Chapter 1: Introduction

Question 1

Who is José Rizal?

Answer 1

~ José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
~ He is considered a national hero (pambansang bayani) of the Philippines.
~ An ophthalmologist by profession, Rizal became a writer and a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement, which advocated political reforms for the colony under Spain.

Question 2

What are the two most famous works of José Rizal?

Answer 2

Noli Me Tangere (1887) and El Filibusterismo (1891), novels that exposed the abuses of the Spanish colonial government and the Catholic Church in the Philippines.

Question 3

Why was José Rizal executed?

Answer 3

Rizal was executed on December 30, 1896, by the Spanish colonial government for alleged involvement in the Philippine Revolution and for his writings that were seen as inciting rebellion.

Question 4

What law mandates the teaching of the life, works, and writings of José Rizal, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, in all schools in the Philippines?

Answer 4

Rizal Law (Republic Act No. 1425)

Question 5

What is the Rizal Law (Republic Act No. 1425)?

Answer 5

The Rizal Law mandates the teaching of the life, works, and writings of José Rizal, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, in all schools in the Philippines.

Question 6

Who authored the Rizal Law?

Answer 6

Senator Claro M. Recto

Question 7

When was the Rizal Law signed into law/enacted?

Answer 7

June 12, 1956

Question 8

Who sponsored the Rizal Law?

Answer 8

Senator Jose P. Laurel

Question 9

What are the Following significances of the Life and Works of Rizal?

Answer 9

1. The subject provides insight on how to deal with current problems
2. It helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos
3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism
4. It provides various essential life lessons.
5. It helps in developing Logical and Critical Thinking
6. Rizal can serve as worthwhile model and inspiration to every Filipino
7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives

Question 10

Who are the groups that opposed to the Rizal Bill?

Answer 10

~ Catholic Action of the Philippines
~ The Congregation of the Mission
~ Knights of Columbus
~ Catholic Teacher Guild

Question 11

Who opposed on the bill that were co written by Sen. Jose P Laurel and Sen. Claro M. Recto

Answer 11

~ Sen. Francisco Soc Rodrigo (Filipinos will be divided: Filipinos and Catholics)
~ Sen. Mariano Jesus Cuenco (ridiculed the dogmas, beliefs, and practices of the church)
~ Sen. Decoroso Rosales (primarily rooted in religious grounds, as he was a devout Catholic)

Question 12

He protested in a pastoral letter that Catholic students would be affected if compulsory reading of the unexpurgated version were pushed through

Answer 12

Archbishop of Manila, Rufino Santos

Question 13

He supported the bill, walked out of Mass when the priest read as circular from the archbishop denouncing the bill

Answer 13

Manila Mayor, Arsenio Lacson

Question 14

When does the compromise inserted by the Committee on Education chairman Laurel that accommodated the objections of the Catholic Church was approved unanimously

Answer 14

May 12, 1956

Question 15

What Section of the RA 1425 talks about the Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts.

Answer 15

Section 1 of RA 1425

Question 16

What does Section 1 of the Rizal Law require?

Answer 16

Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts.

Question 17

They hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement and carry out the provisions of the Section 1 of RA 1425.

Answer 17

The Board of Nation Education

Question 18

What Section of the RA 1425 talks about the 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. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and universities.

Answer 18

Section 2 of RA 1425

Question 19

What does Section 2 of the Rizal Law mandate regarding the texts?

Answer 19

The 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. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and universities.

Question 20

In what section of the RA 1425 talks about The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout
the country.

Answer 20

Section 3 of RA 1425

Question 21

What is stated in Section 3 of the Rizal Law?

Answer 21

The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout
the country.

Question 22

What section in RA 1425 allows for exemptions for students who are opposed to the study of Rizal’s works on religious grounds. These exemptions must be granted by the school authorities, with appropriate alternative studies provided.

Answer 22

Section 4 of RA 1425

Question 23

What is stated in Section 4 of the Rizal Law?

Answer 23

Allows for exemptions for students who are opposed to the study of Rizal’s works on religious grounds. These exemptions must be granted by the school authorities, with appropriate alternative studies provided.

Question 24

Who is the one who hereby direct the secretary of education, culture and sports and the chairman of the commission on Higher education to take steps to immediately and fully implement the letter, intent and spirit of RA no. 1425

Answer 24

President Fidel V. Ramos

Question 25

What is the overarching policy statement of the Rizal Law?

Answer 25

The Rizal Law aims to honor José Rizal by integrating the study of his life, works, and writings into the educational system to foster a sense of nationalism and patriotism among Filipinos.

Question 26

Why were Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo selected for study under the Rizal Law? What makes them relevant?

Answer 26

~ they provide a critical examination of the social, political, and religious issues during Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, offering insights into the abuses and injustices faced by Filipinos. (a story of real people)
~ they are two of the greatest social documents in the Philippine society
~ constant inspiration and source of patriotism and nationalism

Question 27

Who signed the Rizal Law into effect?

Answer 27

President Ramón Magsaysay signed the Rizal Law (Republic Act No. 1425) into effect on June 12, 1956.