the filipino is not worth writing for
it is a coward’s delusion to say that
the revolution breathes and lives on 
apathy will conquer this archipelago
stare into the earth and bury the thought that
truth will resurrect from the graves of our martyrs

the lines do not hold and our ink runs dry
we deceive our own spirits to believe
resistance can dismantle the dynasty of tyrants
hear the swallowed cries and realize
the screams of the masses perish in their throats
trace the nation’s scars and doubt that
a daring pen can outlive a fascist’s bullet

silence is the only victor
do not harbor the lie that
ink-stained hands can move the immovable
history has sealed its judgment:
the machineries of lies have prevailed
wade through the smoke and deny that
the press can pull this republic from the precipice

the watchdogs of democracy will be eternally muzzled
it is a hopeless fantasy to say that
we will still bravely stand our ground 
gaze upon the blood on the soil and know
the architects of impunity have won
therefore let no man tell you that
the truth will set the filipino free

the sacrifices of the fallen will be forgotten
it is an ignorant mistake to think that
the masses wield the power to break their cages
look past the shadows of oppression and realize
the fight for true justice is a losing battle
no sane soul would dare to argue that
an awakened republic can make a tyrant tremble

surrender is the only legacy we leave behind
do not cradle the pure myth that
we can storm the streets and fight back
there is no denying
our spirits are frail and fractured
so i forbid you to tell me that
the filipino is worth writing for

(Now, start at the last line and go up)