A Book Review: Rizal: Makata

Authored by: Virgilio S. Almario

Reviewed by: Stephanie A. Ballaho

The Youth Are the Hope of Our Nation. This is the most symbolic and patriotic cry
penned by our very own National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal to empower young people to
practice the spirit of nationalism. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are some of his
writings associated to his heroism. However, majority of the present generation has drastically
reduced their passion to know the foundation and contribution of Jose Rizal to Philippine
History and culture.

This reflection focusses on his poem entitled Sa AkingMgaKababata. The focal point
of elaboration will substantially move us to asking a question: Did Jose Rizal Really Wrote The
Poem Sa AkingMgaKababata? Most of us truly believes the poems Sa AkingMgaKababatas
was written by Jose Rizal himself as taught by our professors during our secondary and
tertiary level.

The Book entitled Rizal: MAKATA authored by Virgilio S. Almario. He partially

expounded his ideas about the authenticity and veracity of the true author of the poem.
Accordingly, there was massive fear of being wrongfully tortured during Spanish Regime in
the Philippines. This is the very reason why most of them were tight-lipped against the tyrant
ruler. The poem was written in originally Spanish language that requires translations to
Tagalog for Filipino to understand better. The translations to Tagalog become a poem in
question of its true author. The content and text compared to other books of Rizal does not
coincide and this explains the real author is mastered in Tagalog . Its punctuation marks used
were not generally used by Jose Rizal in his writings too.

It was believed that this poem Sa AkingMgaKababata was being transferred from one
hand to another. Hermenegildo Cruz first published the poem Sa AkingMgaKababata on
1906. This book was the most important source for the details of life of Balagtas in Floranteat
Laura. All details related to this topic is based on his book. Where did H. Cruz got this? He had
a paragraph in the written poem that says Angtulangito ay utangkosakaibigankongsi G.
Gabriel Beato Francisco. And it was said that this was originally offered to him by certain G.
SaturninoRacellis who was a then a very good friend of Dr. Jose Rizal.

The Spanish Regime led most of the people kept their mouth shut and stayed within
the protection of uncertainty. Jose Rizal, among the few, was the most vocal and brave
individual facing against the tyrant. Perhaps, this could be the very reason why Sa
AkingMgaKababata was linked to him and gave much more importance than the supposed
original authors.