The Spaniards –the colonists that made the Philippines as their own have labelled the Filipinos as INDOLENT. Try to imagine the audacity. However, Rizal argued to their claim that Filipinos are indolent. Rizal explained that Filipinos are innately hardworking before the reign of the colonists. Rizal have explained several factors that brought the decrease in the productive activities of the natives, saying that it was actually because of the Spanish colonization. First is in trading, the Spanish destroyed the trading and the links between the Philippines and other neighbouring countries and eradicated local businesses. Second it the forced labour, Filipinos were forced to work in public works that made them abandon their agricultural farms and their livelihood. Third is the loss of land ownership, due to invaders, Filipinos have lost their lands because they were no government forces defending for them. Fourth is the education, the Spaniards only teach the Filipinos to memorize prayers repetitively instead of practical lessons such as agricultural and industrial technology. Fifth is the negligence of the Spanish officials that they are bad examples to the Filipinos. Sixth is gambling, the practice of gambling was established and practiced and had a negative effect to the Filipinos even up to date. Seventh is the false teaching, they taught the poor Filipinos that it is easier for a poor man to enter heaven, which discouraged them to work hard. Lastly, the taxes, it was very high that it left the natives into discouragement because big part of their earnings would only go to the officials.
Rizal had pointed out their faults. He pointed out each of them. He made clear that the natives are hardworking in nature, but the Spaniards changed them, leading into decrease of productivity that they criticize as INDOLENCE.
