THE endurance of Philippine mythology in the modern era is the result of reimagining stories told in the past.
Two mythology experts lectured on the reimagination of Philippine mythology in the era of urbanization on Wednesday at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex Auditorium.
Michael Andrada, a literature and popular culture professor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, emphasized the need for a “continuum” when reimagining Philippine mythology.
“Mayroong ugnayan ‘yung nakaraan, kasulukuyan, hanggang sa hinaharap… mayroon dapat tradisyon na pinagmumulan,” he explained.
Andrada, also a biology alumnus of the University, said it was imperative for every student to trace the purpose and significance of Philippine mythology.
“Students should research more about Philippine mythology in order to know how we have evolved as a society,” he added.
Paolo Chikiamco, managing editor of Studio Salimbal Comics, talked about Philippine mythology’s potential to be the mirror of a modern Filipino.
“We are the storytellers now. We can choose to partake in a tradition, while drawing upon it, and making space for ourselves,” Chikiamco said.
Chikiamco also addressed the problem of studying mythology out of compulsion, rather than choice.
The lecture was part of “Danas,” a seminar series organized by the UST Literary Society, which discusses literary and sociopolitical subjects
