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Rizal Module 1 Lesson 1

The passage discusses the controversy surrounding the Rizal Law, which mandated the study of Jose Rizal's life and works in schools. When Senator Claro Recto first proposed the bill in 1955, it faced fierce opposition from the Catholic Church, who argued that Rizal's writings attacked Catholic beliefs and doctrines. There was public debate on the issue. Eventually, a compromise was reached where only expurgated versions of Rizal's novels could be used in lower levels, while the original versions would be optional for college students. The bill was signed into law on Independence Day in 1956. The passage argues that studying Rizal remains relevant as it teaches values, helps understand Philippine history and nationhood, and

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372 views2 pages

Rizal Module 1 Lesson 1

The passage discusses the controversy surrounding the Rizal Law, which mandated the study of Jose Rizal's life and works in schools. When Senator Claro Recto first proposed the bill in 1955, it faced fierce opposition from the Catholic Church, who argued that Rizal's writings attacked Catholic beliefs and doctrines. There was public debate on the issue. Eventually, a compromise was reached where only expurgated versions of Rizal's novels could be used in lower levels, while the original versions would be optional for college students. The bill was signed into law on Independence Day in 1956. The passage argues that studying Rizal remains relevant as it teaches values, helps understand Philippine history and nationhood, and

Uploaded by

Joy Masayon
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LIFE & WORKS OF RIZAL

MODULE I

LESSON 1: The Rizal Law

INTRODUCTION

Laws are essential to a civilized society. We co-exist harmoniously with one another without laws. But
as time goes by, some laws will require revisiting to see if they still hold relevance. For example, one
of the laws in the Mountain View College Academy student handbook with corresponding demerits is
“Stealing from fruit trees.” Now back in the day this was a big crime as there were a lot of fruit trees
on campus and hungry students would often climb trees or throw stones at them to get fruit. Now a
days students just got to the MVC cafeteria, Fastfoods, or Food Factory and with a swipe of their ID
card they can get food. Or call Food Panda Valencia and have their favorite meal delivered at the MVC
checkpoint.

Eventually, the “no stealing from fruit trees” rule in the student handbook began to be irrelevant.

Is this true with our study of the life and works of Jose Rizal? Has the writings and ideals of Jose Rizal
lost its relevance?

DISCUSSION

In 1955 Sen. Claro M. Recto stood up in Congress and presented a new bill. He proposed that the
study of the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal be required in all schools. Now you would think this would
be approved without a second thought. Who would have thought that his proposed bill would
become one of the most controversial laws ever passed in Congress.

Senator Recto

Instead of approval, this was met with fierce opposition from the Catholic Church and many Catholic
groups like the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Action of the Philippines, the Congregation of the
Mission, and the Catholic Teacher’s Guild. They said that the mandatory reading of Rizal’s novels
would violate the students’ rights to have freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. Now,
remember that Rizal attacked the dogmas, beliefs, and practices of the Catholic Church. They argued
that Rizal’s novels belonged to the past and do not represent the current condition in the Philippines.
The popular host on Radio Veritas, Jesus Paredes, went as far as to say it would endanger one’s
salvation. The Church organized symposiums and fora to denounce the approval of the said bill.
Senator Recto himself was labeled a communist and anti-Catholic. There were even rumors of
Catholic schools closing.

But there was also public support from groups like the Freemasons and the Knights of Rizal.

Obviously some sort of compromise had to be made. One proposal was that only the expurgated
versions of Rizal’s novels would be used in the classroom meaning the morally offensive parts would
have to be watered down. Initially Sen. Recto vehemently opposed this as he felt Rizal’s novels should
be read in their full, original form.

A final compromise was reached when it was decided that only college students would have the
option to read the unexpurgated original version. An amendment was further made stating that
Rizal’s other works would also be taught aside from the novels.

With these, the Rizal Bill was signed into law on Independence Day, June 12, 1956 and officially
became known as Republic Act #1425.

This brings us back to the question we started with. Is the study of Rizal still relevant today?

Here are some reasons why we should study Rizal:

1. This will teach you values that you can carry for the rest of your life
2. You will be able to make better sense of the present
3. You will understand the real essence of being Filipino despite our foreign influences
4. You will develop critical thinking skills
5. You will understand how the Philippine nation came to be
6. You will come to realize that the nationalistic ideals that Rizal held dear are worthy of emulation

But beyond these reasons I hope you will also find that the study of Rizal is fascinating and engaging
in and of itself.

In this class we will be using this as our textbook “The Life and Works of Rizal,” an outcome-based
module by Janet Espina-Clemente and Geoffrey Rhoel Cruz.

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