Reflections : Commentary on the Chinese-Filipino Literatures

After reading the article, a light sparked in my mind telling me that everyone in the Philippines has a struggle to belong.

I have always believe that the Chinese community is one of those fortunate groups occupying the country. They are known to be resourceful enough to meet their daily breads and supply their luxuries. However, I was wrong.

The struggle of some Filipino-Chinese writers to be accepted in the Philippine society is nothing else but a continuous battle between the contemporary society and of history. Yes, history tells us that Chinese tradesmen had been with the Filipinos for quite a long time already but the discrimination that grew in the passing of time and the influx of tragic circumstances made the relationship blunt. For this reason, the Filipino-Chinese relation in general became more casual than customary. What was harmonious trade became a half-baked communication giving each other a sense of careless independence.

Moreover, it was said in the article that instead of creating heroic stories etc. Filipino – Chinese writers write about their experiences in the Philippines, about Chinatown and the like; well, I view this as something positive because these published write-ups has became their voice. This spread of their works consents that in the Philippines they are not subdued from voicing-out about how they really feel and what they are really going through. This also shows that in one way or another even if they are aliens to this country, still, they are treated as nationals. Also, it is a good thing that they write about their group so that natural-born Filipinos will not become uninformed about their way of living.

The author commented about tradition being overlooked in the contemporary writings. As for me it is no longer an issue. We are in the new century so we have to write about what is “now” and it is evident that tradition is no longer a must in our everyday lives especially when these traditions are becoming so impractical for very poor Filipinos or even to a very scruffy country like the Philippines where politicians are just merely playing with the people’s right to suffrage. People are becoming more practical and when a practice is no longer fitting to follow, or becoming impossible to conform then might as well leave it behind. We have so much writings about the past and in them tradition is being emphasized because those were written in the milieu when tradition is so important in the lives of people as if there will be a curse proceeding if it will not be observed.

On the other hand, I cannot blame nor mock those Chinese people whose writings concern about their homeland though they live and earn money in the Philippines. This situation is similar to our own OFW’s who might be going abroad and stay there for years but still they settle in the Philippines when they grow old. Maybe, it is just human nature to be at peace with one’s country. So nevertheless the Chinese people live in the Philippines, still their innate nationalism belongs to their homeland.

With the question, Will a translation into a language accessible to the majority make Filipino-Chinese writings more acceptable asset of Philippines literature? I say, definitely! This literature will become another anthology which will add not only entertainment but also awareness to the readers. Hopefully, this can help establish a profound tie between the Filipino and Chinese communities.