Lesson 1

I. Introduction to
Jose Rizal

Presented by: RAYMOND E. BINAVENTE, LLB., LPT

Assistant Professor, EAC-Cavite
Course Description
As mandated by Republic Act 1425, this
course covers the life and works of the
country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
Among the topics covered are Rizal’s
biography and his writings, particularly his
novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, his essays and various
correspondences.
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss Jose Rizal’s life within the context of 19th century
Philippines.
2. Analyze Rizal’s various works
3. Organize Rizal’s ideas into various themes
4. Demonstrate a critical reading of primary sources
5. Interpret the values that can be derived from studying Rizal’s life
and works, and;
6. Display an appreciation for education and love for country.
Oral Exercise: Getting to Know
You are given 3 minutes to compose your oral piece
as a way to introduce yourself:

1. My name is . . .
2. I am . . . years old
3. I live in . . .
4. What I do best is . . .
5. I am a hero in my own little way because . . .
Introduction Specific Learning Objectives
1. Learn about Jose Rizal’s beginnings and how it molded his ideals
and philosophy in life
2. Describe Rizal’s family and their influence in the latter’s upbringing
and aspirations
3. Identify the criteria of being a national hero
Who is Jose Rizal?
• Rizal is a unique example of a many-splendored genius who became
the greatest hero of a nation.
• Rizal was a classic example of a “jack of all trades” - poet, dramatist,
essayist, novelist, historian, architect, painter, sculptor, educator,
linguist, musician, naturalist, ethnologist, surveyor, engineer, farmer
businessman, economist, geographer, cartographer, bibliophile,
philologist, grammarian, folklorist, philosopher, translator, inventor,
magician, humourist, satirist, polemicist, sportsman, traveller, and a
prophet.
Who is Jose Rizal?

Jose Rizal was a

physician specializing in
opthalmic surgery
Who is Jose Rizal?
• Above and beyond all these, he was a martyr and a hero who
consecrated his life for the redemption of his oppressed people, the
Filipinos.
• Rizal is currently acclaimed as the national hero of the Philippines.
• Rizal was the “first Malayan hero.” Changes and historical events all
over the world from the 19th to the early 20th centuries brought
relevance and impact to the character of Rizal and in response, brought
changes in the political and cultural landscape of the world.
 How was Rizal declared as a national hero?
Rizal was declared as the national hero under the Philippine
Revolutionary Government headed by Emilio Aguinaldo in Malolos,
Bulacan. It was the first to celebrate the death anniversary of Dr. Jose
Rizal on December 30, 1898. This day was marked as the day for national
mourning and solemn observance of the death anniversary of the
Filipino National Hero.

Trivia question:
Why do we celebrate December 30, the day of Rizal’s
death, as Rizal day instead of June 19?
Who choose Rizal to be a hero?
Even before the declaration of being a national hero, Jose Rizal’s death was
already revered and given significance in the country. Proof of which were:

Filipino Account.
- An officer of the revolutionary government named Antonio
Guevarra, who was sent to Lucban, Quezon in 1898, to accomplish a
mission for the government wrote the following observations.
“The town was in mourning with a flag at half mast at each house. I
learned it was in commemoration of the anniversary of the tragic killing of the
eminent Doctor Jose Rizal at the hands of the Spaniards in the execution
ground of Bagumbayan (now Luneta).”
Who choose Rizal to be a hero?
Even before the declaration of being a national hero, Jose Rizal’s death
was already revered and given significance in the country. Proof of which
were:

American Account
- Mrs. Dauncey Compbell, an American author who visited the
Philippines in December 31, 1904, observed how the Filipinos in Iloilo
celebrated the death anniversary of Rizal:

“I think you may be amused to hear about a Filipino Fiesta, which took
place yesterday called Rizal Day- the anniversary of the death of the
national hero, a Filipino by the name of Dr. Jose Rizal”.
Who choose Rizal to become a National Hero?
The Taft Commission headed by Gov. Gen. William Howard Taft was
given the responsibility to choose a national hero for the Philippines.
He will serve as an inspiration and a unifying force toward the
establishment of peace and prosperity in the country.
• Members:
✔Americans: W. Morgan Shuster, Bernard Moses, dean Warcester and Henry
Clay.
✔Filipinos: Jose Luzuriaga, Gregorio Araneta and Trinidad Pardo de Tavera
Criteria To Be A National Hero

Why Rizal was

chosen to be the
national hero over
Andres Bonifacio?
Criteria To Be A National Hero

•He must be a Filipino

• He is already dead at the time of
declaration
• He has shown an immeasurable love
for the country.
• He has exhibited a character of being
mild-tempered and a pacifist
• He died in dramatic fashion
 Why Rizal became the greatest National Hero?
• Rizal became the greatest Filipino because he is a man of honor. He became
known as the “First Filipino.”
• Even after death he received public worship because of his exceptional service to
mankind.
• We can say that before his execution, Rizal was already acclaimed by both
Filipinos and foreigners as the foremost leader of the Filipinos.
• Among the foreigners who recognized Rizal as the leading Filipino of his time were
Ferdinand Blumentritt, Dr, Reinhold Rost and Vicente Barantes.
• Prof. Blumentritt in his letter to Dr. Viola in May 1887 that Rizal was the greatest
product of the Philippines and that his coming to the world was like the appearance
of a rare comet in which the brilliance appears only every other century.
 Why Rizal became the greatest National Hero?
But let us accept the fact that Rizal was not a born a hero, but
a product of his hardwork and struggle to realize his aspirations
and be of service to his family and his fellowmen.

Rizal was also a human being. He had his own imperfections.

The Humanized Rizal
Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonzo Realonda
The birth of Jose Rizal
• Dr. Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba Laguna.
• He was baptized in the Catholic church of Calamba, Laguna on June 22,
1861, by the parish priest Rev. Fr. Rufino Collantes.
• Rizal’s godfather was father Pedro Casanas, a close friend of Rizal’s Family.
• His name “Jose” was chosen by his mother who was a devotee Saint
Joseph.
• The Baptismal Certificate was signed and witness by Leoncio Lopez
● Gov. Gen. Jose Lemery was the governor-general of the Philippines
during Rizal’s birth (Feb. 2, 1861 - July 7, 1862)
Jose Rizal’s Family
❖ Jose Rizal Parents
• Jose Rizal was the 7th of the 11th children of Francisco Mercado Rizal and
Teodora Alonso Realonda.
• Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818-1898) – He was the father of Rizal.
✔He was born on May 11, 1818 in Biñan, Laguna. His Father studied Latin and Philosophy
at the Colegio de San Jose in Manila.
✔Jose Rizal father died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at the aged of 79.
• Doña Teodora (Teodora Alonso Realonda) (1827-1911)– She was the mother of
Rizal. She was born on November 9, 1827 and was educated at the Beaterio de
Santa Rosa.
✔She knows Literature and speaks Spanish well and a Mathematician.
✔She died on August 16, 1911, at the aged of 84.
The Rizal’s Siblings
Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso’s marriage bore 11
children.
• Two (2) Boys.
• Nine (9) Girls.
❑These Children are as follows:
1. Saturnina Rizal – (1850- 1913); o Saturnina Rizal Hidalgo
✔ Oldest of the Rizal Children, nickname Neneng.
✔ She married to Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas.
2. Paciano Rizal – (1851- 1930);
✔ Older brother and confidante’ of Jose Rizal.
The Rizal’s Siblings
✔ After Jose Rizal execution, Paciano joined the Philippine Revolution and became a combat
general, after the Revolution.
✔ Then afterward, Paciano retired to his farm in Los Baños Laguna, where Paciano lived as a
gentleman farmer. o Paciano died on April 13, 1930 at the aged of 79.
✔ Paciano had two (2) children a boy and a girl, with his common-law wife Severina Decena.
3. Narcisa Rizal – (1852- 1939)
✔ Narcisa Rizal Lopez
✔ Her nickname was Sisa and she married to Antonio Lopez (Nephew of Father Leoncio
Lopez), a school teacher of Morong.
4. Olimpia Rizal – (1855- 1887)
✔ Olimpia Rizal Ubaldo
✔ Her nickname was Ypia. o she married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila.
The Rizal’s Siblings
5. Lucia Rizal– (1857- 1919);
✔ Lucia Rizal Herbosa
✔ She married to Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a Nephew of Father Casanas.
✔ Herbosa died of Cholera in 1889 and was denied Christian burial and because he was a brother- in- law of Dr. Jose Rizal.
6. Maria Rizal – (1859- 1945)
✔ Maria Rizal Cruz
✔ Biang was her nickname.
✔ She married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan Laguna.
7. Jose Rizal – (1861- 1896)
✔ The greatest Filipino Hero and peerless genius. o His nickname was “Pepe”.
✔ During his exile in Dapitan he lived with Josephine Bracken, an Irish girl from Hong Kong. Rizal had a son by her but his
baby-boy died a few hours after his birth.
✔ But still Rizal named him “Francisco” after his father’s name and buried him in Dapitan.
8. Concepcion Rizal (1862- 1865)
✔ Her nickname was Concha o She died at the aged of 3.
✔ Her death was Jose Rizal first sorrow in life
The Rizal’s Siblings
9. Josefa Rizal (1865- 1945);
✔ Her nickname was Panggoy.
✔ She died at the aged of 80.
10. Trinidad Rizal (1868- 1951)
✔ Her nickname was Trining
✔ She died at the aged 83.
11. Soledad Rizal (1870-1929)
✔ Soledad Rizal Quintero
✔ The youngest.
✔ Her nickname was Choleng.
✔ She married to Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba
• Rizal always called all her sisters as “Doña or Señora” if married and
“Señorita” if Single or not yet married”.
✔Example: Doña Ypia
✔Señora Saturnina
• Rizal wrote a letter to Blumentritt, on June 23, 1888 while Rizal is in
London. Rizal said that “His brother Paciano was the most Noble
Filipinos and though an “Indio”.
✔Rizal describe “Indio” as more generous and nobleman.
The Surname “Rizal”

● The real surname of the Rizal family was

Mercado which was used in the year 1731 by
Domingo Lamco (the paternal great-great
grandfather of Dr. Jose Rizal), who was a full-
blooded Chinese.
● On Nov. 21, 1849, Gov. Gen. Narciso Claveria
decreed that all Filipinos must bear a Spanish
surname to improve census and tax collection.
He also used it to detect illegal migration to the
Philippines especially Chinese and Indian
immigrants.
The Surname “Rizal”
Why did the surname “Rizal” was chosen by the Mercado family?
• The Rizal surname was suggested by the Laguna alcalde-mayor who was a
good friend of the family.
• The Rizal surname was derived from the Spanish word, “ricial”, meaning a
new growth of grass or evergreen fields
• The Rizal surname was in fact only used widely by the family starting 1872
after the execution of the GOMBURZA.
The Surname”Rizal”
● GOMBURZA refers to the three Filipino priests,
Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora
who were executed by the Spanish authorities on
Feb. 17,1872 due to alleged involvement in the
Cavite mutiny.
● Paciano was a close friend of Fr. Jose Burgos and
after the latter’s death, he began his active
involvement in the reform movement.
● To protect his family, Francisco decided to used
Rizal as the family surname, dropping Mercado.
● GOMBURZA was Rizal’s inspiration in writing his
novel, El Filibusterismo
“Ang Isa Pang Bayaning Rizal”
 The Rizal’s House

• The house of the Rizal family was one of

the distinguished stone houses in Calamba
during Spanish times.
• It was a two-storey building, rectangular
in shape, built of adobe stones and
hardwood and roofed with red tiles.
• Behind the house were the poultry yard
full of turkeys and chickens and a big
garden of tropical fruit trees- like, atis,
balimbing, chico, macopa, papaya, santol,
etc.
A Good Middle Class Family
• The Rizal house was located beside the parish church of Calamba. This was a symbol of
the social status of the family during those times.
• They owned a number of “karwahe.”
• They maintained a 1,000-volume library
• The house had bedrooms for everybody.
• The house had a “silong” for storage and garage and a store managed by Dona Teodora.
• They managed household helps and supervised field workers
• Water was supplied inside the house through an adjacent well and making a “kubeta”
and “cocina” inside the house possible
• Visitors were amazed by the “comedor grande” and loved the view in the “gran azotea.”
• Don Francisco had the biggest land leased from the Dominican friars. A big part of this
land were planted with sugarcane. He also owned a big number of cattle grazed on the
“ricial” of the estate.
Rizal Family: The Principalia of Calamba
• The Rizal family belonged to the “Principalia”, a town aristocracy in
Spanish Philippines. It was one of the distinguished families in Calamba.

The children of the “Principalia” were educated in good schools.

Eventually, they will form part of a new social structure - the
“Illustrados.” These are young Filipinos who used their newly-found
education to carry on with their profession and find better life here and
abroad. Most “illustrados” formed part of the Reform Movement.
 Home Life of Rizal’s Family
The Rizal family had a simple, contented, and happy life in spite of the wealth they were
enjoying
Don Francisco and Doña Teodora loved their children very much but they never spoiled
them.
They were strict parents and they trained their children to love God, to behave well, to be
obedient, and to respect people, especially the old folks.
Whenever their children become mischievous, they were given a sound spanking. They
believed in the maxim that “ Spare the rod and spoil the child”.
Don Francisco was a good provider and set an example of hardwork and leadership. Dona
Teodora was the family’s source of care and the children’s first teacher.
Both parents valued education as they were both educated and enjoying the fruits of being
“illustrados” themselves.
Rizal’s Childhood Years: “The Town of Calamba”
• As a young boy, Rizal had a
pleasant memories of Calamba -
the relief- giving breeze, the
trees bearing fruit, flowers and
birds of all sorts of nature
allowed Rizal to enjoy just like
the other little boys he played
with in Calamba.
Etymology of “Calamba”
• The Town’s name was derived from
the local names of a big, native jar
called “kalambanga.”
• The place was known in those days
for the beauty of its nature, and its
people who were hospitable,
industrious, hardworking and
delightful.
Calamba: A Productive Dominican Hacienda
• Calamba was almost entirely
owned by the Dominican friars
and majority of the native folks
were its tenants, just like Jose
Rizal’s father.
• Calamba’s alluring view
created a consciousness in the
young “Pepe” of a good,
prosperous living for his
family and his “kababayans.”
Mt. Makiling: A Splendid View
• Facing south of Calamba is the
legendary Mount Makiling with its
splendid view that did not escape
Rizal’s eyes.
• Undoubtedly, the atmosphere of
a quiet, provincial town
contributed significantly in Rizal’s
intellectual formation.
 Lesson 1
II.
The Rizal Law
Objectives
1. Discuss the intention of the provisions of RA 1425.
2. Explain the role of the implementers of the Rizal Law.
3. Discuss how the law is being implemented.
4. Identify the parties for and against the Rizal Bill of August 16, 1956.
5. Determine and discuss the issues in the debate over the Rizal Bill.
6. Discuss how the Rizal Law was passed.
7. Compare if the conditions and issues during Rizal’s time are still
existing in the present.
Why students are required to study the Life of Rizal and his works?

• Answer:
✔The Rizal was created as an Act of Congress of the Republic of the Philippines
through R.A. No. 1425 on June 12, 1956.
✔It was approved at the time of President Ramon Magsaysay.
✔The title of the said law, “An Act to include in the curricula of all public and
private schools, colleges and universities courses on the life, works, writings
of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels, the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, Authorizing the printing and distribution thereof and for other
purposes.
✔In this Act, there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and
nationalism for which heroes lived and died.
Why students are required to study the Life
of Rizal and his works?
✔The novels of Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are a constant
and inspiring source of Patriotism.
✔R.A. No. 1425, Section 1; Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal,
particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be
included in all 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 a basic texts.
✔R.A. No. 1425, Section 2; It shall be obligatory in 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. Xxxx…
Why students are required to study the Life
of Rizal and his works?
✔R.A. No. 1425, 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.
✔R.A. No. 1425, Section 6; This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
⮚ Approved: June 12, 1956
⮚ House Bill No. 5561
⮚ Senate Bill No. 438
⮚ Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, page 2971 in June 1956.
R.A. No. 1425
• The purpose of the law is enunciated in its preamble. The preamble
consists in the paragraph that begin with word “Whereas”.
1. The preamble explains that there is a need for a rededication to the ideals of
freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died for.
2. Preamble identifies Rizal as one of those heroes who have devoted their lives
and shaped the national character.
3. Preamble identifies Rizal’s novels the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as
an inspiring source of patriotism, which should be inculcated in the minds of
young people especially in their formative years.
4. Preambles invokes the power of the state in supervising all educational
institutions, which are required to teach its students moral character,
personal discipline, civic conscience and the duties of citizenship.
The Story of Rizal Law
• In 1956 legislators seeing the need to promote nationalism and
patriotism among the Filipinos especially among the youth, filed a bill
in Congress to address this issue.
• The original Rizal bill was filed by Senator Claro M. Recto and
sponsored by Senator Jose P. Laurel who was a Chairman of the
Committee. Since the purpose of the bill was to promote patriotism
and nationalism, the senators saw no problem in legislating it in
congress. It is supposed to be non- controversial considering its
intention.
Senate Bill 438
• It is an Act to make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo compulsory reading
in all public and private colleges and universities and for other purpose.
✔ April 17, 1956, Senator Jose P. Laurel was the chairman of the Committee.
✔Section 1 of Senate Bill 438; Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are
hereby declared compulsory reading matter in all public and private schools, colleges
and universities in the Philippines.
✔Section 3 of Senate Bill 438; The Department of Education shall take steps to
promulgate rules and regulations for the immediate implementation of the provisions
of this Act.
✔Section 5 of Senate Bill 438; Any public or private college or university found violating,
failing to comply with, or circumventing the provisions of this Act shall be punished
accordingly.
Penalties
• The head of any public college or university charged with implementing
the provisions of this Act, who shall have been found guilty of violating,
failing to comply with, or circumventing the provisions thereof shall be
dismissed immediately from service and disqualified from teaching in
any public or government recognized private school, college or
university.
• Government recognition of any private or university found violating or
circumventing the provisions of this Act shall be immediately
withdrawn, and the responsible, head and professor or professors
concerned shall be disqualified from teaching in any Government
recognized college or university.
Oppositions to the Rizal Law
The Catholic Church became the foremost oppositor to the Rizal Law. It had gained
support from the ff:
1. Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo, he said that he would not allow his 17 year old
son to read Rizal novels and he also denounced the Rizal Bill.
2. Congressman Miguel Cuenco’s privilege speech in Congress said the the Rizal novels
contained views, opinions and theories attacking the dogmas, belief and practices
of the church. He said a passage in the Noli Me Tangere, Rizal wrote “God cannot
pardon a crime simply because we confess it to the priest (Noli, Sayo Ed. 1950, page
191). He mentioned that the novels of Rizal disparaged devotion to the virgin Mary,
the Saints, the use of scapulars, saying of rosaries, novenas, ejaculations and
indulgenced prayers.
3. Conservative Catholic organizations such as the Accion Catolico (Catholic Action),
Knights of Columbus, Congregation of the Mission and the Catholic Teachers' Guild.
Opponents of Rizal Law
• Father Jesus Cavanna;
✔He said that Rizal’s novels painted a false picture of the conditions of the country in
the 19th century. He also mentioned that if the Rizal Bill intended to promote
patriotism and nationalism, that novels for required reading contained more anti-
Church statements than nationalistic statements.
• Jesus Paredes;
✔He said that the novels contained objectionable material and the Catholics have a
right not to read them in order not to endanger their faith.
• Archbishop Rufino Santos
✔ He said in his pastoral letter a warning about disaffection of the youth on the
church if the Rizal Bill was approved. Priests encouraged their parishioners to write
their congressmen and senators to oppose the bill.
Supporter of Rizal Law
• Father Horacio de la Costa, S.J.;
✔ A Jesuit scholar and historian.
✔ He admitted that abuses did happen in the Catholic Church and there were
historical mistakes committed by the Catholic Church.
✔As an organization composed of men, mistakes were bound to be committed.
✔ He said that Riza’s works only exposed abuses within the Church, however
that abuses were committed by individual clergymen and should not be
treated as reflective of the entire clergy.
Sources
• De Viana, Agusto (2019). Laon- Laan, A guide for study and
understanding of the life and contributions of Jose Rizal to Philippine
nationhood and society. Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
• Zaide & Zaide (2011). Rizal: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius,
Writer, Scientist and National Hero. 2nd Ed. All nations Publishing Co.,
Inc. Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines .
• J.A Lopez & A.E Paras.,(2010). Rizal Life Works and Writings of the
Greatest Malayan 3rd Edition. HisGoPhil Publishing House, Inc.
Activity: Brain Boil
Emilio Aguinaldo Gregorio del Pilar
Activity: Brain Boiling Point
Jose Rizal Marcelo del Pilar
 -Thank You-
-Soar High Emilians! Ikaw ang pag-asa ng bayan! -