NEGROS ORIENTAL STATE

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND

SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND

LITERATURE

LEARNER’S MODULE
2
Lit1:
Philippine Literature in English
 MODULE 2
CULTURE AND TRADITION: THE STORY OF THE FILIPINO

LESSON 1 – APPRECIATING PHILIPPINE SHORT STORY

Set the Route

At the end of the lesson we are expected to evaluate literary texts creatively
and critically using literary lenses (structuralism, feminism, Marxism, post-
colonialism, etc.) in the form of reflective performance tasks.

A Spur to Spark
Instruction: Answer the following questions sincerely based on the short story
of Greg Brillantes Faith, Love, Time and Dr. Lazaro that you have read
from
Module 1. Add a brief explanation to each response.

1. Who among the characters did you like most?

Answer: Ben is my favorite character in the narrative out of all the others. Ben is
a respectable man who adheres to his convictions and is a logical person. For
instance, Ben's father, Dr. Lazaro, wanted him to pursue engineering or medical
degrees, but Ben is aware of what he wants and is prepared to go after it.

2. Who among the characters did you like least?

Answer: My least favorite character in the story is Mrs. Lazaro. Although I am
aware that she was also mourning the loss of her son and that Dr. Lazaro was the
one who initially grew distant from her and Ben, I was unhappy in how the article
portrayed her lack of support for Dr. Lazaro. Despite the fact that I acknowledge
Dr. Lazaro's involvement as well, I think the outcome would have been different if
she had shown her husband more compassion and consolation .

3. Who did you feel most sorry for?

Answer: I feel bad for Dr. Lazaro since I can tell he's confused and unsure of what to
do. Following God is not always simple. To be able to live a life filled with less concern
and more enjoyment, one must have a thorough understanding of God and a genuine
love for Him. Dr. Lazaro had challenges throughout his life that he was unable to
overcome. The number of patients he attempted to revive but who ultimately passed
away from severe anguish increased as the days went by. He started to question God
at this point. The worst-case situation then happened. He lost a son to suicide as well.
If I had to encapsulate Dr. Lazaro's personality before he lost faith, I'd say he was a
sincere, passionate person with a lot of unsolved concerns and a disturbed mind.

4. Who did you feel you had the strongest emotional connection with?
Answer: Dr. Lazaro struck the deepest emotional connection   with me. Like him, I
likewise want the best for my family, especially my siblings, to the point that I
occasionally try to make decisions for them without taking their wishes into
account. I eventually came to the conclusion that I shouldn't be too strict with
kids and that they should make their own decisions so that they can also learn
about life's rules.

5. What are your beliefs about the following:

 Baptizing the newborn who is nearing death
- Roman Catholicism holds that all children are born with original sin, which is washed
away via baptism. After being baptized, these infants will receive the grace of the Holy
Spirit and become the sons and daughters of God.

 Having a spirituality corner (i.e., an altar with the image of God and/or the
crucifix) at home
- We have this so-called altar with the Holy Cross, a picture of God, and other Saints in
our home because this is where we solemnly pray to God and ask the Saints to pray to
God on our behalf. The Holy Cross serves as a reminder that we all have our own
 struggles to face and crosses to carry, but with God's help, may we do so and succeed
in doing so. The representation of the Saints reminds us that we should always pray to
God and put our faith in His promises and perfect timing regardless of the difficulties
we face in life.

 Having your parents create life-changing decisions (such as the course to

take in college) for you
- In this case, I believe that a person or a child should live their own life and achieve the
objectives they have set for themselves. This is because, in my opinion, every one of
us has unique ambitions. Being in charge of one's own decisions is, in my opinion,
much preferable so that one can take lessons from the results.

6. How have your personal beliefs and experiences helped you appreciate the
short story?
Answer:
My life experiences have equipped me to identify with each
character introduced in the novel and to feel empathy and sympathy for
them, which has elevated my appreciation for the plot. For instance, I can
feel Dr. Lazaro's suffering and comprehend his situation, therefore I can
relate to him .
Ink, Link to Sink In

Instruction: Now let us go back to the questions given before we read the short
story. Let us answer them given the details from the story we have just read.

1. Why is the story entitled Footnote to Youth? What does it mean?

Answer: The story is titled Footnote to Youth because I t is a fleeting reminder for
Filipinos, particularly the youth, of what real life may be like today, which is why it
is regarded to be a footnote to youth. It also reveals the origins or reasons behind
young people's actions. Additionally, it makes a statement about the current
generation, whether positive or negative. Hence, I t is appropriate for the story
since it serves as a warning to those complacent kids who made mistakes due to
their stubbornness.

2. What key issue about youthfulness and perhaps parenthood is

presented in the story?

Answer: The narrative raises several issues, starting with the aggression of
young people. Young people occasionally tended to let their emotions guide
their choices, acting hastily to get what they want right away. A type of
parent who cannot say no to their children is touted as a solution to the
parenting dilemma. It is admirable that parents give their kids the world, but
they must also be aware of its limitations in order to protect their kids'
wellbeing.

3. What are the reasons for Dodong’s hesitations to allow his son Blas
to marry?

Answer: The narrative raises several issues, starting with the aggression of young people.
Young people occasionally tended to let their emotions guide their choices, acting hastily to
get what they want right away. A type of parent who cannot say no to their children is touted
as a solution to the parenting dilemma. It is admirable that parents give their kids the world,
but they must also be aware of its limitations in order to protect their kids' wellbeing.

4. If you were Dodong, would you allow your son Blas to marry? Why?

Answer: If I were Dodong, I would prohibit my son from getting married before turning
18 years old. That person is much too young to ever consider getting married. Life has
been incredibly challenging and tough. I don't want to torture my son for the rest of his
life right now. I want him to be well enough prepared before getting married. Because
he is able to provide for his wife and children, I want him to enjoy being a husband and
father to his family and to be satisfied and joyful about it.

5. If you were Blas, would you marry Tuna at a young age? Why?

Answer: I think Blas jumped to conclusions too quickly, and I wouldn't either. I want to
take some time to think about the effects of being married at such a young age. The
only thing I want to do is get ready for everything my future family will need. I want to
start a business, save money, and then buy a house and a lot. Additionally, I want to
be ready to be a wonderful husband and father to my future wife and children.

Work with Might

 Instruction: Write a critical analysis of the story Footnote to Youth using
the guide questions below. In writing your analysis, please follow the
format below:

Once teenagers   enter puberty, they start to feel and express various
emotions, such having crushes on other individuals. These young people will
continue to think they can deal with any consequences they experience as a
result of following their objectives as long as they maintain their optimism
about their sentiments. In "Footnote to Youth," a novella by Sir Jose Garcia
Villa, the protagonist Dudong came to see the enormity of his folly in getting
married too young. In this paper, I'll talk about the numerous internal conflicts
that the main character went through .
The story   is written from the viewpoint of a normal Filipino family,
exposing and illuminating the country's traditional system of values and
beliefs. From a young person's perspective, such as that of Blas and
Dudong's younger selves, marriage is all about joy and enjoyment, but it
invariably ends up being quite demanding and stressful. Young Dudong is
shown in the novel as an eager and emotionally stable person. The narrative
showed Dudong's careless decision-making and pursuit of his unquenchable
desires without weighing the pros and cons of their choices. After a while,
Dudong started to feel bad about what he had done.
The narrative also emphasized the custom of asking for parental
approval and direction before making important decisions in life. It was
evident when Blas informed his father that he was marrying Tena and when
Dudong asked his father if he might marry Teang. The difficulty of marriage
was also emphasized, and this was demonstrated when Dudong learned how
much responsibility he was taking on when Teang gave birth to Blas. As it
turned out, he wasn't really prepared, and this is when he started to regret his
choice. It also underlined how crucial it is to honor one's commitments. This is
shown in the story when both of them start to second-guess their choices but
still find their way back to one another.That they decided to stick with their
relationship no matter how challenging life got for them. Finally, the tale
illustrated how history is cyclical. When Dudong eventually blessed Blas after
knowing that his son was being married to his lover, this was illustrated in the
story. Dudong initially considered it, but eventually gave up because he
thought youth and love would prevail and the outcome would be life .
I've learned from this experience that people of all ages should think
things through thoroughly before making significant decisions. It also serves
as a reminder that, whatever the result of our life-altering decision, we should
go into it with open minds and refrain from spending too much time focusing
on the bad. We should keep looking for methods to make our lives better
while doing everything we can to stop history from repeating itself.

LESSON 2 – EXPLORING NATIONAL CULTURE AND TRADITION IN

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
 Set the Route
At the end of the lesson you are expected to construct a reader’s response
to culture and tradition exemplified in Philippine Literature.

Spur to Spark

Instruction: Reflect on the following pictures below. Write your thoughts about
each of them in the spaces provided.

1. The suitor and his friends, dressed in traditional Filipino clothing, sing songs to
the woman they are wooing in the image above, which represents the traditional way
of courting women, or "harana," as Filipinos call it. I think this photo is really
wonderful since it shows a side of the man who is willing to use whatever means
required to get the female.

2. Bayanihan is a Filipino expression that denotes a spirit of camaraderie and

cooperation, and it bellows "bayanihan" in this picture. Bayanihan is about people
coming together to assist one another, not just lifting and moving a house. It's a
lovely image to look at since it serves as a reminder that, with everyone's
cooperation, even the seemingly impossible may be accomplished.
3. This image demonstrates the Filipino value of "mano" while speaking to an elderly
relative or neighbor or when the occasion calls for it. By taking the other person's
hand in your own, you can make this gesture by resting your forehead on the palm's
back. This teaches the youngster to treat the elderly with respect. This custom is still
commonly used today since it is so deeply rooted in Filipino society.

4. The day of the wedding is when this picture was taken. I believe that this is the time in our
life when we shall make the most important choice of our entire lives. This is due to your
commitment to turning a house into a home when you are married. Your financial situation,
physical health, and mental health should all be steady. The best kind of parent, mother,
husband, or wife at this time should be patient, a good listener, and supportive of their
children.
Ink, Link to Sink In

Instruction: Now that we have read the story, reflect on the following questions
below by answering them based on the events that happened in the story.

1. What is the short story Footnote to youth about? Provide a short

summary of the story.
Answer:
The footnote to youth is about Dudong, who asked his father for permission
to marry Teang when he was 17 years old. At the age of 17, he believed himself to
be a mature guy who was prepared to begin a marriage. After giving it some
thought, his father asked Dudong if he had to wed Teang, but Dudong objected to
the questions, so his father consented. Nine months later, Teang gave birth to Blas,
their first child. Contrary to how he thought of himself nine months prior, Dudong
now saw himself as young and inexperienced. Even though Dudong didn't want any
more kids, they nevertheless showed up. For the following six months, Teang gave
birth. There are a total of seven kids. Teang remained unaffected. But after having
so many children and working so hard to care for them and the household, her body
had become thin and shapeless. She cried and wished she hadn't married so young
despite having feelings for Dudong.

One night, Dudong stepped outside to consider his life. He aspired to have
the knowledge necessary to comprehend why young people's ambitions are not
realized in life. Why did you feel abandoned by life after you fell in love? He never
figured out the answer. When Blas was 18 years old, he told Dudong that he
wanted to wed Tena. Dudong opposes Blas' engagement at such a young age. The
same query that his father had posed was posed by him. He wants to prevent him
from making the same error that he did. Blas also aired his grudge. Dudong is
aware that he is dealing with youth and love, both of which will prevail in this
circumstance. There's also the real world. He consented, grieving for his son and
felt bad.

2. How is the Filipino culture represented in the story?

Answer:
One of the times in the story where the Filipino culture is shown is when
Dudong asks his parents for permission to marry his lover. Before making a major
decision in life, like Dudong's, it is usual in the Philippines to ask one's parents or
guardians for their blessing. The story also illustrated how simple life is in the
upperlands and how Tena was helped to give birth by a hilot rather than an
obstetrician-gynecologist.

3. Part of our culture is to seek our parents’ approval in every crucial

decision we are about to make. Do you think it is still important
nowadays? Support your answer with real-life examples (based on
your observations or as you
experienced them).
Answer:
My opinion is that it is still essential to our lives since our parents are the
most significant individuals in us. And I think it's crucial to get their approval for all
big decisions we make in order to respect them. Not that they should always decide
for us, but rather that we should hear their opinions on the important choice we're
about to make as they have more life experience. We must explain the problem to
them in depth and make sure they understand it if they seem to be questioning our
judgment. If we're of the right age, we'll make the final decision, so why not weigh
their viewpoints first and change our minds if necessary? For instance, I once told
my dad that I wanted to become a nun because I was so committed to serving God.
Although he didn't immediately disagree, my father did give me the freedom to form
my own opinions. He also suggested that if I was having second thoughts, I might
consider earning a bachelor's degree first. Then, he said, if I still wanted to go on
the trip, this was the right time to do it.
WORK WITH MIGHT

Instruction: Create a poster showcasing the Filipino cultural practices and traditions
exemplified in Philippine literature. Consider ONLY ONE STORY we have covered in our
class so far – Faith, Love, Time and Dr Lazaro by Gregorio
Brillantes OR Footnote to Youth by Jose Garcia Villa . A rubric to
grade your poster is provided for you below.

*Note: There is no need to buy materials for making your poster. You may make use of
whatever is available at home.

POSTER RUBRIC
 APPENDIX A

Footnote to Youth
Jose Garcia Villa

The sun was salmon and hazy in the west. Dodong thought to himself he would tell his father about Teang
when he got home, after he had unhitched the carabao from the plow, and let it to its shed and fed it. He
was hesitant about saying it, but he wanted his father to know. What he had to say was of serious import as
it would mark a climacteric in his life. Dodong finally decided to tell it, at a thought came to him his father
might refuse to consider it. His father was silent hard-working farmer who chewed areca nut, which he had
learned to do from his mother, Dodong's grandmother.
I will tell it to him. I will tell it to him.
The ground was broken up into many fresh wounds and fragrant with a sweetish earthy smell. Many
slender soft worms emerged from the furrows and then burrowed again deeper into the soil. A short
colorless worm marched blindly to Dodong's foot and crawled calmly over it. Dodong go tickled and jerked
his foot, flinging the worm into the air. Dodong did not bother to look where it fell, but thought of his age,
seventeen, and he said to himself he was not young any more.
Dodong unhitched the carabao leisurely and gave it a healthy tap on the hip. The beast turned its head to
look at him with dumb faithful eyes. Dodong gave it a slight push and the animal walked alongside him to its
shed. He placed bundles of grass before it land the carabao began to eat. Dodong looked at it without
interests.
Dodong started homeward, thinking how he would break his news to his father. He wanted to marry,
Dodong did. He was seventeen, he had pimples on his face, the down on his upper lip already was dark--
these meant he was no longer a boy. He was growing into a man – he was a man. Dodong felt insolent and
big at the thought of it although he was by nature low in statue. Thinking himself a man grown, Dodong felt
he could do anything.
He walked faster, prodded by the thought of his virility. A small angled stone bled his foot, but he dismissed
it cursorily. He lifted his leg and looked at the hurt toe and then went on walking. In the cool sundown he
thought wild you dreams of himself and Teang. Teang, his girl. She had a small brown face and small black
eyes and straight glossy hair. How desirable she was to him. She made him dream even during the day.
Dodong tensed with desire and looked at the muscles of his arms. Dirty. This field work was healthy,
invigorating but it begrimed you, smudged you terribly. He turned back the way he had come, then he
marched obliquely to a creek.
Dodong stripped himself and laid his clothes, a gray undershirt and red kundiman shorts, on the grass. The
he went into the water, wet his body over, and rubbed at it vigorously. He was not long in bathing, then he
marched homeward again. The bath made him feel cool.
It was dusk when he reached home. The petroleum lamp on the ceiling already was lighted and the low
unvarnished square table was set for supper. His parents and he sat down on the floor around the table to
eat. They had fried fresh-water fish, rice, bananas, and caked sugar.
Dodong ate fish and rice, but did not partake of the fruit. The bananas were overripe and when one held
them they felt more fluid than solid. Dodong broke off a piece of the cakes sugar, dipped it in his glass of
water and ate it. He got another piece and wanted some more, but he thought of leaving the remainder for
his parents.
Dodong's mother removed the dishes when they were through and went out to the batalan to wash them.
She walked with slow careful steps and Dodong wanted to help her carry the dishes out, but he was tired
and now felt lazy. He wished as he looked at her that he had a sister who could help his mother in the
housework. He pitied her, doing all the housework alone.
His father remained in the room, sucking a diseased tooth. It was paining him again, Dodong knew.
Dodong had told him often and again to let the town dentist pull it out, but he was afraid, his father was. He
did not tell that to Dodong, but Dodong guessed it. Afterward Dodong himself thought that if he had a
decayed tooth he would be afraid to go to the dentist; he would not be any bolder than his father.
Dodong said while his mother was out that he was going to marry Teang. There it was out, what he had to
say, and over which he had done so much thinking. He had said it without any effort at all and without self-
consciousness. Dodong felt relieved and looked at his father expectantly. A decrescent moon outside
shed its feeble light into the window, graying the still black temples of his father. His father looked old now.
"I am going to marry Teang," Dodong said.
His father looked at him silently and stopped sucking the broken tooth. The silence became intense and
cruel, and Dodong wished his father would suck that troublous tooth again. Dodong was uncomfortable and
then became angry because his father kept looking at him without uttering anything.
"I will marry Teang," Dodong repeated. "I will marry Teang."
His father kept gazing at him in inflexible silence and Dodong fidgeted on his seat.
"I asked her last night to marry me and she said...yes. I want your permission. I... want... it...." There was
impatient clamor in his voice, an exacting protest at this coldness, this indifference. Dodong looked at his
father sourly. He cracked his knuckles one by one, and the little sounds it made broke dully the night
stillness.
"Must you marry, Dodong?"
Dodong resented his father's questions; his father himself had married. Dodong made a quick impassioned
easy in his mind about selfishness, but later he got confused.
"You are very young, Dodong."
"I'm....seventeen."
"That's very young to get married at."
"I... I want to marry...Teang's a good girl."
"Tell your mother," his father said.
"You tell her, Tatay."
"Dodong, you tell your Inay."
"You tell her."
"All right, Dodong."
"You will let me marry Teang?"
"Son, if that is your wish... of course..." There was a strange helpless light in his father's eyes. Dodong did
not read it, so absorbed was he in himself.
Dodong was immensely glad he had asserted himself. He lost his resentment for his father. For a while he
even felt sorry for him about the diseased tooth. Then he confined his mind to dreaming of Teang and
himself. Sweet young dream....
Dodong stood in the sweltering noon heat, sweating profusely, so that his camiseta was damp. He was still
as a tree and his thoughts were confused. His mother had told him not to leave the house, but he had left.
He had wanted to get out of it without clear reason at all. He was afraid, he felt. Afraid of the house. It had
seemed to cage him, to compares his thoughts with severe tyranny. Afraid also of Teang. Teang was giving
birth in the house; she gave screams that chilled his blood. He did not want her to scream like that, he
seemed to be rebuking him. He began to wonder madly if the process of childbirth was really painful. Some
women, when they gave birth, did not cry.
In a few moments he would be a father. "Father, father," he whispered the word with awe, with
strangeness. He was young, he realized now, contradicting himself of nine months comfortable... "Your
son," people would soon be telling him. "Your son, Dodong."
Dodong felt tired standing. He sat down on a saw-horse with his feet close together. He looked at his
callused toes. Suppose he had ten children... What made him think that? What was the matter with him?
God!
He heard his mother's voice from the house:
"Come up, Dodong. It is over."
Suddenly he felt terribly embarrassed as he looked at her. Somehow he was ashamed to his mother of his
youthful paternity. It made him feel guilty, as if he had taken something no properly his. He dropped his
eyes and pretended to dust dirt off his kundiman shorts.
"Dodong," his mother called again. "Dodong."
He turned to look again and this time saw his father beside his mother.
"It is a boy," his father said. He beckoned Dodong to come up.
Dodong felt more embarrassed and did not move. What a moment for him. His parents' eyes seemed to
pierce him through and he felt limp.
He wanted to hide from them, to run away.
"Dodong, you come up. You come up," he mother said.
Dodong did not want to come up and stayed in the
sun. "Dodong. Dodong."
"I'll... come up."
Dodong traced tremulous steps on the dry parched yard. He ascended the bamboo steps slowly. His heart
pounded mercilessly in him. Within, he avoided his parents’ eyes. He walked ahead of them so that they
should not see his face. He felt guilty and untrue. He felt like crying. His eyes smarted and his chest wanted
to burst. He wanted to turn back, to go back to the yard. He wanted somebody to punish him.
His father thrust his hand in his and gripped it gently.
"Son," his father said.
And his mother: "Dodong..."
How kind were their voices. They flowed into him, making him strong.
"Teang?" Dodong said. "She's sleeping. But you go on..."
His father led him into the small sawali room. Dodong saw Teang, his girl-wife, asleep on the papag with
her black hair soft around her face. He did not want her to look that pale.
Dodong wanted to touch her, to push away that stray wisp of hair that touched her lips, but again that
feeling of embarrassment came over him and before his parents he did not want to be demonstrative.
The hilot was wrapping the child, Dodong heard it cry. The thin voice pierced him queerly. He could not
control the swelling of happiness in him.
“You give him to me. You give him to me," Dodong said.
Blas was not Dodong's only child. Many more children came. For six successive years a new child came
along. Dodong did not want any more children, but they came. It seemed the coming of children could not
be helped. Dodong got angry with himself sometimes.
Teang did not complain, but the bearing of children told on her. She was shapeless and thin now, even if
she was young. There was interminable work to be done. Cooking. Laundering. The house. The children.
She cried sometimes, wishing she had not married. She did not tell Dodong this, not wishing him to dislike
her. Yet she wished she had not married. Not even Dodong, whom she loved. There has been another
suitor, Lucio, older than Dodong by nine years, and that was why she had chosen Dodong. Young
Dodong. Seventeen. Lucio had married another after her marriage to Dodong, but he was childless until
now. She wondered if she had married Lucio, would she have borne him children. Maybe not, either. That
was a better lot. But she loved Dodong...
Dodong whom life had made ugly.
One night, as he lay beside his wife, he rose and went out of the house. He stood in the moonlight, tired
and querulous. He wanted to ask questions and somebody to answer him. He wanted to be wise about
many things.
One of them was why life did not fulfill all of Youth's dreams. Why it must be so. Why one was forsaken...
after Love.
Dodong would not find the answer. Maybe the question was not to be answered. It must be so to make
youth Youth. Youth must be dreamfully sweet. Dreamfully sweet. Dodong returned to the house humiliated
by himself. He had wanted to know a little wisdom but was denied it.
When Blas was eighteen he came home one night very flustered and happy. It was late at night and Teang
and the other children were asleep. Dodong heard Blas' steps, for he could not sleep well of nights. He
watched Blas undress in the dark and lie down softly. Blas was restless on his mat and could not sleep.
Dodong called him name and asked why he did not sleep. Blas said he could not sleep.
"You better go to sleep. It is late," Dodong said.
Blas raised himself on his elbow and muttered something in a low fluttering voice.
Dodong did not answer and tried to sleep.
"Itay ...," Blas called softly.
Dodong stirred and asked him what it was.
"I am going to marry Tona. She accepted me tonight."
Dodong lay on the red pillow without moving.
Itay, you think it over."
Dodong lay silent.
"I love Tona and... I want her."
Dodong rose from his mat and told Blas to follow him. They descended to the yard, where everything was
still and quiet. The moonlight was cold and white.
"You want to marry Tona," Dodong said. He did not want Blas to marry yet. Blas was very young. The life
that would follow marriage would be hard...
"Yes."
"Must you marry?"
Blas' voice stilled with resentment. "I will marry Tona."
Dodong kept silent, hurt.
"You have objections, Itay?" Blas asked acridly.
"Son... n-none..." (But truly, God, I don't want Blas to marry yet... not yet. I don't want Blas to marry yet....)
But he was helpless. He could not do anything. Youth must triumph... now. Love must triumph....now.
Afterwards....it will be life.
As long ago Youth and Love did triumph for Dodong....and then Life. Dodong looked wistfully at his young
son in the moonlight. He felt extremely sad and sorry for him.
 APPENDIX B

FAITH, LOVE, TIME AND DR. LAZARO (Gregorio Brillantes)

(A sample analysis using Structuralism)

Individuals are born unique. We have different family structures and classes. In our

country, we have different family structures because of the so-called close family tie. This

structure is unlike other countries, wherein a nuclear family is the only structure common to

them. People also differ on their way of thinking and belief systems. The story of Gregorio

Brillantes Faith, Love, Time and Dr. Lazaro portrays how Dr. Lazaro’s belief was influenced by

his profession. This essay presents the different family structure, classes and beliefs discussed

here using the structural approach.

The story presents family structure which portrays differentiates Dr. Lazaro’s from

Esteban’s. Dr. Lazaro’s family is an example of a nuclear family because it consists a father,

mother and a child (Dr. Lazaro, the wife and the son, Ben). On the other hand, Esteban’s family

exemplifies an extended family which is common among Filipinos (i.e. An old man greeted him,

lisping incoherently; a woman, the grandmother, sat crouched in a corner, beneath a famed

print of the Mother of Perpetual Help; a boy, about ten slept on, sprawled on a mat. Esteban’s

wife, pale and thin, lay on the floor with the sick child beside her).

The society is also divided into different classes. Dr. Lazaro represents the middle class,

as he is presented as a rich professional. Being a doctor, he is believed to always stay in the

hospital and is obliged to cure diseases and heal sick people (i.e. He thought why not the younger

ones for a change? He had spent a long day at the provincial hospital). Whereas, Esteban’s

family is a representation of the lower class, for they are poor and their only means of living is

farming, this is shown when Esteban handed Dr. Lazaro a few folded money and said: “As you

can see we are very poor… I shall bring you fruit, chickens, someday…” It is also a practice in

the society that those in higher positions earn much respect from those in lower ones, this is

shown when Esteban bowed slightly with a careful politeness as he introduced himself to Dr.

Lazaro.

Sociologists argue that science and ideology can both be belief systems. Science has been

used to develop different parts of society specifically medicine and technology (i.e. He added a

vial of penstrep, an ampule of caffeine to the satchel’s content’s; rechecked the bag before

closing
it;). This represents Dr. Lazaro as being scientific (i.e. Dr. Lazaro removed the blankets that

bundled the child and injected a whole ampule to check the tonic spasms, the needle piercing

neatly into the sparse flesh; he broke another ampule, with deft precise movements, and emptied

the syringe, while the infant lay stiff as wood beneath his hands), whereas, he was surrounded by

religious and faithful individuals who believe solely in God, specifically his wife and son. Ben

adheres to the teachings of the church which is shown when Ben baptized the baby and when he

said to his father that “Maybe God has another remedy… I don’t know but the church says”. In

addition, Esteban’s family was moralistic and has strong faith in God. They accepted the fate of

the child as God’s will (i.e. Esteban’s wife began to cry, a weak smothered gasping, and the old

woman was comforting her, it is the will of God, my daughter…).

The story provides an image of a society with different family structure, classes and

belief systems. The belief which depends on what class someone belongs. This belongingness

could influence someone to change his/her ideals or behavior.