This anthology was published in 1924, placing it firmly within the American colonial era in the Philippines, a period of profound educational and intellectual transition. Edited by two professors of English from the University of the Philippines, the collection represents a seminal effort to establish a modern, secular, and nationalist intellectual tradition written in English. The essays reflect the core debates of the time, including a rigorous critique of the Spanish colonial legacy, particularly the pervasive influence of religious fanaticism and "superstition" on Filipino morality, as exemplified by the reprinted work of Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera. It also features foundational texts of Filipino nationalism, such as a translation of Jose Rizal's political foresight, alongside analyses of indigenous and foreign literary influences. The book captures the Filipino intelligentsia's struggle to define a national identity, reconcile cultural traditions with Western democratic and scientific ideals, and argue for political and economic self-determination.
Thinking for ourselves : a collection of representative Filipino essays