Prelim

Chapter 1: Understanding the Rizal Law

Republic Act No. 1425 (The Rizal Law) is the mandatory teaching of Jose Rizal’s life

and works, especially his novels, to all public and private schools, colleges and universities

courses. This law is to honor our national heroes, particularly Jose Rizal. To remember their

dedication to achieve freedom for our country, and to remember their nationalism and patriotism.

Before the Rizal law was passed, it became controversial. The Catholic Church opposed

the bill, because of this a few senate members opposed to the bill. It became a source of debate.

The majority of the debate was whether Noli and El Fili was constitutional. Claro M. Recto, the

main author of Rizal Bill, and Jose P. Laurel said that Rizal aimed to instill civic consciousness

to the Filipinos, and Noli and El Fili should be read by all Filipinos.

Midterm

Chapter 7: Emerging Nationalism

On January 20, 1872, roughly 250 Filipino soldiers and workers rose in revolt in Cavite.

The reason why Filipino soldiers revolt is because there was a decree released by Governor-

General Rafael de Izquierdo that arsenal workers are no longer exempted from tribute and polo.

Though official accounts the movement was to overthrow the Spanish government and asserting

independence. The leaders of Cavite Mutiny were expecting supports from approximately 2,000

Filipinos based in Cavite and Manila. The mutiny failed because of several reasons. The

revolution in Cavite started earlier and many supporters vowed loyalty to Spanish government.

Because of this, Spanish government used this to suppress the call for a more liberal

administration.
 Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, Jacinto Zamora, and other priest was arrested because of

the incident. They were sentenced to death by garrote on February 15, 1872. On the day of the

execution, they were nearly 40,000 Filipinos who came to watch. Gomez, who was the first one

to be executed among the three, held his head high, blessing every Filipino who knelt. He was

the oldest among them and he accepted his fate. The next one to be executed is Zamora, who lost

his mind and never recovered. Lastly, Burgos who never accepted his fate. He watched his

colleagues be executed. This execution was to instill fear in the Filipinos but instead of fear, it

became hatred towards the friars. Filipinos become aware of their conditions.

Finals

Chapter 12: Indolence or Industry

Early Filipinos during the Spanish colonization were frequently described as lazy or

indolent. Several foreigners made an observation with this behavior. Because of this, it created a

lasting perspective towards the Filipinos that we are incompetent or incapable. However, Rizal’s

work, Sobre la Indolencia de los Filipinos, make an effort to clarify this perspective. It has six

issues in La Solidaridad. Rizal did not deny that there is indolence towards Filipinos, infact,

early Filipinos are engaged in agricultural works, and commerce.

Rizal said that there are reasons why Filipinos are lazy. The factors that Rizal said are,

there is a constant war-waged and Moro piracies, death and destruction led to unmotivated

Filipinos. The Philippines have a hot climate which have a tendency to mandate rest from

workers, unlike having a cold weather, people become active. Filipinos are constantly abused by

the friars and Spanish government. Rizal said that the reform would only be fruitful with

education and freedom for the Filipinos.