Life and Works of Rizal

• Course Outcomes

  • Critically examine the importance of studying the life and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal with reference to RA 1425
  • Appraise Jose Rizal’s life within the context of the 19th century Philippines
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of Rizal’s various works, particularly the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
  • Display an appreciation for education, love for country and volunteerism by promoting and embodying the values that can be derived from studying Rizal’s life and works
• Module Titles

  • Introduction to the Course
  • Rizal’s Life: Family, Childhood, Education, and Travels
  • Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial & Death
  • Writings of Rizal [1]
  • Writings of Rizal [2]
  • Celebrating Rizal as a Hero
• As mandated by Republic Act 1425, this course covers the Life and Works of the country’s national hero, Jose P. Rizal
• Module 01

  Evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of RA 1425 in promoting the life and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
• The drafting and filing of Senate Bill 438 bill of studying Rizal as a course was started by Claro M. Recto on April 3, 1956
• Senate Bill 438 states that the study of Noli Mi Tangere and El Filibusterismo is necessary, but it was not approved due to concerns that it would ruin the Filipinos’ faith
• On April 17, 1956, Senate Committee chair Jose P. Laurel sponsored a bill to offer Rizal as a course, including his life, writings, Noli, and Fili
• Laurel aimed to instill nationalism among Filipinos but faced opposition from the Catholic Church
• Representative Jacobo Z. Gonzales passed a bill identical to SB 438 (Recto) on April 19, 1956
• Debates and amendments were made to the bills on May 9 and May 14, 1956
• Online/Offline Recitation

  1. What are the important characteristics of a national hero?

  2. What is the role of our national heroes in nation-building?
• Read the “Rizal Law” (RA 1425) and Selection of a National Hero in the
• Senator Claro M. Recto: 'Rizal did not pretend to teach religion when he wrote those books. He aimed at inculcating civic consciousness in the Filipinos, national dignity, personal pride, and patriotism and if references were made by him in the course of his narration to certain religious practices in the Philippines in those days, and to the conduct and behavior of erring ministers of the church, it was because he portrayed faithfully the general situation in the Philippines as it then existed.'
• Senator Jose P. Laurel: 'Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as in a mirror, our defects as well as our strength, our virtues as well as our vices. Only then would we become conscious as a people and so learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-respect, and freedom.'
• Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo: 'A vast majority of our people are, at the same time, Catholic and Filipino citizens. As such, they have two great loves: their country and their faith. These two loves are not conflicting loves. They are harmonious affections, like the love for his father and for his mother. This is the basis of my stand. Let us not create a conflict between nationalism and religion, between the government and the church.'
• Senate Bill and House version was approved

  May 17, 1956
• President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill into law known as RA 1425

  June 12, 1956
• According to Laurel, Rizal Law has the following objectives
• Objectives of Rizal Law

  • To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died
  • 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
• Rizal 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
• Republic Act No. 1425 was enacted to re-dedicate to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which heroes like Jose Rizal lived and died
• Educational institutions

  Under the supervision of and subject to regulation by the State
• All schools

  Enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and to teach the duties of citizenship
• Courses on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal

  Shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges, and universities, public or private
• Original or unexpurgated editions of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts in collegiate courses
• The Board of National Education is authorized and directed to adopt measures to implement and carry out the provisions of including writing and printing appropriate primers, readers, and textbooks
• The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act to carry out and enforce the provisions
• Students can be exempted for reasons of religious belief from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph
• Rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette
• Schools, colleges, and universities are obligated to keep an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal's other works and biography in their libraries
• The unexpurgated editions of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English, as well as other writings of Rizal, shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges, and universities
• The board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books depending upon the enrollment of the school, college, or university
• Translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog, and the principal Philippine dialects

  Cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions and distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country
• Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amending or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and other persons engaged in any public school
• Three hundred thousand pesos are authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act
• This Act shall take effect upon its approval
• This Act is authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act
• This Act was approved

  June 12, 1956
• This Act was published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956
• 'Learning through reading' can be tiring so let us try a new way of exploring the topic deeper. Watch this video: Lecture Video: Historical background and context of RA 1425