The Feet of Juan Bacnang

by F. Sionil José

"F. Sionil Jose's great Rosales saga, an outraged testament to the inequalities that wrack Manils and the country at large, is rivalled only by Rizal's 'Noli Me Tangere 'and 'El Filibusterismo." -Hope Daley

Genres: Literature, Historical Fiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

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

[John Ray Catingub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than FSJ's "Sin" though concerning similar subject matter, "Juan Bacnang" uses folkloric elements to show what happens to a man who forgets virtuous upbringing and abandons morality upon reaching success. The titular character is more sympathetic because of his humble roots although it is apparent what a life, unchecked and free from restraint and proper judgment, can turn into. The end of the book came fast but was just as compelling, especially as Juan's story continued and ultimately ended the way it did. The last chapter is microcosmic of the novel as a whole but is also a social criticism of the Philippines as a whole: in the corrupt post-Spanish transition, the, turbulent Martial Law years, the recent past, and, perhaps, the present as it stands.

[Ultimotomasino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is too good to share any spoilers.

Sorry.

Buy the book and find out for yourselves, it's worth the price and even more!

[Zai Zai · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Feet of Juan Bacnang was almost like a Faustian novel... Im just trying to reconcile if a deal has been made or if it was just a matter of genetic predisposition... could be a good bookclub point of discussion.

The women in this novel... like okay... they were all incredibly forgiving to fawning... but this is within the wheelhouse of writers born on this era... Haruki is no different in depiction... same goes towards the uber positive description of the male MC, Johnny... I mean it's quite hyperbolic... it doesn't seem grounded in any sort of reality...

This seems to me like a story of one of Marcos Sr.'s top underlings if you ask me... the intrigue was just put to a minimum and finer details of the MC's criminal life was not explicitly tackled... what was left was a well paced biography of sorts that focuses on the MCs familial and personal ties... as well as plenty of relevant social commentary... which is kinda absurd coming from the author's political pov... I mean he wrote about it yet he endorsed the opposite... whatever #rip

[Michang · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOS <3 favorite character :)))) and Tured too of course hihi. I love Sionil's works! Will buy his other books asap :>

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book about how a man's hunger can turn him to an insatiable beast who wants power at all cost. The book is a cross between Oscar Wilde's Dorian Grey and Kafka's metamorphosis of how evil expresses itself externally and how bewildering it can be to a person who does not realize it until later in his life. The ending is what really did for me in givin this book 5 stars.

Juan was the bastard child of one of Manila's illustrious families and a senator too. He slept with many women because he has Spanish mestizo features but was darker skin like other Filipinos. Women liked him because of his generosity towards them. Juan was naturally bright boy who became valedictorian even when he was truant in school. When his friend joked that he took the virginity of his "girlfriend", he accidentally pushed him off the cliff then covered it up. Then he went and confronted the girlfriend and raped her when she said that she was still a virgin. Because he knew that his life would be hell if he stayed, he went to find his father the senator and he was accepted because his father wanted a son not his many daughters to succeed him. Because of his huge libido, he not only raped his "farmer girlfriend" but also his half-sister. I wonder if this is how sexual predators feel as though it is a compulsion to commit a sexual crime that they know is wrong. Later his farmer girlfriend turned to prostitution because he raped her and she felt used and abused so her only recourse was to live a life of prostitution. But in a twist of fate, he convinces her that he loves her and she has to stay in their mansion and live happily ever after.

His father the senator despite his pronouncements was in the position to increase his wealth and that of his family's. The Senator wanted political clout in order to increase his family's economic holdings whereas Nandy wanted power for powers sake. When Juan told the Senator that he had raped his mother, the Senator refused to believe it because he wanted to save face with his daughter and his bodyguard. It must be a powerful man's fantasy that every sexual advance is met with a woman who do not know that they want it yet. I wonder if Marcos and Duterte feel this way.

It is interesting how shoes have become a status symbol for farmers. To have shoes means that you are a person with means and are educated. According to the book, Filipinos are motivated solely on their claim to family and clan. They also do not have a sense of history so necessary to build a nation because Filipinos do not think of the mistakes of the past instead they only think about surviving the now. Marcos took Juan to Japan and placed him under his wing. Marcos explained that he has a vision of the Philippines and he has to shape the Philippines with brute force towards that vision. Marcos explains to Juan that Filipinos only care about survival like food, safety, and shelter. Conscience must be stamped out when a person weilds power. Juan rose in the ranks until one day he came in Marcos' inner circle to dominate. Juan escapes the responsibility of power by having sexual relationship with any and every girl including his half-sister and girlfriend. But his half-sister adviced him to marry someone in his social class to enlarge his politico-social standing. His hunger turned into greed which in the end turned into compulsive consuming naked ambition. His girlfriend warned Juan of the dangers of his oppression of other people that it might cost him his life or the life of those he was closest too. He did not understand this hatred since he did develop the place where he grew up in exchange for absolute loyalty and the man power that comes with that loyalty to grown the ranks of his private army. Juan rewarded people who were excellent with jobs in his ever growing empire while people who helped them out but were not so good he placed in government jobs.

Unlike his "girlfriend" which he chose to keep, his wife a virgin from Negros had an insatiable sex drive once he deflowered her. She could not think of anything but sex when she was with him. When his wife finally got pregnant, she also got pancreatic cancer so she died with the knowledge that her twins were born. Just like his father, Juan wanted a son more than his twin daughter.

When his children grew up, the son turned out to want to be a poet. Fearing that he was gay, he hired a prostitute named, Jessica who shared a desire for poetry with the son, Anos. Unlike the other men in his class, Anos wanted to fall in love before he lost his virginity to them. Even though Jessica wanted to have sex with Anos, he refused because he wanted to show that he truly loved her by abstaining. Juan told of a story of his brother in laws who kept a brothel for themselves in the farm who were stacked with farm girls.

Whereas he tried to shelter his children from the hardships of life, his son sought to understand it. When Jessica the prostitute cum girlfriend was attacked in the middle of the night then committed suicide, Anos committed suicide too followed by his twin sister who died in despair. Juan felt the pain by the two children he lost. He was depressed and yearned for death but kept on chugging on so that the De La Cruz's empire would grow increasingly outward. De La Cruz was dangerous because although he was powerful he had no longer anything to look forward to. His old girlfriend told him that there were rumblings of discontent in his rule of the village. Although they were well cared for, they were also annoyed by his dominance in their lives and some deaths that results from that dominance. He says that he is who he is and he thinks that a strategic mind and hard work are the only thing that matters and it can excuse his evil deeds. Like all powerful men who lust after power and influence, Juan does not believe in God because why did he make people suffer if He truly was a benevolent being? He justifies his persecution of others as in the service of "the nation".

Juan notes on what he has done in destroying the Leaders enemies. What started out as an accidental killing becomes a way of life. He now commonly orders executions of other people without thinking and without conscience. Although he justifies summary execution as a way to uniting the clans, he ironically is super clan oriented. So just like other rulers whom justify killing other clans in the name of unity, Juan makes himself feel good in order to destroy others lives and in the guise of uniting the Filipino people.

Having everything and facing his own mortality, Juan losses his interest in life and the meaning that it once had for him. I like how in the end his inner evil turns externally marring his beautiful life. The ghost of people he murdered bared witness to is metamorphosis. I like how in the end, Juan, commits suicide in order to prevent the complete metamorphosis to embodiment of Satan to which he was changing into. I also like how Isabel finds Juan changed into a devil and the house reeked of a dead animal and she decided to burn the house down.

[Maine · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: 3.5

It literally exposed me to the world of politics and riches, well I'm not saying that this was all their world after all, but it has an effect towards the readers that will show us what could possibly happen in the path of wickedness. I definitely liked the moral lesson we can get from the story. I just wonder what if someone gave juan bacnang words of wisdom that will make him regret the worse things he had done from the past and will give him a chance to change and be a better person? But sadly no one helped.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I get a better understanding on the reasons why the conditions in the Philippines are so bad. This is a must read.

[midnightmia · Rating 4 out of 5]

F. Sionil Jose is very good at describing the Philippine dirt in another setting.

[That Filipiniana Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hunger could easily change into greed, which would then be difficult to appease, for by this time it would have become compulsion and consuming ambition."

This is a tale about a man born into poverty and later catapulted into generational wealth. His name is Juan Bacnang dela Cruz IV, known to those close to him as Manong Jonny. He is rich, brilliant, charming, well-mannered, family-oriented, and handsome. Yet he is also worldly, selfish, clannish, cunning, ambitious—and, if need be, evil. His feet are unique.

Though born poor, he feels no concern for ordinary Filipinos or the nation. He is interested only in power, wealth, and his own dick. Some reviewers suspect that he was inspired by real-life figures from the political elite of his era, supported by the presence of “The Leader,” a character whose identity is deliberately ambiguous but obvious.

Through this book, you’ll get a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Filipino political elite—like the infamous nepo babies we know today. Their lavish parties. Their grand mansions and multiple properties. Their luxury vehicles. Their travels abroad. The many sources of their immense wealth. The whorehouse (perhaps similar to one depicted in F. Sionil José’s Ermita) they frequent. Their social circles. Their inner thoughts and ambitions. The tragedies they endure—or deserve.

If this is indeed about the recently deceased senior politician, he is portrayed in a very negative light, hinting at involvement in serious wrongdoing and vast accumulation of wealth from questionable sources. If hell is real, may he be forever damned in its seven circles. There is no mourning for the wicked.

The ending took a strange turn. There were hints, but it still caught me off guard because of how abrupt it was. José should have expanded on it a bit more—maybe added a few chapters before diving into that twist. He could have woven in more northern folklore as foreshadowing, since he clearly knew those old tales well. I also wish he had explored more of Bacnang’s misdeeds, especially during the Martial Law years; there’s plenty to say there. The focus on their domestic life felt a little dull in comparison.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a wild ride. I just hope that somewhere in F. Sionil Jose's vaults there exists a writer’s cut—one unconcerned with potential libel—that shows the full extent of the evil Juan Bacnang committed before he turned. If those things were included, I imagine we could have 10% more. Damn, it’s frustrating, as I see so many more stories from those facets alone. Because in this novel, it felt too short. Too short.

If you’re familiar with José’s prose in Po-on, you’ll find that this work shows noticeable improvement. There’s a better sense of flow to his words—almost lyrical, even poetic. I can also detect a hint of sarcasm (or dark humor?), as if José himself is mocking the flaws and hypocrisies of his characters.

Its prose might surpass Po-on, but it lacks the action of the first book in the Rosales Saga. Most of the time, you’re given a picture of the domestic life of the elite—and apart from their money and power, these people are quite ordinary.

How F. Sionil José details these things feels relevant even now, as the time period isn’t so different from ours. So if that worries you, it shouldn’t be. It’s not as if the people in this book travel by carabao or horseback, as in Po-on.

So if you’re deciding between Po-on and The Feet of Juan Bacnang, I’d say Po-on is the better one. Nonetheless, The Feet of Juan Bacnang is still entertaining and worth the read—especially now, when people like its characters continue to dominate our society.

Read it, and open your eyes.

Moving forward, it seems like I’m more interested in the supernatural aspect of this novel. Because of that, I’m leaning toward folklore for my next read. I’ve got my eyes on Allan Derain’s May Tiktik sa Bubong, May Sigbin sa Silong: Antolohiya from Ateneo University Press, and the gargantuan Philippine Folklore Series by Damiana L. Eugenio from the University of the Philippines Press.

[Lyanndra Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Love is what unites us from the solitude of the cave, love ushers us into the sunlight of knowing and nation."

I read this as part of my requirements for my Philippine Literature class in Graduate School, and I wasn't really expecting to like it that much, mostly because "required reading" is oft times hard to get into. I read a few spoiler-free reviews of this book before reading, and seeing that quite a lot of people liked it I had higher hopes. And now that I've finally read it, I'm so glad that I did!

The Feet of Juan Bacnang is actually the first real Filipino novel I've ever read. A part of me feels ashamed that I had not previously read any other novels written by Filipino authors, but now I am thankful that this is my very first. The socio-political genre is obviously not my usual type of reading, but this book is a very engaging read. I wasn't sure how things would go at the very beginning of the book, but then there was this part that literally made me gasp, and from that part on I kept reading and reading.

The main character of this book is Juan Bacnang, the bastard son of a powerful man and a poor, Ilokano woman. The book is a close look at his life, from being a poor farm boy, to one of the most anonymous yet powerful men in a country ravaged with crime and poverty, a country where the rich get everything they want and the poor hardly ever get anything they need. Through the events of Juan's privileged yet darkly mysterious life, this book presents the dirty side of politics in very harsh light, and criticizes the unjust way those in high places wield their power and influence. It is but a glimpse of the terrible conditions in the Philippines, conditions that are usually ignored by the Filipino people.

Although Juan's character was repeatedly described as a very generous and charming person, I found it very hard to like him, although I guess it was sort of the point that he would seem undesirable to the reader. It seemed to me like he had an animalistic nature, what with all the horrible things he was able to commit. Sure, he protected those closest to him and never wholly forgot where he came from, but as they say, the end does not justify the means. I also totally hated the way he treated women, and it's sad knowing that his views about women aren't that far off from what other men really think. Even though I understood that Juan had a pretty difficult childhood, and though I know that most of what he grew up to be was due to the influence of his father who was a vile being, I still couldn't help thinking that he was a monster. He committed so many atrocities, the worst of which were subtly hinted at until the very end of the book. It's frightening to think that Juan Bacnang has parallels that exist in real life, and one can only imagine the horrid things that go on behind all the perfectly articulated speeches and falsely nationalistic political campaigns.

The wide gap between the rich and the poor, and the dirt behind the wealth of people in power are the glaringly obvious themes of The Feet of Juan Bacnang. We get to see the extremes of Juan life, as a provinciano, living in a decrepit house and struggling just to put food in his and his family's mouths, and then as a powerful man living a life of luxury. The book is filled with descriptions of the places Juan travels to, the food he eats, the places he owns, the servants who do his bidding, and the women he sleeps with. All this is like a curtain, hiding up heaps and heaps of foul garbage, for despite all his riches, Juan could never entirely cover up the terrible things he did to maintain his opulent life. This book also presents the ways in which dirty politicians rise to the very top and maintain their wealth and power. It's very overwhelming, reading about the efforts of the powerful to built a network of contacts and supporters, the ways they manipulate people in order to achieve their goals and the lengths they go through to amass more wealth and stay in power. It is also terrifying, because as I kept reading, I realized that the line between fiction and fact in this book is extremely thin, so much so that it's easy to imagine references to real-life people and realistic events that happen in the country every single day.

The role of women is also something worth talking about in this book. In The Feet of Juan Bacnang, the women are treated as playthings, as sex objects, as property or as a means to an end. The women here, in my opinion, can be categorized into three: those women who are so submissive to the point that they become abused, those who are so desperate to have a good life that they end up selling their souls to the devil, and those who simply don't care and turn a blind eye to all the evil so long as they have what they want. I felt so sad seeing how many women in this book felt that they had to live an immoral life in order to sustain themselves and their families. I'd like to think that the characters like Anita and Jessica had other options, but with their lack of adequate education and the dependence of other family members, it's also hard to think of an alternative to the life they chose. I always hate when women who turn to prostitution say that "They didn't have a choice", because I like to believe that "We always have a choice" but I guess sometimes reality presents us with multiple options that are all bad, and people make do with what they've got. Agnes was also a character that I found hard to tolerate. Her character was just so wrong, and I find it hard to understand how such a woman could exist.

One thing that I loved about this book is the writing. F. Sionil Jose is a fantastic writer, and a lot of the lines in the book are so poignant and beautiful. There are a lot of quotes worth noting, and his writing is almost like poetry. There were also a lot of shocking twists in the book, and the way they were presented made things all the more surprising. As I said, I wasn't expecting to like this book much, but the way the book was written, the manner in which the events played out and the serious yet significant issues discussed in the book really got me hooked from start to finish. The Feet of Juan Bacnang is actually a very tragic book, comparable to the heart-wrenching tragedies of Shakespeare himself. I was already sighing in relief at the end of the book, thinking there was at least some sliver of hope, but no, a tragedy it was, true to the end.

A must read for readers, Filipino or otherwise. I can't wait to get my hands on F. Sionil Jose's other books.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Benjamin Singkol to Salvador dela Raza, FSJ's lastest work comes into full circle when it comes to his characters. Juan Bacnang, a farmer's boy whose life escalated after leaving the province shows how one can leash the fiery, power-hungry best in them.

Unlike most of his works, which the protagonists are in a neutral or opposing position towards his fictional version of Marcos, Juan here is portrayed as one alongside him. From how his humble self was first handled to the cunning aide he destined himself to be.

Also portrayed in the novel is the use of karma, on how Juan's past sins torments him to the monster he always rejected ,making him pay for it with his own life.

In the particular novel, FSJ doesn't hold back on heavily pressing the character's dilemma to his readers, making them question the state of society and its sense of history. I've yet to read his 'Sherds', 'Vibora!', and 'Sin'.

[Kate Esperanza · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Unlike Father, Unlike Son” seems to be a common trope in FSJ stories and this novel is no exception, specifically through Juan and his son Anos.

It’s interesting how Nandy (fictionalized Ferdinand Marcos Sr.) is still “The Leader” by the 2000s or by 1986 onwards. [Well, Juan was born in January 1945 and was still addressing the Leader in his late-60s which should be 2010s]. Perhaps this is to imply that the Philippines continue to have Marcos Sr-like leaders even after three EDSA revolutions, which is especially true in our poor provinces.

I wish Liwliwa (whom I nicknamed “Lily”) and Jimmy were given enough love storyline like Anos and Jessica.

Spoiler alert:
Most of the major characters died in the end.

[Istotoy Deleon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need it in my project. Yayyyy!!! Thanks.

[Cathrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

[L.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

story of juan ponce enrile

[Ver Mon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know if i liked the ending

[Leilani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reads like an autofiction of Juan Ponce Enrile, albeit with a better looking face and a humbler though sly personality.

[Cece Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from the most obvious inspiration behind the main character, Juan Ponce Enrile, I also recall Erap Estrada, Chavit Singson (although, physically better-looking - no pun intended), and in the case of Juan and his late daughter Liwliwa, I find resemblance with Jose de Venecia Jr. Need I say all the hard-to-memorize list of political hoodlums and warlords throughout Philippine history.

I pity Jessica so much; her family let her sacrifice her youth for her older brother's benefit, forcing her to leave her first love. When she finally meets Anos, who loves and respects her, she is tragically made to pay the price of being loved by the son of an evil robber baron. Anita ("Aning"), on the other hand, is unreasonably submissive. Despite having the education and edification to walk away earlier, she chooses to linger on with someone as worthless as Juan. An underrated character is Gretchen ("Bibi"), the twin's mother. In comparison to other female characters, Bibi is truly powerful and beautiful. Juan seems to be awestruck with Bibi because of that unlike Isabel. She is a selfless mother, a doting sister, a student activist, a loving girlfriend, and a loyal wife (though this is charity). Well, there's nothing inherently wrong with enjoying food, clothes, and shoes. No pun intended. I wonder how are the Gamboas of this novel related to the Gamboas of "Gagamba: The Spider Man" and "Ermita." Both are from Negros landed gentry.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

We were required to read this book in my lit class at uni, and I have to say that out of all the required reading I have ever done, this book was one of my favorites. That's saying a lot especially since I hate being forced to read books I know nothing about, but I'm glad I read this one.

I'm not very good with words or descriptions, but I felt that the story shed some light on what goes on behind-the-scenes in our country (if that made any sense, lol). It's an interesting story (I read it in one sitting), and is much different from the other Filipino books that I was forced to read in high school.

I've forgotten what else I was supposed to say. Oops.

Tl;dr - Great book, it not usually the type of book I read, but I would definitely recommend it to others! :)

[carladesu · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some time now I have read several novels/books having similar story lines like this but never did I find myself so moved by the impact of the author's words — the hidden messages in his novel.

[Joan Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

didnt work. the book cannot be opened .....

[Juan Pablo]

asdasd