Module 1

Introduction to the course

Section 1: Hero, Martyr, Patriotism, Nationalism

Hero
- Etymology: The word hero comes from the Greek ἥρως (hērōs), “hero” (literally
“protector” or “defender”).
- Person admired for achievements and noble qualities.

Martyr
- Etymology: Old English martir, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek martur
‘witness’ (in Christian use, ‘martyr’).
- A person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and
refusing to renounce a religion, or a person who sacrifices something of great value
and especially life itself for the sake of principle (Merriam Webster Dictionary).

Nationalism
- is a set of systems - political, social, and economic - characterized by the
promotion of interests of one nation anchored on the aim to achieve and maintain
self-governance or total sovereignty. It holds that a particular nation should govern
itself and should be free from external interference.
- The five basic elements of nationalism are culture, history, language, religion,
and territory.
- In most contexts today, nationalism is “the policy or doctrine of asserting the
interests of one’s own nation viewed as separate from the interests of other nations
or the common interests of all nations.”
- In short, nationalism is a kind of excessive, aggressive patriotism.
Patriotism
- is a noun that means “devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country;
national loyalty.”
- The term often brings to mind people directly involved with the defense of a
nation.
- Feelings of patriotism are based on the positive values the country embraces -
like freedom, justice, and equality. The patriot believes that both the system of
government and the people of their country are inherently good and work together
for a better quality of life.
- In contrast, feelings of nationalism are based on a belief that one’s country is
superior to all others. It also carries a connotation of distrust or disapproval of
other countries, leading to the assumption that other countries are rivals.

Section 2: RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Dr. Jose P. Rizal
- Spoke over 20 languages
- Not only a hero and political martyr
- Many-splendored genius
- A man with many talents

The Making of the Rizal Law

The Birth of the Republic Act 1425
1. Creation of the Bill
2. The Support and Opposition
3. Issues and Challenges
4. Start of Development
5. The Signing of the Law
Senate Bill No. 438: Rizal Bill
It is Senator Claro M. Recto who authored the Rizal Bill. While Senator Jose P.
Laurel, Sr., who was then the Chairman of the Committee on Education, sponsored
the bill in the Senate. Both of them were known for their great sense of
nationalism. This nationalism served as the foundation to come up with this
republic act, to set our country free from the hands of others and stand up on our
own—exactly the ideals and values that Rizal strove to fight for.

The original version of Senate Bill No. 438 reads as follows:

“An act to make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo compulsory reading
matter in all public and private colleges and universities and for other purposes”

The Controversies Behind the Rizal Bill

Notable persons who tried to block its approval:
Sen. Decoroso Rosales - brother of Archbishop (Cardinal) Rosales
Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo - President of Catholic Action of the Philippines
Sen. Mariano Cuenco - brother of Archbishop Cuenco

Other oppositors from Lower House namely:

Congressmen Ramon Durano, Marciano Lim, Jose Nuguid, Manuel Soza,
Godofredo Ramos, Miguel Cuenco, Lucas Paredes, Congressmen Carmen Consing
and Tecia San Andres Ziga.
The Catholic Church was indirectly included in the debates and played a major role
for the intervention of signing of the bill into a law. Allied with the church in battle
against Rizal Bill were the Holy Name Society of the Philippines, Catholic Action
of the Philippines, Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus and Daughters of
Isabela.

Intentions/Reasons of Persons Who Blocked the Approval of Rizal Bill

- The bill would go against freedom of conscience and religion
- Rizal violated Canon Law 1399 which forbids or bans books that attack or
ridicule the catholic doctrine and practices
- Among the 333 pages of Noli Me Tangere, only 25 passages are nationalistic
while 120 passages are anti-Catholic.

Intentions/Reasons of Persons Who Pushed for the Approval of Rizal Bill

- 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.

Compromises and Development of the Bill

Reading of the unexpurgated revision of the two novels would no longer be
compulsory to elementary and secondary levels but would be strictly observed to
college level.
Exemption to those students who feel that reading Rizal’s novels would negatively
affect his or her faith.

The Signing of the Law

After the revised amendments, the bill was finally passed on May 17, 1956 and
was signed into law as Republic Act 1425 by President Ramon Magsaysay on June
12 of the same year.

RA 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.
Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools,
colleges and universities, public or private.
It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their
libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of
the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and
biography.
It authorized and directed the Board of National Education to work for the
translation of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as well as other writings of
Dr. Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and other principal dialects and their printing
in cheap or popular editions and their circulation.

Teaching of Rizal Course in College

Rizal as a course has been taught in college generally as a supplementary course by
teachers of different specializations.
In most cases, the focus of the course is on Rizal's biography and trivial matters,
compounded by the varying interpretations of the spirit and the letter of Rizal law
through the years.

Section 3: Supplementary Laws and Directives to RA 1425

Gen. E. Aguinaldo (December 20, 1898) – issued decree designating December 30
as the anniversary of Jose Rizal’s death and also as “A National Day of Mourning”
for Rizal and other victims of the Spanish government throughout its three
centuries of oppressive rule.
February 1, 1902 - the Philippine Commission enacted Act. No. 345 which set
December 30 of each year as Rizal Day, and made it one of the ten official
holidays of the Philippines.
Act No. 243 was enacted on September 28, 1901 granting the right to use public
land upon the Luneta in the City of Manila upon which to erect a statue of Jose
Rizal.
President Quirino (June 9, 1948) - Republic Act No. 229 which prohibits
cockfighting, horse racing and jai-alai every 30th of December of each year, in
order to have proper observance of Rizal Day.
Rizal National Centennial Commission was created by Executive Order No. 52,
issued by Pres. Ramon Magsaysay on August 10, 1954 to undertake the
construction of a National Cultural Shrine and other memorials to be dedicated to
Jose Rizal. JRNCC became Rizal Presidential Committee on 1 July 1962 after
President Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 14. February 1, 1902 -
the Philippine Commission enacted Act.
No. 345 which set December 30 of each year as Rizal Day, and made it one of the
ten official holidays of the Philippines.
Pres. Garcia issued Executive Order No. 429 on June 2, creating a decoration
intended to perpetuate Rizal’s memory, to be known as the Rizal Pro Patria
Award.
CHED Memorandum Order 6 dated February 15, 1996 – CHED ordered all
colleges and universities to offer Rizal course as a separate three-unit course fully
and immediately.

Section 4: Rizal as a Hero

No Legislation Supporting Rizal as Hero
“There has never been any law passed to recognize a national hero in the country”
- Heraldry Section Chief Teodoro Atienza (National Historical Commission of the
Philippines NHCP)

The Transcendent Hero

Rizal is the epitome of everything mentioned in the definitions of a hero. He is a
towering figure of the Propaganda Movement and in other affairs of the society.
His works, achievements, and contributions in various fields have been remarkably
influential. Rizal, in the face of danger, was bold despite the odds. And lastly, he
was honored even more after his death because of the legacies he left behind.
No law, executive order, or proclamation has been enacted or issued that officially
proclaims any Filipino historical figures as a national hero (NHCP, 2012).
Thus, Rizal’s title is sometimes questioned. Accordingly, the title that Rizal holds
is more of a tribute to the continued veneration or acclamation of the people
towards him.
In 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree that declares December 30 as a
day of national mourning for the heroes and victims of the Philippine Revolution,
including Rizal.
Then, in 1900, American Governor General and Chairman of the 2nd Philippine
Commission, William Howard Taft, suggested to revere Rizal as a national hero.
This is to recognize his contributions to the significant social transformations that
took place in the Philippines (NCCA, 2015).
Despite the absence of an official declaration, Rizal has been a symbol of what the
Filipinos lack as a race.
Rizal is a Filipino hero because he embodied the qualities of a true hero and made
Filipinos the best of what they can despite the difficult social conditions. Both his
struggles and triumphs inspired and ignited the Katipunan-led revolution, making
the Philippines the first independent republic in Asia. Up to this day, it is still what
Rizal fought for that leads this generation to continue realizing his dreams of a
nation where every Filipino is truly free.
“Jose Rizal remains the supreme hero of the Philippines because of the quality of
his sacrifice, his absolute dedication to the interest of his people, and his
achievement in many fields of endeavors”.
- Sen. Blas Ople