Accents
Marlene Aguilar: nationalist and mother
Of late, Marlene Aguilar has been gracing both print and broadcast media with the violent arrest of her son Jason Ivler. A case against son and mother is on trial, and to me personally, the verdict —whatever it may be— will not in any way diminish Marlene Aguilar’s stature as a nationalist and mother.
Being a mother myself, I absolutely understand Marlene’s protectiveness over her son. A mother’s love as an irresistible force has been an enduring theme in fiction and in actual life since time immemorial, and the law understands that. As what my resident lawyer, also significant other, Rudy has said, a mother’s love is always a mitigating factor in her child’s case.
I find Marlene Aguilar’s strong nationalism emblazoned in her introduction to the two books she has published, the subject of the column I wrote two years ago on the anniversary of People Power Day, which I am reprinting below: One woman’s nationalist passion. It is also a fitting read for the forthcoming International Women’s Day, March 8, featuring bold, heroic, passionate womankind. Read on:
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One woman’s nationalist passion
Bluffton, South Carolina, USA, Feb. 25—It is the 22nd anniversary of EDSA as I write this—People Power Day when the Filipinos’ love of country crested to tsunami proportions it toppled a dictator. Being here on the other side of the globe, I can just imagine the commemorations in the EDSA shrine. Even as I feel disenchanted of EDSA’s lost promise, nor those of the “succeeding EDSAs” thereafter, I too will celebrate. Just a simple prayer for the beloved homeland in the silence of the heart.
I’ve been thinking as to what subject to write on this historic day—something that would have a whiff of country in it. Was I lucky! In one of the shelves was a Barnes & Noble bag containing two heavy, glossy books: Myths and Legends of the Philippines interpreted by Marlene Aguilar-Pollard and Yin and Yang, a collection of the art works of Rafael Cusi published by Marlene Aguilar. Myths and Legends of the Philippines features the artworks of multi-awarded painter Jun Martinez, beautifully illustrating the incidents that happened in the stories.
Of Rafael Cusi, Aguilar says that his “contribution to Philippine art is as Shakespeare’s gift to the English language.” Yin and Yang is considered a Philippine Heritage Book. Cusi’s works and that of Jun Martinez grace the homes of many a private collector. Aguilar acknowledged all these art patrons in the reproductions she used.
The two books were not in the home bookshelves because they were to be returned to Barbara Ivler, a Bluffton resident, whom my physician daughter Randy got acquainted with in the Hilton Head Medical Center. Randy wanted our grandkid Danika, who is half Filipino, to learn of the myths and legends of the Philippines. Writes Aguilar on the book’s jacket:
“Our myths and legends are fast disappearing. We are losing these stories because of our preference for fairy tales from the western world...The Philippines had its own rich culture and heritage until the Spaniards came to steal our land, enslave our people and damage our culture.
“I cannot change our violent and painful colonial past, but I beg you to find it in your hearts for the sake of your children to seek the truth about your Philippine culture and heritage, that you may learn to honor it and protect it.” Aguilar writes further as she poses a challenge: “Each of us is responsible. Until such time we can learn to love and respect ourselves for being Filipinos, this country will never be great. I believe the Philippines will only see its glory, when each of us can stand with our feet firm on the ground and say, ‘I am Filipino and I am proud.”
The book was a blessing. Danika needs a respite from Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and the like, not to mention instilling in her young mind the core values embedded in the Philippine myths and legends, in themes that run the gamut of kindness, love, courage, sacrifice.
The stories transport the reader to the distant past, beginning with the popular “Once upon a time…, Long ago in the mists of time…,” or “Long, long ago in a land far, far away….” and bring him to fairy-tale endings so delightful to a child. The Great Warrior’s Daughters, a myth from Tinguian-North, ends thus: “The three tribes of the daughters of the great warrior Anito then all lived happily ever after, and still do to this very day, proving that no matter what people fight over, there is always a way to stop the fighting and to live in peace, harmony and prosperity with all our neighbors.” Food for thought in the adult world where nations dispute over the resources of the earth and siblings fight over inheritance.
From Bikol (as spelled in the book) is The Legend of Mount Mayon that tells how the grave of Magayon (beautiful maiden) grew to the size of what is now majestic Mayon Volcano (which to me is the most beautiful mountain barring none in the whole world). Other legends are woven as to how Bataan, Cainta, Sapang Bato, and the Marikina River got their names. From the Tagalog region is the story of Mariang Makiling that, early in colonial times, strengthened “a woman’s right to be able to choose the husband she desires.” Not the Spanish Captain Gaspar nor the wealthy Spanish-Filipino Jose, but Juan, the simple, honest, hardworking Filipino farmer for Mariang Makiling. The story goes that in the forests of the mountains of Laguna, one can still hear Mariang Makiling’s voice, “whispering in the wind, calling out the name of her lover, ‘Juan… Juan…’”
Personifications of good and evil such as archetypes of the wicked Stepsisters and Stepmother or greedy Queen vs. the dutiful and kindhearted Daughter of the King abound in the myths and legends, and as a lesson for the young and old alike, the resolution of the conflicts comes with the good being rewarded and evil punished. Karma works. There is always a day of reckoning.
What I’m holding now is but Volume 1 of Myths and Legends of the Philippines which means other volumes are forthcoming. The book has Aguilar’s beautiful Dedication: To all the Filipino children. I pray you will learn to love the Philippines. It is our home. It reflects one woman’s nationalist passion, the same passion that must throb in the heart of Freddie Aguilar, her brother, when he sings Bayan Ko, the song that awakens in us love of the Motherland whenever we hear it sung.
Marlene Aguilar deserves our praise and admiration for her compendium of Philippine myths and legends and for keeping alive the passion of three Filipina heroines—Gabriela Silang, Teodora Alonzo, and Melchora Aquino.
(Comments to lagoc@hargray.com)
