Republic Act 1425: Rizal Law & 19th Century Philippines

Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law)

• Rizal Law, or RA 1425, was enacted on June 12, 1956.
• Sen. Claro M. Recto authored the law, and Jose P. Laurel sponsored it.
• It mandates the inclusion of José Rizal's works, life, and writings (particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo) in the curriculum of public and private schools.
• It aims to cultivate patriotism and appreciation for Rizal's role in Philippine history.
• Rizal is not declared the official national hero.
• The law was strongly opposed by the Catholic Church due to anti-clerical themes in Rizal's novels.

Historical Context of 19th Century Philippines

• From 1801 to 1899, the Philippines played a significant role in Spain's success through the Galleon Trade and as a producer of raw materials.
• A new social class, the middle class, emerged, along with the inquilino system of land leasing.

Spanish Colonial Policies

• The encomienda system granted Spanish officials control over groups of natives.
  • Natives were required to pay tribute (taxes in crops, gold, or labor) in return for protection and religious instruction.

Effects on the Natives

• Many encomenderos abused their power, forcing natives into hard labor and excessive tribute collection.
• The tribute system heavily taxed natives.
• Harsh conditions, overwork, and diseases led to a drastic decline in the native population.
• Natives were forced to adopt Christianity and abandon their traditional beliefs.
• Natives were required to live within hearing distance of the church bell in Spanish-controlled towns to monitor their compliance with Spanish laws and religious practices.

Effects on the Natives

• Natives forced to live near towns, reducing their independence.
• The Catholic Church had greater influence, enforcing Catholic teachings and suppressing native spiritual practices.
• Relocation near Spanish-controlled towns led to greater reliance on Spanish economic structures.

Reducción System

• Scattered indigenous communities were forcibly relocated into larger, Spanish-administered towns (pueblos).
• It was easier for Spaniards to govern, tax, and Christianize the population.

Effects on the Natives

• Natives forced to leave their ancestral lands and traditional farming areas.
• Strict enforcement of Catholic practices caused native customs to be lost or modified.
• Crowded settlements led to the rapid spread of diseases.
• The Spanish could easily collect taxes and demand labor from natives.

Rizal's Early Life and Education

• Rizal's earliest education was from his mother, Teodora Alonso Realonda.
• She taught him how to read and write, instilled a love for literature, and taught him the basics of Spanish and Tagalog.
• She emphasized critical thinking, morality, and compassion.

Spanish Colonial Policies and Resistance

• Governor-General Carlos Maria de la Torre advocated for native rights.
• Rafael de Izquierdo replaced de la Torre in 1872.
• Some Spanish officials wanted to expand educational opportunities.
• Others pushed for restrictions fearing knowledge would lead to resistance.
• Rizal experienced abuse from the Spaniards from an early age, whipping by Guardia Civil for forgetting to remove his hat led to early resentment.

Rizal's Literary and Political Works

• A La Juventud Filipina calls on young Filipinos to embrace their potential and contribute to the nation's progress using their skills in arts, sciences, and intellect.
• El Amor Patrio emphasizes the importance of national identity and devotion to one's homeland through education, self-improvement, and active participation.
• Rizal referenced the Carlist Wars in El Amor Patrio, criticizing blind patriotism that leads to conflict and instead advocating for education and peaceful reform.
• Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (A Gift to My Town) reflects on Rizal's nostalgia for Calamba and symbolizes yearning for a Philippines free from oppression.

Rizal's Education and Time in Europe

• Rizal pursued Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
• He shifted to medicine to find a cure for his mother's eyesight.
• Rizal was disappointed by the racial discrimination
• He traveled to Spain in 1882 to study medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid and to study European laws, culture, and education systems.
• Miguel Morayta, was a historian and professor at the Universidad Central de Madrid and a strong advocate of academic freedom and liberal ideals.

The Propaganda Movement and Reformist Views

• Rizal found a lack of unity among Filipinos in Spain, who were divided by personal rivalries and regionalism.
• Many Filipinos were more concerned with a European lifestyle than advocating for reforms.
• He joined the Círculo Hispano-Filipino to promote relations between Spaniards and Filipinos while advocating for peaceful reforms.
• He noticed a lack of seriousness among Filipino students in Spain.
• Juan Luna's Spoliarium and Felix Resurrección Hidalgo's Las Vírgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho depicted the oppression and suffering of Filipinos.
• Rizal praised Luna and Hidalgo's artistic achievements as assertions of national identity and resistance against colonial oppression, calling for unity and resistance against Spanish injustices.