On Arguilla and Bulosan: Who is the Filipino?

Almost any form of classic Filipino art seems to have family and farm life as its subjects or inspiration. Even in music and in paintings, family and farm life can be seen as the recurrent theme, capturing the simple, resilient, close-knit Pinoy family.

Bulosan and Arguilla both see the Filipino as somebody who values his family. In both stories, the family is seen as influential. The fathers are both regarded as the head of the family and are treated with great respect and admiration. The father in Bulosan’s story is a man who laughs heartily and makes fun of himself despite their disposition, setting an example to his kids who came up with their own antics to make their family laugh. In Arguilla’s story, the father is also accorded with great respect – the story did not show a Baldo, who is hesitant to follow his father’s orders not to pass by the camino real and to use Labang and the cart instead of the calesa. The way Baldo noticed how his father’s voice resounded across the room without raising his voice seem to exemplify his father’s authority.

Arguilla shows in his story how the Filipino values his family’s opinion about his actions and how we Filipinos sometimes tend to be a bit proud about our how far we’ve come by being generous. Noel/Leon brought home a fiancé who he strongly believes would get the approval of his family. Baldo’s initiative to light up the lantern earns him his brother praise and this warms his heart. A man coming back to his hometown after being in Manila for several years, Noel/Leon gives a rather generous tip to Ca Celin (not only will his fiancé be the talk of the town) showing how much he has made for himself already.

On the other hand, Bulosan sees how the Filipino deals with life – the Filipino tries to make his situation bearable by laughing at himself or his condition. The son in Bulosan’s story brings a bundle with a cat inside, making it appear like he brought home something extravagant to eat and everybody was in hysterical laughter when they found out what it contained.

It is funny how these traits still ring true today. I really appreciate how Arguilla was able to craft a simple story that only a Filipino can understand- although it is written in a foreign language, it has a language and tone on its own, one that only a person raised in this country can truly appreciate. Bulosan was able to capture the pilosopo Pinoy and the Pinoy sense of humor in his story. Despite his condition in life, the Filipino sees the funny side of things and tries to make the most out of whatever he has – his family and his sense of humor.