Philippine Literature and Genre Preferences: Influences on Student Reading Motivation

Abstract

Although the Philippines boasts a diverse literary heritage, research has yet to fully explore how distinct literary genres and their specific language styles impact student reading motivation nationwide. Anchored in Guthrie and Wigfield’s Engagement Model, this research bridges that gap by examining the internal and external drivers influencing student interaction with local texts. Employing an exploratory qualitative methodology, researchers conducted semi-structured, individual interviews with 18 purposefully chosen language learners representing the country's three primary island regions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Subsequent reflexive thematic analysis uncovered a twofold nature to reading engagement. Students are heavily drawn to modern literature because of its relatable social contexts and approachable language, specifically the use of "Taglish." Conversely, they also demonstrate a profound interest in intricate historical works, such as Noli Me Tangere. This duality indicates that a strong historical consciousness and the urge to reconnect with cultural identity can transcend language difficulties, irrespective of the students' regional origins. Ultimately, the research concludes that successful literature pedagogy must balance two crucial elements: satisfying the psychological desire to see one's reality reflected in texts, and fulfilling the sociological imperative of establishing a cohesive national identity. Based on these findings, the study advocates for a teaching strategy of thematic pairing, suggesting that educators can maximize student reading engagement across the country by combining highly appealing modern literature with established classical works..