WHY RIZAL IS OUR NATIONAL HER?
According to Esteban A. Ocampo;
1. He Inspired Filipino Nationalism – Rizal awakened Filipino consciousness through his writings,
particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which exposed the abuses of Spanish rule and
encouraged Filipinos to fight for their rights.
2. He Advocated Peaceful Reforms – Unlike leaders who pushed for armed revolution, Rizal promoted
change through education and peaceful means. He believed that Filipinos could achieve progress
through knowledge, self-improvement, and unity.
3. His Martyrdom Strengthened the Revolution – Rizal’s execution on December 30, 1896, turned him
into a symbol of resistance. His death fueled the revolution, proving that the pen could be as powerful
as the sword.
4. He Was a Renaissance Man – Rizal was not only a writer but also a doctor, scientist, artist, and
linguist. Also he is the best representation/example of Filipino excellence, showing that intellectual and
moral strength are just as vital as physical bravery.
5. Recognized by Filipinos and Americans – both Filipino revolutionaries and American colonial
authorities recognized Rizal as the ideal national hero. The Americans preferred him because he was not
directly involved in armed conflict, making him a "safe" hero to promote.
LESSON 1
REPUBLIC ACT 1425
also known as the Rizal Law
enacted on June 12, 1956
requires the study of José Rizal’s life, works, and writings—especially Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo—in all schools, colleges, and universities in the Philippines.
Controversy and Opposition of the Rizal Bill:
The Catholic Church strongly opposed RA 1425 because Rizal’s novels criticized the friars and
Church abuses.
The bill was authored by Senator Claro M. Recto and sponsored by José P. Laurel, both pushed
for the law despite opposition, arguing that Filipinos needed to understand their history and
national identity.
Amendments to RA 1425 (Rizal Law):
For College Students Only
–the subject Life and Works of Rizal is only required in tertiary (college/university) education,
not in elementary or high school.
You Can Read Summarized Versions
-originally, students had to read the full Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. But because
some groups (especially the Catholic Church) opposed this, they allowed summarized or
translated versions instead.
You Can Choose Not to Take the Subject
-If you feel directly attacked or that the subject goes against your religious beliefs, you have the
right to decide not to take it. You can request an exemption, but you may still need to learn
about Rizal’s ideas in another way, like through summaries or discussions.
Other Rizal Works Were Included
-at first, only Noli and El Fili were required. Later, they added Rizal’s essays, letters, and other
writings to give students a broader understanding of his ideas.
Government Provides the Books
-since not all students could afford them, an amendment required the government to print and
distribute copies of Rizal’s books to make them more accessible.
The Rizal Bill was finally passed on May 17, 1956. Signed into law as RA 1425 by the late President
Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956.
LESSON 2
Nationalism
the love for one’s country, the desire for its freedom, and the willingness to work for its
progress.
Nation
is a group of people united by a common culture, history, language, and identity.
State
is a political organization with a government, territory, population, and sovereignty (freedom
from foreign control).
NATIONALISM ACCORDING TO BENEDICT ANDRESON
1. Imagined Political Community
2. Limited (Boundaries Define a Nation, ex. geography)
3. Sovereign (Achieving Freedom from Colonization)
NATIONALISM EXIST IN VARIETY OF FORMS
1. Cultural Nationalism: Defining National Identity
FILIPINOS - Indios
SPANIARDS - Bangus or Milkfish
2. Nationalism as a Movement to Protect the Nation
3. Reactionary Nationalism: Looking to the Past
4. Revolutionary Nationalism
TYPES OF NATIONALISM
1. Civic Nationalism- Political Participation of people in a nation.
2. Territorial Nationalism- All inhabitants within a specific territory
share allegiance to the nation.
3. Left-wing Nationalism- “right to call for change”
4. Fascism Nationalism- Nationalism under an authoritarian or fascist
leader, emphasizing extreme loyalty and state control.
5. Imperialism Nationalism- A nation seeks economic dominance and
expansion through laws, influence, or military power.
- Economic growth/ Laws
-Ex. America
Ethno Nationalism- A group within a nation
struggles for autonomy based on ethnic identity.
-BANGSAMORO
-Struggle/ Oppressed
-(FMNLF) – raise to assert their rights.
6. Expansion Nationalism- The desire to acquire additional territory or
extend a nation’s borders.
example: China’s territorial claims in the South China
Sea.
7. Globalism/ Globalization- All citizen of the world
-Borderless
-“We are one”
DUAL CHARACTERISTICS in FILIPINO NATIONALISM:
Active – Involves direct participation in movements for change.
-Signing petitions or joining rallies/marches.
-Engaging in armed conflicts or revolutions when necessary.
Passive- Actions of the people / Expressed through symbolic and
everyday actions that show patriotism.
-Symbolic Nationalism; Respecting national symbols like the
Philippine flag and national anthem.
LESSON 3
SOCIAL CANCERS
1. Instability of Colonial Administration
2. Corrupt Colonial Officials
3. Philippine Representation in Spanish Cortes
4. Human Rights Denied to Filipinos
5. No Equality before law
6. Maladministration of Justice
7. Racial Discrimination
8. Frailocracy
9. Forced Labor (Polo y Servicios)
10. Haciendas Owned by the Friars
11. The Guardia Civil
LESSON 4
6 FACTORS THAT DEVELOPED PHILIPPINE NATIONALISM
1. Opening of the Suez Canal in 1869
2. Rise of the Middle Class or Media Class or Principalia Class
3. Imapct of European Liberalism
4. Racial Prejudice Against Native Filipinos
5. Secularization Controversy
6. Liberal Regime of Carlos M. Dela Torre
