GEC 005: Life and Works of Rizal - PDF

 COURSE INFORMATION Course Code: GEC 005 Course Title: Life and Works of Rizal Course Description: As mandated by Republic Act 1425, this course covers the life and works of the country’s national hero, José Rizal. Among the topics covered are Rizal’s biography and his writings...

 COURSE INFORMATION Course Code: GEC 005 Course Title: Life and Works of Rizal Course Description: As mandated by Republic Act 1425, this course covers the life and works of the country’s national hero, José Rizal. Among the topics covered are Rizal’s biography and his writings, particularly the novels Noli Me tangere and El Filibusterismo, some of his essays, and various correspondences. Tell me something about Rizal! Topic Outline PRELIM Republic Act 1425 Rizal, A True Filipino Hero Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism- National Symbol 19th Century Philippines in Rizal’s Context Learning Outcomes Understand features of the law RA 1425. Scrutinize various arguments that emerged during the passage of the Rizal Bill. Critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal course in particular with section 3 of RA 1425. Discuss the relevance of having Rizal course in the school curricula. Why should Rizal Course be included in your curricula? IT IS MANDATED BY THE LAW-RA 1425 WHAT IS RIZAL LAW?  Rizal Law or RA 1425 is a Philippine law that requires all schools in the Philippines, both public and private, to offer courses on the life, works, and writings of the Philippine hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Why Study Rizal: From the Perspective of Lawmakers Many Filipinos observed that the sense of Filipino identity was waning. In response, nationalist policy- makers took action to redirect the nation back to its roots by emphasizing the importance of history as a foundation for  On April 3, 1956, Senator Claro M. Recto proposed Senate Bill No. 438 and submitted it to the Senate Committee on Education.  “NOLI-FILI BILL” Senate Bill No. 438, titled "An Act to Make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo Compulsory Reading Matter in All Public and Private Colleges and Universities and For other Purposes”  On April 17, 1956, Senator Jose P. Laurel, Sr., who was then the Chairman of the Committee on Education, sponsored the Noli-Fili Bill in the senate and presented it to the Upper House. “Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as a mirror, our defects as well as our strength, our virtues as well as our vices. Only then would we become conscious as a people, and so learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to self- reliance, self-respect and freedom.”  The Catholic Church's Opposition to the Noli-Fili Bill  According to them, the bill was an attempt to discredit the Catholic religion. Father Jesus Cavanna argued that Jose Rizal’ novels from the past should not be taught in schools because they do not accurately depict current conditions and may give a false impression of the country. Here are some additional criticisms of the Catholic Church regarding the Noli-Fili Bill: Among the 333 pages of Noli Me Tangere, only 25 passages are nationalistic while 120 passages are anti- Catholic. 170 lines from Noli Me Tangere and 50 lines in El Filibusterismo were offensive to the Catholic doctrine. The bill might divide the nation. Compulsion to read something against one’s faith impairs freedom of speech and religious freedom. Rizal admitted that he did not only attack the friars who acted deceptively on the Filipinos but also the Catholic faith itself. Catholic groups organized opposition to the bill: Catholic Action of the Philippines Congregation of the Mission Knights of Columbus Catholic Teachers Guild  The church charged Recto with being a communist and anti-Catholic. It even comes to point where catholic schools threaten to close down their schools if the bill was passed. “The people who would eliminate the books of Rizal from the schools would blot out from our minds the memory of the national hero. This is not a fight against Recto but a fight against Rizal”. The Enactment of “Rizal Law” Instead of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, the new substitute bill now includes a wider range of works and writings by Rizal.  The implementation of reading expurgated versions of Noli-Fili will only be for college or university students. On May 12, 1956 and May 14, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 and House Bill No. 5561 were both unanimously approved on the second reading and in the Lower House. On June 12, 1956, the bill was signed into law by President Ramon Magsaysay, giving birth to Republic Act 1425 or the Rizal Law.  Rizal Law AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Elements of the RIZAL LAW What is the rationale of Rizal Law? The rationale for passing the Rizal Law is that there is a concern that the Filipino identity is waning. What is the purpose for passing the Rizal bill into a law? The purpose of enacting the Rizal Law is to educate the young generation of the Philippines about the ideals and principles for which Rizal sacrificed his life. What could you gain in reading the life and works of Rizal? By reading and studying Rizal’s life, teachings, and writings, the youth will gain confidence, direction, courage and determination to contribute to the progress of What does the first section tells you? The first section of the law concerns mandating the students to read Rizal’s novel. How about the second section? The second section of the law require the schools to have a sufficient number of copies of unexpurgated edition of the novels in their libraries. What does the 3rd section talks about? The third section of Rizal Law aims to make Rizal’s writing more readily available to the general public by promoting their printing at an affordable cost, or in some cases, providing them for What does the 4th section say? The fourth section of the law clarifies it will not change specific section of the Administrative Code that prohibits public school teachers from discussing religious The fifth section of the law authorize the unallocated funds to be used to implement the act. The last section of the law states that the act will immediately take effect.  The Goals of the Rizal Law can be summarized in the following 3 points. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died.  To pay tribute to our hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino character.  To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and writings. ACTIVITY! REFLECT Can you imagine what school would be like if it didn’t teach anything about Jose Rizal and his novels? Giver 3 possible outcomes if studying the life and works of Rizal is not mandated by the law.