Yes, the Rizal course, despite his works being fictional, shows realism.

Rizal used his literature to

communicate with other Filipinos. It was a selfless act. It was his way of fighting for revolution. It
was his way to say how much he is devoted to our country. His ways are the things he wants to
enforce to every person reading his novels. He wants us to stand up for what is right for our country
and he wants us to use our voice, may it be silent or loud, to express our notions for a better
country we deserve.

The fact that his works moved a lot of people in his time makes it realistic enough for us to know
that his works scream nationalism, patriotism, and volunteerism. He used and spread his work to
serve as an eye-opener to what was happening during the Spaniards colonization. He bluntly
exposed how the Spaniards turned our countrymen into a blind fool and showed the reality of what
was happening behind every 'kabanata' of his literature. Regardless of what he attained in life, he
came back and used his talent for a greater good. That even he has all the opportunity and
capability to leave, he chose to die in Bagumbayan and say 'Consummatum Est!'-It is finished!—,
and true to his words, his death started the beginning of the end for the Spaniards as Filipino start
to feel the burning rage to be free. Nationalism it is, to choose your country above everything. In his
work, we could see how much he emphasized the Philippines as a part of Spain. He shows
how much Spain affected our tradition, belief, culture, attitude, and other terms related to that. By
showing these, we learn how different we were back then, and that our changes may look good
outside but killed the true Filipino within us. Yet the book did otherwise to, it brought the sleeping
Filipino in us, it led to realizations, understanding, and much more to revolution. They didn't fight
back because Rizal died, they fight back because they knew death in the hands of the Spaniards
has to end. The silent suppression must stop. The active colonization shall die.

In 1956, Republic Act 1425, otherwise known as the Rizal Law, came into being in spite of stiff
opposition from some senators, congressmen, interest groups and the Catholic Church. On
December 26, 1994, Fidel V. Ramos, President of the Republic of the Philippines,
signed Memorandum 247 directing “the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports and the
Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education to take steps to immediately and fully
implement the letter, intent and spirit of Republic Act No. 1425 and to impose, should it be
necessary, appropriate disciplinary action against the governing body and/or head of any
public or private school, college or university found not complying with said law and the
rules, regulations, orders and instructions issued pursuant thereto.”

RA 1425 (the Rizal Law) is there to remind us that “there is a need for a re-dedication to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died… that in honoring
them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special
fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character… (and
that) the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the
youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused.”
What on earth is wrong with our lawmakers that they have to have the Enhanced Basic
Education Act repeal those important reminders to keep our national self-respect, uphold
our love of country and our countrymen? Now, you, dear reader, understand why
I reprinted in the immediately preceding post that thing about the so-called “Korean Essay”.
Re-read the essay and then realize that our Enhanced Basic Education Act will soon repeal
the all-important Rizal Law. Whatever remains of the same elements, as chronicled in
this Wikipedia account, who steadfastly opposed RA 1425 more than half a century ago
appear to have reared their ugly heads on Congress in the consideration of the Enhanced
Basic Education Act (K to 12) and they may still have their wish.

Some of Rizal’s works were

used as propaganda to defy the
Spanish conquistadors and to
restore the equality between the
Spanish and Indio. With this, I
learned that history is inscribed
through his literature. His works
listed events that signify the
situation of the Filipino lives in
the
hands of the Spanish clergy.
Additionally, his novels Noli
Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo took
a big part in the revolution.
Literary criticisms in the
study of Rizal’s Life and Works
are beneficial for the long-term
use in educating the youth on
how to be responsible citizens
of society. Analyzing his works
is
essential especially since
nowadays that society has
forgotten the value of being
a Filipino.
Reading and pondering his
works enables any reader to
 look back on the past. It also
reminds us
not to be parted from our roots
 It is important to study the life of Jose Rizal because of his contribution to the
independence of the Philippines. He wanted to fight for his country by the
wisdom and strength of the message. He saw the continuing misery of his
fellow countrymen at the hands of the Spaniards and tried to bring an end to
this situation. He wanted to develop his personal studies in order to learn
information that he would later move on to his people through novels and
poetry. His famous novels 'Noli Me Tangere' and 'El Filibusterismo' have
illuminated the problems facing the true people of the Philippines under
Spanish rule and the need to take decisive steps to save themselves from
tyranny. His actions resonated well with those of his countrymen, and
ultimately the people agreed to stand up to protect their rights and freedom.

 It is of great significance that students grasp the reasoning behind having to

take a Rizal course in college. In the case of high school students, Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo are injected into the Filipino subject as part of
the overall curriculum. In tertiary education, however, Rizal is a subject that is
required for any course in any college or university in the Philippines.

 The teaching of Jose Rizal's life, works and writings is required by the Law of
the Republic 1425, better known as the Law of Rizal. Senator Jose P. Laurel,
the person who proposed the said bill, said that because Rizal was the father
of Philippine nationalism and contributed a great deal to the current status of
this nation, it is only fair that young people, as well as all the people of the
world, should know and learn to imbibe the great ideals for which he died. The
Rizal Law, passed in 1956, aims to fulfill the following objectives:

1. To rededicate the lives of young people to the ideals of freedom and

nationalism for which our heroes have lived and died.
2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and his work to
defining the Filipino character
3. To become an inspirational source of patriotism by the study of
Rizal's life, works, and writings.

Apart from the aforementioned, there are other explanations for teaching the
Rizal course in the Philippine schools:
1. To understand the importance of Rizal's values and teachings in
relation to the current realities and circumstances of society.
2. To promote the application of these values to real social and personal
challenges and concerns.
3. To cultivate an awareness and a greater knowledge of everything that
Rizal fought for and died for.
4. To encourage the advancement of Filipino youth in all fields of
citizenship.