NATIONAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ARTS

Fairview Campus

21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD

A CRITIQUE PAPER ON APO ON THE WALL BY BJ PAT INO

I. INTRODUCTION

Apo on the Wall is a poem about the relationship of a child and a father that is written
by Bj Patino. The poem “Apo on the Wall” refers to us Filipinos and it shows the point of
view when the Martial Law happened. BJ Patino's poem represents comparisons of the
past and present. A clear message is sent to the audience: the execution of martial law
was a dark time for Filipinos. The government gained extreme levels of power and full
control over the country through forceful measures during the Marcos regime. But also
shows how responsible and loyal the soldiers were during the time of Ferdinand
Marcos.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR

Bernard Julian Patino also known as BJ Patino graduated from Ateneo de Manila
University and also a masteral degree in Literature. He was born March 9, 1927
in Alexandria, Minnesota, United States and died on July 15, 1988 at 61 years
old. Bj Patino had written three works to be exact, the Ninth Day, Late Mourning,
and the poem that will be criticized, Apo on the wall.

III. TEXT AND READER DEPENDENT INTERPRETATION (THEME OF THE

LITERARY PIECE)

The poem Apo on the Wall By Bj Patino, talks about the point of view of a child about
his meticulous father and the photo that is hanging on their wall called “Apo”. This poem
is telling us about the life of the people during the presidential term of the dictator
himself, Ferdinand E. Marcos. This poem is a reflection of the things how the Filipinos
back then had experienced the dictatorship of Marcos alongside the blood shedding
 Martial Law. In the 5th to 7th line, it says that his father still wears their uniform and
breast plate that shows that he really is working hard and a responsible man that proves
his loyalty to the president and the country. It is also reflected in the differences between
Millenials and the Soldiers before. In the 10th to 12th line, it says that a man’s photo
was hanging on the wall behind him and I thought that maybe it is because the man is
trying to guide and help him. It shows in the poem how loyal, courageous, and solemn
the man is by having stuff like medals and plaques in the wall. It is also said that there is
no place for a boy who portrays a weak person and only for men that portrays a brave
and loyal person. If we look into it deeper, we can learn and know the message of this
poem that we Filipinos should be aware of.

IV. SOCIO CULTURAL EFFECT OF THE LITERARY PIECE

It shows to the people how a Filipino child's life was impacted by martial law under the
Marcos administration. It is a reflection of the circumstances around what happened and
how the Filipino people dealt with the tragic and horrific occurrence during Ferdinand
Marcos' tyranny in the Philippines. Apo on the Wall depicts the actual scenario from the
perspectives of millennials and people who experienced Martial Law.

V. VALUE OF THE LITERARY PIECE

The value of this literary piece broadens our knowledge about history and
motivates us to be strong, responsible, brave, be kind, andw also be respectful.
Although those soldiers experienced the dark times which is Martial Law, many
rights had been violated, and many unheard voices that weren’t given the justice
they need and want, they still remained loyal and did their duties as a soldier and
a brave man for the country. In this poem, we can make a decision to know what
is wrong and what is right, who to vote for or who should not. We can educate
close minded people on what is the right thing to do to contribute to our country.

VI. REFERENCES

- Harvey, I. J. (2020, September Thursday). APO ON THE WALL. ABOUT THE

POEM: | by Ianjamesharvey.
https://medium.com/@ianjamesharvey2002/apo-on-the-wall-d59511f231d6
 - Anonymous. (2018, July Friday).
http://bertsnewblog.blogspot.com/2018/07/apo-on-wall-by-bj-patino.html
- Anonymous (2020, October)
https://padayonliteraturangfilipinas.blogspot.com/2020/10/opression-of-past_13.h
tml