Summary:
Written Written in Tagalog, Tagalog, Jose Rizal wrote this letter letter – upon the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar – on 17 February 1889 in London while annotating Morga's book. The letter praises the young women of Malolos for their perseverance to pursue the esta establ blis ishme hment nt of a “nig “night ht scho school ol” ” where where they they can can study study Spanis Spanish. h. Ba Based sed on acco account unts, s, on 12 De Dece cemb mber er 1888 1888,, 20 young young wo wome men n from from Malo Malolo los s petit petitio ioned ned Governor-General Weyler for the establishment of a “night school” to study Spanish under Teodoro Sandiko, a professor of Latin. However, Fr. Felipe Garcia, the Spanish parish priest, objected to the petition, prompting the governor-general to dismiss the petition. Unperturbed, the young women continued with their clamor (for the establishment of the school) and eventually succeeded. Señora Guadalupe Reyes became the teacher of the women. The school remained open for three months. In his letter to the young women of Malolos, Jose Rizal pays homage to the 20 courageous women of the town for their desire to educate themselves, truly, a liberating action at that time. Rizal sees in these women a ray of hope in restoring the Filipino woman's dignity and worth, which are being denigrated at that time; that women are not only an accessory accessory to a family family following following her mother’s decisions decisions and whims, that women are not just mere followers and are only capable to be fragile and silent not even trying to voice out their ideas, and that women now have finally awakened that they too can react and struggle for freedom and what is right. He also emphasized the importance of the Filipino mothers, as it is in their nurturing hands where the children's future lies – whether they be free or enslaved. In this respect, Rizal compares the Filipino woman vis-a-vis the European women and using the Spartan women as model, he cites examples of the way the Spartan women see themse themselve lves. s. Rizal Rizal compa compared red the Filipi Filipino no wom women en and the foreig foreign n wom women, en, which which entails his huge respect to the Filipino women on their vital roles as mothers and wives. Being the foundation of principles and values in ensuring the progress of the nation, a mother should nourish her children with proper values, desired knowledge and shape them them to become become God-fear God-fearing ing and responsibl responsible e citize citizens. ns. As a wife, wife, a Filipina must support her husband in every problem, inspire him, encourage him, take a part with him all obstacles and dangers and to sympathize. Rizal advices the Filipino women to use reason, to know what a good mother is, and how to become one. He reiterates that a good mother teaches honor, honesty, love of fellowmen, and respect for God. He urges them to ponder on his words and use reason to determine what is just from unjust. Rizal ends his letter exhorting the women to "open your children's eyes so they may jealously guard their honor, h onor, love their fellowmen and their native land and do their duty". As for final words, it is indeed essential to know that Jose Rizal wrote a letter to the the young young wo wome men n of Malo Malolo los s not not only only beca becaus use e M. H. del del Pila Pilarr perso persona nall lly y
requested him to but because he might also feel the need to express his appreciation and great pride in the abrupt change of heart of these said Filipinas.
Message:
In his letter "To the Young Women of Malolos (188). Philippine National hero Dr. Jose Rizal gave his views. Rizal compared the women in Malolos are like flowers without perfurme and fruits without sap. This mean that they are women which lack freedom to do what they want in their life, intellect to know their right as individual, and they strong will to fight if they are being abused. The fact is women are ignorant and slaves. That the women were very passive to what the church teaches them but he had been proven wrong when the news of what had happened in Malolos reached him. In addition, Rizal praised and honored the twenty brave women of the town for their victorious battle for their just demand to education and their battle to stop slavery to the friars. He also emphasized the obligations and roles of the Filipino mothers to their children; he compared the Filipino women to the Spartan women as role model. Rizal concluded his letter by encouraging the Filipino women to "Let us, therefore, reflect; let us consider our situation and see how we stand…. May your desire to educate yourself be crowned with success”.
More so, Rizal made mention of a situation to one of the mothers of Sparta, handed the shield to her son who said nothing but to return triumph or return dead. the scenario is a bit heartbreaking and ironic when the other Spartan mother was told by a soldier that her three sons had died and replied that she was not asking about her sons but only wants to know whether they won or not. The soldier said they were victorious and the mother just went to the temple to thank God.
Rizal accentuate women in Malolos must be reasonable and open their eyes because they are the first to influence the consciousness of man. To always put in their mind that it is better to die with honor that living with dishonor. ed, nor spending on her knees, nor in endless prayers, reading novenas, and practicing "awits" from the church, because she is quickened by hope in the future. That nobody has the right to subjugate one another. And the friars can no longer assert that they alone are responsible for their unjust order;because god gave us reason and will of our own to distinguish the just from unjust. That's why as the baby formed in their lap they must be able to bring up their child to be the image of the true God, not a blackmailing being God, but a god who is the father of us all, not like the friars. Prepared the will of their children towards what is honorable, judged by
standards, to all that is sincere and firm of purpose, love for fellowmen, and respect for God. From above mention, Rizal what that the women in Malolos should be the one to open the eyes of their children so that they may guard their honor, love to their fellowmen, and they native land. With Rizal's letter to the young women of Malolos want to say is that, the women must reflect, see the situation of the country, and see how they can stand and crown theirselves with success and knowledge. No longer will the mother contribute to keeping her daughter in darkness. Jose Rizal desire from the young women of Malolos. This is what should the women in Malolos teach their children.
