Lesson 1 Week 1 - Introduction to the Course Republic Act 1945 PDF

1 Course Code and Title: GE 111 – The Life and Works of Rizal Lesson Number: Lesson 1 (Week 1) Topic: Introduction to the Course: Republic Act 1945 INTRODUCTION: This module introduces the students to the...

1 Course Code and Title: GE 111 – The Life and Works of Rizal Lesson Number: Lesson 1 (Week 1) Topic: Introduction to the Course: Republic Act 1945 INTRODUCTION: This module introduces the students to the Rizal law (RA 1425). It highlights the history of how the bill became law, particularly what necessitated its proponents to propose the bill. It likewise presents issues behind the deliberation and approval of the law focusing on the arguments made by both the proponents and opponents of the law. The section also discusses why RA 1425 is landmark legislation that paved the way for the study of Rizal through literature in an attempt to decolonize Philippine culture. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, you should be able to: Explain the history of the Rizal Law and its important provisions; Identify the basic facts about Republic Act 1425; Determine the value of studying Jose Rizal in the 21st century; Critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal Course; and Manage one’s knowledge, skills, and values for responsible and productive living. LESSON PRESENTATION: The Rizal Bill was as controversial as Jose Rizal himself. The mandatory Rizal subject in the Philippines was the upshot of this bill, which later became law in 1956. The bill involves mandating educational institutions in the country to offer a course on the hero’s life, works, and writings, especially the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The transition from being a bill to become a republic act was, however, not easy as the proposal was met with intense opposition, particularly from the Catholic Church. Largely because of the issue, the then-senator Claro M. Recto –  2 the main proponent of the Rizal Bill – was even dubbed as a communist and an anti-Catholic. The Church accused Recto of being a communist and anti-Catholic. They believed that mandating students to read Rizal’s novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, would violate the freedom of conscience and religion. In an attempt to block the passage of the bill into law, the Church urged their supporters to write to their congressman and senators to show their opposition to the bill. One oppositionist to the bill said that Rizal attacked dogmas, beliefs, and practices of the Church. Another oppositionist, highlighted Rizal’s denial of the existence of purgatory, as it was not found in the Bible, and that Moses and Jesus Christ did not mention its existence. Catholic schools threatened to stop operation if the bill was passed through Recto calmly countered the threat, stating that if that happened, the schools would be nationalized. Afterward threatened to be punished in future elections, Recto remained undeterred. Concerning the suggestion to use instead of the expurgated (edited) version of Rizal’s novel as mandatory readings, Recto explained his firm support for the unexpurgated version, exclaiming: “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” (Ocampo, 2012. P. 23). The bill was eventually passed, but with a clause that would allow exemptions to students who think that reading the Noli and Fili would ruin their faith. In other words, one can apply to the Department of Education for exemption from reading Rizal’s Novels – though not from taking the Rizal subject. The bill was enacted on June 12, 1956. RA 1425 AND OTHER RIZAL LAWS The Rizal Bill became the Republic Act No. 1425, known as the “Rizal Law.” The full name of the law is “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.” The first section of the law concerns mandating the students to read Rizal’s novels. The last two  3 sections involve making Rizal’s writings accessible to the general public- they require the school to have a sufficient number of copies in their libraries and mandate the publication of the works in major Philippine languages. Jose P. Laurel, then-senator who co-wrote the law, explained that since Jose Rizal was the founder of the country’s nationalism and had significantly contributed to the current conditions of the nation, it is only that Filipinos, especially the youth, know about and learn to imbibe the great ideals for which the hero died. Accordingly, the Rizal law aims to accomplish the following goals: 1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died; 2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino character; and 3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and writings. So far, no students have yet officially applied for exemption from reading Rizal’s novels. Correspondingly, former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1994, through Memorandum Order No. 247, directed the Secretary of Education, Culture, and Sports and the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education to fully implement the RA 1425 as there had been reports that the law had still not been carried out. In 1995, CHED, Memorandum No. 3 was issued enforcing strict compliance to Memorandum Order No. 247. Not known to many, there is another republic act that concerns the national hero. Republic Act. No. 229 is an act prohibiting cockfighting, horse racing, and jai-alai on the thirtieth day of December of each year and to create a committee to take charge of the proper celebration of Rizal Day in every municipality and chartered city, and for any other purposes.  4 SELF-REFLECTION QUESTIONS 1. Did your school (secondary education) comply with RA 1425? 2. How effective is the Rizal Law in instilling patriotism among secondary school students? THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING RIZAL The academic subject on the life works, and writings of Jose Rizal was not mandated by law for nothing. Far from being impractical, the course interestingly offers many benefits that some contemporary academicians declare that other subjects, especially when taught properly, is more beneficial than many other subjects in various curricula. The following are just some of the significances of the academic subject: 1. The subject provides insights into how to deal with current problems. There is a dictum, “He who controls the past controls the future.” Our view of history forms the manner we perceive the present and therefore influence the kind of solutions we provide for existing problems. In various ways, the subject, for instance, teaches that being educated is a vital ingredient for a person or country to be free and successful. 2. It helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos The past helps us understand who we are. We comprehensively define ourselves not only in terms of where we are going but also where we come from. Our heredity, past behaviors, and old habits as a nation are all significant clues and determinants to our present situation. 3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism. Nationalism involves the desire to attain freedom and political independence, especially by a country under a foreign power, while patriotism denotes proud devotion and loyalty to one’s nation. Jose Rizal’s life works, and writings-especially his novels-essentially, if not perfectly, radiate these traits. For one thing, the subject helps us to understand our country better.  5 4. It provides various essential life lessons. We can learn from the way Rizal faced various challenges in life. As a controversial figure in his time, he encountered serious dilemmas and predicaments but responded decently and high-mindedly. Through the crucial decisions he made in his life, we can sense his priorities and convictions, which manifest how noble, selfless, and great our national hero was. 5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking. Critical thinking refers to discerning, evaluative, and analytical thinking. Jose Rizal unsurprisingly demonstrated his critical thinking skills in his argumentative essays, satires, novels, speeches, and written debates. In deciding what to believe or do, Rizal also proved his being a reasonably reflective thinker, never succumbing to the irrational whims and baseless opinions of anyone. He indiscriminately evaluated and criticized even the doctrine of the dominant religion of his time 6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and inspiration to every Filipino. If one is looking for someone to imitate, then Rizal is a very viable choice. The hero’s philosophies, life principles, convictions, thoughts, ideas, aspirations, and dreams are a good influence on anyone. Throughout his life, valued nationalism and patriotism, respect for parents, love for siblings, and loyalty to friends, and maintained a sense of chivalry. As a man of education, he highly regarded academic excellence, logical and critical thinking, philosophical and scientific inquiry, linguistic study, and cultural research. As a person, he manifested versatility and flexibility while sustaining a strong sense of moral uprightness. 7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives. People love fiction and are even willing to spend on books or movie tickets just to be entertained by made-up tales. But only a few perhaps know that Rizal’s life is full of fascinating non-fictional accounts. For instance, it is rarely known that (a) Rizal was involved in a love triangle with Antonio Luna as also part of the romantic equation; (b) Rizal was a model in some of Juan Luna’s paintings; (c) Rizal’s common-law wife Josephine Bracken was “remarried” to a man from Cebu; (d) Leonor Rivera (Maria Clara), Rizal’s “true love.” had a son who married the sister of the former President of the UN General Assembly Carlos P. Romulo.  6 Republic Act No. 1425 (The Rizal Law) Full Text June 12, 1956 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. WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died; WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character; WHEREAS, the life, works, and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused; WHEREAS all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore, SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private: Provided, that in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts. The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to  7 implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers, and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette. SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges, and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English, as well as other writings of Rizal, shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges, and universities. The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment of the school, college, or university. SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog, and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country. SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as an amendment or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and other persons engaged in any public school. SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.  8 SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. Approved: June 12, 1956 Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956. GENERALIZATION: Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law, mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines to teach the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal. Its primary aim is to inculcate in students an increased sense of nationalism at a time when the Filipino identity is threatened by various factors. Senator Claro M. Recto – the main proponent of the Rizal Bill believed that studying the life and works of Jose Rizal would be instrumental in teaching the youth to stand up for their country, therefore embodying the values and ideals of Rizal. The Church accused Recto of being a communist and anti- Catholic. They believed that mandating students to read Rizal’s novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, would violate the freedom of conscience and religion. The Rizal law aims to accomplish the following goals: 1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died; 2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works to shape the Filipino character, and 3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and writings. The following are the importance of studying Rizal; the subject provides insights into how to deal with current problems, it helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos, it teaches nationalism and patriotism, it provides various essential life lessons, it helps in developing logical and critical thinking, Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and inspiration to every Filipino, and the subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives. REFERENCES: ▪ Galicia, Reynaldo D. et al. (2019). The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. 2nd Edition. Mandaluyong City: Azes Publishing Corporation. ▪ Manebog, Jensen. D. et al. (2019). Life and Works of Rizal. Manila: Mutya Publishing. Inc. ▪ Clemente, Janet E. et al. (2019). The Life and Works of Rizal. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc. 9