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by Valerie Tort

Filipino readership of Philippine literary works is one of the many endeavors of Filipina authors in the dawn of information technology. These Filipina writers are willing to take Philippine literature into new heights.

Instead of making our lives easier and the progression of our country faster, the onset of the technological era has caused the diminishing Filipino readers. Many of today’s youth and young professionals relied on technology too much that the value of reading lessened since everything is fast paced, instantaneous and can be searched on the Internet.

Even information used in research materials are browsed through web pages instead of digging records and archives in public libraries. As a result, reading proficiency progressively decreased and enthusiasm to engage in reading lessened.

Filipino readership is essential most especially to the youth because it will serve as their foundation for the future. Reading improves the vocabulary and widens widens our understanding on certain relevant issues happening around the globe. It is our channel to knowledge and wisdom.

Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo made a courageous move to promote the value of reading among the Filipinos. As a teacher of literature and creative writing in the University of the Philippines, Diliman, she influenced and raised her students’ awareness that Filipino authors are also comparable to their foreign counterparts by making Filipino books a part of the syllabus in the set of readings that is s part of their course in the College of Arts and Letters.

“I think I can honestly say that through me, a rather large number of people, who were not even aware that there exists a body of literary works written by Filipino writers, are now avid of readers of Philippine Literature,” she said.

Filipina authors continued their passionate advocacy campaign for Filipino youth to appreciate the benefits reading can give them. Sometimes, the youth do not see the importance of reading so Marjorie Evasco of De La Salle University pointed out how significant the value of reading is and how it can change people for their advancement and progression in the long run.

“My passionate advocacy is a combination of teaching literature and writing. I would like to think that my work as a teacher who writes or a writer who teaches has inspired one or two to pursue a life of service to the reading life of others. Some of my students have become teachers, scholars, or creative writers—all independent readers and insatiable seekers of knowledge. They are mature, useful, and productive citizens of the country,” said Evasco, a poet and a Literature professor.

The power of books transcend through time. These Filipina authors believe that a society will never exist without reading since it is a way of civilizing the populace and contributing to our nation’s betterment.

“The world’s finest minds have put their best ideas down in books. So I would say it is very important for a nation to have a citizenry that reads. Education is very important to the development of the nation. Books are a very important part of education,” Hidalgo elaborated.

“A nation of informed readers who can intelligently make use of their knowledge and skills can truly bring this country forward. Every child who learns to love reading can grow up to be a good and productive citizen,” Professor Evasco added.

As the Filipina author and columnist Carmen Guerrero Nakpil once said, “Books are always as important as rice or bread. It feeds our minds and gives enough energy reserves to be used in the unpredictable future.” Her advice to the Filipinos: “New parents should buy books for their children with the same care and enthusiasm that they have when they purchase food, drink, and toys.”

Filipino readership continued to challenge women writers than any other factors such as the price of books and book piracy. Women authors continued to stand out in the field of literature in the new age. The books they wrote and published are showing their motherly concern for our society and our country.

Their prayer: to increase Filipino book lovers (a.k.a. bookworms) not for royalty purposes but for the sake of education and better life.

Special thanks to Erin Cabanawan — author

Tags: Philippine Literature, Filipina Authors, Carmen Guerrero Napkil