1.

Examine:
a. What do you see?

Based on the document, what can be seen is the speech of the late president, Jose
P. Laurel which was delivered over Station PIAM Manila on February 29, 1944 addressed to
the Filipino youth. It can also be compared to a love letter since Laurel means well with the
speech he delivered towards the youth of the Philippines. In addition to this, his words
were full of encouragement and motivation to keep the youth strong as the unpredictable
future awaits them.

b. What topic does it address?

With the speech, I have deciphered that the topic that it address is about the
Philippines’ future. This future is not just being relied to the present citizens of the country
but to the Filipino youth. He then stated that, “It is trite saying that the future belongs to
the youth, especially to those dynamic, aggressive, and self-confident young men and
women who have foresight.” He also compared Dr. Jose Rizal’s contribution in the country
when he was still young.

c. What is interesting?

After reading the speech, I found it interesting that Laurel had these high hopes for
the youth. However, there are also doubts. The speech also asked if the Filipino youth of
today talk and feel the way Isagani felt during his days? Laurel was then doubting if these
Filipino youths are aware of the responsibility that awaits them in the future. It is no joke,
and it is indeed understood that the Filipino youth of this generation must have conviction
to fight for what is right that the country deserves.

d. Is there something you don’t understand?

I have understood everything in the speech provided.

2. Question:
a. What other information do you need to understand from the source?

With the conviction that Laurel proposed in stating that the Filipino youth are the
ones responsible for the future of the Philippines, I want to know more what made him
think of that. He may have related this with the most iconic sentence that Dr. Jose Rizal
have stated, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan,” but what are the things that convinced
him to strongly agree to that saying? Also, why is there a doubt in him that these Filipino
youth of today’s generation may not execute the same level of perseverance and conviction
to fight for the country?

b. What questions do you have for further study?

If the late president Jose P. Laurel is still alive, I would like to ask him why he
gives the Philippines’ youth people a burden who have a little idea what they actually
feel is deprived of freedom in this period. In addition to this, can he even still relate it to
 Noli Me Tangere, one of the most famous novels of our national hero, and make sure
that the Filipino youth of today understands it well?

3. Think:
a. What are some guesses you can make about the document?

It can be seen that Jose P. Laurel has so many references with Rizal’s novel, Noli Me
Tangere. However, I guess that he may just used this as a reference. By this I meant that he
may just have referred to this for further clarification of what he is saying and makes it
easier for the people to understand during that time. In addition to this, maybe he made
this speech to boost the conviction of ever Filipino youth that will be able to read this in the
near future. Lastly, he may have used the novel as a reference, but he does not totally agree
or believe with what Rizal have said. These are just guess that I have gathered after reading
the speech.

b. Who do you think made it?

I am certain that the document and speech were done by the late president
Jose P. Laurel. The President of the Philippines-Japanese Republic, Jose Paciano Laurel y
Garcia, served from 1943 to 1945 during the Second World War.

c. When?

There was no exact date when the speech was written. However, the speech
was delivered on February 29, 1944 over Station PIAM Manila.

d. Why did he make it?

In my own opinion, I think that Jose P. Laurel made the speech to empower the
patriotism of the Filipino youth not just for that generation but also for the future ones.
He said that he took the opportunity to invite and appeal to all the country's youth to
join forces to promote food production and restore full peace and order in the
Philippines and to work actively and persistently for the Republic's security,
development, and prosperity. The Republic is not to be retained by this generation, but
particularly to be preserved and to enjoy by young people and future generations.

e. Is it neutral or biased?

As what I have said, I think that Laurel have faith in the Filipino youth and at the
same time, he also has doubts. He believes that the youth can be the one that changes
the society but he also has setbacks with what he believes of. Thus, his speech is neutral
given the fact that he is not just giving favor to the Filipino youth. However, he has this
faith in them and as the future generation grows, the development of the county will
also do so.
Draw your conclusions: Based on your background knowledge and the details from the document, what
conclusions can you draw about its historical period?

After reading the document and speech of the late president Jose P. Laurel, I learned that the
speech was delivered during the Second World War. A lot of veteran died during that time and I think
that it was the reason why he was driven to write the speech. He believed that the youth could save the
country’s future. With proper education, these youths would be able to give ideas to invite other people
to have their patriotism more boosted. With that being said, Laurel was happy later to say some words
about the integration of the Philippine youth movement not only in public and private schools but also
for all Philippine young men and women on the islands to help and cooperate, so that not only do the
youth of the country play a strong role for this government and for making this republic a sustainable
nation.