Dr. Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and Rizal Law

The Life, Works, and Writings of Dr. Jose Rizal

• The presentation focuses on the life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal, particularly in the context of the Rizal Law.

Rizal Law

• The presentation discusses the Rizal Law, also known as Batas Rizal.

Lessons Covered

• Politics behind the Rizal Law are discussed
• Objectives and provisions of the Rizal Law are explained
• The selection of a national hero during the American period is explored
• The significance of Dr. Jose Rizal's heroism in the contemporary era is examined

Politics Behind the Rizal Law

• Senate Bill No. 438 was introduced in the Senate by Senators Claro M. Recto and Jose P. Laurel which is the "Act to Make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo Compulsory Reading Matter In All Public and Private Colleges and Universities and For Other Purposes"
• The passage of the law in the Senate was not easy
• Senators Decoroso Rosales (brother of Archbishop Rosales), Mariano Cuenco (brother of Archbishop Cuenco), and Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo (former president of Catholic Action) opposed the bill

House Bill No. 5561

• Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales introduced House Bill No. 5561
• The bill was almost rejected in the Lower House on May 3 due to a close vote, with only eight votes more in favor (45-37, with one abstention)
• Debates in the Lower House were heated, even leading to physical altercations

Republic Act No. 1425 (Rizal Law)

• President Ramon Magsaysay officially signed Republic Act No. 1425, also known as the Rizal Law, on June 12, 1956
• The law mandates the inclusion of Dr. Jose Rizal's life, works, and writings, especially his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, in the curriculum of all schools, both public and private, at all levels of education
• The law grants permission for the printing and distribution of these books and other related materials

Provisions of the Law Include

• Inclusion of Noli and El Fili in the curriculum from elementary to college without alteration
• Use of primary sources
• Availability of sufficient copies of El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere in school libraries
• Translation into Filipino, English, and other local languages
• Publication of copies at affordable prices or free of charge
• Copies available to organizations and local government units

Republic Act No. 229

• A law prohibits cockfighting, horse racing, and Jai alai on December 30 of each year to properly celebrate Rizal Day in every city and municipality
• The law was approved on June 9, 1948

Key Sections of Republic Act No. 229

• Section 1 prohibits cockfighting, horse racing, and Jai alai on December 30, Rizal Day
• Section 2 mandates local governments to form committees for Rizal Day celebrations, with ceremonies like flag-lowering at half-mast
• Section 3 imposes fines or imprisonment for violations
• Section 4 states the law takes effect upon approval

Order No. 247 s. 1994

• This order from Malacañang directs the Secretary of Education, Culture, and Sports, and the administrator of CHED to implement Republic Act 1425
• The order also mandates incorporating the study of Jose Rizal's life, works, and writings, especially his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and their publication and dissemination in public and private schools, colleges, and universities

Objectives and Provisions of Batas Rizal Based on Republic Act No. 1425

• The main objective is to include courses about the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, in the curriculum of all schools, colleges, and universities, whether public or private
• Collegiate courses must use the original and unexpurgated editions of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as primary texts or their English translations

Board of National Education Powers per R.A. 1425

• Authorizes the creation and implementation of rules and regulations to ensure the immediate and thorough implementation of the law's provisions
• They are responsible for writing and printing textbooks, supplementary books, and schoolbooks
• Mandates the dissemination of rules and regulations 60 days before enforcement
• Authorizes those in power to enforce the provisions

Board of National Education Expectations per R.A.1425

• Develop regulations for students facing issues related to religious beliefs (exemptions)
• Section 2 mandates schools, colleges, and universities to maintain adequate libraries with original editions of Rizal's works
• The Board of National Education determines the required number of books based on student enrollment

Book Translations and Distribution of R.A. 1425

• Mandates translation of Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, and other Rizal writings into English, Tagalog, and major dialects
• Calls for affordable printing and distribution, especially to those wishing to read them via local organizations.

Non-Impairment of Academic Freedom per R.A. 1425

• Stipulates the law should not alter the Administrative Code section preventing public school teachers from discussing religious doctrines
• Section 5 authorizes ₱300,000 for implementing the law from any National Treasury fund
• Section 6 states the law takes effect upon approval

Reasons for Passage

• The law's provisions seek to instill the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which Filipino heroes died
• Honoring national heroes, especially Jose Rizal, reminds the nation of its identity
• Rizal's life and works, particularly his novels, inspire patriotism
• Encourages schools to foster moral character, self-discipline, civic consciousness, and the duties of citizenship

The Selection of a National Hero During the American Period

• Dr. Jose Rizal was chosen as the national hero during the American colonial period under Civil Governor William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft

• William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857 – March 8, 1930) – the 27th President of the United States of America (1909-1913), played a key role
• Taft served as the Civil Governor of the Philippines from 1901 to 1904

Selection Committee Members

• William Morgan Shuster (1877–1960) – Custom collector for Cuba in 1899
• Bernard Moses (1846 – 1930) – Commissioner of the Bureau of Education
• Dean Conant Worcester (October 1, 1866 – 1924) – Politician and zoologist, member of the United States Philippine Commission

More Committee Members

• Henry Clay Ide, Commissioner of Finance and Justice of the Philippine Commission
• Trinidad Hermenigildo Pardo de Tavera (1857-1925), pro-American Creole, representative to the Second Philippine Commission
• Gregorio Soriano Araneta (1869-1930), chosen by Governor-General Elwell Otis for the Supreme Court
• Jose Luzuriaga, a commissioner in the Second Philippine Commission
• Cayetano Arellano (March 2, 1847 – December 23, 1920), first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines

Criteria for Selecting a National Hero

• Established by Prof. Henry Otley Beyer of the University of the Philippines:
• Must be a Filipino
• Must be deceased
• Must have a deep love for the country (nationalism)
• Must possess a calm disposition

Considered Heroes

• Marcelo H. del Pilar, propagandist from Bulacan, was not selected due to leadership disputes with Rizal in La Solidaridad
• Antonio Luna, pharmacist and general from Binondo, was not selected due to his temper, alleged killing of a soldier, and death at the hands of fellow Filipinos
• Graciano Lopez-Jaena, reformist and propagandist from Jaro, Iloilo, was not selected because he died of depression
• Emilio Jacinto, writer and Katipunan member from Trozo, Manila, supported the revolution but lacked a calm disposition
• Jose Rizal from Calamba, Laguna, reformist and propagandist, awakened the nation, and was a model of peace

Reactions to Rizal's Death

• December 30, 1896, Rizal's execution in Bagumbayan sparked widespread mourning and admiration for his greatness and courage
• Andrés Bonifacio sent Pio Valenzuela to Rizal to get his opinion on the planned revolution, showing Rizal's influence

Post-Death Recognition

• General Emilio Aguinaldo and other exiled revolutionary leaders honored Rizal on December 29, 1897, the anniversary of his execution
• The newspaper La Independecia, edited by Antonio Luna, produced a commemorative edition

Aguinaldo Declares Rizal Day

• On December 20, 1898, President Aguinaldo declared December 30 as Rizal Day and ordered the Philippine flag to be flown at half-mast from noon of December 29 to noon of December 30 and government offices closed

Esteban A. de Ocampo on Rizal

• Esteban A. de Ocampo wrote that Rizal became the greatest national hero because he made a "wonderful part" in propaganda, helped build Filipino nationality far more than Ninay and Discursos y Articulos Varios Impresiones, and stirred both praise and criticism.

Rizal’s heroism today

• Dr. Zeus Salazar said that "bayani" means "a person who voluntarily cooperates without any payment in community work"
• In Bisaya, "bagani" means "warrior" and "wani" is "care" and "helping"

Modern-day Dr. Jose Rizal

• "Those who don't know where they came from can't get where they're going."
• A modern-day Dr. Rizal would research issues thoroughly before commenting
• "If you don't have deep knowledge or understanding of the context, you don't have the right to give an opinion."
• Superficial knowledge of self is superficial knowledge of history