Leoncio P. Deriada

The discussion of literature naturally proceeds from the debate on language in the Philippines, for what are the use of words if not for the creation of literature. What is interesting in the articles written is of the numerous perspectives which somehow united to give a common criticism of the idea of a 'canon,' of recognizing any particular one method or way as the only proper one that should be valued for a national literature.

What emerges from the write-ups is a feeling, at least among those writers in the vernacular or local languages, that there is a need for diversity, and that the government should help maintain this diversity. Telling of this is the review of the current status of Bikol literature by Maria Lilia F. Realubit. She says that it is as if the Bicolanos have acceded to the dominant ideology which made them apathetic to the cause of their own cultural self-consciousness. Looking back to a 'golden age,' she says that the flowering of Bicolano literature occurred during the 1920s and 30s, when there were numerous plays, poems, short stories and even novels that were produced. Though there have been support somewhat from the government regarding the other languages, she laments that this is not enough with regards to Bicolano language and literature. The role of literature and language is important, she relates because it is the way by which the generation can relay their moral fiber and identity to the next one, and she specifically blames the national language planning policy as a cause for this problem of marginalization.11 Of a similar vein are the sentiments of Victor N. Sugbo with regards to Waray literature. Sugbo relates that by the 50s there was a start of dominance of English over Waray in local publications. From the thirties until the seventies there was a demand for Waray poetry and literature particularly in the production of plays during town fiestas. This continued until the seventies when the popularity of cinema increased displacing the need for Waray literature. He says that since the thirties and onwards, Waray literature suffered an "interregnum of silence." Like Realubit, he laments this decline and states that the entrance of Tagalog scripts in radio plays and also of television programs further worsened the conditions of Waray literature. Sugbo writes that "The old playwrights have long been dead, and only a few have filled the void the former had left"12

http://www.scribd.com/doc/52744158/CONTINUING-RESISTANCE-CRITICISMS-OF-THE-PHILI...



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