Short Stories: A Compilation of
Short Stories: A Compilation of
Short Stories: A Compilation of
A COMPILATION OF
SHORT STORIES
BAELS I-B
LIST OF SHORT STORIES
Morning in Nagrebcan
GROUP II
Three Generations
GROUP III
Candles
GROUP VII
Educational Background:
Secondary: Mapa High School in Intramuros (he stayed there until 3rd
Year)
At age 17, Joaquin had his first piece published in the literary
section of the Pre-World War II Tribune where he worked as
a proofreader. It was accepted by the writer and editor Serafin
Lanot.
The story starts when the family is enjoying the days of the
St. John’s Festival, until Guido makes suggestive comments
to Lupeng and even bending down to kiss her feet. This
makes her leave abruptly and have a discussion with her
husband the coming night. Lupeng secretly found herself
intrigued by the attention of Guido; she felt that he was
correct in saying that women should be ravished and men
should adore them. This causes her to participate in the last
night of the festival, which is the Tatarin ritual.
Paeng goes with her and tries to drag her back once the
dancing begun, but she runs from him to the women. He tries
to take her back but the women in the crowds beat him out,
leaving him helpless. As the two return home, Paeng says he
must whip his wife because he loves her and feels that she
needs to be put in her place. To this, she shouts and says she
wants to be adored, not respected and orders him to kiss her
feet.
Exposition
The Moretas Family was enjoying the days of the St. John’s Festival.
Doña Lupeng, who was awake and feeling like fainting due to the
heat, heard a screaming sound directly penetrating into her ears. In
the dining room, the three boys were already dressed up in their
holiday suits, they were there at breakfast and came crowding around
her all at once.
ABOUT THE STORY
Rising Action
Climax
Don Paeng is disgusted that the woman has been shown adoration,
as he feels that love and respect are more befitting.
Falling Action
Doña Lupeng and Don Paeng go to witness the ritual, and the former,
that is, Doña Lupeng, joins in to the ceremony.
ABOUT THE STORY
Resolution
Once home, Doña Lupeng makes Don Paeng tell her that he adores
her. He submits by kissing her feet.
Denouement
The story takes place in the 1850’s, women were repressed and felt
shut in. In the story, Lupeng may seem to be happy in her routine
life, however, she also feels angry. You can notice this when she
states to the children: “Hush, hush, I implore you! Now, look: your
father has a headache, and so have I. So, be quiet this instant—or no
one goes to Grandfather.”
Conflict
Characters
Guido
Amada
the family cook and Entoy’s wife.
Entoy- the family driver
Guido is the sole Static Character; all others are Dynamic ones.
Tatarin Festival
Point of View
Third person omniscient was the point of view of the story, wherein
both reader and writer observe the thoughts of more than one
character. Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year. It shows
the tension between natures, as experienced by a woman.
ABOUT THE STORY
Theme
Main Theme
BINARY OPPOSITIONS
“All the sisters being virtuous, all the brothers are brave.”
ABOUT THE STORY
Well, the tale as old as time, that is, all the same, wives being on
top.
SYMBOLISMS
Saint John
A fine, blonde, heroic St. John, very male, very arrogant: the Lord
of the Summer, indeed; the Lord of light and heat—erect and godly
virile above the prone and female earth—while the worshippers
danced and dust thickened, and the animals reared and roared, and
the merciless fire came raining down from the skies—the vast
outpouring of light that marks this climax of the solar year—raining
relentlessly upon field and river and town, in a winding road, and
upon the joyous throng of young men against whose uproar, a couple
of seminarians in muddy cassocks vainly intoned the hymn of the
noon God. The Saint simply symbolizes domination and superiority
of men.
Bunch of Seedlings
Amada
Young Girl
From the story, the cult of the Tadtarin is celebrated on three days:
the feast of the Saint John and the two preceding days. It says there
that on the first night, a young girl heads the procession. It shows
women should lead at early age. Woman should be the powerful one
as early or at young age.
Mature Woman
On the third and last night of procession, an old woman headed the
procession. It says there, a very old woman who dies and comes to
life again. You will see how powerful should a woman be.
Black Shawls
Wand
The Tadtarin, a small old woman with white hair, walked with calm
and dignity in the midst of the female tumult with a wand in one
hand. A wand symbolizes the power of a woman: her superiority.
Moon
“The Lord of women,” “because, the tides of a woman, like the tides
of the sea, are tides of the moon,” from lines said by Guido. The old
woman who is called the Tadtarin praises the moon and lifted her
wand and bunch of seedlings on it.
REFERENCES:
http://www.studymode.com/subjects/analysis-of-three-generation-
by-nick-joaquin-page1.html
http://www.scribd.com/doc/39739911/Analysis-of-the-Short-Story-
of-Nick-Joaquin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Summer_Solstice
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/homework-help-
literature/121011-summer-solstice-by-nick-joaquin-analysis/
GROUP II
MORNING IN
• M A N U E L E. A R G I L L A •
Manuel E. Argilla
Known for his short story “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a
Wife” which won first prize in the Commonwealth Literary Contest
in 1940.
He became a member and later President of the U.P writer’s club and
Editor.
Exposition
It was just a usual start of the day on Nagrebcan where people start
doing their job, then how a very pleasant morning turned into a
horrible one just because of a misunderstanding. The innocent little
puppy is the object of the conflict between Baldo and Ambo, which
resulted into its violent death from the hand of their father, Tang
Ciaco.
Rising Action
After eating Ambo started playing with the 4 puppies, but after a
while he got bored and saw his brother playing with the black-
spotted puppy, and he wanted to take it from him. But Baldo refused,
which led them to fight. During their fight the puppy accidentally bit
Ambo and to their dismay Tang Ciaco saw what happened and
thought that the dog had gone mad.
Climax
Falling Action
After the boys were beaten, Tang Ciaco picked up the dead puppy
and threw it away, into the cornfields. He then went inside the house
still cursing and ate breakfast and went off to work. Nana Elang knelt
down to her children, and she sucked the wound in Ambo’s hand.
Resolution
The mother of the puppies came back home and took care of her
remaining 4 babies. Baldo and Ambo then went to the cornfield to
search for the corpse of the puppy, after they found it, they buried it.
And above the resting place of the black-spotted puppy they rolled a
rock.
Characters
Baldo
10-year-old boy
Elder of the two siblings
Small for his age
Compactly built and;
Has bony legs
Wears a hand-me-down cotton undershirt.
Ambo
7-year-old boy
Younger of the two siblings.
Almost as tall as his brother and;
Has a husky legs
Wears a stained cotton shirt, with its pockets torn and flipped down.
ABOUT THE STORY
Tang Ciaco
Nana Elang
Theme
The theme of the story describes how Tang Ciaco abuses his sons
and wife. It also shows domestic violence and animal abuse,
murder per se, because Tang Ciaco kept hitting the black-spotted
puppy until it died, which is against the law.
Mood
Reading the story, one might think that all is gonna go well,
especially after reading the first part of it. But it’s not. We the
readers felt pity, anger, stressed, and traumatized. One of us while
reading the story felt pain, it was heavy on her heart to even
continue reading for it brought flashbacks, flashbacks that are
similar to what Baldo and Ambo felt.
ABOUT THE STORY
Conflict
The conflict of the story is it is Man vs. Man, because Baldo and
Ambo fought over the black-spotted dog. And due to them fighting
over it, Tang Ciaco struck his sons.
Foreshadowing
It says in the story that “Nana Elang ran to the door way and stood
there silently.” and “Nana Elang came down, but she hesitated.”
She knows what’s gonna happen to her is she interferes.
GROUP
THREE
III
• NICK KOAQUIN•
Filipino writer and journalist best known for his short stories and
novels in the English language
“The identity of the Filipino today is of a person asking what is his identity.”
ABOUT THE STORY
After putting the subject into rest, Sofia related that she got a call
from Nena, Celo's youngest sister, telling her that she called because
of their father's well-being. She narrated that his father's state is
becoming worse since 'that' day. And that last night, he was found
lying on the floor, tangled up in blankets, breathing heavily and
crying. In the effort of Nena to get her father to bed, she summoned
her cousin, Paulo, who, in the end just got a plate broken on his
forehead. While hearing this, Celo had a flashback of experiencing
firsthand violence from his father back when he was a little boy. It
was a memory of his father whipping him as he screams, "Not in the
face, father! Do not hit me in the face, father!".
It was still early, only half-past seven in the morning when Celo went
to the Dominican Church. He knew he would find Chitong there. He
did not know why he wanted to, but he went in. He found his son
kneeling, near the altar, saying his rosary, in the only candle-lit side-
chapel of the Virgin. Celo knelt himself and tried to compose his
mind to prayer, when all of a sudden, he felt excruciating bitterness
towards his son. He envied him for being able to submit himself fully
to his God.
ABOUT THE STORY
Later that afternoon, Celo and Chitong mostly sat silently on their
way to their destination. Then, Celo broke the silence by bringing
out the subject that was told to him by his wife that morning. He
expressed assurance to Chitong that he’s alright with him taking the
priesthood. He also shared that his mother wanted him to be a priest
but abandoned the idea when his mother died. "I am this man's old
desire he has washed alive." thought Chitong.
It was already in the evening when Celo and his son arrived. Nena
was nervously waiting for them by the entrance. Heavy, angry
breathing, punctuated with coughs and oaths were heard as soon as
they got inside the house. Nena then narrated that their father hasn't
eaten for days, screams at anyone who enters his room, and always
tries to get up but fails. She then looked to her brother with pleading
eyes and said, "He keeps asking for the girl, Celo." But Celo refused
to meet her eyes.
As Celo and Chitong entered the sick man's room, the old man fell
silent and intently watched his intruders. The intruders, being aware
of the old man's gaze, suddenly felt intimidated. Celo tried getting a
word from his father but only remained silent. He then tried to feed
his very reluctant father in which after much pleadings, at last, gave
up. Celo then was to go back home while Chitong was to stay,
leaving the car with Chitong.
ABOUT THE STORY
Chitong then asked for the whereabouts of 'that' girl from his aunt,
Nena, who was frightened when she learned what Chitong had
proposed to do. Nena tried to reason out to her nephew that his father
might know, only to be retorted back with "Then let him! But I am
going to bring the girl back. The man needs her."
It took Chitong almost an hour to find the girl, but it only took a few
words for Chitong to make the girl come. The girl was not very
pretty. She was very young, but had that attractive maturity and
simplicity his grandfather fell for. The girl could've chosen one of
her youthful lovers but preferred a sexagenarian in whose arms she
had become a woman. Chitong remembered how they had to drive
the girl away when his grandfather fell sick. He recalled how his
father's exquisite brutality inflicted no fear and shame on the girl.
She had refused to leave. She was whipped with a belt, pursued out
of the room and down the stairs, slamming the door in her face. She
kicked and screamed only to have some police dragged her away.
Upon seeing Chitong and the girl's visage, Nena was quick to inform
them that Celo came back. He couldn't get any bus home. The girl
was to retreat, but Chitong stopped her saying not to be afraid.
Celo was standing in the sala when they entered. He flushed darkly
when he saw the girl. He had a sudden, delicious craving to unloose
his belt and whip her again, to make her suffer, to tear her flesh into
shreds, to mutilate that supple, defiant, sweet, animal body of hers.
Chitong tried to reason out to his father that his grandfather needs
the girl but this only enraged Celo even more. They argued. Chitong
stood his ground. They were almost standing face to face then
suddenly Celo, with clenched fist, hit his son square in the face. His
son fell and cried, "Not in the face, father! Not in the face!".
ABOUT THE STORY
Celo then realized that he had never hurt his son before. The action
was only out of impulse. He had not wanted to hurt him, neither the
girl nor his father. It was himself, but it was his son who received the
blow which blow was a confession of his whole life. He stood silent,
watching his son's flesh darken and wounded where his fist had
fallen. They stood staring at each other, as if petrified, and the girl
forgotten, slipped swiftly away from them and into the old man's
room, locking the door behind her.
The clock strikes ten. Nena sat in a corner, crying. A late cock could
be heard crowing. And from the next room came the voices of lovers:
the old man's voice, tired and broken; the girl's sharp, taut, and
passionate.
"No," she was saying, "I shall never leave you again. I am not going
away again. No one shall take me away from you again."
Theme
Mood
Main Characters
Chitong Manzon
son of Celo and Sofia Monzon, grandson of the old Monzon. He
took up a law degree but shunned it in the hopes of becoming a priest.
Supporting Characters
Sofia Manzon
wife to Celo, and a mother to Chitong Monzon. She was the one who
convinced her husband to visit his father.
Nena Manzon
aunt of Chitong, youngest sister of Celo Monzon. Out of all the
Monzon siblings, she was the only one who stood by her father’s
side nursing him.
Paulo
cousin of Celo and Nena Monzon.
Celo Manzon had his first flashback when his wife related to her how
Paulo, his cousin, was trying to get the old Manzon back to his bed
only to end up with a plate broken on his forehead. A memory of him
as a little boy flashed into his sight. His father, the old Manzon, was
whipping him as he cried “Not in the face, father! Do not hit me in
the face, father!”.
Irony
Conflict
Initially, one would think that the conflict of the story is either
between Celo and his son or father. But as readers would go on with
the story, they would realize that the real conflict in the story is
within Celo himself. Celo had a long held grudge on his father. He
blames him for his unhappy childhood. His father’s selfish actions
were what he despised.
As years passed, Celo was finally out of his father’s grip and had a
family of his own, but he still lived in the shadows of the past. Celo
had the choice, whether to let go and leave it all behind but, no, he
chose to keep it. This was first realized in the event where Celo was
reflecting of his childhood inside the chapel where his son prayed,
then a mocking voice came telling him how he could never be at
peace. His father found peace in his sensual and lustful desires. His
son found peace in his vocation and calling. As for Celo, it’s too late.
Celo was never a lover of purity but he forced himself to be clean as
a way of rebelling against his father. He asked the voice what if he
gives up, would he find peace? But the voice only answered that he
would just be as miserable in his surrender to his body than he has
been in his struggle against it.
Celo imprisoned himself in his own anger that when the moment
came for him to release, he saw his self in his son and struck a blow
to his son’s face which blow was a confession of his whole life.
Amador T. Daguio
He was a poet, novelist and a teacher during the pre-war. He was best known
for his fictions and poems. He had published two volumes of poetry, “Bataan
Harvest” and “The Flaming Lyre”. He served as chief editor for the
Philippine House of Representatives before he died in 1966.
Some of his notable works are the Wedding Dance, The Flaming Lyre, Man
of Earth, Hudhud Hi Aliguyon and The Woman Who Looked Out the
Window.
He died April 26, 1966 from liver cancer at the age of 55.
ABOUT THE STORY
The story was written in the year 1952, about the same time he was
writing for his thesis (study and translation of Hudhud hi Aliguyon –
Ifugao Harvest Song) for his Master of Arts in English degree at Stanford
University in California.
Explanation: The story was gained from the author’s life among the
Igorots in Northern Luzon. The triumph of the culture and tradition over
personal love was emphasized in this story which let the readers see the
way of life and culture of the people in the Northern Luzon. In this story,
it is emphasized as the practice of divorce due to a childless marriage.
Marriage in their culture was seen more or less a contract between a man
and a woman for the purpose of producing a child. If after 7 days of the
harvest and there is still no child, divorced is acted upon the situation and
the man is going to seek another spouse.
Exposition
“The story begins in the mountain at night when Awiyao went to the
house where Lumnay is, because he didn’t see Lumnay at his wedding
ceremony.”
Conflict
Rising Action
“Awiyao somehow wants to comfort Lumnay and insist her to join the
dancers in his wedding. But things got complicated when they started
talking and Lumnay doesn’t want any other man in her life. Even though
he loves Lumnay he needs to remarry to be able to have a child. Someone
should follow the footstep of Awiyao.”
Climax
“The fellowmen of Awiyao was looking for him and he needs to leave
Lumnay because the tribe might notice he is not around, and so he left
Lumnay and Lumnay ran into the hills.”
Explanation: Awiyao finally re-joins the tribe because they were looking
for the groom and as he left the house Lumnay runs into the hills with
her heart broken. Because she didn’t think that Awiyao could do this.
ABOUT THE STORY
Falling Action
“On the other side of the mountain, Lumnay sat overlooking the
blazing fire and dancing women on the wedding of her beloved ex-
husband. She reminisces their memories together, it flashbacks how
they started everything.”
Resolution
Explanation: Lumnay was in fact at his wedding, but she left. She
couldn’t stand the idea of her husband marrying another woman
because she could not give him children. But the readers were left
hanging of what happened to Lumnay or if Awiyao after his wedding
was able to have a child with Madulimay.
Characters
Lumnay – first wife of Awiyao, a good wife and also a good dancer,
still loves his husband despite the fact that he left her and married
another woman.
Setting
There was no exact time, but this happened during night a long time
ago.
The theme in the story is about letting go of someone you really love,
even though it breaks your heart so much. The story of Lumnay and
Awiyao settles with this kind of theme. Despite how sad and
upsetting the happenings to Lumnay, she must let Awiyao go, not
only because of their cultures and tradition, but also because it is
clear that he will not be happy without a child.
GROUP V
THE
HORSE
• PAUL DIZON•
Paul Dizon
was born in Santa Rita, Pampanga in 1915. His teachers, parents, and he
himself decided that he was 'hopeless case" as far as schooling was
concerned. He could not make the grade in biology, history, algebra, and
English composition. He worked as a carpenter’s apprentice, amateur
plumber, newsboy, busboy, dishwasher, waiter, pharmacy clerk and
short story write.
After the war he worked on the editorial staff of the Sunday Times
Magazine. He then joined the Sunday Post Magazine. He was a writer
in the public relations department of the Philippine National Red Cross
before he became news editor of the United Sates Information Service
in Manila. Dizon then traveled widely in America and Europe.
Paul Dizon is a Filipino short story writer and poet. Some of his
acclaimed stories include “Twilight of a Poet” and “The Beautiful
Horse”. Considered as one of the important influences in the Philippine
Literature, Paul Dizon wrote the beautiful horse in the 1940s. It was first
published in the evening News Saturday magazine on August 1947.
ABOUT THE STORY
Exposition
Explanation:
Rising Action
When the beautiful white horse followed Mang Estong home and the
people of Pulong-masle thought that he stole it because he doesn't
have enough money to buy such a beautiful white horse.
Explanation:
It started when the white horse followed the married man to his home
and the people of Pulong Masle presumed that he stole it. Then his
children felt angry for those accusations and at the same time felt
lonely because didn’t notice them.
ABOUT THE STORY
Climax
When Marcos and, Victa believe and accept that the beautiful horse
is their Aunt Barang.
Explanation:
Father Estong keeps on insisting his family that the horse is cousin
Barang. Until such time Victa and Marcos was convinced that the
horse is indeed, cousin Barang. The family of Estong sees it in their
own eyes that it looks and moves like Barang and there’s a saying,
“To see is to believe.” And in the end father Estong made them
believed in him.
Falling Action
There are two men who came to the house and they claim that they
own the beautiful horse, they call it Minda Mora.
Explanation:
The circus men rushed to her, they hugged the horse and kissed her
on the face as if she were their sister. Father Estong could not believe
that Barang would turn out to be a circus lady.
Resolution
Father Estong decided to return the horse to the circus men. Estong
did not believe that Barang would turn out to be a circus lady.
Explanation:
Father Estong returned the horse for the sake that it has already an
owner and to avoid arguments with the two men. I don’t see some
conflict between the two men and Estong, they just apologized for
the disturbance or trouble of the horse to Estong and they give thanks
to Estong for keeping the horse. The two men went back to the circus
and the horse surprisingly turned out to be a circus lady.
ABOUT THE STORY
Characters
Horse - it had long and slender legs, a silky mane and a flowing tail.
Who followed Mang Estong.
Barang - The cousin of the mother in the story and she already passed
away, they believe that she is the horse
Conflict
The mother and Estong had a fight because he wants them to believe
that the beautiful horse is Barang. But it is said in the story that
Barang was already dead.
Explanation:
When Estong brought the beautiful horse home and introduce it as
the reincarnation of Barang, it causes trouble to his wife because she
used to be jealous of Barang because from the start she knew that her
husband liked Barang and they don’t believe that the horse is the
reincarnation of Barang.
ABOUT THE STORY
Foreshadowing
One day my father brought home a beautiful horse. She was the most
beautiful white horse anyone in our barrio of Pulong-Masle had ever
laid eyes on.
Explanation:
She was not like the other horse in the barrio. The horse was only for
track. She followed him. When the father continues on his way, the
horse too would come along. She had a grand way of walking, proud
and confident
Flashback
The father said that the horse is the reincarnation of cousin Barang.
He remembered her by the looks and movements of the horse.
Explanation:
The beautiful horse reminds him of Barang. Also he believes the
souls of the dead coming back to life in another form. The father had
been very fond of aunt Barang.
Theme
Accept what matter comes into you. No matter it’s good or bad.
Because, when you have the acceptance in yourself you are doing
the good thing in life, no matter how bad the situation is. You are
just not doing the good things, but you are being honest and helping
yourself or you are also helping the others.
GROUP VI
THE
SUN
• L I N D A T. C A S P E R •
Linda T. Casper
She spent the World War II years with her grandmother while
her father worked in the Philippine National Railways, and her mother
in the Bureau of Public Schools.
Works
Awards
Djerassi, 1984
Wheatland, 1990
Exposition
“That woman is back”, Zenaida said, and swung away from the
window that looked across to the governor’s office in the provincial
capital; severely closed the door of her room then locked it. Her
husband – Don Julio, asked if what is it and saw Sepa through the
window standing in front of their gate.
Explanation
Don Julio wondered why Zenaida acted that way, the old man could
no longer understand youth or Zenaida. He asked his wife if what is
it, “That woman”, she replied. Curiously, Don Julio lifted himself
above the windowsill and saw his cousin – Sepa, standing in front of
their gate, trying to balanced herself over to gravel driveway.
Rising Action
“Don’t call her ‘that woman’”, Don Julio said to Zenaida, “She is
your cousin, not mine” Zenaida responded. “Return the necklace”,
Don Julio demanded, “What necklace” – Zenaida.
Explanation
Zenaida firmly denied that she doesn’t know about the necklace that
pawned by Sepa, and rejected all Don Julio offered in exchanged for
the necklace.
Climax
Sepa told her cousin – Don Julio, she came because she wants to
redeem the necklace, already. She cried, because of too much regret.
It should never be pawn in the first place, since it has eminent
sentimental value to her.
ABOUT THE STORY
Explanation
Falling Action
Don Julio reminisced the past; how good Don Macario and his wife
– Sepa’s parents, treated him back then, and how he ended up feeling
indebted to Sepa and became her protector even she is couple years
older than him. Predominately, for the most part, what the necklace
means to Sepa, that it should indeed be returned to her.
Explanation
Sepa’s older sister still inherited the necklace, even Sepa asked for
that certain necklace only among all jewelries her mother had, but
Don Julio promised back then to get it for her. Don Julio used his
first big money to buy the necklace from Sepa’s older sister and gave
it to Sepa on his and Gloria’s wedding day.
Resolution
Explanation
Internal Conflict
Don Julio is torn between his wife – Zenaida, and cousin – Sepa. He
feels helpless in convincing Zenaida to return the necklace to Sepa.
Explanation
Don Julio understands where Sepa is coming from; why she wanted
to redeem the necklace so much. He doesn’t want to turn his back to
Sepa; because of his debt of honor in the past, but his wife – Zenaida
is a young, hard-headed, and firm to what she wants. Zenaida didn’t
had a life like Sepa had back then, that’s why her husband – Don
Julio is spoiling her as much as he can.
Situational Irony
Don Julio walk over to his own room, across the hall, and waited his
wife – Zenaida to face Sepa.
Explanation
As a reader, I expect that Don Julio must have the upper hand
in making decision, because Zenaida acts unreasonable and childish;
and she doesn’t know what the necklace means to Sepa. In fact,
necklace was only pawed not sold.
Verbal Irony
Explanation
Dramatic Irony
For Don Julio, Probably, he thinks that Sepa wants to redeem the
necklace because she just wants to own it until the very end.
Explanation
But for Sepa, she has deep reason behind it. For her, the necklace
represents her mother. She didn’t inherit her features, that’s why she
wants at least the necklace for herself, instead. But now, the very
reason why she wanted to redeem the necklace is because of her
granddaughter – Antonia. Antonia inherited her great-grandmother
features, that’s why Sepa wants her granddaughter to have the
necklace.
Characters
DON JULIO
Wealthy old man
Husband of Zenaida • Cousin of Sepa
ZENAIDA
White skinned mestiza
3rd young succulent wife of Don Julio
SEPA
Cousin of Don Julio
Daughter of Don Macario
FEDERICO
Gloria and Don Julio’s first born son.
DON MACARIO
Father of Sepa
Uncle of Don Julio
A wealthy man
ANTONIA
Sepa’s granddaughter.
GLORIA
Don Julio’s 1 t wife.
DON ESTEBAN
Don Julio’s friend.
ABOUT THE STORY
Foreshadowing
“Esteban had said, a debt of honor binds a man more strictly because
it is the measure of his life”.
Explanation
By this line stated from Don Esteban, who is indebted to Don Julio.
We can have sensed or predict that this story is about paying debt of
honor.
Flashback
“Don Julio sat back to recall. Once, his slingshot had raised a welt
as large as a hen’s egg on Sepa’s forehead but Sepa refused to name
him and thus condemn him to flogging, undressed before all the
servants”.
Explanation
Because of the favor Sepa did to him back then, Don Julio really felt
indebted and became her protector and promised to get the necklace
for her, and decided to let Zenaida to face Sepa.
Mood
FRUSTRATED
Sepa as the main character of the story, wants to redeem her pawned
necklace from Don Julio but his young wife Zenaida refused to give
it back.
Theme
• D E L F I N E. F R E S N O S A •
Delfin E. Fresnosa
Many of his fifty short stories give vivid insights into Philippine life and
customs.
ABOUT THE STORY
Exposition
An old man got off from the carretela bus with the rest of the passengers.
He lived his whole life in the dim seclusion of a hole where he worked.
He reached the gate of Cementerio del Note and bought few candles from
a haggard little girl. He was passing among the tombs of the wealthy and
honored dead.
Rising Action
He walked between the graves and he could not locate the exact spot he
was looking for. Could it be that he entirely had forgotten every trace?
of her who had once lived in this world?
Climax
It was starting to rain others were hurrying to towards the gate but the
old man walked slowly and did not seemed to feel the rain. He stumbled
into the slippery street where the crowd was swaying to and fro and
vehicles were beginning to move. A step brought him at the rear of a
moving, shrilly-braying car; then another hasty, frightened jump and he
was sliding in a puddle. A very heavy weight seemed to press his breast
and in a moment he had lost consciousness.
Falling Action
Those memory of the past flashed into his mind. Did it happen just
yesterday when he buried his wife? The candles died convulsively one
after the other and the darkness swallowed him up.
Resolution
Old man
a shoe repairer or a cobbler.
Young Lady
selling vegetables and fruits along the street.
The Boy
a young man who used to bought him coffee and bread in a
nearby Chinese store and cooked the scant meals.
Setting
Carretela bus
Cementerio del Norte
Hole (house of the old man)
Theme
The theme of the story describe how the old man met his wife when they
were younger and how their friendship started.
Mood
The mood of the story is that when the girl ran toward ls the people to
sell her product, but most of them repulsed her and she would slink back,
dragging her bakya into more hidden corners because she was afraid
of policeman.
ABOUT THE STORY
Conflict
“When the old man wended his way carefully between graves and the
people, but he could not locate the exact spot he was looking for. He
thought it might be a little right, but he was not sure. So he wandered
again. Ended up nothing.
Foreshadowing
It says in the story that “Beyond these few scattered lights he saw
nothing but the blackness of the night seemingly ready to eat up
whatever pretenses people might still be concocting”. “Even death does
not level all”. But into his vision crept those massive darkness
crouching mysteriously around those lighted spaces, darkness waiting
to pounce as it did to candles. Slowly he snatched his straining gaze
from those lights, but he still saw the darkness, now advancing steadily
and stealthily up to his very presence. People die but love and memory
will remain forever, just like a candle it lit steady and time passing by
it slowly melts unnoticed and dies, But
the wick and wax of the candle will remain.
GROUP VIII
IN THE
• PAZ MARQUEZ–BENITEZ•
She was a Filipina short-story writer, educator and editor. Her career as
a woman educator as well as her contributions as a writer are seen as an
important step within the advancement of woman in professional
careers as well as in the development of Philippine Literature.
Exposition
Explanation
Rising Action
Explanation
The reason why she did not allow Gerardo to go because it would
only be providing inconvenience for himself for nothing if the
purpose was not for the business.
Climax
The peak of the story is, his wife passed away meaning he can now
go to the forest with Ambo and experienced nature in the forest
(hills).
Explanation
Falling Action
Explanation
During his staying in the forest, he come to his realization that the
nature was not it seems to be specially those strange sounds that are
caused by tree worms. then he hears water form a far all in all, he
feels that he will never understand the forest.
Resolution
He just went home, feeling saddened and disappointed about his stay
in the forest.
Explanation
Sometimes the dream that you expect in reality is not what it appears
to be, not all dreams are true but somehow sometimes it can also be
real.
Setting
Characters
Vocabulary
Mood
The mood is the atmosphere of the story which is very light and the
tone of the author’s attitude towards the topic is very expressive and
idealistic.
Theme
Conflict
The conflict here is internal, that of Man vs. Himself. Gerardo has
always dreamed of going to the forest and he has kept within himself.
Explanation
The reason why the conflict is internal because you don’t want other
to know about your dreams, knowing that other will opposed you to
go.
Irony
The literary device used in this story are symbolism and irony.
Explanation
Flashback
First part of the story where Gerardo Luna couldn’t get over a dream
from his childhood where he wants to go to a forest (hills).
Moral Lesson
It’s ok to explore new things, gain new experiences but you have to
read yourself for unimaginable and always expect the unexpected.
GROUP IX
THE SOUNDS OF
• KERIMA POLOTAN–TUVERA•
Kerima Polotan-Tuvera
Her father was an army colonel, and her mother taught home
economics
She worked with Your Magazine, This Week, and the Junior Red
Cross Magazine
In 1949, she married newsman Juan Capiendo Tuvera, with whom she
had 10 children
She devoted her talents in capturing the very essence and pulse of the
Filipino way of life in the context of cultural heritage and legacy with
history and philosophy
Exposition
It was her day for meeting old friends. Emma Gorrez had ventured
out twice before this, to school and to Martinez Kiosk, but she had
met no one she knew. Even the woman behind the books at the kiosk
did not remember her. Emma had lingered longer than she should,
five, ten minutes longer, although there had been nothing of
interest to hold her to this spot where she had bumped into Doming
several years ago. That time, he had stood at the rack, thumbing
through a book; when their looks had met, he bowed slightly. He
bowed too in their room two weeks ago, one night after a wearying
fight.
He would hear no more from her and he had cut short their argument
with one vicious swing of his fist against the bedroom wall. No tears,
none, except the audible panting of their selves, like two runners
come to the end of a race. He had bowed, holding his head. This was
how married people fought; she had thought like complete strangers,
with anger pulsing between them. That day in the kiosk, wondering
where he was and what he did while she stood there three hundred
kilometers away, she thought then that if he returned,
Rising Action
Climax
For a long time afterwards, Emma would not allow Doming to touch
her. Emma would not spend the new sum but Doming brought it all
to her, again and again and again, until she finally took it. “We’re all
in fragments,” she said to Doming another time. “And I want both of
us whole. Complete.” He had pulled desk drawers open, searching
heatedly for something she did not guess until he threw it at her the
dark-green, compact bankbook filled with deposits. It was as if he
had said something obscene and she knew then that she would have
to leave him.
At the bus station where they had gone three mornings afterwards,
they stood uncomfortably until the familiar 812 pulled in and began
to load up. “Will you write?” he asked. She nodded. “You don’t have
to go, Em. None of this has to happen,” he said. But the children
were scrambling up the vehicle and they waited for their mother who
turned swiftly on her heels and climbed up. She had touched Doming
quickly on the and cheek and said something that the bus, starting all
at once, had drowned. When they pulled away, she held her grief-
washed face above her son’s heads.
Falling Action
She felt it again. Sitting with Rene Rividad one Saturday at a table
in De Luxe. The beverage came, strong and steaming. She was doing
just that one afternoon when Rene Rividad walked in and took the
chair across her. She did not ask but she knew, instinctively, what he
was there for. Emma and Mr. Rividad were comfortable, making
small talk. Doming had stopped writing. The money came regularly,
twice a month. In the beginning, there had been notes, three or four
times, saying hello and asking if the kids were well. But they had
stopped. The money orders were reaching her now with nothing
more than a clerk’s letter, typed neatly and sparingly: Dear Mrs.
Gorrez please acknowledge enclosed sum.
It was two Saturdays when they met again and Emma could not tell
if it was by design or not. Like that earlier Saturday, Rividad walked
in and Emma’s heart lifted at sight of him. “They had
everything when they started, Rene. Youth, good looks, courage.
Where did all that go?” Mr. Rividad smoked quietly. “You
remember saying once, The sounds of Sunday joy’…? “He nodded,
smiling suddenly. “Yes, but there are other days in the week. And
the other sounds.” “Norma will be here soon,” she said. “I am not
waiting for Norma this time,” Mr. Rividad said quietly. It was not
Norma he waited for on all the subsequent days that he and Emma
Gorrez met in the restaurant.
ABOUT THE STORY
Resolution
He had never called her that before. “I would like to wait for you,”
he continued softly, “here and in all places you can possibly think of,
for all the hour’s life will allow me.” “Don’t do this to me, Rene,”
she begged. “Are you afraid?” “This is catastrophe,” she said. “Are
you afraid?” he insisted. She nodded dumbly “Let me give you
strength,” he said. “And Norma?” she said aloud. “Am I to be like
Norma, after all? She asked unhappily “You are not Norma,” he said,
“there is a difference,” Difference?” she asked. “A big difference,”
he said. “You are Emma. And I love you.”
They sat in silence, the cups between them. Perhaps, I could love
him, she thought. The jukebox in the corner began to sing softly.
Perhaps, I love him already, she thought. The joys of Sunday seemed
far away now. The licit sounds of happiness had slid past her. She
had loved Domingo Gorrez with everything that she had been
but they had been careless, and one paid for carelessness like this
sipping coffee in exile, vulnerable and tremulous because, in this
wayward inn, someone had said a warm and tender thing.
Theme
The main theme of the story is the search for identity, yearning of
happiness and pleasure. Wherein social injustice and oppression
were also highlighted throughout the story/
ABOUT THE STORY
Characters
Setting
Plot
Conflict
Domingo was not the man that Emma knew when they were still in
Tayug and he was blinded by money and corruption. So she tried to
go back to Tayug hoping that her husband would miss her and follow
her
Irony
The irony of the story is that Emma was paired to a greedy man who
only care about money and Rene was paired to a woman who sleeps
with different man everyday
Mood
The author wants the readers to reflect and make critical discernment
on how the bigger picture-Philippine society in general-can ruin
families and their dreams.
Flashback