SPEECH AND THEATER ARTS

DECLAMATION PIECE

Bermio, Gladyl P.

DISGRUNTLED
By Leomicio Offemaria Corpuz

Three days! Three long days! No food. Not even a single drop of potable water to drink. Have
you ever tried arguing with your belly? I tell you. This one is a pain in the neck… always complaining.
I should eat this. I should eat that. Why? Do you have money to spend? None?! Then, sssshhh. Be
quiet!

Allow me to introduce myself. I am __________________________ … princess/prince of the

slums of Intramuros and heiress/heir to the throne of the overpopulated Metropolitan area. Come on,
let’s take a walk…

Do you see that tall building with a big clock? That is City Hall, our favorite recreation place.
Many of us sleep near there at night. But, every now and then, we need to run because our loyal
guards would see us. If caught, they would put us behind bars for vagrancy.

Not far is the Philippine General Hospital. I went there the other day to visit another
nobleman like me. He died while falling in-line… waiting for medical assistance. Doctors and nurses
did not even lift a finger to help. If you are one of us, people just wouldn’t care.

But despite of what this kingdom has to offer, I still feel it’s not worthy of my presence. I feel
like puking and vomiting just trying to think how our leaders are running the state. No job for me!
Nowhere to go! No clothes to wear! No food to eat! Ahhhhh! This world is unfair. You have more
than enough while we have nothing.

Now is the time to revolt against this society of scalawags. See to it that the air force is ready.
Launch the ships for battle. Prepare our men for ground assault. Children of the slums of Manila…
arise and join me in combat. Attack!

What is this? Alas, a haven of food to eat! Left overs! Rotten left overs! With these I feast
competing with the rats. Thank you, my beloved leaders, for your help. Thank you, my countrymen,
for your compassion. Thank you, my dear friends, for your love. May the good Lord bless you all!

Ahhhk… Ahhhk… Ahhhk…