GE LWR: LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
COURSE OVERVIEW
Course Outcomes:
1. Critically examine the importance of studying the life and works of Dr. Jose
P. Rizal with reference to RA 1425.
2. Appraise Jose Rizal’s life within the context of the 19th century Philippines.
3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of Rizal’s various works, particularly
the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
4. Display an appreciation for education, love for country and volunteerism by
promoting and embodying the values that can be derived from studying Rizal’s
life and works.
As mandated by Republic Act 1425, this course covers the
Life and Works of the country’s national hero, Jose P.
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.
The first module focuses on discussing the legal framework
TABLE OF CONTENTS of this course and the criteria for selecting national
Module 01: heroes in the Philippines. This will allow the students
Introduction to the to be more aware and knowledgeable about the importance
Course of studying the life and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
Module 02: Rizal’s The second module narrates the events, people and other
Life: Family, factors that have significant influence on Rizal’s life.
Childhood, Education, This will educate the students about Rizal’s life within
and Travels the context of the 19th century Philippines.
Module 03: Rizal’s The third module specifies the factors that led to the
Life: Exile, Trial & execution of Rizal.
Death The fourth and fifth modules highlight the selected
Module 04: Writings of writings or works of Rizal. These topics will allow the
Rizal [1] students to demonstrate a critical understanding of
Rizal’s various works, particularly the novels Noli Me
Module 05: Writings of Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
Rizal [2]
Module 06: The last module focuses on celebrating Dr. Jose P. Rizal
Celebrating Rizal as a as a national hero. This module expects the students to
Hero display an appreciation for education, love for country
and volunteerism by promoting and embodying the values
that can be derived from studying Rizal’s life and works.
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Module 01
The drafting and filing of Senate Bill 438
bill of studying Rizal as a course was started
by Claro M. Recto on April 3, 1956. It states
that the study of Noli Mi Tangere and El
Filibusterismo is necessary. But Recto was Intended Learning Outcome
dubbed as communist and Anti-Catholic by his
critics. This is the reason why the bill was Evaluate the relevance and
effectiveness of RA 1425 in
not approved. For Noli and Fili will ruin the promoting the life and works of Dr.
Filipinos’ faith (Mañebog 2018, p. 1) Jose P. Rizal.
On April 17, 1956 Senate Committee chair Jose
P. Laurel sponsored a bill also, to offer
Rizal as a course but his life and writings
shall be included as well as the Noli and ONLINE/OFFLINE
RECITATION
Fili.
Laurel made a lot of speeches expressing his o What are the important
intentions to instill nationalism among characteristics of a
national hero?
Filipinos but raised a lot of issues and
oppositions from the Catholic Church. o What is the role of our
national heroes in nation-
On April 19, 1956 Representative Jacobo Z. building?
Gonzales also passed a bill that was
identical with SB 438 (Recto).
Debates rose and on May 9, 1956 amendments
were done with that of SB 438 and Laurel’s
bill on May 14, 1956.
Thus, The arguments of for and against
(Obias, et al. 2018 p. 7)
Read these materials:
✓ Read the “Rizal Law” (RA 1425)
✓ Selection of a National Hero in the
Philippines
© Chua (2019)
[Link]
yle/best-jose-rizal-quotes-a00297-
20191227-lfrm2
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Module 01
“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 in 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.”
- Senator Jose P. Laurel
“Rizal did not pretend to teach
religion when he wrote those books. He
aimed at inculcating civic consciousness
in the Filipinos, national dignity,
personal pride, and patriotism and if
references were made by him in the course
of his narration to certain religious
practices in the Philippines in those
days, and to the conduct and behavior of
erring ministers of the church, it was
because he portrayed faithfully the
general situation in the Philippines as
it then existed.”
- Senator Claro M. Recto
These are some of the statements of the supporters
or backers of the proposal to advance the teaching
of the life and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in all
higher education institutions.
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Module 01
“A vast majority of our people are, at the
same time, Catholic and Filipino citizens. As
such, they have two great loves: their country
and their faith. These two loves are not
conflicting loves. They are harmonious
affections, like the love for his father and
for his mother.
This is the basis of my stand. Let us not
create a conflict between nationalism and
religion, between the government and the
church.”
- Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo
On May 17, 1956 Senate Bill and House version was approved. President Ramon
Magsaysay signed the bill into law on June 12, 1956 known as RA 1425.
What is Rizal law?
It 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.
According to Laurel, Rizal Law has the following objectives. (Manebog p. 2)
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.
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Module 01
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425
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 FILI BUSTERISMO, 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 novels 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.
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Module 01
The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to
adopt forthwith measures to 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 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.
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Module 01
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.
‘Learning through reading’ can be tiring so let us
try a new way of exploring the topic deeper. Watch
this video:
Lecture Video: Historical background and context of
RA 1425.
Questions to Pose:
1. What is RA 1425?
2. What is the rationale of this law? Why is it important to study
the life and works of Rizal?
3. How do we choose our national hero in the Philippines?
Please attend our synchronous sessions NEXT MEETING!!
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Module 01
Dear students we are almost at the end of our first module.
Before we evaluate what you have learned, here are the key
points that you have to keep in mind!!
LESSON SUMMARY
a) The Rizal Law could be considered a landmark legislation in the
postwar Philippines. During this period, the Philippines was
trying to get up on its feet from a devastating war and aiming
towards nation-building.
b) As the government sought ways to unite the people, legislators
like Claro M. Recto drew inspiration from the lives of the heroes
of the revolution against in Spain.
c) In this frame, the teaching of the life and works of Jose Rizal,
particularly the reading of his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, was proposed to be mandated to all private and
public educational institutions.
d) The proposed legislation, however, met opposition particularly
from the Catholic Church. After much debate, the proposed bill
was eventually signed into law and became Republic Act No. 1425.
REFERENCES
Constantino, Renato. 1969. The Rizal Law and the Catholic hierarchy. In The Making
of a Filipino: A story of Philippine colonial politics, pp. 244-247. Quezon City:
Malaya Books.
Laurel, Jose B., Jr. 1960. The trials of the Rizal Bill. Historical Bulletin 4(2):
130-139
Republic of the Philippines. 1956. Republic Act 1425.
Available from [Link] -act-no1425/
Schumacher, John. 2011. The Rizal Bill of 1956: Horacio de la Costa and the bishops.
Philippine Studies 59(4): 529-553.
Website of the Senate of the Philippines. “Legislative Process.” Available from
httpss://[Link]/about/[Link]
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Module 01
VALIDATION TIME!!
This section aims to assess your understanding of the
discussions provided in this module.
Please prepare for a short test. Your test is divided into
two: (a) Identification and (b) Essay.
Write individual thought paper discussing Rizal Law and
importance of a Hero.
Rubric for Assessment:
Content - 40
Presentation - 30
Organization - 20
Technicalities – 10
Total: 100
Create your own caricature (it can be original or modified
caricature) that shows the importance of studying the life
and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal with reference to RA 1425.
Rubric for Assessment:
Content: 20
Originality/Creativity: 15
Relevance: 15
Total - 50
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Your hard work deserves a recognition! The semester is
very challenging, yet you have completed the first
step of this course. Way to go!! Keep winning!
