REGION 1
SHORT STORIES
Authors Biography

Carlos Bulosan was born in the Philippines on November 24, 1913 and immigrated to the United States at the age of 17 on July of 1930. He arrived in Seattle, Washington where he would struggle against discrimination and poverty. He traveled up and down the west coast of the United States chasing after work. After years of harsh living and working conditions, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and went to Los Angeles to have surgery at the Los Angeles County Sanitarium. Here he was confined to the hospital for two years, during which he read and wrote profusely. After three operations in this time span, he lost most of his right ribs and one of his lungs. Basically self-educated, having had only three years of formal education in the Philippines, he has become one of the most celebrated. Filipino writers in American history, his most notable work being his semi-autobiographical novel, America is in the Heart, which was published in the year 1946. The novel represents not only his own story but a collective story of Filipino men like him. The novel describes Filipino experiences on the Central Coast as one point among many, including Alaska, Seattle, Yakima Valley, all the way down to San Diego.
My Father Goes To Court (Carlos Bulosan)
My Father Goes To Court (Carlos Bulosan) When I was four, I lived with my mother and brothers and sisters in a small town on the island of Luzon. Father’s farm had been destroyed in 1918 by one of our sudden Philippine floods, so several years afterwards we all lived in the town though he preferred living in the country. We had as a next door neighbour a very rich man, whose sons and daughters seldom came out of the house. While we boys and girls played and sang in the sun, his children stayed inside and kept the windows closed. His house was so tall that his children could look in the window of our house and watched us played, or slept, or ate, when there was any food in the house to eat. Now, this rich man’s servants were always frying and cooking something good, and the aroma of the food was wafted down to us form the windows of the big house. We hung about and took all the wonderful smells of the food into our beings. Sometimes, in the morning, our whole family stood outside the windows of the rich man’s house and listened to the musical sizzling of thick strips of bacon or ham. I can remember one afternoon when our neighbour’s servants roasted three chickens. The chickens were young and tender and the fat that dripped into the burning coals gave off an enchanting odour. We watched the servants turn the beautiful birds and inhaled the heavenly spirit that drifted out to us. Some days the rich man appeared at a window and glowered down at us. He looked at us one by one, as though he were condemning us. We were all healthy because we went out in the sun and bathed in the cool water of the river that flowed from the mountains into the sea. Sometimes we wrestled with one another in the house before we went to play. We were always in the best of spirits and our laughter was contagious. Other neighbours who passed by our house often stopped in our yard and joined us in laughter. As time went on, the rich man’s children became thin and anaemic, while we grew even more robust and full of life. Our faces were bright and rosy, but theirs were pale and sad. The rich man started to cough at night; then he coughed day and night. His wife began coughing too. Then the children started to cough, one after the other. At night their coughing sounded like the barking of a herd of seals. We hung outside their windows and listened to them. We wondered what happened. We knew that they were not sick from the lack of nourishment because they were still always frying something delicious to eat. One day the rich man appeared at a window and stood there a long time. He looked at my sisters, who had grown fat in laughing, then at my brothers, whose arms and legs were like the molave, which is the sturdiest tree in the Philippines. He banged down the window and ran through his house, shutting all the windows. From that day on, the windows of our neighbour’s house were always closed. The children did not come out anymore. We could still hear the servants cooking in the kitchen, and no matter how tight the windows were shut, the aroma of the food came to us in the wind and drifted gratuitously into our house. One morning a policeman from the presidencia came to our house with a sealed paper. The rich man had filed a complaint against us. Father took me with him when he went to the town clerk and asked him what it was about. He told Father the man claimed that for years we had been stealing the spirit of his wealth and food. When the day came for us to appear in court, father brushed his old Army uniform and borrowed a pair of shoes from one of my brothers. We were the first to arrive. Father sat on a chair in the centre of the courtroom. Mother occupied a chair by the door. We children sat on a long bench by the wall. Father kept jumping up from his chair and stabbing the air with his arms, as though we were defending himself before an imaginary jury. The rich man arrived. He had grown old and feeble; his face was scarred with deep lines. With him was his young lawyer. Spectators came in and almost filled the chairs. The judge entered the room and sat on a high chair. We stood in a hurry and then sat down again. After the courtroom preliminaries, the judge looked at the Father. “Do you have a lawyer?” he asked. “I don’t need any lawyer, Judge,” he said. “Proceed,” said the judge. The rich man’s lawyer jumped up and pointed his finger at Father. “Do you or you do not agree that you have been stealing the spirit of the complaint’s wealth and food?” “I do not!” Father said. “Do you or do you not agree that while the complaint’s servants cooked and fried fat legs of lamb or young chicken breast you and your family hung outside his windows and inhaled the heavenly spirit of the food?” “I agree.” Father said. “Do you or do you not agree that while the complaint and his children grew sickly and tubercular you and your family became strong of limb and fair in complexion?” “I agree.” Father said. “How do you account for that?” Father got up and paced around, scratching his head thoughtfully. Then he said, “I would like to see the children of complaint, Judge.” “Bring in the children of the complaint.” They came in shyly. The spectators covered their mouths with their hands, they were so amazed to see the children so thin and pale. The children walked silently to a bench and sat down without looking up. They stared at the floor and moved their hands uneasily. Father could not say anything at first. He just stood by his chair and looked at them. Finally he said, “I should like to cross – examine the complaint.” “Proceed.” “Do you claim that we stole the spirit of your wealth and became a laughing family while yours became morose and sad?” Father said. “Yes.” “Do you claim that we stole the spirit of your food by hanging outside your windows when your servants cooked it?” Father said. “Yes.” “Then we are going to pay you right now,” Father said. He walked over to where we children were sitting on the bench and took my straw hat off my lap and began filling it up with centavo pieces that he took out of his pockets. He went to Mother, who added a fistful of silver coins. My brothers threw in their small change. “May I walk to the room across the hall and stay there for a few minutes, Judge?” Father said. “As you wish.” “Thank you,” father said. He strode into the other room with the hat in his hands. It was almost full of coins. The doors of both rooms were wide open. “Are you ready?” Father called. “Proceed.” The judge said. The sweet tinkle of the coins carried beautifully in the courtroom. The spectators turned their faces toward the sound with wonder. Father came back and stood before the complaint. “Did you hear it?” he asked. “Hear what?” the man asked. “The spirit of the money when I shook this hat?” he asked. “Yes.” “Then you are paid,” Father said. The rich man opened his mouth to speak and fell to the floor without a sound. The lawyer rushed to his aid. The judge pounded his gravel. “Case dismissed.” He said. Father strutted around the courtroom the judge even came down from his high chair to shake hands with him. “By the way,” he whispered, “I had an uncle who died laughing.” “You like to hear my family laugh, Judge?” Father asked? “Why not?” “Did you hear that children?” father said. My sisters started it. The rest of us followed them soon the spectators were laughing with us, holding their bellies and bending over the chairs. And the laughter of the judge was the loudest of all.

REGION 11 POEMS
BALIWAWAY

(A Cagayan Valley Region Lullaby)

(published by Sir Marc Kenneth L Marquez for a good purpose[credits to the source])
My son, now that you are still young,
I compare you to a blooming flower;
But when you grow to be a big man,
Maybe you will be a naughty youth.

But though my suspicions are like that,
I just bear them all because;
If you will grow, and have a long life,
You shall take care of me when I grow old.

I am, then, urging you to sleep,
So that I can go out the field and work;
To plant, so we may have something to reap,
To sustain life so that you will grow easily.

And if you will grow to be a man, my son,
You shall take my place on the farm,
You shall climb the tall tries in my stead;
Cut the branches and the trunk,
So that we shall have some place to plant rice
To sustain us, while we are still alive.

(Anonymously translated in English language)
ROMBLON
Ang Bubungan (Roof)

Sir Marc Kenneth Marquez
Iniaalay sa Kadakilaan ng Pamilyang Romblomanon

Nilusak- lusak ng panahon 'ring dakilang pamandong
Tanda ang malaking siwang ng unos na nagpambutas,
Ng bagyong dumaluyong, dagta't lumot nagpangyabong;
Ang tuyong dahunan sa sakmal ng habagating mantas
Sumiwang ang araw hangga't pang-abot sa nananahan
Mga katawan na sa lamig at init namumuhunan.

Kinayas ang kawayan sa kundimang talim ng sundang
Dinahunan ang bulihan 'pang gawing latigong uway,
Kinalumpon ang mga tuyong dahon ng niyugang pakyang;
Dinahan-dahang binalikat ng 'Na ang pagsisikhay
Hanggang mapawid, dumaan-daan yaring iyong pamilang
Sa daliring bitak-bitak tanda ng alwang madalang.

Dumaing ang kulubuting tuhod ngunit 'di sumigaw
Sa itaas ng bahay hayun nagpapalit bubungan,
Ang tatang sa bukid ngayo'y sa alikabukang tanglaw;
Wala sa hayumahan, sa pastulan o kahanggan
Nasa sar'ing bahay, sa tahanang panaho'y dumaan
Nagmamalasakit sa dak'lang bubungang pinandungan.

Natatalos ng aking 'sipan, iring kahahantungan
Kung bubungang naging saksi't mata ng pagmamahalan,
Tiyak akong tagal at tibay panahon ang may tangan;
At pakaisiping sa bubungang pumap'tak ang ulan
Hanggat dya'y may naninirahang pagkakaunawaan
Tibay ng pagsasam'han patunay ang lumang bubungan.
MARC HENNETH L. MARQUEZ

WARAY SHORT STORIES
BOWAON AND TOTOON (Waray Literature)

(published by Sir Marc Kenneth L Marquez for a good purpose[credits to the source])

Once upon a time, there were two friends, Bowaon and Totoon. They couldn’t find work so they decided to go away from their place to look for their fortune somewhere. They brought with them rice and then they mounted their horses. As they went on, they got hungry. From a distance, they saw a coral reef. They got off their horses and headed for the reef to catch fish. There, they caught schools of fish but they were very tiny. Totoon forgot his hunger. He returned the fish he caught to the reef. Bowaon got angry. “How will we able to eat?” he scolded. “Never mind Bowaon, they are so tiny; they will still grow bigger,” Totoon replied. They rode on their horses again. After a distance, they saw a dead man. Totoon asked Bowaon to stop so they could bury the body. But, Bowaon got angry, “Are you out of mind? If somebody sees us, he’ll think we killed him.” “But we should show mercy. There is a way of finding the truth. Well, if you won’t help me, then I will bury him by myself. You may go onward if you please. I’ll follow later,” decided Totoon. Bowaon went ahead while Totoon dug a hole for the body. Then he carried the dead and buried him. He prayed over it then went on his journey. Bowaon could not bear to leave him so he returned for Totoon. They therefore, set out together again. Trotting along, they heard babies cried. They went towards the direction of the sounds. They found hungry baby eagles in a nest. “Let’s stop for a while and feed the eagles,” suggested Totoon. Then bowaon saw that Totoon was going to kill his horse. “Are you foolish? When they grow up they’ll prey on you. Let’s go on, we’re already delayed,” Bowaon said. “Don’t mind me. I pity these baby eagles. Anyway, no debt goes unpaid. Go ahead, I’ll just follow.” “If you go on with your silly ideas, I’ll not give you a ride,” threatened Bowaon. “Then I’ll walk,” decided Totoon. “Even if I go slowly, I’ll still reach my destination. After killing his horse, he fed the eagles. When they feel asleep, Totoon left. Bowaon again had returned to give Totoon a ride. Far ahead, they sighted a palace. “Let’s go,” suggested Bowaon. “Let’s ask the king for work.” They knocked at the palace door. They were told to enter, but since it was late, they were not granted any audience with the king. They slept in the palace. “You see,” taunted Bowaon, “if you did not delay our trip, we should’ve been able to eat. You are the cause of all this.” They went to sleep nevertheless since they were so tired from their journey. After a while, Totoon heard his name called. “Rise Totoon and listen, in the morning, when the king calls you for breakfast, don’t eat at once. On the table you’ll see a pen and some cooking utensils. Sit near the pen, and your future will be bright. Don’t be surprised. I am the dead whom you have buried. I came to pay the favor you showed me.” Everything went silent and Totoon feel asleep again. In the morning, the two friends were called for breakfast by the king. As he was told the night before, he saw the pen and some cooking utensils on the table. Bowaon sat down and just as soon began eating. “You Totoon will become my secretary, while you Bowaon, will become my cook,” announced the king. At first, Bowaon was glad with his work for it meant plenty of food. He would not go hungry. But as time went on, he began to envy Totoon for the latter was not fatigued much. He thought of smearing the name of his friend. One day, Bowaon went to the king to report that he heard Totoon say that the latter would be able to find the ring the king lost within three days and that the reward will be marriage to the princess. Of course, the king got angry for he did not say anything like that. He had Totoon summoned to his hall. Totoon protested the accusation but the angry king would not listen to him. “Go, look for the ring then and if you find it you will have the princess for a reward but, if you fail you will lose your head,” announced the king. Totoon did not say anything. He got a paddle and rode far out to the sea. There, he cired his fate. No longer after, he heard a voice. It was a fish asking him why he as crying. Totoon unburdened his problem. After listening, the fish dived deep into the sea. When it surfaced, many fishes came up with it, each one with a ring in its snout. Totoon looked among the rings. The king’s ring was not there. The fishes dived again. When they came up, they were bringing the king’s ring. Totoon thanked the fish. “Don’t mention it,” said the fish. Actually we are only paying the favor you showed us before hen you threw us back into the reef.” Then they left. The king rejoiced that the ring had been found. He held a banquet. Now, Bowaon had plenty of work again. He did not like it. In the banquet, the king announced the forthcoming marriage of Totoon and the princess. Bowaon was very angry. There would be much work ahead. He thought of a plan to thwart the wedding. But it did not succeed. After the wedding, Bowaon went to the king. “Your majesty,” he said. “I heard Totoon say that on the third day, the princess will give birth.” The king got mad. He once more summoned Totoon. “Do you mean to say that you had an affair with the princess even before you got married? You scoundrel! But since you’re already my child, I can’t do anything. However, do what you’ve said---that the princess will give birth three days from now. If not, you’ll surely lose your head.” Totoon cried in despair. The princess comforted him by saying she’d talk with her father, but he couldn’t be calmed. After a while, an eagle came. “Don’t cry Totoon,” she began. “This time I’ll help you in payment for help you extended my children. Get a midwife and talk to her. I’ll bring you a newly-born child.” Then the eagle flew away. When she came back, she had an infant, still dripping with blood. In the bedroom, the midwife acted as if there really was a delivery. When the king awoke he heard the ones of an infant. He was amazed that the princess did give birth. He forgot his anger. “It must be a miracle,” he muttered. (Summary:Translated to English language)
ZAMBOANGA SHORT STORIES

FUEGO DE SAN ANTON (published by Sir Marc Kenneth L Marquez for a good purpose[credits to the source])

In Langaitan, a remote barrio of Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte; is found an old statue of San Antonio, left to a certain Cedes by a great grandfather. People say this statue has done wonders, as it has helped quite a lot of people recover long lost thins. People come to light candles in front of his statue and ask aid from him to help them find valuable goods lost. If the lighted candle falls, then there is no more hope of getting back the lost goods. In the place was a woman Candida, who had suffered so much in the hands of her cruel husband, Antonio. She couldn’t go out of her house without his getting suspicious. Every centavo in the family coffer was counted; a shortage of even twenty centavo would mean a beating for Candida from Antonio. One day, Candida went out to buy rice at a nearby store. Upon arriving home, she found her five-peso bill gone. She had dropped her money in the store where she was paying for the thing she bought. She began to be afraid of thinking again of what Antonio would say and do upon knowing of the five pesos gone. She ran back to the store and asked Manang Terya if she had found her lost money. The woman told her to ask Victoria, as they were the only ones left there, when she left, and she saw her pick up something but she was not sure what it was. Candida went to Victoria’s house and asked her if she had found her money. She begged and begged, but Victoria tried to deny everything and even got angry with her and told her to go away. Candida tried again, begging her once more to please return the money for her husband would beat her. But still Victoria would not listen. Upon arriving home, there was the angry Antonio waiting for her at their doorstep ready to strike her. She explained to him, that she lost her money and that she had gone to Victoria’s house to inquire and did not meet with other man. Antonio would not believe her; instead he whipped her and forced her to tell whom she gave the money but what could poor Candida say, when she really had lost the money. The following day, she brought two candles to Cedes’ house and lighted those candles in front of San Antonio’s statue. First, she twisted the candles, intertwining them and then picking them until they were full of holes. Then she wept and wept in front of the statue. Several days passed. Victoria noticed something like a pimple growing on her cheek. She did not mind it at first, thinking it was just an ordinary pimple. She even scratched it and soon it grew bigger until it covered almost the whole cheek. She went to arbularios but still it persisted. It did not only get bigger and bigger, but it also gave off an awful smell and the nose shrank, while the mouth receded. She approached Congressman Lubay to help her. She was recommended for admission in San Lazaro Hospital. She stayed there for almost a month, but still there was no cure. The doctor could not tell what the disease was. It couldn’t be leprosy, as it was found only in the face and the rest of the body was free of it. So she went home. She arrived at Langaitan finding the town’s people avoiding her. Children were so scared to go near her, because of her monstrous face. She thought of beautifying herself. She had her hair curled and her front teeth gold filled. She thought it would make her pretty, but it even made the children more afraid of her, because in the dark the teeth shone, making her look more horrible. She continued living like that, alone and unloved. She repented of what she had done, but it was too late. The people in the town scare their little children, who are disobedient and dishonest, by referring to her. Parents say that if they follow what she did, the same thing would happen to them—they would suffer the punishment of San Antonio---“El Fuego de San Antonio.”
REGION IV