Critique-Sabangan, China May G

Name: China May G.
Sabangan BSEE 34
Year and Section: BSE3-ENGL1 November 4, 2020
Critique Paper: Luha ng Buwaya by Amado V. Hernandez
“Luha ng Buwaya” or “Crocodile’s Tear” is one of the novels published in 1962 under the
Third Republic. It was written by Palanca Awardee and Filipino novelist Amado V. Hernandez.
The story is about poor farmers uniting against the greedy desires of the prominent family of the
Grandes. In Filipino idioms, "crocodiles" were used to symbolize those people who are corrupt
and the "buwaya" (crocodile) in the title refers to the Grandes family, who were greedy for
money. This novel was based on Amado V. Hernandez’s experiences as a guerilla, as a labor
leader of the federation Congress of Labor Organizations (CLO), and as a political detainee. In
a larger perspective, “Luha ng Buwaya” was Hernandez's realistic embodiment of the socio-
political crisis happening in the Philippines during the 1930s until the 1950s. Amado himself is
also a pro-Marx who wants to alleviate the suffering of the poor people from the maltreatment of
those who are of high class in the society. This paper would consist mixed evaluation that would
present the strengths and weaknesses of the literary piece.
The novel although based on real Philippine scenario is considered fiction, a product of
the mind. It is a narrative about seeking for the right, justness and a battle against subjugation
by the characters who dwell in Sampilong. It focuses on the clashing of thoughts between the
hapless and the elite. Andres, Maestro Bandong, Ba Enten and Mang Tasyo, those who are
hapless were seeking for alteration. They wanted to defy against the people they described as
“Buwayas” in the story- Donya Leona and Don Severo. Donya Leona, the landlady of the
hapless farmers acts here as a greedy usurer- a crocodile in the fen, selfish and stone-hearted.
With that, the farmers felt that this should stop and so they started to revolt, but in a slow and
quiet way. They extended aid to each other, exerting the “bayanihan” spirit. Their goal is to
transform the slums into “Bagong Nayon”, but Donya Leona stopped them by claiming “Bagong
Nayon” saying that it was a land given by the King of Spain to her father. What happened
ignited the passion of the people to be heard and to fight for what they deserve. Donya Leona
was well equipped in the battleground, complete with military personnel to fight and pull strings
while Maestro Bandong and the other left stick to their rules and beliefs. Although they were
ignored, they continued to fight believing that the justness of God is still existing. Fortunately,
through being united they attained triumph while the “buwayas” got the punishment that they
deserved.
Amado developed the narrative by showing foremost the feature of the characters, their
societal position, their rules and their beliefs. Then he stated the two conflicting sides, the elite;
on how to bring down the revolting provincials and bring money from their ignorance, and the
hapless; on how to defy the manipulating Donya Leona and initiate alteration to better their life.
He continued the clash of the two and successfully thrilled the readers. Some characters of the
story are; Don Severino- the husband of Donya Leona, Dislaw- right hand man of Donya Leona,
and the rival of Bandong to Pina, Bandong- a good-nartured teacher, Pina- the most beautiful
lady of Sampilong who loves Badong, Mang Tasyo- the leader of the farmers, Andres- the
leader of the informal settlers, Iska- housemate of Leona’s director who loves Kosme, Kosme-
servant of Leona who loves Cely, Cely- a widow, sister of Dislaw, Mang Pablo- father of Pina,
Aling Sabel- mother of Pina who likes Dislaw for Pina, Gobernador and Police Chief- allies of
Leona. The story’s setting is in Sampilong- a broad farming land owned by the Grande’s. It is a
town gifted by natural resources-resources intended to all but are owned merely by few. The
story also showed a part of Manila where social status was not that different in Sampilong. The
unfortunates were portrayed in situations where robbery, gluttony, hunger and decease are
shown. On the other hand, the greedy enjoys things extravagantly. These are people who buy
justness and pull strings in their power. They are used to despotize the weak and earn from
their ignorance.
Amado uses words which are easy to understand, but there were instances when he
used figurative words such as simile, metaphor, exaggeration and questioning so that the
oppressor does not openly know what the oppressed want. It is also used to possess the art and
beauty of the work which encourages the reader. It is also evident to the title itself, crocodiles
were believed to shed tears as they devoured their victims, thus making “crocodile tears” a
figure of speech that describes insincere remorse or sympathy. Some of the lines where he
used figurative words are; simile- “Tila napawi na ang guhit sa pagitan ng katandaan at
kabataan ng lalake at babae…”, exaggeration-“katarunga’y kakambal ng lupa, paglipad ng
pagong, lalo kang lumaki sa paningin at dalangin ng aking kaluluwa…”, questioning- “Kung
hukuma’y di pa naming masabi ang lahat ng dapat sabihin at iaing, sa’ng silong pa ng langit
maaring dinggin ang katwiran ng mga api?”. The clashing thoughts between the rich and the
hapless were admirable and educating and in every sentence he constructed, there is a good
idea to be contemplated. In every characters he created, there is an association or relationship
with the existing scenario. Every character played an important role and were given time,
importance and a story to tell. The setting was set in a good environment where social status
can be greatly seen. The difference between the rich and the poor was easily seen because
Sampilong is a farming land where a large mansion and “bahay kubo” are loacated. Since the
context is in the Philippines, many Filipino readers can relate to the characters and the situation
that they were in since land problems and rich vs. poor are two of the never-ending issue in the
Philippines. Some issues like rape, government officials being influenced by money and money
over justice were also tackled in the story which made it more realistic even if it considered a
fiction.
To sum it up, Amado’s work was simple but it did not appear to be simplistic. The flow of
the narrative was rapid and sometimes difficult to understand because of the sudden switch of
circumstances. Here, Amado ignored the thought that a revolution, in order to be successful
should use force and deathly arms. Instead, he presented another position in an optimistic
manner, which is by being united, devoted, and disciplined. Besides, I admired his emphasis
that believing to be unified and the mention of personal aims to the national advancement were
the keys for society’s reclamation. He is a great writer who made his character portray Filipino
personality and situation like; strong beliefs, felicity, love affair, failure, and dreams. Another
thing was that the narrative being based on the local context truly deserves applause. Like
Rizal, he was not afraid or ashamed to expose the disgusting world for the interest of
reclamation and that deserves an award. As a national artist, he was successful in elating the
impression of true and effective ways in doing the society reform for the better. He stick to his
point of view that the laborers should be given equal rights which needs to be respected by all
the members of the societal organization. Truly, “Luha ng Buwaya” is a great masterpiece.

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Name: China May G.

Critique Paper: Luha ng Buwaya by Amado V. Hernandez

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