F. Sionil Jose’s Novel “Viajero” Captures Different Forms of Filipino Diaspora

Literature as form of art can be a medium for expression of man's lived experiences. As P.T. Barnum, the greatest showman stated, literature is one of the most interesting and significant expressions of humanity. Diaspora literature conveys the idea of homeland, and narrates stories of people's journeys. This study describes Filipino diasporic experiences as captured in the novel “Viajero”. Results show that different forms of diaspora are depicted including diaspora with cause, diaspora as escapists, diaspora silent at home and diaspora of self. Diaspora with cause is a form of exile where the person departed his country with noble intent. Diaspora as escapists is a form of exile where the person flies out of his country because of committed wrongdoing to existing leadership, while diaspora silent at home is a form of exile where a person leaves his country because of discontent, frustration from experienced injustice and loss of trust in a corrupt government. Diaspora of self is a form of exile where a person leaves his country full of dreams and hopes for attaining better future but experienced varied forms of hardships and abuses. The lived experiences of Filipinos can serve as reference point for migrant workers on the kind of life in store for them so they will have a sense of preparedness when they pursue their dreams of better future. This would aid governments in developing better policies protecting migrant workers' rights, and allow more humane and self-fulfilling transition in foreign lands without losing their sense-identity.