Cherese Caliwara

2020146077 September 8, 2022

Nationalism

The Philippine Contemporary period was a focal turning point of rebirth and freedom for
the Philippines, towards modernization. This period succeeded the period of colonization and is
considered a time of change with regard to governance and rule, given the years that passed in
the country under colonial captivity and administration by various foreign nations. It is an era
that is conducive for regaining independence and rebuilding the country as Filipinos; to indeed
make the Philippines for Filipinos. Given this, major steps were taken in order to restore peace
and order and to thrive in nationalism, paving the way for the country’s rebirth and restoration of
nationalistic glory and independence.

The Agrarian Reform played a key role in improving the socio-economic condition of
landless farmers in the Philippines. The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988, also
known as CARL was implemented to ensure that Filipino farmers would be protected from social
injustice and would be able to exercise their rights amidst the growing industrialization and rural
development in the country. Specifically, in the area of equitable distribution and ownership of
agricultural lands, the law is able to ensure that farmers are provided just compensation and
rights to own and oversee masses of land for agriculture. Having this affects nationalism in a
sense that it allows Filipino farmers to thrive and contribute to economic and agrarian stability as
they are given more opportunities to propagate in the agricultural sector. This law and its
support services and policies are able to empower Filipino farmers and citizens to recognize
and exercise their capabilities to handle their own lands and to provide for themselves and their
families without the intervention of unjust outlanders and oligarchies employing Filipino
sovereignty, thus leading towards further cultivation of nationalism in the country.

Another part of the implementation of sovereignty in the country is women's

empowerment. This movement employs values that nationalism embodies and nurtures.
Women empowerment plays a significant role in nationalism as it was imposed in social
constructs that women must succumb to submission and powerlessness. Under the existence of
gender inequality, women were suppressed and downgraded with limitations with regard to
rights and opportunities that were handed out exclusively to men. Having this social construct
provides a barrier to taking the initiative to fight for just causes and advocacies that also shape
the country's state. Having women in action that are able to take the initiative to fight for their
rights and the Filipino people themselves, benefits nationalism and creates a better outcome for
the nation. As an example, certain women were able to pioneer socio-civic organizations that
give a voice to social issues and reform. Another example of women empowerment's role in
nationalism is the right to vote. With this, the voice of the unheard was finally able to contribute
to the future of democracy in the Philippines. With the right to education, political involvement,
health, economy and justice, women empowerment is able to bring out more good to the
country as advocacies and other affairs are governed equally, providing more opportunities for
progressive growth and inclusivity within a united nation.

During the Philippine Contemporary period, the languages and forms of literature flourished as a
result of the exclusion of limitations that were implemented during the period of colonization.
Having said this, the post-liberation period encapsulated the rigors of newly acquired freedom
and emancipation from the oppressors. Given this, the state of literature in the Philippines
opened up to new horizons. Tagalog was actively attempted to be revived, along with freedom
of expression, and the drive of people to read print flourished. Filipino works were also given
translation to English. There was a rapid increase in sources of print such as newspaper
publishings; Morning Sun, Free Press, Daily Mirror, Evening News, and Bulletin kept on running
although other publishings such as the Bulaklak, Ialng Ilangand Sinag Tala, and Liwayway were
re-established. As an example of the scope of the literature that was produced in this era, the
published materials during this period also involved more nationalistic content that was aimed at
tackling the Philippines and its natural beauty, as well as political and social problems that
concerned the country. There were also themes that provided a statement and recorded the
history of oppression in the country such as the Japanese brutalities, poverty of life, and as well
as the government and guerillas that were present. Filipino writers were able to write various
forms of content that involved short stories, novellas, poetry, and the like. Filipinos were able to
express themselves more freely. Various languages also thrived to widen their scope of reach.
However, there were still limitations caused by post-war repercussions and problems that did
not involve language and economic stability, such as mortality risks that come with the new
ideas. During this period, it was common for journalists to participate in activism and radical
approaches that have been labeled as militant attitudes, and even more so controversial as it
was said to be bordering on libelous content. Lastly, it is important to note that the transition to
Martial Law once again halted the progress of Filipino literary forms, which also shows the
dampening effects of the suppression of liberty in the literary field that may provide a false
nationalistic point of view. All these aspects in literature play a part in restoring nationalism in
the country as it is given that literature has its way of tackling existing issues and reaching a
wide scope of audience, bringing forth new perspectives as well as challenging the old ones. It
also brings about recordings of the past, but may also bring an appreciation of the present time.
Overall, the Philippine Contemporary period posed advancements and challenges with regard to
literature and it can be considered that the 1960s and the 1970s marked the resurgence of
Philippine Literature.

Mass media influence plays a huge part in shaping society’s consciousness, social
construct, and norms. Certain publications and media content are consumed by the masses and
can either be used to reach out to the public towards fruitful nationalism, the same way as it can
also be used as a tool to poison the minds of the general public. It is in the field of media
technologies that certain constructs are able to be digestible and accessible to the masses. Be it
in the form of radio, film, music, television, and the like, mass media has the power to portray
ideas, stances, and views into the hearts and minds of the citizens of the nation. It is also a way
to teach nationalism to the younger generation as they get to know the rigors of the past that
were involved in attaining democracy. It also has the power to record and relive history for the
older generation, to further spark the idea of nationalism as it survives the test of time and
current ideals of the present. An example of this would be films that portray the happenings
during the different colonizations that occurred in the Philippines throughout time, through the
field of arts and media. Being able to tackle the lives of our national heroes and significant
personalities and their contributions is able to educate citizens on the relevance of nationalism
and where the independence that we cherish and exercise today came from. It may be through
consumable and easily digestible materials that people are able to be open to various thought
processes and drive for nationality as it is able to be informative in an enticing manner. Mass
media has a way of influencing the public’s stance on certain issues. It is able to enlighten and
convey messages and advocacies to people and is a powerful tool for expression and
communication and therefore may be used as an instrument for the propagation of nationalism.

The Philippine Republic governs by a presidential type of government and is composed

of three branches namely; executive, legislative, and judiciary. The legislative branch has the
authority to create, repeal and alter laws that would be implemented in the whole nation. It plays
a very crucial role in preserving democracy in that nationalism thrives. The Philippine
constitution is considered the fundamental law of the land and therefore is one of the backbones
of nationalism. During the time of the transition of the American colonization towards Philippine
independence, a lot of the laws incorporated into the Philippine government were patterned
after the democracy that the U.S imparted to the country under its rule. However, this does not
necessarily mean that this makes the Philippines less of a sovereign nation. The role of
legislation in the country hugely played a part in implementing laws of the land that works
toward a transition to Philippine independence. Laws are made for the Filipino people and
certain policies that served outlanders were abolished. The Tydings-McDuffie Act in 1934 was
an essential step towards achieving sovereignty. It stated that the Philippine Independence may
take effect after a given 10-year transitional period it was on the 4th of July, 1946 that the
Republic of the Philippines ultimately attained its independence from all external nations. After
all, this was a period of rebuilding with regard to nationalism. Governance was under the hands
of Filipinos and laws that better suited the interest of Filipinos started to be implemented. This is
the crucial part of legislation with regard to nationalism. It is highly important that the Philippines
was shaped to be for the Filipino people and laws and policies had to be aligned with the
interest of the Filipino citizens in mind. In the context of nationalism, an example of this would
be the Republic Act No. 8491 which is known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
Under this law, it is stated that the Philippine flag, national anthem as well as national symbols
are to be treated with reverence and respect as they embody and carry the nation’s ideals.
These ideals concern the expression of the principles of national solidarity and sovereignty. This
is only one of the examples of how the legislative body is able to affect nationalism and how it
may bring about light to the importance of respecting our nation’s pride and priceless heritage.

Finally, revolution. The revolution is one of the strongest forces that drive Philippine nationalism
together. It is the epitome of the pains and hardships of the Filipino people to strive and fight for
the independence and rights of the nation. A revolution speaks out and gives a voice to the
masses, to the unheard, to the oppressed, and to the fighting force and initiative of the country.
It is a clear implementation of the love of the Filipino people for the Philippines wherein historic
figures from the past, up until now in the contemporary age are willing to shed their blood, tears,
and sweat towards fighting for human rights, just causes, and advocacies, and our motherland.
It is in the revolution that the Filipino people are united as one and are able to really embody
nationalism at its very core. It is an initiative to take action not only in words but in the very
deeds and principles that are lived out by the people, for the people, for the country. The
revolution is when social ideals, issues, and other concerns are brought out and tackled in
various ways. This may be in the combination of the utilization of certain fields united such as
legislation, mass media, literature, women empowerment, and reform. It is through the initiative,
driving power, and will to unite and fight the oppressive forces that Filipinos realize their value
and worth as a nation. It is when we fight for our rights and for a brighter future that involves
sovereignty, independence, equality, and governance over our own territory. It is when Filipinos
stand up to revolt and fight for the country in every way they can that ultimately say that we
know our home, its value, and the principles that must uphold and govern a respectable nation,
our motherland, the Philippines.