MODULE 1 GECLIF ( Introduction to the Rizal course: RA 1425 )

TIME ALLOTMENT 1 Week

INSTRUCTOR Samuel H. Herrera Jr.
FACEBOOK Samuel H. Herrera Jr. or Samuel H. Herrera Jr. Realty Services FB Page
EMAIL shjrherrera_poet@yahoo.com or samuel.herrera@chmsc.edu.ph
CELL NUMBER 09195694987 or 09150336327 or (034)-2131461

I. OVERVIEW
As mandated by Republic Act 1425, this course covers the life and works of the country’s
national hero, Jose Rizal. Among the topics covered are Rizal’s biography and his writings,
particularly the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, some of his essays, and various
correspondences. It traces the hero’s life, ideals, concept of education, good government and
nationalism as embodied in his novels. It relates also to the socio – political situation of the
Philippines during his time and its implication to our present time.

II. TARGETED COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME

CLO 2 Analyze the impact of Rizal’s life in relation to his contribution on the socio-political situation
of
the Philippines then and the present time (GO6.6)
CLO 3 Critically understand Rizal’s heroism and realize the significance of his ideas in the present
time
(GO6.7)

III. TARGETED TOPIC LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of the module you should have:
1. Identify the different statutes that are the bases of the Rizal course.
2. Understand the objectives behind the promulgation/creation of the Rizal law.
3. Discuss the controversies surrounding the approval an implementation of the Rizal law
course.

IV. TEACHING-LEARNING ACTIVITIES

A. ENGAGE
Concept Diagnosis Activity. Make a two column chart and write all ideas or concepts that are
related to the main topic (Dr. Jose P. Rizal) and with category of Rizal’s Family and Rizal’s Places
Visited on each column. Then, grouped these ideas or concepts according to the commonalities to
each category provided per column. Give at least five related ideas or concepts that appropriate fits
in the description on each column.

Main Topic:_Dr. Jose P. Rizal__

Title:_Dr. Rizal’s Title:_Dr. Rizal’s Places Visited
Family
1. Paciano Rizal 1. Spain
2. Saturnina Hidalgo 2. San Francisco, California
3. Josefa Mercado 3. England
4. Teodora Alonzo Realonda 4. Hongkong
 5. Francisco Mercado 5. Japan

Source: https://sites.google.com/site/joserizalournationalhero/rizal-s-family
https://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/articles/the-travels-of-rizal/#:~:text=From%20Hong
%20Kong%2C%20Rizal%20traveled,the%20landscape%20in%20his%20diary

B. EXPLORE

Conduct a online research on who are the supporters (Pro) and oppositions (Anti) of the Senate
Bill No. 448 which became Republic Act No. 1425 and their reasons behind the support or
objections.

The following are the Pro or Supporters of RA 1425: Claro M. Recto, Jose P. Laurel, Lorenzo
Taňada, Quentin Paredes, Domocao Alonto of Mindanao, Arsenio Lacson, Emilio Aguinaldo, Public
Schools Teachers Association, Philippine Veterans Legion and Rep. Pedro Lopez of Cebu.
The following are the Anti or Opposition of RA 1425: Catholic Church, Senator Soc Rodrigo,
Archbishop Rufino Santos, Senators Decoroso Rosales and Mariano Cuenco.

Senate bill 438 known as Rizal Bill which was first authored by Senator Claro M. Recto –
requiring the inclusion in the curricula of all private and public schools, colleges and universities the
life, works and writings of Jose Rizal particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo –
is considered as one of the most controversial bills in the Philippines.
Recto and Laurel defended the bill and argued that the only objective of the bill is to keep
the memory of the national hero alive in every Filipino’s mind, to emanate Rizal as he peacefully
fought for freedom, and not to go against religion. Senators Lorenzo Taňada, Quentin Paredes,
Domocao Alonto of Mindanao, Emilio Aguinaldo, Public Schools Teachers Association, and
Philippine Veterans Legion also supported the bill.  Pedro López, who hails from Cebu, Mariano
Cuenco's province, in his support for the bill, reasoned out that it was in their province the
independence movement started, when Lapu-Lapu fought Ferdinand Magellan.
During the 1955 Senate election, the church charged Recto with being a communist and an
anti-Catholic. Catholic Church opposes the bill due to the inclusion of compulsory reading of Rizal’s
novels in which according to them, catholic dogmas are humiliated. The Senate Committee on
Education sponsored a bill co-written by both José P. Laurel and Recto, with the only opposition
coming from Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Mariano Jesús Cuenco, and Decoroso Rosales. The Archbishop
of Manila, Rufino Santos, protested in a pastoral letter that Catholic students would be affected if
compulsory reading of the unexpurgated version were pushed through. Rizal, according to Cuenco,
"attack[ed] dogmas, beliefs and practices of the Church. The assertion that Rizal limited himself to
castigating undeserving priests and refrained from criticizing, ridiculing or putting in doubt dogmas
of the Catholic Church, is absolutely gratuitous and misleading."

Source:
https://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno1425.html#.YCJwUegzbIU
https://dimasalang.weebly.com/ra-1425.html
 C. EXPLAIN

Please read carefully the informational text or instructional materials and other instructions
provided by the Instructor.

THE MAKING OF THE RIZAL LAW

Bill 448 met with opposition from three senators, namely: Decoroso Rosales, Mariano
Cuenco and Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo. For them, requiring the teaching of Rizal in schools would be a
violation of religious freedom. In defense of Bill 448, Congressman Joaquin Roces asserted that
compulsion should be applied since this was also employed by Spanish colonizers to suppress the
development of the Philippines as a nation. The lengthy deliberations in the Congress brought
about a compromise.
Rep. Arturo Tolentino later delivered a speech calling for unity among lawmakers and
among Filipinos. Senator Rodrigo who earlier opposed the bill was convinced of its wisdom with the
inclusion of “freedom and nationalism.”
Thus, Bill 448 eventually became R.A. No. 1425, also known as the Rizal Law, was passed on
June 12, 1956.

Rizal Law ( R.A. 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.

What the Rizal Law imposes

1. It requires the reading of the unexpurgated versions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo and authorizes their printing and distributions.
2. It mandates schools to keep adequate copies of the twin novels and Rizal’s other works
which will be included in the list of approved books for required reading.
3. It authorizes the National Board of Education to direct the translation of Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo including Rizal’s other popular edition.
4. It provides that while the teaching of Rizal as a subject is required, the doctrine of the
separation of the church and the state is upheld.

Objective of the Rizal Law

1. To promote nationalism and patriotism among the youth.
2. The twin novels, Noli and Fili – as constant and inspiring source
a. appreciate the country and its people
b. develop a sense of dedication to the ideals of freedom
c. honor the heroes who fought for it, particularly Rizal.
3. To respond to the need to eradicate colonial mentality.
D. ELABORATE
 Write at least one reason behind the provisions of RA 1425 and its relevance today as a Filipino
citizen and a student.
Jose Rizal’s vast role to attain our nation’s freedom had resulted to the issuance of the
Republic Act No. 1425 on June 12, 1956. It would seem that he is advocating the various
reforms of a transitional period that would contribute to the peaceful, steady progress of the
acquisition of independence, and that greatly describes as to who we are today, and I think
that its impact greatly influence us as a Filipino citizen and as a student. He considers violent
revolution a last resort to be empowered. This Republic Act calls for an increased sense of
nationalism from the Filipinos, during a time of dwindling Filipino identity.  

Salient Points of the Rizal Law

There is need to give utmost importance to the ideals of “freedom”, “nationalism” and
“patriotism” through an understanding of the works and life of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. It was only in 1969
when Rizal was specifically ordered to be a regular three-unit course and a requisite for graduation
by then Education Secretary Carlos P. Romulo.
E. EVALUATE

Write an essay about your personal stand on the provisions of RA 1425.

The Republic Act was signed by the President on June 12, 1956. From the notes preceding the body
of the document, one may infer that the bill was originally proposed in the Legislative arm of
the Philippine Republic, in the Senate and House of Representatives. According to the Official
Gazette, the law was made effective thirty days after its implementation. The mere fact that
the Act was passed on the date of our independence seeks to stir up a greater sense of fervor
in the Filipino, to believe in their own country and national identity—who we are as a nation.
It was this time when the Philippines was heavily dependent on the American government for
support and guidance. Also, based on the fact that Jose Rizal is honored by the Philippines as
the Philippine national hero, it is but appropriate that the document written to commemorate
his accomplishments is written here, in the land of his birth.
The Rizal Law would benefit the Filipino youth in acquiring certain traits such as courage and
determination through Rizal’s example of patriotism which can strengthen nation building and
Filipino identity. Studying the life, works and writings of Rizal also may serve as an
encouragement to every Filipino to have nationalism and to cherish the freedom which
wouldn’t be possible without the national heroes especially Jose Rizal.

V. EVALUATION

1. Write a reaction paper on the reasons behind the provisions of RA 1425 and its relevance
today as a Filipino citizen and a student, as well as your personal stand on the provisions of RA
1425.
2. Complete Concept Diagnosis activity and other activities provided by the Instructor.
3. Conduct online research.