Sa Aking mga Kababata

Written by: Dr. Jose Rizal

“Sa Aking mga Kababata” was a poem written by Dr. Jose Rizal when he was about seven years
old. This poem has a sense of nationalism and love for country by expressing it in our own
language. He stated here the significance of our native language, and it gave us a sense of
identity.  Rizal also highlighted on this poem that all languages were equal in terms of its
significance and usage. Filipino language like other languages had its own alphabet and words.
The values and attitude that 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.
When I was seven years old I would just play and play until I got tired, I did not even think of
writing or reading anything, That’s why I’m amazed by the fact that Dr. Jose Rizal wrote a
beautiful poem about nationalism when he was seven. Dr. Jose Rizal isn’t just a hero, but
someone who left the future youth works of art.

Was Rizal Gay?

Written by: J. Neil C. Garcia

Many are questioning whether our National Hero was gay when he was here on earth,
although it sounds disrespectful. There were many factors where people suspected he was gay,
but here are two: first was when he didn’t join the Revolutionary Cause and second was he was
failing his relationships with women. Well nonetheless, he did a great thing to our Country and
that’s what matters. His bravery was outstanding and whether he was straight or gay, well he is
brave and strong person. And that’s the only thing that matters.
Mi Ultimo Adios
Written by: Dr. Jose Rizal

Dr. Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios” tells us how beautiful the Philippines is and how Rizal wants us to
learn from the past for our future. It was written by Rizal before he died. The poem discusses
about his unconditional love for the country. Looking deeper into the poem it may be
interesting to note that the rise and fall, cadence if you will, of the poetic lines from beginning
to end, rendered in the exquisite lengua Hispañola, simply delights the attentive ear. The Poem,
together with Rizal’s execution ignited the Philippine Revolution.

The Indolence of the Filipinos

Written by: Dr. Jose Rizal

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. It 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. But
the Spanish reign brought about a decline in economic activities. But as Rizal stated in his
conclusion, “a man in the Philippines is an Individual; he is not merely a citizen of the country.”
The Philippines a Century Hence
Written by: Dr. Jose Rizal

“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. 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. 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. 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.”