Note: This article was written for my assignment in our Life and Works of Rizal class in college. We were given a direction to read and analyze the article that was written by Quennie Ann J. Palafox titled Rizal's Settlement Project in Sabah. The following are my comments and critics about the plan of Dr. Jose Rizal. My arguments revolved around the analysis of whether his plan is a patriotic or unpatriotic move.
Rizal's Settlement Project in Sabah Synopsis:
New Calamba was a planned Filipino settlement in Borneo by Jose Rizal. At the time the settlement was proposed the area which is now situated in the Malaysian state of Sabah was under the administration of the British North Borneo Chartered Company. The Filipino settlement was proposed to be governed autonomously under British North Borneo.
Jose Rizal envisioned the settlement after residents in his native Calamba, Laguna were left homeless after the resolution of a land dispute in favor of the Dominican friars.
“If it is impossible for me to give my country liberty.
I should like to give it at least to these noble countrymen of mine in other lands.”
Patriotism is the love for your country. And to love your country, you should also love and serve your countrymen. Having that said, Rizal’s Settlement project in Sabah is just right to call another patriotic move directed to the Filipino people. Rizal’s dream was to have Independence for the Philippines and its natives. That is why he was able to come up with this idea.
The Philippines is for the Filipino people. But during the Spanish regime, Filipinos’ rights over their lands were oppressed by the Spaniards. During the Calamba’s land crisis, the poor tenants of Calamba were driven out, and their houses were burned down. This cruelty to Filipinos left them landless and homeless. They had no power to fight for their rights. However, this same cruelty led Rizal to come up with an idea of a Filipino community in Sabah. Where Filipinos will be ruled by themselves, and not the Spaniards. An idea that gives hope that there is still a chance to fight against the injustices and inhumane acts of the colonizers.
However, if Rizal’s plan was carried out, there is this implication that Rizal is letting the Dominicans rule all over the town of Calamba. Thoughts like Rizal just let them take away their lands without fighting for it, and that the tenants are abandoning their native land will play inside the people’s minds. Rizal leading them to leave their lands will sound unpatriotic if people will not comprehend the reason behind his plan. Despojul considered his plan as anti-patriotic because if it happens, this Filipino community that will be built may create force and movement against the Spanish government.
If the Filipino settlement project is realized, Filipinos will be able to form a community where there is no free labor and no forced service in the military. This is the dream of every Filipino back then. This plan of Rizal was a ray of Hope, Peace, and Freedom for the Filipino natives from slavery, oppression, injustice, and sufferings brought by the Spaniards.
Rizal’s patriotism is unquestionable, that all his plans were only for the love of his country, and his countrymen. He wanted a better Philippines and better treatment for his countrymen. Rizal might not have given the country the liberty it deserved (which the Philippines was able to get through his advocacy of a peaceful revolution), he would have been able to give it to the Filipino people who deserve it most.
It is sad to see that this land was actually for Filipino people but now most the lands our owned by different people from different country.