Abstract

The aim of this paper is to trace the root of socialistic thought in the Philippines after the Second World War. As such, the novels, poems, essays, and short stories of Amado V. Hernandez are examined. Hernandez is considered as one of the foremost socialist writers during the 1950’s to 1970’s—a poet, activist, leader of the labor movement, and a National Artist. In order to understand the emergence of socialistic thinking in the Philippines, the situation of the country from 1946-1970 is examined; this will determine whether socialism in the Philippines is, indeed, influenced by Mao and Lenin. Despite the poetic or literary style of Hernandez’s writings, it is still possible to reconstruct the socialist theme in his writings through a historico-philosophical approach