Metacognitive Reading Report # 3

The Life and Works of Rizal

Necessary Fictions: Philippine Literature and the Nation, 1946-1980

Title of the Article

1. Three (3) Things that I significantly learned from the readings

From the reading, I significantly learned that the government spent millions
honoring Rizal through building monuments, naming streets and provinces and
commemorating the day he died as a public holiday. Despite Rizal being manifested in a
lot of things, few people have truly understood and read the works that made him a threat
to the Spaniards. The Rizal Law aimed to remedy this condition.

The introduction of the book taught me that the idea of literature improving
Philippine nationalism is based on two assumptions: the capacity of literature to represent
history truthfully, and the capacity of literature to intervene in history. Their strong
connection makes it possible for social change. We simply examine the victories and
mistakes of the past to better navigate the future. This repetitive action for each new
generation is crucial for every nation instilling love to one’s country. Nationalism is a
never-ending project, because as the introduction says, “writing and action cannot end”

Filipinos know that Rizal’s two novels can be considered as the foundation for
nationalism which paved the way for independence and continues to shape the minds of
the youth. However, I learned of other Filipino writers who have a solid reputation when
it comes to nationalistic works such as national artists Nick Joaquin and Amado
Hernandez. Aside from Rizal, students, more importantly the young ones, need to
understand the importance of their works. The public should realize that we had people
decades ago and have people now possessing the same ability as Rizal to illuminate
social issues and urge readers to take transformative action to make the world a better
place to live in.

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 2. Three (3) Things that are still unclear to me

Truth be told, although I’ve read plenty of novels and books, and consider myself
to have good vocabulary, the reading contained flowering words that would be easier to
grasp if they have been replaced with simple ones. Maybe the reason for this is because
using highfalutin words could indicate a person’s education. In the author’s case, with her
powerful use of narration and vocabulary, the first impression would be that she is highly
educated.

From the introduction, it is stated that Hau’s Necessary Fictions “aims to

reconstruct the literary text’s place in society and ascertain the difference literature makes
in transforming Filipino understanding of the past and present, and in transforming
Filipino society itself”. Evaluating the social nature of Philippine literature forces people
from various classes and statuses to realize how we act and perceive the truth. It is
unclear to me why her book isn’t used in basic literature subjects in college and in high
school. This is basically demonstrating another way of understanding literature from
different conceptual and historical scopes.

Lastly, it puzzles me that at a time when our sovereignty and territory is being
challenged by a large nation, our government is simply being submissive and open to
sharing resources from our own land. It is time that the grownups and the youth become
willing to encourage nationalistic discourse and reclaim what is ours to cause positive
social change and transform collective consciousness for the better.

3. I used to think that….

Jose Rizal and other nationalistic writers from his time produced literary works
that awakened Filipinos’ love and support for their own country. His novels can be
considered as founding texts of nationalism, yet this only occurred because of the Rizal
Law giving it a privileged position for many decades. After reading the introduction, I
found out that there are other critically acclaimed Filipino writers who penned works
about the reality of Philippine society. National artists like Amado Hernandez and Nick
Joaquin, critically acclaimed Filipino authors Ricardo Lee, Carlos Bulosan and Edgardo
Reyes.

The only person I know from the list is Nick Joaquin for I’ve read several of his
recognized works in my literature class when I was in senior high. As a Filipino, I must
be educated or educate myself of their commended works if I want to strengthen my love
for our country. I used to think that brilliant minded Filipino writers are dwindling; in

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 fact, in the age of information, it’s up to us to find their works and spread them to the
masses.

4. Three (3) questions that I want to ask about the readings

It has been a concern of Philippine literature whether national literary texts have
served their function of inspiring people to cause a significant transformation in society.
After decades of being implemented, in what way did Rizal’s novels transformed
collective consciousness which resulted to social change?

Elementary and high school students should know a wider range of Filipino
writers other than Rizal to not only expand their perspectives but also read more relevant
literary texts about the realities of Philippine society. What can the government do to
expose children to more Filipino authors and more works that would reinforce their
nationalism?

Personally, I believe that politicians are dividing Filipinos on purpose and creating
tension among each other. They do this to further their agenda of corrupting millions and
amassing blind followers. What can literature or the power of writing achieve to unite the
Filipinos against crooked government officials and the rise of fake news?

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