Our country had been set apart to have a hero in the person of Dr. Jose Rizal, At the tender age of eight, he was already aware of the importance of nationalism and began honing his artistic talents for the country, as can be seen in his first poem “Sa Aking mga Kabata”. Although extraordinarily gifted, Rizal chose not to enrich himself with his God-given talents but instead try to uplift our country by reaching out to Filipinos through his writings. Each one of Rizal's work of art is a masterpiece, filled with human values, ideas, lessons, and principles that were deeply embedded within him. His works are timeless, the messages they convey still touch the lives of modern Filipinos just as they have touched the Filipinos during the Spanish era, filling their hearts with love for the country.
Included within these pages are some of Rizal's best poems and essays, every one of them filled with meaningful messages with which will enlighten and encourage the Filipinos who will read them to love and serve the country. With this purpose in mind, each literary piece featured here is accompanied by information as to when, where, and why it was written by Dr. Jose Rizal. Written commentaries by distinguished personalities are also presented for each literary piece. Furthermore, much effort had been exerted and diligence in presenting the various ideas and values that Rizal had been implanted within his poems and essays.
Let this short journey into the mind of Rizal through his poems and essays bear fruit in the lives of the readers, enriching them not only with fortitude but excellence and uprightness as a person. With every glimpse of Rizal's person mirrored in his words, let us not forget that there was once a man whose dreams were dedicated to the Philippines. His every labor was for the betterment of the Filipinos; his death was for the glory of the country. Let us stand witness to the greatness of the man called Dr. Jose P. Rizal.