The Life and Works of Jose Rizal

Metacognitive Reading Report # 2

Name: James Brian R. Ventura Date: June 10, 2019

1. Three (3) Things that I significantly learned from the readings

 After reading the materials I was able to discover that Jose Rizal’s deeper
genealogical roots, he had a rich heritage coming from a mix of Filipino, Spanish,
and Chinese descent. I only assumed beforehand that he was part-Filipino and part-
Spanish. This apparently cultivated in his proficiency to speak several languages,
as well as a wide scope of knowledge and understanding between foreign cultures.

 The Chinese immigrants, who left their mainland for better business opportunities
in Manila as part of the Galleon trade, discarded their former heritage and went on
to reinvent their own identity as Neo-Indios. Their newfound aim to build a
formidable economy in a foreign land ultimately challenged the pre-existing local
norms of business and trade, which is actually admirable when you think about it.

 And lastly, I was able to learn how the expulsion of Chinese migrants ultimately
led to the establishment of marketplaces in settlements throughout Manila. Their
downfall of a homogenous Chinese economy blended into the local economy while
being exploited by the ruling Spanish economy. Today, these are known as Parians
or the Chinese Ghettos.

2. Three (3) Things that are still unclear to me

 Given that the Philippines was a primary hotspot for trade long before the Spaniards
came, it left me wondering as to why China never had a solid intention to infiltrate
us back then. They definitely would’ve had a greater advantage especially since
they were far more familiar with the system of trade with our country, as well as
their advanced combative technology compared to the primeval workmanship of
our pre-colonial countrymen.

 I also got a bit confused with how the whole Social System worked in their time
period. There were several variations of the same social class and each one had
their respective rates of transacting monetary resources.

 I was left with an impression of skepticism when I read about how Rizal’s father
was able to change their social status in society, there wasn’t enough clarification
given as to how the process known as gracias al sacar, worked and its implications
to one’s records in the social climate they were in back then.

3. I used to think that….

Mestizos could never legally interchange their social standing into a lower class
such as that of the Indios and vis-à-vis, unless there was a change in the state of
their wealth and the capacity to procure such resources.

4. Three (3) questions that I want to ask about the readings

 Could this long-standing history of our relationship of commerce with China factor
into what’s currently transpiring in Scarborough shoal and their continuous efforts
to harness our natural resources despite the ruling of the international court?
 What was the ultimate fate of the Indio Gremios?
 Is the term Mestizo actually allotted for distinguishing the higher-ranking mixed-
race families (local and foreign) from the pure foreign mainlanders?