Ang Ilustrado at ang Filibustero

I braved the heat yesterday afternoon to attend Syjuco's launch of his Man Asian Prize (2008) winning novel "Ilustrado".

Now...to be honest I had my doubts at the beginning--meaning--uh oh, another upper class Filipino writer writing about "Filipinos". But surprisingly, Miguel was incredibly down to earth. And through the course of the Q&A session you get to feel his sincerity--that it's true--he's just very happy to have his book out, and he still can't believe that people are interested to read it--so I was taken aback...and I was willing to let any pronouncements on the shortcomings of his subject position slide and feel happy for him--and Philippine literature.

But I fashioned myself as a Simoun at the beginning of that afternoon, a Simoun ready to expose the pretenses of this "Ibarra". So I mustered up all my guts to ask him a question: "How will you describe "Ilustrado", is it a Filipino novel for Filipinos or a Filipino Novel for the west?" --because from the title itself "Ilustrado" (alluding to the group of wealthy middle class men in 18th century Philippines) and Rizal's novels--written in Spanish and Syjuco's novel written in English...who are the actual (not ideal) readers of this book?

His answer was that Ilustrado was for everybody. He believes that the Filipino experience is a global one and that literature is a form of conversation (reader/text/author). And if this are true, Ilustrado has something for everybody really.

*hmmm

***
A short profile:
Syjuco's an Atenista/MA from Columbia and workin' on his Phd in Australia
He comes from a political family in the Philippines

the makings of an Ilustrado--clearly.

but he made an interesting confession. He said that he felt guilty that he now lives abroad--alas--the diasporic writer coming (or trying to come?) to terms with his exile, turning his back from the Philippines.

--> with this particular insight i was compelled to change my query
instead of trying to find fault in Syjuco's depiction of the Filipino experience (not necessarily about exoticism or authenticy) or attacking his romantic notions that it's a novel for his country men--i'll try to read his novel as an atonement.

in other words the novel "ilustrado" as a form of redemption/justification for Syjuco's self-imposed diaspora.

o diba?

***
He's cool really.
besides being down to earth, softspoken and charismatic
he cites Borges and Brillante as influences.
dun pa lang. BFFs na kami.
hehehe

I wish Syjuco's career well,
whatever we say, he's just trying to do what he loves

what's the use of contesting that?


PS
He wrote a very cool dedication on my copy too:

To the lefthanded wonder,
Thanks for giving my work a chance.
I hope you enjoy! May the force be always with you.

--Miguel Syjuco

Holler back to Philippine Literature :)