Insular Yet Global: Selected Essays by Fernando Zialcita

INSULAR YET GLOBAL: Selected Essays of Fernando Zialcita
Fernando N. Zialcita

For our Austronesian ancestors, the sea surrounding their islands did not confine them but rather connected them to new lands, new experiences, and new possibilities. Even as an island may be a point of origin for such journeys, it can yet remain the place to which seafarers return with new learnings to apply at home. In Insular Yet Global: Selected Essays by Fernando Zialcita, one of the country’s most distinguished anthropologists embarks on an exploration of the archipelagic character of Filipino identity.

In this collection of essays—written over two decades and compiled and curated at the suggestion of Dr. Jorge Mojarro of the University of Santo Tomas—the author delves into how the Philippines, despite its geographical isolation, has continuously engaged with and adapted to external influences, creating a unique cultural milieu. His nuanced approach argues against the notion that embracing globalization means discarding local heritage, or the tendency to view all forms of Hispanic influence as something to be rejected in favor of a “pure” Filipino culture.

Insular Yet Global: Selected Essays by Fernando Zialcita encapsulates the dual nature of the Philippines’ cultural experience: insular due to its geography, yet global due to its history.

Insular Yet Global: Selected Essays by Fernando Zialcita encapsulates over five decades of Dr. Fernando N. Zialcita’s distinguished career as an anthropologist, professor, cultural advocate, and philosopher. Organized around themes of apparent contradictions—self and other, indigenous and foreign, local and global—the essays explore a wide array of topics, from the concept of private ownership to reflections on cultural identity, and delve into the global histories of indigenous products.

Dr. Zialcita, a master of interdisciplinary thought and writing, crafts a fluid and cohesive narrative that invites readers to deeply contemplate the complexities of Filipino identity across different periods and contexts. The essays seamlessly intertwine Philippine culture, history, and what it truly means to be Filipino.

More importantly, it is Dr. Zialcita’s deep dedication and love for his work that is evident in this collection of essays. The book not only looks back at his past contributions but also serves as a forward-looking guide, offering hope and direction for the future of interdisciplinary Philippine cultural studies.

—Dr. Olivia Anne M. Habana
Department of History, School of Social Sciences,
Ateneo de Manila University