APPENDIX B
Synopsis of the Novel
Chapter 1
Introduction to the Bartolome’s as a middle-class family residing in a middle-class
neighborhood. We are also introduced to each of the Bartolome boys and their
mischievous deeds around the neighborhood causing Amanda to be the blame of all
their mischief.
Chapter 2
A small view of Amanda's thoughts of her life as a mother and a wife and her upbringing
in a patriarchal family. She discussed her relationship with the ideas of sex, her body,
and her relationship with Julian. In this chapter, she tries to find autonomy by asking
permission to find a job but was swiftly turned down by Julian with malice and anger.
Chapter 3
Signs of activism and protest against the government and US imperialism slowly rises in
the background. It is implied that Jules has been heavily influenced by the protests and
has started singing rebellious songs with Willy, Jules best friend. Julian told them to stop
engaging in subversive content but is then questioned by Willy challenging the
"democracy" they uphold in their household explaining the censorship they face in their
school activities.
Chapter 4
Martial law has been declared a day before but mass arrest of students-leaders from
different campuses took place. Journalism altogether was shut down or censored from
big media to small campus papers. Isagani expresses his desire to join the US army but
is opposed by Jules passionately which Julian jumped in to stop the argument.
However, Isagani's army dream is halted when Amanda finds out he brought a girl to
their house secretly and so they had to go out despite the curfew to bring the girl back
to her family. The girl's family gave an ultimatum to either let Isagani and her marry or
she is disowned by them assuming she had sex with Isagani and is now pregnant.
Chapter 5
Amanda expresses her stress with all the events she has to manage especially Isagani
and Evelyn's wedding. She regrets not having open discussions about sex with her
children and thought it would've been easier if they were girls. Amanda watches Bingo
play with his kite and asks him to come down. She finds out Bingo's kite is made from
papers from "The Nation", papers that came from Jules room. Amanda becomes
increasingly anxious finding more content that is considered to be illegal during that time
and confused as to how to approach her son especially now that Julian cannot speak to
Jules with matters of politics because they no longer see eye to eye on this topic
Amanda recalling a heated argument between the two about America's imperialist
interest in our economy. Amanda, however, reads the content and experiences a
cognitive dissonance because she has started to see the truthful nature of the papers.
One day, Jules comes home late sobbing after telling Amanda he was out with his
friends. Amanda discovers the newspaper that reports a slain NPA member after an
encounter with government army. Jules then professes that the murdered member was
Willy, his best friend.
Chapter 6
Amanda continues to stress about the coming events, packing things for Emmanuel's
trip, the wedding, and Christmas. She still doesn't know how to comfort her grieving son.
Slowly, the political reality seeps into the family discussion especially about Willy's death
and who is in the wrong. In the funeral, Amanda notices the grieving family and friends,
the young army men guarding, and the whispery subversive song being sang inside.
She feels sorry for the victims, the young, the boys in uniform, for Willy and Jules.
Amanda and Jules get into an argument. She questions him why and if it’s worth risking
their lives but Jules’ answer passionately with so much conviction that it made Amanda
have trouble sleeping. Waking up Julian, she argued with him why he did not do
anything about Jules growing activism and how he could sleep soundly. This argument
made an impression on Julian because Amanda was never an argumentative wife,
however this event also stunned Amanda.
Chapter 7
There is a growing tension between Amanda and Julian after that argument. They once
again, argue about what to do with Jules' illegal activism. Julian commands, "Don't you
take that tone of voice, Amanda." to her and created a rising rebellion inside Amanda
making her restless and more angry questioning her life choices and regrets as a
woman, wife, and mother. During Evelyn's wedding, Amanda couldn't help but to think
about the misogynistic nature of it all, overhearing hushed voice, "so young" and "her
belly is already showing." Emmanuel came home from his trip two days later while
Julian and Amanda continued to give each other the cold shoulders. On the ride home,
Em's stories during his time at the trip sparked a discussion about politics. Julian
justifies the desperate censorship of the media, curfew, and martial law as a necessary
step to create a better government prompting Em to praise his dad's knowledge in
which Amanda commented, "You see, you do have something to say to Jules, after all."
making them back to speaking terms. One day, Amanda finds our Jules was packing his
bags to go to Bicol. They got into a heated argument which ended to Amanda slapping
her son.
Chapter 8
Amanda's red palms marked Jules' face. She justified that she should've done that a
long time ago, to have a stand, and to discipline the young men but she starts regretting
it after seeing Jules eyes reddened. He apologizes and leaves the house and Amanda
behind the door. The next day, he was nowhere to be found in the house, leaving behind
his family coping from his unannounced departure. Amanda enters his room leaving the
discussion brewing at the dining table, she grieves for her son, and she cries from the
growing guilt she felt after she slapped him. She couldn't help but recall the pain in
Willy's face even after his death and the stories that Willy's mom shared about him still
being a young boy at heart looking for his mother. Evening fell, and Amanda was still by
the window hoping for her son to go home. Julian breaks the silence by asking her to
stop worrying about their son too much, but Amanda argued that she's a mother. Julian
also replied that he is also a father to them. However, Amanda recalled Julian saying
men are more practical and women to be more emotional making her feel more for their
son. Julian, pained, said they were his sons too, but he confesses he didn't know how to
talk to them. Sighing, Julian states that he needs to respect Jule's right to follow his
heart and where it will lead him and then indirectly quoting Martin Luther King as his
own words that "Every man should have something he'd die for. A man who has nothing
he'd die for is not fit to live." He leaves the room, to go to the library and bury himself in
his work Amanda assumes. She wonders why they couldn't just discuss without walking
out on each other in the middle of the conversation so they could share their emotions
and become closer.
Chapter 9
Evelyn went into labor and made Isagani realized he did love his wife as pointed out by
Amanda. When Anna Lissa was born, it made Isagani doubt his original plan to enlisting
for the US army. Amanda, on the other hand, was preparing a budget for the next
school year. Jason was scolded by Julian because he was failing to finish all the
expensive projects he was assigned and then a letter from Jules came passed from
person to person until it reached to Emmanuel. The letter was a poem that made
Amanda infuriated making her cross-out Jules from the school budget.
Chapter 10
Jules has finally gone home. He met Anna Lissa, his niece, and he exchanged warm
hugs with his mother, Amanda. The family celebrated his return. Him and Julian drank
beer together and caught up with recent news, of Gani and Evelyn's relationship, Em's
adventures, Jason's education, and Bingo's growth which led to a slip of the tongue by
Jules commenting on the kids that hold guns at the place he was at. After they went
back to their rooms, Amanda and Julian had a quiet conversation with each other about
their family. Julian indirectly comforts himself by saying it's okay to Amanda. Jules would
still be busy going in and out of their house to do voluntary work for the community,
giving out clothes, and coming home with books to read and clothes he didn't own.
During the new year’s, Amanda ponders about resolutions and her life. She hears a
subtle tone during the celebration that reminded her of the protest and activism before,
she sees that this gave Jules’ hope. Amanda has a conversation with Bingo, she
realizes he is growing older and weaning from the family. Bingo accuses his Kuya Jules
a communist, but Amanda explains to him what communism is in China. In the end, this
made Amanda wonder if she does support Jules illegal activities.
Chapter 11
Julian consistently tries to convince everyone that the government is listening and
making changes to the system. He engages in quarrels with Jules, and they exchange
their propaganda to each other. On the other hand, Isagani has had to leave to America
for his dream to become a US army, he had to leave Evelyn and Anna Lissa to his
family. Unfortunately, Evelyn pleaded to be back to her family in order for her to find her
own work and leave her daughter to her mother. Perplexed, Amanda asked why she
couldn't watch over Anna, and Evelyn replied that her dad didn't allow Anna Lissa to be
raised in a family which subjugates girls as demonstrated by Julian and how he treats
her, Amanda. This sentiment made Amanda insecure until Julian asked her to come into
their room for sex presumably. This annoyed Amanda, she played coy until Julian lost
interest. Emmanuel became more engaged with his schoolwork and passion for
journalism, however, when he went to college, he learned the grim reality of the spiking
prices and stagnating salary of the people due to American imperialism over the
Philippines' economy. Additionally, the censorship and constant barring of free speech
and journalism in school radicalized Emmanuel making Amanda anxious and concerned
that he might turn out to become like his brother Jules, an anti-government
revolutionary.
Chapter 12
Finally, a message from Jules has arrived albeit through words of mouth and whispers.
Em was informed that Jules wanted to meet Amanda with an emphasis on urgent
matters. Amanda worried, brought a few hundreds and thousands of pesos just in case
Jules needed it. Amanda arrived late but Jules came to fetch her, and they went to a
restaurant at a corner far from everyone else. When they got their order, Amanda
noticed her son was starving and felt bad and asked him to order more for dinner. Jules
ordered a takeout but not for him, for a woman that he is infatuated with. However, the
tone got serious when they tackled the main topic of the meeting. Domeng, according to
Jules, was an informant to the military, a spy. Much to Amanda's surprised, she couldn't
believe he would do such thing, but Jules emphasized that this issue is prevalent in the
conflict that they’re in, fathers would turn their children in, brothers would kill each other.
Jules warned Amanda to burn all subversive books or evidence he had in his room and
to be vigilant when the military comes in. She agrees.
Chapter 13
Jules and Amanda bid each other farewell as Jules will be away for a long-time making
Amanda teary eyed in the Jeep. At home, everyone worked together to burn all
materials that might be subversive. Em tried to save some, but the urgency was too
strong, they even burned new photos of Jules and unknown tapes without watching
them. After weeks of anxiety, the military never came making Amanda more worried and
impatient. Isagani has been sending letters, expressing his care for his wife and child
but Evelyn however wasn't thrilled. She buried herself in her work and avoided
conversation with her mother-in-law. In the end, Amanda finds out through Gani that
Evelyn has lost interest in going to America to reunite with her husband.
Chapter 14
Amanda met with Evelyn at her house to discuss about their separation. Amanda tried
to be subtle but eventually they had to talk about the elephant in the room. Evelyn
confesses that she no longer loved Isagani and this broke Amanda's heart making her
leave promptly. Amanda curiously asked Julian about a scenario where a wife would
want to leave the husband. This amused Julian because why would a wife leave a
perfect husband who provides everything. Amanda countered that not everything is
about money but just like every person a woman wants to have a sense of purpose too
other than being a wife or a mother. Julian, annoyed, wanted to know who she was
talking about, and she confesses it was Gani and Evelyn's separation. Evelyn calls
Amanda surprising her. She reassures Amanda that she still sees her as her family and
her issue with Gani is just between them. Amanda asks Julian if their daughter in law
and granddaughter could come visit but Julian became very defensive about his true
feelings about Julian. Amanda noticing this, she interrogates him further making him
surrender to his library where Amanda follows him. Amanda realized after Evelyn visited
that Julian was nicer than before. This experience was a highlight to Amanda's year
because for once she won an issue with Julian by constant pestering and nagging.
Chapter 15
Emmanuel just turned 18 and his passion for writing has only been growing even more
as he just published his first work about a growing teenager on a magazine. Amanda is
very proud of him, but Julian is disappointed because he sees writers to be useless to
society compared to engineers, architects, or doctors. He doesn't believe writers have
good salary and doubt the authenticity of the news that journalists make especially
today. He rants about laborers like they are beneath him because they are merely
workers compared to the inventors. Amanda saw that workers are the actual people
who make the economy progress, however. He compared the contradicting belief
between Julian and his son Jules believing that workers are far more valuable than
machines that need to be handled by said workers. Amanda thought about the political
climate of the country, about the martial law and other international organizations
investigating human rights abuses. She also thinks about the Kailnga-Opayao
communities who was able to rise against the destruction of their home and likelihood
by the proposed Chico Dam project. The Batilyos however was unfortunate, they lost
both their homes and jobs because of greedy multinational companies. In line with
Imelda's beautification project, she also evicted thousands of Filipinos because she
believes they didn't belong in the city to build her heart center or convention city. In
Mindanao, the rise of separations also grew even more because of the support from
other Arab nations. Em's writing has become political in nature, first to see print was his
report about the nuclear power plant in Bataan. He researched while he was there in a
supposed trip. He concluded that the communities were aware of the destruction the
plant
will
cause
and
they
were
against
it.
Chapter 16
The focus shifts on Jason, he is a growing boy. His voice has started to change and it
starting to sound more like his dad’s, Julian. He did a lot of activities from Chess to
Basketball and always a socialite bringing his 16-year-old friends. Jason has been
blasting music way too loud recently, this bothers everyone in the neighborhood
especially Amanda. Julian defends Jason to Amanda telling her that he’s just a teenager
and that’s what teenagers do. Amanda argues that Jules and Em wasn’t like that but
Julian counters that they were special cases, Jason however is just a normal teenage
boy. Em turns off the music and this leads to Jason and Em fighting. Just when things
were about to get rough, Julian was able to break it off. Julian then starts discussing
serious matters with Jason, but he deflects them with woes and admiration towards his
dad. In the end, Julian got swayed and they left the discussion with a joke. Amanda
recalls a time when Jason gave him a kitten during valentines’ day. She realizes that
despite Jason’s happy-go lucky attitude and recklessness she knows he has a loving
and caring son.
Chapter 17
Now, Amanda’s thoughts focus on Bingo, their youngest son. She asks him what his
plans for his future was, but Bingo’s answer was only to become a man. She realizes
that Bingo is still truly a child who doesn’t worry about his future. Bingo was handling
some Doves but they flew away and this made him upset, calling his mom. Amanda
tried to console Bingo by telling him that just like children, doves always come back to
their home as long as their home didn’t lack in anything and wasn’t neglectful.
Hesitating, she also mentions that they might not come back if they get captured, or
worst, killed. This example made Amanda think of Jules as the bird whether he left
because his family neglected him or if he would never come back because he is
captured. During Bingo’s birthday, the family prepared a big party for both young and old
to enjoy. Amanda prepared a lot of food for all the guests she was expecting including
her sons friends. During the party, she was hoping Jules would drop by but he never
did. While cleaning the mess, she realized how wasteful the children were about the
food and how she wasted them too by throwing them out. She felt guilty that maybe her
as middle-class individual contributed to the oppression of marginalized people and
maybe Isagani was just a slave to the US empire. Jules’ political belief is really affecting
Amanda’s view of herself and her family.
Chapter 18
Amanda already gave up waiting for Jules during that night. She started to miss Julian,
so she went to his study room which was uncharacteristic of her. Surprised, Julian
asked her what she was doing, and she just expressed she missed him. Amanda sees a
playboy magazine on Julian’s desk, and she starts to wonder if he was cheating on her,
her insecurities surface on her thoughts, thinking whether her husband doesn’t see her
own wife desirable anymore. She expresses to him that she feels old while Julian still
feels young. Eventually they’re conversation led to Jules and their worries. Julian tells
Amanda that he’s proud of her and they went to sleep. When the day was about to start,
Amanda notices a noise from outside and this turns out to be Jules. Not a second
wasted, she realizes Jules came with a car and a stranger who was in distress. They
went into the house, and she realizes the stranger was wounded. They didn’t take
anymore time and they just went to Jules room to rest. Amanda saw how tired his son
looked. Later, Amanda confronted Jules about the wound, and it revealed that it was
from a confrontation with the army. He tells his mom that he needed to bring back the
car and he had to go. He pleads to Amanda to let his friend stay because they had no
where to go. Amanda agrees and Jules is gone again leaving behind his wounded
friend.
Chapter 19
There is a recall of what happened to Rene’s group before he was injured. Amanda is
uncertain if it is safe for Rene to stay here so she refers Jules to Julian. Julian
eventually allows Rene to stay after explaining to Jules how dangerous it was for the
family, but Jules assured them it is safe. Jules hastily went away again after his dad
gave him some money for emergencies. Rene is embarrassed to have inconvenienced
them but is grateful for the Bartolome’s hospitality. Amanda listened to all the stories
Rene shared about the struggle and the many casualties that happened. Rene and
Julian got into a discussion, but they had opposing ideas. Rene, however, had great
confidence in his voice. Eventually, Rene and Julian found a common ground and
ended up liking each other. Then Jules came home with a very surprising guest, a
pregnant woman.
Chapter 20
Jules introduced Mara to the family as his wife. Amanda surprised, couldn’t find the right
words to say. She was stressing out about how she would look like to her daughter in
law because she believes the first impressions are important. Julian scolding Jules
about keeping the family in the dark but Jules had valid reasons as he did not plan this
whole thing out. Amanda and Julian had a quiet discussion between the two of them in
their room. They were once again talking about the roles of the men and the women in
the relationship and Amanda again, talking to herself about her dissatisfaction with
Julian’s conservative ideas. Amanda notices Mara staring at her sometimes, eventually
they talk about the state in which Mara and Jules is on and she shares her story that her
parents reject her politics despite them being in the working class. As the holiday
season was over, both Mara and Jules went back to their respective place of work. One
day, Mara finally gave birth as announced and celebrated by Jules to Amanda. Amanda
excited and surprised wanted to get dressed to see the baby but Jules stopped her.
Jules only heard the news from the others, he wasn’t there himself during the birth of
their child. This upset Amanda a lot, but she quickly regretted her disappointed remarks
when she realized Jules had to sacrifice a lot for the revolution and if he could be there
with his family he would.
Chapter 21
Amanda recalls the propaganda that the Philippines has long achieved Independence
but in reality, it is still under the control of the United States. Multinational corporations
still hold the economy of the country. She recalls many instances of protest against the
greed of American influence starting from the ‘60s and the relentless mass actions held
on the streets of Manila. The unrest spread and grew uncontrolled nationwide against
the
“US-Marcos’ dictatorship.” During Martial Law, things became clearer that the
government was in favor of the western interest instead of the nationalization of
industries. Protests and unionizations were banned to protect the interest of the west.
Homes and livelihood were demolished for the development of international businesses.
The economy worsened despite the government’s effort to silence the people. Antigovernment organizations started to grow that forced the government to recognize them
as a legitimate organization. In an effort to pacify the rebellion, the government ordered
companies to grant Christmas bonuses. Informal settlers, urban poor, and revolutionary
armies grew. Up until this moment, newspapers frequently carry headlines concerning
armed encounters that killed the likes of Willy. The killings will never stop unless there is
change.
Chapter 22
In the dead of night, the PC knocked on the Bartolome household’s gates. They
marched and desecrated their home under the “search and arrest order” they have.
Amanda’s mind started racing, she was anxious if there were unnoticed subversive
materials that was left behind by Jules in his room. She was wondering if instead of
Jules, they would take Em instead because of the articles he has written. They find out
that it was Rene who ratted them out according to the PC. Eventually the men told them
that Jules was a Political Officer, and this gave Amanda a sense of pride. 8 APRIL 1978,
there were a lot of political activities that happened. On the night of June 12th, Amanda
felt restless and ten days later Em asked her if they could set down to talk. Em then tells
the news that Jules has been captured.
Chapter 23
Jules was captured on the night of June 12th. Julian was quiet the whole time they were
going around Camp Crame looking for Jules. They asked for officers if they knew where
their son was and at last one officer admitted he was. After pleading the officer, they
were allowed to meet Jules. Finally, Jules emerged from the room at the end of the
corridor. He was in bad shape, limping with every step and his head tilted on one side.
Later they find out that his lungs collapsed, he was stripped naked to freeze, and his
genitals were electrocuted. After all the threats and torture, he endured, he never broke
down and spilled information about the revolution. He told his parents with pride in his
voice. Both parents embraced their son as if he was still a young kid that they raised.
They were advised to petition for Habeas corpus so free Jules. In Amanda’s visits to the
detention center she met a few higher-ups but found one, Lieutenant Liboro, to be kind
and amiable because he let visitors sneak in to meet their detained family. One time,
Amanda chanced upon Colonel Valderema with his wife and children. She developed a
certain friendliness with the Colonel as he never failed to ask how her son was doing.
However, upon talking to Jules about him, she soon found out that he was a sadistic
and malicious torturer. After days of trying to set Jules free through letters, there was no
luck. Mara however sent them a letter and Em still continued to make articles about the
abuses that Filipinos go through. In the end, Amanda thought that maybe a revolution is
indeed needed.
Chapter 24
Jason passed his senior year with just his pleasing personality. He was allowed to stop
schooling for awhile to “reinvent” himself. However, he was going home late more often,
this gave Amanda a hard time. On Christmas, he objected to going to the detention
center to celebrate with his brother Jules but still went there after being scolded by his
mother, he barely spoke a word the whole day. Later, Amanda finds out that Jason had
a plan with his girlfriend to meet so that they could introduce him to her family. Bingo
told her that Jason was devastated because he was in love with the girl. One night,
Amanda got a call from one of Jason’s friends that he was arrested. In a panic, Juliane
and Amanda went through several police stations before they found out that Jason was
actually already released after singing a logbook. However, he was still not home, they
thought maybe he was just at his friends’ place to hide from their scolding but after
calling all of his friends, going around the neighborhood, and knocking on houses he still
was nowhere to be found. Amanda was getting more worried because Em has not gone
home yet and was still looking for their lost son. Julian tried to calm her down and
pleaded that she relaxed.
Chapter 25
At midnight, Em went home drunk and went straight to looking for his dad. They talked
in his room while Amanda was eavesdropping. Julian screamed and punched a glass.
They killed Jason. Em found his body in a morgue. Amanda broke down and made a
bloodcurdling scream. The autopsy revealed that Jason sustained 17 stab wounds. His
wrists were marked with wires, his arms and elbows skinned, his thigs and knees ripped
open, and his testicles were smashed. Jules was allowed to come to Jason’s wake
together with 2 military guards. Gani also flew home from the states, he looked betterbuilt now, more manly, and confident. They were all trying to find out who could’ve done
this to Jason. Em acclaimed that obviously the police did this. Julian calmly interrupted
that Jason signed a release paper. Despite all their accusations it remained fruitless
because they had no concrete evidence to pin someone down. Amanda told Julian that
he wanted to bring this case to higher authorities, but Julian opposed. They had no case
to present. Julian wailed and confessed to Amanda how angry and desperate he was to
avenge his son. He broke into uncontrollable sobs. It made Amanda pity him for a man
who used to be so dignified and so arrogant.
Chapter 26
Amanda and Juliane went the rounds of every government office hoping to find
someone who could help Jason’s case. The authorities did investigate but eventually
was listed and archived as one of thousands of unsolved cases in the police
department. Amanda’s grief turned into guilt. He was wondering that maybe Jason felt
jealous that Jules got all the attention. Amanda tried to explain that Jules needed more
attention but that she loves them all equally. Juliane woke her up from her grief by
calling her name out. They shared their grief together knowing that no one can replace
their son Jason. Amanda hoped that in time, she will heal. Reminding her that she’s not
that only mother who lost children to the hands of criminals. Finding strength and
learning to live and accepting the tragedies. One day Amanda received a letter from
Mara extending her condolences and desire for justice. And then the other day, Evelyn
came to visit for Amanda. Evelyn consoled Amanda and they both cried and cradled
each other. Days passed and life continued. The political detainees have started a
hunger strike with a long list including freeing a woman who gave birth in detention.
After tensions started to rise and many news broke out about the hunger strike, the
government finally started an investigation and allowed a few tweaks to follow the
demands. During this whole time, Amanda couldn’t visit Jules because of the strike
causing a red alert, however, when it got lifted, she finally saw Jules at prison. He has
lost a lot of weight. The doctors advised not to eat too much except milk and biscuits.
Amanda thought what they did was crazy, but they were proud with the changes they
were able to get for the revolution.
Chapter 27
A year has passed, and Amanda has only felt emptiness. She tried questioning who she
was and what legacy she will leave when she dies. She did not try to take credits from
her sons’ achievement as she believed she didn’t influence them to become the man
that they are today. She started to feel scared of her wrinkles and feel alienated with
herself feeling completely lonely when she’s at her home. She started imagining a
conversation with God. She imagined God would ask her many questions and get
impatient with the delay of her answers. God asked who she was, but she forgot her
true name as Bartolome is not hers, but her husbands and her maiden’s name is from
her father’s. She started feeling rebellious and started questioning the question itself,
but God only answered that it is a man’s world. Amanda replied that the question should
be concern to what kind of person she is not her name’s so God asked her that.
Amanda replied that she is a no-kind of person blaming God for making her the way she
is, knowing nothing. Amanda decided that if God was like Julian she wouldn’t want to
die and be with him forever. It’s 1980, Amanda has noticed that Julian’s face was also
ageing. She has started to be obsessed with the desire to have a life away from Julian.
One day, they had a big argument Jules’ and Mara’s relationship. Eventually, Amanda
spilled her thoughts and told Julian she wanted a separation. After all of Julian’s
berating Amanda just replied she was going to pack her things and go.
Chapter 28
As Amanda was packing her clothes, she started wondering about the life she was
going to lead. She didn’t care about the money she had left or the things she was going
to bring, she wanted a new beginning. The bedroom door opened; it was Juliane
standing motionless at the door for awhile before coming in. He said that maybe he was
a bad husband but accuses Amanda that she had lost her feelings for him. She
continued folding her clothes before facing him that it’s not that she lost her feelings, it’s
that she felt like no-kind of person. No longer a person but just a wife or a mother. Julian
replied that he thought they were happy but realized that wasn’t the truth. They
continued to converse sharing their deepest thoughts and feelings, about their guilt and
about sexual desires. After their confrontation, they had started to spend time together
more. Amanda’s friends even started to notice that she looked younger.
Chapter 29
Amanda believes she had learned a lot the past few weeks, becoming smarter and
liberal in her thinking, even rationalizing her husband’s (past) womanizing. Halfway
through the year, President Marcos has allowed Benigno Aquino to seek medical
treatment in the states for his ailing heart. It was also around the time when Gani
remarried and invited Amanda and Juliane to stay with him at the states. Two years has
passed since Jules was detained. Out of goodwill and humanitarian reason, Colonel
Banal made a list of recommendations of people to set free and among the people listed
was Jules. When he was set free, the other prisoners sang “We Shall Overcome” while
embracing and shaking hands. The guards opened the gates with a smile and Jules and
Amanda met with a tight embrace. A few days after Jules came home, he already
wanted to rejoin the revolution. He was met with a lot of criticism from his family
especially his father Julian asking his concerns for Rev, his son. He eventually went out
again, but this time Amanda wasn’t upset about it. The Philippine government’s
propaganda was rampant, but the critics did not believe this. Many efforts to silence the
revolution met with more violence and protest. War is in the offing… and the great
chaos is looming again.
Chapter 30
Amanda’s worries have started to rise once again especially for Em as he’s been more
active in the political turmoil, investigating and creating reports in support of the
workers. She raised this concern to him, but he said he wasn’t engaging in activities as
risky as his brother Jules. This convinces Amanda that he would be fine but inn one of
Em’s play, a theatric presentation, Amanda has started to worry again because of the
songs and themes that were directly in referenced from real activist groups. Soon after,
a few men “invited” Em for a dialogue with the NBI. Em joked that if he was ever
imprisoned then Amanda will now be visiting him at the camp instead of Jules. In the
years 81-82, Amanda has become a witness of Em’s development of his passion for
journalism. He always shows the family the gruesome pictures and details of victims of
the government. He shared many stories to the family in view of his deepening
involvement in the struggle. One night, Em came home and asked Amanda if he could
entertain and nurse a wounded person. It turns out the person that Em carried home
was grazed by a bullet during a protest.
Chapter 31
Exactly 10 years from September 21, 1982, Martial law was declared. Amanda starts
reminiscing how small her children were during that time. Just yesterday, Gani sent a
letter with the news that Jean, his second wife, had given birth. Jules also sent a letter
that came unconventionally with a political quote or line, as always. From Em, he
brought a little girl that he rescued from the picket lines. It was a military attack on a
barrio in the dead of night, where all of forty-give residents were forced out of their
homes. The little girl Marela was saved by playing dead and not moving until the
soldiers were gone. Somewhere around the gruesome scene, she found a crying baby
among the dead, cuddled him, sang him a lullaby, and carried him away towards the
house of the captain in the next barrio. She was brought at their place to testify in the
people’s court, a Human Rights Symposium. One time, Amanda left Marela in front of
TV besides Bingo. Bingo is now in first year college and has grown fond of watching
crimes stories. Amanda went inside Jason’s room and started reminiscing times with
him when suddenly a loud sound of “bang bang” came from the TV. Marela was
screaming in terror caused by her trauma. Amanda caressed her and assured her she
was safe while Bingo was apologetic. After things have calmed down, Amanda asked
why Bingo has started an interest in crime shows and he reveals that he wanted to
study criminology but feels guilty of becoming part of the PC in respect of the victims
from its oppression. Amanda urged him to follow his passion so now they pursue their
own journeys of their life. One night, Amanda expresses her pride for her contribution to
the revolution by taking care of the wounded guest his sons would bring at night to
Juliane. They have a conversation about their future and their children then went to
sleep while snuggling.
Chapter 32
Amanda discusses about the economic dynamics between the United States and thirdworld countries, particularly the Philippines. It sheds light on how American banks and
corporations sought to invest surplus capital in the country, capitalizing on its raw
materials and inexpensive labor. The country grappled with economic challenges
exacerbated by political corruption and heavy reliance on imported goods. The World
Bank played a pivotal role, advocating for foreign investments in the Philippines, often at
the expense of local industries and communities. The consequences were far-reaching,
including land displacement, failed agricultural initiatives like Masagana 99, and broader
implications of American neo-colonialism in the region. This intricate interplay of
international finance, local politics, and social issues underscores the complexities
faced by the Philippines during that period. A theatrical presentation on Independence
Day at the Araneta Coliseum drew a large audience, despite coinciding with traditional
celebrations in Luneta. The event featured fiery speeches and calls to action from
bishops, writers, and labor leaders, advocating for the freedom of political prisoners and
the cessation of presidential commitment orders, which were met with cheers and
applause from the crowd. The overwhelming response of “Revolution!” to the call "The
battle cry of the nation!" highlighted the daring and fearlessness of the thirty thousand
attendees, emphasizing the ongoing struggle of the Filipino people rather than the
celebration of Independence Day.