Rizal Law (pros)

What are the significance of Rizal Law?

-Rizal law teaches different virtues that can be applied in life.Some of these are; loving
and serving the country, being a strongindividual who can stand in his conviction and a
responsibleindividual.

What is the significance of rizal law in the student?

-The Rizal Law makes it mandatory that all state sanctioned schoolsmake the history
and works of Jose Rizal a part of theircurriculum. The hope of the order was to keep
citizens aware oftheir heritage and culture and to remind them of the price theypaid to
gain their independence.
-promoting peace and liberty instead of violent action and war to the Philippines.

WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE OF THE LESSONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE COURSE
Aside from those mentioned above, there are other reasons for teaching the Rizal
course in Philippine schools:
-To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present
conditions and situations in the society.
-To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal problems
and issues.
-To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and
died for.
-To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.

Positive:
According to Hernan Abaya, 1984, the nationalist reawakening began on the UP
campus, sparked by the teaching of Rizal’s life and his writings made compulsory by the
Noli-Fili law, co authored by Recto and Laurel. This is a statement from a person who
was able to witness the condition of the country before and after the Rizal law was
implemented. He saw the change and the positive effect of the law to our country
back then.

the youth was made aware of the contributions and the principled life of Jose Rizal who
was an emblem of substantial nationalism and unconditional love for the country. He
embodies brilliance coupled with humility and prestige that goes along with service.
This Republic Act has pushed for Rizal to be a role model for the youth of this country.
Through this republic act the essence of freedom and independence was emphasized
to the youth. Also, it has been implied through this act that national identity is a very
important legacy that our heroes have achieved through sacrificing their own lives.
They have passed it on to us, and it is our role to nurture and protect it.

Jose P. Laurel, then senator who co-wrote the law, explained that since Jose Rizal was
the founder of the country’s nationalism and had significantly contributed to the current
condition of the nation, it is only right that Filipinos, especially the youth, know about
and learn to imbibe the great ideals for which the hero died. Accordingly, the Rizal Law
aims to accomplish the following goals:

1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which
our heroes lived and died

2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the
Filipino character

3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and
writings.

The Importance of Studying Rizal

The academic subject on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal was not mandated
by law for nothing. Far from being impractical, the course interestingly offers many
benefits that some contemporary academicians declare that the subject, especially
when taught properly, is more beneficial than many subjects in various curricula.

The following are just some of the significance of the academic subject:

1. The subject provides insights on how to deal with current problems

There is a dictum, “He who controls the past controls the future.” Our view of history
forms the manner we perceive the present, and therefore influences the kind of
solutions we provide for existing problems. Jose Rizal course, as a history subject, is full of
historical information from which one could base his decisions in life. In various ways, the
subject, for instance, teaches that being educated is a vital ingredient for a person or
country to be really free and successful.

2. It helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos

The past helps us understand who we are. We comprehensively define ourselves not
only in terms of where we are going, but also where we come from. Our heredity, past
behaviors, and old habits as a nation are all significant clues and determinants to our
present situation. Interestingly, the life of a very important national historical figure like
Jose Rizal contributes much to shedding light on our collective experience and identity
as Filipino. The good grasp of the past offered by this subject would help us in dealing
wisely with the present.
3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism

Nationalism involves the desire to attain freedom and political independence, especially by a country
under foreign power, while patriotism denotes proud devotion and loyalty to one’s nation. Jose
Rizal’s life, works, and writings—especially his novels—essentially, if not perfectly, radiate these
traits. For one thing, the subject helps us to understand our country better.

4. It provides various essential life lessons

We can learn much from the way Rizal faced various challenges in life. As a controversial figure in his
time, he encountered serious dilemmas and predicaments but responded decently and high-
mindedly. Through the crucial decisions he made in his life, we can sense his priorities and
convictions which manifest how noble, selfless, and great the national hero was. For example, his
many resolutions exemplified the aphorism that in this life there are things more important than
personal feeling and happiness.

5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking

Critical Thinking refers to discerning, evaluative, and analytical thinking. A Philosophy major, Jose
Rizal unsurprisingly demonstrated his critical thinking skills in his argumentative essays, satires,
novels, speeches, and written debates. In deciding what to believe or do, Rizal also proved his being a
reasonably reflective thinker, never succumbing to the irrational whims and baseless opinions of
anyone. In fact, he indiscriminately evaluated and criticized even the doctrines of the dominant
religion of his time. A course on Rizal’s life, works, and writings therefore is also a lesson in critical
thinking.

6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and inspiration to every Filipino

If one is looking for someone to imitate, then Rizal is a very viable choice. The hero’s
philosophies, life principles, convictions, thoughts, ideals, aspirations, and dreams are a
good influence to anyone. Throughout his life, he valued nationalism and patriotism,
respect for parents, love for siblings, and loyalty to friends, and maintained a sense of
chivalry. As a man of education, he highly regarded academic excellence, logical and
critical thinking, philosophical and scientific inquiry, linguistic study, and cultural
research. As a person, he manifested versatility and flexibility while sustaining a strong
sense of moral uprightness.

7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives

People love fictions and are even willing to spend for books or movie tickets just to be
entertained by made-up tales. But only a few perhaps know that Rizal’s life is full of
fascinating non-fictional accounts.
-studying Rizal’s life and works could help young Filipinos to know about the history of
Philippines as well as what happened to our country during the colonization of Spain and how
our ancestors gone through discrimination and corruption during Spanish era.
-Another awesome study in leadership, Rizal represents every man and woman who has
ever lost their own lives to the consequences of the very cause that they tried to go
against. Ultimately, it took a long time to get to where the Philippines finally got their
independence from Spain. Therefore, Rizal's influence over the independence
movement was both symbolic and necessary for this significant and historic change to
happen.

-It is important to study the life of Jose Rizal because of his input towards the
independence of Philippines. He chose to fight for his country through knowledge and
the power of letters. He noticed the continued suffering of his countrymen at the hands
of the Spaniards and sought to put an end to this situation. He decided to improve on
his personal studies to acquire knowledge that he would later on pass to his people
through novels and poems. His famous novels the "Noli Me Tangere" and "El
Filibusterismo" pointed out the issues that the true citizens of Philippines faced under
Spanish rule and the need to take decisive action to liberate themselves from
oppression. His actions resonated well with that of his countrymen and eventually the
people decided to rise up and defend their rights and freedom.

-All over the world, people study about the lives of those who were responsible for the
founding of their countries and in their countries' independence movements. It is no
different in the Philippines. This is why it is relevant to study the life of Rizal.

By studying the lives of heroes such as Rizal, we are supposed to become more aware
of the ideals that our country is founded upon. We are supposed to become more
aware of the sacrifices (such as Rizal giving his life) that our forefathers made in order
that we could have an independent country. In other words, the study of such heroes
is supposed to make us more patriotic and more appreciative of what we have
today. So, studying about Rizal is relevant to a Filipino/a because it allows them to
become better citizens of their country.

-Another is that through the implementation of this law, our fellowmen would be able to
see how much we are blinded by foreigners, especially the Americans, and how much
colonial mentality has taken over the lives of the people. Still, another is that through
studying the works of Rizal, Filipinos would have a sense of accomplishment and they
would feel very proud of their country and their heritage, which would lead to
nationalism and unification of the country.