Philippines has complex history and it had been through a lot of experiences of governance with

different authorities. In connection, the writing of Dasalan at Tocsohan was the time wherein the
Philippines was under the Spanish Colonization. During this period, Propaganda Movement took place as
the medium where Filipinos are able to voice out their cries, and it can be seen as a forerunner to their
demands for independence from Spain. One of its prominent leaders was Marcelo H. Del Pilar, who was
among the first to fire on friars in their campaigns in form of his anti-friarism literary works like the
“Dasalan and Tocsohan”.

As part of it, the emergence of the ilustrado class and the other nationalist changed the national
panorama by their demand for greater autonomy, freedom and equal rights, since inequality was clearly
observed in the laws, and even in the treatment towards the Filipinos; as been highlighted in the
writings.

Upon reading ‘Dasalan and Tocsohan’, I had an idea on which it generally wants to say —
oppressive rule of the Spanish Friars. Del Pilar used parodies of the Catholic prayers like the Lord’s
prayer, the Ave Maria, the Salve, the Commandments of God and some Christian virtues.

Nevertheless, his idea of that brought me to astonishment since it was an impressive way to
show the contrast of the Friars’ teachings and actions. It also made me realized that sarcastically and
irreverently making use of prayer is a pass to reciprocate the way of how the friars used God as weapon
of destruction and how they manage to used the divine right theory to not just take over the Phlippines
but to hold the power over everything for their own selfish desires- as been highlighted to the
“Sampung Utos ng Fraile”.

Undoubtedly, friars treated Filipinos as if they were less. Spanish Friars were selfish, corrupt,
violent, and manipulative for they even used God as the context to make Filipinos follow them and their
commands. During this era, abuses to the Filipinos were seen; they used their position to create chaos;
even on women since they were sexualized. Yet, these horrors was been tolerated by the government
instead of trying to correct their wrong doings.

Thus, Dasalan at Tocsohan’s attack against the friars is a revelation and it serves as an eye-
opener of the Filipinos during the Spanish Regime. The composition woke up the Filipinos and it made
them aware that their sacrifices and offerings don’t go to God; as they thought and what the friars
portray; but instead falls into the hand of the friars who continue their overpower. Also, they’ve realized
that as as long as equality is not yet gained and as long as the governemnt support the wrong doings,
then it will always stay like that. Undoubtedly, if without the aforentioned writing and other literary
works, Filipinos would just be passive during those times where they were abused and they will kept
unspoken. Nevertheless, his work also reflects the intelligence of Filipino writers through expressing
cultural references, specifically regarding religion through hidden messages.

Consequently, it showed how Filipinos rose up against the Spaniards. This period became the
turning point in our Philippine literary journey and it shows that Filipinos were civil in trying to resolve
the problem in a peaceful way; by means of pen and tongue for they believe that it is mightier than
sword. Through the Propaganda, it was the first step in achieving the freedom of the Filipinos. If it
weren’tbecause of them and their literary works, Philippine’s independence would’ve been delayed or
won’t be attained at all since there was no one to initiate the fighting.
 Thereupon, our main take-away from this writing is that evil or wrong doings will not pursue if
the victims and by standers will not tolerate it. Also, it was impactful during that era because it serve as
their voice to affect the friars, and that the anger of the people for the frairs is more than the holiness of
the prayers. But in the present time, the parody of prayers would obtain the wrath of the Filipinos
because the people today are sensitive in this manner. Also, Catholics are religiously rightful or they
believe that the writings in the bible is absolute and should not be interpreted in some other way.
Furthermore, hearing of such will surely be interpreted more of a disgrace because the Catholic Church
has a better image compared to the past, and since they are doing their best to correct all the flaws in
their sector, which gained the respect of most people to the Catholic religions.