College of Teacher Education

First Semester, A.Y. 2022-2023

MODULE 8
PHILIPPINE LITERARY WORKS THAT PRESENT WOMEN AND POWER:

Introduction

Most traditional Filipino books either tell stories about nationalism, real-life experiences, or make use of legends and
fables to showcase Filipino traits and values. But there are also Philippine Literary works that are worth mentioning
and it includes those works that present women and power.

I. Objectives

At the end of the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Discuss the emotional impact of the story based on reader’s viewpoint.
2. Compare and contrast the identities of the characters in the story

II. Lecture
PHILIPPINE LITERARY WORKS THAT PRESENT WOMEN AND POWER:

A. Magnificence (Estrella Alfon)

Magnificence is a short story by the Cebuano writer Estrella D. Alfon (1917-1983). It's one of the stories contained in
her short story collection Magnificence and Other Stories (1960). It's a controversial story because of the topics it
tackled.

● The Characters in the Story

1. The girl - She wasn't given a name in the story. She's seven years old.
2. Oscar - The girl's older brother. He's eight years old.
3. Vicente - A young bus conductor who offered to tutor the two children on their Math and English assignments.
4. The mother -The mother of the two kids. She wasn't named in the story.
5. The father - The father of the two kids. He wasn't named in the story.

● Summary of the Story

Vicente, a young man who worked as a bus conductor during the day, offered to help a young girl and her brother
with their Math and English language assignments. On evenings, he would go to their house and over a huge study
table, he would help them solve fractions and mull over language phrases. He also bought them pencils which were
all the rage at the siblings' school. However, it turned out that there was a dark motive behind Vicente's kindness and
gentleness towards the two kids. One evening during a tutoring session, Vicente tricked the boy to leave the room
and then proceeded to molest the girl. The mother caught him performing the deed. Angered by what she saw, the
mother slapped Vicente a good number of times and drove him out of the house. The story ended with the mother
tucking in her daughter in her bed.

● GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. Why did Estrella D. Alfon title her story "Magnificence"?
2. What is the theme or meaning of the story?
3. What's the personality of Vicente?
4. What's the moral lesson of the story?
5. Why did Alfon write Magnificence? What did she want to achieve?

B. Summer’s Solstice
● “Summer Solstice” is a short story that has received recognition both critical and praising. Written by Nick
Joaquin, the story takes place in 1850s Philippines during the festival days of St. John. There is a
pro-woman feel to the story, which has garnered a lot of debate and attention considering the setting is in a
time where women must be submissive. In this analysis, learn about the setting, the themes and symbolism
that this short and interesting story incarnates.
 ● Summary
The Tatarin, or otherwise known as the Tadtarin, was a three day festival that celebrated a ritual of fertility. This was
done only by women. Many men frowned upon the extravagant dances and plays surrounding the ritual. “Summer
Solstice” is set during the three days of the St. John’s festival. Lupeng, a Filipino woman who feels closed to her
womanhood, is married to Paeng, who is no doubt loyal to her. They have three small boys and live a somewhat
wealthy life as they have a carriage driver named Entoy and a maid and cook named Amada.

Guido is a cousin of Paeng’s who comes back to the Philippines after studying in Europe. 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.

● Setting and Conflicts

Setting – Since the story takes place in the 1850s, women were repressed and felt shut in. Lupeng may seem to be
happy in her routine life, but 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.” It indeed sounds like she feels as though she has a duty that she must carry on but she gets annoyed
at her family because of her subdued state of womanhood. Although she tries act horrified when Guido tells of her
woman should be adored rather than beneath their husbands, she contemplates and realizes she wants to be the
leader of the pack.

External and Internal Conflicts – The stereotypes of masculinity and feminine traits run rampant in the story.
Women are supposed to look after their husbands and children while the husbands work and wait for their supper.
Not only is this seen in the story but in daily life as well, which makes the story shocking to readers since it is about
women wanting to be free. Lupeng shatters the concept of the suppressed woman when she gains control of her
husband, who kisses her feet at the end of story. This makes it seem as though the internal conflict was that women
are the ones who want to be the rulers of men, as seen in the Tatarin festival.

● Themes and Symbolism

Main Theme: St. John’s and Tatarin Festivals – The St. John’s festival is about men and their fertility, which seems
quite vulgar to Lupeng and makes her start to realize how she wishes women could be seen in the same way. The
Tatarin festival is the exact opposite, showing women as leaders of fertility since they carry children. This festival is
the last trigger to make Lupeng feel as though she is stronger than a man and deserves adoration.

Symbolism
Amada – When Lupeng rushes to find her cook, Amada, she sees her in a compromising position on the bed which
makes Lupeng blush and feel restrained about her own sexuality. This is the first trigger for Lupeng before she
announces she wants admiration.
Guido’s Speech – When Paeng’s cousin Guido returns from Europe, he tells Lupeng of his travels. He also says “I
remember that you are a woman, yes. A beautiful woman. And why not? Did you turn into some dreadful monster
when you married? Did you stop being a woman? Did you stop being beautiful? Then why should my eyes not tell
you what you are — just because you are married?” This makes Lupeng lash out and call it simple comedy but it is
also the second set off before she feels liberated. She takes his words to heart as well as when he lowers himself to
kiss her feet in appreciation.
 MAY DAY EVE
BY: Nick Joaquin

"May Day Eve" is a short story written by Filipino National Artist Nick Joaquin. Written after World War II, it became
one of Joaquin's “signature stories” that became a classic in Philippine literature in English because of lasting worth
or with a timeless quality. May day eve was a story about the man who forgot how he loved the woman that he loved
in the past, and portraying a bitter marriage.

The story started with a flashback. Dona Agueda was facing the mirror on Monday eve because her sister told her to
do so. Dona Agueda really believed in her sister. That is when she faced the mirror, her future lover would appear in
the mirror.
As soon as Don Badoy appeared in the mirror, they decide to marry each other because they believed in
Anastasia. When they got their married life began it goes out miserable because of the fact that they do not really
love each other and nothing special happened to them.

Nicomedes “ Nick” Joaquin a.k.a Quijano de Manila, 1917-2004

This Filipino artist is a novelist, poet, playwright, biographer and essayist in English
He lived through eight decades of Philippine history
His most acclaimed play is A
Portrait of the Artist As Filipino (1952).
He was always the voice of a deep, inclusive, and compassionate optimism in the Filipino

CHARACTERS
Young Agueda
The pretty young woman who is curious, hardheaded, brave and proud.
She was married to Badoy Montiya but never bowed down to admit her admiration for Badoy.
She died losing her youth and living a lonely married life.
YOUNG BADOY MONTIYA
The vain good looking man who will do everything to get what he wants.
He was a vengeful fellow who married Agueda but never admitted he had loved her since the night
he cornered her in that dark room until she died.
ANATASHA
The old woman who is loyal to her mistress and believes in supernatural beings.
She taught Agueda the incantation which can make her see the face of the person she is to marry.
DAUGHTER OF DONYA AGUEDA AND DON BADOY
A curious girl who was persistent in knowing her mother’s past
VOLTAIRE
Don Badoy and Donya Agueda’s grandson who like his mother heard the story of witches that
bewitched,
drunk the blood and ate the hearts of his grandparents.

SUMMARY
Agueda and Badoy’s story began in that first night of May. Agueda is a smart girl who seems to mature
ahead of her age. Unlike girls of her age, she is bold and liberated. Badoy is much older than Agueda is. He
studies in Europe and likes to play with girls as Agueda hears it from his stories with his friends. She hates
him for that.
The party that night in the house of the Monitya’s was in honor of Badoy who just came from Europe. The
old people have ordered to stop the dancing as it was getting late at night but Agueda and the girls went
upstairs to continue the noise. The caretaker Natasha mentioned about the spell which allows one to see the
face of his/her lover.
The other girls were afraid but not Agueda. She convinced Anastasha to tell her the incantation. Alone in the
middle of the dark room while holding a candle, Agueda whispered the incantation and there she saw the
face of the devil.
Badoy and Agueda both lived through it, thinking each other as devils. They severely hurt each other.
The tragedy is when Badoy’s heart forgets how much he felt for Agueda. Both were not careful enough to
mend their drifting marriage. Both Badoy and Agueda perceived their marriage to be a taste of hell.
Their prides prevented them from admitting that they saw each other’s face in that mirror. They continued
to claim that it was the witch or the devil they saw.
Each claimed that the devil bewitched them, tortured them and ate their hearts. It was so because it was
how they were to each other as husband and wife.
Their contrasting attributes brought them together to that situation they suffered all along. They were
blessed with a daughter.
But even this did not soften the hatred each has for the other or maybe lowered each other’s pride to admit
the truth between them.
 Donya Agueda succumb to death after the long agonizing years with Don Badoy Montiya. Alone after his
wife’s death, Don Badoy painfully recalled of the girl who had flamed so vividly in a mirror one wild May Day
midnight,
long, long ago and refreshed his memory of how she had bitten his hand and fled which surprised his heart
in the instant of falling in love with Agueda.
Crying his heart out, Don Badoy realized that time has healed the wounds of their relationship. The old
love that was blinded by hatred which brought pain has now resurfaced.
The tragedy is that it is too late. Agueda is gone. She never had
the chance to know the truth that he had actually loved her and she meant so much to her all those times.
Love didn’t go away. It was just hidden in their proud hearts.

SYMBOLISM
The main symbol used in the story is the mirror which refers to the physical attractions of Badoy
and Agueda for each other and the illusion brought about by those attractions.

LESSON
Love is not founded on magic. For it to grow and blossom, lovers should nurture the seed by
watering it with acceptance and respect for each other. There is no way for love to prosper in proud and
hateful hearts. Love is never proud nor vengeful. To be happy in love, one has to manifest it through actions.
Finally, it is the lovers who decide to succeed or to fail in loving and not fate.

REFLECTION
The story focuses on Doña Agueda and Don Badoy’s not-so-happy marriage, their marriage is full of
hate.
Many says that opposite attracts, but when it comes to a certain point that you two couple are not really
working things out it’s time to part ways. Fate is also a good thing for most of us, it is mostly the adverse
outcome or end. It mainly impacts on people who also believes in superstitions.
The story mainly focuses and tells that fate is dictated by those people who are involved in a certain
relationship. The story reflects that even though a men and women have a different state in life, have a
different physical appearance everyone should be treated equally and the same.
 The Wedding Dance

By: Amador T. Daguio

Short description

"The Wedding Dance" by Amador Daguio is a powerhouse of raw emotion for such a short story. As the
reader is drawn into the story of love and cultural reality, it jars with our contemporary view of the world.The Story was
written in 1952 at about the same time he was writing his thesis (Study and translation of Hudhud hi Aliguyon, the
Ifugao Harvest Song) for his Master of Arts in English degree at Stanford University in California. This story is based
on the author's life among the Igorots of North Luzon and the practice of divorce due to a childless
marriage. "The Wedding Dance" by Amador Daguio is a short story about a husband and wife, Awiyao and Lumnay,
who had been married for seven years. In spite of being in love with his wife, Awiyao feels the need to marry again to
have a son.

About The Author

Amador T. Daguio
● Born on January 8, 1912 in Laoag, Ilocos Norte
● Graduated with honors at U.P. in 1932
● In 1952, he obtain a M.A. in English at Stanfort University as a Fulbright scholar
● He was only 20 when he wrote "Man of Earth" in 1932
● He served as chief editor for the Philippine House of Representatives before he died on April 26,
1966 (aged 54)

Characters

LUMNAY
● Awiyao’s former wife who is still in love with him, despite the fact he married another
AWIYAO
● The lead male in the story who loves Lumnay, but left her because she didn’t produce children for
him

MADULIMAY
● Awiyao’s new, younger wife, with whom he hopes to have children

Summary

Awiyao and Lumnay were husband and wife for seven years, but now the husband has to marry another
woman, Madulimay, because Lumnay was not able to give him a child. (In their culture in the mountains during those
times, having a child to follow after the husband's name was a must.) On the night of the wedding, Awiyao goes to his
and Lumnay's house to personally invite her to the traditional wedding dance. However, Lumnay, the best dancer in
the entire tribe, refuses to go. Then, during their conversation, it is revealed that both of them still love each other, but
because of their tribe's customs, they have to separate. Awiyao goes back to the wedding, to the wedding dance,
after being fetched by some friends. Lumnay wants to follow, partly because of the dance, and partly because she
wants to put a stop to their tribe's tradition of having to marry another partner just to have a child. She did not have
the courage to break the tradition. Lumnay walked away from the dancing ground, away from the village. She went to
the mountain instead and in the mountain is where she diverted all her bitterness in her and she partly reminisce their
story of Awiyao

Symbolism Used
GANGSAS
● The gangsas are culturally important. The sound of the gangsas represents the man in the wedding
ceremony. Like the gangsas, they are strong and provide a beat to the dance, or a "beat to life"

DANCING
● Culturally, the dancing is a celebration of happiness. It is also a show of sexuality by the women.
Because Lumnay has not produced a child, she feels ashamed to dance and show herself to the
other men, as she believes no one will look at her.
The Fire
● The fire or flames signify the burning intensity of both love and hate that Lumnay feels in the
situation. When Awiyao stirs the embers in Lumnay’s dark hut, he stirs up both of these feelings in
her. Later, as Lumnay watches the bonfire from afar, her physical distance from the fire reflects her
emotional separation from the man she loves.
The Beads
● The beads in the story symbolize the promise that Awiyao made to Lumnay. They are also very
precious and are worth 20 fields. The fact that Awiyao gives them to Lumnay shows that he
cherishes her, and that he still believes she has worth. Although Lumnay rejects the hut and field
Awiayo offers her, she accepts the beads, suggesting her desire to remain connected to Awiyao.
 The Floor
● A number of times the narrator draws the reader’s attention to the rattan floor as Lumnay pulls it
apart. This is symbolic of their marriage unraveling.
The Night
● The nighttime setting symbolically adds to the darkness and isolation that Lumnay feels as she
runs away from the village. As she works her way up the dark mountain alone, she is unable to
envision a path to the future. The reader, too, is left in darkness with the unresolved ending

Lesson
It is not wrong to fight for what you feel in love. However, you must take into account and respect the
traditions. But if you truly love one person and he or she truly loves you back. She/he will accept that you are not
capable of having a child and will disregard tribal tradition. Remember that true love will accept all facts and realities
regardless of what happened.

Reflection
Due to the customs and culture of the story that if the man wanted to have a son yet her wife couldn’t bear
him a child and to that reason he have to marry another woman is natural tradition to them then lumnay must respect
their tradition. But, can we imagine the feelings of other parties, it is not so easy to accept. True love are not measure
by having a child. Will a man love her wife because she can only bear her a child? No.They were been married for 7
years. Despite of her wife being impotent to give birth, it doesn’t mean that he needs to marry another women for his
own happiness. there are many ways to have a son, they can adopt a baby or in a way of surrogation process.
People must also be considerate to the feelings of others. Consider the Long term relationship goal than a short term
happiness in a relationship.A letting go of love. Than a sounds pick of frustration in lumnays part better let go. It's
hard for Lumnay to see her husband marrying another woman, but she still prefers to keep quiet and stay away for
the sake of everything. It is not easy to give the person you love to someone else, especially if you have been
together for a long time. It hurts that he can no longer be with her, but at least she let him go because of her love for
him. On the part of Lumnay and Awiyao, it was not easy, but they still chose to respect and follow the tradition they
have
 FOOTNOTE TO YOUTH

Authored by Jose Garcia Villa

Author’s Background:
Jose Garcia Villa (August 5, 1908 – February 7, 1997) was a Filipino poet, literary critic, short story writer,
and painter. He was awarded the National Artist of the Philippines title for literature in 1973, as well as the
Guggenheim Fellowship in creative writing by Conrad Aiken. He is known to have introduced the “reversed
consonance rhyme scheme” in writing poetry, as well as the extensive use of punctuation marks—especially
commas, which made him known as the Comma Poet. He used the penname Doveglion (derived from “Dove, Eagle,
Lion”), based on the characters he derived from himself. These animals were also explored by another poet E. E.
Cummings in Doveglion, Adventures in Value, a poem dedicated to Villa.

Characters:
1.Dodong - main character of the story who got married at the age of 17
2. Teang - regretted marrying at an early age
3. Lucio - Teang's other suitor who got married after she did and who's childless until now
4. Blas - Dodong and Teang's oldest son who followed their footsteps in the end. Blas contemplated to marry Tona
when he was 18
5. Tona - woman whom Blas wants to marry.

Short description about the story

*Footnote to Youth is a story by Jose Garcia Villa that was published in 1933.
*The central theme of the story is around the excitement of youthful age.
*This story shows hoe a father-and-son relationship is supposed to be.
*Jose Garcia Villa wanted us to show how difficult life is if you don't have a stable job and create a family at
an early age.

Symbol
🧑‍🤝‍🧑👭👬👬👫 - Youth is a symbol of rash decisions and irrepressible desires. Dodong knows this all too

❤️
well. His decision to get married at an early age has pretty much ruined his life .
- Love symbolize as one cause why dodong and teang end up on their situation but still a reason that
binds them as a strong family because of love.
Numbers or age- it symbolize how dodong and teang married at the young age that affect the youth days of
Blas and he wanted to marry tona at the same age when dodong got married.

Summary
It is all about a 17 year old man named Dodong who can’t wait to marry Teang. He was hesitant to tell it to his
parents. But he ask permission to his father and then he allowed him. Then they've got married and lived together.
Teang gave birth to Blas. Blas was not Dodong’s only child. More children came to them. Teang looks like shapeless
and thin after all the responsibilities of a mother. She cried sometimes, wishing she had not married. Sometimes, she
thinks that what if she marry Lucio,who is until now childless. Then one night the eighteen year old Blas also wants to
marry Tona. Like what Dodong did when he was 17 was the one that Blas also did. Dodong allowed Blas to marry
Tona but deep down inside he felt sad and sorry.
 How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife
(Manuel Arguilla)

"How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife", written by Manuel Arguilla is the story of a introducing his city-born
wife to his more provincial family. Transpires in Barrio Nagrebcan in La Union (the) birthplace of Manuel E. Arguilla),
You'll immediately realize how the writer loves his hometown by the vivid imagery and sensuality that heffers on. the
plate.
From the shapes and the sounds to even the scent of the air, Arguilla spares no detail to prove that beauty exists in
Nagrebcon, because the place was very provincial in which there is a peaceful and simple leaving which will serve as
a challenge to Mario, Leon's wife that will lead to the main idea which is Maria
being tested with Leon's family specially his father, if she wil be able to live ol simple life in province away from than
city.

Manuel E. Arguilla
Is an Ilokano writer. He writes in English, is a patriot, and is a martyr, and is widely known for his
short story "How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife", the literary place that made him win first prize in
the Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940.
He was born on June 17, 1911, in Nagrebcan, Bauang, La Union. His parents are Crisanto Arguilla,
a farmer, and Margarita Estabillo, a potter, and despite having a tough life, it never hindered him to pursue
his passion to write. He attended his elementary and high school in San Fernando. He was editor-in-chief of
his school's newsletter, the La Union Tab.
Apart from writing, he is also a swimming champ. He joined swimming events while he was young.
During his tertiary education, he entered the University of the Philippines and his love for scribbling words
made him join the UP Writers Club which eventually led him to later became the president and the editor of
the UP Literary Apprentice. He finished his education in 1933.
Apart from writing, he is also a swimming champ. He joined swimming events while he was young.
During his tertiary education, he entered the University of the Philippines and his love for scribbling words
made him join the UP Writers Club which eventually led him to later became the president and the editor of
the UP Literary Apprentice. He finished his education in 1933.
He married Lydia Villanueva, an artist and writer just like him. He practiced his profession at the
University of Manila and later on, became the editor of Welfare Advocate, the Bureau of Public Welfare's
publication. His famous story and other stories he wrote when he was 22 to 29 years old were all compiled
in a book called How my Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife (And Other Stories) published by Philippine
Book Guild in 1940.
However, in 1941, when the country was invaded by the Japanese, he joined freedom forces and
led Marking's Guerillas. When he was captured in 1944, the Japanese imprisoned him in Fort Santiago
along with his family.
After some time, his family was freed while he was executed to death. He died at the age of 33 in
October 1944.
CHARACTERS:
Baldo
He is the narrator of the story.
Leon
He is the husband of Maria and is also called Noel by Maria.
Maria
She is the wife of Leon whom was brought from the city of Manila.

CHARACTERS:
Father
He is the mildest- tempered, gentlest man. He has a deep personality.
Mother
She is a responsible mother.
Aurelia
She is the sister of Leon and Baldo. She lives with their parents.
Labang
The bull of Leon and Baldo and is Baldo's pet.
SUMMARY:
Leon and his wife Maria are about to return to Leon's village after getting married. They had met in the city
and Maria has never lived in a village. They are greeted by Baldo, Leon's younger sibling, as their horse carriage
stops outside the village.
Baldo welcomes the new member of the family. He is impressed by her beauty and soft feature. He
observes her nice fragrance and radiant smile. He ties their bull, named Labang, to the cart and Leon hauls their
trunk on it.
Baldo encourages Maria to touch Labang's hair and horns. She is awestruck at Labang's strength and
horns. Leon helps her on the cart and she sits on a bale of husk. They start their journey and Leon has the reins.
 After going a little further, Baldo takes the reins and takes a sudden route change into the rockyroad of Waig
and surrounding fields. Leon enquiries about the change of route and Baldo assure him that he is only following their
father's orders.

Baldo and Leon both question Maria about her views about their village, fields and rocky roads. She is
enthralled by the natural beauty and simple lifestyle. She condemns the sheer number of vehicles and noise in the
city.
She loves the starry and clear skies over the lush fields. She and Leon even start to sing a song that Leon
was taught by his father about the sowed fields under clear skies. They meet a couple of people after coming out of
the fields but not many as most people avoid using the fields after dark.
They finally reach their house and are welcomed by Leon's mother and sister. They are smiling and excited
Leon enquiries about his father who is in his room struggling with leg pain (injured in the revolution).
Baldo goes to tie Labang and when he returns he finds Maria talking and crying with his mother and sister.
His hears his father's call and goes to meet him.
His father questions about Maria's conduct and her behaviour throughout their journey to the house. It was
test designed to see if she can adjust and accept the life of the village and make it her home.
Baldo reassures him about her live for Leon and commitment to their marriage. He confirms his observation
that Maria was ready to embrace their house as her home.
Their conversation is disturbed as the new couple enters to meet with the father. Baldo leaves the room
giving them some space with the head of the family.

SYMBOLISM USED:
Carretela
it represents the rural life or life in the barrio.
Carabao
it represents the people in the barrios who are doing mostly blue collar jobs which are mostly
forming and agriculture
Pebbly road
it represents that settling into a married life is not always easy. Marriage is not always a bed of
roses. There are rough times, and that is inevitable.

LESSON:
1. We should respect and accept one's life.
2. Social status is not a hindrance if you truly love each other.
3. Meeting your special someone to your family is the right thing to do.
4. One may have to sacrifice small part of his/her life in order to have a happy life
REFLECTION:
As I reflect on the story that I've read, I start realizing that love can change people. It makes a
person brave and strong for him or to achieve his or her goals. This love can be seen and felt in our parents
or ourselves. They/we fight and sacrifice everything for us, their children, for us to live and be happy. Even
though life is difficult, they can earn a living. They had to overcome various obstacles to take care of us.True
love is truly inspiring. It teaches a person to be patient, caring, loving, and risk- taking to overcome all fears
for the sake of the one you love.
 New Yorker in Tondo (Marcelino Agana, Jr.)

New Yorker in Tondo is a classic satirical play in one- act writer by Marcelino Agana Jr. in 1958. it was first
staged by the Far Eastern University Drama Guild in Manila and has become popular since, having produced many
times through the years.

MARCELINO AGANA JR.

Marcelino Agang Jr. was a playwright in 1958 who wrote one of the more popular Filipino comedies that
have been produced many times through the years. New Yorker in Tondo is one of his most well-known
comedy plays. Its humor and irony are shown to present a realístic picture of Filipino life.

CHARACTERS
Kikay: a newly arrived Balikbayan from New York; She has Acquired the Style, Manner and culture of
America.
Aling Atang: Kikay's Mother; Carried away by her daughter's way of living, she tries to converse with every
body in (Broken) English
Tony: a simple guy and Kikay's childhood sweetheart; he decided to catch things up
Nena: a tomboyish girl and Kikay's childhood friend; she finds her different and weird.
Totoy: a tough Tondo "Kanto Boy" who has a secret love for Nena.
SUMMARY
New Yorker in Tondo is a short story written by Marcelino Agana, Jr. It is a story of a girl who went abroad to
finish her studies. Upon going home after a year, she acquires all the New Yorkish things like style, language, looks
and manner. She even influenced her mother with her way of living.
One day, Tony visited her for he heard that Kikay has already arrived. Tony was Kikay's lover and they got
secretly engaged before Kikay left. While waiting for Kikay to wake up, Totoy and Nena also came. They were their
childhood friend. Upon waking up, Kikay immediately entertained her friends.
They are all shock of what they've seen. Kikay was transformed into a different girl. She doesn't want to be
called as Kikay instead she wants everybody to call her Francesca. She tells them everything she experienced in
New York and she even keep on comparing New York from Tondo.
When Kikay and Tony had the chance to be alone, Tony was trying to open the issue of them being engaged
before she left. But Kikay did not want to listen; instead she keeps on ignoring Tony and even told him that being
engaged to him is just a childish act. She even degraded Tony by telling him 'imagine a new yorker marrying a tondo
boy!' Tony gets irritated of what Kikay acted, so he confronts her, and told her that New York didn't bring her any
good. Kikay realizes everything that Tony said. She asks for forgiveness and promises him that she will go back to
her original self.She even said that Francesca is dead and who's standing in front of him is Kikay. Tony forgave her
and they went back to each other's arms.

SYMBOLISM USED IN THE STORY

"Francesca"
- it symbolizes acculturation. It was the new name of Kikay when she moved to New york and
brought it back again in the philippines.
The Old Mango Tree
- The old tree in the backyard of Kikay's house. The tree was the symbol of the group's friendship
and memories. It also symbolizes nationalism.

LESSON
The message of the playwright is that love and love for the country wins. One should never forget to look
back at where he came from. Love for one's cherished traditions will always go beyond the love for worldly
things and the lavish lifestyle. As for Kikay, she learns that "there really is no place like home."

REFLECTION (RELATING THE STORY IN YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES OR IN THE SOCIETY WHERE YOU LIVE)
I reflect Tony's character. On how he react in that situation. Though, she loved Kikay and don't want to hurt
her. But through his words, I mean he didn't hurt her physically and verbally but personally if I were that girl I
would cry but thanks for letting me realized that I was wrong in the first place.
I like the twist wherein the setting is Tondo, and we know that Tondo people are bad and you know "squatter
attitude" but in an hour I realized that I was wrong of my thought.
There's a saying, "Love will still be dominant." Through trial and error I saw Tony's heart for his love and it's
unconditional.