A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino

The A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, known also as A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino: An
Elegy in Three Scenes is a literary play written in English by Filipino National
Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin in 1950. It was described as Joaquin’s “most popular
play” as the "most important Filipino play in English",[5] and as “probably the best-known
Filipino play” Apart from being regarded also as the “national play of the
Philippines” because of its popularity, it also became one of the important reads
in English classes in the Philippines. Joaquin’s play was described by Anita Gates, a
reviewer from New York Times, as an "engaging, well plotted metaphor for the passing of
Old Manila.

Plot summary and thematic description

Set in the Filipino world of pre-World War II Intramuros of Old Manila in October 1941, the
play explores the many aspects of Philippine high society by telling the story of the
Marasigan sisters, Candida and Paula, and their father, the painter Don Lorenzo Marasigan.
Due to an artistic drought on Don Lorenzo's part, the family has to make ends meet by
relying on the financial support provided by their brother Manolo and sister Pepang, who
were urging them to sell the house. Later on, they also had to take a male boarder, in the
person of Tony Javier. Don Lorenzo, who refused to sell, donate, or even exhibit his self-
portrait in public, was only content in staying inside his room, a stubbornness that already
took a period of one year. The painting has attracted the attention and curiosity
of journalists such as a family friend named Bitoy Camacho, and other obnoxious visitors
pretending as art critics. When one of the daughters, Paula, elopes with Tony, a journey of
personal liberation is set in motion, which ends with a restoration of family relations which
had been strained due to the neediness of the artist's family. She also felt regret after
destroying the portrait.

The theme focuses on family conflict and the amalgamation of old Filipino

identity and cultural character with the arrival of contemporary and Western ideals.

Historical setting and background

Before the Second World War, many Filipino intellectuals and artists  – including painters, as
personified by Don Lorenzo Marasigan  – searched for cultural enlightenment from Spain, the
first imposer of colonialism and authority in the Philippines. This group of Filipinos was
acquainted with the Spanish language and customs. After the split of Philippines from Spain,
the United States became the replacement model for cultural enhancement, where English
language and materialism became a part – as personified by the boarder Tony Javier  – thus
marginalizing native tongues and culture within the process. During this period, the Philippines
was also plagued by the looming war, frequent blackouts, and untrustworthy characters of the
existing nightlife in Old Manila

1941 in the Philippines

Incumbents

President: Manuel Quezon (Nacionalista Party)

Vice President: Sergio Osmeña (Nacionalista Party)

Chief Justice: Ramón Avanceña (until December 24), José Abad Santos (starting December 24)

Philippine National Assembly: 2nd National Assembly of the Philippines (until December 16)

Events

November 11 – Manuel Quezon re-elected as President.

December 8 – Start of the Japanese Invasion of the Philippines.

December 20 – President Quezon, his family and the war cabinet move to Corregidor Island.

December 26 – General MacArthur declares Manila an open city.

December 28 – Filipino and US armies retreat to Bataan.

December 30 – Manuel Quezon takes his oath of Office at the Corregidor Island.

Births

June 19 - Conchita Carpio-Morales, lawyer and jurist, Ombudsman of the Philippines