Life, Works and writing of Jose Rizal

Module 1

Lesson 1: Understanding the Republic Act 1425 ( Rizal Law )

Introduction

The mandatory teaching of Jose Rizal’s life with the emphasis on his landmark novels
is inscribed in legislation. Republic Act No. 1425, more popularly known as the Rizal
Law, was passed in 1956 leaving a colorful narrative of debate and contestation.
As an introduction to the life and works of Jose Rizal, this module will begin with the
reading of the Rizal Law, you will study RA 1425 within its context, look into the major
issues and debates surrounding the bill and its passage into law, and reflect on the
impact and relevance of this legislation across history and the present times.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module, you should be able to:

 Explain the history of of the Rizal Law and its important provision
 Critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal Couse

Activity no.1
Read the Historical Background and context of RA 1425
The RA1425 states that every public and private schools, collages, and universities
should include courses about the life, and works of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, in their curricula.The law was sponsored by
Sen. Jose P. Laurel and Sen. Claro M. Recto and was enacted in June 12, 1956. The
purpose of the law was to disseminate Rizal’s ideas and ideals through his novels: Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and since the youths are important in nation
building, it is natural to remind them about the past.
From Rizal Bill to Rizal Law: The Trials Before being enacted, the ‘Original’ Rizal Bill
stated that to include Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as compulsory readings,
and to emphasize on original or unexpurgated versions of the novel.
But the ‘Original’ Rizal Bill was opposed by the Catholic church, because they saw the
bill as an attempt to discredit the Catholic Religion; and by the idea of compulsion to
read something against one’s faith, impairs freedom of speech and religious freedom.
So, as an answer to the problem, the ‘Original’ bill was revised. The final version of the
bill stated: to include all the works and writings by Jose Rizal, to put emphasis on
original or unexpurgated versions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and
removed the idea of compulsion by allowing exemption by reason of faith.

Activity no. 2 Think and Share…RA 1425

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
WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-
dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and
died.

1
WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and
patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and
works that have shaped the national character;

WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with
which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in
school, should be suffused;
WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to
regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character,
personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship.

Analysis:
1. Think of a recent novel/story that you’ve read. How did you learn from that
novel/story?

2. Apply this experience to Rizal’s writings. How would reading Rizal’s novels
impact patriotism?

A Abstraction:

THE RIZAL BILL was as controversial as Jose Rizal himself.

The mandatory Rizal subject in the Philippines was the upshot of this bill which later
became a law in 1956. The bill involves mandating educational institutions in the
country to offer a course on the hero’s life, works, and writings, especially the ‘Noli Me
Tangere’ and ‘El Filibusterismo’. The transition from being a bill to becoming a
republic act was however not easy as the proposal was met with intense opposition
particularly from the Catholic Church.
Largely because of the issue, the then senator Claro M. Recto—the main proponent of
the Rizal Bill—was even dubbed as a communist and an anti-Catholic. Catholic
schools threatened to stop operation if the bill was passed, though Recto calmly
countered the threat, stating that if that happened, then the schools would be
nationalized. Afterward threatened to be punished in future elections, Recto remained
undeterred. Concerning the suggestion to use instead the expurgated (edited) version
of Rizal’s novels as mandatory readings, Recto explained his firm support for the
unexpurgated version, exclaiming: “The people who would eliminate the books of Rizal
from the schools would blot out from our minds the memory of the national hero. This
is not a fight against Recto but a fight against Rizal.” (Ocampo, 2012, p. 23)
The bill was eventually passed, but with a clause that would allow exemptions to
students who think that reading the Noli and Fili would ruin their faith. In other
words, one can apply to the Department of Education for exemption from reading

2
Rizal’s novels—though not from taking the Rizal subject. The bill was enacted on June
12, 1956.

1. Compare and contrast the views of those in favor and against RA 1425,
considering the context of the 1950s.Would similar arguments still have force
today?

2. Reflect on your secondary education, how effective Rizal Law in installing

patriotism among secondary school students

References:
http/www. gov.ph/195606/12/republic-act-no-1425/
Constantino, Renato the making of a filipino: A Story of Philippine Colonial politics
QC: R. Constantino 1982 pp130-139
Caroline S. Hau “Introduction in Necessity and Fiction:Philippine Literature and
Nation ,1946-1980 QC. Ateneo de Manila University