To the Young Women

of Malolos
MGA DALAGANG PILIPINA
Rizal’s Reflections
of the Times
Rizal’s Reflections of the Times
● During the time it was written, it was heavily implied that friars
were manipulative and abused their positions to extort the citizens
whom they govern.
● The relationship between friars and Filipinos was feudal in nature.
● Not all of them (friars) embodied the true spirit of Christ.
● Filipino women had duties and responsibilities.
● There are qualities that Filipino mothers need to possess.
Striking Points Within
the Text
Striking Points Within the Text
● Colonialism and patriarchy destroyed the roles of women. (The mother
must raise her children according to the image of God and acclimatize the mind for pleasant idea.)
● Filipinos at that time were blinded by the Spanish friars’ schemes.
With that, they lack the ability to think rationally since it was
overpowered by their religious beliefs
● The acts of the friars were diverging from the true path and meaning
of Christianity and the Church.
● Friars lack initiative in serving and disseminating the true meaning
of the word of God and their intentions were greatly influenced by
worldly methods and desires.
Rizal’s View on Women
Rizal’s View on Women
● Stated the influence a mother can have towards her child
● However, demonstrates the norm wherein domestic
expectations dictate the life of women
Issue That Exemplifies
Rizal’s Views
Issue That Exemplifies Rizal’s Views
“Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

and Expression Equality Bill”

● Bro. Eddie: “SOGIE gives special rights to LGBT community”
● Sotto: “Women cannot be compared to a group like that because
….you are a man, you will never be a woman, no matter what you do,
because you cannot reproduce. You cannot give birth, you do not
have ovaries”
“So this to me the SOGIE bill is a bill against women’s right”
Issue That Exemplifies Rizal’s Views
● Religion is used by the ruling class as a weapon to protect and
further their interests
● Echo Rizal’s sentiments; “If that is the God whom the friar adores,
then I turn my back upon that God”
● UCCP: “We believe God will always take the side of the farmers
asking for land, Lumads asking for their schools back, workers
asking for just wages, and these people asking not to be
discriminated anymore”
Issue That Exemplifies Rizal’s Views
● ‘'Love the sinner,' we are told by our anti-SOGIE Christian siblings,
but how do you say you love the sinner when you are refusing them
secular, universal rights to jobs, education, and healthcare based on
their dissonance from your expectations?" said Alviar, an openly gay
man
● ”because even if all the rags on earth were converted into scapularies
and all the trees in the forest into rosaries, and if all the priests of the
earth mumbled prayers over all this and sprinkled oceans of holy water
over it, this would not purify a rogue or condone sin where there is no
repentance”
● No one is sinless. Being holy does not exempt us from sinning.
Issue That Exemplifies Rizal’s Views
● ”because even if all the rags on earth were converted into scapularies
and all the trees in the forest into rosaries, and if all the priests of the
earth mumbled prayers over all this and sprinkled oceans of holy water
over it, this would not purify a rogue or condone sin where there is no
repentance”
● No one is sinless. Being holy does not exempt us from sinning.