FOOTNOTE TO YOUTH

By: Jose Garcia Villa

Author’s Background: Jose Garcia Villa (August 5, 1908 – February 7, 1997) was a Filipino poet, literary critic, short story writer, and painter. He was awarded the National Artist of the Philippines title for literature in 1973, as well as the Guggenheim Fellowship in creative writing by Conrad Aiken.

Vocabulary:

Virility - (in a man) the quality of having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive; manliness.

Cursory - hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed.

Clamor - a loud and confused noise, especially that of people shouting.

Impassioned - filled with or showing great emotion.

Assert - state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.

Characters:

Dodong - Started as a teenager in love.

Teang – The girl Dodong fell for.

Father – Regretful of his youth, hesitant to give advices.

Mother – caring mother, she relates to Teang’s pain.

Blas – One of Dodong’s children.

Tona – The girl Blas wants to marry.

Setting:

Farmland - Agricultural land is typically land devoted to agriculture, the systematic and controlled use of other forms of life—particularly the rearing of livestock and production of crops—to produce food for humans.

Summary

One day, Dodong was waiting for his father to tell him about his intentions with Teang. He was hesitant at first but was determined to tell him. His father was always a silent hard working farmer. Dodong mustered up the courage and started heading homeward while thinking about how to tell him. Though he may be 17, Dodong believes that he is ready to marry Teang. He arrived home, and then they all had supper. Afterwards, Dodong went upstairs to talk to his father. He wanted to tell him quickly before his mother returns. Finally, he told his father about his intention, eagerly expecting his consent. The father looked at him with cold eyes and said nothing; it is as if it reminded him of his younger days. The father had no choice but to agree to his son’s proposal. Later on, Teang got pregnant, Dodong was waiting outside, too ashamed to face his parents. After Teang gave birth, they called Dodong to come over and held his hands to give him the strength to face this moment. Years went by as Dodong had more children. Dodong realized that he threw away his youth and went through such difficult times. He wondered what would have happened if he had not married so early. Blas, the first child, being 18…One night, he came home happy and flustered it was late and his family was asleep. Dodong saw Blas as he couldn’t sleep. Blas softly muttered: “Itay, I am going to marry Tona”. Dodong told Blas to follow him outside to talk. Dodong rememebered his father’s words and said the same to Blas. Dodong saw himself in Blas when he was younger. Dodong could not help but give his consent. He felt sad about what will Blas go through.

Symbolism:

Youth is the period between childhood and adult age. In this stage, they are yet to know the true meaning of responsibility. It is a light subject to them as they only see things on one side. They mainly focus on the fun in life, may it be good or bad.

Theme:

Early Marriage

Lesson:

Marriage is a very heavy decision as it can result into problematic situations. Especially when one is barely in his/her 20’s or has not finished his/her studies. It is difficult to thrive without the proper preparations. You have to find a way to provide for your family as well.