THE LIFE, WORKS, & WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL

JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO Y ALONZO REALONDA

 The Founder of Philippine Nationalism
 The Greatest Hero of the Malayan Race
 He was a polymath, nationalist, & the most prominent advocate for reforms in the
Philippines.

REPUBLIC ACT 1425 or the “RIZAL’S LAW”

 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 purposes.
 Jose P. Laurel – the sponsor the said law.
 Claro Mayo Recto – the author or main proponent of the law.
 It was enacted and signed on June 12, 1956 which coincides the Philippine Independence
Day.

Three Main Goals of Rizal’s Law
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.

CONTENTS of the RIZAL’S LAW

Section 1: This section mandates the students to read the two greatest novels of Rizal. These
two shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities,
public or private.
Section 2: This section mandates the schools to have “an adequate number” of copies in their
libraries.
Section 3: This section orders the Board of National Education to publish the works in
English, Tagalog, and other major Philippine languages.
Section 4: It prohibits the discussion of religious doctrines by persons engaged in any public
school.
Section 5: A sum of 300 thousand pesos is appropriated to carry out the purposes of the law.
Section 6: It shall take effect upon its approval.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ON RIZAL’S TIME

 February 19, 1861 - the liberal Czar Alexander II issued Emancipation Manifesto 1861.
 June 19, 1861 – the American Civil War was raging furiously in the United States due to
Negro slavery.
 September 22, 1862 – Benito Juarez was elected President of Mexico.
 June 12, 1864 – Archduke Maximillian of Austria was installed by Napoleon III as
puppet emperor of Mexico.
 May 15, 1867 – Juarez defeated the Maximillian forces with U.S. Support & executed
Maximillian on June 19.
 Italians and Germans succeeded in unifying their nations.
 England – was known as the World’s Leading Imperialist Power.
 Queen Victoria proudly asserted “Britannia rules the waves”
 “Opium” Wars
 British Colonies:
o Ceylon (Sri Lanka) o Singapore
o Maldives o Egypt
o Aden o Australia
o Malaysia o New Zealand
 July 8, 1853 – Commodore Matthew C. Perry re-opened Japan to the world ending
Japan’s 214-year isolation
 Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito) modernized Japan by freely accepting Western influences,
including imperialism.
  Spain as the “Mistress of the World”
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE PHILIPPINES ON RIZAL’S TIMES
 Filipinos were unfortunate victims of the evils of the unjust, bigoted and deteriorating
colonial power.

Evils of the Unjust Colonial Power

 Instability of colonial administration
 Corrupt Officialdom
 No Philippine representation in the Spanish Cortes
 Human Rights Denied to Filipinos
 No Equality Before the Law
 Maladministration of Justice
 Racial Discrimination
 Frailocracy
 Forced Labor or “Polo Y Servicios”
 Haciendas Owned by the Friars
 The Guardia Civil