Instructions

Directions: Read the items carefully and provide an argument or stand for each. Type in your
answers here (8 items x 10 points).

1. In no more than three (3) sentences, answer the following questions:

a. Why did the Catholic Church actively oppose the passing of the Rizal Bill?
- 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.

b. What provision from the Rizal Bill allowed the government to approve it that
answers the arguments provided by the Catholic Church?
- Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law, mandates all educational institutions in
the Philippines to offer courses about José Rizal. 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.

c. Did the Church's views on the study of Jose Rizal's life and works changed over
the years? Why or why not?
- Yes but Why ? : because -The book “Rizal Through a Glass Darkly” by Fr. Javier de
Pedro enlightens. The book, a “spiritual biography” of Rizal, traces his journey from his
childhood piety to his estrangement from the Catholic faith, to his repentance before his
execution.
-
2. In no more than three (3) sentences, answer the following questions:
a. What is the Rizal Law all about?
- The national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and
devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character.

b. Why do we need to study the Rizal Law?

- The teaching of Jose Rizal’s life, works, and writings is mandated by Republic Act 1425,
otherwise known as the Rizal Law. Senator Jose P. Laurel, the person who sponsored
the said law, said that since Rizal was the founder of Philippine nationalism and has
contributed much to the current standing of this nation, it is only right that the youth as
well as all the people in the country know about and learn to imbibe the great ideals for
which he died.
 c. What can you benefit from studying Jose Rizal's life and works?
- We are expected to become more aware of the ideas that our country is founded on by
studying the lives of heroes like Rizal. As a result, learning about Rizal is important to a
Filipino/a since it helps them become better citizens of their nation.

3. Why did Rizal consider Cervantes "the best writer of art and virtue" in his literary piece,
"The Council of the Gods (El Consejo del los Dioses)?" Justify your answer in no more
than three (3) sentences.
- El Consejo de los Dioses ( The Council of the Gods) is a play written in Spanish
by Filipino writer and national hero José Rizal, first published in 1880 in Manila by
the Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila in 1880, and later by La Solidaridad in
1883.El Consejo de los Dioses was written by Rizal when he was only nineteen
years old, and reveals the humanistic education of the Philippines at the time and
his answer to scholasticism.

4. What drove the Filipinos to actively pursue Rizal's literary works in their quest for
national identity? Justify your answer in no more than three (3) sentences.

- For Dr. José Rizal, is one of the most respected national heroes of the
Philippines, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Through his literary
masterpieces, he voiced strong opposition to the abuse of Spaniards and
conveyed messages that he hoped would inspire his fellow countrymen. We
round up his best works and uncover the underlying meaning behind them.