AJM

MCHS
Viktoria Caitlin M. Enriquez 15
10-Murasaki September 18, 2021

Mulligrubs

Some people say, the past should be forgotten. Though, in many cases, the past serves
a lesson for us. The past will always be a part of us and will always be what makes us
who we are today. “As she pleases” is a meaningful poem written by Rina Garcia Chua.
A poem written in response to the Tropical Storm Ondoy that devastatingly hit the
Philippines in 2009. Chua adroitly expressed the afterthoughts of sorrow, guilt, and grief
of each and every Filipino that had to underwent this catastrophe. As she reflects her
experience and emotions through this poem, it allows readers to empathize with her and
enlighten them about those situations. The structure of the poem made an impact on
how the audience will interpret it. The usage of multiple literary devices in the poem
made it easier for readers to comprehend the thoughts and emotions but also made the
poem unique.

“If only” is a phrase that will never turn out the way we want it to be. Two words that will
always end up in deep regret and despondency. Chua uses this phrase repetitively from
the first line to the ninth line, observing the use of anaphora. She continues using
metaphors and imagery to make an intricate and complex work that will interest the
readers into reading more. “The soft eggshell mattress of my old bed”, “Those raindrops
were not as fat as freshly fed eels”, “I did not stare at the flashing blue traffic lights that
screamed end of the world” are some instances of metaphors and imagery used in the
poem. Chua using a first-person narrative in the poem adds up to how brilliant she
maximizes the elements that make up an astonishing poem to convey the overall
emotion and message of the poem. Furthermore, the utilization of these elements helps
Chua express the main idea of the first portion, her thoughts and emotions as she was
experiencing the events that led up to the disaster that changed Philippine history. It
points out the small decisions she could’ve avoided or made that might have caused her
to end up on a different note.

“Maybe” is an adverb that expresses the feeling of being unsure. Chua made use of the
word “maybe” the same way she made use of the phrase “if only”. The only difference is
the viewpoint of the poem changed from making mistakes and regretting it afterwards to
considering that it wasn’t a mistake, and maybe it was meant to be after all. Chua used
the tenth line as a transition for the afterthoughts of the tragedy. She then concludes it
with making speculations and excuses for the idea of giving up. If we try to connect
them all together, these thoughts are due to the hardships and suffering mentioned in
the first portion of the poem.

All of the elements used in this poem created a meaningful story told by a survivor of
Typhoon Ondoy. From the title until the last line of the poem, she truly expressed her
story thoroughly and splendidly through these simple elements. The feeling of despair
and woe were present all throughout the poem. “As she pleases” gives us a concise
account of the country’s history and most importantly, the sentiment of one of many
people’s experience of it, including all the details from the physical pain to emotional
pain. This poem taught me to be grateful for every little thing in my life, whether it may
be as little as a piece of cake or as big as being safe despite the pandemic.

597 words
Sources:

Muslim, K. O. (2016, March 28). Philippine ecopoetry and climate change: Rina Garcia
Chua on sustaining the Archipelago. Chicago Review of Books. Retrieved September
18, 2021, from https://chireviewofbooks.com/2016/03/28/rina-garcia-chua-sustaining-
the-archipelago-interview/

Tidwell, C. (2020, September 1). Rina Garcia Chua: September 2020 scholar of the
month. ASLE. Retrieved September 18, 2021, from https://www.asle.org/stay-
informed/scholar-of-month/rina-garcia-chua-september-2020-scholar-of-the-month/