Leopoldo Yabes's 'Pioneering In The Filipino Short Story In English'

Charmaine Annjeanette P. Dimalanta
2011-95021
CL150 FINAL EXAM

Leopoldo Yabes’ “Pioneering in the Filipino Short Story in English (1925-1940)” discusses the history of the existence of the short story in English in the Philippines. Telling romantic stories and writing about it is natural for the writers during those times. Mostly, their works are “infused with local color” which creates familiarization to the Filipino readers. The material used by the writers for the characterization and setting was the “remote past or the pre-Hispanic days.” As years went by, the subject matter used by the Filipino writers grew wider in range. Some still tapped in the remote past but others found a way to work with the everyday life.

[American influences – education system, school, English as medium of instruction, politics, freedom of speech]

Sensibility played a great factor in the works of the early writers. Their writings were inspired by Edgar Allan-Poe and Guy de Maupassant, with the rule of “single unity of impression.” Among the writers who followed Poe and Maupassant were Paz Marquez Benitez

He was also a lexicographer, professor, linguist, poet, playwright, author, and lyricist.
Jose Villa Panganiban, “The Milkman of Makiling” on the other hand, is about faithfulness as well and a sad love story. Panganiban’s influences in writing. It tells about the folklore of the famous Mariang Makiling.
The story was about an old man who sells fresh milk at the foot of Mt. Makiling. He had one customer, an old man atop the mountain and every morning Mang Selo climbs the top of the mountain to give him milk. When Mang Selo was about to die, he told his son to give the old man milk for he owes the old man the life of his son. His son obliged to his father’s dying request. Later, the old man died and his daughter, the beautiful and lovely Maria was the one he gives milk every day. The fell in love with each other as the days passed