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Nínay
Nínay | Pedro A. Paterno
3 posts | 1 read | 2 to read
Published just two years before José Rizal's national epic, Touch Me Not, Pedro A. Paterno's Nínay is a cultural novel that portrays Philippine society to an international non-Filipino audience. Considered to be the first novel published by a Native Filipino author, Nínay follows the life, love and death of a young woman named Antonina Milo y Buisan, or "Nínay" for short. Her story is told by a young man named Taric to an unknown narrator over the course of the nine-day vigil of Pasiyam. Recounting the passionate affair in the time of cholera between Nínay and the highly regarded Don Carlos Mabagsic, Taric explores the journey of two young lovers and the events that lead to their eventual separation. Professionally typeset with a beautifully designed cover, this edition of Nínay is a reimagining of a Filipino classic for the modern reader.
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psalva
Nínay | Pedro A. Paterno
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I found myself charmed by this dramatic, tragic love story, told with style. The plot was interesting enough on its own, but it also served as a cultural tour of 1800s Philippines, even if it is tainted by Spanish colonialism. Paterno manages to express the cultural importance of nature, boats, Catholicism, folklore, and superstitions, as well as the colonial influence of Spanish culture. ⬇ï¸

psalva The footnotes (which I read separately) are full of interesting info- like having the insider knowledge of a tour guide. I can see why this was a celebrated work in the Philippines. P.S.- the photo is a Ninay Doll (https://dollsmagazine.com/article-template/) 2y
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psalva
Nínay | Pedro A. Paterno
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“Why, Don Carlos, dost thou expose thy life to such a fate?â€
“Because my life is here,†he replied.
“Is it true what thou tellest me?†said Berto astonished.
“May a caimán seize me slumbering if I utter a falsehood.â€

I think this might possibly refer to a Philippine crocodile rather than an actual caiman- either way, no thanks! ?

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psalva
Nínay | Pedro A. Paterno
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I‘m enjoying the tagged book, which is apparently the first novel written by a native Filipino. The plot, a tragic love story, is a bit dramatic but the language and cultural information woven throughout the writing is quite interesting. There are Tagalog words sprinkled throughout, many relating to flora and fauna. I‘m grateful for the glossary. The word “cóling†caught my eye- it refers to a bird that learns to speak! ⬇ï¸
#weirdwords @CBee

psalva The lengthy, often tangential, footnotes are a bit distracting from the story but I‘m excited to go back and read them as a stand-alone look at Filipino culture of the time. 2y
CBee I wonder if you‘d call a parrot that! Super interesting 🧠2y
psalva @CBee I was thinking the same thing. Incidentally, I just plugged it into a translator and it came up as “call,†not referring to a bird at all. I‘m wondering if the glossary definition is dated since the novel first published in 1885. Or maybe it‘s a colloquialism? Nonetheless, it‘s interesting. 2y
CBee @psalva lots of things to ponder 🤔 2y
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