fi(LIT)pino

source: DeathToTheStock

If literature is written in English, by a Filipino, would you still consider that Philippine literature? Why or why not? 

To ask this question is simply a foolish thing to do. Of course, literature written in English (or in any foreign language in particular), is still Philippine literature. I have read a number of Filipino texts, both in English and in Filipino, and I have not considered any being less Filipino than the other just because of the language of choice. 

For example, Jose Rizal's famous El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere are often regarded as some of the greatest novels of Philippine literature. However, these two were not orignally written in our native language. Instead, they were written in Spanish. But this does not make it any less Filipino. Likewise, it applies to the rest of Philippine literature. I believe that any work can be considered as Philippine literature as long as it is written by a Filipino and that it embodies the country's spirit and culture.

Nakakita Ako Ng Mga Bituin

Dark clouds were looming overhead, threatening to burst with rain. The weather was obviously less than ideal. However the class of 12–Goldstein braved on through the drizzle, protected by their modern day armour (or in this case, a copious amount of umbrellas and raincoats). As they finally stumbled through the quaint white-walled room, the students eyed the paintings littering the walls with wide-eyed wonder. Their efforts were worth it. The artwork brightened up what would otherwise be a very dreary Thursday.



Pretentious introductions aside, I, along with my class, was privileged enough to be able to visit an art and photo exhibit all over on the other side of campus. Splayed across the walls were all kinds of artworks made by Philippine women. These ranged from watercolour paintings, to wind chimes, to ambiguous sculptures made out of Uratex foam. However, one art installation moved me the most.



The installation consisted of three different boxes with their lids shown. Inside the three boxes were three slightly different portraits of what seemed to be an everyday Filipina woman. Painted on the lids were several images relating to them. What struck me most was the phrase painted on the center lid, "Nakakita ako ng mga bituin," which loosely translates to "I saw the stars."

I don't want to be presumptuous, but I inferred that the quote pertained to the subject of the artwork. I found it beautiful that the person saw the stars in that woman and decided to make it into a masterpiece. We all have our own different interpretations of art and beauty, and I was really touched by the fact that the artist found it in the painted woman. Nangangarap din ako na bakasakali sa isang araw, makakakita rin ako ng mga bituin.

Great Expectations

I often call myself an admirer of art in all its weird and strange forms. So when I caught wind of the news that there was going to be a subject revolving around it, I was nothing short of elated. The fact that it would be about Philippine art made it seem 100 times better. However, with this new subject comes unfamiliarity, and unfamiliarity comes with expectations. So without further ado, here are my expectations on this term's course:

1) To have fun
Art is always something I've always associated with fun. Whether it be a form of catharsis or self-expression, it has always been something that would turn my frown upside down. I believe that this class can serve as a fresh breath of air and a break from the stress that I'd normally deal with at school.

2) To make
I'm really looking forward to the making aspect of this course. Art and I have never really meshed well together, but we do try to get along. I want to be able to make things, whether it be a simple popup book or an intricate sculpture. It is a craft that I really want to develop and I think that through the vessel that is this subject, I may be able to fulfill this goal.

3) To learn
Ultimately, the point of having a class is to learn. I really look forward to learning more about art, especially Philippine art. I want to be able to get more in touch with our colourful and diverse culture and learn more in the process.

And that concludes this blog post! My goals are quite simple, but I believe that this class will have no problem in delivering them!