I have always loved my poor country

and I am sure that I shall love her

until death, if by chance men are
unjust to me; and I shall enjoy the
happy life, contented in the thought
that all that I have suffered, my past,
my present and my future, my life, my
love, my pleasures, I have sacrificed all
of these for love of her.
Happen, what may, I shall die blessing
her and desiring the dawn of her redemption

~ JOSE RIZAL ~

The Rizal Law also known as Republic Act No. 1425 is 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 Other Purposes.

IMPORTANCE OF THE RIZAL LAW: REPUBLIC ACT 1425

It is to honor the heroes of our nation mainly Jose Rizal because they gave
there life to this country and for us and that cannot be surmounted by any monetary
value. We the newer generations knew only the basic information of Rizal but if we give
ample time to consider his works and accomplishments we will make inspiration from him.
His love for his countrymen is greater than his love of himself, thus he devoted almost all
of his life for the freedom and justice of the Filipino people.
The Philippine Educational System has included the life, works, and
teaching of Jose Rizal to instill to the youth the importance of freedom and nationalism
that we had already given because of the sacrifice of our heroes. Thru the efforts of our
national hero, we are also to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic
conscience, and to teach the duties of citizenship, by applying this in our daily lives, the
values that we Filipinos that has been instilled to us may be passed on to the next
generation for the betterment of our country.
At the end of the day, we are Filipinos that must be proud of the selflessness
of our national hero, Jose Rizal for bringing us up to this moment, the people he inspired
despite his short lived life that awaken the burning desire of freedom from our captives
and up to this day, the torch of freedom has passed on, for we the Filipino people
honor those who are fallen.

POSITIVE EFFECT OF RIZAL LAW

According to Hernan Abaya, 1984, the nationalist reawakening began on
the UP campus, sparked by the teaching of Rizal’s life and his writings made compulsory
by the Noli-Fili law, co-authored by Recto and Laurel. This is a statement from a person
who was able to witness the condition of the country before and after the Rizal law was
implemented. He saw the change and the positive effect of the law to our country back
then.
 The youth was made aware of the contributions and the principled life of
Jose Rizal who was an emblem of substantial nationalism and unconditional love for the
country. He embodies brilliance coupled with humility and prestige that goes along with
service. This Republic Act has pushed for Rizal to be a role model for the youth of this
country.
Through this republic act the essence of freedom and independence was
emphasized to the youth. Also, it has been implied through this act that national identity
is a very important legacy that our heroes have achieved through sacrificing their own
lives. They have passed it on to us, and it is our role to nurture and protect it.

SPECIFIC IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING RIZAL

The academic subject on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal was not
mandated by law for nothing. Far from being impractical, the course interestingly offers
many benefits that some contemporary academicians declare that the subject,
especially when taught properly, is more beneficial than many subjects in various
curricula.

1. The subject provides insights on how to deal with current problems

There is a dictum, “He who controls the past controls the future.” Our view
of history forms the manner we perceive the present, and therefore influences the
kind of solutions we provide for existing problems. Jose Rizal course, as a history
subject, is full of historical information from which one could base his decisions in
life. In various ways, the subject, for instance, teaches that being educated is a
vital ingredient for a person or country to be really free and successful.

2. It helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos

The past helps us understand who we are. We comprehensively define
ourselves not only in terms of where we are going, but also where we come from.
Our heredity, past behaviors, and old habits as a nation are all significant clues
and determinants to our present situation. Interestingly, the life of a very important
national historical figure like Jose Rizal contributes much to shedding light on our
collective experience and identity as Filipino. The good grasp of the past offered
by this subject would help us in dealing wisely with the present.

3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism

Nationalism involves the desire to attain freedom and political
independence, especially by a country under foreign power, while patriotism
denotes proud devotion and loyalty to one’s nation. Jose Rizal’s life, works, and
writings—especially his novels—essentially, if not perfectly, radiate these traits. For
one thing, the subject helps us to understand our country better.

4. It provides various essential life lessons

We can learn much from the way Rizal faced various challenges in life. As
a controversial figure in his time, he encountered serious dilemmas and
predicaments but responded decently and high-mindedly. Through the crucial
decisions he made in his life, we can sense his priorities and convictions which
manifest how noble, selfless, and great the national hero was. For example, his
 many resolutions exemplified the aphorism that in this life there are things more
important than personal feeling and happiness.

5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking

Critical Thinking refers to discerning, evaluative, and analytical thinking. A
Philosophy major, Jose Rizal unsurprisingly demonstrated his critical thinking skills in
his argumentative essays, satires, novels, speeches, and written debates. In
deciding what to believe or do, Rizal also proved his being a reasonably reflective
thinker, never succumbing to the irrational whims and baseless opinions of anyone.
In fact, he indiscriminately evaluated and criticized even the doctrines of the
dominant religion of his time. A course on Rizal’s life, works, and writings therefore
is also a lesson in critical thinking.

6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and inspiration to every Filipino

If one is looking for someone to imitate, then Rizal is a very viable choice.
The hero’s philosophies, life principles, convictions, thoughts, ideals, aspirations,
and dreams are a good influence to anyone. Throughout his life, he valued
nationalism and patriotism, respect for parents, love for siblings, and loyalty to
friends, and maintained a sense of chivalry. As a man of education, he highly
regarded academic excellence, logical and critical thinking, philosophical and
scientific inquiry, linguistic study, and cultural research. As a person, he manifested
versatility and flexibility while sustaining a strong sense of moral uprightness.

7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives

People love fictions and are even willing to spend for books or movie tickets
just to be entertained by made-up tales. But only a few perhaps know that Rizal’s
life is full of fascinating non-fictional accounts

ADVANTAGES/PROS OF RIZAL LAW

 Rizal law teaches different virtues that can be applied in life. Some of these are;
loving and serving the country, being a strong individual who can stand in his
conviction and a responsible individual.
 The Rizal Law makes it mandatory that all state sanctioned schools make the
history and works of Jose Rizal a part of their curriculum. The hope of the order was
to keep citizens aware of their heritage and culture and to remind them of the
price they paid to gain their independence.
 Promoting peace and liberty instead of violent action and war to the Philippines.
 To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present
conditions and situations in the society.
 To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal
problems and issues.
 To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and
died for.
 To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.
 Studying Rizal’s life and works could help young Filipinos to know about the history
of Philippines as well as what happened to our country during the colonization of
Spain and how our ancestors gone through discrimination and corruption during
Spanish era.
 Another awesome study in leadership, Rizal represents every man and woman
who has ever lost their own lives to the consequences of the very cause that they
tried to go against. Ultimately, it took a long time to get to where the Philippines
finally got their independence from Spain. Therefore, Rizal's influence over the
independence movement was both symbolic and necessary for this significant
and historic change to happen.
 It is important to study the life of Jose Rizal because of his input towards the
independence of Philippines. He chose to fight for his country through knowledge
and the power of letters. He noticed the continued suffering of his countrymen at
the hands of the Spaniards and sought to put an end to this situation. He decided
to improve on his personal studies to acquire knowledge that he would later on
pass to his people through novels and poems. His famous novels the "Noli Me
Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" pointed out the issues that the true citizens of
Philippines faced under Spanish rule and the need to take decisive action to
liberate themselves from oppression. His actions resonated well with that of his
countrymen and eventually the people decided to rise up and defend their rights
and freedom.
 All over the world, people study about the lives of those who were responsible for
the founding of their countries and in their countries' independence
movements. It is no different in the Philippines. This is why it is relevant to study the
life of Rizal.
 By studying the lives of heroes such as Rizal, we are supposed to become more
aware of the ideals that our country is founded upon. We are supposed to
become more aware of the sacrifices (such as Rizal giving his life) that our
forefathers made in order that we could have an independent country. In other
words, the study of such heroes is supposed to make us more patriotic and more
appreciative of what we have today. So, studying about Rizal is relevant to a
Filipino/a because it allows them to become better citizens of their country.
 Another is that through the implementation of this law, our fellowmen would be
able to see how much we are blinded by foreigners, especially the Americans,
and how much colonial mentality has taken over the lives of the people. Still,
another is that through studying the works of Rizal, Filipinos would have a sense of
accomplishment and they would feel very proud of their country and their
heritage, which would lead to nationalism and unification of the country.
 Exposes the hardships of the Filipinos under the Spanish regime
 Enlightened the students about the true value of having an independent nation
 Focuses on how the power of the Filipinos can have a large margin against the
opposes of the country.
 Spread nationalism across the country through the works of Rizal
 Youth was made aware of the contributions and the principled life of Jose Rizal
who was an emblem of substantial nationalism and unconditional love for the
country
 For Rizal to be a role model for the youth of this country.
 The essence of freedom and independence was emphasized to the youth
 Implied through this act that national identity is a very important legacy that our
heroes have achieved through sacrificing their own lives
 Through Rizal’s words, we are able to see not only the strengths and virtues of us
Filipinos but also our defects and vices.
 Making the Filipinos realize their flaws and the sacrifices to be made in order to
attain freedom.
 Foster the better appreciation of our national hero’s role in fighting for freedom
under the colonialism of the Spaniards, not to go against any religion.
 Keep citizens aware of their heritage and culture and to remind them of the price
they paid to gain their independence
 Why study Rizal: Because it is mandated by law
o To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism,
for which our heroes lived and died
o To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping
the Filipino character
o To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life,
works, and writings
 Why study Rizal: Because of the lessons contained
o To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to
present conditions and situations in the society
o To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal
problems and issues
o To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal
fought and died for
o To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship
 Whereas, today, more than other period of our history, there is a need for a re-
dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived
and died.
 Whereas, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to
regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character,
personal discipline, civic conscience, and to teach the duties of citizenship.