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The Preying Birds
Mando Plaridel is the lead character in this novel of social consciousness. His character combines the qualities found in Simoun and Ibarra, the two lead characters in national hero Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo . Ibarra is the passive character in Rizal’s novels, while Simoun is the active propagandist who wakes up the people from their centuries-old sleep under Spanish colonialism. Mando starts out as Andoy, a houseboy in the house of the powerful Montero family. He works hard and gets himself a good education. After the war, society begins to know him as the brave editor of the Kampilan newspaper. He later becomes involved in the problems of the farmers with the abusive Monteros. Told from an omniscient point of view, Hernandez is able to enter the consciousness of the wealthy characters. He shows how the ruling classes—the politicians, landowners, judges, deputies and the bishops—only protect their own interests, that is why they do not want to change the status quo. Dr Sabio is the progressive president of a university founded by Mando, who used the treasure thrown into the sea at the end of Rizal’s novel to help improve society. The money is used to fund Freedom University and set up the brave newspaper Kampilan. The novel points to the cooperative system of land ownership as the way out for the landless poor. The novel implies that change can only begin when the eyes of society have finally been opened.
468 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1969
About the author
Amado V. Hernandez
9 books116 followersAmado Vera Hernandez was born in Hagonoy, Bulacan but grew up Tondo, Manila, where he studied at the Manila High School and at the American Correspondence School. While being a reporter, columnist and editor of several newspaper and magazines including Watawat, Mabuhay, Pilipino, Makabayan and Sampaguita, he also honed his poetic craft. He received the Republic Cultural Heritage Award, a number of Palancas and an award from the National Press Club for his journalistic achievements.
After World War II, he became a member of the Philippine Newspaper Guild and his writings increasingly dealt with the plight of the peasants and laborers. Influenced by the philosophy of Hobbes and Locke, he advocated revolution as a means of change. In 1947, he became the president of the Congress of Labor Organization (CLO). His activities and writings led him to imprisonment from 1951 to 1956. Even in prison, he was still a leader and artist, spearheading education programs and mounting musical productions, plays and poetry reading. It was during his incarceration that he wrote one his masterpiece, Mga Ibong Mandaragit (Predatory Birds). His prison writings were smuggled out by his wife, zarzuela star Honarata “Atang” dela Rama, who would become our National Artist for Music and Theater.
Ka Amado died on 24 March 1970 in the wake of the First Quarter Storm, whose leaders and activists recited his words. He left a legacy that includes Isang Dipang Langit (An Arm-Stretch of Sky), Kung Tuyo na ang Luha Mo, Aking Bayan (When Your Tears Have Dried, My Country), Panata sa Kalayaan (Pledge to Freedom), and the novel Luha ng Buwaya (Crocodile Tears).
He was posthumously honored as our National Artist for Literature in 1973. Together with poet Jose Garcia Villa, Amado V. Hernandez was the first to receive the title in literature.
Ka Amado gave voices to the oppressed peasants and laborers, rendering them powerful verses and plots that should have gone down as a compelling chronicle of a struggle of a people, but still prove to be an influential instrument in constituting reform and empowerment. A literary artist that he is, Ka Amado remains to be a social and political leader, fast becoming to be an icon of the working-class.
After World War II, he became a member of the Philippine Newspaper Guild and his writings increasingly dealt with the plight of the peasants and laborers. Influenced by the philosophy of Hobbes and Locke, he advocated revolution as a means of change. In 1947, he became the president of the Congress of Labor Organization (CLO). His activities and writings led him to imprisonment from 1951 to 1956. Even in prison, he was still a leader and artist, spearheading education programs and mounting musical productions, plays and poetry reading. It was during his incarceration that he wrote one his masterpiece, Mga Ibong Mandaragit (Predatory Birds). His prison writings were smuggled out by his wife, zarzuela star Honarata “Atang” dela Rama, who would become our National Artist for Music and Theater.
Ka Amado died on 24 March 1970 in the wake of the First Quarter Storm, whose leaders and activists recited his words. He left a legacy that includes Isang Dipang Langit (An Arm-Stretch of Sky), Kung Tuyo na ang Luha Mo, Aking Bayan (When Your Tears Have Dried, My Country), Panata sa Kalayaan (Pledge to Freedom), and the novel Luha ng Buwaya (Crocodile Tears).
He was posthumously honored as our National Artist for Literature in 1973. Together with poet Jose Garcia Villa, Amado V. Hernandez was the first to receive the title in literature.
Ka Amado gave voices to the oppressed peasants and laborers, rendering them powerful verses and plots that should have gone down as a compelling chronicle of a struggle of a people, but still prove to be an influential instrument in constituting reform and empowerment. A literary artist that he is, Ka Amado remains to be a social and political leader, fast becoming to be an icon of the working-class.
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December 4, 2010
”Mga Ibong Mandaragit is the first Filipino novel that has succeeded in giving us the true, disturbing image of ourselves and our experience.” - E. San Juan, Jr. Ph.D., Harvard University
Amado V. Hernandez (1903-1970) started writing in Filipino for the newspaper Watawat (Flag) then moved to Pagkakaisa (Unity) until he became the editor of Mabuhay (Long Live). At the age of 19, he became a member of the literary society called Aklatang Bayan which includes other Filipino writers like Lope K. Santos and Jose Corazon de Jesus. At 20, he married the Filipino actress Atang de la Rama. Both of them were later declared as National Artists of the Philippines, Hernandez for Literature (1973) and De La Rama for Theater, Dance and Music (1987). Hernandez incorporated in his works the experiences he had as a guerilla intelligence officer when the Philippines was under the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945. As a guerilla, he came in contact with guerillas of the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap) which was founded by Luis Taruc. After the war, he was appointed by President Sergio Osmena as one of the councilors of Manila. Then he became the organizer of the big labor federation Congress of Labor Organization (CLO). Using the principle of Marx, he advocated the use of revolution as a means of achieving change. After leading huge labor strikes across Manila, he was suspected of being a communist so he was sentenced to imprisonment at the New Bilibid Prison on May 30, 1964. It took time for the authorities to charge him with rebellion with murder, arson and robbery – a complex crime unheard of in Philippine legal history. The case caught the attention of civil rights activists like Senator Claro M. Recto, former President Jose P. Laurel and Claudio Teehankee who worked on his appeal. He stayed in the prison for 5 years and during this time, he wrote his many works, including a portion of this book, Mga Ibong Mandaragit. After those 5 years, the Supreme Court allowed him to post a bail on June 20, 1956 and later acquitted him in a decision that would be a landmark in Philippine jurisprudence. The case People of the Philippines vs. Amado V. Hernandez is now a standard case study in Philippine law schools. When he died on March 24, 1970, he was a full-time professor at the University of the Philippines.
Knowing his life is needed to appreciate this classic Filipino book. It is definitely a challenging read because it uses the old Filipino syntax peculiar to the 60’s particularly in Manila. I used to hear my old uncles and cousins in Tondo using this syntax. Examples of these peculiarities are the words s'enyo contracted from two separate words sa inyo and mi instead of may. Reading the dialogues is like hearing the conversation of old black and white Sampaguita Pictures that I used to watch with my grandmother every afternoon in the 70’s or even early 80’s. Remember Piling-Piling Pelikula?
The story revolves around the life of Mando “Andoy” Plaridel (Alejandro Pamintuan) who used to be the houseboy of a rich family headed by Don Segundo Montero. One afternoon, Andoy is slapped by a Japanese officer because he fails to salute while passing in front of the officer. Later, the same officer accuses him of being part of the resistance movement. Instead of defending Andoy, the rich Montero sides with the Japanese and allows Kempetai (Japanese police) to arrest him. Andoy flees and goes to the mountain, joins the guerilla and changes his name to Mando. While in the mountain, Mando meets Tata Matyas who maintains a hut in the middle of the forest in Sierra Madre. The old man believes that the treasure chest of Simoun, a main protagonist in Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo is true. In the said novel, that treasure chest is thrown to the sea by Padre Florentino. In fact, Tata Matyas gives a treasure map to Mando so the latter goes to Atimonan and meets Karyo and Martin who help him retrieve the treasure chest from the bottom of the ocean. The rest of the story is about how Mando uses the proceeds of the gems from the treasure chest to change the society from its impoverished state brought about by social cancer (same issue brought up by Rizal in his earlier novel, Noli Me Tangere) exacerbated by the poverty due to the recent war. Foremost among Mando’s actions are the establishment of Freedom University and the running of his radical newspaper Kampilan which is similar to what the author did in real life, i.e., writing radical literature and supporting communist-branded organizations.
Nakakalungkot lang dahil sa dinami-dami na Pilipinong nagbasa ng Harry Potter or The Hunger Games series, mayroon lamang mangilan-ngilan na nagbasa ng makabuluhang librong ito sa Goodreads. Kagaya ng Noli Me Tangere, ang kuwento ng aklat na ito ay naglalarawan ng panahon ng kasaysayan kung saan ang namamayani ay ang mga iilan: ang mayayaman at ang mga nakaupo sa puwesto. Sila ang tinatawag ni Hernandez dito na mga ibong mandaragit. Hindi ko na kailangan sabihin na ito pa rin ang kalagayan ng ating kasalukuyang panahon. Kaya ito’y marapat pa ring pag-isipang basahin dahil maaring kapulutan ng mga aral o makapag-bigay inspirasyon sa kasalukuyang henerasyon.
Sipi mula sa aklat: “Napakaraming magaling na bagay ang dapat uliranin ng Pilipinas sa Amerika. Sa kasamaang palad, tulad ng ipinangamba ni Rizal, and unang pinulot ay ang masasamang halimbawa, ang mga bisyo at kahinaan. Tinangka ng karamihang Pilipino na magbuhay-Amerikano sa wika, sa damit, sa kilos at ugali, gayong ito’y hindi maaari kalian pa man. Pilit na ipinatatakwil sa kabataan ang huwad ng gaslaw at ikot ng sa banyaga, walang nais panoorin kundi mga laro, pelikula at ibang libangang dayuhan, walang nais basahin kundi mga babasahing sinulat ng dayo at limbag sa labas ng Pilipinas. Saan patutungo ang kabataang may ganitong kamulatan?”
Maniniwala ka bang sa dinami-dami ng kasapi ng Filipinos group sa Goodreads (1,400 as of this writing) ay 48 lang ang nagdagdag ng librong ito at sampu lang ang nagbigay ng rating (o maaaring nakapagbasa)?
SAMANTHA: (5 stars) This is the book that made me fall in love with Tagalog. Until I read this book, I didn't realize how beautiful, passionate and poetic Tagalog could be.
Reaksyon ko: “Tama. Pareho kami nito.”
QUENNIE: (4 stars) Cool si Mando! So far, it's been great! Reminds me of Fili so much.
Reaksyon ko: “Agree na cool si Mando. Bakit may so far, tapos may 4 stars na? Ah, baka dina-digest pa niya matapos nyang basahin at susulatin pa nya ang mas mahabang rebyu. Continuation ba ito ng Fili? Parang hindi. Ginamit lang ni Hernandez ang mala-alamat na kasaysayan ng kaban ng kayamanan na binanggit ni Rizal sa Fili. Tapos ang takbo ng istorya ay kahalintulad din ng kuwento ni Crisostomo Ibarra sa Noli kung saan si Ibarra ay nagmula sa biyahe niya sa Europa sa pagsisimula ng nobelang iyon ni Rizal. Si Mando ay nagbiyahe rin sa Amerika at Europa matapos magbenta ng mga alahas mula sa kaban at sa kalagitnaan ng kuwento ay bumalik sa Pilipinas eksakto sa piging sa magarang tahanan ng mga Montero na nagpaala-ala sa akin ng unang kabanata ni Noli sa piging sa bahay ni Kapitan Tiago.”
NINA: (4 stars) Dolly and Whitey and incest. That's all I'm saying. :))
Reaksyon ko: “Susmaryosep, ano bang pinagsasasabi ng batang ito? Si Dolly at si Whitely ay walang relasyong-dugo o blood relation. Si Dolly ay anak na dalaga ni Don Montero at si Whitely ay isang opisyal na Amerikano. Anong incest doon? Maka-inggles lang ha ha”
DANIELLE: (3 stars) If only they printed it with darker ink, I wouldn't be spending too much time deciphering the words that can hardly be seen. Love the story, especially Mando. :) (The question is: who doesn't?)
Reaksyon ko: “May point itong si Danielle. Uneven ang printing at may mga pages na halos di mo na mabasa ang mga letra. May mga pages na baliktad pero at least, kumpleto ang pages. Katakot-takot ang typographical errors. Kailangan nitong i-rewrite. Maganda pa naman ang istorya. “
NIKKI: (2 stars) ”pagkat ang mga biyaya ng lupa ay ukol sa lahat..." end of chapter 3= bentaaaa. =p
Reaksyon ko: “Nabasa nya kaya talaga ang libro ng cover-to-cover o hanggang end of Chapter 3 lang? Ito yong problema ko sa mga nagbibigay ng mababang ratings sa Goodreads na ilang pages lang ang babasahin at pag di nagustuhan, sasabihing “read” na, magbibigay ng mababang rating at minsan mamimintas pa. Kawawa naman ang author. In fairness, at least si Nikki, walang pintas.”
EUNICE: (added it) Just read the Gabay of Mga Ibong Mandaragit, Highly Recommended sa mga tamad magbasa haha.
Reaksyon ko: “Nakakalungkot na payo. Napakaganda ng prosa ni Hernandez. Magiging National Artist ba siya kung hindi? Tapos babasahin lang ang gabay sa halip na yong libro mismo? Hindi nakakatawa. Maaring sa umpisa, mabagal basahin lalo na kung hindi ka gaanong nagbabasa ng nobelang Tagalog. Nguni’t kapag nakasanayan mo na, matutuwa ka sa pagbabasa nito.”
ALEJANDRO: (marked it as to-read) ang ganda
Reaksyon ko: “Paano niya kaya nasabing maganda kung hindi pa niya nababasa? Baka may nakapag-kuwento lang???”
JOWEL : (currently reading it since Sept 8, 2007) Yea Mando. Go Mando. Go mando. haha.
Reaksyon ko: “Ano raw?”
TRI: (currently reading it since Aug 13, 2009) So far so good:P
Reaksyon ko: “Kailang kaya sya matatapos?”
Ikaw, oo ikaw kinakausap kita, may pakiusap ako sa 'yo: sa susunod na makita mo itong librong ito sa National Book Store, bilhin mo at sana basahin mo kaagad. Isa ito sa mga aklat na dapat mong basahin bilang Pilipino para maunawaan mong lubos ang nangyari noong panahong bumabangon ang Pilipinas mula sa Pangalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Makikita mo, na ang mga problema noon ay problema pa rin ngayon. At ikaw bilang kabataan ay maaaring makagawa pa ng maraming bagay upang maiba ang takbo ng ating bansa at maiba ang takbo ng buhay iyong mga magiging anak at mga apo sa darating pang panahon.
Thank you to Will for recommending this book to me. Will is a lot younger than me. He could have been my son. Shame on me for reading this book at my age.
This book was originally written in Filipino but has been translated into English and Russian. So, I decided to write the general review in English with some Taglish (mixed of Tagalog and English which is the hybrid language that most of us in Manila use nowadays), in the second half just to drive home some points that I'd like to communicate to my fellow Filipino citizens. Sorry for the lenght of this review. The book deserves to be promoted and to be read and discussed by all young Filipinos. They are here in Goodreads and they are using the internet so hopefully I'll be able to influence them via this review. Please bear with me.Mga Ibong Mandaragit (Birds of Prey) by Filipino writer and social activist, Amado V. Hernandez was first published in 1969. It tackles the time in the history of Philippines when the Japanese invaders were about to leave in 1944 up to the early years of the country trying to rise from the ashes of World War II.
Amado V. Hernandez (1903-1970) started writing in Filipino for the newspaper Watawat (Flag) then moved to Pagkakaisa (Unity) until he became the editor of Mabuhay (Long Live). At the age of 19, he became a member of the literary society called Aklatang Bayan which includes other Filipino writers like Lope K. Santos and Jose Corazon de Jesus. At 20, he married the Filipino actress Atang de la Rama. Both of them were later declared as National Artists of the Philippines, Hernandez for Literature (1973) and De La Rama for Theater, Dance and Music (1987). Hernandez incorporated in his works the experiences he had as a guerilla intelligence officer when the Philippines was under the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945. As a guerilla, he came in contact with guerillas of the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap) which was founded by Luis Taruc. After the war, he was appointed by President Sergio Osmena as one of the councilors of Manila. Then he became the organizer of the big labor federation Congress of Labor Organization (CLO). Using the principle of Marx, he advocated the use of revolution as a means of achieving change. After leading huge labor strikes across Manila, he was suspected of being a communist so he was sentenced to imprisonment at the New Bilibid Prison on May 30, 1964. It took time for the authorities to charge him with rebellion with murder, arson and robbery – a complex crime unheard of in Philippine legal history. The case caught the attention of civil rights activists like Senator Claro M. Recto, former President Jose P. Laurel and Claudio Teehankee who worked on his appeal. He stayed in the prison for 5 years and during this time, he wrote his many works, including a portion of this book, Mga Ibong Mandaragit. After those 5 years, the Supreme Court allowed him to post a bail on June 20, 1956 and later acquitted him in a decision that would be a landmark in Philippine jurisprudence. The case People of the Philippines vs. Amado V. Hernandez is now a standard case study in Philippine law schools. When he died on March 24, 1970, he was a full-time professor at the University of the Philippines.
Knowing his life is needed to appreciate this classic Filipino book. It is definitely a challenging read because it uses the old Filipino syntax peculiar to the 60’s particularly in Manila. I used to hear my old uncles and cousins in Tondo using this syntax. Examples of these peculiarities are the words s'enyo contracted from two separate words sa inyo and mi instead of may. Reading the dialogues is like hearing the conversation of old black and white Sampaguita Pictures that I used to watch with my grandmother every afternoon in the 70’s or even early 80’s. Remember Piling-Piling Pelikula?
The story revolves around the life of Mando “Andoy” Plaridel (Alejandro Pamintuan) who used to be the houseboy of a rich family headed by Don Segundo Montero. One afternoon, Andoy is slapped by a Japanese officer because he fails to salute while passing in front of the officer. Later, the same officer accuses him of being part of the resistance movement. Instead of defending Andoy, the rich Montero sides with the Japanese and allows Kempetai (Japanese police) to arrest him. Andoy flees and goes to the mountain, joins the guerilla and changes his name to Mando. While in the mountain, Mando meets Tata Matyas who maintains a hut in the middle of the forest in Sierra Madre. The old man believes that the treasure chest of Simoun, a main protagonist in Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo is true. In the said novel, that treasure chest is thrown to the sea by Padre Florentino. In fact, Tata Matyas gives a treasure map to Mando so the latter goes to Atimonan and meets Karyo and Martin who help him retrieve the treasure chest from the bottom of the ocean. The rest of the story is about how Mando uses the proceeds of the gems from the treasure chest to change the society from its impoverished state brought about by social cancer (same issue brought up by Rizal in his earlier novel, Noli Me Tangere) exacerbated by the poverty due to the recent war. Foremost among Mando’s actions are the establishment of Freedom University and the running of his radical newspaper Kampilan which is similar to what the author did in real life, i.e., writing radical literature and supporting communist-branded organizations.
Nakakalungkot lang dahil sa dinami-dami na Pilipinong nagbasa ng Harry Potter or The Hunger Games series, mayroon lamang mangilan-ngilan na nagbasa ng makabuluhang librong ito sa Goodreads. Kagaya ng Noli Me Tangere, ang kuwento ng aklat na ito ay naglalarawan ng panahon ng kasaysayan kung saan ang namamayani ay ang mga iilan: ang mayayaman at ang mga nakaupo sa puwesto. Sila ang tinatawag ni Hernandez dito na mga ibong mandaragit. Hindi ko na kailangan sabihin na ito pa rin ang kalagayan ng ating kasalukuyang panahon. Kaya ito’y marapat pa ring pag-isipang basahin dahil maaring kapulutan ng mga aral o makapag-bigay inspirasyon sa kasalukuyang henerasyon.
Sipi mula sa aklat: “Napakaraming magaling na bagay ang dapat uliranin ng Pilipinas sa Amerika. Sa kasamaang palad, tulad ng ipinangamba ni Rizal, and unang pinulot ay ang masasamang halimbawa, ang mga bisyo at kahinaan. Tinangka ng karamihang Pilipino na magbuhay-Amerikano sa wika, sa damit, sa kilos at ugali, gayong ito’y hindi maaari kalian pa man. Pilit na ipinatatakwil sa kabataan ang huwad ng gaslaw at ikot ng sa banyaga, walang nais panoorin kundi mga laro, pelikula at ibang libangang dayuhan, walang nais basahin kundi mga babasahing sinulat ng dayo at limbag sa labas ng Pilipinas. Saan patutungo ang kabataang may ganitong kamulatan?”
Maniniwala ka bang sa dinami-dami ng kasapi ng Filipinos group sa Goodreads (1,400 as of this writing) ay 48 lang ang nagdagdag ng librong ito at sampu lang ang nagbigay ng rating (o maaaring nakapagbasa)?
SAMANTHA: (5 stars) This is the book that made me fall in love with Tagalog. Until I read this book, I didn't realize how beautiful, passionate and poetic Tagalog could be.
Reaksyon ko: “Tama. Pareho kami nito.”
QUENNIE: (4 stars) Cool si Mando! So far, it's been great! Reminds me of Fili so much.
Reaksyon ko: “Agree na cool si Mando. Bakit may so far, tapos may 4 stars na? Ah, baka dina-digest pa niya matapos nyang basahin at susulatin pa nya ang mas mahabang rebyu. Continuation ba ito ng Fili? Parang hindi. Ginamit lang ni Hernandez ang mala-alamat na kasaysayan ng kaban ng kayamanan na binanggit ni Rizal sa Fili. Tapos ang takbo ng istorya ay kahalintulad din ng kuwento ni Crisostomo Ibarra sa Noli kung saan si Ibarra ay nagmula sa biyahe niya sa Europa sa pagsisimula ng nobelang iyon ni Rizal. Si Mando ay nagbiyahe rin sa Amerika at Europa matapos magbenta ng mga alahas mula sa kaban at sa kalagitnaan ng kuwento ay bumalik sa Pilipinas eksakto sa piging sa magarang tahanan ng mga Montero na nagpaala-ala sa akin ng unang kabanata ni Noli sa piging sa bahay ni Kapitan Tiago.”
NINA: (4 stars) Dolly and Whitey and incest. That's all I'm saying. :))
Reaksyon ko: “Susmaryosep, ano bang pinagsasasabi ng batang ito? Si Dolly at si Whitely ay walang relasyong-dugo o blood relation. Si Dolly ay anak na dalaga ni Don Montero at si Whitely ay isang opisyal na Amerikano. Anong incest doon? Maka-inggles lang ha ha”
DANIELLE: (3 stars) If only they printed it with darker ink, I wouldn't be spending too much time deciphering the words that can hardly be seen. Love the story, especially Mando. :) (The question is: who doesn't?)
Reaksyon ko: “May point itong si Danielle. Uneven ang printing at may mga pages na halos di mo na mabasa ang mga letra. May mga pages na baliktad pero at least, kumpleto ang pages. Katakot-takot ang typographical errors. Kailangan nitong i-rewrite. Maganda pa naman ang istorya. “
NIKKI: (2 stars) ”pagkat ang mga biyaya ng lupa ay ukol sa lahat..." end of chapter 3= bentaaaa. =p
Reaksyon ko: “Nabasa nya kaya talaga ang libro ng cover-to-cover o hanggang end of Chapter 3 lang? Ito yong problema ko sa mga nagbibigay ng mababang ratings sa Goodreads na ilang pages lang ang babasahin at pag di nagustuhan, sasabihing “read” na, magbibigay ng mababang rating at minsan mamimintas pa. Kawawa naman ang author. In fairness, at least si Nikki, walang pintas.”
EUNICE: (added it) Just read the Gabay of Mga Ibong Mandaragit, Highly Recommended sa mga tamad magbasa haha.
Reaksyon ko: “Nakakalungkot na payo. Napakaganda ng prosa ni Hernandez. Magiging National Artist ba siya kung hindi? Tapos babasahin lang ang gabay sa halip na yong libro mismo? Hindi nakakatawa. Maaring sa umpisa, mabagal basahin lalo na kung hindi ka gaanong nagbabasa ng nobelang Tagalog. Nguni’t kapag nakasanayan mo na, matutuwa ka sa pagbabasa nito.”
ALEJANDRO: (marked it as to-read) ang ganda
Reaksyon ko: “Paano niya kaya nasabing maganda kung hindi pa niya nababasa? Baka may nakapag-kuwento lang???”
JOWEL : (currently reading it since Sept 8, 2007) Yea Mando. Go Mando. Go mando. haha.
Reaksyon ko: “Ano raw?”
TRI: (currently reading it since Aug 13, 2009) So far so good:P
Reaksyon ko: “Kailang kaya sya matatapos?”
Ikaw, oo ikaw kinakausap kita, may pakiusap ako sa 'yo: sa susunod na makita mo itong librong ito sa National Book Store, bilhin mo at sana basahin mo kaagad. Isa ito sa mga aklat na dapat mong basahin bilang Pilipino para maunawaan mong lubos ang nangyari noong panahong bumabangon ang Pilipinas mula sa Pangalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Makikita mo, na ang mga problema noon ay problema pa rin ngayon. At ikaw bilang kabataan ay maaaring makagawa pa ng maraming bagay upang maiba ang takbo ng ating bansa at maiba ang takbo ng buhay iyong mga magiging anak at mga apo sa darating pang panahon.
Thank you to Will for recommending this book to me. Will is a lot younger than me. He could have been my son. Shame on me for reading this book at my age.
February 7, 2024
“Ano’ng kabuluhan ng mabuhay sa isang sosyedad na ang kasamaa’y siyang Panginoon. Naitaboy ang Hapon, nguni’t ang kasamaa’y hindi naapula, at ang kasamaang ito’y gawa ng mga Pilipino rin.” p.378
Naritong lahat ang naitala ko habang nagbabasa. Ngunit kung walang panahon, hetong aking buod TL;DR,
Sinisid ng bida na si Mando ang tunay palang kaban ng kayamanan ni Simoun na inihagis ni Padre Florentino sa dagat sa pagtatapos ng akdang El Filibusterismo ni Rizal. Ginamit ang tumataginting na yaman sa kuwentong ito para isiwalat ang nalilingid na katotohanan ng lipunan at ipaglaban ang mga maralita at naaapi sa Pilipinas na noo'y kalalaya lamang sa pwersang Hapon ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig, ngunit tulad noong bago pa man ay palasak na ng mga manghuhuthot, nangangamkam, at naniniil⸺mga ibong mandaragit.
Ang mahabang kuro:
Kung ako lang nama’y maituturing ko itong 𝑀𝐺𝐴 𝐼𝐵𝑂𝑁𝐺 𝑀𝐴𝑁𝐷𝐴𝑅𝐴𝐺𝐼𝑇 na isang malayang pagpapatuloy ng isang kaganapan sa El Filibusterismo na pinili nitong tuntungan upang bigyang saysay. Umahon ang mga pangyayari mula sa panahon ng WWII, pinagkunang malaki ang kilalang akda ni Rizal at binigyan ng bagong ilaw sa sarili nitong mga tauhan.
Bilang sariling kuro, may pag-aagam-agam ba ako sa panghihiram nito? Wala. Dahil palagay ko ay higit ang layon nitong tangkilikin ang pagmumulat sa mambabasa kaysa lumikha ng obrang walang katulad.
Sa pagkukuwento, nalugod akong tunay sa tatas at pagkamalikhain sa wikang Filipino ni Hernandez. Ang huling tunghay ko ng katulad nito ay ang bersyon na limbag pang-mag-aaral ng Noli Me Tangere at El Filibusterismo. Bihira nang may nagbabasa pa ng ganito sa labas ng paaralan. Bagama't bahagi ng inuugali kong pagbabasa ang Filipiniana, madalang rin ang babasahing nasa purong Filipino ang nabubuklat ko. Bunga nito'y naeengganyo akong patuloy na sumulat rin sa inang-wika habang at pagkaraan ng binabasa. Katulad nito.
Sa mga tauhan, mabuti ang paglalaan ng ilang sadyang kabanata para tukuyin ang pinagmulan, karanasan at kanilang pinanggagalingan. May karamihan man sila’y may kanya-kanyang silbi sa kabuuang salaysay. Sa Kabanata 27, punahin ang nanunuyang mga pangalan nila: Obispo Dimas, Hukom Pilato, Gobernador Doblado, Heneral Bayoneta. p.161
Batid kong ang katauhan ng bidang si Mando/Andoy (maaaring mula rin sa ngalan ng may akda) ay hindi kailangan maging matuwid at walang pintas kahit pa isa s’yang larawan ng tama, ng idealismo. Siguro’y ito talaga ang ibininyag na pulà dito kay Mando,
Sa sobrang lalim na ng ugat ng kabuktutan sa lipunang Pilipino mula nang alipinin ang bansa ng mga dayuhan nang may halos apat na siglo, ano nga bang magagawa pa natin sa ngayon? Ito ang tangkang paliwanag,
“Ang kasamaa’y dapat sugpuin at lipulin sa kanyang ugat. Hindi ang mga [ibong mandaragit] ang ugat ng kasamaan. Manapa’y ang umiiral na kaisipan, ang paniniwala, ang sistema . . . Yan ang mga dapat baguhin. . .”
“At pano natin mababago?”
“Sa pamamagitan ng lalong mahusay at matinong kaisipan, paniniwala at sistema.”
“At pano natin maipakikilala at maipagwawagi ang matinong kaisipan, paniniwala at sistema. . .?
“Sa walang puknat na pakikibaka.”
“Sa bisa ng bibig o ng patalim, Doktor?”
“Kung alin ang mabisa sa kaukulang panahon. Mi panahong mabisa ang bibig at panulat, mi panahon namang mabisa ang patalim. Nguni’t sa lahat ng panaho’y dapat silang patnubayan ng utak.” p.335-336
Ilan sa aking mga nagustuhang sipi,
Tungkol sa kalagayan ng mga maralita,
Ang pamahalaan,
Ang tradisyunal na pulitiko,
Sa pagpili ng mga pinunong-bayan,
Sa paghanga sa sinisinta,
Ang pambungad kong sipi ang malubhang pasakit at katotohanang hindi tuluyang maglalaho sa bansa, at mag-iiba sa pana-panahon ngunit sa pangit pa ring anyo. Kaya itong pagtuya at pagwawaksi ng akda ni Hernandez sa mga manghuhuthot, nangangamkam, at naniniil na tao sa lipunan⸺mga ibong mandaragit⸺ay hindi mawawalan ng bisa, mananatiling babasahing makabuluhan anumang punto ng buhay ng isang mamamayang Pilipino.
P.S. Sa kopya ng aklat na hawak ko (M&L Licudine Enterprises, 3rd printing) ay maraming pagkukulang sa limbag. Maliban na sa hindi karaniwang ginagamit sa kasalukuyan ang ganitong pormal at may lalim na pag-uusap sa sulat man o salitaan, nakadagdag sa hamon ng pagbabasa ang baba ng kalidad ng limbag at maraming maling tipa sa mga pahina. Sinabi ko ma’y pinili kong lagpasan ang mga kamalian at ituon ang paniwala sa buong katuturan nito.
March 7, 2023
“𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙟𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩.”
mga ibong mandaragit / the preying birds tells the story of one mando plaridel at a time when the japanese were already losing its grip to philippines’ attempt at freedom. he is an orphaned guerilla who has known only poverty and oppression since childhood. the plot further ventures into his endeavors in finding the treasures of simoun that were thrown into the pacific ocean by padre florentino (note: the two are both fictional characters from jose rizal’s el filibusterismo who, upon their “investigation” were proved to be based on actual people who died for the country during the spanish colonial period). with his newly-chanced wealth, he founded a printing press which he called kampilan. similar to its predecessors, the la liga filipina and la solidaridad, it aims to bring to light the continuing struggle of opening the filipino eyes to the truth about the “preying birds”, countering the proliferation of fake propaganda.
while it tackles the oppression of filipinos by our colonizers and our liberators, it also delves into the cruelty—which is evil in its own league—of filipinos against our own countrymen. the book speaks about how the rich collaborators have become even richer and the poor guerillas went on being poorer after serving the country with all their might.
to read of their pleas for social justice from a far time, it would be hard to ignore echoes of the same ones bellowing in our present time. there is too much grief in this book in that even in its portrayal of patriotism, there is no mistaking it: grief for the filipino’s lost loved ones; lost wars; lost identity.
i will finish this review with this final note. before this book, i’ve been thinking about how fortunate that we already live in a time of democracy. but, after reading, it made me ponder on it once more: are we, really?
mga ibong mandaragit / the preying birds tells the story of one mando plaridel at a time when the japanese were already losing its grip to philippines’ attempt at freedom. he is an orphaned guerilla who has known only poverty and oppression since childhood. the plot further ventures into his endeavors in finding the treasures of simoun that were thrown into the pacific ocean by padre florentino (note: the two are both fictional characters from jose rizal’s el filibusterismo who, upon their “investigation” were proved to be based on actual people who died for the country during the spanish colonial period). with his newly-chanced wealth, he founded a printing press which he called kampilan. similar to its predecessors, the la liga filipina and la solidaridad, it aims to bring to light the continuing struggle of opening the filipino eyes to the truth about the “preying birds”, countering the proliferation of fake propaganda.
while it tackles the oppression of filipinos by our colonizers and our liberators, it also delves into the cruelty—which is evil in its own league—of filipinos against our own countrymen. the book speaks about how the rich collaborators have become even richer and the poor guerillas went on being poorer after serving the country with all their might.
to read of their pleas for social justice from a far time, it would be hard to ignore echoes of the same ones bellowing in our present time. there is too much grief in this book in that even in its portrayal of patriotism, there is no mistaking it: grief for the filipino’s lost loved ones; lost wars; lost identity.
i will finish this review with this final note. before this book, i’ve been thinking about how fortunate that we already live in a time of democracy. but, after reading, it made me ponder on it once more: are we, really?
Read
September 11, 2007Just read the Gabay of Mga Ibong Mandaragit, Highly Recommended sa mga tamad magbasa haha. ☺
December 9, 2008
This is the book that made me fall in love with Tagalog. Until I read this book, I didn't realize how beautiful, passionate and poetic Tagalog could be.
April 16, 2021
I couldn't wait to get my hand on this the moment I ordered it because of good reviews. Plus, Amado Hernandez was known to be one of the greatest Filipino writers during the golden age of literature. And although his intelligence and knowledge were certainly reflected in the book, I still had some issues with the story, and the way the book was published.
First, let's start off with its strength:
1. It has an intellectual pay-off.
Amado Hernandez's knowledge of both the Philippine and World history was apparent in the book. His description of the European cities and the American ones were vivid and informative. Plus, a lot of allusions from both El Fili and Noli were used to deepen the plot which was a good thing. And the discussion of communism and socialism in the context of the Philippines was really in-depth.
2. The use of Tagalog language was beautiful.
When he is SHOWING and NOT telling, Amado's proses were exquisite. The images he produce were crisp and vivid.
3. Pastor, Danoy, and the other farmers' conflict against the capitalists was interesting.
Interesting? Scratch that-- it was gripping. Kapitan Pugot was an effective villain because we still see the likes of him in today's world. I was on the edge of my seat every time he was to abuse the peasants who only wanted to get what they deserve.
Next, the weaknesses:
1. The book's arguments were presented in a way that comes off as preachy.
It came off as preachy because most of the arguments were directly handed to the audience through the dialogues. The lack of subtext and shortage of scenes that justify the context makes the arguments look forceful to the point of polarizing the audience. It felt like a propagandist was trying to convince me very hard of why he is right without providing me concrete proofs-- because the story lacks internal thematic struggle.
2. Mando Plaridel was a dull character.
Mando Plaridel reminds of of Cardo Dalisay. He's just got that vibes. He could never be wrong, he could survive anything, and the odds are always on his favor whether it be in politics or love life. He was also a misogynistic, sexist fool which clearly adds to my intense dislike of him. Unlike the characters of Pastor and Kapitan Pugot, you don't really get to worry or relate with Mando's character because he was presented as too pure (albeit in a hypocritical way) and perfect. And perfection, in novels, are nothing but BORING.
3. Description of events are sometimes bland and redundant.
Hernandez's skill of writing beautiful Tagalog prose was hindered by his fondness of TELLING rather than showing what's really happening. He was also fond of repeating some piece of information over and over again, summarizing what happened in the previous chapters without it really advancing the plot in any way at all.
4. Obvious sexism.
Dolly was a liberated character. And Amado, like any other supporters of patriarchy, defined her as a bad role model for Filipina women. The thing is though, Dolly's character was more interesting than that of hypocritical Mando and lifeless Puri (Puri's the representation of what Filipinas should be like). By presenting a good and a bad role model, Hernandez's contributed to limiting the Filipino women to a specific role when it should have promoted diversity, just like its American and Russian counterpart in literature during that time.
5. Sex scenes that are completely unnecessary.
I feel like Dolly's character was overly sexualized. And her sex scenes with Koronel Moto and Tinyente Whitey were completely unnecessary and could have been easily omitted. It didn't do anything to further the theme or deepen Dolly's character. It just made me feel like reading a tabloid sex story that was more tamed than usual.
Overall, the book was an interesting read. But it had its faults.
First, let's start off with its strength:
1. It has an intellectual pay-off.
Amado Hernandez's knowledge of both the Philippine and World history was apparent in the book. His description of the European cities and the American ones were vivid and informative. Plus, a lot of allusions from both El Fili and Noli were used to deepen the plot which was a good thing. And the discussion of communism and socialism in the context of the Philippines was really in-depth.
2. The use of Tagalog language was beautiful.
When he is SHOWING and NOT telling, Amado's proses were exquisite. The images he produce were crisp and vivid.
3. Pastor, Danoy, and the other farmers' conflict against the capitalists was interesting.
Interesting? Scratch that-- it was gripping. Kapitan Pugot was an effective villain because we still see the likes of him in today's world. I was on the edge of my seat every time he was to abuse the peasants who only wanted to get what they deserve.
Next, the weaknesses:
1. The book's arguments were presented in a way that comes off as preachy.
It came off as preachy because most of the arguments were directly handed to the audience through the dialogues. The lack of subtext and shortage of scenes that justify the context makes the arguments look forceful to the point of polarizing the audience. It felt like a propagandist was trying to convince me very hard of why he is right without providing me concrete proofs-- because the story lacks internal thematic struggle.
2. Mando Plaridel was a dull character.
Mando Plaridel reminds of of Cardo Dalisay. He's just got that vibes. He could never be wrong, he could survive anything, and the odds are always on his favor whether it be in politics or love life. He was also a misogynistic, sexist fool which clearly adds to my intense dislike of him. Unlike the characters of Pastor and Kapitan Pugot, you don't really get to worry or relate with Mando's character because he was presented as too pure (albeit in a hypocritical way) and perfect. And perfection, in novels, are nothing but BORING.
3. Description of events are sometimes bland and redundant.
Hernandez's skill of writing beautiful Tagalog prose was hindered by his fondness of TELLING rather than showing what's really happening. He was also fond of repeating some piece of information over and over again, summarizing what happened in the previous chapters without it really advancing the plot in any way at all.
4. Obvious sexism.
Dolly was a liberated character. And Amado, like any other supporters of patriarchy, defined her as a bad role model for Filipina women. The thing is though, Dolly's character was more interesting than that of hypocritical Mando and lifeless Puri (Puri's the representation of what Filipinas should be like). By presenting a good and a bad role model, Hernandez's contributed to limiting the Filipino women to a specific role when it should have promoted diversity, just like its American and Russian counterpart in literature during that time.
5. Sex scenes that are completely unnecessary.
I feel like Dolly's character was overly sexualized. And her sex scenes with Koronel Moto and Tinyente Whitey were completely unnecessary and could have been easily omitted. It didn't do anything to further the theme or deepen Dolly's character. It just made me feel like reading a tabloid sex story that was more tamed than usual.
Overall, the book was an interesting read. But it had its faults.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2023
Sino ang maituturing na bayani?
Siya ba’y isang ehekutibong harap-harapang nagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan? Siya ba’y isang pulis na ligaw na nagpapaputok ng baril? Siya ba’y isang manlulupig ng kabuhayan ng mga obrero? I think wala tayong winner tonight.
Naalala ko ang El Fili ni Rizal habang binabasa ang librong ito. Maaari nga itong ituring na spiritual successor dahil ang ilang kaganapan ay may reference kay Simoun. Kahit ang ating bidang si Mando Plaridel ay parang isang karakter ni Rizal: magiting, oportunista, at madaling madala ng kanyang puso.
Aaminin ko nahirapan akong basahin ang librong ito. Kailangan ko ata ng presentation para sa bawat kabanatang may dalang iba’t ibang karakter, tagpuan, at suliranin. Literal din akong nahirapang basahin ang mga tekstong nabura na ng panahon.
Ngunit hindi maikakaila ang husay ng may-akda sa pagkukuwento at pagsusuri ng sakit ng lipunan. Isang sakit na marahil ay sumpa na ng ating lahi sa sobrang tagal ng pagpapahirap sa mga buhay natin. O, gaya ng halintulad ni Hernandez, sila’y mga ibong mandaragit.
‘Sa isang demokrasya’y dapat pa bang itanong kung sino at alin ang may unang saguting magtapat at magtaguyod: ang bayan sa gobyerno, o ang gobyerno sa bayan?’
Siya ba’y isang ehekutibong harap-harapang nagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan? Siya ba’y isang pulis na ligaw na nagpapaputok ng baril? Siya ba’y isang manlulupig ng kabuhayan ng mga obrero? I think wala tayong winner tonight.
Naalala ko ang El Fili ni Rizal habang binabasa ang librong ito. Maaari nga itong ituring na spiritual successor dahil ang ilang kaganapan ay may reference kay Simoun. Kahit ang ating bidang si Mando Plaridel ay parang isang karakter ni Rizal: magiting, oportunista, at madaling madala ng kanyang puso.
Aaminin ko nahirapan akong basahin ang librong ito. Kailangan ko ata ng presentation para sa bawat kabanatang may dalang iba’t ibang karakter, tagpuan, at suliranin. Literal din akong nahirapang basahin ang mga tekstong nabura na ng panahon.
Ngunit hindi maikakaila ang husay ng may-akda sa pagkukuwento at pagsusuri ng sakit ng lipunan. Isang sakit na marahil ay sumpa na ng ating lahi sa sobrang tagal ng pagpapahirap sa mga buhay natin. O, gaya ng halintulad ni Hernandez, sila’y mga ibong mandaragit.
‘Sa isang demokrasya’y dapat pa bang itanong kung sino at alin ang may unang saguting magtapat at magtaguyod: ang bayan sa gobyerno, o ang gobyerno sa bayan?’
April 14, 2013
Mahirap sya basahin kase sobrang malalim na filipino ang ginamit
NOSEBLEED ----- NOSEBLEED ----- NOSEBLEED
pero kahit malilim at medyo nakakaduling basahin
naipakita at nailahad ng maayos ang mensahe ng libro.
Maraming matututunang "values" ang sinumang magbabasa nito.
NOSEBLEED ----- NOSEBLEED ----- NOSEBLEED
pero kahit malilim at medyo nakakaduling basahin
naipakita at nailahad ng maayos ang mensahe ng libro.
Maraming matututunang "values" ang sinumang magbabasa nito.
September 8, 2007
Dolly and Whitey and incest. That's all I'm saying. :))
September 22, 2026
OVERALL RATING:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 stars.
I read the English translation as a palate cleanser. Surprisingly a quick read. I don't know how much the TL holds up with the original Tagalog writing, so I can't comment too much on the writing style—however, I think it's interesting that the writing (or translation) regularly throws in background context with regards to Philippine history, which in turn made this novel reader-friendly for non-Filipinos. So you wouldn't be confused as to what is Noli Me Tangere or El Filibusterismo is, both of which being crucial details for the plot. Props as well to Danton Remoto for translating it so well to a modern audience (AKA me).
Spoiler-free review: As a Filipino, I hate that I didn't read this sooner. It was never part of my school(s)' curriculum, so it stayed under my radar until a mutual recommended the translation. When Hernandez pointed out the Filipino youth's tendency to forget our pre-colonial heroes, it felt like he was speaking directly to me. It tapped into a grief I often carry when thinking about (and mourning) our lost pre-Hispanic history:
The core plot of the novel is that "what if Simoun’s lost treasures from the end of El Fili were real, and a young Filipino guerrilla named Mando recovered them from the ocean during World War II?" That premise alone essentially turns Mga Ibong Mandaragit into an unofficial "Part 3" or spiritual successor to Rizal's duology. But instead of using that wealth for personal revenge or reckless destruction like Simoun did, this novel narrates how Mando will use it with his circumstances during the Japanese occupation. Half of the novel narrates his journey around the world with his newfound wealth.
There is this brilliant layer of meta-commentary throughout the novel, especially when Mando thinks about and discusses the state of the Philippines. One particular exchange in the first chapter made me physically sit up and lock in because I realized Hernandez was not playing around:
I like that the novel also takes its time to breathe and is not always in a "serious mood" (not that it's a turnoff for books). It is easy to imagine what 1940s Philippines was like because Hernandez takes his time to describe the environment, and how the Japanese occupation had shifted the land. It's also vivid, as if I'm right there myself.
I'm also referring to the tidbits of banter that include, but are not limited to the talk of circumcision... but to keep my review kid-friendly, I will not include that here, heh.
Of course, that said, the novel isn't immune to critique. I would be lying if I said I never yawned or grimaced throughout the story. As I mentioned earlier; the writing is rather non-linear in narration. There are so many portions where there's a lot of "telling" than "showing", but considering that Hernandez wrote this in prison, it's self-explanatory as to why it's structured that way.
Mando can feel less like a complex, living person and more like an idealized archetype—the flawless, noble "Juan de la Cruz" figure. Because he is held up as an immaculate moral standard, he occasionally comes off as a rather static or even boring protagonist. Furthermore, modern readers will certainly notice that many of the other male characters carry blatant sexism and gross attitudes toward women.
However, rather than diminishing the book's value, I'd say these flaws make it an interesting product of its era. That even a revolutionary masterwork reflects the patriarchal biases of its time, and how Hernandez's idealistic commentaries for a perfect Philippines bleeds into the dialogues... and how incest was still normalized during that time. (😬)
Ultimately, what hit me hardest is how eerily relevant this novel remains. Written and published in the late 1960s—and setting its narrative against the backdrop of World War II and the post-war era—its commentary on political corruption, social inequality, and systemic oppression reads as if it were written today. Decades have passed, yet the exact same "birds of prey" are still circling overhead, both in the motherland and in the ever-looming presence of [countries that must not be named], proving just how razor-sharp Hernandez's critique of the nation really was.
Some of my favorite quotes/passages (no spoilers):
If you appreciate incisive social commentary or are curious about Philippine literature, I cannot recommend this enough. It stands proudly as one of the greatest obra maestras of our country. Here's to hoping that Penguin Southeast Asia's translation gives this masterwork the broader international audience and newfound popularity it has always deserved.
4 stars.
I read the English translation as a palate cleanser. Surprisingly a quick read. I don't know how much the TL holds up with the original Tagalog writing, so I can't comment too much on the writing style—however, I think it's interesting that the writing (or translation) regularly throws in background context with regards to Philippine history, which in turn made this novel reader-friendly for non-Filipinos. So you wouldn't be confused as to what is Noli Me Tangere or El Filibusterismo is, both of which being crucial details for the plot. Props as well to Danton Remoto for translating it so well to a modern audience (AKA me).
Spoiler-free review: As a Filipino, I hate that I didn't read this sooner. It was never part of my school(s)' curriculum, so it stayed under my radar until a mutual recommended the translation. When Hernandez pointed out the Filipino youth's tendency to forget our pre-colonial heroes, it felt like he was speaking directly to me. It tapped into a grief I often carry when thinking about (and mourning) our lost pre-Hispanic history:
“That is the conqueror’s usual ploy, as you would say,” said Tata Matias. “They erase all proof, even traces and memories, if possible, of the noble children of the country they had conquered. They want the newly subjugated people to get used to the slavers’ condition and ways.”
The core plot of the novel is that "what if Simoun’s lost treasures from the end of El Fili were real, and a young Filipino guerrilla named Mando recovered them from the ocean during World War II?" That premise alone essentially turns Mga Ibong Mandaragit into an unofficial "Part 3" or spiritual successor to Rizal's duology. But instead of using that wealth for personal revenge or reckless destruction like Simoun did, this novel narrates how Mando will use it with his circumstances during the Japanese occupation. Half of the novel narrates his journey around the world with his newfound wealth.
There is this brilliant layer of meta-commentary throughout the novel, especially when Mando thinks about and discusses the state of the Philippines. One particular exchange in the first chapter made me physically sit up and lock in because I realized Hernandez was not playing around:
“The government can be changed,” Mando said, “but the nation goes on. Oppression often rouses a country to turn and break its chains. That’s what happened in the Philippines, and it will surely happen to the Japanese as well.”Here, Hernandez directly references Rizal's El Filibusterismo—specifically the symbolic disposal of Simoun's treasures into the sea, which represents a hope entrusted to the youth. Seeing a young guerrilla protagonist debate these exact ideals with an elder creates a powerful bridge between generations of resistance. And so, by having Mando our protagonist and main point of view, Hernandez indirectly asks us: what would you do with Simoun's treasures? What would you do if you had the money to change our Inang Bayan?
Tata Matias agreed, but then he added with a hint of caution, “Only if we don’t make the same mistakes and if the young people become our real hope.”
I like that the novel also takes its time to breathe and is not always in a "serious mood" (not that it's a turnoff for books). It is easy to imagine what 1940s Philippines was like because Hernandez takes his time to describe the environment, and how the Japanese occupation had shifted the land. It's also vivid, as if I'm right there myself.
I'm also referring to the tidbits of banter that include, but are not limited to the talk of circumcision... but to keep my review kid-friendly, I will not include that here, heh.
Of course, that said, the novel isn't immune to critique. I would be lying if I said I never yawned or grimaced throughout the story. As I mentioned earlier; the writing is rather non-linear in narration. There are so many portions where there's a lot of "telling" than "showing", but considering that Hernandez wrote this in prison, it's self-explanatory as to why it's structured that way.
Mando can feel less like a complex, living person and more like an idealized archetype—the flawless, noble "Juan de la Cruz" figure. Because he is held up as an immaculate moral standard, he occasionally comes off as a rather static or even boring protagonist. Furthermore, modern readers will certainly notice that many of the other male characters carry blatant sexism and gross attitudes toward women.
However, rather than diminishing the book's value, I'd say these flaws make it an interesting product of its era. That even a revolutionary masterwork reflects the patriarchal biases of its time, and how Hernandez's idealistic commentaries for a perfect Philippines bleeds into the dialogues... and how incest was still normalized during that time. (😬)
Ultimately, what hit me hardest is how eerily relevant this novel remains. Written and published in the late 1960s—and setting its narrative against the backdrop of World War II and the post-war era—its commentary on political corruption, social inequality, and systemic oppression reads as if it were written today. Decades have passed, yet the exact same "birds of prey" are still circling overhead, both in the motherland and in the ever-looming presence of [countries that must not be named], proving just how razor-sharp Hernandez's critique of the nation really was.
Some of my favorite quotes/passages (no spoilers):
“A revolution has to be bloody, not because of those who seek justice but because of the cruelty of the enemies of change.”
“The side of the true Filipino is the Philippines, always. On the one hand, he should oppose anyone—Spaniard, American, Chinese, Japanese—when they try to invade us. An invader is an invader, in any shape or manner. He could also come through force of arms, commerce, or religion. Let us check closely whether their aim is to conquer and exploit us. [...] That’s why we can’t judge evil by the colour of the skin. There are also serpents among our own race.’”
“We don’t need a university if it will just become a diploma mill or if it will just make the capitalists richer.”
“If there were no opportunists, the world would not be divided between the rich and the poor; there would be no mothers working the whole day in the fields, washing, doing heavy work, and lucky women who spend the whole day at social events, wallowing in pleasure and luxury.”
If you appreciate incisive social commentary or are curious about Philippine literature, I cannot recommend this enough. It stands proudly as one of the greatest obra maestras of our country. Here's to hoping that Penguin Southeast Asia's translation gives this masterwork the broader international audience and newfound popularity it has always deserved.
December 4, 2022
Hindi pangkaraniwang mamayan at manunulat si Ka Amado. Siguro'y ang karaniwang mambabasa sa henerasyon ngayon ay mahihirapang makita ang kaugnayan ng mga suliranin sa Mga Ibong Mandaragit sa kasalukuyang panahon sapagkat iba na ang mga nakikita nating sanhi ng pagdurusa ng ordinaryong Pilipino. Ngunit, hindi maikakaila na ang hustisya sosyal ukol sa mga magsasaka ay nananatiling isang realidad pa rin.
Natuwa ako ng malaman ko ang sanhi ng kayamanan ng bidang si Mando. Kahit man ako'y nung nag aaral ng hayskul ay inisip ko na baka nga hindi lang isang kwento ang kayamanan sa ilalim ng dagat kundi isang katotohanan na ikinubli ni Rizal sa ikalawang nobela niya. Pareho yata kami ni Ka Amado ng pagtingin sa bagay na ito.
Ang librong ito ay para sa lahat ngunit hindi rin para sa lahat (lalo na sa mga bata dahil may mga eksenang maselan, sekswal man o karahasan). Sa mga nais mamulat sa kung ano ang pinagdaanan ng mga Pilipinong nasa laylayan ng komunidad at kung paano sila tratuhin ng mga ibong mandaragit sa kanilang panahon, ang librong ito ay para sayo.
Nasabi kong hindi pangkaraniwan na mamamayan at manunulat sa Ki Amado sapagkat iba ang ipinamalas niyang pakikiramay sa mga api. Nararapat lang ang "Ka" na nasa pangalan niya. Tunay na kaagapay. Tunay na karamay.
Natuwa ako ng malaman ko ang sanhi ng kayamanan ng bidang si Mando. Kahit man ako'y nung nag aaral ng hayskul ay inisip ko na baka nga hindi lang isang kwento ang kayamanan sa ilalim ng dagat kundi isang katotohanan na ikinubli ni Rizal sa ikalawang nobela niya. Pareho yata kami ni Ka Amado ng pagtingin sa bagay na ito.
Ang librong ito ay para sa lahat ngunit hindi rin para sa lahat (lalo na sa mga bata dahil may mga eksenang maselan, sekswal man o karahasan). Sa mga nais mamulat sa kung ano ang pinagdaanan ng mga Pilipinong nasa laylayan ng komunidad at kung paano sila tratuhin ng mga ibong mandaragit sa kanilang panahon, ang librong ito ay para sayo.
Nasabi kong hindi pangkaraniwan na mamamayan at manunulat sa Ki Amado sapagkat iba ang ipinamalas niyang pakikiramay sa mga api. Nararapat lang ang "Ka" na nasa pangalan niya. Tunay na kaagapay. Tunay na karamay.
November 13, 2023
Often we open books to step into the treshold of imagination and to bask in the unorthodox edge of the world, but sometimes we also read books to cradle our realities and to weave in our minds the truths often hindered & undermined.
This book is a reminder of the customary, of the common, and of our reality. Although seventy-seven years had already passed since the Japanese occupation, it is evident that we are still facing the same obsolete, status quos. There lies our misfortune, that we are still riddled with corruption, injustice, nepotism, neocolonialism, and negligent people. That we still accept flatteries from leaders who enter politics to have the people shine their shoes.
But although it had political weavings, the book is still entertaining like of Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo, passionate like of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, and gritty like of Hugo’s Les Miserables... such a shame that this book is not as revered! But still, that does not diminish it's historical and socio-political significance.
December 20, 2025
welp. quite a disappointment. ridiculous forced connection to noli and fili, weird incest story, annoying travelogue at the middle part, main character suddenly cant be recognized like he's clark kent, lots of forced exposition that doesnt seem to fit the plot well, lots of preaching... its hard to get invested with the characters considering the absurd events from the plot. i loved noli and el fili but this one forced its message too much at the expense of good story telling.
December 16, 2011
Me and my fellow classmates were supposed to read this book(ALL of it) for a subject because this was a major part of it but I wasn't able to(I didn't even get halfway) but it's okay 'cause most of them didn't too.
September 9, 2007
Cool si Mando! So far, it's been great! Reminds me of Fili so much.
September 9, 2007
If only they printed it with darker ink, I wouldn't be spending too much time deciphering the words that can hardly be seen. Love the story, especially Mando. :) (The question is: who doesn't?)
September 19, 2007
"pagkat ang mga biyaya ng lupa ay ukol sa lahat..."
end of chapter 3= bentaaaa. =p
end of chapter 3= bentaaaa. =p
Currently Reading
August 13, 2008So far so good:P
Want to Read
July 27, 2010ang ganda
Want to Read
November 5, 2012 this is so beautiful
Read
November 19, 2013YES!! Finally :)
April 7, 2024
Now that THE PREYING BIRDS (Mga Ibong Mandaragit) by Amado V. Hernandez has been translated into English by Danton Remoto for Penguin Random House SEA in 2022, I finally got the chance to read a book I've been hearing about for so long, by an author recognized as a National Artist for Literature.
What if Ibarra/Simoun's treasure was real, and what if it was found at the close of World War II?
Hernandez wrote this in prison in the 1960's, and it's pretty much the continuation of El Filibusterismo.
What breaks my heart with anger and sadness is how contemporary it all feels. Yes, the sexism and jokes of a very macho culture date the text, and the way he describes women would have him cancelled if he wrote this today, but the central themes still persist even sixty years later. It truly feels like reading a very long series of newspaper headlines from 2024. Persecution of anyone who dares point out unfair practices. Graft and corruption. Rallies dispersed violently. Morally suspect and lazy politicians who come at 12:30 to 9:00 am Senate hearings. Church leaders who preach one thing but frequent poker tables with snacks like lechon and sherry or brandy.
The title refers to birds of prey who feed on carcasses. Hernandez shows in this novel that the rotting, starving corpse is the Philippines, and the ones who got fat on us changed over the years. Various colonizers came and went, but the powerful and rich fellow Filipinos got fatter and richer and seemingly are here to stay.
Hernandez writes with the fire of a political prisoner, doing a Rizal. The influence is so strong, he quotes his Noli and Fili several times, and even his protagonists combine the characteristics of Rizal and Bonifacio. Decades from now, foreigners can read this book after Rizal's duology and recognize the commonalities: the no-holds-barred depiction of every avarice and cruelty experienced by the author in real life, the exhortations for Filipinos to fight the worst of our traits and seek to better ourselves through education and moral reform, and the generations-long battle to form that rare jewel: a responsible citizen who doesn't seek to flee to America at the first opportunity, but understands that s/he has duties and responsibilities to the country's future, paid for by martyrs past.
While not always enjoyable (because sometimes it's tiring to read how effed up our country was, and still is), it is truly an important work.
As a teacher, I find hope in the strategy that Amado V. Hernandez's character, Mando Plaridel, adopts as a gameplan.
Build a good university that will form responsible citizens dedicated to nation building.
Establish a newspaper, then radio and TV stations (they didn't have the internet back then) to help mould national consciousness by reporting truth without fear, shining light on dark, corrupt practices.
And of course, land reform that benefits the poorest and not the richest.
The book is a prayer of sorts. It's an idealist's invocation in novel form, hoping that receptive minds and younger, stronger hearts read it and, hopefully, bring about the change that takes generations to carve out.
What if Ibarra/Simoun's treasure was real, and what if it was found at the close of World War II?
Hernandez wrote this in prison in the 1960's, and it's pretty much the continuation of El Filibusterismo.
What breaks my heart with anger and sadness is how contemporary it all feels. Yes, the sexism and jokes of a very macho culture date the text, and the way he describes women would have him cancelled if he wrote this today, but the central themes still persist even sixty years later. It truly feels like reading a very long series of newspaper headlines from 2024. Persecution of anyone who dares point out unfair practices. Graft and corruption. Rallies dispersed violently. Morally suspect and lazy politicians who come at 12:30 to 9:00 am Senate hearings. Church leaders who preach one thing but frequent poker tables with snacks like lechon and sherry or brandy.
The title refers to birds of prey who feed on carcasses. Hernandez shows in this novel that the rotting, starving corpse is the Philippines, and the ones who got fat on us changed over the years. Various colonizers came and went, but the powerful and rich fellow Filipinos got fatter and richer and seemingly are here to stay.
Hernandez writes with the fire of a political prisoner, doing a Rizal. The influence is so strong, he quotes his Noli and Fili several times, and even his protagonists combine the characteristics of Rizal and Bonifacio. Decades from now, foreigners can read this book after Rizal's duology and recognize the commonalities: the no-holds-barred depiction of every avarice and cruelty experienced by the author in real life, the exhortations for Filipinos to fight the worst of our traits and seek to better ourselves through education and moral reform, and the generations-long battle to form that rare jewel: a responsible citizen who doesn't seek to flee to America at the first opportunity, but understands that s/he has duties and responsibilities to the country's future, paid for by martyrs past.
While not always enjoyable (because sometimes it's tiring to read how effed up our country was, and still is), it is truly an important work.
As a teacher, I find hope in the strategy that Amado V. Hernandez's character, Mando Plaridel, adopts as a gameplan.
Build a good university that will form responsible citizens dedicated to nation building.
Establish a newspaper, then radio and TV stations (they didn't have the internet back then) to help mould national consciousness by reporting truth without fear, shining light on dark, corrupt practices.
And of course, land reform that benefits the poorest and not the richest.
The book is a prayer of sorts. It's an idealist's invocation in novel form, hoping that receptive minds and younger, stronger hearts read it and, hopefully, bring about the change that takes generations to carve out.
October 4, 2026
“In a farmer’s life, land is the symbol of justice.” It is sad that this book from the 60s talks abt farmers’ oppression, the exploitation, the injustices they experienced are still happening today.
“the importance of history isn’t in memorizing dates and events, but in learning from them.”
“Still, ignorance is our country’s most serious illness,” IT STILL IS.
“No one has a right to live on another’s sweat.”
“But many ob you abandoned your duties. You simply istil di money ob di pipol.”
BADLY WANNA SLAP THIS IN THE FACE OF THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS
It shows the greed of the leaders, the suffering of farmers, and the clear division between the rich and poor which still is relevant to this day. It is such a timely read which makes it a powerful book.
I would have rated this 5 stars if not for the incest.
“the importance of history isn’t in memorizing dates and events, but in learning from them.”
“Still, ignorance is our country’s most serious illness,” IT STILL IS.
“No one has a right to live on another’s sweat.”
“But many ob you abandoned your duties. You simply istil di money ob di pipol.”
BADLY WANNA SLAP THIS IN THE FACE OF THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS
It shows the greed of the leaders, the suffering of farmers, and the clear division between the rich and poor which still is relevant to this day. It is such a timely read which makes it a powerful book.
I would have rated this 5 stars if not for the incest.
February 16, 2018
Unang isinerye sa magasing Liwayway, ang nobela ay tumutugon at naglalatag ng kasagutan sa mga tanong na unang ibinigkas sa mga nobela ni Rizal. Nag-umpisa sa gitna ng Ikalawang Giyera Mondial, umusad ang kuwento sa mga panahong napalayas ang mga Hapon at tuluyang ipinagpala ng bansang Amerika ang soberenya ng Pilipinas. Bagamat malaya sa papel, nakagapos pa rin sa karalitaan ang karamihan sa mga Pilipino, dulot ng kasakiman at pang-aalipusta ng mga naghaharing-uri, panginoong maylupa man, negosyante, klerigo, o politiko. Sa didaktikong naratibo sinasaad ng nobela ang kalutasan sa paghihirap ng Pilipino, bilang sagot sa "El filibusterismo," kung saan inaasam ni Padre Florentino na ang naiwang kayamanan ni Simoun ay nawa'y magamit sa mabuti at marangal na tunguhin.
July 26, 2023
This book discusses the social issue of the time that is still relevant as of today. I like the history it imbues and all the socio-political aspect it implies. However, some aspect of its idealistic perspective makes it to good to be true.
I'd like to read it in Filipino to get into the nuance of the story deeply, but much to my dismay I only got its copy in English. I'll re-read this once again in my mother tongue to savor it once again in all its glory.
April 3, 2026
This is originally written in old writing of Tagalog and has several edition of English. All I can say this is the best version! Kudos to Danton Remoto who translated the book into something modern. You'll feel as if the book is written today because of its modern writing style. I even thought of Haruki Murakami's writing.
The writing style and the story of the book are awesome. I highly recommend it to those people who forgot what the Japs had done to us.
The writing style and the story of the book are awesome. I highly recommend it to those people who forgot what the Japs had done to us.
June 13, 2022
Truly great socio-political novel. Almost allegorical in style. Felt the self-comparison with Noli and El Fili a bit pretentious at the start, but I have to say, it more than lived up to it. The subtly sexist parts feel more dated than misogynist, but the central conflict unfortunately remains relevant.
April 13, 2023
yun na e ang ganda na ng narration and all BUT mando plaridel??? kung wala yung lovelife ni mando at lovetriangle plus mga ‘detailed’na affair ni dolly oks na oks, danoy & pastor ang thumbs up—oh and si magat dinn. nakakainis lang si mando masyadong perfect at may 9 na buhay ata
October 25, 2017
g.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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