Guide Questions:
1. What was the major argument raised by Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo against
the passage of the Rizal Bill?
Answer;
The major argument raised by Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo against the passage of the
Rizal Bill, was that passing the bill would create a conflict between nationalism and religion,
between the government and the church.” instead of the original novel of Rizal he wanted to
use the short version or the summary of it.
2. What was the major argument raised by Senators Jose P. Laurel and Claro M.
Recto in support of the passage of the Rizal Bill?
Answer;
Senator Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto’s major argument was that Rizal's work was not
to insult the catholic church but to educate the youth about the ideals of freedom and
nationalism for which our heroes lived and died. They both want to aim for the civic
conciousnes of the Filipinos,
3. Are there points of convergence between the supporters and opposers of the
Rizal Bill based on these statements?
Yes, there are points of convergence between the supporters and opposers of the Rizal Bill.
both supporters and opposers of the bill aim to protect the nationalistic and religious beliefs
of Filipinos.
Activity 2: STUDENT’S JOURNAL:
Reflect on the purpose of Rizal Law. Rizal Law was passed in the year 1956. After almost 66
years of being a law, is the purpose of instilling patriotism and love for the country seen in
the
Filipinos especially the youth of today? Why or why not?
Answer:
The Rizal Law, enacted in 1956, mandates the inclusion of courses about Jose Rizal's life,
works, and writings in the curricula of all educational institutions in the Philippines. The
primary purpose of this law is to instill patriotism and love for the country among Filipinos,
particularly the youth.
After nearly 66 years of implementation, the effectiveness of the Rizal Law in achieving its
purpose is a subject of much debate. Some argue that it has successfully fostered a sense
of national identity and pride among Filipinos. They point to the widespread popularity of
Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as evidence of the law's impact. They
also cite the numerous Rizal monuments and statues found throughout the country, as well
as the annual commemoration of his death anniversary, as further proof of the enduring
legacy of the national hero.
Others, however, contend that the Rizal Law has fallen short of its intended goals. They
argue that the mandated Rizal courses are often taught in a rote and uninspiring manner,
failing to capture the true essence of Rizal's message. They also point to the fact that many
Filipinos, particularly the youth, are apathetic towards national issues and lack a strong
sense of patriotism. This, they argue, suggests that the Rizal Law has not been effective in
inculcating these values.
The debate over the effectiveness of the Rizal Law is likely to continue. However, it is clear
that the law has had a significant impact on Philippine society. Rizal's life and works continue
to inspire Filipinos, and his call for nationalism and reform remains relevant today.