Republic Act 1425: Rizal Law

• Republic Act 1425, enacted on June 12, 1956, mandates that all schools include the study of Jose Rizal's life, works, and writings, especially his novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo".
• Claro M. Recto was instrumental in passing the Rizal Bill in 1956 due to his knowledge of history and law.
• Jose P. Laurel supported Recto and sponsored an amendment to stabilize the bill.

Trials of Rizal Law in Congress and Senate

• Senator Laurel emphasized the importance of reading Rizal's novels for Filipinos' self-awareness and freedom.
• The Catholic organization opposed the compulsory aspect of the Rizal course, claiming it violated religious freedom.
• Senate Bill No. 438 debates began on April 23, 1956.
• Senators Mariano J. Cuenco, Francisco Rodrigo, and Decoroso Rosales disagreed with the bill.
• Senator Rodrigo cautioned against creating conflict between nationalism and religion/government and the church.
• Jose Ma. Hernandez from Catholic Action stated SB 438 was "pedagogically unsound" claiming the youth were immature to read Rizal.
• Fr. Jesus Cavana warned of exposing young minds to perversion against the Catholic Church.
• Judge Guillermo Guevarra questioned Fr. Cavana's claims, suggesting the Church's fears implied existing practices.
• Claro M. Recto argued the state's competence to require reading Rizal's novels in schools.
• Rizal aimed for civic conscience, national identity, personal pride, and patriotism amongst Filipinos known as CNPP.
• The conflict reached the House of Representatives on April 19, 1956, with Congressman Jacobo V. Gonzales introducing House Bill No. 5561, mirroring Senate Bill No. 438.
• May 9, 1956 was the date debates started following the Education Committee's report, proposing approval without changes.
• Section 1 of RA 1425 contains the revised and improved condition.
• The Senate solution was deemed acceptable, and on May 14, 1956, Sen. Laurel's substitute bill was amended and approved on the second reading in the Upper House.
• The Senate Bill no. 438 was approved on the third reading with 23 votes in favor.
• The House Bill no. 5561 was approved with 71 votes in favor during the third reading.
• The bill was passed on May 17, 1956, requiring the Senate bill number to appear on enrolled copies.
• Enacted into law by President Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956, becoming Republic Act No. 1425.
• Catholic organizations strongly opposed the bill citing defiance of Canon Law, disapproval of forcing Catholic youth, doctrinal attacks on religion, and opposition to Anti-Catholicism in Rizal's novels.
• There was a threat to close 600 Catholic schools and colleges by Bishop Manuel Yap of Bacolod in the senate.
• Student Catholic Action of the Philippines formally disapproved the bill.
• Both bills were approved after three readings, and it was signed into law on June 12, 1950, by President Ramon Magsaysay.

Concept of Hero

• A hero is a central figure taking part in an action, enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering. They are a man honored after death for exceptional service to mankind.
• Honorinig heroes in the Philippines began in 1900.
• Act No. 137 was approved by the Philippine Commission of Pardo de Tavera, Legarda, Luzurriaga and William Howard Taft.
• The Act combined the districs of Morong and Manila.
• The combined districs as named "Province of Rizal," in honor of the most illustrious Filipino.
• March 28, 1993, the President's Executive Order No. 75 created the National Heroes Committee.
• The National Heroes Committee was commissioned to study, evaluate, and recommend historical figures to be declared as national heroes.

Pre-Colonial Heroes

• The heroes of the pre-colonial era in the Philippines were often presented as mystical characters, participating in drastic events and belonging to imaginary societies.
• Epic heroes are found in the fictional tales of the early Filipinos. They are seen as saviors of their communities, protecting them from enemy tribes.
• Mythical heroes represent the culture and values of a specific group of people from a specific time frame.
• Colonial heroes were the first to organize resistance against the Spanish government and other colonial regimes.
• Revolutionary heroes led revolts and fought against the colonial regime to attain complete freedom.
• Known heroes, also called popular heroes, are recognized for their remarkable contribution to the resistance against the Spanish.
• Unknown heroes, or unsung heroes, contributed significantly but remained unrecognized due to academic and political reasons.
• Martyrs are those who courageously faced brutal death or punishment at the hands of rivals for their beliefs.

Post-Colonial Heroes

• Post-colonial were honored men who displayed "heroic qualities" after the colonial era.
• Political figures during the pandemic are considered “postwar heroes.”
• Idealistic heroes advocate for change through peaceful means and intellect over violence
• Realistic heroes prefer immediate solutions to social and political problems.
• The realistic heroes prefer radical methods rejecting the moderate and centrist stand.
• Accidental heroes unintentionally become heroes by getting involved in risky situations.

Chapter 1: Advent of a National Hero

• A hero is a legendary figure with divine descent and great ability.

Why did Rizal become the national hero?

• Rizal fought for freedom in a silent but powerful way.
• He expressed his love for the Philippines through novels, essays, articles & poems.
• He was humble, fighting for reforms through his writings
• He used his intelligence, talents and skills in a peaceful way

Social System

• Peninsulares were pure-blooded Spaniards occupying the highest government positions.
• Insulares were Philippine-born Spaniards, given lower administrative positions.
• Spanish Mestizos or Kastila were those born of Spanish and native parentage discriminated against by full-blooded Spaniards.
• Town ruling class was composed of gobernadorcillos, cabezas de barangay & native families of means.
• Chinese Mestizos were children of Chinese & Indio parents and controlled the local economy
• Indios or Masses were landless peasants & poor tenants mistreated called "barbaros", "bastos","sin verguenza" & "ignorante".
• Frailocracia was an invisible government, meaning "rule of friars".

Education System

• Parochial schools with Spanish missionaries were the schools in the Philippines.
• Friars decided what to teach in the schools.
• Students were required to memorize the contents of the book even without understanding.
• Filipinos were instructed in the vernacular.
• Classes were held on the ground floor of the convent.

Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonzo Realonda

• He is the greatest hero of the Philippines.
• Rizal was born on a moonlit night Wednesday, June 19, 1861.
• He was born in Calamba, Laguna.
• Mother almost died during the delivery because of his big head.
• Baptized in the Catholic church on June 22, aged 3 days old.
• Father Rufino Collantes(parish priest) – a Batangueño.
• Father Pedro Casanas (ninong) Rizal' godfather, native of Calamba and close friend of Rizal's family.
• “Jose” his name was chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian saint San Jose (St. Joseph).
• Father Collantes was impressed by the baby's big head and told that he will become a great man.

The Parents

• The Rizal's parents are Francisco Mercado Rizal and Doña Teodora
• The father, FRANCISCO MERCADO RIZAL (1818-1898), was a serious looking man of sturdy build and was born in Biñan, Laguna on May 11, 1818.
• The father studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila.
• The father was a tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda.
• The father died in Manila on Jan. 5, 1898 at the age of 80.
• The mother, DOÑA TEODORA (1826-1911) was a vigorious and persevering woman with a benevolent heart and a likable personality and was born in Manila on Nov. 8, 1826.
• The mother Educated at College of Santa Rosa, well known college for girls.
• The mother Died in Manila on Aug. 16, 1911 at the age of 85

The Rizal Children

• There are 11 Siblings, 2 boys & 9 girls in the Rizal family:
• Saturnina (1850-1913)is the oldest of the Rizal children and her nickname is Neneng; she became wife of Manuel T. Hidalgo
• Paciano (1851-1930) is the second child and Rizal's only brother. He had two children: a boy and a girl, by his mistress.
• Narcisa (1852-1939) called Sisa was married Antonio Lopez
• Olimpia (1855-1887) was called Ypia and married Silvestre Ubaldo and she died of childbirth in 1887
• Lucia (1857-1919) was the wife of Mariano Herbosa
• Maria (1859-1945) was nicknamed Biang became the wife of Daniel Faustino Cruz
• Jose (1861-1896) was nicknamed Pepe

In Dapitan

• In Dapitan, Jose Rizal lived with Josephine Bracken
• He had a son with her but died few hours after birth.
• The son's name was Francisco.
• Concepcion (1862-1865) was Rizal's sibling (Concha's) pet name.
• Concha Sdie of sickness at the age of 3 and her death was Rizal's first sorrow in life.
• Josefa (1865-1945) was nicknamed Panggoy and died at the age of 80
• Trinidad (1868-1951) was nicknamed Trining, she died also as an old maid in 1951 aged 83.
• Soledad (1870-1929) was nicknamed Choleng and became the wife of Pantaleon Quintero.
• Rizal called them Doña or Señora (if married) and Señorita (if single), when he grew to manhood.
• Paciano was a second father to him (10 years senior).
• He immortalized him in his first novel as the wise Pilosopo Tasio
• Rizal's Ancestry: Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish
• Domingo Lamco was Rizal's great-great grandfather (father side), a Chinese Immigrant
• He was from Fukien City who arrived in Manila about 1690
• Doña Teodora's family descended from LakanDula
• His great-great maternal grandfather was of Japanese ancestry
• The real surname of Rizal family was Mercado adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lamco; Rizal's great-great grandfather was a full blooded Chinese.
• The second surname – RIZAL was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor of Laguna, a family friend.
• RIZAL HOME: Two storey building, rectangular in shape

The Rizal Home

• The Rizal house was Built in adobe stones and hard wood and roofed with red tiles
• This was described by Rafael Palma(biographer)as a happy home.
• Chapter 2: Childhood Years in Calamba.
• Rizal loved Calamba with all his heart and soul.
• 15 Years Old Student in Ataneo de Manila and wrote a poem "Un Recuerdo A Pueblo"

Early Childhood

• Rizal's first sorrow was sibling Concha dying when he was only 3 years old.
• 3 yeard old, he began to take part in the family prayers:
• 5 yeard old, he was able to read the Spanish Family Bible.
• He was called as Manong Jose.
• He only respected Father Leoncio Lopez as the town priest.
• On June 6, 1868, Rizal and his father left Calamba to go on a pilgrimage to Antipolo to fulfill his mother's vow and give birth to Trinidad.
• Rizal's first trip across Laguna de Bay and his first pilgrimage to Antipolo
• After praying they went to Manila to visit Saturnina at La Concordia College.

Artistic Talents

• At the age of 5, he began to make sketches with his pencil and to mould in clay and wax objects.
• Sacred Heart, carved by Rizal while he was a student at the Ateneo.
• He had the soul of a genuine artist and loves to ride on a spirited pony in lakeshore with his black dog named Usman.
• At the age of 8, Rizal wrote his first poem " Sa Aking mga kababata" revealing Rizal's earliest nationalist sentiments.
• The Peom revolves about the Love of one's language.

First Dramtic Work

• At the age of was when Rizal wrote his first dramatic work which was Tagalog comedy.
• First Dramtic Work was staged in the Calamba festivals.
• He Also a boy magician which he learned various tricks.
• Influences on the Hero's Boyhood.

Hereditary Influence

• From his Malayan & Chinese ancestors
• From his Spanish ancestors, his father and mother/

Environmental Influences

• Places, Associates, Events
• Beauties of Calamba
• His 3 Uncles: Tio Jose Alberto (artistic ability); Tio Manuel (develop his body in wrestling); Tio Gregorio (book lover).
• Aid of Divine Providence
• Father Leoncio Lopez - forstered Rizal's love for scholarship and intellectual honesty.
• The sorrow in his family, the death of Concha in 1865 and the imprisonment of his mother in 1871-1874.