Introduction

The Republic of the Philippines, under the R.A 1425 mandates to include in the curricula of all public
and private schools, colleges and universities courses on the life, works and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal.
Whereas, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died. It is meet that in honoring them,
particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion
their lives and works that have shaped the national character. The life, works and writing of Jose Rizal,
particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of
patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in
school, should be suffused. All educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to
regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline,
civic conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship.

Now, as a student taking this course/subject, we have given a task to find a work of Dr. Jose Rizal,
and make a synthesis. The group has choose “to the filipino youth”, one of the many literary works of
Rizal.
To the Philippine Youth

Unfold, oh timid flower!

Lift up your radiant brow,

This day, Youth of my native strand!
Your abounding talents show
Resplendently and grand,
Fair hope of my Motherland!

Soar high, oh genius great,

And with noble thoughts fill their mind;
The honor's glorious seat,
May their virgin mind fly and find
More rapidly than the wind.

Descend with the pleasing light

Of the arts and sciences to the plain,
Oh Youth, and break forthright
The links of the heavy chain
That your poetic genius enchain.

See that in the ardent zone,

The Spaniard, where shadows stand,
Doth offer a shining crown,
With wise and merciful hand
To the son of this Indian land.

You, who heavenward rise

On wings of your rich fantasy,
Seek in the Olympian skies
The tenderest poesy,
More sweet than divine honey;

You of heavenly harmony,

On a calm unperturbed night,
Philomel's match in melody,
That in varied symphony
Dissipate man's sorrow's blight;

You at th' impulse of your mind

The hard rock animate
And your mind with great pow'r consigned
Transformed into immortal state
The pure mem'ry of genius great;

And you, who with magic brush

On canvas plain capture
The varied charm of Phoebus,
Loved by the divine Apelles,
And the mantle of Nature;

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
Oh, joyful, joyful day,
The Almighty blessed be
Who, with loving eagerness
Sends you luck and happiness.

Definition
Rizal wrote this literary poem when he was still studying at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST).
Originally written in Spanish (A la juventud filipina), Rizal submitted this piece for a poem contest
organized for Filipinos by the Manila Lyceum of Art and Literature. At the age of 18, this work is
beaming with strong messages to convince readers, the youth in particular, that they are the hope of
the nation. He also stresses the importance of education to one’s future. Rizal won the first prize and
was rewarded with a feather-shaped silver pen and a diploma.

Stynthesis

The poem “To the Filipino Youth” by Dr. Jose Rizal is a message primarily to tell the importance of
one’s love and appreciation to his dialect or language, for it is the bridge and intermediary connecting
people’s country to each other.

In the poem, Rizal praised the rising generation. This poem can be considered as Rizal’s first testimony and presentation of
his nationalism. In this literary piece, he clearly referred to the Philippines as his home/motherland, Rizal thought in the poem
relates to the role of the youth with the nation building.
Dr. Jose Rizal composed the poem “To the Filipino Youth,” dedicating to the youth of the Philippines. He wanted the Filipino
youth to use their capabilities, talents and skills to stand out not only for their own praise and success but also for the praise
and success of their own motherland, the Philippines. Dr. Jose Rizal wanted the Filipino youth to build up their abilities and
use them to help those who are in need. Also, 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.

Undoubtedly, just like the other poems of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, the poem “To the Filipino Youth” is a masterpiece
worth reading and comprehending for. If I were to base my judgments, I can personally describe it as a “real poem” that is,
something that beautifully incorporated the essential elements of poetry. While I was examining its every line, I was really
captured and amazed with the manner of writing, the message it tries to stress and insist, and of course with the sincerity and
genuineness of the poem. These things made me feel more eager and interested to continue reading Jose Rizal’s. These
aspects were the principal strengths of the poem, reasoning why my attention and time was whole heartedly and heavily
caught through this poem.

On the other hand, the message this poem tries to convey, “To the Filipino Youth” is holding a very strong one; strong enough
to persuade/induce those who are to be persuaded/induced, the Filipino Youth. As one of those individuals, I could really feel
the nationalistic courage within me glow brighter the moment I finished reading the poem. 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.

Lastly, based on what I felt when I was reading the poem and the emotions that were expressed on each of the poem’s line,
as to the sincerity of the poem, I considered “To the Filipino Youth” as indeed a work from the heart with no pretension, no
boastfulness, no haughtiness and no plasticity. You can really feel the eagerness that Dr. Jose Rizal wanted everyone to
have consisted.

I must admit, the youth of today are out of control, they follow the wrong path/crowd just for their
pleasure, leisure and popularity. What is worse with the situation is the youth that are the most out of
control are the individuals living in poverty, majority of these individual rob and kill people, most of
them living in the wrong path of drugs and liquors and most of them involving themselves into
parenting at a very young age. Maybe because they feel they don’t have anything, downing them to
thinking when you don’t have anything there is nothing to lose.

We, the youth, with regards with facing the problems we have today should be done by a centered
and powerful guidance, providing activities that will make us realize the real essence of being a youth
and of course the teaching of what is really right and what is really essential and precious with our
nation. We must motivate our co-youth; we must teach everyone the significance of responsibility and
the purpose of goal setting. Because if we refuse to have everything settled, we will soon be
supporting an entire generation of homeless and needlessly families of our nation. I believe everything
bad is not constant, everything worthless is obviously helpless; things have to change, with our
schools, with the older generation setting as good role models, with the older generation setting as
strict mentors and with the older generation setting as ideal leaders.

We must all prove and show the older generation what they were saying were wrongs and
misjudgments; we should aware them we have the intelligence, the abilities and the skills. We have to
show them what we are made of. In every journey there will always be a challenge, this challenge is
never been identified by its hardness, we, the youth, are the one making it harder because we think,
it’s hard, but if we are going to open our mind and make this challenge a stepping stone maybe we
can survive, prove something to ourselves and be proud that we succeed. You might be surprised at
how proud of yourself you become with even the smallest of accomplishments. You will not become
rich overnight either way but at least if you make an effort, then you have begun your journey to your
dreams. Life is not about challenges; it is about how you will face those challenges. Life is not about
just complying; it is about complying with all your wills and efforts. Just like life you are not that good
enough even you already got everything you have wanted. We should bear in our mind that learning is
constant. In everything we do there will be an equal consequence of it, either we absorb it or just
ignore it. Life is a nonstop learning.

In this present era, youth’s improvement was never an easy task, but I believe everything God was
invented is meant to be accomplished. If we, this nation’s youth will hold and nurture everything our
parents, mentors, and leaders invested. We, the youth can grow to be responsible adults of tomorrow.

References :

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/the-8-most-important-literary-works-by-jose-rizal/
http://www.joserizal.ph/pm14.html
https://lesterabion.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/to-the-filipino-youth-and-todays-youth/
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_Law