FILIPINO

NOBELA: TIMAWA (meaning of “timawa” in Filipino is someone who is poor and lowly)
AUTHOR: Agustin C. Fabian
Main Character: Andres Talon
Who is Andres/Andy?
 A young man who came from a poor family.
 He and his family were scorned in his village for being poor. They were humiliated
during a party in the landlord’s mansion.
 Instead of simply accepting his fate of poverty, he decided to use his poor background
as an inspiration to change the path of his life.
 He promised his father who is a farmer that he will do his best to succeed and then
help cure other poor people who cannot afford to go to hospitals.
 He went to the USA (Estados Unidos) and worked and studied medicine.
 He worked as a kitchen helper in a dormitory and made friends with Bill (his
classmate and also a kitchen helper) and Alice (an American woman who is a kitchen
manager).
 However, part of reaching for his ambitions is becoming “stone-hearted” or tough and
not getting close to people.
 His co-worker in the dormitory kitchen, Alice, helped him become friendly and open
to other’s friendship.
CHAPTER 1 of TIMAWA (Kabanata 1) - Characters in the chapter: Andres a.k.a. Andy
(Filipino). Alice (American).  Bill (American).
As Andres is finishing his shift as a dish washer in the kitchen of the dormitory in the
university where he is studying, the kitchen manager Alice asked him about his
experiences in working. Andres’ buddy Bill came along to hear the story.

Andres told them about:

 Before he became a dish washer in the university’s dormitory… Andres was a dish
washer aboard a ship, a worker in different places in California, apple picker in
Oregon, orange picker in Florida, vegetable planter, waiter in restaurants etc.
 When he was in the Philippines as a 13 years old boy, he was a farmer’s son. He and
his father attended a party at the landlord’s mansion as servants, cooks, and
workers, and they were humiliated by the landlord’s wife for eating when other
guests have not yet eaten. They were embarrassed because the landlord’s wife said
CURSE words to them while they were trying to eat and thus were reminded of their
lowly place in society.
 His father worked hard for Andres to study, but he got sick and died.

Then, Alice commented about Andres’ attitude and understood why he must have been that
way towards others.

 Andres acted ALOOF towards others because he only wanted to concentrate on work
and school.
  He was STONE-HEARTED, which means he is not entertaining romantic feelings for
others, including Alice.
 He is keeping his sadness to himself and did not like making friends.

p. 45

Explain the motivation behind the action:

1. Andres’ father worked day and night to help Andres graduate from school.
What is the motivation?
________________________________________________________________________

2. Alice asking Andres about his experiences that changed his life.
What is the motivation?
________________________________________________________________________

3. The landlord’s  wife cursed the farmers and made them feel like lowly poor.
What is the motivation?
_________________________________________________________________________

4. Andres is determined to get out of poverty.

What is the motivation?
_________________________________________________________________________

Starting words for giving an Opinion

For giving STRONG opinion, start a sentence with the following:

 Labis akong naninindigan na… I am making a stand that…

 Buong giting kong sinusuportahan ang… I bravely support the idea that….

 Kumbinsido akong… I am convinced that…

 Lubos kong pinaniniwalaan na… I truly believe that…

For giving NEUTRAL opinion, start a sentence with the following:

 Kung ako ang tatanungin… If you ask me…

 Kung hindi ako nagkakamali… If I am not mistaken…

 Sa aking palagay… I think that…

  Sa aking pananaw… In my viewpoint…

 Sa tingin ko… From my perspective/point of view…

 Sa totoo lang… Telling you the truth…

Additional reading: How to raise children

1. Pray or pray for the children

2. Give quality time for the children.
3. Teach children the limits of what they can and cannot do. Parents must strictly
enforce rules!

Topics to give opinion about how to be a GOOD FILIPINO:

1. Valuing family – Filipinos live with lola, lolo, aunts, cousins. They take care of each
other. What is your opinion on this?

Strong Opinion: ______________________________________________________________

Neutral Opinion: _____________________________________________________________

2. Respecting elders – asking for Blessing (touching the hand on the forehead,
pagmamano), calling them by lolo/lola/tita/tito, Listening to them and responding
when they are speaking with you. What is your opinion on this?

Strong Opinion: ______________________________________________________________

Neutral Opinion: _____________________________________________________________

3. Being hospitable to guests – We treat guests well. What is your opinion on this?

Strong Opinion: ______________________________________________________________

Neutral Opinion: _____________________________________________________________

4. Being helpful to others – What is your opinion on this?

Strong Opinion: ______________________________________________________________

Neutral Opinion: _____________________________________________________________

5. Valuing Education – Filipinos use education to improve their lives and help their
families. What is your opinion on this?

Strong Opinion: ______________________________________________________________

Neutral Opinion: _____________________________________________________________