nterpretation: Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell)

Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,

Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

These are the words of one about to die for his country. He expresses no regret but only gladness,
knowing that in giving his life, he is giving his country the greatest gift any citizen could offer.

On the fields of battle, in the fury of fight,

Others give you their lives without pain or hesitancy,
The place does not matter: cypress laurel, lily white,
Scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom's site,
It is the same if asked by home and Country.

Here Rizal says that it does not matter where one dies, but why one dies and to what purpose. Whether
it’s “scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom’s site,” all death hold the same honor if given for home
and Country.

I die as I see tints on the sky b'gin to show

And at last announce the day, after a gloomy night;
If you need a hue to dye your matutinal glow,
Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so,
And gild it with a reflection of your nascent light!

Rizal’s execution was set at sunrise, thus the meaning of the first and second lines. He employs the
visual senses in his poetic use of color, and then in the third and fourth lines, adds the bright red tint of
his blood to the scene, and gilds it with golden sunlight. The use of these devices ignites passion in the
reader, as it is felt – a hundred times more so – in the writer, even without explicit use of words
signifying feeling.

My dreams, when scarcely a lad adolescent,

My dreams when already a youth, full of vigor to attain,
Were to see you, gem of the sea of the Orient,
Your dark eyes dry, smooth brow held to a high plane
Without frown, without wrinkles and of shame without stain.

Since his childhood, even as other children dreamed of childish things, Rizal dreamed of seeing his
country free, esteemed, and with head held high.
My life's fancy, my ardent, passionate desire,
Hail! Cries out the soul to you, that will soon part from thee;
Hail! How sweet 'tis to fall that fullness you may acquire;
To die to give you life, 'neath your skies to expire,
And in your mystic land to sleep through eternity!

Here, he showers her with praise. He is his life’s fancy, his ardent and passionate desire. He shouts
“Hail!” as many would to their God. He says in the third line that it is sweet to fall so that his country
may acquire fullness, and then continues on in the succeeding lines, “to die to give you life.” But his joy
does not end in the act of dying, but continues beyond the grave, where he shall sleep in his country’s
mystic land through eternity. As one dies for God, Rizal dies for country. And as one looks forward to
heaven, Rizal’s heaven – in these lines, at least – lies in being buried in the land of his ancestors.

If over my tomb some day, you would see blow,

A simple humble flow'r amidst thick grasses,
Bring it up to your lips and kiss my soul so,
And under the cold tomb, I may feel on my brow,
Warmth of your breath, a whiff of your tenderness.

In this stanza, Rizal likens his soul to that of “a simple humble flower amidst thick grasses.” The use of
this comparison says a lot about how Rizal sees himself – timid, simple, humble, surrounded by the
unrelenting forces of society. He imagines that after his death, he will live on in the bosom of his
motherland, and never cease to enjoy her love, which he begs her to express with a kiss.

Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry,

Let the dawn send forth its fleeting, brilliant light,
In murmurs grave allow the wind to sigh,
And should a bird descend on my cross and alight,
Let the bird intone a song of peace o'er my site.

Rizal’s love for nature is again depicted in these next four lines. It is interesting that he enumerates the
moon, the dawn, the wind, and a bird to pay homage to his grave, yet does not mention close friends or
specific people. Perhaps it is a simple image of his reunion with nature that he wants to bring to mind;
perhaps it is also an expression of the loneliness and isolation that he has felt and continues to feel in his
fight for freedom.

Let the burning sun the raindrops vaporize

And with my clamor behind return pure to the sky;
Let a friend shed tears over my early demise;
And on quiet afternoons when one prays for me on high,
Pray too, oh, my Motherland, that in God may rest I.
The mention here, of a friend, is the closest he gets to company. And the mention of God in the fourth
line is the closest he gets to praying for a spiritual heaven. That Rizal beseeches his country to pray that
his soul may rest in God is in line with the Roman Catholic belief that all men are sinners and that
salvation is to be earned and cannot be determined before the grave.

Pray thee for all the hapless who have died,

For all those who unequalled torments have undergone;
For our poor mothers who in bitterness have cried;
For orphans, widows and captives to tortures were shied,
And pray too that you may see your own redemption.

In these four lines he gives his motherland a list of the things he wishes her to pray for. He remembers
all of the martyrs who have suffered the same fate as he will, who have died for their country; the
mothers, wives, and children they have left behind who suffer no less for being abandoned. He also, in a
hopeful closing note, asks her to pray for herself.

And when the dark night wraps the cemet'ry

And only the dead to vigil there are left alone,
Don't disturb their repose, don't disturb the mystery:
If you hear the sounds of cittern or psaltery,
It is I, dear Country, who, a song t'you intone.

Clearly Rizal has not imagined that a monument would eventually be built over his grave and has
pictured his final resting place as a humble cemetery where he shall, even after death, sing a song of
devotion for his motherland.

And when my grave by all is no more remembered,

With neither cross nor stone to mark its place,
Let it be plowed by man, with spade let it be scattered
And my ashes ere to nothingness are restored,
Let them turn to dust to cover your earthly space.

In this next stanza, Rizal wishes to then be “plowed by man” when his grave is no longer remembered,
and be scattered as he returns to be part of the dust that covers the land he had died for. What actually
happens in real life, though, is an uncanny parallel. On December 30, 1896, on the day of his execution,
Rizal’s remains were buried in an unmarked grave in the Paco Cemetery. Years later, however, his
remains were exhumed and on December 30, 1912, they were brought to their final resting place in the
base of the monument at Luneta.

Then it doesn't matter that you should forget me:

Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I'll sweep;
Vibrant and clear note to your ears I shall be:
Aroma, light, hues, murmur, song, moanings deep,
Constantly repeating the essence of the faith I keep.
The first line in this stanza begins following the assumption that our hero’s ashes have now been spread
over the land. Rizal envisions that once he has returned to her in this manner, it will no longer matter if
the country forgets him because he will be with her, everywhere, as dust in the atmosphere, blowing in
the skies, in the wind, and still singing songs and murmuring words of devotion.

My idolized Country, for whom I most gravely pine,

Dear Philippines, to my last goodbye, oh, hearken
There I leave all: my parents, loves of mine,
I'll go where there are no slaves, tyrants or hangmen
Where faith does not kill and where God alone does reign.

Here we come to a more submissive yet hopeful tone. Rizal bids farewell to his one great love – his
country – and yet looks forward to being with God, where there are no slaves, tyrants or hangmen.

Farewell, parents, brothers, beloved by me,

Friends of my childhood, in the home distressed;
Give thanks that now I rest from the wearisome day;
Farewell, sweet stranger, my friend, who brightened my way;
Farewell, to all I love. To die is to rest.

To close, Rizal now finally mentions specific people: parents, brothers, friends of his childhood. In other
translations, the fourth line reads, “Adios sweet-tender foreigner—my friend, my happiness,” which
historians have interpreted to allude to Josephine Bracken, the daughter of an Anglo-Saxon father and a
Chinese mother, whom many believe – although it is frequently challenged – he secretly married an
hour before his death.
The Indolence of the Filipinos: Summary and Analysis

La Indolencia de los Filipinos, more popularly known in its English version, "The Indolence of the
Filipinos," is a exploratory essay written by Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, to explain the alleged
idleness of his people during the Spanish colonization.
SUMMARY
The Indolence of the Filipinos is a study of the causes why the people did not, as was said, work
hard during the Spanish regime. Rizal pointed out that long before the coming of the Spaniards, the
Filipinos were industrious and hardworking. The Spanish reign brought about a decline in economic
activities because of certain causes:
First, the establishment of the Galleon Trade cut off all previous associations of the Philippines
with other countries in Asia and the Middle East. As a result, business was only conducted with Spain
through Mexico. Because of this, the small businesses and handicraft industries that flourished during
the pre-Spanish period gradually disappeared.
Second, Spain also extinguished the natives’ love of work because of the implementation of
forced labor. Because of the wars between Spain and other countries in Europe as well as the Muslims
in Mindanao, the Filipinos were compelled to work in shipyards, roads, and other public works,
abandoning agriculture, industry, and commerce.
Third, Spain did not protect the people against foreign invaders and pirates. With no arms to
defend themselves, the natives were killed, their houses burned, and their lands destroyed. As a result
of this, the Filipinos were forced to become nomads, lost interest in cultivating their lands or in
rebuilding the industries that were shut down, and simply became submissive to the mercy of God.
Fourth, there was a crooked system of education, if it was to be considered an education. What
was being taught in the schools were repetitive prayers and other things that could not be used by the
students to lead the country to progress. There were no courses in Agriculture, Industry, etc., which
were badly needed by the Philippines during those times.
Fifth, the Spanish rulers were a bad example to despise manual labor. The officials reported to
work at noon and left early, all the while doing nothing in line with their duties. The women were seen
constantly followed by servants who dressed them and fanned them – personal things which they ought
to have done for themselves.
Sixth, gambling was established and widely propagated during those times. Almost everyday
there were cockfights, and during feast days, the government officials and friars were the first to
engange in all sorts of bets and gambles.
Seventh, there was a crooked system of religion. The friars taught the naïve Filipinos that it was
easier for a poor man to enter heaven, and so they preferred not to work and remain poor so that they
could easily enter heaven after they died.
Lastly, the taxes were extremely high, so much so that a huge portion of what they earned went
to the government or to the friars. When the object of their labor was removed and they were
exploited, they were reduced to inaction.
Rizal admitted that the Filipinos did not work so hard because they were wise enough to adjust
themselves to the warm, tropical climate. “An hour’s work under that burning sun, in the midst of
pernicious influences springing from nature in activity, is equal to a day’s labor in a temperate climate.”
ANALYSIS
It is important to note that indolence in the Philippines is a chronic malady, but not a hereditary one.
Truth is, before the Spaniards arrived on these lands, the natives were industriously conducting business
with China, Japan, Arabia, Malaysia, and other countries in the Middle East. The reasons for this said
indolence were clearly stated in the essay, and were not based only on presumptions, but were
grounded on fact taken from history.
Another thing that we might add that had caused this indolence, is the lack of unity among the Filipino
people. In the absence of unity and oneness, the people did not have the power to fight the hostile
attacks of the government and of the other forces of society. There would also be no voice, no leader,
to sow progress and to cultivate it, so that it may be reaped in due time. In such a condition, the
Philippines remained a country that was lifeless, dead, simply existing and not living. As Rizal stated in
conclusion, “a man in the Philippines is an individual; he is not merely a citizen of a country.”
It can clearly be deduced from the writing that the cause of the indolence attributed to our race is Spain:
When the Filipinos wanted to study and learn, there were no schools, and if there were any, they lacked
sufficient resources and did not present more useful knowledge; when the Filipinos wanted to establish
their businesses, there wasn’t enough capital nor protection from the government; when the Filipinos
tried to cultivate their lands and establish various industries, they were made to pay enormous taxes
and were exploited by the foreign rulers.
It is not only the Philippines, but also other countries, that may be called indolent, depending on the
criteria upon which such a label is based. Man cannot work without resting, and if in doing so he is
considered lazy, they we could say that all men are indolent. One cannot blame a country that was
deprived of its dignity, to have lost its will to continue building its foundation upon the backs of its
people, especially when the fruits of their labor do not so much as reach their lips. When we spend our
entire lives worshipping such a cruel and inhumane society, forced upon us by aliens who do not even
know our motherland, we are destined to tire after a while. We are not fools, we are not puppets who
simply do as we are commanded – we are human beings, who are motivated by our will towards the
accomplishment of our objectives, and who strive for the preservation of our race. When this
fundamental aspect of our existence is denied of us, who can blame us if we turn idle?
The Philippines a Century Hence: Summary and Analysis

“The Philippines a Century Hence” is an essay written by Philippine national hero Jose Rizal to forecast
the future of the country within a hundred years. Rizal felt that it was time to remind Spain that the
circumstances that ushered in the French Revolution could have a telling effect for her in the Philippines.

This essay, published in La Solidaridad starts by analyzing the various causes of the miseries suffered by
the Filipino people:
Spain’s implementation of her military policies – because of such laws, the Philippine population
decreased dramatically. Poverty became more rampant than ever, and farmlands were left to wither.
The family as a unit of society was neglected, and overall, every aspect of the life of the Filipino was
retarded.
Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino indigenous culture – when Spain came with the sword and
the cross, it began the gradual destruction of the native Philippine culture. Because of this, the Filipinos
started losing confidence in their past and their heritage, became doubtful of their present lifestyle, and
eventually lost hope in the future and the preservation of their race.
Passivity and submissiveness to the Spanish colonizers – one of the most powerful forces that influenced
a culture of silence among the natives were the Spanish friars. Because of the use of force, the Filipinos
learned to submit themselves to the will of the foreigners.

The question then arises as to what had awakened the hearts and opened the minds of the Filipino
people with regards to their plight. Eventually, the natives realized that such oppression in their society
by foreign colonizers must no longer be tolerated.

One question Rizal raises in this essay is whether or not Spain can indeed prevent the progress of the
Philippines:
Keeping the people uneducated and ignorant had failed. National consciousness had still awakened,
and great Filipino minds still emerged from the rubble.
Keeping he people impoverished also came to no avail. On the contrary, living a life of eternal
destitution had allowed the Filipinos to act on the desire for a change in their way of life. They began to
explore other horizons through which they could move towards progress.
Exterminating the people as an alternative to hindering progress did not work either. The Filipino race
was able to survive amidst wars and famine, and became even more numerous after such catastrophes.
To wipe out the nation altogether would require the sacrifice of thousands of Spanish soldiers, and this
is something Spain would not allow.
Spain, therefore, had no means to stop the progress of the country. What she needs to do is to change
her colonial policies so that they are in keeping with the needs of the Philippine society and to the rising
nationalism of the people.

What Rizal had envisioned in his essay came true. In 1898, the Americans wrestled with Spain to win the
Philippines, and eventually took over the country. Theirs was a reign of democracy and liberty. Five
decades after Rizal’s death, the Philippines gained her long-awaited independence. This was in
fulfillment of what he had written in his essay: “History does not record in its annals any lasting
domination by one people over another, of different races, of diverse usages and customs, of opposite
and divergent ideas. One of the two had to yield and succumb.”

To the Young Women of Malolos: Summary and Analysis

Jose Rizal’s legacy to Filipino women is embodied in his famous essay entitled, “To the Young Women of
Malolos,” where he addresses all kinds of women – mothers, wives, the unmarried, etc. and expresses
everything that he wishes them to keep in mind.

SUMMARY

“To the Women of Malolos” was originally written in Tagalog. Rizal penned this writing when he was in
London, in response to the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar. The salient points contained in this letter are
as follows:

The rejection of the spiritual authority of the friars – not all of the priests in the country that time
embodied the true spirit of Christ and His Church. Most of them were corrupted by worldly desires and
used worldly methods to effect change and force discipline among the people.
The defense of private judgment
Qualities Filipino mothers need to possess – as evidenced by this portion of his letter, Rizal is greatly
concerned of the welfare of the Filipino children and the homes they grow up in.
Duties and responsibilities of Filipino mothers to their children
Duties and responsibilities of a wife to her husband – Filipino women are known to be submissive,
tender, and loving. Rizal states in this portion of his letter how Filipino women ought to be as wives, in
order to preserve the identity of the race.
Counsel to young women on their choice of a lifetime partner

RIZAL’S MESSAGE TO FILIPINO WOMEN

Jose Rizal was greatly impressed by the fighting spirit that the young women of Malolos had shown. In
his letter, he expresses great joy and satisfaction over the battle they had fought. In this portion of
Rizal’s letter, it is obvious that his ultimate desire was for women to be offered the same opportunities
as those received by men in terms of education. During those days young girls were not sent to school
because of the universal notion that they would soon only be taken as wives and stay at home with the
children. Rizal, however, emphasizes on freedom of thought and the right to education, which must be
granted to both boys and girls alike.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF FILIPINO MOTHERS TO THEIR CHILDREN

Rizal stipulates a number of important points in this portion of his letter to the young women of
Malolos. The central idea here, however, is that whatever a mother shows to her children is what the
children will become also. If the mother is always kissing the hand of the friars in submission, then her
children will grow up to be sycophants and mindless fools who do nothing but do as they are told, even
if the very nature of the task would violate their rights as individuals.
QUALITIES MOTHERS HAVE TO POSSESS
Rizal enumerates the qualities Filipino mothers have to possess:
Be a noble wife.
Rear her children in the service of the state – here Rizal gives reference to the women of Sparta who
embody this quality
Set standards of behavior for men around her.

RIZAL’S ADVICE TO UNMARRIED MEN AND WOMEN

Jose Rizal points out to unmarried women that they should not be easily taken by appearances and
looks, because these can be very deceiving. Instead, they should take heed of men’s firmness of
character and lofty ideas. Rizal further adds that there are three things that a young woman must look
for a man she intends to be her husband:
A noble and honored name
A manly heart
A high spirit incapable of being satisfied with engendering slaves.

ANALYSIS

“To the Women of Malolos” centers around five salient points (Zaide &Zaide, 1999):
Filipino mothers should teach their children love of God, country and fellowmen.
Filipino mothers should be glad and honored, like Spartan mothers, to offer their sons in defense of their
country.
Filipino women should know how to protect their dignity and honor.
Filipino women should educate themselves aside from retaining their good racial values.
Faith is not merely reciting prayers and wearing religious pictures. It is living the real Christian way with
good morals and manners.
In recent times, it seems that these qualities are gradually lost in the way Filipino women conduct
themselves. There are oftentimes moments where mothers forget their roles in rearing their children
because of the overriding idea of having to earn for the family to supplement their husband’s income.
Although there is nothing negative about working hard for the welfare of the family, there must always
be balance in the way people go through life. Failure in the home cannot be compensated for by any
amount of wealth or fame.