International Association of Filipinologists
The International Association of Filipinologists (lang-es Asociación internacional de las filipinistas; French: Association Internationale des Philippinistes; German: Internationale Vereinigung der Filipinologen) is a defunct international organization of Filipino and foreign intellectuals established in Paris, 1889 by the Bohemian scientist Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt and Philippine national hero Dr. José Rizal. Though a self-recognized convention, it was never accredited and recognized by the French government leading to its dissolution in August 1889.
| Formation | January 1889 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | August 1889 |
| Legal status | dissolved |
| Purpose | To study the Philippines in scientific and historical views |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
Region served | Europe and Philippines (intended) |
Membership | defunct |
Official language | Spanish, French, German |
President | Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt |
Secretary | Dr. José Rizal |
| Remarks | Defunct organization, dissolved in the mid-1889 |
Background
The idea of an association to invest Filipino self-identity came upon Dr. José Rizal before the end of 1888. This was due to the incoming International Exposition of 1889 in Paris, France that many people will observe the beauty of Philippine culture. According to his announcement letters written in London on December 31, 1888:[1]
Though I do not want to exhibit the great Words of the Christ, I want to say into you, if ever it will be, because that is what I need and think, on the crossings of two meeting Filipinos in the name of Motherland,[2] and because that is where the good needed them most is also where I want to be and join them. That is how deep I want to be with you, to think and feel with you, to dream, to crave, to think decision, so that whoever may replace us[3] will have no right to slap our faces, so that we may offer anything for our Motherland that gives everything she had even though she has nothing to give!
In his June 22, 1889 letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar written in Paris, Dr. Rizal also said that the grace of God and Fate is betrothed upon them and to their fellow Filipinos, too, and they should have the right to be free because "they have the just cause and justice for the country".[4]
Rizal proposed the idea of having an established International Association of Filipinologists and have its inaugural convention on Paris. In a letter dated January 14, 1889, Rizal broached the idea to his friend, Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt who gladly supported him.[5]
The association
On the preceding months, Rizal sent invitation to his friends, including some prominent European scientists regarding the plan.[6] He prepared the prospectus of this international association. According to his prospectus, the aim of the association.
Notes
- Pakikipagsulatan sa mga Kasama sa Pagpapalaganap (1882-1896) (in Tagalog and Spanish). Manila: Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission. 1961. pp. 214–218.
- In his time, it refers to hispanic Philippines
- Refers to the new and incoming future generations.
- Pakikipagsulatan sa mga Kasama sa Pagpapalaganap (1882-1896) (in Tagalog and Spanish). Manila: Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission. 1961. p. 220.
- Rizal, Jose (1938). Teodoro M. Kalaw (ed.). Epistolario Rizalino. 2. 5. Manila: Philippine National Library. pp. 381–382.
- Epistolario, pp. 385