Lesson 1: Republic Act.
1425 Rizal Law
My Reflection
I've never heard of the Republic Act 1425, also known as the Rizal Statute, and have no idea
what it is. This course provided me with the opportunity to learn about and comprehend those rules. I
believe that this law is extremely beneficial, especially in raising our maka-Pilipino spirits and reminding
us to remember and honor our national hero, Jose Rizal. We studied these two famous novels of Rizal
when I was in Grades 9 and 10, but we didn't have enough time to learn about his other works or the
story of his life. I think it's wonderful that I've acquired some background information about these
books, which will help me learn more about them in the future, and that I've also had the opportunity to
learn about his other works and life. I recognize that learning about history can be repetitive because
there are so many dates, names, and incidents that are difficult to recall because we haven't
encountered or experienced such a person or event. On the other hand, I believe that this law made it
more interesting by including novels, other works, and Rizal's life story, as these topics have hidden
meanings in terms of their development, their relation to society, and the story of a man with a great
mind who used his writings to express his thoughts and fight for our nationality until his death. In
general, the Rizal Law allowed us to reflect on our national hero's sacrifices and reignite the flame of
nationalism that has been fading in recent years.
Lesson 2: Concept of Hero
My Reflection
A hero is a person who represents goodness. Rizal brought us independence through goodness.
Jose Rizal became a national hero of the Philippines because he fought for freedom in a quiet but
effective manner. Rather than using force or violence, he communicated his affection for the Philippines
through his novels, essays, and posts. At the time, he was a truly remarkable individual. He was modest,
preferring to fight for reforms through his writings rather than through revolution. Instead of being
aggressive, he used his intellect, abilities, and expertise in a more peaceful manner. Rizal is an American-
backed hero who advocated for nonviolent government reform. Instead, he used his writings to help
Filipinos see things differently. He was known for his calm and meek demeanor, but he had never fought
in a battle. The majority of the world's heroes were promoted to that status as a result of their war
exploits. It was never done by Rizal. He was using his pen to criticize the Spanish government's
treatment of the Philippines. He struggled to get the Philippines included in the Spanish Cortes on a
permanent basis. That's why, when the United States recognized the Philippines as a vassal state, the
Governor General of the Philippines, Gen. Taft, named Jose Rizal as the country's National Hero, in order
to calm the fighting fervor of the Filipinos fighting for independence at the time. During their time in the
region, the Americans decided to make him a national hero. As a tactic, the Americans, according to Civil
Governor William Howard Taft, chose Jose Rizal to be the national hero. In his day, Rizal did not want a
bloody revolt. As a result, they needed him to set a "good example" for the Filipinos in order to prevent
a revolution against the Americans. By becoming a National Hero during the American era, Rizal met the
requirements for being a National Hero.
Lesson 3: Rizal as Symbol
My Reflection
Jose Rizal had class and charisma. He was a renaissance man who dazzled and insulted an
archaic Spanish colonial ruler with his liberalism in modern politics. His symbol: a pen that is mightier
than the sword. ... The saber and revolver are his symbols.
Lesson 4: Rizal and Nation-Building
My Reflection
Rizal Insist on Education as the Instrument for Social ProgressA major contribution to the making
of the Filipino nation was Rizal's insistence on the education of his people, a social commitment of any
government.
Lesson 5: 19th Century Philippines.
My Reflection
Political and economic developments in Europe were gradually starting to influence Spain, and
thus the Philippines, by the late 18th century. The gradual abolition of the galleon to Acapulco's
monopoly served as a significant trade stimulant. The last galleon arrived in Manila in 1815, and by the
mid-1830s, the city was almost fully accessible to foreign merchants. After the Suez Canal was
completed in 1869, demand for Philippine sugar and abaca (hemp) grew even faster, and the amount of
exports to Europe increased even more. The rise of commercial agriculture gave birth to a new social
class. Along with the church's landholdings and the pre-Spanish nobility's rice plantations, haciendas of
coffee, hemp, and sugar emerged, mostly owned by enterprising Chinese-Filipino mestizos. Some of the
families who rose to prominence in the nineteenth century have remained influential in Philippine
politics and economics. In the Philippines, public education did not begin until 1863, and even then, the
curriculum was dominated by the church. Less than one-fifth of those who went to school could read
and write Spanish, and still fewer could communicate effectively in the language. The colony's restricted
higher education was entirely controlled by the clergy, but by the 1880s, many sons of the wealthy were
being sent to Europe to study. In the liberal setting, nationalism and a desire for change flourished.
What became known as the Propaganda Movement originated from this talented community of
overseas Filipino students. Magazines, poetry, and pamphleteering were all thriving at the time. The
most brilliant figure in this movement, José Rizal, wrote two political novels, Noli me tangere and El
filibusterismo, which had a wide impact in the Philipines. Rizal returned to the Philippines in 1892 and
founded the Liga Filipina, a moderate reform-minded society loyal to Spain that said little about
independence. However, the unnecessarily fearful Spanish rapidly apprehended Rizal, exiled him to a
remote island in the south, and eventually executed him in 1896. Meanwhile, within the Philippines, a
less affluent class had formed a strong commitment to democracy.
Lesson 6: Memorias de un Estudiantes de Manila
My Reflection
June 10, 1872 Rizal left Calamba with the accompanied of his brother Paciano. It was 4 months
after the execution to the Gomburza and took the entrance examination and enrolled in the Ateneo de
Manila. It was the college that under supervision of the Spanish Jesuits. When Rizal enrolling at Ateneo
Municipal the college registrar was Father Magin Fernando, and According to Rizal’s poem Memorias de
un Estudiante de Manila that he was almost denied admission because of the 2 reason. He was late for
registration and he was sickly and undersized for his age. Rizal followed the advice of his brother,
Paciano, to use the name JOSE RIZAL instead of JOSE MERCADO. At the time Jos estudied in the Ateneo,
this college was located in intramuros, within the walls of Manila. Rizal was boarded in a house outside
Intramuros, on Caraballo Street, 25 minutes’ walk from the college. The system of Education given by
the Jesuits in the Ateneo was more advanced than that of other colleges in that period. It trained the
character of the student by rigid discipline and religious instruction. It promoted physical culture,
humanities, and scientific studies. On his frist day of class in Ateneo, in June, 1872, Rizal first heard Mass
at the college chapel and prayed fervently to God for guidance and success. Rizal’s first professor in the
Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech. He described his professor as a : A tall man, Thin Man, with a body slightly
bend forward, a harried walk, an ascetic face, sever ad inspired, small deep-sunken eyes, a sharp nose
that was almost Greek and thin lips forming an arc whose ends fell toward the chin. Being a new comer
and knowing little Spanish, Rizal was placed at the bottom at the class. At the first week, the Calamba
boy progressed rapidly. At the end of the month, he was awarded a prize. To improve his Spanish, Rizal
took private lessons in Sta. Isabel College during the noon recesses, when other Ateneo students were
plying or gossiping. Nothing unusual happened to Rizal during his second term in the Ateneo, except
that he repented having neglected his studies the previous year simply because he was offended by the
teacher’s [Link] the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold
metal, with such scholastic honors, he triumphantly returned to Calamba in March, 1874 for the
summer vacation. Shortly after the opening of classes, his mother arrived and joyously told him that she
was released from the prison, just as he had predicted during his last visit to her prison cell in Sta. Cruz,
Laguna. However, despite the family happiness, Rizal did not make an excellent showing in his studies as
in the previous year. His grades remained excellent in all subjects, but he won only one medal in LATIN.
On June 16, 1875, rizal was became the INTERNO in the Ateneo. One of his professors this time was Fr.
Francisco de Paula Sanchez a great educator and scholar. Rizal had the highest affection and respect for
Father sanchez, whom he considered his best professor in the Ateneo. In his student memoirs, Rizal
wrote Father Sanchez in glowing terms, showing his affection and gratitude, that’s why he described his
Jesuits professor as “Model of uprightness, earnestness and love for the advancement of his pupils.” His
studied continued to fare well. As a matter of fact he excelled in all subject. And he was considered as
the most brilliant Atenean of his time he was truly “the pride of the Jesuits”.
Lesson 7: Influence
My Reflection
Dr. José Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, is praised not only for his intellectual genius, but
also for standing up to the Spanish colonial government and opposing it. Rizal will be remembered for
his compassion towards the Filipino people and the world, even though his death sparked a revolution
to overthrow the tyranny. Rizal Mercado José Protasio Y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861, in
the town of Calamba, Laguna, to Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo. He was the youngest of ten
siblings, with nine sisters and one brother. The future political leader had already mastered the English
alphabet at the age of three. José was able to read and write by the age of five. While pursuing his land
surveyor and assessor's degree at Ateneo, Rizal also enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas for a law
preparatory course (UST). However, after learning that his mother was going blind, he decided to enroll
in UST's medicine school and later specialize in ophthalmology. He chose to move to Madrid, Spain, in
May 1882, and received his Licentiate in Medicine from the Universidad Central de Madrid. Rizal was a
multi-talented individual who excelled in a variety of fields, including medicine, poetry, and essay
writing. He was a professional painter, draughtsman, and sculptor. He became a polyglot, speaking 22
languages, as a result of his ten-year stay in Europe. Rizal had varying degrees of specialization in
architecture, sociology, anthropology, fencing, martial arts, and economics, to name a few. Rizal was
outspoken in his criticism of the Spanish government, but he did so in a peaceful and progressive way.
“The pen was mightier than the sword” for him. He also revealed the greed and wrongdoings of
government officials and Spanish friars through his writings. After his death, the Philippine Revolution
continued until 1898. And with the assistance of the United States, the Philippines declared its
independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. This was the time that the Philippine flag was waved at
General Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence in Kawit, Cavite.
Lesson 8: Rizal the Polymath
My Reflection
Rizal? People know him as the Philippines' "national hero," but getting to know him and
learning his life reveals the crack-of-the-best underneath his common tales. Anything seems to be
inevitable when you come from a rich family. However, Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado, a young man, took
advantage of their resources to research and learn. His abilities were apparent even at a young age
when he was studying new things. This person is never a regular guy. He was doomed to live his life the
way he did. To possess all of the skills he possessed during his lifetime. He was never satisfied with a
single accomplishment; instead, he craved more. He devised strategies to achieve his objectives and also
took chances in the process. He was a true genius! He was well aware of his talents and shortcomings,
but he never saw them as impediments to obtaining what he really desired. He followed his interests
and turned them into careers, and he was also recognized for them. Rizal should have been the perfect
renaissance man, capable of excelling in everything he set his mind to. His successes in land evaluation,
medicine, and literature are only a few of his well-known achievements, but he was also gifted in the
arts, architecture, and physical activity. He was a multilingual man who spoke over ten languages. He
had been subjected to the difficulties of being under the Spanish colonial government since he was a
child, and this had instilled in him the need for reform in the country's governance system. He was a
man who genuinely cared for his country and his people. Someone bravely faced the repercussions
simply for being a decent citizen and hero of his homeland. His life was one to remember, and his story
will be passed on to future generations. Because he was once a man who didn't just exist, but whose life
was shared with his people and his country. A hero, a role model for intellect, patriotism, and
excellence.
Lesson 9: Works of Rizal
My Reflection
There are many qualities that can describe every hero in the world. Some qualities that would
describe Jose Rizal are intelligent, and hardworking. He really wanted to have freedom in the Philippines
from Spain, so that the Filipinos did not have to be controlled by another country. He did not care about
himself. He cared more about helping his country. He really wanted his country to be proud of him. Jose
also was very smart. He knew how to work many jobs and had mastered 23 languages. He also helped
other people who needed help. Jose was hardworking in all that he tried to accomplish. He once said,
"It’s a useless life that is not concentrated to a great ideal. It’s like a stone wasted on the field without
becoming a part of any edifice." Life of Jose Rizal taught me to be helpful, brave and humble. During his
exile in Dapitan, he cured different eye diseases since he was an expert ophthalmologist. He was so
considerate in a sense that he only ask for payment only to the rich people. He was so humble, though
he was so intelligent but he do not belittle his inferiors. Rizal was a very brave person. He used his talent
in writing and wrote poems, novels and published articles that teach Filipinos about good deeds and
inspired them to fight for their freedom. He was determined to have his people free themselves through
his words and writings instead of fighting; he was always wise and looking forward as he led his people
to independence. Rizal proved that pen is mightier than a sword. For his expertise in writings enable him
to convince his whole fellowmen to attain justice, thus destroying an empire. For words flies wherever
and ignites every man’s feelings. Just like as a saying says that word is powerful, there comes positive
and negative in it. It could heal one’s heart but also harm another like a double edged sword. One of
these is entitled “To the Filipino Youth" that contains strong messages to convince reader, youth in
particular that they are the hope of nation. He also stresses the importance of education to ones future.
Another one is entitled "Kundiman". He wrote a kundiman to profess his intense love for his
motherland. This piece reflects his high hopes that one day, the Philippines would be free from
treachery and injustice. At the time, the country faced great threats while he was in Europe. And,
through this work, he voices his hopeful thoughts despite being far away from the country. In his article
entitled "To the Young Women of Malolos" he address all kinds of Filipino women: mothers, wives and
single women. He highlights the qualities that Filipino mothers should possess the duties of wives for
their husband and children and a counsel on how young women should choose their lifetime partners.
Indeed, Jose Rizal did many good deeds and tried to accomplish his goals; he wanted to free his country.
He was well known enough to have to even have his own special holiday which commemorate his death.
We can see a good people but not as good as him.
Lesson 10: The Value of Science
My Reflection
The Theory of Evolution through Natural Selection was proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred
Russel Wallace in 1859. Traits are heritable, according to their theory. Natural selection favors
characteristics that are adaptable to a particular climate. These characteristics become more
widespread in a population over time, which can lead to adaptations and the development of new
species. While much has been written about Rizal, very few realize that Darwin and Wallace’s theory
influenced Dr. Jose Rizal’s thought. Rizal is the first Filipino Darwinist. Darwinism was the major
paradigm shift of the latter half of the 19th century. It forever changed how people viewed nature,
human society and our place in the cosmos. But before one can be a Darwinist, one has to be science-
literate. Science literacy involves a revolution in one’s thinking. Rizal is an example of both. We Filipinos
know much about Rizal’s medical practice, literary talent and political works, but we are not very
familiar with his scientific works. Some even doubt that Rizal had the right to be called “Doctor.” Rizal
did not submit his M.D. thesis for examination (a doctorate is a research degree), likely due to lack of
funds. But a medieval tradition states that a physician without a doctorate is entitled to the title. Dr. Ben
O. de Lumen reviewed Rizal’s scientific achievements in his Star Science essay “Rizal the Scientist.” He
concludes that it is impossible to separate Rizal’s science from his nationalist vocation. All of his work
aimed to liberate the Filipino from superstition, discrimination and oppression. With these goals in
mind, he wrote several papers on what we now consider to be part of the social sciences. Filipinos enjoy
the benefits of scientific and technological advances. But the prescient Dr. Rizal foresaw that our
educational system would not improve much. Despite improvements in science teaching, we have
hardly a scientific culture. Even though we have schools and universities with well-equipped
laboratories, many of our students have low science competency since false ideas are still taught as
scientific fact in textbooks. We receive equipment and laboratory grants from other countries, but there
are few with the skills to use them. In many cases, they end up for display to visitors. We do not
recognize the value that science research contributes to the nation as evidenced by low percent of GDP
investment in science. Many young scientists leave the country to work overseas, since we have few
opportunities for research, on top of the uncompetitive salary offered to most scientists and science
educators. The country’s progress lies in a science-literate citizenry that values fairness, transparency
and democratic ideals. Science-literate citizens have a reasonable skeptical attitude that allows them to
easily discount claims made by those who exploit ignorance. Rizal continues to challenge us to science
literacy and revolution, first in ourselves and then in our society.
Lesson 11: The Art of Rizal
My Reflection
Jose Rizal's artistic talents are well-known. “Languages, drawing, sculpture, and literature will
remain Jose Rizal's favorite subjects even overseas,” writes Felice Sta. Maria in Rizal in Excelsis. Early on,
his artistic abilities were recognized. The Jesuits were so impressed with his work that they asked him to
design an altar for the Dipolog church in Zamboanga del Norte when he was just 17 years old. His
literary achievements, which he began as early as the age of seven, will earn him enduring acclaim.
Science, the arts, and education were the pathways to "enlightenment" for Filipinos, according to Jose
Rizal. “If only I could become a professor in my homeland, I would wake to life these studies, this nosci
te ipsum (know thyself) which creates a true sense of national identity (Selbstgefuhl) and impels nations
to do great deeds,” Rizal said. He would bring this conviction into action between Noli Me Tangere and
El Filibusterismo. He will meticulously handwrite a copy of Antonio de Morga's Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas in London. He would add his own annotations to that 17th-century work. Father John
Schumacher put it this way: “Rizal makes it plain in his preface where it fits into his master plan. The Noli
has exposed "the current state of our fatherland," and his Morga now tries to awaken "the
consciousness of our past" in Filipinos so that they can "dedicate ourselves to researching the future."
For Jose Rizal, enlightenment came through the arts, philosophy, science, history, and education in
general. They provided the process by which he (and the Founding Fathers) could discover, identify, and
convey national consciousness and identity.
Lesson 12: Organizations
My Reflection
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Realonda was a Filipino nationalist and polymath during the
tail end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. Born: 19 June 1861, Calamba Died: 30
December 1896, Manila Full name: José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda Siblings: Paciano
Rizal, Saturnina Hidalgo, Soledad Mercado and more. He is the one who made the La Liga Filipina to get
the right way of organizing the government. Rizal's Liga, when upon his return to the Philippines in July,
1892, Rizal organized the La Liga Filipina, this constituted a forward step in the reformist ideas of the
times in the sense that the new group sought to involve the people directly in the reform movement.
Many elements of society who were anxious for change were attracted to the Liga, among them, Andres
Bonifacio who became one of the founders of the organization. As listed in the constitution Rizal
prepared, the Liga's aims were: To unite the whole archipelago into one compact, vigorous, and
homogenous body; Mutual protection in every want and necessity Defense against all violence and
injustice; Encouragement of instruction, agriculture, and commerce; and Study and application of
reforms. As Rizal envisioned it, the league was to be a sort of mutual aid and self-help society dispensing
scholarship funds and legal aid, loaning capital and setting up cooperatives. These were innocent, even
naive objectives that could hardly alleviate the social ills of those times, but the Spanish authorities were
so alarmed that they arrested Rizal on July 6, 1892, a scant four days after the Liga was organized. With
Rizal deported to Dapitan, the Liga became inactive until, through the efforts of Domingo Franco and
Andres Bonifacio, it was reorganized. Apolinario Mabini became the secretary of the Supreme Council.
Upon his suggestion, the organization decided to declare its support for La Solidaridad and the reforms it
advocated, raise funds for the paper, and defray the expenses of deputies advocating reforms for the
country before the Spanish Cortes.
Lesson 13: Rizal’s Tripartite View of History
My Reflection
Philippine history can be divided into three parts, precolonial, colonial and postcolonial.The
Filipino view has been worked out before the Spaniards were driven out of the country during the times
of Propaganda movement. The historical vision of Spain in the Philippines was bipartite, with the
condition of the Indios in the prehispanic past its first epoch and, the advent of Spain and the spread of
its civilizing influences as the second.The educated indio or mestizo cannot accept this view of history.
Hence, they brought into being a tripartite view of Philippine history.
Lesson 14: Rizal and Education
My Reflection
At the age of 3, Rizal learned the alphabet from: his mother. At the age of 5, while learning to
read and write, Rizal steady sin cuedinclinations to be an artist. He astounded his family and relatives by
his pencil drawings and sketches and by his moldings of clay. At the age of 8, Rizal wrote a Tagalog
poem, "Sa Aking Mga Kabata, " Thetheme of which revolves on the love of one's Language. Rizal had his
early education in Calambaand Biñan. characterized by the four R's reading. writing. arithmetic, and
religion. Instruction was rigid and strict. Knowledge was forced into the minds ofthe pupils by means of
the tedious memory method aided by the teacher's whip. It may be said that Rizal, who was born a
physical weakling, rose to become an intellectual giant not because of, but rather in spite of, the
outmoded and backward system of instruction obtaining in the Philippines during the last decades of
Spanish regime.
Lesson 15: The Role of the Youth
My Reflection
The role of the youth is simply to renew, refresh and maintain. Youth have a role to renew and
refresh the current status of our society including leadership, innovations, skills etc. Youth are expected
to advance the current technology, education, politics, peace of the country. On the other hand, youths
have also to maintain the culture of our culture, all good values in the societies, development projects,
etc.
Lesson 16: The Role of the Women in Nation Building
My Reflection
The State recognizes the role of women in nation building and shall ensure the fundamental
equality before the law of women and men. The State shall provided women rights and opportunities
equal to that of men.
Lesson 17: Leadership
My Reflection
As a leader, Rizal was transformational, charismatic, visionary, and most importantly,
incorruptible. He displayed a kind of leadership that was not motivated by personal interest but the
willingness to sacrifice oneself for the good of the majority which he described in his novels as the
national sentiment.
Lesson 18: Rizal and the Philippines Revolution 1896
My Reflection
The Philippine Revolution began in August 1896, when the Spanish authorities discovered the
Katipunan, an anti-colonial secret organization. ... A power struggle among the revolutionaries led to
Bonifacio's death in 1897, with command shifting to Aguinaldo, who led the newly
formed revolutionary government.
Lesson 19: Sacrifice and Martyrdom
My Reflection
Rizal's death was an emotional event in our history as it produced a "martyr" and resulted in
some form of social change or transformation in our lives as a people. Webster defines a "martyr" as a
person who is put to death or made to suffer greatly because of religion or other beliefs. Other elements
of martyrdom are usefulness of life and dedication to a high purpose. Rizal was put to death for
"subversion" by the dominant political forces. He represented a sector of society which had begun to
cause trouble and therefore constituted a real threat to the existing social order.
Lesson 20: Rizal Concept of being A “Filipino” and Filipino Nationalism
My Reflection
Loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one
nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as
opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups.
MY
REFLECTIO
N
SUBMITTED BY: Princess Panida BSA-1
SUBMITTED TO: Mr. Mark Daliva Tubay
