Hello, I'm Humi. In this video, we will talk about what the Rizal Law is, why it was enacted, its importance, why many disagreed with it, and whether it is still relevant to our daily lives today. The Rizal Law, or RA 1425, is a law in which the government mandates that all colleges or universities in the Philippines must teach the life and works of Rizal, especially Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. This means, whether it's private or public, or whatever course you've chosen and are taking now, because of RA 1425 or the Rizal Law, as long as you're in a university in the Philippines, Rizal must be taught to you. Now, you might be asking yourself why? Why do I have to learn, and why do I have no choice? To answer that, let's listen to the very people behind the law. Why do they think Rizal needs to be taught? So in 1956, Ramon Magsaysay was still president. A decade and a year have passed since WWII. During these times, many nationalist policy-makers see that our Filipino identity is disappearing. This means that Filipinos are no longer interested in, or experiencing a disconnection or detachment from, the Philippines. So according to the legislators, what we should do is focus on rebuilding that identity and move forward. One of their ideas to strengthen the national hope and pride of Filipinos was through education. For nationalist lawmakers, if we can protect the education of the youth, and teach them about their history, they will become smart and strong Filipinos. They will have a strong sense of national identity, which will lead to a strong and united Philippines. So on April 3, 1956, Senator Claro M. Recto submitted a bill to the Senate Committee on Education. This is Senate Bill No. 438 or "An Act to Make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo Compulsary Reading Matter in All Public and Private Colleges and Universities and For other Purposes." Since his name is long, let's just call him Noli-Fili Bill. In the Noli-Fili Bill, Rizal's two most famous novels are required reading for every Filipino when they arrive at college. On April 17, 1956, Senator Jose P. Laurel, who headed the Senate Committee submitted by Recto, sponsored the Noli-Fili bill and presented it to the members of the Upper House. According to Laurel, the purpose of the bill is to propagate or disseminate the ideas and ideals of Jose Rizal. He said it is important for all Filipinos to read "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo." They must be taken to heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as a mirror, our defects as well as our strength, our virtues as well as our vices. Only then would we become conscious as a people, and so learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-respect and freedom. Ok, it's good to hear the purpose of the bill. But there's a problem, the church doesn't want it. Like the RH Bill, the Noli-Fili bill was filled with controversy and arguments from the Catholic Church and conservatives. They don't want it to pass. Why? If we read Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, we will see Rizal's criticism of the actions of the Catholic Church. According to the church, if passed, the bill would discredit religion. According to Fr. Jesus Cavanna, novels were written a long time ago, and teaching them nowadays is dangerous, because it may give incorrect ideas about what is happening in the Philippines today. These are some of the Church's criticisms of why they don't want the Noli-Fili Bill to be enacted. First, how can nationalism be promoted if there are more anti-Catholic passages in Noli Me Tangere than nationalistic passages. Second, the two books are offensive to church teaching. Third, it can cause trouble. Fourth, why compulsion? What about freedom of speech and religious freedom? Why should someone be forced to read something that will criticize their beliefs? And fifth, yes, the friars were bad back then. But Rizal is not just talking about friars, but the entire institution of the Catholic faith. This bill is very controversial. The debate is intense. There are Catholic groups that have organized to oppose the bill. Recto was told that he was a communist. It even comes to the point that Catholic schools will close their schools if the Noli-Fili Bill is passed. On April 19, 1956, another bill was finalized. House Bill No. 5561 in the House of Representatives. It is led by former Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales. It is almost similar to the Noli-Fili Bill and the outcome is the same, criticized because it is said to be unconstitutional and opposes the church. So, what happened? If the church doesn't like it, why is Rizal being taught now? Well, there was an agreement. Sen. proposed. Laurel 's substitute bill. First, the focus of the bill is no longer just Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, but also includes other works of Rizal. Secondly, if the student does not want to, he or she can request an exemption from reading the two novels. Third, the unexpurgated version of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo can only be studied in college. When we say unexpurgated version, this is the original version of the text that has not been edited, not censored, not removed, and the original meaning has not been changed. Maybe you're wondering why this reading of Noli and El Fili is controversial. You could say I read it when I was in junior high school, and he wasn't that bad. So maybe you see it that way because the Noli and El Fili you read are expurgated versions. It's censored. The true intention has been lost, lost in translation. According to Sen. Laurel, if the original, unedited, and uncensored Noli and El Fili are not read, the purpose of the law will be lost. So on May 12, 1956 and May 14, 1956, despite the fierce opposition of the church and those who criticized the law, Senate Bill No. 438 and House Bill No. 5561 was approved both on second reading and in the Lower House. And on June 12, 1956, precisely on Flag Day, President Ramon Magsaysay signed the law, which we now call Republic Art 1425 or the Rizal Law. Or in its long name, 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. Let's check the content of the Rizal Law. On the first page, we can read that, as I said earlier, our Filipino identity is disappearing and it needs to be affirmed. According to Jose P. Laurel, young people need to learn about the sacrifices made by Rizal. By reading and studying Rizal's life, teachings, and writings, the youth will gain confidence, direction , courage, and determination to contribute to the progress of our nation. These are the other sections of the Rizal Law that I think don't need narration. Actually, my throat just hurts. Okay. The goal of the Rizal Law can be summarized in three points or sentences. First. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died. Second. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino character. And third. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal's life, works, and writings. Okay. It's nice to hear what the Rizal Law wants to do, but I'll be a devil's advocate here. This is all on paper, let's check the reality. The Rizal Law was enacted in 1956. The year is 2023. The question is, have you seen any changes? 67 years have passed, but has the law achieved what it set out to accomplish? Let's go back to the question from earlier. Knowing that this is the outcome of the Rizal Law, is Rizal still worth studying? And I'll be honest with you, I'm having a hard time answering this question. For me, I don't see a correct answer. And I think the best way to end this video is to ask you to reflect on this question. Why study Rizal? Or perhaps the more appropriate question is: should we still study Rizal? And as of this moment, the only correct answer here is that Rizal needs to be studied because he is a law.