The essential Florentino: A critical edition

• Main Author: Carey, Teresita G.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2000
• Subjects: Anthologies; Literature > Collections; Florentino, Alberto > Collected works; Criticism, Textual; Philippine literature; Florentino, Alberto S., 1931-; English Language and Literature
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/846
• Institution: De La Salle University

This dissertation is entitled The essential Florentino : a critical edition. The most anthologized play in Philippine literature is Alberto Florentino's The World is an Apple, according to the Perceived Canon of Philippine Literature, which Estrellita Gruenberg formulated in her doctoral dissertation in 1985. Alberto Florentino was likewise cited top ranking playwright in the same study. He wrote other good, if not better, plays which also won major Palanca awards. Aside from one-act plays, he also wrote historical, mythical dramas and stage adaptations. Having been as script consultant/artistic director of the television drama anthology BALINTATAW (1967-1971), he also wrote over a hundred teleplays, original and adaptations.This study seeks to establish a critical edition of Alberto Florentino's one-act plays, stage adaptations and extant teleplays.This researcher adhered to the principles of textual criticism propounded by Bowers, Altick and Greg in preparing the critical edition, as earlier demonstrated by Ronald B. Mckerrow in his edition of The Works of Thomas Nashe (1904-1910, reprinted in 1966) by Filipino scholars like Edna Z. Manlapaz in her Aurelio Tolentino: Selected Writings (1975) Teresita Erestain in her Delfin Fresnosa and His Works: A Biography and a Critical Edition (1991) Rene Javellana in his Casaysayan Nang Pasiong Mahal ni Jesuscristong Panginoon Natin na Sucat Ipag-alab Nang Sinumang Babasa, 1882 edition (1998), as well as the Norton Critical Editions. This critical edition consists of 17 one-act plays, 7 stage adaptations, and 20 teleplays. Enumerative and descriptive bibliographies were prepared. The works were annotated by stating the data on publications, defining or explaining some terms used, clarifying people, events and places and translating foreign and vernacular terms. Collations and emendations were also done, when absolutely necessary, to ensure precise reading and unhampered analysis of the plays by literary critics and scholars. Appended to the critical edition is an annotated bibliography of Florentino's works. Also appended are Alberto Florentino's selected unpublished essays, published feature articles, playlets, a short story and a vignette. Anthologized, canonized and respected by Filipino critics, Alberto Florentino deserves a niche in Philippine literature.