Pursuing from the Shore

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

"Bonus question lang—can Shakespeare's works be considered 'masterpieces'?" biglang tanong ng prof dahilan para mapaayos ako ng upo.

Second year na ako, at hindi na bago ang ganitong set-up kapag nagtatanong ang professor. The more na nagpa-participate sa klase ay mas makikilala ka. At the more na may bonus question, the more chance na magbigay ng extra points kahit walang dalang index card.

Some of my classmates answered, "Yes." Others said, "Some, yes." Tama naman lahat. Ako? Tahimik lang. Tumango-tango, jotting everything down in my notebook. I've always preferred listening—hearing other people's thoughts helps me understand deeper than just speaking for the sake of it.

"Masterpiece is a word you're all familiar with," the professor continued. "Can you give me examples of masterpiece books?"

"The Iliad and The Odyssey?"

"El Filibusterismo!"

"Hmm, okay tama. So, based on your answers, what traits make them masterpieces? Anyone?"

May isa na namang sumagot, "Because they're well-known and have the best storylines?"

"Too shallow but good attempt. Next?" Naghanap ang prof ng puwedeng tawagin sa klase. Pero madalas talaga ang random reciting, unahan na lang sa pagtaas ng kamay at pasuwertihan kung matatawag ng prof.

"Because they're still being studied until today?"

"Exactly—that's the point. Any more?"

I hesitated, but my hand lifted almost on its own.

Nagtama ang tingin ng namin ng prof. "Yes, you—what's your name again? I barely remember anyone's name in this class."

"Redler, sir," sagot ko.

"All right, Ms. Redler. Your answer?"

"My guess is... what makes them masterpieces is that aside from being old books, they endured the test of time. They're still being studied today, across the world... especially in the field of literature." Laking pasasalamat kong hindi ako nautal sa pagsagot. It was entirely a guess. Hindi naman ako nag-advance study. I just came up with an idea based on my classmates' answers.

"Exactly. That's a good point." He smiled, then turned to the class. "Let's expand on that. To be called a masterpiece, a work has to transcend its time. It doesn't just trend—it survives generations. Now let me ask: the books of authors who only became famous in recent years... can they be considered masterpieces?"

Another randomly answered, "They can, sir. Tinatangkilik sila ng mga mambabasa ngayon. People wouldn't hype them if the stories weren't good. I'd call them masterpieces too, since they carry lessons and humor our generation can relate to."

The professor nodded but smirked slightly. "I see where you're coming from, and your appreciation is valid. But your answer is half-right and half-wrong. Let me explain. Yes, we acknowledge that contemporary authors—let's say J.K. Rowling, John Green, or even Bob Ong here in the Philippines—have created works that deeply resonated with readers. They are brilliant in their own ways. But the wrong part of your answer is this: they are not masterpieces. Not yet."

Sumeryoso ang mukha ng prof. I readied my hand to jot anything that he was going to say. Another discussion and I am always eager to listen.

"Why? Because masterpieces are proven not in the span of ten years, or twenty, but across centuries. Halimbawa, think of Don Quixote by Cervantes. Think of Divine Comedy by Dante. Think of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo by Rizal. Etcetera. Etcetera. These texts still breathe today, taught in schools, analyzed in universities, debated in conferences. They have shaped cultures, languages, even nations. That is endurance. That is timelessness. Iyon ang mga masterpiece."