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TAGOLOAN Community College
Baluarte, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental
Tel. No. (08822)740-835/(088)5671-215

College of Arts and Sciences

GEC 9: The Life and Works of Rizal
Semester of A.Y. 2020-2021

Introduction

Rizal’s execution on December 30, 1896 became an important turning point in the history of Philippine
revolution. His death activated the full-scale revolution that resulted in the declaration of Philippine
Independence by 1898. Under the American colonial government, Rizal was considered as one of the
most important Filipino heroes of the revolution and was even declared as the national hero by the Taft
Commission.

Influenced by both The Roman Catholic Church and the prehispanic spiritual culture, some Filipino
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masses likewise founded organizations that recognize Rizal not just as an important hero but also as their
savior from all the social ills that plague the country.

Rationale

This module will discuss the history and teachings of selected Rizalista groups founded aster Rizal’s
execution.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of 3 hours, you are expected to:

A. Evaluate Rizal’s heroism and importance in the context of Rizalista groups

B. Discuss the history selected Rizalista groups
C. Compare and contrast the different views on Rizal among the Rizalistas.
Activity

Discussion

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Chapter 3. Remembering Rizal
Lesson 1. Rizal as the Tagalog Christ
In the late 1898 and early 1899, revolutionary newspapers La Independencia and El Heraldo de la
Revolucion reported about Filipino commemorating Rizal’s death in various towns in the country. In
Batangas, for example, people were said to have gathered “tearfully wailing before a portrait of Rizal” (Ileto,
1998) while remembering how Christ went through the same struggles. After Rizal’s execution, peasants in
Laguna were also reported to have regarded him as “the lord of a kind of paradise in the heart of Mount
Makiling” (Ileto, 1998). Similar stories continued to spread after Rizal’s death towards the end of the 19 th
century. The early decades of 1900s when witnessed the founding of different religious organizations
honoring Rizal as the “Filipino Jesus Christ” (Ocampo, 2011).

In 1907, spanisg writer and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno gave Rizal the title “Tagalog Christ” as religious
organizations venerating him had been formed in different parts of the Philippines (Iya, 2012). It is however,
important to mention that Rizal was not the first to be called as such. In history, Apolinario de la Cruz (1815-
1912) who founded the religious confraternity Cofradia de San Jose was also considered as “Tagalog Christ”
by his followers. Moreover, Filipino revolutionary Felipe Salvador (1870-1912), also known as Apo Ipe, who
founded the messianic society Santa Iglesia (Holy Church) was called by his followers as the “Filipino Christ”
and the “King of the Philippines”. The titles given to some earlier Filipino revolutionary leaders reveal that
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associating religious beliefs in the social movement is part of the country’s history. Teachings and traditions
of political movements that were organized to fight Spanish and American colonial powers were rooted in
religious belief and practices. These socio-religious movements known as the millenarian groups which aim to
transform the society are often symbolized or represented by a hero or prophet.

The same can also be said with the Rizalista groups which, as mentioned, have risen in some parts of the
country after Rizal’s death in 1896. Each group has its own teachings, practices, and celebrations, but one
common belief among them is the veneration of Jose Rizal as the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. These groups
linked the travails of Jose Rizal to that of Jesus Christ as narrated in the Pasyon, an epic poem which became
popular among the Tagalogs during the Spanish Period. Rizalistas believed that Rizal, just not like Jesus
Christ, would eventually return to life and will save mankind.

People saw the parallel between the two lives being sent into the world to fulfill a purpose. As Trillana (2006,
p 39) puts it, “for both Jesus and Rizal, life on earth was a summon and submission to a call. From the
beginning, both knew or had intimations of mission they had to fulfill, the redemption of his people from the
oppression in the case of Rizal”.

Reincarnation in the context of Rizalistas means that both Rizal and Jesus led a parallel life. “Both were
Asians, had brilliant minds and extraordinary talents. Both believed in the Golden Rule, cured the sick, were
rabid reformers, believed in the universal brotherhood of men, were closely associated with a small group of
followers. Both died young (Christ at 33 and Rizal at 35) at the hands of their enemies. Their lives changed
the course of history” (Mercado, 1982, p. 38).

Lesson 2. The Canonization of Rizal: Tracing the Roots of Rizalistas

The earliest record about Rizal being declared as a saint is that of his canonization initiated by the Philippines
Independent Church (PIC) or La Iglesia Filipina Independienty. Founded on August 3, 1902, the PIC became
a major religious sect with numbers of followers supporting its anti-friar and anti-imperialist campaigns. As a
nationalist religious institution, PIC churches displayed Philippine flags in its altars as an expression of their
love of the country and recognition of heroes who fought for our independence (Palafox, 2012).

In 1903, the PIC’s official organ published the “Acta de Canonization de los Grandes Martires de la Patria
Dr. Rizal y PP. Burgos, Gomez y Zamora” (Proceedings of the Canonization of the Great Martyrs of the
Country Dr. Rizal and Fathers Burgos, Gomez and Zamora). According to the proceeding, the council of
bishops headed by Gregorio Aglipay met in Manila on September 24, 1903. On that day, Jose Rizal and the 2
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Exercise
Activity 1. Briefly answer the following:

1. How do the Rizalista groups view Jose Rizal and other national Heroes?

2. What are the similarities between Jesus Christ and Rizal as seen by the millenarian groups?

3. Name Some influential women in various Rizalista groups and explain their significant roles in their
respective organization?

Activity 2. Venn Diagram

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Choose two of the Rizalista groups, that were discussed. On a separate sheet of paper, create a Venn diagram
showing their belief and practices that are similar and different between two groups. Afterwards, rate yourself
according to the rubrics that follow.

Rubric
15 - 20 8 – 14 0–7
Text support of All statements are Most statements are Few or none of the
comparison statements supported by text supported by the text statements are supported
by the text
Placement of statements All statements noting Most statements are Few statements are
within the Venn similarities are placed in placed in the correct placed in the correct
Diagram the center circle and all circle, but student has circles
statements that note mixed up a few
differences are placed in
statements
the correct outer circle
Number of Quality Student is able to make 5 Student is able to make 3 Students has made only
Statements or more comparison – 4 comparison 2 or fewer comparison
statement in each circle statements in each circle statements in each circle.

Assessment

Reflection

Resources and Additional Resources

 The Life and Works of Rizal; Wani-Obias, Mallari, Estella