Module 1:

RA 1425
Overview
The module will discuss about the RA 1425 known as Rizal Law. It
includes the challenges of the Bill creator and how they succeed in its
implementation.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Explain the history of the Rizal Law and its important provisions
2. Critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal Course
Activity time!

Who are your real-life heroes? What are their characteristics? Does it include
Dr. Jose Rizal? List down your real-life heroes and their characteristics.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Analysis!

Directions: Analyze the following questions and write your answer in the space
provided.

1. Is Dr. Jose Rizal deserving to be a hero?

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2. Is What are the characteristics of heroes?
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3. Do we need to study and remember our real-life heroes? Justify.
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Abstraction

REPUBLIC ACT 1425

The Rizal Law 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 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. Rector-the main

proponent of the Rizal Bill–was even dubbed as the communist and an anti-
Catholic. 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 expurgated version exclaiming:" The people
who would eliminate the books of Rizal from the schools would blot out from our
minds and 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 novel–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 sections involve making Rizal's writings accessible to the
general public---they require the schools to have a sufficient number of copies in
their libraries and mandate the publication of the works in major Philippine
languages. (For the full text of RA 1425, read appendix A: The Republic Act no.
1425).

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 condition of the nation, it is only right 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 the 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 student has yet 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
totally 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 December 30 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 other purposes."

Learning Resources

Full text of Republic Act No. 1425

Full text of House Bill No. 5561

Full text of Senate Bill No. 438

The Importance of Studying Rizal

The academic subject on the life works and writings of Jose Rizal was not
mandated by the law for nothing. Far from being impractical, the course
interestingly offers many benefits that some contemporary academicians declare
that the subject, especially when taught properly, is more beneficial than many
other subjects in various curricula.

The following are just some of the significance 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 influences the
kind of solutions we provide for existing problems. The Jose Rizal course, as a
history subject, is full of historical information from which one could base his
decisions in life, in various ways, the subject, for instance, teaches that being
educated is a vital ingredient for a person or country to be really 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. Interestingly, the life of a very important
national historical figure like Jose Rizal contributes much to shedding light on our
collective experience and identity as Filipino. The good grasp of the past offered
by this subject would help us in dealing wisely with the present.

3. It teaches us to understand better ourselves as Filipinos.

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.

4. It provides various essential life lessons

We can learn much more 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 life, we can sense his priorities and convictions, which
manifest how noble, selfless, and great our national hero was. For example, his
many resolutions exemplified the aphorism that in his life, there are things more
important than personal feelings and happiness.

5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking.

Critical Thinking refers to discerning, evaluative, and analytical thinking. A

philosophy major, 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. In fact, he indiscriminately evaluated and criticized
even the doctrines of the dominant religion of his time. A course on Rizal's life
works and writings, therefore, is also a lesson in critical thinking.

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, he 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 a romantic equation; (b) Rizal was a model in some
of Juan Luna's painting; (c) Rizal's common-law wife Josephine Bracken was
"remarried" to a man from Cebu and tutored former President Sergio Osmeña;
(d) Leonora Rivera ("Maria Clara"), Rizal's "true love" had a son who married the
sister of former President of the United Nations General Assembly Carlos P.
Romulo; (e) the Filipina beauty queen Gemme Cruz Araneta is a descendant of
Rizal's sister, Maria: (f) the sportscaster Chino Trinidad is a descendant of Rizal's
"first love" (Segunda Katignbak); and (g) the original manuscript of Rizal's novel
(Noli and Fili) were stolen once for ransom, but Alejandro Roces had retrieved
them without paying even a single centavo.

Application!

Directions: Answer Tasks 1 and 2.

Task 1

Write your own thoughts about including Rizal's Life, Works, and Writings in the
curriculum. Write your thoughts in 100 words.

Task 2

Write ten significance of the Rizal Law to the present times.

Resources!

Writing Rubrics

Rubrics from International Reading Association, 2013.

The activity conducted in the "Application!" will serve as the mean of assessing
your performance in this lesson using the following scoring rubric.
 Scoring Rubric

Insight into the subject - 10 points

Support and development of - 15 points
ideas
Organization & Clarity - 10 points
TOTAL 25 points

References!

Text of the RA1425. http://www.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/

Constantino, Renato. The Making of a Filipino: A Story of Philippine Colonial

Politics. QC: R.Constantino,1982,pp.244-247.

Jose B. Laurel Jr. 'The Trials of the Rizal Bill," Historical Bulletin vol.4,
no.2(1960):130-139.

Schumacher, John. "The Rizal Bill of 1956:Horacio de la Costa and the Bishops,"
Philippine Studies 59 no.4(2011):529-553.