Life And Works Of Rizal

MAYMANAN, MARIA NIL M.​​ MLS - 2E​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL 03/23/26 Case Analysis Paper (Individual Task) 1.​ You are assigned to ONE case 2.​ Using the class list, count 1, 2, 3 and 4. 3.​ All no. 1 will take Case 1, all no. 2 will take Case 2 and so on and so forth. Case 1: The fate of Cabesang Tales Case 2: The imprisonment of Basilio Case 3: The failed plans of Simoun Case 4: Student struggles led by Isagani Investigation Proper 1.​ You will complete a Case Analysis Report 2.​ Contents of the report A. Case Summary What happened? (5–7 sentences) B. Root Cause Analysis What social issues are present? (e.g., abuse of power, inequality, corruption) Who are responsible? Why? C. Evidence Gathering Cite at least 2 scenes/events from the novel to support your claims D. Verdict Was justice served? Explain E. Modern Connection Identify a similar issue in today’s society (Philippines or global) Case 1: The Fate of Cabesang Tales A. Case Summary (5–7 sentences) Cabesang Tales was once a peaceful and hardworking farmer who cleared a piece of land in the forest and turned it into a productive farm to support his family. However, the friars later claimed ownership of the land even though Tales had cultivated it for many years. Because he refused to surrender his land, the friars used their influence to file a legal case against him and demanded high rent. During the conflict, Tales’ son was forced to become a sacristan, his daughter Juli had to work as a servant, and his father Tandang Selo became deeply distressed. Tales was eventually captured by bandits while guarding his land, which forced his family to sell their possessions to pay ransom. When he returned and realized that the land had been taken from him through abuse of power, he lost hope in justice. In the end, Cabesang Tales disappeared and later became the feared outlaw Matanglawin, showing how oppression transformed a peaceful man into a rebel. B. Root Cause Analysis Social Issues Present 1.​ Abuse of Power​ The friars used their authority and influence to claim land that was already cultivated by Cabesang Tales. 2.​ Social Inequality​ Poor farmers like Tales had little power compared to wealthy landowners and religious authorities. 3.​ Corruption and Unjust Legal System​ The legal system favored powerful institutions, making it impossible for ordinary people to defend their rights. Who are Responsible? Why? The main people responsible are the friars and the colonial authorities. The friars abused their influence to claim ownership of the land even though Cabesang Tales had worked hard to develop it. Instead of protecting the farmer’s rights, the authorities supported the friars, which shows the injustice of the colonial system. Their actions pushed Cabesang Tales into poverty and desperation, eventually turning him into an outlaw. C. Evidence Gathering (Scenes from the Novel) Scene 1: Friars claiming the land​ After Cabesang Tales cleared the forest and turned it into farmland, the friars suddenly claimed that the land belonged to them and demanded rent. This shows how powerful institutions could take property from poor farmers without fairness. Scene 2: Cabesang Tales becoming Matanglawin​ When Cabesang Tales returned from captivity and learned that the friars had taken his land through the courts, he lost faith in justice. Eventually, he disappeared and was believed to have become the bandit leader Matanglawin, symbolizing how oppression can push a person to rebellion . D. Verdict Justice was not served in the case of Cabesang Tales. Instead of protecting the rights of a hardworking farmer, the system favored the powerful friars. Cabesang Tales lost his land, his family suffered greatly, and he was pushed into becoming an outlaw. This outcome shows how injustice and abuse of authority can destroy the lives of ordinary people. E. Modern Connection A modern situation similar to the experience of Cabesang Tales can be seen in land conflict issues involving farmers in the Philippines, particularly the Hacienda Luisita land dispute in Tarlac. The conflict began when thousands of farmers demanded the distribution of land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). For many years, farmers protested because they believed that the land should belong to them since they were the ones cultivating it. However, powerful landowners and legal complications delayed the redistribution of the land, which caused tension, protests, and even violent incidents such as the Hacienda Luisita massacre in 2004 where several protesting farmers were killed. This situation is similar to the fate of Cabesang Tales because both cases involve farmers struggling to defend land they have worked on for many years. In both stories, the conflict shows how powerful individuals or institutions can control land ownership while ordinary farmers fight to protect their rights. Just like Cabesang Tales lost faith in the justice system, many farmers today feel that legal processes take too long or favor the powerful. This connection shows that the issues of land inequality and abuse of power presented in El Filibusterismo by José Rizal are still relevant in modern Philippine society.