Unit I.

Introduction to the course: Republic Act 1425

A. The Birth of the Rizal Law

April 3, 1956: Senate Bill no. 438 (an act to make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibuterismo compulsory reading matter in all public and
private colleges and universities and for other purposes) was submitted to the Senate Committee, sponsored and presented the bill to
the members of the Upper House on April 17, 1956.

Opponents, mostly rabid Catholic senators, contended that the proposed bill was too controversial. Their arguments were as follows:

1.The bill was an attempt to discredit the Catholic religion.

2. Inimical to the benets of the faith to which 170 lines in Noli Me Tangere and 50 lines in El Filibuterismo were offensive to the
Church doctrine.

3. The bill might divide the nation.

4. Compulsion to read something against one’s faith impaired freedom of speech and religious freedom

April 19, 1956: House Bill no. 5561 filed by Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales in the House Representatives. Different face but same
stance, the bill was attacked based on its constitutionality and religiosity

Senator Laurel proposed a substitute bill. The inclusion of all works and writings of Jose Rizal, not just the two novels, was the main
feature of this bill. He then stressed the removal of the term ‘compulsion” to appease the opposition. However, Senator asserted the
importance of reading the original and unexpurgated edition of Rizal’s novels because the true purpose of studying these will be
defeated if not followed.

May 12, 1956: Senate Bill no. 438 was unanimously approved on second reading.

May 14, 1956: Senate Bill No. 438 was unanimously approved on second reading at the lower House.

May 17, 1956: Senate Bill was approved on the 3rd reading with 23 votes in favor (Senator Briones was absent); as well as the House
bill that was approved on the 3rd reading with 71 votes in favor (6 were against, 2 abstained and 17 were absent) in the same day.

June 12, 1956: President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill to make it a law, thus giving birth as Republic Act 1425 also known as the
Rizal Law.

August 16, 1965: effective of the Law

February 15, 1996: CHED Memorandum Order 6, all colleges and Universities to offer Rizal Course as a separate 3-units course
fully and immediately.

B. Introduction to the course: Republic Act 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.
- Senator Claro M. Recto: Main proponent of the Bill, the church charged Recto with being a communist and an anti-
Catholic.
- Opposition of the Bill:
a. Catholic Action of the Philippines, Congregation of the Mission, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Teacher Guild
b. Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Mariano Jesus Cuenco, Decoroso Rosales
- Countered the Bill:
a. Veteranos de la Revolucion (Spirit of 19896), Alagad ni Rizal, Freemasons, Knights of Rizal.
b. Jose P. Laurel & Recto

C. Importance of Studying Rizal in academic subject:

1. The subject provides insights on how to deal with current problems. Our view of history forms the manner we perceive
the present, and therefore influences the kind of solutions we provide for existing problems.
2. It helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos. The past helps us understand who we are. We comprehensively
define ourselves not only in terms of where we are going, but also where we come from. Our heredity, past behaviors,
and old habits as a nation are all significant clues and determinants to our present situation.
3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism. Nationalism involves the desire to attain freedom and political independence,
especially by a country under foreign power, while patriotism denotes proud devotion and loyalty to one’s nation. Jose
Rizal’s life, works, and writings—especially his novels—essentially, if not perfectly, radiate these traits. For one thing,
the subject helps us to understand our country better.
4. It provides various essential life lessons. We can learn much from the way Rizal faced various challenges in life. As a
controversial figure in his time, he encountered serious dilemmas and predicaments but responded decently and high-
mindedly. Through the crucial decisions he made in his life, we can sense his priorities and convictions which manifest
how noble, selfless, and great the national hero was.
 5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking. Critical Thinking refers to discerning, evaluative, and analytical
thinking.
6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and inspiration to every Filipino.
7. . The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives.
a. Rizal was involved in a love triangle with Antonio Luna as also part of the romantic equation;
b. Rizal was a model in some of Juan Luna’s paintings;
c. Rizal’s common-law wife Josephine Bracken was ‘remarried’ to a man from Cebu and had tutored former President
Sergio Osmeña;
d. Leonor Rivera (‘Maria Clara’), Rizal’s ‘true love’, had a son who married the sister of the former President of the
United Nations General Assembly Carlos P. Romulo;
e. the Filipina beauty queen Gemma Cruz Araneta is a descendant of Rizal’s sister, Maria;
f. the sportscaster Chino Trinidad is a descendant of Rizal’s ‘first love’ (Segunda Katigbak); and
g. the original manuscripts of Rizal’s novel (Noli and Fili) were once stolen for ransom, but Alejandro Roces had
retrieved them without paying even a single centavo.

Unit II. - Concept of Hero & Rizal as a symbol

Hero- defined here as an illustrious man often of divine descent, or with distinguish valor or enterprise in danger and fortitude in
suffering, who is supposed to be exalted after death. Being an extraordinary person and individualistic is apparent. This is a
perspective of a western individual.

Filipino Concept of a Hero

- known as Bayani, Bagani, or Wani in various Filipino ethno-linguistic groups, a hero in early Philippine Philippine
societies was just a normal warrior of the community.

1. Pangangayaw or raiding into unallied territory is an example of this.

According to Henry Scott – it was done because of four reasons, namely:
a. To secure resources, ranging from the occasional use goods or bounty to human slaves
b. To average a personal affront or family honor
c. To fulfill mourning requirements to which the life of enemies must be sacrifices
d. For personal prominence or a mercenary reward

2. Bayani – does not work alone

- He/she always exerts efforts together with his/her comrades in the community
- The root word of bayani from bayan

When pangangayaw is done, the group of Bayani returns home, thus, fulfilling what Zeus Salazar said about the
bayani as a person who leaves his/her town and then returns.

Tatto – used as the protection of kaluluwa (soul) of a Bayani, his kris/kampilan (weapon), his putong (head gear),
and other garments colored red are his economic physical features.
Bayani – is more often than not a true kawani or lingkod bayan (community servant) who renders his or her help to
those in need in the community without counting the cost. His/Her ultimate goal is to maintain peace and order. The
concept of bayanihan(cooperation) and the word ipabayani(free labor offered to/by someone) proves the sematic
essence of Bayani.

The characteristics of early Filipino heroes are worth emulating.

Boxer Codex(1950) – an ancient document about the early Philippine societies, defines a
Bayani – as a person with a high status and dignity
Pedro Serrano Laktaw, in his dictionary, elaborates the personality of a Bayani: a person
a. Who fears no one (walang takot)
b. Courageous (matapang)
c. Firm (matibay)
d. Bold (mapangahas)
e. But quiet (tahimik)
f. Calm (mahinhin)

 Qualities of the main characters of Philippine epics,like Lam Ang, Labaw Donggon, Tuwaang, etc., on the
other hand, represent the actual bayani.
 The concept of a Filipino Hero in early Philippine societies, therefore, is not a posthumous award given to
dead people, but rather an honorific role and title in the society.

Spaniards – changes occurred

 It had introduced the image of obedience of saints and disciples whom the Filipinos had to imitate in order
to become good colonials
Vida Sancti, or the lives of dead saints became the foundation of good qualities of life
 Doctrina Christiana or prayer and doctrine books became a textbook of faith

Americans – propagated a secular view on heroes

 Hero-worshipping of American soldiers who died during the Philippine-American Warlike Gen. Henry W.
Lawton, Col. John M. Stotsenburg and Col. Harry Egbert
 Was promoted through monuments and annual commemoration rituals to justify the need for American
tutelage in the Philippines
 Filipino heroes were also venerated during this period.

Jose Rizal – was executed by the Spaniards, became the leading national hero
The concept of the Filipino Bayani is indeed embedded in the blueprint of Filipino well-being.

Criteria for Recognizing Heroes

Hero – is a social construct

 It is the nature of the process, recognizing heroes is always subjective. To bridge the gap, the National Historical Commission
of the Philippines (NHCP) released some of the criteria for recognizing heroes, through their project Saysay

The Criteria are listed below:

1. The extent of a person’s sacrifice for the welfare of the country (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);

2. The motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal (welfare of the country) (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);

3. The moral character of the person concerned (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);

4. The influence of the person concerned (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);

5. Those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the nation’s freedom (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993);

6. Those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order for a nation (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993);

7. Those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993);

8. A part of the people’s expression (Alfredo Lagmay 1995);

9. Person who think of the future, especially the future generations ((Alfredo Lagmay 1995);and

10. The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history, but of the entire process that made this
particular person a (Alfredo Lagmay 1995).

Criteria as a Filipino Hero

Jose P. Rizal – as a Filipino hero is state-sponsored through the Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law)

 His heroism, however, is not a post-World War II phenomenon

December 30, 1898 – first commemoration when the President of the First Philippine Republic, Emilio Aguinaldo, declared in
Malolos, Bulacan, a day of National Mourning

 It is documented during the meeting of the Katipunan, a portrait of Rizal was hanging in the room where members were made
to believe that Rizal was an honorary member of the secret society.

Americans – seized the opportunity and made Rizal the national hero of the Philippines

Three (3) criteria were used in the selection:

1. A hero who is not violent and militant, and if possible, preferred peaceful means like education

2. A hero who had no qualms on American imperialism

3. A hero who is already dead

 It is obvious here that Del Pilar, Mabini, Bonifacio, and Aguinaldo were not qualified as heroes
 It is no-brainer that the Americans would pick Rizal ahead of others

William H. Taft – President of the second Philippine Commission, had appointed Rizal to embody the brand of nationalism propagated
by the American colonial government

Three (3) steps were made by the American colonial government to promote his heroism, namely:

1) The creation of Rizal Province

2) The erection of Rizal Movement

3) The declaration of Rizal Day on December 30 as a public holiday

 Rizal image as a hero of the Philippines has become a viable enterprise for stamp, chart, post card makers and other printed
materials
 This was heightened when in 1956, the Rizal Law was conceived, since books, textbooks, and modules were necessary for
educational purposes.

1995 – amidst the preparation of the nation for the upcoming centennial celebration of Philippine Revolution and Philippine
Independence Day

Pres. Fidel V. Ramos – created a National Heroes Committee released a list of recommended national heroes

These were as follows:

1. Jose Rizal

2. Andres Bonifacio

3. Emilio Aguinaldo

4. Apolinario Mabini

5. Marcelo H. del Pilar

6. Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat

7. Juan Luna

8. Melchora Aquino

9. Gabriela Silang

 The aforementioned list is not yet approved

 The website of the National Commission on the Culture and Arts states that this might trigger a flood of requests for
proclamations and might trigger bitter debates involving historical controversies about the heroes
 Various laws honoring/commemorating Filipino historical figures were instead passed into law

Four major national celebrations with Rizal as an important subject

1. June 12 –Independence day

2. June 19- Birth Anniversary

3. Last week of August – National Heroes Week

4. December 30- Rizal Day