ASYNCHRONOUS TASK on M Agana’s “New Yorker in Tondo”

ED ENG 11/ SPLE

Xavier Ateneo_Sem2_AY 23-24
NAME Jennylyn P. Pagaduan DATE 04-29-24

DIRECTION. Write a REFLECTIVE ESSAY on HOW M Agana’s play CRITIQUE on the

COLONIAL MENTALITY among Filipinos. [30 PTS]

First and foremost, I would like to start off by defining what colonial mentality is. As per my own
interpretation, colonial mentality refers to one’s perception towards the ethnic and cultural
inferiority or simply put, a form of internalized racial oppression. It is historically deemed by our
perceptions about colonization that can shape and influence the lives of many Filipino people.
This also interprets that it is important for us to deeply understand history to understand the
present.

In Agana’s play, the concepts are very complex, including ideas about Filipino identity, culture,
and even mental health. It made me question who I am as a Filipino? What is my purpose for this
nation? Does my experiences influence my actions in serving my country? This play really made
me ponder the effects of colonial mentality.

Personally, I grew up being alone, have dark skin, small height, and that it wasn’t okay to be poor.
But I eventually learned to validate my feelings, I appreciated my skin color and ignored those
people who looked down on me. This experience of mine shows that we should not forget or fail
to recognize the influence of our ancestors or our roots. The love for our own identity should not
be swallowed by the perceptions we have in mind.

I was really grateful because despite being colonized, I still have the strong blood of being a
Filipino. I love Filipino foods and the values we practice here in this country. And I really do
salute those heroes who fought for our country, for its people, and for preserving our culture.

Overall, I realized a very important point, not to let the standards of people swallow you totally as
a whole person. Let us not be afraid to be labelled as different, instead think of it as your
uniqueness as an individual. Let us teach our children how our nation progressed, who are the
people behind this, and their sacrifices fighting for the future of the Filipinos.