPORT
September 15, 2024

Prepared for:
Sir Casiro, Reynante B.
Instructor for Readings in Philippine History
Central Mindanao University

Prepared by:
Acusar, Cherry Mar
Cocamas, Abigail Mae
Forelo, Katrina Louise Grace
Executive Summary

The Propaganda Movement is the reformist movement which first sprouted in the Philippines in
the late 19th century in the view of bettering the Filipino people's living condition through calls
for political reforms within the Spanish colonial government. Led by key figures and leaders like
Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano Lopez Jaena, this movement used such
instruments as writing and journalism in addition to activism to draw attention to the injustices
provided at the hands of the Spaniards to Filipinos.

The movement unfortunately failed. Along with its crumble, a new resistance emerged. Just a
day after the arrest of Jose Rizal, the Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak
ng Bayan was formed by Andres Bonifacio along with Deadato Arellano and Teodoro Plata. The
new form of resistance started the full-scale revolution against spain and sought Philippine
Independence.

I. Introduction

The Propaganda Movement played a major role in the Philippine Revolution, advocating for
political, social, and economic reforms that eventually led to Filipino independence.In the late
19th century, the Propaganda Movement – a reformist movement - emerged in the Philippines. It
was a period of intellectual awakening and social unrest, as Filipinos resisted the oppressive
colonial system and demanded greater rights and freedom. The Propaganda Movement aimed to
improve the lives of Filipinos by advocating for political, social, and economic reforms within
the oppressive Spanish colonial government.

This report will delve into the origins, objectives, and key strategies employed by the
Propaganda Movement. It will analyze the movement's impact on Filipino nationalism, its role in
shaping the Philippine Revolution, and its enduring legacy in the country's history.

II. The History of The Propaganda Movement

The Propaganda Movement, a significant chapter in Philippine history, emerged from the socio-
economic and political landscape of the 19th century. The opening of Philippine ports to global
trade in the first half of the century pave the way for significant changes, fostering economic
development through the export of crops like sugar, tobacco, and abaca. This growth, fueled by
foreign capital, led to the establishment of large haciendas, many owned by friar orders, who
employed inquilinos or tenants to manage their lands. This system gave rise to a wealthy class of
Filipino haciendero and inquilino families, primarily Chinese mestizos and natives. The
educational reforms of 1863 further empowered this elite, granting them access to institutions of
higher learning in Manila and even Europe. This distinguished education, coupled with their
wealth, set them apart from the masses of indios, creating a new class of ilustrados.

These ilustrados, fueled by their education and experience, became vocal critics of the colonial
government, known for its corruption and incompetence. They advocated for political and
economic reforms that would benefit the colony. The Catholic Church and, in particular, the friar
orders, which held immense influence over colonial affairs, also faced criticism from the liberal-
minded Filipinos. Within the Church, a movement for change led by Fr. Pedro Pelaez and later
Fr. Jose Burgos demanded equality for Filipino secular priests and the transfer of local parish
administration to Filipino priests. This movement, known as secularization, was tragically cut
short by state repression following the Cavite Mutiny of 1872. The execution of prominent
Filipinos, including the Gomburza priests, sparked a wave of outrage and ignited a new
generation's desire for change.
The Propaganda Movement, essentially a Filipino-led campaign for reform and assimilation,
emerged from this tumultuous period. It spanned from the publication of the reformist bilingual
newspaper Diariong Tagalog in 1882 to the demise of La Solidaridad in 1895. Filipino students
and professionals living in Spain engaged in public speeches, political lobbying, and the
publication of books, pamphlets, and articles to expose the conditions in the Philippines and
advocate for necessary reforms. Leading figures like Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar, Mariano
Ponce, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Jose Maria Panganiban, and Antonio Luna, all brilliant and
wealthy mestizos and natives, played crucial roles in the movement. Their writings and actions
fostered a sense of Filipino consciousness, laying the groundwork for the revolution of 1896.
Despite their tireless efforts, the Propaganda Movement ultimately failed to achieve its
objectives. The political instability in Spain, with its constant power struggles between Liberals
and Conservatives, hindered the movement's progress. The Spanish government, preoccupied
with its internal affairs, paid little attention to the concerns of its overseas colonies and relied
heavily on the influence of the religious orders. The friars, in turn, engaged in counter-
propaganda, funding newspapers to refute the accusations of the Filipinos. Internal rivalries
among the ilustrados, particularly the rift between Rizal and Del Pilar, further weakened the
movement. While the movement failed to secure immediate reforms, it succeeded in igniting a
sense of national identity and unity among Filipinos, both in Spain and the Philippines,
ultimately paving the way for the revolution.

La Solidaridad: A Call for Filipino Reform

The inaugural issue of La Solidaridad, published in Barcelona in February 1889, serves as a

proclamation for the Filipino reform movement. This excerpt outlines the goals of the ilustrados,
educated Filipino intellectuals seeking to improve their homeland's conditions under Spanish
rule. La Solidaridad champions liberal ideas, promotes progress, and advocates for democratic
principles. It explicitly states its commitment to "be a propagandist above all of ideals of
democracy," gathering and disseminating liberal ideas across various fields.

The publication's primary focus is on the Philippines, a colony in dire need of reform.
Highlighted the lack of Philippine representation in the Spanish Cortes, arguing that this absence
has led to a neglect of the colony's needs and aspirations. They lament the loss of this right,
emphasizing that the Philippines' voice was once heard and its concerns considered.

The article criticizes the indifference of Spanish political parties towards the colonies,
highlighting the stark contrast between Spain's inaction and the active development of colonial
resources by other nations. The authors express concern that this indifference will ultimately
undermine Spain's integrity in the Philippines, a country yearning for progress. They reject the
notion that the Philippines' problems are insurmountable, arguing that studying and addressing
these issues is essential for the well-being of both the nation and its institutions. La Solidaridad
served as a platform for the ilustrados to expose the injustices faced by the Filipinos, inspiring a
sense of national consciousness and unity.

Graciano Lopez Jaena's "The Philippines in Distress"

Graciano Lopez Jaena, a prominent Filipino journalist and orator, penned "The Philippines in
Distress," a scathing critique of the economic and social conditions of the Philippines under
Spanish colonial rule. This excerpt from his work highlights Jaena's deep concern for the plight
of his homeland and his unwavering commitment to exposing the injustices inflicted by the
colonial administration.

Jaena begins by lamenting the economic crisis plaguing the Philippines, attributing it to the "lack
of foresight" and "ineptitude" of the colonial government. He criticizes the government's
budgetary practices, pointing out the growing deficit despite no noticeable improvement in the
country's overall condition. Jaena further condemns the government's reliance on a military
approach to governance, arguing that it stifles progress and creates an atmosphere of fear and
insecurity. Jaena proceeds to dissect the root causes of the Philippines' distress, identifying
bureaucratic inefficiency, intolerance, and a flawed educational system as key contributors. He
criticizes the education system for failing to equip Filipino youth with practical skills and
knowledge, instead focusing on religious indoctrination. He also condemns the continuous
change of personnel in the government, arguing that this instability hinders any meaningful
progress.

Jaena concludes by outlining a series of reforms he believes are necessary to revitalize the
Philippines. These include the abolition of discriminatory duties, freedom of commerce and
association, freedom of the press, and the establishment of free ports. He argues that these
measures are essential to stimulate economic growth, empower Filipinos, and restore their
country to its rightful place in the world. Jaena's "The Philippines in Distress" serves as a
powerful testament to his commitment to Filipino self-determination and his belief in the
potential for a brighter future for his homeland. His work stands as a vital document in the
history of the Filipino struggle for independence and reform.

Marcelo H. del Pilar: A Champion of Filipino Reform

Marcelo H. del Pilar, known as Plaridel, was a prominent Filipino lawyer, propagandist, and
writer who dedicated his life to fighting for Filipino rights and exposing the abuses of the
Spanish friars. He used his legal expertise and persuasive rhetoric to challenge the colonial
government and its policies.

Del Pilar's activism took many forms, including delivering speeches, writing pamphlets, and
founding Diariong Tagalog, the first bilingual newspaper in Spanish and Tagalog. He penned
works like "Caiingat kayo (Be as slippery as eel)" in defense of Rizal's Noli me tangere and
created Dasalan at tocsohan, a satirical prayer book that mocked the friars.

Fearing arrest, del Pilar fled to Spain in 1888, where he continued his fight for reform,
publishing works like La soberania monacal en Filipinas (Monastic Supremacy in the
Philippines) and La frailocracia monacal en Filipinas, which denounced the friars' influence over
the colony. He also organized Filipinos in Spain and led the Propaganda Movement. Despite his
tireless efforts, del Pilar's health deteriorated, and he succumbed to tuberculosis in 1896. He is
remembered as a courageous advocate for Filipino rights, a master of satire and persuasion, and a
key figure in the struggle for Philippine independenc

Jose Rizal's "On the Indolence of the Filipinos”

Jose Rizal, a prominent Filipino intellectual and national hero, penned "On the Indolence of the
Filipinos," a powerful critique of the prevalent colonial stereotype that Filipinos were inherently
lazy. This excerpt from his work challenges the prevailing notion of Filipino indolence, arguing
that it is a product of colonial policies and societal structures rather than an inherent trait.

Rizal begins by refuting the claim that Filipinos are indolent due to their tropical climate, citing
the industriousness of other nations living in similar climates. He argues that true indolence is a
result of oppressive governance and a lack of opportunity. He criticizes the Spanish colonial
administration for its inefficiencies, corruption, and lack of support for Filipino economic
development. He further criticizes the colonial education system, which he argues fails to equip
Filipinos with practical skills and knowledge, instead focusing on religious indoctrination and
perpetuating a sense of inferiority. He argues that this system, coupled with the constant fear of
persecution, stifles initiative and discourages Filipinos from pursuing economic advancement.
Rizal concludes by advocating for a more just and equitable system of governance, one that
prioritizes education, fosters economic development, and empowers Filipinos to take control of
their own destiny. He argues that true progress can only be achieved when Filipinos are given the
freedom and opportunity to realize their full potential. Rizal's "On the Indolence of the Filipinos"
stands as a critique of colonial stereotypes and a call for social and economic justice. It remains a
vital document in the history of the Filipino struggle for independence and self-determination.

III.Conclusion

The Philippine Propaganda Movement marked a significant turning point in the country's history,
serving as the foundation for the development of Filipino nationalism and the eventual struggle
for independence. Rizal's leadership and writings inspired Filipinos to fight for their rights and
paved the way for the country's future.

The advocacies for the liberal-minded Filipinos for social and economic reforms was a major
aspect of the Propaganda Movement, with an emphasis on equality, democracy, and self-
governance for the Filipinos. The movement had a lasting impact on Philippine culture,
literature, and history, influencing future generations of Filipino activists, writers, and thinkers. It
is still studied and remembered today as a significant event in Philippine history, and its ideals
continue to inspire and shape the country's identity and struggle for self-determination. The
Propaganda Movement and the works produced by Rizal and other liberals helped spark a
growing sense of nationalism and a desire for independence among Filipinos. While the
movement itself did not immediately lead to independence, it played a critical role in raising
awareness about the need for reform in the Philippines and paved the way for future
revolutionary movements.

The Propaganda Movement is seen as an essential stepping stone towards the eventual
revolution, as it helped to lay the groundwork for a more organized and unified Filipino identity.
Through their writing and advocacy, the intellectuals of the Propaganda Movement helped to
sow the seeds of nationalist ideology, which would eventually lead to the outbreak of newfound
patriotism.