Essays on Philippine Identity

BREAKTHROUGH

- ELFREN S. CRUZ

I took a special interest in this book because it won the Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in the Social Sciences in the last National Book Awards of the National Book Development Board. It has been my modest contribution to support books and publishing in the country towards an appreciation of Philippine nationalism.

"Plural Entanglements: Philippine Studies" edited by Dada Docot, Stephen Acabado and Clement Camposano (Ateneo, 2023) is a compelling academic work that explores the complexities of Philippine identity, culture and social dynamics through a multidisciplinary lens. It presents a diverse collection of essays that examine how Philippine society has been shaped by historical, political and cultural entanglements. By incorporating insights from anthropology, history, sociology and literature, this volume provides a rich exploration of the Philippines' evolving identity in both local and global contexts.

In the Foreword written by scholar Caroline S. Hau, she describes the book contributors: "Whether home or diasporic scholars trained and based in the Philippines and different parts of the world, most of them came of age at the turn of the century and bore witness to the return with impunity of the Marcoses; people power fatigue; the continuing struggles of indigents, minorities, political dissidents and other groups; and the entrenchment of illiberal democracy and populist politics."

The book is divided into several thematic sections, each addressing key issues relevant to Philippine society and culture. The book contributors delve into topics such as migration, diaspora, heritage preservation, indigenous identity and contemporary social movements. By exploring these themes through both historical and modern perspectives, the authors provide a nuanced understanding of the country's complex social landscape.