Lesson 3: Rizal as a Symbol
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. differentiate the historical Rizal from the symbolic
Rizal;
2. analyze photos of Rizal as a signs and symbols; and
3. assess the significance of symbols in strengthening
national solidarity and sense of community
RIZAL
HERO
SOCIAL
CONSTRUCT
WISH:
buried in earth, Paang Bundok (North
Cemetery)
with stone and cross at the top
name, date of birth and death
fence that would mark his grave
no anniversary celebration must be
conducted
Nothing was achieved in the will!
wish: buried in Paang Bundok
Now:
buried first in Paco Cemetery,
then beneath his monument in
Luneta on December 30, 1912
wish: stone marker
Now:
the nation granted him a stone
monument
wish: fence
now:
fence not grave, but a big park
which became a tourist spot for
travellers and meeting place for
lovers
wish: no anniversary celebration
now:
the whole nation commemorates his death every
year with full military honor.
Q:
How many Rizals do we have or appeared in the course
of history?
First
Historic Rizal who lived and died in 19th century
born and raised in Calamba, Laguna
studied in Ateneo and abroad
published Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
founded La Liga Filipina
Martyr of Bagumbayan
Second: Symbolic
the Rizal we have today
Rizal in Luneta
in one peso coin, in postage stamps,in t-shirts...
a text open to many
Rizal as Text, Sign and Symbol
Text
anything that can be read, interpreted and analyzed
Two types of text
sign
symbol
now:
the whole nation commemorates his death every
year with full military honor.
Sign
represent a fixed reality and posits itself as a means
of portraying that reality
“closed” text, means that the freedom to create
meaning is being monopolized
a readerly text, (meaning is predetermined)
example: peso sign and wet road sign
Symbol
conveys meaning not only about itself but about
cultural processes and relationships
“open”, ( interpretation may be valid)
a writerly text, ( the reader is in the position of
control and and takes an active role in cosntructing
meaning)
Q:
What is the difference between Historic Rizal and
symbolic Rizal?
