My Brother, My Executioner

By F. Sionil José
(A Profundity Scale Reading Technique)

Submitted by:

Ian Emmanuel N. Rocha

Submitted to:
Mr. Jay R. Apejas
August 16, 2019
 LITERAL/PHYSICAL LEVEL

I am Luis Asperri, son of Don Vicente. I have a half-brother named Victor. I was living with Victor
and my mother in Sipnget, but now I am living in Manila in Ermita, together with my cousin
Trining because of my father, Don Vicente. I am an editor and at the same time a writer in a
magazine of the Dantes. I have a driver whose name is Simeon . I am the lover of Ester Dantes’s
daughter and a good friend of Trining. I often visit my father but as time pass by, I rarely visit him.
Whenever I visit him, I will go to Sipnget to check if my brother and my mother is fine. After my
last visit in Rosales, I also received the same letter Don Vicente received. I am sad because my
love, Ester, died, and that is the reason why I married Trining. I had sex with Trining. I have tried
to take revenge against Victor.

I am Don Vicente, husband of the mother of Luis. I am living in Rosales. I visit Luis sometimes
in Manila, but I’ve got old and became sick, that is the reason why I do not visit him anymore. I
am the wealthiest land owner in Sipnget. I took care of Luis. I helped him study in Manila. I
received a message from Victor saying I should give all I have to those who needs it more,
especially the poor. I have a lot of friends who are forgeiners. I was brought by my father to Spain.

I am Victor, half brother of Luis. I am a very secretive person. I was left in Sipnget suffering. I
was never cared by Don Vicente. I became the commander of the HukbaLaHap which is a group
that is against rich people. I warned them to leave the hospital and go to Manila, but they didn’t
listen, that is why Trining died. The last time that I visited Luis was when followed him without
him noticing it. I was the one who sent the message on the window of Don Vicente and I used a
slingshot to send it.

I am Trining, wife of Luis. I died because Victor shot me. I am a friend of Ester. I am 18 years old.
I am a college student. I live in Manila with Luis. I visit Rosales together with Luis. I always read
Luis’s magazines with my friends. I got pregnant and we had children. I am Luis’s cousin. I had
sex with Luis.
 MENTAL/INTELLECTUAL LEVEL

I am Luis Asperri and I loved Ester before she died. I got sad when my beloved Ester died. I cared
for my brother and my mother. I always worried for them because I love them so much that I send
Victor books just for him to learn. I love Trining. I love 2 girls. I still love Victor despite of his
violent actions.

I am Don Vicente and I like Luis, that is why I took him and gave everything he wanted and even
helped him study. I like getting involve with politics and other things that will make my name
cleaner. I liked Trining, so I forced Luis to marry Trining.

I am Victor and I am angry at Don Vicente. I am also jealous at Luis because he was rich and he
had a higher rank in the society. I am very angry at people who does not care for the poor especially
the selfish rich people. I am happy to be the commander of the Huks.

I am Trining and I love Luis. I also love Don Vicente and the entirety of Rosales. I like my friend
Ester, who also likes Luis. I am very friendly to others especially my friends. I am happy because
Luis and I got married.
 MORAL LEVEL

 The decision of Luis to not to visit Don Vicente regularly was wrong, that is why Don
Vicente.

 The decision of Luis to visit Sipnget was right, because it shows that Luis still cares for the
people living in Sipnget.

 The decision of Luis and Trining to not listen to Victor to leave the hosptial was wrong,
because Victor already warned them that something would happen. In this case, Trining’s
death was the result.

 The decision of Victor to kill Trining was wrong, because Luis was extremely sad.

 The decision of Don Vicente to eat a lot was wrong, because this made him obese, thus
making him unhealthy.

 The decision of Luis to quit his job in order to go to Rosales was wrong, because they could
have avoided the war of the Huks if they stayed in Manila.
 PHYCHOLOGICAL LEVEL

 If it were not for Victor, the war would not have occured.

 If it were not for Luis and Trining, Victor would not have killed Trining.

 If it were not for Don Vicente, Luis would not have married Trining.

 If it were not for Don Vicente, Victor would not be violent.

 If it were not for Trining, Luis would not have sex with her.

 If it were not for Don Vicente, he himself would not have been sick.
 PHILOSOPHICAL LEVEL

M-ake good deeds that is very benificial.

Y-our choice is your own decision.

B-e kind to others.

R-eal love is not forced love.
O-bjects are created equally.
T-here is always a way.
H-elp those who are in need.
E-very life has its own importance.
R-espect others.

M-arrying your cousin isn’t good.

Y-ou make your future.

E-nding your life is not good.

X
E-verything has a reason.
C-are for others.
U-nite despite of violence.
T-ime is limited.
I-n times of suffering, crime is not the answer.
O-ur state of living is not a barrier to our progression
N-ames, which are things, are rare, like people.
E-veryone deserves to live.
R-emember to start to the right path to succeed.