Date of Publication

2-14-2026

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Subject Categories

Creative Writing

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Literature, Department of

Thesis Advisor

Ana Margarita R. Nuñez

Defense Panel Chair

Clarissa V. Militante

Defense Panel Member

Timothy R. Montes
Amado Anthony G. Mendoza III

Abstract (English)

This novel explores unchecked gentrification as an essential consequence of imperialism in the Global South through the invisible enmeshments it weaves among the natives and the foreigners coexisting in the city of Dumaguete and the municipality of Dauin, Negros Oriental. Moreover, gentrification is here presented as the gentler side of imperialism, the other side of abuse and exploitation as evidenced by the existence of a human trafficking, cybersex, and prostitution ring that caters to the foreign settlers in the province and preys on its vulnerable population. Considering as well the recent coup of Dumaguete City being named a “City of Literature” by the UNESCO, the novel also interrogates the relationship of its writers, produced mostly through the aesthetic and ideological training of the Silliman tradition in Philippine Literature, with the unabated march of progress in the province through their own works and social positions. Through a fragmented narrative structure, the novel opens itself up to the “community stories” recounted by a cross-section of the residents of Dumaguete and Dauin, reflecting the broad and systemic drivers of so-called “development” and “progress” and their effects on the collective consciousness of a small Philippine province.

Keywords: imperialism, gentrification, Global South, Dumaguete City, Dauin, Negros Oriental, UNESCO, City of Literature, Silliman University, Philippine Literature

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

Tinatalakay ng akdang ito ang walang habas na gentrification na nagaganap bilang bunga ng imperyalismo sa pamamagitan ng hindi nakikitang mga pagkakaugnay na hinahabi nito sa mga Pilipino at mga dayuhang namumuhay sa lungsod ng Dumaguete at sa bayan ng Dauin, Negros Oriental. Bukod pa rito, ang gentrification sa nobelang ito ay inilalahad bilang maamong panig ng imperyalismo, ang kabilang dako ng pang-aabuso at eksploytasyon na binibigyang patunay ng sindikatong nangangalakal sa human trafficking, cybersex, at prostitusyong nagsisilbi sa mga dayuhang namumuhay sa lalawigan ng Negros Oriental at namimiktima sa mga mahihinang populasyon nito. Bilang tugon sa kamakailang pagkakatanghal ng Dumaguete bilang “City of Literature” ng UNESCO, sinusuri din ng nobelang ito ang relasyon ng mga manunulat ng lungsod—karamihan sa kanila ay dumaan sa estetiko at ideyolohikal na pagsasanay ng Silliman University—sa walang humpay na pag-unlad ng lalawigan gamit ang kanilang mga gawa at posisyong panlipunan. Sa pamamagitan din ng pira-pirasong pagkakabalangkas ng naratibo, binubuksan din ng nobelang ito ang sarili sa tinatawag na “community stories” o mga ulat galing sa nakararaming naninirahan sa Dumaguete at Dauin, na siyang nagsasalamin sa mga malawakan at sistematikong nagdudulot ng kinikilalang “development” o “progress” at ng kanilang mga kalalabasan sa pangkalahatang kamalayan ng isang maliit na lalawigan sa Pilipinas.

Keywords: imperialism, gentrification, Global South, Dumaguete City, Dauin, Negros Oriental, UNESCO, City of Literature, Silliman University, Philippine Literature

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Philippine fiction (English); Gentrification in literature

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Embargo Period

4-20-2029

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Available for download on Friday, April 20, 2029

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