Lesson 1

Activity 1. What’s in your mind?

Is it important to study the life and works of Jose Rizal? Why or why not? State your
answer in brief statements.

In my own opinion, the life and works of Jose Rizal is an instrument to awaken the
Filipino nationalism and patriotism. His ideals, principles, knowledge, and strategies
expressed in his writings are provoking enough to strike a revolution and take back what
we once own—our country’s freedom. All because of him, alongside other Filipino
heroes and the ones who fought for us, that we were able to savor the freedom we have
now. He wasn’t physically part of the revolution but he fought through his mind. That is
why knowledge is greatest weapon one can have. The influence brought by his writings
was the reason why he was executed, and that is the greatest sacrifice he had to make
for his fellow Filipinos. The teachings of Rizal’s life and works spurred our love and
support to our country, given the fact that it showed us how difficult life was for our
countrymen at the time when Spaniards took over our beloved country. Since the
history lessons given in school left out a lot about him, it is crucial to go beyond mere
study and develop a deeper understanding of his life and works.

Moreover, it was already mandated by law that we should study Rizal’s life and works
and that is the Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law. This 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.