1. Describe the general conditions in Spain during 19th century.

How these conditions affect the

Philippine society? (15pts.)

Answer: The colonization of Spain in the Philippine was first headed by Ferdinand Magellan in
1521 then followed by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who established first permanent Spanish
settlement in the Philippines. The real motive of Spaniards in settling in our country is to make
Philippines as a stepping-stone to the riches of the East Indies (Spice Islands). However during
their settlement they have a goal that they wanted to implement which is the 3G (God, Gold and
Glory). The first aim is to colonize the Philippines and have part in the spice trade where
Portugal was on the peak of this business. The second goal was to use Philippines as a good
medium in trading with other neighboring countries like Japan and China and also to spread the
Christianity in other more developed civilizations. The last goal was to Christianize all the
inhabitants of the Philippines. Spaniards create a big impact and influenced our country after
long years of depriving freedom to Filipino people. Their influence was still present in our
present generation specifically their influence on Christianity which is very famous. Although
they shared their culture and tradition it also lead to Colonial Mentality which is the attitude that
colonized people feel themselves to be inferior to their colonizers based on the fact of
colonization. The history tells how Filipinos could fight for themselves and how they should
fight for the Independence fought by our heroes. In learning the Philippine- Spanish relations it
enlighten and awaken the spirit of nationalism of individual because there are plenty of people
died just to serve and protect our beloved nation.

6. Sa Aking Mga Kababata (To My Fellow Children)

6.1. How nationalism expressed on this poem? (5pts.)

Nationalism is an ideology based on the premise that the individual’s loyalty and devotion to the
nation-state surpass other individual or group interests. In this poem the nationalism was
expressed by the love on our native language. Rizal’s famous quote “Ang hindi marunong
magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa ang amoy sa malnsang isda” this quotation shows the deep
passion of Rizal towards our native language. The quotation give importance to the life of
individual, it is an inspiring term that gives appreciation and lesson towards our native language.
Even if there are plenty of foreign languages we must be proud and continued to be inspired with
our own language because it is our own identity.

6.2. What values and attitude found in the poem are still valid and usable today? (10pts.)

The values and attitude found in this poem that are still valid and usable today is we should be
more proud of our nationality and identity, and by enriching our language we could show our
sense of pride as Filipinos. If we wholeheartedly embrace and love our native language we can
surely pursue liberty.

6.3. What is the importance of language? And why Rizal emphasized this idea? (10pts.)
Socially and culturally language is very important. Language helps express our feelings, desires,
and queries to the world around us. Words, gestures and tone are utilized in union to portray a
broad spectrum of emotion. The unique and diverse methods human beings can use to
communicate through written and spoken language is a large part of what allows to harness our
innate ability to form lasting bonds with one another; separating mankind from the rest of the
animal kingdom. Language could not only be our way to communicate but it also served as the
reflection of our culture. The Filipino Language is what binds the people of the Philippines
together. Different dialects are used, yet all of us come to an understanding by communicating
using the said language. In my own idea Rizal emphasized this idea because many of the Filipino
citizens are not aware on the importance of our own language and this problem is one of the
factors that give difficulty in attaining our freedom during Spanish Colonization. After all, it is
the only language that can really, in essence, capture the feelings and sentiments of the people,
and can represent their true spirit as Filipinos. Also, language can help promote unity within the
country and develop a sense of belongingness.

6.4. What is meant by “mother tongue”? (5pts.)

Mother tongue is a traditional term for a person's native language—that is, a language learned
from birth. It is also called a first language, dominant language, home language, and native
tongue. Mother tongue was the language we learned since birth (which was Filipino). I believed
that if the people treasured and loved and used their mother tongue, it would become a symbol of
relative freedom, and of identity. Mother tongue is one of the most powerful tools used to
preserve and convey culture.

7. A La Juventud Filipina (To The Filipino Youth)

7.1. Cite some lines that show Rizal’s strong sense of cultural pride. Justify your answer. (10pts.)

Oh Youth, and break forthright

The links of the heavy chain
That your poetic geniuses enchain.
For me this lines shows strong cultural pride because it shows how Rizal believes that the youth
is the hope of our country. I think this line means that the youth must break the chains that bind
their intellect. This lines give us an idea on how to be a better Filipino by having knowledge and
education because this line seems to give lesson that we must have very clear information, an
information that would help our country in betterment.
7.2. Why are the youth considered by Rizal as the “hope of the fatherland”? (10pts.)

Rizal considered youth as the “hope of the fatherland” because youth are more silent and didn’t
fully bloom yet, we can encourage the youth by telling them to hold their heads high for they
possess talents, skills and abilities that would make their country proud. Rizal even challenges
the youth that in their pursuit of knowledge and wisdom they may humble the hand of Spain,
whose proud chin did not look kindly upon the people whom they labeled as “Indios” and whom
they treated with contempt. Youth is more capable in immortalizing their thoughts and their
words, they are the voice of change and comfort. I think instead of saying “The Youth is the
hope of fatherland” I think it would be better if we will rather state that “The educated youth is
the hope of the fatherland.” With education, you can equip yourself with solid knowledge that
will elevate you to accomplish your noble purpose. Therefore, without education, the youth is not
the hope, but becomes the curse of the nation.

7.3. To whom did Rizal dedicate this poem? Why do you think so? (5pts.)

Rizal dedicates this poem to the youth to encourage them to understand and nurture their spirit of
nationalism. Rizal emphasizes that we can fight with our knowledge and should free one selves
from the deception from Spaniards. He said that youth gave hope and life and should go and
spread to the world how great Filipinos are. If the youth can read this poem they might be
inspired and enlighten with the value of their country. 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. 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.

7.4. Compare the youth of yesterday and the youth of today in terms of:

7.4.1 Love of country (5pts.)

The youth before was more passionate in what they are doing and they used to respect
and understand different circumstances in our country. The way of thinking of youth before was
more on the success of majority and they possess the spirit of nationalism. On the contrary the
youth today is more interested in other places which are not useful to them as well as to our
motherland. They used to think for their own seek and they forgot or ignore the issues and
problem faced by our beloved country.

7.4.2 Love of Parents (5pts.)

The youth before used to priority their parents by showing their love, care and respect.
They tend to agree and do the decision of their parents for they know that their parent was more
particular on the success of their child. They were more active in doing their best to make their
parent happy and proud. However the innovation of technology makes the youth today as lazy.
They just do whatever they wanted to and they do not care on the problems they face in their
family. They used to stay out in their home that lead to an increasingly number of teen age
pregnancy. I think it's safe to say that the media's influence has caused a gap among generations.

8. Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell)

8.1 What does the poem try to picture out or describe? Give the poem’s central idea. (10pts.)

The poem is about the last message of Rizal to his countrymen. For him offering his life
was the best way he could show his love for the country. Even if he was in the point of
losing his life still he manage to show his nationalism and challenging the people to
continue to serve and love our country. He wanted to inspire his countrymen with his
death and serves this as an inspiration in continuing to dream and fulfill it.

8.2 Explain this line in the poem, “In death there is rest”. Justify your answer. (10pts.)

For my own idea the line “In death there is rest” it is about Rizal’s achievement in pursuing
liberty in our country that he even sacrificed his own life just to have his dreamed country in
renowned liberation, free from sadness and misery. He was dying but still having the spirit of
nationalism. I think Rizal believes that after his death the freedom that he adore will be achieved
even if that liberation wants the stain of his blood still he is willing to die for our country. Even
in his young age his devotion towards our country is present and until his death still the passion
he feels towards our nations is the same. Over all it means that his death is the success of his
countrymen which is also his success.