Renato H Constantino: revisited

Reflections on the Nationalist Paradigm in the Era of Failed Neoliberalism

by

Prof. Roland Simbulan




"Renato Constantino was the Filipino historian and scholar who taught us to reexamine our colonial history, to rectify it and to learn from the past. He wanted Filipinos to have a useful memory of a past to advance the Filipino's quest for genuine nationhood. This lecture is a tribute to this great Filipino intellectual, a celebration of his life and works by way of reviewing his contributions and impact on Philippine nationalist historiography. He will be remembered as one of the most influential Filipino writers of the 20th century who through his pamphlets, columns and books influenced several generations of Filipinos. It is no overstatement to say that his advice, commentaries, historical writings and essays guided the contemporary nationalist movement from the late '60s to the current period. No Filipino writer has perhaps contributed as much as Constantino did in terms of substance and volume of writings to advance the Philippine nationalist cause in the 20th century."