Introduction to Rizal

Module 1

PROGRAM OUTCOMES:
 Utilize appropriate various sociocultural and historical materials in explaining current
issues.
 Preserve and promote “Filipino historical and cultural heritage”.

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this module, students are expected to;
• Explain the history of the Rizal law and its important provisions
• Analyze the various social, political, economic and cultural changes that occurred in the
nineteenth century
• Understand Jose Rizal in the context of his time

DISCUSSION

The Criteria for Heroes

In the study of the life of heroes, it is important to put in mind that a hero is a human being.
Heroes are not born, they are made. Heroes, like ordinary human beings, are a product of their time.
Heroes are mare because they responded to the call of the times and their response to this call had a
decisive effects on the lives of their countrymen.

There is no law or proclamation which directly made Rizal a hero. Rizal’s hero status was
made by the acclamation of the Filipino people. This becomes the object of public worship and
accolades are heaped upon him. The test of a person’s heroism becomes stronger if the person is
acclaimed long after his death and by people who are not of his generation. This means the
appreciation of his life and achievements spans beyond his life.

The National Historical Institute (NHI; presently National Historical Commission of the
Philippines), the country’s agency in charge of historical matters, prescribes the passage of 50 years
before a person is confirmed as a hero.

According to their definition, a hero is defined as “an admirable leader towering over his
peers, who is serving a noble cause, possessing exceptional talent, distinguished valor and/or hold
enterprise, exercising a determinative influence over the spiritual life of his people in a particular
remarkable event.”

Moreover, criteria specified, “a hero must exercise a determinative influence over the
spiritual life of his people in an event of great significance.” It further says that in order to qualify for
the distinction of a national hero, “one must project himself by his own fortitude, effort, and sacrifices
to be the beacon of his oppressed countrymen to their rightful destiny.”
 The Historical Committee of the National Commission came out with the characteristics of a
person to be examined before he could be considered a hero. These are the extent of the person’s
sacrifices for the welfare of the country:
1. Motives and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal. In the attainment of the
ideal, did the person concerned sacrifice purely and exclusively for the welfare of the country
or were there any selfish motives in the making of such sacrifices?

2. The moral character of the person. Did he do anything immoral to taint his personal
character? If there was any immorality, did it affect his work, society, or ideal?

3. The influence of the person to his age or epoch and the succeeding eras.

More definitions on what a hero is were added in the in the year 1993. A National Hero
Committee, was created through Executive Oder No. 75 by then President Fidel V. Ramos, whose aim
is “to study, evaluate and explicitly recommend Filipino national personages as national heroes in
due recognition to their sterling character and remarkable achievements for the country.” Hero, as
defined therein, “are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the
nation’s freedom.”

Sometimes, politicians were tempted to legislate unilaterally on who should be heroes.

Presently, the Philippines has set four days to honor its heroes. Rizal Day is commemorated
every December 30. The origin of this commemoration came from the decree issued by General
Emilio Aguinaldo on December 20, 1898. It declared the 30th day of December as a national mourning
day in honor of Dr. Hose Rizal and other victims of the Philippine Revolution. Though Aguinaldo’s
decree did not specifically declare Rizal as national hero, it was a tribute to his heroism.

Another day dedicated to a Filipino hero is Bonifacio Day, celebrated every November 30. The
celebration of Bonifacio Day was made possible through the issuance of Act No. 2946 by the
Philippine legislature on February 16, 1921.

The third day set for commemorating Filipino heroes is the National Heroes Day, celebrated
every last Sunday of August. The celebration of this holiday become possible in accordance to Public
Act No. 3827 passed by the Philippine legislature on October 28, 1931. National Heroes Day honors
all heroes of the Philippines including those who are unknown.
 The fourth holiday created by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on December 25, 2004,
when she signed into law the Republic Act No. 9256, which created Ninoy Aquino Day. This holiday
is commemorated every August 21, the anniversary of the assassination of then-Senator Benigno
‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr. Ninoy was the leading symbol of the anti-dictatorship struggle against then-
President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

As for who should recognize heroes, this should be better left to the people through their
popular acclamation. The people are the final judge to the heroes’ achievements and they would
subscribe to the heroes’ ideals as long as these are relevant and classic. Popular acclamation should
be sustained and should withstand the test of time. In case of Rizal, more than a hundred years have
passed and no we can say that Rizal has passed the test of time and is a true Filipino hero. Other
national heroes include Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Apolinario Mabini, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and
all those who helped guide the Philippines to being a nation-state.

The Story of the Rizal Law

In 1956, Senator Claro M. Recto filed a measure, which became the original Rizal Bill,
recognizing the need to instill heroism among the youth at the time when the country was
experiencing social turmoil. It was a time when the country was being ravaged by the Hukbalahap
insurgency. The imperialist presence in the form of American influence was strong in the country’s
economy and political policies. The communist insurgency was fought through American guidance
and material aid. The Philippines became part of the global network to contain the spread of
communism with the conclusion of a mutual defense agreement with the United States in 1951 and
its joining the Southeast Asia Treaty organization (SEATO).

This was the period when Recto submitted his bill, calling for a return patriotic values
enunciated by Filipino heroes like Jose Rizal. Under the bill, it shall be obligatory for college and
university students to study the life and works of Jose Rizal.

The issuance of the bill was not welcomed by various quarters. The Catholic Church assailed
the Rizal Bill as anti-Church because it forces the student’s to read Rizal’s works like the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo which contain passages that were anti-Church. They presented fears
that the religious belief of the young students would be harmed by reading Rizal’s works while they
were at their formative years. Forcing the students to read Rizal’s works which have religious
overtones would be a violation of the constitutional freedom of religion and of conscience. The
Church made use of the lobbyists as well as priests in opposing the Rizal Bill.

The Church continued its opposition of the bill by calling all Catholic voters to reject
lawmakers who supported Recto’s Rizal Bill. Pastoral letters were read in masses voicing opposition.
He also rejected Senator’s Rodrigo’s suggestion that the annotated or edited versions of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo should be used.
 After a month-long standoff, a compromise bill was filed. It was authored by Senator Jose
Laurel and it was based on the proposals of Senators Roseller Lim and Emmanuel Pelaez. On June 12,
1956, Republic Act No. 1425, better known as the Rizal Law, came into effect. The law accommodated
the objections of the Catholic Church. This could be seen in the second paragraph of Section 1,
allowing the students to seek exemptions from reading Rizal’s works for religious reasons. To the
authors of the original bill, it was a complete victory but its oppositors felt satisfied that at least they
achieved something. The law however, still requires the reading of the unexpurgated versions of
Rizal’s novels. It also provided the funding of publication of Rizal’s works and their distribution to
the countryside. It was however, a one-time appropriation and provisions, for the future publication
was not given. The Rizal law is more than 60 years old now, and it may need revisions to make it
more relevant.

SUMMARY

Jose Rizal became a hero to Filipinos not because he was declared as such but because the
people saw in him the hope of a whole nation. Rizal Day is commemorated on the 30th of December
every year – this originating from General Emilio Aguinaldo’s 1898 declaration of a national day of
mourning for Dr. Rizal and other victims of the revolution. Senator Claro M. Recto filed a measure in
1956, the original Rizal Bill, at a time when the country was in turmoil, calling for a return of patriotic
values enunciated by Filipino heroes like Dr. Rizal. The bill was opposed by the Catholic Church as
they alleged the works of Rizal as anti-church. The church called for Catholic voters to reject
lawmakers who support the bill. A compromise bill was then authored by Senator Jose Laurel, based
on the proposals of Senators Roseller Lim and Emmanuel Pelaez. This became Republic Act 1425,
better known as the Rizal Law. It came into effect on June 12, 1956.

For knowledge enrichment:

Xiao Chua. (2020, June 5), Xiao Time: Ang Republic Act 1425 o and Rizal Law (Batas Rizal) [Video].
Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03G1UmDVLKs

ABS-CBN News. (2017, August 27), Who are considered national heroes? [Video]. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsOQzFfSOhA
ACTIVITY 1. Analysis Paper
Instruction:
Considering the definitions and criteria set by the National Heroes Commission, why do you think
Jose Rizal is qualified to be acclaimed as a hero? Are you in favor of officially declaring Jose Rizal as
the Philippine national hero? Explain.

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