REPUBLIC ACT 1425 - RIZAL LAW (PPT #1) O The Board of National Education is hereby

authorized and directed to adopt forthwith

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL
measures to implement and carry out the
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND
provisions of this Section, including the
UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND
writing and printing of appropriate primers,
WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS
readers and textbooks. The Board shall,
NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO,
within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of
AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION
this Act promulgate rules and regulations,
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
including those of an disciplinary nature, to
O Whereas, today, more than any other period carry out and enforce the provisions of this
of our history, there is a need for a re- Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and
dedication to the ideals of freedom and regulations providing for the exemption of
nationalism for which our heroes lived and students for reasons of religious belief stated
died; in a sworn written statement, from the
requirement of the provision contained in the
O Whereas, it is meet that in honoring them,
second part of the first paragraph of this
particularly the national hero and patriot,
section; but not from taking the course
Jose Rizal, we remember with special
provided for in the first part of said
fondness and devotion their lives and works
paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall
that have shaped the national character;
take effect thirty (30) days after their
O Whereas, the life, works and writings of Jose publication in the Official Gazette.
Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere
O SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all
and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and
schools, colleges and universities to keep in
inspiring source of patriotism with which the
their libraries an adequate number of copies
minds of the youth, especially during their
of the original and unexpurgated editions of
formative years in school, should be suffused;
the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as
O Whereas, all educational institutions are well as of Rizal’s other works and biography.
under the supervision of, and subject to
O The said unexpurgated editions of the
regulation by the State, and all schools are
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their
enjoined to develop moral character,
translations in English as well as other
personal discipline, civic conscience and to
writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of
teach the duties of citizenship;
approved books for required reading in all
O Be it enacted by the Senate and House of public or private schools, colleges and
Representatives of the Philippines in Congress universities.The Board of National Education
assembled: shall determine the adequacy of the number
of books, depending upon the enrollment of
O SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works the school, college or university.
and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his
novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, O SECTION 3. The Board of National Education
shall be included in the curricula of all shall cause the translation of the Noli Me
schools, colleges and universities, public and Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other
private; provided that in the collegiate writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and
courses, the original or unexpurgated editions principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be
of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause
or their English translation shall be used as them to be distributed, free of charge, to
basic texts. persons desiring to read them, through the

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 Purok organizations and Barrio Councils especially Dr. Rizal, so that their lives and
throughout the country. works may teach the values of nationalism,
good conduct, self-discipline, and civic
O SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be
mindedness to the Filipino children in their
construed as amending or repealing section
formative years.
nine hundred twenty-seven of the
Administrative Code, prohibiting the  In short, the 3-unit course on Rizal shall be
discussion of religious doctrines by public required for graduation in all collegiate
school teachers and other persons engaged in courses in all schools, colleges and
any public school. universities, public and private etc.

O SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred Rizal-The National Hero

thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be To die is a fact of life. But if the person’s
appropriated out of any fund not otherwise characteristics, his dreams and works can stand
appropriated in the National Treasury to carry the test of time, his life can be an example for the
out the purpose of this Act. generations to come. He is worthy to be honored.
Even some of our heroes have respect for him.
O Section 6. This Act shall take effect upon its
Rizal was highly regarded by Filipino leaders
approval.
because of his works and characteristics, his edge
APPROVED, JUNE 12, 1956. over the other heroes.
Pres. Ramon Magsaysay
 Commissioner William Howard Taft, together
House Bill No. 556l
with the members of the Second Philippine
Senate Bill No. 438.
Commission, decided to choose the national
hero. Because of the ADMIRATION FOR RIZAL
by the Filipinos and people from other
What is LIWORIZ as a course ? (PPT #2)
countries, the Second Philippine Commission
 The 3-Unit Course on the Life, Works and decided that it is proper that Rizal be the
Writings of Jose Rizal national hero.

 Rizal-The Law Criteria

According to Dr. H. Otley Beyer, there were
Republic Act 1425, or the Rizal Law, was passed on four criteria used for choosing the national hero:
June 12, 1956 and signed into law by the late Pres. (1) a Filipino; (2) someone who is dead; (3)
Ramon Magsaysay. Authored by then Senator Jose P. someone who has unconditional love for the
Laurel, Sr., the law was enacted by the National country; and (4)someone who was
Commission on Education on August 16, 1956. compassionate and peace-loving.
 The law states that the curriculum of all There were five who came out as nominees”
public and private schools in the country Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez-Jaena,
must include the life, works and writings of General Antonio Luna, Emilo Jacinto and Dr. Jose
Rizal, specifically “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Rizal.
Filibusterismo”; and consequently the
publication and circulation of the above- Marcelo del Pilar was the winner, according to
mentioned works. the votes. But upon knowing that the life and
death of del Pilar was not as colorful as Rizal’s,
 The law wishes to inculcate in the hearts and the decision was reversed.
minds of the Filipinos the values of freedom
and nationalism, the very reason of Rizal’s
death. It also aims to honor other heroes,

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 The Perfect Plot  A hero “is a prominent or central personage
taking an admirable part in any remarkable
 His being a martyr of Bagumbayan may
action or event.” Also, “a person of
arouse feelings of nationhood and love for
distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or
country. This was why Rizal was chosen as the
fortitude in suffering.” And finally, “he is a
national hero. Second, Dr. Rizal was peace-
man honored after death by public worship,
loving. He wanted reforms, but not through
because of exceptional service to mankind.”
bloody revolutions. We have had soldiers and
warriors who have fought with all their might,  Rizal is our greatest hero because, as a
but Filipinos are generally peaceful and peace- towering figure in the Propaganda Campaign,
loving. Third, Filipinos are sentimental. If they he took an admirable part in that movement
are to read a life-story, they want the hero to covering the period from 1882 to 1896.
be kind-hearted, an under-dog. It is easier for Another reason: “Because he is a man
them to empathize with the hero. The death honored after death by public worship,
of Rizal, from Bagumbayan to Paco, where he because of his exceptional service to
was laid to rest, is a perfect plot. mankind.”

 “The pen is mightier than the sword.” by Sir FAITH ACCOMPLI/ HAS BEEN DECIDED
Thomas Browne
 Granting for the sake of argument that the
 Meaning: The pen is mightier and more Taft Commission chose Rizal out of the several
powerful than the sword. This quotation is great Filipinos as the number one hero of his
applicable to the role played by Dr. Rizal in people, still we can say that what the
our libertarian struggle. “Scholars are men of Commission did was merely to confirm a sort
peace; they bear no arms, but their tongues of faith accompli, and that was that Jose
are sharper than the sword; their pens carry Rizal had already been acclaimed by his
further and give a louder report than thunder. countrymen and the scientific world as the
I had rather stand in the shock of a basilisk foremost hero and martyr of the land of his
than in the fury of a merciless pen”. And birth. We can say that even before his
finally, “Take away the sword, states can be execution, Rizal was already acclaimed by
saved without it; bring the pen!” both Filipinos and foreigners as the foremost
leader of his people.
LASTING EFFECT
HE HAD IT IN HIM
 While the bolo of Andres Bonifacio was after
all needed to shake off the yoke of a foreign Again, for the last time: Who made Rizal the
power; the revolution prepared by Bonifacio foremost hero of the Philippines? The answer is:
was only the effect, the consequence of the no single person or groups of persons were
spiritual redemption wrought by the pen of responsible for making Rizal the number one hero
Rizal. ….the previous work of Rizal seem to us of his people. Rizal himself, his own people, and
superior to that of Bonifacio, because the foreigners all together contributed to make
although that of Bonifacio was of immediate him the greatest hero and martyr of his people.
results, that of Rizal will have more durable No amount of adulation and canonization by both
and permanent effects.” Filipinos and foreigners could convert Rizal into a
great hero if he did not possess in himself
MEANING OF THE TERM HERO
“excellent qualities and merits
 Who made Rizal the foremost national hero
of the Philippines?

 Why is Rizal our greatest national hero?

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RIZAL LAW HISTORICAL CONTEXT (PPT #3) RIGHT AFTER WORLD WAR 2 SOCIO-HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND
OPPOSITION TO THE ORIGINAL RIZAL BILL
6. THE PHILIPPINES WAS RUINED BY WORLD
1. PRESENTS A NEGATIVE IMAGE OF THE
WAR 2
CATHOLIC CHURCH
a. ECONOMY WAS DEVASTATED AND
2. CONTAINS MESSAGES THAT ARE NOT INFRASTRUCTURES WERE REDUCE TO RUBBLE
BEFITTING TO THE PRESENT TIME
b. FIGHTS FOR PERSONAL SURVIVAL
POLITICAL BACKGROUND
c. RAMPANT CRIME, OPPORTUNISM, AND
1. PHILIPPINES HAD JUST GAINED ITS CORRUPTION
INDEPENDENCE FROM USA ON JULY 4, 1946
7. DISREGARD TO MUTUAL SUPPORT,
2. USA STRONG INFLUENCE ON THE COMRADESHIP, AND SELF SACRIFICE
PHILIPPINES’ POLITICAL AND SOCIAL LIFE
8. TEACHINGS AND IDEALS OF RIZAL WERE
a. LOCAL POLITICIANS CAMPAIGN CONFIDENTLY VAGUE AND FADING AWAY
WITH CAUCASION LOOKING MEN TO WIN
9. PREVALENCE OF SUPERTITIONS AND LITERAL
ECONOMIC BACKGROUND INTERPRETATION OF RELIGIOUS DOCTRINES
3. FREE TRADE WITH USA UNDER BELL TRADE AGAINST LOGIC AND REASON
ACT OF 1947 10. CHURCH CONTROL OVER AGRICULTURAL
a. CRAVING FOR ‘STATESIDE’ LANDS AND ISSUE OF ABUSES BY SOME
PRIESTS
b. NEGLECT OF LOCAL PRODUCTS AND
INDUSTRIES OPPOSITION FROM THE ALLIES OF THE CATHOLIC
CHURCH
MILITARY BACKGROUND
ARGUMENTS OF THE CHURCH
4. GRANTING OF PARITY RIGHTS AND MILITARY
BASES • FORCED YOUNG STUDENTS TO READ RIZAL’S
WORKS WITH RELIGIOUS INSINUATIONS
a. IMMUNITY OF THE AMERICANS TO
PHILIPPINE LAWS • VIOLATED CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOM OF
RELIGION AND THE FREEDOM OF
b. LOYALTY TO USA IN FIGHTING WORLD CONSCIENCE
COMMUNISM
CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS
c. FOUNDING OF SEATO AS A GLOBAL
NETWORK AGAINST COMMUNISM IN • ACCION CATOLICO
SOUTHEAST ASIA • KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
d. HUKBONG MAPAGPALAYA NG BAYAN • CONGREGATION OF THE MISSION
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND • CATHOLIC TEACHERS GUILD
4. PUBLIC SCHOOL BOOKS GLORIFY HEROES LIKE • FOREIGN PRIESTS AND NUNS WHO
GEORGE WASHINGTON AND ABRAHAM ATTENDED THE HEARINGS IN CONGRESS
LINCOLN WHILE THE LIKES OF ARTEMIO
RICARTE AND MACARIO SAKAY WERE • * INTERFERENCE OF THE CHURCH IN POLICY-
PORTRAYED AS TRAITOR AND BANDIT MAKING POWER OF THE STATE, BLATANT

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 FOREIGN INTERFERENCE BUT NEVER  IDEA OF HELL AGAINST THE CONCEPTS OF
ASSAULTED DIVINE JUSTICE AND THE DIVINE PURITY OF
GOODNESS
SENATOR FRANCISCO ‘SOC’ RODRIGO
 MANY OF PASSAGES WERE AGAINST THE
 BULAKEÑO, RELATED TO MARCELO H. DEL
SACRAMENTS OF BAPTISM, CONFESSION,
PILAR AND GREGORIO DEL PILAR
COMMUNION, HOLY MASS, THE DOCTRINE
 PLAYWRIGHT, LAWYER, BROADCASTER, OF INDULGENCES, PRAYERS, SERMONS,
SENATOR, MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL SACRAMENTAL AND BOOK OF PIETY
COMMISSION FOR FREEDOM CONSTITUTION
 RIDICULE DEVOTION TO VIRGIN MARY, THE
 GRADUATE OF UST, UP, AND ATENEO SAINTS, THE USE OF SCAPULARS, SAYING OF
THE ROSARY, NOVENAS, EJACULATION OR
 PRESIDENT OF ACCION CATOLICA
ASPIRATION AND ABSOLUTION PRAYERS
 SAID THAT HE WOULD READ RIZAL’S NOLI
 DENOUNCED THAT THE BOARD OF NATIONAL
AND EL FILI BUT HE WOULD NOT ALLOW HIS
EDUCATION IS GIVEN VERY WIDE POWER
TEENAGED SON TO READ THEM FOR IT WILL
AND ITS ACTIONS CANNOT BE REVIEWED BY A
HARM THE BOY’S FAITH
HIGHER BODY
 ASSERTED THAT FOOTNOTES BE INSERTED IN
 RAISED THE ISSUE OF STATE AUTHORITY
RIZAL’S SENTENCES TO CORRECT THE ERRORS
AGAINST INDIVIDUAL CONSTITUTIONAL
CONGRESSMAN MIGUEL CUENCO LIBERTIES THAT WILL UNDERMINE AND
“DESTROY OUR NATIONAL AUTHORITY”.
 VISAYAN LAWYER, JOURNALIST, LEGISLATOR
IN CEBU, EDUCATOR VARIOUS OPPOSIONISTS

 UST, YALE UNIVERSITY , HARVARD  FR. JESUS CAVANNA, CM

UNIVERSITY AND GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
 JESUS PAREDES
 ADMITTED THAT RIZAL IS A SYMBOL OF
 OTHER SPEAKERS, PRIESTS AND NUNS
NATIONAL UNITY AND HIS WRITINGS
CONTAIN PATRIOTISM AND NATIONALISM FR. JESUS CAVANNA,CM

 HE QUESTIONED RIZAL’S VIEWS,  FROM THE ORDER OF THE CONGREGATION

OPINIONS, AND THEORIES ATTACKING THE OF THE MISSIONS (VINCENTIANS)
DOGMAS, BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF
 AUTHOR OF "RIZAL'S UNFADING GLORY" IN
THE CHURCH
1956, A DOCUMENTARY OF JOSE RIZAL'S
 “GOD CANNOT PARDON A CRIME SIMPLY CONVERSION TO CATHOLICISM.
BECAUSE WE CONFESS IT TO A PRIESTS”
 DEFENDED RIZAL'S FAITH IN THE PHILIPPINE
 EARLY CHRISTIANS BELIEVED THERE WAS NO SENATE WHICH HAS SILENCED ALL DOUBTS
PURGATORY AND ITS EXISTENCE WAS ABOUT RIZAL BEING A CATHOLIC.
PROCLAIMED IN THE CHURCH COUNCIL OF
 THE NOVELS PAINTED A FALSE PICTURE OF
FLORENCE IN 1439
THE CONDITIONS OF THE COUNTRY IN THE
 IDEAS CAME FROM ZOROASTRIANISM 19TH CENTURY
(WORLD’S OLDEST RELIGION THAT FOLLOWS
 POINTED OUT THERE ARE 120 ANTI-CATHOLIC
MULTI-TENDENCY FAITH THAT FOLLOWS
STATEMENTS COMPARED TO 25
DUALISTIC IMPLICATION OF GOOD AND EVIL
NATIONALISTIC STATEMENTS
IN HUMAN LIFE)

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JESUS PAREDES CLARO M. RECTO, CHAMPION OF FILIPINO
NATIONALISM
 THE NOVELS CONTAIN OBJECTIONABLE
MATERIAL AND THE FILIPINOS HAVE THE  RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT TO DRAFT THE
RIGHT NOT TO READ THEM IN ORDER NOT TO PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION AND PERSONALLY
ENDANGER THEIR FAITH PRESENTED THE COMMONWEALTH
CONSTITUTION TO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
OTHER VIEWS
FOR HIS APPROVAL AND SIGNATURE.
 IT WAS GIVEN A POLITICAL COLOR WHEN ONE
 ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME
CLAIMED IT WAS TO PUNISH CATHOLIC
COURT,1935-1936.
VOTERS SINCE C.M. RECTO LOST IN HIS
PRESIDENTIAL BID AGAINST RAMON  GARNERED IN 1941 THE HIGHEST NUMBER
MAGSAYSAY OF VOTES AMONG THE 24 ELECTED
SENATORS.
 SENATOR CLARO M. RECTO, WAS ACCUSED
OF BEING AN ANTI-AMERICAN LEFTISTAND  APPOINTED COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION,
FELLOW TRAVELER ( COMMUNIST HEALTH AND PUBLIC WELFARE (1942-43)
SYMPATHIZER) WHO ADVOCATED THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
REMOVAL OF US BASES AND THE (1943-44) IN THE LAUREL WAR CABINET.
ABANDONMENT OF THE SPECIAL RELATIONS
 CHARGED WITH TREASON FOR
WITH THE USA
COLLABORATION WITH THE JAPANESE. HE
ARCHBISHOP OF MANILA, RUFINO SANTOS PLEADED NOT GUILTY AND PROVED THAT HE
HAD CONNECTIONS WITH THE
 PASTORAL LETTER CAME OUT WARNING
UNDERGROUND MOVEMENT. IN THE COURSE
ABOUT THE DISTANCING OF THE YOUTH
OF THE PREPARATION OF HIS DEFENSE, HE
FROM THE CHURCH IF THE BILL WAS
PUBLISHED TWO BOOKS, THREE YEARS OF
APPROVED.
ENEMY OCCUPATION AND THE LAW OF
 PRIESTS AND BISHOPS PREACHED AGAINST BELLIGERENT OCCUPATION. HE DID NOT TAKE
THE BILL IN MASSES AND RADIO ADVANTAGE OF THE AMNESTY ISSUED BY
PRES. MANUEL ROXAS TO COLLABORATORS
 PRIESTS ENCOURAGED THEIR PARISHIONERS
AND INSTEAD WORKED FOR AND GOT AN
TO WRITE THEIR CONGRESSMEN AND
ACQUITTAL FROM THE PEOPLE’ COURT.
SENATORS TO OPPOSE THE BILL. THE THREAT
OF LOSS OF SUPPORT WERE MADE TO  ELECTED SENATOR AND IN 1955, RAN AS
PERSUADE THE LAWMAKERS. LIBERAL PARTY “GUEST CANDIDATE” FOR
SENATOR AND WON THE SIXTH SLOT.
 BISHOPS THREATENED TO CLOSE DOWN ALL
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND  BID FOR PRESIDENCY IN 1957 BUT LOST TO
UNIVERSITIES IF THE BILL WILL BE APPROVED RAMON MAGSAYSAY.

DEFENDERS OF RIZAL LAW  ON AUGUST 24, 1960, APPOINTED CULTURAL

ENVOY WITH THE RANK OF AN AMBASSADOR
• VETERANOS DELA REVOLUCCION FILIPINA
EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTER
• ALAGAD NI RIZAL PLENIPOTENTIARY ON A CULTURAL MISSION
TO EUROPE AND LATIN AMERICA. BUT WHILE
• KNIGHTS OF THE GRAND ORDER OF RIZAL ON THIS MISSION HE SUFFERED A FATAL
• FREEMASONS HEART ATTACK IN ROME, ITALY ON OCTOBER
2, 1960. HE DIED AT SAN CAMILLO DE LELLIS
HOSPITAL, HIS WIFE BY HIS SIDE TO WHOM

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 HE UTTERED HIS LAST WORDS: “IT IS TERRIBLE  POINTED OUT THE ABUSES OF AN INDIVIDUAL
TO DIE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY”. CLERGY IS NOT REFLECTIVE OF THE ENTIRE
PARADOXICALLY, RECTO DIED IN A FOREIGN CHURCH
LAND AND HE’S GREAT LOVE FOR HIS
 HIS PAPER WAS SUPPRESSED AND HE HAD TO
MOTHERLAND REMAINED IN HIS HEART UP
OBEY HIS SUPERIOR
TO HIS LAST BREATH.
AFTER A STANDOFF
 “SO LONG AS OUR ECONOMIC POLICIES
REMAIN DEPENDENT PRIMARILY ON FOREIGN  SUBSTITUTE BILL WAS FILED, REPUBLIC ACT
“AID” AND INVESTMENTS, AND OUR POLICY- 1426
MAKERS REMAIN HABITUAL YES-MEN OF
 AUTHORED BY SENATOR JOSE P. LAUREL AND
FOREIGN ADVISORS, THIS “AID,” INVESTMENT
INCORPORATED THE PROPOSALS OF
AND ADVICE, WILL BE DIRECTED TOWARD
SENATORS ROSSELLER LIM AND EMMANUEL
THE RETENTION OF THE ECONOMIC STATUS
PELAEZ
QUO.”
– Claro M. Recto (1890-1960)  COMPROMISE BILL ALLOWING THE STUDENT
TO SEEK EXEMPTION FROM READING RIZAL’S
 ADVOCATE OF NATIONALIST CHANGE
WORKS BUT NOT THE TAKING OF THE
INSTEAD OF SUBSERVIENCE TO NEOCOLONIAL
COURSE
AMERICANS
 PROVISION OF FUNDS FOR THE PUBLICATION
 TO SENATOR SOC RODRIGO - REMAINED
AND DISTRIBUTION OF RIZAL’S WORKS
UNCOMPROMISING AND REMINDED THE
SENATOR OF THE LONG HISTORY OF CHURCH  IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS
DOMINATION IN THE PHILIPPINES WERE PREPARED BY THE NATIONAL
HISTORICAL INSTITUTE ONLY IN 2001,
 TO BISHOPS – HE DARED THEM ON THEIR
REPUBLIC ACT 1425.
THREATS SEEING IT AS AN EMPTY CHALLENGE
FOR THE SCHOOLS ARE MAJOR SOURCE OF Why not both of them? Rizal and Bonifacio (PPT #4)
INCOME AND IF THEY MADE GOOD OF THEIR
THREAT, RECTO PROPOSED STATE TAKE OVER 0 WHY do we have only one national hero?
WITH A NATIONALIST AGENDA Why can’t we have both Jose Rizal and Andres
Bonifacio?
ARSENIO H. LACSON, MAYOR OF MANILA
0 Is there any natural prescription
 WHILE ATTENDING MASS, HE WALKED OUT against a country having two national heroes.
WHEN THE PRIEST BEGAN READING A Will this break tradition?
CIRCULAR FROM ARCHBISHOP RUFINO
SANTOS DENOUNCING THE RIZAL BILL 0 Maybe. But traditions are there to break,
where there is good reason to. And you
FR. HORACIO DELA COSTA, SJ won’t find any better reason than here.
 JESUIT SCHOLAR AND HISTORIAN 0 At the very least, you make both Rizal and
Bonifacio national heroes, and you avoid
 ADMITTED THAT ABUSES DID HAPPEN IN THE
pitting one against the other. That’s a
CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THERE WERE
preoccupation that has taken some vicious
HISTORICAL MISTAKES COMMITTED BY THE
turns in the past, the defenders of Rizal and
CHURCH
Bonifacio not merely extolling the virtues of
 RIZAL ONLY EXPOSED ABUSES WITHIN THE one over those of the other, but denigrating
CHURCH the contribution of one against the other’s.

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0 The activists did that in the ‘60s and ‘70s, only slaves. No wonder the Spanish
putting down Rizal as a reformist (as opposed authorities wanted him dead. His very
to revolutionary) intellectual who failed the existence indicted Spanish rule, his very
test where it most mattered, in the final existence inspired revolution.
choice between the Revolution and Spain.
0 But no less a genius was Bonifacio, no less
0 Which was in turn a reaction to history transcendent was Bonifacio.
textbook accounts that glossed over
0 The whole idea that an indio could prove
Bonifacio’s contribution to freeing his country
superior to his master, that he could be wiser,
from Spanish rule.
and more capable, and more civilized, was
0 In those accounts, Bonifacio plays second unthinkable enough as it was. Even more
fiddle not just to Rizal but to Emilio unthinkable was the idea that an obrero, who
Aguinaldo, the latter having presumably led sold fans and worked as a clerk for a living,
the true revolution as opposed to the mere could mount a campaign for freedom against
uprising the Katipunan represented. Well, the ramparts of Spain.
part of that probably owed to Aguinaldo
0 Long before the rest of Asia would discover
being still alive then. But an even better part
the idea of a proletarian revolution, Bonifacio
of that probably owed to Bonifacio coming
sparked one. If Rizal had precious little work
from humble origins, and therefore having no
on to show the capabilities of the race,
illustrious relatives to offend with such a
Bonifacio had even less to work on to show
version of history.
the capabilities of the masses.
0 Rizal and Bonifacio deserve to stand on the
0 The revolutions against Spain that occurred in
same pedestal. Both represent the best in
South America in the 1820s were mounted
the Filipino. Both achieved a degree of
not by the Indians but by the creoles, not by
transcendence that goes beyond the heroic to
ordinary folk but by the elite. So it would be
the phenomenal.
too for Asian in years to come, the wars of
0 It’s more obvious, of course, in the case of independence being led by the colonial elite
Rizal, whom the other Asian countries want to with the masses in tow.
claims as their own. The pride of the Malay
0 So it would be too in the Philippines not long
race, he’s called, and deservedly so. Painter,
afterward, the principales, like Aguinaldo, and
botanist, ophthalmologist, historian, novelist,
ilustrados, like Pedro Paterno, swiftly taking
editor, linguist, fencer, sharpshooter, lover –
over the reins of the revolution.
he was the Malay Renaissance man through
and through. 0 But for one brief shining moment, Bonifacio
would be there, the Katipunan would be
0 That Rizal has become the global figure he is,
there, the masses would be there. If Rizal
the object of international scholarship and
shook the foundations of colonial bigotry by
conferences, is a testament to his greatness.
showing that the indio deserved to be free,
That is no media hype, for it is often the
Bonifacio shook the foundations of class
international community, which insists on
bigotry by showing that the masses deserved
giving Rizal his due more than we do.
to be heard.
0 We had no great civilization to justify great
0 Bonifacio would not be known by the world,
pride. Until Rizal came along.
like Rizal. But he would be known by the
0 He was a genius where his rulers see only obreros and peones he served with heart and
fools, he was a free man where his rulers see soul, the folk that make up the heart and soul

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 of this nation. He deserves the highest honor  It is high time we reassess the
we can give. relevance of Rizal in the present, to bring
down his superstar status to a sensible level
0 Rizal and Bonifacio both show the
of practical and beneficial criticism. Renato
true genius of the race. Both show the true
Constantino, noted historian, nationalist and
worth of Filipino. So why not both of them
political thinker, offers this rationale of
as national heroes?
destroying the cult that surrounds our
HEROES FOR CONVENIENCE (PPT #5) national hero.
By Edgar D. Atadero
 RIZAL IS A HERO OF OUR RACE. BUT HE
 “And now gentlemen, you have a national SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY HERO NOR THE
hero.” In these fateful words, addressed by ONE WHO TOWERS ABOVE ALL OTHERS. HE IS
then Civil Governor William H. Taft to the NOT THE ZENITH OF OUR GREATNESS;
Filipino members of the Civil Commission, lay NEITHER DOES HE HAVE THE MONOPOLY OF
the genesis of Rizal Day.(Free Press, 28 PATRIOTISM. Not all his teachings have
Dec.1946) universal and timeless application. Just as
each social system gives way to higher forms.
 Taft with other American colonial
This does not mean Rizal’s heroism is
officials and some conservative Filipinos
nullified; his patriotism merely assumes its
chose Rizal as a model hero over other
correct place in history.
contestants—Aguinaldo who was too
militant, Bonifacio who was too radical, and  These exhortations may incite a few
Mabini who was too unregenerate (Theodore readers to fume, “The nerve of thast writer,
Friend: Between Two Empires). how dare he detracts the Pride of the Malay
Race!”
 Taft quickly decided that it would be
extremely useful for the Filipinos to have a  Who are Rizal’s real detractors? Are they
national hero of their revolution against Spain really the ones who treat him as a snobbish
in order to channel their feelings and focus illustrado alienated from the Revolution? Or
their resentments towards Spain. But he told those who abuse his status as a martyr in
his advisers that he wanted someone who order to serve their economic ends.
really wasn’t so much of a revolutionary that
 Constantino quips that we Filipinos
if his life was examined too closely, it would
have the penchant of idolizing personality for
cause us too much trouble. Rizal fit into this
the slightest excuse. Thus we accord an
model.(Joseph smith; Portrait of a Cold
unquestioning devotion and veneration to the
Warrior)
martyr of Bagumbayan. We also have a
 Rizal never advocated independence nor did monument at Luneta, which proves to the
he advocate armed resistance to the world we do have something of value amidst
government. He urged reform from within our impractical westernized culture. Like the
through propaganda public education and by protagonist in “The Happy Prince”, Rizal is
appealing to public conscience.(William Taft: being used to provide an escapist outlet for
The Philippine Islands) As Rizal himself once our confused nation. Result: we study his life
said: “I cannot do less than condemn this and works in terms of dates, acquaintances,
uprising—as absurd and savage and plotted the places where he socialized. We hold
behind my back—which dishonors us annual exercises of empty sentiments
Filipinos and discredits those who plead our manifest in oratorical contests and sports
cause.” events with glittering uniforms galore in his
name.

rca.
  On the other hand, minor details of his life, history will show that the people are the
some goofs and slips of the tongue somehow heroes of national liberation, not just a few
manage to surface during political learned upstarts whose interest do not speak
discussions. We know he had no way of of nationalism, but of pro-Western
predicting the future, and the revolutionary individualism.
situation then was different from today’s
 Which would you prefer: heroes of
protest movement.
convenience or heroes of inspirations?
 One good example of this situation,
Constantino notes was Rizal’s alleged
adherence to capitalism. Some Rizal books
declare that his purchase of land in Dapitan
and employment of labor only shows that he
believed in entrepreneural business.

 Why Rizal was beatified for the

purpose of hero cult worship is a holy
question of profit policies by an imperial
power.

American Motive

 For a measly fee of P300,000 Aguinaldo

influenced the Katipuneros to stop the
insurrections against the US troops of they
would be treated as such. Here we see how
ambitious people use the grievances of the
masses yearning to be free in order to further
their self-enrichment. Yet today he still has a
high status of being one of the heroes of the
Katipunan.

Unmasking the fakes

 Aristotle cannot be blamed if his concept of a

geocentric universe caused the incarceration
of Galileo hundreds of years later. Similarly,
we only have ourselves to blame if we have
been too accommodating to the whims of
foreign domination.

 Rizal became our national hero only because

of American intervention. Many of our heroes
reached their stature only because of
American intervention.

 We should get rid of the belief that there is

nobody in this archipelago that can equal
Rizal. There are other heroes of the past and
present whose anti-colonialist experiences
deserve merit and careful study. In the end,

rca.