Juanita Cruz is a novel originally written in Hiligaynon by Ilongga National Artist for Literature, Magdalena Jalandoni. It was translated into English by her niece Ofelia Ledesma Jalandoni and was published by UP Press.
The novel spans several years and tells the life of a native heiress, Juanita Cruz, her love story, tragedies and successes. The plot is cliched and typical of the Filipino novel of that period - melodramatic with extended scenes and, sometimes, stuffed by protracted and unnecessary dialogs. But what i appreciate about Jalandoni's work was how she used her gift for words to pluck a 21st century reader and transport him to a late-19th century bahay na bato, only to witness a furious father slap her tender daughter.
Jalandoni's niece does justice in staying true to her aunt's work and i could vividly imagine the travails and miseries, success and joy, while feeling at the same the impassioned emotions felt by Juanita and the love of her life, Ely.
I would like to think that in writing in the first person, Magdalena Jalandoni may have, as well, drawn from her own experiences a portion of Juanita's life. That Juanita was forbidden to love someone lower than her station may have been experienced by Juanita herself, or did she know someone who endured that fate? But Jalandoni, i think, does not want Juanita to end up a spinster or a nun banished in a draughty convent. She extends the plot, adds characters akin to fairy godparents, and touches on social and political issues of the day. Villains, conniving cousins and jealous lovers also sprout as read along.
Through Juanita Cruz, Jalandoni rebels against her own social caste - Iloilo's sugar-planting families. She depicts her own kins as haughty, arrogant, social climbing (the loved it to marry off a child to a pure-bred Spaniard), and eager to stoop down on one of their unfortunate and poor brothers.
Nationalist and patriotic sentiments are evident. No other than Ely, whose ashes to phoenix tale of self-redemption and meteoric success in Spain, was depicted as one of those selfmade natives who fueled the flames of revolution against Spain, himself a victim of colonial abuses.
Jalandoni only had the kindest regards for the Catholic church and the religious who serves her. thus, in the novel, Jalandoni pictures the priests were instrumental in helping Ely succeed. The nuns were motherly and caring. His arrogant brother found redemption with the church.
Taking on a historical and cultural lens, Juanita Cruz is a window to a bygone era and Jalandoni was the perfect eyewitness who poignantly weaves this tale, so tearjerking you might find yourself teary eyed at climactic scenes. I did.
Interested of this book? Contact UP Press. You may order via their shop at Lazada and Shopee.
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