the tears in her eyes...

"Generations" is a very heavy text. The story was about a young girl who was very caring for her family. No matter how bad her father treated her she was always there hoping her father will change. One horrible night came when her father was arrested, they had no money to bail him out and she did not want to hurry her mother any longer. And so she decided to sacrifice her body so that the soldiers will free her father. She did not like what she had to do but it was necessary to save her father.

After, she entertained the soldiers her demand was given. Her father was safe and free. In some way her father knew what she had done but he did not want to have to mention it. She then felt how selfish her father is not even appreciating what she had done. She hit him on the head and soon after she did not know what happened and she had so much blood on her hands. She was so scared she just went home and cleaned up.

This text was really somewhat disturbing. I really feel sorry for the character for what she had to do. And really lets face it I'm sure it really does happen now. I feel for those girls who have to do this, its not right and they should never have to go through this.

Most of the time rage comes out from those people who have been so quiet all this time and just one little trigger will let the harsh anger free.

Life is a series of hardships. Lets all just make the right decisions and make the most of life.

once upon a time...

Fairy tales.... I used to love fairy tales. I used to play with my cousins and imagine we were all the Disney princesses. Oh, how life used to be so simple and so happy.

Fairy tales are supposed to have happy endings but in the story the tale of the spinster and peter pan, it was kind of dark and it ended sadly. The story is about a sad old women tired of her boring scheduled life. Shes the type of woman who likes to follow her schedule and she only does the things she is comfortable doing. There was one day when she visited her regular bar and she noticed that there were a lot of new things happening like the band is new and its playing new songs. She then developed a slight crush for the lead singer, as most women do. The sad part is the lead singer of the band tried to talk to her but she froze and didn't know what to do, she was ashamed and decided to leave instead. The man was left there confused and alone.


I honestly did not like the story document. I mean the man figuring out how to read the woman by reading her documents instead. When i was reading the text, i really wanted to tell the character "get a life!". If he really wanted to get to know the girl truly he should have just talked to her instead of snooping around like a stalker.


Both these stories where about two people who could not get out of their comfort zones. they were given chances to break free and maybe be happy but they chose the path that they normally choose. Life is full of risks, if you don't take any risks its like your whole life your on auto pilot.

inner strength

For the past few short stories we have been talking about womens empowerment. Its actually very refreshing to read texts about women. Women need to be credited for the strength and abilities.

In the text "Magnificence" the mother showed so much strength and restraint as well. She knew that the man she thought was kind and innocent dint something very wrong to her child. Any one of use would have surely strangled that man and pummel his face beyond recognition. But no, the mother remained calm to protect her children until they were out of sight, and that was the only time she showed her true anger. She also made sure that her daughter did not feel that anything was done extremely wrong to her in order to preserve the innocence of the child. I admire her character, it is really something I doubt I can become because of how emotional I can get at times.

The story "Games" focused much more on modern liberated times. Its called games because of the cat and mouse game men and women play on each other. The story was directed on the confusing concept of love. Love is not just something you can toy with people do get hurt. Men and women who are looking for serious love are prey for those looking for a good time. I really don't understand how people can play these games and not have the guilt of hurting someone. Honestly I do lose all respect for those who just play around and have no respect for themselves. Its a pity.

girls... be strong.

Equal rights for men and women have been stated long ago and yet, there is still conflict. No matter how liberal or how modern people say the society is it will never be fully erased that men are thought to be higher than women. Even until now there is some kind of belief that women are supposed to stay at home, take care of the children, keep the house in order and to give her husband everything day and night. I am not saying that everyone is this way, thank god there are those who believe in equality.
Society restricts so much for women, its a shame.

Back then women rely solely on the man because they make the bread and butter for the family. Women take jobs like cleaning other houses, sewing, etc. Nowadays, women have more choices. Women are empowered somehow, in the government, in the work place, and other fields.

I found that in "love in the cornhusks" Tinang was not at fault. She was abandoned for so long by Amado with no goodbye whatsoever. Tinang could not possibly run after someone she had no idea was still loving her and she had no idea where to even look for him. It was just sad that she had to be reminded that she has her true love but she cannot even be with him because she is already married and with children.

Corral is actually a sad story, its every girls nightmare. I wouldn't want to have to marry because of the lack of availability of men. Pilar at her age was feeling like she was isolated. everyones else was happy, married and with children. But she was in her boring job still without a man. I felt sorry for the character, if she was only pushed the right way i'm sure all that she wants would come true.

These stories talk a lot about women ages ago. Those who could not fight for their rights. Now it is all different but there are still those who are not treated fairly.

realtiy bites... especially with love

The thing with love is.... it has to be tested through time. Love cannot be just a feeling that suddenly erupted from your head and you realize wow i'm in love...

So many people get hurt with infatuation. Infatuation is a stage when you feel so giddy and crazy about one person, you cant eat, cant sleep kind of thing and most especially you cant explain why you like this person so much.

I have always believed in friends first before lovers. I have always taken the time to get to know the person before I decide on taking it the next step or say no, thank you.

We have all experienced the head over heels crazy in love. I honestly have learned a lot from it. That it is always important to stay true to ones self, no preventions, no flowery lies, nothing just you and you alone is enough.

Just like the boy in bread of salt. He was so in love doing everything he can to please the girl of his dreams. When all his pretentious work came crashing down crushing him as well, that was the only time he realized the reality of the situation. Reality is love is too precious to go through it while living to be someone else.

On the other side of the spectrum we have the very controversial story summer solstice. Actually the topic of the story is the controversial one it focuses on an old practice called "tatarin". It is a tradition done on St. Johns day where during the day they wet everyone with water n the streets and at night. The women gather in something described as a very sexual thing, some women naked, dancing, moaning etc. Its really weird if you ask me, I honestly wouldn't want to attend. But as i read the story for me the one thing i got from this story is that women should respected and not treated as a sexual object. Also I've learned to put importance on being ones self despite what others think.

sensitive men... fact or fiction?

In the two stories they show the inner feelings of men that are not readily shown in society. Men are seen as macho and have strong personalities. Never do they show their feelings to others. I don't know where this idea of man came from, maybe from the olden times when they saw men as the strength of the household.

The story "Divided by Two" is about neighbors who suddenly just disliked one another. No one knows really what happened but is suspected that cheating spouses is a possibility. Husband and wife were not understanding each other but towards the end it was all resolved. He fought for his wife, he fought for their love.
It all sounds so romantic and sweet but I really cannot imagine how ill be when my life is that way. yikes.

On the other hand the story "The Mats" Mr. Angeles showed a different kind of emotion. After a long show of strength he could not hold it anymore and showed his weakness. He was mourning for his children who had passed away. I cannot imagine how hard it would be to lose a child. they say it is always harder to bury your child than to bury your parents. Its just not natural to be alive while your child is dead.

The strength of a man cannot be measured by his hiding of his feelings I think it is measured by the courage to show those feeling to the people that matter to you.

fLips

We live in a country filled with mixed cultures. Centuries has past and yet these practices and behaviors are still apparent in society today. We may have been modernized but our hearts are still bound in the times of the past.

Filipinos are a happy go lucky race. No matter what trial is faced a Filipino will always have a reason to be happy. There is always a rainbow after the rain, this is a Filipinos mentality. Honestly, i have to say i really do wish i have a happy go lucky attitude. I'm one to think so hard about problems and analyze things too much and it doesn't make sense anymore. What happened to me? I love how despite all the problems in the world families come together eat meals together and are so tightly knit. I do envy those people who are just happy all the time. After reading the line "Laughter was our only wealth" from Carlos Bulosan's story, it has become my mantra. Every day this is what i say to distress and to feel better.

Filipinos also wish for good graces from the Lord. This is actually not negative when you think about it but some Filipinos take it to another level. Have you ever heard anyone say "Bahala na si Lord."? Ive heard this so many times already. I believe in making your own luck, the Lord has designed us to be intellectual to be able to solve our problems and work for his good graces. I believe that this mentality came from the Spaniards. They made the Filipinos rely so much on God and the church that the people became very dependent on the religion.

But despite all these I love being a pinoy. I am proud of my roots. I can shout it out loud "I am Pinoy!!!!". I am not saying that i'm the perfect candidate of what is called a pinoy because I have definitely been modernized and all that. And yes, there has also been times when i hated being pinoy. But im back and im glad im beign true. Its something to relate with the character in Maria in Arguilla's "How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife". In here case changes had to be made in her part relating to her fiances family. It is welcoming that change and embracing different things that makes things matter. Remembering where you came from is very important it defines who you are and who you will be.