Ang Beterano

by Lazaro Francisco

23 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Prize-winning writer Lazaro A. Francisco developed the social realist tradition in Philippine fiction. His eleven novels, now acknowledged classics of Philippine literature, embodies the author’s commitment to nationalism. Amadis Ma. Guerrero wrote, “Francisco championed the cause of the common man, specifically the oppressed peasants. His novels exposed the evils of the tenancy system, the exploitation of farmers by unscrupulous landlords, and foreign domination.” Teodoro Valencia also observed, “His pen dignifies the Filipino and accents all the positives about the Filipino way of life. His writings have contributed much to the formation of a Filipino nationalism.” Literary historian and critic Bienvenido Lumbera also wrote, “When the history of the Filipino novel is written, Francisco is likely to occupy an eminent place in it. Already in Tagalog literature, he ranks among the finest novelists since the beginning of the 20th century. In addition to a deft hand at characterization, Francisco has a supple prose style responsive to the subtlest nuances of ideas and the sternest stuff of passions.”

Francisco gained prominence as a writer not only for his social conscience but also for his “masterful handling of the Tagalog language” and “supple prose style”. With his literary output in Tagalog, he contributed to the enrichment of the Filipino language and literature for which he is a staunch advocate. He put up an arm to his advocacy of Tagalog as a national language by establishing the Kapatiran ng mga Alagad ng Wikang Pilipino (KAWIKA) in 1958.

His reputation as the “Master of the Tagalog Novel” is backed up by numerous awards he received for his meritorious novels in particular, and for his contribution to Philippine literature and culture in general. His masterpiece novels—Ama, Bayang Nagpatiwakal, Maganda Pa Ang Daigdig and Daluyong—affirm his eminent place in Philippine literature. In 1997, he was honored by the University of the Philippines with a special convocation, where he was cited as the “foremost Filipino novelist of his generation” and “champion of the Filipino writer’s struggle for national identity.”

Reviews

[Paransis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ito ay produkto ng kaniyang panahon.

Kung teksto lang ang paguusapan, napakakulay ng bokabularyong ginamit ni Lazaro Francisco, at maganda siya pakinggan habang binabasa ito ng iyong utak.

Isa siyang "back-to-you" na kuwento na kung gagamitan ito ng napapanahon or modernong wika, siguro ito'y corny na o 'di kaya'y gasgas na.

Pero, dahil ang pinangyarihan ng kuwento ay panahon pa ng mga Amerikano sa Filipinas at sa marilag na paggamit ng mga salita, hindi pangit ang epekto nito sa akin.

Reciliency ang nakuha kong aral mula sa kuwentong ito, na talaga namang kinailangan natin noong panahong bumabangon pa lamang tayo sa mga mananakop.

Ngunit, sana dumating ang panahon na "obsolete" na ang aral na ito.

Obsolete dahil sa pagdating ng araw na maaari na nating matamo ang kaginhawaan nang hindi umaasa sa iba.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for Buwan ng Wika but I can't even write this review in Tagalog, hahaha. I googled a word from every page.
It has all of the hallmarks of a strong short story, the ability to pack a wallop to the heart and the mind, rendering it unforgettable.

[Billy Ibarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nailathala sa Alitaptap noong 1931. Sinasalamin ng kuwento ang pananakop ng mga Amerikano sa Pilipinas na lagi't lagi tayong nadadamay sa digmaang hindi naman tayo ang nagsimula.