Literature Blog

The Ritual by Cirilo F. Bautista Theme: Power and Suffering Characters: The Narrator was a teacher in the mountains and a friend of Dayleg. Dayleg was someone who acted as if he is the supreme being. Roy was the brother of the unnamed Narrator. Summary: Dayleg is the epitome of pure intentions but is unable to properly execute them. In a way of trying to help his tribe out, he carries out his plan but the only problem was that the people in his community did not believe that his "way" was the right way after all. The citizens of the community apologized to the Gods in Dayleg's place. They knew that he should be punished but they didn't want themselves to be scrutinized. Cirilo F. Bautista's The Ritual depicted the Marcos Administration by comparing our former president to Dayleg. It is no question that these two possesses similar qualities. Yes, they both wanted change to be imposed on our society and nation but both also used wrong "ways" or met...

Children of the City by Amadis Ma. Guerrero Theme: Ugly truth of the real world Characters: Victor was once a naïve little boy who was awakened by the harsh truth through the hard way. Victor’s father was a man of his words and his beliefs. Victor’s mother was easily wavered by temptations. Nacio was a wise boy who knew his way through the streets. Tio Pedring was a reliable relative who is willing to lend a hand. Summary: Victor, once a hopeful kid, realizes how awful the world can get even through the eyes of a young boy. At the age of eight years old, he already lost his father to the chaos of a strike and his mother to another man. Luckily, he was given a chance to work for his Tio Pedring’s newspaper business wherein he experienced things a child can only imagine in their dreams. Victor’s story proves that once you peek behind the curtains, there’s no turning back. Amadis Ma. Guerrero’s “Children of the City” low-key depicted the events to be in relation with ...