Name: Angelica E.

Belarmino
Year & Section: 2L
Class Schedule: TTH 2:30pm-4:00pm

1. Title of the Poem: Valedictory Poem Ultimo Adios

2. Author: Jose P. Rizal
3. Summary:
Rizal bids farewell and offers his death, although miserable and
repressed, in the poem's first stanza. This is due to the fact that, while Rizal's life
was meaningful, it was also packed with hardships. Due to the situation, Rizal
was a hard worker. Prior to this, he published two novels in which he strongly
opposed Spanish rule in an effort to stir up and trigger the hearts of Filipinos for a
revolution against inequity in their own country, and he was followed by the
government.
Rizal published a manifesto at the moment, opposing the current
revolution in its present state and stating that education and the creation of
national identity are requirements to independence. He depicts in the third stanza
that if gaining freedom means dying, he will die. He was detained several times,
and each time he had the opportunity to flee. His last resort was to be a martyr in
order for the Filipinos to wake up to the fact that the Spaniards are willing to shed
blood in order to get what they want.
The fourth stanza was a series of memories from his childhood. But
because of the GomBurZa's martyrdom, he experienced injustice at a young age.
In the sixth stanza, Dr. José Rizal seeks only flowers, not monuments, so that he
will not be forgotten; the grass mentioned represents the Philippines' progress.
Rizal's foresight into the future is seen in the seventh stanza. The moon shone
brilliantly over his grave, symbolizing a clear sky and a country free of
oppressors. Rizal wished for all to pray for one another, for those who have lost
and fallen, for those who are weak and tortured, for mothers and prisoners, and
for freedom in the ninth stanza.
 Rizal no longer cares if he is forgotten in the eleventh stanza, as long as
the letter, the teachings, the knowledge, his ideas, his vocabulary, and his
philosophy are spread. This is because Rizal realized and believed that
education was the secret to the Philippines' growth. Rizal tells his goodbyes to
his parents and loved ones in the thirteenth stanza. Rizal is on his way to
heaven, a land where being truthful is not a sin and only God has the power to
condemn others.
4. Theme:
It is about sacrifice and Rizal's last message to the Philippines, his family
and friends, praying citizens, and future Filipinos. These are the words of a man
about to give his life in the name of his people. He shows no sorrow, only
gratitude, recognizing that by giving his life, he is giving his country the greatest
gift any person might give.
5. Mood:
The mood is definitely sad. The second stanza indicates that it is not
where one dies that matters, but that one dies and for what cause. If it's a
"scaffold," a "open area," a "conflict," or a "martyrdom site," both deaths are
remembered whether they are provided for home and country. Moreover, this is a
poem composed by Dr. Jose Rizal just hours before his execution.
6. Personal Reflection:
Although Jose Rizal was recognized as the Philippines' National Hero
because of his martyrdom and novels that portrayed the Philippines' situation
during the Spanish rule, the vocabulary used in his novels did not prevent him
from being included in Philippine literature. My Last Farewell, or Mi Ultimo Adiós
in Spanish, was said to be his most famous poem.
Provided that this was Rizal's last poem, the original manuscript is highly
precious since it is assumed that it is unsigned, undated, and untitled. Mi Ultimo
Adiós was a beautiful, soulful, and emotional poem that conveyed love, pain, and
even death. From the first stanza, which states that he would give his life in the
name of his country, the poem was regarded as a masterpiece. This poem also
showed that Rizal's affection for his homeland went beyond patriotism and
nationalism. He revealed in this poem that, amid the struggles and sacrifices, we
can always be free. Being a hero isn't about possessing supernatural strength as
we see in film. A hero is someone who protects their families, friends, and loved
ones. Dr. Jose Rizal, the author, is an outstanding example.
He is a hero because he proved to others, through his intellect and
artistry, what Filipinos are capable of. When he died, he was satisfied because
he knew he had played a role in teaching the Filipinos about the Spaniards'
vices. This taught me that in life, we must also make sacrifices for the greater
good of all. In my opinion, the poem was attempting to convey to us that, despite
recognizing he will die, Jose Rizal is not resentful. Even in the face of death, he
remains optimistic. He made death seem pleasant and serene because he knew
that by dying, our country would be freed from the Spaniards' colonization.