Rizal Law: Historical Context and Objectives

• The course covers the life and works of Jose Rizal, including biography, novels (Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo), and essays, as mandated by Republic Act 1425.
• The course aims to discuss Rizal's life in the 19th-century Philippines context, analyze his works, organize his ideas into themes, demonstrate critical reading, interpret values, and promote appreciation for education and country.

Foreword

• This coursework is intended for undergraduate study of Jose Rizal's life, works, and writings
• Republic Act No. 1425 mandates students in any course to study the life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
• Rizal's life and ideals are meant to inspire the youth and Filipinos to strive for freedom and a better life.

The Story of Rizal Law

• In 1956, Senator Claro M. Recto proposed the Rizal Bill to instill heroism in youth amid social turmoil.
• The Rizal Law was created in reaction to: HUKBALAHAP insurgency, American imperialism/influence, parity rights for the US on Philippines' natural resources, the Laurel-Langley Agreement, and corrupt party politics.
• The Catholic Church and its supporters opposed the bill.

Republic Act No. 1425 - Rizal Law

• The law mandates courses on Jose Rizal's life, works, and writings, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, in all public and private schools, colleges, and universities.
• Jose P. Laurel sponsored the law.
• Claro Mayo Recto authored and was the main proponent of the law.
• It was signed on June 12, 1956, coinciding with Philippine Independence Day.
• Main goals of the Rizal Law:
• To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism.
• To pay tribute to Jose Rizal for his contributions to shaping the Filipino character.
• To provide an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal's life and works.
• To instill values of moral character, civic conscience, personal discipline, and duties of citizenship.
• Section 1: Inclusion of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in the curricula of all educational institutions.
• Section 2: Obligation for schools to maintain adequate copies of Rizal's works in their libraries.
• Section 3: The National Board of Education is tasked with translating and distributing Rizal's writings.
• Section 4: Clarifies that the law does not amend existing regulations regarding religious discussions in public schools.
• Section 5: Appropriates 300,000 pesos to implement the law.
• Section 6: Takes effect upon approval.

Significance of the Rizal Law

• The Rizal Law has played a crucial role in arousing Filipino nationalism and reminding the Filipino people of their identity as a nation.
• Studying Rizal is essential for fostering national identity and pride, ensuring his values inspire future generations.

Historical Background On Rizal's Time

• The 19th century (1801-1900) was a significant period of change that shaped Jose Rizal's life, thoughts, and actions.
• Key Historical Events influencing Rizal:
• February 19, 1861: Czar Alexander II issued the Emancipation Manifesto to Russian serfs.
• 1861: Italians, under Giuseppe Garibaldi, expelled the Austrians and took over the papal lands, ending the domination of the Church.
• Unification Movements: Italians and Germans succeeded in unifying their nations.
• June 19, 1861: The American Civil War was ongoing due to Negro slavery.
• September 22, 1862: Benito Juarez was elected President of Mexico.
• June 12, 1864: Archduke Maximilian of Austria was installed by Napoleon III as the puppet emperor of Mexico.
• May 15, 1867: Juarez defeated Maximilian's forces with U.S. support and executed Maximilian on June 19.
• Global Context of the 19th Century:
• England was known as the World's Leading Imperialist Power, with Queen Victoria asserting "Britannia rules the waves."
• European Penetration in Asia: included the weakening of Spain and Portugal, and the rise of Great Britain and France.
• Colonial Expansion:
• Britain gained Hong Kong and five ports in China following the Opium War (1839-1842).
• India became a crown colony of Great Britain after the Sepoy Mutiny (1857).
• Burma (Myanmar) became a colony of Great Britain after three Burmese Wars.
• Indo-China became a protectorate of France.
• Malaysia became a protectorate and eventually a colony of Great Britain.
• Indonesia was conquered by the Dutch (Netherlands).
• British colonies included Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Maldives, Aden, Malaysia, Singapore, Egypt, and Australia.
• Japan:
• July 8, 1853: Commodore Matthew C. Perry reopened Japan, ending its 214-year isolation.
• Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito) modernized Japan by accepting Western influences, including imperialism.

Historical Background of the Philippines During Rizal's Time

• Filipinos were unfortunate victims of the evils of the unjust, bigoted, and deteriorating colonial power.
• Instability of Colonial Administration:
• Corrupt officialdom.
• No Philippine representation in the Spanish Cortes.
• Human rights denied to Filipinos.
• No equality before the law.
• Maladministration of justice.
• Racial discrimination.
• Frailocracy.
• Forced labor or “Polo y Servicios.”
• Haciendas owned by the friars.
• Abusive behavior of the Guardia Civils.

Rizal: A Biographical Sketch

• The Birth of a Hero:
• Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna.
• He was baptized in the Catholic church on June 22, 1861, aged three days old.
• Rizal's Parents:
• Don Francisco Mercado (1818-1898) who was born in Biñan, Laguna studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila became a tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda.
• Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda (1826-1911) who was born in Manila was educated at the College of Santa Rosa, a well-known college for girls in the city.
• Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda married on June 28, 1848, and had eleven children - two boys and nine girls.

Rizal's Siblings

• Saturnina (1850-1913) nicknamed Neneng, married Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.
• Paciano (1851-1930) was Rizal's older brother and confidant, a second father to Rizal, and was immortalized in Rizal's first novel Noli Me Tangere as the wise Pilosopo Tasio, was regarded as the "most noble of Filipinos," became a Major General in the Philippine Revolution, and died on April 13, 1930, an old bachelor aged 79, had two children by his mistress.
• Narcisa (1852-1939), her pet name was Sisa, married Antonio Lopez (nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez).
• Olimpia (1855-1887), Ypia was her pet name, married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila.
• Lucia (1857-1919), married Mariano Herbosa of Calamba.
• Maria (1859-1945), Biang was her nickname, married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.
• Jose (1861-1896), Nickname was Pepe, lived with Josephine Bracken, had a son that died a few hours after birth and was named him "Francisco".
• Concepcion (1862-1865) her pet name was Concha, died of sickness at the age of 3, her death was Rizal's first sorrow in life.
• Josefa (1865-1945), Her pet name was Panggoy, died an old maid at the age of 80.
• Trinidad (1868-1951), Trining was her pet name, she died also an old maid in 1951 aged 83.
• Soledad (1870-1929), Youngest of the Rizal siblings, her pet name was Choleng, married Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba.
• Rizal always called her sisters Doña or Señora (if married) and Señorita (if single).
• Rizal's Ancestry:
• Rizal's father chose the surname Rizal, which originated from the word ricial signifying “green field,” after scrutinizing the list of surnames sent to Calamba.
• The Rizal Home:
• Was one of the distinguished stone houses in Calamba during the Spanish times.
• It was a two-storey building, rectangular built with adobe stones, hard-woods and roofed with red tiles.

Influences on the Hero's Boyhood

• Hereditary influence
• Environmental influence
• Aid of Divine Providence
• Jose Alberto: inspired Rizal to develop his artistic ability by encouraging him to sketch, paint, and make sculptures.
• Manuel: who encouraged Rizal to develop his frail body by means of physical development.
• Father Leoncio Lopez: the old and learned parish priest of Calamba, fostered Rizal's love for scholarship and intellectual honesty.

Rizal's Childhood and Early Studies

• Early Education in Calamba and Biñan
• The first teacher of Rizal was his mother.
• Maestro Lucas Padua was Rizal's second tutor.
• Leon Monroy, a former classmate of Rizal's father, instructed Jose in Spanish and Latin.
• Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz was Rizal's teacher in a private school in Biñan.
• Martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za
• On the night of January 20, 1872, about 200 Filipino soldiers and workmen of the Cavite arsenal rose in violent mutiny.
• Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora were executed by garrote on February 17, 1872.
• The martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za in 1872 truly inspired Rizal to fight the evils of Spanish tyranny and redeem his oppressed people.
• Rizal dedicated his second novel, El Filibusterismo, to Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora.
• Injustice to Hero's Mother
• Before June 1872, Doña Teodora was arrested on a malicious charge.
• After arresting Doña Teodora, the Spanish lieutenant forced her to walk barefooted from Calamba to Santa Cruz, a distance of 50 kilometers.
• Doña Teodora was incarcerated at the provincial prison in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, for two and a half years.
• Rizal's Education in Manila (1872-1877)
• Scholastic Triumphs At Ateneo De Manila (1872-1877)
• Ateneo Municipal (later on Ateneo de Manila University - a college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits)

Jesuit System of Education

• It trained the character of the student by rigid discipline and religious instructions.
• First Year in Ateneo (1872-1873)
• June 10, 1872, Rizal was accompanied by his brother Paciano in Manila to study.
• Father Magin Ferrando refused to admit Rizal for being late, sickly and undersized.
• Manuel Xerez Burgos helped Rizal was admitted at the Ateneo.
• Rizal adopted the surname “Rizal".
• Second Year in Ateneo (1873-1874)
• Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal.
• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas was the first favorite novel of Rizal which made a deep impression on him.
• Fourth Year in Ateneo (1875-1876)
• June 16, 1875, Rizal became an interno (boarder) in the Ateneo.
• Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez inspired him to study harder and write poetry.
• Rizal topped all his classmates in all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term.
• Last Year in Ateneo (1876-1877)
• March 23, 1877, Rizal received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the Ateneo Municipal, with sobresaliente.
• Rizal was an active member of the Marian Congregation.
• Rizal studied painting under Agustin Saez, and sculpture under Teodoro Romualdo de Jesus.
• Rizal carved an image of the Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling with his pocketknife.
• Father Leonard requested Rizal to carve for him an image of Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Poems Written in Ateneo

• Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) - the first poem Rizal dedicated to his mother on her birthday which was written in 1874.
• In 1876, Rizal wrote poems on religion, education, childhood memories, and war.
• Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town) - a poem in honor of Calamba.
• San Eustacio, Martir (St. Eustace, the Martyr) - a drama based on the prose story of St. Eustace which he wrote in poetic verses during the summer vacation of 1876 and finished it on June 2, 1876.
• Medical Studies at the University of Santo Tomas (1877-1882)
• After finishing the first year of a course in Philosophy and Letters (1877-1878), Rizal transferred to the medical course.
• Doña Teodora opposed Rizal pursuing higher learning fearing the Spaniards will “cut off his head”.
• April 1877, Rizal matriculated in the University of Santo Tomas, taking the course on Philosophy and Letters.

Writings in Ateneo while Studying at UST

• It was during the following term (1878-1879) that Rizal, having received the Ateneo Rector's advice to study medicine.
• During Rizal's first school term in the University of Santo Tomas (1877-1878), Rizal also studied in Ateneo and took the vocational course leading to the title of perito agrimensor (expert surveyor).
• November 25, 1881, the title was issued to Rizal for passing the final examination in the surveying course.
• Liceo Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila held a literary contest in 1879.
• A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth) an inspiring poem.
• El Consejo de los Dioses (The Councils of the Gods) an allegorical drama.
• Junta al Pasig (Beside the Pasig) - a zarzuela which was staged on December 8, 1880.
• A Filipinas - a sonnet to glorify the Philippines.
• Unhappy Days at the UST:
• Rizal found the atmosphere at the University of Santo Tomas suffocating to his sensitive spirit and was unhappy because:
• The Dominican professors were hostile to him.
• The Filipino students were racially discriminated against by the Spaniards.
• The method of instruction was obsolete and repressive. In Rizal's novel, El Filibusterismo, he described how the Filipino students were humiliated and insulted by their Dominican professors and how backward the method of instruction.

Rizal's Relationships

• Segunda Katigbak (1863–1943)
• Year Met: 1877.
• How They Met: Rizal met Segunda Katigbak, a 14-year-old from Lipa.
• Details of the Relationship: Described as Rizal's first love.
• Leonor Valenzuela (Orang) (1865–1943)
• Year Met: 1880.
• How They Met: Rizal met Leonor Valenzuela while boarding at the house of her family.
• Details of the Relationship: Wooed Leonor using invisible ink.
• Leonor Rivera (Taimis) (1867–1893)
• Year Met: 1880.
• How They Met: Rizal and Leonor were cousins.
• Details of the Relationship: Spanned 11 years.
• Consuelo Ortiga y Pérez (1857-1930)
• Year Met: 1882.
• How They Met: Met Rizal in Madrid, Spain.
• Details of the Relationship: Wrote Consuelo a poem, “A la Señorita C.O. y P.".
• O-Sei-San (Seiko Usui) (1858–1947)
• Year Met: 1888.
• How They Met: Rizal met O-Sei-San in Tokyo, Japan.
• Details of the Relationship: Shared a romantic bond through their love of simple things.
• Gertrude Beckett (Tottie) (1867–1954)
• Year Met: 1888.
• How They Met: Rizal was boarding at the Beckett family's house in London.
• Details of the Relationship: Rizal left London due to his mission over personal matters.
• Nellie Boustead (1878–1951)
• Year Met: 1891.
• How They Met: Rizal met Nellie Boustead in Biarritz, France.
• Details of the Relationship: Ended due to religious differences.
• Suzanne Jacoby (1857–?)
• Year Met: 1890.
• How They Met: Rizal met Suzanne Jacoby in Brussels, Belgium.
• Details of the Relationship: They Exchanged letters, but their relationship ended when Rizal left Belgium.
• Josephine Bracken (1876–1902)
• Year Met: 1895.
• How They Met: Rizal met Josephine Bracken in Dapitan.
• Details of the Relationship: Became Rizal's common-law wife.

Explore the Republic Act 1425, its aims, key figures like Claro M. Recto, and the conflicts surrounding its passage. Understand its impact, connection to the Laurel-Langley Agreement and HUKBALAHAP insurgency. Also study Rizal's life and its contribution to foster love of country.