philippine literature

[rossette]

:wave:

lately, i've been reading poems made by filipinoes.
what can you say about filipino poets? and philippine literature?

have you ever read any poem made by filipinoes?

[crystalmoonshin]

I would like to share this poem by Amado V. Hernandez entitled "Isang Dipang Langit". It's a poem written during the Martial Law, when the poet was imprisoned for being an activist. (For more info, visit http://www.aijc.com.ph/pccf/mediamuseum/who%27who/whos%27who-comm-print-hernandez.htm#works)

Here is the poem with English translation:
http://deyvid.vox.com/library/posts/tags/isang+dipang+langit/

[toni]

The only works I've read in Filipino are the ones by Jose Rizal. It's something I made a point to read (since I was home schooled)
Another Filipino writer I recommend is Jose Dalisay, Jr. (http://penmanila.net/ )His short stories are often amusing and heartfelt. All are written brilliantly while keeping the Filipino spirit alive.

[crystalmoonshin]

The only works I've read in Filipino are the ones by Jose Rizal. It's something I made a point to read (since I was home schooled)
Another Filipino writer I recommend is Jose Dalisay, Jr. (http://penmanila.net/ )His short stories are often amusing and heartfelt. All are written brilliantly while keeping the Filipino spirit alive.

He's a professor at UP Diliman. I'm not familiar with his works but I've heard of/read about him.

[promtbr]

I have recently picked up the novel, Dusk by F. Sionil Jose

He has been mentioned as a Nobel candidate.

[crystalmoonshin]

Er, you may want to talk about that novel here: http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1815 :)

Here's one of Jose Rizal's poems, written when he was young:

Sa Aking Mga Kababata
ni José Rizal

Kapagka ang baya'y sadyang umiibig
Sa kanyang salitang kaloob ng langit,
Sanglang kalayaan nasa ring masapit
Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid.

Pagka't ang salita'y isang kahatulan
Sa bayan, sa nayo't mga kaharian,
At ang isang tao'y katulad, kabagay
Ng alin mang likha noong kalayaan.

Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salita
Mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda,
Kaya ang marapat pagyamaning kusa
Na tulad sa inang tunay na nagpala.

Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa Latin
Sa Ingles, Kastila at salitang anghel,
Sapagka't ang Poong maalam tumingin
Ang siyang naggawad, nagbigay sa atin.

Ang salita nati'y huwad din sa iba
Na may alfabeto at sariling letra,
Na kaya nawala'y dinatnan ng sigwa
Ang lunday sa lawa noong dakong una.


Sa Aking Mga Kababata (To My Fellow Children)

Whenever people of a country truly love
The language which by heav'n they were taught to use
That country also surely liberty pursue
As does the bird which soars to freer space above.

For language is the final judge and referee
Upon the people in the land where it holds sway;
In truth our human race resembles in this way
The other living beings born in liberty.

Whoever knows not how to love his native tongue
Is worse than any beast or evil smelling fish.
To make our language richer ought to be our wish
The same as any mother loves to feed her young.

Tagalog and the Latin language are the same
And English and Castilian and the angels' tongue;
And God, whose watchful care o'er all is flung,
Has given us His blessing in the speech we claim,

Our mother tongue, like all the highest that we know
Had alphabet and letters of its very own;
But these were lost - by furious waves were overthrown
Like bancas in the stormy sea, long years ago.

translated by Cristy Del Fierro
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sa-aking-mga-kababata-to-my-fellow-children/

[toni]

He's a professor at UP Diliman. I'm not familiar with his works but I've heard of/read about him.

He teaches Creative Writing. I kind of fancy taking his classes next semester :nod:

Another author who had a notable contribution in Philippine Lit is Gregorio Brilliantes. I highly recommend his short story Faith, Love, Time and Dr. Lazaro.

[mahilig_sa_akla]

I've always been a fan of Sionel Jose. There's also a new collection of short stories out called While the Blanket is Short, Learn to Curl Up that looks at the Philippines and the diaspora in new ways.