Waiting for Mariang Makiling: Essays in Philippine Cultural History

by Resil B. Mojares

Takes up diverse texts as the legend of Mariang Makiling, account of Pigafetta’s discovery of the Philippines, the life of Pedro Calungsod, foundation narrative of a Marian shrine, colonial books of conduct, memoirs of Filipino intellectuals, a Bisayan love poem, political talk on radio, a dinner in nineteenth-century Cebu. There is underlying passion in these essays, pushing the reader to appreciate such issues as cultural politics and nation formation.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Trained in literature and anthropology, Resil B. Mojares won several National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle for works in fields as diverse as literary criticism, urban and rural history, and political biography.

He has been a recipient of prizes for his short stories, a national fellowship in the Essay from the UP Creative Writing Center, and teaching and research fellowships from the Ford, Toyota, and Rockefeller foundations, Fulbright Program, and Social Science Research Council (New York).

He has served as visiting professor at the University of Wisconsin, University of Hawaii, and University of Michigan.

He teaches at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City.

Reviews

[Ramzzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The European “discovery” of the Philippine archipelago is not just an event; it is a text, a construct of words. For “new worlds” to be recognized or apprehended, they had to be produced in words—in the form of narratives of navigation and exploration—and such allied devices as maps, charts, and drawings. Worlds had to be represented, and, inescapably in such representations (literary, visual, popular or “scientific”), much will be discovered as much as will be disguised, distorted, or deleted. Much will be revealed of both seen and seer.”

—Resil B. Mojares, “The Islands According to Pigafetta”

I thought I already “rated” this book in Goodreads, as Iʼve read it some time in 2021, or perhaps even reached 2022 in completely reading it, that is from the first page to the last. (Often, the spheres of reading are sidelined due to the shapeless travesties and invitations of “real life.” This is only one of the many I forgot to “rate” or “review” realtime here.) Mojaresʼ take(s) here is multi-dimensional to be reviewed thoroughly, but by an academic, this book is different from the others for being well-written, lyrical even, keen, and very generous in opening up interpretative dimensions.

[David Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have completed a reading of "Waiting for Mariang Makiling: Essays in Philippine Cultural History" by Resil B. Mojares, 2002. The book has led me to other authors and texts, and windows into the cultures and peoples which make up the still emerging modern nation of the Philippines. I think the concept of a cultural history, or rather histories, is more foundational than a national history, as the latter is a process of discovery and assembling, and not yet really knowing, and trying not to forget or neglect.
Contents; Waiting for Mariang Makiling; The Islands According to Pigafetta; Rizal Reading Pigafetta; The Brief and Blessed Life of Miguel Ayatumo; The Epiphany of Pedro Calungsod; Stalking the Virgin; Catechisms of the Body; Deciphering a Meal; Reading Vicente Ranudo; Talking Politics; Time, Memory, and the Birth of the Nation; The Haunting of the Filipino Writer.
"The Europeans were obviously meeting a people who were not wholly surprised by the appearance of white men and were wise to the rites of diplomacy and trade. At the time of Magellan's coming, Cebu was already plugged into a trading network which extended from Timor in the south to Canton in the north, and the west coast of the Maylay peninsula facing India. Hence, in Cebu, the visitors were boldly told that it was the custom at the port for all incoming vessels to pay tribute and that only recently a junk from Siam had called on the port for trade. Moreover, Rajah Humabon and the Cebuano chiefs were not unaware of the presence of Europeans. A Muslim merchant in Cebu, who also acted as interpreter, initially identified the Magellan expedition with the Portuguese, telling Humabon that these were the men 'who have conquered Calicut, Malacca, and all India Manor.'
Pigafetta records strange practices (mourning customs, betel-nut chewing, tattooing) and characterizes the islanders thus: 'Those people are heathens. They go naked and painted. That they are 'naked' and 'heathens' (which in the specific context of its use, means that they are not Muslims) signifies a lack of culture and religion that makes them objects of conversion. Yet, Pigafetta also observes that they 'live in accordance with justice' and goes on to note their ease with strangers, their knowledge of trade and agriculture, their social hierarchy and ceremonials. Pigafetta's narration suggests that the Europeans were with a people whose level of social organization was higher than that of the wild men they saw (or imagined seeing) in America..."
"The Islands According to Pigafetta"
"As in Pedro Paterno and even Isabelo de los Reyes, Rizal's image of the nation remained inchoate, one that did not quite encompass Muslims, ethnic minorities, or the mass of the population beyond the pale of Manila and the towns where the light of Europe had began, if tenuously, to shine...
...Rizal positioned himself in the divide between European Orientalism and the 'Orient' that was the Philippines..."
"Rizal Reading Pigafetta"
"In Cebu, as elsewhere in the Philippines, caves were imagined as sacred spaces. A survey of Cebu in 1886 reported a number of caves on the island that had the remains of what were believed to be pre-Hispanic burials...."
"Stalking the Virgin"
"...the Chinese-mestizo dons survived, their power undiminished...loyalty to Spain in 1896...avoided involvement in 1898...'joined' the Revolution...came out openly in support of US rule...
Meanwhile, most of the Spaniards left Cebu in the mass evacuation of 24 December 1898..."
"Deciphering a Meal"

[iceberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book from Mojares that I have read, and it was a massive improvement from his Interrogations. The essays are more closely tied with each other and are organized more clearly in this book, starting with an introductory discussion on the relevance of folklore in historical scholarship, and ending with general remarks on the soul of Philippine literature. While he sometimes resorts to academic lingo, and I disagree with his mixing of history and literary criticism, his writings reveal the mind of a first-rate scholar.

[justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible and lush postcolonial literary and cultural criticism. so awed to have read this, to live in a time where thinkers like mojares are so greatly valued.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essay on Pigafetta, Rizal Reading Pigafetta, The Filipino writer and, strangely enough, the process for making saints all proved to be engaging. So discussions, particular those towards the end of the collection on the relationship between radio and political discourse and the writing of Filipino history fail to extend their arguments into nuanced territory. Yes, radio talk shows are hegemonic form of discourse, yes the talk is mostly performative and there is no serious conversation...And that seems to be the risk of cultural studies essays--in that they waste our times pointing out what we already innately know in hyper academic fashion. But whatever, the ground these essays cover is impressive.

[VJhay Valdez]

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