12

21st Century Literature

from the Philippines
and from the World
Quarter 1, Module 2:
We Take Pride

Image source: https://www.google.com

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21st Century Literature from the Philippines and from the World – Grade 12
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Looking Back and Beyond

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work
of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government
agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of
such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a
condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective copyright
holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these
materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not
represent nor claim ownership over them.

Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer : MARIVIC C. ALOC

Editor : MANUEL R. YASIS, MTI / MANUEL R. YASIS, MTI

Reviewer : EMMA V. DASCO, EPS / DARCY GUY Y. MAŃEBO, EPS

Illustrator : CARL MARC S. CARILLO, TII

Layout Artist: LORENZO S. AGUILO JR., TII

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21st Century Literature from the Philippines and from the World - Grade 12
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Looking Back and Beyond

Literature is a piece of life captured in

words and printed in a page. Most of the
time, a beautifully written piece is derived
from an author’s real life experiences and
insights on what is happening around him.
This module is about a narrative which
I. Introduction: artistically elucidated the writer’s views on
a social issue which challenges most
Filipino families of our time – the plight of
OFWs. She used literary devices such as
symbolism and characterization in order to
realistically get her message across.

II. Objectives

At the end of the lesson you are expected to:

 Identify representative texts and authors from each region (e.g. engage
in oral historical research with focus on key personalities from the
students’ region, province or town. EN12Lit-Ib-22
o Read about a writer who hails from the Bicol region.
o Discuss the literary significance of the written text
o Use the digital platform (or its equivalent) in making an output
based on what was learned from the selection.

III. Vocabulary List

For a better understanding of the lesson, you are provided
with a list of words and phrases with corresponding definitions.
Read and understand them carefully.

 Written Text, Passage for reading or Selection refers to the material that
you need to read in order to engage in the learning process.
 Literary account is the desired output that you will make based on the
competencies and skills learned from this module.
 Literary Narrative is a piece of literature which tells a series of events.
 Letter to the editor refers to a correspondence that you will need to write
inorder to express your insights regarding the central idea of the selection
taken up.
 Set of questions is what will make and use to search for information about a
writer in your locality.
 Literary Devices are tools that a writer/an author utilizes in order to
creatively convey the intended message.

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  Characters are the persons or entities in the reading text while
characterization refers to the way by which the author reveals the qualities
of the characters.
 Symbols in literature refer to any object, person, place or experience that
mean more than what it is while symbolism is the use of images to represent
internal realities.(Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2002)
 Point of view refers to the relationship between the characters of the story
and its narrator.(Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2002). So, a story told from the first
person point of view is where the major character also acts as the narrator
of the story.
 RA 9262 refers to the Philippine law that gives protection to women and their
children called the Anti – Violence Agaist Women and Their Children Act of
2004.
 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) refers to Filipinos who seek employment
abroad; plight refer to the challenges, issues and problems that they need to
face as workers abroad.

IV. Pre-Test
Read each item very carefully, then choose the best answer from the
given options. Write your answer in your notebook.
1. A literary piece is in the ___ person point of view when the main character
also acts as its narrator.
A. First B. Second C. Third-limited D. Third-Omniscient

2. Which element refers to the central idea of the literary piece?

A. Characters B. Plot C. Setting D. Theme

3. Kinse anyos ako kaidto (kinse anyos lang ako noon). The italicized sentence
is an example of ______ characterization.
A. Explicit B. Implicit C. Round D. Flat

4. Aside from wearning maong pants at night, what other object was used by
the author to symbolize Aurea’s extreme dislike of having sex with him?
A. Lipstick D. Rubber shoes
B. Make Up C. Tadik(perdible/pin)

5. At 15, Aurea was married to her 51-year old husband; hence, it was called
kasal-kasugot (kasal-kasalan) or a__________ wedding.
A. Grand B. Intimate C. Mock D. Solemn

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 V. Learning Activities

Filipino writers are known and acclaimed all over the world
for their exemplary craftsmanship. In this module we are going to
read a representative text written by a Bicolano author and see how this text
reveals the peculiarities of our life in this region. You are going to read the text
do some activities that follow using your notebook. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO
WRITE ANYTHING IN THIS MODULE.

Let us begin by getting to know the author.

Marissa Reorizo-Redburn was

born and raised in a remote town of
a sub-island province at the margins of a
peripheral region, San Pascual, Burjas,
Masbate and Bicol, respectively. Formerly, a
teacher and now an entrepreneur, she writes
poems and short fiction in Bikol. At present, she
resides in Naga City. She remembers that the
beautiful elementary school atop a hill with a
view of the sea was the one and only school
available to the children on the island, there
was high school, too but no college, and those
who wanted a college education had to go to
Albay or Naga. Those who could not afford
further education married early or became
Image source: https://www.google.com
domestic workers in the cities. This statistic
probably inspired the story “Aurea”. She features here the dilemma of people who
choose to be domestics and sex workers in the big cities or abroad, to escape poverty
and support their families.
Paz V. Santos and Marifa Borja Prado. (2016) LIPWAS 21st Century.
Ateneo de Naga University Press. pp. 31-32

Now let us learn about the where this narrative was. This will help us
understand the selection better.

Masbate is at the center of the Philippines as the southernmost island of Luzon.

It has three islands—Burias, Ticao and Masbate. Its magnificent beaches and rich
natural resources have attracted tourists and travel bloggers such as Journeying
James, Ironwulf and Lakwatsero. Masbate is known for its Isla Rancho festival every
May, when rodeo activities are held, and for the “Monreal Stones” in Ticao, said to
have Baybayin-type scripts, the ancient native scripts of Filipinos, inscribed on them
(Escandor 2014). Income sources are agriculture, fishing, livestock raising and trade.

Despite the abundance of natural resources in this island province, Masbate

figures high in statistical indices of poverty. In the Bikol region in 2009, 35 of every

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100 families or about 45 in every 100 individuals were poor, but Masbate had the
highest poverty incidence at 42.5. (Poverty Incidence)

Several languages are spoken in Masbate: “Masbateňo… a Bisakol blend of

Capiznon, Hiligaynon, Bikol, Waray-waray, Cebuano, Romblomanon, and Tagalog”:
Cebuano, in the area facing Cebu, and Hiligaynon in the areas facing Panay. The
Central Bikol of Naga is spoken in Northern burias, which is two hours away from
Pasacao in Camarines Sur; while Masbateňo is spoken in the southern half of Burias
and on Ticao Island (About Masbate, This is Our Call)
Paz V. Santos and Marifa Borja Prado. (2016) LIPWAS 21st Century.
Ateneo de Naga University Press. pp. 32

Likewise it is important that we get a background of the theme of the selection

for a better understanding.

The Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). In 2015, there were about 2.4 million
overseas Filipinos, 97.1 percent of whom had work contracts while the rest worked
without contracts. There were slightly more female OFWs at 51.1% over male OFWs at
47.9% and one-third of the OFWs were laborers and unskilled workers. (Bersales).

The phenomenon of the migrant worker or the OFW is both a boon and a bane
of the country.

It is primarily seen as boon because the OFWs have kept the economy afloat for
decades. In just six months in 2015, they contributed 180.3 billion pesos to the
Philippines. Almost a quarter of this amount, 39.2 billion pesos or an average of 41
thousand pesos a month per OFW were remittances of laborer and unskilled workers.
(Bersales). It is also seen as a bane because it reflects the lack of income and
employment in the country. Fathers and mothers have to leave their families and are
forced to work abroad to afford a better life. Too many Filipino migrant workers also
complain of prolonged working hours, “non-payment of wages, verbal, physical and
sexual abuse, and a lack of adequate accommodation.” (Fast Facts). Among the OFWs
are domestic helpers who are often subject to sexual and other kinds of abuse while
some women OFWs have resorted to prostituting themselves (Natividad).

As of 2011, over 350,000 Filipinos were reported as working in Japan. One

omnipotent image of the working Filipina in Japan is that of a Japayuki. Japayuki
means “bound to Japan” but narratives have transformed the meaning of the word to
that of young women going to work in Japan as entertainers or household workers,
only to become victims of prostitution and sexual abuse. (Luna)
Paz V. Santos and Marifa Borja Prado. (2016) LIPWAS 21st Century.
Ateneo de Naga University Press. pp. 32-33

The work you are going to read is a translation from an original work of a writer
in Bicol. You have the option to read the original version (Bicol) or the English version
appended to this module; or this version which was translated for the Tagalog-
speaking students of Camarines Norte. However, it is important that we understand
first the vocabulary words and expressions that were used in the original version so
that we can have a full grasp of the idea that the author is trying to convey. This

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selection, along with the activities and questions have been modified from the lesson
presented in Paz V. Santos and Marifa Borja Prado (2016)’ book LIPWAS 21st Century
Literature published by the Ateneo de Naga University Press. It was obtained by the
translator in the Panrehiyong Palihan sa Pagsasalin held at RELC Legazpi City in
July 2017.

Let us unlock some difficulties by doing this vocabulary exercise. Copy the
table in your notebook, then complete the columns with the
word/terminology’s equivalent in Filipino and English.

Bikol Filipino English

duma awoy, halamang ugat root crops
binabalagwit
bagako
kasal-kasugot kasal-kasalan mock wedding
niririrong
naghihilamon
surugpungan
lalaw
ulyas
natigalpo
Haka
sinurûsû
balud
balawon
kuragit
Modified Worksheet 1 from: Paz V. Santos and Marifa Borja Prado. (2016) LIPWAS 21st Century.
Ateneo de Naga University Press. pp. 40

Now that you have completed the table, we will see if you have done it right by
finding out their meanings based on their use in the selection.

But before that, let us first do some thinking:

THINK!
Do you have an OFW in your family or in your community? Share an interesting story
about that OFW, why s/he left the country, where s/he went, his/her job, what s/he says
about her new landscape and work. Write this account in your notebook.

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Now let us begin reading.

A U R E A
Marissa Reorizo– Redburn
(Translated in Filipino by Marivic C. Aloc as an output during the Panrehiyong
Palihan sa Pagsasalin held at RELC, Rawis, Legazpi City last July 26-29, 2017
Consulted on the usage and meanings of Masbateno terminologies:
Arthus A. Cantoria, Jr. Teacher-I, Mobo NHS, Grade 10 English Masbate
Province Divison; and for the Bicol Naga/Cam. Sur dialect – Image source: https://www.google.com

Aileen Quinones-Carillo, Teacher 1, Pasacao Municipal HS)

Grade five lang ako noon, inosente pa sa usapang pag-aasawa; gayunman

nabalitaan naming ipinakasal na si Aurea ng magulang niya. Si Aurea ang kaklase
naming mas may edad kesa sa amin.

Magkaibigan kami ni Aurea sa iskwela. Madalas siyang lumiban sa klase dahil

sa may kalayuan ng bahay nila sa bayan. Limang kilometro ang kailangang lakarin
araw-araw para lang makapasok. Pahinto-hinto siya sa pag-aaral kaya’t sa edad na
kinse, kaklase ko pa lang siya sa grade five. Tumutulong kasi siya sa paghahanap-
buhay ng kanyang mga magulang. Naglalako siya ng mga awoy o lamang lupa, mga
gulayin, bag, kamote at mais. Pinapasan niya o kaya naman ay sinusunong ang
malalaking tiklis na punong puno ng paninda. Mamamangha ka kung paano niya
nababalanse ang bigat ng sunong niyang paninda kahit na doble ito sa kanyang
timbang. Mapapaisip ka kung paano niya tinatawid ang malalim na ilog at kung
pano niya nilalakad ang napakalayong daan patungo sa bayan.

Masipag naman siyang mag-aral kahit mahina siya sa klase. Lutang na lutang
ang galing niya sa Home Economics dahil puro praktikal ang pinag-aaralan namin
tulad ng pagtatanim, pagdidilig, pagluluto, pagbuburda at pananahi. Sa mabibigat
na gawain, siya ang palaging inuutusan. Malaki siyang babae, mataba-taba. Bilugan
ang matitigas niyang binti at hita. Hanggang baywang ang kanyang buhok at
matingkad na kape ang kulay ng kanyang balat. Masaya siyang kausap. Bungisngis
at pilya. At wala siyang inilihim sa akin.

Dalawang linggo makalipas ang balitang ipinakasal na siya, biglang nagpakita

sa klase si Aurea. Natuwa ako habang ang aming mga kamag-aral ay walang hinto
ang katatanong tungkol sa kanyang pag-aasawa. Hindi siya sumagot, ngumiti lang
subalit halatang halata ang pagkatulala.

Hinintay ko ang oras ng aming Home Economics. Gaya ng dati, siya ang
inatasang maglinis ng aming silid-aralan habang ang lahat ay naghahawan ng mga
damo sa likod ng silid. Nagprisinta akong tumulong na lamang sa kanya sa paglilinis.
Sunod-sunod ang tanong ko kay Aurea kung totoo ba talagang nag-asawa na siya.

“Kanino? Tagasaan? Anong hitsura?”

“Ay!” Bumilis ang paglalampaso ni Aurea sa sahig na tabl a. Hindi ko siya

tinantanan ng pagtatanong hanggang sa nagkahabulan kami. Nagkanda hubad ang
palda niya sa kahahabol at kahihila ko. Naka-perdible lang ito at sira ang zipper.
Limang malalaking perdible ang nakita kong tabi-tabi sa kanyang palda.

Naupo kami sa sulok ng silid. Nagsimula syang magkuwento nang pabulong

dahil baka may biglang pumasok. Ayaw naman niyang marinig ng iba ang sasabihin
niya sa akin.

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 “Oo, ipinakasal na ako ni Papa. Doon sa dayong mamimili ng kalabaw na taga-
Lucena. Ayoko naman don at matanda na, bukod don ay hindi ko naman siya mahal.
Si Antonio baga ang kasintahan ko mula pa
noong isang taon.”

Si Antonio, anak ng mangingisda sa

kabilang baryo sa tabi ng dagat. Pala-absent
din. Hindi ito pumapasok ngayong taon.
Disisais na siya.

“O, anong nangyari at pumayag kang

magpakasal sa kanya? Hindi ka naman
namin nakitang ikinasal sa simbahan?”
dagdag na tanong ko sa kanya.
Image source: https://www.dreamtime.com

“Paano naman ako makakatanggi kay papa di pinugutan ako non ng ulo. Saka,
ang hayop na lalaking yon, nagregalo ng kalabaw at nagbigay pa ng isanlibo,” ang
pagalit na sagot sa akin ni Aurea.

“Saan kayo ikinasal?” tanong ko ulit.

“Hindi nga kami ikinasal sa simbahan at wala pa ako sa edad. Kasal-kasalan

lang ang nangyari—yong kasal na kapitan o kagawad lang nga barangay ang
nagsasagawa. Yong kasal na may sayawan nang dalawang gabi at pinadadamitan
ng lalaki ang buong pamilya—mula sa ama, ina, mga kapatid pati ang lola. Doon sa
harapan ng bahay namin ginawa ang seremonya at pasinaya.”

Kasal-kasalan ang uso sa mga baryo. Tanyag ito sa mga residenteng Bisaya na
naglilingkod bilang tumatao sa malalaking lupain sa aming isla. Tumatao ang
pamilya ni Aurea. Bisaya ang kanyang mga magulang.

Hindi ko napigilang itanong ang mas gusto kong malaman, “nagtalik na kayo?”

Muli kong nasilayan ang mga pagay na ngipin at ang dimpol ni Aurea. “Hindi
man lamang ako magalaw ng matandang yan dahil kapag tumatabi siya sa akin,
tinutusok ko siya ng malalaking perdible. Maong pati ang isinusuot ko sa gabi.

“Bakit naman?” nagtataka kong tanong.

“Ayoko nga kasi sa kanya! Saka si Antonio ang gusto kong katalik.”

“Nagtalik na kayo ni Antonio?” biglang napataas ang boses ko.

“Psst! Wag ka maingay! Hinaan mo ang boses mo! Oo na!” ang pabulong na
sagot ni Aurea. “Noong hapon na hinatid niya ako pauwi sa amin. Don sa bayabasan.
Si Antonio ang gusto kong mapangasawa.”

“Ay, hala ka! Paano kapag nalaman ng asawang mong nakipagtalik ka na pala
sa iba?” nag-aalala kong sambit.

“Pakialam ko. Mabuti ngang malaman niya para hiwalayan niya ako at kahit
kailan, hindi ko naman siya magugustuhan. Sa amoy pa lang niyang simbaho ng
anghit ng kalabaw, hindi ko ipagpapalit ang amoy ng isdang sinigang na may asim
na kili-kili ni Antonio.”

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 Nagtilian kami at nagtawanan. Nadama kong nasiyahan si Aurea sa pagkatagpo
ng isang kaibigan na maaari niyang pagsabihan ng mga sikreto sa aking pagkatao.

Isang linggo lang pumasok si Aurea mula noong magpakita siya. Nawala na uli
siya sa klase namin. Nabalitaan kong nagtanan siya kasama si Antonio.

Ilang araw lang ulit, nabalitaan ko namang nabawi na si Aurea ng mga

magulang niya. Muli ay inintrega siya sa singkwenta anyos niyang asawa. Subalit
tulad ng isang pusang gala, napakailap at nakalayas muli si Aurea at di malaman
kung saan siya nagpunta. Napagod ang kanyang asawa sa kahihintay kaya’t umuwi
na lamang ito sa Lucena.

Nong maliit pa ako, mula sa aming isla mahigit tatlong oras kang maglalayag
sa dagat bago makarating sa Pasacao na daaan patungo sa siyudad. Bihira ang dayo
sa amin, kaya’t pagbaba pa lang sa pantalan, kilala na agad ng buong bayan.

Pagkatapos ko ng elementarya, sumama ako sa tiyahin ko sa Davao. Doon ako

nag-aral. Pitong taon. Nakalimutan ko na si Aurea.

Disyembre, umuwi ako sa isla. Nasa gilid ng kalsada ang bahay namin. Habang
nakaupo ako sa bangko sa ilalim ng punong kaimito, umagang-umaga, dumaan ang
ama at ina ni Aurea. Kasama ng mga ito ang kapatid niyang dalaga. Nabigla ako.
Malaki na ang ipinagbago nila!

Hindi ko pinalipas ang sandaling hindi ko naitanong kay mama kung ano ang
nangyari kay Aurea. Sabi ni mama, matagal na nawala si Aurea. Bigla itong umuwi
nong isang taon. Asensado na, iba na ang hitsura. Seksi na daw. Kung naglalakad
sa bayan, palaging naka-shorts at naka-sleeveless na fitted blouse. Kumikinang ang
mga suot na alahas. Doble-doble ang singsing sa mga daliri at pati ang paa ay may
kuwintas.

Isang buwan lang daw namalagi si Aurea sa aming isla. Araw-araw pista sa
kanilang bahay at palaging may pakain sa mga tao. Nagpatayo na sila ng
kongkretong bahay. Magagarang damit ang isinusuot ng kanyang pamilya.
Pinakislap ng alahas ang leeg ng kanyang mga kapatid at magulang. Naka-rubber
shoes na sila kapag nagpupunta sa bayan. Naging usap-usapan sila ng buong bayan.

Nag-Japan daw si Aurea, naisip ko ang

bali-balita tungkol sa Yakkuza. Nag-alala
ako para kay Aurea. Subalit tila naman wala
siyang problema. Bukod dito, napakarami
nilang pera. Sigurado namang maganda ang
kanyang kalagayan.

Linggo, maaga pa nagmamadali na ang

Image source: https://www.fotosearch.com
lahat ng mga mamamayan galing sa bukid
at mga katabing barangay upang maabutan
ang alas siyeteng misa sa bayan. Alas sais
ko pa naririnig ang malagong na tunog ng
kampana. Nakadungaw sa bintana si
mama. Nagkakape ako sa lamesa
samantalang nasa bakuran si papa at
inaasikaso ang kanyang mga sasabunging
tandang. Tinawag ako ni mama.

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 “Uy dali, halika! Tingnan mo kung sino itong dadaan sa tapat ng bahay natin!”
sabay turo sa dumaraang babae. Dumungaw sa bintana si mama. Dumungaw rin
ako.

“Nana Vacion, Tata Badong, makikiraan po!” ang malakas na bati ng babaeng
nakasuot ng masikip na pantalong kumikislap sa pagkaitim. Bulaw-pula ang
madulas at unat niyang buhok na abot baywang na nakalugay. Sinag at manipis na
sleeveless na pula. Nasasalo ng itim na lace na bra and siksikan at bilogan niyang
dibdib. Mapusyaw na kape and kulay ng balat. Payat. Kulay rosas ang pisngi.
Mapulang tulad ng hinog na makopa ang kanyang mga labi. Nakaguhit ng itim na
lapis ang kanyang kilay. Kulot ang mahahabang pilik. Naka-boots na may takong na
may burdang bulaklak. Kulay kape-gatas ang shoulder bag na balat na nasa
kalakihan, puwede nang maisilid ang kaldero, kawali, plato, martilyo at anupaman.

Tinitigan ko siya. Hindi ko kilala. Sino kaya ang dayong ito sa aming baryo?

“Aaaaay! Hoy bruha, kumusta ka! Ako ito, ang kaibigan mong maganda! Si
Aurea!” ang tili ng babae sa kalsada.

Nagulat ako.
“Aurea? Ikaw nga ba yan?” ang una kong nasabi sa kanya.

Nagkumustahan kami. Maraming kapilyahan. Maraming harutan. Tilian.

Napakaraming kuwento.

Ang mga kuwento mula

noong bata pa kami. Ang dalawang
linggong love affair nila ni Antonio.
Ang paggahasa sa kanya ng asawa
niya bago sila nagtanan ni
Antonio. Ang gabi-gabing
pananakit sa kanya ng asawa at
pagpipilit nitong makatalik siya.
Ang panggagahasa sa kanya ng
dalawang anak na binata ng mga
amo niya. Ang pagtira niya sa
kalsada at pagtulog sa bangketa.
Ang pag-apply niyang cultural
dancer sa Japan. Ang pagbebenta
niya ng aliw sa mga lalaking
naghahanap nito gabi—gabi Image source: https://www.google.com/
mabayaran lamang ang gastos
niya sa pagpunta sa Japan.

Nagtataka ako dahil nakangiti siya habang nagkukuwento sa akin. Tila ba

walang sakit sa kanyang dibdib. Dinadaan niya lang lahat sa pagbibiro. Pakunwari
lamang ba ang kanyang mga halakhak tulad ng kanyang mukhang nababalot ng
make-up? O baka bato na siya, manhid na ang kanyang dibdib at walang pakialam
sa nararamdaman tulad ng pagbalewala niya sa mga taong tila hinuhubaran siya sa
paninilip sa kanyang malaswang pagtitig sa kanyang nakabuyangyang na dibdib?
Binigyan niya ako ng imported na pulang wallet at limang daang yen. Paakyatan ko
raw. Binibiyan pa niya ako ng lipstick at pabango. Hindi ko kinuha dahil hindi ko
naman magagamit. Kinurot niya ako sa puwet nang magpaalam siyang magsisimba
bago tumakbong palayo sabay halakhak. Siya nga si Aurea! Ang kaharot-harotan

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ko. Tumatalbog ang balakang habang naglalakad papunta sa bayan. Umaalingasaw
sa hangin ang matapang na amoy ng kanyang pabango. Pumapaimbulog ang taghoy
ng mga kalalakihan sa kanyang dinaadaanan. Natanaw ko rin si papa, ngingisi-ngisi
habang nakatanaw sa papalayong si Aurea, hinihimas ang kanyang tandang.
Nakasimangot si mama na tila hahampasin si papa. Walang babae sa aming isla
aking paningin subalit ang may itsurang katulad ng kay Aurea.

Nawala na siya sa naririnig ko pa ang tinis at diin ng kanyang boses. Gumapang

ang hapdi ng kanyang kurot sa aking puso.

“Oo, malaki ang kita ko sa Japan dahil ibinubuhos ko ang lahat ng galing ko
sa pagsayaw sa entablado at sa kama!”

“Mikaela ang pangalan ko sa San Jose. Hindi ko ginamit ang tunay kong
pangalan dahil wala naman akong Birth Certificate. Puro peke ang papeles ko. Gawa
sa Recto.”

“Pero wala naman akong naiipon dahil napakagastos ng pamilya ko. Hiringi
nang hiringi. (PASARING SABI NI AUREA) Hindi nila alam, laspag na ang buray ko!”

“Oo, may humahawak sa amin, halos lahat kami nagtatrabaho sa mga club.
Hindi na ako natatakot, sanay na sa bugbog ang katawan ko.”

“Gusto ko naman sanang magka-asawa ng maayos. Pero gusto ko, matandang

Hapon na may pera. Ayoko nang maghirap.”

Ilang gabi akong hindi makatulog. Ano kaya ang maari kong gawin para matigil
ang pambababoy kay Aurea? Hiniling kong magkita kami at magkausap ulit. Kaya
lang, malayo ang baryo nila. Tag-ulan. Madamo, mabato at maputik ang daan.
Hinintay ko siyang magpabayan ulit. Matindi ang paghahangad ko. Nagkasaliwaan
kami. Hindi ko na siya nakausap.

Ibinigay sa akin ni mama ang hinabilin niyang maikling sulat para sa akin.

Marina dir,

Aalis na ako at said na ang pera ko.

Baka pati pamasahe ko manakaw pa sa
pitaka ko ng lasinggero kong kapatid. Bahala
ka na sa pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon.
Meri Krismas, hapi new yir!
See you next time. Muah!

Aurea.

Ipinagsindi ko ng kandila si Aurea sa

Image source: https://www.google.com/
aming lumang simbahan. Hiniling kong
bantayan at gabayan siya ng Diyos. Mahapdi
na ang tuhod ko nang matapos akong
magdasal. Naupos na ang kandila nang idilat
ko ang aking mga mata.

Apat na taon ang lumipas, nagtuturo na ako sa siyudad. Bihira akong makauwi
pa rin sa akin ang balita nang magkuwento sa akin si mama—ilang buwan na raw

12
na hindi nagpapadala ng ayuda si Aurea sa pamilya niya. Hindi rin makasulat ang
pamilya dahil hindi naman sila marunong magsulat. Walang nakatapos man lang sa
elementarya. Isa pa, walang ibinigay na address si Aurea bago ito umalis. Ang iniwan
namang numero ay wala na rin.

Sa bali-balita sa telepono, anim na buwan ang makalipas, limang cultural

dancers sa Japan ang nakuhang patay. Puno ng paso at pasa ang katawan. Hindi
makilala ang itsura. Walang kapamilyang kumukuha sa kanila. Naisip ko, hindi ko
lang sinabi kay mama, si Aurea—baka isa sa kanila ang kaibigan kong si Aurea.

###

Thank you for putting in your effort to finish reading the selection. I hope you
enjoyed the beautiful friendship of Marina and Aurea which started in school at their
teenage. Now let us work together in understanding the selection. You may ask help
from your siblings, parents or housemates in answering the questions. Write them
in your notebook

Activity 1: How Much Did You Understand?

On the background information:

1. What can you say about the author and her background? How does it
relate to what she has written?
2. What is the relevance of the account of the place where the story was set? If
you are a native from this place, how would you feel about Redburn’s
impression of the place as injected in her literary piece?
3. What was the central theme of the selection? Was it successfully elaborated
in the narrative?

Comprehending the Text:

1. The story is told from the first person point of view by Aurea’s
friend, her classmate in Grade 5:
a) How old was Aurea when she and the narrator were in Grade 5?
b) Describe the physical characteristics and personality of Aurea as
described by the narrator.
c) What does the narrator’s description and story of Aurea reveal
about the narrator?
2. What were the trials that Aurea went through when she was an elementary
pupil, when she married, when she went to Manila, and when she went to
Japan?
3. Comment on her family’s treatment of Aurea, from the time she was married
until she went abroad.
a) Is this typical of the families of OFWs or families who send their children
elsewhere for work?
b) Is RA 9262 relevant for Aurea, especially when she was 15 years old?
4. What do you think happened to Aurea at the end of the story? Explain.

Modified Guide Quesions from: Paz V. Santos and Marifa Borja Prado. (2016) LIPWAS: 21st Century Literature.
Ateneo de Naga University Press. pp. 33-34

13
 Activity 2. Let’s Talk about It!
Symbolism is a literary device used to enhance a piece of work by
making symbos stand for authentic ideas that the author is trying to
convey. We see a number of symbols in Aurea and we will talk about them. Please
tell what each of them stand for:

1. Tadik (safety pins-perdible)

2. The use of number 5 (singko in Bicol) has been repeated in the selection.
Do you think it was done on purpose? Explain your answer.
3. Choose other image/s from the story which you think could be a symbol
and explain what it represents.

Characterization is a literary element in which the writer introduces the

characters explicitly – by giving the actual characteristics or traits in words, or
implicitly – showing the traits of a character thru his or other characters’ dialogue,
actions, or situations in the narrative.

The Men in Aurea’s Life: Describe the following male characters from the
story.
1. Aurea’s father
2. Antonio
3. Aurea’s husband
4. Aurea’s employers in Manila
5. Aurea’s brother
6. Japanese men

Discuss briefly what these men have in common.

If you are to draw a line to be labelled as abusive, whose name would you
write as least abusive? Most abusive?

Least Abusive

Most Abusive

Is there any character who can serve as a positive male role model in the story?
Explain.

Modified Worksheets 3 and 4 from: Paz V. Santos and Marifa Borja Prado. (2016) LIPWAS:
21st Century Literature. Ateneo de Naga University Press. pp. 42-44

It is very important that when we read, we are able to get the message being
sent by the author so we can apply it in our own context. Let us see how the selection
Aurea can be helpful to us as well as the people around us.

Activity 3. Getting the Message Across

The selection imparts to us a lesson about OFWs, some ugly
situations that many of us do not pay attention to. Let us take a
closer look at this problem by answering the given questions. You
may discuss your answers with your parents or elder siblings, and incorporate the
ideas they impart to the answers that you will write in your notebook.

14
 1. What does the story say about women in patriarchal society?
2. What other sad endings of OFWs do you know about?
3. Are there also happy endings for OFWs?
4. What specific measures can the government take to help OFWs?

Modified Reflection from: Paz V. Santos and Marifa Borja Prado. (2016) LIPWAS:
21st Century Literature. Ateneo de Naga University Press. pp. 44

VI. Practice Tasks

Marissa Reorizo-Redburn’s Aurea talks about the plight of overseas Filipino
workers who dubbed as the living heroes of our time. Let us have more exercises
in order to deepen our understanding of this issue.

Practice Task #1 Will You Decide!

Copy the PMI-D (Plus, Minus, Interesting - Decision) chart in your notebook.
Use it to help Marina decide whether or not she would do something to find her
friend, Aurea. List down all P’s (plus or positive), the M’s (minus or negative) and the
I’s (interesting) points of pursuing an OPLAN: Finding Aurea. Finally, write your
decision below.

P-M-I-D Chart
Plus Minus Interesting

Decision:

Modified form of the PMI chart presented in the Regional Education Training Program (RETP) Batch 3 at RELC Rawis,
Legazpi City on April 16-May 5, 2001

You will get a point for each valid entry in each columns (at a maximum of 5
per column) and 3-5 points for the sound decision that you will arrive at. Good Luck!

Practice Task #2 Express yourself

Recall a friend, classmate or neighbor whose parents or family members work

as an OFW and do the following:
1. Talk with him/her about the issues and challenges faced by OFWs and
their families.

15
 2. List down the issues and actions that they take to overcome the
challenges.
3. Write a letter to the editor of a local magazine to call attention to Aurea’s
plight as well as that of other Filipino migrant workers. Your letter should
be written in a short sized bond paper.
4. It should be submitted, either virtually or in hard copy.

Have fun writing!

Here is how your letter to the editor will be rated:

Equi Y
Indicator valent our
points score
Content (meaningful, contains enough information 10
about issues and challenges facec gy OFWs and their
families)
Form (Complete and neatly written letter with all its 10
parts)
Collaboration (collaboration with friends and family 5
is evidenced by the details of the letter)
TOTAL 25

Practice Task #3: Seek in order to Find…

1. Do what you can to find a writer in your locality and
ask for what he/she has written which could have
been published, completed but not published or just
started.
2. Prepare a set of questions that you will use in an
interview that you can do either face-to-face (if it is
feasible) or virtually.
3. Your set of questions should revolve around the following:
a. Background information – the author and its setting
b. A short summary of the text or article
c. The literary devices used
d. Its central idea

Rubrics: Here is how your collection will be rated.

Content Your score

The set of questions seeks background information, short summary of the
article, literary devices used and central idea (10)
At least one of the supposed content of the set of questions is missing (5)
Structure
The set of questions was written using the prescribed structure (5)
There were some missing elements in the set of questions (3)
Total (15 points)

Submit your set of questions in hard copy or virtually.

16
 VII. Post Test
Read each item very carefully, then choose the best answer from the given
options. Write your answer in your notebook.

1. The literary narrative Aurea is classified as ____ because although it tackles

ideas existing in the real-life situation, its characters along with other
narrative elements are merely created by the writer from her imagination.
A. Fiction B. Non-Fiction C. Theatrical D. Serialized

Marina dir,
Aalis na ako at said na ang pera ko.
Baka pati pamasahe ko manakaw pa sa pitaka ko ng lasinggero kong
kapatid. Bahala ka na sa pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon.
Meri Krismas, hapi new yir!
See you next time. Muah!
Aurea

2. In the box is a short note written by Aurea for her friend, Marina. This tells
us that___.
A. Aurea does not care about Marina.
B. Aurea considers Marina as a friend.
C. Aurea and Marina don’t have any connection.
D. Marina hates Aurea that much.

3. Which phrase from the letter is an example of explicit characterization?

A. Aalis na ako. C. Lasinggero kong kapatid
B. Bahala ka na sa Bagong Taon D. Meri Krismas, happy new yir!

Nagtataka ako dahil nakangiti siya habang nagkukuwento sa akin. Tila ba walang
sakit sa kanyang dibdib. Dinadaan niya lang lahat sa pagbibiro. Pakunwari lamang
ba ang kanyang mga halakhak tulad ng kanyang mukhang nababalot ng make-up?
4. Based on these lines, we can see that Marina thinks that Aurea is__.
A. extremely beautiful C. happy about her decision.
B. generous to her family and friends D. trapped by the situation
5. Whose character was implicitly revealed by these lines?
A. Antonio’s C. Marina’s
B. Aurea’s D. her parents’

Ipinagsindi ko ng kandila si Aurea sa aming malaking simbahan. Hiniling

kong bantayan at gabayan siya ng Diyos.
6. What object was used as a symbol in the line above?
A. ipinagsindi B. kandila C. malaki D. simbahan

“Paano naman ako makakatanggi kay papa di pinugutan ako non ng ulo.
Saka, ang hayop na lalaking yon, nagregalo ng kalabaw at nagbigay pa ng isanlibo,”
ang pagalit na sagot sa akin ni Aurea
7. The lines in the box enumerate reasons why ____?
A. Aurea is always absent C. Aurea was married
B. Antonio was absent D. Marina was absent

17
 8. It can be inferred from her words that Aurea__ the wedding.
A. agreed to B. consented C. dislike D. fantasized

Ang dalawang linggong love affair nila ni Antonio. Ang paggahasa sa kanya
ng asawa niya bago sila nagtanan ni Antonio. Ang gabi-gabing pananakit sa kanya
ng asawa at pagpipilit nitong makatalik siya. Ang panggagahasa sa kanya ng
dalawang anak na binata ng mga amo niya. Ang pagtira niya sa kalsada at pagtulog
sa bangketa. Ang pag-apply niyang cultural dancer sa Japan. Ang pagbebenta niya
ng aliw sa mga lalaking naghahanap nito gabi—gabi mabayaran lamang ang gastos
niya sa pagpunta sa Japan.
9. The paragraph is an exemplification of which narrative element?
A. Characters B. Plot C. Setting D. Theme

10. From the paragraph, we can infer that Aurea was ___?
A. a victim of abuse C. contented with what happened to her
B. a happy young girl D. loved by her father and brothers

Congratulations! You are nearly done with your tasks for the second module. Just
complete this last activity and you may now move to the next module. Good luck!

VIII. Assignment/
Additional Activities
On Your Own!
In this activity, you have two options to choose from, either you would:
1. Search for another Bicolano author who have contributed to the richness
of Philippine literature; or
2. Read about Ricky Lee, a multi-awarded a fictionist, journalist and
playwright whom Wikipedia described as a native of Daet, Camarines Norte.
Read from print or digitally-published articles about your chosen author. Write
an essay that will showcase his/her valuable contributions to the Philippine
Literature. If you have the means, make short documentary on the life and works of
your chosen author. Seek the help of your family and friends. Happy working!

Rubrics: Here is how your output will be rated:

Content (20 points) O (20) VS (15) S (10) P (5)
You were able to give an informative account of the life
and works of your chosen author.
Language and Form (15 points) 15 12 9 6
You were able to write your literary account using
appropriate language and form (either print or digital form)
Creativity and Resourcefulness (15 points) 15 12 9 6
You were able to use creativity and resourcefulness in
making the desired output
Total
Legend: O-Outstanding; VS-Very Satisfactory; S-Satisfactory; P-Poor

18
 IX. Answer Key
Pre Test - 1. A 2. D 3. A 4. C 5. C

Bikol word Filipino English

duma awoy, halamang ugat root crops

binabalagwit pinapasan carried by the shoulder
bagako tiklis basket
kasal-kasugot kasal-kasalan mock wedding
niririrong ikinakaila denying
naghihilamon naghahawan weeding
surugpungan tagpuan meeting place
lalaw layas/sampid flighty
ulyas ilap/mailap slippery
natigalpo natulala shocked
Haka maluwag loose
sinurûsû siniksik propped up
balud baluktot wavy
balawon tandang rooster
kuragit sigaw shrilled

Activity 1:

Background information:
1. The richness of her experiences and the depth of her awarewness of the things
around her became the meaty source of her literary work.
2. The setting became interesting and artistically realistic as it is inspired by the
real place where the writer was born and was raised.
3. The central idea/s were poverty, OFW crisis/plight and abuse on women.

Comprehending the Text

1. a. Aurea was 15 while Antonio was 16. (Kinse anyos si Aurea; disisais na si
Antionio)
b. a big woman, and on the plump side. Her thighs and upper arms were
rounded and muscular. Her curly hair fell to her waist, her skin was the
color of brewed coffee (Malaking babae, mataba-taba, bilugan at matitigas
ang binti at hita, hanggang baywang ang buhok, matingkad ang kulay
kapeng balat)

2. Her house was quite far from town; she had to walk five kilometers everyday
to get to school; she had to help her parents earn a living; weded to an old
peddler; sexually and physically abused by her husband; raped by the two
sons of her employer; slept in the streets; worked as prostitute in Japah;
sexually abused by men.

19
 (Malayo ang bahay sa paaralan; kailangang tumulong sa magulang sa
paghahanapbuhay; ipinakasal sa matanda kapalit ng kalabaw, isang libo,
at kasal-kasalan; binubugbog at pinipilit makipagtalik ng asawa; ginahasa
ng 2 binatang anak ng amo sa Maynila; natulog sa kalsada; nagbenta ng
aliw sa Japan; naabuso ng mga kalalakihan)
3. a.
a. She was treated as the family’s treasure and source of livelihood – she
became the reason for the changes in their lives but they did not show
any concern for her.
b. It was very relevant because she was still a child when she was forced by
her parents to marry the old man. RA9262 is all about Anti-Violence
against Women and their Children (VAWC). It could have been her
protection from abuse.
4. The details in the story gave a hint that Aurea was one of the victims of
Yakuza who were burned and unrecognizable.
(Other answers may be accepted based on reasoning and evidences from the
selection)

Activity 2:
Symbolism
1. Tadik/Perdible/ Safety Pin
- stand for Aurea’s safety and protection as it was used to keep her skirt intact;
at night, she used it to protect herself from the sexually maniac old man
2. 5 (Singko)
- Used 7x in the story to represent Aurea’s life events and miseries/ such as:
her age (kinse anyos); their grade level (Grade 5); the distance of her home
from school (5 kilometro), number of safety pins in her skirt (5 tadik/perdible),
the age of her husband (50 anyos), her gift to Marina (500 yen), and the
number of cultural dancers who were sent home burned and unrecognizable
(5 cultural dancers)
3. Pula (red) wallet – stands for goodluck as she told Marina to use it for
paakyatan meaning it should multiply
4. Kandila (candle) – symbolized faith, Marina was asking God to protect her
friend from all forms of danger
5. Simbahan (Church) – stands for the people of the barrio’s faith in the
Almighty and they connect to him through a visit every Sunday morning.
6. Lipstick and perfume – Marina refused to receive it because she is simple
and she does not need it, on the other hand, Aurea needs it so much to
cover up for her insecurities brought about by her misfortunes
7. Note (Maikling Sulat) – a symbol of Marina and Aurea’s connection
Characterization
1. Aurea’s father – authoritarian, he decides for the family
2. Antonio – young as Aurea
3. Aurea’s husband – an opportunistic, lustful old man
4. Aurea’s employers – mean and inconsiderate
5. Aurea’s brother - irresponsible
6. Japanese men – worldly and seeks pleasure
 All these men see Aurea as valueless and merely a sex object.
 In descending order: her father, brother, husband, employers son, Japanese men.
This is according to the length of time they abused Aurea.
 No one among the characters can serve as a positive male role model in the story.
Not even Marina’s father.

20
Activity 3:
Getting the Message Across
1. In a patriarchal society, men donot treat women as an equal and they are
treated as sex objects
2. Some are hung in other countries; forced to beg; deported; work as TNT; get
sick and are tortured by their employers (other answers may be accepted)
3. Yes. Some OFWs get wealthy, able to pay for quality education for their
children, provide them comfortable abode, healthy living and luxuries
4. The government should strengthen relations with governments of the
countries where OFWs work so they can be given protection.

For the remaining tasks/ activities, outputs will be rated using the rubrics.

Practice Tasks:
1. Will You Decide. Completing the PMI-D table
2. Express Yourself. Writing a Letter to the Editor
3. Search in Order to Find. Making a set of questions

Post Test
1. B 6. B
2. B 7. C
3. C 8. C
4. D 9. B
5. B/C 10. A

IX. Assignment/ Additional Activities

On Your Own! An Essay on the life and works of a Bicolano writer or Ricky
Lee, a multi-awarded a fictionist, journalist and playwright whom Wikipedia
described as a native of Daet, Camarines Norte.

References:

Santos, Paz V. and Prado, Marifa Borja. (2016) LIPWAS: 21st Century Literature.
Ateneo de Naga University Press. pp. 31-46

Baronda, Andrew (2016) 21st Century Literature from the Philipppines and from the
World. JFS Publishing Services. pp. 3-11

Christine F. Godinez-Ortega (n.d.) The Literary Forms in Philippine Literature,

NCCA.Gov Retrieved from https://ncca.gov.ph/

Glencoe/McGrawHill. (2002) Literary Terms Handbook. Literature, The Reader’s

Choice. Course 5. The McGrawHill Companies, Inc.US

Photographs and cliparts were retrieved from http://www.googleimages.com

Appendix A:

A U R E A
Marissa Reorizo– Redburn, Bicol

21
 Grade five ako kaidto, inosente pa ako kun ano an araguman. Nabaretaan mi,
ipnaaagom na kan magurang niya si Aurea. An sobra sa edad kong kaklaseng si
Aurea.

Kaamiga ko si Aurea sa eskwelahan. Para absent siya ta harayuon an harong

ninda sa banwa. Limang kilometro an kaipuhan niyang lakawon arualdaw nganing
maabot niya an eskuwelahan. Pa puro-pundo siya magklase kaya ngani kinse anyos
na, grade five pa lang siya. Katabang kaya siya sa paghanap-buhay kan saiyang mga
magurang. Naglalako siya nin mga duma, mga gulayon, bag, kamote asin mais.
Binabalagwit niya o kaya sinusu’nong an dakulaon na bagako’ na pano’ nin paninda.
Mangangalas ka kun pa’no niya nababalansi an gabat kan su’nong na paninda na
duwang doble kan gabat kan timbang niya. Mapapaisip ka kun pa’no pa niya
nalalakaw na tanos an bitis an rayo’ kan dalan pasiring sa banwa.

Maigot man siyang mag-adal dawa maluya sa klase. Lutaw an tibay niya sa
Home Economics ta puro praktikal an samong inaadalan siring sa pagtanom,
paglinig, pagluto, pagburda, pagtahi. Sa magagabat na trabaho, siya an pirming
nasusugo. Dakula siyang babayi. Mataba-taba. Birilog na matatagas an takyag asin
hita. Abot habayan an kutong na buhok asin madiklom na kape an kublit.
Makunsuwelo siyang kaulay. Bungisngis asin pilya. Dai siyang naiirirong sako.

Duwang semaa makalihis an baretang ipnaaagom na siya, nagbutwa siya sa

klase. Naogma ako. Nagharapot an samong mga kaklase manungod sa saiyang pag-
agom. Pinasipara lang niya. Mata’bang an ngirit. Risadong nangangalumata siya.
Tuninong siya.

Hinalat ko an oras kan samong Home Economics. Siring sa dati, siya an

pinagtukahan na maglinig sa kuwarto mantang naghihilamon an gabos sa garden
sa likod kan klasrum. Nagpresentar akong magtabang sa paglinig. Daing pundo an
hapot ko ki Aurea kun totoo man nanggad na nagpaagom na siya.

“Siisay? Tagasain? Anong hitsura?”

Ay! Kuminaskas an paglampaso ni Aurea sa salog na table. Dai ko siya

pigpunduhan sagkod sa maghapagan kami. Nagkahurubaan siyang palda sa
kabubutong ko. Nakatadik sana kaya su palda niya ta raot an siper. Limang
darakulkang tadik an nahiling kong surugpungan sa saiyang palda.

Nagtukaw kami sa sulok kan kuwarto. Nagpuon siyang mag istorya alagad
hinghing an boses ta baka may biglang maglaog. Habo niyang madangog kan iba an
sasabihon niya sa sako.

“iyo. Ipnaagom na ako ni papay. Duman sa hayop na dayong parabakal nin

karabaw na taga Lucena. Habo ko duman ta gurang na saka bako ko man itong
ilusyon. Si Antonio baga an kailusyon ko puon pa kan sarong taon.”

Si Antonio. Aki kan parasira sa balyong baryo sa gilid kan dagat. Para absent
man. Ngonyan na taon dai nag-eskuwela. Disisais naman siya.

“O, napa’no ta nagtugot kang magpaagom? Dai mi man baga ika nahiling na
ikinasal sa simbahan ta?” an dugang kong hapot sa iya.

“Pa’no man ako makakadai ka papay di ginaruti ako kaidto. Saka an hayop na
lalaki nagregalong karabaw saka nagtaong sanribo sainda.” An anggot na tono ni

22
Aurea.

“Sain baga kamo ikinasal?” an liwat kong hapot.

“Ta dai man ako ikinasal sa simbahan. Dai pa daa ako sa edad. Kasal-kasugot
lang kami. Ito bagag kapitan o kagawad lang kan barangay an makasal. Itong
duwang banging may pabayli saka papabaduan kan lalaki an bilog na pamilya. Puon
sa ama, na, tugang sagkod sa lola. Duman lang ngani sa natad mi ginibo an
seremonyas saka punsiyahan..”

Kasal-kasugot an uso sa mga baryo. Orog na sa sirkulo kan mga bisayang dayo
na mga tumatawo kan may darakulang daga sa samuyang isla. Tumatawo an
pamilya na Aurea. Bisaya an saiyang mga magurang.

Asin an mas muya kong ihapoy, “Nagdurog na kamo?”

Nahiling ko man giraray an paratay na ngipon asin biloy ni Aurea. “Dai pa

lamang nakakadurog sako si gurang ta pag nataid sako pigtutusok ko kan
darakulaon na tadik. Saka nagsusulot akong piot na maong pag banggi.”

“Tano man?” an ngalas kong hapot.

“Ta hab ko saiya! Saka si Antonio an muya kong kadurog.”

“Nagdurog na kamo ni Antonio?” bilglang luminangkaw an boses ko.

“Pssst! Lintian na boses mo! Iyo na!” an ipit na simbag ni Aurea. “Kaidtong
hapon na hinatod niya ako papule samo. Duman sa baywasan. Si Antonio lang ang
muya kong maagom.”

“Ay, hala ka! Pa’no kun maaraman kan agom mo na nakidurog ka na sa iba?”,
an hadit kong sambit.

“Labot ko. Maray nganing suwayan niya ako ta dawa nuarin dai ko siya
mamomotan. Sa parong niya pa lang na garo anghit kan karabaw, dai ko iriribay an
parong sirang sinabawan na pinirisan lemnositong kili-kili ni Antonio.”

Nagkuragritan kami sa kangingirit. Nakakua siyang taguan kan saiyang

sekreto sa pagkatawo ko.

Sarong semana lang nag eskuwela si Aurea puon kan pagbutwa niya. Nara na
liwat siya sa klase mi. nabaretaaan ko, nagdulag siya kaibahan si Antonio.

Pirang aldaw lang nabaretaan ko liwat nabawi na si Aurea kan saiyang mga
magurang. Liwat inintriga siya sa singkwenta anyos niyang agom. Alagad garo lalaw
na ikos, abang ulyas ni Aurea. Naglayas liwat siya. Dai maaram kun nagsain.
Napagal na si agmo niyang maghanap asin maghalat. Nagpuli naman sa Lucena.

Sa samuyang isla kan ako sadit pa, lampas tulong oras na malayag sa dagat
bago makaabot sa pampang kan Pasacao na dalan pasiring sa siyudad. Bihira an
mga dayo samuya. Gabos na dayo, paghawas pa lang sa pantalan, bisado na kan
banwaan.

Pagka gradwar ko sa elementarya, nag-iba ako sa sakuyang tiyaon sa Davao.

Duman ako nag-eskuwela. Pitong taon. Nalingawan ko na si Aurea.

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 Disyembre, nagpuli ako sa isla. Nasa gilid kan tinampo an samuyang harong.
Mantang nagtutukaw-tukaw ako sa bangko sa puon kan kaimito, amay na aga,
uminagi an ama asin ina ni Aurea. Kaibahan an saiyang tugang na daraga. Natigalpo
ako. Dakulaon na pagbabago an nahiling ko sa inda.

Dai nagsulnop an saldang na dai ko naihapot ki mama kun ano an nangyari ki

Aurea. Sabi ni mama, haloy na nawara si Aurea. Bigla na lang daang puminuli kan
sarong taon. Asensado na. Iba na an itsura. Seksihon na daa. Kun maglakaw-lakaw
daa sa banwa pirming naka shorts saka haka an daing manggas na blusa.
Nagkikilyab an mga sulot na alahas. Durable an singsing sa muro. Pati an bitis, mi
kulintas.

Sarong bulan daang nagpirmi si Aurea sa samong isla. Urualdaw pista sa

saindang harong ta sigi niyang pakakan kan mga tawo. Nagpatugdok konkretong
harong. Binaduan tultol an saiyang pamilya. Pinakilyab kan alaha an liog kan
saiyang mga tugang asin magurang. Naka rubber shoes na sinda pag napabanwa.
Nagin urulay-ulay sinda kan bilog na banwaan. Nag Japan daa si Aurea naisip ko
an mga burubareta manungod sa Yakuza. Nahadit ako para ki AUrea. Alagad garo
dai man problema ta mala nganing kadakol na siyang kuwarta. Siguro man nanggad
maray man an kamugtakan niya.

Domingo, amay pa sabot na an mga tawong hali sa uma asin pagtaraid na baryo
pasiring sa banwa ngarig maabutan an alsas siyeteng misa. Alas sais ko pa nadangog
an malagong na repeke kan antigong kampana. Nakadungaw sa bintana si mama.
Nagkakape aako sa lamesa mantang naglalawig sa natad kan saiyang mga
pambulang na manok s papa. Inapod ako ni mama.

“Uy dali, madya! Hilinga kun sisay an maagi sa tungod ta!”. Sabay tukdo sa
naghahadang-hadang na babayi. Nagdungaw sa bintana si mama. Nagkakape ako
sa lamesa mantang naglalawig sa natad kan saiyang mga pambulang na manok si
papa. Inapod ako ni mama.

“Uy dali, madya! Hilinga kun sisay an maagi sa tungod ta!” Sabay tukdo sa
naghahadang-hadang na babayi. Nagdungaw man ako sa bintana.

“Nana Vacion, Tata Badong, makiagi po!” an makusog na tino kan babaying
nakapiot na pantalon na nagkikilyab an pagka-itom. Bulaw-pula an mahalnas na
unag na abot habayan na nakalugay na buhok. Silag na haka asin manipis na daing
manggas na blusang pula. Sapû kan silag na itom na lace na bra an siurûso na bilog
na daghan. Mapûsaw na kape an kublit. Maniwang. Kolor rosas an pisngi. Garo
hinog na tambis an ngabil. Gurit na itom na lapis an kiray. Balud an haralabang
pirok. Naka boots na may taking na may burdang burak. Kolor kape-gatas an
shoulder bag na balat na sa kadakulaan garao makakalaog na an kaldero, kawali,
plato, martilyo o ano pa man.

Tinuruhukan ko siya. Dai ko bisto. Siisay an dayuhan na ini sa samuyang

baryo??

“Aaaay! Marina! Hoy bruha, kumusta ka! Ako ini, an magayong mong amiga! Si
Aurea!” an kuragit kan babayi sa gilid kan tinampo.

Natigalpo ako.

“Aurea? Ika na baya yan?” an enot kong nasambit sa iya.

24
 Nagkumustahan kami. Kadakol na kapilyahan. Kadakol na kurudutan.
Kuragritan. Kadakol na istorya.

An mga istorya kan aki pa kami. An duwang semana nindang love affair ni
Antonio. An pag lupig saiya kan gurang niyang agom bago sinda duminulag ni
Antonio. An burubangging kulog hawak na inagihan niya sa agom sa pagpirit
saiyang makidurog. An pagdulag niya asin pag-iba sa paradarang katabang sa
Manila. An pag molestiya sa iya kan duwang solterong aki kan saiyang amo. An pag-
istar sa dalan asin pagturog sa bangketa. An pag aplay niyang cultural dancer sa
Japan. An pag alok nin kaogmahan sa mga lalaking naglalayaw kun banggi
matustusan lang an gastos sa saiyang pag Japan.

Nangalas ako na nakangirit siyang nag-iistorya sako. Garo baga daing lanit sa
daghan. Inagi-agi lang sa pasuba-suba. Maskara baya an saiyang harakhatak siring
kan saiyang lalawgon na patos nin make-up? O baka gapo na siya na daing pakilabot
sa pagmate kan daghan siring kan pagpasipara niya sa mga tawong nagbuburarat
sa silag niyang utong?

Tinawan niya ako nin imported na pulang pitaka saka kinyentos yen.
Pasakatan ko daa. Tinatawan pa ngani niya akong lipstick saka pahamot. Dai ko
na kinua ta dai ko man magagamit. Kinudot niya ako sa lubot kan magpaaram siya
na masimba bago duminulang parayo sabay harakhatak. Siya man giraray si Aurea
na kahuruhamlagan ko. Naglalabyog an piad mantang naglalakaw paduman sa
sentro kan banwa. Nagwawarak sa duros an maisog na hamot kan si iyang olor.
Nagraralayog an taghoy kan lalaking inaagihan niya. Napasipyatan ko man si papa
na nagngingirit-ngirit nakatânaw sa parayong si Aurea, hinahapiyap an sa iyang
balawon. Nakamurusarot si mama na duda ko garo lalapadon si papa. Daing
babaying kabaing kan itsura ni Aurea sa samuyang isla.

Nawara na siya sa sakuyang mata alagad nadadangog ko pa an kalwag asin

duon kan saiyang boses. Nagkamang an lanit kan saiyang kudot sa sakuyang
daghan.

“ Iyo, dakula an raket ko sa Japan ta intiro kong binubûbû an gabos kong urag
sa pagkabayle sa stage asin katre!”

“Mikaela an pangaran ko sa San Jose. Dai ko ginamit an tunay kong pangaran

ta dai man ngani talaga akong birt setipikit. Puro peke an papeles ko . Gibo sa Recto.”

“Pero mayo man akong naiipon ta magastuson an pamilya ko. Haragad sanang
haragad. Dai ninda aram, lapâ na an buray ko!”

“Iyo, may nagkakapot samo, haros gabos kami na nagtatrabaho sa mga club.
Alagad dai naman akong takot, puspus na an ngirhat sa hawak ko”.

“Gusto ko man siyempreng maka-agom nin tultol. Pero gusto ko gurang na

Hapon na may datung. Habo ko nang magtios.”

Pirang bangging naribaraw an sakuyang pagturog. Ano daw an magigibo ko

ngarig mapundo an pagpatimsang ni Aurea? Minawot kong mahiling asin
makaisturyahan siya liwat. Alagad harayo an saindang baryo. Tag-uran. Maduot,
magapo asin malaboy an dalan. Binantayan ko siyang magpabanwa liwat. Maulyas
an pagmawot ko. Nagkasabudan kami. Dai ko na siya nakaulay.

25
 Itinao na lang sako ni mama an ipinakiwalat niyang halipot na surat para sako.

Marina dir,
Malayas na ako ta simot na an kuwarta ko.
Baka pati pamasahi ko mahabon pa a pitaka ko kan buratsero kong
tugang.
Bahala ka na sa pagsabat sa Bagong Taon.
Meri Krismas, hapi new yir!
See you next time. Muah!
Aurea.

Isinulo ko nin kandila si aurea sa samuyang gurang na simbahan. Iniampo na

bantayan asin giyahan siya kan Kaglalang. Malanit na si sakuyang tuhod kan
matapos si sakuyang pangadyi. Tulpos na si kandila sa pagbuklat kan sakuyang
mata.

Apat na taon an naglihis, nagtutukdo na ako sa siyudad. Bihira na akong

makapuli sa isla mi. bihira naman akong makabareta sa mga tawo samuya. Alagad
nakaabotpa man sakuya an istorya, kan magsungko sako si mama, na pirang bulan
na daang dai nagpapadarang ayda sa mga kapamilya si AUrea. Dai makasurat an
mga kapamilya ta adai man sinda tataong magsurat. Mayo sainda an nakatapos man
lang sa elementarya. Saro pa daing itinaong address si AUrea bago siya maglarga.
An numerong winalat niya, palsok na.

Sa bareta sa telepono anom na bulan na an nakaagi, limang cultural dancers

sa Japan an nakuang gadan. Pano nin paso asin lapso an mga hawak. Dai
magkabiristo an lalawgon. Mayong mga kapamilyang nagkukua sainda. Naisip ko,
dai ko lang sinabi ki mama, si Aurea, baka saro na sainda an amiga kong si Aurea.
Paz V. Santos/Marifa Borja Prado. (2016) LIPWAS: 21st Century Literature. Ateneo de Naga University Press. pp. 34-39

Appendix B:

A U R E A
Marissa Reorizo– Redburn, An English Translation by PVM Santos

I was in Grade Five, and had no idea what marriage was all about when we
heard that Aurea’s parents had married her off. Our slightly over aged classmate,
Aurea, was a wedded wife.

We were close, Aurea and I. She was often absent, as her house was quite far
from town. She had to walk five kilometers every day to get to school. She dropped
out of school every so often, which was why at the age of 15, she was only Grade
Five. You see, she had to help her parents earn a living. She peddled root crops,
vegetables, bananas, sweet potatoes, and corn. She carried them in two large baskets
hanging from the ends of the yoke slung over one shoulder, or lugged a huge buri
(palm leaf) create full of the produce on her back. It was amazing to see her balance
all that bulky merchandise, probably double her weight. It made one wonder how
she could manage to walk properly that entire length of the road to town.

She was diligent enough, although she did not fare too well academically. She
did quite well in Home Economics though, as all our lessons were practical, planting,
cleaning, cooking, embroidery, and sewing. The heavy tasks always fell on her

26
shoulders. She was a big woman, and on the plump side. Her thighs and upper arms
were rounded and muscular. Her curly hair fell to her waist, her skin was the color
of brewed coffee. She was fun to talk to and kept no secrets from me.

Two weeks after we learned that she had been married off, she appeared once
more in class. I was glad to see her. Our classmates pestered her with their questions
about her marriage to which she responded only with a smile.

I waited for our class in Home Economics. As usual, she was assigned to clean
the room while everyone else was weeding in the garden at the back of the room. It
was my turn to question Aurea. Was it true that she was married?

“Who? Where from? What does he look like?”

Aurea simply smiled mischievously. But I kept at it until we found ourselves

chasing each other around the room. Her skirt fell off from all tugging. Safety pins
had kept her skirt fastened as the zipper was broken. A row of five safety pins hooked
together the gap in her skirt.

We sat in one corner of the room. She started to tell me her story in a low voice,
in case someone soddenly come in. She didn’t want anyone else to hear what she
had to tell me.

“Yes, Papay married me off to that mongrel jerk of a carabao buyer from Lucena.
I can’t stand him; he’s old, and besides he is not my boyfriend. Antonio has been my
boyfriend since last year.”

Antonio. Son of the fisherman in the next barrio near the sea. Often absent,
just like Aurea. Dropped out of school last year. He was 16.

“So, why’d you let them do that to you? Why’d you let them marry you off? Why
didn’t we see you have a church wedding?” I continued to ask.

“How could I say no to my parents, they would’ve stuck my neck in a garrote!

Plus that stupid asshole gifted them with a carabao and a thousand bucks,” Aurea
said angrily.

“So where did you get married?” I asked again.

“Not in church, that’s for sure. I’m underage you know. It was a kasal kasugot,
a mock wedding, where the barangay captain or councilor performs the ceremony.
The kind where you invite the whole family, the father, the mother, siblings including
the grandmother. In fact, the wedding ceremony and feast were held only in our
yard.”

Kasal kasugot, not a real wedding but with all the trappings of one, was a
common practice in the area, especially among the Visayans who served as tenants
to the big landed estates on our island. Aurea’s parents, Visayans, were such
tenants.

Then the question I had been wanting to ask, “Have you slept with him?”

Aurea chuckled. “That aged cretin hasn’t been able to do anything; every time
he gets in bed with me. I prick him with my biggest safety pin. I also wear my tightest
denim pants at night.”

27
 “But why?” I asked in surprise.

“Because I cannot stand him! It’s Antonio I want.”

“You’ve slept with Antonio!” I heard my voice suddenly rise.

“Shhhh! Not so loud! Yes, of course!” Aurea replied tightly. “That afternoon
when he took me home, among the guava trees. Antonio is the only man I want to
marry.”

“Ay, hala ka! Watch out. What if your husband finds out you’ve slept with
someone else?” I said worriedly.

“I don’t care. I’d be happier if he left me because I could never ever love him. I’d
never exchange his carabao stench with fishy sour smell of Antonio’s armpit.”

We couldn’t stop giggling. She had found someone to keep her secrets safe.

Aurea attended class for only one more week after that, then she disappeared.
I later heard that she had eloped with Antonio.

After a few days I learned that her parents had recovered Aurea and returned
her to her fifty-year old husband. But Aurea was as slippery as flighty cat. She ran
off again. No one knew where she had gone off to. Her husband tired of searching
and waiting for her and went home to Lucena.

When I was still a child on our island, it took more than three hours by boat to
get to the Pasacao coast and the road to the city. Very few came to visit us. As soon
as a newcomer stepped foot on the pier, everyone knew him or her.

After I graduated from grade school, I went with my aunt to Davao to study. I
forgot all about Aurea.

In December, I went home to the island. I liked to relax on a bench under the
star apple tree outside our house by the side of the road. I was seated there early one
morning when Aurea’s father, mother, and young unmarried sister walked by. I was
stunned. They looked very different.

I couldn’t wait for sunset to ask Mama about Aurea. Mama said that Aurea had
been away for a long time. Then she suddenly showed up last year. She looked very
different, and seemed quite prosperous. She also looked very sexy. She always wore
shorts and a loose, see-through, sleeveless blouse whenever she walked around
town. Her jewelry sparkled, her fingers sported multiple rings. Even her feet glittered
with anklets.

Aurea stayed for one month on our island. There was feasting every day in the
new concrete house she had built. She had also bought decent clothes for her family.
Her parents and siblings likewise gleamed with jewelry. They wore rubber shoes
when they came into town. They were the talk of the whole town. Aurea had gone to
Japan. I remember the rumors about the Yakuza and a sudden anxiety for Aurea
gripped me. But perhaps that wasn’t her problem since I could see that she was
rolling in cash. Perhaps she had hit it big over there.

One early Sunday morning, the people were in a hurry to leave their farms and
nearby barrios to catch the seven o’clock mass in town. I heard the loud clanging of

28
the antique bell as early as 6 in the morning. Mama was looking out the window. I
was sipping my coffee while Papa let loose his fighting cocks in the yard. Mama called
me.

“Hurry, look who’s coming!” She pointed to the woman strutting by. I looked
out the window.

“Nana Vacion, makiagi po, just passing by!” the woman in shiny black skinny
jeans said loudly in greeting. Her smooth straight hair was a reddish gold and fell
down to her waist. Her thin sleeveless red blouse was loose and sheer. Her round
breasts were propped up by black bra visible through her blouse. Mocha complexion.
Skinny. Pink cheeks. Lips the color of tambis, ripe watery rose apples. Cosmetic
penciled-in black arches for eyebrows. Long wavy eyelashes. Boots, with flowers
embroidered on the heels. Leather shoulder bag the color of café latte, the hollow of
which could probably fit in a pot, pan, plate, hammer and whatever else.

I started at her for a long while. No, I didn’t recognize her. Who was this outsider
in our barrio?

“Aaaay! Marina! You witch you, how are you! It’s me, your gorgeous friend!
Aurea!” she shrilled from the roadside.

I was dumbfounded.

“Aurea? Is that you?” were my first words.

We exchanged notes on how we’d both been doing all the past years. Naughty
stories, a lot of playful pinching and shrieking, all that clowning around. So many
stories.

Among them the stories of childhood. Her two-week love affair with Antonio.
How her old husband had raped her before she ran off with Antonio. The nightly
battering she suffered from her husband when he wanted to have sex. Her escape to
Manila with a recruiter of domestics. Being molested by two young men, her
employer’s own sons. Living on the road and sleeping on the sidewalks. Applying as
a cultural dancer in Japan. Her offer of nightly pleasure to passing men to find her
application to Japan.

I wondered how she could continue to smile as she told me her story, with nary
a sign of sting or hurt. She talked about it as if it were all a joke.

She gave me an imported red wallet and 500 yen, saying I should use it as seed
money and make it earn. She wanted to give me lipstick and perfume, but I had no
use for them. She pinched my bottom hard when she bade me goodbye before
running off, laughing and hooting gleefully. She was once more the Aurea of my
childhood, my rowdy playmate. Her hips swayed while she walked to the town center.
The aroma of her perfume filled the air. Howls soared from the men she passed.

I could no longer see her, yet I could still hear the mischief as well as the tension
in her voice. I felt the sting of her pinch slither up to my chest.

“Yes, I make a lot of moon lab in Japan because I give it my all when I dance
on stage…and in bed!”

29
 “In Japan, I go by the name Mikaela. Mikaela San Jose. I don’t use my real
name because I don’t have a birth certificate anyway. All my papers are fake. Made
in Recto.”

“Thing is, I haven’t saved a cent because my family is just too costly maintain.
All they do is ask ask ask me for money. If only they knew…my cunt’s rutting away!”

“Of course I want to be married properly. But I’d prefer an old and rich Japanese
man. I’m tired of all this.”

I was troubled by all the talk and couldn’t sleep for several nights. What could
I do to end Aurea’s wasting away of her life? I longed to see and talk to Aurea again.
But her barrio was too far. It was the rainy season. The path was covered in tall wild
grass, rocky and muddy. I watched out for her, hoping to catch her on her next visit
to town. But it was an elusive hope. We missed each other every time and never got
the chance to talk again.

Mama handed me the short note she had left for me.

Marina dear,
Here I go running off again. I’m all cleaned out. I’m afraid I might lose even
the money for my fare to my drunken sort of a brother who I just know is likely
to steal it out of my wallet. I leave you to greet the New Year.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!
See you next time. Muah!
Aurea

I lit a candle for Aurea in our old church. I implored God to watch over and
guide her. By the time I had finished praying, my knees were stinging. The candle
had burned out when I opened my eyes. Another four years went by. I started
teaching in the city, rarely went home to our island, and hardly heard any word about
anyone back home. But he story reached me when Mama came for a visit. Aurea had
not been sending money to her family for several months. The family could not write
her because no one knew how to write. None of htem had finished grade school.
Another thing, Aurea hasn’t left any forwarding address. She did not leave a number
but it was no longer working.

Six months ago, I had seen a news feature on TV, about five cultural dancers
who were found dead in Japan. Their bodies were full of burn marks and bruises,
their face unrecognizable. No family member came to claim them. I thought, though
I didn’t breathe a word of this to Mama, Aurea, my friend could’ve been one of them.

Paz V. Santos and Marifa Borja Prado. (2016) LIPWAS: 21st Century Literature. Ateneo de Naga University Press. pp. 283-288

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