1.

In no more than three (3) sentences, answer the following questions:

a. Why did the Catholic Church actively oppose the passing of the Rizal Bill?
The Catholic church have been actively opposing the passing of the Rizal Bill
because they believed that the novels of Rizal contain elements that discredit the
religion and its tenets. The catholic church also argues that compelling someone to
read that is against their religious convictions impaired both of their freedom of
speech and freedom of religion. Passing this law will give a bad image to the church.
b. What provision from the Rizal Bill allowed the government to approve it that answers
the arguments provided by the Catholic Church?
The provision of the Rizal Bill that allows the government to approve it includes its
objectives and the contents under Section 1, Republic Act 1425. The objectives of the
bill are mainly to dedicate the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes
lived and died, and to have a constant and inspiring source of patriotism particularly
to the minds of the youth. On the other hand, the church argues that it could conflict
the student’s beliefs, so under section 1 of this law, students can now be exempted
from reading the unexpurgated edition of Rizal’s novel and only the edited one but not
from taking the course.
c. Did the Church’s views on the study of Jose Rizal’s life and works changed over the years?
Why or why not?
I believed that the church’s views on the study of Jose Rizal’s life and works have
now changed over the years. I think that the church today already accepted that what
the churches did back then is wrong, which makes Rizal create anti-Catholic novels. I
think that the church today can recognize that the Rizal Law is helpful to the students
to have national identity and patriotism.

2. In no more than three (3) sentences, answer the following questions:

a. What is the Rizal Law all about?
Republic Act No. 1425 also known as the Rizal Law is about including 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. Rizal law is about requiring the educational institutions within the country
to learn the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal to enrich the patriotism on the
students and to all people.
b. Why do we need to study the Rizal Law?
According to the Republic Act 1425, its objectives include the; need for re-
dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and
died; remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have
shaped the national character; a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with
which the minds of the youth should be suffused. Personally, there are also articles
back then stating that Filipino youth are getting out of their culture. Similar today, the
globalization continues to rise and more cultures are getting absorbed by the youth.
Hence, we need to study the history including Rizal to bring back our national identity
and make it stronger.
c. What can you benefit from studying Jose Rizal’s life and works?
 Jose Rizal’s life and works are one of the great literary pieces to bring back into life
the spirit of nationalism and patriotism on the students including me. Learning our
history is a great help and a great opportunity to know how to act in every situation
that is similar to events happened back in time. It also reminds me of the social
problems in the past and how our heroes defended and freed us from the enemies;
this can be a source of inspiration on how to be more patriotic and nationalistic.

3. Why did Rizal consider Cervantes “the best writer of art and virtue” in his literary piece,
“The Council of the Gods (El Consejo de los Dioses)?” Justify your answer in no more than three
(3) sentences.
Rizal consider Cervantes the best writer of art and virtue because he himself said
that Cervantes’ work, Don Quixote, is the magic hand that strongly guides human
passions and the whip which punishes and corrects without bloodshed. It is similar to
how Rizal was able to fight the Spanish colonizers, through writings and not
bloodshed. Rizal also added that the Philippines needs its Cervantes when he praised
the Spaniard for what they did in a society ruled by the obscurity of intelligence.

4. What drove the Filipinos to actively pursue Rizal’s literary works in their quest for national
identity? Justify your answer in no more than three (3) sentences.
The Filipinos actively pursue Rizal’s literary works in their quest for national
identity because they are already tired of the Spanish colonizers who ruled them for
more than three centuries. Rizal’s works exposed the irregularities within the
Philippine society during the Spanish colonial era. Filipinos specifically to Indios want
to have their own national identity and not to be controlled and enslaved by the
Spaniards. Rizal’s works became their inspiration to revolt for their nation’s and
people’s freedom.