In the works of Jun Cruz Reyes, the figure and persona of the “palaboy” serve as a Filipino counterpart to the Western concept of the flâneur

25 May 2026

Renowned Filipino writer Jun Cruz Reyes is a traveler, and so are many of his characters. This paper closely reads three literary texts written by Reyes: Ilang Taon na ang Problema Mo?, Tutubi, Tutubi, ‘wag Kang Magpahuli sa Mamang Salbahe, and Ang Huling Dalagang Bukid at ang Authobiography na Mali: Isang Imbestigasyon. It centers the figure of the “palaboy” or the “manlalakbay” as they move within, and also mobilize, the literary works. This is done to develop a Filipino counterpart to the Western “flaneur”—the mostly male, middle-to-upper-class individual with the privilege of time and resources to roam the emerging cities of 19th-century Europe, especially Paris. Paying close attention to the literary plot, setting, and events in Reyes’ works, the paper questions and expands the common association between the flaneur and modernity, locating the “palaboy” side by side with “multong modernidad” (apparitions of modernity). In turn, this hints at the familiar point about the ongoing, if not unfinished, project of (Western) modernization of the Philippines, and occasions a reflection on the suitability in the Philippine context of such models of modernity.

By analyzing the three literary works of Reyes, this research article adds to the body of critical writings on his works. The research article forwards the figure of the “palaboy” to engage the Western idea of the “flaneur” as seen in the three primary texts. In doing so, discourses on urbanization and urban-rural relationships, Philippine development, and history are brought up, underlining the paper’s interdisciplinary character. The paper can then be of interest to scholars and researchers doing work in urban and rural studies, human geography, and Philippine literature.

Author: Ivan Emil A. Labayne (Department of Humanities, University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Read the full paper: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/3/folders/1BqPFhYTvYk8vDRhYz59qp8qRpnQlpB42

In the works of Jun Cruz Reyes, the figure and persona of the “palaboy” serve as a Filipino counterpart to the Western concept of the flâneur

Renowned Filipino writer Jun Cruz Reyes is a traveler, and so are many of his characters. This paper closely reads three literary texts written by Reyes: Ilang Taon na ang Problema Mo?, Tutubi, Tutubi, ‘wag Kang Magpahuli sa Mamang Salbahe, and Ang Huling Dalagang Bukid at ang Authobiography na Mali: Isang Imbestigasyon. It centers the figure of the “palaboy” or the “manlalakbay” as they move within, and also mobilize, the literary works. This is done to develop a Filipino counterpart to the Western “flaneur”—the mostly male, middle-to-upper-class individual with the privilege of time and resources to roam the emerging cities of 19th-century Europe, especially Paris. Paying close attention to the literary plot, setting, and events in Reyes’ works, the paper questions and expands the common association between the flaneur and modernity, locating the “palaboy” side by side with “multong modernidad” (apparitions of modernity). In turn, this hints at the familiar point about the ongoing, if not unfinished, project of (Western) modernization of the Philippines, and occasions a reflection on the suitability in the Philippine context of such models of modernity.

By analyzing the three literary works of Reyes, this research article adds to the body of critical writings on his works. The research article forwards the figure of the “palaboy” to engage the Western idea of the “flaneur” as seen in the three primary texts. In doing so, discourses on urbanization and urban-rural relationships, Philippine development, and history are brought up, underlining the paper’s interdisciplinary character. The paper can then be of interest to scholars and researchers doing work in urban and rural studies, human geography, and Philippine literature.

Author: Ivan Emil A. Labayne (Department of Humanities, University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Read the full paper: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/3/folders/1BqPFhYTvYk8vDRhYz59qp8qRpnQlpB42