Brief Summary
This video provides an analysis of Jose Corazon de Jesus' poem "Sa Dakong Silangan," exploring the themes of Philippine society during the American colonial period. The poem uses allegory to depict the Philippines as a princess courted by different suitors, representing the conflicting desires for genuine independence versus the allure of foreign influence and economic gain.
- The poem critiques the false promises of freedom made by the Americans.
- It highlights the internal divisions among Filipinos.
- It underscores the exploitation of the country's natural resources.
- It laments the gradual erosion of Filipino culture and identity.
Introduction
The poem "Sa Dakong Silangan" by Jose Corazon de Jesus is examined to understand the state of the Philippines during the American colonial era. The video aims to uncover whether the promised freedom was genuine or a facade. The Philippines is portrayed as a princess desired by princes, symbolizing different people and the deceptive promises of foreigners.
Stanza 1: The Two Sons of the King
The first stanza introduces two sons of a king: one who is poor and sides with the oppressed, and another who is greedy for wealth and power. The greedy prince falls in love with Princess Mandiwa, who represents the motherland, the Philippines. However, his love is not genuine but a desire for the country's wealth and beauty. This reflects the division among Filipinos during American colonization, with some loving and fighting for the country while others, like the "ilustrados" and politicians, collaborated with the Americans for personal gain.
Stanza 2: The Prince of Dollars
The Prince of Dollars wants to take the land of the princess to plant his goods, showing the desire of foreigners to seize the natural resources of the motherland. During the American period, the Philippine economy was under American control, with land used for products like tobacco, sugar, abaca, and coconut exported to America, benefiting foreigners and a few citizens.
Stanza 3: The Flag with the Sun and Stars
This stanza conveys that even if the Philippine flag is visible, freedom is not real. The country's wealth is meaningless if Filipinos do not control their independence. After Spain's defeat, America promised the Philippines freedom, but it was only temporary. They pretended to give the country democracy while controlling the government and economy. The Philippine flag was allowed to be raised but under American power.
Stanza 4: The Beautiful Cage
The Philippines is depicted as a bird that appears free but is still trapped in a net. The land has beauty and wealth but is not truly free. America made Filipinos believe they were free because of the Philippine Assembly and Senate, but the governor-general, an American, still held the main decisions. It's freedom in appearance but still controlled behind the scenes.
Stanza 5: The Honorable Prince Demokrito
Prince Demokrito, a symbol of Filipinos who genuinely desire freedom and independence, is introduced. Despite his cries for the country, he is defeated by the power of money and foreign greed. This represents the revolutionary Filipinos who continued to fight even after the Philippine-American War, but their voices were suppressed by the power and influence of the Americans and the elite Filipinos who benefited from their colonization.
Stanza 6: Princess Mandiwa's Resistance
Princess Mandiwa, representing the motherland, refuses to join the greed of foreigners. Because of this, her land and people constantly suffer and bleed with sacrifice. Many Filipinos opposed American colonization and sacrificed their lives. Thousands of soldiers and civilians died in the war, like blood that fertilized the land of the Philippines.
Stanza 7: Demokrito, Son of Haring Samuel
Haring Samuel has a democratic son, a symbol of America. America showed the appearance of democracy but with a price. Money and influence were needed to achieve it. America introduced the system of democracy, elections, legislature, and education, but in reality, only the wealthy and educated Filipinos benefited from it. The poor were still left on the fringes.
Stanza 8: The Divided Nation
The nation is divided, with some desiring freedom and others siding with foreigners for money and personal gain. During the American colonization, some Filipinos fought, like the Katipuneros and revolutionaries, but many also favored the Americans for positions and benefits. This caused disunity among Filipinos.
Stanza 9: The Blinding Silver
Silver, or wealth, is blinding and seems to go hand in hand with the power of the eagle, the symbol of America. Because of this, the nation continues to suffer. America, symbolized by the eagle, used the promise of prosperity to enchant Filipinos, but in reality, it caused suffering and oppression.
Stanza 10: The Claws of the Foreigner
The claws of the foreigner pierced the heart of the East, or the Philippines. It was weak at first, but as time passed, it became completely possessive. At first, America brought education and democracy, but they gradually showed their true motive: to use the Philippines for their interests, such as markets and natural resources.
Stanza 11: Empty Promises
The promises of foreigners are sweet to hear but without fulfillment. Their laws and orders are meaningless, like wet paper. During the American period, America promised many things: freedom, rights, and progress, but all of this was delayed. For example, independence was promised but always postponed.
Stanza 12: The Fading Light
The hope and light of the East, the Philippines, gradually disappear. Even though it is clear that foreigners are strangling the country, the nation does not seem to see it because it is covered in deception. Filipinos were made to believe that they were free and given democracy, but in reality, Americans still held all the important decisions.
Stanza 13: The Enchanting Eagle
This stanza shows the illusion of freedom. The eagle, or America, is like an enchantment that gives false hope. The nation is made to wait for freedom, but even at noon, it still does not arrive. America promised the Philippines freedom for a long time but always postponed it until it finally came in 1946.
Stanza 14: Fondness for Foreign Ways
People have become accustomed to the sweet words of foreigners. They were deceived by the promises, so they learned to rely on them. The Americans were good at propaganda. They taught English, showed modernization, and made Filipinos believe they were friends, so many Filipinos believed and cooperated.
Stanza 15: Honoring Foreign Heroes
Instead of celebrating their own heroes, foreigners are given more importance. The nation forgets its own honor and dignity. During the American period, American culture and their heroes were taught in schools. Filipinos knew George Washington more than Bonifacio and Jacinto.
Stanza 16: Admiring Foreign Ways
The nation admires foreigners and is ashamed of its own culture. Filipinos fight each other because of poverty and the lure of money. Many Filipinos admired America more than their own culture. Division in society was also created because some became rich through collusion, while the masses became even poorer.
Stanza 17: Calls for Expulsion
Some call for the foreigners to be expelled, but sadly, the very countrymen protect and side with the foreigners. This is the experience of the revolutionary Filipinos. Even if some want to fight, many Filipinos become collaborators or allies of the Americans.
Stanza 18: The Illusion of Freedom
Many Filipinos believed they were already free, but their flag had not truly flown. It always had to be accompanied by the flag of the foreigner. America allowed the establishment of its own government and the use of the Philippine flag, but this was not true freedom because it was always attached to the flag of America.
Stanza 19: The Mark of Foreign Wealth
The foreigner left a mark of money and wealth. The culture they imposed became the music played by the nation. During the American period, the financial system, economy, and culture of America were left in the Philippines, including education and music. The American influence was great.
Stanza 20: The Blinded Youth
The youth are criticized for being blinded. Although they have learned a lot in school, the lessons are all from foreigners. So instead of being patriotic, their minds are focused on foreigners. During the American period, English was taught in schools as the primary language, along with American culture and their view of history. Because of this, many young people admired America more than their own country.
Conclusion
This is the biggest legacy of colonialism: the thinking that foreign is superior to our own. "Sa Dakong Silangan" is a poem that describes the situation of the Philippines during the American period. It shows the division of Filipinos, the greed of foreigners, and the gradual loss of self-respect and culture.
