Narrative Voice and Cultural Identity: Examining Storytelling Techniques in Filipino Creative Writing

Vangilit Retome

doi:10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.418

Authors

Vangilit Retome Southern Leyte State University, San Juan Campus https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8381-4717

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.418

Keywords:

Narrative Voice, Cultural Identity, Filipino Literature, Indigenous Storytelling, Language Authenticity, Social Critique, Symbolism

Abstract

This research investigates the relationship between narrative voice and the formation of Filipino cultural identity through the medium of storytelling. Authors from the Philippines serve as stewards of history, incorporating the nation's collective memory and the realities of society into their works of writing. Enhancing cultural representation is accomplished by the utilization of real language, which includes the utilization of regional dialects and the telling of stories in many languages. The narrative voice is also utilized by writers in the context of social criticism, with topics such as migration, poverty, and resilience being considered. By combining traditional methods of storytelling with digital platforms, cultural narratives can be expanded even farther while also being preserved. The use of symbolism and metaphor enhances the storytelling experience by reinforcing concepts such as resistance, displacement, and identity. Writers’ strikes a compromise between the freedom to express their creativity and the requirement to be culturally responsible, seeking advice from elders and cultural experts to maintain authenticity. To maintain a vibrant literary tradition that contributes to the development of national consciousness and cultural continuity, Filipino writers consistently experiment with new narrative voices.

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