The Campaign for Reforms

(1882 – 1892)

The Reform Movement

Ten peaceful years elapsed after the execution of Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora. It was a peaceful
period on the surface because the Filipinos were cowed into silence by the Spanish authorities. There
were threats of persecution for those who would oppose or criticize Spanish rule.

The reform movement, also called Propaganda Movement, began in 1882. It lasted up to the
early months of 1892, when the important Filipino reformist returned to the Philippines like Rizal, who
founded the La Liga Filipina. The reform movement which they started included the idea to assimilate
the Philippines as a province of Spain. As such, and not as a colony of Spain, the Philippines would be
represented in the Spanish lawmaking body called cortes.

This move to make the Philippines a province of Spain and the granting of Spanish citizenship of
Filipinos was called assimilation. Assimilation off the Philippines would allow the indios to be finally
called “Filipinos”. The important Filipino reformists were Graciano Lopez Jaena, Jose Rizal, and Marcelo
H. Del Pilar.

Graciano Lopez Jaena

- Was born in jaro, now a part of Iloilo City, on December 18, 1856. His parents were Placido
Lopez and Maria Jacobo become a priest, but later on, he changed his mind to be a physician instead.

In 1889, he founded the fortnightly newspaper La Solidaridad and became its first editor.

Jose Rizal

Born in Calamba Laguna on July 19, 1861

- He started Ateneo Municipal and University of Santo Tomas.

- He went to Europe to continue his medical Studies.
- He saw all the injustices being committed against the Filipinos and thus, his young mind and
hearts rebelled against them in 1882. He went to Spain he studied medicine and several
language such as French & German
- At the age of 26 he wrote his first novel Noli Me Tangere & Touch me not
- He wrote his 2nd Novel El Filibusterismo
- Rizal wrote poems, essay & many articles all showing his love of country, his patriotism, his
love of parents, his happiness & corrows.
- La Liga Filipina – a patriotic society which was suspected of and preparing the people for
revolution
- He was executed on Bagumbayan Field (Now Luneta of Rizal Park) on December 30, 1896.

Marcelo H. Del Pilar

- He is the greatest journalist produced by the purely Filipino race born in Barrio of Cupang
Bulacan, Bulacan on August 20, 1850.
 - Studied at the college of San Jose and later at the University of Santo Tomas where he
finished his law studies in 1880.
- In 1882, he founded the Tagalog-Spanish newspaper “Diaring Tagalog” which, although
short-lived, published suggestions on how to improve the administration of the country.
- He also published the mild criticism of the Spaniards
- In 1888, the Spanish friars of Bulacan persuaded the Spanish officials of the province to
arrest Del Pilar.
- A year after his arrival in Spain, he become it guiding spirit
- He edited the newspapers and also wrote many articles and editorials.
- Two of his books in Spanish which became famous were:
o La Soberania Monacal en Filipinas (Monastic Sovereignty in the Philippines)
o La Froilacracia Filipina (Frailocracy in the Philippines)
- He wrote Caiingat Cayo, Dasalan at Toksahan
o Kadakilaan ng Diyos
o Sagot ng Espana sa Hibik ng Filipinas
- Unforunately, he died on July 4, 1896

The Pro-Filipino Societies

- The Filipinos who went to Spain believed that it was wise for them to seek the help of
Spaniards with liberal ideas. In order to cultivate the friendship and sympathy of these
Spaniards, the Filipino organized societies with members that were sympathetic to the
cause of introducing reforms in the Philippines. Whether they were Spaniards or Filipinos.

Freemasonry and Its role

The Filipino reformists in Spain did not spare any effort to win friends for the sake of the
country.

- Many Spaniards with liberal ideas were masons, the Filipino Reformists, including Rizal,
Lopez Jaena, Del Pilar, Antonio Luna, and others, decided to join masonry not only because
they wanted to win friends among Spanish masons, but also because they wanted to win
friends among Spanish masons, but also because of its antifriar character.

La Liga Filipina

The Aims of the Liga according to its constitution were:

1.) To unite the whole archipelago into one strong body

2.) To give mutual protection of all members in case of necessity
3.) To encourage agriculture, commerce and education
4.) To defend members against any kind of violence and injustice; and
5.) To study and apply reofmrs.