CHAPTER XI

THE HERO: A
POET
REPORTERS:

ALABAN, JULIE ANN

JARINA, CRISTY
MENDOZA, JAMILLE
PEDERICHE, JEN ALLYSA
AQUINO, VON ALFRED
• Rizal’s works and writings are source of pride and patriotism for the
Filipinos.
• Owning the lack of awareness on Rizal’s works and writings seem to
affect our attitude towards getting to know more our National Hero and
giving him the acknowledgement he truly deserves.

• Rizal did not really want people to honor his death, no anniversaries,
and not even a monument of him that stands today at the Luneta.

• What he want us to remember him is by reading his works where we

can find his ideals and values that he lived and died for- not to exclude
what other heroes did as well.

• We must not forget that his writings provide us an insight of who Rizal
was a person and what he dreamt of for his countrymen.

A POEM RIZAL DID NOT WRITE
• It is widely attributed to the Filipino national hero José
Rizal, who supposedly wrote it in 1869 at the age of
eight.
• In this poem, he appeared to promote sense of respect
and adoration to our mother tongue, basically Tagalog.
• It is widely attributed to the Filipino national hero José
Rizal, who supposedly wrote it in 1869 at the age of
eight.
• There is no evidence, however, to support authorship
by Rizal and several historians now believe it to be a
hoax.
Sa Aking Mga Kabata
Kapagka ang baya'y sadyáng umiibig
Sa kanyáng salitáng kaloob ng langit,
Sanlang kalayaan nasa ring masapit
Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid.
Pagka't ang salita'y isang kahatulan
Sa bayan, sa nayo't mga kaharián,
At ang isáng tao'y katulad, kabagay
Ng alin mang likha noong kalayaán.
Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salitâ
Mahigit sa hayop at malansáng isdâ,
Kayâ ang marapat pagyamaning kusà
Na tulad sa ináng tunay na nagpalà.
Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa Latin
Sa Inglés, Kastilà at salitang anghel,
Sapagka't ang Poong maalam tumingín
Ang siyang naggawad, nagbigay sa atin.
Ang salita nati'y huwad din sa iba
Na may alfabeto at sariling letra,
Na kaya nawalá'y dinatnan ng sigwâ
Ang lunday sa lawà noóng dakong una.
A POEM ABOUT THE HERO’S TOWN

Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (A Tribute To My Town)

When I remember the days sadly, sadly I recall The Creator I saw in the grandeur But O goodbye! May the
that saw my early childhood your visage, precious childhood, of your age-old forests; Spirit
spent on the green shores which an affectionate mother upon your bosom, sorrows of Good, a loving gift-
of a murmurous lagoon; made beautiful and bright; were ever unknown to me; giver,
when I remember the coolness, I recall a simple town, while at your azure skies keep watch eternally
delicious and refreshing, my comfort, joy and cradle, I gazed, neither love nor over
that on my face I felt beside a balmy lake, tenderness your peace, your joy,
as I heard Favonius croon; the seat of my delight. failed me, for in nature your sleep!
lay my felicity. For you, my fervent
when I behold the white lily Ah, yes, my awkward foot pryers;
swell to the wind’s impulsion, explored your sombre woodlands, Tender childhood, beautiful town, for you, my constant
and that tempestuous element and on the banks of your rivers rich fountain of rejoicing desire
meekly asleep on the sand; in frolic I took part. and of harmonious music to learn; and I pray
when I inhale the dear I prayed in your rustic temple, that drove away all pain: heaven
intoxicating essence a child, with a child’s devotion; return to this heart of mine, your innocence to keep!
the flowers exude when dawn and your unsullied breeze return my gracious hours,
is smiling on the land; exhilarated my heart. return as the birds return
when flowers spring again!
`
A POEM ABOUT THE HERO’S TOWN

• Jose Rizal wrote Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (A Tribute To My Town) when he was 15 years
old in 1876.

• He was then a student in Ateneo de Municipal. Rizal, being away from his family,
reminisced his memories of childhood in his hometown, Calamba, Laguna and wrote this
poem to express his love and appreciation for the place where he grew up.

• This poem tells about someone who lives the chaos of the modern world to be alone and
reflect on nature.

• Then as he sits he is over come with a sudden memory of all the thingshe saw as grief, he
realize that they were what they were and it is his choice to see them as he once did.
A POEM FOR THE HERO’S MOTHER
MI PRIMERA INSPIRACIÓN (My First Inspiration)
Why falls so rich a spray
of fragrance from the bowers
of the balmy flowers upon this festive
day?
Why from woods and vales
do we hear sweet measures ringing
that seem to be the singing
of a choir of nightingales?
Why in the grass below
do birds start at the wind's noises,
unleashing their honeyed voices
as they hop from bough to bough?
with its murmur seems to say:"Live happily
Why should the spring that glows
its crystalline murmur be tuning
to the zephyr's mellow crooning
as among the flowers it flows?
Why seems to me more endearing,
more fair than on other days,
the dawn's enchanting face among red
clouds appearing?
The reason, dear mother, is
they feast your day of bloom:
the rose with its perfume,
the bird with its harmonies.
And the spring that rings with laughter
upon this joyful day
ever after!“
The reason, dear mother, is
they feast your day of bloom:
the rose with its perfume,
the bird with its harmonies.
And the spring that rings with laughter
upon this joyful day
with its murmur seems to say:"Live happily
ever after!“
And from that spring in the grove
now turn to hear the first note
that from my lute I emote
to the impulse of my love!
A POEM FOR THE HERO’S MOTHER

• "Mi Primera Inspiracion" was the first poem written by Dr. Jose Rizal
during his third academic year in Ateneo de Municipal.

• He wrote the poem in 1874, before he turned 14.

• He was delighted to see his mother, Doña Teodora Alonso, released from
prison that same year so he dedicated the poem to her.

• He also dedicated this poem to his mother’s birthday.

• Doña Teodora inspired our National Hero in every step of the way. Doña
Teodora is also the reason why Rizal took up medicine because of his
desire to cure the failing eyesight of his mother.
POEMS ON RELIGION

• Jose Rizal wrote the poem To the Child Jesus (in other references, Al Niño Jesus (To the
Child Jesus) when he was 14 years old Child Jesus)

• The poem begins with Rizal addressing the child Jesus and asking Why have you come to
him why he had chosen a lowly manger as the place through which earth,Child-God, in a
he would enter the world of humanity. poor manger?Does
Fortune find you a
strangerFrom the
• "Alas" is a word expressing concern, grief, sorrow or pity and is moment of your birth?
commonly used in traditional poetry. When Rizal adds this
expression to the second half of his poem, he signifies that he, Alas, of heavenly
Rizal, as a man and having the perspective of a mere human being, stockNow turned an
finds a part of himself that grieves over how much the divine has earthly resident!Do you
given up in the process of his incarnation. not wish to be
presidentBut the
• He then ends the poem with a rather rhetorical question: Wouldn't shepherd of your flock?
you rather be Lord above the earth than be a mere shepherd of
simple sheep like the rest of us?
 A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary)
POEMS ON RELIGION
Mary, sweet peace and dearest consolation
of suffering mortal: you are the fount whence
springs
the current of solicitude that brings
• It was written during Rizal’s academic stay in unto our soil unceasing fecundation.
Ateneo Municipal De Manila on 3 December 1876
From your abode, enthroned on heaven’s
height,
in mercy deign to hear my cry of woe
• The meaning of the poem "To the Virgin Mary" by and to the radiance of your mantle draw
my voice that rises with so swift a flight.
Jose Rizal is love. Its meaning is that love can
conquer fear, even when it comes to death and that You are my mother, Mary, and shall be
the tough times can lead to the ultimate freedom. my life, my stronghold, my defense most
thorough;
and you shall be my guide on this wild sea.

If vice pursues me madly on the morrow,

if death harasses me with agony:
come to my aid and dissipate my sorrow!`
A POEM ON EDUCATION
Education Gives Light to Motherland
Wise education, vital breath
Inspires an enchanting virtue;
She puts the Country in the lofty seat
Of endless glory, of dazzling glow, And
just as the gentle aura’s puff
Do brighten the perfumed flower’s hue:
So education with a wise, guiding
hand, A benefactress, exalts the
human band.
For her mortal sacrifices
existence and a calm repose;
through her are born both art and
science,
which crown a man with beauteous
laurel.
And as from the top of a tall mountain
spring the pure waters of a torrent,
so education, unstinting, lavishes
on the land where she lives enduring
peace.
Where education rears her throne
exuberant youth robust shall grow
to crush down error with a firm foot
and be enlarged with great ideas.
Education the neck of vice shall break;
black crime shall pale and fade before
her;
barbarous tribes she shall subdue,
transforming savages into champions.
And as the river that nourishes
the crops and shrubbery of the
lowlands
bestows its placid wealth of waters
to irrigate with constant zeal
the banks through which it undulates,
denying beautiful nature nothing;
so he who gains wise education
shall hoist himself to the heights of
honor.
The crystalline waters of heavenly
virtue
spring from her lips without surcease
and the prudent doctrines of her faith
debilitate the forces of evil
that shatter like the silvery waves
beating against unmoving shores;
and mortals learn by her example
how to climb the heavenly trails.
Within the breasts of hapless mortals
she kindles the living flame of good;
she binds the hands of the wild
criminal;
and faithfully pours out consolation
to those who seek her kindly
mysteries,
inflaming their hearts with a love for
good.
And thus is education, so noble
and perfect, the sure balm of life.
A POEM ON EDUCATION
Education Gives Light to Motherland
And like the rock that rises
proudly
amid the turmoil of the waves
when storm and the savage
South Wind clamor,
disdaining the fury of the
waves
which, weary at last of
horrifying,
beat a retreat of sinister calm;
such is he whom education
directs:
ably shall he hold the reins of
state.
His deeds shall be inscribed As from the blond sun of the
in sapphire; morning
his land shall pay him a gold emanates in splendid
thousand honors; rays,
for in the noble breasts of his and as the fair dawn of gold
children and crimson
virtue transplanted healthy scatters its refulgent colors:
flowers. thus good education proudly
And by the love for good offers
consumed the bliss of virtue to the living,
its governors and leaders and to our beloved illustrious
shall serve land
the nation that in steady offers immortal light and glory.
venture
pursues a Christian
education.
A POEM ON EDUCATION

• Rizal believed in the significant role which education plays in the progress and welfare
of a nation.

• When Rizal put up his school in Dapitan, He visualized a course of study of study
beyond any usual wisdom.

• He designed a curriculum that would teach students to “behave like men”.

• From the time of a man's birth to the moment of his death, he is constantly engaged in
the journey of learning. This can come in the form of a formal education and a
structured curriculum, or in the essence of daily living.
A POEM FOR THE YOUTH
A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)
To the Filipino Youth
Hold high the brow serene,
O youth, where now you stand;
Let the bright sheen
Of your grace be seen,
Fair hope of my fatherland!
Come now, thou genius grand,
And bring down inspiration;
With thy mighty hand,
Swifter than the wind's violation,
Raise the eager mind to higher station.
Come down with pleasing light
Of art and science to the fight,
O youth, and there untie
The chains that heavy lie,
Your spirit free to blight.
See how in flaming zone
Amid the shadows thrown,
The Spaniard'a holy hand
A crown's resplendent band
Proffers to this Indian land.
Thou, who now wouldst rise Go forth, and then the sacred fire
On wings of rich emprise, Of thy genius to the laurel may aspire ;
Seeking from Olympian skies To spread around the fame,
Songs of sweetest strain, And in victory acclaim,
Softer than ambrosial rain; Through wider spheres the human
Thou, whose voice divine name.
Rivals Philomel's refrain
And with varied line Day, O happy day,
Through the night benign Fair Filipinas, for thy land!
Frees mortality from pain; So bless the Power to-day
That places in thy way
Thou, who by sharp strife This favor and this fortune grand !
Wakest thy mind to life ;
And the memory bright
Of thy genius' light
Makest immortal in its strength ;
And thou, in accents clear
Of Phoebus, to Apelles dear ;
Or by the brush's magic art
Takest from nature's store a part,
To fig it on the simple canvas' length ;
 A POEM FOR THE YOUTH

HIMNO A TALISAY (HYMN TO TALISAY)

• "A la juventud filipina" was written by Rizal when he was only eighteen years old while he was
Hail, Talisay, We are children, children born late, Talisayon, the people call us: Long live luxuriant Talisay!
at firm
theand University
faithful, of Sto. Tomas, and was dedicated
but our spirits are fresh and healthy; to the Filipino youth which
a great soul in a little body; he describes
Our voicesasexalt you in
"theever
fairforward
hope of my motherland."
strong men shall we be tomorrow in Dapitan and all its region chorus,
march elate! that can guard a family right. Talisay has no match! clear star, dear treasure of
We are children that nothing Our reservoir is unequalled; childhood,
• This poem was
You, victorious, his first courageous public
frightens, expression of nationalism.
our precipice is a deep chasm; a childhood you guide and
the elements not the waves, nor the storm, nor the and when we go rowing, our please.
—land, sea and air— thunder; bancas
shall dominate! the arm ready, the young face no banca in the world can catch! In the struggles that await the
• This poem shows Rizal’s concern with the
tranquil, Filipino youth. He had high hopes for them. He implored
grown man,
Thethe youth
sandy beachto rise from indolence
of Dapitan in a fix we and break
shall know howthe chain that We
to fight. has long
study the bound
problemstheir
of country.
subject to pain and sorrow,
and the rocks of its lofty mountain science your memory shall be his
are your throne. O sacred asylum We ransack the sand in our frolic; and the history of the nation. amulet;
where I passed my childhood through the caves and the thickets We speak some three or four and your name, in the tomb,
• A La Juventuddays! Filipina is an inspiring poem that states that thelanguages;
we ramble; Filipino youth are capablehisofpeace. great
In heights. It urges
your valley covered the Filipino
with our youth
houses areto built
reach upontheir
rocks;potentialfaith
byand
harnessing
reason we span.their skills and talents for
flowers our arms reach far and wide. Our hands can wield at the same
the betterment of our countrymen. It motivates the youth to free Filipinos from ignorance, and to
and shaded by fruitful orchards, No darkness, and no dark night, time
seek freedom and
our minds received their human dignity.
that we fear, no savage tempest; the knife, the pen and the spade,
formation, if the devil himself comes forward, the picket, the rifle, the sword—
both body and soul, by your we shall catch him, dead or alive! companions of a brave man.
grace.
 A POEM FOR THE YOUTH

HIMNO
HIMNOAATALISAY
TALISAY(HYMN
(HYMNTO
TOTALISAY)
TALISAY)
Hail,
Hail,Talisay,
Talisay, We
Weare arechildren,
children,children
childrenborn
bornlate,
late, Talisayon,
Talisayon,thethepeople
peoplecall callus:
us: Long
Longlive
liveluxuriant
luxuriantTalisay!
Talisay!
firm
firmand
andfaithful,
faithful, but
butour ourspirits
spiritsare
arefresh
freshandandhealthy;
healthy; aagreat
greatsoul
soulininaalittle
littlebody;
body; Our
Ourvoices
voicesexalt
exaltyou
youinin
ever forward
ever forward strong men shall we be
strong men shall we be tomorrow tomorrow ininDapitan and all its region
Dapitan and all its region chorus,
chorus,
march
marchelate!
elate! that
thatcan
canguard
guardaafamily
familyright.
right. Talisay
Talisayhas
hasno nomatch!
match! clear
clear star,dear
star, deartreasure
treasureofof
We are children that nothing
We are children that nothing Our reservoir is unequalled;
Our reservoir is unequalled; childhood,
childhood,
You,
You,victorious,
victorious, frightens,
frightens, our
ourprecipice
precipiceisisaadeep
deepchasm;
chasm; aachildhood
childhoodyouyouguide
guideandand
the
theelements
elements not
notthethewaves,
waves,nor northe
thestorm,
storm,nor
northe
the and
andwhen
whenwewego gorowing,
rowing,ourour please.
please.
—land,
—land, seaand
sea andair—
air— thunder;
thunder; bancas
bancas
shall dominate!
shall dominate! the
the arm ready,the
arm ready, theyoung
youngface
face no
no banca in theworld
banca in the worldcan cancatch!
catch! InInthe
thestruggles
strugglesthat
thatawait
awaitthe
the
tranquil,
tranquil, grown man,
grown man,
The
Thesandy
sandybeach
beachofofDapitan
Dapitan ininaafixfixwe
weshall
shallknow
knowhow howtotofight.
fight. WeWestudy
studythetheproblems
problemsofof subject
subjecttotopain
painand
andsorrow,
sorrow,
and
andthetherocks
rocksofofits
itslofty
loftymountain
mountain science
science your
yourmemory
memoryshall
shallbe
behis
his
are
are your throne. O sacredasylum
your throne. O sacred asylum WeWeransack
ransackthe thesand
sandininour
ourfrolic;
frolic; and
and the historyofofthe
the history thenation.
nation. amulet;
amulet;
where I passed my childhood
where I passed my childhood through the caves and the thickets
through the caves and the thickets We
We speak some three orfour
speak some three or four and
and your name,ininthe
your name, thetomb,
tomb,
days!
days! we
weramble;
ramble; languages;
languages; his peace.
his peace.
InInyour
yourvalley
valleycovered
coveredwith
with our
ourhouses
housesare arebuilt
builtupon
uponrocks;
rocks; faith
faithand
andreason
reasonwe wespan.
span.
flowers
flowers our
ourarms
armsreach
reachfar
farand
andwide.
wide. Our
Ourhands
handscan canwield
wieldatatthe
thesame
same
and
and shaded byfruitful
shaded by fruitfulorchards,
orchards, NoNo darkness, and no darknight,
darkness, and no dark night, time
time
our
our minds receivedtheir
minds received their that we fear, no savage tempest;
that we fear, no savage tempest; the
the knife, the penand
knife, the pen andthe
thespade,
spade,
formation,
formation, ififthe
thedevil
devilhimself
himselfcomes
comesforward,
forward, the picket, the rifle, the sword—
the picket, the rifle, the sword—
both
bothbody
bodyandandsoul,
soul,bybyyour
your weweshall
shallcatch
catchhim,
him,dead
deadororalive!
alive! companions
companionsofofaabrave braveman.
man.
grace.
grace.
A POEM FOR THE YOUTH

• Rizal conducted his school at this home in Talisay, near Dapitan. It is

also where he had his farm and hospital.

• His favorite meeting with his students who are mostly boys was under
a talisay tree, after which the place was named.

• In honor of Talisay, He wrote a poem entitled “ Himno A Talisay” for his

pupil to sing. However, the Spaniard find the poem subversive, having
this poem being used by his opponents against him during his trial.
POEMS FOR THE HERO’S BELOVED Goodbye to Leonor

And so it has arrived —

the fatal instant,
the dismal injunction of
• “Goodbye to Leonor” was written by Jose Rizal for his
my cruel fate;
lady love, Leonor Rivera who was only 13 years old when
so it has come at last —
Rizal met her in Dagupan. the moment, the date,
when I must separate
• They kept a long distance relationship by sending letters myself from you.
and photographs to one another but their love affair was
strongly disapproved by Leonor’s parents.
Goodbye, Leonor,
goodbye! I take my leave,
leaving behind with you
• Later on Rizal’s sweetheart for 11 years was married to
my lover’s heart!
Henry Kipping which saddened Rizal terribly, thus this Goodbye, Leonor: from
melancholic poem for Leonor. here I now depart.
O Melancholy absence!
Ah, what pain!
POEMS FOR THE HERO’S BELOVED

• Rizal wrote this poem for Josephine Bracken, an Irish A JOSEFINA (JOSEPHINE)
woman who went to Dapitan to have her father George
Taufer (Bracken was his adopted daughter) treated for Josephine, Josephine
Who to these shores have
an eye problem.
come
Looking for a nest, a home,
Like a wandering swallow;
• Rizal married her although without the Church’s
If your fate is taking you
blessing because Rizal did not agree to the priest’s To Japan, China or Shanghai,
precondition of retraction. Don’t forget that on these
shores
A heart for you beats high.
• Bracken conceived but had a stillbirth.
 POEMS FOR THE HERO’S LAST REMINISCENE
MI RETIRO (MY RETREAT)
Beside a spacious beach of fine and
delicate sand
and at the foot of a mountain greener than
a leaf,
I planted my humble hut beneath a
pleasant orchard,
seeking in the still serenity of the woods
repose to my intellect and silence to my
grief.
Its roof is fragile nipa; its floor is brittle
bamboo;
its beams and posts are rough as rough-
hewn wood can be;
of no worth, it is certain, is my rustic cabin;
but on the lap of the eternal mount it
slumbers
and night and day is lulled by the crooning
of the sea.
The overflowing brook, that from the
shadowy jungle
descends between huge bolders, washes it
with its spray,
donating a current of water through
makeshift bamboo pipes
that in the silent night is melody and music
and crystalline nectar in the noon heat of
the day.
If the sky is serene, meekly flows the
spring,
strumming on its invisible zither
unceasingly;
but come the time of the rains, and an
impetuous torrent
spills over rocks and chasms—hoarse,
foaming and aboil—
to hurl itself with a frenzied roaring toward
the sea.
The barking of the dog, the twittering of the
birds,
the hoarse voice of the kalaw are all that I
hear;
there is no boastful man, no nuisance of a
neighbor
to impose himself on my mind or to disturb my
passage;
only the forests and the sea do I have near.
The sea, the sea is everything! Its sovereign
mass
brings to me atoms of a myriad faraway lands;
its bright smile animates me in the limpid
mornings;
and when at the end of day my faith has
proven futile,
my heart echoes the sound of its sorrow on the
sands.
 POEMS FOR THE HERO’S LAST REMINISCENE
MI RETIRO (MY RETREAT)
At night it is a mystery! … Its diaphanous
element
is carpeted with thousands and thousands
of lights that climb;
the wandering breeze is cool, the
firmament is brilliant,
the waves narrate with many a sigh to the
mild wind
histories that were lost in the dark night of
time.
‘Tis said they tell of the first morning on the
earth,
of the first kiss with which the sun inflamed
her breast,
when multitudes of beings materialized
from nothing
to populate the abyss and the overhanging
summits
and all the places where that quickening
kiss was pressed.
But when the winds rage in the darkness of
the night
and the unquiet waves commence their
agony,
across the air move cries that terrify the
spirit,
a chorus of voices praying, a lamentation
that seems
to come from those who, long ago,
drowned in the sea.
Then do the mountain ranges on high
reverberate;
the trees stir far and wide, by a fit of
trembling seized;
the cattle moan; the dark depths of the
forest resound;
their spirits say that they are on their way
to the plain,
summoned by the dead to a mortuary
feast.
The wild night hisses, hisses, confused and
terrifying;
one sees the sea afire with flames of green
and blue;
but calm is re-established with the
approach of dawning
and forthwith an intrepid little fishing vessel
begins to navigate the weary waves anew.
So pass the days of my life in my obscure
retreat;
cast out of the world where once I dwelt:
such is my rare
good fortune; and Providence be praised
for my condition:
a disregarded pebble that craves nothing
but moss
to hide from all the treasure that in myself I
bear.
 POEMS FOR THE HERO’S LAST REMINISCENE
MI RETIRO (MY RETREAT)
I live with the remembrance of those that I
have loved
and hear their names still spoken, who
haunt my memory;
some already are dead, others have long
forgotten—
but what does it matter? I live remembering
the past
and no one can ever take the past away
from me.
It is my faithful friend that never turns
against me,
that cheers my spirit when my spirit’s a
lonesome wraith,
that in my sleepless nights keeps watch
with me and prays
with me, and shares with me my exile and
my cabin,
and, when all doubt, alone infuses me with
faith.
Faith do I have, and I believe the day will
shine
when the Idea shall defeat brute force as
well;
and after the struggle and the lingering
agony
a voice more eloquent and happier than my
own
will then know how to utter victory’s
canticle.
I see the heavens shining, as flawless and
refulgent
as in the days that saw my first illusions
start;
I feel the same breeze kissing my autumnal
brow,
the same that once enkindled my fervent
enthusiasm
and turned the blood ebullient within my
youthful heart.
Across the fields and rivers of my native
town
perhaps has traveled the breeze that now I
breathe by chance;
perhaps it will give back to me what once I
gave it:
the sighs and kisses of a person idolized
and the sweet secrets of a virginal
romance.
On seeing the same moon, as silvery as
before,
I feel within me the ancient melancholy
revive;
a thousand memories of love and vows
awaken:
a patio, an azotea, a beach, a leafy bower;
silences and sighs, and blushes of delight
…
 POEMS FOR THE HERO’S LAST REMINISCENE
A butterfly athirst for radiances and colors,
dreaming of other skies and of a larger
strife,
I left, scarcely a youth, my land and my
affections,
and vagrant everywhere, with no qualms,
with no terrors,
squandered in foreign lands the April of my
life.
And afterwards, when I desired, a weary
swallow,
to go back to the nest of those for whom I
care,
suddenly fiercely roared a violent hurricane
and I found my wings broken, my dwelling
place demolished,
faith now sold to others, and ruins
everywhere.
MI RETIRO (MY RETREAT)
Hurled upon a rock of the country I adore;
the future ruined; no home, no health to
bring me cheer;
you come to me anew, dreams of rose and
gold,
of my entire existence the solitary treasure,
convictions of a youth that was healthy and
sincere.
No more are you, like once, full of fire and
life,
offering a thousand crowns to immortality;
somewhat serious I find you; and yet your
face beloved,
if now no longer as merry, if now no longer
as vivid,
now bear the superscription of fidelity.
You offer me, O illusions, the cup of
consolation;
you come to reawaken the years of
youthful mirth;
hurricane, I thank you; winds of heaven, I
thank you
that in good hour suspended by uncertain
flight
to bring me down to the bosom of my
native earth.
Beside a spacious beach of fine and
delicate sand
and at the foot of a mountain greener than
a leaf,
I found in my land a refuge under a
pleasant orchard,
and in its shadowy forests, serene
tranquility,
repose to my intellect and silence to my
grief.
POEMS FOR THE HERO’S LAST REMINISCENE

• Is a poem written by Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal in October 22,1895 as a reply to
his mother’s request.

• It has 24 stanzas and 120 lines. It describes as autobiography of Rizal in Dapitan

• It is sentimental, touching and exquisite poem describing his home and life in lonely
Dapitan.

• He wrote this poem while he was exile in Dapitan

• This poem tells a story about someone who leaves the chaos of the modern world to be
alone and reflect nature.
THE HERO’S ONE LAST GREAT POEM
Mi Último Adiós (My Last Farewell)
Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the
sun caress'd
Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden lost!,
Gladly now I go to give thee this faded
life's best,
And were it brighter, fresher, or more blest
Still would I give it thee, nor count the
cost.
On the field of battle, 'mid the frenzy of
fight,
Others have given their lives, without
doubt or heed;
The place matters not-cypress or laurel or
lily white,
Scaffold or open plain, combat or
martyrdom's plight,
T is ever the same, to serve our home
and country's need.
I die just when I see the dawn break,
Through the gloom of night, to herald the
day;
And if color is lacking my blood thou shalt
take,
Pour'd out at need for thy dear sake
To dye with its crimson the waking ray.
My dreams, when life first opened to me,
My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat
high,
Were to see thy lov'd face, O gem of the
Orient sea
From gloom and grief, from care and
sorrow free;
No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine
eye.
Dream of my life, my living and burning
desire,
All hail ! cries the soul that is now to take
flight;
All hail ! And sweet it is for thee to expire ;
To die for thy sake, that thou mayst
aspire;
And sleep in thy bosom eternity's long
night.
If over my grave some day thou seest
grow,
In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so,
While I may feel on my brow in the cold
tomb below
The touch of thy tenderness, thy breath's
warm power.
 THE HERO’S ONE LAST GREAT POEM
Mi Último Adiós (My Last Farewell)
Let the moon beam over me soft and serene,
Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes,
Let the wind with sad lament over me keen ;
And if on my cross a bird should be seen,
Let it trill there its hymn of peace to my ashes.
Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky,
And heavenward in purity bear my tardy protest
Let some kind soul o 'er my untimely fate sigh,
And in the still evening a prayer be lifted on
high
From thee, 0 my country, that in God I may rest.
Pray for all those that hapless have died,
For all who have suffered the unmeasur'd pain;
For our mothers that bitterly their woes have
cried,
For widows and orphans, for captives by torture
tried
And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst
gain.
And when the dark night wraps the graveyard
around
With only the dead in their vigil to see
Break not my repose or the mystery profound
And perchance thou mayst hear a sad hymn
resound
'T is I, O my country, raising a song unto thee.
And even my grave is remembered no more
Unmark'd by never a cross nor a stone
Let the plow sweep through it, the spade turn it
o'er
That my ashes may carpet earthly floor,
Before into nothingness at last they are blown.
Then will oblivion bring to me no care
As over thy vales and plains I sweep;
Throbbing and cleansed in thy space and air
With color and light, with song and lament I
fare,
Ever repeating the faith that I keep.
My Fatherland ador'd, that sadness to my
sorrow lends
Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last good-
by!
I give thee all: parents and kindred and
friends
For I go where no slave before the
oppressor bends,
Where faith can never kill, and God reigns
e'er on high!
Farewell to you all, from my soul torn away,
Friends of my childhood in the home
dispossessed !
Give thanks that I rest from the wearisome
day !
Farewell to thee, too, sweet friend that
lightened my way;
Beloved creatures all, farewell! In death
there is rest !
THE HERO’S ONE LAST GREAT POEM

• This poem is conclusively one of Rizal’s greatest contributions to world literature, the
other two being his novels Noli and Fili.

• Also through this poem, Rizal was giving his last message to his countrymen. For him,
offering his life was the best way he could show his love for the country.

• Mi Último Adiós (English; “My Last Farewell”) is a poem written by Philippine national
hero Dr. José Rizal on the eve of his execution by firing squad on 30 December 1896.

• This poem is a manifesto to the Filipinos to remember his ideals and values that he lived
and died for.
FIN