Philippine Literature Readings and Notes - Printable

Summer Class 2014 ARELLANO UNIVERSITY
Dr. Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo, Multi-awarded Poet

and Presidential Awardee
PHILLIPINE LITERATURE
masters degree in Education from Philippine Normal

College in 1980 before receiving a doctorate in Filipino
and Literature from Manuel L. Quezon University.
By: Joseph Pimentel

Published: December 29, 2012 | No Comments
But it was tough as a female poet and writer to break into
CONSIDERED as one of the leading female Filipino poets
Aside from her gender, there were also acceptance issues
the a male-dominated writing world in 1970s Philippines.
of our time, Dr. Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglos success did not

come easy.
If you read her biography, it seems as though awards and
recognition sprinkle her like tiny drops of rain.
For the past 30 years, Mabanglo has racked up awards
from being the first woman to receive the Don Carlos
Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Hall of Fame,
Makata ng Taon Poet of the Year by the Commission on
Filipino Language, to earning the Manila Critics Circle
National Book Award for Poetry for her book, Mga Liham
ni Pinay (The Letters of Pinay).
University of Hawaii professor Mabanglo the 2012

Awardee
for
female sexuality, abortion, menstruation, etc.

The male-centered literary circle did not really accept her
as a writer, and pushed her back into the margins, wrote
Arboleda.
Arboleda explained that in Philippine literature, women are
often portrayed as as flat and stereotypical characterseither as evil women who steal husbands from their
wives, or as misguided women with golden hearts who
meet a tragic end.
Most recently, President Benigno Aquino III awarded

Presidential
when it came to the themes of her work, which explored
Filipino
Individuals
and
Organizations Overseas, in the Pamana ng Pilipino

category.
The Presidential award is given to Filipino individuals and
overseas groups, in recognition of their outstanding
contributions to national development efforts, or their
outstanding achievements in their field of profession.
In the Pamana ng Pilipino category, Mabanglo exemplified
the talent and industry of the Filipino, and brought the
country honor and recognition through excellence and
distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession.
For Mabanglo, a professor and coordinator of Filipino and
Philippine Literature Program at the University of Hawaii,
Some writers (mostly male) would be sympathetic towards

women or sex workers but their tone is somewhat
condescending, expressing merely pity and hopelessness.
Only Elynia Mabanglo uses the first-person point-of-view
to express the sex workers pains, fears and aspirations,
wrote Arboleda. She paints a more realistic and a more
complete picture that begins with a description of the
putas workplace-the dark, hidden corners that are filthy
and rank with the smell of beer and cigarette ash; or the
street corner, the other side.
It wasnt until the late 1980s and 1990s when her work
began to surface and catch the eyes of critics.
Global Filipino
its been a difficult but worthwhile journey.
Now a multi-awarded poet and writer with several books
Rough beginnings
Mabanglo crusades for another passion: the spread of
Born in Manila, Mabanglos mother passed away at an

early age, leaving young Ruth abandoned, penniless and
of poetry, plays and other work under her belt, professor

Filipino language around the world.
maltreated, said Pia Arboleda, the author of Swimming
My ultimate dream is for Filipino, the national language,
the Darkness: Subversion in Elynia Mabanglos in the Kyoto

Journal 2006.
education in all the universities in the country, Mabanglo
Mabanglo persevered and in 1969 received a BA degree in
to be used as the medium of instruction in higher

said to Manila Mail in 2011.
Filipino from the University of the East. She earned a
COMPILED BY: Tina Siuagan
Page 1

She reiterated that sentiment in earlier this year to
WORKS:
the Inquirer.
It is a tough sell especially in the Philippines, a country
where some members of Congress are looking to phase
out the Filipino language.
When former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pushed
for Spanish to be taught in high schools and for
prioritizing English so Filipinos could better serve global
business, Ruth mobilized a protest petition, according to
the Inquirer.
I encouraged my students all over the United States
tosign a petition to fight the killing of Filipino in high
school and college, which was part of the Gullas Bill that
Arroyo favored. Later on, I organized the Filipino as a
Global Language conference as a professor of Filipino
language and Philippine literature at the University of
Hawaii, she said. She has made it her mission to create a
global network of Filipino language teachers and promote
the national language to students around the world.
It is a difficult task but one she aims on succeeding.
Language is tied to our culture, she said. What I want to
point out is that Filipino or the national language should
be given the same importance as medium of instruction
side-by-side with the English language in our educational
system, said Mabanglo to Manila Mail. Nakatanim sa
lengwahe and kultura nito (Culture is embedded in the

language), she added.
(LA Weekend Dec 29-Jan 1, Sec A pg.10)

(balikbayanmag.com)
- See more at: http://asianjournal.com/galing-pinoy/drruth-elynia-s-mabanglo-multi-awarded-poet-andpresidential-awardee/#sthash.DFU9kIB4.dpuf
PINAYS LETTER FROM SINGAPORE

When I left you, I had a wounded smile,
Yesterday was gloomy and tomorrow is unclear
But I need to risk
Even your simple kisses and embraces.
Lucid in my memory
The creases deepening in father's forehead,
The tears welling in mother's eyes,
Hidden only in the clutch of the palm
And a pressed flower which has outlived its fragrance.
The requests and calls trail
The distancing footsteps of their oldest child.
I left with webs of fear
Escorted by poverty and a nameless weariness.
The pain penetrates my mask of courage
But I need to be freed from the shackles of debt.
I left, incited by a dream
The return to joy, the relief from poverty,
An infuriating insult to the galunggong and rice
And a fortuitous meryenda with kamote and bananas.
I also wished to be the housewife
Of a handsome and respected gentleman,
To bathe in perfume on Saturday and Sunday
And aimlessly stroll in the park.
So I embarked and here I arrived,
Now I mend my burnt wings.
To my foreign employer I surrendered my humanity
Completely yielded all my grief.
I have also experienced true hardship
In a twenty story building.
Maid, babysitter, cook and laundry woman
I have already occupied all these positions.
Sixteen hours without respite
My whole day's work,
Whose eyes will not fall?
Whose tongue will not flare?
Indeed it is good there is a bit of time to sleep
At the altar of dreams, there is something I can offer.
Page 2

This is good enough, you tell me,
Even if a slave, there is something I can save.
Am I to be blamed?
I intended to examine my opportunities
Similar to the ritual of washtubs and frying pans.
Here I enclose some money,
To mother, I guaranteed the repair of the crumbling walls,
Instantly heat into your barren pockets.
To my siblings, I promised a bright tomorrow.
Forget for now your craved desires

Quickly smoke the pots and stove.
How many months ago, how many months,
Meanwhile pray genuinely and sincerely,
When the Arabo keyed my womb.
I can endure the hardship and bear my sorrow;
My room is a white niche,
I become strong like the city
I am a skeleton without bones.
Before my mind numbs and my heart hardens.
My heart hangs among the vines of fear,

Franklin's face on the dollar, snapped.
The Arabo usurped my future.
Now I am a pregnant woman persecuted
By foreign laws in foreign soil.
Pinay's Letter From Kuwait
'Impure woman' is my tatoo,

Giving birth without a husband.
How many more months, how many months,
The prison doors await,
From my womb a monument can be pulled.
Who will redeem my name?
A baby girl or boy,

Whose lips move silently
How many more months, how many months,
While gasping for air in the surrounding desert
My womb will be a blossoming flower.
Or sucking from my arid breast.
A baby boy or girl

Silently will curse revenge.
It will be born a foreigner
Its mind and heart will become foreign
Under foreign laws and in a foreign place,
Because it will be born without a tongue and ears.
The twin of tears,

The twin of promises.
Like Oedipus, I want to gouge my eyes.
Like Judas, to sever my breath.
It is the consummation of my sin,
Pinay's Letter From Brunei
To escape the incomparable poverty.

I am a teacher, wife and mother.
The punishment is now complete,
A woman---kissed by perfume, powder and silk,
The censure and shame are now mine.
Intimate with the washtub, pots, and bed.
I cannot be hurt further.
Seemingly weary and bored,
The blood they crave has already dried.
I seek to go abroad.
Always the same man sits at the head of the table,
My dream set foot on the desert road.
He reads the newspaper each morning.
A fish on dry ground,
He waits for his coffee
A plunging kite.
And smokes,
While I am restrained by the crib and books,
Page 3
I apply my lipstick and let the faucet drip.

He does not stir
This is the answer,
Even if the pots burn or the children whimper.
Leave the man to wash the sheets.
In the bathroom, I hand him his underwear and towel,

I comfort him when he is edgy.
He has no explanation for
Why he stays out all night,
But his forehead is furrowed
When I leave on Sunday.
Pinay's Letter From Hongkong
He does not like galunggong and saluyot

Even though the pay envelope is flat,
From a luxuriant fantasy it all commenced,
He seems to still want me to perform miracles
I emptied my pockets and gathered my experience.
Even if the rent money is always short.

In the rising buildings and billboards I took shelter,
I am a teacher, wife and mother.
A tagak's egg I hoped to discover.
A woman---weary of being a woman.

Designated by my genitalia
My Intsik employer feigns kindness,
Assigned to the broom, the wash and lullaby
When the night is silent he rapes me--
Even with a profession and salary.

Always the same daily routine---
Because he promised ceramics and jade,
The drudgery spread out in the length
I offered my fear to the altar of AIDS.
Of the house and school

Of the kitchen and bed.
Now I discover his duplicity,

Even if our breasts repeatedly entangle.
Do I have the right to sulk?

Where will I run when I am sad?
The loose filth is even thicker in my hair,
He has a beerhouse and massage parlor hangout
My ivory mind despairs.
My partner who craves,

I wait by the window.
Even the hips measure is deficient
My body blazes with my ambitions
For the emotional pain I bear--listen to me:
My tongue has a cross and is barred to speak.

My children ask for bread,
Because I rush to become wealthy,
I turn up the volume of the radio.
I am pregnant now, without a place to occupy.
It seems I am weary and bored,

I seek to go abroad.
It was then I dreamt I was wearing pants,
I send dollars and pasalubong.
I can now breathe freely,
My lips are without keys, my mind is open.
I confess that I am lonely
Even if now, I make my own coffee.
I wait for letters at the gate and door,
On the phone my heart is replenished.
I cried in the beginning,
It appears that everything can be cured by reading.
Page 4
Now place the tongue on your finger,

Pinay's Letter From Australia
"Do not weep for what was lost and what is being lost..."
From your feet your thoughts will roam-At the window the woman we will see is already different..
--Rio Alma
I have a husband I can go home to,
I am not ugly. In fact, I am beautiful.
The figure I will leave assures me.
The mirror reflects a plain portrait.
He loves you and will accept you
I have no injuries,
Even if your sanity has been soiled.
I lack nothing-I have a husband I can go home to.
Emerging from my memory:

The shadow of cruelty and savagery,
The nurse returns my clothes and my name,
Bronze hands and a frigid heart--
She says not to worry,
My skin is badly bruised,
This happens often.
My murdered sleep no longer comforts me.
These clothes are for a fat woman,
That is no longer me. That is not mine.
Because they are old and torn I can no longer be
Do not search for the escaping yesterdays.
remembered.
She also delivers my comb and brush,
I cloak my hopes.
I can now leave this room.
I remove the bandages one by one.
I am hollow.
A wound that will leave the hospital.
An unattended wound left to pus.
Nameless and without a past, yet I will walk out.
Pinay's Letter From Japan
I look around the white room,
I can sing ballads and the blues
No danger, no danger--
At the karaoke of Aling Luz;
The entire place is a flame of melancholy,
I dance pop and strut
In this room I surrender my tired mind.
At the disco and the bathroom when my sleeves are rolled
She says not to worry,
From there it grew in my heart,
This happens to others.
In this fondness I will earn my wages.
up.
Here's the lipstick, apply a smile

To decrepit lips.
I began with Eat Bulaga,

My cut of the prize too meager for a taxi.
One, two, three days--
I also participated in Tawag ng Tanghalan
How long has it been?
The audience stacked with our neighbors.
Was I given a vacation from work?
The cue lines and streetcorners became bored of me,
Who was it that dropped me off?
My shame penetrated to my bones.
I cannot peer into the past

Even through an opened suitcase.
Because I cannot resist the call of the spotlight,

My longing is restless.
They gave me a new identity--
My hips and chest deliberately swing
Do not look for cut thread.
To the flow of familiar rhythms.
Nothing happened, nothing happened,
Yet when Mom and Dad tease me,
Imagine that you are almost blind.
My intimate dream wants to die.
Page 5
I sleep with the yen I save as my pillow,

My thoughts enveloped by my future fame
I will return proud if they allow me.
In the art of song and dance;

I want to reach the pot at the end of the rainbow,
I pray until the break of dawn.
Can this be done without disturbing anyone?
Even the child of the president asks for favors.
Thank you, thank you, an older sister believed in me,
She supported my singing and dancing.
Morning and afternoon I practiced
So I could quickly pass the first audition.
My beauty will surpass all those at the rotunda
When I land in the town of Yakuza.
Hello, hello, hello.
I'm sure that you are all excited.
I have neither sent news nor letters
Though I am neither lazy nor weak.
Now I realize the chrysanthemum oppresses,
Wilting your voice and dreams.
Ate, I pray that you won't be angry,

Just hurl your hatred to the mountain and sky.
Your sister neither sings nor dances
At the nightclub and disco of the bowlegged singkit.
The truth, the truth, I confess,
I am like a geisha here,
How much nicer if I were a real geisha,
My flight is rhythmic like a sparrow.
But I am a kalapating-siyudad.
Completely naked, I sit on a bottle.
Ate, I swallow tears and ejaculations,

I can't even complain, the guard is too cruel.
Who is to blame for my fate?
I am a firefly circling the fire.
There are men who prey on flesh,
Their nails long when tenaciously buried;
And because there are women who silently persevere
This type of crisis pervades.
I plead to keep this a secret,
Now what will the neighbors say--Why did I leave to be a prostitute somewhere else
Mabini is always open even if there is a typhoon.
Page 6

Courage
horn. He had a temper of a genius. Gloria in particular
By: Bienvenido Santos
thought he was a genius. She was a young girl who

believed in power of music and the survival of democracy.
Nobody noticed the teacher as he stood among the
And there was Sion, perpetual guardian of a perpetually
members of the high school faculty that early Monday
empty treasury. Her ambition in life was to get rid of her
morning after the flag ceremony. The usual fifteen-minute
shyness and her pimples. And there was Belen,. When
program bases on the theme-this morning the theme was
people outside the class asked, Wheres Belen? her
loyalty-followed the brief ritual of raising the colors atop a
classmates would answer On the honor roll for she was
tall pole in front of the high school building. It was a
always there, a perpetual valedictorian in a class of top-
freshmen program.
notchers.
The class adviser, standing among the students lined up in
The new teacher of the said, Class, you look intelligent, all
front of the building, was apparently holding her breath as
of you. But that remains to be proved.
a boy and a girl sing The loyal Soldier. The song was well
rendered and thunderous applause followed as the boy
He did not smile when he said that. Then he calmly
and a girl bowed then disappeared behind the door of
conducted the recitation. Some of the girls and even a
library. Then a youth gave a brief talk on loyalty. The
number of the boys were visibly cowed into submission by
program was climaxed by the patriotic pledge, recited
the new teachers a smiling demeanor, his business-like
slowly and in unison.
firmness, his detachment. And it was a quiet class, that first

day. Fred did not say anything. He simply sat his biting lips
The new teacher was impressed. He said he like it-the
meditatively. Conchita look at the teacher as if he were a
song, even the speech, everything. And the other teachers
difficult problem in mathematics. Sion was blushing,
smiled and talk briefly to one another as they watch the
embarrassed by his own thoughts. Maria fidgeted, and
first period classes file down, the corridors in orderly
only Javier managed to talk coherently in his foghorn
fashion.
voice.
The teacher paused before the door of room 8, looks at his
At the sound of the first bell, as the class was getting ready
program to make sure he had gone to the right room, and
to leave the room, the new teacher said, Your adviser id
then walked straight to the teachers table. A sudden quiet
Mr. Arsenio L. Torres. Thats my name. I am an Ilocano.
fell on the class as everybody stared at the new teacher.
Class dismissed.
The class was particularly bright section, especially in
That afternoon the class gossiped about Mr. Torres. Fred
English. Fred, the leader, was president of the class. He
said, Our new teacher as an international figure. Look: he
wrote perfect themes and walk with a limp. He was fond of
teaches English; he has Chinese eyes; he speaks in an
short stories and short girls like Conchita.
American
Hes
accent,
an
and
Ilocano,
Conchita
and
finished.
Conchita was a candidate for valedictorian. She knew all
Javier mimicked in his foghorn voice, Class, you look
the rules in grammar, but somehow or other she could not
intelligent, all of you. But that remains to be proved.
write as well as Fred. It was said that two exchange love
When the laughter died down, Belen was thoughtful.
letters that were veritable master piece. They never look at
Look,
each other in class.
Why not? The others chorused.
There was other several other brilliant students. Maria, for
It was like proving their worth with a vengeance. Mr.
example, who spoke like a debater and declaimed formula
Torres should have been impressed, but he was not. He
in mathematics; Javier, who was the extemporaneous
took it all, the perfect lessons, as quit routinely. Often
she
said,
why
dont
we
prove
it?
speaker in class spite of a voice which sounded like a fog
Page 7
question are asked just to make him commit but he never
class even longer than a day at a time. That was how they
blundered.
felt about unpopular teachers, and Mr. Torres was very

unpopular.
When he taught the shorter poems in there literature, he

kept his books closed. He knew them by heart. But he did
Nobody notice the change in Mr. Torres. Even the class
not act as if he was proud of this feat. He acts as if it were
failed to realize there was something wrong with the
expected of him or of anybody who taught the poems.
teacher. He had grown paler, and his lips were always

tightly pressed as if he were enduring some lingering pain.
But he didnt seem to love poetry. That was one thing
Everybody thought he was working hard, or was worried
clearly wrong with him. He had no enthusiasm about
about his family. They heard his family had come to town.
anything he did.
But nobody even saw his wife and children. Nobody cared.
Once he told his class, I forgot to tell you last week that
He is cold-blooded, Maria once recommended.
this class is scheduled to take charge of the morning

program on Monday. You have about 12 days to prepare.
When they studied the poem, Mr. Torres would tell them
in his impersonal way that the author wrote other great
The class was insulted. Everybody talked at the same time:
poems. He would recite for memory lined from poetry. The
Why didnt tell us about it earlier? The other sections had
class would listen without comprehending.
at least one month to prepare. What kind of a program

can we put up after 12 days preparation?
So the students who have sought to impress their teacher

were themselves impressed. It was evident that Mr. Torres
The time is sufficient, more than sufficient, Mr. Torres
had mastered his subject. He had a wide background. But
said, a stern finality in his tone. All you need is a duet, a
there was something about him and his ways that like a
speech, and a song by a chorus, thats all.
barrier between him and his students. He was too

impersonal, too aloof, like a proud god forced to walk
Whats the theme, sir? asked Fred without rising.
among the poor mortals. Maybe it was only indifference or

preoccupation with something which he kept a secret, but
Courage answered Mr. Torres.
nobody among those under him tried or cared to find out.

Where can we get a song about courage? wailed Sion.
He does not smile, everybody complained.
Who are the best singers in the class? Mr. Torres asked.
To him laughter in classroom was a crime. What was the
students smile but camouflage for gross ignorance? The
Most of the names mentioned were those boys and girls
atmosphere in his class was oppressive with learning,
who could not carry a tune. They protest and blushed.
assignments, and references. It was always a relief on the
Some grew angry. The class was very noisy.
part of the students to hear the bell after 40 minutes of

academic torture in the approved Torres manner.
Quiet! Mr. Torres shouted, rapping the table impatiently.

You are forgetting your selves. Ester and Gloria will sing a
The students asked themselves: why cant Mr. Torres be
duet. I like the song entitled, Wheres the Land of Joy?
like the other teachers-affable, pleasant, and full of

humor?
Thats not a song about courage! a boy shouted.
During the latter part of August, there were days when Mr.
Quiet! I didnt ask for your opinion, gentleman. Fred, you
Torres did not report to class. His students were pleased.
will give a talk about courage.
Such occasions called for celebrations. Some of the

students even hoped Mr. Torres would stay away from
Javier can do that. Fred suggested.
Page 8
impossible did he absent himself from school. His death

I want you to do it. Why, cant you do it?
was unexpected even by the doctor who had treated him.

It was sudden.
Why not? asked Fred, rising impulsively.

Where are the others? Fred asked. Call them!
All right, thats settled, Mr. Torres said, and added, as
Fred sat down, Maria, you will take charge the chorus. Any
They came, the class of Section A, and at Freds command,
song you choose will do. And on the day of program I
went down to the creek back of the high school building
want everybody to wear white. I like white.
and gathered flowers, mostly white flowers and trunks of

banana and century plants, and took them to the inner
Some of the girls didnt want to wear white. The boys said
court of the schoolhouse. There they work silently till it as
they preferred khaki. In the midst in the noise, the
dark to see. They talked only in whispers. Everybody listen
teachers voice rose as he gave the assignment for the next
to Maria when she told them what a song to sing. Gloria
day. That was all that could be said about the program
and Ester looked away when their eyes met, both of them
now that the recitation had begun.
remembering their teachers voice and the look on his face

when he said he liked that song.
For all this seeming indifference, Mr. Torres took quite an

interest in the program. Daily before the recitation he
Tomorrow morning, Fred announced. all of us will wear
would ask the students how they were getting along. They
white. He likes white.
would answer that everything was all right, although, of

course it wasnt. Maria could not get the class together for
On Monday morning, after the unusual flag ceremony, the
rehearsal. She kept on changing the song for the chorus.
flag at half mast, Fred stood trembling before the
The class sang every song she chose without feeling. When
students. For some time he said nothing.
Mr. Torres asked Ester and Gloria to report for the

rehearsal, the two girls said they wanted to change their
Friends he began in a voice that shook with emotion,
song. We dont like it. Its too common, they wanted Mr.
our theme this morning is courage. This program is
Torres had to yield, saying they could use any song they
especially dedicated to our beloved teacher and adviser,
liked.
who, as you all know, passed away yesterday. He was

stranger in our midst when he came and a stranger when
But I like Where is the Land of Joy? he added in a
he left us. We who were under him misunderstood his
strange voice that the two girls were to remember the rest
firm, quite humor-less way of doing things. We did not
of tier lives.
bother to ask why he was different, why he hurried

through things in a business like way as if there was no
For on Sunday, the news of Mr. Torres death spread
tomorrow. In our youthful impulsive, we pronounced
through the town, shocking everybody. The students
judgment on him, thinking he was one of those mentors
flocked to the hospital but were not allowed to see the
whom years of teaching had hardened to the lovely things
body. In front of the square building of the high school,
of life. We looked upon him as an automaton.
children loitered and talked of Mr. Torres and his death.

Fred was there with a number of his classmates looking
Id like to tell you the story of young guilt, of a group of
bewildered and quiet and lost. They could not speak.
conceited fools who made the remaining days of our
Everybody knew now: Mr. Torres had been a sick man. He
teacher not as pleasant as they should have been, but God
had managed to keep his diseases a secret from even
knows He paused, his eyes dimming with tears, and
those who knew him intimately. Nobody remembered
unable to go on, turned his back on the audience and
having heard him complain. Now they knew there were
disappeared.
many days when he attended class although the pain

racked him. Only when standing on his feet was physically
There was no clapping hand. Many were the eyes wet with
Page 9
tears. Only a faint murmur passed like a ripple over the
Americans, as Santos' career well illustrates. Fililpino
listening throng.
literature often takes as a backdrop events from Philippine

history that are also part of the U.S. historical past,
Ester and Gloria, both in white, stood before the students.
including the Philippine American War, World War II, the

Japanese occupation of the Philippines; in addition, many
We shall sing this morning, Gloria said, our beloved
contemporary Filipino-American writers were born in the
adviser favorite song
Philippines.
And they began softly, tremendously, their hearts in their

blended voices, quivering with remorse and regret:
Wheres
Wheres
the
the
land
land
of
of
joy?
lasting
rapture,
Wheres the land of peace replete?

The song was never finished. In the middle of the refrain,
the two girls began to sob. They ran to the library and
burst into tears.
When Maria came forward, she made a sign, and the
students in white walked up the steps, and when set faces,
their voices hushed as in prayer, they sang Farewell to
Thee
And when the song ended, it was quite everywhere on the
high school campus. Then the bell rang like a church bell
tolling, and the two rows of boys and girls in white passed
down the corridor, ahead of the other classes, to room 8
where no teacher awaited them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Best known as a novelist and

short-story writer, Bienvenido Santos (1911- 1996) was
also a poet, memoirist, and autobiographer. He was born
in Manila, studied in the U.S. at Columbia Univ., Harvard,
and the Univ. of Illinois, and has taught at universites in
the U.S. and the Philippines. His fiction falls into two
groups: one focuses on life in the Philippines, and the
other on the experience of the Filipino immigrant to the
U.S. His novel The Praying Man (1982), which describes
corruption in the Philippines, was controversial in the
country of his birth and banned by then-president Marcos.
His short story "Immigration Blues," in his collection Scent
of Apples, won the award for fiction from New Letters in

1977. Since the Philippines was a colony of the U.S. from
1899 to 1946, there is a continuum between literary works
in English written in the Philippines and works by Filipino-
Page 10
The Love of Virgil and Cely

by: Lazaro M. Espinosa
Excuse me, Virgil burst out suddenly. The girl stared at

him a little surprised.
Virgil was only seventeen years old - still young but his
mother thought he was old enough, so she courted a girl
Why? she asked.
for him.
I may I know your name? I didnt hear clearly what my
Strange? Perhaps in the city, but in the provinces it is a
mother said.
common thing. Mothers usually choose the heart's choice

of their children. That is why so many unfortunate young
My name is Cely, she answered. Cely Toreno.
find themselves tied to mates they hardly know, at least at

the beginning.
Cely? That is a nice name! he said in an attempt at

flattery.
But Virgil was in luck. His mother fell in love with a girl
who was also the silent choice of his own heart. He had
And yours?
met her a month before and she had smiled at him. He

had smiled at her too, but had lacked the courage to
Whose? Mine? It is Virgil. Virgil Carillo.
speak to her.
Virgil! Are you an American?
His mother took Virgil to the girls house one afternoon
and introduced him to her. After that she and the girls
American? he echoed. How could that be?
mother left them together and went off to talk about some
business of their own.
The girl laughed and he was surprised. Why did she laugh?
He thought. Was there something funny in what he had
Virgil was still very young. Though good-looking and a bit
said? Maybe! He laughed, too.
mischievous with the girls at times, he had never made

love to any of them. So now, he sat before the girl, staring
And so for a whole minute they stared at each other
out of the window and desperately trying to think of
smilingly. The girls shyness was disappearing, but Virgil
something to say.
had not yet conquered his timidity when the two mothers
returned. Virgil looked at his mother and saw that she was
A beautiful sunset, is it not? he finally said stiffly.
happy about something. An then Virgil and his mother

bade Cely and her mother goodbye, Virgils mother stating
The girl looked at him, smiled and nodded, saying Yes at
that they would call again and Celys mother nodding in
the same time.
agreement.
He smiled, although there was really nothing to smile at in
Virgil and his mother visited Cely and her mother in the
what either the girl or he had said. Nevertheless, he smiled
afternoon of the next day and again Virgil and Cely were
again.
left alone while the mothers went into another room. The
two young people were now less restrained. Virgil told
The girl did not move and kept on looking at him.
Cely about his childhood and Cely told Virgil about hers,
Evidently she expected something more from him. But he
and their afternoon together ended with tales about each
had nothing else to tell her.
others childhood days, while in the other room the two

women had been making arrangements looking to the
And so they sat, hardly moving, their mouths shut.
future.
Occasionally their glances would meet and then both

would look away.
Every afternoon for two weeks Virgil and his mother called
Page 11

at the girls home and then beginning the third week,
look on her face.
Virgil went alone. At the end of the month, Virgil learned

from his mother that he and Cely would be married.
Virgil, she said, your wedding with Cely is off.
Why, mother! he said, I have not asked her yet!
Why, mother! he exclaimed, astonished. Cely and I have

not quarrelled.
But I have, she said.

No, said the mother, but we She did not finish her
Cely, too, learned from her mother that she and Virgil
sentence, but turned away.
would soon be joined in wedlock.

Cely was also told by her mother that there would be no
But mother! she cried. He has not asked me yet!
wedding.
But Virgils mother asked me, said Celys mother.
But mother! she cried. Virgil and I did not quarrel!
And so Virgil and Cely found themselves engaged, hardly
No, said her mother, but we Virgils mother and I
knowing how it had happened. They had not yet told each
did.
other what was in their hearts, and yet they were engaged.
Yesterday they were just friends, now they would soon be
married.
In the afternoon Virgil and Cely took long walks in the
fields. She would ask him for flowers, and he would pick
them for her. They were no longer so bashful together and
felt as if they had know each other for years.
Once Cely asked Virgil jokingly, If I married somebody
else, would you feel sad?
But that can never happen! he answered. We are
engaged, arent we?
But suppose! said the girl.
Of course, I would be unhappy, Cely, he replied. He came
near her and said, Cely once you were nothing to me. But
now, thought we have only known each other for a month,
I truly love you.
Virgils words made Cely very happy. She, too, loved him.
The two mothers were also glad that their children showed
each other affection. They will make a good pair, they
said.
But one day Virgils mother came to him with a worried
Page 12
Why Women Wash the Dishes
She grabbed the broom. She raised the broom to strike
by Filomena Colendrino
him, crying, You, you, you lazy man!
In the town of Santa Rosa there once lived a couple named
Ka Ugong ducked under the table, Dont he cried. Dont
Hugo and Imelda. Every mealtime they quarreled over the
strike me!
chore of washing the dishes. Imelda would scold Hugo if

he refused to wash the dishes. Sometimes she would
Come out from under the table, you coward. ordered Ka
become angry and call him names, and if he talked back
Maldang.
she would get coconut midrib broom and chase him with
it. He would run to the house of his compadre and hide
Lay down your broom, said Ka Ugong.
there till his wifes anger had passed.

All right, all right. Come out. Ka Maldang put her broom
The neighbors familiarly called Imelda, Ka Maldang and
behind the door.
Hugo, Ka Ugong.
Ka Ugong returned to his seat opposite her at the table.
One day just as they were finishin their lunch, Ka Ugong
announced: Im not going to wash the dishes any more.
What have you to say? asked Ka Maldang, wipingher
He threw out his chest and lifted his chin.
eyes.
Who says so? asked Ka Maldang, holding up her chin,
Lets stop quarreling over the plates. Lets have a wager.
highert than his.
The first one of us who will speak after Id said Begin will
wash the dishes. Always
I say so; I worked so hard in the field this morning. Im not

going to wash any dish.
Only that? said Ka Maldang. The first one who talks will
always wash the plates, and bowls, and pots and pans.
Ka Maldang stood up and with her arms akimbo, she
Always.
glared down at Ka Ugong across the table. She was at Ka

Ugong across the table. She was a Big woman. Her arms
Right. said Ka Ugong. If you ever say just one word to
were stourt. Her voice was also big. Ad who, Mister Hugo,
me or to anybody, or to anything after I had said Begin,
is going to wash these dishes? she asked.
you will always wash the dishes.
Ka Ugongs chest sank again. His chin salso went down. He
Thats easy. I can keep my mouth shut even for a week.
held on the edge of the table nervously.
You cant. You even talk to your carabao.
You! he said in a much lower tone. You are the woman.
All right, are you ready? asked Ka Ugong.
You should do all the housework.

Ka Maldang sat upright in front of him across the table.
And what do you do? asked Ka Maldang. You tie the
She nodded her head, compressed her lips, and Ka Ugong
carabao to the reeds in the field and then you lie down on
said Begin.
the grass towatch it graze. You call that hard work? I cook,
clean the house, wash your clothes, I scrub the floor, I do
They both fell silent. They sat at the table looking at each
all the work that only slaves should do. And yet, you even
other across the unwashed plates and bowls and spoons.
refuse to help me wash the plate which you have eaten!
They did not like to leave each other for fear that one
Ka Maldangs voice was now raised to a high pitch and her
would talk to himself without the others hearing. They sat
tears posed on her eyelids at Ka Ugong and at her broom.
there just staring.
Page 13

Soon the cat began to mew for its food. Neither Ka
She pushed him roughly aside but did not speak.
Maldang nor Ka Ugong paid attention to its mewing. The

cat jumped upon the drying dishes to lick the leftovers. Ka
Did you eat something poisonous? Some food that has
Maldang did not drive the cat away. Neither did Ka Ugong.
made you dumb? He shook each one alternately. But still
The cat licked the pot and pan on it, overturned a kettle,
neither stood up nor talked.
spilled its contents, then went to lie down under the table.
Ka Ugong pretended that nothing had happened. He
The neighbor was alarmed . He did not get the ax but ran
continue to sit still, and so did Ka Maldang.
out to the rest of the neighbors, He told them that

something terrible had happened to to his Compadre
Soon, it was getting late in the afternoon but they went on
Ugong and Compadre Maldang. The neighbors gathered
sitting mutely at the lunch table. Their eyes were tired
at Ka Maldangs dining room. They took turns trying to
from staring hard at each other. Tears began to roll down
make them speak. But the two continued to sit staring at
their cheeks. Ka Ugongs shirt became damp with his
each other in silence. Ka Maldang looked at her husband
sweat. Ka Maldangs sweat gathered on her fore heat,
threateningly for a moment then closed her eyes. Ka
and trickle down to the sides of her face, and fell drop by
Ugong knew that she did so to avoid looking at the
drop to her breast.
neighbors, He also closed his eyesand ignored every one

who had come up to his house. Ka Maldang was very
A neighbor called, Compadre Ugong! Oh! Compadre!
angry with her Compadres interference but she dared not

to speak her mind, She pretended to be asleep.
Ka Ugong did not answer.

The compadre was very much worried. He ran to the
The neighbor called again, Comadre Maldang! Yoo-hoo
village herb man. The herb man came and when he saw
Comadre Maldang. Yoo-hoo, Compadre Ugong, may
the motionless, silent husband and wife sitting at the table,
I borrow your ax?
he declared that they were bewitched. He spread a woven

bud mat in the center of the sala and asked the
Ka Maldang did not answer. Ka Ugong looked at her
bewitched couple to lie down. Ka Ugong obediently lay
silently.
down and closed his eyes. He curled up and went to sleep.

But Ka Maldang refused to get up from where she sat at
Perhaps nobody is at home , they heard the neighbor say
the dining table
to himself. But why did they leave their ladder at the

door? They usually remove the ladder when they go away.
The
Well, Ill just go up get the ax and return it later. The
taken possession of her is very stubborn. I must break its
herb
man
said
Ah,
the
spirit
that
has
neighbor went up.
spell.
When the neighbor went u the bamboo ladder he was
He turned, then produced from a small bag which he
surprised to see Ka Maldang and Ka Ugong sitting silently
always carried nine pieces of betel leaf, a piece of areca
at the table where the plates had dried up with the
nut, and a little lime from a tiny bottle. He examined the
leftovers. He hurried toward them.
leaves closely to choose those which had veins running in

identical arrangements on each side of the midrib. He cut
Ka Ugong nether moved nor talked. The neighbor
the nut into nine pieces. He spread a little lime on each
repeated his question. He shook Ka Ugong;s shoulder. Ka
betel leaf, rolled them and wrapped them around each
Ugong let him shake him, closing his lips tighter.
piece of areca nut. He now had nine rings of the leaves.
The neighbor turned to Ka Maldang. Speak, Comadre!
This represents the lost spirit of the couple, he said.
What happened? He shook her shoulders, too.
Page 14
He chewed the leaf and nut. When he had chewed it he
gone. He thought everything going on was great fun and
spat it on his palm, dipped a forefinger of the other hand
he was enjoying himself. How he would frighten them all
into the nut colored saliva and marked with it a cross on
when he returned from his grave!
the foreheads of Ka Ugong and Ka Maldang. Ka Ugong did

not seem to feel the old mans finger on his forehead. Ka
The herb man approached Ka Maldang. Although her eyes
Maldang caught the mans forefinger and twisted it. The
were closed, she had been listening to his directions. She
old herb doctor cried aray and pulled back his hand. He
was afraid that he would surely force her into the coffin if
moved toward Ka Ugong who was lying down. Calling his
she did not tell him to go away. But she did not want to
name softly and slowly several times. Come, Ugong,
talk. She hoped her husband would object to the mens
Come back, Ugong! Ka Ugong did not move nor speak.
lifting her into the coffin.
Come Maldangcome home to your body nowcome.
Surely, Hugo will not let me be buried tomorrow. Uh, Im
Maldang! chanted the old man. Ka Maldang did not
afraid to sleep in that coffin tonight. No, Ill not let them
answer.
lift me into it, she thought to herself.
Evening fell on the frightened village, frightened because
But she did not hear Ka Ugong speak. She opened her
the herb doctor said that the spell might be cast on some
eyes just as the herb man, aided by two other men, put his
other villagers besides Ka Ugong and Ka Maldang. He
arms around her to lift up from her chair.
called to the bewitched couple softly at first, and then

louder, but became tired so she reclined against the
Ka Maldang pushed the men, got up to her feet, and
bamboo wall.
shouted, Dont touch us! Get out! Get out of my house.

Shame on you for coming here, meddling with our lives!
The old her man said, This is the first witchery of its kind
Ka Ugong leaped to his feet. He also shouted, You talked
that I have met here. By their silence I believe that they are
first!
dead. Their spirits, driven away by the witch, have left their
bodies. The only thing to do in order to keep their souls in
He jumped about clapping his hands and saying to the
peace and to prevent this witchery craft from spreading
astonished neighbors, She talked first. We had a wager.
among us is to bury them.
Now she will always wash the dishes!
The herb man ordered some of the men to look for boards
Ka Maldang lifted up the lid of Ka Ugongs coffin to strike
and make two coffins immediately before the malady
his head with it but he ran out with his neighbors, still
would go to them. In no time, the two coffins, made of
shouting happily and saying I won, I knew I would win!
rough planks, hurriedly nailed together, were finished.
Now Ill never wash dishes.
The women began to weep for Ka Maldang. She had

leaned rigidly against the back of her chair, closed her
eyes, and shut her lips tight. The herb man asked the men
CHAMBER THEATER VERSION
gathered around to lift the couple into the coffins.
Narrator: In the town of Santa Rosa there once lived a
We shall bury them at sunrise. Some of us have to stay to
quarreled over the chore of washing the dishes. Imelda
couple named Hugo and Imelda. Every meal time they
keep the wake for the dead, he said.
would scold Hugo if he refused to wash the dishes.
The man easily lifted Ka Ugong and places him inside his
and if he talked back she would get her coconut midrib
coffin. Surely, he thought to himself, he would win the

wager. He would not be afraid of being buried. Why, he
Sometimes she would become angry and call him names,

broom and chase him with it. He would run to the house
of his Compadre and hide there till his wifes anger had
would just get cut of the grave when the neighbors were
Page 15
passed. The neighbor familiarly called cross Imelda; Ka
Maldang: She looked at Ka Ugong and her broom. She
Maldang, and Hugo, Ka Ugong.
grabbed the broom. She raised the broom to strike him,

crying. You, you lazy man!
One day just as they were finishing their lunch, Ka Ugong

announced,
Ugong: Ka Ugong ducked under the table. Dont! he

cried. Dont strike me!
Ugong: I am not going to wash the dishes any more. He

threw out his chest and lifted his chin.
Maldang: Come out from under the table, you coward,

ordered Ka Maldang.
Maldang: Why say so? asked Ka Maldang, holding up her

chin higher.
Ugong: Wait, dont strike me. Listen, said Ka Ugong. I got

a plan that should decide who should wash the dishes. He
Ugong: I say so, I worked hard in the field this morning. I
still crouched under the table.
am not going to wash any dishes.

Maldang: Come out of there. Come out and speak like a
Maldang: Ka Maldang stood up and, with her arms
man, not meow like a cat under the table, said Ka
akimbo, she glared down at Ka Ugong across the table.
Maldang.
Narrator: Her arms were stout. She was a big woman.
Ugong: Lay down your broom, said Ka Ugong.
Maldang: Her voic was also big. And who, Mister Hugo, is
Maldang: All right, all right. Come out. Ka Maldang put
going to wash these dishes? She asked.
her broom behind the door.
Narrator: Ka Ugongs chest sank again.
Ugong: Ka Ugong returned to his seat opposite her at the

table.
Hugo: His chin also went down.

Maldang: What have you to say? asked Ka Maldang,
Narrator: He held on the edge of the table nervously.
wiping her eyes.
Ugong: You, he said in a much lower tone. You are the
Ugong: Lets stop quarreling over the plates. Let us have
woman. You should do all the housework.
a wager. The first one of us who will speak after I have said
the word begin will wash the dishes always.
Maldang: And what do you do? asked Ka Maldang. You

tie the carabao to the reeds in the field and then you lie
Maldang: Only that? asked Ka Maldang. The first one
down on the grass to watch it graze. You call that hard
who talks will always wash the plates, and bowls, and pots
work? I cook, clean the house, wash your clothes; scrub the
and pans always?
floor, I do all the work that only slaves do. And yet, you
even refuse to help me wash the plate from which you
Ugong: Right, said Ka Ugong. If you even say just one
have eaten?
word to me, or to anybody, or toanything, after i had said

begin, you will always wash the dishes.
Narrator: Ka Maldangs voice was now raised to a high

pitch and her tears poised on her eyelids ready to pour
Maldang: Thats easy. I can keep my mouth shut even for
down.
a week. You cannot. You even talk toyour carabao.

Ugong: All right. Are you ready? asked Ka Ugong.
Page 16
Narrator: Ka Maldang sat upright in front of him across
Neighbor: But why did they leave their ladder at the door?
the table. She nodded her head,compressed her lips, and
They usually remove the ladder when they go away. Well, I
Ka Ugong said,
will just go up, get the ax and return it later. The neighbor
went up. When the neighbor went up the bamboo ladder
Ugong: Begin!
he was surprised to see K Maldang and Ka Ugongsitting

silently at the table where plates had dried p with left-
Narrator: They both fell silent. They sat at the table
overs. He hurried towards them.What happened to you
looking at each other across the unwashedplates and
Compadre, what happened? he asked Ka Ugong.
bowls and spoons. They did not like to leave each other
for fear that one would talkto himself without others
Narrator: Ka Ugong neither moved nor talked.
hearing. They sat there just staring. Soon the cat began to
mew itsfood. Neither Ka Maldang nor Ka Ugong paid any
Neighbor: The neighbor repeated his question: What
attention to its mewing. The cat jumped uponthe
happened to you Compadre? He took KaUgongs
dryingdishes to lick the left-overs. Ka Maldang did not
shoulders.
drive it away, neither did Ka Ugong.

Narrator: Ka Ugong let him shake him, closing his lips
The cat licked the plates, jumped to the stove to lick the
lighter.
pot and pan on it. Over turned a kettle.Ka Ugong

pretended that nothing happened. He continued to sit still,
Neighbor: The neighbor turned to Ka Maldang. Speak
and so did Ka Maldang.Soon it was getting late in the
Comadre what happened? He shookher shoulders, too.
afternoon but they went on sitting mutely at the lunch

table. Their eyes were tired down staring hard at each
Narrator: She pushed him roughly aside but did not
other. Tears began to roll down their cheeks. KaUgongs
speak.
shirt became damp with his sweat. Ka Maldangs sweat

gathered on her forehead, andtrickled down to the sides
Neighbor: Did you eat something poisonous? Some food
of her face, and fell drop by drop to her breast.
that has made you dumb? He shookeach one alternately.

But still neither stood up or talked.
Neighbor: A neighbor called, Compadre UgongOh,

Compadre.
Narrator: The neighbor was alarmed. He did not get the ax
Narrator: Ka Ugong did not answer.
but ran out of the house to the restof the neighbors. He

told them that something terrible had happened to his
Neighbor:
Maldang!
The
neighbor
Yoohoo!
called
Comadre
again,
Comadre
Maldang!
Yoo-hoo
Comadre
Maldangand
Compadre
Ugong.
The
neighbors gathered at Ka Maldangs dining room.
Compadre Ugong, May i borrow your ax?

Man 1: They took turns trying to make them speak.
Narrator: Ka Ugong did not answer.Ka Ugong looked at
her silently
Man 2: But the two continued to sit staring at each other

in silence.
Neighbor: Perhaps nobody is home.

Woman 1: K Maldang looked at her husband threateningly
Narrator: Perhaps nobody is home.
for a moment then closed her eyes.
Narrator: They heard the neighbor say to himself.
Narrator: Ka Uging knew that she did so to avoid at the

neighbors.
Page 17
Neigbor: He also closed his eyes and ignored everyone
Man 1: and wrapped them around each piece of areca
who had come up to his house.
nut.
Narrator:
Ka
Maldang
was
very
angry
with
her
All: He now had nine rings of the leaves
Compadres interference but she dared notspeak her

mind. She pretended to be asleep.
Herb-man: This represents the lost spirit of the couple, he

said. He chewed the leaf and nut.
Neighbor: The Compadre was very much worried. He

ran to the village herb-man
Woman 1: When he had chewed it,
Narrator: The herb-man came to the village.
Neighbor: He spat on his palm,
Herb-man: and when he saw the motionless, silent
Herb-man: dipped a forefinger of the other hand into the
husband and wife sitting at the table,he declared that they
nut-colored saliva and marked with it across on the
were bewitched. He spread a woven buri mat in the sala
forehead of Ka Ugong...
and askedthe bewtiched couple lie down.

Man 2: Ka Ugong did not seem to feel the old mans
Man 1: Ka Ugong obediently lay down and closed his
fingers on his forehead
eyes.
Herb-man: and Ka Maldang.
Woman 2: He curled up and went to sleep.
Woman 3: Ka Maldang caught the mans finger and
Man 2: But Ka Maldang refused to get up from where she
twisted it. Narrator: The old herb doctor cried,
sat at the dining table.

Herb-man: Aray!
Herb-man: The herb-man said, Ah, the spirit which has
taken possession of her is verystubborn. I must break its
Neighbor: and pulled back his hand
spell.
Herb-man: He moved toward Ka Ugong who was lying
Narrator: He then produced from a small bag which he
down, calling his name and slowlyseveral times, Come
always carried,
Ugong. Come back, Ugong!
Woman 2: nine pisces of betl leaf,
The men: Ka Ugong did not move or speak.
Woman 3: a piece of areca nut,
Herb-man: Come, Maldang...Come home to your body

now...Come, Maldang, chanted the old man.
Woman 1: a little lime from a tiny bone.

The Women: Ka Maldang did not answer
Herb-man: He examined the leaves closely to choose
those which had veins running in identical arrangements
Narrator: Evening fall on the frightened village, frightened
on each side of them midrib.
because the herb doctor said thatthe spell might be cast

on some other villagers besides Ka Ugong and Ka
Neighbor: He cut the nut into nine pieces.
Maldang. He called tothe bewitched couple softly at first...
Man 2: He spread a little lime on each betel leaf, rolled
Herb-man: Come, Ugong...Come, Maldang...
them
Page 18

Narrator: ...and then louder,
Narrator: Although her eyes were closed she had been

listening to his directions She was afraidthat he would
Herb-man: Come, Ugong... Come, Maldang...
surely force her into her coffin if she did not tell him to go
away. But she did notlike to talk. She hoped her husband
All: But still they did not move.
wold object to the mens lifting of her into the coffin.

Surely, Hugo will not let me buried tomorrow. I am afraid
Woman 2: Ka Maldang soon became tired so she reclined
to sleep in that coffin tonight. No, i will not letthem lift me
against the bamboo chair.
into it, she said to herself. But she did not hear Ka Ugong
speak.
Narator: The old herb-man said,

Woman 2: She opened her eyes just as the herb-man,
Herb-man: This is the first witchery of its kind that I have
aided by two other men, put his armsaround her to lift her
met here. By their silence I believe thatthey are dead. Their
up from her chair.
spirits, driven away by the witch, have left their bodies. The
only thing to donow in order to keep their souls in peace
Maldang: Ka Maldang pushed the men, go to her feet and
and to prevent this witchcraft from spreading amongus is
shouted, Dont touch me! Get out!Get out of my house!
to bury them.
Shame on you for coming here, meddling with our lives!
Narrator: The herb-man ordered some of the men to look
Narrator: Ka Ugong leaped to his feet.
for bamboos to make two coffins immediately before the

malady would go to them. In no time, the two coffins
Ugong: He also shouted, You talked first! He jumped
made of bamboos, hurriedly tied together were finished.
about clapping his hands and saying to theastonished

neighbors, She talked first. We have a wager. Now, she will
Woman 1: The women began to weep for Ka Maldang.
always wash the dishes!
Woman 2: She leaned rigidly against the back of her chair,
Maldang: Ka Maldang lifted the lid of Ka Ugongs coffin to

strike his head
Woman 3: and shut her lips tight.

Narrator: but he ran out with his neighbors, still shouting
Narrator: The herb-man asked the men gathered around
happily and saying,
to lift the couple into their coffins.

Ugong: I won. I knew I would win! Now I will never wash
Herb-man: We shall bury them at sunrise. Some of us have
the dishes.
to stay to keep the wake for thedead, he said.

Narrator: The men easily lifted Ka Ugong and placed him
inside his coffin. Surely, Ka Ugongsaid to himself, he would
win the wager. He would not be afraid of being buried.
Why, he would just get out of the grave when the
neighbors were gone. He thought everything going on
wasgreat fun and he was enjoying himself. How he would
frighten them all when he returned fromhis gravel.
Herb-man: The herb-man approached Ka Maldang.
Page 19

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Summer Class 2014 ARELLANO UNIVERSITY

Dr. Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo, Multi-awarded Poet

masters degree in Education from Philippine Normal

By: Joseph Pimentel

But it was tough as a female poet and writer to break into

CONSIDERED as one of the leading female Filipino poets

Aside from her gender, there were also acceptance issues

the a male-dominated writing world in 1970s Philippines.

of our time, Dr. Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglos success did not

ni Pinay (The Letters of Pinay).

University of Hawaii professor Mabanglo the 2012

female sexuality, abortion, menstruation, etc.

Most recently, President Benigno Aquino III awarded

when it came to the themes of her work, which explored

Organizations Overseas, in the Pamana ng Pilipino

Some writers (mostly male) would be sympathetic towards

its been a difficult but worthwhile journey.

Now a multi-awarded poet and writer with several books

Mabanglo crusades for another passion: the spread of

Born in Manila, Mabanglos mother passed away at an

of poetry, plays and other work under her belt, professor

maltreated, said Pia Arboleda, the author of Swimming

My ultimate dream is for Filipino, the national language,

the Darkness: Subversion in Elynia Mabanglos in the Kyoto

education in all the universities in the country, Mabanglo

Mabanglo persevered and in 1969 received a BA degree in

to be used as the medium of instruction in higher

Filipino from the University of the East. She earned a

COMPILED BY: Tina Siuagan

Summer Class 2014 ARELLANO UNIVERSITY

lengwahe and kultura nito (Culture is embedded in the

(LA Weekend Dec 29-Jan 1, Sec A pg.10)

PINAYS LETTER FROM SINGAPORE

COMPILED BY: Tina Siuagan

Summer Class 2014 ARELLANO UNIVERSITY

Here I enclose some money,

To mother, I guaranteed the repair of the crumbling walls,

Instantly heat into your barren pockets.

To my siblings, I promised a bright tomorrow.

Forget for now your craved desires

How many months ago, how many months,

Meanwhile pray genuinely and sincerely,

When the Arabo keyed my womb.

I can endure the hardship and bear my sorrow;

My room is a white niche,

I become strong like the city

I am a skeleton without bones.

Before my mind numbs and my heart hardens.

My heart hangs among the vines of fear,

Pinay's Letter From Kuwait

'Impure woman' is my tatoo,

How many more months, how many months,

The prison doors await,

From my womb a monument can be pulled.

Who will redeem my name?

A baby girl or boy,

How many more months, how many months,

While gasping for air in the surrounding desert

My womb will be a blossoming flower.

Or sucking from my arid breast.

A baby boy or girl

It will be born a foreigner

Its mind and heart will become foreign

Under foreign laws and in a foreign place,