The Indolence of the Filipino - Tapa blanda

José Rizal's thoughtful essay, in which he discusses the nature of Filipinos and life in his native Philippines, is presented here complete and in large print.

The popular attitude towards Filipinos in the late 19th century was similar to that towards many other peoples subject to the colonialism of European countries. Namely, that the native peoples were lazy and not given to a work ethic, and thus guilty of a range of personal shortcomings and - ultimately - inferiority to the Europeans who colonized the Philippine archipelago.

Rizal enthusiastically combats this notion by highlighting the circumstances hindering the Filipinos. The subjects raised by Rizal include the problem of negligence and graft in the upper levels of governance, the resulting mismanagement in public funds and hence lackluster development. The hot climate, whose humidity induces tiredness at an earlier hour than the temperate, European climes, and the prevalence of tropical disease are all cited.

Additionally, Rizal notes that many Europeans - be they working in commercial plantations, the church, or in governance - were guilty of indolence; delegating many of their duties to low paid Filipinos instead. Rizal also challenges the dogmatic opinion that people exist solely to produce goods, and champions the notion that personal and familial happiness is a greater priority than satisfying the desires of others as a human workhorse.

A striking treatise with great relevance in the modern day, The Indolence of the Filipino may also be read as a tragic foreshadowing of the problems now facing the modern Philippines. Rizal expresses concern in the text, that the problems he notes may snowball into greater threats; in the case of corruption - now an issue of nationwide prominence for Filipinos - this essay was correct.