Thread by @indiohistorian

#TodayinHistory in 1892, José Rizal establishes La Liga Filipina, a Filipino socio-civic organization, the 1st of its kind in #PH, with an ambitious aim & vision to "unite the whole archipelago into one vigorous and homogenous community." (THREAD) tmblr.co/ZtGCUxOfkGt6

Context: Amidst intimidation & threats upon his 2nd and final return to #PH from Europe, José Rizal had long put forward in his writings an ever present "social cancer so malignant" among Filipinos that his only recourse as was "to expose" it so people can give "a remedy"

Rizal then lays out this "social cancer" seen in his fictional characters in the fictional town of San Diego, the setting of his 2 novels Noli Me Tangere and El filibusterismo. This was his diagnosis of the problem among Filipinos. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx26gWtT9

Discontented with the efforts of the Filipino propagandists in Spain, Rizal decided to return to #PH contrary to the advice of his friends & family. He wrote 2 letters, one to his family and the other, "To the Filipinos." tmblr.co/ZtGCUx2TVsGkz

His prescription to the problem was La Liga Filipina. It aimed to provide "mutual protection," defend all members against "violence and injustice," encourage education esp. in the field of agriculture and commerce, and study the application of reforms. It was nation-building.

In the eyes of the Spanish colonial administration, this, among other things that Rizal did, was an affront to colonial authority. Three days after:

This monument in Tondo commemorates the founding of this organization.

Also... #JunkTerrorLaw.

Tagging @subselfie @tonitiemsin