A Remembrance To My Hometown

Isang Alaala ng Aking Bayan

Un Recuerdo a mi Pueblo
Written by Jose Rizal
Presented by Dennie Logan, BMLS 3B

Theme
This poem written by Jose Rizal is his expression of his genuine emotions by
giving citation of his memories and the love and appreciation for Calamba,
Laguna, the place where he grew up.

Poem in English, as translated by Nick Joaquin

When I remember the days

that saw my early childhood
spent on the green shores
of a murmurous lagoon;
when I remember the coolness,
delicious and refreshing,
that on my face I felt
as I heard Favonius croon;

when I behold the white lily

swell to the winds impulsion,
and that tempestuous element
meekly asleep on the sand;
when I inhale the dear
intoxicating essence
the flowers exude when dawn
is smiling on the land;

Sadly, sadly I recall

your visage, precious childhood,
which an affectionate mother
made 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 foot
explored your sombre woodlands,
and on the banks of your rivers
in frolic I took part.
I prayed in your rustic temple,
a child, with a childs devotion;
and your unsullied breeze
exhilarated my heart.

The Creator I saw in the grandeur

of your age-old forests;
upon your bosom, sorrows
were ever unknown to me;
while at your azure skies
I gazed, neither love nor tenderness
failed me, for in nature
lay my felicity.

Tender childhood, beautiful town,

rich fountain of rejoicing
and of harmonious music
that 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 Spirit

of Good, a loving gift-giver,
keep watch eternally over
your peace, your joy, your sleep!
For you, my fervent pryers;
for you, my constant desire
to learn; and I pray heaven
your innocence to keep!

Analysis
 The poem consists of seven stanzas, eight lines per stanzas and six syllables
per line. It is seen that Rizal expresses his genuine emotions by giving citation
to memories of his past.

On the first stanza, it is reflected that Rizal is recalling the sweet memories of
his childhood, when he stayed in the green fields with cold wind breeze
enjoying the fresh smell of nature. While on the third stanza, Rizal expresses
his feeling of longing for the life near the lake while his mother cradles him
with joy and love. He mentioned that he misses the simple life way back
home. The fourth stanza signifies the candid Rizal, playing barefooted on the
woods and swimming on river banks. Moreover, he mentioned his devotion
as a catholic; that he misses praying in rural churches with his pure
intentions in his heart. The fifth stanza is all about Rizals amusement and
appreciation of Gods creations. He expressed so by using words that
describe the aged forest and blue sky. The sixth stanza is considered as the
climax of this poem. Rizal gives significance to the beauty of his hometown, a
place founded by joyous memories the he longs for. He also mentioned that
all the pain of loneliness is eased by the memories of his treasured
hometown, that the hour he thinks of it is so precious. Lastly, the seventh
stanza symbolizes his dream for his hometown to be as peaceful and as
happy as when he was there.

Background
Originally written in Spanish, Jose Rizal wrote and presented the poem to the
Akademia ng Panitikan of Ateneo de Municipal as a student in 1876 when he
was still 15 years old.