REPUBLIC ACT 1425 (UNIT 1)
The Rizal Law, also known as Republic Act No. 1425, was enacted on June 12, 1956
and was sponsored by Senators Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto. The law mandates that the
life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, be included in the course curricula of all public and private schools, colleges, and
universities. In 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 was submitted to the Senate Committee on Education,
proposing to include courses on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal in all public and
private schools. The bill was sponsored by Senator Jose P. Laurel, who emphasized that
reading Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo is crucial for Filipinos to
understand themselves as a people and prepare for self-reliance, self-respect, and freedom. A
similar bill was filed in the House of Representatives by Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales but
faced opposition due to its constitutionality and religiosity. A substitute bill was proposed that
included all of Rizal's works and writings instead of just his two novels. The importance of
reading the original and unexpurgated edition of Rizal's novels was also emphasized by Senator
Laurel. On May 12 and May 14, 1956, both Senate Bill No. 438 and House Bill No. 5561 were
unanimously approved on the second reading in their respective houses. On June 12, 1956,
President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill into law as Republic Act 1425 or the Rizal Law.The
life, works, and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are considered a source of patriotism that should be taught to the youth during
their formative years in school. All educational institutions are under the supervision of the State
and are required to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and teach
citizenship duties. Therefore, courses on Rizal's life and works shall be included in all school
curricula using the original or unexpurgated editions of his novels as basic texts for collegiate
courses. The Board of National Education is authorized to implement measures to enforce this
provision within 60 days from the effectivity of this Act. All schools must keep an adequate
number of copies of Rizal's works in their libraries. The unexpurgated editions or their
translations in English shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all
public or private schools. The Board shall determine the adequacy of books depending on
enrollment. The Board shall cause translations of Rizal's works into English, Tagalog, and
Philippine dialects to be printed in cheap popular editions and distributed free through Purok
organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country. This Act does not amend or repeal
section 927 of the Administrative Code that prohibits public school teachers from discussing
religious doctrines. Lastly, three hundred thousand pesos is authorized to be appropriated out of
,any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National budget.The Republic Act No. 1425
mandates all public and private schools, colleges, and universities to include courses on the life,
works, and writings of Jose Rizal, specifically his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
The act also authorizes the printing and distribution of these novels. The purpose of this act is to
re-dedicate ourselves to the ideals of freedom and nationalism that our heroes fought for. It is
important to honor our national hero, Jose Rizal, and remember his life with fondness and
devotion.The given text is a legal document that outlines the implementation of an Act. The Act
is aimed at achieving certain purposes, which are not specified in the text. The Treasury is
tasked with carrying out these purposes. The Act was approved on June 12, 1956, and it took
effect immediately upon approval. This information was published in the Official Gazette,
Volume 52, Number 6, page 2971 in June 1956. There is no further information provided in the
text.The Rizal Law was enacted to revive the Filipino identity during a time when it was
diminishing. The law aims to rededicate the youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, pay
tribute to Rizal for shaping the Filipino character, and gain an inspiring source of patriotism
through studying his life, works, and writings. The late Senator Jose P. Laurel emphasized the
need to know and imbibe Rizal's great ideals and principles. The teaching of Rizal Course in
higher education institutions today is anchored on the patriotic policy statements of Rizal Law
and aims to recognize the relevance of Rizal's ideals, apply them in contemporary life, develop
an understanding and appreciation of his qualities, behavior, and character, and foster moral
character, personal discipline, citizenship, and vocational efficiency among Filipino youth. The
study of Rizal's life, works, and writings is important to instill his ideas and ideals in ourselves
and develop a deeper awareness of their relevance so that we may apply them in our daily lives
as active participants in our people's journey towards an abundant life.
,19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES AS RIZAL'S CONTEXT (UNIT 2)
The Philippines has undergone significant changes over the years due to historical
events. This lesson focuses on the changes that occurred in the 19th century, which can be
categorized into social, political, economic, and cultural changes. The 19th century is
considered the birth of modern life and nation-states worldwide. To understand Dr. Rizal's
actions during this period, it is essential to examine the developments and accomplishments
that shaped the Philippines' economy, society, and politics. The birth of modernity brought about
three revolutions: the Industrial Revolution in England, the French Revolution in France, and the
American Revolution. During these periods, Spain had significant power over some parts of the
world.The Galleon Trade was a government monopoly that served as the economic lifeline for
the Spaniards in Manila, serving most trades between China and Europe. It started when
Andres de Urdaneta discovered a return route from Cebu to Mexico in 1565. Only two galleons
were used: one sailed from Acapulco to Manila with some 500,000 pesos worth of goods,
spending 120 days at sea and the other sailed from Manila to Acapulco with some 250,000
pesos worth of goods spending 90 days at sea. During the heyday of the galleon trade, Chinese
silk was by far the most important cargo. Governor Basco thought of making an organization,
the Royal Philippine Company, that will finance both the agricultural and the new trade that were
being made between the Philippines and Spain, and other Asian countries.Some groups like the
Catholic Church opposed the new organization as changes brought by the planned reforms and
traders of the Galleon trade were not accepted. There were news that the Royal Philippine
Company had issues of mismanagement and corruption. But Governor Basco still continued to
develop reforms that he prohibited Chinese merchants from trading internally. He also
introduced cash crop farms (crops cultivated for export) and became very strict to some policies
that allow continuous opening of Manila to foreign markets; And finally, he also established
monopoly and maximize tobacco production.
The tobacco industry was under government control during General Basco’s time. In 1871, the
first tobacco monopoly was established in Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, La Union, Isabela,
Abra, Nueva Ecija and Marinduque. These provinces were allowed to plant only tobacco on
their farmlands.The Industrial Revolution was a significant development in the 19th century that
transformed Europe's economic status. The revolution led to the rise of new capitalists and
industrial workers who migrated from rural areas. Positive effects of the revolution included the
opening of the Philippines for world commerce, foreign engagement in manufacturing and
agriculture, a dynamic and balanced economy, a rise in influential and wealthy Filipino middle
, class, encouragement of trade participation, migration, and population increase. The end of
Galleon trade transpired by 1810 due to the loss of Latin American colonies brought by the
Mexican War of Independence from the Spanish empire. Manila was open for world trade in
1834, which led to mestizos traders putting up merchant houses in Manila. Ilustrados were able
to send their children to Spain and Europe for higher education degrees that made them equal
with Spaniards. Railways and steamships were constructed for safer, faster, and comfortable
means of transportation and communication. The opening of the Suez Canal provided a shorter
route for trades between Philippines and other countries of the world. Majority of export income
during this period came from cash crops such as tobacco, sugar, cotton, indigo, abaca, and
coffee making it a major source of revenue in the country. Farmers were pressured to produce
more harvest while landowners (hacienderos) take advantage of their position through an
agreement called pacto de retroventa – an agreement guaranteeing that the landowner could
buy back the land at the same price at which it was sold.The rising demand of the economy and
payment for renewals has caused farmers to be in full debt, leading to the loss of their rights to
their land. This has forced them to work as tenant farmers or kasama, and there has also been
a form of land grabbing by acquiring land forcefully. The Inquilinos, a laborer indebted to a
landlord who allows him to form a farm in parts of his property and who, in exchange, works
without pay from the landlord, emerged as people required better care for lands.
The Chinese and Chinese mestizos rose due to the increasing growth of the economy. They
were already doing multiple services as traders, artisans, and domestic servants in the
Philippines even before Spanish colonization. The Spaniards saw them as a potential threat but
also essential to the economy. They planned to convert them and introduce intermarriages with
indios that brought the Chinese mestizos. The Chinese mestizos played a major part in the
Spanish colonial period, buying land, accumulating wealth, and influencing the majority.
The treatment of the Spanish conqueror towards Filipinos was likened to slavery - they collected
taxes and demanded forced labor or polo y servicio for the government and Catholic church.
The increasing population of mestizos prompted the emergence of social status in society.
In the 19th century, Spaniards' economic power started to weaken. The growing principalia
realized their indispensable position in society as movers and facilitators of the economy. An
inquilinato system was introduced during mid-eighteenth century because of increasing exports
of agricultural crops for trade where someone known as canon will be renting a piece of land for
a fixed amount for a year while an inquilino or lessee works without pay from the landlord.The
given text discusses the social and educational structures during the Spanish colonization of the
Philippines. The system of land ownership involved landlords or landowners at the top,
inquilinos in the middle, and kasama or sharecroppers at the bottom. This system allowed