Veronica Madarang BSA-2

RIZAL LAW/RIZAL BILL

In this topic Rizal Law/Rizal Bill, I learned that this law underwent numerous
scrutiny before getting passed as a law. Before learning about this topic, I had never
thought that the El Filibusterismo book I was reading during my 9th and 10th grade of
high school had undergone controversies and oppositions before a copy of it found a
place on my hands to learn as part of my school curriculum. With that said, I learned the
reason why I had to and still am studying the life and works of Jose Rizal. I also learned
the reasons behind the law and why it was fought for which it is important that Rizal’s
writings are circulated in order for us to hone his ideals, develop sane nationalism and
promote the common good of the country. On the other hand, I also learned why there
were oppositions from the church as they saw that Rizal’s works proved to have
numerous passages that seemed to oppose the church and may affect the religious
beliefs of catholic students when reading his works. Hence, a compromise was made in
the bill to accommodate such reservations from the church and other catholic figures in
the congress and was finally signed on June 12, 1956.

I felt that this law had a long journey considering it underwent compromises and
controversies during its hearing. Moreover, I had felt that I really needed to take this
course seriously considering this course provides important lessons that I believe I
should learn as I build my character. I also felt satisfied after reading the lesson as the
Rizal Bill had been finally passed to become a law which we now continue to practice.

I developed an admiration for this subject as I learned many factors that surround
it and reasons behind why we are taking this course now. I admire the fact that there
were people who took a stand for this law to be passed because they saw that learning
the life and works of Rizal will instill nationalism within the youth and looking at today’s
generation, I consider this subject a necessity as the passage of time had also
transformed the youth and I believe it is essential for today’s youth to hone the sense of
constructive nationalism and admirable ideals that Rizal had.