The Indolence of the Filipinos

 In a world that is deprived of fairness, how could we survive?

            Hardships are a part and parcel of life and the only armor a person could have to keep these distressful events at bay is a positive mind.

 “As with the butterfly, adversity is necessary to build character in people”. Yet most of us, if not all, are aware of this undeniable truth, under an extreme misfortune, it is hard to withhold emotions and have a positive mentality.  Some people pinpoint that “it is just in the mind of the persona; you could be positive if you chose to do so”. However, the problem is it is hard to find a reason to be positive when we have absolutely no reason to be. It is easy to stay positive when things go well but when life isn’t throwing satisfactory or good things anymore; how hard could it be to be indisputable?

Sobre La Indolencia de los Filipinos or the Indolence of the Filipino written by Jose Rizal conveys the supposed act of idleness of the Filipinos during Spanish colonization. But instead of shaming and castigating, he rather explained it.  

Filipinos are known to be hard-working. Even if they were bathing in sorrow and exhaustion, they still continued to strive for the betterment of their work. One probable reason for this is due to the presence of their families and loved ones. They have responsibilities to assert and another “net of life” to weave.

Filipinos will do what is required to be done but looking back on Rizal’s La Indolencia de los Filipinos, an unusual behavior of Filipinos that is their indolence is allegedly conspicuous. What could be the reason behind these situations?

First, the establishment of the Galleon Trade cut off all previous associations of the Philippines with other countries in Asia and the Middle East. This resulted for business/es to only conducted with Spain through Mexico. This brought for the small businesses and handicraft industries that thrived during the pre-Spanish period be no more.

Second, Spain extinguished the native’s love of work because of the implementation of forced labor. The somewhat never-ending war between Spain and other countries in Europe, as well as the Muslims in Mindanao, made the Filipinos coerced into working in roads, shipyards, and other public. They abandoned agriculture, industry, and commerce.

Third, Spain did not protect the people against foreign invaders and pirates. Given that wars are obvious and eminent, Spaniards failed to secure the safety of the Filipinos. Being unable to defend themselves, the natives were killed, their houses burned, and their lands destroyed. This resulted for Filipinos to be forced to become nomads. They have lost the interest of cultivating their own lands or rebuilding the industries that were shut down, and became simply submissive to the mercy of God.

Fourth, the education was ineffective. The thigs taught are somewhat impractical and entering a school could be considered by some as a waste of time. What was being taught in schools are repetitive prayers and other things that could not be used by the students to lead the country to progress. There were no courses in Agriculture, Industry, etc. which were badly needed by the Philippines during those times since Philippines is a country that esteemed in that field.

Fifth, the Spanish rulers are a bad example to despise manual labor. The official reported to work at noon, and left early, all the while doing nothing in the line of duties. Seeing such scenarios would definitely tire out and raise perception of them as unethical and unscrupulous.

Sixth, gambling was established and widely propagated during those times. Almost everyday there were cockfights, and during feasts, the government officials were first to engage in all sorts of bets and gambles.

Seventh, there was a crooked system of religion. The friars taught Filipinos that it is easier for a poor man to enter heaven, and so they preferred not to work and remain poor so that they could easily enter heaven when they die.

Eight, the taxes were extremely high, so much that a huge portion of what they earned went to the government friars. It is like the notion “Isang kahig, isang tuka”. Though Filipinos aren’t indebted with the Spaniards, the heavy mandatory payments should be followed or else it could implicate badly.
          Lastly, tropical climate is a major factor, Rizal stated that "Nature knows this and lika a just mother has therefore made the earth more fertile, more productive, as a compensation. An hour's work under that burning sun, in the midst of pernicious influences springing from nature in activity, is equal to a day's work in a temperate climate.
         Amidst the prejudices, I could say that Filipinos are not indolent. They are industrious since day one. As time passed by, new things are being introduced to them which might be the reason why some people concluded that Filipinos are indeed indolent. Filipinos have this great attitude that "they might be in pain at this point in time, but fear not they won't back down" especially if circumstance/s at hand is/are related to their families. 

           

References:

https://opinion.inquirer.net/120136/the-indolence-of-the-filipino

https://prezi.com/lctag-5h0vcq/the-indolence-of-the-filipino-summary-and-analysis/