Ermita: A Novel

Critique paper.
Brief Background of the Author
Francisco Sionel Jose. His novels, short stories, and non-fiction work highlight the social
underpinnings, class struggles, and colonial history of Filipino society. He is best known for his
epic work, The Rosales Saga – five novels encompassing a hundred years of Philippine history,
painting a vivid documentary of Filipino life. Even in his nineties, he continues to be a prolific
writer and relentless voice against social injustice and national amnesia. José, Manong Frankie
to younger writers, is an Ilocano born and raised in Rosales, Pangasinan, the setting of many of
his novels. His experiences in the Japanese Era were put into the novel. He was a medic during
the war with Japan, a skill he has not forgotten. His forefathers, fleeing poverty, migrated from
the Ilocos bringing with them uprooted molave posts from their old house and their alsong, a
stone mortar for pounding rice. The story is that when Francisco (that’s the F.) was 5, his
grandfather, who fought in the revolution against Spain, told him about the land that the family
once possessed but which was taken away from them by the rich mestizo landowners. This scene
and these characters occur frequently in the novels of José, with their dispossessed peasantry,
rapacious elite, rebels, slum dwellers, ferment in the countryside, and decadence and squalor in
the city. From the start, young Francisco was a voracious reader and his mother would bring the
child books to cultivate his mind. Later literary influences were Willa Cather (“My Antonia”),
William Faulkner, John Steinbeck and Rizal’s “Noli” and “Fili” (the chapter on the unfortunate
acolytes Crispin and Basilio made him cry.) After the war, José studied at the University of
Santo Tomas (UST) where his contemporaries included Inquirer founder Eugenia Duran Apostol.
He later focused on journalism and the writing of fiction—short stories, novellas, and novels—
which would make him famous and translated into many languages.

Short Summary of Ermita

Ermita is a prostitute who used her body, beauty, and wits to own her body and free herself
from slavery from men and change the stereotyped gender roles. But, F. Sionil Jose did not only
use a single prostitute worker to define who and what is a prostitute because everyone is a
prostitute that is veiled by the power and wealth that makes up the Philippine Society. Rolando
Cruz, for example, became a prostitute himself, not by selling his body but his principles. He
uses his knowledge in journalism to bargain power and money. He knows that people are scared
of him because he knows their darkest secrets that should be untold. It is like nationalism is not
important because what matters most is the reputation of the wealthy people. Another example is
Ermita’s aunt, Felicitas Roho, a socialite who chooses to use her body, not to earn money, but to
have so much more. This is true, a number of women would turn to prostitution simply as an
escape from typical professions. The novel delivers great themes of prostitution, money,
dehumanization, affection, and revenge. In the novel, the Japanese soldiers destroyed her mother
physically and mentally as they raped her. This has pushed her mother to escape to America so
that she could leave everything behind, including her own child, and to be free from her
traumatic past. This scenario had shown the effects on the lives of who were “comfort women”
during the Japanese Era.

Feminist analysis
The character of Magdalena in Freddie Aguilar's song shares striking similarities with Ermita
in Sionil Jose's novel. Both women embody strength, resilience, and defiance in the face of
societal expectations and challenges. A poignant verse from the song "Magdalena" that resonates
with Ermita's story is: "Magdalena, aking kaibigan, ang puso mo'y wag maguluhan, sa piling ng
mga lalaking nagtaksil sa'yo." This verse encapsulates the spirit of both Magdalena and Ermita,
portraying their unwavering resolve and inner strength in the face of betrayal and adversity.
Another particular verse from “Magdalena” that resonates with Ermita’s story is: “Ang dalaga’y
napaibig sa isang lalaking mapang-api” (The young woman fell in love with an oppressive man).
This verse captures the essence of Ermita’s experience, as she becomes entangled in a
relationship with a man who exhibits oppressive behavior. Through this connection, we
recognize the shared themes of male dominance, gender inequality, and the search for autonomy
in both the song and the novel.
not for money but for social and material gain, highlighting another facet of women’s choices
within patriarchal constraints.
Another line in the Novel is “A woman loses her virginity only once and after that, she is
open to all men, a thousand men even. Who cannot prove their virginity except to themselves
( Author; pg.181)”
The statement reflects entrenched societal beliefs about virginity and sexuality, particularly
regarding women. It underscores the traditional notion that a woman's virginity is a valuable
commodity, with its loss marking a significant milestone that alters her perceived worth and
status. This perpetuates a double standard, as men are not subject to the same scrutiny or
judgment regarding their sexual behavior. The assertion that a woman becomes "open to a men"
after losing her virginity implies a loss of control over her own sexuality, reinforcing the idea of
women as objects of male desire. Moreover, the statement suggests that virginity serves as a
form of validation or self-worth, with one's value being tied to their sexual history. However, it
also acknowledges the internalized nature of these beliefs, implying that ultimately, the
validation of one's virginity is a personal matter. Overall, the statement reflects deeply ingrained
societal norms and expectations surrounding gender, sexuality, and morality, highlighting the
complex interplay between individual experiences and broader cultural attitudes.
Historical Analysis
Ermita is the story of an enclave of privilege and affluence, and the putrefaction of a
society. Here is Manila-before 1941, during the tumultuous years of the Japanese Occupation,
and the corrupt Marcos regime. Providing a historical context that shapes the experiences of the
characters. The novel sheds light on the atrocities committed during these periods, portraying the
impact of war and authoritarian rule on the lives of ordinary people. The Japanese war, which
occurred during World War II, brought immense suffering and devastation to the Philippines. The
occupation by Japanese forces led to widespread violence, displacement, and loss of life.
“Ermita” depicts the struggles faced by Ermita and her community as they endure the horrors of
war, emphasizing the resilience and strength of the Filipino people.Furthermore, the period of
martial law, which was imposed in the Philippines by President Ferdinand Marcos. This era saw
the suppression of civil liberties, human rights violations, and the silencing of dissenting voices.
Within the narrative of “Ermita,” the effects of martial law on individuals and society are
explored, highlighting the resilience and resistance of the Filipino people.

Conclusions
On the flip side, Ermi ponders about a girl she knew, Lily who had more courage than she to
face her reality. The future is scary as we all know it. Uncertainness that comes along with it
scares quite a number of people because we tend to feel better when we are secure; and you can’t
be marching along, rallying, participating in the revolution while your life could end at any
moment. Basically, I felt that the novel shows what Filipino society could turn into if Ermita
continues on this path—cheap sex and easy women. We should get out of these fantasies as
Filipinos. Like when Mac only looked on as Ermi was being ravaged by men he made no move
immediately after several attempts failed to make her give up her trade instead he just stopped
trying and left her fate to destiny. Finally comes the biggest revelation
ever. It is when people come to realize all their past mistakes they have done, what they were
supposed to do but did not do among other issues. And even worse when one reaches its end he
has a decision.

References
Sionil Jose, F. (Year). Ermita. Publisher.
Aguilar, Freddie. (Year). Magdalena. Song Lyrics.
Ramona S. Tirona, “The Filipino woman: what she is and what she is not,” Philippine Herald
(Dec 1920): 3–7.
Maria Luisa Camagay, Working Women of Manila in the 19th Century, (Philippines: University
of the Philippines Press, 1995).
Alumni Files (1845-1978) - Pura Santilan, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
Mrs. Traub, Newspaper clipping, publication unknown. Russel Roy McPeek Papers, 1865-1945,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
Laura R. Prieto, "Bibles, Baseball and Butterfly Sleeves: Filipina Women and American
Protestant Missions, 1900–1930.”