When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, 1994
- Philippines, #22
- Borrowed from SF public library
- Read July 2018
- Rating: 4/5
When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, 1994
Awaiting Trespass, Linda Ty-Casper, 1985
State of War, Ninotchka Rosca, 1988
Gun Dealers’ Daughter, Gina Apostel, 2010
There is an overwhelming preoccupation with food in this book. Part of this is emblematic of the central characters’ struggle and drive to survive: as refugees, the food they bring and gather to see them through their flight is crucial, as is the prospect of what they will grow and eat when they finally arrive. José’s repeated assertions that “they were Ilokanos—they would not starve anywhere” and “Ilokanos can eat what other people cannot,” are both a descriptive and symbolic. The industrious and persevering Ilocano characters of the book are set in contrast with the overbearing but sloppy Spanish rulers who make their lives so miserable and who, ironically, dismiss all “indios” (native Filipinos) as lazy and stupid. “As for patience and industry,” José writes, “they were Ilokanos born to these virtues—it was in their blood, in the very air they breathed.” Istak and his family are resourceful and resilient, overcoming hardship and scarcity to carve a new life for themselves.
The Bamboo Dancers, N.V.M. Gonzalez, 1959
Well, it’s a new year, and although I usually make kind of half-assed, unspoken resolutions (except for the time I resolved to floss every day, which is also the only resolution I’ve ever kept for a full year), this year I’m going to lay out some specific goals for the blog—because I’m just sick of writing blog posts a year after reading the book (or, ok, two years at this point, which is just objectively ridiculous)—and I’m letting you know about it because if I manage to follow through, there will be a serious uptick in e-mail notifications and I don’t want anyone to be annoyed (at least not without being forewarned).
America Is in the Heart, Carlos Bulosan, 1946
Philippine Short Stories 1925-1940, Leopoldo Y. Yabes, ed., 1975
Noli Me Tangere, José Rizal, 1887
Cuentos Filipinos, Jose Montero y Vidal, 1883, translated by Renan Prado
Darangen: in original Maranao verse with English translation, vol. I, Anon. (oral epic), transcribed by Hadji Lawa Cali et al., translated by Ma. Delia Coronel, 1986 (original composition sometime before the 14th century)