Historian Ambeth
Ocampo, in one of his essays complained about the absence of books
on Philippine historical essays. He further complained, such journals
as the PHILIPPINE HISTORICAL BULLETIN and the PHILIPPINE STUDIES are
not readily available to the reading public. A complaint coming from
Ambeth Ocampo has to be taken seriously. If there is one person who
has so popularized Philippine history, it is he. Consider the number
of books he has authored starting with RIZAL
WITHOUT THE OVERCOAT, he certainly has outdone other Philippine
historians.
Now comes this
book by Prof. Oscar L. Evangelista, a serious book on a grand
scale. There are a good number of reasons, why the book is highly
recommended. The first, it espouses a new approach to Philippine history
called "pantayong pananaw". Literally, "our approach",
advocated by
the University of the Philippines and the Philippine Historical Association.
Academia, starting
in the 1960's grappled with the Teodoro Agoncillo approach, which
stated Philippine history should start from 1872, the year Filipinos
"actively" participated in their own history. The other
view, is that of Gregorio Zaide,
whose approach can be described as chronological and descriptive.
The Agoncillo view has been accepted. His history book is still used
by colleges and
universities all over.
Second, an apt
description of our national delimna is stated. The Philippines
remains a divided "nation." Divided between the "nation
of the elite"
and the "nation of the masses" . Somehow, we have to reconcile
these two
into single, national aspiration, he concludes.
Prof. Evangelista,
is emminently qualified to write this book. For his
life work as a classroom teacher, a lecturer, and an administrator.
After his
retirement, he continues as a consultant, continuing projects he has
started.He remains an active officer of the Philippine Historical
Association, who
has made it is lifework to "EXPAND AND IMPROVE HISTORY TEACHING".
He conducts seminars, conferences, and outreach workshops throughout
the country and abroad, presented countless lectures and teaching
modules.
There are several
threads, unifies this work. There is a section on different facets
of Phillippine culture from the Pacific Rim and the Southeast Asian
cultures. This book could serve as an abbreviation of socio-cultural
history,
from precolonial times to the present.
The book's concentration,
as to be expected is Philippine history. His
interest included other fields. He has written chapters on Japanese
participation
in Philippine history from the colonial era. This part was written
while he
was Visiting Professor of Philippine Studies at Osaka University of
Philippine Studies in 1992-1994. Japanese Philippine relationship
which changed
from "repulsion" to "friendship."
The author is
has been fascinated with the Islamization process, and the
role of the Muslims in Philippine culture. His interest is extended
to the rich heritage of Indonesian culture and how certain Javanese
practices has emerged. This absorption started while he studied at
the University of Cairo.
Religious problems
of the Philippine Catholic church from 1896-1907, absorped
him. Such topics as the friar estates; the Aglipayan Schism,
the influence of the American Catholic church in the Philippines,
and its
effect on the colonial goverment.
While on sabbatical,
he and his wife, Dr. Susan Evangelista, came out
with THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. FROM 1906-1980.
The book covered are the (salmon) canneries, Filipino labor uinion,
the ILWU, local 37, Filipino writers and families as focal points
of continuity and change.
The paper, was never printed, a great loss, though I received a mimeographed
autographed copy.
This collection,
BUILDING THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY mirrors a lifetime of work, in and
outside academia. This book is highly recommended to "serious"
students of Philippine history, teacher-practitioners, and the general
public.
