La Indolencia de los Filipinos

Synthesis
Indolence of the Filipinos was published in La Solidaridad in 5 installments from July 15 to September 15, 1890. The first part is about admitting the existence of indolence among Filipinos. Henceforth, indolence is greatly misuse. It is the sense of little love for work and lack of energy. Basically, someone must study the causes of indolence before curing it and examine the causes based on facts before proposing a remedy. The main factor for being indolent is due to ‘climate’. Any man can live in any climate if he will only adopt. In fact, an hour work under the Philippines such is equivalent to a day’s work in temperate regions. Therefore, the tendency to indolence is very natural but its effort is misgovernment. At the same instance, indolence was categorized as a chronic illness. They say Filipinos are indolent by nature but isn’t an illness will worsen if the wrong treatment is given? Thirdly, wars, insurrections, expeditions and invasion—enumerate several reasons that may have caused the Filipinos’ cultural and economic corruption. Filipinos were sent abroad to fight for Spain or shipyards to construct vessels—force labor. The invasion of Pirates that diminished number of native Filipinos made some to hide in the forest and mountains, abandoning their farm lands because of fear. On the fourth part, cut-off trading and monopoly of government officials began. Permission of labor through KASAMA system was used by the landlords (encomenderos) to abuse. No aid for crops and no products-seeking from market showed absence of encouragement from the government. Gambling, wrong doctrines, discrimination on education and false teaching of the church—all brought by the Spaniards strengthen Filipinos to stand firm and have inspirations: to think and strive to rise. Lastly, these reduced the causes of indolence to two factors. One, the limited training and education Filipino natives received and lack of a national sentiment of unity among them.

Reaction/Reflection
I am a Filipino. I know definitely that Filipinos were by nature hardworking. They never settle unless they succeed doing something worthy. Filipinos are the most active group of mankind who experienced harsh treatment, encountered tough circumstances, undergone slavery over the aliens yet they remained strong—never giving up. I am doubtless to say this and excuse to foreigners who invaded and tried to conquer our homeland but Filipinos are the most enduring and patient people they will ever meet. Looking at every side, those years during 1890’s, every Filipino exerted every effort they have in order to survive, am I not right? Maybe, we were deceived by the Spaniards once, but never again that will happen.

Recommendation
            The indolence is just the effect of backwardness and troubles of experience by the Philippines. The hot climate is reasonable predisposition for indolence. Filipinos does not only work to get rich but with hope of the future, to be free and get respected. That clearly shows that we are not lazy. And simply represents that we are contented the way we live. Early Filipinos were already working outside—into agriculture and mining which offers that we are independent group of people yet dependent to each Filipino.

Conclusion

            Education and Liberty is the key to solve this issue.

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