Pangayaw and Decolonizing Resistance: Anarchism in the Philippines

by Bas Umali, Gabriel Kuhn (Editor)

 The legacy of anarchist ideas in the Philippines was first brought to the attention of a global audience by Benedict Anderson's book Under Three Flags: Anarchism and the Anti-Colonial Imagination. Activist-author Bas Umali proves with stunning evidence that anarchist ideas are still alive in a country that he would like to see replaced by an "archepelagic confederation." Pangayaw and Decolonizing Resistance: Anarchism in the Philippines is the first-ever book specifically about anarchism in the Philippines. Pangayaw refers to indigenous ways of maritime warfare. Bas Umali expertly ties traditional forms of communal life in the archipelago that makes up the Philippine state together with modern-day expressions of antiauthoritarian politics. Umali's essays are deliciously provocative, not just for apologists of the current system, but also for radicals in the Global North who often enough forget that their political models do not necessarily fit the realities of post-colonial countries. In weaving together independent research and experiences from grassroots organizing, Umali sketches a way for resistance in the Global South that does not rely on Marxist determinism and Maoist people's armies but the self-empowerment of the masses. His book addresses the crucial questions of liberation: who are the agents and what are the means? More than just a sterile case study, Pangayaw and Decolonizing Resistance is the start of a new paradigm and a must-read for those interested in decolonization, anarchism, and social movements of the global south.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

128 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2020

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, short, easy to comprehend book. Not only is the history of the colonizing of the Philippines extensively explained in this short book, but also the history of resistance. I would have liked to have read a bit more about the present day and anarchism's role in the resistance to Duarte, but you can't always get what you want. Also, I'll read any writing that Gabriel Kuhn has anything to do with.

[Max Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and short book. I found it highly readable although at some points his writing style was frustrating, for instance at one point he mentions a critique (by an anarchist) of a dominant framework then not explaining that critique but continuing to discuss the dominant framework as if it was true and applicable to the Philippines.

[Bablu]

i found a lot of the stuff in this unconvincing, but i would happily pressure wash this guy's remains off the asphalt if you know what i mean

[Richmond Uy · Rating 4 out of 5]

personally, maybe it's im in a particular point in my journey in activism, but i rlly did enjoy this book! i rlly appreciate it's emphasis on looking towards pre-colonial teachings and perspectives on how to go about activism. i literally also just came from a conference held by lily mendoza on very similar topics. plus this book points out a lot of flaws within tankie circles that i repeatedly see why the movement gets so held back and why so many ruined relationships and stagnancy transpire, especially in ND movements.

yes there's quite a bit of flaws in how this book doesn't rlly go that in depth into these concepts, and i also actually wish that the book also explored the complexities of indigenous practices, including critiques of aspects of that society (similar to what scholar siko diwa would do). and yes as many have pointed out, it is pretty hypocritical that he highlights frameworks that are western, despite him being so critical of western structures.

but i also acknowledge that this book is very much a novella introduction to all of these ideas

[Reymbold · Rating 3 out of 5]

The anthology of articles written by Bas Umali in "Pangayaw and Decolonizing Resistance" provides a nice introduction into the history of the Philippines and the famous figures that influenced the political situation in the country. Whereas Umali provides an interesting reading of Filipino history, the framework and theories he uses remain mostly Western centered (except for his community-building focus on the Filipino societal phenomenon of the Barangay). The actual state of anarchist projects in the Philippines is touched upon rather briefly, but this does not undermine the very strong activist message in the book.

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I was excited to read the text, I found it fell into some disappointing pitfalls. I have read and enjoy many anarchist writers and thinkers, but it says something when a book on contemporary struggle doesn't mention the Duterte regime a single time and only mentions the fascist Marcos regime once, solely to give context for criticism levied at Communist movements.

Having read several of the texts it claims to be critiquing, primarily those of Joma Sison, it doesn't feel like an actual critique- but mainly a series of essays to divert Western readers from ever engaging with Communist thought from the archipelago. We can see this best in the 6-page essay "Dialectical Historical Materialism: An Effective Tool for Authoritarian Politics, Dominance and Control in the Archipelago" is essentially the meme making fun of anarchists that goes "Books, that's a State".

Lastly, while proclaiming to be a text that rejects how Western scholars and thinkers portray and talk about the archipelago, the authors Umali cites time and time again (positively, ratther than specifically rejecting) are all Western.

[Toby Mustill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent small book providing a context to anarchism in the Philippines. It is clear that indigenous communities have held anarchistic tendencies for a millennia and they were able to develop and maintain much more sustainable and communal ways of living long before western colonialism. We (as a white settler on indigenous land) have a lot to learn from these ways of living. Well worth a read!

[Pranav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. An absolutely necessary read for those looking to dismantle colonialism and hierarchies, and for those striving for anarchism.

[Miles Xavier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting perspectives. I will never see the word “archipelago” the same

[Derek Minno-Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Thousand of years before Europeans "coined" the word anarchism. It was already being practiced by myriad indigenous community's in many places around the world."Bas Umali

This book beautifully illustrates that human animal's natural way of being doesn't have to be about hoarding power over each other with systems of oppression. The book continues the many visions of what decolonization would look like for Indigenous and non-indigenous folks around the world.

This is a must read book for those interested in collective liberation and a living planet!

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides an excellent overview of the history of decolonial resistance in the Philippine archipelago. It counters the idea of a unified Philippine national identity with an archipelagic mode of identity, that encompasses but doesn't override or supersede the many pluralities within.

My only criticism is that some of the critiques of authoritarian communism, especially of dialectical historical materialism, were somewhat weak or overly simplistic