San Pedro, Cielo Marie A. Prof. Monterde Free Sec Rizal (Sat 3:00-6:00)

1. RA 1425 The Law Itself From Section 1-6REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

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

WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;  WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character;WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,  Section 1.    Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo of their English translation shall be used as basic texts.cralawThe Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.  Sec. 2.    It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal's other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and universities.cralawThe Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or university.cralawSec. 3.    The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country.  Sec. 4.    Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.cralawSec. 5.    The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out

of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.cralawSec. 6.    This Act shall take effect upon its approval.cralaw

Reaction – Rizal deserves to have this law to inform many students about he’s done for the Philippines. He’s sacrifices and his achievements that may use in our lives.

2. Proponent and Opponent of Rizal LawSenator Claro M. Recto was the main proponent of the Rizal Bill. He sought to sponsor the bill at Congress. However, this was met with stiff opposition from the Catholic Church. During the 1955 Senate election, the church charged Recto with being a communist and an anti-Catholic. After Recto's election, the Church continued to oppose the bill mandating the reading of Rizal's novels Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo, claiming it would violate freedom of conscience and religion.In the campaign to oppose the Rizal bill, the Catholic Church urged its adherents to write to their congressmen and senators showing their opposition to the bill; later, it organized symposiums. In one of these symposiums, Fr. Jesus Cavanna argued that the novels belonged to the past and that teaching them would misrepresent current conditions. Radio commentator Jesus Paredes also said that Catholics had the right to refuse to read them as it would "endanger their salvation".

Groups such as Catholic Action of the Philippines, the Congregation of the Mission, the Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic Teachers Guild organized opposition to the bill; they were countered by Veteranos de la Revolucion (Spirit of 1896), Alagad in Rizal, the Freemasons, and the Knights of Rizal. The Senate Committee on Education sponsored a bill co-written by both José P. Laurel and Recto, with the only opposition coming from Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Mariano Jesús Cuenco, and Decoroso Rosales.The Archbishop of Manila, Rufino Santos, protested in a pastoral letter that Catholic students would be affected if compulsory reading of the unexpurgated version were pushed through. Arsenio Lacson, Manila's mayor, who supported the bill, walked out of Mass when the priest read a circular from the archbishop denouncing the bill.

Reaction –It serves as a lesson to our government to change for the better and learn to appreciate the works and sacrifices of our heroes.

3. Chronology of Prologue (40 dates)

1848, June 28 — Rizal’s parents married in Kalamba, La Laguna: Francisco Rizal-Mercado y Alejandra (born in Biñan, April 18, 1818) and Teodora Morales Alonso-Realonda y Quintos (born in Sta. Cruz, Manila, Nov. 14, 1827)1861, June 19 — Rizal was born and he was their seventh child.1861, June 22 — Christened as José Protacio Rizal-Mercado y Alonso-Realonda1870, age 9 — In school at Biñan under Master Justiniano Aquin Cruz.1871, age 10 — In Kalamba public school under Master Lucas Padua.1872, June 10, age 11 — Examined in San Juan de Letran College, Manila, which, during the Spanish time, as part of Sto. Tomás University, controlled entrance to all higher institutions.1872, June 26 — Entered the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, then a public school, as a day scholar.1875, June 16, age 14 — Became a boarder in Ateneo.1876, March 23, age 15 – Received the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, with highest honors, from Ateneo de Manila.1877, June. — Entered Sto. Tomás University in the Philosophy course.

1877, Nov. 29 — Awarded diploma of honorable mention and merit by the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country, Amigos del País for his prized poem.1878, June, age 16. — Matriculated in the medical course.  Won Liceo Artistico-Literario prize, in poetical competition for “Indians and Mestizos”, with the poem “To the Philippine Youth”.– this year, he was wounded in the back for not saluting a Guardia Civil lieutenant whom he had not seen.  The authorities ignored his complaint.1880, April 23, age 19. — Received Licco Artístico-Literario diploma of honorable mention for the allegory, “The Council of the Gods”, in competition open to “Spaniards, mestizos and Indians”. Unjustly deprived of the first prize.1880, Dec. 8. — Operetta “On the Banks of the Pasig” produced.1881, age 20. –Submitted winning wax model design for commemorative medal for the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country centennial.1882, May 3, age 21. — Secretly left Manila taking a French mail steamer at Singapore  for Marseilles and entering Spain at Port Bou by railroad. His brother, Paciano Mercado, furnished the money.1882, June. — Absence noted at Sto. Tomás University, which owned the Kalamba estate. Rizal’s father was compelled to prove that he had no knowledge of his son’s plan in order to hold the land on which he was the University’s tenant.1882, June 15. — Arrived in Barcelona.1882, October 3. — Began studies in Madrid.1886, –Received degree of Licentiate in Medicine with honors from Central University of Madrid on June 19 at the age of 24.– Clinical assistant to Dr. L. de Wecker, a Paris oculist.– Visited Universities of Heidelberg, Leipzig, and Berlin.1887, Feb. 21, age 26. — Finished the novel Noli Me Tangere in Berlin.– Traveled in Austria, Switzerland and Italy.1887, July 3. — Sailed from Marseilles.1887, Aug. 5. — Arrived in Manila. Traveled in nearby provinces with a Spanish lieutenant, detailed by the Governor-General, as escort.1888, Feb. – Sailed for Japan via Hong Kong.1888, Feb. 28 to April 13, age 27. — A guest at the Spanish Legation, Tokyo, and traveling in Japan.1888, April-May. – Traveling in the United States.1888, May 24. — In London, studying in the British Museum to edit Morga’s 1609 Philippine History.1889, March, age 28. — In Paris, publishing Morga’s History. Published “The Philippines A Century Hence” in La Solidaridad, a Filipino fortnightly review, first of Barcelona and later of Madrid.1890, February to July, age 29. – In Belgium finished El Filibusterismo which is the sequel to Noli Me Tangere.Published “The Indolence of the Filipino” in La Solidaridad.1890, August 4. – Returned to Madrid to confer with his countrymen on the Philippine situation, then constantly growing worse.1891, January 27. — Left Madrid for France.1891, November, age 30. — Arranging for a Filipino agricultural colony in British North Borneo.– Practiced medicine in Hong Kong.1892, June 26, age 31. – Returned to Manila under Governor-General Despujol’s safe conduct pass.Organized a mutual aid economic society:La Liga Filipina on July 3.1892, July 6. – Ordered deported to Dapitan, but the decree and charges were kept secret from him.Taught school and conducted a hospital during his exile, patients coming from China coast ports for treatment. Fees thus earned were used to beautify the town. Arranged a water system and had the plaza lighted.

1896, August 1, age 35. — Left Dapitan en route to Spain as a volunteer surgeon for the Cuban yellow fever hospitals. Carried letters of recommendation from Governor-General Blanco.1896, August 7 to September 3. — On Spanish cruiser Castilla in Manila Bay.Sailed for Spain on Spanish mail steamer and just after leaving Port Said was confined to his cabin as a prisoner on cabled order from Manila. (Rizal’s enemies to secure the appointment of a governor-general subservient to them, the servile Polavieja had purchased Governor-General Blanco’s promotion.)1896, October 6. — Placed in Montjuich Castle dungeon on his arrival in Barcelona and the same day re-embarked for Manila. Friends and countrymen in London by cable made an unsuccessful effort for a Habeas Corpus writ at Singapore. On arrival in Manila was placed in Fort Santiago dungeon.1890, December 3. — Charged with treason, sedition and forming illegal societies, the prosecution arguing that he was responsible for the deeds of those who read his writings.During his imprisonment Rizal began to formulate in his mind his greatest poem who others later entitle, “My Last Farewell.” (later concealed in an alcohol cooking lamp)December 12 — Rizal appears in a courtroom where the judges made no effort to check those who cry out for his death.1896, December 15. – Wrote an address to insurgent Filipinos to lay down their arms because their insurrection was at that time hopeless. Address not made public but added to the charges against him.1896, December 27. — Formally condemned to death by a Spanish court martial.Pi y Margall, who had been president of the Spanish Republic, pleaded with the Prime Minister for Rizal’s life, but the Queen Regent could not forgive his having referred in one of his writings to the murder by, and suicide of, her relative, Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria.1896, December 29 — Completes and puts into writing “My Last Farewell.”  He conceals the poem in an alcohol heating apparatus and gives it to his family.  He may have also concealed another copy of the same poem in one of his shoes but, if so, it is lost in decomposition in his burial.1896, December 30, age 35 years, 6 months, 11 days. – Roman Catholic sources allege that Rizal marries Josephine Bracken in his Fort Santiago death cell to Josephine Bracken; she is Irish, the adopted daughter of a blind American who came to Dapitan from Hong Kong for treatment.Shot on the Luneta, Manila, at 7:03 a.m., and buried in a secret grave in Paco Cemetery. (Entry of his death was made in the Paco Church Register among suicides.)1897, January. — Commemorated by Spanish Free-masons who dedicated a tablet to his memory, in their Grand Lodge hall in Madrid, as a martyr to Liberty.1898, August.  — Filipinos who placed over it in Paco cemetery, a cross inscribed simply “December 30, 1896”, sought his grave, immediately after the American capture of Manila. Since his death his countrymen had never spoken his name, but all references had been to “The Dead”.1898, December 20. — President Aguinaldo, of the Philippine Revolutionary Government, proclaimed December 30th as a day of national mourning.1898, December 30. — Filipinos held Memorial services at which time American soldiers on duty carried their arms reversed.1911, June 19. — Birth semi-centennial observed in all public schools by an act of the Philippine Legislature.1912, December 30. — Rizal’s ashes transferred to the Rizal Mausoleum on the Luneta with impressive public ceremonies.

Reaction - These are the important historical events on Rizal’s life. It informed us that he has many achievements and his life is full of sense for doing many things for Filipinos.

4. Biography of Rizal Dr. José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (June 19, 1861 – December 30,

1896, Bagumbayan), was a Filipino polymath, nationalist and the most prominent advocate for

reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is considered a national hero of the Philippines, and the anniversary of Rizal's death is commemorated as a Philippine holiday called Rizal Day. Rizal's 1896 military trial and execution made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution. The seventh of eleven children born to a wealthy family in the town of Calamba, Laguna, Rizal attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, earning a Bachelor of Arts. He enrolled in Medicine and Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas and then traveled alone to Madrid, Spain, where he continued his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid, earning the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He attended the University of Paris and earned a second doctorate at the University of Heidelberg. Rizal was a polyglot conversant in at least ten languages. He was a prolific poet, essayist, diarist, correspondent, and novelist whose most famous works were his two novels, Noli me Tangere and El filibusterismo.These are social commentaries on the Philippines that formed the nucleus of literature that inspired dissent among peaceful reformists and spurred the militancy of armed revolutionaries against the Spanish colonial authorities. As a political figure, Jose Rizal was the founder of La Liga Filipina, a civic organization that subsequently gave birth to the Katipunan led by Andrés Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo. He was a proponent of institutional reforms by peaceful means rather than by violent revolution. The general consensus among Rizal scholars, however, attributed his martyred death as the catalyst that precipitated the Philippine Revolution

Reaction - It is important to know everything about him because he is our national hero and he sacrifices a lot for Filipinos that will inspire many people for his being intelligent and brave man.

5. To my Fellow YouthIf a nation's people certainly loveTheir gift of language bestowed by heaven,So too will they regain their pawned freedomAs the bird that flies in the sky.

For language is a measure of worthOf cities, nations, and kingdoms,And each person alike, deservesThat of any creation born free.

One who does not treasure his own languageis worse than a beast and putrid fish,Thus it should be nurtured gladlyAs our mothers nurtured us.

The language Tagalog is like Latin,Like English, Spanish, and the language of angelsFor it was the Lord, in his wisdomWho bestowed it, who gave it to us.

This language is like that of others,With their own alphabet and their own characters,But vanished as if a sudden storm had come uponA boat in a lake in an age long past.

Reaction – Rizal wrote this poem to inspire youth and be the best they can be. It also encourage the youth to be proud of being who they are and the first step to do that is to use their mother tongue or native language in communicating or speaking.

6. Mi Primera Inspiracion Why falls so rich a spray of fragrance from the bowers of the balmy flowers upon this festive day? 

Why from woods and vales do we hear sweet measures ringing that seem to be the singing of a choir of nightingales? 

Why in the grass below do birds start at the wind's noises, unleashing their honeyed voices as they hop from bough to bough? 

Why should the spring that glows its crystalline murmur be tuning to the zephyr's mellow crooning as among the flowers it flows? 

Why seems to me more endearing, more fair than on other days, the dawn's enchanting face among red clouds appearing? 

The reason, dear mother, is they feast your day of bloom: the rose with its perfume, the bird with its harmonies. 

And the spring that rings with laughter upon this joyful day with its murmur seems to say: "Live happily ever after!" 

And from that spring in the grove now turn to hear the first note that from my lute I emote to the impulse of my love

According to his sister Soledad, this Spanish poem was written by Jose Rizal when he was only nine years old. Its title is translated into English as My First Inspiration.

Reaction - All of us has an inspiration and that is our parents. They serve a big part in our hearts to finish our studies and give them a better life someday.

7. In memory of my townWhen I remember the daysthat saw my early childhoodspent on the green shoresof a murmurous lagoon;when I remember the coolness,delicious and refreshing,that on my face I feltas I heard Favonius croon;when I behold the white lilyswell to the wind’s impulsion,and that tempestuous elementmeekly asleep on the sand;when I inhale the dearintoxicating essencethe flowers exude when dawnis smiling on the land;sadly, sadly I recallyour visage, precious childhood,which an affectionate mothermade beautiful and bright;I recall a simple town,my comfort, joy and cradle,beside a balmy lake,the seat of my delight.Ah, yes, my awkward footexplored your sombre woodlands,and on the banks of your riversin frolic I took part.I prayed in your rustic temple,a child, with a child’s devotion;and your unsullied breezeexhilarated my heart.The Creator I saw in the grandeurof your age-old forests;upon your bosom, sorrowswere ever unknown to me;while at your azure skiesI gazed, neither love nor tendernessfailed me, for in naturelay my felicity.Tender childhood, beautiful town,rich fountain of rejoicingand of harmonious musicthat drove away all pain:return to this heart of mine,return my gracious hours,return as the birds return

when flowers spring again!But O goodbye! May the Spiritof Good, a loving gift-giver,keep watch eternally overyour peace, your joy, your sleep!For you, my fervent pryers;for you, my constant desireto learn; and I pray heavenyour innocence to keep!

Reaction – Being a child is one of the happiest parts in our lives. So make sure that you experienced those things so you don’t have regrets when you get older.

8. Family tree of RizalThe Mercado - Rizal Family

The Rizals is considered one of the biggest families during their time. Domingo Lam-co, the family's paternal ascendant was a full-blooded Chinese who came to the Philippines from Amoy, China in the closing years of the 17th century and married a Chinese half-breed by the name of Ines de la Rosa.

Researchers revealed that the Mercado-Rizal family had also traces of Japanese, Spanish, Malay and Even Negrito blood aside from Chinese.

Jose Rizal came from a 13-member family consisting of his parents, Francisco Mercado II and Teodora Alonso Realonda, and nine sisters and one brother.FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-1898)Father of Jose Rizal who was the youngest of 13 offsprings of Juan and Cirila Mercado. Born in Biñan, Laguna on April 18, 1818; studied in San Jose College, Manila; and died in Manila.TEODORA ALONSO (1827-1913)Mother of Jose Rizal who was the second child of Lorenzo Alonso and Brijida de Quintos. She studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa. She was a business-minded woman, courteous, religious, hard-working and well-read. She was born in Santa Cruz, Manila on November 14, 1827 and died in 1913 in Manila.SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913)Eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage. Married Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930)Only brother of Jose Rizal and the second child. Studied at San Jose College in Manila; became a farmer and later a general of the Philippine Revolution.NARCISA RIZAL (1852-1939) The third child. married Antonio Lopez at Morong, Rizal; a teacher and musician.OLYMPIA RIZAL (1855-1887)The fourth child. Married Silvestre Ubaldo; died in 1887 from childbirth.LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919)The fifth child. Married Matriano Herbosa.MARIA RIZAL (1859-1945)The sixth child. Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.

JOSE RIZAL (1861-1896)The second son and the seventh child. He was executed by the Spaniards on December 30,1896.

CONCEPCION RIZAL (1862-1865)The eight child. Died at the age of three.JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945)The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster.

TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868-1951)The tenth child. Died a spinster and the last of the family to die.

SOLEDAD RIZAL (1870-1929)The youngest child married Pantaleon Quintero.

9. The Indolence of Filipinos  The Indolence of the Filipinos is a study of the causes why the people did not, as was said, work hard during the Spanish regime.  Rizal pointed out that long before the coming of the Spaniards, the Filipinos were industrious and hardworking.  The Spanish reign brought about a decline in economic activities because of certain causes:            First, the establishment of the Galleon Trade cut off all previous associations of the Philippines with other countries in Asia and the Middle East.  As a result, business was only conducted with Spain through Mexico.  Because of this, the small businesses and handicraft industries that flourished during the pre-Spanish period gradually disappeared.            Second, Spain also extinguished the natives’ love of work because of the implementation of forced labor.  Because of the wars between Spain and other countries in Europe as well as the Muslims in Mindanao, the Filipinos were compelled to work in shipyards, roads, and other public works, abandoning agriculture, industry, and commerce.            Third, Spain did not protect the people against foreign invaders and pirates.  With no arms to defend themselves, the natives were killed, their houses burned, and their lands destroyed.  As a result of this, the Filipinos were forced to become nomads, lost interest in cultivating their lands or in rebuilding the industries that were shut down, and simply became submissive to the mercy of God.            Fourth, there was a crooked system of education, if it was to be considered an education.  What was being taught in the schools were repetitive prayers and other things that could not be used by the students to lead the country to progress.  There were no courses in Agriculture, Industry, etc., which were badly needed by the Philippines during those times.            Fifth, the Spanish rulers were a bad example to despise manual labor.  The officials reported to work at noon and left early, all the while doing nothing in line with their duties.  The women were seen constantly followed by servants who dressed them and fanned them – personal things which they ought to have done for themselves.            Sixth, gambling was established and widely propagated during those times.  Almost everyday there were cockfights, and during feast days, the government officials and friars were the first to engange in all sorts of bets and gambles.            Seventh, there was a crooked system of religion.  The friars taught the naïve Filipinos that it was easier for a poor man to enter heaven, and so they preferred not to work  and remain poor so that they could easily enter heaven after they died.            Lastly, the taxes were extremely high, so much so that a huge portion of what they earned went to the government or to the friars.  When the object of their labor was removed and they were exploited, they were reduced to inaction.            Rizal admitted that the Filipinos did not work so hard because they were wise enough to adjust themselves to the warm, tropical climate.  “An hour’s work under that burning sun, in the midst of pernicious influences springing from nature in activity, is equal to a day’s labor in a temperate climate.”

Reaction - Once you become a leader you must have a potential and attitude of what leader is. Leaders are also a good follower. So when you command, say it properly.

10. To the young women of Malolos“To the Women of Malolos” was originally written in Tagalog.  Rizal penned this writing when he was in London, in response to the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar.  The salient points contained in this letter are as follows:

1. The rejection of the spiritual authority of the friars – not all of the priests in the country that time embodied the true spirit of Christ and His Church.  Most of them were corrupted by worldly desires and used worldly methods to effect change and force discipline among the people.2. The defense of private judgment3. Qualities Filipino mothers need to possess – as evidenced by this portion of his letter, Rizal is greatly concerned of the welfare of the Filipino children and the homes they grow up in.4. Duties and responsibilities of Filipino mothers to their children5. Duties and responsibilities of a wife to her husband – Filipino women are known to be submissive, tender, and loving.  Rizal states in this portion of his letter how Filipino women ought to be as wives, in order to preserve the identity of the race.6. Counsel to young women on their choice of a lifetime partner

RIZAL’S MESSAGE TO FILIPINO WOMENJose Rizal was greatly impressed by the fighting spirit that the young women of Malolos had shown.  In his letter, he expresses great joy and satisfaction over the battle they had fought.  In this portion of Rizal’s letter, it is obvious that his ultimate desire was for women to be offered the same opportunities as those received by men in terms of education.  During those days young girls were not sent to school because of the universal notion that they would soon only be taken as wives and stay at home with the children.  Rizal, however, emphasizes on freedom of thought and the right to education, which must be granted to both boys and girls alike.THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF FILIPINO MOTHERS TO THEIR CHILDRENRizal stipulates a number of important points in this portion of his letter to the young women of Malolos.  The central idea here, however, is that whatever a mother shows to her children is what the children will become also.  If the mother is always kissing the hand of the friars in submission, then her children will grow up to be sycophants and mindless fools who do nothing but do as they are told, even if the very nature of the task would violate their rights as individuals.QUALITIES MOTHERS HAVE TO POSSESSRizal enumerates the qualities Filipino mothers have to possess:

1. Be a noble wife.2. Rear her children in the service of the state – here Rizal gives reference to the women of Sparta who embody this quality3. Set standards of behavior for men around her.

RIZAL’S ADVICE TO UNMARRIED MEN AND WOMENJose Rizal points out to unmarried women that they should not be easily taken by appearances and looks, because these can be very deceiving.  Instead, they should take heed of men’s firmness of character and lofty ideas.  Rizal further adds that there are three things that a young woman must look for a man she intends to be her husband:

1. A noble and honored name2. A manly heart3. A high spirit incapable of being satisfied with engendering slaves.

ANALYSIS“To the Women of Malolos” centers around five salient points (Zaide &Zaide, 1999):

1. Filipino mothers should teach their children love of God, country and fellowmen.2. Filipino mothers should be glad and honored, like Spartan mothers, to offer their sons in defense of their country.3. Filipino women should know how to protect their dignity and honor.4. Filipino women should educate themselves aside from retaining their good racial values.

5. Faith is not merely reciting prayers and wearing religious pictures. It is living the real Christian way with good morals and manners.

Reaction – Being a mother is not an easy task, it has a lot of responsibilities. It tells us to be patience for finding a partner and not to be excited for having a child especially when you are young.