State of War by Ninotchka Rosca
"State of War" by Ninotchka Rosca is a poignant exploration of the complexities of national identity and the lingering effects of colonialism in the Philippines. The novel centers around a failed assassination attempt against the authoritarian ruler Ferdinand Marcos, referred to as "The Commander." It delves into the historical context of the Philippines, reflecting on centuries of Spanish and American colonial rule and the struggles for true independence that followed. Through the experiences of characters such as Anna Villaverde, who has endured personal trauma during martial law, the narrative illustrates the internal conflicts faced by Filipinos as they grapple with the legacy of oppression from both foreign powers and their own government.
The vivid backdrop of the Ati-Atihan festival contrasts sharply with the grim reality of political turmoil, highlighting the persistent state of war within the nation. Rosca suggests that genuine hope for social change may lie in the future generations, as embodied by Anna and Adrian's son, who will be charged with preserving the collective memories and aspirations for democracy. The story ultimately portrays a cycle of betrayal and the struggle for self-definition, emphasizing the importance of resilience and the belief in a better future despite the overwhelming challenges. "State of War" serves as a compelling narrative that invites readers to reflect on the enduring impact of history on personal and national identities.
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Subject Terms
State of War by Ninotchka Rosca
First published: 1988
The Work
State of War’s dominant story line portrays a failed attempt by young radicals to assassinate Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos (referred to only as The Commander). The book’s larger concern is with the effect of centuries of colonialism on the Filipino people’s search for national identity. Portions of the novel try to reconstruct the ancestry of the principal characters during centuries of Spanish rule and fifty years of American occupation. Even after independence is achieved in 1946, freedom still is withheld from the people by troops serving the Commander. “Internal colonialism,” controlled by the Filipinos’ own countryman, merely replaces the tyranny that formerly came from outside. Ninotchka Rosca describes a nation forever being betrayed and, therefore, forever in the process of only beginning to find itself.
The seriousness of the assassination attempt is masked by the resplendent color and the joyful sounds of the festival that surround the attempt. Annually, in the Ati-Atihan celebration, Filipinos celebrate the clash between the Spanish and the native islanders. Anna Villaverde, who during martial law once was detained by military authorities because of her closeness to Manolo Montreal, a radical oppositionist who is assumed dead, becomes aware that Colonel Urbano Amor, her original torturer, is securing the area for the Commander’s visit. Anna is protected from exposure by Adrian, a young member of the elite class. Then he is captured, and under the influence of drugs he is forced to reveal parts of the plot. Trying to compensate for this betrayal by warning Anna, he becomes crippled when the bomb intended for the Commander explodes prematurely. As for Manolo Montreal, he is not dead after all but has joined forces with his previous captors. He is prepared to betray the plans of the young conspirators, but Anna manages to kill him. What begins as a festival of song and dance ends in a bloody melee with the Commander still alive and in charge.
The only hope for social change, the novel suggests, lies in Anna and Adrian’s son, who will have to become a historian of the people and storyteller of collective memories and democratic ideals. He will be expected to serve as a reminder of the recurring frustration of Filipino hopes for self-definition during centuries of foreign rule. The novel’s storyline is filled with intrigue from all sides, continuously defeating the examples of reform and of resistance that, historically, only relatively few rebellious nationalists have courageously provided. A persistent “state of war,” Rosca implies, has long existed, and true independence has yet to be achieved. Anna’s dream of a different future among peasants, who want only a right to the land that they till, is a declaration of faith rather than of hope. Romantic as Anna’s expectations of democracy might seem to be under the circumstances, the only alternative is to surrender hope for a free society. It is not in her nature to give up the beliefs that make her life worth living; and in the author, she has found an ally.
Bibliography
Casper, Leonard. In Burning Ambush: Essays 1985-1990. Metro Manila, Philippines: New Day, 1991.