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Why Study Rizal
Why Study Rizal
WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE OF THE LESSONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE COURSE
Aside from those mentioned above, there are other reasons for teaching the Rizal course in Philippine schools:
1. To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present conditions and situations in the
society.
2. To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal problems and issues.
3. To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and died for.
4. To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.
2. Do these issues remain pertinent in the present day? How? Cite examples.
The context of the issues mentioned above remain pertinent today. As the times mature, self-awareness and self-identity
became an important aspect in an individual’s life.
The literal interpretation of books and history does not apply to the present modern times anymore.
The youth now have the voice and the choice to be who they want to be, and the binds that limits their abilities are often
used as a weapon against the binds itself. For example, the government that limits the resources that the
taxpayers deserve are blatantly attacked by most of the community through exposing the government’s weaknesses and
lack of movement. However, during modernization and its technological advancement, youth are often exposed
to different news that threaten their knowledge of the truth and attack their personal beliefs. Children left alone in their
own personal devices with access to different sites might lead them to truths that they are not ready for
which often led to their downfall.
3. Dela Costa mentioned that Rizal declared that he did not intend to attack the Catholic church itself, but the
abuses in it. Point-out ideas and concepts from the article that proved this statement. What is your take about it?
De la Costa wrote that Rizal himself declared his intention to attack the abuses that hide behind the shield of the Church
and the characters used in his novels where fictional having basis in fact. De la Costa suggested that careful reading and
proper understanding of the passages in the books of Rizal is needed to truly apprehend the intentions embedded in his
works. He used as example the passage on veneration of saints by Capitan Tiago wherein if read in its entirety the focus of
attacks is towards the abuse of nominal Catholics like Capitan Tiago, not the invocation of saints. He also used Rizal’s
letter to Resurrection Hidalgo as reference which states that Rizal aimed to hit the friars who are hiding behind the
Church, using Her as a weapon and fortress. Rizal, therefore, had no choice but to attack said “false religion” that cause
the sufferings of the Filipino people.