TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH

  This poem is said to be inspiring and I can say that it is indeed an inspirational one. Rizal’s thought is for the Filipino youth to rise from laziness as labeled by Spanish people, and to let their genius fly swifter than the wind and descend with art and science to break the chains that have long bound the spirit of the people. The poem also urges that development be motivated by a noble purpose, that is, to free the people from their ignorance and subservience through persuasion. Rizal wanted the youth to seek freedom and human dignity that even though we were once considered lowly people, we can make a difference to one nation. Also, that though we don’t have the money to raise our self but at least we have this great competence (just like what Rizal did – he showed and shared to others his brilliant mind). Moreover, I think he intentionally wrote this poem to awaken the Filipino youth from all of the hardships that the Spaniards gave to them. That just like Jose Rizal, Filipino youth should also be heroic enough to prove to the Spaniards that they can struggle to them not through their braveness but through their cleverness; to fight with the use of their intellect and spirit, not with the use of their weapon and to battle without blood and soreness but with wise and merciful hand. Just like what Rizal did, he used his hand (expressing his thoughts by writing poems) and intelligence to fight.
    With this poem, it made me realize that education is the only way to progress one’s self. I mean, an educated person who takes the risk, showing his courage by not easily giving up and by being too optimistic of the things that would happen to him. I can say that that we are blessed to have Rizal. He had shown to us his amazing passion for his fatherland. I hope that our country will be able to produce more youth the same as Rizal who can bring honor and glory for the Philippines and for God, but I believe that this would happen if the youth of today’s generation will work out of being a role model to other youths.
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