“WHY FILIPINO STUDENT ARE REQUIRED TO STUDY THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL”

Focus Questions:
 What are the challenges Rizal Law hurdle to passed in Philippine Congress?
 What is the historical background of teaching Rizal Course in Philippine schools?
Senate Bill 438 read:
“AN ACT TO MAKE NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO COMPULSORY READING IN
ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
 Senator Claro M. Recto filed the original Rizal Bill sponsored by Senator Jose P. Laurel calling
for a return to patriotic values enunciated by Filipino heroes like Jose Rizal
 The Catholic Church and its allies in Congress assailed Rizal Bill as anti-church because it
forced the students to read Rizal’s works like the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
THOSE WHO OPPOSE:
Senator Francisco Rodrigo
 President of the Accion Catolica
 He would not allow his teenaged son to read the Noli and Fili because those novels will harm
his faith.
 Footnotes and annotations should be inserted to correct Rizal’s statement
Archbishop Rufino Santos
 Pastoral letter warning about the disaffection of the youth on the church if the Rizal Bill was
approved.
 He threatened to close down all Catholic schools, colleges and universities if the Rizal Bill
becomes a law.
Fr. Jesus Cavanna
 Rizal’s novels painted a false picture of the conditions of the country in the 19 th century
 It contained more anti-church statements rather than nationalistic statements
120- Anti-Catholic statements
25- Nationalistic statements
THOSE IN FAVOR:
Jesus Paredes
 The novels contained objectionable material and the Catholics have a right not to read them in
order not to endanger their faith.
Mayor Arsenio Lacson
 He walked out during the reading of circular by Archbishop Santos.
Fr. Horacio de la Costa S.J
 Rizal’s works exposed abuses within the church by individual clergy men and should not be
treated as reflective of the entire clergy.
 After a month-long standoff, a substitute bill was filed.
 Authored by Senator Jose P. Laurel based on the proposals of Senators Roseller Lim and
Emmanuel Pelaez.
 Accomodation to Catholic objection:
 Exemption from reading Rizal’s works for religious reasons.
 The Rizal Course is a required course which was mandated by Republic Act No 1425
 House Bill No. 5561 & Senate Bill No. 438
 This law was passed on 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.
SEC.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 translations shall be used as basic texts.
SEC. 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 Rizal’s other works and biography.
The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending
upon the enrolment of the school, college or university.
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.
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 persons 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

Note:
Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official
Gazette
.
BACKGROUND OF THE LAW:
1950’s – time of uncertainty in the Philippines
 Communist insurgency- HMB
 Bell Trade Act 1947-free trade with US
 Amended Parity Rights-American exploitation of Philippine natural resources
 Joined the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)
 “EXAMINING RIZAL’S HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL CONTEXT”

1. Understand Rizal in the context of history and 19th century society.

2. Examine how the political, social and cultural changes in the islands affected Rizal.
Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Realonda; Born June 19, 1861, Died December 30, 1896;
“Filipinos don’t realize that victory is the child of struggle, that joy blossoms from suffering, and
redemption is a product of sacrifice.
-”Como se gobiernan las FIlipinas” (How one governs in the Philippines), published in La Solidaridad
(December 15, 1890)
THE WORLD DURING THE 19TH CENTURY:
The World:

➢Modernization caused by Industrial Revolution

➢Commercial Revolution

➢Enlightenment in the late 18th century

➢Ideals of the French Revolution- Liberty, Equality and Fraternity

➢Decline of the Spanish Empire and the Rise of the British and the French Empires

Spain:

➢Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain and forced King Charles IV to abdicate the throne to

crown Prince Ferdinand VII.

➢Napoleon replaced him with his own brother Joseph

➢Spanish patriots retreated to the city of Cadiz and established a government and drafted the

Cadiz Constitution.

➢Napoleon pulled out all French troops from Spain and Ferdinand VII reassumed absolute

ruler.

➢From El Deseado (the desired one) he became El Rey Traidor (the traitor king)

➢Separatist rebels revolted against Ferdinand VII

➢King Louis XVIII of France helped him keep the throne

 ➢Maria Cristina served as regent for daughter Queen Isabella II in 1833 after Ferdinand’s

death.

➢Mismanagement of Queen Maria Cristina

➢Philippines was placed under government agency called the Overseas Ministry

The Philippines:

➢Shift from mere Entrepot or transshipment to a Cash crop economy (Export economy)

➢Galleon Trade abolished in 1817

➢Real Compania de Filipinas abolished in 1834

➢Opening of Manila to global trade in 1834

➢Rise of the Middle Class

Limpieza de Sangre:

➢Purity of Blood

➢Monastic Supremacy

Soberania Monacal: