Novel
Radiance and Sunrise
Banaag at Sikat
Lope K. Santos · 1906
Synopsis
Delfin, a poor law student and journalist, a socialist who believes in change through education, loves Meni, daughter of the rich capitalist Don Ramon, who is hostile to their union. His friend Felipe, son of a big landowner, rejects his privileges, leans towards anarchism and loves Tentay, a poor young woman. Their loves mingle with debates on property, labour and class, under the American occupation.
Context
Written from 1903 to 1906 and published in 1906, the novel is regarded as the first Philippine book of socialist inspiration. Teodoro Agoncillo placed it in 1949 among the important books of Tagalog literature, and it has been called the bible of Filipino workers. Santos portrays in it the labour associations, of which he was himself one of the leaders. Danton Remoto translated it into English in 2021 under the title Radiance and Sunrise; it has not been translated into French.
Who it is for
To read the novel that brings socialism into Tagalog literature, at the start of the American period.
Prizes and reception
Penguin presented it on its English translation, in 2021, as Asia's first proletarian novel.