Muse and Balikbayan : Two Plays

by F. Sionil José

Although F. Sionil Jose - the Philippines' most widely translated novelist - adores the stage, he was written only two plays, Muse and Balikbayan. In July 2008, the Cultural Center of the Philippines staged Dong-Ao, the second act of Balikbayan. Dong-Ao is the traditional Ilokano ritual wailing usually performed by friends or relatives of the deceased during the wake and before the coffin is lowered into the grave. As Sionil Jose wrote this section of the play, it is also meant to be read. Philippine Plays, Drama.

Genres: Plays, Historical Fiction

67 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Francisco Sionil José was born in 1924 in Pangasinan province and attended the public school in his hometown. He attended the University of Santo Tomas after World War II and in 1949, started his career in writing. Since then, his fiction has been published internationally and translated into several languages including his native Ilokano. He has been involved with the international cultural organizations, notably International P.E.N., the world association of poets, playwrights, essayists and novelists whose Philippine Center he founded in 1958.

F. Sionil José, the Philippines' most widely translated author, is known best for his epic work, the Rosales saga - five novels encompassing a hundred years of Philippine history - a vivid documentary of Filipino life.

In 1980, Sionil José received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts.

In 2001, Sionil José was named National Artist for Literature.

In 2004, Sionil José received the Pablo Neruda Centennial Award.

Reviews

[Cristobal Peña · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book contains 2 stories
Muse: I was indifferent. I can't even say I disliked it because it did nothing for me.

Balikbayan: Act 1: This was a lot of fun to read in Tagalog alongside the English, lots of things to consider, the characters seemed like actual people, etc, etc.
It was so good it made now want to read his Rosales saga.

Act 2: Not as good in my opinion. The characters seemed contrived and it all seemed forced.

This so far has been the most fun I've had reading Tagalog and definitely was worth the 185 pesos.

[Davec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nalito ako

[Cece Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parang hindi isinalin ni Rody Vera ang pagbanggit tungkol sa pagiging cacique ni Cory Aquino doon sa original. Bakit kaya?

I noticed that the author Sionil Jose held a contrasting viewpoint from the rebel Jose Samson, even though he expressed sympathy towards him. This situation brings to mind his previous remarks concerning specific rebel groups in this country. Pff! I also believe Pepe/Jose never deserved Besty's fidelity. I know this happens a lot in real life. Double standards that I pray ceases or changes for the better. Sure, Pepe was in love with Betsy but he was unfaithful to her in "Mass." Lol! I'd like to say that he deserved his end. Forbes Park (or rather, Pobres Park) is an all-time starrer in FSJ novels. HAHA! This particular subdivision really hit FSJ's nerves among all genteel encalves in the country.

If Forbes Park struck FSJ; I, on the other hand, got struck by this particular quote:

...You have always been a pebble on the shore. You cannot stop the waves. They will continue coming, battering the shoreline, washing over the pebbles, rolling them down to the deep."

You know I am very young yet very jaded. It is ironic to the stereotype that the young are very hopeful and idealistic, often to an unreasonable extent; however, as some said, it is not uncommon for young people like me to feel disillusioned by society, especially when you drown yourself in the trollish parts of the internet.

[Shsh Ym · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Balikbayan. I haven’t read Fil Lit for a while and this brought a spark in me to step into it once again.

I couldn’t get interested in Muse though. Maybe I will read it in time and update my review.