Name: Jamel P.

Daza Subject: Philippine Literature: The Region

and the Nation

Course and Section: ABLCS 2-2 Instructor: Ms. Carmencita Caridad

ACTIVITY 1
1. What constitutes Philippine Literature? What caused the development in the
understanding of this notion among Filipino writers and critics?

A new race of literary students was formally educated in the collection, analysis and
interpretation of literary texts. In English, texts that were used to be central are now seen not as
the whole of Philippine literature but as part of the national heritage. What was largely ignored
by academics since the sixties has now become strongly known that vernacular literary studies
are just as important as foreign literature studies? The need for vernacular texts, less dependent
on Western literary norms, was found to be examined increasingly by scholars. The Philippine
Anthology of Literature: a History and an Anthology was also co-author of, which was published
in 1981.

It is time to avoid defensive or apologistic students of the Philippines. Vernacular and

non-Christian literature is being studied in greater depth. More serious is now being studied in
preliterate forms such as myths, epics, folklore, legends, and early forms of drama. The
important factor is to use these crucial tools to help our authors understand these truths in
literature in different ways and techniques.The ostensible goals of these works may vary, but
one facet of that complex structure, which is literature, is generally anticipated. The answer was
not uncritical. It is not to say Generally speaking, critics realized that they must select different
categories from the West to make more understandable how the writers built our reality and how
to make it understandable.

2.How is “National Literature” distinguished from “Regional Literature”? While

distinctions have to be maintained, what should be avoided in clarifying their
distinctions, according to Lumbera? Do you dis/agree with him? Why?

At best, it is problematic to identify a national literature. Are they literary texts written by
Philippine authors? Is it a description of a variety of literature which is "nationalistic" to some
extent? In contrast to regional literature is national literature definable? Are there literary works
which are below their standards? The national artist and critica Bienvenido Lumbera, in his
essay 'Harnessing Regional Literature in National Literature,' takes into account the changing
political value of the term.Lumbera points out that, if "national" is a special Filipino conscience, it
is possible to trace its emergence to the Cavite Mutiny in 1872, following the leadership of
Teodoro Agoncillo. By 1898 the national consciousness thus identified as "Filipino," after
ratification of the Malolos Constitution, was conditioned by the native landed elite who benefitted
from the education policies of the Americans, members of the class that had been
illustrated.Indeed, many of the authors of the Propaganda Move came from the same illustrated
group than Rizal, sharing his enthusiasm for the ideals of European enlightenment as a social
solution to colonial oppression.

Look at the above historic events: the Cavite Mutiny, the ratification of the Constitution of Malolo
and the Propaganda Movement. What were the roles in forming what became the 'Filipino'
consciousness of these events? And yes I agree with Bienvenido Lumbera because regional
and national literature can be enriched even if it is not translated into a single language and
there is always an opportunity for it.