CITI GLOBAL COLLEGE

(formerly DON BOSCO INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES)

13 J.P. Rizal St., Bayan Walk Arcade, Poblacion Dos, City of Cabuyao, Laguna
EXPERIENCE THEGLOBAL EDGE

Name: Greycielle Respicio Date:

Grade and Section: 11- ABM Batch 2

Footnote to Youth

by: Jose Garcia Villa

It’s another day of work. Dodong is working in the field with the carabao. While working he said to himself,

he wants to marry Teang. He was hesitant about it, but he wanted to tell his father because regarding very

important matter. He knows he might refuse to this, but he still wants to do it. He continues to work while

with this thought playing in his head. He begins to create a plan in his head.

Dodong is just a teenager. He is 17 years old, he said to himself he was not young anymore. He sees

himself as a grown man, he is indeed growing into a man. He has pimples on his face, the lower of his

upper lip already was dark. Seeing himself a grown man, it makes him feel he could do anything. He really

wants Teang to be his wife. Teang, she has small brown face, small black eyes, and straight glossy hair. In

short, she is really beautiful that’s why Dodong admire her a lot. She even made him dreaming in day.

He got home; their lamp is already lighted. He sees his mother preparing for their supper. His sister helping

her mother. After the meal, he called his father who is sucking his rotten tooth. His tooth is causing him pain

again. Dodong told him often to let the town dentist to pull the diseased tooth, but his father is afraid.

Dodong said to his aching father that he wants to marry Teang, after many hesitations he finally said it. The

father stopped sucking his rotten tooth and looked at Dodong without saying anything. After a while,

Dodong got mad because his father is just looking at him without saying anything. He repeats it “I want to

marry Teang and I will marry her” with confidence. His father let out a sigh, he thinks Dodong is very young

for that marriage things. But he can’t do anything, he just gave his permission to son because his son

wants it.
After a few months, Dodong was outside while hearing those noises from his pregnant wife Teang, who is

giving birth at that moment. He finally realized that he was not ready for this life. He was not ready to be a

father in such a young age, but it is a slap for him because he can’t turn back now. His mother called him

and said his son was out now, he felt like crying, his chest wants to burst, he wants to turn back and just

run away. The moment he sees his son beside her wife, he felt the guilt. He feels sorry for everyone. They

named their son Blas.

After six successive years many children came along. Dodong doesn’t want any child anymore, but they

are kept coming. Dodong blame himself for this. Teang now is out of shape after gaving birth on their

children. From beautiful lady who have many suitors to a really tired and shapeless mother of many child

real quick. She had a suitor who named Lucio. Lucio now is married but childless until now. She’s having a

thought. What if she chose Lucio and not Dodong, maybe her life is not hard like it is right now. Dodong

made her life ugly. But she doesn’t dare to tell his husband this thought of her.

When their son came home with very happy and flustered face. “I want to marry Tona, she accepts me

tonight” Blas said with very flustered tone. Dodong is scared for his son to repeat his mistake, but doesn’t

dare to object. He was helpless. He could not do anything. He let his son repeat his mistake.

That mistake runs and ruin their lives generation to generation.