Friday, April 13, 2012
On why we have to study 'Life and Works of Jose Rizal'
It's not the first time that I heard it; actually, most of the college students complain about taking history and Rizal courses. They question the use of these subjects on the career that they will be pursuing after graduation, how their money is wasted on those units, and how their time is consumed just to earn good grades for the subjects.
Truth be told, I felt just the same when I was in high school. We were made to report or dramatize Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo per chapter, and every five chapters, there would be an exam covering names, places and dates from those sections. Their importance were not explained deeply, and they were forgotten when exams were over.
But college came and I took a different perspective because of one thing: my Rizal professor told us that they teach those courses because it's a law. The Republic Act No. 1425, 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, commonly known as the Rizal Law, mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines to offer courses about Jose Rizal.
But he didn't stop there. He told us how stupid we are not to want to know history, and it's evident on the way we respond to the what is happening in the Philippines. If we are learned in history, we will not still be in the society that Rizal drew in Noli and El Fili, but alas, most of their chapters are reflections of the present Philippines still. From the falsehood of the Filipino Catholic church as 'church for the poor', to usurping of lands from the indios, to mockery of too-Filipino-looking people (pango, kayumanggi, maliit).
Padre Salvi and Sisa's family story is parallel to Bishop Teodoro Bacani and his sex scandals, Tandang Selo's family story is parallel to Hacienda Luisita's farmers' never-ending battle (I hope not) with the Aquino-Cojuangco clan, and powdered Dona Victorina is parallel to every out-of-stock condition of whitening products in the Philippine market.
If only these were taught to every Filipino since high school, no one would dare ask again of its relevance.
In the end, nothing's changed because we don't know the value and meaning of the things that are required for us to learn.
☻☻☻
How about you? Why do you think we have to study history and such? Comment below :D
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I am in Sir Leoncio's PI100 class this sem and I am amazed by him and his knowledge in history. It is actually very depressing to attend his classes since what he says is true, the accusations he throws at us students is true, what the Noli and Fili says is STILL true.
ReplyDeleteI loved Noli and Fili in HS for what they seemed to be: a romantic novel. True, the problems of the Spanish regime were discussed, but highschool text books on Noli and Fili do not cover all of the original material—thus we were not able to fully appreciate those concepts. Also, 'minor' characters like Pilosopo Tasyo and Don Filipo are almost unnoticeable.
But Sir Leoncio made us read Derbyshire's translations (which is more complete) and almost a whole new world opened up to me. Even now, I love Noli more than Fili, but I have a new appreciation for both novels. It's a very fine example of romance+political intrigue mixing well.
I do hope more people in my generation read those two novels seriously, so they won't be so blindly supporting candidates that are not worth the political position.
I agree, It is very relevant that we recognize the importance of Razal's ideals and teachings. thanks for sharing your views.
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