RA 1425: Rizal Bill Overview

RA 1425

• Act to include courses on Rizal's life, works, and writings in all schools.
• Mandates the study of Rizal's life, works, and writings.
• Authorizes the printing and distribution of Rizal's works.
• Board of National Education to create rules and regulations for implementing this.
• Students can be exempted from requirements related to the religious belief, with sworn written statement.
• Schools must provide a sufficient number of copies of unexpurgated editions of Rizal's works.

Historical Background

• Tension between communism and democratic ideology.
• Growth of communism in East Asia.
• Hukbalahap rebellion in the Philippines.
• Magsaysay's propaganda program to educate youth on communism.
• Recto's Senate Bill 438 (Rizal Bill).

Objectives of Rizal Bill

• To dedicate youth to freedom and nationalism.
• To honor Rizal for his life and works.
• To inspire patriotism through the study of Rizal's life.

Issues and Debates of RA 1425

• Debate in Senate regarding separation of church and state and the "unexpurgated edition of the novels."
• Catholic Bishops' Conference cited religious violations in Rizal's novels.

Rizal in the 19th Century Context

• Rizal's choices were in response to the political struggles.
• Political struggles and the way Spanish exploited the Filipinos, economically.
• Social realities of the Filipinos during Rizal's time.

Political Context

• Spain suffered from frequent constitutional changes.
• Colonial instability
• Maladministration of justice.
• Inequality before the law.

Economic Context

• Second half of 19th century saw rapid economic growth due to the Industrial Revolution.
• Opening of the Suez Canal significantly shortened travel time.
• Principalias benefited by sending children to European universities.

Social Context

• The rise of Enlightenment, where human reason was more important than faith.
• Rise of middle class (principalias).
• Increase in demand for agricultural products brought more Filipino involvement in farming.
• Spanish government allowed Filipinos to rent and cultivate land
• Exploitative agricultural practices by friars.

Rizal as a Person

• Name: Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda
• Birthdate: June 19, 1861 (between 11:00 and 12:00 midnight)
• Birthplace: Calamba, Laguna

Family Members

• Father: Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado
• Mother: Teodora Alonso Realonda
• (and various siblings)

Childhood

• Jose's frail health from childhood.
• Learned to read and write at age three.
• Learned the alphabet at age three.

Education

• Doña Teodora as first teacher
• Uncle Jose Alberto and Manuel as further influences
• Gregorio as a further influence
• Private tutors: Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua, Leon Monroy
• Schooling at Calamba
• Biñan formal schooling
• Ateneo de Municipal

University of Sto. Tomas

• Enrolled in 1877.
• Studying Philosophy and Letters
• Further studying Medicine
• Land Surveying and Assessors Degree (Ateneo).

Rizal's Works

• Books: The Count of Monte Cristo, Travels in the Philippines etc.

Rizal's Activities

• Gymnastics, Fencing, Sculpture.

Rizal's University and Travel

• Universidad Central de Madrid. Studying medicine and philosophy.
• Other places like Heidelberg, Wilhelmsfeld and others.

Rizal's Later Life

• Political exile in Dapitan
• Trial and execution

Comparative Analysis of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo

• Published dates and locations
• Both books were social criticism.
• Inspired by books like Uncle Tom's Cabin

Rizal's Poems and other works

• La Javentud Filipina, My First Inspiration, In Memory of My Town, To The Philippine Youth, The Flowers of Heidelberg, My Retreat, Mi Ultimo Adios
• Essays such as El Amor Patrio, Una Profanacion