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BIRDS OF PREY: A SWEEPING SAGA OF WAR, OPPRESSION, AND THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY
Introducing the first published English Translation of Philippine National Artist Amado V. Hernandez’s monumental novel, Mga Ibong Mandaragit
Woodcliff Lake, NJ (September 2021) Birds of Prey, the first-ever published English translation by Estelita Constantino-Pangilinan of the Mga Ibong Mandaragit novel by renowned Filipino author Amado V. Hernandez, has debuted worldwide through Amazon's expanded distribution and Kindle. This translation of one of Philippine literature’s epic novels is the fruit of decades-long efforts by Constantino-Pangilinan’s Filipino-American family to bring her work and Hernandez's masterpiece to an international audience.
Birds of Prey is a sweeping tale encompassing many themes that echo today’s struggles – greed, corruption, propaganda, "fake news," the dangers of a society where a sliver of the population owns most of the wealth, and the fight to uplift the poorest and powerless.
Set against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II, the story introduces Mando Plaridel, born to servants and orphaned as a teenager. Mando is turned over to the Japanese by his master, an opportunistic landowner. This betrayal leads Mando to join the outlaw guerrilla army to fight brutal and merciless enemies. His courage, perseverance, and selflessness prove him worthy of a mythical treasure – which would only be discovered when the country needs it the most and be used to foment change.
Hernandez wrote passionately about the need for forging a national identity, strengthening infrastructure, while shedding the shackles of colonial mentality. He also presented a hopeful vision that a better, more equal society was possible. This novel was Hernandez’s resounding call to action. In literary circles, his magnum opus is widely regarded as a sequel to El Filibusterismo, the famous novel by Filipino martyr and national hero Jose Rizal.
Constantino-Pangilinan was an educator, a speechwriter, and the author of various works, including textbooks on journalism, speech and drama. Her journey with Mga Ibong Mandaragit began 45 years ago when she analyzed and translated the novel into English from the original Tagalog (the national language of the Philippines) for her master’s thesis. She deeply believed that it was important to share Birds of Prey with a wider audience and underscore Hernandez’s place in the pantheon of Philippine literature.
The publication of this book is a profound labor of love by Constantino-Pangilinan's family and friends who worked together for many years to posthumously realize her dream. It is their belief that words matter during these tumultuous times, whether in the Philippines, the U.S. or other countries. Just as Rizal's works inspired a revolution, their hope is that reintroducing Mga Ibong Mandaragit through Birds of Prey to the public could inspire a new way of thinking or perhaps even help usher in a new generation of leaders.