THE RIZAL LAW, LITERATURE AND SOCIETY

THE RIZAL LAW OR REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

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.
Main Proponent: Senator Claro M. Recto
Approved: June 12, 1956
Published in the official Gazette , Vol. 52. N0.6 p.2971 June 1956
 THE RIZAL LAW OR REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

The Senate committee on Education sponsored a

bill co-written by both Jose P. Laurel and Claro M.
Recto.

Opposition to the Bill:

Francisco Soc Rodrigo
Mariano Jesus Cuenco
Decoroso Rosales
 THE RIZAL LAW OR REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

The school is recognized as powerful agent of

cultural transmission, RA 1425 or Rizal law was
finally passed only in 1956 sixty years after Jose
Rizal’s death

Opposing views and conflicting interests made the

passage of Rizal Bill (Senate Bill 448) difficult.
 THE RIZAL LAW OR REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

The law requires the teaching of the Rizal course in

college and orders the reproduction and reading of
the unexpurgated versions of two novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The law has made
the reading of both novels obligatory.
 THE RIZAL LAW OR REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

The Life, Works and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal is

the only mandated – legislated, three unit course in
college.
 THE RIZAL LAW OR REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

May 12, 1956 a compromise inserted by Committee

chairman Jose P. Laurel accommodated the
objectives of Catholic church.

The bill specified that only college students would

have the option of reading the unexpurgated
versions of Rizal’s novel.
THE DIFFERENCE OF ORIGINAL AND REVISED VERSION OF BILL

 Original Bill  Revised Version

1. Reading of Noli Me 1. Not compulsory

Tangere and El
Filibusterismo
2. There was a preamble and
2. No preamble purposes
 THE DIFFERENCE OF ORIGINAL AND REVISED VERSION OF BILL

3. Original and 3. expurgated

unexpurgated version
should be the basis of
teaching Rizal

4. Specific that all private

4. This is not mentioned in
and public schools not
the revised bill
implementing this law
should be punished
 THE DIFFERENCE OF ORIGINAL AND REVISED VERSION OF BILL

5. Limited only to Noli Me 5. Noli Me Tangere, El

Tangere and El Filibusterismo and all
Filibusterismo writings of Dr, Jose Rizal
 THE RIZAL LAW OR REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

Discussion Question:

1. Identify the differences between the original bill

and Laurel’s version of the bill. Why does
Schumacher consider the passage of Laurel’s
version a face saving compromise, while other
considered it a victory for the Catholic church.
SALIENT POINTS OF RIZAL LAW

There is a need to give utmost importance to

the ideals of freedom, nationalism and
patriotism through an understanding of the
works and Life of Dr. Jose Rizal. Since the
schools, among other institution in society, are
in the best position to carry this out, the
compulsory course on Rizal in college is seen
a must.
THE RIZAL LAW AND PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
 THE RIZAL LAW AND PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Literature is a reflection of the society is a fact

that has been widely acknowledged. Literature
indeed reflects the society, its good values and its
ills. In its corrective function, literature mirrors the
ills of the society with a view to making the society
realize its mistakes and make amends.  It also
projects the virtues or good values in the society for
people to emulate.
 THE RIZAL LAW AND PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Literature, as an imitation of human action, often

presents a picture of what people think, say and do
in the society. In literature, we find stories designed
to portray human life and action through some
characters who, by their words, action and reaction,
convey certain messages for the purpose of
education, information and entertainment.
 THE RIZAL LAW AND PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

What is the relationship between literature and society?

How does one learn “Patriotism” and “Nationalism” from
literature?

Based on Caroline S. Hau (2000) literary analysis. How do

Rizal’s novel teach patriotism? What would reading the
novels enable the reader to grasp? Why is there learning of
patriotism from these novels a complicated process or
what is the “danger” inherent in reading Rizal novels?
 THE RIZAL LAW AND PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

First. we have to consider that Rizal novel is a piece of literature.

Then as a literature the student have to situate themselves to the

novel, the situation and characters.

The novel should be read in Philippine literature nationalistic

content and realistic detection.

The book should be read as a realistic intervention in the

tradition.
 THE RIZAL LAW AND PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

If we teach history in truthful manner we develop

the nationalism and patriotism. The reason why
Rizal annotated Morga’s work and the truth
exposition of Philippine society in his novel.

Appreciate the content and the situation during the

time the novel was written.
 THE RIZAL LAW AND PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

What is the “danger” or Hazard in Translation?

- You lose the true meaning along the way.

- Grasping the meaning.
- Biases of the author in relating the actual
situation.
- Creating the comparison
- Existence of heterogenous interpretation
 THE RIZAL LAW AND PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Translation should be truthful in words and in

action.
 WHAT IS “EXCESS” IN LITERATURE?

A term used in the book to refer to the

heterogeneous elements – “the people” the
indigenous, the Chinese, the political error that
inform but also exceed nationalist attempt and for
group intellectually an politically the complex
realism to work in Philippine society.
 WHAT IS “EXCESS” IN LITERATURE?

Example of “excess” in relation to Rizal’s novel.

There are many colonial aspects which are not

mentioned or stated in the novel and they are the
excess in literature. It does not depict the entire
indigenous communities to cover the presentation
of people in the story
 WHAT IS “EXCESS” IN LITERATURE?

How does excess limit literature and complicate the

learning of patriotism from the novel.

You cannot expose the reality to move for social

transformation with the presence of excess.