Scribd
Upload
20 views

A5 Notes Rzal

Uploaded by

Julia Ferhyz Uy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
20 views

A5 Notes Rzal

Uploaded by

Julia Ferhyz Uy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

MODULE 1

THE RIZAL LAW (RA 1425) AND THE IMPORTANCE OF


STUDYING RIZAL

Brief Introduction or Description

This module will teach students about the Rizal Law (RA
1425) and the importance of studying Rizal. The lesson will
highlight the history of how the bill became a law and the
importance of studying Rizal within the context of the 1st
century. Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

1. Explain the history of the Rizal Law and its important


provisions. 2. Analyze the themes and values that may be
derived from Rizal’s various works within the context of the
21st century

THE RIZAL LAW: Republic Act 1425 (RA 1425)

Just like Dr. Jose Rizal, the Rizal Bill was also controversial.
This bill was passed into law in 1956, requiring all Filipino
students to study the Rizal subject. All educational
institutions were mandated to offer a course on Rizal’s life,
works, and writings, specifically focusing on his two novels,
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The transition from a
bill to a republic act was challenging, particularly due to
opposition from the Catholic Church, which was against the
bill becoming a republic act.
Claro M. Recto, a former senator and the main advocate of
the Rizal Bill, was labeled as a communist and anti-Catholic.
He argued that once the bill was passed, schools would be
nationalized. This statement was intended to counter
threats from Catholic schools that they would cease
operations if the bill were enacted. Despite the threats
Recto received, he refused to back down. Recto was also
vocal in his firm support for the unexpurgated version,
stating, “The people who would eliminate the books of Rizal
from the schools would blot out from our minds the 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 approved, but it included a provision


granting exemptions to students who believed that reading
Noli and El Fili would undermine their religious beliefs.
Students could apply to the Department of Education for a
waiver from reading Rizal's novels, but not from taking the
Rizal subject. Ultimately, the bill was passed on June 12,
1956.

RA 1425 AND OTHER RIZAL LAWS

According to Mañebog et al. (2018), the Rizal Bill is also


known as Republic Act No. 1425 or the “Rizal Law.” This act
is titled “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 law's first section requires students to read works by


Rizal. The last two sections focus on making Rizal's writings
available to the general public; they mandate that the works
be published in important Philippine languages and that
schools have a sufficient number of copies in their libraries.

Jose P. Laurel, the senator who co-authored the law, stated


that it is only right for Filipinos, especially the youth, to be
aware of and learn to embrace the great ideals for which the
hero sacrificed his life. Jose Rizal, as the founder of the
nationalist movement, had a significant impact on the
current state of the nation. Thus, the objectives of the

Rizal Law are intended to be fulfilled:

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 to shaping the Filipino character; and

3. To provide an inspiring source of patriotism through the


study of Rizal’s life, works, and writings.

As of now, no student has formally requested a waiver from


reading Rizal's books. However, in response to reports that
RA 1425 was still not being fully implemented in 1995,
former President Fidel V. Ramos issued Memorandum Order
No. 247 in 1994. This order directed the Secretary of
Education, Culture, and Sports and the Chairman of the
Commission on Higher Education to ensure full
implementation of the law. CHED Memorandum No. 3 was
subsequently issued to enforce strict compliance with
Memorandum Order No. 247.

Furthermore, aside from the Rizal Law, Republic Act No. 229,
“An Act Prohibiting Cockfighting, Horse Racing, and Jai-Alai
on the Thirtieth Day of December Each Year and Creating a
Committee to Oversee the Proper Celebration of Rizal Day in
Every Municipality and Chartered City, and for Other
Purposes,” is another republic act related to the national
hero.

THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING RIZAL

Jose Rizal's writings, life, and works are legitimate academic


subjects that the law has made mandatory. In fact, the
course offers so many advantages that some modern
academicians claim it is more practical than many other
subjects in a variety of curricula, far from being an
impractical course. The following are just some of the
significance of the academic subject:

1. The subject provides insights into how to deal


with current problems.
2. It helps us understand better ourselves as
Filipino
3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism.
4. It provides various essential life lessons.
5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking.
6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and
inspiration to every Filipino.
7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining
narrative

You might also like