THE HAUNTING OF THE FILIPINO WRITER

By NVM Gonzales

➢ "there is a haunted quality to his account of his sojournings, a haunting that

comes from feelings of displacement, dispossession, decenterdness,
disembodiment.

○ the person's narrative or account of their travels or experiences is marked

by a haunting quality. This haunting quality is attributed to several
feelings and experiences:

■ 1. Displacement: a sense of being out of place or removed from

one's usual environment. The person might feel a lack of belonging
or familiarity in the locations they are describing.

■ 2. Dispossession: a feeling of being deprived or stripped of

something, possibly in a metaphorical sense. It could be the loss of
a sense of home, identity, or possessions, contributing to a
haunting emotional state.

■ 3. Decenterdness: a lack of a central point or stability. The person's

experiences or identity may not have a fixed or grounded
reference point, leading to a sense of disorientation or instability.

■ 4. Disembodiment: a feeling of being disconnected from one's own

body or physical presence. The person might experience a
detachment from their physical self, possibly due to the
disorienting nature of their travels or experiences.

➢ "He wrestles with the burden, guilt, and cost of writing in a language not his
own"

○ 1. Burden: writing in a non-native language can be burdensome. The

person may feel a weight or responsibility associated with expressing
themselves accurately and effectively in a language that they haven't
grown up with. This burden could be both practical, in terms of linguistic
challenges, and emotional, as the writer may feel the weight of conveying
their thoughts authentically.
 ○ 2. Guilt: the use of a non-native language might evoke feelings of guilt.
This could stem from concerns about not doing justice to the nuances of
the language, potentially misrepresenting ideas, or feeling a sense of
cultural disconnection. The writer might feel a responsibility to their own
cultural and linguistic heritage.

○ 3. Cost: there are sacrifices or difficulties associated with writing in a

language that is not one's own. This could refer to the effort required to
navigate linguistic nuances, potential misunderstandings, or the
emotional toll of expressing oneself in a language that may not fully
capture the depth of one's thoughts and emotions.

➢ "The Philippines has become too much a client of the American cultural
establishment in those years before World War 2; the Filipino intellectual
was thus deprived of the instruction that cultures close by, in Southeast Asia
and South Asia, could offer.”

○ the years preceding World War II, the Philippines had developed a
significant dependence on American cultural influence (colonial
mentality). This dependence had consequences for Filipino intellectuals,
as it limited their exposure to the cultural teachings and influences of
neighboring Southeast Asian and South Asian cultures.

■ 1. Client of the American cultural establishment: The term

"client" implies a relationship where one party (in this case, the
Philippines) is dependent on or subservient to another (the
American cultural establishment). The suggestion is that the
Philippines had a strong reliance on American cultural influences
during this period.

■ 2. Deprived of the instruction: Because of this dependence on

American culture, Filipino intellectuals were said to be deprived of
the valuable teachings and influences that could have come from
cultures nearby, specifically in Southeast Asia and South Asia.
"Instruction" here refers to the cultural insights, perspectives, and
knowledge that these neighboring cultures could offer.

➢ “This haunting, this hauntedness is a problem of soul, and it is not

Gonzalez's alone"
 ■ The statement suggests that the haunting or haunted quality being
discussed is not a problem unique to NVM Gonzales, the person
mentioned. Instead, it is portrayed as a more widespread issue
that extends beyond him. Here's a breakdown:

● 1. Haunting or hauntedness: This term implies a sense of

lingering and unsettling presence, often associated with
ghosts or supernatural phenomena. In the context of the
statement, it is likely used metaphorically to convey a deep
and lasting emotional or psychological impact.

● 2. Problem of soul: Describing it as a "problem of soul"

suggests that the haunting quality is not merely external or
physical but has profound effects on the innermost aspects
of a person's being. It speaks to a deep, personal, and
existential challenge that affects the core of one's identity
and emotional well-being.

● 3. Not Gonzalez's alone: By stating that this haunting is not

Gonzalez's alone, the implication is that others share in this
experience. The haunting quality is a collective or shared
phenomenon experienced by individuals beyond just NVM
Gonzales. It connects the emotional or psychological
struggles described to a broader cultural or societal context.

➢ "It is also eloquent sign of our social malaise as Filipinos, symptom of the
profound affliction of a nation not quite conscious of itself."

○ The statement suggests that the haunting quality or hauntedness

discussed earlier serves as a powerful and expressive indicator of certain
social issues within the Filipino community. Here's a breakdown:

■ 1. Eloquent sign: The use of "eloquent sign" implies that the

haunting quality is a clear and articulate signal or manifestation of
something deeper. It effectively communicates and symbolizes a
particular condition or aspect of Filipino society.

■ 2. Social malaise as Filipinos: "Social malaise" refers to a general

feeling of discomfort, unease, or dissatisfaction within society. The
statement implies that the haunting quality is not just an individual
experience but is reflective of broader societal issues affecting
Filipinos collectively.
 ■ 3. Symptom of the profound affliction of a nation: The haunting
quality is portrayed as a symptom or manifestation of a more
profound affliction within the nation. This suggests that the
emotional or psychological struggles discussed earlier are linked to
deeper societal challenges that impact the collective consciousness
of the Filipino people.

■ 4. Not quite conscious of itself: The statement suggests that there

is a lack of self-awareness or a sense of identity within the nation.
The haunting quality becomes a symptom of this lack of
consciousness, indicating that the Filipino society might be
struggling with a clear understanding of its own identity, values, or
cultural roots.

➢ “The notion that we are a people troubled by a lost or unquiet soul is not
new in Philippine intellectual history. At the turn of the century, the time of
our great nationalist awakening, the “Filipino Soul,” Alma Filipina, was a
theme popular among Filipino writers and intellectuals, who saw in it the
sign of a people’s dream of selfhood, autonomy, and freedom. Soul: the
word had an elevated, edifying sound to it, properly reverential before what
it invoked, the People, the Nation.”

○ This passage reflects on a recurring theme in Philippine intellectual

history – the idea that the Filipino people are troubled by a lost or unquiet
soul. The concept of the "Filipino Soul," Alma Filipina, was particularly
prominent around the turn of the century during a period of significant
nationalist awakening in the Philippines.

■ 1. Historical context: The reference to the turn of the century

points to a crucial period in Philippine history, likely around the late
19th to early 20th centuries. This was a time when the Philippines
was undergoing significant changes, including the fight for
independence from colonial rule.

■ 2. Filipino Soul (Alma Filipina): The concept of the Filipino Soul

was a popular theme among Filipino writers and intellectuals
during this nationalist awakening. It symbolized the collective
identity, aspirations, and dreams of the Filipino people. The term
"soul" carries a profound and reverential connotation, suggesting a
deep, intrinsic essence that defines the Filipino people.

■ 3. Dream of selfhood, autonomy, and freedom: The passage

suggests that the notion of the Filipino Soul was seen as a sign of
 the people's aspirations for selfhood, autonomy, and freedom.
During this period, Filipinos were striving for a sense of national
identity and independence, and the idea of the Filipino Soul
embodied these aspirations.

■ 4. Elevated and edifying nature of the term "Soul": The use of

the word "Soul" is significant. It's described as having an elevated
and edifying sound, indicating that it was a term treated with
reverence. It symbolized something sacred, perhaps the essence of
the People and the Nation, emphasizing the profound importance
of these concepts in the Filipino consciousness.

➢ "In the amorphousness of the notion of soul, however, was its utility and
power."

○ The statement suggests that the concept of "soul" was powerful and
useful precisely because it lacked a clearly defined or fixed meaning
("amorphousness" refers to the lack of a specific form or structure). In
other words, the flexibility and ambiguity of the idea of the soul made it a
versatile and influential concept. Here's a breakdown:

■ 1. Amorphousness of the notion of soul: The term

"amorphousness" indicates that the concept of the soul was not
rigidly defined or confined to a specific set of characteristics. It
was fluid, open to interpretation, and did not have a fixed form.

■ 2. Utility: Despite its lack of a specific, concrete definition, the

notion of the soul was useful. This suggests that its vagueness
allowed it to be applied in various contexts and served different
purposes. The utility might come from its ability to evoke emotions,
capture the imagination, or serve as a symbolic representation of
complex ideas.

■ 3. Power: The term "power" here suggests that the concept of the
soul held influence or significance. Its inherent flexibility and
adaptability allowed it to resonate with people on a deep,
emotional level, making it a potent symbol or metaphor.

➢ THE SOULS IS NOT ONE THING BUT IT IS A DIALECT AND DYNAMIC