Alkaine L.

Solleza
“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, Rizal praised the rising generation. This poem can be considered as
Rizal’s first testimony and presentation of his nationalism. In this literary piece, he
clearly referred to the Philippines as his home/motherland, Rizal thought in the poem
relates to the role of the youth with the nation building.

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.

Undoubtedly, just like the other poems of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, the poem “To
the Filipino Youth” is a masterpiece worth reading and comprehending for. If I were to
base my judgments, I can personally describe it as a “real poem” that is, something that
beautifully incorporated the essential elements of poetry. While I was examining its
every line, I was really captured and amazed with the manner of writing, the message it
tries to stress and insist, and of course with the sincerity and genuineness of the poem.
These things made me feel more eager and interested to continue reading Jose Rizal’s.
These aspects were the principal strengths of the poem, reasoning why my attention
and time was whole heartedly and heavily caught through this poem.

On the other hand, the message this poem tries to convey, “To the Filipino Youth” is
holding a very strong one; strong enough to persuade/induce those who are to be
persuaded/induced, the Filipino Youth. As one of those individuals, I could really feel the
nationalistic courage within me glow brighter the moment I finished reading the poem. It
was like telling me that I am one of the existing hopes of our country and that through
my skills, abilities, expertise and knowledge of things, I am capable of protecting its
freedom against oppressive forces that may come through. Moreover, it was like telling
me that together with my co-youth, I am responsible for preserving the Philippines as a
nation for me and the rest of the Filipinos and not for the foreigners.

Lastly, based on what I felt when I was reading the poem and the emotions that were
expressed on each of the poem’s line, as to the sincerity of the poem, I considered “To
the Filipino Youth” as indeed a work from the heart with no pretension, no boastfulness,
no haughtiness and no plasticity. You can really feel the eagerness that Dr. Jose Rizal
wanted everyone to have consisted.