Sa Pula, Sa Puti by Francisco Rodrigo (Colloquium Presentation)

. 1. Sa Pula, Sa Puti (For the Red Rooster, For the White Rooster) is a play in one act,
written by Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo. It was first staged on September 10, 1939 by the
University of the Philippines Dramatic Club at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.
Originally, this was written by Rodrigo in English for his class in dramatics under Jean
Garrot Edades at the University of Santo Thomas. It has been expanded and revised by
Rodrigo and he subsequently translated it in Tagalog. It has also been published in Short
Plays of the Philippines , Manila: Robert S. Hendry, 1950, by Jean Edades. This play is a
comedy that comments on people's weakness in a situation recognizable throughout the
country. Its main character is a sabungero or cockfighter who is addicted to cock pit. This
play tells about how he learns and realizes his foolishness of gambling. This practical
approach to Francisco Rodrigo's "comedy of the cockpit" illustrates a freer way of
"bending English" and delivers a more vivid impression of "native" speech. The dialogues
have been liberally flavored with Tagalog expressions in near-literal English translation.
Also,the playwright aimed to extract the general theme of gambling with a hint of
comedy which will be presented into two (2) division. Part One: Backgrounders. In this
section, the information about the author including his life, career history and other
relevant information which make the field of visions larger. Part Two: My Text-
Dependent Interpretation. In this part, the play will be illuminated in perfection such as
Formalism and Structuralism. In formalism, the play is presented in terms of its element
that would make us understand its literal and general literary features. From another
point, the structural view is garnered through the concept of binary opposition and
significant. INTRODUCTION
. 2. PART ONE: BACKGROUNDERS (A Reflection to the Author’s Perfection)
. 3. Francisco Soc Rodrigo was born on January 29, 1914 in Bulacan, Bulacan to Marcela
Aldana and Melecio Rodrigo and a blood kin of two great heroes of his native province,
Marcelo del Pilar and Gregorio del Pilar. He was a Senator of the Republic of the
Philippines; Third Congress since 1955 to 1957, Fourth Congress since 1958 to 1961,
Fifth Congress since 1962 to 1965, and Sixth Congress since 1966 to 1969 . He was also
an accomplished playwright and broadcaster. Rodrigo finished his Bachelor of Arts and
Bachelor of Science in Education degrees from Ateneo de Manila and University of Santo
Tomas, respectively, after which he completed his degree of Bachelor of Laws at the
University of the Philippines, graduating magna cum laude and valedictorian. While in
college, he was captain of the Debating team. After passing the Bar , he joined the law
firm of Senators Francisco Delgado and Lorenzo Tañada. With the latter, he authored
Philippine Modern Legal Forms and Handbook on the Rules of Court. During the 1953
presedential election, Soc Rodrigo covered the entire proceedings in an unprecedented
marathon broadcast, a feat which won for him the Legion of Honor award by President
Ramon Magsaysay. Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo
. 4. His performance in the Senate has consistently landed him in the coveted list of the
Ten Outstanding Senators and made him a much invented guest of foreign government
such as the United States, Britain, West Germany, and other countries. He was also
awarded a U.S. Government grant under the terms of Public Law 402 (Smith - Mundt) for
observation and travel under the auspices of the Governmental Affairs Institute(Nov. 20,
1959 - Jan. 20, 1960). From 1970-1972, Rodrigo hosted the ABS-CBN program "Mga
Kuro-kuro ni Soc Rodrigo." Not the least of his achievements was his anti - Japanese
activities during the war years when he distributed proaganda materials together with
Raul Manglapus. For their dissent against President Ferdinand Marcos, Rodrigo, along
with Ninoy Aquino and many others, was incarcerated during upon the declaration of
Martial Law in 1972. During this time in jail, Rodrigo kept the faith of fellow detainees
alive as he led nightly prayers of the rosary. Ninoy Aquino would treasure of the
crucifixes that Rodrigo gave him during this time. Rodrigo was released after three
 months but was detained two more times. In 1978, for writing Tagalog poems attacking
the Marcos dictatorship, and in 1982, for his anti-Marcos poems in the We Forum and
Philippine Star. As a playwright in English and Tagalog, his works are noted for distilling
the foibles and wit of the Filipino soul. His most celebrated play was Sa Pula, Sa Puti
while his most popular Kuro – Kuro sa likod ng mga Balita had also won legions of
admirers throughout the country. Whether he is delivering a speech in tagalog or in
English, within or without the halls of the senate, men rise to give their attention to Soc
Rodrigo, a man who has given his best in the service of God and country.
. 5. On January 4, 1998, Rodrigo died at age 83 due to complications of cancer. In
November that year, his name was inscribed in the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Memorial
Hall in Quezon City to honor his role in the long struggle against Marcos. Trivia: The
Gawad Soc Rodrigo is an award named after him given by the Komisyon sa Wikang
Filipino (KWF) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
. 6. PART TWO: MY TEXT-DEPENDENT INTERPRETATION In Light of Modernist Vistas:
Formalism (Elemental Analysis) and Structure (Binary Opposition and Signification)
. 7. Sa Pula, Sa Puti Elemental Criticism Explication Exegesis CHARACTERS Major: Kulas -
an out-and-out sabungero, or cockfighting addict Celing - wife of Kulas Minor: Sioning -
friend of Celing Castor - a middleman in the cockpit Teban - an old manservant of Kulas
and Celing Some remarkable lines from the film were encoded and interpreted below
based on the subjectivity of the maker: “Sapagkat pagkadilat ng mga mata mo sa umaga,
wala ka nang naisip kamustahin at himasin kundi ang iyong tinali. Tila mahal mo pa ang
mga tinali mo kaysa sa akin.”
. 8. SETTING  In a cock arena Residence of Kulas and Celing, near in the cock arena
ATMOSPHERE  The story is covered with fondness in gambling and tricks. PLOT
Exposition: One morning Kulas greeted his wife a pleasant morning but Celing answered
dryly. She was jealous and envious about Kulas’s fighting cocks for they were the first
thought of Kulas every morning. Rising Action: Castor taught Kulas some techniques how
to win a fight in a way of cheating when Celing was out in the market. Climax: Kulas
went to the fight and bet but this time he staked at his opponent’s cock. Falling Action:
Kulas was disappointed after the fight because his cock won. Denouement: Celing
cooked in broth the three cocks of Kulas and made adobo with the other three. “Iyon ay
disgrasya lamang! Celing, makinig ka. Alam mo, kagabi ay nanaginip ako. Napanaginip
kong ako’y hinahabol ng isang kalabaw na puti. Kalabaw na puti, Celing!” “O, heto,
Teban, limang piso . . . Nagpunta na naman ang amo mo sa sabungan. Madali, ipusta mo
ito. Madali at baka mahuli!” “Ano bang ako ang pumili ng bahay na ito. Ang gusto kong
bahay ay sa tabi ng simbahan, ngunit ang gusto ni Kulas ay sa tabi ng sabungan.” “Ang
lahat ng manok ay may litid sa paa na kapag iyong dinuro ay hihina ang paa. … Wala
sinumang makakakita sa ating ginawa, ngunit mahina na ang paang ating dinuro at ang
manok na iyan ay hindi makakapalo.” “Celing, ako man ay natalo din sa pustahan
sapagkat sa manok ng kalaban ako pumusta.”
. 9. STYLE Allusion – The interpretation of Kulas on his dream turns out wrong. He made
false construction of it which led him to lose again. Symbolism – The cockfight
symbolizes social passion or simply, a game; money symbolizes the material; the cocks
themselves represent everything evil and nasty; and the adobo represents the result of
the work. Plot/Tragedy – The play does follow a plot (Fight - Trick - Result) Local Color –
The entire play focused on specific features including characters, dialects, common
arguments of a typical Filipino couple about cockfight, dreams and superstitions in
gambling. Epilogue – In a remarkably contemporary moment at the end of the play,
Kulas promised he will never get involve in gambling. Antithesis – Kulas realized that
good fortune can’t overcome when you put cheating on it. Luck is the opposite of the
desire to win a fortune in a cheat way. General Interpretation After examining the script
of the play, it clearly states the importance of time and family or time with family, and
having a good fortune. Men are so attached into grooming and taking care of the cocks
 that they did not mind spending time with their family. The cockfight is a metaphor that
stands for the struggles going on in everyday social life of every individual. It displays
social conflicts, tension and somehow things lead into constructing evil clutches and
tricks. They believe that it is the solution and easiest way to find wealth. Theme: Man’s
obsession in attaining wealth by means of illegal condition.
. 10. An Illumination to the Theme Extracted After getting through the concept of
determining the play in the view of the formalistic approach particularly by explication
and exegesis, the theme was extracted. The theme states that: Man’s obsession in
attaining wealth by means of illegal condition. It is all about the cravings of man into
gambling. It comes across with anything that makes him constantly think about a certain
thing. Almost everyone who was involved with unlawful habit of gambling are logically
smart. They construct tricks that results into winning the fight. It explains such a valuable
meaning that man could possibly do whatever it takes just to have something he have
been fascinating to gain.
. 11. Significant Promise Disengagement Signifier: Cockfight Signified: Money Game of
Life Sign: Desire THEME: Man’s desires to have nice fortune in life. Also, It is saying that
life may be dealt what looks like a bad hand. II. Structuralist Approach Binary Opposition
. 12. An Illumination to the Theme Extracted After building the theme based on the
structuralist’s view towards the play, it is all about life. It is saying that you may be dealt
what looks like a bad hand. This means that we might born in poor surroundings or born
in rich surroundings, or any other life that you are born into, it doesn't matter because
every hand is a winning or losing hand - you make it what it is. We make our own path;
either it is on the right way or not. The intensions of the play was for us to realize what is
important and what you have to hold on too, and when things are getting dangerous
and when to get out if you need to. No matter what hand life has dealt to you, you can
still win if you play your game well.
. 13. III. FUSION OF THE THEMES EXTRACTED FROM FORMAL AND STRUCTURAL
ANALYSES FORMALISM STRUCTURALIST Extracted Theme Extracted Theme Man’s
desires comes in many figures. At the same time, it makes their own way even it is in
illegal forms such as cheating. Because of that, the obsession become stronger in a
possible mean that sometimes leads to ruin a family bond. New Theme Man’s obsession
in attaining wealth by means of illegal condition. Man’s desires to have nice fortune in
life. Also, It is saying that life may be dealt what looks like a bad hand.
. 14. An Illumination to the Theme Extracted Man’s desires comes in many figures. At the
same time, it makes their own way even it is in illegal forms such as cheating. Because of
that, the obsession become stronger in a possible mean that sometimes leads to ruin a
family bond. The connection with the family might probably on the edge. Therefore, it
creates crack on their relationship. Just like in reality, desires could literally destroy
anybody’s choices because it blocks the way of thinking and all of his concern will be on
how to attain his desires.
. 15. Presented by: Acuña, Joan F. Catabui, Josephine Lapig, Glydel I.

The Honorable
Francisco A. Rodrigo
 Senator of the Philippines

In office
December 30, 1955 – December 30, 1967

Personal details

Born Francisco Aldana Rodrigo

January 29, 1914

Bulacan, Bulacan, Philippine Islands

Died January 4, 1998 (aged 83)

Quezon City, Philippines

Political party Liberal Party

Remedios Enriquez
Spouse(s)
 

(m. 1937)

Children 6

Occupation Politician

Citation preview

SA PULA, SA PUTI (Summary) One morning Kulas greeted his wife a pleasant morning
but Celing answered dryly. She was jealous and envious about Kulas’s fighting cocks
for they were the first thought of Kulas every morning. Kulas explained that he only
cared for the cocks for their own good. Celing didn’t believe anymore on Kulas
reasons for he was always defeated by his opponent. Kulas always believed on his
dream and thought that those dreams had signs that he would win the fight. Celing
narrated all the dreams that Kulas told her but he didn’t win. She was already sick
with Kulas’ reasons. He asked if he could give her money to spend for the cockfight.
Kulas heard the shout of people from the cockfight and he was really eager to get
the money. Celing had nothing to do but give him money and Kulas went the out the
house hurriedly. Teban commanded Celing to bet on Kulas’s opponent. This is her
way to get the money of Kulas spent in the sabong for Kulas was always a loser.
Celing was right; Kulas went home defeated by his opponent. He promised never to
bet again. Castor taught Kulas some techniques how to win a fight in a way of
cheating when Celing was out in the market. He will bet on his opponent’s cock!
Kulas went to the fight and bet but this time he staked at his opponent’s cock. Kulas
was disappointed after the fight because his cock won. He went home and his wife
asked him the money for his cock won he said he lost the fight for he bet on the
opponent’s side. Celing was astonished and confessed her secret that every time
Kulas go to fight she bet on his opponent. They have a good dinner at that time for
the cocks left were made adobo.

Rodrigo was a playwright in English and Tagalog, with works described as those that
distilled within the Filipino soul. His most celebrated play was Sa Pula, Sa Puti while
his most popular Kuro – Kuro sa likod ng mga Balita had also won legions of admirers
throughout the country.