LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL

 WHY NATIONS HAVE HEROES?

 HOW DO WE DEFINE A HERO, OR WHEN DO WE CALL SOMEBODY A HERO?

 WHO DECLARES IF ANYONE IS A HERO?

Different Types of Heroes

 Epic Hero

 Tragic Hero

 Anti-Hero

 Super Hero

HERO – A man of DISTINGUISHED COURAGE or ABILITY, admired for his BRAVED DEEDS and NOBLE QUALITIES.

Source: [Link]

QUESTION

Does Rizal possess these qualities?

Can we note of his courage or ability?

His brave deeds? His noble qualities?

HERO - “An admirable leader towering over his peers, who serves as a noble cause, possessing exceptional talent,
distinguished valor and/or hold enterprise, exercising a determinative influence over the spiritual life of his people in a
particular remarkable event.”

Source: National Historical institute which was approved by a committee on 1965 headed by Director Carlos Quirino of
the National Library

 A true hero developed and manifested strong conviction which aimed to save his country from any challenges.

 A hero is never self-seeking or seeks rewards for his heroism. Most individuals who were considered heroes
preferred humility and anonymity.

Heroes are made and NO one was born as a hero.

Heroes are not born as saints and many of them were not exactly saintly.

Who declares if anyone is a hero? How did Rizal become a hero?

THERE IS NO LAW, EXECUTIVE ORDER OR OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION WHICH DIRECTLY MADE RIZAL INTO A HERO.

 THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE, NOW THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES IS
IN CHARGE OF HISTORICAL MATTERS, PRESCRIBES THE PASSAGE OF FIFTY YEARS BEFORE A PERSON IS FINALLY
CONFIRMED AS A HERO. IF THE PERSON IS STILL BEING ADMIRED AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THAT PERIOD AND HIS
IDEAS AND IDEALS ARE STILL INVOKED AND APPRECIATED, THEN THAT PERSON HAS PASSED THE TEST OF TIME
AND CONSIDERED A TRUE HERO.
WHO SHOULD RECOGNIZE HEROES?

 THIS SHOULD BE BETTER LEFT TO THE PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR POPULAR ACCLAMATION. POPULAR
ACCLAMATION SHOULD BE SUSTAINED AND SHOULD WITHSTAND THE TEST OF TIME.

 THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER AUTHORITIES IS TO CONTINUE TO KEEP ALIVE THE MEMORY OF
THESE HEROES AND TO CONFIRM THEIR HEROISM AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF STUDY AND REFLECTION.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

 Why do we need to study Rizal?

 What is the importance of studying Rizal?

 Why is Rizal one of the minor subjects taken up in college?

 Why is Rizal included in the course outline?

 What relevance does Rizal have in college education?

BECAUSE IT IS MANDATED BY LAW

Republic Act 1425

Known as Rizal Law

An act to include in the curriculum 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.

The Law basically provides the following:

1. Requirement for students in the colleges and universities to study the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal;
(Section 1)

2. Requirement for the colleges and universities to have sufficient and unexpurgated copies of Rizal’s works and
writings especially his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusteresmo in their respective libraries; (Section 2)

3. Translation and publication of Rizal’s works to English and other dialects of the Philippines in cheap editions and
distribution of his works through the Purok organizations; (Section 3)

4. Stipulation that the discussion of Rizal’s idea does not violate the state’s prohibition of discussion of religious
beliefs in the country's public learning institutions; (Section 4) and

5. The appropriation of the sum of 300,000 for the publication of popular and cheap editions of Rizal’s works.
(Section 5)

Reasons for teaching the Rizal course in Philippine schools:

 To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present conditions and situations in the
society.

 To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal problems and issues.

 To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and died for.

 To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.

Senator Claro M. Recto

Who is the Main Proponent of the Rizal Bill. He was dubbed a communist and anti-Catholic.
Jose P. Laurel

Jose P. Laurel, then senator who co-wrote the law, explained that since Jose Rizal was the founder of the country’s
nationalism and had significantly contributed to the current condition of the nation, it is only right that Filipinos,
especially the youth, know about and learn to imbibe the great ideals for which the hero died.

Rizal Law aims to accomplish the following goals:

1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died.

2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino character.

3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and writings.

President Fidel V. Ramos

In 1994, through Memorandum Order No. 247, directed the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports and the
Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education to fully implement the RA 1425.

In 1995, CHED Memorandum No. 3 was issued enforcing strict compliance to Memorandum Order No. 247.

Republic Act No. 229

Is an act prohibiting cockfighting, horse racing, and jai-alai on the thirtieth day of December of each year and to create a
committee to take charge of the proper celebration of Rizal day in every municipality and chartered city, and for other
purposes.

The Importance of Studying Rizal

1. Provides insights on how to deal with current problems.

2. It helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos.

3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism.

4. It provides various essential life lessons.

5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking.

6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and inspiration to every Filipino.

7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives

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

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;

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; Now, therefore,
SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private: Provided, That
in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their
English translation shall be used as basic texts.

SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of
copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other
works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations
in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all
public or private schools, colleges and universities.

SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as
well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in
cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the
Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country.

SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of the
Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and other person
engaged in any public school.

SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not
otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 12, 1956

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.

Source: CDAsia