Mi Retiro (translated to English as My Retreat) was written by Rizal while in exile in Dapitan. From his mother’s prodding, Rizal revived his writing of poems where he expressed his serene life and his acceptance of his destiny and whatever justice will be given him.
This poem is the English translation of ‘Kundiman’ from Tagalog. In the Philippines, a kundiman is a traditional Filipino love song sang by a young man to serenade the woman of his love. In the poem, however, the object of Rizal’s intense love was his Motherland.
Rizal wrote the poem ‘Por La Educación (Recibe Lustre La Patria)’ to highlight the importance of education to the country and its citizens.
Rizal wrote ‘Alianza Íntima Entre La Religión Y La Educación’ when he was only 15 years old. The poem reflects the connection between education and faith.
Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) is a Spanish poem that is believed to have been written by Jose Rizal when he was nine years old.