My Father Goes to Court (Carlos Bulosan)

My Father Goes to Court

The How's, What If's and If ever's:

1. How are Filipino neighbors described in the story?

          The Filipino neighbors have a simple way of living. They look happy with their families because they are contented with their life. Their smile were all priceless. They really enjoy their life.

2. What Filipino values are portrayed by the poor man's family?

          These are some of the values that help the poor man's family to have a better life compared to the rich family. They showed that Filipinos are the happiest and strongest person if they are with their families. We can see it when they were in the court. Also, they showed that their social status will not affect their happiness in their life. They just enjoy and accept the small or big things that they have.

3. How does the story reflect the present situation of Filipino families?

          Nowadays, some Filipino families didn't have enough money to buy some delicious food but it will not be the reason of their sadness. They are still happy and contented with their "sardinas" or "tuyo" especially when they are eating together. They will always find a way in order to have a food for all the members of the family. A family that eats together, stays together. That is one of the Filipino values that we should be proud of.

4. Does one's social status affect his way of life, his principles? Why or why not?

          Yes, social status affect one's way of life because they are different in many ways. They are different in goals, dreams, lifestyle, wants, beliefs and many more. They will always be different just like the poor man's family and the rich man's family in the story. The poor man's family just have a simple lifestyle but they are a happy family but the rich family is not that happy compared to poor man's family. We can say that not all rich people are truly happy because somehow they are one of the people who are facing many problems in life.

5. How does laughter help you as a person?

          Laughter can make our feelings better especially when we have problems. It is the way to lessen the pain that we felt within our hearts. It is not the solution but it helps us while doing an action. Let's try to share it with other people because it is free. It is the best medicine at all.

6.  What does Bulosan's My Father Goes to Court tell us about happiness?

          It tells us that happiness is within our family. We need to have a good relationship with all the members of our family in order to feel the true happiness that we needed. Our family will be our strength with all our problems in life so we must treasure it. We should remember that a complete and happy family is always the best. Give and share the true love with our family.

7. If ever you have the chance to talk to rich people in a conversation, what important reminder will you tell them about living life to the fullest?

          I would say to them that don't focus on the material things because these things are just temporary. You may have many things that you wanted but you don't have the genuine feeling or happiness that the average people have with their loved ones. Having a good relationship with the family although you are at average level can make you feel that you are rich. You will feel that way because you are surrounded by people who are rich in love and happiness. The goal is to focus on our strength which is our family.

The Wedding Dance (Amador Daguio)

                                                                                                                      The Wedding Dance

*Nowadays, what is your ideal wedding? How do you view marriage?

          Marriage is sacred. I like to have a kind of wedding that is simple and classy in a church. I don't like to spend too much for our wedding because the important thing will be our vows with each other in front of our beloved God. Our promises in each other will be our strength to fulfill our dreams in our own family. No matter what happens, we will love and help each other.

*If you were Awiyao, would you also give up your marriage just to follow a certain tradition?

          If I were Awiyao, I would not give up my marriage just to follow that kind of tradition because not all people are following the traditions in our country. It depends on the people if they like to do it or not and marriage is very sacred for me. It is one of my important events in my life so I will treasure it. I will not make decisions that can break our marriage. I will do my best to show how I really love my partner no matter what happens.

*If you were Lumnay, would you also follow the tradition?

          If I were Lumnay, I will not follow that kind of tradition because marriage is sacred. We can still be happy even though we didn't have a child. I chose my partner and I promised that no matter what happens, I will love him. I will not let anyone to break our marriage. It happened in front of God so I must do what I promised that day.

*Do you also believe that having a child makes a family complete?

          Yes, I believe that having a child makes a family complete because the child will be the fruit of the love. This child will be the way to a memorable life of the couple. It would be the happiest moment for them if their child called them "mommy" and "daddy" for the very first time. They will feel a different kind of happiness with their hearts because of their own child. Also, they would realize the worth of their marriage when they see that they have a beautiful family.

The How's, What If's and If Ever's:

1. How do you think expectations of society affect the life of married couples?

          Expectations of society can affect the decisions of married couples. They will do it for the sake of the society and not for them but it really depends on the people because we have our freedom. We have our own beliefs in life. We can do what we want and not what the society says. Just do what we want.

2. What if you belong to Awiyao and Lumnay's tribe, will you also follow the same practice?

          No, because I have my own life. As a sign of respect in their tribe, I will tell them honestly my reason why I don't like that and I will ask their permission for me to leave the tribe. I will explain all my reasons to them before leaving and I hope that they will understand me. We have our freedom to say or to explain our side to do what we want.

3. Do you also believe that between a man and a woman, the latter is expected to do more sacrifices?

          Yes, because life is not that easy. There should have sacrifices before anything else. These sacrifices may also lead to a stronger relationship. It is part of our lives that we must accept.

4. How are men and women portrayed in the story or their roles? Their rights?

          Their roles is to love and understand each other. When it comes to their rights, it depends on the two people if they will fight for their own rights like having a child. They have the chance to decide with their own when it comes to their rights.

What dominant characteristic of each is shown by Awiyao or Lumnay's character in the story?

          The dominant characteristic that is shown by Awiyao and Lumnay is their strong desire to have their own child. With this situation, they need to be strong especially Lumnay because Awiyao needs to find another woman. He needs to do it to have his own child. It is the tradition of their tribe.

5. If ever you are Awiyao or Lumnay, how will you prove your love for your wife or husband?

          I will not let him to do that kind of tradition because we promised each other that we will love each other no matter what happens. I will encourage them to go with me. We will leave the tribe so that we can what we want. No more traditions or expectations of society that will dictate in our way of living.

6. How do you live to the expectations of society? Do you consider "society's expectation" important?

          No, because we all have our own lives. I will do what I want and not what society wants. I can make my own decision without the expectations of society. It is somehow important to some people but for me, the important thing is my own decision and my own beliefs.

7. What will you choose: dignity or love? Explain your answer.

          I will choose love because it conquers everything. It has a power to change anything. No matter what happens, when there is love you can be the happiest person in the world.  Yes, it may be hard sometimes but that is one of the reason that can make your love deeper.

Why Women Wash the Dishes (Filomena Colendrino)

                                                                                                       Why Women Wash the Dishes

*Based on your observations, what factors contribute to the separation of married couples? #Expectations

          The factors that can contribute to the separation of married couples are poor decision making and lack of contentment in life. If the couples have poor decision making, they will encounter more problems because of the wrong decisions that they are making. Also, when the couples are not contented in their lives, they will not be happy with their family. There will always be problems that will lead to their separation.

*What do you think is the best way so couples won't argue with duties and responsibilities at home?

        The best way is to divide the duties and responsibilities at home equally. Man and woman should know how to do the household chores. When they know their assigned duties, they will not have an argument on who will wash the dishes or clean the house. Also, they should not blame each other about the things that they had finished at home. Just do their part and don't focus on the things that can hurt each other.

The How's, What If's and If ever's:

1. How are men and women's roles portrayed in the story?

       Men and women are different. They have their own likes, opinions, beliefs and characteristics. Also, they do not have the same strengths and weaknesses that can lead to some issues. They are different in many things.

2. What strengths and weaknesses of both parties are shown by Colendrino in her story?

          Fighting for their own rights. It is the strength of both parties. In their weakness, the couple can't understand each other. The small problems that they are facing can  easily affect their lives. They are lack of love because if they love each other, they will understand each other.

3. Do you agree that wives should just stay at home and take care of house hold chores? What is your stand on "women are for domestic purposes only"?

          No, because all of us should take care of house hold chores.  Women are not just for domestic purposes only. All of us can do what we want to do. Women should not have limitations when it comes to their job. All of us are equal.

4. If ever problems arise in the family, how do you think should married couples deal with those?

          Problems are just problems. We are bigger than our problems. We can solve it as long as we can. We should solve it right away because small problems can lead to a bigger problems. It will he hard for the both of you to solve it if it becomes bigger and bigger.

5. As children, what do you think are your roles whenever you see your parents fighting?

          We should be the way to lessen their anger to each other. We should bring all the reasons why they are here. The reason in making this family. And when that happens, they will remember all the memories they had together. They will feel sorry for what they have done.

6. What are the common problems faced by married couples nowadays? How do they solve their problems?

          Some problems of married couples nowadays are about financial issue and loyalty. In financial issue, life is hard so the money is very important for every family. The money that they get from their job should be enough to sustain the needs of the whole family. In loyalty, many married couples are getting separated because of this issue. They are doing their best to bring back the trust of their partner.

We, Filipinos are Mild Drinkers (Alejandro R. Roces)

                                           

                                                        We, Filipinos are Mild Drinkers

*If ever you have the chance to talk to an American, what best feature about Filipinos will you tell him?

          If I have the chance to talk to an American, I would say that being hospitable is the best feature among Filipinos. It is in the blood of the Filipinos that whenever there are visitors, they treat them as a family. They make them comfortable in their home. They are giving the needs of their visitors although they are not asking for it. Filipinos are happy serving or entertaining their visitors.

The How's, What If's and If ever's:

1. How are Filipinos portrayed in the story? What certain characteristics of Filipinos are present in the character of the farmer?

         Filipinos are hospitable. They know how to entertain some visitors. Also, the farmer showed that the Filipinos are humble because he was not that proud when they are talking about drinking liquor. It is really a good manner of Filipinos. We should be proud of it.

2. What if an American invites you to drink but of his choice, would you join him?

         No, because I am not that kind of person who will go out easily with a stranger. I want to be comfortable with a person before anything else like that. I just want to be safe because we cannot say what might happen to us especially when drinking liquor.

3. Do you believe that Filipinos are mild drinkers?

         Based on my observation, it is a no. Nowadays, starting from teenagers, young adults and adults in the Philippines are addicted in drinking liquor. Sometimes they do not know their limitations so there are many problems in the society about this issue.

4. Do you agree that there should be an ordinance or law about drinking liquor? Why or why not?

          Yes, because many people don't know their limitations in drinking liquor. This law will help the society to lessen some problems about too much drinking of it. Also, the people will know how to discipline themselves that can help or improve our society.

5. If ever you were to decide on what age are Filipinos are allowed to drink liquor, how old should he be? Explain your answer.

          For me, starting at age 18 and above can be allowed to drink liquor because it is the age of being legal. They are young adults so they must know their limitations in drinking liquor. They must know how to discipline themselves. They should also have the guidance of their parents although they are in the legal age. Drinking too much of alcohol can damage our health so they must be aware of that.

Children of the Ash Covered Loam (Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez)

Children of the Ash Covered Loam

*What for you is the significance of the line, "Kapag may nawala, may papalit."

          It is all about the cycle of life and death. When some things were gone, it's okay because there will be another great blessing that will come. Let us accept the fact that some things were temporary. Just be patient and wait for the right time. After all, you'll realize all the reasons why it was gone.

The How's, What If's and If ever's:

1. How can you relate to Tarang in the story? Compare your way of living to that of Tarang's.

          I should follow the rules of my parents and I should always ask their permission before doing something because they know what is good for me. They will guide me to be a good person and a good follower. When the time comes that I am already a good follower, I know that I can also be a good leader.

2. What if your belief is totally against your parents', would you still insist and ask them to listen to you? Why or why not?

          Yes, because I have the right to speak. I will explain my side with respect to them because they are my parents and I am just their child. I will not make any actions that can offend them. I will just try my best to make them understand my side.

3. If ever you were to make an ending for the story, how will you end it?

          Tarang and his family will have a bountiful harvest from their kaingin farm that will make them more comfortable in life. Also, they will have more piglets because they know how to take care of their piglets. They received these rewards because of all their hard works in life.

Liham ni Pinay mula sa Brunei (Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo)

LIHAM NI PINAY MULA SA BRUNEI

*What is your opinion on the woman's decision to work abroad and leave her family behind?

          Nowadays, women are stronger because they can do what men can. It's okay for me that the woman decided to work abroad because I understand her reasons. I know that it was just for the sake of her family. It was not easy for her to go to abroad but she didn't think of herself instead she focused in the needs of her family because her husband doesn't want to help her. Also, she wanted to make her husband realize all her hard works in their house because he thought that her work was just easy.

*What are the beliefs and traditions found in the story that you believe are still present up to this day?

          In Saudi Arabia, women are just for the house like the woman in the poem. They are intended to do the household chores and to take care of their children. Their husbands are the one who will go to work and provide the needs of the family. Until now, they have this kind of living. Women in their country do not have enough rights to do what they like.

The How's, What If's and If ever's:

1. How does the poem about Pinay open the minds of younger generation like you?

          

          We felt the pain in the heart of a mother in the poem because of all her problems in life. It gives a clear explanation for those who don't understand their parents who were working abroad just to give their needs. It made us realized the worth of our parents who are working and sacrificing for us. It helps us to open our minds that a mother has many responsibilities in her life so it won't be easy for them to do it all alone. We are here to help them in many ways like making them happy and helping them in the household chores.

2. What if you are in the woman's shoe, would you also leave your family and work abroad? Why or why not?

          No, because family is very important to me. I will find another way that can help me in my problem. Also, my children need a mother that will guide and support them all the times. Working abroad is only a choice so I can say no to that. The life would be hard but I can get strength with my family.

3. If ever this situation, happens in your family-having a father like Pinay's husband-what will you do?

          I will talk with my father because I can see that my mother was suffering. I will let him realize all the hard works of my mother for all of us. I will tell all the problems that my mother was saying. I will tell him that I like to have a happy family. I will tell the truth with respect to him.