The Life and

Works of Rizal
 R.A. NO. 1425
RIZAL LAW
June 12, 1956
Main Proponent: Sen. Claro M. Recto
Sponsored by in the Senate: Sen. Jose P. Laurel
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 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

There is a need for a re-dedication to the

ideals of freedom and nationalism for
which our heroes lived and died
 Debate among Solons
For:
“Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They must be
taken to heart, for in their pages we see ourselves in a mirror, our defects as well as our
strength, our virtues as well as our vices. Only then would we become conscious as a
people and so learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to
self-reliance, self-respect, and freedom.”
-Sen. Jose P. Laurel

“Rizal did not pretend to teach religion when he wrote those books. He aimed at
inculcating civic consciousness in the Filipinos, national dignity, personal pride, and
patriotism and if references were made by him in the course of his narration to certain
religious practices in the Philippines in those days, and to the conduct and behaviour of
erring ministers of the church, it was because he portrayed faithfully the general
situation in the Philippines as it then existed.”
-Sen. Claro M. Recto
AGAINST
“A vast majority of our people are, at the same time, Catholic
and Filipino citizens. As such, they have two great loves:
their country and their faith. These two loves are not
conflicting loves. They are harmonious affections, like the
love for his father and for his mother. This is the basis of my
stand. Let us not create a conflict between nationalism and
religion, between the government and the church.”
-Sen. Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo
 Opposition of the Catholic Church
The Church still viewed Rizal’s novels as
blasphemous
Compromise between the Church and the proponents
of the Rizal Bill:
1. Teaching the expurgated version of the novels -
watering down the morally offensive parts of Rizal’s
novels before they were taught to schools
2. Only colleges and universities would teach these
materials to their students.
 HISTORICAL CONTEXT
➢ After World War II, the Philippines emerged torn and the government was confronted
by subsequent challenges. Forging ahead, nevertheless, became a vital concern
especially among prominent figures who advocated for nationalism in response to the
call for post-war nation-building. These post-war prominent Filipino personalities
advocated for instilling love and loyalty for the country among the Filipinos.

➢ Such advocacy morphed into the Rizal Bill and its eventual ratification into Republic
Act 1425 [https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/1956/06jun/19560612-RA-
1425-RM.pdf] also known as the Rizal Law meant to deal with the demand for the
Filipinos’ commitment to the “ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes
lived and died.”
LEGAL BASIS OF RIZAL DAY AND OTHER
MEMORIALS IN HONOR OF JOSE RIZAL
➢ On December 30, 1898, Filipinos celebrated Rizal Day for the first
time
➢ Rizal acquired the official title of Philippine National Hero in 1901
under the country’s first American civil governor, William Howard
Taft
➢ Act 137 on June 11, 1901 - Morong was renamed as Rizal Province,
since then, Jose Rizal came to be known as the National Hero
 The Philippine Commission enacted Act. No. 345 which set December 30 of each
year as Rizal Day, and made it one of the ten official holidays of the Philippines
 Act No. 243 granted the right to use public land upon the Luneta in the City of
Manila upon which to erect a statue of Jose Rizal
 The Rizal monument in the town Daet, Camarines Norte holds the
distinction of the first ever erected in honor of Rizal.
 President Quirino prohibited cockfighting, horse racing and jai-alai every 30th of
December of each year, in order to have proper observance of Rizal Day
 Construction of a National Cultural Shrine and other memorials to be dedicated to
Jose Rizal (Pres. Ramon Magsaysay)
Wrong Impressions
about Rizal

Adolf Hitler was the illegitimate son of
Rizal?
Rizal avoided liasons with
any women -he wanted to
live an uncomplicated life.
Rizal was always in the
company of Maximo Viola
when he travelled to
Vienna.
Andres Bonifacio or Emilio Aguinaldo
should be the National Hero?
Bonifacio
lost almost all his
battles

Aguinaldo
surrendered to the
Americans
Rizal - an “American-made Hero”
Professor Steve Ocampo:

Who made Rizal our National Hero and

Why?

All of them - Rizal, Spaniards, Filipinos

and Americans.

His supremacy was acknowledged by his

contemporaries, Spanish writers also
acknowledge his fame and so did American
colonial legislators admired our people
through his story.
 Jose Rizal and
Philippine Nationalism
Bayani and Kabayanihan
 Ang Pinagmulan ng Salitang Bayani
Ricardo Nolasco (2001)
Bayani - kinikilala at pinagpipitagang grupo ng tao - mga
mandirigma - sa ilang pre-Historikong lipunan na may
gawaing manguna sa pagtatanggol ng pamayanan laban
sakinakaharap na kaaway o panganib. (recognized and
respected group of people - warriors - in some pre-historic
society, they are the forerunners in defending the
community from enemies and/or dangers)

Iba pang tawag, depende sa lugar - magani, bahani,

bayani.
 Antas ng Pagkabagani (Level of Heroism)
Katawagan Bilang ng kinitil Kulay ng kasuotan sa antas ng
(Number of lives taken) pagkabagani (Color of clothes)

Maniklad 1 - 2 kaaway (enemies)

Hanagan 5 kaaway (enemies)
Tagbusawan 5 kaaway (enemies), sinaniban ni
Tagbusaw(diyos ng pakikidigma)
possessed by Tagbusaw, the god of war
Kinaboan 7-27 kaaway (enemies) Pulang dyaket (red jacket)
Luto 50-100 kaaway (enemies) Pulang pantalon - palatanddan ng luto na
nakapatay ng 50-100 na kaaway

Red pants - sign that a luto killed 50-100

enemies

Lumugum Nakapatay ng kaaway sa loob ng pamamahay Itim na kasuotan

nito (Killed an enemy inside his house) black clothing
 Kasalukuyang gamit at kahulugan ng salitang bayani
(Present usage and definition of the word bayani)
(Diksyunaryo-Tesauro Pilipino-Ingles, Panganiban 1972)
 Cooperative endeavor, mutual aid (bayanihan)

 One who offers free service in a cooperative endeavor

 To prevail, predominate, be triumphant or victorious


Héroe could be likened to a
martyr who may or may not
think of compatriots when
making actions.
A héroe commonly acts as
an individual and is viewed
to be exceptional (Dr. Zeus
Salazar).
Bayani acts with the
collective and with their
common concern in mind.
The action of the bayani is
based on the character of
bayan, wherein humility and
being equal with others are
valued more and focused
only and distinctly on
advancing the interest of the
group.
“Bayanihan” can be considered as a form of active
heroism (kabayanihan) of an individual or a group of
people by helping others without expecting anything in
return.

In “bayanihan”, one who volunteers and co-develops a

community spirit could emerge as a hero in his/her
own simple ways and take pride of the achievement of
the group of people in common.
"Bayani" as “concept and word can have any of these three
applications: "bayani as a person; "kabayanihan" as a heroic act;
and "bayanihan" as a heroic group, community or nation.”

The fundamental significance of being "bayani" is appreciation of

and reverence to the common good, communal, as nation, as a
whole and not as individual and personal gain.

For one to be "bayani" in meeting with various challenges both in

daily life and in critical historical moments, he or she must have all
or at least most of the following:
(1) determination; (2) perseverance; (3) courage; (4) diligence;
(5) enthusiasm; (6) humility; and (7) inspiration and effect of
inspiring others.
Through Executive Order No. 75
issued on March 28, 1993, former
president Fidel Ramos created the
National Heroes Commission,
which is tasked to study and
recommend national heroes to be
recognized for their character and
contributions to the country.

Additional criteria were adopted

by
the Technical Committee of the
National Heroes Committee on
November 15, 1995.
On November 15, 1995, the technical
committee of the
National Heroes
commission chose 9
Filipino historical
figures to be
considered national
heroes:
Jose Rizal
Andres Bonifacio
Emilio Aguinaldo
Apolinario Mabini
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat
Juan Luna
Melchora Aquino
Gabriela Silang
Excerpts of the Book:
Rizal Without the
Overcoat
Ambeth Ocampo, 2012
Chapter 1: Many Rizals
If Rizal stayed in Hong Kong and never returned to the Philippines in 1892, he wouldn’t have died on December 30, 1896.
But he did. Ambeth Ocampo describes Jose Rizal as a “conscious hero” because Rizal planned his entire life in details
based on his letters, diaries, and writings (9).

The step that I have taken, or am about to take, is undoubtedly very risky, and it is unnecessary to say that I have pondered on
it a great deal. I know that everyone is opposed to it but I realize also that no one knows what goes on in my heart. I cannot
live knowing that many are suffering unjust persecution because of me; I cannot live seeing my brothers [hermanos] and their
large families persecuted like criminals. I prefer to face death and gladly give my life to free so many innocent persons from
this unjust persecution. I know that, at present, the future of my country gravitates in part around me; that with my death,
many would rejoice, and that, consequently, many are longing for my end. But what am I to do? I have duties of conscience
toward my aged parents whose sighs pierce my heart; I know that I alone, even my death, can make them happy by returning
them to their country and the tranquility of their home. My parents are all that I have, but my country has many sons still who
can take it to advantage.

Moreover, I wish to show those who deny us patriotism that we know how to die for our duty and for our convictions.
What matters death if one dies for what one loves, for one’s country and for those whom he loves? If I know that I were the
only pillar of Philippine politics and if I were convinced that my countrymen were going to make me use of my services,
perhaps I would hesitate to take this step, but there are still others who can take my place, who can take my place to
advantage. Furthermore, there are those who find me superfluous and in no need of my services, thus they reduce me to
inaction. I have always loved my poor country and I am sure that I shall loved her until my last moment. Perhaps some
people will be unjust to me; well, my future, my life, my joys, everything, I have sacrificed for love of her. Whatever fate
my be, I shall die blessing my country and wishing her the dawn of her redemption.
Chapter 2: Facts and Possibilities

Night. Mournful am I. I do not know what vague melancholy, what indefinable loneliness stifles
the soul, similar to the profound sadness of cities after a tumultuous rejoicing, to a city after an
exceedingly happy union. [Two nights ago, that is, December 30], I had a frightful nightmare
when I almost died. I dreamed that imitating an actor in a scene in which he dies, I felt vividly that
my breath was failing and I was rapidly losing strength. Then my vision became dim and dense
darkness like that of nothingness overpowered me: the anguish of death. I wanted to shout and ask
for help from Antonio Paterno, feeling that I was about to die. I awoke weak and breathless. (27)
(Translated by Austin Coates and Leon Ma. Guerrero, Rizal’s biographers)

The paragraph above was from Jose Rizal’s journal entry for January 1, 1883, exactly 13 years before his
execution. Did Rizal really write this entry? Did he really have that dream? Based on this journal entry, it
seems that Rizal knew that he was going to die. “Austin Coates is even surprised that many incidents
Rizal wrote about in his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo eventually happened to him in real
life.” (28)

It’s incredible to think that Rizal had these dreams or premonitions—this is a side of Rizal that not a lot
of people know. This was not the first time Rizal mentioned this dream—in fact, when Rizal was in
Brussels, Belgium, he wrote a letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar dated June 11, 1890 about his plans and the
use of the pseudonym Laong Laan (Ever prepared).
Chapter 3: Family and Others
This chapter focuses on Rizal’s family and friends and how they played a part in the national hero’s life. Teodora Alonso Quintos. She was
married to Francisco Mercado where they had eleven children.
Paciano Rizal Born on March 7, 1851, Paciano Rizal was the second of the eleven Rizal children. He was 10 years older than
Jose Rizal. He had a fair complexion and rosy cheeks. He was handsome—more handsome than Rizal. He was tall, around 5’7’’
or 5’9’. Rizal admitted it himself and described Paciano as “more refined and serious” than him. (43) Paciano studied at
University of Santo Tomas but he had to drop out because he was associated with Father Jose Burgos, a filibustero.
Father Jose Burgos, together with Father Mariano Gomez and Father Jacinto Zamora, were executed in 1872 for the Cavite
Mutiny of 1872. Due to Paciano’s reputation at school, Jose used “Rizal” instead of “Mercado” at school to avoid being
associated with his brother. (40) It was Paciano who sent Rizal to Europe, corresponding with him, and sending him monthly
allowance. When Rizal came home and insisted on marrying Leonor Rivera, Paciano discouraged him by saying, “Iniisip mo
ang iyong sarili, ” (You’re only thinking about yourself) and sent him off to Europe again. (41) Paciano courted a few women but
never married. But he had a daughter, Emiliana, with Severina Decena. (41) He died in Los Baños, Laguna on April 13, 1930.
Rizal immortalized his brother Paciano in the character of Pilosopong Tasyo in Noli Me Tangere.

Father Leoncio Lopez was the parish priest of Calamba, Laguna. On August 23, 1891, when Rizal was writing to Ferdinand
Blumentritt, he mentioned Father Lopez. Rizal described Fr. Lopez as an indio, tall, straight, and distinguished; cultured but
timid and tender… A friend of my father. He was related to my family. He was a just, liberal, and tolerant man. You will see
his image in my new book [El Filibusterismo]; I call him Fr. Florentino. He was a musician, poet and naturalist. He never
meddled in politics. He never had anything to do with the election of the gobernadorcillo. We were at peace. (46) Aside from
the inspiration of the character Father Florentino, how were the Rizals and Father Leoncio Lopez related? Father Lopez was
related to the national hero because Rizal’s sister, Narcisa, married Antonino Lopez, Father Lopez’ nephew. (47)
National Symbols
The national symbols of the Philippines consist of symbols that represent Philippine traditions and
ideals and convey the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity of the Filipino people.
Some of these symbols namely the national flag, the Great Seal, the coat of arms and the national
motto are stated in the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which is also known as
Republic Act 8491. In the Constitution of the Philippines, the Filipino language is stated as the
national language of the Philippines. Aside from those stated symbols in the Constitution and in
Republic Act 8491, there are only six official national symbols of the Philippines enacted through
law, namely sampaguita as national flower, narra as national tree, the Philippine eagle as national
bird, Philippine pearl as national gem, arnis as national martial art and sport and the Filipino Sign
Language as the national sign language. Thus, there is a total of twelve official national symbols
passed through Philippine laws.
There are symbols such as the carabao, bangus, mango and anahaw etc. that are widely known
as national symbols but have no laws recognizing them as official national symbols.