I don't believe in nationalism. I think it's a bunch of slogans. It's a bunch of poor attempts at creating pride. My problem with nationalism is that it becomes exclusionary. We start to exclude people. Miguel Syjuco attemptbunchcreate share on social
I have to believe that literature can effect change; otherwise, I would have no purpose in my life and would have wasted four years on 'Ilustrado.' Miguel Syjuco changeeffectilustrado Change image and share on social
Touching on universality is an important part of effective storytelling, but the problem with cliches is that they are tired and dull. And that's where writers must try to be artful. Miguel Syjuco artfulclichedull Change image and share on social
If I were to go back to the Philippines, I would probably end up teaching creative writing at a university. I wouldn't be able to write, for I would become too jaded to be able to view the existing situation objectively. Miguel Syjuco backcreativeend share on social
I grew up with a very privileged background. My father served as one of the cabinet ministers in Arroyo's government, and he's been a congressman for many years, and he's running again. Miguel Syjuco arroyobackgroundcabinet Change image and share on social
When you live in the Philippines or a country like that, you develop something of a very thick skin because you're confronted every day with all of the problems all around you. Miguel Syjuco confrontcountryday Change image and share on social
I studied in New York. I fell in love with an Australian-born, half-Filipina girl. So we moved to Australia when she went to her university and I moved with her. We moved to Montreal because she was going to take her year abroad, and I wanted to see if I could keep on writing there. It's really hard to make it as a writer in the Philippines. Miguel Syjuco abroadaustraliaaustralian share on social
The Philippines, it has a politics of patronage. Family and favors, in addition to the old cliche of guns, goons and gold, really do still hold a lot of sway. Miguel Syjuco additionclichefamily Change image and share on social
Postmodernism was a reaction to modernism. Where modernism was about objectivity, postmodernism was about subjectivity. Where modernism sought a singular truth, postmodernism sought the multiplicity of truths. Miguel Syjuco modernismmultiplicityobjectivity share on social
I love my homeland, but it's an absurd country. Politics in the Philippines is like spectator sports! Miguel Syjuco absurdcountryhomeland Change image and share on social