Philippine E-Journals

THE LONELINESS AND FRUSTRATIONS OF EDEL GARCELLANO

Jayson C. Jimenez

 

Abstract:

It is undeniable that Edel Garcellano’s works – from poetry to criticism to philosophy – dawned on a new form of pessimism. His intensification of nihilism made Garcellano an undeniable force in Philippine literature and an original thinker amongst us. This essay intervenes by exploring the philosophical pessimism of Edel Garcellano. Comparing him to the Romanian philosopher Emil Cioran, I argue that Garcellano’s pessimism and nihilism challenged the established texts and contexts in the Philippine intellectual landscape. Of particular interest is how his works embody a consistent grasp of philosophical nihilism a la Cioran that made him ahead of our time.