Rizal Law: Senate Bill No. 438

The Birth of the Rizal Law

• World War II's destruction prompted a focus on rebuilding Filipino identity.
• Nationalist policymakers used education to reorient the nation towards historical pride and hope, focusing on the youth.
• Jose Rizal's ideals of freedom and nationalism were a central platform.

Senate Bill No. 438

• Senate Bill No. 438 was submitted to the Senate Committee on Education on April 3, 1956.
• Senator Jose P. Laurel sponsored the bill, aiming to spread Rizal's ideas through his novels.
• The bill sought to make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo required reading in colleges and universities.
• Senator Laurel believed Rizal's novels would help Filipinos understand themselves and prepare for national progress via self-reliance and freedom.

Arguments Against the Bill

• Opponents, mainly Catholic senators, argued the bill:
  • Discredited the Catholic religion.
  • Contained passages offensive to Church doctrine.
  • Could divide the nation.
  • Impaired freedom of speech and religious freedom by compelling reading against one's faith.
• Senator Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo emphasized the harmonious relationship between being Catholic and being a Filipino citizen, cautioning against creating conflict between nationalism and religion.

Arguments For the Bill

• Senator Claro M. Recto argued the novels did not discredit the Church, but aimed to contextualize Rizal's heroism.
• Rizal's novels aimed at fostering civic consciousness, national dignity, personal pride, and patriotism in the face of Spanish tyranny.
• Recto noted Rizal also portrayed worthy members of the church in his novels like Padre Fernandez and Padre Florentino.

House Bill No. 5561

• Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales filed a similar bill in the House of Representatives.
• It also faced opposition based on constitutionality and religiosity.
• Passage of the bill seemed unlikely in late April 1956.

Substitute Bill and Approval

• Senator Laurel proposed a substitute bill including all of Rizal's works and writings.
• The term "compulsion" was removed.
• The importance of reading unexpurgated editions was stressed.
• A clause was added to allow for exemptions based on religious beliefs.
• Senate Bill No. 438 was unanimously approved on second reading on May 12, 1956.
• The House of Representatives followed suit on May 14, 1956.

Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law)

• President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill into law on June 12, 1956.
• The law mandates courses on Rizal's life, works, and writings in all schools.
• Original editions of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are required in collegiate courses.
• The Board of National Education was tasked with implementing the law.
• The law allows exemptions for students based on religious belief, stated in writing.
• Schools must keep adequate copies of Rizal's works in their libraries.
• The Board of National Education must translate Rizal's works into English, Tagalog, and other Philippine dialects, to be distributed for free.

Concept of Hero in Filipino Culture and History

• Western dictionaries define a hero as an illustrious, often divine, individual with valor and fortitude.
• The Filipino concept of a hero ("Bayani," "Bagani," "Magani," or "Wani") is broader.
• Early Philippine heroes were warriors serving the community's daily needs.
• Pangangayaw (raiding) was performed for resources, revenge, mourning, or prominence.
• A Bayani works with comrades for the community (bayan).
• A Bayani leaves and returns to the community.
• Tattoos, Kris/Kampilan, Putong, and red garments are iconic physical features

Characteristics of Early Filipino Heroes

• Early Filipino heroes were community servants (kawani or lingkod-bayan).
• They helped those in need and maintained peace.
• Bayanihan (cooperation) and spabayani (free labor) exemplify the Bayani spirit.
• The Boxer Codex (1590) defines a Bayani as having high status and dignity.
• Pedro Serrano Laktaw described a Bayani as fearless, courageous, firm, bold, quiet, and calm.

Influence of Colonialism to Filipino Heroism

• Spaniards introduced saints and disciples as role models.
• Vida Sancti (lives of saints) became the basis of good qualities and Doctrina Christiana (prayer and doctrine books) became a textbook of faith.
• Americans promoted hero-worship of American soldiers and venerated Filipino heroes like Rizal, Mabini, Luna and Del Pilar.
• This coincided with instilling American culture via the study of American heroes.

Modern Concept of Bayani

• Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are considered "Bagong Bayani" (new heroes).
• Their work abroad connects to the culture of pangangayaw.
• Namayani means to prevail or triumph.

Criteria for Recognizing Heroes (NHCP)

• Sacrifice for the welfare of the country (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965).
• Motive and methods employed in attaining the ideal (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965).
• The moral character of the person concerned (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965).
• Influence on his/her age and/or succeeding age (Teodoro Agoncillo 1965).
• Concept of nation and struggle for its freedom (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993).
• Contribution to a system of life of freedom and order (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993).
• Contribution to the quality of life and destiny of a nation (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993).
• Part of the people's expression (Alfredo Lagmay 1995).
• Thinking of the future, especially future generations (Alfredo Lagmay 1995).
• The entire process that made this particular person a hero (Alfredo Lagmay 1995).

Rizal as a Filipino Hero

• Jose Rizal’s heroism is state-sponsored through the Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law).
• Emilio Aguinaldo declared a day of National Mourning on December 30, 1898.
• Americans chose Rizal as the national hero for several reasons:
  • Not violent and preferred peaceful means.
  • No problems with American imperialism.
  • Already dead.
• In 1901, William H. Taft appointed Rizal to embody the brand of nationalism by the American Colonial Government.
• The American Colonial Government promoted Rizal through:
  • The creation of Rizal Province.
  • The erection of Rizal Monument.
  • The declaration of Rizal Day on December 30 as a public holiday.
• In 1995, a list of recommended national heroes was released by the National Heroes Committee.
• There are four major national celebrations with Rizal as a subject every year.

Rizal's Dying Wish

• Requested to be buried in the earth in Paang Bundok (now North Cemetery) with a stone and a cross.
• He requested for a fence that would mark his grave.
• Requested that no anniversary celebration must be conducted
• None of his wishes were followed.
• He was buried in Paco Cemetery and transferred to Luneta.
• The nation granted him a grand stone monument.
• His death is commemorated every year with full military honors.

The Two "Rizals"

• Historic Rizal: The actual person who lived in the 19th century.
• Symbolic Rizal: The Rizal in Luneta, coins, stamps, t-shirts, etc., open to many meanings.

Rizal as Text, Signs, and Symbols

• A text is anything that can be read, interpreted, and analyzed.
• Reading is making sense of the world.
• A sign represents a fixed reality with predetermined meaning (closed text).
• A symbol conveys meaning about cultural processes and relationships which is not constant but constituted through human agency (open text).

Studying History and Rizal

• Philippine History should be taken from the heart and be seen as vital to their existence.
• Lessons about Rizal should be applied in real life.
• Rizal Day is an opportunity to participate in political and social processes of building the nation.
• Especially the youth are expected to be "Rizal-like" in terms of deep nationalism.