Title of the Reading

Republic Act No. 1425 – Rizal Law

Summary

Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law, mandates all educational institutions in the

Philippines to offer courses about José Rizal. The course covers the life and works of the country's

foremost national hero. Among the topics covered are Rizal's biography and his writings, particularly

the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, some of his essays, and various correspondences.

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. Senator Claro M. Recto was the main proponent of the Rizal Bill. He sought to

sponsor the bill at Congress. However, this was met with stiff opposition from the Catholic Church.

During the 1955 Senate election, the church charged Recto with being a communist and an anti-

Catholic. After Recto's election, the Church continued to oppose the bill mandating the reading of

Rizal's novels Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo, claiming it would violate freedom of

conscience and religion.

How does it develop nationalism?

Nationalism is an ideology based on the premise that the individual’s loyalty and devotion to

the nation-state surpass other individual or group interests. Nationalism desires unity by their way of a

cultural background, including language and heritage. Rizal develops nationalism by using his

knowledge and virtues by writing novels. He emphasized the importance of the Tagalog language

and that language will not be a basis to know their status in life. But at the end of it, Dr. Rizal just want

our country to be one and to let us be proud of being Filipinos because we will be proud as Filipinos.

Nationalism involves desire to attain freedom and political independence, especially by a

country under foreign lower.

How does it develop patriotism?

Patriotism shows love country and willingness to sacrifice for it by their values and beliefs.

Rizal develops patriotism because He is an advocate for great reforms during Spanish era that shows

his love for our country, the Philippines. He is an author of a books that has shown his principles that

up to day, people are still learning from it. It shows love for our country because he desires unity for

his country without any violent actions or any revolution act towards people who are making

themselves as a superior to Filipinos.

Patriotism donated proud devotion and loyalty to one’s nation.

How does it develop volunteerism?

Volunteerism is the practice of providing time and skills for the benefit of other people and

causes rather than for financial benefit. It develops volunteerism because it will benefit each of us,

especially the students that are taking the Rizal’s subject. Also, Rizal volunteer and do everything for

us to understand everything by his works. They develop this Republic Act 1425 to open our eyes and

heart on how great our hero is. His volunteerism changed the course of our history, his life and

henceforth affected how Filipinos were viewed internationally. From the beginning, he volunteered to

leave the Philippines with a secret mission and so that’s why our country implement Rizal’s works in

all educational institution in our country, the Philippines.