Why I wrote "Song of Negros"

Why did I write this book? I wish I could say I am an aspiring mythographer.  There are some people who spend their whole working lives searching and documenting old myths, legends, and folktales. Think Brothers Grimm and their faily tales.  Unfortunately, I am not one of those.  Instead, the idea came by serendipity--I casually met a couple of field researchers whilst on a trip to Negros.  They claimed there were old stories they had heard whilst at work and wished they could document them--all they needed were some funding. 

With more or less 15 stories completed, I was surprised to find them quite interesting.  They were short, easy to read, and straightforward--perfect reading primers! The social campaign closest to my heart has been to encourage Filipinos to discover the joy of reading!

This campaign started several years ago when I discovered most Filipinos cannot read.   There is a regular worldwie survey of student capabilities in three basic fields--math, science, and reading. The most recent one was in 2018, participated in by some 600,000 fifteen-year-old students coming from 79 countries.  The Filipinos scored second to the lowest in maths, second to the lowest in science, (only ahead of the Dominican Republic) and lowest in reading! Again, second to the lowest in maths, second to the lowest in science, and lowest in reading. The texting capital of the world cannot read! 

Perhaps as significantly, I feel that we have a wrong attitude towards education. We think that as long as we go to school, even failed schools, we are educated.  We see parents scrounge for every centavo just to be able to send their children to school.  The Department of Education is notorious for underfunding schools, and there is hardly any training for teachers.

Reading will help us think more critically. Critical thinkers become more discriminating voters. Discriminating voters can usher in better governance. Good governance will in turn give us a better educational system.  So, give me someone who reads and I will give you a person who thinks!

For the more sophisticated readers, I noted there are a number of well-researched academic papers about various topics but they hardly reach a broader audience.  I therefore want to bridge this gap between academic literature and the more popular articles found in travel magazines and comic books.  Hence, the latter part of the book is a basic discussion on  the broad relevance of these stories and what they mean for our daily lives.

Why I wrote "When Turtles Come Home"

Why did I write the book? The reason is, I honestly feel I have something to say—if only because I am at least twice the age, if not more, of most of my readers. In my years of wandering, I have observed a lot, experienced a lot, and want my readers to know that I think the Philippines is as good a place to stay as any. This is the country I come from and this is where I want to stay.

Having said that, everyone also knows that this place is not perfect. I write that when I was young, I wanted to run away. There were so many ills in Philippine society then, as now. And I thought I didn’t fit! My temperament and values didn’t fit my surroundings—the culture of the place where I had to operate. So, run away I did—for some 40 odd years! I became a cultural refugee.

Now here I am, over 70 years old and I am back, this time for good. Who knows, perhaps I can get a fresh look at things, and contribute to society by documenting what I see, and suggesting how Filipinos can use their strengths and ameliorate their weaknesses.

And also, at long last, I feel comfortable here. Because when I compare where I have been, and what I have seen, I find out there is no ideal place. Your home is where you make it.

Who are the Filipinos? Most Filipinos I know are very much “people” people. Because of this obssession in relationships, they find it difficult to focus on non-personal things—ideas, systems, rules, procedures. I still smile whenever I hear someone say, "Si Facebook," or "Si PLDT, as though they were people.  Problems are addressed not through impersonal systems and procedures but through a kakilala (who you know) syndrome, but one-off solutions also preclude productivity when satisfying services and goods cannot be replicated.

Then, there is my kababayans' great sensuality, coupled with their creative talents.  The Philippines is famous for good food, good entertainment, good performing arts. Good fun for a gregarious and extroverted people! Nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, we also want to be rich, and we feel ourselves under-achieving. This breeds insecurity—a bit of criticism from more productive foreigners, and we are on a war path.  Amongst ourselves, however, the tendency is to whine and gripe.

So, the purpose of this book is to hold a mirror before us. To ask us to be aware of  ourselves but also to accept ourselves:  to know that we may be lacking in certain virtues, but that we have other ones that compensate for these shortcomings. We are warm, charming, humorous, and compassionate.

We should make use of these virtues because they are not common virtues. In my wanderings, I have found my host cultures frequently wanting. In fact, the richest peoples are also often the loneliest. Did you know that the UK last year appointed a Minister for Loneliness with full cabinet rank?

Most importantly, we must listen to our critics and learn from them—their industry, their professionalism, their resilience, their use of time for productive endeavors.

There is much to learn from each other.

Messages from readers:

"Loved reading your memoir. Opened it to the last third, then first third, then finally finished it. You accomplished what you set out to do. You express yourself in a seemingly facile, but clear way. Loved the way you articulated in clear language the zeitgeist of our country and the countries you lived in for many years. I am enriched for having read it. Where may I buy more copies locally?" Josefina Laurel

"This well written introduction excites me to read your Turtles. I just have to ask my son to assist me on how to buy your book through Amazon." Herminio Liwanag

"A candid account of the author's life spent in three continents from her childhood upbringing in the Philippines through her early years in New York City and on to married life and work in London and Germany. Fascinating insights that mixes her personal experiences with anecdotes and snippets on Philosophy, Psychology, History and Religion. I was charmed by her descriptions of native traditions, beliefs, myths and superstitions that give us a better understanding of life in a small Asian country of 100 million fun loving people." 24k, Amazon

"Victoria Hoffarth has the advantage of having experienced Philippine culture both as in insider and as an outsider. She is a Filipina who was born and raised in the Philippines and knows its rural life and family values. She also spent many years abroad and returned to her country with the eye of a foreigner that can perceived details that an insider would not be aware of. Aside from being extremely well written and easy to read, this book offers fascinating insights into cultural values, business ethics, Philippine collectivism, religion and identity." Christian Perez, Amazon

"Deftly swinging between intimate details and broad strokes, Ms. Hoffarth’s book offers glimpses into the struggles and successes of one person's life lived against the backdrop of a changing country. She is courageous enough to ask tough questions. Who will read the memoir of an ordinary woman? What is faith? Who is the Filipino? And her answers are authentic, unflinching and insightful. Ms. Hoffarth takes the reader on a wonderful journey around the world and back home to the Philippines. I highly recommend this book to Filipinos at home and those far from home. And to everyone who is journeying towards home wherever that may be." Gayle Certeza, Amazon

"I enjoyed reading WHEN TURTLES COME HOME. It is well-written, rather scholarly with an anthropological bent. It is also engaging and humorous with the author’s stories about her mother's colourful character and “business” ventures, as well as insightful, especially her experiences living in the UK, Germany, and the Philippines. The extended description of Philippine culture is especially noteworthy, while the chapter on the author's search for God and her questioning of Catholic dogmas is thought-provoking." amscon, Amazon

"When Turtles Come Home" is a captivating memoir that transcends borders and delves into the universal quest for identity and belonging.

This engaging tale raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of identity, challenging societal norms and reflecting on the author's experiences as a woman and a "a-la-carte" Roman Catholic in a traditional society.

Hoffarth's story is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the profound significance of finding yourself, and defining what is home." cdee, Amazon

"'Turtles carry their homes on their backs, travelling thousands of miles each year. But eventually, guided by the magnetic fields of the earth, they are programmed to return to the place of their birth'.

When Turtles Come Home is a memoir, a social commentary and a legacy of words. Hoffarth is an' ordinary' person who has searched for a sense of belonging all her life. Born in the Phillipines but never feeling she belonged, she travelled to such places as Germany, New York, Paris, London, learning about herself and the world as she did so. In 2004 she eventually found her way back to the place of her birth, culturally enriched and living with a sense of peace that was hitherto lacking.

Her memoir is split into three parts. Part One contains stories of her childhood and her travels. Part Two examines the Philippine Cultural Values and Norms, and Part Three looks at Choices and Identity.

She also examines what it means to be happy, and in the final chapter looks at the current state of world affairs and where the world is heading, with hope springing from the younger generation and the social and political movements including #MeToo.

A fascinating account of life in the Philippines, but it is more than a memoir, it's a political and social commentary on what makes us human, and what it takes to find our place in the world." Daisy Bee, Goodreads

"Thank you to Troubadour Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This memoir is engaging and fascinating, giving insight into the development of the Philippines over the last 60 years and the particular uniqueness of the society and culture. At the same time, the author makes it clear that her horizon is much broader, having spent significant time in the US, Britain and Germany. She explores the impact and outworkings of being born and raised as a Filipino, and then living in other cultures that are in some cases diametrically opposed to the values she grew up with.

Although the book was interesting, I did find my attention lagged after a while. The author meandered through all kinds of topics, touching on religion, government, politics, corruption, globalism, feminism, health care, dementia... you name it, she has an opinion on it. In that sense, parts of the book more closely resemble a vanity publishing project, albeit a very sincere one." Susanne, Goodreads

"When turtles comes home is a memoir. Victoria recounts her life, from childhood to present, discussing the state of Philippines in these times, Germany and other countries that she has lived in during her lifetime.

Overall, I liked this memoir. Parts of the story were very interesting, especially when she was talking about her own experience. I learned a lot about the countries that she travelled to, getting new perspectives from the side of someone who lived in those places, addressing themes of politics, immigration, health care and more. She also provided a lot of information about the history of the place and her own family. I felt at times though that the memoir was more of a collection of essays, lacking continuity sometimes. That sometimes interfered with my experience of the book.

As someone who has moved countries, I would recommend this book to those who travel and have an interest in Philippines. One of my friends is from there and it was good to know more about her culture. I am thankful to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for making the complimentary copy of the book available to me in exchange for an honest review." Kriti | Armed with A Book, Goodreads

"When Turtles Come Home is more than just a collection of Victoria Hoffarth’s memories of her home country the Philippines and other countries including Germany, USA, France and England, where she has lived and worked for many years. The author has a sense of history coupled with an analytical mind and the ability to let us see what she has seen. With a combination of textbook formality and personal thoughts and feelings, this very interesting book becomes a very enjoyable read. Readers will empathize with her self-doubts on religion, on her abilities, on her determination to rise above the 2nd class citizenship conferred on women and, on intra and inter-family relationships. The German aged care system is shown-up in its rigid and unfeeling regulation just as the informalities of the Philippines can be seen to accept elements of corruption and the English, as many a foreigner knows, can exude apathy, coldness and indifference.
This book helps to tell the truth of how life does not always conform to our hopes and dreams. It looks at life trying to understand it and, to find the courage to name it. It is highly recommended.
W. Buchanan
Perth, Australia.
by W. Buchanan" Bill Buchanan, Goodreads

"Ms. Hoffarth’s book is a beautiful exploration of one’s identity. She looks at Filipino society and culture and decides that temperamentally, she doesn’t fit. How then to become a “cultural refugee”—is there such a thing? Where to go? She imparts wisdom from decades of knowledge and experiences. There are real lessons to be learned from each chapter of the book, as Ms Hoffarth tries to marry pages and pages of narratives with critical analyses of how things come to be. A worthy read for those who want to know more about the Philippines and its people, as well as those longing for home." Ana Maria, Goodreads

"I enjoyed reading WHEN TURTLES COME HOME. It is well-written, rather scholarly with an anthropological bent. It is also engaging and humorous with the author’s stories about her mother's colourful character and “business” ventures, as well as insightful, especially her experiences living in the UK, Germany, and the Philippines. The extended description of Philippine culture is especially noteworthy, while the chapter on the author's search for God and her questioning of Catholic dogmas is thought-provoking." Annie Shresta, Goodreads

"This wasn't a memoir that was rushed and it read like a thoughtfully crafted homecoming for the author—not just in terms of her journey of expatriation and repatriation, but also in how she has made a home within herself that makes room for insights, values, practices, and a faith that is truly her own." Suzie Agustin, Goodreads

"Few have the courage to look so honestly at their own life as Victoria Hoffarth does in this absorbing and fluent memoir." Geert Van, Goodreads

"This was a fabulous read." Letecia, Goodreads

"This is a beautiful memoir. It was hard to put down. I loved that it was about an anthropologist as I am interested in anthropology. I loved reading this memoir." Rose, Troubador

"Clear-eyed and heartfelt, Victoria Hoffarth's When Turtles Come Home chronicles the experiences of a Filipina, from her childhood in a small town in Central Philippines, to life in Manila and New York for studies, and then to other places in Europe and in the Americas in the pursuit of her career. Her reminiscences are snap shots of her struggle to find answers to numerous questions on identity, history, gender, faith and the nature of "home.” Inquisitive and rebellious, Hoffarth traces her journey that spans a lifetime of confronting life in all its mystery and pain. The book should be of interest to those who wish to have a glimpse of Philippine culture in its complexity, as traditional values clash with western ideals. Moreover, the memoir provides a riveting narrative of how a woman of immense courage has defined herself on her own terms in this globalized world." DR SOLEDAD REYES: Professor Emeritus, Ateneo de Manila University

"'Turtles carry their homes on their backs, travelling thousands of miles each year. But eventually, guided by the magnetic fields of the earth, they are programmed to return to the place of their birth'. When Turtles Come Home is a memoir, a social commentary and a legacy of words. Hoffarth is an' ordinary' person who has searched for a sense of belonging all her life. Born in the Phillipines but never feeling she belonged, she travelled to such places as Germany, New York, Paris, London, learning about herself and the world as she did so. In 2004 she eventually found her way back to the place of her birth, culturally enriched and living with a sense of peace that was hitherto lacking. Her memoir is split into three parts. Part One contains stories of her childhood and her travels. Part Two examines the Philippine Cultural Values and Norms, and Part Three looks at Choices and Identity. She also examines what it means to be happy, and in the final chapter looks at the current state of world affairs and where the world is heading, with hope springing from the younger generation and the social and political movements including #MeToo. A fascinating account of life in the Philippines, but it is more than a memoir, it's a political and social commentary on what makes us human, and what it takes to find our place in the world." Lou, Troubador

"Victoria Hoffarth has the advantage of having experienced Philippine culture both as in insider and as an outsider. She is a Filipina who was born and raised in the Philippines and knows its rural life and family values. She also spent many years abroad and returned to her country with the eye of a foreigner that can perceived details that an insider would not be aware of. Aside from being extremely well written and easy to read, this book offers fascinating insights into cultural values, business ethics, Philippine collectivism, religion and identity." Nikki, Troubador

"An intimate look at life in the Philippines of family culture politics.A very interesting look at a world I knew nothing about."

Abby, Troubador

"I love memoirs, especially ones that teach me about different cultures and countries. It was a really enjoyable book and I loved the parts about the Philippines having lived there for some years." Ann T, Troubador

"Song Of Negros is an unusual book which explores a number of traditional folktales collected for elder community members on the island of Negros in the Philippines. As well as recounting the myths themselves, Victoria Hoffarth also connects them to the particular culture of this divided island and to the wider Philippine archipelago. She looks at the history and sociology of the people living there, especially the ways in which hundreds of years of colonial rule, by a series of occupiers, have altered Negros. Song Of Negros is a book in two parts which did make it feel disjointed to read although I could understand why this format might have been adopted. The first half comprises the retelling of fifteen myths with an explanation of how such tales are identified as fairytale, myth or legend. Hoffarth ends each with brief notes, several of whose ideas are picked up and discussed more fully in a selection of sociological essays that make up Songs Of Negros' second half. I particularly liked the way in which Hoffarth related each myth to the communal traits of Philippine people, especially the Negros populations. She asks to what extent these influential traditional stories shaped Negros culture or whether they actually just reflect characteristics which were already present. This reminded me of a Western fairytale examination I also read recently, Cinderella Didn't Live Happily Ever After by Anne Beall, which asked similar questions of Grimm's tales. In Song Of Negros, Hoffarth also shows how the Negros tales demonstrate a highly cooperative culture where priority is given to the success of the community. This contrasts strongly with my English culture where individual achievements are more greatly valued, often at the expense of the community, and our fairytales do reflect this reality. Not being familiar with Philippine history or geography, I did find some of the fact-heavy essays harder to follow, but I feel that Song Of Negros gave me a good overview of this country. This would be a good starting resource for readers interested in learning about the Philippines from a non-tourist angle, and the book would also be a great addition to a fairytale library." Stephanie Jane (Literary Flitz), Troubador

"This book is a well-written account of the myths, legends and folktales from Negros which shaped the lives and beliefs of people inhabiting the central region of the Philippines long time ago. The stories are both fascinating and informative. I especially enjoyed reading about real life encounters with the supernatural beings called ‘tamawos'. It was my cherished wish while growing up to meet one as I heard they are benevolent and cure all diseases. Sadly, I never got my wish! The author's comments are excellent accompaniment to the narrative. They broaden my understanding of the context in which the stories were born and their significance to the history and culture of Negros, the Philippines, and the world at large. Fantastic book! Great style of writing kept it enjoyable to read throughout. Highly recommended!" Amscon, Troubador

"Interesting book looking at myths and culture of the Philippines quite detailed in its text and shows how over time these myths developed." Stephen H, Troubador

"Negros, the fourth largest island in the Philippines, is a land rich in history, tradition, legend, myth and folklore. The author claims that myths are a window to our soul. She seeks the truth, carefully avoiding the need for facts.
Victoria Hoffarth once called Negros her home. Now, she pays tribute to the land, the people and their beliefs. I was fascinated by the glimpses of island history: the long Spanish occupation, the brutal Japanese war campaign, eventual independence. She puts it all expertly in context. Her book is written with passion, and complimented with beautiful illustrations by Daniel Desembrana." Robin Price, Troubador

"I stayed in the Philippines for 10 years, yet the book gave new insights...a must read." Tay Chin Tong, Singapore