Abstract
There are different factors and reasons why a subject is treated as the students’ weakness or a very challenging one especially when its nature is boring or not in line with the students’ interest. This study described the experiences of the learners and teachers experiences in the subject “The Works and Life of Jose Rizal” at Cebu Technological University – Moalboal Campus, Cebu Province for the school year 2023 – 2024. This study used the Husserl Phenomenology. The sampling design utilized in this study was purposive sampling following established inclusion criteria to identify the participants of the study. 13 participants volunteered to be part of the study. This study used Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis to analyze the experiences of the participants. There are three emerging themes that this research generated. These are the (1) Symbol of Filipino Nationalism, (2) Struggle of Bridging Past and Present in Education, and (3) Strategic Instruction for Effective Learning. These themes are pertinent in understanding what is happening inside a classroom where teachers and students share their experiences in learning and appreciating the Life and Works of Rizal. It is highly recommended to encourage teachers to explore different strategies and methods in teaching the subject to make it more engaging and absorbing.
