Colegio de San Gabriel Arcangel

Founded 1993
Area E, Fatima I, Sapang Palay, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
Recognized by the Government: DepEd, TESDA and CHED;
PACUCOA Accredited - Level 1
Course Code: GEC09
Subject: RIZAL I
LEARNING SHEET NO. 11
Name:_____________________ Score _________________
Date: _____________________ Section: _______________

Topic: The Writings of Our National Hero

Learning Outcomes: 1. Analyze the message of the poems

2. Discuss the main ideas of the poems
3. Explain the puzzles and proverbial sayings.
4. Appreciate the Letters written by Rizal, Speeches and Essays

References: Rizal and Other Philippine Heroes and Heroines

A Primer Teaching Strategies

Dionesio C. Rivas, M.A. Ed.D

Michael Molina Nael, M.A. PhD.

Discussions:
The following are the writings of Jose Rizal:

1. TO MY FELLOW CHILDREN (Sa Aking Mga Kababata)

What is the message of this poem?

At the age of eight years, Rizal revealed his God given literary talent by writing
poems. The poem he wrote in Tagalog was entitled Sa Aking Mga Kababata (To My
Fellow Children). He wrote this poem as appeal to his countrymen to love their national
language.

The poem reveals Rizal’s nationalistic sentiments and ideals even at an early age.
In poetic verses, he proclaimed with profound feeling that a people who truly love their
native language as a part of their culture, will undoubtedly strive for liberty like the bird
 which soars to freer space above and that Tagalog is equal to English, Latin, Hebrew,
French, Spanish, and any other languages.

Main Idea: Every man must love his own language. Hence, Filipinos and,
especially, the Tagalogs should love the Tagalog language. Rizal said that he who does
not love his own tongue is like an evil-smelling fish.

2. IN MEMORY OF MY TOWN (Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo)

What inspired Rizal to write his poem, “In Memory of My Town?

Calamba, accordingly, is a perfect place to nurture a growing child because this is an

ideal place for people who traveled from other places to gain inspiration of its healthful
waters and climate and scenic panorama that surround the legendary Mount
Makiling. Thus, this place eventually became the “cradle of a genius.”

Main idea: In this poem Rizal recalls the happy days of his childhood in his beloved
town of Calamba. He remembers his mother, his entire family, and his friends. He wants
to see again the forests, the rivers, and the lake. He would like to go back to his town.

3. MY FIRST INSPIRATION (Mi Primera Insperacion)

What is the message of this poem?

This was his first poem at the Ateneo, which he dedicated to his mother on her
birthday. Evidently filled with his love of nature-fragrant flowers, singing birds, crystal
spring, and zephyrs blowing.

Main ideas. This poem was written by Rizal as an expression of good wishes, which
was full of endearing filial affection on his mother’s birthday.

4. THE SONG OF MARIA CLARA (Canto de Maria Clara)

What is the main idea of “the Song of Maria Clara”?

The main idea of this poem may be found in the first line – “Sweet are the hours in
one’s native land.” Although it is a very short poem, It speaks very beautifully of love of
country.
 5. TO THE CHILD JESUS (Al Niño Jesus)

What did Rizal convey in “To the Child Jesus”?

This poem shows the humility of our Lord Jesus Christ who chose to be born in a lowly
manger instead of in a palace.

6. TO THE VIRGIN MARY (A la Virgen Maria)

What is the main idea of this prayer?

This is a prayer to our Lady. Rizal asks the Virgin Mary to help him especially when
his hour of death comes near.

7. THE INTIMATE ALLIANCE BETWEEN RELIGION AND GOOD EDUCATION

What did Rizal convey in this poem?

This poem echoes Rizal’s belief that, for a man to be virtuous and to be able to have
and to enjoy as well as share others the blessings of the good life, his moral well being
must be based on the ideal combination of religion (spiritual enlightenment) and
education (intellectual development).

Rizal emphasized the importance of love of God in learning.

Main ideas, “Love of God”, makes education or learning true. Love of God teaches
us good things in life. If there is no love of God, education cannot guide us in our life.
Education that is not true is like a ship blown by the wind. The wind destroys the ship
until it sinks in the sea.

8. THROUGH EDUCATION OUR MOTHERLAND RECEIVES GLORY

(Por la Educacion Recibe lustre la Patria)

When did Rizal write this poem and what lessons can we learn from this?

Rizal wrote this poem when he was only 15 years old. At early age, he was already
aware of the value of education and its significant role in the intellectual, physical and
moral development of an individual, in particular, and the progress and the welfare of a
nation, in general.

In this poem, Rizal expressed the following ideas:

 1. “True education makes a country great. People work hard to get true education.
True education gives us sciences and arts. True education makes young men
and women strong that make our body and mind grow. Strong men and women
will fight wrong things, such as vices and crimes.”

2. “True education is like a sun that spreads different colors to make the day
beautiful. Education that is true spreads happiness and gives glory to our
country.”

8.TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH (A La Juventud Filipina)

What is the message of this poem?

A most memorable event in the life of Rizal at the U.S.T. was his participation in a
Literary Contest sponsored by the Artistic Literary Lyceum of Manila, which promised to
award a prize for the best poem. With his poem, “A La Juventud Filipina” submitted
under pseudonym “Crece”, the 18-year-old bard won the first prize, a silver pen.

“A La Juventud Filipina” is a literary masterpiece noted for its beauty and flawless
form. The poem expresses Rizal’s immortal message of love of country, energy and
faith particularly in the youth, the “Hope of the Fatherland.” Here, he exhorts the Filipino
youth to rise from lethargy and with art and science, to break the chain that had bound
the country’s poetic genius for quite a long time. Very significant is the fact also that
through this poem; Rizal gave birth to the idea that the Philippines is the Filipino’s
motherland, not Spain.

Main idea. This prize-winning poem encourages Filipino young men and women to
work hard, to study and to write for the glory and happiness of the Philippines.

9. HYMN TO LABOR (Himno al Trabajo)

Why did Rizal write the “Hymn to Labor”?

Before Rizal left Calamba in 1888 his friend from Lipa requested him to write a
poem in commemoration of the town’s elevation to a villa (city) by virtue of the Becerra
Law of 1888. Gladly, he wrote a poem dedicated to the industrious folks of Lipa.

Main idea. This is in praise of labor. Rizal encourages men, women and children to
work – for the home, for the family, and for the native land.
 10. TO THE FLOWERS OF HEIDELBERG
(A Las Flores de Heidelberg)

To whom did Rizal pay tribute in this poem?

The poem is the author’s tribute to the beauty and charm of the German women.
It must be remembered that Rizal admired very much the German women for their
simplicity, industry and serious attitude towards life and studies.

Main Idea. This beautiful poem is about the flowers that Rizal saw in the German
city of Heidelberg. He tells the flowers of Heidelberg to go to the Philippines to tell the
people how much he loves the Philippines.

11. MY RETREAT (Mi Retiro)

For whom was “My Retreat” written?

During her long stay in Dapitan, Doña Teodora observed her son;s hectic and lonely
life. So upon her return to Manila, she wrote him, requesting him to write a poem, and
the results was this beautiful poem, which he sent to his mother on October 22, 1895.
The poem consists of two parts. The first stanza (1-12) describes the place (his
retreat/ lonely above), and Part II stanza (13-24) expresses the feelings engendered in
by the lonely place.

12. HYMN TO THE TALISAY TREE

What is this poem about?

Put across the poem was Rizal’s high expectation of the Filipino youth then and now.
With this poem, he wanted to impress in young people’s mind that, because life’s long
path is not only strewn with gold and roses, but with inevitable thorns too, they must be
prepared and ready to fight their battles and guard their families’ rights.

13. TO JOSEPHINE

What did Rizal convey in this poem, “To Josephine”?

Rizal and Josephine lived happily in Dapitan. This poem reveals Rizal’s new
happiness and love for Josephine. He was no longer lonely. Dapitan had become for him
a heaven of bliss.
 14.THE SONG OF THE TRAVELER

What sentiments did this song convey?

Rizal wrote the following song, which was expressive of his sad experiences at home
and as a traveler abroad as well as presentiment of death. It also tells of the bitter truth
that sometimes behind a wanderer’s search for joy, probably the opposite – an unhappy
home, death or disloyalty of loved ones, and the like may only lie waiting for him.

Main Idea. This was probably written in Dapitan just before Rizal left for Cuba. The
main idea seems to be that a traveler does not take root in any place because he is
destined to roam from one place to another.

15. MY LAST FAREWELL

What lasting significance does this poem convey?

During the stormy debates over the Philippine Bill of 1902 in the U.S. Congress,
Henry A. Cooper used it to refute the unfavorable charge against the Filipinos’
incapability of self-government. Of the poem he said, “It is one of the best literary gems
ever penned by man.” On the other hand, Don Jaime C. de Veyra praised it thus: “There
is no other literary work which gained more fame, touched the hearts of more people
than this tender yet sonorous poem, the sweetest swan song ever sung.”

The poem is full of the author’s love of country and all the misfortunes and injustices
that he and his family suffered in life. One is awed by the beauty of the poem, which
bears no trace of bitterness, complaint or desire to prove his innocence. He starts his
impassioned thoughts or appeals to the fatherland. Describes his hopes and dreams,
misfortunes and disillusionments, and then finally enjoins his people to work for their
liberty and final redemption from their political bondage under Spain.

Some of the ideas Rizal expressed in “My Last Farewell”:

What did Rizal say about his country?

Rizal bade-goodbye to his dear motherland. He said the sun shines brightly on his land
and his motherland is the pearl of the Orient seas but that is a paradise lost.
 What did Rizal give to our country?

Rizal said: “Gladly I give to you my sad life. If my life were happier, I would also give it
to you for your happiness.”

“In fields of battle,” “your sons, my dear motherland, give up their lives. The place
where they fight is not important. They will die just the same for home and country.”

What did Rizal say about his blood?

“I die,” said Rizal, “While looking at the sky which tells of the coming of a happier
day. If you need my blood to make the day brighter, take it. Pour my blood so as to give
color to the day.”

What was Rizal’s Dream?

Rizal told his dream when he was a child, a boy, and a young man. He wanted to
see the face of his dear motherland happy. He wanted to see no sorrow in her face and
no tears in her eyes.

“God bless you, my country,” said Rizal, “it is sweet to die for you so that you may live.
It is sweet to die and sleep under your sky.”

What did Rizal say about a flower on his grave?

“Someday a flower may grow on my grave”, said Rizal, “Kiss it so that I may feel
your warm breath.”

What did Rizal say about other things on his grave?

“Let the moon look down upon my grave. Let the day give her light to my grave. Let
the wind whisper on it. If a bird rests on my cross, let it sing a song of love and peace.”

Did Rizal ask for Prayers?

Rizal said that the sun must turn the dew, showers, and rains to clouds. “Let the
clouds carry my prayers to heaven, and let some friendly person weep over my death.
When someone prays for me in the afternoon, my dear country, pray also for me.”
 For whom did Rizal ask prayers?

Rizal asked his dear country to pray also for others who have died. “Pray for those
who suffered. Pray for unhappy mothers. Pray for widows, orphans, and prisoners. Pray
also for yourself, my country, so that you may be free.”

Who did Rizal say would sing?

Rizal said the night would fall on his grave. “When the dead alone watch over me,
do not disturb them. If you hear a song, it is I, O my country, singing to you.”

What did Rizal say about his ashes?

“A time will come when I will be forgotten,” There will be no more cross or stone to
tell where I lie. Let the farmer plow the ground and let him take my ashes and scatter
them. They will be a part of the soil.

Do you think Rizal lives all around us?

“My spirit will live,” said Rizal. “It is not important if I am forgotten. I shall go through
thine air, thy valleys, and I shall be a song in thine ears. I shall be perfume and I shall
be color. I shall be light and sound, and I will repeat what I believe in life.”

What did Rizal say about the next World?

Rizal said that when he would die, his spirit would go somewhere else. “Beloved
Philippines, hear my last farewell again. I leave my parents. I leave my loved ones and I
go where there is no slave. I go where God alone rules.”

What did Rizal say about dying?

Rizal ended his beautiful poem thus: “Farewell my parents and brothers! Farewell my
childhood friends! Give thanks to God that I will have rest after my said days.”

Farewell, sweet stranger, who is my friend and joy! Farewell my loved ones all…To die
is to rest!”

Main idea. This masterpiece was written in Fort Santiago probably a day or two
before Rizal’s execution in Bagumbayan on December 30, 1896. In this poem Rizal
pours his soul into his last words of tender leave-taking to his parents, to his wife, to his
brother and sisters, to his fellow countrymen, to his friends, and to his beloved lan

What other writings did Rizal make?

A. Specimens of tagalong Folklore

Proverbial Sayings and Puzzles

Main idea. These sayings and puzzles were published in London’s Trubner’s
Record. They show some of the common proverbs and puzzles of the Filipino people.

Proverbial Sayings

1. Malakas ang bulong sa sigaw, Low words are stronger than loud words.
2. Ang laki sa layaw karaniwa’y hubad. A petted child is generally naked (i.e. poor).
3. Hampas ng magulang ay nakakataba. Parent’s punishment makes one fat.
4. Ibang hari, ibang ugali. New king, new fashion.
5. Nagpuputol ang kapus, ang labis ay nagdudugtong. What is short, cuts off a piece
from itself, what is long adds another on (the poor gets poorer, the rich richer)
6. Ang nagsasabi ng tapus ay siyang kinakapus. He who finishes his words finds
himself wanting.
7. Nangangako habang napapako. Man promises while in need.
8. Ang naglalakad ng marahan, matinik may mababaw. He who walks slowly, though
he may put his foot on a thorn, will not be hurt very much (Tagal mostly go
barefooted).
9. Ang naniniwala sa sabi’y walang bait sa sarili. He who believes in tales has no
own mind.
10. Ang may isinuksok sa dingding, ay may titingalain. He who puts something
between the walls may afterwards look on (the saving man may afterwards be
cheerful). The wall of a Tagal house is made of palm-leaves and bamboo, so that
it can be used as a cupboard.
11. Walang mahirap gisingin na paris nang nagtutulog-tulugan. The most difficult to
rouse from sleep is the man who pretends to be asleep.
12. Labis sa salita, kapus sa gawa. Too many words, too little work.
13. Hipong tulog ay nagdadala ng anod. The sleeping shrimp is carried away by the
current.
14. Sa bibig nahuhuli ang isda. The fish is caught through the mouth.

Puzzles

1. Isang butil na palay sikip sa buong bahay, One rice-corn fills up all the house –
light. The rice-corn with yellowish husks.
2. Matapang ako sa dalawa. duwag ako sa isa, I am brave against two, coward
against one. – The bamboo bridge. When the bamboo bridge is made of one
bamboo only, it is difficult to pass over; but when it is made of two or more it is
easier to pass over.
3. Dala ako niya, dalq ko siya, He carries me, I carry him. – The shoes.
4. Isang balong malalim puno ng patalim. A deep well filled with steel blades. – The
mouth.

-- A. Craig, Lineage Life, and Labors of Jose

Rizal, 1913, pp. 152-153.

B. The Letters Written by Rizal

1. To his parents

My beloved Father,

Pardon me for the pain with which I repay you for your sorrows and
sacrifices, for my education. I did not want this nor did I prefer it.
Goodbye, Father, goodbye…
To my very dear Mother, Sra. Da. Teodora
Alonso 6 o’clock in the morning, December
30, 1896.

Jose Rizal

2. To Blumentritt, best friend (written in German)

Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt

My dear Brother,

When you receive this letter I shall be dead. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be
shot, but I am innocent of crime of rebellion.

I am going to die with a clear conscience. Goodbye, my best, my dearest

friend, and never think ill of me.

Fort Santiago, December 29, 1896

Jose Rizal
 P. S. Regards to the entire family, to Señora Rosa, Loleng, Conradito, and
Federico. (Written along the interior margin are these words: I am leaving you a
book as a last remembrance of mine).

3. To his brother, Paciano (written in Spanish)

My dear Brother,

It has been four years and half that we have not seen each other nor have
we communicated with each other. I do not think it is due to lack affection on my
part nor on yours, but because, knowing each other so well, we do not need to
talk to understand each other.

Now I am about to die, and it is to you that I dedicate my last lines, to tell you
how sad I am to leave you alone in life, burdened with the weight of the family
and our old parents.

I am thinking now how hard you have worked to give me a career; I believe I
have tried not to waste my time. Brother of mine, if the fruit has been bitter, it is
not my fault, but the fault of circumstances. I know that you have suffered much
on my account, and I am sorry.

I assure you, Brother, that I die innocent of this crime of rebellion. If my former
writings have contributed, I do not deny it absolutely; but then I thought I have
expiated for the past with my deportation.

Tell our father that I remember him, and how! I remember my whole
childhood, his affection and his love. Ask him to forgive me for the pain I have
unwillingly caused him.

Very
brother,
Jose
Rizal

C. Speech

1. In Honor of Two Filipino Painters, Luna and Hidalgo

This was a speech delivered by Rizal at a banquet held at Restaurant Ingles,

Madrid, on the night of June 25, 1884, in honor of Juan Luna and Felix R. Hidalgo for
their victories in the international art competition of 1884. Luna’s Spolarium won first
 prize and Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins exposed to the Populace obtained second
prize.

A part of his speech, he assailed with refined sarcasm the bigotry and blindness
of some unworthy Spaniards in the Philippines. Rafael Palma noticed that with his
speech, Rizal launched a first attack that naturally produced alarm in the Philippines.
A dominant idea put across the stirring speech is the fact that genius, like light and
air, is the patrimony of all; cosmopolitan as space, as life, as God.

His stirring speech made many enemies for him, that’s why he was warned by
members of his family not to return to the Philippines.

D. Essay

THE COUNCIL OF GODS (An Allegory)

This allegorical drama is a one-act drama, which Rizal submitted to the Literary
Contest in 1880 sponsored by the Artistic Literary Lyceum of Manila and won the first
prize. This contest was open to all writers Filipinos, mestizos, and Spaniards. Rizal then
was only nineteen years old and was a student of medicine at the University of Santo
Tomas.

The prize was a gold ring on which the bust of Cervantes was engraved. Inspite of
the objections of the Spaniards, because the winning author was an Indio, the Board of
Judges was firm in their decision to declare Rizal as a legitimate winner for the following
vital reasons: “The idea and plot of the work are of great originality to which should be
added the circumstances that throughout the same strive to the utmost a correct style,
an admirable richness of details, delicacy of thought, and figures and lastly, a taste so
Hellenic that the reader imagines himself relishing some delicious passage of Homer
which with such frequency the Olympic sessions describe to us in their works.”

Rizal was indeed happy, because he proved that the Filipino, given the fair chance and
opportunity to demonstrate his talents can be equal to all races of the world.

This winning allegory-literary masterpiece of Rizal, based on classics, which has a

figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another, was a result of the kind
assistance of Father Rector of Ateneo who provided the needed reference materials.
“The allegory established a parallel among Homer (Greek epic poet and author of Iliad
and Odyssey), Virgil (most famous poet of Ancient Rome) and Cervantes, a noted
Spanish novelist. The gods discuss the comparative merits of these different bards and
finally decide to give the trumpet to Homer, the lyre to Virgil, and the Laurel to
Cervantes. The allegory fittingly and gloriously closes with the naids, nymphs, satyra,
and other mythological characters dancing and gathering myrrh and laurel for
cervantes.”
 Review Questions:
1. Enumerate the poems written by Rizal.
2. Discuss each main ideas and messages of the poems.
3. Explain each puzzle and proverbial sayings.
4. Describe the Letters written by Rizal, the Speech, and Essays.