OPENING STATEMENT:

Good afternoon, everyone we are here to talk about do we still need to study the LIFE AND
WORKS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL?
Dr. Jose Rizal was born in the town of Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861. The 2nd and 7th of
eleven children of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso. He is a brilliant student it’s because
he entered many schools and universities local and international and graduated with highest
honors and awardees. He is also a good writer and anti-violence. He prefers to fight with his pen
rather than with his strength. The two known books of him are the "Noli Me Tangere" (Touch Me
Not), a satirical novel that exposes the arrogance and autocracy of the Spanish clergy. He wrote
it while in Berlin, Germany in 1887. And "El Filibusterismo" (the reign of the greed) in Ghent,
Belgium in 1891. His second novel, and its sequel to NOLI, is more revolutionary and tragic than
the latter. These novels aim to enlighten society and bring Filipinos closer to the truth. In these
novels, society is called upon to open its eyes to reality. It is also the reason why Rizal, his
relatives and countrymen in trouble with the Spanish authorities in the country. Because of
being fearless exposure of the injustices of civil and religious officials, Rizal provoked the anger
from those in power.
We stand to agree on the resolution that we still need to study the LIFE AND WORKS OF DR.
JOSE RIZAL. We take this position for the following reasons:

 Above all, it is imposed by the law

 Secondly, the lessons included in the course itself.
He entered the Jesuits-run Ateneo Municipal de Manila in 1872 and graduated with a bachelor's
degree with highest honors in 1876. He also studied medicine at the University of Santo Tomas
but had to stop, because he felt that the Filipino students were being discriminated against by
their Dominican tutors. At the age of 21, he went to Spain to complete his medical studies at the
Central de Madrid, where he obtained a degree of Licentiate in Medicine. Also, in 1885, at the
age of 24, he completed his course in Philosophy and Letters with the title of "Excellent". He has
also traveled to Paris, France and Heidelberg, Germany to specialize in ophthalmology, in part
because he wanted to cure his mother’s failing eyesight. He also studied painting and sculpture,
he learned to read and write at least 10 languages.
Rizal is a good writer and anti-violence. He prefers to fight with his pen rather than with his
strength. The two famous and controversial books of him are the "Noli Me Tangere" (Touch Me
Not), which he wrote while in Berlin, Germany in 1887, and "El Filibusterismo" (the reign of the
greed) in Ghent, Belgium in 1891. It shows the direct associations during the Spanish colonial
rule. Both novels are about political and historical fiction of the Philippines during the Spanish
colonial period, inspired by the writer's current living conditions, beliefs, and ideologies. These
novels aim to enlighten society and bring Filipinos closer to the truth. In these novels, society is
called upon to open its eyes to reality.
Life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal includes the life and work of the country's national hero, Jose
Rizal. Among the topics covered are his biography wherein it describes his family, education
even his love life. Also, his writings, especially the novels Noli me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, the two famous novels written by Rizal, some of his essays and many other
correspondences.
Let us discuss those reasons one by one:
WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE IT IS MANDATED BY LAW
Teaching of Jose Rizal’s life, works, and writings is mandated by Republic Act 1425 S.1956,
otherwise known as the Rizal Law. It mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines
to offer courses about Jose Rizal.
Complete name:
“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”
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. The Rizal Law, enacted in 1956,
seeks to accomplish the following goals:

• To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for
which our heroes lived and died
• 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.
These two novels helped awaken the Filipinos to fought for their freedom and stand with their
right. It had made me realized that war does not necessarily have to end through means of
violence, it could always be ended peacefully, through words and maybe even forgiveness.
Words are far stronger than any gun. Vengeance is not ours, it’s God. Evilness is at every
corner but thou shall not fear because good will always prevail.
WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE OF THE LESSONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE COURSE
Aside from those mentioned above, there are other reasons for teaching the Rizal course in
Philippine schools:

• To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present

conditions and situations in the society.
• To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal
problems and issues.
• To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and
died for.
• To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.

Other reasons:
REASONS WHY DO WE NEED TO STUDY THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

 The sponsors argued that in reading Rizal’s words, we are able to see ourselves.
  It is through the works of Rizal, the greatest Filipino patriot, which show not only the
strengths and virtues of the Filipinos but the Filipino’s defects and vices as well.
 Making the Filipinos realize their flaws will prepare themselves for the sacrifices they
have to make to attain freedom.
 The only objective of the bill is to foster the better appreciation of our national hero’s role
in fighting for freedom under the colonialism of the Spaniards, not to go against any
religion.
Why do we need to study the Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal?

 Filipinos have one think in their minds common when they hear the name Dr. Jose Rizal.
He is a Hero. He was a Filipino sword that never slit his oppressors’ throat. He was a
Filipino shield who has protected not only the Filipinos from the Spaniards’ oppression
through ignorance, but he also protected Filipinos from themselves by renouncing
violence.
 He was one of the greatest weapons of the Indios at his time. There are many reasons
that Dr. Jose Rizal’s life, works and writings is a “must be studied.” One of them would
be because of the Republic Act No. 1425. It simply states that Rizal’s life, works and
writings will be a part of the school curriculum. Students are required to learn about
Rizal. In other word Rizal will be a part of the school life of the students because of the
law.
 Disregarding the law, Rizal’s life, works and writings are worthwhile to be learned. Rizal
was an interesting man. He had many talents. He was able to be a doctor. He can even
speak many languages. Rizal is able to portray excellency as a student, and as a human
being. For that reason, Rizal is one of the most Unique people that have lived in this
world. Studying a Unique person can help people be inspired, and even understand the
depths of the human capacity.
 With regards to our history, another reason why we need to Study about Dr. Jose Rizal
is that he had many contributions to why we are here right now. He was one of the
people who fought for the sake of the Filipinos. He was able to fight with his pen.
Although he renounced violence, revolutions started because of him. He was one of the
reasons why Andres Bonifacio was able to start the Katipunan which fought against
Spaniards. With what he did for the Filipinos’ sake, I think studying his life works, and
writings is a sign of respect for what he did for the Filipinos
 To conclude Rizal is a Hero. It is the responsibility of the students to learn about him in
accordance to the law. He is a special individual that can’t be seen just anywhere in the
corners of the world. He had devoted himself for the Philippines for its sake. Therefore,
his life, works, and writings are essential for Filipinos.
OTHER BACK UP REBATES:

• The teachings of Jose Rizal have great relevance to the Filipino people especially
the youth in order to rededicate their lives to the ideal of freedom and nationalism, for
which our heroes lived and died. It is also important to pay tribute to him for devoting
his life and works in shaping the Filipino character and to gain an inspiring source of
patriotism through his writings.
• Rizal’s ideals and teaching can also be related to the current conditions and issues
of our society and can develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that
 Rizal fought and died for. As young adults who have been given the responsibility of
governing our country's future, we have the obligation to better ourselves and what
better inspiration do we have than Rizal.
• Most people wonder why it’s important to study Rizal’s life when all he did is write
literature. It is through his writings that he revealed how cruel and abusive the
Spaniards truly are in their treatment of the Filipino people. He also enlightened his
fellow countrymen to take up arms and stand up for their right. It’s because of this
that he was imprisoned but that didn’t falter him and inspired him to continue writing.
It is Rizal who uplifted his generation and emphasized that the youth is the hope of
our nation. We can take a lot from Rizal’s life, like being aware of what goes on in
our country and not just idly accept the injustice we receive in our country. To quote
Rizal: “The Filipino are worth dying for.”