Topic 6

Rizal as seen in Today's Society

Rizal in the lens of society
 INTERVIEW

We interviewed people in different age brackets on what they know about

Dr. Jose Rizal’s works, as well as how he has influenced other people and
how he is seen in today’s society.
Rizal as a vital part of our national identity
 Rizal as a part of our national identity

Jose Rizal is often regarded as the "Father of Filipino Nationalism" and the
not because he helped form an independent Philippine state, but because he
was the "first Filipino." He was essential in the establishment of the notion of
"Filipino" as an ethnopolitical collective – as "a people," or, in the language of
nationalism, "the people." In other terms, Rizal has been dubbed the "Father
of Philippine Nationalism" for his intellectual and idealistic advocacy for
Philippine independence
Rizal’s image in media and films
 Jose Rizal:
Ang Buhay Ng Isang Bayani (1996)

Directed by Butch Nolasco and starring Pen

Medina and Joonee Gamboa. The movie is
presented as a documentary with a historian
narrating the events, intercut with reenactment of
scenes from Rizal’s life.
 Rizal Sa Dapitan (1997)

This award-winning movie was directed by Tikoy

Aguiluz, with the screenplay written by Jose F.
Lacaba, and co-written/produced by Vic Torres,
Noel Vera, Lualhati Bautista, Mirana Medina-
Bhunjun, and Tikoy Aguiluz. It stars Albert
Martinez as Dr. Jose Rizal and Amanda Page as his
wife Josephine Bracken.
 Jose Rizal (1998)

Out of late director Marilou Diaz Abaya’s brilliant

mind came Jose Rizal, a biographical retelling of
Rizal’s plight while imprisoned under Spanish
authorities. Jose Rizal stars Cesar Montano as Jose
Rizal, Jaime Fabregas as Luis Taviel de Andrade,
and Gardo Versoza as Andres Bonifacio.
 Bayaning 3rd World (1999)

Directed Mike de Leon and written by De Leon and

Clodualdo del Mundo Jr., The story is told through
a series of supposed interviews with his friends,
family, and finally Rizal himself. The film stars
Ricky Davao and Cris Villanueva as the
investigative reporters conducting the interviews,
and Joel Torre as Dr. Jose Rizal.
 Jose Rizal:
The First Hero (2012)

Presented as a web documentary, Jose Rizal: The

First Hero was directed by Paolo Abella, written by
Christian Vallez and Jonathan Guillermo, and
produced by Jourdan Sebastian. Through a series
of discussions with prominent authors, educations,
and historians, the film explores Rizal’s
revolutionary pursuits, values, and mindset
against an oppressive society that has initially
lauded him as anything but a hero.
The Commercialization of Rizal
Jose Rizal and other heroes have a long and colorful history as a product
shill, dating back to the early 1900s. The circumstances surrounding their
appearance on cigarette wrappers (for example) is interesting; at a
certain point they were implicit forms of protesting the American empire.

As we know, the history of tobacco in the Philippines is long and

complicated: From the establishment of the Tobacco Monopoly, to
localized uprisings driven by the unfair continuation of the monopoly, to
the Philippine’s status as one of the top cigar and cigarette producing
countries in the world during the 19th and early 20th century.
By the start of the 20th century, Rizal was a frequent figure
appearing on boxes of cigars, liquor and even on gambling tickets.
Places that Commemorate Rizal
Rizal Shrine (Calamba)
The shrine’s lawn is where you can visit the remains
of Rizal’s parents, Teodora and Francisco, as well as
the statues of young Rizal and his dog Verguenza
created to commemorate Rizal’s centennial death
anniversary.

Address: Poblacion, Calamba, Laguna

Rizal Monument (Calamba)
The monument was created to commemorate the
150th birthday of Rizal and is the second tallest
Rizal statue in the world, which stands at 43 feet.
The statue depicts Rizal holding a book in his right
hand. The height of the statue symbolizes the 22
dialects and languages he can speak, and the 15-step
stairway represents 15 decades.

Address: The Plaza, Calamba, Laguna

Rizal Park
Luneta Park is one of the most iconic places in the
country. Known as the place where Rizal was
executed by firing squad, it features the hero’s
monument that stands at 42 feet. Beside the
monument is a black granite wall inscribed with
Rizal’s ‘Mi Ultimo Adios’ (My Last Farewell) and
tableaux statues made of bronze portraying his last
moments.

Address: Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila

Dapitan
The Rizal Park and Shrine or Jose Rizal Memorial Protected
Landscape is where José Rizal was exiled from 1892-1896. At
present, this site includes Rizaliana Museum, statues of Rizal and
Ferdinand Blumentritt, and letters and clothes of Rizal.
There’s also a collection of reconstructed nipa huts originally built by Rizal:

Casa Residencia, which served as Rizal’s residence where his mother and
sisters also stayed during their visit;

Casa Redonda that served as quarters of Rizal’s students;

Casa Cuadrada, which served as workshop and secondary dormitory for

Rizal’s students;

and Casitas de Salud, which served as health houses.

Address: Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

Celebration in Honor of Rizal
 Rizal Day
On December 30, the whole nation observes the death anniversary of
our great national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. This is to commemorate the
nationalism and martyrdom of Rizal which is highlighted by the
raising of the Philippine flag and wreath laying-ceremonies at the
Luneta Park, Rizal Shrine in Calamba and Zamboanga and Rizal
Monument in Baguio City. Another reason for Rizal day is to bring the
Filipinos together as they immortalize Rizal and his significance in
contemporary times
Actions taken to maintain Rizal
and his work’s relevance
 Rizal’s Concept of Education

Rizal always considered education as a medicine or something that could

cure the problems of Colonial Philippines. He asserted that reform can
not be achieved if there is no suitable education available to Filipinos.
Rizal taught the youth of his time
how to read, write in foreign
languages, geography, math &
geometry, industrial work, natural
study, morals and gymnastics
 How are Rizal’s ideals and educational
philosophy upheld in our modern society?
 RA 1425

The Rizal Law, a.k.a RA 1425, mandates the study of Rizal’s life and
works. This Republic Act calls for an increased sense of nationalism from
the Filipinos during a time of a dwindling Filipino identity.
 The act was sponsored by Senator Claro M. Recto. RA 1425,

was signed by former President Ramon Magsaysay,

and then President Fidel V. Ramos ordered

the Commission on Higher Education to fully implement the Rizal Law.
How has the implementation of RA 1425 helped
in maintaining Rizal’s works relevant today?
It made Rizal’s works , primarily Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, a staple in a
filipino student’s academic life. Making it
so that students are at the very least,
familiar with Rizal’s teachings and ideals.
How are the ideas present in Rizal’s duology
viewed and analyzed by the masses?
Are they still relevant even after a century?
Rizal’s commentary of the wealthy and
how it contrasts with the poor can still be
seen today in our countries' class division
and economic disparity.
Characters in Rizal’s works are often used
as tools for social commentary . Each
serving as vessels for criticism of the
Spanish rule.
End of Presentation