10/28/2014

The Life and Works of Rizal: Why Study Rizal?

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Jose Rizal: Life and Works

Why Study Rizal?

It is of great importance that students understand the rationale behind having to take up
a Rizal course in college. For high school students, the Noli Me Tangere and the El
Filibusterismo are injected into the Filipino subject as part of the overall curriculum. In
tertiary education, however, Rizal is a subject required of any course, in any college or
university in the Philippines.
Usually, during the first day of the course, the professor asks the well-overused
questions:
Why study Rizal?
What is the importance of studying Rizal?
Why is Rizal one of the minor subjects taken up in college?
Why is Rizal included in the course outline?
What relevance does Rizal have in college education?
The answer to such questions can be summed up in two points:

1. First and foremost, because it is mandated by law.

2. Secondly, because of the lessons contained within the course itself.

Let us discuss those reasons one by one:

WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE IT IS MANDATED BY LAW
The teaching of Jose Rizals life, works, and writings is mandated by Republic Act
1425, otherwise known as the Rizal Law. Senator Jose P. Laurel, the person who
sponsored the said law, said that since Rizal was the founder of Philippine nationalism
and has contributed much to the current standing of this nation, it is only right that the
youth as well as all the people in the country know about and learn to imbibe the great
ideals for which he died. The Rizal Law, enacted in 1956, seeks to accomplish the
following goals:
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 Rizals life, works,
and writings.

WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE OF THE LESSONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE

COURSE
Aside from those mentioned above, there are other reasons for teaching the Rizal
course in Philippine schools:
1. To recognize the importance of Rizals ideals and teachings in relation to present
conditions and situations in the society.

2. To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal

problems and issues.
3. To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and
died for.

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The Life and Works of Rizal: Why Study Rizal?

4. To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.
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9 comments:
Anonymous November 14, 2011 at 2:12 PM
It is a MUST that the one handles the subject knows more and those Professors who
are alive to teach Rizal... majority of the Professors handled Rizal subject were boring
and that the students were less interested to listen...
Reply
Replies
Anonymous February 7, 2013 at 9:18 PM
well in my case I am so happy that my professor is not boring,..

Marcelino Vidal Hostallero Jr. September 25, 2013 at 1:29 AM

True! However, it will always up to us on how we will value the subject
itself. When your professor get's boring, do something. You have a choice.
Reply

crilyn June 19, 2012 at 3:14 AM

It is an issue today whether we still have to teach Rizal course, looking at the present
times, many are now questioning the relevance of the subject. But as for me, Rizal
subject will always be significant. It had been our mirror from the past that had helped
us shape what we have today.Thus, Rizal course must remain in our curriculum.
Reply

Anonymous April 10, 2013 at 4:45 AM

TO BE EDUCATED,.,.
AND TO BE INSPIRED,.,,.
STAND UP FOR OUR COUNTRY,.,.,.
Reply

Anonymous July 19, 2013 at 3:43 AM

knowing the life of our hero is knowing on how to be Filipino!
Reply

Anonymous June 11, 2014 at 3:53 AM

how can we be inspired if we will learn eventually the life of rizal aside of he as the
hero of our country that he was once a womanizer? that what i had thought about him
during my hogh school years, since Ive read some of his life story.
Reply

Anonymous July 9, 2014 at 8:41 PM

studying his life and works could promote patriotism and nationalism as well
Reply

Anonymous July 10, 2014 at 6:58 AM

I still don't see the need to have Rizal subject in College courses which are not
related to Education and Arts. Much more today, due to the implementation of K to 12
educational system.
I'm an Accountancy major and I had enough of the guy from Filipino subjects from
pre-school to high school. I don't see how studying his biography would help me with
my life after college. Knowing his life story won't make me any more substantial
person than those who don't even have a clue who this man is. I don't even admire
the guy nor am I a fanatic of nationalism. It doesn't make any sense to force someone
to learn what he's not intetested in.

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The Life and Works of Rizal: Why Study Rizal?

Now, I'm stuck wasting so many hours memorizing names, dates, places, events,
poems, and lines in roleplaying that won't serve me any purpose other than pass the
subject. Furthermore, burden of compulsary buying these unnecessary books and
costumes takes a takes a toll financially. Those wasted hours and money might have
been used for something else more useful like refining my technical skills that which
my time consuming major already requires. All these would just make guys like me
hate the national hero for making a semester of our college life into a hell hole
without getting anything in return.
Reply

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