INTRODUCTION:

“Mga Tula at Awit na Sulat ni

Dr. Jose P. Rizal”
•“Sa Aking Kababata”

•“The Filipino Youth”

•“Hymn to Labor”
 “Sa Aking Kababata”

○Written when Rizal was 8 years old (1860) before he went to

Binian to begin his formal schooling under Maestro Justiniano Cruz.

I
Kapagka ang baya’y sadyang umiibig
Sa langit salitang kaloob ng langit
Sanlang kalayaan nasa ring masapi
Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid
II
Pagka’t ang salita’y isang kahatulan
Sa bayan, sa nayo't mga kaharian
At ang isang tao’y katulad, kabagay
Ng alin mang likha noong kalayaan.
III
Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salita
Mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda
Kaya ang marapat pagyamanin kusa
Na tulad sa inang tunay na nagpala
 “Sa Aking Kababata”

IV
Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa Latin,
Sa Ingles, Kastila, at salitang anghel,
Sapagkat ang Poong maalam tumingin
Ang siyang naggagawad, nagbibigay sa atin.

V
Ang salita nati’y tulad din sa iba
Na may alfabeto at sariling letra,
Na kaya nawala’y dinatnan ng sigwa
Ang lunday sa lawa noong dakong una.
Interpretation:
I
“Kapagka ang baya’y sadyang umiibig
Sa langit salitang kaloob ng langit
Sanlang kalayaan nasa ring masapi
Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid”

•Ipinapakita sa unang talata na kahit noong bata pa lamang si Rizal ay

nakita na niya ang kahalagahan ng wikang pambansa. Ayon sa kanya,
kung taos-pusong mamahalin ng mga tao ang kanilang pambansang wika
ay taos-puso rin nilang ipaglalaban ang kanilang kalayaan. Ito raw ay
parang isang ibong lumilipad nang malaya sa himpapawid.
Interpretation:
II
“Pagka’t ang salita’y isang kahatulan
Sa bayan, sa nayo't mga kaharian
At ang isang tao’y katulad, kabagay
Ng alin mang likha noong kalayaan”.

•Ang wika ay ihinahalintulad ni Rizal sa mamamayang ipinanganak sa

kalayaan. Sa panahon noon, ang Pilipinas ay naging alipin sa kamay ng
mga Kastila. Ganunpaman, sinasabi ni Rizal sa talatang ito na kahit na
ang bansa ay parang nasa bilangguan ng mga dayuhan, ang kanilang
pagmamahal at pagtatangkilik sa sariling wika ay magiging simbolo na
rin ng kanilang pagkatao ang pagka-Pilipino.
Interpretation:
III
“Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salita
Mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda
Kaya ang marapat pagyamanin kusa
Na tulad sa inang tunay na nagpala”

•Dito sa pangatlong saknong nating makikita ang isa sa mga

pinakatanyag na kasabihan ni Rizal. Ayon sa kanya, ang wika raw kay
nangangailangan ng pag-aaruga, gaya ng pag-alaga ng ina sa kanyang
anak. Ihinahalintulad niya ang pambansang wika sa isang sanggol na
kailangang alagaan at mahalin.
Interpretation:
IV
“Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa Latin,
Sa Ingles, Kastila, at salitang anghel,
Sapagkat ang Poong maalam tumingin
Ang siyang naggagawad, nagbibigay sa atin”.

•Ayon kay Rizal, ang wikang Tagalog ay singhalaga ang sintulad lamang ng
wikang Latin, Ingles, Kastila, at salitang anghel. Hindi ito dapat minamaliit
kapag ikinukumpara sa wika ng ibang mas mauunlad na bansa, sapagkat
iisa lamang ang Diyos na nagbigay-bunga sa lahat ng wika ng mundo.
Interpretation:
V
“Ang salita nati’y tulad din sa iba
Na may alfabeto at sariling letra,
Na kaya nawala’y dinatnan ng sigwa
Ang lunday sa lawa noong dakong una”.

•Ang wika ng mga Pilipino, tulad nga iba pang wika, ay mayroon ding
sariling alpabeto. Maaaring tinutukoy ni Rizal dito ang Alibata o ang
lumang alpabetong Pilipino, na talaga namang nag-iisa ang walang
katulad. Ngunit, ayon kay Rizal, ang mga letra ng ating katutubong
alpabeto ay parang natangoy sa malalaking alon, na parang mga bangka.
“The Filipino Youth”

•The Liceo Artistico-Literario de Manila, an association of arts lovers in Manila

regularly held Literary contests to stimulate an develop literary talents. In 1879, it
opened one for works in verse and prose with a special prize to Filipinos and half-
breeds. Rizal participated in the contest by submitting a poem entitled, “To the
Filipino Youth,” ( A La Juventud Filipina ).

•Like his poem “Education Gives Luster to Motherland,” he inspired the youth to
develop their talents, look forward and break the chain of their “bondage,” he called
them “ Bella Esperaza de la Patria mia” (“fair hope of my motherland”).

•Eager to shake off the belief among the Filipinos that white man was superior to them,
Rizal encouraged the “timid flowers, fair hope of my motherland to lift up your radiant
Brow and show your talent resplendently and grand”.
“The Filipino Youth”

•He urged the youth to “fly swifter than the wind and descend with art and science
to break the chain that has bound the poetic genius of the nation.
In this Poem:

•Rizal called on the poet to open the horizon and write poetry about the
Country
“Soar high, O genius great,
And with noble thoughts fill their mind;
The honors glorious seat,
May their virgin mind fly and find
More rapidly than the wind”.
“You, who heavenward arise
On wings of your rich fantasy,
Seek in the Olympian skies
The tenderest poesy,
More sweet than divine honey”.
In this Poem:

•He Urged the singer to dissipate man’s sorrow

“You, of heavenly harmony,

On a calm unperturbed night,
Philomel’s match in melody,
That in varied symphony
Dissipate man’s sorrow’s blight.”

•To the sculptor Rizal’s request was to animate the hard rock with life

“You, at the impulse of your mind

The hard rock animate.”
In this Poem:

•And to the painters, Rizal’s request was to give beauty

“And you, your magic brush,
On canvas plain capture.
.. The mantle of nature.”

•Rizal urged the youth to develop their talents and

find out what genius would be proclaimed throughout
the world for having served the country. They should
take Pride in their country.
“Run, For genius sacred flame
Awaits the artist’s crowning
Spreading far and wide the fame
Throughout the sphere proclaiming
With trumpet the mortal’s name.”
In this Poem:

•And when the youth answer the call, heaven should be thanked for the
joy of his Motherland, the Philippines. The nationalistic poem ends
with an expression Of Rizal’s deep sense of gratitude.

“Oh, joyful, joyful day,

For you, for Philippines!
The almighty blessed be
Who, with loving eagerness
Sends you lucks and happiness”.
 “To the Filipino Youth”

Raise your unruffled brow

On this day, Filipino youth!
Resplendent shines
Your courage rich,
Handsome hope of my motherland!
Fly, grand genius
And infuse them with noble sentiment
That vigorously rushes,
More rapid than the wind,
Its virgin mind to the glorious goal.
Descend to the arena
With the pleasant light of arts and sciences,
And unbind, Youth,
The heavy chain
That fetters your poetic genius.
See that in the bright zone
With pious and learned hand,
Offers the son of this native land
Resplendent crown.
You who ascend
On wings of your rich fantasy,
Seeking from Olympus in the clouds
Tenderest poetry,

Sweeter than nectar and ambrosia;

You of the celestial accent,
Melodious rival of the nightingale,
Who with varied melodies
Dissipate the mortal’s bitter pain
In the night serene;
You who animate the hand rock
With the impulse of your mind,
And with prepotent hand makes eternal

The pure memory

Of the refulgent genius;
And you, who with magic brushes
Are wont to transfer to simple canvas
The varied enchantment of Phoebus, beloved of
Apollo divine,
And the mantle of nature.
Run! For the sacred flame
Of the genius awaits to be crowned with laurels,
Spreading fame

With trumpet proclaiming

O’er the wide sphere the mortal’s name.
Day, oh happy day,
Philippines genteel, for your soil!
Bless the Almighty,
Who with loving desire
Sends you fortune and consolation.
 “Hymn to Labor”
•Shortly before his second departure for Europe on February 3, 1888,
Rizal wrote the poem upon the request of his friends from Lipa,
Batangas in connect with their town fiesta.

•Rizal extolled man’s labor and industry, singing praise to labor, of the
country, wealth and vigor. He awakened the youth to be worthy of their
elders by following their footsteps.
“Teach us ye the laborious work
To pursue your footsteps we wish,
For tomorrow when country call us
We may be able your task to finish.”
“And on seeing us the elders will stay;
Look, they're worthy ‘f their sires of yore!
Incense does not honor the dead
As does a son with glory and valor.”
“Hymn to Labor”

•Rizal stressed the role of labor in keeping up the dignity of man,

Keeping the family happy, and the country strong.

“For the labor of man sustains

Fam’ly, home and motherland”.
Interpretation: Hymn to Labor

•This composition by Rizal which was originally written in

Spanish, in general speaks about how every Filipino is willing to
work hard, or labor, for his country.

•Hymn to Labor was written in response to a request from Rizal’s comrades

in Lipa, Batangas, who then were in need of a hymn to sing during the
ceremony in honor of Lipa being declared a city in January 1888. More
accurately, then, this song is intended to praise the hard work and industry
of the people of Lipa.
Interpretation: Hymn to Labor

“For the motherland in war;

For the motherland in peace,
Will the Filipino keep watch,
He will leave until life will cease!”

These first four lines of verses comprise the chorus. It signifies that every
Filipino, in his patriotism, will keep a watchful yet loving eye on his
country with equal passion at wartime and in times of peace. There will be
no desertion especially during the more difficult times in the country’s
history, even if it means he pays for his loyalty with his life.
Interpretation: Hymn to Labor
MEN:

Now the east is glowing with light,

Go! To the field to till the land,
For the labour of man sustains
Fam’ly, home and motherland,
Hard the land may turn to be,
Scorching the rays of the sun above…
For the country, wife and children
And will be easy to our love.
•The first stanza is sung by the men. This is the first of four societal groups
identified in this hymn, which signifies that all members of society without
regard for gender or age, should uphold and honor their country.
•For the men, family and country are inspiration and motivation enough
amidst exhausting labor. Farming has long been the main occupation of men
in the country especially during its early years, and this verse gives a nod of
approval to farmers who wake before the sunrise to tend their land. They do it
not for the money, but for what the income can do to benefit the greater good:
family, home, and Motherland.
Interpretation: Hymn to Labor

(Chorus)
WIVES:

Go to work with spirits high,

For the wife keeps home faithfully,
Inculcates love in her children
For virtue, knowledge and country.
When the evening brings repose,
On returning joy awaits you,
And if fate is adverse, the wife,
Shall know the task to continue.

•The role of a wife during the time of Rizal was plain and simple: she was
the steward of the home, the mother of the children. Modern thinking
might dispense premature reaction to this notion, however it only takes a
few lines to see that Rizal was, in fact, also a feminist, ahead of his time.
Interpretation: Hymn to Labor

•This verse pays tribute to mothers who dedicate their lives to the rearing
and upbringing of their children, teaching them the right values and
morals to become upright citizens. Education and formation, after all,
begin and end in the home. In the last two lines, it is evident that, given
the precarious nature of life in a time when war is imminent, wives may
lose their husbands and so it is in their capable hands to carry out the
business of men in the context of home and family, should the men find
themselves no longer able to do their duty.
Interpretation: Hymn to Labor

(Chorus)
MAIDENS:

Hail! Hail! Praise to labour;

Of the country wealth and vigor!
For it brow serene’s exalted,
It’s her blood, life, and ardor.
If some youth would show his love
Labor his faith will sustain :
Only a man who struggles and works
Will his offspring know to maintain.

•The third verse is sung by maidens, who salute to labor and encourage the
young men to give their lives to hard work and industry for the good of the
nation. This is supposed to be sung with joy and pride, signifying that no fair
maiden wants a lazy young man who sits and waits for nothing all the day
long but instead cheers for that youth full of valor and expresses her
willingness to be that youth’s wife on account of his spirit, not merely his
looks.
Interpretation: Hymn to Labor
(Chorus)
CHILDREN:

Teach, us ye the laborious work

To pursue your footsteps we wish,
For tomorrow when country calls us
We may be able your task to finish.
And on seeing us the elders will say :
“Look, they’re worthy ‘f their sires of yore!”
Incense does not honor the dead
As does as son with glory and valor.

•It is apparent in Filipino culture then and now, that children have high
regard for the approval of their elders. This verse underlines the importance
of keeping the culture and tradition that is handed down to them from the
previous generation, and that they, in future, will hand down to their own
sons and daughters. It also expresses the children’s wish to pursue the
footsteps of those that have gone before them, in preparation for when the
time comes for them to take charge, however premature and unexpected
that time may be.
 “Hymn to Labor”

For the Motherland in war,

For the Motherland in peace,
Will the Filipino keep watch,
He will live until life will cease!
MEN:

Now the East is glowing with light,

Go! To the field to till the land,
For the labour of man sustains
Fam'ly, home and Motherland.
Hard the land may turn to be,
Scorching the rays of the sun above...
For the country, wife and children
All will be easy to our love.
(Chorus)
WIVES:

Go to work with spirits high,

For the wife keeps home faithfully,
Inculcates love in her children
For virtue, knowledge and country.
When the evening brings repose,
On returning joy awaits you,
And if fate is adverse, the wife,
Shall know the task to continue.
(Chorus)
MAIDENS :

Hail! Hail! Praise to labour,

Of the country wealth and vigor!
For it brow serene's exalted,
It's her blood, life, and ardor.
If some youth would show his love
Labor his faith will sustain :
Only a man who struggles and works
Will his offspring know to maintain.
(Chorus)

CHILDREN:

Teach, us ye the laborious work

To pursue your footsteps we wish,
For tomorrow when country calls us
We may be able your task to finish.
And on seeing us the elders will say :
"Look, they're worthy 'f their sires of yore!"
Incense does not honor the dead
As does a son with glory and valor.
Prepared by:
Group 4

Tuazon, Michael C.
Cañones, Sundryc S.
Areño, Arlene Grace D.
Amar, Rizalito A.