RIZAL AND THE LA SOLIDARIDAD NEWSPAPER

· February 15, 1889- Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic newspaper called La Solidaridad in
Barcelona
· La Solidadridad-fortnightly periodical which served as the organ of the Propaganda Movement
· Its aims were as follows: (1) to work peacefully for political and social reforms (2) to portray the
deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them (3) to oppose the evil forces of
reaction and medievalism (4) to advocate liberal ideas and progress (5) to champion the legitimate
aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy and happiness
· Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers)- Rizal’s first article which appeared in La
Solidaridad which is published on March 25, 1889, six days after he left London for Paris

ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN LA SOLIDARIDAD
-Rizal wrote articles for La Solidaridad in defense of his oppressed people and to point out the evils of Spanish rule in the Philippines
1. “A La Defensa” (To La Defensa), April 30, 1889- this was a reply to an anti-Filipino writing of a Spanish author Patricio de la Escosura which was published by La Defensa on March 30, 1889
2. “La Verdad Para Todos” (The Truth For All), May 31, 1889- Rizal’s defense against the Spanish charges that the native local officials were ignorant and depraved
3. “Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo”, June 15, 1889- in this article, Rizal exposes Barrabtes’ ignorance on the Tagalog theatrical art
4.“Una Profanacion” (A Profanation), July 31, 1889- a bitter attack against the friars for denying Christian burial to Mariano Herbosa in Calamba because he was a brother-in-law of Rizal. Herbosa, husband of lucia died of cholera on May 23, 1889
5. “Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths), July 31, 1889- a reply to Vicente Belloc Sanchez’ letter published in La Patria, Madrid newspaper, on July 4, 1889, which asserted that the granting of reforms in the Philippines would ruin the “peaceful and maternal rule” of the friars
6. “Crueldad” (Cruelty), August 15, 1889- a brilliant defense of Blumentritt from the scutrillous attack of his enemies
7. “Diferencias’ (Differences), September 15, 1889- a reply to a biased article entitled “Old Truths” published in La Patria on August 14, 1889, which ridiculed those Filipinos who asked for reforms
8.“Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences), November 30, 1889- a defense of Antonio Luna against the attack of Pablo Mir Deas in the Barcelona newspaper El Puieblo Soberano
9. “Llanto y Risas” (Tears and Laughter), November 30, 1889- a denunciation of Spanish racial prejudice against brown Filipinos
10. “Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude), January 15, 1890- a reply to Governor General Valeriano Weyler who,
while visiting Calamba, told the people that they “should not allow themselves to be deceived by the vain promises of their ungrateful sons.”
· Simultaneous with Rizal retirement from the Propaganda Movement, Rizal ceased writing articles for La Solidaridad
· August 7, 1891- M.H. del Pilar wrote to Rizal begging forgiveness for any resentment and requesting
Rizal to resume writing for the La Solidaridad
· Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad, it was because of several reasons: (1) Rizal need to work on hisbook (2) He wanted other Filipinos to work also (3) Rizal considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work (4) Marcelo H. del Pilar is already at the top and Rizal also have his own ideas, it is better to leave del Pilar alone to direct the policy