CAVITE SCHOOL OF ST.

MARK
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Comparative Essay

Submitted to:

CHRISTIAN PASILAN, LPT

Teacher, 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Senior High School Department
Cavite School of St. Mark

Submitted by:

ALCANTARA, Alessandra

GIMENO, Janell

MANJARES, Nathalie

VILLAR, Janna

Introduction
Our chosen piece of literature is a poem entitled XVIII, From “Amsterdam: A cycle” by J.

Neil C. Garcia and the other literary composition that we are about to provide a comparative

analysis is known by the name of “Po-on”, a novel that was written by F. Sionil Jose which is

considered to be one of the best novels in Philippine literature. As we present our analysis

formally, here is a short overview regarding both pieces. Garcia’s poem mainly tackles

imperialism that has occured in the Netherlands due to the fact that most of the area are

within range of the water bodies which makes it an accessible place for trading. Later on,

other countries found interest that has further led to its colonization. While Jose’s novel also

focuses nearly on the same thing, as “Po-on” tells the pernicious escape of the protagonist’s

family from their original land called Po-on that is located in the northern part of the

Philippines. Their flight is the result of a sudden falling out of favor with the Spanish cleric

that has been controlling their town during Spanish colonial times. This novel is postcolonial

not only because its story straddles the country’s colonial era but also because it features

aspects intrinsic to a postcolonial novel. You can spot numerous hybrid languages, local

metaphors, cultural allusions, mythical elements, and other historical figures in the narratives

that could also be found in Garcia’s poem.

Analysis
J. Neil Garcia’s “Amsterdam: A cycle” is comparable with F. Sionil Jose’s “Po-on” for
several reasons. Here we explain every detail. The fact that both of them includes the concept
of imperialism as their lands were both occupied by different nations, it also puts through the
sacrifices their countries have made in the name of duty. As we’ve mentioned earlier,
Amsterdam is nearby the sea that makes it a hotspot for trading goods, cultures, and services.
It goes the same in F. Sionil Jose’s “Po-on” because the novel is set in the Ilocos Region
which is sandwiched by the sea in the west. That makes it another common thing they both
have because the settings are similarly close to the bounding main. Now, focusing on the
initial four refrains of the poem “Amsterdam: A cycle”, it depicts how hopeless individuals
were because of the unequal treatment and discrimination that is occurring during the
colonization. Cruelty evidently recognized in the poem wherein the higher-class individuals
would control the creoles, the natives, and other ethnicities living in Amsterdam. If we are to
compare it to “Po-on”, it could also equate to the poverty, poor governance and human rights
abuse that emerged during the plight of the Ilocanos under the hands of the abusive Spanish
rulers, with emphasis on the lecherous, potbellied friars who ruled the land and oppressed the
people. Next point would be about how people suffered the pain from maltreatment in the
poem “Amsterdam: A cycle” that caused the residents’ reawakening resulting a revolution. In
“Po-on”, the Ilokanos were one of the first ethnic groups to revolt against Spanish
officials which is the same as the revolution that happened in “Amsterdam: A cycle”.

Conclusion

These work of literature acknowledges how both inhabitants of these countries had to make
some sacrifices for them to become stronger and braver to face another set of challenges. The
sacrifice they made was to throw away all the past memories for them to start a new
beginning, as they bring back their power and freedom which will help them to move on so
they can set themselves free. Even though there was a revolution that arose and chaos took
place, some things are bound to an end. By the time all the jeopardy is over, there came a
degree feeling of openness and unity made between the distinct people of that area which led
to a diverse culture, nationalities, and ideas coexisting in the same region. Through time, as
scars slowly fade, individuals continually move forward, coexisting with others, embracing
different yet fresher perspectives, and wallowing in the bliss of freedom. For some moving on
does not necessarily mean forgetting. Others believe that remembering is also important for it
help us to be aware of what should be rightfully done as well as preventing those
circumstances that shall not happen again.

References

 Uychoco, M.T… (2016). Amsterdam: A cycle. 21st Century Literature From The Philippines
And The World. Manila, Philippines. Rex Bookstore.

 Jose, F. S… (1998)… Po-on. Manila, Philippines. De La Salle University Press.

 Foronda, M. A… (2015). Education in the Ilocos During the Spanish Colonial Period, 1574-
1898. Ateneo de Manila University, Philippine Studies, Vol. 26, No. 1/2 (First and Second
Quarters 1978), pp. 112-124.

 Ochosa, O. A… (2014). The Tinio Brigade: Anti-American Resistance in the Ilocos

Provinces, 1899- 1901. Association for Asian Studies, The Journal of Asian Studies, Vol. 49,
No. 4 (Nov., 1990), pp. 1006-1007.
  Lim, J. A… (1991). From Darkness to Darkness: Sionil Jose's "Po-on". Ateneo de Manila
University, Philippine Studies, Vol. 39, No.1 (First Quarter 1991), pp. 81-91.

 Indriyanto, K… (2018). Refugee, Shelter and Threat: Nature Represented in F. Sionil Jose’s
Dusk. Lire Journal (Journal of Linguistics and Literature), Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 36-41.

Bio-sketch

Alessandra Julienne H. Alcantara completed her

Junior High school at Cavite School of St. Mark with
flying colors. She studied in the learning institution
for 4 years. During her 4th year high she joined the
Journalism Club of CSSM because of her interest and
love for literature and writing. During her lower years
she received awards from different essay writing
competitions, she became the 1st placer in a Regional
Scientific Essay Writing and later on became the 3rd
placer in the Nationals. She is a very goal-oriented and
driven person who thrives on challenges, constantly seeking ways for self-improvement.
Always looking for an oppurtunity to do better in everything she does. She’s also taking the
STEM strand for Senior Highschool which is her stepping stone on working her way to
become a successful Pediatrician someday. So for her to obtain this job, she works hard for it
and utilizes her skills to the best of her abilities.

Janell Iris C. Gimeno, born on September 28,

2004 at Makati City. One of her major
personality traits is openess, because she has a
broad range of interests. She is curious about the
world and other people and eager to learn new
things and enjoy new experiences. She is also
extraversion because of her outgoing and tend to
gain energy in social situations. Being around
other people helps her feel energized and
excited. She studied at Cavite Southern Emerald
Academy from pre-school up to grade 4. She
was awarded as third honors in grades two and
four. She transferred at Theresian School of
Cavite from grade 5 and continued studying
there up until grade 10. She was awarded an
Assessment & Enrichment Program (AEP)
during grade 7. In 9th grade, she recieved a medal that certifies that she is included in with
honors. She transferred at Cavite School of St. Mark for Senior High School (SHS) and is
under Accountany and Business Management (ABM) strand. Her contibution to the society
or the school community are attending meetings or class, and encouraging participation. She
is known for her jolly personality and for making other people happy.

Nathalie Jane Manjares is a 17 year old, Grade 11

student who studies in Cavite School of St. Mark. I
live in imus cavite. I studied in elementary in pola
catholic school in Oriental Mindoro. And junior
high school in Cavite school of st mark and until
now. My achievements in elementary is leadership
awardees and best in computer and I graduated
second honorable in our class.But basically in
junior high I have no achievements. But I
experienced a board member in student council in
my grade 8 level. And I enjoyed my jhs life even
there a thru ups and downs but in the thru ups and downs I learned to face the problem and
stepped by it. And as my hobbies I love watching movies and series and by this quarantine I
learned to cook and i love to learn a new recipes. And I love making jokes Im a funny and
optimistic person. And I love to communicate with others and Im a friendly person But I’m
afraid having a speech in many people also the recitation I don’t know why I’m feeling
nervous first. And what things that I didn’t do is the reading hobbit because I was sleepy
person.And in academics I loved computer and what I hate is the major subject because I’m
not that smart but I’m doing my best to do it. My dream profession is I.T. (Information
technology) and someday I want to have my own business if I have a job already.
 Janna Arabella S. Villar was born on September 12, 2003 in

Manila City and now currently living in Cavite, Imus City, as

the eldest of Virgilio G. Villar and Jennifer S. Villar. She took

her grade one to three education at the Jesus Good Shepherd

School where she won the “Scholastic Clifford the Big Red Dog

Drawing Contest” award. After 3 years at her previous school,

she transferred to “Imus Pilot Elementary School” where she

took her grade four to six education. She is consistently

appointed as the “Sergeant at Arms” of her class for 3 years. She

also was consistent having the “Best in Computer” award for 3 years. In her secondary

education, she studied at Cavite School of Saint Mark where she won awards like “Poster

Slogan Making Contest” as 1st Place and “Essay Writing Contest” as the winner. She also an

honor student in her eighth grade. Janna is fond of the English subject but is also good in

other fields such as science and arts. In her ninth grade of education, she received an award

for “Digital Poster Making” where her work was displayed in school for their 31st Founding

Anniversary. Aside from contests, she also engaged in other activities. She always became

the leader of the props making group whenever there’s an event at school like “Buwan ng

Wika”, “United Nations” and much more.