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Study Guide in GE9 – The Life and Works of Rizal Module No. 1

STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. ___

1

CHAPTER I:
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE:
REPUBLIC ACT 1425

MODULE OVERVIEW

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.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the module, you should be able to:

1. Explain the history of Rizal Law and its important provisions;

2. Critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal course

LEARNING CONTENTS

Rizal Bill

The Rizal Bill was as controversial Jose Rizal himself.

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, the schools would be
nationalized. Afterward threatened to be punished in future elections, Recto remained undeterred. Concerning
the suggestion to use instead the expurgated (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.

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Study Guide in GE9 – The Life and Works of Rizal Module No. 1

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; and;
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 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 end and to
create a committee to take charge of the proper celebration of Rizal day in every municipality and chartered city,
and for any 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 other subjects in various
curricula.

The following are just some of the significance of the academic subject:

1. The subject provides insights into 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. The Jose Rizal course, as a history subject, as 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, is 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 our 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,

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Study Guide in GE9 – The Life and Works of Rizal Module No. 1

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, logic 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.

For instance, it is rarely known that (a) Rizal was involved in a love triangle with Antonio Luna
as also part of the romantic equation; (b) Rizal was a model of some of Juan Luna's paintings; (c) Rizal's
common-law wife Josephine Bracken was, “remarried" to a man from Cebu and had tutored former
President Sergio Osmena; (d) Leonor Rivera ("Maria Clara"), Rizal's "true love”, had a son who married
the sister of the former President of the United Nations General Assembly Carlos P. Romulo; (e) the
Filipina beauty queen Gemma Cruz Araneta is a descendant of Rizal's sister, Maria; (f) the sportscaster
Chino Trinidad is a descendant of Rizal's "first love" (Segunda Katigbak); and (g) the original
manuscripts of Rizal's novel (Noli and Fili) were once stolen for ransom, but Alejandro Roces had them
without paying even a single centavo.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1

Assessment
1. Compare the views of those in favor and against RA 1425 considering the context of the 1950s. Would
similar arguments still have force today? Or,
2. Reflect on your secondary education: Did your school comply with RA 1425? How effective is the Rizal
law in instilling patriotism among secondary school students?

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2

Essay
1. In your own words, explain the significance of Rizal’s Law to the present time.
2. What do you think were the reasons the Catholic Church opposed intensely the Rizal bill? Explain.
3. State some lessons we can learn from the life of Jose Rizal.
4. Suggest ways by which the subject Rizal can be taught properly and interestingly.
5. There are other Filipino heroes. Do you think their lives are also worth studying like Rizal’s? Justify your
answer.

SUMMARY
REFERENCES

Text of the RA 1425 https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/

Constantino, Renato. The Making of a Filipino: A Story of Philippine Colonial Politics. QC: R. Constantino, 1982,
pp. 244-247.

Jose B. Laurel Jr. "The Trials of the Rizal Bill," Historical Bulletin vol. 4, no. 2 (1960): 130-139.

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Study Guide in GE9 – The Life and Works of Rizal Module No. 1

Schumacher, John. "The Rizal Bill of 1956: Horacio de la Costa and the Bishops," Philippine Studies 59 no. 4
(2011): 529-553.

Caroline S. Hau, "Introduction" in Necessary Fictions: Philippine Literature and the Nation, 1946-1980. Quezon
City. Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2000, pp. 1-14

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