21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

Lesson 3
On National Literature and
Its Social Dimension
A. Examining
Context
 Does it refer to literary texts
When is it written by Filipino authors?
Does it describe a variety of
"national" literature that is, in some
literature? measure, "nationalistic"?

 Is national literature definable

When is it only in contrast to regional
"national" literature?
Are there literary works that fall
literature? short of the standards it assumes?
"Harnessing Regional Literature for National
Literature" by Bienvenido Lumbera

The national artist & critic offers an account of the term in relation
to its changing political value. Lumbera observes that if "national"
is a particular Filipino consciousness or sentiment, then, following
historian Teodoro Agoncillo's lead, one may trace its emergence
to the Cavite Mutiny in 1872. By 1898, however, after the
ratification of the Malolos Constitution, the national
consciousness is thus identified as "Filipino" that took shape was
conditioned by the native landed elite, members of the ilustrado
class who benefited from the educational policies introduced by
the Americans. In fact, Rizal is an ilustrado.
 PASYON AND REVOLUTION:
POPULAR MOMENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES,
1840-1910
BY REYNALDO ILETO

Philippine history is a
consequence of its priviledging
the perspective and the
initiatives of the educated elite in
its narrative of the Philippine
revolution.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425 - THE RIZAL BILL
Passed in 1956 amid controversy.
A part of the Philippine state's drive to
decolonize Philippine culture, mandated the
teaching of Rizal and his works in public and
private high schools and universities.
They perceived this as a recall for the
"Filipinoness" - an understanding of our history.
The National
Artist Award Confers the rank or title of National Artist to
Established in 1972. Filipino citizens who have made distinct
significant contributions in the filed of arts
and letters namely, music, dance, theater,
visual arts, literature, film, broadcast arts, and
architecture.

The award is said to represent the nation's

highest ideals in humanism and aesthetic
expression.
 CRITERIA:

Artists who through

the content and Artists who have
Living artists who are form of their works, pioneered in a mode of
Filipino citizens at the time have contributed in creative expression or
of nomination, as well as
building a Filipino style, thus, earning
those who died after the
sense of nationhood. distinction and making
establishment of the
an impact on succeeding
award in 1972 but were
Filipino citizens at the time generations of artists.
of their death;

Artists who have created a
substantial and significant
body of work/consistently
displayed excellence in the
practice of their art form
thus enriching artistic
expression and style.
CRITERIA:
Artists who through
the content and Artists who have
form of their works, pioneered in a mode of
have contributed in creative expression or
building a Filipino style, thus, earning
sense of nationhood. distinction and making
an impact on succeeding
generations of artists.
Thank You