Indeed, nothing endures the test of time quite like literature. While other art forms such as music, film, and paintings can capture specific moments in history, literature has the unique ability to capture the essence of human thought, emotion, and experiences in a way that resonates across generations. Great literary works preserve the voices and values of the past, providing insights that remain timeless and relevant across different periods.
The Philippines is no stranger to brilliant and creative minds that shaped the nation’s literary landscape. One of these greats, Nicomedes Marquez Joaquin, more commonly known as Nick Joaquin, began his journey in Paco, Manila in 1917, discovering his love for literature at a young age.
At the ripe age of 10, he was already exposed to classic authors such as Charles Dickens, Anton Chekhov, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Ernest Hemingway. This was encouraged by his parents who were both highly educated—his father was a popular lawyer in Manila and his mother used to be an educator in Manila, one of the first to receive training from the Americans in teaching English—thus, having the capability to provide him access to quality education. Joaquin’s love for literature and his passion for books was evident in his daily life, as he would run errands with a book in one hand.
Joaquin was indeed an intelligent student. His formal education began in his neighborhood in Paco and he briefly attended Victorino Mapa High School in San Miguel, Manila. After two years in high school, he decided that the traditional classroom setup was not for him despite his good academic performance. In his third year, he dropped out of school to his mother’s dismay, and decided to pursue opportunities outside the classroom.
From there, Joaquin took on numerous jobs, the first being an assistant at a local bakery in Pasay City. He then became an apprentice in a publishing company called Tribune-Vanguardia-Taliba or TVT, which was his first dabble into print media. In 1936, he published his first poem, a piece about Don Quixote, at only 17 years old. His work impressed an editor from Tribune and marked the beginning of his writing journey. In 1937, he published his first short story titled, “The Sorrows of Vaudeville”.
Yet, his breakthrough as a writer came in 1940 when one of his short stories was published in the Manila-based magazine Graphic. Joaquin’s “Three Generations” tackles themes of Filipino family dynamics, coming of age, domestic violence, forbidden love, and forgiveness. Through this short story, Joaquin was able to showcase his ability to portray the Filipino psyche.
A common element in Joaquin’s works is the depiction of the Filipino identity—both its simplicities and complexities. He was deeply interested in the dynamics between the past and the present, following history and culture, often portraying the tension between colonial influences and indigenous Filipino traditions.
Amidst the Second World War, Joaquin published some of his greatest literary works: “La Naval de Manila” (1943), “It Was Later Than We Thought” (1943), and “Guardia de Honor” (1959). At a period when the Philippines was going through a lot of social and political change with the influence of the Americans, it was Nick Joaquin and his works that served as the voice that stood for our history, acknowledging the Filipino identity amidst the Spanish colonial period.
Although he had already established himself as a fictionist, Joaquin also found success in journalism when he started writing for the Philippine Free Press magazine in 1950. His career in journalism lasted for decades, during which he was the author of several essays, profile articles, and cultural critiques that allowed him to document social and political realities in the Philippines. His work as a journalist allowed him to showcase his versatility as a writer and expand his reach, from politicians to street vendors, allowing him to further enrich his writing through his encounters with them.
During this time, he also unveiled his pen name, “Quijano de Manila”, because he wanted to separate his work in journalism and his literary works. “Quijano” is an anagram of his surname “Joaquin” while “de Manila” is an homage to his cultural background. In addition, he also took inspiration from Don Quixote, whose real name is Alonso Quijano, because he said he was able to identify with this character. Thus, his pen name also stood for “Don Quixote of Manila.”
One of Joaquin’s most impactful works was “La Naval de Manila” (1943), which explores the Catholic faith, colonial history, and national identity. Through delving into the worship of the Virgin Mary during the significant Battle of La Naval de Manila in 1646, Joaquin was able to showcase the importance and impact of Catholicism on the Filipino experience and in shaping Filipino identity. His portrayal of religious festivals, practices, and superstitions also depicts faith as both a cultural anchor and a source of conflict—emphasizing the role of religion in inspiring resilience amidst challenging times.
Through his literary works, Joaquin has showcased his mastery of the English language, yet he still believed in the importance of using the Filipino language as it promotes our own culture and identity. He once said, “If the English language is ever to become ours, we have to develop our own tone, our own voice.” As an advocate for the development and recognition of the Filipino language, he succeeded in writing English prose with a distinctly Filipino insight, creating a voice that is a true reflection of his homeland.
In 1976, his career finally reached its culmination as he was declared a National Artist for Literature. This recognition solidified his place among the country’s greatest and most influential cultural figures. His impact goes beyond his contributions to Philippine literature for he was also able to start intellectual discussions on Filipino identity, history, and culture. More importantly, he inspires the future generation of writers and artists to also explore these themes.
On April 29, 2004, he unfortunately passed away but not without leaving a lasting legacy. His works continue to be read and studied in different schools and universities both inside and outside of the country. Additionally, he continues to be an essential voice through his literary works in understanding Filipino culture and the Filipino identity. More importantly, Joaquin saw and believed in the power of literature to shape and reflect a nation; he is not only remembered as a writer, but as a national treasure who was able to capture the Filipino spirit.
