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LESSON 1 - INTRODUCTION TO THE RIZAL COURSE

TOPICS:
1. Who is our National Hero?
2. Who made Rizal our National Hero?
3. Qualifications to become a National Hero
4. RA 1425 (Rizal Law)
5. Why do we need to study Rizals Life, Works, and Writings?


Who is our National Hero?
a. Jose Rizal
b. Andres Bonifacio
c. Emilio Aguinaldo
d. Apolinario Mabini
e. Marcelo H. del Pilar
f. Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat
g. Juan Luna
h. Melchora Aquino
i. Gabriela Silang

Answer: NONE, among the reasons are:
1. Since the submission of the report/recommendations by the National Heroes Committee to then Secretary Ricardo T. Gloria of the Department of
Education, Culture and Sports on November 22, 1995, no action has been taken.
2. According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Heraldry Section Chief Teodoro Atienza, there has never been any law passed
to recognize a national hero in the country.
3. For a national symbol to be official, it must first be declared so by an enabling law, which must be passed by the two houses of the legislature and signed
by the president.

TRIVIA: there are only five (5) official symbols, they are the following:
1. Narra as the national tree through Proclamation No. 652.
2. Sampaguita as the national flower declared by Governor General Frank Murphy in 1934 through the same proclamation.
3. The Philippine Eagle, formerly known as the monkey-eating eagle was proclaimed the national bird by President Fidel V. Ramos in 1995 through
Proclamation No. 615.
4. The South Sea Pearl was declared the national gem through Proclamation No. 905.
5. Arnis was declared as the national sport and martial arts in 2009 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through Republic Act 9850.



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Who made Rizal our National Hero?
There is NO single person, or group of persons who was responsible for proclaiming the greatest Malayan the greatest hero of his people. Rizal himself,
his own people, and all the foreigners who knew him intimately all together contributed to proclaiming him the greatest hero and martyr of his people.

Qualifications to become a National Hero
A. Criteria adopted by the Technical Committee of the National Heroes Committee on June 3, 1993, Manila.
1. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the nations 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

B. Additional Criteria for Heroes (Adopted by the Technical Committee of the National Heroes Committee on November 15, 1995, Manila.)
1. A hero is part of the peoples expression.
2. A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations.
3. The choice of a 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.

What is RA 1425 or Rizal 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 Other Purposes.

Why do we need to study Rizals Life, Works, and Writings?
A. Rationale THEN:
1. Gain inspiration and insight and involve themselves in the community.
2. Imbibe the virtues and values of Rizal and other reputable leaders of the country.
3. Acquire proper direction and become better citizens.

B. Rationale NOW:
1. To showcase the relevance of Rizals ideals, thoughts, teachings, and values to community life.
2. To apply Rizals ideas to the solution of the day-to-day problems encountered in contemporary life.
3. To promote understanding and appreciation of the qualities, conduct, and character of Rizal.
4. To foster the development of the moral character, personal discipline, citizenship, skills, and vocational efficiency of the Filipino youth.

References:
http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2012-12-31/891680/jose-rizal-national-hero
http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/culture-profile-nationalhero.php
Philippines Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956, retrieved from http://www.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/
Rizal His Legacy to Philippine Society by Cecilio D. Duka and Rowena A. Pila pages 1-8