NATIONALISM.

PATRIOTISM.
•

•
 REPUBLIC ACT No. 1425
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.
In the 1950s, the world was
faced with several political
issues between the rise of
communist states and how
this weakened the
democratic stability of other
nations.
• Invasion of North Korea to
South Korea
• Rivalry between the
United States and the
Soviet Union during the
Cold War
The varying social and
political unrest that is
happening in the world, in
East Asia, and the
Philippines threatens the
stability of the world and the
Filipino nation.
Former President Ramon
Magsaysay on his term as
Defense Secretary in 1949
became the foremost
architect and executor of
the government's anti-
communist insurgency
program.
In his presidency in 1953, he
was faced with the growing
number of the communist-
led peasant uprising in
Central Luzon, also called
Huk Rebellion which stands
for the acronym, "Hukbo ng
Bayan Laban sa Hapon".
Magsaysay thought of
creating a wide-scale
propaganda program to
organize and educate the
youth and student
population from elementary
to college on the evils of
communism (Reyno, 2012).
Senate Bill 438 known as the Rizal Bill which was
first-authored by Senator Claro M. Recto and
was passed to respond to the need of crafting a
nationalistic policy that would rekindle
nationalism and patriotism of the Filipinos.
 REPUBLIC ACT No. 1425
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 special fondness and devotion
their lives and works that have shaped the national
character;
WHEREAS, the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal,
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,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of

the Philippines in Congress assembled:
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.
SEC. 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, and universities to
keep in their libraries an adequate copies of the original and
unexpurgated editions of 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.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as
amending or repealing section nine hundred
twenty-seven of the Administrative Code,
prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by
public school teachers and other person engaged
in any public school.
SEC. 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.
SEC 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 12, 1956.

The desire to bring back
the ideals of patriotism
and nationalism becomes
the government's
campaign to strengthen
the democracy of the
republic.
R.A. 1425
1. To re-dedicate the
ideals of freedom and
nationalism for which
the heroes lived and
died;
R.A. 1425
2. To honor particularly the
national hero and patriot,
Jose Rizal, who devoted his
life and works that have
shaped the national
character, and
R.A. 1425
3. To be 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.
The government intends that the life, works, and writings of Rizal
be our guide to combat not only the ill effects of communism
but also for the youth not to forget Dr. Jose Rizal.
ISSUES AND DEBATES
CLARO M. RECTO JOSE P. LAUREL, SR.
Principal Author Sponsor
OOPS, ISSUE!
• Separation of church and state

• Sec. 2: Students should read the complete

and “unexpurgated editions” of the novels.
Unedited. Complete. Uncensored version.
OOPS, ISSUE!
“There are passages in the two books where
it is not anymore the novel’s characters but
the author himself who speaks… there are
many which are derogatory to Catholic
beliefs and practices, aside from the
criticisms leveled upon unworthy priests.”

Catholic Bishops Conference in the Philippines (CBCP)

OOPS, ISSUE!
1. They argued that the novels have passages that
negate the teachings of the Catholic faith.
2. These passages violate the freedom of the
Church and the State.
3. They feel that it is their sacred duty to come to
the conclusion that these works fall under Canon
Law 1399 which establishes books that are
forbidden.
NO!
1. For Recto, Rizal's novels should be read in every
generation for the Filipinos to know the sufferings,
ideals, and sacrifices of the Filipino people that led
us to where we are today and in the future.

2. Rizal's novels would allow us to see ourselves. It is

through the work of Rizal, the greatest patriot, which
would show not only the strengths and virtues of the
Filipinos but also our defects and vices as well.

3. The only objective is to foster a better appreciation

of our national hero's role in fighting for freedom
against the Spaniards, not to go against any religion.
NO!
In the compromised version of the bill,

1. Senator Laurel included other books, poems,

and other works written by Rizal to understand
further the context of the novel.

2. To aid the student in understanding the issues

discussed in the novel, the reading of the
unexpurgated version of the novels will only
be compulsory to the college students but
not at the elementary and secondary levels.
THEN WHY?
 THEN WHY?
1. To recognize the importance of Rizal's life,
works and writings in the present society;

2. To cultivate the application of Rizal's ideals

in current social and personal problems
and issues;

3. To enhance appreciation and deeper

understanding of all that Rizal fought and
died for; and

4. To encourage development of the Filipino

youth's participation in all aspects of good
governance and good citizenship.
“By learning the past, we are
expected not to repeat the
greatest mistakes in history
and foster good ideas to
predict a good future.”
Esteban De Ocampo (1984)
1. In your own words, what is RA 1425 all about?
2. Why was it created?
3. How does it affect you as a student and as a
Filipino?
4. Give two ways you can apply Rizal’s values in
your life.