Exploring the Popular Culture in the Works of Young Philippine Novelists

Abstract

This research paper will discuss the manifestation of popular culture in the works of young Filipino novelists. It will focus on the novels of three young Filipino novelists in the Philippines. The three Filipino novels are Peksman (Mamatay Ka Man) Nagsisinungaling Ako (at Iba Pang Kuwentong Kasinungalingan na Di Dapat Paniwalaan) by Eros S. Atalia, published in 2007; Lumbay ng Dila by Genevieve L. Asenjo, published in 2010 and Sa Kasunod ng 909 by Edgar Calabia Samar, published in 2012. These three novels were prizewinners and received citations in the Philippines. All of the authors of these three novels became fellows of the International Writing Program (IWP) of the University of Iowa. The primary objectives of this research paper are: to explore the manifestations of popular culture in the selected three novels from the Philippines as works and practices of intellectual and incredibly artistic activity of young Filipino novelists and to build a new understanding and reading of the works of young novelists of the current generation in the Philippines. The methods in exploring and investigating the manifestations of popular culture will be based on the perspectives on popular culture of the Filipino scholar Rhoderick Nuncio that explains that the manifestation of popular culture is the enlivening with popular things, technology, images, symbols, signs, and commodities in people experiences to be awakened in the rapid changes of civilization. The presence of popular culture in the selected novels highlight their recurring nature and their impact on society. Finding showed that popular culture is a complex and ever-changing phenomenon that occurs uniquely in place and time, representing a complex of mutually interdependent perspectives and values. Selected Novels written by young Philippine novelists have a significant impact for both culture and language.