Prose & Pages: Literary Adventures Await

In this poignant narrative, Mr. Angeles' return from a trip to the South promises a special surprise for his family: personalized sleeping mats woven with vibrant colors symbolizing each family member's birthstone. The anticipation grows among the children, eager to see these unique creations. However, as Mr. Angeles unveils the mats, the joyful atmosphere shifts dramatically. The mats carry not only the living children's names but also those of deceased siblings. This revelation brings a haunting and somber tone to the occasion, contrasting sharply with the initial excitement. The family is gripped by an overwhelming and silent sorrow, as the mats meant for the departed ones evoke a poignant sense of loss and remembrance. Mr. Angeles' attempt to honor the memories of the deceased through these mats results in a moment of profound reflection, causing a painful rift in the celebratory atmosphere and revealing the enduring grief embedded within the family's history.  ...

  This poem reflects the poet's aspirations and determination in facing the uncertainties of the future. It speaks of the anticipation for what lies ahead, comparing life's journey to distant mountains and an expansive sea. The individual expresses a strong sense of ambition and inner drive, acknowledging the influence of great writers like Shakespeare as sources of inspiration. There's an acknowledgment of not possessing the same mastery as Shakespeare but possessing a similar passion for love and dedication to craft. The poem underscores a pursuit of personal achievement, valuing the process of completing tasks and striving for success. It also emphasizes resilience in the face of adversity, promising to persist even if met with failure, demonstrating a commitment to perseverance and continuous effort. Ultimately, it's a testament to the poet's resolve to face life's challenges with unwavering determination, learning from setbacks and pushing forward despite o...

This narrative unfolds in a scorching landscape, revealing a solitary man navigating the oppressive heat while traveling with a weary bull in a cart. The setting, devoid of human habitation, is characterized by desolate beauty and harshness. Suddenly, a young woman appears, fresh and vibrant against the arid backdrop, capturing the man's attention. Their chance encounter near a well leads to an inadvertent mishap, breaking the man's meal. Yet, this mishap fosters an easy camaraderie between them, despite the man's initial hesitation. As they share a meal and water, a subtle attraction and curiosity blossom between the two. The woman, invitingly, offers shelter to the man at her humble abode, revealing a budding connection between them as they embark on this unexpected journey together, symbolized by the man's newfound sense of strength and purpose. The story cleverly uses descriptive language to vividly depict scenes, like the road appearing to wiggle in the heat and th...

The story depicts Rosa, a maid facing the challenges of societal hierarchy and personal identity. Separated from communal camaraderie by her mistress's restrictions, Rosa longs for social connection. Despite her mistreatment, Rosa encounters Sancho's unwanted advances and Angel's unexpected kindness. Mistakenly believing Angel to be a kind cochero, Rosa dreams of a better life with him. However, she faces disillusionment when she realizes his indifference and forgetfulness towards her. The narrative unfolds Rosa's conflicting emotions, from hope to disappointment, portraying her longing for genuine care and the harsh realities of her existence. Ultimately, Rosa returns to her mistress's house, realizing that her dreams of a better life might remain unfulfilled, symbolizing the struggle between aspirations and harsh realities in her journey of seeking personal dignity and human connection.  The story encapsulates the Emergence period in Philippine literature by spotl...

  Gerardo Luna, a jewelry store salesman, harbors a deep, unspoken desire to explore the forest, a dream he nurtures despite his routine life in Manila. Hindered by his frail health and societal expectations, he's drawn to the allure of the forest's beauty and serenity. His encounter with Ambo, an orchid gatherer, ignites hope for realizing his dream. However, familial expectations and pressures emerge, urging him to conform to societal norms. Despite the longing to break free, the journey to the forest unravels a discord between his aspirations and the weight of responsibilities. His contemplative moments in the forest prompt existential reflections, stirring a longing for something deeper, beyond the confines of his present life. The narrative hints at an inner struggle between personal desires and societal obligations, ending on a note of unresolved tension and a pivotal moment as he contemplates a question posed by Peregrina, suggesting a potential life-changing decision. I...

  The narrative centers on Dodong, a young man captivated by love's fervor, aiming to marry Teang despite his tender age. His determination to share this news with his father meets a wall of silence, which, though seemingly disapproving, doesn't deter Dodong. Eventually, their union leads to the birth of several children. Dodong, as time progresses, becomes burdened by the weight of unfulfilled aspirations, wrestling with the realities of his life choices and the myriad responsibilities of fatherhood. His son, Blas, following in his father's footsteps, seeks to marry at a young age, sparking a conflict within Dodong between empathizing with his son's desires and the hardships he knows early marriage entails. The story paints a vivid picture of Dodong's internal conflict, wrestling with the decisions of youth juxtaposed against the sobering truths of adulthood. Dodong's journey becomes a poignant reflection on the passage of time, the evolution of desires, and th...

In this narrative, the rift between two women, AlingBiang and AlingSebia, leads to the construction of a dividing fence, symbolizing their deep-seated animosity. This barrier embodies not only a physical separation but also the emotional wounds resulting from a betrayal between them. Due to this feud, their children, Iking and the girl from the opposing side, are forbidden from interacting, intensifying Iking's curiosity about the mysterious girl he observes through the fence. Despite warnings, Iking secretly listens to her music, which tragically coincides with his untimely death on Christmas Eve. His mother, mourning his loss, attributes his demise to the haunting music, viewing it as a cruel reminder of their tragedy. This tale unveils that the fence isn't merely a structure but a representation of emotional distance, perpetuating their isolation even amidst shared grief. It underscores the pain of separation and the repercussions of unresolved conflicts, highlighting how su...

 In "Fruit Stall," a woman grapples with concealing her Filipino heritage while running a fruit stall, a façade adopted to shield herself from discrimination and stereotypes. Facing racism, she assumes identities like Spanish or Mexican to fit societal norms. Her recollections echo the challenges within her marriage to an Australian man and the strong connections her family held with their Filipino roots, notably her father's devotion to sending fruits back home. Throughout the narrative, she navigates through difficult circumstances, pondering her resilience in adapting to societal expectations. However, a significant encounter with a couple unravels her hidden truth, compelling her to confront the concealed parts of her identity. This tale traverses themes of cultural identity, societal expectations, and the constant struggle to preserve authenticity while contending with bias and inequity.  This passage skillfully portrays the theme of cultural identity and societal pr...

 The narrative delves into the complex dynamics of Peter and Linda's marriage, marked by their struggle to conceive a child, particularly a son, to carry on the family name. Despite initial happiness, their relationship deteriorates as societal and familial pressures intensify due to their childlessness. Linda endures mistreatment, ostracization, and even physical violence from her mother-in-law, accentuating her degradation within the community. Peter's infidelity with a Bisayan woman leads to the birth of two sons, causing an uproar but ultimately restoring Peter's status in society. After Peter's untimely death, Linda confronts her mother-in-law, asserting herself and staying firm in Nanking Store, despite relentless opposition. She defies expectations by unexpectedly becoming pregnant, potentially by the family driver, challenging societal norms and leaving her future shrouded in mystery as she abruptly departs, leaving the closed store as a poignant symbol of unres...

The story "Ang Unggoy At Paru-Paro" by Jim Lloyd revolves around Unggoy, a monkey who carelessly discards his food waste without considering its impact on the environment. Despite warnings from Paru-paro, the butterfly, Unggoy dismisses them and treats the concerns lightly. Paru-paro tries to advise Unggoy on proper waste disposal, but Unggoy reacts angrily and demands to be left alone. One fateful night, a landslide occurs due to the accumulated trash, and Unggoy faces the consequences of his actions. He realizes the harm not only to himself but also to other creatures in the environment. As a result, he vows to take better care of the environment and responsibly dispose of his garbage. The story underscores competency through various avenues. Firstly, it effectively portrays Unggoy's irresponsible actions, culminating in a landslide. This narrative mirrors the global village's reality, illustrating how incorrect usage of technology can lead to detrimental outcomes. ...

Patron Saints of Nothing is authored by Randy Ribay and this is a novel about a  high school senior Jay Reguero,  in the middle of figuring out his future after getting into the University of Michigan,  faces the puzzling death of his cousin Jun in the Philippines. Jay, with a Filipino dad and a white mom, dives into finding out what really happened to Jun during the tough drug war in the country. Battling with guilt for losing touch with Jun, Jay goes on a journey to uncover the truth, dealing with family tensions, different cultures, and lots of surprising things about Jun's life. Even with all the confusion, Jay shows how strong he is by facing tough feelings, wanting fairness for Jun, and learning that facing hard truths can help find peace inside. Jay’s a determined, kind, and thoughtful guy, trying to figure out who he is while learning about Jun's sad story. In the end, he discovers that being honest and dealing with tough stuff helps heal not just yourself but als...

  "The Red Pencil" by Andrea Davis Pinkney follows twelve-year-old Amira's journey of a happy life in Sudan as she enjoys simple pleasures like drawing in the dirt, but her life is disrupted by war when militants threaten her village, forcing her family into a life of displacement. In the refugee camp, where hope is scarce, Amira clings to moments of beauty, whether in the form of a wandering hedgehog or a red pencil gifted by a visitor. Amira chooses to secretly learn writing, despite her mother's belief that education, particularly for writing, is not valuable for women. She finds out that words and letters have a powerful effect, changing her perspective on learning. Through free verse poetry, the book beautifully explores Amira's resilience and creativity as she grapples with loss, finds solace in a red pencil, and discovers the transformative power of education amid the challenges of a refugee camp.  This story captivates with its immersive narrative, blurrin...

E.B White wrote a book titled "Charlotte's Web" about Wilbur, a young pig, as he becomes the key character in the story after Fern saves him, showing how much he needs others to stay alive. As the smallest piglet, he relies on Fern to feed him from a bottle, helping him grow strong. Even when he moves to Mr. Zuckerman's farm, Wilbur still needs help and wants friends. As he faces being destined for Christmas dinner, he faces deep despair until Charlotte, a clever barn spider, decides to save him. Using her web, she writes miraculous messages like "Some Pig," drawing attention and admiration from people far and wide. Through Charlotte's ingenious plan, Wilbur gains recognition and even wins a prize at the county fair, securing his future. However, as Charlotte's health declines, Wilbur is saddened by her condition, takes care of her egg sac and watches over her offspring. Though most spiders leave, three generations stay in the barn, becoming a source...

The Saddleback Educational Publishing published a book titled "Thomas Edison Graphic Biography" is a story about a man named Thomas Edison who is born with an awfully big head but is destined for greatness. The story continues when Thomas turns 8, his mom sends him to school for formal education. He comes home that day mad because the teacher tells him that he is addleheaded. After Thomas comes home upset, his mom decides to take action.  Thomas Edison's mom didn't let the teacher's comment hold him back. She stepped up, questioned the teaching methods, and decided to homeschool him. With her support, Thomas got to learn things he was interested in. It just goes to show that having a dedicated learner with a supportive parent can overcome any tough situation which led Thomas Edison became the greatest inventor, proving that dedication to learning can triumph over challenges!  You can expect to follow Thomas' journey from his early years and struggles through h...

Ang Mahiyaing Manok or also known as The Shy Rooster by Rebecca T. Añonuevo and illustrated by Ruben de Jesus is about a shy rooster named Onyok  who struggles to crow like the others.  His friend offered encouragement, but he reciprocated it with self-doubt and the belief that he was useless and could never be like them. Finally, with his mother's support, he found a sense of self-discovery, attempted to crow, and succeeded.  Motivated by his personal growth, he made a commitment to assist fellow shy roosters in learning how to crow and becoming more confident versions of themselves. The story is a lesson in embracing our individuality and understanding that we all have our own pace to shine. It reminds us that progress might be gradual, but we'll eventually reach our goals. Moreover, it encourages self-belief and the pursuit of self-improvement for the benefit of future generations. The story's art style is Folk Art, as it precisely reflects the cultural settings ...

Ang Pitong Tanga or also known as The Seven Idiots by Severino Reyes is a hilarious story about seven silly folks making foolish choices during their ridiculous adventure. The story commences by introducing the characters, namely Huwan, Kanuto, Aleho, Heremias, Tiago, Kosme, and Nikolas, as they enjoy a refreshing swim in the Rio Grande de Cagayan.  Huwan suggests a headcount, notably excludes himself from the count, causing concern among the group, fearing someone might have drowned. Aleho follows suit, also excluding himself. They eventually abandon the effort and offer prayers for the soul of the presumed missing member. During this incident, Tandang Nano observes the situation and invites the seven individuals, known as the Seven Fools, to his home where the real adventure begins.  The art style of the story is Folk Art, given by the fact it shows about the cultural setting of the Philippines specifically in the Cagayan of Luzon.  The story offers insights into t...

    Robert E. Wells' book, 'Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is?' starts with the enormous blue whale, the biggest animal on Earth. The book then prompts kids to imagine something amazing: what if Mount Everest, the tallest mountain, was empty inside and could hold lots of these huge whales? But the book doesn't stop there. It goes on to show that even the giant Mount Everest is tiny compared to the whole Earth. Thus, putting Earth into a significantly large bag and subjecting it to comparisons with the Sun, and continuing this process until the largest thing to ever exist is mentioned. This book is an exciting children's book that explores the world of size and proportions. Using fun pictures and easy-to-understand explanations, the author shows young readers how different things compare in size. Additionally, this book sparks children's imaginations and fosters a love for learning about the incredible scales of our world and beyond. It's an educati...