Philippine E-Journals

Society and Literature: Locating Filipinism in Developing National Literature

Ian Mark P Nibalvos

 

Abstract:

Colonialism largely transformed our art especially our literature which was brought about by the changes in the society. Among the things that have been forcedly banished from the thoughts of the natives is their rich literature. The folktales, folklore, songs, and other forms of oral literature were lost. Separation in the field of literature also emerged due to the standard and form of writing set and introduced by foreign invaders. This division, proposed in this paper, is called, The Great Literary Divide, the Elite Literature vs. the Mass Literature. Elite Literature comprises well-known authors, literary works and publications in large print, articles written in Spanish or English, articles based on colonial thought, and author, which constitute what they call the “National Literature.” On the other hand, Mass Literature includes literary works and articles published only in magazines, oral literature, literary works of ancient Filipinos, and regional writers. In this age of technology and education that leans towards being global, it is important for us to revisit the roots of our Filipino identity like ancient and regional literature, because the ideas that come from it will give us an understanding of who we are as Filipinos. Our writings, especially the works in the Mass Literature are the clearest mirror of who we are as a people. It serves to convey the deepest essence of our Filipino identity. Therefore, we need to read or listen to what these articles say that will help trace back our past cultural heritage as an essential component in developing a National Literature.