21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

MODULE 2 – QUARTER 2
Adrian S. Dela Cruz
Grade XI – Euler
PERFORMANCE TASK
The students shall choose 1 literary piece. This literary piece shall be discussed in
terms of its theme and concept in relation to its genre.

“DEKADA '70”
No piece of Philippine literature demonstrates the contribution of youth activism
better than Lualhati Bautista's 1983 novel Dekada '70 [The 70s]. A defining but not
subversive Filipino novel, Dekada '70 was one of the two grand prize winners for
the 1983 Palanca Awards for the novel. It was adapted into a film by Star Cinema
in 2003, starring Christopher de Leon and Vilma Santos. Dekada '70 tells the story
of Amanda Bartolome, a middle-class, middle-aged woman in Manila, and her
family as they navigate life in the 1970s and under Martial Law however, it is also
about women's empowerment. One of the members of the family was involved in
an organization fighting for democracy, albeit, an activist, the whole family's
situation is really tossed around.
Dekada '70 introduces the new generations of Filipino readers to a story and a
family of a particular time in Philippine history. Its appeal lies in the evolution of
its characters that embody the new generation of Filipinos. It is the story about a
mother and her family, and the society around them that affects them. It is also a
tale of how a mother becomes torn between the letter of the law and her
responsibilities as a mother.
Dekada '70 tells of how under hate, greed and corruption, one normal person
transcends beyond right and wrong: instead learns that it is freedom that entails
survival. A word of inspiration of Desmond Tutu states, “A time of crisis is not just
a time of anxiety and worry. It gives us a chance to choose well or to choose
badly.” Freedom is an attribute we apparently believed that only humans possess.
The novel explores the personal struggles of the mother, the conflict among the
family, as well as the political chaos of the time period. The main character of the
novel, Amanda Bartolome, experiences dissatisfaction with her life as she attempts
to negotiate her roles as a woman, wife, and mother.
The important lesson in the “70s” was to rise up against weakness and poverty.
Despite the difficulty and vulnerability of the situation, a person can change his or
her destiny. You just have to stand up. It is important to have principle. This will
be his weapon in the fight.
Giving a variety of character and behavior to his five sons was a symbol of men in
the "70s". There are those like Jules who are liberal -minded, like Gani who is
aggressive and hasty, like Em who is smart, like Jason who is tender, and like
Bingo who is persistent. The outcome of each of them as well as the couple
Amanda and Julian is according to their standpoints. It is important to learn that it
is not the situation a person is in that will determine what he or she will be in the
future. This will be based on what he chooses for himself.
The book was written in the Filipino language to easily spread the knowledge of
the story to other Filipino citizens which focuses on how one family within the
Martial Law Period deal with their problems and struggles.