Dekada 70 Ni Lualhati Bautista ((install)) Jun 2026
Who enlists in the US Navy, representing the "brain drain" and the desire for escape.
Weaknesses (as noted by some critics):
Dekada '70 is widely considered a masterpiece of Philippine literature. Its strengths include: dekada 70 ni lualhati bautista
As the decade progresses, her five sons choose vastly different paths, reflecting the fractured state of Philippine society:
The novel is narrated from Amanda’s perspective. Initially a traditional ilaw ng tahanan (light of the home) who submits to her husband’s authority, Amanda evolves into a politically aware and courageous woman as she witnesses her five sons—Jules, Gamaliel (Gama), Isagani (Gani), Emmanuel (Jesse), and Bingo—respond differently to the crisis. The story reaches its climax when one son becomes a revolutionary, another is tortured, and a third is “salvaged” (extrajudicially killed). Amanda is forced to choose between blind obedience to the regime and protecting her family. Who enlists in the US Navy, representing the
The 1970s was a transformative decade in the Philippines, marked by social unrest, martial law, and a cultural explosion. It was an era that inspired many artists, writers, and musicians to create works that reflected the tumultuous times. One such literary masterpiece is Lualhati Bautista's "Dekada '70," a novel that captures the essence of the decade and its impact on the lives of ordinary Filipinos.
The impact of "Dekada '70" extends beyond its literary merit. The novel has become an important cultural artifact, offering a glimpse into a pivotal moment in Philippine history. It has been adapted into a film and a TV series, introducing the story to new generations of Filipinos. Initially a traditional ilaw ng tahanan (light of
The eldest, who joins the communist underground movement (NPA).
Her famous line, "Hindi na ako ang dating Amanda Bartolome... ang dating nanay na parang dekorasyon lamang sa bahay" ("I am no longer the Amanda Bartolome of the past... the mother who was merely a decoration in the house"), signifies the political mobilization of the Filipino woman. Bautista argues that the oppression of women and the oppression of a nation are intertwined; to liberate her sons, she must liberate herself.