Saturday, January 29, 2011

What if it's Leon's turn to visit Maria's parents?

Leon, who is the eldest child in his family, going with Maria, who will be his wife soon, to Maria's house to visit her parents. Leon grown up from the province since he was born and Maria grown up from Manila, capital city of the Philippines. They met in Leon’s province when Maria visited there to escape from complicated city and rest. Leon liked Maria when he saw her at first. Maria liked Leon’s purity that lived in a province without any corrupted by society day by day. Days that Maria stayed were enough to let them to love.

Leon wore neat and tidy suit, with smell of strong perfume. His suit didn’t look better than people who wear like a model from the city, but he tried himself to wear neatly. Leon stepped in to the bus going to Manila. Maria followed him and led Leon where to sit in the bus. They both sat on the seat; people were getting in the bus. The bus was full; Leon and Maria paid the fare while the bus started to move.

“How do I look?” Leon asked to Maria. Maria smiled, and said, “Great.” Leon then let out a deep sigh. Leon was nervous to see Maria’s parents. They are planning get married before Valentine’s Day. At least, Leon should gain Maria’s parents’ favor even with his appearance.

-ringing- Maria’s phone was ringing. It was her mom. Perhaps Maria’s mom wanted to know where they were. “Hello?” Maria answered. Leon couldn’t hear what Maria’s mom was saying on the phone, but he felt and knew what Maria and her mom were talking about. “Ok, mom.” Maria ended the call. Leon didn’t ask anything and leaned on the bus seat to rest.

The bus stopped. Leon and Maria got out from the bus and looking for other rides to take them to Maria’s house.

The weather was so fine to visit someone. However, the sound of cars, jeepneys, and tricycles and the smoke were mixed up in the air. Leon and Maria breathe in the murky smoke. They got in the jeepney. The sound of cramped jeepney was so loud. Leon and Maria were waiting for the time to get near to Maria’s house.

On their way to go to Maria’s house, holding each other’s hands. “Are we near?” Leon asked. “Almost. Are you okay?” Maria asked back. Leon nodded his head twice without saying anything. Maria seemed excited. She was keep on smiling and humming while walking. “Did you tell your parents about me?” Leon asked with curiousness. “Yes.” Leon thought that her parents might hate him. “Don’t worry.” Maria said to Leon like she knows what’s in Leon’s mind.

Maria pointed her finger to one of the wide houses. It was a white splendid house with blue roof on the top. Leon thought that he was middle of the several castles. When he was very near to the house, he rechecked his suit and face with the mirror of Maria. –ding dong- Maria pressed the door bell. The door opened by the helper in the house, Leon stepped his feet in the house carefully. Maria led Leon where to sit before they meet Maria’s parents. Maria went to 2nd floor to call her parents. Leon sat on the sofa, and staring strange stuffs in the house. Then he found Maria’s baby picture on the table near to sofa. Maria was cute and cubby. She posed holding tree with reddish chick and lips. Smile appeared to Leon’s face.

Leon heard something that sounds like a foot step from the 2nd floor. Leon stood up straight from the long sofa, Maria and her parents were walking down to Leon. Leon greeted Maria’s parents and they greeted back to Leon and said, “You must had hard time to come here. Welcome.”

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

My Father Goes To Court: Insights

Filipinos are poor but happy?
From what i know about the Philippines, it is poor country. Philippines is slower than other countries that can develop the country. However, there's no reason that people cannot laugh or smile because of poverty. Poverty can't be the reason that people's laughter may not appear to their faces. When I read the short story titled 'My Father Goes To Court', I felt it weird and I questioned myself. Why are they laughing all the time and bring out their neighbors to laugh with? This can't be the story in real life. But then I thought of Filipinos. Yes, Filipinos laugh. They seem to be happy always. I mean, when I see them, most people laugh. Also in the story, it was weird at first, but when I finished reading it, it was interesitng. They hang out or play with their family and siblings and they also make some jokes even though those jokes are too much to joke. Most people won't laugh with those jokes such as 'pregnant joke'. What I've seen some Filipinos, their laughter looks like it's real with their friends and family. As miss.D said that all the koreans don't laugh with their real feelings. Sometimes we smile not to show our feelings to the others. Others might feel bad if our faces look like we're not comfortable with someone. However, I haven't seen any of Filipinos laugh or smile with anger on their faces. So like, what I've written here, Filipinos are poor and half of Philippines has poverty, but they even laugh in it. There aren't such things that Filipinos should not laugh or be happy if they are poor. Happiness is the most important thing in the country.