La Consolacion College of Daet, Inc.

PAASCU ACCREDITED LEVEL II

F. Pimentel Avenue, Daet, Camarines Norte, Philippines 4600

Name of Student: SALEN, Fiona C. Score: ____

Course and Year Level: BSN III Date: January 26, 2024

The Life and Works of Rizal

ACTIVITY I

1. Explain the significance of Rizal’s Law to the present time.

The Republic Act 1425, also referred to as the Rizal’s Law, is an act that orders all public and private
schools in the nation to incorporate the life, works, and writings of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose P.
Rizal. The law seeks to foster in the Filipino youth the sense of patriotism, nationalism, and the reverence
for the historical and cultural heritage of the country. It is still an important part of legislation at the present
time, because it develops in the current generation a sense of civic duty and responsibility, unwavering love
for the country, and national identity. Students can attain a more profound understanding during the
country’s struggles for independence and the principles that sustain a strong and unified country by studying
Rizal’s contribution to Philippine history. Rizal is an epitome of intelligence combined with dignity and the
prestige that come from serving others. He stood for strong nationalism and was the one who inspired his
generation and made clear that the youth holds the key for our country’s future.

2. What do you think were the reasons the Catholic Church opposed the Rizal bill intensely?
Explain.

Due to Dr. Jose P. Rizal's criticism of the Catholic church, the leader of that institution and those
who supported it fiercely opposed the Noli-Fili Bill. They said the bill was an attempt to undermine
Catholicism. Rizal acknowledged that he targeted the Catholic faith as a whole in addition to the friars who
mistreated the Filipino people. The book was seen by the church as a challenge to its dominance and power
in the nation. Out of the 333 pages in Noli Me Tangere, just 25 were anti-Catholic and 120 were
nationalistic50 lines from El Filibusterismo and 170 lines from Noli Me Tangere were considered
disrespectful to Catholic doctrine. Because the Catholic Church believes that Rizal's writings reflect his
earlier experience of being mistreated by the Spanish, they felt that the Rizal Bill would violate conscience
and freedom of speech.
 3. What major argument was raised by Sen. Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo against the ratification of
the Rizal Bill?

The Rizal Bill was widely controversial. It is one of the most contentious bills ever approved in the
nation, wherein, the church got involved in the debate of the bill’s proposal. Sen. Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo is
a devoted Catholic and one of the opposers of the Rizal Bill. He once remarked, “A vast majority of our
people are, at the same time, Catholic and Filipino citizens. As such, they have two great loves: their
country and their faith. These two loves are not conflicting loves. They are harmonious affections.” His
main point of contention was that Rizal's novels were intended to ridicule and directly attack the Catholic
Church. His reasoning clarified that religion and politics should be kept separate, and that we should not
create a conflict between nationalism and religion, particularly, the government and Catholic faith. “Let us
not create a conflict between nationalism and religion,” he added.

4. What major argument was raised by Senators Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto supporting
the ratification of the Rizal Bill?

The passing of a bill making the reading of Rizal’s novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Felibusterismo,
compulsory in all public and colleges in the country, is one of the most intriguing pieces of legislation to
pass both chambers of the Philippine congress. Senator Claro M. Recto, the main defender of the Rizal Bill,
and Senator Jose P. Laurel, a co-author and who sponsored the bill on senate, argued that that we must honor
the life and writings of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, with great devotion. They believed that it is a
crucial step in promoting national identity and unity. They also made a stand on the merits of reading Rizal’s
novels for they contain a great sense of patriotism, nationalism, and morality. Hence, raising awareness of
the Filipino people about Rizal’s writings which revealed the true meaning of freedom.

5. Based on the statements of the legislators from the opposing sides, are there points of
convergence between those who supported and opposed the bill?

Indeed, there are convergence in the positions taken by the supporters and opponents of the Rizal
Bill. Both points are valid and well-founded. It is evident that the protection of the nationalistic and religious
convictions of Filipino citizens is the foundation shared by the two parties. Senators Claro and Recto
asserted that Rizal's novels discussed a strong sense of patriotism, love for country, and national identity,
while Senator Soc Francisco determined that the texts were anti-church. Sen. Francisco also wanted to bring
nationalism and religion – that is, the state and the church – together. Senators Recto and Laurel, on the
other hand, contended that lessons should be learned from the past and applied to the present and future.
 6. What was the major contention of the country’s influential Catholic Church against the
ratification of the Rizal Bill?

The Catholic Church in the Philippines fiercely opposed the Rizal Law, primarily as a result of the
anti-clericalism included in Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo. Rizal is a freemason who
defended both individual and national liberty, while denouncing the corrupt practices of the church. He was
seen by the Catholic Church as a nationalist and a danger to the religion that they sought to impose on the
Filipino citizens. Father Jesus Cavanna argued that historical books by Rizal should not be taught in schools
because they may present a distorted view of the nation and do not adequately reflect contemporary events.
The Catholic Church feared that the bill would violate the freedom of conscience and religion.

7. State some lessons we can learn from the life of Jose Rizal.

The life of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal is an inspiring story. He is an epitome of intelligence
combined with dignity and the prestige that come from serving others. He stood for strong nationalism and
was the one who inspired his generation and made clear that the youth holds the key for our country’s future.
He was willing to give his life in order to bring freedom and peace to his country and fellow citizens. He
battled and prevailed. He embodied the best qualities that define a Filipino. Who would have imagined that
the power of writing could surpass that of a sword? Rizal’s life serves as an inspiration to his entire nation.
He was unable to call into dust because he understood that his death was not the end, but rather, the start of
something new.