<P> The A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, known also as'A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino: An Elegy in Three Scenes is a literary play written in English by Filipino National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin in 1950 . It was described as Joaquin's "most popular play", as the "most important Filipino play in English", and as "probably the best - known Filipino play" Apart from being regarded also as the "national play of the Philippines" because of its popularity, it also became one of the important reads in English classes in the Philippines . Joaquin's play was described by Anita Gates, a reviewer from New York Times, as an "engaging, well plotted metaphor for the passing of Old Manila ." </P> <P> Set in the Filipino world of pre-World War II Intramuros of Old Manila in October 1941, the play explores the many aspects of Philippine high society by telling the story of the Marasigan sisters, Candida and Paula, and their father, the painter Don Lorenzo Marasigan . Due to an artistic drought on Don Lorenzo's part, the family has to make ends meet by relying on the financial support provided by their brother Manolo and sister Pepang, who were urging them to sell the house . Later on, they also had to take a male boarder, in the person of Tony Javier . Don Lorenzo, who refused to sell, donate, or even exhibit his self - portrait in public, was only content in staying inside his room, a stubbornness that already took a period of one year . The painting has attracted the attention and curiosity of journalists such as a family friend named Bitoy Camacho, and other obnoxious visitors pretending as art critics . When one of the daughters, Paula, elopes with Tony, a journey of personal liberation is set in motion, which ends with a restoration of family relations which had been strained due to the neediness of the artist's family . The theme focuses on family conflict and the amalgamation of old Filipino identity and cultural character with the arrival of contemporary and Western ideals . </P> <P> Before the Second World War, many Filipino intellectuals and artists--including painters, as personified by Don Lorenzo Marasigan--searched for cultural enlightenment from Spain, the first imposer of colonialism and authority in the Philippines . This group of Filipinos was acquainted with the Spanish language and customs . After the split of Philippines from Spain, the United States became the replacement model for cultural enhancement, where English language and materialism became a part--as personified by the boarder Tony Javier--thus marginalizing native tongues and culture within the process . During this period, the Philippines was also plagued by the looming war, frequent blackouts, and untrustworthy characters of the existing nightlife in Old Manila . </P>

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