tap the “play arrow” (if on mobile device, click “Listen in browser”) on the soundcloud pod below) for a la juventud
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A La Juventud Filipina
by Jose Rizal, at age 18
(“To the Filipino Youth”)
(photo from textbooks)
A La Juventud Filipina
Alza su tersa frente, Rise up, hold your head high Juventud Filipina, en este dia! Filipino youth, this moment on this day Luce resplandeciente Tu rica gallardia, Rich and resplendent like the sky Bella esperanza de la Patria Mia! Heavenly hope of the Motherland today (translation mine with profound apologies, sorry po)
(Here is the popularly accepted translation which you might like better) by Nick Joaquin
Unfold, oh timid flower !
Lift up your radiant brow, This day, Youth of my native strand ! Your abounding talents show Resplendently and grand, Fair hope of my Motherland !
♥ ♥ ♥
A La Juventud Filipina
Alza su tersa frente, Juventud Filipina, en este dia! Luce resplandeciente Tu rica gallardia, Bella esperanza de la Patria Mia!
Vuela, genio grandioso, Fly, great genius Y les infunde noble pensamiento, And infuses noble thought Que lance vigoroso, What a powerful bid Mas rapido que el viento, Faster than the wind Su mente virgen al glorioso asiento. His virgin mind to the glorious seat.
Baja con la luz grata De las artes y ciencias a la arena, Juventud, y desata La pesada cadena Que tu genio poetico encadena.
Ve que en la ardiente zona Do moraron las sombras, el hispano Esplendente corona, Con pia sabia mano, Ofrece al hijo de este suelo indiano.
Tu, que buscando subes, En alas de tu rica fantasia, Del Olimpo en las nubes Tiernisima poesia Mas sabrosa que nectar y ambrosia.
Tu, de celeste acento, Melodioso rival Filomena, Que en variado concento En la noche serena Disipas del mortal la amarga pena.
Tu que la pena dura Animas al impulso de tu mente , Y la memoria pura Del genio refulgente Eternizas con genio prepotente.
Y tu, que el vario encanto De Febo, amado del divino Apeles, Y de natura el manto Con magicos pinceles Trasladar al sencillo lienzo sueles.
Corred! que sacra llama Del genio el lauro coronar espera, Esparciendo la Fama Con trompa pregonera El nombre del mortal por la ancha espera.
Dia, dia felice, Filipinas gentil, para tu suelo! Al Potente bendice Que con amante anhelo La ventura te envia y el consuelo.
To The Philippine Youth English version
Unfold, oh timid flower !
Lift up your radiant brow, This day, Youth of my native strand ! Your abounding talents show Resplendently and grand, Fair hope of my Motherland !
Soar high, oh genius great, And with noble thoughts fill their mind; The honor’s glorious seat, May their virgin mind fly and find More rapidly than the wind.
Descend with the pleasing light Of the arts and sciences to the plain, Oh Youth, and break forthright The links of the heavy chain That your poetic genius enchain.
See that in the ardent zone, The Spaniard, where shadows stand, Doth offer a shining crown, With wise and merciful hand To the son of this Indian land.
You, who heavenward rise On wings of your rich fantasy, Seek in the Olympian skies The tenderest poesy, More sweet than divine honey;
You of heavenly harmony, On a calm unperturbed night, Philomel’s match in melody, That in varied symphony Dissipate man’s sorrow’s blight;
You at th’ impulse of your mind The hard rock animate And your mind with great pow’r consigned Transformed into immortal state The pure mem’ry of genius great;
And you, who with magic brush On canvas plain capture The varied charm of Phoebus, Loved by the divine Apelles, And the mantle of Nature;
Run ! For genius’ sacred flame Awaits the artist’s crowning Spreading far and wide the fame Throughout the sphere proclaiming With trumpet the mortal’s name
Oh, joyful, joyful day, The Almighty blessed be Who, with loving eagerness Sends you luck and happiness