Noli Me Tangere (1887) and El Filibusterismo (1891), novels written during the Spanish occupation era by the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal who was later martyred for these very novels. These novels were the first ever signs of nationalism in the Phillipines, by none other than Jose Rizal. They were written originally in Spanish, the mother language of Spain, our once-colonizers at the time (the Philippines was under Spanish occupation for 333 years).
Noli Me Tangere (the social cancer) and El Filibusterismo, opened the eyes of the Philippine farmers, laborers, slaves under the name "servant" and the starving, to their oppressors, their own fellow countrymen, the rich capitalists of their time. (Noli me Tangere is read before the sequel El Filibusterismo)
Banaag at Sikat (Radiance and Sunrise by: Lope K. Santos, 1903-1906), a story of romance written as a proletariat novel, between the young socialist Delfin and the daughter of a rich capitalist- Meni. Banaag at Sikat in the English language can be translated as "Radiance and Sunrise". This novel was slowly released in fragments in Lope K. Santos' weekly labor newspaper "Muling Pagsilang" (Rebirth), over the course of three years (1903-1906). It was written to inspire the uneducated and starving people of the Philippines and inspire it did! It was written in a blend of romance and politics, so as to keep the interest of the readers- truly genius! It is considered the first novel on Socialism written in the Philippines which both educated the Filipino classes and sought reforms from the government.
Mga Ibong Mandaragit (The Preying Birds by: Amado V. Hernandez, 1969) A romance-proletariat novel, which educated the Filipinos.
Andoy, now known as Mando a socialist and ex-guerilla post Japanese-occupation. Mando, finds certain treasures in the sea (a sequel of sorts to Jose Rizal's El Filibusterismo), which lead him to create a newspaper company "The Kampilan" which was undeterred by the corrupt capitalists and government officials. The Kampilan ruthlessly spread the truths of injustice and corruption within the Philippines to the eyes and minds of the laborer-class...
The great works of Jose Rizal (Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, etc) and Amado V. Hernandez (Mga Ibong Mandaragit, Luha ng Buwaya,etc) , Lope K. Santos (best known for Banaag At Sikat), are all novels which I have read and have been touched by. Written by the first nationalists, socialists and so-called "anarchists" of the Phillipines, they will inspire any reader who leaves their mind and hearts open to truth. I have not fully understood their depth even after re-reading, I hope to one day understand their significance to the fullest.
Rating: Masterpieces which will forever hold a place in my heart (and any other reader).
P.S: I read these novels a while back, in English unfortunately I could not find untranslated copies.
