Rc Lect1 Law

RIZAL’S LIFE WORKS AND WRITINGS

Topics:

• Basic Guidelines on Studying History• Overview of Rizal as a College Subject•Rizal Law: Social Context and Importance • Definition of Heroism• Law on Selection and Proclamation of National

Heroes

BASIC GUIDELINES ON STUDYING

HISTORY

1. Human power and wealth have increased through time because people strive for them. The changeability of human history results from modification of established ways of thinking and acting provoked most often by contact with strangers.

BASIC GUIDELINES ON STUDYING

HISTORY

2. People are often unaware of the consequences and implications of particular action or choices, so that human purposes are very imperfect guide to what actually occurs. 3. Try make moral judgments about the past, but only after considerable understanding of norms prevalent of those time.

WHY ARE WE

STUDYING RIZAL?

REPUBLIC ACT 1425

(RIZAL LAW)

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.

REPUBLIC ACT 1425

(RIZAL LAW) Claro M. Recto was the main proponent of bill in 1956; and Jose P. Laurel as co-sponsor. The teaching of El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere caused controversy during the initial stages of the bill.

CONTROVERSY WITH THE PASSING OF THE BILL

“Those who opposed the Rizal bill are enemies that threaten the very foundations of our freedom…”

- Mayor Arsenio Lacson

“Those who oppose the Rizal bill would blot out Rizal from our memory.” – C. M. Recto Senator Francisco Rodrigo opposed the bill

citing that the bill’s objective is not really about Rizal but political. The church stated the novels of Rizal was against the church; and of its 333 pages only 25 pages show ideas of nationalism.

Section 1 of R.A. 1425 states:

“Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels, 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 or their English translations shall be used as basic

texts.”

Section 2 of R.A. 1425 states:

“It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an

adequate number of copies of the original and expurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as 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 of R.A. 1425 states:

“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 the Barrio Councils

throughout the country.”

Social Context and Importance of Rizal Law“Whereas, today, more than 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, 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;"

Social Context and Importance of Rizal Law

• Draw inspiration from the life and works of Jose Rizal and other heroes• His practical knowledge in science, technology and farming generates interests which can be used in today’s research. • His life and vision becomes a springboard to understanding nationalism and patriotism.

In Recognition of Rizal As early as 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed December 30 of every year to commemorate the death of Jose Rizal. Act 345 of the Philippine Commission of 1902 cements the observance of December 30 as death of Rizal. Philippine Commission of 1901, through Act 137, changed the name Morong Province to Rizal Province.

Philippine Assembly of 1901 approved Act 243 granting a land in Luneta, Manila for the monument to Jose Rizal.

According to Dr. Esteban de Ocampo, a known Filipino historian, as stated in his book about Rizal that:

“ a hero means a prominent or central personage taking an admirable part in any remarkable action or event; a person of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; and a man honored after death by public worship because of exceptional service to mankind.”

Definition of a Hero

Who will set the criteria for the recognition of the national hero?

No law, executive order or proclamation has been enacted or issued officially proclaiming any Filipino historical figure as a national hero. However, because of their significant roles in the process of nation building and contributions to history, there were laws enacted and proclamations issued honoring these heroes.

• President Fidel Ramos formed the National Heroes Committee on March 28, 1993 under Executive Order No. 75, titled "Creating the National Heroes Committee Under the Office of the President".

• In November 1995, the committee recommended the following to be recognized as national heroes: Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Melchora Aquino, Apolinario Mabini, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, Juan Luna, Gabriela Silang

Conclusion R.A. 1425 or also known as Rizal Law mandates all schools to teach Rizal’s life, works and ideas. The main objective of the law is to instill nationalism to the youth; and likewise be inspired with the idealism and aspirations of Rizal. No law states Rizal or any other hero as the only national hero. A person is distinguished as hero once his actions and works lead to national unity.