THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

LECTURE NO. 1

Republic Act No. 1425

House Bill No. 5561 Senate
Bill No. 438

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.

Whereas, today, more than 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.

Whereas, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember
with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character;

Whereas, the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially
during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused.

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; Now therefore,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled

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.

The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement
and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers
and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act promulgate rules and
regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the regulations of this Act. The
Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for reason of religious
belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of
the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph.
Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.

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 expurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as Rizal’s
other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or
their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for
required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and universities.

The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the
enrollment 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; cause them to be
printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read
them, through the Purok organizations and the Barrio Councils throughout the country.

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.

FOR THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF RA1425

Refer to https://quizlet.com/435068435/rizal-law-its-historical-context-flash-cards/

Posted on September 19, 2012

HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND LEGAL BASIS OF RIZAL DAY AND OTHER MEMORIALS IN HONOR OF
JOSE RIZAL
By: Quennie Ann J. Palafox

For over a century now, the nation has never failed to observe the anniversary of the martyrdom our great
national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. This year, the President will lead the simultaneous raising of Philippine flag at
half-mast and wreath offering at the monument of Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park in Manila, Calamba, Laguna and
in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte on December 30, 2010. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Rizal:
Haligi ng Bayan”.

Although frequently at the center of controversies and criticism of the public, the government must be given
credits for its efforts in ensuring that the memory of Rizal stays in our hearts through the issuance of legislative
acts, decrees and other proclamations honoring him.

Two years after the execution of Rizal in Bagumbayan, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo issued on Dec. 20, 1898 a
decree designating Dec. 30 as the anniversary of Jose Rizal’s death and also as “a national day of mourning”
for Rizal and other victims of the Spanish government throughout its three centuries of oppressive rule. He
made a directive that all national flags shall be hoisted at half-mast from 12 noon on Dec. 29 and all offices of
the government shall be closed the whole day on December 30 as a sign of mourning. On December 30, 1898,
Filipinos celebrated Rizal Day for the first time and chose Club Filipino in Manila to be the venue.
 The Americans, to win the sympathy of the Filipinos, and to convince them that they were pro-Filipinos more
than the Spaniards, gave Rizal official recognition. This was to make them conform to the new government.
Rizal acquired the official title of title of Philippine National Hero in 1901 under the country’s first American civil
governor, William Howard Taft. On the recommendation of Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, the Taft Commission
renamed the district of Morong into the Province of Rizal through Act 137 on June 11, 1901. This was one of
the first official steps taken by the Taft Commission to honor Rizal. Since then, Jose Rizal came to be known
as the National Hero.

It was also during the American times that Rizal’s death anniversary was made an official holiday. On February
1, 1902, the Philippine Commission enacted Act. No. 345 which set December 30 of each year as Rizal Day,
and made it one of the ten official holidays of the Philippines. As the nationalist spirit of the Filipinos was at the
highest point during that time, they were able to convince the government to erect a monument for Rizal. Thus,
Act No. 243 was enacted on September 28, 1901 granting the right to use public land upon the Luneta in the
City of Manila upon which to erect a statue of Jose Rizal.

So important was the observation of Rizal Day that President Quirino approved on June 9, 1948 Republic Act
No. 229 which prohibits cockfighting, horse racing and jai-alai every 30th of December of each year, in order to
have proper observance of Rizal Day.

To give ample time to prepare for the birth centenary of Jose Rizal in 1961, the Rizal National Centennial
Commission was created by Executive Order No. 52, issued by Pres. Ramon Magsaysay on August 10, 1954
to undertake the construction of a National Cultural Shrine and other memorials to be dedicated to Jose Rizal.
JRNCC became Rizal Presidential Committee on 1 July 1962 after President Diosdado Macapagal issued
Executive Order No. 14.

Jose Rizal’s vast role in the attainment of the nation’s freedom led to the issuance of Republic Act 1425 on
June 12, 1956. Commonly known as the Rizal Act, it was sponsored by Senator Claro M. Recto. It requires the
curricula of private and public schools, colleges and universities courses to include the life, works and writings
of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in order to educate the students
about the concept of nationalism.

A few days before the celebration of the birth centenary of Jose Rizal in 1961, Pres. Garcia issued
Executive Order No. 429 on June 2, creating a decoration intended to perpetuate Rizal’s memory, to be known
as the Rizal Pro Patria Award. It was to be awarded by the President of the Philippines to those who have
rendered outstanding work for the benefit of their community. Among the recipients of this decoration in the
past were N. V. M. Gonzalez, Alejandro Roces, Juan Nakpil, Felipe Padilla De Leon, and Wilfredo Ma.
Guerero.

In Manila streets were named with reference to the national hero, Jose Rizal. In Sampaloc, two streets are
named after his pen names, Laong Laan and Dimasalang. Blumentritt, a main thoroughfare, was named after
Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, Rizal’s friend, while Dapitan street situated near the University of Santo Tomas was
named after a municipality in Zamboanga del Norte, where Rizal was deported in 1892. Other street names
have references to Rizal’s novels such as Sisa, Basilio, and Simoun.

Rizal monuments are concrete memorials to his legacy. The most prominent is the Rizal monument in
Manila, unveiled on December 30, 1913 in line with the 17th Anniversary of the martyrdom of Jose Rizal.
However, the Rizal monument in the town Daet in Camarines Norte holds the distinction of the first ever
erected in honor of Rizal.

In the 1920s, Rizal Day was very popular and a much awaited event with the entire city going to Luneta to spot
the parade of the Rizal Day, a parade as glamorous as the carnival parade of February. In his memorable
Rizal Day address, Pres. Quezon declared through Commonwealth Act No. 184 the adoption of Tagalog as the
basis of the national language of the Philippines on December 30, 1937.
 The Rizal Day celebration of December 30, 1942 required the display of Japanese flags in Filipino homes.
Attended by Jorge Vargas Benigno Aquino, Sr, and Jose P. Laurel, Sr., a Nippongo program on Rizal was held
in 1942, during which the hero’s “Ultimo Adios” was recited in Japanese. This event also witnessed the
inauguration of Kalibapi.

Just after the war in 1946, the country saw floral offerings and a civic parade in observance of Rizal Day in
1946. President Roxas was joined by high officials of the national government and representatives of the
United States Army and Navy and foreign nations who offered wreaths at the foot of Rizal’s monument.

On December 30, 1950, all Philippine flags throughout the island were raised at half-mast in all public buildings
and vessels to commemorate the martyrdom of Rizal. There was also floral offering at the Rizal monument at
Luneta and concert in the afternoon.

A crowd estimated to be from 300-500, 000 persons gathered at the Luneta on December 30, 1953 to
attend the inauguration of Ramon Magsaysay as president of the Republic of the Philippines. The Constitution
had made the Rizal Day event even more memorable having specified the date of the day for the inauguration
of President of the Republic as stipulated in Sec. 4 of Article VII of the 1935 Constitution. However, this was
moved to June 30 by virtue of the 1987 Constitution which is being observed until now.

December 30, 1996 was the centenary of the martyrdom of Rizal. Highlights included the tracing of the
last walk of Rizal from his detention cell at Fort Santiago followed by the reenactment of the hero’s execution
and flag raising at Luneta Park, Manila. A monument of Rizal was also inaugurated on 5 December 1996 along
the Avenida de Las Islas Filipinas in Madrid, Spain.

Rizal Day is a day of appreciating Jose Rizal as a hero, an icon and a perfect example on how to be a
Filipino. To quote the late Sen. Blas Ople, “Jose Rizal remains the supreme hero of the Philippines because of
the quality of his sacrifice, his absolute dedication to the interest of his people, and his achievement in many
fields of endeavors”.

Sources :

Republic Act No. 1425 http://www.joserizal.ph/lw02.html

HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND LEGAL BASIS OF RIZAL DAY AND OTHER MEMORIALS IN HONOR OF JOSE RIZAL
By: Quennie Ann J. Palafox https://nhcp.gov.ph/historical-context-and-legal-basis-of-rizal-day-and-other-memorials-in-
honorof-jose-rizal/
 THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

Freedom/Liberty from his concept is giving an emancipation to people who have been losing hope, deprived of
the right and not endowed opportunities. Freedom is the key to used in a right way and right to lived us well. Be
a part of patriotism. Character is a core values that we have on this world. This is our treasure more than to
money. This is the best treasure we have towards in a good life. Being a nationalism is a good for us not even
for being a patriotism because if we respect our country, we can respect each other nations. We became
friends and compromise not a competition and greed. Youth is the hope of all nations. We have the power to
gain knowledge and wisdom, we are all strong in all aspects of our lives, we are capable not vulnerable. Honor
is for giving an appreciation and giving more respects. Obligatory is an act of given us an opportunity to do
something in a legal way that makes us facing the reality of life, we are now free from a childhood act. We
must understand what are we now in the near future, what situations we have, what are the purpose of our
lives. Values must always presence in the society and the whole nations, we must remain to embody the
values. Just always be choose the right and avoid the worst. His biography makes us inspire and motivate
because his novels had a powerful message.
________________________________________________________________________________________
B. Answer the table below on the different views on Rizal’s law.

ADVOCATE
NAME POINT OF VIEW
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.[1]
RESIST
NAME POINT OF VIEW
Groups such as Catholic Action of the Philippines,
the Congregation of the Mission, the Knights of
Columbus, and the Catholic Teachers Guild
organized opposition to the bill; they were countered
by Veteranos de la Revolucion (Spirit of 1896),
Alagad ni Rizal, the Freemasons, and the Knights of
Rizal. The Senate Committee on Education
sponsored a bill co-written by both José P. Laurel
and Recto, with the only opposition coming from
Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Mariano Jesús Cuenco,
and Decoroso Rosales.
Enacted by: Congress of the Philippines

C. What is your feedback on Rizal’s law? How can you show your support on the inclusion of The Life and
Works of Rizal in colleges and universities? Answer in 3-5 sentences.

As the student taking this unit of my course Rizal’s life and writings started in my high school years, I
think it has a great impact on my generation. I believe that studying the life of Rizal will always be
significant. It is where we can know what happened in the past and how did we achieve what we have
today. It also enables us to learn from the issues of the past and make it as a learning experience. As
we study his life, writings, and works, we are able to learn some important lessons and values from it
and at the same we are also developing an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Jose
Rizal fought and died for. We can also relate his life before to our present life.