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The project aims to read and analyze the works written by Isabelo de los Reyes during the transition period from the Spanish to the American colonial era (1897-1912). It also retraces the period's socio-historical contexts and events to understand de los Reyes's imagination of the country and the Filipino community. This project highlights the unchartered chapters of the Ilocano polymath's life during the American era in the Philippines. There are four sections in this paper: 1) the West's notion of "nation" and the national culture of "bayan" in de los Reyes's land of birth, 2) some works of de los Reyes during the transition period, 3) prevalent themes and discourses from de los Reyes's works, and 4) conclusion. More than any other time, de los Reyes wrote during this period to forge insights that made his mark in history. In spite of the socio-political challenges he faced, the Ilocano polymath created opportunities to make possible what he dreamed for the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay discusses the three novels of Patricio Mariano and how these novels depict the last three decades of Spanish colonialism. Even though these were published between 1906-1913, the novels Juan Masili o Ang Pinuno ng Tulisan (1906), Ang Bunga ng Nalantang Bulaklak (1908), and Ang Tala ng Panghulo (1913) were set between the years 1872-1898. This essay argues that history as both theme and setting is important in Mariano's writing. This is different from past critiques and analysis that dismiss his use of historical setting as disconnected from the romantic plots of his characters. In particular, the essay argues the importance of the historical and social milieu, in the realm of economic and gender discourse and in creating historical and national consciousness for the Filipino readers in the first two decades of the 20th century. It would be argued that Mariano uses history in an alegorical way to show the roots of Filipino nationalism and how the desired freedom and independence of the Philippines can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]