FOOTNOTE TO

YOUTH
JOSE GARCIA VILLA
Jose Garcia Villa

Born: August 5, 1908

Died: February 7, 1997
Jose Garcia Villa

 Villa was awarded as National Artist for Literature in

1973.
 Aside from being a poet and a writer, he was also a critic
and a painter.
 His story “Footnote to Youth” tells about the consequences
of early marriage.
 He was encouraging young readers to think of their
actions and reminding them that parental wisdom is not
always a basis for a wise decision.
The story

Dudong,17, is impatiently waiting for his father to return home so

that he can tell him of his love for Teang and his desire to marry her. He
feels that at 17 he is a grown man and is ready for the next important step in
his life. When he tells his father that he has asked Teang to marry him and
wants his blessing, there is a long and cruel silence. His father asks if he
must marry her because Dudong is very young. Dudong resents his father's
question, and finally his father gives his consent.
The story

Nine months later, Dudong is waiting outside while Teang gives

birth to their first son, Blas. He feels young and inexperienced, a contrast
to how he felt nine months ago. Dudong did not want any more children,
but they came anyway. For the next six years, Teang gave birth. Seven
children in all.
The story

Teang did not complain. However her body was now shapeless
and thin from bearing so many children and from the hard work of caring
for them and the household. Even though she loved Dudong, she cried and
wished that she had not married so young. There had been another suitor,
Lucio, who was nine years older than Dudong. She chose Dudong because
he was so much younger. Lucio had married after she married Dudong,
however, he was childless. She wonders if she had married Lucio, would
she be childless? She feels that would have been a better lot in life. But she
loves Dudong, even though life has made him old and ugly.
The story

One night Dudong goes outside and thinks about his life. He wants
to have the wisdom to know why life does not fulfill Youth's dreams. Why
did life forsake you after love? He never finds the answer.
The story

One night Dudong goes outside and thinks about his life. He
wants to have the wisdom to know why life does not fulfill Youth's
dreams. Why did life forsake you after love? He never finds the answer.
The story

When Blas turns 18, he comes home and tells Dudong that he
wants to marry Tena. Dudong at this time is only 36 years old, but he is
portrayed as a much older man. Dudong does not want Blas to marry so
young. He asks the same question his father asked him. Does Blas have to
marry Tena? He does not want him to make the same mistake he
did. Blas also reacts with resentment. Dudong realizes that he is dealing
with Youth and Love, and they will triumph over this situation. After that,
comes real life. He gives his consent, feeling sad and sorry for his son.
Title

 Footnote to Youth – It is said that it is a footnote to youth because it is

a brief reminder for the Filipinos especially the youth of what a real
life could be today.
Characters:

1.Dodong - main character of the story who got married at

the age of 17
2. Teang - regretted marrying at an early age
3. Lucio - Teang's other suitor who got married after she did
and who's childless until now
4. Blas - Dodong and Teang's oldest son who followed their
footsteps in the end. Blas contemplated to marry Tona
when he was 18
5. Tona - woman whom Blas wants to marry.
Setting

Where : Farm, a rural area where life is simple

When : It happened when the sun was already setting in the

west, after Dodong was done with his work.
Theme

 Enjoy being Youth

 Responsibilities and Realities
 Decision Making
 Teenage Pregnancy
Moral

 It’s easy to get married but we should know it comes along with big
responsibilities.

 Marriage is something to be taken seriously.