A tree is a strong structure. It can grow real tall, and can
stand through anything for years, even centuries. But trees also, eventually,
lose its beauty. It becomes dull, and its bright green leaves can soon turn
into crisp, dry, dead ones.
The Filipino youth has long been fascinated by the
wonders of fictional creatures in foreign bestselling novels–purchasing volumes,
admiring authors, and eventually adoring the amazingly written pieces. But are
they still fascinated by our own nation’s pieces of work?
Over the years, Filipinos’ love for reading and writing
has been showcased through the beautiful literary works that had been passed on
to centuries and has since been considered as edifices of the Philippine’s rich
history. Today, literary works continue to capture the hearts of the many with
the writers’ unique views about society and life. However today as well, foreign
literary works seem to stand dominant in the shelves of Filipino book
enthusiasts.
Does Filipino literature still shine amidst the myriad of
bestselling foreign volumes?
In the last week’s episode of Jessica Soho’s State of the
Nation in GMA News TV, the topic of modern Philippine literature and its status
in the market has surfaced. The question of “Is it declining?” was the main
thing to ponder. If Philippine literature is not declining in its homeland,
then why do we intend to answer with very skeptical question? The news show
said it is because the famous foreign trend has been invading the national
bookstores and that Filipino written novels only have a small space or two in
the shelves. Youth seemed to adore vampires, beasts, werewolves and wizards
more.
But it is amazing, because though the trends of foreign
literary work has invaded our country, there are still a number of Filipinos
who prefer classic Bob Ong and Ricky Lee more than a J.K. Rowling or Stephenie
Meyer–knowing that the youth of today still admire Filipino writing and still
choose these patriotic works over the mainstream trend of foreign novels.
Like a tree, the Philippine literary industry,
still stands strong as a structure. It only needs enough care and love, so that
its leaves would grow back again, and return to its natural beauty.
--
Object: dried leaf
This article is for academic purposes only.
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