"Mi Último Adiós," which translates to "My Last Farewell," is a poem written by the

Philippine national hero, Dr. José Rizal, on the eve of his execution on December 30,
1896. It serves as his farewell message to his beloved country, the Philippines, and to his
fellow countrymen.

The poem expresses Rizal's love for his homeland and his desire for freedom and
independence. It reflects his patriotic spirit and his willingness to sacrifice his own life for
the sake of his country's liberation from Spanish colonial rule.

In the poem, Rizal acknowledges the beauty of the Philippines and its people, describing
the country's lush landscapes and its rich cultural heritage. He also reflects on the
struggles and hardships endured by the Filipino people under Spanish oppression.

Rizal expresses his deep sadness and disappointment at the state of his country and the
injustices suffered by his people. He encourages his fellow Filipinos to continue the fight
for freedom and to never lose hope, even in the face of adversity.

The poem ends with Rizal bidding his farewell to his family, friends, and his beloved
country. He expresses his desire to be remembered and hopes that his death will serve
as a catalyst for change and inspire future generations to fight for the Philippines'
independence.

"Mi Último Adiós" has become one of the most revered and influential works of
literature in the Philippines. It symbolizes the spirit of patriotism, heroism, and sacrifice,
and continues to inspire Filipinos in their pursuit of freedom and national identity.
Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,
Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

These are the words of one about to die for his country. He expresses no regret but only gladness,
knowing that in giving his life, he is giving his country the greatest gift any citizen could offer.

On the fields of battle, in the fury of fight,

Others give you their lives without pain or hesitancy,
The place does not matter: cypress laurel, lily white,
Scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom's site,
It is the same if asked by home and Country.

Here Rizal says that it does not matter where one dies, but why one dies and to what purpose.
Whether it’s “scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom’s site,” all death hold the same honor if
given for home and Country.

I die as I see tints on the sky b'gin to show

And at last announce the day, after a gloomy night;
If you need a hue to dye your matutinal glow,
Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so,
And gild it with a reflection of your nascent light!

Rizal’s execution was set at sunrise, thus the meaning of the first and second lines. He employs
the visual senses in his poetic use of color, and then in the third and fourth lines, adds the bright
red tint of his blood to the scene, and gilds it with golden sunlight. The use of these devices
ignites passion in the reader, as it is felt – a hundred times more so – in the writer, even without
explicit use of words signifying feeling.

My dreams, when scarcely a lad adolescent,

My dreams when already a youth, full of vigor to attain,
Were to see you, gem of the sea of the Orient,
Your dark eyes dry, smooth brow held to a high plane
Without frown, without wrinkles and of shame without stain.

Since his childhood, even as other children dreamed of childish things, Rizal dreamed of seeing
his country free, esteemed, and with head held high.

My life's fancy, my ardent, passionate desire,

Hail! Cries out the soul to you, that will soon part from thee;
Hail! How sweet 'tis to fall that fullness you may acquire;
To die to give you life, 'neath your skies to expire,
And in your mystic land to sleep through eternity!

Here, he showers her with praise. He is his life’s fancy, his ardent and passionate desire. He
shouts “Hail!” as many would to their God. He says in the third line that it is sweet to fall so that
his country may acquire fullness, and then continues on in the succeeding lines, “to die to give
you life.” But his joy does not end in the act of dying, but continues beyond the grave, where he
shall sleep in his country’s mystic land through eternity. As one dies for God, Rizal dies for
country. And as one looks forward to heaven, Rizal’s heaven – in these lines, at least – lies in
being buried in the land of his ancestors.

If over my tomb some day, you would see blow,

A simple humble flow'r amidst thick grasses,
Bring it up to your lips and kiss my soul so,
And under the cold tomb, I may feel on my brow,
Warmth of your breath, a whiff of your tenderness.

In this stanza, Rizal likens his soul to that of “a simple humble flower amidst thick grasses.” The
use of this comparison says a lot about how Rizal sees himself – timid, simple, humble,
surrounded by the unrelenting forces of society. He imagines that after his death, he will live on
in the bosom of his motherland, and never cease to enjoy her love, which he begs her to express
with a kiss.

Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry,

Let the dawn send forth its fleeting, brilliant light,
In murmurs grave allow the wind to sigh,
And should a bird descend on my cross and alight,
Let the bird intone a song of peace o'er my site.

Rizal’s love for nature is again depicted in these next four lines. It is interesting that he
enumerates the moon, the dawn, the wind, and a bird to pay homage to his grave, yet does not
mention close friends or specific people. Perhaps it is a simple image of his reunion with nature
that he wants to bring to mind; perhaps it is also an expression of the loneliness and isolation that
he has felt and continues to feel in his fight for freedom.

Let the burning sun the raindrops vaporize

And with my clamor behind return pure to the sky;
Let a friend shed tears over my early demise;
And on quiet afternoons when one prays for me on high,
Pray too, oh, my Motherland, that in God may rest I.

The mention here, of a friend, is the closest he gets to company. And the mention of God in the
fourth line is the closest he gets to praying for a spiritual heaven. That Rizal beseeches his
country to pray that his soul may rest in God is in line with the Roman Catholic belief that all
men are sinners and that salvation is to be earned and cannot be determined before the grave.

Pray thee for all the hapless who have died,

For all those who unequalled torments have undergone;
For our poor mothers who in bitterness have cried;
For orphans, widows and captives to tortures were shied,
And pray too that you may see your own redemption.

In these four lines he gives his motherland a list of the things he wishes her to pray for. He
remembers all of the martyrs who have suffered the same fate as he will, who have died for their
country; the mothers, wives, and children they have left behind who suffer no less for being
abandoned. He also, in a hopeful closing note, asks her to pray for herself.

And when the dark night wraps the cemet'ry

And only the dead to vigil there are left alone,
Don't disturb their repose, don't disturb the mystery:
If you hear the sounds of cittern or psaltery,
It is I, dear Country, who, a song t'you intone.

Clearly Rizal has not imagined that a monument would eventually be built over his grave and has
pictured his final resting place as a humble cemetery where he shall, even after death, sing a song
of devotion for his motherland.

And when my grave by all is no more remembered,

With neither cross nor stone to mark its place,
Let it be plowed by man, with spade let it be scattered
And my ashes ere to nothingness are restored,
Let them turn to dust to cover your earthly space.

In this next stanza, Rizal wishes to then be “plowed by man” when his grave is no longer
remembered, and be scattered as he returns to be part of the dust that covers the land he had died
for. What actually happens in real life, though, is an uncanny parallel. On December 30, 1896, on
the day of his execution, Rizal’s remains were buried in an unmarked grave in the Paco
Cemetery. Years later, however, his remains were exhumed and on December 30, 1912, they
were brought to their final resting place in the base of the monument at Luneta.

Then it doesn't matter that you should forget me:

Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I'll sweep;
Vibrant and clear note to your ears I shall be:
Aroma, light, hues, murmur, song, moanings deep,
Constantly repeating the essence of the faith I keep.
The first line in this stanza begins following the assumption that our hero’s ashes have now been
spread over the land. Rizal envisions that once he has returned to her in this manner, it will no
longer matter if the country forgets him because he will be with her, everywhere, as dust in the
atmosphere, blowing in the skies, in the wind, and still singing songs and murmuring words of
devotion.

My idolized Country, for whom I most gravely pine,

Dear Philippines, to my last goodbye, oh, hearken
There I leave all: my parents, loves of mine,
I'll go where there are no slaves, tyrants or hangmen
Where faith does not kill and where God alone does reign.

Here we come to a more submissive yet hopeful tone. Rizal bids farewell to his one great love –
his country – and yet looks forward to being with God, where there are no slaves, tyrants or
hangmen.

Farewell, parents, brothers, beloved by me,

Friends of my childhood, in the home distressed;
Give thanks that now I rest from the wearisome day;
Farewell, sweet stranger, my friend, who brightened my way;
Farewell, to all I love. To die is to rest.

To close, Rizal now finally mentions specific people: parents, brothers, friends of his childhood.
In other translations, the fourth line reads, “Adios sweet-tender foreigner—my friend, my
happiness,” which historians have interpreted to allude to Josephine Bracken, the daughter of an
Anglo-Saxon father and a Chinese mother, whom many believe – although it is frequently
challenged – he secretly married an hour before his death.

"Mi Ultimo Adios" is a poem written by Dr. Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines.
It is also known as "My Last Farewell" in English translation. Rizal wrote the poem on the
eve of his execution on December 30, 1896, at the age of 35.

The poem serves as Rizal's farewell message to his beloved country and countrymen. It
expresses his deep love for the Philippines, his desire for freedom, and his willingness to
sacrifice his life for the cause of independence. Rizal, who was an advocate for peaceful
reform and a prolific writer, recognized that his death would serve as a catalyst for
change and inspire future generations to continue the fight for freedom.
"Mi Ultimo Adios" reflects Rizal's patriotism, courage, and unwavering dedication to the
Filipino people. It captures his profound emotions, his longing for a free and prosperous
nation, and his hope for a brighter future. The poem is considered a powerful piece of
Philippine literature and has become an iconic symbol of Philippine nationalism.

Throughout the poem, Rizal expresses his love for his homeland, his gratitude to those
who have supported him, and his call to arms for future revolutionaries. It serves as both
a farewell and a rallying cry, inspiring generations of Filipinos to continue the pursuit of
liberty and justice.

"Mi Ultimo Adios" continues to be celebrated and revered in the Philippines. It is studied
in schools, recited in patriotic ceremonies, and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices
made by Rizal and other Filipino heroes in the struggle for independence. The poem
encapsulates the spirit of resilience and love for country that defines the Filipino people.

Overall, "Mi Ultimo Adios" stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit and
unwavering dedication of Dr. Jose Rizal, leaving a lasting legacy in the hearts and minds
of Filipinos as they strive for a better future.

Rizal is undoubtedly well-known in most places around the world, and the fact that he is honored in
several countries is a huge respect to him. His books “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Fili Busterismo” which
describes how the Spaniards managed the Philippines at the time, have made him famous. He is also
credited with coining the phrase “Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan” which references to future Filipinos
who will save the country.

"Mi Ultimo Adios" is a poem written by Dr. Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines.
It is also known as "My Last Farewell" in English translation. Rizal wrote the poem on the
eve of his execution on December 30, 1896, at the age of 35.

The poem serves as Rizal's farewell message to his beloved country and countrymen. It
expresses his deep love for the Philippines, his desire for freedom, and his willingness to
sacrifice his life for the cause of independence. Rizal, who was an advocate for peaceful
reform and a prolific writer, recognized that his death would serve as a catalyst for
change and inspire future generations to continue the fight for freedom.

"Mi Ultimo Adios" reflects Rizal's patriotism, courage, and unwavering dedication to the
Filipino people. It captures his profound emotions, his longing for a free and prosperous
nation, and his hope for a brighter future. The poem is considered a powerful piece of
Philippine literature and has become an iconic symbol of Philippine nationalism.
Throughout the poem, Rizal expresses his love for his homeland, his gratitude to those
who have supported him, and his call to arms for future revolutionaries. It serves as both
a farewell and a rallying cry, inspiring generations of Filipinos to continue the pursuit of
liberty and justice.

"Mi Ultimo Adios" continues to be celebrated and revered in the Philippines. It is studied
in schools, recited in patriotic ceremonies, and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices
made by Rizal and other Filipino heroes in the struggle for independence. The poem
encapsulates the spirit of resilience and love for country that defines the Filipino people.

Overall, "Mi Ultimo Adios" stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit and
unwavering dedication of Dr. Jose Rizal, leaving a lasting legacy in the hearts and minds
of Filipinos as they strive for a better future.

The impact and legacy of "Mi Ultimo Adios" by Jose Rizal are profound and far-reaching. Here are some
key aspects of its impact and legacy:

1. Symbol of Philippine Nationalism: "Mi Ultimo Adios" has become an enduring symbol of
Philippine nationalism and the fight for independence. It represents the spirit of patriotism,
sacrifice, and love for country that resonates deeply within the Filipino people.

2. Inspiration for Revolutionaries: The poem has inspired generations of Filipino revolutionaries and
activists in their pursuit of freedom and social justice. It serves as a rallying cry for those who
strive to create a better and more equitable society.

3. Influence on Philippine Literature: Rizal's poem has had a significant influence on Philippine
literature. It is considered a masterpiece of Philippine poetry and is studied in schools and
universities as an example of literary excellence and national identity.

4. Catalyst for Change: Rizal's execution and the publication of "Mi Ultimo Adios" served as a
catalyst for the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. The poem, with its powerful
message and emotional depth, galvanized the Filipino people and inspired them to continue the
fight for independence.
 5. Shaping National Identity: "Mi Ultimo Adios" has played a vital role in shaping the national
identity of the Philippines. It encapsulates the ideals, aspirations, and struggles of the Filipino
people and serves as a reminder of their rich heritage and the ongoing quest for freedom.

6. Commemoration and Celebration: The poem is commemorated annually on Rizal Day, December
30th, in the Philippines. This day is dedicated to honoring the life, sacrifices, and contributions of
Jose Rizal to the nation.

7. Cultural and Historical Significance: "Mi Ultimo Adios" holds immense cultural and historical
significance. It symbolizes the collective memory of the Filipino people and serves as a reminder
of the hardships endured and the determination to overcome oppression.

8. International Recognition: The poem has gained international recognition and has been
translated into various languages, spreading Rizal's message of freedom and national pride
beyond the Philippines.

In summary, "Mi Ultimo Adios" has left an indelible mark on Philippine history, literature, and culture. Its
impact and legacy continue to inspire and resonate with the Filipino people, reminding them of the
importance of unity, courage, and the pursuit of liberty.

"Mi Ultimo Adios," written by Dr. Jose Rizal, is a deeply emotional and poignant poem that serves as
Rizal's farewell message to his beloved country, the Philippines. The poem was composed on the eve of
Rizal's execution on December 30, 1896, at the age of 35. In this final work, Rizal expresses his profound
love for his homeland, his unwavering dedication to the Filipino people, and his ultimate sacrifice for the
cause of independence.

The poem opens with a sense of impending farewell and a declaration of Rizal's impending death. He
acknowledges that his life is coming to an end and that he will meet his fate with courage and dignity.
Rizal then proceeds to express his deep love and gratitude to his country, addressing it as "pearl of the
Orient" and praising its natural beauty and rich heritage.
Rizal's love for the Philippines is not only rooted in its physical attributes but also in the spirit and
resilience of its people. He acknowledges the sufferings endured by the Filipino people under Spanish
colonial rule and expresses his desire for them to rise up and fight for their freedom. Rizal recognizes
that his own death will serve as a catalyst for change, sparking the flames of revolution and inspiring
future generations to continue the struggle for independence.

The poem is filled with profound emotions, with Rizal expressing his yearning for freedom, justice, and
progress for the Philippines. He implores his countrymen not to forget him and to continue the fight for
liberation. Rizal urges them to break the chains of oppression, to rise against their oppressors, and to be
willing to sacrifice their lives for the greater cause.

Throughout "Mi Ultimo Adios," Rizal reflects on his own life and the choices he has made. He expresses
his desire to be remembered as someone who loved his country deeply and fought for its freedom.
Rizal's words carry a sense of responsibility and a call to action, emphasizing the importance of unity and
collective effort in achieving national liberation.

The poem also showcases Rizal's profound literary talent. It is written in an elegiac style, with beautiful
imagery, rich metaphors, and evocative language. Rizal's mastery of the Spanish language is evident in
the poem's lyrical flow and the depth of its emotions. His words resonate with the reader, stirring a
sense of pride, courage, and determination.

The impact of "Mi Ultimo Adios" goes beyond its artistic and emotional qualities. The poem has become
an enduring symbol of Philippine nationalism and patriotism. It has inspired generations of Filipinos to
rise against oppression and fight for their rights and dignity. "Mi Ultimo Adios" is often recited in
patriotic ceremonies, taught in schools, and celebrated on Rizal Day as a reminder of the sacrifices made
by Rizal and other Filipino heroes.

In conclusion, "Mi Ultimo Adios" is a powerful and moving testament to Jose Rizal's love for his country
and his unwavering dedication to the Filipino people. It encapsulates the spirit of nationalism, sacrifice,
and courage that defines the Filipino identity. Rizal's farewell message continues to resonate with
Filipinos, inspiring them to honor their heritage, strive for justice and freedom, and forge a better future
for their beloved nation.