PROJECT IN ENGLISH

THE SECRET
By: LIN ACACIO FLORES

Submitted By: Karla Cristina M. Reyes

V- Simplicity
Submitted To: Ms. Arlene Adriano

I. Introduction:

Rubrics:
CONTENTMECHANICSPRESENTATION-

There is always a day after tomorrow. Lin Acacio Flores book The Secret portrays a
young girl that lived during the Japanese colonial period here in the Philippines. This book tells
us one of the most probable situation that a young girl could experience in her life that time. It is
also another way of narrating experiences of Filipino families in that era.
II. Settings:
A. Characters:
1. Rica- the main protagonist of the story. She is a curious and adventurous girl. She also loves to
write in her diary. Being a loving child to her family is another one of her traits.
2. Mama- Ricas mother. She takes care of their familys children.
3. Papa- Ricas father. One of the Filipino guerillas fighting for the countrys freedom.
4. Marisa- Ricas playful little sister.
5. Manuel- Ricas uncle. He shelters Rica and her family in San Mateo
6. Sister Angela- She is the head nun of the convent where Rica is staying during days with
classes.
7. Sylvia- Probably Ricas closest friend in the convent.
8. Karen and Maren- Young twins also boarding inside the school.
9. Sister Carantia- One of the convents sister whos assigned in the kitchen. She takes care of
the children during bed time.
10. Japanese soldier- Entered the convent to look for hidden gold.
11. Mining- Cook in Ricas home.
B. Plot:
At first, Rica was in the mass together with her class, then suddenly the nuns whispering
at each other which is very unusual because it is against their teachings. As Rica went home, she
heard her mother talking to her father about the incident in Pearl Harbor and soon the Japanese
army will invade the country. Father replied that if it will happen, Mama together with Rica and
Marisa should go immediately to Manuels place because Manila, the capital, will surely suffer.
Then suddenly a loud noise was heard. The sky was covered with streaks of red lights. The
Japanese air raid has come and started bombarding the land. After the bombardment, Rica and
her family left Manila. Few more days passed, Rica reminisced about the forbidden grounds of
the school. She wondered why going to those places are not allowed but during the early years
those places were freely used by the students. This event pushed Rica to go to the forbidden
place to see what was hidden there.

C. Conflict:
The general conflicts of the story was about how hard life it is during the war. Another
problem in the story is what will happen to Rica as she tries to unravel the mystery of the
convent where she was staying.
D. Resolution:

About the secret of the convent, a Japanese soldier tried to barged in the convent to look
for the gold hidden there. He threatened the nuns and the children, specially Rica who was
pointed with a saber, to spout the truth about the treasures hidden. Rica hold in what she knew
despite the circumstances. Sister Angela said that she will report to the soldiers captain that he is
opposing a treaty between Germany and Japan during that time. The soldier just left after. By the
end of the day, Rica went to Sister Angelas office to tell her that she knew about the treasures
and she is ready to face the punishment to leave the convent. But Sister Angela told her that she
really wasnt planning to go with the punishment.
III. Summary:
The story The Secret generally revolves around the period of Japanese occupation here
in the Philippines. At first, Rica was in the mass together with her class, then suddenly the nuns
whispering at each other which is very unusual because it is against their teachings. As Rica went
home, she heard her mother talking to her father about the incident in Pearl Harbor and soon the
Japanese army will invade the country. Father replied that if it will happen, Mama together with
Rica and Marisa should go immediately to Manuels place because Manila, the capital, will
surely suffer. Then suddenly a loud noise was heard. The sky was covered with streaks of red
lights. The Japanese air raid has come and started bombarding the land. After the bombardment,
Rica and her family left Manila. As planned, Rica, Mama and Marisa went to Manuel, while,
Papa moved to the highlands to join the guerillas. School days had been resumed, Rica went
back to the convent to resume her studies. Few more days passed, Rica reminisced about the
forbidden grounds of the school. She wondered why going to those places are not allowed but
during the early years those places were freely used by the students. She talked with her friend,
Sylvia, about this. Sylvia said that the place Rica was curious about has some mystery behind it.
This statement stirred more curiosity in Ricas part. These events were the reason why in the
latter part of the story, Rica went to the forbidden place to see what was hidden there.
Following the event when Rica attempted to enter the place where nobody is allowed to
go, Rica was successful in finding what was hidden there. The secret behind that place is that it
holds valued treasures of churches from all over the Philippines. After finding out the truth, Rica
hurriedly went back to their dormitory but an unfortunate event happened. Rica left one of her
shoes in the janitors room but she cant go back cause the candle shes using to see in the dark is
running out already thats why she just decided to just leave her shoe there. On her way back, she
found out that Sister Carantia was checking the beds again. What Rica did was she hid inside the
comfort room and faked that she is having a little stomach problem but she said that shes just
fine thats why Sister Carantia didnt mind too much.
Christmas came, Rica went home in San Mateo to her family. They celebrated by having
a simple dinner due to the difficult life there. This is when Rica knew that her Father is doing
fine. Its just that he is busy curing the guerilla members affected by malaria.
Resume of classes, Sister Angela found out about the shoe that Rica left inside the
forbidden area. Sister interrogated the children to discover the culprit but Rica at first didnt said
the truth behind it. Suddenly, a Japanese soldier tried to barged in the convent to look for the

gold hidden there. He threatened the nuns and the children, specially Rica who was pointed with
a saber, to spout the truth about the treasures hidden. Rica hold in what she knew despite the
circumstances. Sister Angela said that she will report to the soldiers captain that he is opposing a
treaty between Germany and Japan during that time. The soldier just left after. By the end of the
day, Rica went to Sister Angelas office to tell her that she knew about the treasures and she is
ready to face the punishment to leave the convent. But Sister Angela told her that she really
wasnt planning to go with the punishment. Shes also happy that Rica is someone Sister can
trust even in times of trouble.
The war has ended. The Japanese was defeated by the Americans. Rica, Mama, Marisa
was home again. They expected that Papa will come back as the story comes to a close
IV. Moral Lesson
The lesson I got from the story is that we should give importance to our family members
because we dont know what might happen to them in the following days. We must also be able
to keep secrets if necessary and be honest as well if needed.
V. Reaction
The story in the book are both distinct and ordinary. A typical story about a young girl is
ordinary but take note that a story about a young girl during the World War 2 is distinguishable.
There will be that image formed that this girl is not just any average girl that you can meet
everyday. The author gave us a rare opportunity to meet someone who had experience something
incredible for a child because of the girls curiosity.
Keeping a secret nowadays is not easy especially for a child. Children tend to tell everything
that they know to their parents. However, the protagonist in the book was able to find out the
secret and surprisingly was able to keep it. This book shows the present character of the youth
today. Im pretty amaze on how the author conducted the story. To be mind adventurous like the
protagonist is one of the blessings a child can receive. For a young girl like me, it is the key to a
better understanding and comprehension of the book.
As I relate myself to the protagonist, I can also view myself doing the same things as her. I will
also be curious and wonder what is the secret in all of it so personally I like the book. The only
thing I want to change about it is the secret itself to make it more fulfilling and satisfying to the
readers. Just a little bit more of excitement and it will be perfect. Overall, the book provided me
entertainment and additional knowledge. It taught me how to deepen family ties and how to keep
valuable secrets. It turned me into a better young lady of this era.