THE LIFE,WORKS, & WRITINGS

OF JOSE RIZAL

JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO Y ALONZO REALONDA

The Founder of Philippine NationalismThe Greatest Hero of the Malayan RaceHe was a polymath, nationalist, & the most prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines.

REPUBLIC ACT 1425 or the “RIZAL’S LAW”

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, authorizing the printing and distribution thereof, and for purposes.

Jose P. Laurel – the sponsor the said law.

Claro Mayo Recto – the author or main proponent of the law.

It was enacted and signed on June 12, 1956 which coincides the Philippine Independence Day.

Three Main Goals of Rizal’s Law

1) To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died.

2) To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino character.

3) To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and writings.

CONTENTS of theRIZAL’S LAW

Section 1 : This section mandates the students to read the two greatest novels of Rizal. These two shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private.

Section 2: This section mandates the schools to have “an adequate number” of copies in their libraries.

Section 3: This section orders the Board of National Education to publish the works in English, Tagalog, and other major Philippine languages.

Section 4: It prohibits the discussion of religious doctrines by persons engaged in any public school.

Section 5: a sum of 300 thousand pesos is appropriated to carry out the purposes of the law.

Section 6: It shall take effect upon its approval.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ON RIZAL’S TIME

February 19, 1861 - the liberal Czar Alexander II issued Emancipation Manifesto 1861.

June 19, 1861 – the American Civil War was raging furiously in the United States due to Negro slavery.

September 22, 1862 – Benito Juarez was elected President of Mexico.

June 12, 1864 – Archduke Maximillian of Austria was installed by Napoleon III as puppet emperor of Mexico.

May 15, 1867 – Juarez defeated the Maximillian forces with U.S. Support & executed Maximillian on June 19.

Italians and Germans succeeded in unifying their nations.

England – was known as the World’s Leading Imperialist Power.

Queen Victoria proudly asserted

“Britannia rules the waves”

“Opium” Wars

British Colonies:Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

MaldivesAden

MalaysiaSingapore

EgyptAustralia

New Zealand

July 8, 1853 – Commodore Matthew C. Perry re-opened Japan to the world ending Japan’s 214-year isolation

Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito) modernized Japan by freely accepting Western influences, including imperialism.

Spain as the “Mistress of the World”

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE PHILIPPINES ON RIZAL’S

TIMES

Filipinos were unfortunate victims of the evils of the

unjust, bigoted and deteriorating

colonial power.

Evils of the Unjust Colonial Power

Instability of colonial administration

Corrupt Officialdom

No Philippine representation in

the Spanish Cortes

Human Rights Denied to Filipinos

No Equality Before the Law

Maladministration of Justice

Racial Discrimination

Frailocracy

Forced Labor or“Polo Y

Servicios”

Haciendas Ownedby the Friars

The Guardia Civil

WHY RIZAL is our

GREATEST NATIONAL

HERO

“Consummatum Est!”