LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
LECTURE1-2/WEEK 02/PRELIMS
OUTLINE
I. Introduction to the study of Rizal’s life
works and writings
II. Objectives of Rizal Law
III. Rizal - An American Sponsored Hero
IV. Rizal - Pioneer Asian Nationalist Leader
V. Taft Commission of 1901
VI. Act No. 137
VII. Act No. 243
VIII. Act. No 345
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF
RIZAL’S LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS
REPUBLIC ACT 1425 OR RIZAL LAW
- Mandates the teaching of the
life, works, and writings of
Rizal in all schools in the
country.
JOSE P. LAUREL
- Sponsored the law because
Rizal was the founder of
Filipino nationality and the
architect of FIlipino nation
- Believed that by reading and
studying Rizal’s life, teachings,
and writings, Filipino youth will
gain incorruptible confidence,
direction, courage and
determination.
OBJECTIVES OF RIZAL LAW
● To rededicate the lives of the
youth to ideals of freedom and
nationalism
● To pay tribute to our national
hero for devoting his life and
works in shaping the Filipino
character.
● To gain an inspiring source of
patriotism through the study of
Rizal’s life, works, and writings.
GOALS BY THE BOARD OF NATIONAL
EDUCATION (CAPINO et.al, 1997)
● To recognize the relevance of
Rizal’s ideals, thoughts,
teachings, and life values to
present conditions in the
community.
● To apply Rizal’s ideas in the
solution of day-to-day
situations and problems in
contemporary life.
● To develop an understanding
and appreciation of the
qualities, behavior and
character of Rizal.
● To foster the development of
moral character, personal
discipline, citizenship and
vocational efficiency among
the Filipino youth.
RIZAL - AN AMERICAN SPONSORED
HERO
CONSTANTINO (1969)
● Claims that Rizal was an
American sponsored hero
● Rizal was a hero in the sense
that he was able to see the
problems generated by
historical forces, discern the
new social needs created by
historical development of new
social relationships and take
an active part in meeting these
needs.
LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
LECTURE1-2/WEEK 02/PRELIMS
GUERRERO(1998)
● Since Filipinos love peace,
they have chosen to magnify a
man of peace above the mean
of war.
● Because Filipinos are lovers of
freedom and justice, they have
given their worship to a man
who gave up all comforts and
pleasures for their sake
● Filipinos prize virtue more than
victory and sacrifice above
success.
RIZAL - PIONEER ASIAN NATIONALIST
LEADER
● Rizal was born in the decade
when other nationalist leaders
of Asia were born; Mohandas
Gandhi, Rahindaranath Tagore
and Sun Yat Sen.
● According to Coates (1968), all
the four challenged the West.
Of the four, Rizal was the most
remarkable because his ideas
matured at an early age.
● Rizal was the first exponent of
Asian Nationalism since he
was the source of inspiration
for the outbreak of the
Philippine Revolution of 1896.
(De Ocampo, 1969).
● Although Rizal opposed the
revolution because it was
premature and inadequately
organized.
FISHER(1962)
● Rizal was the Pioneer
Exponent of Liberal
Democracy in Asia.
● Rizal through his essays and
novels spoke out with firmness
and courage ideas on liberal
democracy. These includes:
- The worth and dignity
of the individual
- The inviolability of
human rights
- The necessity for
constitutional
government
- Due process of law
- Popular sovereignty as
the basis of all political
authority;
- Faith in human reason
and enlightenment
- The rights of the
masses to public
education
- Belief in social progress
through freedom
TAFT COMMISION OF 1901
● Not the Filipino chose Rizal to
become our country’s national
hero.
THE CONTENDERS OF THE TITLE OF
NATIONAL HERO
● Rizal
● Aguinaldo
● Bonifacio
● Mabini
LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
LECTURE1-2/WEEK 02/PRELIMS

ACT NO. 137

● Organized a politico-military
district and named it as the
province of Rizal in honor of
the most illustrious Filipino.

ACT NO. 243

● Authorized a public
subscription for the erection of
a monument in honor of Rizal
at Luneta.

ACT NO. 345

● Set aside the anniversary of
Rizal’s death as a day of
observation.

AGONCILLO (1986)
● Rizal was accepted as a
national hero to the Americans
because he was the symbol of
assimilation, which was the
American policy then in the
Philippines.