Name: Lovely Rose C.

Pepino Subject Code: GE6 (11918)

Why is the learning of Patriotism from these novels a complicated process? What is the
DANGER inherent in reading Rizal’s novel?
The Rizal Law, known as R.A. 1425, was implemented to educate students to all public and
private colleges and universities about Rizal's ideas and views through his novels – Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo. However, it was opposed by the Church to continuously distribute Rizal's
writings because not only would it corrupt the faith of the new generation, but also it bravely defied
the freedom of religion. Rizal's works depicted in his novels include the injustices and tackled the
practices, beliefs, and creeds of the Catholic Church that would significantly affect the present system
and habits of the Church and beliefs of people. Without a precise explanation from the experts of
Rizal's novels, it would, perhaps, lead to misunderstanding and would vaguely understand the
patriotism shown and drastically affect the perceptions and viewpoints of people, especially the young
generation. Nevertheless, Rizal's work massively expresses the love and strong support for the
country – the need for freedom and equal rights of the Filipinos; and his works are considered an
inspiring source of patriotism and nationalism.
Limos, M. A. (2020) asserted in her article that when the Catholic Church has found out about
Recto's bill, they extremely prevented it from being law. They view Rizal's writings as being majorly
against sacred things or profane. They declared some of the reasons why it should not be passed as
a law – it was stated in the article that Fr. Jesus Cavanna argued that the novels of Jose Rizal might
lead to misinterpretations of the current conditions of the Catholic Church as Rizal's books shows
great outrage against Roman Catholic. Furthermore, Montes, C. A. (2018, June) mentioned that the
book of Fr. Javier de Pedro, a Spanish priest who lived in the Philippines for years, "Rizal Through a
Glass Darkly," acknowledges the extreme grievance of Rizal against clergymen. The book explicitly
expresses that the abuses of the friars led to the necessary development of the country. Spanish
friars were the ones who discovered and founders of the cities and towns, the field of medicine – such
as doctors and pharmacists, introduced agriculture, builders of roads and bridges, and many more. It
was said that to show patriotism, it is unnecessary to imitate the hatred of Rizal to friars and
clergymen.
Roman Catholic Church is afraid of citizens' perceptions, especially the younger generation
towards them. It was mentioned in Rizal's works the injustices, abuses, being a superior among
Filipinos, and their treatment was accordingly to its social status; that is why the triangle status was
created. The Catholic Church was involved with those immoral things. With that, the perception of
individuals amongst the Church will change as its place is sacred and expected to do holy and moral
acts. Therefore, I believe that Rizal did write all about the immoral acts of Espanyol and the Church in
order for Filipinos to not be deprived and blinded of truth, understanding, and judgment. They
helplessly manipulated them, and he wanted Filipinos to do the opposite. Further, their discovery and
introduction of new things that led to the country's development during the Spanish regime is not
enough valid reason for them to mistreat and abuse the Filipinos, especially those they labeled indios.
Due to Rizal's writings, it was able to reform native indigenous.
Moreover, DeStephano, M. (2015) stated in his paper that in some perspective of people, Rizal
reveals and criticizes the exploitations and abuses of the Roman Catholic Church, including their
control of owned properties, mistreatment to the Filipinos on their land, an immense wealth of the
Spanish religious orders, and their abuses of utilizing their authority, power, and justice on his famous
works during the Spanish regime. Jose Rizal also called "Pepe" witnessed the terrible injustices of
Spanish multiple times to his fellow Filipinos and his family. Therefore, he expressed it in his work, El
Filibusterismo, his narrative in describing through seeking liberalism: "He would give a thousand
cities, a thousand palaces, for that corner of the Philippines where, far from humankind, he could feel
free. There, face to face with Nature, before the mysteries of the infinite, in the forest and by the sea,
he could think, speak, and act like a man who has no master."
With Rizal's narrative entailing the quest of liberalism, it was to show the feeling of being
terrified. That is why Rizal became desperate with the thought that his beloved country, the
Philippines, and he might never meet freedom as he felt like a captive from his own country. I believe
through his works, he exposed the wrongdoings of influential Spanish people, the practices of Roman
Catholics, and authorities under justice to inform Filipinos during that time and to the future
generation about the manipulation and abuses that they did to the Filipinos. Further, Rizal's
intellectuality able to denounce the injustices, corruptions, attacked the selfish people who only think
about their interests and aims and do not have any plans to serve the public. Due to his experience
and things he had witnessed, his writings acknowledge his strong objection among Roman Catholic
clergy of their unfair treatment and injustices. Therefore, in his book, he also encourages his fellow
men to continuously commit to doing good things that will also benefit our countrymen.
In conclusion, learning patriotism through Rizal's work would be a complicated process
because it is not only learning the history and sincerely show love for the country but also being
accountable for the consequences of our country's actions to express patriotism. Hence, there would
be something you have to sacrifice to have a national development. Throughout Rizal's life, he has
been writing on many pages, including his search for justice. Therefore, Dr. Jose Rizal seeking
freedom, justice, and rights for every Filipino through his writings have been nothing if it is not for his
sacrifices. Moreover, Rizal's works – Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo had been showing loath
towards the Church; however, things have changed, and the current system of the Catholic Church,
perhaps, changed. Hence, Rizal's novels may lead to misinterpretations, understanding, and
inaccurate representation of today's Catholic Church.
Rizal's works remarkably shown patriotism. He bravely showed his determination to reform the
Philippine nation and awaken the judgment and understanding of Filipinos towards the doings of the
Spanish people and the Catholic Church. His love for his country and his people is undeniably
massive. He used his intellectuality to free us from the abusive system only using his pen. Moreover,
his contributions were a way for Filipinos to fight for independence, our country, and for our rights. His
sacrifices will not be forgotten as we can trace his braveness through our studying his works and his
history, understanding, and outstanding contribution to literature.
References
Limos, M. A. (2020). Why Did the Catholic Church Staunchly Oppose the Rizal Law? Retrieved June
9, 2021, from Esquiremag.ph website: https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/rizal-
law-and-the-catholic-church-a00293-20200929
Mark DeStephano, S. P. (2015). Retrieved from José Rizal, the Quest for Filipino:
https://utpjournals.press/doi/pdf/10.3138/uram.34.1-2.113
Montes, C. A. (2018, June). Rizal and the Catholic Church. Retrieved June 9, 2021, from
INQUIRER.net website: https://opinion.inquirer.net/113955/rizal-catholic-church