Ma. Elizabeth J . Evasco

Studying history is challenging to understand historical events and their relevance in the present generation. The Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Bill) of the Philippines mandated studying the Life and Works of Rizal to promote and develop nationalism by developing the nationalistic consciousness of today’s Filipinos by understanding the history of the 19th century. Using a holistic approach, the discussion of history from relevant events in the pre-colonial and 19th centuries supports the understanding and interconnection of Rizal’s contributions to the Philippine revolution. Recent historians in the 20th and 21st centuries as major references in drawing the chronological order of events relevant to Rizal’s times, while conceptualizing the influences in Rizal’s upbringing and nationalism as an individual to become a role model for Filipinos to develop nationalism while embracing personal talents. As there are controversies in the study and arguments for the 19th century, understanding its social circumstances will clarify such debates. 21st century still faces existing social issues rooted in the 19th century, by understanding the effects of colonialism in society, Filipino scholars of the next generation can facilitate the development of nationalism by responding to unresolved conflicts in the mentality of society to recover and progress from the social trauma inflicted by history, and the intellectualization of the Filipino culture.