diced b Jos e S. Arc a, - non

From these texts, one sympathizes perfectly with Rizal's vital dramainvolving two legitimate loyalties for two countries he deeply loved, thePhilippines and Spain, but incompatible in the practical order due to theclosed mind of some Spaniards—I do not know if of the majority.Unfortunately, some missionaries, among them Fray Casimiro, were responsiblefor this tragic dilemma which would entail serious consequences intheir effort to indoctrinate the Filipinos that their search for their nationalidentity and their love for their own country were irreconcilable with asincere Christian faith. If to be a sincere Christian necessarily meant loyaltyand love for Spain, on the one hand, and giving up affection for one'scountry, what reasonable alternatives, on the other, were open to anunclouded mind and a passionate lover of one's own land?These factors—no matter how basic they may seem — explain Rizal'sletter to Blumentritt, when the national hero explained his dialecticalexchange with the Jesuits in Manila after the publication of his novel. It wasdifficult for him to convince them that his pwpose was to attack, not religion,but those who were hiding behind it to legitimize their abuses and despotism:Pardo de Tavera answered him [Fr. Federico Faura, S. J.] it was correct that inwanting to strike a blow against the friars, I had cast a stone against religion. Iadded the analogy was inexact, namely, I wanted to hit the friars. But since theyuse religion not only as a shield, but also as a weapon, a defense, a castle, afortress, etc., I was forced to attack their false and superstitious religion . . . Godshould not be used.m10. John Bowring. A Visit to the Philippine Islands. Manila: Imp. deRamirez y Girauder, 1876Although neither Bowring's name nor the title of his book appears in theNoll or in any other writings previous to the publication of Rizal's novel,there are enough indications to believe that Rizal read this travelogue of anEnglish diplomat who came to the Philippines in 1858. Well known in hiscountry for his literary, diplomatic, and political achievements, he wasnamed British charge d'affaires and governor of Hongkong in 1854. He sayshe visited the Philippines for reasons of health, but there could have beenother reasons too.Cultured and a keen observer, Bowring was well informed about the pastand present of the Philippines, and his book is replete with interestingobservations and value judgments not always correct, but which still callone's attention. The cultured classes and the students at the end of the lastcentury must have considered his book "must" reading. One finds in its pages92