By Anton Lutter
Today, February 22, 2026, marks the 137th anniversary of one of the most significant works of Filipino literature and early feminist thought: José Rizal’s To the Young Women of Malolos (Sa Mga Kabataang Dalaga sa Malolos).
Written in 1889 in London, this was not merely a letter of praise; it was a manifesto for intellectual liberation. It offered both encouragement and a bold critique of the social constraints imposed upon Filipino women. Here, we revisit the context, the courage of these women, and the timeless wisdom Rizal imparted.
In December 1888, a group of 20 young women from Malolos, Bulacan, did the unthinkable: they challenged the authority of the local parish friar. At a time when women were expected to be demure and subservient, they petitioned Governor-General Valeriano Weyler (1888–1891) for permission to open a night school where they could learn Spanish.
Despite fierce opposition from the friar, the women persisted until their request was granted. News of this “quiet revolution” reached Filipino reformist Marcelo H. del Pilar in Spain, who urged Rizal—then in London—to write a message of encouragement to these “brave sisters.”
Rizal’s primary aim was to dismantle the “sanctified” ignorance imposed by certain members of the clergy. He argued that true holiness is grounded in reason, not in the mechanical performance of rituals. As he wrote:
“God, the fountain of wisdom, does not expect man, created in His image, to allow himself to be blinded and deceived. The gift of reason, which was given us, must be brightened and utilized.”
Rizal understood that the character of a nation is forged in the home. He placed immense responsibility on mothers, viewing them as the first teachers of the Filipino people. He warned that a mother who teaches only submission raises a child fit only for servitude.
“If the Filipino woman will not change her mode of being, let her not rear children, but rather deliver them to the state. She must inspire her son with the love of honor, love of country, and the fulfillment of duty.”
He believed that an educated and principled mother would raise citizens capable of defending their rights. For Rizal, a woman’s “sweetness” or “beauty” was secondary to her intellectual fortitude and moral courage.
It is remarkable that Rizal composed this letter while deeply immersed in his scholarly work in London. At the time, he was annotating Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (republished in 1890) to demonstrate that Filipinos possessed a rich and sophisticated culture prior to Spanish colonization. Yet he considered this letter equally vital.
Rizal recognized that nation-building is not solely a political act; it is also cultural and domestic. He wrote:
“Now that you have responded to our first appeal in the interest of the welfare of the people… we shall be able to say: Victory is real, for the seed is sown.”
One hundred thirty-seven years later, Rizal’s words remain a sharp critique of complacency. In an era marked by misinformation and shifting social norms, his call to awaken the mind is more relevant than ever.
As we honor the women of Malolos, we are reminded that a single act of courage—such as petitioning for a night school—can ignite a movement that resonates for generations.
