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• Course GEC 005 covers the life and works of José Rizal, the Philippines' national hero.
• Republic Act 1425 mandates the course covers Rizal's biography, writings, novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo", essays, and correspondences.

Topic Outline

• Republic Act 1425
• Rizal is noted as a Filipino hero
• Focus is given to Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism, as a National Symbol
• Discussion of 19th Century Philippines in Rizal's context

Learning Outcomes

• Understand key parts of RA 1425
• Explore arguments during the passage of the Rizal Bill.
• Assess the effectiveness of the Rizal course and Section 3 of RA 1425.
• Discuss the importance of having a Rizal course in school curriculums.

Rizal Law (RA 1425) Overview

• Philippine law requiring all schools, public and private, to offer courses on the life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal.
• The sense of Filipino identity was waning
• Nationalist policy-makers acted to redirect the nation back to its roots and history

Senate Bill No. 438

• Introduced April 3, 1956, by Senator Claro M. Recto
• Seeking "An Act to Make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo Compulsory Reading Matter" and submitted it to the Senate Committee on Education
• On April 17, 1956, Senator Jose P. Laurel, Sr., sponsored the Noli-Fili Bill, presenting it to the Upper House
• The Catholic Church opposed the Noli-Fili Bill, seeing it as an attempt to discredit the Catholic religion
• Father Jesus Cavanna argued Rizal's novels inaccurately depicted current conditions and gave a false impression
• Criticisms included the anti-Catholic passages in "Noli Me Tangere" and lines in both novels found offensive
• Concerns were raised that the bill might divide the nation
• Catholic groups, including Catholic Action of the Philippines, opposed the bill
• The church charged Recto with being a communist and anti-Catholic.

Enactment of Rizal Law

• Instead of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, the new substitute bill includes a wider range of works and writings by Rizal
• Reading expurgated versions of Noli-Fili will only be for college or university students.
• Senate Bill No. 438 and House Bill No. 5561 were unanimously approved May 12 and 14, 1956, respectively
• President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill into law June 12, 1956 as Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law)
• Rizal Law includes courses on Rizal's life, works, and writings, authorizing the printing and distribution

Elements of the Rizal Law

• The rationale for passing the Rizal Law is the concern that Filipino identity is waning.
• The purpose of enacting the Rizal Law is to educate young Filipinos about the ideals and principles for which Rizal sacrificed his life.
• Reading and studying Rizal's life, teachings, and writings will allow you to gain confidence, direction, courage and determination
• Colleges must have the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
• The Board of National Education will have the responsibility to translate the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
• No part of the act is intended to remove religious protections in school
• Three hundred thousand pesos will be appropriated out of any fund to take care of the implementation of these acts

Goals of the Rizal Law can be summarized in 3 points

• To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism
• To pay tribute to our hero for devoting life and works in shaping Filipino character
• To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal's life, works, and writings