DR. JOSE P. RIZAL lived in the 61st year of the 19th century. Why would Philippine hero Jose Rizal be relevant now?
On August 16, 1956, Republic Act 1425 or Rizal Act was enacted into a law, requiring all educational institutions in the Philippines to include a course about the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal into the curricula, until today.
It is supposed to inspire students, to understand his vision for the country, the sacrifices he had done, and to see him as an exemplary Filipino: to emulate him and ignite nationalism among the students, give them a model for patriotism, be like the hero in terms of love for country and fellowmen. He dedicated his life for the Philippines.
LIVING LIKE RIZAL
Has the inclusion of Rizal’s life and works in the educational curriculum been effective?
Why are some leaders siding with evil instead of leading the people to the path of development?
Well, Rizal Law may not have anything to do with it but if the teachings are so effective there should be no room for these circumstances. Because Rizal was one of the best examples of how a citizen should be. Why can’t we be like him?
If Rizal course is effective, why are some Filipinos so fanatic to the point of loving and fighting for the politicians instead of fighting for what is right and what is good for the country? Why do some Filipinos betray fellow citizens in exchange for money? Rizal was never like that!
‘Rizal was one of the best examples of how a citizen should be … If Rizal course is effective, why are some Filipinos so fanatic to the point of loving and fighting for the politicians instead of fighting for what is right and what is good for the country?’
READING RIZAL
Is the pen still mightier than the sword? As a journalist, I should believe this. But maybe there are also times when a more active reaction is needed.
More action enough to shake those who abuse us, who do not take responsibility for their misdeeds, those who are corrupt and using their position for personal gain. Or maybe, the life of Rizal is not enough.
What if we include the lives of other heroes, popular and not so popular? Will it make a difference? Maybe we are not in a situation we are now where abuses are done by the leaders we voted to hold government positions.
Look at the national scene: the Supreme Court, the Senate, and the Congress: how many are Rizal-like in terms of patriotism? Look at the local scene: how many leaders are like him? Look at the ordinary citizens… do we have the qualities of Rizal? Did we ever learn anything from his works and writings?
Maybe we read him, but did we ever act like him?
Let me go back to the question now: has it been effective? All who finished college had Rizal course by virtue of the law.
All who studied high school learned about Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, two novels of Jose Rizal. Even in elementary school, we have learned about one of our national heroes, Rizal. Yes, we have several national heroes!
WHERE WE WENT WRONG
Here we are: politicians are playing us. They see us merely as voters to get them to the positions they wanted. From the father mayor to the wife mayor to the child or children mayors.
Our fellow citizens keep electing politicians convicted for plunder. Even the highest positions are no example to good governance, except for a handful good leaders. And they just get away with their wrongdoings. Then we wonder why we are so poor, trying to keep both ends meet everyday, every year, and the cycle just goes on and on and on.
Where does Rizal Law apply? Where did we go wrong? Review our education. Make it effective.