G.E.

9 Life and Works of Jose Rizal

Introductory Questions:

1. Why Rizal is considered our “National hero”?

2. Is Rizal an “American-sponsored hero”? Defend your answer.

3. Enumerate and explain the major provisions under RA 1425.

LESSON 1: What is a Hero?

Rizal Law (R. A. 1425)
Introduction
Taking up Rizal course for credits, like reading Shakespeare to get by in English courses, can be
tiresome for the youth. If reading and discussing the text about Rizal cannot be fun, then it will
just be like a cold stone without elaboration.
To discuss about a hero is taking him as a person with flesh and blood not as a deity or a
supernatural being that is an object of reverence without understanding. To appreciate a hero
like Rizal, we must be able to learn more about him – not his acts but the thoughts behind his
acts, his reasons, his experiences and his works that are relevant to our time and place. We
should study Rizal as a person – his intelligence, courage, compassion nationalism and also his
weakness like being a womanizer, violent, and short-tempered that complete him as a human
being. When we realize that he is like us, then, we can truly appreciate his being human and his
great and exemplary deeds are word emulating.
Learning Objectives :
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

 Value the true meaning of heroism and the criteria set by the National Heroes
Committee (NHC)

 Examine the policy on the selection and proclamation of national heroes;

 Understand the Rizal law and its implication to the current educational system;

 Realize that Rizal was an ordinary human being, and not a God or God-like.
Definition of a hero:
According to the dictionary:
 a hero is a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities and regarded as an
ideal or model
 the central figure in an event, period or movement, honored for outstanding qualities
 he/she is someone who shows great courage in an important event
 a hero is a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities and regarded as an
ideal or model
 the central figure in an event, period or movement, honored for outstanding qualities
 he/she is someone who shows great courage in an important event

According to Dr. Esteban de Ocampo, a known Filipino historian, as stated in his book about
Rizal that:
“ a hero means a prominent or central personage taking an admirable part in any remarkable
action or event; a person of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering;
and a man honored after death by public worship because of exceptional service to mankind.”
Who will set the criteria for the recognition of the national hero?
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.
But according to historians, heroes, should not be legislated. Their appreciation should be
better left to academics. Acclamation for heroes, they felt, would be recognition enough.
Executive Order No.75 “National Heroes Committee”
Issued by President Fidel V. Ramon on March 28, 1993 creating the National Heroes Committee
under the Office of the President.
The principal duty of the Committee is to study, evaluate and recommend Filipino national
personages/heroes in due recognition of their sterling character and remarkable achievements
for the country.
The Technical Committee of the National Heroes Committee had a meeting on June 3, 1993 in
Manila and adopted the following criteria:
 1. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for
the nation’s freedom.
2. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system or life of freedom and order for
a nation.
3. Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation.
In another round-table discussion held on November 15, 1995, the NHC Technical Committee
further adopted the criteria submitted by Dr. Alfredo Lagmay, as follows:
1. A hero is part of the people's expression, but that process of a people's internalization
of a hero's life and works takes time, with the youth forming part of that internalization.
2. A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations.
3. The choice of hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history,
but of the entire process that made this particular person a hero
On November 15, 1995 , the Technical Committee after deliberation and careful study based on
Dr. Onofre D. Corpuz’ and Dr. Alfredo Lagmay’s criteria selected the following nine Filipino
historical figures to be recommended as National Heroes: a. Jose Rizal f. Marcelo H. del Pilar b.
Andres Bonifacio g. Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat c. Emilio Aguinaldo h. Juan Luna d. Apolinario
Mabini i. Gabriela Silang e. Melchora Aquino

What makes a person a hero then?

A person to be considered a hero must have his works relevant to our time and place. To be
able to appreciate that person a hero, we must learn more about him – not merely his acts, his
reasons, the situations he found himself in, and his motivations.
To study Rizal, do not treat him like god, as he becomes unattainable and his accomplishments
inhuman, but study Rizal deeper. You see him as he truly was- compassionate, nationalistic,
intelligent, courageous, short-tempered, womanizer, gambler, violent and sometimes rash.
When we realize that he is like us, that his deeds are not impossible to imitate, we will realize
his humanity and that we will be truly inspired by his heroism.
Laws Honoring/ Commemorating Filipino Historical Figures- for Dr.Rizal
1. Decree of December 20, 1898 , issued by General Emilio Aguinaldo, declared December
30 of every year a day of national mourning in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal and other victims
of the Philippine Revolution.
 2. Act No. 137, which organized the politico-military district of Morong into the Province of
Rizal, was the first official step taken by the Taft Commission to honor our greatest hero
and martyr.
What is the Rizal Law or R.A.1425?
An Act to include in the Curricula of All Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities
courses on the Life Works and Writings of JOSE RIZAL, particularly his novels NOLI ME TANGERE
and EL FILIBUSTERISMO.
SEC.1
Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels 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 translations shall be used as basic
texts.
SEC.2
It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an
adequate number of copies of the original and expurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and
El Filibusterismo, as well as 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.
SEC.3
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 the Barrio Councils throughout the country.

Patriotic Objectives of the Rizal Law

1. To recognize the relevance of Rizal’s ideals, thoughts, teachings, and life values to
present conditions in the community and the country and apply them in the solution of
day-to-day situations and problems of contemporary life;
2. To develop an understanding and appreciation of the qualities, behavior, and character
of Rizal as well as his thoughts and ideas, and thus foster the development of moral
character, personal discipline, citizenship and vocational efficiency.
 3. To comply with the patriotic objectives of the Rizal Law given by the late Senator Jose P.
Laurel.
Senator Jose P. Laurel said…
Rizal was the founder of the Filipino nationality. He was the architect of the Filipino nation…I
dare say that we cannot know him without knowing and imbibing the great principles and
ideals for which he stood and died. Rizal believed that as we should that we teach the young
men and the young women, the boys and girls in all schools that virtue is the only foundation of
national greatness. By approving this measure… It is hoped that the future generations and the
generations after us by reading the life, teachings, courage, and determination in order that we
may continue forward our never ending pilgrimage to a full, greater and more abundant life.

Rizal, as an example of SACRIFICE

 He preferred to work through peaceful means of reforms to seek equality for his people
under Spanish laws(He could have enjoyed the fruits of his family’s abundance and
rubbed elbows with the Spanish officials and the “illustrados”.
 He spent his life abroad in hunger and poverty
 He missed the company of his parents, brothers and sisters who have been persecuted
by the Spanish government
 When he returned home, he no longer held his life in his hands

Rizal, His Ideas: A Reply to the Challenges of the Millenium

 His social and civic virtues - embodied in his noblest aspirations for his country and his
people.
 By consciously and clear-headedly accepting the ultimate sacrifice of DEATH.
 His field of action that lays in the strife of politics and power, but were not in his
inclinations
 He shouldered his political burden solely in the cause of duty
 A circumstance rendering him one of the figures rare in human affairs
 A revolutionary without hatred
 A leader without worldly ambition
  He exemplified the virtues of honesty, personal integrity, civic responsibility, social
values of peace, justice, family, solidarity civic responsibility, patriotism and national
dignity for his people, survive and endure in this new millennium
 In this millennium..the very values and virtues(human honor and dignity, freedom and
independence, desire for mutual respect, and material well being) embodied in the
spirit of RIZALISM will form the core of humanity’s aspirations despite adjustments that
must be accommodated by the new reality of evolved technology and scientific
advances far superior than the knowledge of the previous millenium
Rizal, a Modern-Day Hero as compared to a Victorian hero
Victorian hero – one who is usually a dashing oriental knight in shining armor, prudent,
dashing, cool under pressure
A Modern-day Hero…
 Rizal conquered his inferiorities
 He responded to the challenge of conquering himself
 He was able to accept great responsibility- he gave his own life for his country
 From a weak and frail child, Jose Rizal rose to become one of the tallest men in history.
Conclusion
The hero is an expression of people’s acceptance of his/her contribution to the development of
the nation. It is not just a popular belief but the consistent recognition and acknowledgment
not only of his contemporaries but also the next generation. Dr. Rizal is truly a hero exceptional
in his ideas, works and decisions.
References:
 Agoncillo, T. A.(1956). The revolt of the masses: The study of Bonifacio and Katipunan.
Quezon City:UP Press.
 Pasigui, R.E and Cabalu, D.H. (2006). Jose Rizal: The man the hero (An anthology of
legacies and controversies). Quezon City:C.&E Publishing, Inc.
 Capino, D. et al. (2005). Rizal’s life, works and writings: Their impact on our national
identity. Quezon City: Bookman, Inc.