Philippine Literature

Jessica Marie G. Miranda

MAE- English

Commentary: The Scent of Apples by Bienvenido Santos

This is a different take on the typical story of the Filipino

immigrant. While other literary works portray the Pinoy abroad
as rich, successful and widely sought-after, this story goes a
different path. It tells of a self-proclaimed “Filipino farmer” who
lives a rural life in the American countryside with an American
blonde and a Filipino-American son.

The theme of the story is that of nostalgia and missing

one’s own homeland. And while others might proclaim a Filipino
abroad can just go back home with loads of money to share and
be called a ‘balikbayan’, this one talks of the Filipino immigrant’s
life to settle permanently in another country, with finality.

The author draws the reader to read more of the story by vividly describing the entire
scenario in detail. Life in the United States, with the American people is accurately described; you
could tell that the author has been there himself. The farmer Celestino Fabia’s story encourages
further curiosity and scrutiny, only for the reader to find out that this could just be a once-in-a-
lifetime encounter since they both have their own lives to live.

At this point, the story exudes the feeling of melancholy and longing for something that
isn’t there anymore, such as the case with Fabia refusing the offer of the narrator to go to his town,
stating that no one will remember him there anymore. Though he kept talking about his fond
memories of his younger years in the Philippines, he is resigned to the fact that his life is in
America now.