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 is the story of a family caught in the middle of the tumultuous decade of the 1970's.
It details how a middle class family struggled with and faced the new changes that empowered
Filipinos to rise against the Marcos government. These series of events all happened after the
suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, the proclamation of Martial Law, the bombing of
Plaza Miranda, the random arrests of political prisoners. The oppressiveness of the Marcos
regime made people become more radical. This shaping of the decade are all witnessed by the
female character, Amanda Bartolome, a mother of five boys. While Amanda's sons grow, form
individual beliefs and lead different lives, Amanda awakens her identity to state her stand as a
Filipino citizen, mother and woman. Dekada '70 introduces the new generations of Filipino
readers to a story and a family of a particular time in Philippine history. Its appeal lies in the
evolution of its characters that embody the new generation of Filipinos.It is the story about a
mother and her family, and the society around them that affects them. It is a tale of how a mother
becomes torn between the letter of the law and her responsibilities as a mother.

A defining but not subversive Filipino novel, Dekada '70 was one of the two grand prize winners
for the 1983 Palanca Awards for the novel.[2] It was adapted into a film by Star Cinema in 2003,
starring Christopher de Leon and Vilma Santos.

Amanda Bartolome is a mother of a middle-class family who has five young sons. Her eldest
son, Jules, had a normal upbringing. Being the eldest in the family, he was already old enough
during the declaration of martial law President Marcos. He became exposed to rebellious reading
material, and inevitably molded his mind into that of guerilla. Jules grew up to become a member
of the communist New People's Army.

Amanda and her husband, Julian, had suspicions of their son's inclination to become an anti-
Government winger but became convinced when they find copies of rebellious pamphlets lying
around the house. They confronted their son about them, and he had to admit his decision. At
first, conflict ensues in the family. Eventually, the parents learned to accept their son's decision,
and eventually became proud of him. Since then, their home became a constant place of
recreation for Jules who often brought a friend along with him.

One of these friends of Jules is Rene who stayed with the family for some time while
recuperating from an injury. The family became close to the young man because, among other
things, he reminded them of their son Jules. Unfortunately, it was already late when they realized
that Rene was an operative of the government all this time and that the friendship was all a front.
Rene exposed Jules participation and involvement in the NPA movement. And Jules was
subsequently sent to prison.

Isagani, the second child, grew up to become a sailor, and became the family's cream of the crop.
Gani, however, quickly became the goat of the family because he had made the simplest mistake
of getting a girl, his girlfriend Evelyn, pregnant. Naturally, being a Catholic country, the parents
insisted on marriage. Alas, their lives were nothing but hollow imitations of couples in love,
without enough of the very essence that keeps two people together. Their separation was
inevitable; Gani never lived the shame down.

The third Bartolome offspring that provided him with the most secure future. Emmanuel lived
the same life as his elder brothers, but knew that the extreme left and the extreme right had no
place in society. He called for peaceful evolution, change in the form of expression. He wanted
to become a writer, a noble profession, one exceptionally crafted for someone of Emmanuel's
ability. His problem was, his father violently objected to his son's decision, due to practical
reasons. There is no good pay for a writer.

Jason was Julian's favorite among his children. He was also the opposite of Emmanuel. While
Emmanuel was studious and hardworking, Jason was a typical teenager. He joined rallies to
make noise, not express a message. He was a constant failure in school, albeit his problems were
self-inflicted. He stole from his parents. He lied to them. However, in the midst of the first three
brothers' hardships, it was Jason's happy-go-lucky demeanor that provided Amanda and Julian
with a well-needed dose of happiness. Unfortunately, in the end, it was Jason's felonious
tendencies that caused hm his life; it wasn't his fault, but he was out with his usual round of
pecadillos that the police accidentally killed Jason.

Sometime before he was sent to prison, Jules himself met a girl he wanted to marry. And unlike
Gani, he truly loved this woman, Marah, and also got her pregnant. While in prison, he married
Marah, and so there was the first addition to their family.

The youngest son was Benjamin. After all had come to pass, he was in the middle of his teens.