Category: Literature

(This is a school work in my 2nd year of high school in DWU. The paper was dated March 9, 1982)

I am Manuel, the son of Lorenzo and Auxiliadora. I am the youngest child in the family. I am a boy, a man, a person, a human, an earthling and a living thing. I am a sanguine person, a person who stands in the middle between the rich and the poor, strong and weak, the young and old, the fearful and the brave, the bad and the good. I am fearful of what I do not know, but I am brave enough to try anything new. Some of the time, I may be bad but most of the time I try to be good. I know I am strong enough to stand on my own beliefs. ButI can also be affected by the opinion of others. I am not so young that I cannot do things for myself, but I am not old enough to be able to take care of myself by myself. I am myself.

(This article was a seat work in an English literature class in PWU around 1989).

She entered the office along with her mother. It was almost noon and most of my office mates were down at the cafeteria eating their lunch. The office is almost bare except for some medical equipment we use to service the needs of workers from various industrial firms in Manila.

Here I am standing in front of them. Her mother did most of the talking. I was as if she could not speak. The mother introduced her daughter as elena, a 16 year old factory worker from a large textile factory in Valenzuela. According to her mother, elena was abuse by her employer less than a week ago.

“Elena was fired when she forgot to load a fresh spool of thread into the machine she was assigned to handle.” Explains the mother. “She pleaded for mercy and her employer agreed to hire her as a maid in his home instead.”

“During the first two days in her employer’s home, she was locked-up, beaten and raped. It was such an ordeal which affectedalmost every inch of her body and mind. It was a good thing she was able to break free when sympathetic neighbors heard her screams and notified the police.”

I could not believe such things actually happen. I looked at her bruises. They were almost everywhere. But then she does not react whenever her mother touches her arms. It is as if she could not feel a thing. Her eyes blank. Her nostrils were big and pulsating. I think deep inside her she was crying.

Then I stood up and told both of them to wait inside a room. I have to call the doctor who will attend to their needs.

(This article is a school seat work about linear process explanation. It is a group work by Nolit Abanilla, Ma. Jeremiah T. Balbuena and Ma. Alma P. Duron for an english literature class in PWU sometime in 1989.)

Cleaning the toilet is always a drag. You must degrade yourself, kneel down and do the scrubbing. But before that, you must consider somethings.

First, see to it that your windows are closed. You don’t want to let your handsome neighbor see you in your most humiliating position.

Then you must use an appropriate detergent. Do not use your imported “floral scented” soap on the white porcelain just because you want it to smell good. A good active cleanser with deodorizer will do. Dash a few of these into the john. You might need some strong acid or toilet bowl cleaner. Pour some of these generously, and set aside for a few minutes.

Now you can start scrubbing. Scrub very well and do not leave any space unsubscrubed (sic). Make that brownish gray “holy seat” look sparkling white. And feel the glory of that miraculous change.

After scrubbing, you must wash away the soap. You can wipe bowl (sic) with a clean rag if you wish.

Finally, your toilet is clean. Now you can call your 5-year-old brother to sprinkle the toilet with god-knows-what in a manner most playful little boys do.

(Apparently the teacher did not like the story as she gave the piece a low grade of 2.50 with a note saying “topic is very ordinary.” But I think she should have given us a better grade as the purpose of the seat work was to demonstrate linear process explanation, and we did a good job on it regardless of what topic we choose. Well, you cannot please everybody.)

(Unpublished article intended for Philwomenian in 1988)

Apathy has always been an obstacle to Social Development. In this world of conflicts, apathy is never absent, serving its own interest. Such a selfish path one would take.

Apathy is defined as one’s avoidance to be involved in any struggle or conflict. Apathy include liberalism which follows the reconciliation philosophy. We all have heard people say “We must be fair, we must listen to both sides of the story, there is always right and wrong on both sides, If we could only get people to talk to one another and sort out their misunderstandings and misconceptions, conflict could be resolved.” It sounds like a genuine concern for fairness and justice, yet later we will find out that liberalism stands for unprincipled peace.

NOT ALL CONFLICTS CAN BE RECONCILED

We must take in mind that not all conflicts are based on misunderstanding and must be reconciled. In some conflict, one side is right and the other is wrong, one side is being unjust and oppressive and the other is suffering injustice and oppression. Thus one must take side. Being Christians, we are not supposed to try to reconcile good and evil, just and injustice. We are supposed to do away with evil, injustice and sin.

Neutrality is not always possible. In cases of conflict due to injustice and oppression, neutrality is totally impossible. If we do not take sides with the oppressed, then we are unintentionally taking sides with the oppressors. Since being neutral hides the nature of the conflict. The injustice continues and everybody is made to feel that the injustice doesn’t matter because the tension and conflict have been reduced. It keeps the oppressed quiet and passive and brings about a kind of pseudo-reconciliation without justice.

It is wrong to assume that tension and conflict are worse evils than injustice and oppression. It only shows one’s cowardliness to confront conflicts. They are those who are not convinced of the need for change and lack of hope. They rather flee to escapism from the realities of injustice and conflicts.

Thus, it shows that being liberal is being apathetic to realities, and being neutral is a way of siding with the oppressor. In a conflict if one side is right we must recognize this and side with them, just as Jesus sided with the poor. If the other side is wrong and in power, we must oppose them and dethrone them from power. We must realize the real root of many conflicts – The oppressive structure being implemented by the rich. God didn’t actually hated the rich. What he simply meant, is that he wants to pull the rich and powerful from their thrones, from their position in the society, because the structures of the society are unjust and oppressive (Luke 1:52:53)

God said “Love our enemies.” This does not mean for us to convert the rich and those in power to stop the oppression. The only effective way of loving our enemies is to engage in action that will destroy the system that makes them our enemies. In other words, for the sake of love and for the sake of true peace, we must side with the poor and the oppressed and confront the rich and powerful, and join the struggle against what they stand for and what they are defending.

Remember, God wants peace that is based on truth, justice and love and not the superficial peace and unity that compromise truth, covers over the injustices and that is usually settled on for thoroughly selfish purposes.

Advance peace based on social justice and not on apathy.

Input no 7
NOLIT ABANILLA, An Autobiography
Note: Taken from Literary Visions Journal – An assignment for my literary class in college at PWU-IFAD (GEEN 216) under my professor and friend Ms Janet Tauro.

The Birth

I first saw tha world on th third early morning of october. The year was 1969. As the candles of life starts to born, soft glitters fill the eyes of Lito and Let, both medical doctors and my proud parents. Their youngest son has finally witnessed the beauty of Tacloban city, the capital of the province of Leyte and a city sorrounded by all the glories which nature could offer.

I grew up in this boutiful neighboorhood, a perfect blend of greens and urban development. I was able to climb mountains during both rainy and dry seasons, explore the shells and colourful stones on beaches and discover the occasional waterfalls on mountainsides. I have also played with kids doing street games, go biking, hanging around construction sites, waddle on muds where a subdivision is being developed. I also went to one shcoo where I spent playing with the same kids for 11 years (kindergarten to high school).

The Philosophical Formation

After graduating from high school, I took a year in college majoring in philosophy. Although I was determined to be an artist and eager to study Fine Arts, I thought an artist has to have a firm principle in life before being able to talk about life itself. And besides, fine arts courses are not offered in Tacloban city and the political climate was intense in manila at that time (A year before Edsa Uprising).

After a year in AB Philosphy, I came to manila and immediately enrolled at PWU. At this point, I began participating in cause oriented activities. I formed student and your artists organizations. On my second uear in college, my participation to these activities were so intense that I decided to stop schooling nad dedicated my full effort in the progressive movement. I became a national secretariat of an AB-CBN – NCCP sponsored relief and rehabilitaion operations for various calamity victims such as earthquakes, floods , volcanic eruptions, etc.

I was also able to go to far flung areas and mingle with various people. I was able to stay with strikebound workers, living on the picketlines, farmers who picket the DAR offices, urban poor in makeshift shanties, etc. I was also able to talk to people involved with the underground movement, especially revolutionaries who stayed on the mountains as well as urban partisans.

But in 1994, there was a shake-up in the underground movement which eventually split into two: the reaffirmist (those who continue to believe in the rural to urban revolution – marxist-leninist-maoist line) and the rejectionist (military adventurists who believe in violent urban insurrection). This demoralized my enthusiasm with the organization which led to my quiting the movement. I have friends on both sides and it was difficult being in the middle.

The Artist

Even at a very early age, I knew I was going to be an artist. It was probably my mother’s frustration of not finding time to develop her artistic talents which pushed me into this interest. Before going to school, my mother introduced me to all the mediums used in art. At school, I usually fill the pages of my notebooks with drawings.

I did my first exhibit fresh out of high school. This was with a group of artists in Tacloban City. Then I formed an art group which now had members nationally. This is called Lupon ng Nagkakaisang Artista or LUNA. I was able to organize numerous exhibits with this group. But I later quit the luna in 1994.

I worked as a freelance visual artist doing illustrations for campaign posters, (10 have graced the walls of metro manila), books, magazines, etc. I am currently illustrating for textbooks for grade school. I am also currently finishing my Fine Arts degree in college.

The Writer

There was a period in my life that I felt visual art as a very limiting medium. Since 1986, I was the artist of school paper (3 schools spanning 4 years). Being around with writers made me udnerstand the business and so I followed suit. I wrote short stories and articles which were occasionally published in these school paper nad in national magazines.

Then I worked for Virgilio Almario’s Filipino Magazin as a features writer. My beat was on art and culture, frequently reviewing art exhibits. I stayed with the Filmag for 2 years before deciding to become a contributor instead.

The Musician

Finding visual arts and literature still limiting in expressing myself, I got into music. I was raised in a musical world with stereos blasting my ears, I learned how to strum a guitar at an early age. I later formed a band called LVNA, to serve as an outletfor my compositions. I was also able to play with popular bands such as Lolita Carbonm Agaw Agimat, etc.

In a pocket, this probably summarizes a chapter of my life story. At this point all I could say is that we are indeed heading to the right direction. I just hope its an easy way.

– 30 –

Nice to know you, nolit. You are such a talented guy. Keep going. Okey! – Ms Tauro

Nolit, it was such a nice experience reading your entries. Good luck to all your undertakings. You have the talents. – Ms Tauro

Post note: There were more entries on the journal but I ended it here. I got a 100% grade from Professor Janet Tauro. Janet was our editor in chief int the school paper when I was 1st year in college in PWU. Since I stopped school and came back she became my professor. But she is really a good friend of mine together with her equally beautiful and talented sister who also became my co-staffer.

Input no 6
The Blanket
Note: Taken from Literary Visions Journal – An assignment for my literary class in college at PWU-IFAD (GEEN 216) under my professor and friend Ms Janet Tauro.

A blanket is a witness of a lot of events which takes place in the bedroom. In a small house, a newly wed couple has just settled. One day, the wife discovers a blanket hidden in one of the closets in the bedroom. Recognizing it elegant design the wife decides to use it.

As the days pass, the wife began to experience strange things. She keeps on seeing a ghost of a woman whose face is scarred, seemingly crushed when she was murdered. She consulted this strange experiences to her husband, but he brushes it aside insisting that is is just a product of her imagination.

Until one day, a diary was found. This belongs to the ghost who kept appearing to the wife’s vision. The diary reveals the horrific experiences of a woman who was raped by a frustrated suitor and was killed of strangulation using the elegant blanket the wife found. As the wife ended reading the story, the ghost appears and walks out of the house. This time the couple saw this and followed the ghost. The trail led to a shallow grave of a woman who was raped and murdered.

The husband and wife decided to report the corpse to the authorities for investigation. They later buried the remains of the murdered woman decently and with simple spiritual rites. The investigation led to the arrest of a man who was indeed a suitor of the murdered woman. And so justice was met.

– 30 –

Good Story – Ms Tauro

Input no. 5
Short Story Analysis
Note: Taken from Literary Visions Journal – An assignment for my literary class in college at PWU-IFAD (GEEN 216) under my professor and friend Ms Janet Tauro.

I wasnt actually able to read all of the short stories assigned to us. But I was able to browse on a few lines (the beginning and end paragraphs – typical of a short cut reader).

The Enemies was about a feeling which a man could experience during times of difficulties. There are indeed people like these . Its so easy to udnerstand these behaviour, but it is so hard to accept especially in a society when every hand is a great help.

The Secret Life was too long for me. But I think it was exciting. I thought it was action packed, Just like watching a show on TV. The scenes were described almost common to any tv show. Bit I couldn’t have the time to actually catch the plot for I was in a hurry when I got hold of the copy of the story. Well, I might have undestood it better.

The Rose for Emily was a soft inspiring drama. It made me feel uneasy and somewhat apathetic, sympathizing Emily. But I understood the story much more by the way the group presented it. It made me feel unwanted like I am being the talk of the town.

The Capital of the World is hard to understand if you would read it straightfoward. It uses a style of alternating scenes. And it describes different settings, although under one roof. It was probably because the intention of the author to include various reasons for people to troop to the city and thier frustrations which made Hemingway use such style.

I still did not understand the Tunnel. Except perhaps of a vague idea, that it is so hard for a boy to grow up and face the challenges of life. Just like passing through the tunnel.

I would have understood the stories better if the group presented them well. Maybe the reason behind this was that I am tired and bored of reading classic literature.

– 30 –

Input no 4
Group Evaluation
Note: Taken from Literary Visions Journal – An assignment for my literary class in college at PWU-IFAD (GEEN 216) under my professor and friend Ms Janet Tauro.

It was really very hard to be affected by the way the goup portrayed their interpretations of the short stories which were assigned to them.

The first group to perform tackeld “the Enemies” by Anton Chekov. Presenting it with a mime complicated the message the group would like to partake. The audience was instead bewildered by what action the performer was doing. The explanation at the end of the presentation helped. It revealed the theme of the story which is: Man can be selfish, especially during times of crisis. At least, this is to my understanding based on what the group has presented.

The second group presented the story by using egg puppets. The idea of the egg puppets was indeed interesting. But the group presentation was really boring. I think it is beacuse the play was too long and one couldn’t understand who from among the eggheads was actually talking. I didnt actually get a chance to udnerstand what each characted was. They seem to look alike (all eggheads).

The third group was far more better. It was presented by a play which is more attractive. I really felt the gloomy setting which covered the story by the way the group ortrayed. Especially the start where a funeral procession has passed by, and the last part which was the gloomy room of emily. It made the audience fell what emily’s world was really.

The fourth group was our group. What can I say? It was the best “sock”ing experience.

The last group was a drag. This was so since there was a technical problem. I could hardly udnerstand the dialogues. It was more difficult to comprehend since the explanation cmae before the presentation. Passing through the tunnel was really an agony.

– 30 –

Nice comments. Thanks! – Ms Tauro

Post note: This is an assignment when each group was assigned with a different short stories and they are asked to interpret it in whatever means they wish to. Our group used puppets made from socks and stocking which is why I commented it as such. My comments actually helped Ms. Tauro decide on what grades to give.

Input no. 3
Literature is Important or Relevant to Man
Note: Taken from Literary Visions Journal – An assignment for my literary class in college at PWU-IFAD (GEEN 216) under my professor and friend Ms Janet Tauro.

It is important to read and create literature, so that we could catch up with the fast pace of civilization. If man would disregard literature, he would easily forget his past, especially the experiences of his family or the history of his community. He may be committing the same mistakes which his ancestors undertook. This way, the development of the community would be slow.

In the development of a society, there must be the cycle of theory and practice. A theory cannot be implemented inta a plan of action if this is not based on the reality which took place before hand. And in this process a proper documentation is important in order to be accurate. This is literature.

For fictional literature, this form is important in reaching our areas which are blocked by the limitations of straight forward knowledge literature. This include abstract elements such as emotions. Literature is also important in uniting the people towards believing in one reality. J.S. Fichte once recalls, for a nation to beacome one, there must be common binding elements and one of these is literature.

– 30 –

Input no. 2
How I Am As A Reader
Note: Taken from Literary Visions Journal – An assignment for my literary class in college at PWU-IFAD (GEEN 216) under my professor and friend Ms Janet Tauro.

The first book I ever read was Winnie The Pooh. This was a large picture book which I used to play like a toy tent before I could actually understand its purpose. Then there was the infamous “My Readers” which I think every kindergarten of that time got a hold. Since then I never stopped reading.

I usually read only the books that interest me. And this covers a very wide range of subject. The best book I read was Ideals and Ideologies of Modern Politics by Mark Hagopian. This is a collection of essays on various political lines. It helped me understand how certain groups of people picture the world. I also like the Origin Of The Family, Private Property and State by F. Engels. This helped me formulate my foundations of my philosophy in life which is basically dialectical materialist of some sort (a hybrid type as I inputed other factors). The best novel I read was J. Lacaba’s Days of Disquiet Nights of Rage and Luwalhati Bautista’s Dekada ’70.

By reading a book, I learn how to fix cassettes and radios. By reading a book I am able to understand our history and our spiritual behaviour. By reading a book I am able to understand the twisted mind of the author. By reading a book I am able to decide wisely whether the author is telling the truth or is ther to decieve you (eg Plain Truth magazines). Whenever I buy an appliance or any other devices, I read the manual first, so as I could fully exploit the gadget’s function.

But the book that I have never could put down are the Bible and the Dictionary. There was a time when I read the bible like a novel (page after page). But I haven’t actually finished it. I also did this to the dictionary (which I learned is not an effective way of enhancing your vocabulary). I even read a foreign language book just to hear how the people speak that language, even if I could not understand what the book was all about (Really? – Ms Tauro),

– 30 –

Good reading habits – Ms Tauro.

Post notes: I later learned that the bible should not be read like a novel as these are actually notes from several authors spanning several periods of time. One may be contradicting the other depending on the culture and their own understanding of things. I was able to aquire a claretian guide on how to read the bible and am doing well with it now.

The foreign language book I recall was a book I picked up from goethe institute – a german cultural center. As a fine arts student, I frequent these places along with many galleries around town.