CHAPTER 1

Introduction to the
study of Rizal's life,
works and writings

Rizal course is mandated by R.A 1425,

which authored and fought by Claro M.
Recto * R.A 1425 is also known as Rizal
Law.

Major provisions of R.A

1425

it directs educational agencies such as DepEd

and CHED to include in the curricula of all
schools, colleges, and universities, public or
private, the study if the life of our national hero
with emphasis on the original or unexpurgated
versions of Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo.
It directs the Board of National Education to take
charge of the translation, reproduction, and
distribution of printed copies of Rizal's novels to
interested parties through purok organizations
and barangay councils free of charge.

It obligates all the libraries of all

schools, colleges, and
universities to maintain an
adequate number of copies of
Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo in their collection
as well as other materials
related to the life of Rizal

Memorandum order no. 247 directs the

Secretary of education, culture, and
sports and the chairman of the CHED to
fully implement RA 1425.
Sen. Jose P. Laurel, who sponsored the
said law, believed that by reading and
studying Rizal's life, teachings and
writings, the Filipino youth will be able to
gain incorruptibility, confidence,
direction, courage, and determination to
move forward in their journey towards an
abundant life

Frames of Rizal law

Gain inspiration and insight and

involved themselves in the
community :
Imbibe the virtues and values of Rizal
and other reputable leader of the
country; and
Acquire proper direction and become
better citizens.

Goals of Rizal law

To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and

nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died
To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in
shaping the Filipino character
To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizals
life, works, and writings.
To showcase the relevance of Rizals ideals, thoughts, teachings,
and values to the community life;
To apply Rizal's ideas to the solution of the day-to-day problems
encountered in contemporary life;
To promote the understanding and appreciation of the qualities,
conduct, and character of Rizal
To foster the development of moral character, personal discipline,
citizenship skills, and vocational efficiency of the Filipino youth

Who made Rizal our

National Hero?

Governor Taft to messrs. Pardo de Tavera,

legarda, luzurriaga filipino members of the
Philippine commission, of which Taft was the
chairman it was further reported that in the
subsequent discussion in which the rival
merits of the revolutionary heroes
( Marcelo H Del Pilar, Graciano Lopez-Jaena,
Jose Rizal, Gen. Antonio Luna, Emilio Jacinto,
and Andres Bonifacio ) were considered, the
final choice now universally acclaimed a wise
one was Rizal. And so history was made

Why was Rizal chosen by governor

Taft as our national hero ?
He is deemed to be the greatest hero our
country has produced because he was
towering figure in the Propaganda
movement having played an admirable
role therein.
At the same time, Rizals first novel, Nole
Me Tangere, influenced by the Filipino
masses to a great extent, without Rizal,
there would have been no Bonifacio, who
founded the Katipunan.

Then on December 20, 1898 at the

revolutionary capitol, Malolos, president
Aguinaldo issued his first official
proclamation, making December 30 of that
year Rizal Day. The same proclamation
ordered the hoisting of the Filipino flag at
half-mast from 12:00 noon on December
29 to 12:00 noon on December 30, 1898
and the closing of all offices of the
government for the whole day of
December 30. an impressive Rizal day
program sponsored by club Filipinos was
held in manila on December 30 1898

WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE OF THE

LESSONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE COURSE

To recognize the importance of Rizals 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.

Trivia

* Mi Ultimo Adios (My last farewell) this is one of Rizal's

note, and his last poem wrote before his death. And it is
translated in German by Dr. Eseler.
* A great philologist in Vienna at Rizal's time is Dr. Mueller
* Rizal became a member of Anthropological Society of
Berlin. And the President of Anthropological Society of
Berlin is Dr. Virchow
* Dr. Reinhold Frost is a distinguished Malayologist and
librarian of the India office in London.
* William Howard Taft delivered a eulogy of Rizal at the
floor of US House of Representatives.
* Ferdinand Blumentrit is Rizal's best friend in Europe.
* December 30, 1898 is the date of Rizal's execution on
Bagumbayan. Known as Rizal Park / Luneta today. (With
Torre De Manila at the back -_-)

Los Indios Bravos is translated as

"The Brave Filipinos.
Los Indios Bravos is known asa preKatipunan organization whose name
Rizal took from the spectacle of Native
Americans performing in a Wild West
show.
purpose of this group is to write poems,
stories and newspaper articles showing
the current condition of the Philippines
in the hands of the Spaniards and friars

La Solidaridad(The Solidarity)
Graciano Lopez Jaena was the founder of
La Solidaridad
was an organization created in Spain on
December 13, 1888. Composed of Filipino
liberals exiled in 1872 and students
attending Europe's universities, the
organization aimed to increase Spanish
awareness of the needs of its colony, the
Philippines, and to propagate a closer
relationship between the colony and Spain