MatangHari Blog

Posted on May 3, 2013

The question of originality is crucial to assessing Filipino Revolution. It can be easily asked: what is original about a revolution that bears the diverse cultural influences of other nations? On this issue hinges the evaluation of the achievement of Filipino revolution, for originality is an inconvertible proof of creativity and the quality of creative works. Is there any creativity in 1896 revolution in spite of its Masonic orientation, inspired by French revolution-freedom, equality and Fraternity.

Creativity and presupposes originality and originality implies artistic creation of something non-existent. What then can be original about creative works modelled after foreign ones, in foreign forms and styles that express foreign ideas, and with materials created by a consciousness influenced by foreign realities,

Such works created by our Forefathers?

To assess the Filipino Revolution achievement, the critic has to grapple with this crucial question of originality. Meet it headlong he must if his critical evaluation and judgment are to be worthwhile and meaningful, especially at this stage of the country’s national development and struggle for national liberation.

Toward an evaluation of the achievement of Filipino Revolution, an assessment of its originality can be made through the causes of grievances of the Filipino people, motivation and drive of its leaders, the tactics and strategy of membership and organization, documents and principles and ultimately the military intelligence of the Supremo. The documents of Katipunan offers suitable venue because its written form is readily available for verification and replication.

Originality in Philippine revolution cannot be evaluated by and in itself. It has to be considered in relation to foreign influences and native tradition as exogenous factors and to the founder’s individual consciousness and experiences. In the ultimate analysis, it can be assessed in terms of the founder’s individual consciousness towards the revolution-the way he transmutes influence and tradition in terms of his personal experience and social realities so as to produce a kind or revolution that transcend influences and tradition. Influence is a process by which the revolutionist’s sensibilities and consciousness are awakened and inspired to nationalistic intention; his imagination stimulated and disciplined to create;