| Author | Amado V. Hernandez |
|---|---|
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Tagalog |
| Genre | Fiction |
Mga Ibong Mandaragit or Mga Ibong Mandaragit: Nobelang Sosyo-Politikal (literally, Birds of Prey: A Socio-Political Novel) is a novel written by the Filipino writer and social activist, Amado V. Hernandez in 1969. Mga Ibong Mandaragit, hailed as Hernandez's masterpiece, focuses on the neocolonial dependency and revolt in the Philippines.[1] The novel reflects Hernandez's experience as a guerrilla intelligence officer when the Philippines was under Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945.[1]
The narrative, illustrates Hernandez's yearning for change and the elevation of the status of Philippine society and living conditions of Filipinos. The setting is in the middle of 1944, when the armed forces of the Japanese Empire were losing.[2]
The novel acts as a sequel to Jose Rizal's historic Noli Me Tangere and El filibusterismo. The protagonist Mando Plaridel is tested by Tata Matyas, an old revolutionary, on his knowledge about Rizal and Rizal's novels. Similar to Rizal's novel, the main character examines the Philippines as an outsider while traveling in Europe.[3] Hernandez's novel also tackles the lead character's search for Simoun's treasure, acting as a continuation of Rizal's El Filibusterismo. The novel portrays the conditions of the citizenry at the onset of industrialization brought forth by the Americans in the Philippines. Mga Ibong Mandaragit had been translated into English and Russian.[2] [4]
Carlos P. Romulo wrote the preface for this book, while Epifanio San Juan Jr. wrote its afterword of the book in Tagalog and English. The Tagalog version came first which was immediately followed by the English translation titled Epilogue (Epilogo). According to Romulo, the novel narrates "and discusses the problems of the citizens, of the life of the people and society and their environment". The book has 69 chapters and 416 pages.
Mando “Andoy” Plaridel is the main character in this novel. His real name is Alejandro Pamintuan. But when he joined the guerrilla movement he used the name Mando. Mando became a guerrilla when he was betrayed to the Japanese by his boss, Don Segundo Montero, a rich landowner, merchant and collaborator who lived along Manila Bay. Andoy used to be schooled by Don Segundo.
As a wealthy landowner obsessed with maintaining social status, Don Segundo Montero made an agreement with the new Japanese conquerors. He used his finances, possessions, relatives and staff. Even his daughter Dolly used her essence as a woman and the open "love" in association with the Japanese, and later, with the American officials as well.
Don Segundo Montero reiterated his ability to make friends with the Americans after they defeated the Japanese in their return to the Philippines.
The novel begins in September 1944, when the weakening of the forces of the Japanese Empire in the Philippines can be felt. The activities of the Filipino guerillas are getting stronger and are helped by the Filipino soldiers from the Commonwealth of the Philippines Army in Luzon. These are happening even though the promised return of American troops, promised by Franklin Roosevelt and Douglas MacArthur, has not yet come.
The first chapter begins with the sun setting in the forest. Mando Plaridel - and his two other companions - reach the hut of Tata Matyas in the Sierra Madre mountain range. Tata Matyas is a former revolutionary who fought against the Spaniards and Americans. Mando's companions are Karyo and Martin, who were also fellow guerrillas. They are fleeing from a failed struggle against Japanese soldiers who attacked their camp in Sampitan. It was about three or four months ago when Mando last visited Tata Matyas' residence. During Mando's last visit to Tata Matyas, they were able to exchange issues regarding their own problems, and even about their beginnings in the movement. They also discussed Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo, especially the consequences of Simoun's wealth (the main character in El Filibusterismo) after Padre Florentino (another character in El Filibusterismo). According to Tata Matyas, Simoun's wealth could have been used to supply the needs of the guerrillas. Tata Matyas believes that the characters in the novels of the hero Jose Rizal are real, because his family knows the real "Padre Florentino". If he was still young like Mando, he would search the sea to find Simoun's missing iron. Tata Matyas also believed that all heroes – aside from Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and Apolinario Mabini – should be role models for the Filipino people.
Mando finds Simoun's treasure - from the ocean near Atimonan - with the help of a map provided by Tata Matyas. But, despite this good fortune, Karyo and Martin die. Karyo is attacked by a shark, while Martin – wanting to claim the discovered wealth for himself – dies at Mando's fists.
After the war, peace returns, but so does the old ways of the rich and landed. That is why the social subject presented to the government, the asenderos and the merchants of the associations of farmers in the fields and the workers in the city do not disappear.
Mando emigrates to sell the riches, but not before founding a newspaper, Kampilan. Due to his departure from the Philippines, he entrusts the running of the paper to Magat, who is also a former guerrilla. The printing press is run with the help of other former guerrillas, such as Tata Matyas, Andres, Rubio, and Dr. Sabio. Dr. Sabio, a former teacher, promises Mando to disseminate the things taught at the Freedom University (University of Freedom), which was also established by Mando, for the benefit of the youth. The latter was also one of Mando's instructions, before traveling to Europe and the United States.