Gapo

ni Lualhati Bautista

Using the Fishbone Diagram:

Give the book passages on the topics provided

Give your opinion and explanation.
Enumerate the effects of globalization shown/discussed in the book.
Michael Taylor Jr. is a twenty-year-old folk
singer at a bar called the freedom pad. He is
the illegitimate son of an American soldier
whom he has never seen or met. He hates
the Americans a lot because of what his
father did to leave his mother and his being
an illegitimate child who was made fun of
by others. He became even more angry
when he witnessed the disrespect of his
friends by the American soldiers.
Magda has a new soldier boyfriend
named Steve Taylor. In the The situation of Modesto, despite
beginning Steve was very nice until he’s being insulted and humiliated
she got him pregnant. Michael was
in his workplace, still he looks other
about to meet a friend in the canoe
soldier when they discovered he had possible ways in which he can
family back in the United States..
Michael hits Steve over the head passed out his hard feelings so that
with his guitar killing Steve. he can appear problem-free in front
Michael was imprisoned. In the last
part of the story, Magda visits
of his family.
Michael in jail. He announced that
his son would be named Michael

Eco Glo

emphasis a socially-relevant
dilemmas between the
Filipino and the American
citizens. It featured how the
Filipino people before and
even until now, was taken
advantage by the
Americans. The book
illustrated how Filipinos
was treated unfairly,
underestimated, and abused
by the what-so-called
“friendly nations”.
Mike ended up in prison
still there were good
things happened for the
remaining characters,
like the case of Magda,
she finally appreciated
her countrymen and
realized the affection
Mike has towards her,
and as a return she even
followed the name of
her baby to Mike’s
name.
Good trait of the Filipino that was
given emphasis was the act of being
strong and capable to stay and look
happy even if they’re going to a
certain difficulties. Moreover, I
think it is the hard work, the
perseverance, the optimism and the
faith the Filipino people holding
onto. Same with part of magdalena,
despite how many times Magda
ended up disappointed with her
dreams, still she always finds a way
to keep faith that somehow and
someday no matter what happens
there will be a man who would take
her seriously and eventually bring
her to US.
I would recommend Gapo for everyone since this story serves as a window and an eye
opener to a sad reality that happens before and continue happening until now. This book is
a must-read! Indeed. There are moral lesson that we can learn.

Conclusion

In writing my book review for the Gapo, I am fully aware that having no bias or any side to
be in favored with would be as much difficult as reading while avoiding myself to understand
a single thing. Therefore, in constructing the whole situation or making a commentary about
the book Gapo I decided not to use “we” nor “us” even if the whole story was pertaining to
all of the Filipinos, for I really wanted the objectivity to appear on this paper, even just a
little presence of it.

So, for the beginning of my review, the book Gapo, emphasis a socially-relevant dilemmas
between the Filipino and the American citizens. It featured how the Filipino people before
and even until now, was taken advantage by the Americans. The book illustrated how
Filipinos was treated unfairly, underestimated, and abused by the what-so-called “friendly
nations”.

At the very beginning of the story, it almost demonstrated the different insanities a Filipino
individual can experience. I love how the author took a glimpse of the reality and put it into
the story, and how the author makes every detail of the narration seemed to be so realistic.
Probably the best part of the story for me was the ending, though Mike ended up in prison
still there were good things happened for the remaining characters, like the case of Magda,
she finally appreciated her countrymen and realized the affection Mike has towards her, and
as a return she even followed the name of her baby to Mike’s name.

Regarding in the other part of the story it made me feel sad that despite the open-armed
welcome and hospitality of the Filipino people gave to the Americans in the story, still they
were maltreated and disrespected by their what-so-called-visitors. On the other hand, we
neither can’t blame the Americans, because the Filipinos make no difference from them. It’s
a shame how other Filipinos look at their countrymen, as showed in the story. It is also the
Filipino people who disrespect their fellowmen, who promotes unfairness and discrimination
towards one another, who brings injustice and humiliation to the country.

If there is a good thing shown in the story, I think it is the hard work, the perseverance, the
optimism and the faith the Filipino people holding onto. Like for example, despite how many
times Magda ended up disappointed with her dreams, still she always finds a way to keep
faith that somehow and someday no matter what happens there will be a man who would
take her seriously and eventually bring her to US. Another good trait of the Filipino that was
given emphasis was the act of being strong and capable to stay and look happy even if
they’re going to a certain difficulties. Specific examples is the situation of Modesto, despite
he’s being insulted and humiliated in his workplace, still he looks other possible ways in
which he can passed out his hard feelings so that he can appear problem-free in front of his
family. The part I hated most about the book is the “love story” of Magdalene and Steve
Taylor and the twist between the “love story” of Richard Halloway and Alipio, as to what
happen to them, it’s for you to find out.
I so love the book Gapo because it is written to catch the attention of the readers as well as
to persuade and to influence the audiences with the things the author believes with.

I would definitely recommend Gapo for everyone since this story serves as a window and an
eye opener to a sad reality that happens before and continue
happening until now. This book is a must-read! Indeed.

The characters in the novel GAPO by Lualhati Bautista are Michael Taylor, Jr., Dolores,
Michael Taylor Sr., Magdalena, Steve Taylor, Modesto, Jun, Irene, Alipio, Ignacio, Jeffrey,
William Smith, Alicia, and Richard Halloway.

Michael Taylor, Jr. - the main character of the GAPO story. He is the son of Dolores and
Michael Taylor, Sr. Magdalena lives with him under the same roof although they are not related.
He is friends with Modesto, Alipio, Steve, Ignacio, William, Jun, and Jeffrey.
Dolores - She is Michael's mother.
Michael Taylor, Sr. - He is Michael's father. He promised Dolores that he would return to the
Philippines but he never showed up again.
Magdalena- She is a friend of Dolores. He was with Michael at the house where he was staying.
She had an interest in Steve Taylor.
Steve Taylor - He is the man Magdalena loves. He was also the person Michael killed.
Modesto- He is Jun's father.
Jun- He is Modesto's son who obeys his father's wishes.
William Smith- He is a kind American friend of Michael. His wife is Irene.
Irene- She is William's wife. She was not disappointed in waiting for William's return when he
left.
Alipio - He is the brother of Alicia who fell in love with Richard. He is also Ignacio's boss.
Ignacio- He is Alipio's man and Richard's constable.
Jeffrey - He is Alicia's son who is pure Filipino but grew up in America. He is Alipio's nephew.
Alicia- She is Jeffrey's mother.
Richard Halloway- Ignacio's American accomplice who is Alipio's trumaydor.

SUMMARY:
Michael Taylor Jr. is a twenty-year-old folk singer at a bar called the freedom pad. He is the
illegitimate son of an American soldier whom he has never seen or met. He hates the Americans
a lot because of what his father did to leave his mother and his being an illegitimate child who
was made fun of by others. He became even more angry when he witnessed the disrespect of his
friends by the American soldiers. Dolores, his mother adopted him and grew up with him. Magda
is an ardent fan of the American soldiers despite the pains she has suffered because of them.
Modesto and Ali are Michael's best friends. Modesto is a Filipino military base worker. He was
oppressed at his workplace. He had no American friends there except William Smith. He just
puts up with his job because he earns a lot of money from it. Ali is a gay man with money. And
they had a relationship with Modesto. An American soldier, Richard Halloway, became her
boyfriend.
One day, Modesto could no longer endure the oppression of American soldiers at the military
base. He got into an argument with an officer there and it ended in a fight. Modesto would have
been alone when the white soldier's colleagues helped him. Despite William's restraint and pleas,
they kill Modesto. Ali was robbed by Richard and Ignacio was also beaten.
Magda has a new soldier boyfriend named Steve Taylor. In the beginning Steve was very nice
until she got him pregnant. Michael was about to meet a friend in the canoe soldier when they
discovered he had family back in the United States. His memories returned to what happened to
his mother, as well as Ali and Modesto to the Americans. American soldiers tricked Magda
again. Michael hits Steve over the head with his guitar killing Steve. Michael was imprisoned.
In the last part of the story, Magda visits Michael in jail. He announced that his son would be
named Michael. The child will be Michael Taylor III. Their hands held tightly on both sides of
the railing.