Jeams E.

Vidal March 17, 2020

BSA-201 Life and Works of Rizal

ACTIVITY #1

Make a critique paper about R.A. 1425 (Rizal Law)

Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law that was signed by the late President
Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956, mandates all educational institutions to offer courses about
the life and works of Jose Rizal. This Republic Act calls for an increased sense of nationalism
from the Filipinos during the time of colonization. This law aims to commemorate his
accomplishments and to educate the Filipino citizens about the life and works of Rizal, since
based on the fact that Jose Rizal is honored by the Philippines as the Philippine national hero it is
our duty to honor and recognize the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal. The nationalism of Jose
Rizal served as the foundation to come up with this republic act, to set our country free from the
hands of others and stand up on our own exact ideals and values that Rizal strove to fight for. It
was written for the Filipino people, specifically the Filipino youth, who may have lost their sense
of nationalism.

There are important points that the author cited in this republic act that is worth noticing.
First, “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;” In the
year 1956 during Magsayay’s regime when the country was still recovering from the Japanese
colonization and still very dependent on US government. Ideals of freedom and nationalism were
very essential during those times since the Philippines was still struggling for independence, and
the country was still gradually developing its national identity and integrity. During those times
havoc also existed within the Filipinos since there were numerous uprisings against the
Philippine government.

Another important point from RA 1425 is “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;” It is very important to use our educational institutions to instill these values to the
children who are at their prime years of growing and learning. During one’s educational years
especially the college level is when individuals formulate their priorities and career tracks in life,
and it is essential that institutions make students realize that the country should be part of their
priorities and serving one’s country is an innate and inborn duty for all. Also, embedding a
profound and authentic moral character and a strong sense of personal discipline in the youth
would yield proficient, genuine, and selfless Filipinos of the future who would turn the
Philippines from an impoverished country to a globally competitive nation.

Through this law we are able to recognize and value the importance of Rizal's ideals and
teachings in relation to present conditions and situations in the society. That encourages the
application of such ideals in current social and personal problems and issues. And to develop an
appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and died for.