“The Mats” was written by Francisco Arcellana, one of the

meritorious literary Filipino artists. The story depicts a typical Filipino

family culture. It portrays close family relationship, respect for the
elders, and remembering our loved ones who passed away.

The story begins with the homecoming of Mr. Angeles who came
from Mariveles. His homecoming celebration from his occasional trips
out of town had never been more different than his homecoming from
the South. Aside from the things that he usually bring home, he carried
with him extraordinary sleeping mats from a mat weaver whom he met
during his trip. He made each sleeping mats personalized for everybody.
However, it surprised them when they found the extra mats that Mr.
Angeles bought for their loved ones who already passed away.

The Mats
characters characters
• Jaafar - Harelip orphan
• Mr. Angeles (Jaime) - the head of Angeles family • Dayang-Dayang - A blue blood girl
• Emilia (Miling) - wife of Mr. Angeles • Babo - Aunt of Jaafar
• Children of Mr. and Mrs. Angeles • Appah - Father of Dayang-Dayang
• Dead Family Members • Amboh - Mother of Dayang-Dayang
• Young Datu - Husband of Dayang-Dayang
• Eting - Son of Dayang-Dayang

plot plot
tone tone
notable works: awards:
literary works:
table of content

Philippine National Artist for Literature

Alejandro Reyes Roces .... p. 2-3

Francisco Arcellana .... p. 4-5
Nick Joaquin .... p. 6-7
"The Mats" .... p. 8-9
Reflection & references .... p. 10-11

Regional Writers in Mindanao

Antonio Reyes Enriquez .... p. 13-14

Ibrahim Jubaira .... p. 15-16
Christine Godinez-Ortega .... p. 17-18
"Blue blood of The big Astana" .... p. 19-20
Reflection and References .... p. 21-22
Blue Blood of the Big Astana
reflection
After reading Ibrahim Jubaira’s “Blue blood of the Big Astana”, I learned that you
should not take someone’s love for granted, because it might lead to something that you
will never bring back in the future.

— Andrei Jil Santos

My reflection about the “Blue Blood of the Big Astana” is that I, also, wanted to take
care of others even if we don’t have the same blood, example, like a friend of mine.

— Julean Mar Bautista

After reading Ibrahim Jubaira’s “Blue blood of the Big Astana”, I learned that failure is
part of out success and as a student your grades doesn’t defined your future— that’s
why we need to keep going even we struggle.

— Jose Floirendo

The poor can never be part of the rich and the rich can never be part of the poor.
There will always be social classes that separate us, humankind— a barrier between
heaven and hell. It is inevitable. We are only forced to adapt and to suffer as what is
conveyed in Ibrahim Jubaira’s “Blue Blood of the Big Astana.”

I could relate this to the lives each of us, individuals, possess. There are people who
suffer in poverty, while some lives with golden spoon in their mouth. Nevertheless, to
love is a privilege each of us were given. It is the greatest wealth of all!

— Julliane Chrystin Regalado

members
Julliane Chrystin Regalado Abigail Jane Lopez
Andrei Jil Santos Zachariah Gabrielle Salamera
Julean Mar Bautista Andrei Liam Lim
Jose Floirendo Alexander Hubert Espineli
Andrei De Vera
 Thereflection
Mats
After reading Francisco Arcellana’s “The Mats”, I learned that even our love ones are
gone— they are still in our memories and it will never fade because of “love”.

— Andrei De Vera

After reading Francisco Arcellana’s “The Mats”, I learned that loving someone close to
you will last forever. This shows us that love is always on our side.

— Alexander Hubert Espineli

My reflection about “The Mats” is that I wanted to always remember all of my beloved
family or friends even if they're not here anymore.

— Zachariah Gabrielle Salamera

Our loved ones’ bodies may decay but their souls shall live forevermore; through
remembering their existence, they shall never die, as what is indicated in Francisco
Arcellana’s story entitled as “The Mats.”

Even though my Lolo passed away a couple of years ago, every 21st day of December—
my Lola would cook his favorite pasta and buy his favorite cake from Primablend. She’d
light the candles as if my Lolo would make a wish and blow the lit away, celebrating his
birthday.

— Abigail Jane Lopez

After reading Francisco Arcellana’s “The Mats”, I learned that life isn't just about
achievements or success it's about having great memories to the one's you love and
enjoying yourself in this world because you might never know when they’ll leave earth.

— Andrei Liam Lim