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Romeo P. Peña, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, PhilippinesAbstract
This paper focuses into the dynamics of power, resistance and knowledge as portrayed in Mga Kaluluwa sa Kumunoy (Souls in the Quagmire), a novel by Efren R. Abueg, a well-known and prizewinning writer in the Philippines. Abueg, whose works have earned critical acclaim for portrayal of social issues, is particularly noted for his contributions to Philippine literature during the Martial Law era. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s theoretical framework, the study explores how Abueg’s novel critiques authoritarian rule and highlights the struggles of individuals caught in oppressive structures. Foucault’s concepts of power relations, discourse, and subjectivity are used to examine how Mga Kaluluwa sa Kumunoy resists dominant narratives and generates alternative knowledge by amplifying marginalized voices. This paper demonstrates how the novel disrupts entrenched systems of power and engages readers in critical reflection. This paper argues that Philippine literature, exemplified by Abueg’s work, not only serves as a record of historical trauma but also empowers individuals through the articulation of resistance and the envisioning of transformative futures.
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Conference: PCAH2025Stream: Literature/Literary Studies
This paper is part of the PCAH2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Peña R. (2025) Power, Resistance and Knowledge in Efren R. Abueg’s Mga Kaluluwa sa Kumunoy ISSN: 2758-0970 The Paris Conference on Arts & Humanities 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 1-8) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2758-0970.2025.1
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2758-0970.2025.1
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