Ermita: A Novel

Critique paper.
Name:
Brief Background of the Author
F. (Francisco) Sionil José, a notable writer and publisher, died on January 6, 2022. He was born
on December 3, 1924, in Rosales, Pangasinan. He studied Philosophy and Literature at the
University of Santo Tomas and worked for The Commonweal, as an Assistant Editor for the
United States Information Service, and as Managing Editor of The Manila Times Sunday
Magazine. He established the Philippine Center of PEN International in 1957, as well as the
Solidaridad Bookshop and Publishing House in Ermita, Manila. José has received various
accolades, including the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Short Fiction, the Ramon
Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts, and the Cultural
Center of the Philippines (CCP) Centennial Honors for the Arts in 1999. He was awarded the
Philippine National Artist. In 2001, he was appointed Philippine National Artist for Literature,
and he has won the Order of Sacred Treasure from the Emperor of Japan, the Pablo Neruda
Centennial Award from the Pablo Neruda Foundation in Chile, and the Order of the Arts and
Letters from the French government.
Short Summary of Ermita
Ermita is a Filipino novel by Francisco Sionel Jose, a prolific writer who highlights the social
underpinnings, class struggles, and colonial history of Filipino society. Born and raised in
Rosales, Pangasinan, Jose's novels often depict the experiences of Filipinos during the Japanese
Era. He was a medic during the war with Japan and his forefathers migrated from the Ilocos,
bringing uprooted molave posts and a stone mortar for pounding rice. The novel features
dispossessed peasantry, rapacious elite, rebels, slum dwellers, and decadence in the city. Jose
studied journalism at the University of Santo Tomas and later focused on journalism and writing
fiction. Ermita was published in 1988, two centuries after Imperial Japan occupied the
Philippines during World War II. The novel explores themes of prostitution, money,
dehumanization, affection, and revenge, with the protagonist's mother escaping to America to
escape her traumatic past.
The novel explores the portrayal of women in society as property, housewives, prostitutes, and
women without political power. The protagonist, Ermita, uses her body, beauty, and wits to break
stereotypes and free herself from slavery. The author uses Marxism, Feminism, and New
Historicism perspectives to highlight the themes of prostitution and the power and wealth that
make up Philippine society. The name "Ermita" is the highlight of the story, representing the
Philippines' past and present. Ermita, a place in Manila, was once an elegant community
established by the Spaniards but became a scene of horrific massacres during WWII. The district
transformed into a commercial area, and Maria Ermita sought change and a second chance in life
and love. The narrative uses imagery, symbolism, allegory, irony, juxtaposition, point of view,
conflict, rising and falling action, climax, voice, and style to convey emotions and tones. The
author's use of activist messaging sets a dreadful tone as the war and Marcos regime affected the
Philippines.
Feminist analysis
For a long time, women have seen themselves as victims of both direct and indirect forms of
male oppression. An area of trade often overlooked in this context is prostitution which is said to
be the oldest profession ever and it feeds male oppression. However, F. Sionil Jose’s novel
Ermita: A Filipino Novel presents a prostitute as a main character that defies victimhood and
seeks agency.
Ermita is set in the Philippines during 1941 examining some key aspects concerning the
country’s elite society and World War II before Martial Law was declared. Ermita however
becomes a prostitute not only because she is unlucky but also because she wants to spite her
mother who left her behind and seek revenge against her biological family who abandoned her
back then. The book delves into themes such as prostitution, immorality, money,
dehumanization, affection and revenge which portrays how Ermita manages to manipulate men
without being exploited herself.
Jose’s detailed description of the period’s customs and events lends credibility to the novel.
Women in this society are often seen as property, to be displayed and exploited. The narrative
highlights women’s roles as housewives, prostitutes, and individuals without political power.
One notable depiction is of women being alluring sexual objects, with clothes and makeup
serving as tools of their trade. This objectification is starkly illustrated when a character remarks
on Ermita’s potential to drive men crazy with her beauty. The novel juxtaposes unfairness with
immorality, illustrating how some men still view women as property. This is exemplified by the
Japanese soldier reducing Conchita to merchandise and Senator Bravo’s drugging and raping of
Ermita. Despite being a prostitute, Ermita’s experience of rape underscores that consent is
paramount and its violation remains a profound injustice.
A statement in a Novel Strike me when Ermi said “I will tell you just the same. My
mother is in America. I have seen her finally after all these years. She abandoned me, Rolly,
really denied me and this is why I became a whore. I saw her and I had my revenge. And my
father- he was a Japanese soldier. He raped her and that is why she hates me (pg. 173, C. 16).
Ermi's revelation that she finally encountered her mother in America after years of separation
carries profound emotional weight. She discloses feelings of abandonment and denial stemming
from her mother's actions, which she believes led her to pursue a path she refers to as becoming a
"whore." This term not only hints at her profession but also suggests deep-seated feelings of
worthlessness and self-destructiveness. Ermi's statement sheds light on the complexities of
mother-daughter relationships, the enduring impact of past traumas on one's sense of self, and the
quest for reconciliation amidst feelings of longing and betrayal.

While the novel is set in the 1940s, it addresses universal themes of human weakness, hatred,
unfaithfulness, and hypocrisy. Most characters undergo significant moral reflection, except for
Ermita, who remains driven by hatred for much of the story. Her journey is not about money but
revenge, reflecting her complex victimhood and agency. Her aunt, Felicitas Roho, uses her body
not for money but for social and material gain, highlighting another facet of women’s choices
within patriarchal constraints.
Another line in the Novel is “A woman loses her virginity only once and after that, she is
open to all men, a thousand men even. Who cannot prove their virginity except to themselves
( Author; pg.181)”
The statement reflects entrenched societal beliefs about virginity and sexuality, particularly
regarding women. It underscores the traditional notion that a woman's virginity is a valuable
commodity, with its loss marking a significant milestone that alters her perceived worth and
status. This perpetuates a double standard, as men are not subject to the same scrutiny or
judgment regarding their sexual behavior. The assertion that a woman becomes "open to all men"
after losing her virginity implies a loss of control over her own sexuality, reinforcing the idea of
women as objects of male desire. Moreover, the statement suggests that virginity serves as a
form of validation or self-worth, with one's value being tied to their sexual history. However, it
also acknowledges the internalized nature of these beliefs, implying that ultimately, the
validation of one's virginity is a personal matter. Overall, the statement reflects deeply ingrained
societal norms and expectations surrounding gender, sexuality, and morality, highlighting the
complex interplay between individual experiences and broader cultural attitudes.
The novel concludes with Ermita seeking a second chance in life and love, but her true love,
Mac, struggles to reconcile his feelings and ambitions with her past. This unresolved ending
reflects the enduring challenges women face in overcoming societal judgment and achieving
personal redemption. Ermita presents a nuanced feminist perspective on prostitution. While it
acknowledges the oppressive structures that drive women into sex work, it also emphasizes their
agency and the complex motivations behind their choices. The novel suggests that the
persistence of prostitution is not solely due to women but also to the sustained demand by men,
underscoring a broader societal complicity in the industrialization of sex. Ermita: A Filipino
Novel offers a compelling critique of how women navigate and resist the patriarchal structures
that seek to define and confine them, presenting prostitution not just as a symbol of oppression
but also as a potential site of subversion and agency.
Historical Analysis
 If we relate it in accordance the Majumder (2020), study on The Role of Women in The
Development of Society, Women hold significant roles across various dimensions of society,
including social, political, economic, cultural, and religious spheres. Their participation is not
only well-recognized but also essential due to their effective skills and abilities. Women possess
the capability to engage meaningfully and contribute substantially in these areas, necessitating an
awareness of the factors that influence their involvement as well as the skills and abilities they
bring to these roles. Recognizing and understanding these contributing factors enables women to
navigate and overcome obstacles they may encounter while fulfilling their roles. In their diverse
positions, women need to ensure that their contributions promote the well-being of their families
and communities. This means that their participation should have a positive impact, fostering a
supportive and beneficial environment for those around them.
In accordance with Prieto (2014), This discussion emphasizes the importance of women's roles in
society, exploring the various factors that influence their involvement, the different styles of
social roles they adopt, and their positions within working environments. Women’s effective
participation is crucial for the overall wellness of communities, highlighting the interconnection
between individual roles and collective societal health. By raising awareness and equipping
themselves with knowledge and skills, women can enhance their ability to contribute effectively
and overcome potential challenges. The key aspects here include the recognition of women’s
importance in society, understanding the factors that affect their involvement, and promoting
their impactful participation in various domains, ultimately ensuring that their roles are
beneficial and supportive of broader community and familial well-being (Tirona, 1920).
During the Precolonial period before Women has given their rights to vote on April 30, 1937,
women are simply a housewives infact researching the lives of Philippine women through the
University of Michigan (UM, 1845-1978) archives provides a profound understanding of their
societal roles and experiences, particularly within the context of US imperialism. This analysis
can be further enriched by examining F. Sionil Jose’s *Ermita: A Filipino Novel*, which offers a
fictional yet revealing portrayal of a Filipino woman’s struggle and resilience amid these
historical and social dynamics.
Before Spanish colonization, Philippine society granted women significant authority and equal
status with men due to bilateral kinship systems. Women held influential roles in fiscal matters,
property ownership, and spiritual leadership. However, 300 years of Spanish colonial rule
infused with Catholic patriarchal values relegated women to roles defined by their relationships
with men, positioning them as secondary to fathers and husbands. Filipino nationalists during the
late nineteenth century idealized women's motherly qualities, further entrenching gender
inequality and stereotypes of women as meek and subservient. Despite these constraints, women
demonstrated resilience and agency. Historian Maria Luisa Camagay highlights that working
women, such as cigarreras (tobacco factory workers), criadas (domestic workers), tenderas (store
owners), vendadoras (vendors), costureras (seamstresses), bodadoras (embroiderers), and
mujeres públicas (sex workers), actively resisted their marginalization. They organized labor
strikes, demanding better working conditions and higher salaries, challenging the pervasive
gender stereotypes (Camagay, 1995).
In Ermita, Jose depicts a protagonist who, despite becoming a prostitute a role traditionally seen
as the epitome of female subjugation exercises agency and seeks to subvert her victimhood.
Ermita's choice to become a prostitute is driven by personal motivations and a desire for revenge
against a society that abandoned her. This mirrors the historical resilience of Philippine women,
as depicted in Camagay’s research, where women in marginalized roles fought for their rights
and dignity. The onset of US colonial rule perpetuated the portrayal of Philippine women as
weak and in need of American intervention, furthering the imperial agenda. Gender became a
tool for the US to justify its colonial presence by emphasizing the need to "liberate" Philippine
women from their cultural "oppression." The University of Michigan played a crucial role in this
narrative, with its faculty and alumni involved in colonial administration and academic studies
that reinforced these gendered perceptions. Examining UM archives alongside Ermitareveals the
extent of these academic and administrative practices, offering insights into educational
programs, missionary activities, and social reforms targeted at Philippine women. To fully
understand the impact of US colonialism on these women, it is essential to read against the grain
of these records, uncovering the underlying power dynamics and biases. In Ermita, the
protagonist’s complex journey underscores the themes of resistance and resilience. Ermita’s
manipulation of her circumstances to assert control and exact revenge reflects the broader
historical context of Philippine women who fought against oppressive structures. The novel,
therefore, provides a narrative that complements the archival research, illustrating how women
navigated and resisted the patriarchal and colonial forces shaping their lives.
Conclusions
To sum up, exploring the lives of Filipino women in the UM archives and F. Sionil Jose’s Ermita:
A Filipino Novel is an in-depth way of understanding them within the context of colonialism and
imperialism. The archives substantiate the former position held by women before the coming of
Spaniards to their land and how three centuries of colonization led to them being subordinated
due to patriarchal norms. In spite of all these odds, historical accounts as well as *Ermita*
manifest their resistance and strength through such means as labor strikes and personal agency.
The idea that US colonialism further perpetuated gendered stereotypes under the guise of
“liberation” with contributions from UM faculty demonstrates that it constitutes imperialist
narratives. Hence, dissecting this material helps recognize power relations that shaped female
experiences. *Ermita* captures all dimensions of these struggles by making its protagonist
symbolize resistance alongside resilience, therefore resonating with historical accounts about
socially active roles. Thus, this story depicts both resistance and resilience while reflecting
intricate battle for freedom among those who participated actively in society during that period.
Together, these sources emphasize the ongoing struggle of Philippine Women for equality and
autonomy, which questions mainstream stories while affirming their input into society at large.
References
Ramona S. Tirona, “The Filipino woman: what she is and what she is not,” Philippine Herald
(Dec 1920): 3–7.
Laura R. Prieto, "Bibles, Baseball and Butterfly Sleeves: Filipina Women and American
Protestant Missions, 1900–1930," in Divine Domesticities: Christian Paradoxes in Asia
and the Pacific, edited by Choi Hyaeweol and Jolly Margaret, (ANU Press, 2014).
Maria Luisa Camagay, Working Women of Manila in the 19th Century, (Philippines: University
of the Philippines Press, 1995).
Laura R. Prieto, "Bibles, Baseball and Butterfly Sleeves: Filipina Women and American
Protestant Missions, 1900–1930.”
Alumni Files (1845-1978) - Pura Santilan, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
Russel Roy McPeek Papers. 1865-1945, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
Mrs. Traub, Newspaper clipping, publication unknown. Russel Roy McPeek Papers, 1865-1945,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
Mojumder. (n.d.). The Role of Women in The Development of Society. Retrieved 2020, from
https://www.jcreview.com/admin/Uploads/Files/61a8967b243858.53644877.pdf