Valeros, Rouel G

a. Is the teaching of Rizal’s Life and Works course realistic given

the dangers and sensitivities of literature as a means communication
in learning nationalism, patriotism, and volunteerism?
No, because the works of Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo
Realonda contributed and has a great impact to the current standing of
our country Philippines. For Rizal, the mission of education is to
elevate the country to the highest seat of glory and to develop the
people's mentality. Since education is the foundation of society and a
prerequisite for social progress, Rizal claimed that only through
education could the country be saved from domination. Studying Rizal's
Life and Works allows us to appreciate the significance of Rizal's
principles and teachings in light of current societal problems. To
promote the application of such values to current social and personal
situations. It is only fitting that students, instructors, and the
Filipino people learn about Jose Rizal's remarkable thoughts on
nationalism, patriotism, and volunteerism.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica Nationalism, ideology based
on the premise that the individual’s loyalty and devotion to the
nation-state surpass other individual or group interests. Patriotism
on the other hand is feeling of attachment and commitment to a
country, nation, or political community. Patriotism (love of country)
and nationalism (loyalty to one’s nation) are often taken to be
synonymous, yet patriotism has its origins some 2,000 years prior to
the rise of nationalism in the 19th century. Lastly, based on the
Dictionary Volunteerism, is the policy or practice of volunteering
one's time or talents for charitable, educational, or other worthwhile
activities, especially in one's community.
Furthermore, Rizal’s nationalism is of the inclusive, caring
kind. This he spelled out in the aims of La Liga Filipina: mutual
protection in every want or necessity, defense against all violence
and injustice, and encouragement of instruction, agriculture, and
commerce. It is a kind of nationalism that is compatible with a
caring, globalizing and interdependent world.
Jose Rizal is considered the founder or father of nationalism. It
must be incorporated into the teaching and learning process. That is
why the Republic Act 1425, popularly known as the Rizal law, mandated
the teaching of Jose Rizal's life, works, and writings in all schools,
particularly his novels Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Aside
from the Rizal Law, there is a memorandum from Malacanang Order No.
247 declaring that Republic Act 1425 must be completely implemented in
all Philippine school. Another memorandum is from the Commission of
Higher Education (CHED) No. 3. S. 1995 that the teaching of Life,
works and writing of Jose Rizal must be included in the course of the
college particularly his two novels which is the Noli me Tangere and
El Filibusterismo.
 The Rizal Law, enacted in 1956, seeks to accomplish the following
goals: To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and
nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died. Pay tribute to our
national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino
character. Gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study
of Rizal’s life, works, and writings. Aside from those mentioned
above, there are other reasons for teaching the Rizal course in
Philippine schools: To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and
teachings in relation to present conditions and situations in the
society. Encourage the application of such ideals in current social
and personal problems and issues. To develop an appreciation and
deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and died for. As well
as to foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of
citizenship.
The teaching of Rizal’s course helps us to decipher what
nationalism, patriotism and volunteerism is. Through Jose Rizal’s Life
we can learn how he face various challenges in his life. Based on his
works it awakened Philippine nationalism for him, “the pen was
mightier than the sword.” And through his writings, he exposed the
corruption and wrongdoings of government officials as well as the
Spanish friars. As part of his reforms, he even called for the
inclusion of the Philippines to become a province of Spain.
Nonetheless, we should be grateful on the teaching of Jose
Rizal’s life, works and writings were in included in curriculum of our
country. Where it taught us how to express our love, care and honoring
our own beloved territory which is the Philippines. Emphasizing that
there are laws and memorandum that can assure us that the life and
works of Rizal were part of the Philippine Education.
b. How Important are literary criticisms in the study of Rizal’s Life
and Works?
It is essential because literary criticism can view all aspects
of a literary work depending on the critic. It's not just about
reading and comprehending the work; it's also about interpreting the
word inside it. Furthermore, critique can be used to evaluate and see
aspects outside of the text, such as how the work relates to daily
life, the social community, and interpersonal relationships. Clearly,
critic as a basic word for criticisms is not to be confused with a
literary review or report. Critics debate not only whether a piece of
literature is good or poor, as well as its flaws, but also the quality
of the work. Researching, reading, and writing works of literary
criticism will help you to make better sense of the work, form
judgments about literature, study ideas from different points of view,
and determine on an individual level whether a literary work is worth
reading.

Many Filipinos say that

studying the life and works
of Rizal is not that necessary
for us
nowadays. However, I still
find it important and I think
it has a great impact on our
modern
society. Studying Rizal is not
just about being able to know
and read his novels and other
literary
works, but it is also about
understanding how those
works helped in fighting
against the
colonizers in the past. We get
to learn the importance of his
novels, essays, and other
literary
wo
Many Filipinos say that
studying the life and works
of Rizal is not that necessary
for us
nowadays. However, I still
find it important and I think
it has a great impact on our
modern
society. Studying Rizal is not
just about being able to know
and read his novels and other
literary
works, but it is also about
understanding how those
works helped in fighting
against the
colonizers in the past. We get
to learn the importance of his
novels, essays, and other
literary
wo Many Filipinos say that studying the life and works of Rizal is
not necessary for us nowadays. However, I still find it important and
I think it has great impact on our modern society. Studying Rizal
along with literary criticism is not just about being able to know and
read his novels and other literary works, but it is also about
understanding how those works helped in fighting against the
colonizers in the past. We get to learn the importance of his novels,
essays, and other literary works which is not only for entertainment
rather can be as a tool for educational purposes.

As a result, literary criticism is necessary for understanding

Rizal's life and works. Literary criticism examines a piece of
literature from a certain perspective. Social aspects, economics,
psychology, history, and philosophy are only a few examples. Those
components can enrich our knowledge as readers depending on which part
we focus on, because critics serve as a tool for readers to grasp what
literary works are about and what message will be communicated to
them. Literary criticism can help us enhance our reading comprehension
skills so that we can gain a better understanding of what we're
reading. We can learn about Rizal's thoughts while penning his famous
poems and novels by employing literary criticism in our examination of
his work.

c. if given a chance to deconstruct one of Rizal’s written works (both

well-known and obscure), what would it be and what is its relation to
the analysis and understanding of nation building?
If I am given a chance to deconstruct one of Rizal’s written
works, it would be “Kundiman”. Jose Rizal wrote “Kundiman” in Tagalog
in September 12, 1891. A kundiman is actually a traditional Filipino
love song used by a young man to serenade the woman of his love for
his Motherland. His words reflected his optimism that Philippines
would be freed from injustice and bondage. Jose Rizal’s nationalism
did not only manifest itself in his novels and essays, but also in
song, particularly the kundiman. The choice of the musical form was,
of course, fitting-because more than just a song about love, the
kundiman is a song about intense devotion.
This song like, the novels Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, was
used by Spanish prosecutors to build a case against Rizal. In fact,
the line, “Ibubuhos naming ang dugo’y ibabaha,” was used as evidence
during his trial. In spite of complexity, we can say that the relation
to the analysis and understanding of nation building where the song of
Jose Rizal showed how optimistic and hopeful Rizal was, thinking that
someday, our country would have its freedom.
As has been noted, from the beginning to end of analysis,
synthesis, and evaluation of Rizal’s life and works as well as
literary criticism or how it is significant to the nation building.
The life of Dr. Jose Rizal must be studied because of his contribution
to the Philippines' independence. He chose to defend his country by
using knowledge and the power of words. He became aware of his
countrymen's continuous suffering at the hands of Spaniards and
resolved to put a stop to it. He made the decision to strengthen his
personal studies in order to gain knowledge that he could eventually
pass on to his people through books and poetry. Without a doubt, Jose
Rizal became the National hero because he fought from freedom in a
silent but powerful way. He expressed his love for the Philippines
through his novels, essays, articles and poems rather than a force of
aggression.
According to Dr. Jose Rizal, he uttered “To foretell the destiny
of a nation it is necessary to open the book that tells of her past.”

Sources:
The Life and Works of Rizal: Why Study Rizal?
nationalism | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica
Volunteerism Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Jose Rizal: The Philippines’ gift to humanity | The Manila Times

KUNDIMAN ni: JOSE RIZAL by Roanne Francisco (prezi.com)