JOE ZALDARRIAGA

cember 30 as a day of mourning for Rizal and other patriots who offered their lives in the name of freedom during the Spanish rule.

In response to public clamor, Act No. 243, signed on September 28, 1901, was passed by the US-constituted Philippine Commission granting the right to use the public land in Luneta for the Rizal monument commemorating the national hero’s memory, stipulating that the memorial does not only bear his statue but also houses his remains.

Even during the Japanese rule, the June 19 birthday of Dr. Rizal was still celebrated in Davao City. The imperial administration used the occasion to show unity with the Filipinos and to convey a semblance of empathy with the local residents who were furious of the atrocities committed towards

Davaoeños. But the event was only held in 1944, a year after the colonists reorganized the Philippine government under President Jose Protacio Laurel. The following year, the celebration was scrapped despite the liberation because the city was in utter ruins.

After the conflict, more laws were enacted to honor Rizal, such as Republic Act 229, which prohibits the holding of cockfights, horse races, and jai-alai every December 30 throughout the country and requires that flags be at half-staff during the day.

RA 1425 or the Jose Rizal Law, approved on June 12, 1956, makes the reading of Rizal’s life and works a compulsory topic to be included in all school curricula. The lack of educators to ably handle the subject has made the exercise less efficient and ineffective.