La Solidaridad was an organization created in Spain on December 13, 1888.
Composed of Filipino liberals exiled in 1872 and students attending Europe's
universities, the organization aimed to increase Spanish awareness of the needs
of its colony, the Philippines, and to propagate a closer relationship between
the colony and Spain. Headed by José Rizal's cousin, Galicano
Apacible, it also issued a newspaper of the same name which was published in
Barcelona, Spain on February 15, 1889. It was edited by Graciano López Jaena
and later on by Marcelo H. del Pilar. The newspaper published not only
articles and essays about the economic, cultural, political, and social
conditions of the country, but also current news, both local and foreign,
and speeches of prominent Spanish leaders about the Philippines.
Members Dr. José Rizal
Marcelo H. del Pilar Graciano Lopez Jaena
Antonio Luna Mariano Ponce
Jose Maria Panganiban = Other members =
Pedro Paterno Antonio Maria Regidor
Isabelo de los Reyes Eduardo de Lete
José Alejandrino Jose Luis Guerra
Robert Lacamra Andres Bonifacio
= International members = Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt
Dr. Miguel Morayta Sagrario Note: Some friends of the Propaganda
Movement also contributed Trivia
Laong-Laan used as the same name of a railway station
Graciano Lopez Jaena was the founder of La Solidaridad
History In order to find a venue where the
desire of the Propaganda Movement towards achieving assimilation can be
expressed, La Solidaridad was established. The first issue of La
Solidaridad came out on February 15, 1889. Published fortnightly, it served
as the principal organ of the reform movement for six years.
In general, its funds came from the Comite de Propaganda in the Philippines.
Rizal was first offered the position of its editorship. However, he declined
because he was very busy annotating Antonio de Morga's Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas in London. In the end, Graciano López Jaena showed an interest
in becoming the editor. On April 25, 1889, La Solidaridad
published the letter entitled "The aspirations of the Filipinos" which was
written by the Asociación Hispano-Filipina de Madrid. It pursued
desires for: Representation in the Cortes
Abolition of censure An expressed and definite prohibition of
the existing practices of exiling residents by purely administrative
order, and without a writ of execution from the courts of justice.
On December 15, 1889, Marcelo H. del Pilar replaced Graciano López Jaena as
the editor of La Solidaridad. Under his editorship, the aims of the newspaper
expanded and drew the attention on politicians and even Spanish ministers.
Using propaganda, it pursued desires for:
That the Philippines be a province of Spain
Representation in no priests instead of Spanish friars--Augustinians,
Dominicans, and Franciscans—in parishes and remote sitios
Freedom of assembly and speech Equal rights before the law
After years of publication from 1889 to 1895, La Solidaridad had begun to run
out of funds. It ceased publication on November 15, 1895, with 7 volumes and
160 issues. In del Pilar's farewell editorial, he said :
Notable contributors Several writers contributed to La
Solidaridad over its six years of existence, like Antonio Luna, Anastacio
Carpio, Mariano Ponce, Antonio M.a Regidor, Jose Maria Panganiban, Isabelo
de los Reyes, Eduardo de Lete, José Alejandrino, and Pedro Paterno. One of
the most prolific contributors though was Rizal's confidant Ferdinand
Blumentritt, whose impassioned defense of the Filipino interests was said to
have been inspirational to the other writers and the readers of the newspaper
alike. See also
Philippine literature in Spanish Philippine Revolution
Notes References
Constantino, Renato. A Past Revisited. Quezon City: Tala Publications, 1975.
Zaide, Sonia M. and Gregorio F. Zaide. The Philippines: A Unique Nation.
Manila: All-Nations Publishing, 1999. Zaide, Gregorio F. Philippine History
and Government. National Bookstore Printing Press, 1984.
External links La Solidaridad at the MSC Institute of
Technology The Philippine Revolution - La
Solidaridad