Turla, Brithney Joy C.

Sec 8

1.
In all drafts made by Dela Costa, only draft A had descriptions of Rizal which
shows Dela Costa’s veneration towards him. Rizal is said to be the first honor among
many notable Filipinos who have regarded themselves for service to their country by
universal consent. He was also a moral figure and a source of social and political
wisdom for Filipinos through his works, specifically his novels. Dela Costa also cited his
description of Rizal being patriotic with the love of Rizal through devoting himself to
eliminate the ignorance of his people.

2.
In Dela Costa’s first draft, it was articulated there the approval and support of
Rizal’s work to be widely distributed and read. It is said that it will help the youth to
develop a sense of nationalism that attributes moral qualities of justice, responsibility
and integrity, and civic nature. After it was argued that Rizal did not intend to impart
teachings against the church, it was concluded that it constitute no danger to the faith or
morals of the Catholic Church. However, there are conditions given by Fr. Dela Costa
before the novels of Rizal be taught to the students. The novels must be made familiar
to the students through accurate translations of Spanish text. It was also said that there
must be someone competent and is familiar with the ecclesiastical and civil history of
Rizal’s time that annotates the readings. This will provide proper direction and guidance
together with explanations from the teacher in charge.
In my opinion, there is no problem with these conditions as it was intended to
help and guide the students, as well as avoid misinterpretation. It also takes off the
worry that this novel will constitute a danger to the faith and morals of students.

3.

From draft A, Rizal has been described as a moral figure. But in draft C, which
was made with all the changes in draft B, denies Rizal’s moral role. He is no longer said
to have set moral standards. Another is, the arguments about Rizal being against to
Catholic church, were cleared in draft A. It was concluded there that it is not the
practices of the Church that Rizal is attacking but the abuse of those who used false
religions as shields from being responsible for the sufferings and tears in Rizal’s time.
However, in draft C, many statements have omitted and laid assertions opposing the
first draft that support the condemnation of it. As if the changes are made to ensure that
it’d discourage the distribution of Rizal’s novel. The reason why it was said to be that
there is an interlocutor that has compelled Fr. Horacio Dela Costa for the changes
made.

Changes in the draft are not simple revisions as it was noted that there are
significant changes and contradict the overall stand of the latter drafts from the first one.
Especially with draft C that asserts Rizal is attacking the church itself. Because of this, it
has laid the foundation for the prohibition of novels to be distributed.