PHILIPPINE

LITERATURE AND JOSE

RIZAL
• For Dr. José Rizal, the well-respected
national hero of the Philippines, “the pen is
mightier than the sword.” Through his
literary masterpieces, he voiced strong
opposition to the abuse of Spaniards
TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH

• Rizal wrote this literary poem when he

was still studying at the University of
Sto. Tomas (UST).
• A la juventud filipina
• Young people are the hope of the nation.
GOODBYE TO LEONOR

• This literary piece gives an insight into the

romantic relationship of Rizal and his beloved,
Leonor Rivera.
• Rizal later found out that her lady love would
soon tie the knot with Henry Kipping, and the
news definitely disheartened him. 
 TO THE YOUNG WOMEN OF MALOLOS

• In his letter, he addresses all kinds of Filipino women –

mothers, wives, and even the single women.
• Throughout this literary piece, he highlights the
qualities that Filipino mothers should possess, the
duties of wives to their husbands and children, and a
counsel on how young women should choose their
lifetime partners.
KUNDIMAN

• A kundiman traditionally refers to a love song

where a man serenades the woman he loves.
• “Kung Hindi man”
• This piece reflects his high hopes that one day,
the Philippines would be free from treachery
and injustice.
NOLI ME TANGERE

• Touch me not
• Driven by his undying love for his country,
Rizal wrote the novel to expose the ills of
Philippine society during the Spanish colonial
era.
 EL FILIBUSTERISMO
• In El Filibusterismo (The Reign of the Greed), the novel exhibits a
dark theme (as opposed to the hopeful atmosphere in the first novel)
in which it depicts the country’s issues and how the protagonist
attempts a reform.
• Rizal dedicated his second novel to the GOMBURZA – the
Filipino priests named Mariano Gomez, Jose Apolonio
Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora who were executed on charges
of subversion.
 MI ULTIMO ADIOS

• Mi último adiós or My Last Farewell

is one of the few last works that Rizal
wrote during his last days as a
farewale to his motherland.
CONCLUSION

• Today, Rizal’s literary works,

specifically his two novels, are alive
and continuously being analyzed by
students and professionals.