Inang Bayan The Motherland Michael Cerdinio Joe Wang

Inang Bayan The Motherland Michael Cerdinio Joe Wang Leo Yi Mary Jade Farruggia

The Beginning • First permanent settlement in the Philippines in 1565 • Establishment of Spanish power and religion • The taga-bayan (Hispanized and civilized) and the taga-bukid/bundok (savage brutes) • The Church’s extensive power

Christianization • Native meets Christian in literature • Whatever they didn’t suppress, they Christianized • “Though It Is Stormy and Dark” compiled by friar Francisco Blancas de San Jose • “The Sacred Passion of Jesus Christ Our Lord” by Gaspar Aquino de Belen

First Half of 1800 s • The middle class • “The Life Florante and Laura Went through in the Kingdom of Albania” (1838) by Francis co Baltazar (or Balagtas) -Incorporate both native and foreign -Less emphasis on Christian themes

Second Half of 1800 s • 1863 educational reform and its effect on the middle class • The intellectuals and the Reformation Revolution (1872 -1896) • “Tough Me Not” by Jose Rizal -Anti-Spanish attitudes and realism • From reformation to revolution • “The Ultimate Plea of the Philippines” by Andres Bonifacio

Question • Given the large role that Christianity had in “civilizing” the Filipino masses and literature, how would the Spanish colonizers fare in controlling the islands if religion wasn’t so prominent?

Mi último adiós • Historical Context: – – Revolution in the air Written before Rizal’s execution • Dr. Jose Rizal: – – Nationalist, reformist, doctor, polymath, polygot, national hero La Liga Filipina(Rizal) Katipunan (Bonifacio) Filipino First Republic (Aguinaldo) • Analysis of poem: – – No problem dying for his country Praises PI as land of greatness and beauty The land people have suffered much “Farewell to all I love; to die is to rest. ” • Impact: – – – Ignited the Filipino Revolution Read on U. S. House floor Led to Filipino Organic Act of 1902 • Questions: – Given how important the factor of martyrdom is in the scheme of political and historical events (along the lines of Rizal and MLK), how different would the impact of a poem praising the PI be if Rizal were not executed?

What the Filipinos Should Know Andres Bonifacio, 1896 • “The Filipinos, who in early times were governed by our true countrymen before the coming of the Spaniards, were living in great abundance and prosperity. ” • Describes their initial relationship with the Spanish as a blood oath, one that was understood to be equal • In increasingly bitter language, Bonifacio comments on the lack of “tangible concession that has been bestowed upon our country in exchange for what we have done”. • Bonifacio explains how hurt the Filipinos are because of the actions of the Spanish. • He calls for Filipinos to see the reason in these wrongs done by the Spanish, hoping that his people will again come together to realize prosperity, pride and success through their own means for their own needs, rather than those of the Spanish.

What the Filipinos Should Know Andres Bonifacio, 1896 • Reason – “Reason tells us that we cannot expect anything but more sufferings…Reason tells us to be united in sentiment, in thought, and in purpose. ” • Persuasive language – “…they have blinded us and contaminated us with their meanness of character and forcibly destroyed the sanctity of our country’s customs. ” • Recount of history presents an emotionally charged reminder and re-teaching of what has happened – “…now is the time for the Filipinos to know the sources of their misfortune” – Redefinition of the motherland during the peak of revolution

What the Filipinos Should Know Andres Bonifacio, 1896 • Bonifacio blames both the Filipinos and the Spanish for the situation they are in – Reason has been lost to many Filipinos – Promises by Spain were not kept Although Bonifacio doesn’t present any specific historical events, what significance does his narrative have in understanding the history of these events in the Philippines?

The Final Cry of the Filipinas Andres Bonifacio, 1896 • “Mother” is used to refer to Spain, particularly in its role and position in the Philippines. • The poem describes the abuse of the “Mother”, and how her “children” wish to disown her and criticize her for her mistreatment. • The poem concludes with “farewells”

The Final Cry of the Filipinas Andres Bonifacio, 1896 • Filipina=feminine – Lumbera mentions the lack of female contribution to writing, despite their involvement orally in literature. Giving the Filipina the main voice is powerful. • • Mother/daughter relationship Emphasis on silence and obedience highlights oppression Religious references in the use of “Mother”, “Mother of mercy” Lumbera: “Bonifacio’s poem, aiming to establish once and for all the break from reformism, makes the daughter speak out in renunciation of the ‘negligent and perfidious’ mother. ” What are some other possible reasons why Bonifacio used a female voice to narrate this poem? How does a female voice, although told by a male, change how we read this?

The Final Cry of the Filipinas Andres Bonifacio, 1896 • Our view of Philippine literature to this point has been male dominated. – Bienvenido/Lumbera acknowledge this – “It may be presumed without fear of contradiction that in precolonial times, alongside the menfolk, women also invented riddles, proverbs, songs, and tales. When the printing press was introduced by the Spaniards…mysteriously not a single poem or essay ever got attributed to a woman” • Although not written by a woman, the female perspective is important to our understanding of the ‘motherland’.

The Final Cry of the Filipinas Andres Bonifacio, 1896 • “The Tagalogs” – Avoids the use of the word “Filipino/a” – Defines a new cultural group (one Lumbera states is associated with nationalism) – Movement back toward the Motherland What is the meaning of “final cry”? Consider political and cultural implications.

Light and Darkness • Emilio Jacinto (1875 – 1899) – Filipino Revolutionary • Overthrow Spain – Katipunan; Kalayaan – Series of articles on human rights, liberty, equality, labor, government, and love of country – Written meant to be pondered/ demanded attention • Translated from Tagalog

Shiny Light and Bright Light • Shiny Light (lies) vs. Bright Light (truth) • Urge people to be wary of appearances – “treachery and deceit seek the shiny so as not to be revealed in the eyes of those who can expose their ugliness; but beneficence and pure love are naked, modest and show themselves brightly to anyone’s gaze. ” • Nationalism and Empowerment – “Will the Son of the Country, my brother, learn lessons and find strength from past woes and endured oppressions? ”

Freedom • Freedom + Morality = Human • A “heavenly gift” and natural truth – “The word Freedom rights new in the ears, and many of your countrymen have not yet understand its true import. ” • Powerful statement on freedom and a critique on Filipino submission to “comfort” – “whoever dares to topple and bring it down must be put to death and burned to ashes” – Compares the broken mentality of a caged bird to “enslaved” Filipinos – Will to power

Our Plea • Poem by 9 women carrying allegorical names – Led by Victoria Laktaw • Exposed atrocities committed by first American “visiting forces” – During Philippine-American War • Translated from Tagalog

Our Plea • Very strong voice and empowerment – Anger, pride, nationalism • “You, our beloved countrymen, / Creatures of Mars brave and true, / Cower not in fear and finish off/ These traitors until their death” – Reciprocal Love • “That which says that one’s love of country/ Is a mother’s love for all her children” • Motherland also being victim of US colonial rape – Understanding mothers’ grief • Love your mothers (motherland) – But not Bonifacio’s Mother (Spain)

Questions • Regarding last week’s comment on “nationalism” and “patriarchy, ” how do the articles and poem relate to that complexity and duality of those words? • How do you see the cultivation of “nationalism” and “patriarchy” as (relating to readings)?