Use this questions as guide to write the essay…
1. What personal qualities did Graciano possess that made him socially and politically aware of the abuses committed by church and colonial government officials in the Philippines during his time?
2. As a significant figure in Philippine political history—despite his relatively short life—being the first editor-in-chief of the propaganda newspaper La Solidaridad, how did his work influence the Filipinos of his time? What are some lasting effects of his works on the Philippine independence movement?
3. Given the current issues affecting millions of poor Filipino patients who are suffering due to the lack of a genuine healthcare system, exemplified by the transfer of ₱89.9 billion from PhilHealth to the National Treasury for uses unrelated to health concerns—such as defense and infrastructure—what do you believe Graciano would write in his articles or what direct actions would he take if he were with us today?
4. Regarding the issue of the blatant misuse of government funds derived from taxpayer money, specifically the infamous Ayuda Program, in which hundreds of billions of pesos are distributed by unscrupulous politicians to serve as their “war chest” for legalized vote-buying in the May 2025 elections—what do you think Graciano’s perspective on this issue would be? Why?
Ciano is a Hiligaynon musical that tells the story of Graciano Lopez Jaena, a journalist and hero in the Philippine revolution. The musical highlights Jaena’s life in Spain, where he became the first editor of the reformist newspaper La Solidaridad. Plot:
- The musical opens with the story of “Fray Botod”, one of Jaena’s works that criticized the Spanish clergy.
- It then follows Jaena’s life in Spain, where he became the first editor of La Solidaridad.
- Jaena died in Spain in 1896 and was unable to return to the Philippines.
Purpose:
- The musical honors Jaena’s legacy and reminds Ilonggos of his heroism.
- Proceeds from the musical went to the maintenance of the Centro de Graciano, which is located at Jaena’s birthplace.
Production:
- The Uway Theater Company directed the musical, which was performed at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center in Iloilo City.