As what I read, Rizal described the people
in the tropical and non-tropical countries. In tropical areas, the people there do not work a lot when it’s hot especially
at noon time. It is because they have to rest because of the sun’s heat. For instance, we students, whenever the air
or the weather is some warm, the tendency for this thing is we want to sleep. On the other hand, countries have four seasons
have to work much during spring and fall. It is because they cannot easily work on summer (because of excessive heat) and
on winter. Thus, the total work all in all is almost the same! We as human being must adopt to our environment whatever its
conditions. Therefore, being “indolent (as they say)” during hot conditions is reasonable.
I can prove without the text in the book
that Filipinos in those days (Spaniard’s and pre-colonial period) were NOT indolent. This can be verified through Banaue’s
Rice Terraces, Filipinos at the dawn (before the sunrise) are ready to start planting and keeping their vegetables and harvests.
At the coming of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, he noticed the people have enough supply of food, very generous, energetic and industrious.
When the Spaniards came to our lands,
they burned many houses, eradicated some goods and resources, killed many Filipinos, and stop our economic and commercial
cycle. They controlled almost all farms and villages. Many areas were become unpopulated. Almost two thirds of the populations
were declined. Many boys especially the teenagers were asked to do the Polo y Servicios. Farms were left uncultivated and
encomienda was implemented. Only the friars and Spanish officials could benefit- from high taxes to church offerings. To be
able to start a business and work, the permissions from the administrators was required, and not all were granted. For that,
many Filipinos gave up their work, lands, and even their life. They viewed their life hopeless and they thought themselves
as inferiors. Gambling grown up because all of their sacrifices and works were not enough. They trusted fortune to make their status quite good. Some of these are “sabongs” or cock fighting and even
today exists! Another obnoxious is the friars told the people: “THE RICH MAN WILL NOT GO TO HEAVEN.” What kind
of deception is that! They corrupted and controlled the minds of the innocent people. Also, aside from this, education for
all was not granted. The reforms, programs the government should take in to action were only a dream. How bad or worst are
these!!!
Today, the indolence and hopeless mentality
stays toward the masses. Many corrupt officials, unsettled reforms, poverty, misdistribution of money and taxes, poor tenancy,
illiteracy, slow progress, etc. are still there! HISTORY TRULY REPEATS ITSELF. That’s the importance of education and
studying or past. IF THESE TRAITS AND SYSTEM CONTINUE, THEN AS HISTORY SAYS, WE WIL SUFFER AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!
Education and complete analysis of this
facts is very important, not only this days, but also to the next generation.
Truly that article is excellent in describing
our situation and delighting everyone who reads it. I learned a lot from this essay. I hope many people will read this beautiful
work of art.
I expect that you will be satisfied for
what I’ve mentioned. I hope this reaction paper is complete and in details.
That’s all, Gracias por leer a
mis comentarios!
(Thanks
for reading my comments.)