WHO IS YOUR HERO?

Some are martyrs who doesn’t

even want to be recognized for
what they did…
Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda
•Rizal is considered to be the first exponent of Asian nationalism,
even ahead of Dr. Sun Yat Sen who founded the Nationalist
People’s Party of China in 1911 and Mohandas K. Gandhi, the
great Indian Nationalist. The Making of
•Rizal was the spirit of the first successful Asian revolution
against a western colonial power. Rizal Law
 Republic Act No. 1425
• Its original author is Claro M. Recto, who saw the need to
instill heroism among the youth.
• Bell Trade Act of 1947 – granted parity rights to
Americans and allowed them to exploit the country’s
natural resources
• 1955 Laurel-Langley Agreement –ensured free entry of
American products which resulted to the Filipinos
professing American goods over those made in the
Philippines
Who opposed it?
•It was not welcomed and opposed
by various quarters, of which the
Catholic Church was the most vocal.
•Rizal bill was assailed as anti-
church because it forced the
students to read Rizal’s work like
the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo which contain anti-
church passages.
Who opposed it?
•Seminars were held across the countryside denouncing
the bill.
•Fr. Jesus Cavanna commented that Rizal’s novels
belonged in the past and it would be harmful to read
these because these presented a false picture of the
conditions of the country at that time.
•He also said that there were only 25 patriotic
statements compared to 120 anti-church statements.
Who opposed it?
•Jesus Paredes said that the novels contained
objectionable matters and preached that
Catholics had the right to refuse to read them
so as not to endanger their faith.
•Narciso Pimentel speculated that Recto was
motivated by politics in drafting his Rizal Bill.
Who opposed it?
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
 Republic Act No. 1425
•Congressman Miguel Cuenco and Senator Francisco
Rodrigo were the main voices of the Church
opposition in both houses of the Congress.
•After a month long stand-off, a compromise bill was
filed, authored by Senator Jose P. Laurel which was
based on the proposal of Senators Roseller Lim and
Emmanuel Pelaez.
•On June 12, 1957, The Republic Act No. 1425
better known as the Rizal Law came into effect.
 Republic Act No. 1425
• SECTION 1. 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.
• The Board of National Education shall promulgate rules and
regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons
of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement
 Republic Act No. 1425
• On June 12, 1956, this law was signed by
President Ramon Magsaysay. The
Implementation of the Rizal course as a
requirement for graduation in all non-degree
and degree courses in the tertiary education. It
includes the life, works, and writings of Jose
Rizal, particularly his novels, Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo.
 Republic Act No. 1425
• President Fidel Ramos issued Presidential
Memorandum Order 247 dated Dec. 26, 1994
directing the Department of Culture and Sports and
Commission on Higher Educationto immediately and
fully implement R.A. 1425.

On February 15, 1996, the CHED issued

Memorandum Order 6 ordering all colleges and
universities to offer Rizal course as a separate three-
unit course fully and immediately
 Objectives of the Rizal Law
• 1. To recognize the relevance of Jose Rizal ideas, thoughts,
teaching, and life-values to present conditions in the community
and country and apply them in the solution to day to day
situations and problems of contemporary life.
• 2. To develop an understanding and appreciation of the
qualities, behavior, and character of Rizal and thus foster the
development of moral character and personal discipline.
• 3. To develop moral character, personal discipline, civic
conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship.
 The Definition of a Hero
National Historical Institute (old name – National Heroes
Commission) released a criteria on the definition of a
national hero in 1965.

“Hero is an admirable leader towering over his peers,

who serves a noble cause, possessing exceptional
talent, distinguished valor and/or hold enterprise,
exercising a determinative influence over the spiritual
life of his people in a particular remarkable event.”
 Selection And Proclamation Of National Heroes And
Laws Honoring Filipino Historical Figures
• No law, executive order or
proclamation has been enacted
or issued officially proclaiming
any Filipino historical figure as a
national hero. However,
because of their significant
roles in the process of nation
building and contributions to
history, there were laws
enacted and proclamations
issued honoring these heroes.
https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/selection-and-proclamation-of-
national-heroes-and-laws-honoring-filipino-historical-figures/
Does Jose Rizal fit all
the criteria to be
called our National
Hero?
 SEATWORK: True or False
1. President Ramon Magsaysay signed into law the RA
1425.
2. There are 10 candidates for the title of National
Hero.
3. National Heroes Commission is the predecessor of
National Historical Institute.
4. Senator Jose P. Laurel was the original author of
Rizal Bill.
5. Rizal bill was widely accepted when it was filed in
the Congress.
 REFLECTION ESSAY

If you are given a chance to choose

our National Hero among the
candidates and criteria given, who
would it be? Name your hero and
state why do you think he/she
deserves to be our National Hero?