To the Women of Malolos

In remembrance of Rizal's 150th birth anniversary, a few select lines from his letter to the women of Malolos:

"The mother who can only teach her child how to kneel and kiss hands must not expect sons with blood other than that of vile slaves.

Awaken and prepare the will of our children towards all that is honorable, judged by proper standards, to all that is sincere and firm of purpose, clear judgment, clear procedure, honesty in act and deed, love for the fellowman and respect for God.  And, seeing that life is full of thorns and thistles, you must fortify their minds against any stroke of adversityand accustom them to danger.

Open your children’s eyes so that they may jealously guard their honor, love their fellowmen and their native land, and do their duty.  Always impress upon them they must prefer dying with honor to living in dishonor."

why we are poor 1.1

'As long as the Filipino people have not enough spirit to proclaim, brow held high, and breast bared, their right to a free society, and to maintain it with their sacrifices, with their very blood; as long as we see our country men privately ashamed , hearing the cries of their revolted, and protesting in conscience but silent in public, or joining the oppressor in mocking the oppressed; as long as we see them wrapping themselves up in their selfishness and praising the most iniquitous acts with forced smiles, begging with their eyes for a share of the booty, why give them freedom?" - El Filibusterismo