the filipino youth

Michelle M. Villamor BSAE-5E

“TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH”
(A La Juventud Filipina)
BY: DR. JOSE p. RIZAL
In 1879, Rizal wrote that poem at the age of 18 in a literary contest, whom he won first prize. He also talks about a Filipino identity (before Rizal or even back in his days, only refers to the Philippine-born Spaniards) separate from the mother country while acknowledging Spain's contribution to that identity.

Unfold, oh timid flower!
Lift up your radiant brow,
This day, Youth of my native strand!
Your abounding talents show
Resplendently and grand,
Fair hope of my Motherland!
Soar high, oh genius great,
And with noble thoughts fill their mind;
The honor’s glorious seat,
May their virgin mind fly and find
More rapidly than the wind.
Descend with the pleasing light
Of the arts and sciences to the plain,
Oh Youth, and break forthright
The links of the heavy chain
That your poetic genius enchain.
See that in the ardent zone,
The Spaniard, where shadows stand,
Doth offer a shining crown,
With wise and merciful hand
To the son of this Indian land.
You, who heavenward rise
On wings of your rich fantasy,
Seek in the Olympian skies
The tenderest poesy,
More sweet than divine honey;
You of heavenly harmony,
On a calm unperturbed night,
Philomel’s match in melody,
That in varied symphony
Dissipate man’s sorrow’s blight;
You at th’impulse of your mind
The hard rock animate
And your mind with great pow’r consigned Transformed into immortal state
The pure mem’ry of genius great;
And you, who with magic brush
On canvas plain capture
The varied charm of Phoebus,
Loved by the divine Apelles,
And the mantle of Nature;
Run! For genius’ sacred flame
Awaits the artist’s crowning
Spreading far and wide the fame
Throughout the sphere proclaiming
With trumpet the mortal’s name
Oh, joyful, joyful day,
The Almighty blessed be
Who, with loving eagerness
Sends you luck and happine
QUESTIONS
1. What is the main idea of the poem “To the Filipino Youth” by Dr. Jose Rizal?

The poem “To the Filipino Youth” by Dr. Jose Rizal is a message primarily to tell the importance of one’s love and appreciation to his dialect or language, for it is the bridge and intermediary connecting people’s country to each other.

In the poem, he always advocated for rising and waking up. Did Rizal ever think of arm struggle as a nationalistic move for every Filipinos? Though he wanted to make Filipinos spread around the flame, go for the sacred fire and use one’s divine voice, Rizal was seemingly unclear about his specific moves to gain fair and hope for his fatherland. He neither introduces arm struggle nor foreseeing a bloody revolution to claim for victory. Instead, he advocated for an immortal strength, one that must use its ingenuity and must aspire for a laurel or an honor that is lasting.

2. Give your opinion about patriotism.

Dr. Jose Rizal composed the poem “To the Filipino Youth,” dedicating to the youth of the Philippines. He wanted the Filipino youth to use their capabilities, talents and skills to stand out not only for their own praise and success but also for the praise and success of their own motherland, the Philippines. Dr. Jose Rizal wanted the Filipino youth to build up their abilities and use them to help those who are in need. Also, Dr. Jose Rizal challenged the youth through this poem to refine and nurture their talents in the arts, to invigorate and reinforce their knowledge of the sciences, and to look forward and comminute their chain of servitude.

3. What part of the poem is best for you?

The poem’s theme, “Grow, O Timid Flower”, simply shows persuasion. To ‘grow’ sounds compelling from Rizal who always wanted to make everyone rise from what is necessary amidst the cruelty that dominates among the Spaniards leadership. Using ‘timid’ that describes a Filipino youth makes me think of fearful youths who only submit themselves to how Spaniards lay out lives for them. Indeed, there is a disappointment from Rizal’s perspective to see how coward those people of his age are. No matter what, he still sees the light that every youth have. Like a flower that still needs to be grown, Filipino youth should realize that he has the potential in him.
Rizal mentioned “Spaniard’s holy land” and “crown’s resplendent band” in the 4th stanza of his poem which shows good attributes to the Spaniards. These words chose by him was put in place to balance his thoughts of seeing “Spaniards putting chains” (stanza 3) to every Filipinos that needs to get untied for setting the youths “spirit free”.