Name: Danica Shane Escobidal

Professor: Ms. Cheryl Baldric

Subject: GE 1106
Class Code: 16-862
Critical Analysis Paper

Weddings are a special event that may happen to anyone where two people unite and
commit to marriage. Incidents like disagreements between two families with different religions are
ubiquitous, especially before weddings, and are usually intensified by various factors prevailing
inter-religious solemnization. Rebekah M. Alawi's "The Road to Aras-Asan," tells the narrative of
a mother's journey to meet the family of her prospective daughter-in-law. The entire story revolves
around her experiences on her travel to the "pamamanhikan" and the wedding day.

The narrative emphasizes the struggle between two families. Because of family
differences and various prejudices, this incident is relatively typical before a wedding. The
persona's son and his bride's story is a common occurrence in this nation owing to cultural and
religious differences. The author used the first-person point of view to tell the story of the groom's
mother, who became acquainted with the bride's family's residence. The primary character
described the journey to Aras-Asan as tricky from the start. She employs a simile to describe what
she saw on the roadways. There was a section where she mentioned "potholes as big as moon
craters, and rocks nearly as big as boulders spewed by some volcano in the distant past." This is
especially true in the countryside, where unpaved and unmaintained roads are common; when it
rains heavily, these roads are difficult to cross, and the risk of danger is high. This reality is the
outcome of corruption, which is frequently linked to uncompleted projects.

Cultural differences and religion have an impact on someone's decision to marry. In this
narrative, we see the author's son sacrificing his love for his girlfriend, as well as the bride's
devotion to her religion and God. The "pamamanhikan" is the reason for the family's first visit. The
mother confesses her anguish over living in her prospective daughter-in-law's residence. For
instance, she stated that "three months was barely enough time to recover from that nightmare
experience." This is true when the groom's family is not accustomed to the lifestyle of the bride's
family. The new environment might be a distressing transition for certain people. Despite the
doubts, they volunteer to participate in the solemnization; with her three friends' attendance, Flor,
Ferdinand, and Elma, their journey to the wedding becomes unforgettable and jocund to the
mother's side; genuine friendship is tested in your darkest hour.

Furthermore, the tension emerges once the father discovers the couple's distribution of
invitations throughout the neighborhood. Based on their son's disposition, it is appropriate to be
proud of their marriage since it demonstrates his real love despite differences—even if the rest of
the world disagrees. The parents' reaction suggests they are opposed to the arrangement since
it undermines their family honor and cultural consistency; hence, publicizing the news diminishes
their pride. Regardless, their support of the wedding demonstrates their unconditional love for
their son, despite the known conditions. The characters take a brief excursion throughout the
story's collapsing action. As the route grows steeper and sharper, these shortcuts pose more
dangers. Worst of all, it is an NPA-infested zone. This demonstrates her acceptance of the family
and the newlyweds. Despite the agonizing journey, she cherishes the couple's love, even if they
come from different cultural backgrounds. From her point of view, witnessing the pair as one is
worth a thousand miles voyage.

The tale focuses mainly on the challenges of their trek to Aras-Asan. The couple in the
narrative represents the reality of some people who struggle to pursue their love due to
differences. Most of the main challenges that couples confront are disagreements between their
parents, which often leads to a breakup. The author wants to emphasize that differences should
not be used to divide two loves; instead, they should be used to develop the partnership. The
narrative also depicts daily life in the Philippines. The mother's difficulties may be shared by others
new to rural locations. The prevalence of rebellions and incomplete infrastructures are prevalent
issues in the country.