Topic 1: Why study Rizal?

Legal
bases for studying the life and
works of Jose Rizal
Sir Edge Besmonte
Instructor 1/Affiliate Faculty, BUCSSP
Technical Staff, BUCTE
 Objectives:

• Discuss the historical and legal bases for the

inclusion of the Life and Works of Jose Rizal in
the curriculum.
• Discuss the relevance of the ideals of Jose Rizal
in the contemporary society.
Do heroes still exist? Why or why not? Is there
an event in your life that made you say so? What
should be the traits or qualities of a person to be
considered hero?
Who is Jose Rizal?
Dr. JOSÉ PROTACIO RIZAL
MERCADO ALONSO Y
REALONDA
 MEANINGS OF NAME:

Doctor : He completed his medical course in Spain

and was conferred the degree of Licentiate in
Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid

Jose:The name was chosen by his mother who was

a devotee of the Christian saint San Jose (St.
Joseph)

Protacio- from Gervacio P. which come from a

Christian calendar
Mercado- adopted in 1731 by Domigo Lamco (the paternal
great-great grand father of Jose Rizal) which the Spanish term
mercado means ‘market’ in English

Rizal- from the word ‘Ricial’ in Spanish means a field where

wheat, cut while still green, sprouts again

Alonzo- old surname of his mother

Y- and

Realonda- it was used by Dona Teodora from the surname of

her godmother based on the culture by that time
 Why Jose Rizal Is the National Hero?

• It is interesting to note that Jose Rizal’s

heroism was recognized first by the colonizing
Americans and later on by General Emilio
Aguinaldo.
Recommended by the
US Governor Taft
• The Americans through the American Governor
William Howard Taft recommended to the
Philippine Commission, which was sponsored
by the US, to declare Jose Rizal as a national
hero for the Filipinos.

• The Americans recommended Rizal because of

the fact that he was executed by the Spaniards
and of his peaceful way to achieve liberty.
• According to Renato Constantino, when the
American government conquered the island of the
Philippines from the Spanish government in 1896,
the American government established a
commonwealth government after the Spanish
revolutionary government ceased to govern the
country. At this time of the Philippine history,
Filipinos under the commonwealth government
started to frame up Filipino national identities.

• .
When the question on who would be the
national hero arose, whether Rizal or Bonifacio,
the American government "guided" the Filipino
people to choose Rizal. The American rationale
was based on Rizal's peaceful propaganda and
diplomatic approaches in attaining Philippine
freedom and independence, unlike Bonifacio
who chose a bloody revolution
• Unlike Andres Bonifacio whose desire to
achieve independence for his native land
required armed approach.

• The Americans deemed this approach to

independence of Andres Bonifacio to be
unacceptable and may inspire other Filipinos
to rebel against American rule. This is why
Jose Rizal was chosen over him as the national
hero.
• Jose Rizal was declared as the greatest
Filipino hero during the American
colonization after the Aguinaldo led
armed forces were subdued during the
Philippine-American war.
• Whether this assessment is accurate or not,
Dr. Rizal has been considered a hero of the
Philippines from the outset: a public holiday
was declared honouring Dr. Rizal in 1898,
whereas that for Bonifacio was not declared
until 1921.
• Dr. Rizal was considered to be his inspiration
by Bonifacio himself. Even without the
assistance of US propaganda, Rizal would have
been honoured as a hero in the Philippines.
 December 30 as national day of mourning

• General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first one to

declare December 30 as a national day of
mourning in honor of Rizal and others who
have died fighting the Spanish tyranny.
 Pen as mightier than the sword
• The Philippine revolution led by Andres
Bonifacio was fueled by the writings of Jose
Rizal, the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, which made a more lasting
impression. This is one of the best arguments
of those who believe that Rizal is rightfully the
national hero.
• Rizal was truly an inspiration to many Filipinos
during the Spanish period. According to the
historian Rafael Palma, Rizal was more
deserving of the national hero title. Rizal was
even thought to have suggested that Antonio
Luna lead the revolutionary forces since Luna
has studied military science which was a
brilliant idea to lessen casualties against the
powerhouse Spanish militia.
• Rizal believed that only an army
that was well prepared and had
enough arms would ensure
victory .
• The youth is the hope of our future. -Jose Rizal
This famous line of Rizal inspired the hearts
and minds of every Filipino. It was a reflection
of his life, works and achievements during the
Spanish period. A man who has a passion in
serving the country, a brilliant mind to inspire
his fellowmen and nationalistic ideals and
principles that liberated the minds of our
forefathers which pave them the way towards
freedom.
• Jose Rizal, our national hero, was one of the
reasons why every Filipino should be proud of.
It is not because of his genius mind but it was
his sense of patriotism that showed the world
what a Filipino like him can do amidst tyranny
and abuse. He will always be a great example
to every young Filipino.
 Founder of La Liga Filipina

• Jose Rizal founded the La Liga Filipina, a civic

organization that led to the creation of the
Katipunan headed by Andres Bonifacio. This
fact may already substantiate that Rizal’s title
was deserving since without the La Liga
Filipina, Andres Bonifacio and his army would
have been non-existent.
Everything started with Rizal. Philippine Revolution
against Spain started what was known as the First
Republic led by Emilio Aguinaldo. For Rizal,
violence or armed resistance only as a last resort
and considered the restoration of the people’s
dignity as a justification means of achieving
national liberation and self-rule. On the other
hand, Filipinos are also grateful to Andres
Bonifacio’s legacy, his advocacy to an armed
revolution. We credit both Rizal and Bonifacio to
have awakened the Filipino’s patriotic spirit
 WHY STUDY RIZAL?  
• BECAUSE OF THE LESSONS CONTAINED WITHIN
THE COURSE
• Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
mandates all the Higher Education Institutions
(HEI) through CHED Memorandum Order 59
series of 1996 and CHED Memorandum Order
20 series of 2013 the teaching of Philippine
History and Rizal course as part of the General
Education Curriculum.
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.
 Rizal’s ideals
• Rizal believed that the youth is the hope of
our future.
• His sense of patriotism that showed the world
what a Filipino like him can do amidst tyranny
and abuse.
• Pen as mightier than the sword
 GROUP ACTIVITY

• Are the ideals of Jose Rizal still relevant to our

present society?
 In conclusion……

Jose Rizal’s works and

achievements during the
Spanish period inspired the
hearts and minds of the
Filipinos.
 In conclusion……
He is a man who has a passion in
serving the country, a brilliant mind to
inspire his fellowmen and nationalistic
ideals and principles that liberated the
minds of our forefathers which pave
them the way towards freedom.
 In conclusion……
Jose Rizal, our national hero, was one
of the reasons why every Filipino
should be proud of. It is not because of
his genius mind but it was his sense of
patriotism that showed the world
what a Filipino like him can do amidst
tyranny and abuse.
He will always be a great
example to every young
Filipino.
 References:

• http
://drjoserizal.weebly.com/the-choosing-of-riza
l-as-our-national-hero.html
• http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/20
11/08/why-study-rizal.html

http://www.joserizal.com/jose-rizal-national-h
ero/
• http://www.joserizal.ph/bg01.html
•