Batas at hustisya: A working title for the graphic novel adaptation of smaller and smaller circles by F.H. Batacan

• Main Author: Cristobal, Andrea Marie M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2017
• Subjects: Philippine literature > History and criticism; Philippine fiction (English) > History and criticism; Comparative Literature
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/2907; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_bachelors/article/3907/viewcontent/TU21743_P.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

The proposed graphic novel adaptation of F.H. Batacan's Smaller and smaller circles intends to use a graphic narrative to introduce new cultural contexts and social themes to the novel. Being set in Payatas and dealing mainly with the marginalized sector of the Philippines, I have always wondered why everyone speaks in English-- and fluently and comfortably as they can. Understandably, the English language has been a large part of our culture, but it has always been a question that lingered ever since I have first read Batacan's novel. According to a census in 2010, despite being the teaching language in the Philippines, only 53.63% of the population can actually understand and/or read in English. And so, what do you say to the 46.37% of the country? My proposed adaptation will be focused on a form--visuals and graphics--that will emphasize the crime, mystery and noir qualities of the novel, and a grammar and language structure--colloquialism, references and expressions--that will easily be understood and digested by the Filipino masses, and will appeal to the youth and interested in popular culture. My proposed translation aims to communicate the relevance and story of F.H. Batacan's award-winning contemporary novel Smaller and smaller circles within today's contemporary culture and setting.