A la juventud filipina is a poem written in Spanish by Filipino writer and patriot José Rizal, first presented in 1879 in Manila, while he was studying at the University of Santo Tomas. "A la juventud filipina''" was written by Rizal when he was only eighteen years old, and was dedicated to the Filipino youth which he describes as "the fair hope of my motherland."
Summary
In the poem Rizal praises the benefits that Spain had bestowed upon the Philippines. Rizal had frequently depicted the renowned Spanish explorers, generals and kings in the most patriotic manner. He had pictured education as "the breath of life instilling charming virtue". He had written of one of his Spanish teachers as having brought "the light of the eternal splendor". In this poem, however, it is the Filipino youth who are the protagonists, whose "prodigious genius" making use of that education to buildthe future, was the "bella esperanza de la patria mía". Spain, with "pious and wise hand" offered a "crown's resplendent band, offers to the sons of this Indian land."
Influences
Some literary terms characteristic of the works of José de Espronceda can be observed throughout the poem, such as “tersa frente” or "amante anhelo" that appeared originally in the "Canto II a Teresa" of Espronceda.
Awards
The poem was presented in 1879 in Manila at a literary contest held in the Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila, a society of literary men and artists, where he won the first prize, composed of a feather-shaped silver pen and a diploma.
Translations
The poem has been translated to Tagalog by several authors. Early in the 20th century, the AmericantranslatorCharles Derbyshire translated the poem, but the translation contained flaws, as can be seen for example in the fifth line, where he translates "bella esperanza de la patria mia!" as “fair hope of my fatherland!” Alfredo S. Veloso made a translation of the poem into English. Philippine National ArtistNick Joaquin also translated the poem.
