8 Stories (Reflection) By: Jane Paula Madelar

May Day Eve

Men and Woman are different in view
They have distinct styles that are new
They are strong even though they are few
Walls of hindrances can overthrew.

God made us equal and fairly
We have our own talents to play
No one can judge or criticize our ability
For we have part in this humane society.

What boys can do, girls also can
Women can also be a master of themselves
Where no one can dictate the decision’s they made
That is how women project their individual traits.


Revenge is not the solution to problems
Forget and forgiveness must portray always
Sharing and giving love can make a difference
So we can have peace and unity in our journey.

Footnote To Youth

Sabi ninda ang pag-agom baku karaw-karaw
Ini dakulang desisyon na paghurup-hurupan urualdaw
Kung baga ini maluto na dae pwedeng mag-usbaw
Ta saimong magurang siguradong mapungaw.

Ang storyang Footnote to youth sarong modelo
Sa mga batit na baku pa sigurado
Sa mga tigagibo na puro pakunswelo
Marumduman lugod ninda ang maraot na epekto.

Ang salang gibo kang magurang, dae pagarugun
Ta ini siguradong makakaraot sa kagabsan
Early marriage asin Early pregnancy ay likayan
Ta nganing marhay na buhay ang mapadumanan.

Ang problema natural na sa satong buhay
Kaipuhan tana lang maniwala sa satuyang kakayahan
Dai mag-idali sa mga pagkakataon ta yaon sana iyan
Ang importante maging maugma asin makuntento sa gabos na bagay.

Like the Molave

The poem reflects the nationalism and heroism and how they inspire each individual, to be a great defender of their country. Like the molave, we must be strong enough in such things that we might encounter in our lives especially the youth of today. Facing things all together can make a big difference because as they said unity is the best capital of one community comes up with good result.

In first part of the poem proved that we have part in this society:

Not yet Rizal, not yet. Sleep not in peace

There are thousand waters to be spanned

There are thousand mountains to be crossed

There are thousand crosses to be borne.

The RIZAL in poem pertains to the Philippines and also to the youth. It serves as encouraging words that we must not be contented of what kind of situation we have. There are more challenges and hindrances that might put as down. We should stand still against the odds of our own life and even to the environment that we are part of. We must be brave to fight for the betterment of our society. We cannot predict of what tomorrow will happen, so e must prepare ourselves to survive.

As part of this humane society, we shall join to the quest to make the Philippines more prosperous place. In this, freedom can fully appreciate by many without any hesitation to live their own life. Being unified country can improve the life of the people because after all lending a helping hand in all problems is a sign of stronger Philippine country.

Order for Masks

In this poem, the three masks show the three roles of a woman which is being a sister, daughter and a wife. It implies the negative and positive situations of female population of our society. Not just of men, they are also the capability to gain admiration and flexibility in the field of caring, supporting and loving. But on the other side, the woman has to fulfil the different roles that are expected from her. She is the one who is willing to sacrifice for sustainability of both genders. It is true that women base from ancient times serves as an object to please the en until today but it doesn’t mean that it will remain as it is because our way of living and thinking do change. Nowadays, it is said that whatever men can do, women also can like they can lead and be part of political institutions and can do hard works like constructions, driving and others. Also, education is truly related to this poem so we must value it because it serves as a stepping stone for women to also be on top.  

My Father Goes to Court

This story reveal the reality about underprivileged families with the affluent ones. Living in a society as a human being adheres with so many trials and circumstances but there is a way we could do to lessen the burden within us, it is what we so called “Laugh” and “Happiness”. This story just want to imply to us that laughing and being happy is the most vital features for a person to live his life to the fullest. This is a good relationship among others away from any problems and conflicts. Just like in the case of the poor family in the story, they live their lives in a simple way, as a happy family and with a strong family ties. They get to play, socialize with others and laugh and the most important thing is that they are contented of what they have even they live in the midst of poverty and many difficulties. They never let their relationship ruin by any of problems as long as they are together and happy. On the contrary, the rich family are wealthy, abundant in food and has comfortable lifestyle but the matter is that they are still not contented with what they have. They want more of everything and they tend to be more powerful than the poor that only means they will not truly happy of what kind of life they have. We must always remember to be contented of what we have. Money is not everything. The reality in life is we must know what makes us happy enough. Give yourself a break and just be positive no matter what life brings.

Soledad

The poem depicts how a society reacts on a certain situation that disturb or contradicts the basis of their action which is the religion. Filipinos deep sense of religiosity is reflected in their way of life – the way they decide, act and lead. But is this the only basis to judge other by the mistake they’ve done? In the poem there was a girl who committed a mistake which is the pre-marital sex and when the people learn about this scandalous situation they judge and condemned the girl instead of giving sympathy. What happened to their so called Christian teachings? To have mercy on others, this only reveals the outlook about the people expressing their unconscious mind about those kind of situations. This poem also shows how a group of people in a society reacts when such expectations fail. A society’s traditions and culture is guided by something. Something they choose to believe and manifest them to be what they are now. But beyond this, we must also remember that even we are linked with the same religion, god made us unique to be different from other so we must not judge anyone using our own basis. Ever mistake deserves forgiveness so rather let our hearts do forgive.

How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife

Everything in the name of love is possible. If you are in love you can do the things, that you aren’t make in the past. Love conquers all. It is the state of our life that we feel all the things are easy to deal with. The essence of love cannot put down by any challenges actually it will made you be a strong person just to fight for the person you adore with. This is what Maria ought to do. To show her love for Leon, she overcome all the odds that Leon’s parents had been done. They underestimate the ability of Maria, thinking that she will not be able to live in rural area. But because of the love and the likeness to live with leon, she didn’t mind the test instead he face with determination and together with the love. This is just a proof that there’s no wall of hindrances that can defeat love. Even if both of you differ in culture and way of living it is not the things that would break you. As far as you love each other and willing to take risks in a relationship no one can stop you.

Geyluv

Kasalanan nga ba ang magmahal ng kapwa?
Kung ito’y hindi ko naman sinasadya?
Baliw na puso sa kanya’y nahalina
Tanging kaligayahan sa kanya’y nadama.

Ang sabi ng iba . magmahaln ang bawat isa
Ngunit sa paningin nila, ito’y hndi maganda
Ito raw ay labag at hindi kaaya-aya
Kaya’t sandamakmak na pang-huhusga ang napapala

Ngunit sila’y hindi umaatras at nagpapabanga
Mapa-Lesbian, gay, bisexual o Trangender pa yan
Sila’y rumarampa mapagabi man o umaga
Ngiti sa labi ang siyang binabandera

Gaya ng makulay na lovestory ni benjie at mike
Parehong lalaki na magkaibigan , na tuluyang nagibigan
Pinapakita lamang nila ang matatag na pagsasamahan
Kaya kahit anong pangungutya , sa kanilay balewala

Kung mahal mo ang isang tao, panindigan mo
Kahit may pagkakapareho na nakikita sainyo
Hindi nasusukat ang pag-ibig sa kasarian lamang
Bagkus sa kung gaano kayang ipagsigawan ang inyong pagmamahalan

8 Stories (Reflection) By: Hiede Ann Villanueva

Footnote to Youth 

In this story, the life of Dodong's father is passing through generation to generation. They married at an early age. Nowadays, some teenagers that got pregnant think that marriage is the solution. Marriage is not a game. It must be taken seriously. We should not rush ourselves into such thing. We have a lot of time to pursue our dreams. Marriage is a thing that has full of responsibilities and you must be mature enough. There are lot of circumstances that must be considered before marrying. Let's know first the consequences in the decision we make.

My Father Goes to Court

It doesn't matter how much wealth we have or how much the family can provide. What matters is how happy we are together, how full life can be with just each other. The rich man's family may have the good food, but do they enjoy it as much as the family who is happy by just the aroma of food? Also, Acusing others for our misfortune or misery, does not mean that they are responsible for it. You can blame others but really the fault is on your hands. The rich man blames that the neighbors stole the spirt of the food that nourished them instead of nourishing the rich man's family, but really, the neighbors stole nothing. The neighbors were merely glad to smell the food and enjoyed playing outside and bonding together. While the rich family stayed inside to watch them enjoy and grow healthier, they  themselves grew to envy the neighbors happiness.

How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife

We should respect and give a chance to get to know people before we assume anything about them. There will always be different kinds of people and instead of looking at the differences we should change our views of certain things and see what can surprise us when we accept those differences. Also, social status is not a hindrance in love. A humble farm man can always love a city girl. And also, to keep a relationship working, sacrifices and comprising can help keep their lives happier together.

Magnificence

It is a story were a couple hired a stranger to be a tutor to their children. Vicente or the stranger is taking advantage to the innocent girl. Good thing the mother arrived and saw what happened. Then, slapped the man repeatedly. He told the girl to take a bath and throw the pencil to clean or purify again the little girl. This story tells us that we can never really trust some people nowadays for they might use it for bad intentions. Don’t trust people until without really knowing them. It also seen the love of the mother because she protected her little girl.

Geyluv

People usually don't act on what they truly feel because they fear of what other people will think and say of them. Our actions are usually based on what the society will accept and not on what makes us happy. Being in a same sex relationship does not make anyone of those individuals a bad person or a person who is to be frowned upon. There are only two kinds of people, those who do good and those who do bad. Loving a person who is the same as your gender, how is that doing bad?

Song of the Tear-gassed Man

The song of the tear gassed man is a plead of the people who are not in favor of the government or those who want to fight for freedom and rights as citizens or students or just as men who deserve justice. This cries out what these people want to express and what they want to be heard for. This was written during the martial law in which whenever there are rallies or mobs, police tear gas these men to temporarily blind and irritate their eyes. The writer had a different way of being heard and it was through this composition that is now still being carried out through time, teaching us what they were going through then.

May Day Eve

Marriage should not be based on raging passion. For passion is not enough to keep two people intact together. We must not make decisions based on emotions felt in the moment because it may not last. Also leaping into serious commitments without proper dissecting of the situation can lead to disillusionment  which causes to see something we once thought of to be so great into something we've grown to recent.

Soledad

Soledad is a story of a woman who loved too well but was condemned for that doing. Soledad was a woman who was carved from pride, a woman who people are proud of and is looked up to. But she disregarded all that for just a moment with her love or the so called "firebrand". And this lead to the people's thinking that "her soul's cathedral was burned by his desires" maybe this was because Soledad has not yet gotten into marriage that is why she was condemned for loving too much.

8 Stories (Reflection) By: Jan Mauryn Mahusay

Like The Molave 

(Photo from Google)

The author was referring that our country has hope if all people will be united. He was still convinced that many Filipino youth's are like Jose Rizal who's our national hero that have the same strength like him to fight for the better of his fatherland and fellowmen. Of all these problems that the country is facing right now, we need more people like the Molave, who's strong and firm enough to face any circumstances. I think it's not yet too late to take actions. Our children are the future generations. They will be the one who's going to suffer if we don't move right now. 

Footnote to Youth

(Photo from Google)

Dodong's father and Dodong himself didn't tried to pursue the logical role of a parent. It is understandable that all people make mistakes but we learn from it, right? Rather than sharing to their sons the past experiences and lessons in life being a father at a young age, they didn't thought about it and continued to follow their child's urges. As a result to that, their child suffered because they lack knowledge about parenting and didn't know what is it to be in a married life. If the father of Dodong started it right, for sure Dodong will be in the right path and his son Blas will not do the same thing as theirs. But it has already been passed through. They can't turn back time and change their mistakes. I just hope that Blas will not do the same thing to his child and teach the right ways on how is it really to fulfill a youth's dreams. 

My Father Goes To Court

How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife

(Photo from Google)

Baldo's family showed these beautiful traits of a Filipino culture like; living a simple lifestyle, being respectful to their parents and the closeness of the family with each other. It was Baldo who asked by his father to accompany his brother Leon with his wife Maria going to their home to know if she is worthy to be the wife of his son and asked if she was scared of Labang their pet bull who was also considered as part of their family to test if she was brave enough. The story also represents  the noble quality of being a father who shows absolute care to his child. Maria as a wife was really patient and understanding. She didn't even complained about their long journey though it was a rough ride and they rode a bull going to their home. I think, she was truly a woman who's every man wanted to be a wife with her personality and looks. No wonder Leon really loves him. Thus, Maria was lucky to have Leon as a kind-hearted husband. They were definitely a perfect pair and I think they'll build their own family wonderfully.

Order for Masks 

(Photo from Google)

The poem is all about a woman who desires to be in three different roles for his three men in her life that represents three masks to portray for his brother, father and lover. She wants to be in an opposite side towards his brother when times of fights and misunderstandings, an ideal daughter for his father who's gentle and innocent and for his lover that will truly cherish her love and maintain the contentment and happiness in their relationship. But, no one's perfect. We must accept the fact that every person has flaws and we're all making mistakes. Just offer kindness and spread love to other people. The important thing is that you're being true to yourself and what you show to others aren't fictitious.

Magnificence

(Photo from Google)

"Magnificence" pertains to the mother who showed bravery in protecting his daughter. The story began in a man who's a bus conductor. He offered help to a mother of two children and his name was Vicente. He always go to their house in the evening to assist the children in doing their home works. But later on, he secretly liked the little girl and acted differently which causes the child frightened. And then the mother wondered and she felt there was happening wrong, then he let Vicente out of their house. At first, the mother shouldn't trust Vicente without knowing his background though he showed hospitable to her children. But she faced Vicente strongly to let him away from his children. That's why, a mother like her should be loved and appreciated. 

Mother's Break

(Photo from Google)

Being a mother is probably not an easy task to do. We should be really grateful if we have a kind of mother who never gets tired of giving our needs and wants for the sake of our happiness. We shouldn't blame our mothers if we get scolded every time because they're just concerned and they don't want us to be in the wrong way. Also sometimes, they're just tired of all the chores and other stuffs. So as a child, we should just understand the situation and help them to lessen their duties. And most importantly, always show how much we love our mothers. 

Geyluv