Holy Rosary Major Seminary

Concepcion Pequena, Naga City

Philosophy Department

Subject: GE8. Rizal: Life and Works Course: Philo 2 Unit: 3

Term: 2nd semester 2023-2024 Time: 9:00-12:00nn Day: Fridays

OBJECTIVES LAM 1

1. Explain the history of the Rizal Law and its important provisions.
2. Critically analyse the effectiveness of the Rizal Course.

INTRODUCTION

College students enrol in the Rizal course not out of genuine interest but because it is
required by law. The only reason for attending classes is the apprehension that they
cannot graduate without going through the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal. Adding to
the demotivation of students in learning about the national hero is the way lessons are
presented. Students now are not enticed with the traditional chronological way of
handling of the course. Rereading the infamous novels of Rizal, reciting some of his
popular poems, watching the old movies or teleserye about his life , role playing some
of the famous scenes from Noli and El Fili, and memorizing dates, places, and names
no longer work for today's learner. Decades of traditional approach to teaching have
generally elicited poor interest from the students, particularly from the dynamic
Millennial and the ever-active Generation Z.

The Rizal course has been considered as among the boring and cumbersome classes
students are compelled to take in college. It is this impasse that the Life and Works of
Jose Rizal would like to address. This module deals with Rizal's travels, his ever
colourful love life, his interesting collegiate years, and his encounters with different
personalities that helped shape his character as a national hero. In this material,
students and teachers tackle the "unpopular" details in the life and works of Rizal where
they may find meaningful and productive engagement. More so, the Life and Works of
Rizal is a courseware-ready and follows the outcome-based format. Instead of the
traditional text heavy books on the Rizal course, this module offers a variety of
worksheets, activities, and mind-cultivating trivia, controversies, and side stories that will
surely catch the interest of the new generation of students. The performance-based and
project-based tasks in this material challenge the students to go outside the box and
unearth their creativity while learning about the national hero.

Students of every inclination or interest-research, art, history, linguistics, literature,

politics, or writing - will find something to enjoy in this compendium of creative and
informative task-based lessons while learning about Rizal. Among other things, they will
analyze the national hero's handwriting, translate his poems or set them to music,
design Rizal stamps, visit shrines and museums, create a Rizaliana website, even learn
magic tricks, and fly a kite. These innovative worksheets successfully give a new
dimension to the national hero by bringing to light his little-known personality quirks,
habits, viewpoints, and ideas.

LEGAL BASES

THE RIZAL BILL was as controversial as Jose Rizal himself. The mandatory Rizal
subject in the Philippines was the upshot of this bill which later became a law in 1956.
The bill involves mandating educational institutions in the country to offer a course on
the hero’s life, works, and writings, especially the ‘Noli Me Tangere’ and ‘El
Filibusterismo’. The transition from being a bill to becoming a republic act was however
not easy as the proposal was met with intense opposition particularly from the Catholic
Church.

Largely because of the issue, the then senator Claro M. Recto—the main proponent of
the Rizal Bill—was even dubbed as a communist and an anti-Catholic. Catholic schools
threatened to stop operation if the bill was passed, though Recto calmly countered the
threat, stating that if that happened, then the schools would be nationalized. Afterward
threatened to be punished in future elections, Recto remained undeterred.

Concerning the suggestion to use instead the edited version of Rizal’s novels as
mandatory readings, Recto explained his firm support for the unexpurgated version,
exclaiming: “The people who would eliminate the books of Rizal from the schools would
blot out from our minds the memory of the national hero. This is not a fight against
Recto but a fight against Rizal.” (Ocampo, 2012, p. 23)

The bill was eventually passed, but with a clause that would allow exemptions to
students who think that reading the Noli and Fili would ruin their faith. In other words,
one can apply to the Department of Education for exemption from reading Rizal’s novels
though not from taking the Rizal subject. The bill was enacted on June 12, 1956.

RA 1425 and other Rizal laws

The Rizal Bill became the Republic Act No. 1425, known as the ‘Rizal Law’. The full
name of the law is “An Act to Include in the Curricula of All Public and Private Schools,
Colleges and Universities Courses on the Life, Works and Writings of Jose Rizal,
Particularly His Novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Authorizing the Printing
and Distribution Thereof, and for Other Purposes.“

The first section of the law concerns mandating the students to read Rizal’s novels. The
last two sections involve making Rizal’s writings accessible to the general public—they
require the schools to have a sufficient number of copies in their libraries and mandate
the publication of the works in major Philippine languages.

Jose P. Laurel, then senator who co-wrote the law, explained that since Jose Rizal was
the founder of the country’s nationalism and had significantly contributed to the current
condition of the nation, it is only right that Filipinos, especially the youth, know about
and learn to imbibe the great ideals for which the hero died. Accordingly, the Rizal Law
aims to accomplish the following goals:

1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which
our heroes lived and died
2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the
Filipino character
3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and
writings.

So far, no student has yet officially applied for exemption from reading Rizal’s novels.
Correspondingly, former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1994, through Memorandum
Order No. 247, directed the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports and the
Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education to fully implement the RA 1425 as
there had been reports that the law had still not been totally carried out. In 1995, CHED
Memorandum No. 3 was issued enforcing strict compliance to Memorandum Order No.
247.
Not known to many, there is another republic act that concerns the national hero.
Republic Act No. 229 is an act prohibiting cockfighting, horse racing, and jai-alai on the
thirtieth day of December of each year and to create a committee to take charge of the
proper celebration of Rizal day in every municipality and chartered city, and for other
purposes.

The Importance of Studying Rizal

The academic subject on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal was not mandated
by law for nothing. Far from being impractical, the course interestingly offers many
benefits that some contemporary academicians declare that the subject, especially
when taught properly, is more beneficial than many subjects in various curricula. Some
of the significance of the academic subject are:

1. The subject provides insights on how to deal with current problems

There is a dictum, “He who controls the past controls the future.” Our view of history
forms the manner we perceive the present, and therefore influences the kind of
solutions we provide for existing problems. Jose Rizal course, as a history subject, is full
of historical information from which one could base his decisions in life. In various ways,
the subject, for instance, teaches that being educated is a vital ingredient for a person
or country to be really free and successful.

2. It helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos

The past helps us understand who we are. We comprehensively define ourselves not
only in terms of where we are going, but also where we come from. Our heredity, past
behaviors, and old habits as a nation are all significant clues and determinants to our
present situation. Interestingly, the life of a very important national historical figure like
Jose Rizal contributes much to shedding light on our collective experience and identity
as Filipino. The good grasp of the past offered by this subject would help us in dealing
wisely with the present.

3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism

Nationalism involves the desire to attain freedom and political independence, especially
by a country under foreign power, while patriotism denotes proud devotion and loyalty to
one’s nation. Jose Rizal’s life, works, and writings—especially his novels—essentially, if
not perfectly, radiate these traits. For one thing, the subject helps us to understand our
country better.

4. It provides various essential life lessons

We can learn much from the way Rizal faced various challenges in life. As a
controversial figure in his time, he encountered serious dilemmas and predicaments but
responded decently and high-mindedly. Through the crucial decisions he made in his
life, we can sense his priorities and convictions which manifest how noble, selfless, and
great the national hero was. For example, his many resolutions exemplified the
aphorism that in this life there are things more important than personal feeling and
happiness.

5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking

Critical Thinking refers to discerning, evaluative, and analytical thinking. A Philosophy

major, Jose Rizal unsurprisingly demonstrated his critical thinking skills in his
argumentative essays, satires, novels, speeches, and written debates. In deciding what
to believe or do, Rizal also proved his being a reasonably reflective thinker, never
succumbing to the irrational whims and baseless opinions of anyone. In fact, he
indiscriminately evaluated and criticized even the doctrines of the dominant religion of
his time. A course on Rizal’s life, works, and writings therefore is also a lesson in critical
thinking.
6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and inspiration to every Filipino

If one is looking for someone to imitate, then Rizal is a very viable choice. The hero’s
philosophies, life principles, convictions, thoughts, ideals, aspirations, and dreams are a
good influence to anyone. Throughout his life, he valued nationalism and patriotism,
respect for parents, love for siblings, and loyalty to friends, and maintained a sense of
chivalry. As a man of education, he highly regarded academic excellence, logical and
critical thinking, philosophical and scientific inquiry, linguistic study, and cultural
research. As a person, he manifested versatility and flexibility while sustaining a strong
sense of moral uprightness.

7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives

People love fictions and are even willing to spend for books or movie tickets just to be
entertained by made-up tales. But only a few perhaps know that Rizal’s life is full of
fascinating non-fictional accounts.

Why study Rizal?

The teaching of Jose Rizal’s life, works, and writings is mandated by Republic Act 1425,
otherwise known as the Rizal Law. Senator Jose P. Laurel, the person who sponsored
the said law, said that since Rizal was the founder of Philippine nationalism and has
contributed much to the current standing of this nation, it is only right that the youth as
well as all the people in the country know about and learn to imbibe the great ideals for
which he died. The Rizal Law, enacted in 1956, seeks to accomplish the following
goals: 1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for
which our heroes lived and died
2.To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the
Filipino character
3.To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works,
and writings. Aside from those mentioned above, there are other reasons for teaching
the Rizal course in Philippine schools:

4. To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present

conditions and situations in the society.
5. To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal
problems and issues.
6. To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and
died for.
7. To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.:
8. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for
which our heroes lived and died
9. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the
Filipino character

To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and
writings. It is of great importance that students understand the rationale behind having
to take up a Rizal course in college. For high school students, the Noli Me Tangere and
the El Filibusterismo are injected into the Filipino subject as part of the overall
curriculum. In tertiary education, however, Rizal is a subject required of any course, in
any college or university in the Philippines.

Activity 1. Answer in a separate sheet

1. Compare and contrast the views of those in favour and against RA 1425
considering the context of the 1950’s. Would similar arguments still have force today?
2. How effective is the Rizal Law in instilling patriotism among high school and
college students?