The Life and Works of Rizal: Narlyn P. Dela Cruz

GE 8
THE LIFE AND

WORKS OF RIZAL
:
NARLYN P. DELA CRUZ
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
As mandated by Republic Act No. 1425, this
course covers the life and works of the
country’s national hero, Jose Rizal. Among
the covered topics are Rizal’s biography and
his writings, particularly the novels Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, some of
his essays, and various correspondences.
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: REPUBLIC ACT 1425
The Rizal bill was as controversial as Jose Rizal
himself.
The mandatory Rizal subject in the Philippines was the
upshot of this bill, which later became a law in 1956. The
bill involves mandating educational institutions in the
country to offer a course on the hero’s life, works, and
writings, especially the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. The transition from being a bill to becoming
a republic act was, however, not easy as the proposal was met
with intense opposition, particularly from the Catholic
Church.
• Claro M. Recto – the then senator who is the
main proponent of the Rizal bill - was dubbed
as a communist and an anti – Catholic.
• The bill was eventually passed, but with a
clause that would allow exemptions to students
who think that reading Noli and Fili would
ruin their faith.
• In other words, one can apply to the Department of
Education for exemption from reading Rizal’s
novel – though not from taking the Rizal subject.
• The bill was enacted on June 12, 1956.
• Republic Act 1425 was also known as Rizal Law
• The full name of the law 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.”
• First section – concerns mandating the students to
read Rizal’s novels.
• The last two sections involve making Rizal’s
writings accessible to the general public
•Jose P. Laurel – the senator who co –
wrote the law, explained that since
Jose Rizal was the founder of the
country’s nationalism and had
significantly contributed to the
current condition of the nation, it is
only right that Filipinos, especially
the youth, know about and learn to
imbibe the great ideals for which the
hero died.
•The Rizal law aims to accomplish the
following goals:
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.
THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING RIZAL
1. The subject provides insights into how to deal

with current problem.
“He who controls the past controls the future.”
2. It helps us understand better ourselves as
Filipinos
3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism.
• Nationalism – the desire to attain freedom and
political independence
• Patriotism – denotes proud devotion and loyalty to
one’s nation
4. It provides various essential life
lessons.
5. It helps in developing logical and
critical thinking.
• Critical thinking – refers to
discerning, evaluative and analytical
thinking.
6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and
inspiration to every Filipino.
• He valued nationalism and patriotism
• Respect for parents
• Love for siblings
• Loyalty to friends
• Maintained a sense of chivalry
• A man of education – highly regarded academic excellence,
logical and critical thinking, philosophical and
scientific inquiry, linguistic study and cultural
research
• As a person – manifested versatility and flexibility
while sustaining a strong sense of moral uprightness
7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining
narratives
• It is rarely known that
• He was involved in a love triangle with Antonio Luna
• He was a model in some Juan Luna’s paintings
• His common – law wife Josephine Bracken was remarried to a man
from Cebu and had tutored former President Sergio Osmeña
• Leonor Rivera (Maria Clara), his true love, had a son who married
the sister of the former President of the United Nations General
Assembly Carlos P. Romulo
• The Filipina beauty queen Gemma Cruz Araneta is a descendant of
his sister Maria
• The sportscaster Chino Trinidad is a descendant of his first love
(Segunda Katigbak)
• The original manuscripts of his novels (Noli and Fili) were once
stolen for ransom, but Alejandro Roces had retrieved them without
paying even a single centavo

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GE 8

THE LIFE AND

1. The subject provides insights into how to deal

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