Patriotism in the present and Rizal Law
This is the second part of my recent article "On dying patriotism, does the passage of Rizal Law really warranted its objectives?"
The recent article deals about whether the passage and conversion of the bills into Rizal Law or R.A. 1425 achieved the objectives taught about by the sponsors regarding patriotism and nationalism. In this article, we'll know if the objectives are achieved, the moment after the Rizal law has been signed into the present.
President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bills into Rizal Law on June 12, 1965. Then, I think that the objectives were attained thereafter. As stated in the Section 6 of Republic Act 1425, the Act shall take upon its approval. And the Article 2 of the Civil Code provides that "laws shall take effect after fifteen days following the completion of their publication in the Official Gazette, unless it is otherwise provided”. From my understanding, after the law is approved, the courses about Rizal life, works, and writings, libraries with adequate numbers of his novels and the translation, print and distribution of such novels were all came into being. Then, as students learn about Jose Rizal and his novels, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, the students sense of love and loyalty to the country would flourish, they would honor the heroes especially Rizal as they learn about them and be suffused to the ideas, values and acts of Rizal—validating the objectives of the sponsors.
It is said that the course about Rizal’s life and writings sparked the nationalist reawakening began in UP campus during Marcos dictatorship. We can say that the objectives resonated in the past and I think it still resonates today. Iskolars ng Bayan, believe that the spirit and memories of our national hero are still very much alive. In a youth-oriented webinar held by DOST, youth and students conveyed their strong idolization of our national hero in numerous ways in the “Idol ko si Rizal” segment and showed the declaration of pledges on the role of youth in the development, enrichment and advancement of our nation with the aspiration of Jose Rizal in “Ako Naman” segment. While doing research for this essay, I have read statements and answers from other students like me. “ I believe that by passing the bill into law gave youths like me certain knowledge and understanding regarding of what happened to our country during the time of our national heroes… I became fascinated with what Filipinos can do before with their intense patriotism and nationalism,” one student from PUP stated in his essay. And even during the last election period, youth fought for what they think was right for our country. Many are still voicing out their opinions regarding issues in our country. It's evident that youth still admire Jose Rizal and apply his values and ideals and gain interest about history and social issues, made possible by the teachings about him and his writings.
In this modern time and as technology advances, many would say that patriotism is dead. It's true that many have colonial mentality, consuming other's culture more than our own, and trying to fit in in international standards. But I think objectives of Rizal Law still resonated in the present. Many youth actively engage in civic activities and serve the country in a way they can. It might be true that the sense of patriotism is weaker. But remember, a course about Rizal and his writings alone can’t be one source of patriotism. How about intellectualization of our language or changing the education system to fit our needs that the foreign countries? Our culture, declining wars and conflicts, globalization should also be considered. Besides, school is not the only place where patriotism and nationalism should be taught. I think Rizal Law played it’s part to flourish the patriotism among youth, honor heroes who died and spread Jose Rizal’s values and ideals in his life and writing, from 1956 until the present and to the future.
Reference:
https://amslaw.ph/philippine-laws/civil-law/civil-code-of-the-philippines(1)#:~:text=ARTICLE%202.,unless%20it%20is%20otherwise%20provided.
https://teamcrisostomo.wordpress.com/effects-of-the-rizal-law/
https://www.dost.gov.ph/knowledge-resources/news/74-2022-news/2728-youth-speaks-rizal-is-an-inspiration-to-our-generation.html
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/polytechnic-university-of-the-philippines/bachelor-of-science-in-electrical-engineering/assessment-for-rizal-life-and-works/23186970
Here's the first part if you haven't seen it yet:
https://read.cash/@Nyctofiles/on-dying-filipino-patriotism-does-the-passage-of-rizal-law-really-warranted-its-objectives-b1d17e5b
