Anino ng Kahapon

Description

According to literary critic Soledad Reyes, Anino ng Kahapon is one of the few pro-American novels written during the American era (1898–1946) in the Philippines. Dedicated to the Filipino youth, Anino ng Kahapon is the first and only novel written by Laksamana about Philippine society during his lifetime. Laksama lived from 1877 to 1966. According to the National Library of the Philippines, Anino ng Kahapon was reviewed and was a master's degree thesis subject written by Pilar Pili de Guzman, entitled Isang pagsusuri sa nobelang "Anino ng Kahapon" ni Francisco Lacsamana ("A Review of the novel "Shadow of the Past" by Francisco Laksamana") in 1983 at the Araullo Lyceum, Cabanatuan City.

Plot

The setting of the novel was during the final years of Spanish colonialism. The main characters of the novel are Modesto Magsikap and Elisea Liwayway. Magsikap is a vigilante who kills two suitors of Liwayway, his girlfriend. Magsikap’s first crime was the killing of Sergeant Cruz, the first suitor of Liwayway. Magsikap was imprisoned for the homicide. A group of bandits invaded the town where Magsikap was imprisoned, including the jail where Magsikap was confined. Magsikap returned to his own hometown after learning about the death of his father. There Magsikap murders Lt. Rosca, the second suitor of Liwayway. Magsikap’s two brothers were put in jail. To escape his pursuers and the Spanish authorities, Magsikap flees to the United States. From the United States, Magsikap continued communicating with Liwayway through letters. After five years, Magsikap returns to the Philippines. After his trip, Modesto became convinced of the "benevolent presence" of the United States in the Philippines.

References

References

1. Laksamana, Francisco. "Anino ng kahapon". Filipinas Heritage Library.
2. Laksamana, Francisco. "Anino ng kahapon". National Library of the Philippines.
3. Laksamana, Francisco. "Anino ng kahapon". WorldCat.
4. San Juan, Jr, Epifanio. (1974). "Introduction to Modern Pilipino Literature". Ardent Media.
5. "Anino ng Kahapon by Laksamana, Francisco". Filipiniana.net.
6. "Anino ng Kahapon by Francisco Laksamana". Ateneo de Manila University Press.
7. "Anino ng Kahapon by Francisco Laksamana". Kabayancentral.com.
8. "Isang pagsusuri sa nobelang 'Anino ng kahapon' ni Francisco Lacsamana / By De Guzman, Pilar Pili". National Library of the Philippines.