speech of president laurel addressed to the filipino youth

8/20/2019 Speech of President Laurel Addressed to the Filipino Youth

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SPEECH OF PRESIDENT LAUREL ADDRESSED TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH,FEBRUARY 29, 1944

Speech of His Excellency, Jose P. Laurel, President of the Republic of the Philippines, delivered over Station PIA anila, on !ebruary "#,$#%%, addressed to the !ilipino youth.

YOUTH OF MY BELOVED LAND:

In this critical period of or histor!" #e need the heart" the sol and the $i%orof the !oth of or land to help s &ild or contr! on the 'ost endrin%&asis of &rotherhood and solidarit! of all Filipinos( I a'" therefore" happ! to)no# of the inte%ration of the Filipino !oth and that the Filipino !oth is no#on the 'arch( The *estion is: +here is it %oin%, Is it 'archin% #ithirresisti&le #ill and deter'ination to#ard pro%ress and ci$ili-ation" peace andorder" and the prosperit! and happiness of the Fatherland, If it is" I" as thechosen head of or nation and or people" heartil! #elco'e it and &id it

.odspeed(

It is trite sa!in% that the ftre &elon%s to !oth" especiall! to thosed!na'ic" a%%ressi$e and self/con0dent !on% 'en and #o'en #ho ha$eforesi%ht( Ths the! ha$e the &onden dt! to ensre it( 1o 'ch faith the%reatest Filipino patriot and hero" 2i-al" had in the !oth of the land that#hile he #as still in his teens" he dedicated to it his pri-e #innin% poe'entitled 3To the Filipino Yoth"4 and he called the Filipino !oth not #ithotreason and 5sti0cation 3Fair hope of '! Fatherland(4

1e$eral !ears later" #hen 2i-al #as in Madrid" he tho%ht a%ain of the

Filipino !oth( On the occasion of the si%nal honor and distinction conferredpon the fa'os Filipino painter 6an Lna #hen one of his paintin%s #asa#arded the hi%hest pri-e in the artistic #orld" 2i-al o7ered a tochin% toast(He e8pressed the fer$ent hope that the #orth! and co''enda&le e8a'plesof 6an Lna" and 2esrrection" another fa'ed Filipino painter" #ill &ei'itated or e'lated &! the Filipino !oth( In the corse of a fe# !ears that!oth had &eco'e to hi' 'ore than the 3fair hope of '! fatherland49 it had&eco'e the 3sacred hope of '! Fatherland(4

2i-als fair and sacred hope is represented &! the !on% 'en and #o'en of toda!" &! !o" the Filipino !oth on the 'arch" !o #ho #ill &e either the

leaders and 'asters of !or contr! and !or contr!s fate to'orro# or thehe#ers of #ood and dra#ers of #ater for other people 'ore a'&itios andfar/seein% than !o" 'en #ith $ision" #ith cora%e" and #ith an indo'ita&le#ill to scceed #hate$er &e the o&stacles(

Inspired &! the sa'e no&le senti'ent" the late Dr( 2afael ;al'a" &ilder of the Uni$ersit! of the ;hilippines" dedicated to the sa'e !oth" to the sa'e3fair and sacred hope4 of the Fatherland" his last #or) and 'asterpiece" his


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life/si-e &io%raph! of 2i-al( In his dedicator! re'ar)s he %a$e $oice to hisa&idin% faith and con0dence in the a&ilit! of the Filipino !on% 'en and#o'en to 'a)e %ood(

Ha$e the! 'ade %ood or are the! 'a)in% %ood, +ere 2i-al li$in% toda!

#old he &e prod of the', +old he sa!" if he cold see the' fro' &e!ondthe to'&" that he did not die in $ain" that his contr!s sacred and &eatiflhope has not disappointed hi' and those #ho li)e hi' had %i$en their fll'easre of sacri0ce for the %lor! of their Fatherland,

Ho# fare the !oth of the land, Are the! plantin% the seeds that #ill 'a)etheir contr! %reat, Do the! reali-e the serios pro&le's that no# confrontthe 2ep&lic of the ;hilippines" #hich is their 2ep&lic" and are the!contri&tin% to the fllest e8tent to the soltion of sch pro&le's, Are the!pttin% their stron% and &road sholders on the #heel of pro%ress andprosperit!, Are the! helpin% acti$el! in the co'plete restoration of peace

and order in their contr! and in the %i%antic reconstrction #or) #hich &oththe people and the %o$ern'ent 'st nderta)e, Are the! doin% their dt!as citi-ens of the 2ep&lic" #or)in% for the co''on happiness and #elfare of their respecti$e co''nities,

As !e so#" so shall !e reap( Are the Filipino !on% 'en and #o'en of toda!so#in% the seeds of peace and prosperit! so that the! #ill reap the frits of pro%ress and tran*ilit!, Man is the archet!pe of societ!( Both societ! andthe nation %ro# as the indi$idals %ro#( Unless or !oth prepare for theftre" there #ill &e no ftre for the'(

3I #ant to let those #ho den! s e$er! feelin% of patriotis'"4 #rote 2i-al"3that #e )no# ho# to die for or dt! and for or con$ictions( +hat 'attersdeath if one dies for #hat one lo$es" for ones contr!" and for those oneadores,4

In one of his partin% letters he #rote 3M! ftre" '! life" '! 5o!s" all I ha$esacri0ced for '! lo$e for her4


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+hat #as Isa%anis retort, 3+hen I ha$e %ra! hairs li)e !ors"4 he ans#ered"3and I loo) &ac) pon '! past and see that I had #or)ed onl! for '!self"#ithot ha$in% done #hat I cold #ell ha$e done and shold ha$e done forthe contr! #hich has %i$en 'e e$er!thin%" then" e$er! %ra! hair of 'ine#ill &e for 'e a thorn and instead of &ein% prod of '! %ra! hairs" I shall &e

asha'ed of the'(4

Do the Filipino !oth of toda! tal) and feel that #a!, Are the! fll! a#are of the tre'endos responsi&ilit! placed pon the' &! 2i-al #hen he calledthe' 3fair and sacred hope of the Fatherland,4 Are the! #illin% to die fortheir con$ictions" to 0%ht hn%er and po$ert! and all the other e$ils that hardti'es &rin% in their train so that their contr!" their people" their 2ep&lic"'i%ht li$e in peace and in a&ndance,

=ontrastin% his a%e and that of his son" the father of I&arra" 2i-als hero inthe NOLI" said: 3The ftre opens itself for !o9 for 'e it is closin%( Yor

a7ections are &ein% &orn9 'ine are d!in%( Fire &rns in !or &lood9 frost iscon%ealin% in 'ine9 and !et !o cr! and do not )no# ho# to sacri0ce thepresent for the ftre" a ftre #hich #ill &e sefl to !o and !or contr!(4

3Yo do not )no# ho# to sacri0ce the present for a sefl" fritfl ftre(41rel!" the !oth of toda! cannot and #ill not accept that serios char%e( The! cannot and #ill not disappoint their %reatest hero" 'art!r and 'odel( The! are read! and #illin%" I ta)e it" to do their part" to #or) #ith their dl!constitted leaders for the sal$ation of their contr! especiall! drin% theseda!s of spre'e ordeal #hen the fate of the ;hilippines is at sta)e as a resltof the scarcit! of food and the contined pernicios and dislo!al acti$ities of

so'e of or citi-ens(

I a' ta)in% the li&ert!" therefore" on this occasion to in$ite and call pon allthe !oth of the land to 5oin hands #ith the forces of the %o$ern'ent tosti'late food prodction" to restore co'plete peace and order thro%hotthe len%th and &readth of the ;hilippines" and to #or) acti$el! andpersistentl! for the #elfare" pro%ress and prosperit! of the 2ep&lic( The2ep&lic is not of this %eneration to )eep" &t it is particlarl! for the !on%%eneration and ftre %enerations to preser$e and to en5o!(

I than) !o for this opportnit! of addressin% the !oth of the land on this

'e'ora&le occasion( I shall &e happ! to sa! a fe# #ords to !o later inconnection #ith the inte%ration 'o$e'ent of the Filipino !oth not onl! inthe p&lic and pri$ate schools &t of all Filipino !on% 'en and #o'en allo$er the islands so that the !oth of the land 'a! &e not onl! a stron% factorin spportin% this %o$ern'ent and in 'a)in% this 2ep&lic an endrin%nation &t also so that #ith the help and cooperation and lo!alt! of theFilipino !oth" #e 'a! &e in a position to trans'it as a herita%e to ftre


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%enerations a contr!" a people" co'pact and nited in the &onds of aco''on a7ection(

I than) !o(

Source: &'ce of the Solicitor (eneral Library

I Am A Filipino by C!lo" P# Rom$lo

I m Filipino% inheritor of a glorious past, hostage to the uncertain future. As such I

must prove equal to a two-fold task- the task of meeting my responsibility to the past,

and the task of performing my obligation to the future. I sprung from a hardy race - child

of many generations removed of ancient Malayan pioneers. Across the centuries, the

memory comes rushing back to me: of brown-skinned men putting out to sea in ships

that were as frail as their hearts were stout. ver the sea I see them come, borne uponthe billowing wave and the whistling wind, carried upon the mighty swell of hope- hope

in the free abundance of new land that was to be their home and their children!s forever.

"his is the land they sought and found. #very inch of shore that their eyes first set upon,

every hill and mountain that beckoned to them with a green and purple invitation, every

mile of rolling plain that their view encompassed, every river and lake that promise a

plentiful living and the fruitfulness of commerce, is a hollowed spot to me.

$y the strength of their hearts and hands, by every right of law, human and divine, this

land and all the appurtenances thereof - the black and fertile soil, the seas and lakesand rivers teeming with fish, the forests with their ine%haustible wealth in wild life and

timber, the mountains with their bowels swollen with minerals - the whole of this rich and

happy land has been, for centuries without number, the land of my fathers. "his land I

received in trust from them and in trust will pass it to my children, and so on until the

world no more.

I am a &ilipino. In my blood runs the immortal seed of heroes - seed that flowered down

the centuries in deeds of courage and defiance. In my veins yet pulses the same hot

blood that sent 'apulapu to battle against the alien foe that drove (iego )ilang and

(agohoy into rebellion against the foreign oppressor.

"hat seed is immortal. It is the self-same seed that flowered in the heart of *ose +ial

that morning in $agumbayan when a volley of shots put an end to all that was mortal of

him and made his spirit deathless forever the same that flowered in the hearts of

$onifacio in $alintawak, of ergorio del /ilar at "irad /ass, of Antonio 'una at 0alumpit

that bloomed in flowers of frustration in the sad heart of #milio Aguinaldo at /alanan,


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and yet burst forth royally again in the proud heart of Manuel '. 1ueon when he stood

at last on the threshold of ancient Malaca2ang /alace, in the symbolic act of possession

and racial vindication.

"he seed I bear within me is an immortal seed. It is the mark of my manhood, the

symbol of dignity as a human being. 'ike the seeds that were once buried in the tomb of

"utankhamen many thousand years ago, it shall grow and flower and bear fruit again. It

is the insigne of my race, and my generation is but a stage in the unending search of my

people for freedom and happiness.

I am a &ilipino, child of the marriage of the #ast and the 3est. "he #ast, with its languor

and mysticism, its passivity and endurance, was my mother, and my sire was the 3est

that came thundering across the seas with the 0ross and )word and the Machine. I am

of the #ast, an eager participant in its struggles for liberation from the imperialist yoke.

$ut I also know that the #ast must awake from its centuried sleep, shape of the lethargythat has bound his limbs, and start moving where destiny awaits.

&or, I, too, am of the 3est, and the vigorous peoples of the 3est have destroyed

forever the peace and quiet that once was ours. I can no longer live, being apart from

those world now trembles to the roar of bomb and cannon shot. &or no man and no

nation is an island, but a part of the main, there is no longer any #ast and 3est - only

individuals and nations making those momentous choices that are hinges upon which

history resolves.

At the vanguard of progress in this part of the world I stand - a forlorn figure in the eyesof some, but not one defeated and lost. &or through the thick, interlacing branches of

habit and custom above me I have seen the light of the sun, and I know that it is good. I

have seen the light of 4ustice and equality and freedom and my heart has been lifted by

the vision of democracy, and I shall not rest until my land and my people shall have

been blessed by these, beyond the power of any man or nation to subvert or destroy.

I am a &ilipino, and this is my inheritance. 3hat pledge shall I give that I may prove

worthy of my inheritance5 I shall give the pledge that has come ringing down the

corridors of the centuries, and it shall be compounded of the 4oyous cries of my Malayan

forebears when they first saw the contours of this land loom before their eyes, of the

battle cries that have resounded in every field of combat from Mactan to "irad pass, of

the voices of my people when they sing:

Land of the Morning, Child of the sun returning…Ne'er shall invaders Trample thy

sacred shore.


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ut of the lush green of these seven thousand isles, out of the heartstrings of si%teen

million people all vibrating to one song, I shall weave the mighty fabric of my pledge.

ut of the songs of the farmers at sunrise when they go to labor in the fields out of the

sweat of the hard-bitten pioneers in Mal-ig and 6oronadal out of the silent endurance of

stevedores at the piers and the ominous grumbling of peasants /ampanga out of the

first cries of babies newly born and the lullabies that mothers sing out of the crashing of

gears and the whine of turbines in the factories out of the crunch of ploughs upturning

the earth out of the limitless patience of teachers in the classrooms and doctors in the

clinics out of the tramp of soldiers marching, I shall make the pattern of my pledge:

"I am a ilipino !orn of freedom and I shall not rest until freedom shall have !een added

unto my inheritance for myself and my children's children forever.


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y !ather (oes )o *ourt by *arlos +ulosan

+hen I #as for" I li$ed #ith '! 'other and &rothers and sisters in a s'all

to#n on the island of L-on( Fathers far' had &een destro!ed in >?>@ &!

one of or sdden ;hilippine oods" so for se$eral !ears after#ard #e all

li$ed in the to#n" tho%h he pre7ered li$in% in the contr!( +e had a ne8t/

door nei%h&or" a $er! rich 'an" #hose sons and da%hters seldo' ca'e ot

of the hose( +hile #e &o!s and %irls pla!ed and sand in the sn" his

children sta!ed inside and )ept the #indo#s closed( His hose #as so tall

that his children cold loo) in the #indo#s of or hose and #atch s as #e

pla!ed" or slept" or ate" #hen there #as an! food in the hose to eat(

No#" this rich 'ans ser$ants #ere al#a!s fr!in% and coo)in% so'ethin%

%ood" and the aro'a of the food #as #afted do#n to s fro' the #indo#s of

the &i% hose( +e hn% a&ot and too) all the #onderfl s'ell of the food

into or &ein%s( 1o'eti'es" in the 'ornin%" or #hole fa'il! stood otside

the #indo#s of the rich 'ans hose and listened to the 'sical si--lin% of

thic) strips of &acon or ha'( I can re'e'&er one afternoon #hen or

nei%h&ors ser$ants roasted three chic)ens( The chic)ens #ere !on% andtender and the fat that dripped into the &rnin% coals %a$e o7 an enchantin%

odor( +e #atched the ser$ants trn the &eatifl &irds and inhaled the

hea$enl! spirit that drifted ot to s(

1o'e da!s the rich 'an appeared at a #indo# and %lo#ered do#n at s( He

loo)ed at s one &! one" as tho%h he #ere conde'nin% s( +e #ere all

health! &ecase #e #ent ot in the sn e$er! da! and &athed in the cool

#ater of the ri$er that o#ed fro' the 'ontains into the sea( 1o'eti'es

#e #restled #ith one another in the hose &efore #e #ent ot to pla!(

+e #ere al#a!s in the &est of spirits and or la%hter #as conta%ios( Other

nei%h&ors #ho passed &! or hose often stopped in or !ard and 5oined s

in or la%hter(

La%hter #as or onl! #ealth( Father #as a la%hin% 'an( He #old %o in to


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the li$in% roo' and stand in front of the tall 'irror" stretchin% his 'oth into

%rotes*e shapes #ith his 0n%ers and 'a)in% faces at hi'self" and then he

#old rsh into the )itchen" roarin% #ith la%hter(

There #as plent! to 'a)e s la%h( There #as" for instance" the da! one of

'! &rothers ca'e ho'e and &ro%ht a s'all &ndle nder his ar'"

pretendin% that he &ro%ht so'ethin% to eat" 'a!&e a le% of la'& or

so'ethin% as e8tra$a%ant as that to 'a)e or 'oths #ater( He rshed to

'other and thro%h the &ndle into her lap( +e all stood arond" #atchin%

'other ndo the co'plicated strin%s( 1ddenl! a &lac) cat leaped ot of the

&ndle and ran #ildl! arond the hose( Mother chased '! &rother and &eat

hi' #ith her little 0sts" #hile the rest of s &ent do&le" cho)in% #ith

la%hter(

Another ti'e one of '! sisters sddenl! started screa'in% in the 'iddle ofthe ni%ht( Mother reached her 0rst and tried to cal' her( M! sister criedand

%roaned( +hen father lifted the la'p" '! sister stared at s #ith sha'e in

her e!es(

3+hat is it,4 other as)ed(

3I' pre%nantC4 she cried(

3Dont &e a foolC4 Father shoted(

3Yore onl! a child"4 Mother said(

3I' pre%nant" I tell !oC4 she cried(

Father )nelt &! '! sister( He pt his hand on her &ell! and r&&ed it %entl!(

3Ho# do !o )no# !o are pre%nant,4 he as)ed(

3Feel itC4 she cried(

+e pt or hands on her &ell!( There #as so'ethin% 'o$in% inside( Father

#as fri%htened( Mother #as shoc)ed( 3+hos the 'an,4 she as)ed(

3Theres no 'an"4 '! sister said(

+hat is it then,4 Father as)ed(


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1ddenl! '! sister opened her &lose and a &llfro% 5'ped ot( Mother

fainted" father dropped the la'p" the oil spilled on the oor" and '! sisters

&lan)et ca%ht 0re( One of '! &rothers la%hed so hard he rolled on the

oor(

+hen the 0re #as e8tin%ished and Mother #as re$i$ed" #e trned to &ed

and tried to sleep" &t Father )ept on la%hin% so lod #e cold not sleep

an! 'ore( Mother %ot p a%ain and li%hted the oil la'p9 #e rolled p the

'ats on the oor and &e%an dancin% a&ot and la%hin% #ith all or 'i%ht(

+e 'ade so 'ch noise that all or nei%h&ors e8cept the rich fa'il! ca'e

into the !ard and 5oined s in lod" %enine la%hter(

It #as li)e that for !ears(

As ti'e #ent on" the rich 'ans children &eca'e thin and ane'ic" #hile #e

%re# e$en 'ore ro&st and fll of 0re( Or faces #ere &ri%ht and ros!" &t

theirs #ere pale and sad( The rich 'an started to co%h at ni%ht9 then he

co%hed da! and ni%ht( His #ife &e%an co%hin% too( Then the children

started to co%h one after the other( At ni%ht their co%hin% sonded li)e

&ar)in% of a herd of seals( +e hn% otside their #indo#s and listened to

the'( +e #ondered #hat had happened to the'( +e )ne# that the! #ere

not sic) fro' lac) of norishin% food &ecase the! #ere still al#a!s fr!in%

so'ethin% delicios to eat(

One da! the rich 'an appeared at a #indo# and stood there a lon% ti'e( He

loo)ed at '! sisters" #ho had %ro#n fat #ith la%hin%" then at '! &rothers"

#hose ar's and le%s #ere li)e the 'ola$e" #hich is the strdiest tree in the

;hilippines( He &an%ed do#n the #indo# and ran thro%h the hose"

shttin% all the #indo#s(

Fro' that da! on" the #indo#s of or nei%h&ors hose #ere closed( The

children did not co'e otdoors an!'ore( +e cold still hear the ser$ants

coo)in% in the )itchen" and no 'atter ho# ti%ht the #indo#s #ere sht" thearo'a of the food ca'e to s in the #ind and drifted %ratitosl! into or

hose(

One 'ornin% a police'an fro' the presidencia ca'e to or hose #ith a

sealed paper( The rich 'an had 0led a co'plaint a%ainst s( Father too) 'e

#ith hi' #hen he #ent to the to#n cler) and as)ed hi' #hat it #as all


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a&ot( He told Father the 'an clai'ed that for !ears #e had &een stealin%

the spirit of his #ealth and food(

+hen the da! ca'e for s to appear in cort" Father &rshed his old ar'!

nifor' and &orro#ed a pair of shoes fro' one of '! &rothers( +e #ere the

0rst to arri$e( Father sat on a chair in the center of the cortroo'( Mother

occpied a chair &! the door( +e children sat on a lon% &ench &! the #all(

Father )ept 5'pin% p his chair and sta&&in% the air #ith his ar's" as

tho%h he #ere defendin% hi'self &efore an i'a%inar! 5r!(

The rich 'an arri$ed( He had %ro#n old and fee&le9 his face #as scarred #ith

deep lines( +ith hi' #as his !on% la#!er( 1pectators ca'e in and al'ost

0lled the chairs( The 5d%e entered the roo' and sat on a hi%h chair( +e

stood p in a hrr! and sat do#n a%ain(

After the cortroo' preli'inaries" the 5d%e too) at father( 3Do !o ha$e a

la#!er,4 he as)ed(

3I dont need a la#!er 5d%e(4 He said(

3;roceed"4 said the 5d%e(

The rich 'ans la#!er 5'ped and pointed his 0n%er at Father" 3Do !o or do

!o not a%ree that !o ha$e &een stealin% the spirit of the co'plainants

#ealth and food,4

3I do notC4 Father said(

3Do !o or do !o not a%ree that #hile the co'plainants ser$ants coo)ed

and fried fat le%s of la'&s and !on% chic)en &reasts" !o and !or fa'il!

hn% otside !or #indo#s and inhaled the hea$enl! spirit of the food,4

3I a%ree"4 Father said(

3Ho# do !o accont for that,4

Father %ot p and paced arond" scratchin% his head tho%htfll!( Then he

said" 3I #old li)e to see the children of the co'plainant" 6d%e(4

3Brin% the children of the co'plainant(4


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The! ca'e sh!l!( The spectators co$ered their 'oths #ith their hands( The!

#ere so a'a-ed to see the children so thin and pale( The children #al)ed

silentl! to a &ench and sat do#n #ithot loo)in% p( The! stared at the oor

and 'o$ed their hands neasil!(

Father cold not sa! an!thin% at 0rst( He 5st stood &! his chair and loo)ed at

the'( Finall! he said" 3I shold li)e to cross/e8a'ine the co'plainant(4

3;roceed(4

3Do !o clai' that #e stole the spirit of !or #ealth and &eca'e a la%hin%

fa'il! #hile !ors &eca'e 'orose and sad,4 Father as)ed(

3Yes(4

3Then #e are %oin% to pa! !o ri%ht no#"4 Father said( He #al)ed o$er to

#here #e children #ere sittin% on the &ench and too) '! stra# hat o7 '!

lap and &e%an 0llin% it p #ith centa$o pieces that he too) ot his poc)ets(

He #ent to Mother" #ho added a 0stfl of sil$er coins( M! &rothers thre# in

their s'all chan%e(

3Ma! I #al) to the roo' across the hall and sta! there for a 'intes" 6d%e,4

Father as)ed(

3As !o #ish(4

3Than) !o"4 Father said( He strode into the other roo' #ith the hat in his

hands( It #as al'ost fll of coins( The doors of &oth roo's #ere #ide open(

3Are !o read!,4 Father called(

3;roceed(4 The 5d%e said(

The s#eet tin)le of coins carried &eatifll! into the roo'( The spectators

trned their faces to#ard the sond #ith #onder( Father ca'e &ac) and

stood &efore the co'plainant(

3Did !o hear it,4 he as)ed(


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3Hear #hat,4 the 'an as)ed(

3The spirit of the 'one! #hen I shoo) this hat,4 he as)ed(

3Yes(4

3Then !o are paid(4 Father said(

The rich 'an opened his 'oth to spea) and fell to the oor #ithot a

sond( The la#!er rshed to his aid( The 5d%e ponded his %ra$el(

3=ase dis'issed"4 he said(

Father strtted arond the cortroo'( The 5d%e e$en ca'e do#n to his hi%h

chair to sha)e hands #ith hi'( 3B! the #a!"4 he #hispered" 3I had an ncle#ho died la%hin%(4

3Yo li)e to hear '! fa'il! la%h" 5d%e,4 Father as)ed(

3+h! not,4

Did !o hear that children,4 Father said(

M! sister started it( The rest of s follo#ed the' and soon the spectators

#ere la%hin% #ith s" holdin% their &ellies and &endin% o$er the chairs( And

the la%hter of the 5d%e #as the lodest of all(


13/22

Ho y +rother Leon +rou-ht Hoe A /ife1he stepped do#n fro' the carretela of =a =elin #ith a *ic)" delicate %race(

1he #as lo$el!( 1He #as tall( 1he loo)ed p to '! &rother #ith a s'ile" and her

forehead #as on a le$el #ith his 'oth(

Yo are Baldo" she said and placed her hand li%htl! on '! sholder( Her nails

#ere lon%" &t the! #ere not painted( 1he #as fra%rant li)e a 'ornin% #hen

papa!as are in &loo'( And a s'all di'ple appeared 'o'entl! hi%h on her ri%ht

chee)( And this is La&an% of #ho' I ha$e heard so 'ch( 1he held the #rist of

one hand #ith the other and loo)ed at La&an%" and La&an% ne$er stopped

che#in% his cd( He s#allo#ed and &ro%ht p to his 'oth 'ore cd and the

sond of his insides #as li)e a dr'(

I laid a hand on La&an%s 'assi$e nec) and said to her: Yo 'a! scratch his

forehead no#(

1he hesitated and I sa# that her e!es #ere on the lon%" cr$in% horns( Bt she

ca'e and toched La&an%s forehead #ith her lon% 0n%ers" and La&an% ne$er

stopped che#in% his cd e8cept that his &i% e!es half closed( And &! and &! she

#as scratchin% his forehead $er! daintil!(

M! &rother Leon pt do#n the t#o trn)s on the %rass! side of the road( He paid

=a =elin t#ice the sal fare fro' the station to the ed%e of Na%re&can( Then he

#as standin% &eside s" and she trned to hi' ea%erl!( I #atched =a =elin"

#here he stood in front of his horse" and he ran his 0n%ers thro%h its foreloc)

and cold not )eep his e!es a#a! fro' her(

Maria/// '! &rother Leon said(

He did not sa! Marin%( He did not sa! Ma!an%( I )ne# then that he had al#a!s

called her Maria and that to s all she #old &e Maria9 and in '! 'ind I said

Maria and it #as a &eatifl na'e(


14/22

Yes" Noel(

No# #here did she %et that na'e, I pondered the 'atter *ietl! to '!self"

thin)in% Father 'i%ht not li)e it( Bt it #as onl! the na'e of '! &rother Leon

said &ac)#ard and it sonded 'ch &etter that #a!(

There is Na%re&can" Maria" '! &rother Leon said" %estrin% #idel! to#ard the

#est(

1he 'o$ed close to hi' and slipped her ar' thro%h his( And after a #hile she

said *ietl!(

Yo lo$e Na%re&can" dont !o" Noel,

=a =elin dro$e a#a! hi/!i/in% to his horse lodl!( At the &end of the ca'ino real

#here the &i% dhat tree %re#" he rattled the handle of his &raided rattan #hip

a%ainst the spo)es of the #heel(

+e stood alone on the roadside(

The sn #as in or e!es" for it #as dippin% into the &ri%ht sea( The s)! #as #ide

and deep and $er! &le a&o$e s: &t alon% the sa#/tooth ri' of the

Gata!a%han hills to the soth#est a'ed h%e 'asses of clods( Before s the

0elds s#a' in a %olden ha-e thro%h #hich oated &i% prple and red and

!ello# &&&les #hen I loo)ed at the sin)in% sn( La&an%s #hite coat" #hich I

had #shed and &rshed that 'ornin% #ith cocont hs)" %listened li)e &eaten

cotton nder the la'pli%ht and his horns appeared tipped #ith 0re(

He faced the sn and fro' his 'oth ca'e a call so lod and $i&rant that the

earth see'ed to tre'&le nderfoot( And far a#a! in the 'iddle of the 0eld a

co# lo#ed softl! in ans#er(

Hitch hi' to the cart" Baldo" '! &rother Leon said" la%hin%" and she la%hed

#ith hi' a &i% ncertainl!" and I sa# that he had pt his ar' arond her

sholders(

+h! does he 'a)e that sond, she as)ed( I ha$e ne$er heard the li)e of it(

There is not another li)e it" '! &rother Leon said( I ha$e !et to hear another

&ll call li)e La&an%( In all the #orld there is no other &ll li)e hi'(


15/22

1he #as s'ilin% at hi'" and I stopped in the act of t!in% the sinta across

La&an%s nec) to the opposite end of the !o)e" &ecase her teeth #ere $er!

#hite" her e!es #ere so fll of la%hter" and there #as the s'all di'ple hi%h p

on her ri%ht chee)(

If !o contine to tal) a&ot hi' li)e that" either I shall fall in lo$e #ith hi' or&eco'e %reatl! 5ealos(

M! &rother Leon la%hed and she la%hed and the! loo)ed at each other and it

see'ed to 'e there #as a #orld of la%hter &et#een the' and in the'(

I cli'&ed into the cart o$er the #heel and La&an% #old ha$e &olted" for he #as

al#a!s li)e that" &t I )ept a 0r' hold on his rope( He #as restless and #old

not stand still" so that '! &rother Leon had to sa! La&an% se$eral ti'es( +hen

he #as *iet a%ain" '! &rother Leon lifted the trn)s into the cart" placin% the

s'aller on top(

1he loo)ed do#n once at her hi%h/heeled shoes" then she %a$e her left hand to

'! &rother Leon" placed a foot on the h& of the #heel" and in one &reath she

had s#n% p into the cart( Oh" the fra%rance of her( Bt La&an% #as fairl!

dancin% #ith i'patience and it #as all I cold do to )eep hi' fro' rnnin%

a#a!(

.i$e 'e the rope" Baldo" '! &rother Leon said( Maria" sit do#n on the ha!

and hold on to an!thin%( Then he pt a foot on the left shaft and that instand

la&an% leaped for#ard( M! &rother Leon la%hed as he dre# hi'self p to the

top of the side of the cart and 'ade the slac) of the rope hiss a&o$e the &ac) of

la&an%( The #ind #histled a%ainst '! chee)s and the rattlin% of the #heels on

the pe&&l! road echoed in '! ears(

1he sat p strai%ht on the &otto' of the cart" le%s &ent to%ther to one side" her

s)irts spread o$er the' so that onl! the toes and heels of her shoes #ere

$isi&le( her e!es #ere on '! &rother Leons &ac)9 I sa# the #ind on her hair(

+hen La&an% slo#ed do#n" '! &rother Leon handed to 'e the rope( I )nelt on

the stra# inside the cart and plled on the rope ntil La&an% #as 'erel!

shin% alon%" then I 'ade hi' trn arond(

+hat is it !o ha$e for%otten no#" Baldo, '! &rother Leon said(

I did not sa! an!thin% &t tic)led #ith '! 0n%ers the r'p of La&an%9 and a#a!

#e #ent///&ac) to #here I had nhitched and #aited for the'( The sn had sn)

and do#n fro' the #ooded sides of the Gata!a%han hills shado#s #ere stealin%


16/22

into the 0elds( Hi%h p o$erhead the s)! &rned #ith 'an! slo# 0res(

+hen I sent La&an% do#n the deep ct that #old ta)e s to the dr! &ed of the

+ai% #hich cold &e sed as a path to or place drin% the dr! season" '!

&rother Leon laid a hand on '! sholder and said sternl!:

+ho told !o to dri$e thro%h the 0elds toni%ht,

His hand #as hea$! on '! sholder" &t I did not loo) at hi' or tter a #ord

ntil #e #ere on the roc)! &otto' of the +ai%(

Baldo" !o fool" ans#er 'e &efore I la! the rope of La&an% on !o( +h! do !o

follo# the +ait instead of the ca'ino real,

His 0n%ers &it into '! sholder(

Father" he told 'e to follo# the +ai% toni%ht" Manon%(

1#iftl!" his hand fell a#a! fro' '! sholder and he reached for the rope of

La&an%( Then '! &rother Leon la%hed" and he sat &ac)" and la%hin% still" he

said:

And I sppose Father also told !o to hitch La&an% to the cart and 'eet s #ith

hi' instead of #ith =astano and the calesa(

+ithot #aitin% for 'e to ans#er" he trned to her and said" Maria" #h! do !o

thin) Father shold do that" no#, He la%hed and added" Ha$e !o e$er seen

so 'an! stars &efore,

I loo)ed &ac) and the! #ere sittin% side &! side" leanin% a%ainst the trn)s"

hands clasped across )nees( 1ee'in%l!" &t a 'ans hei%ht a&o$e the tops of

the steep &an)s of the +ait" hn% the stars( Bt in the deep %or%e the shado#s

had fallen hea$il!" and e$en the #hite of La&an%s coat #as 'erel! a di'"

%ra!ish &lr( =ric)ets chirped fro' their ho'es in the crac)s in the &an)s( The

thic)" npleasant s'ell of dan%la &shes and coolin% sn/heated earth 'in%led

#ith the clean" sharp scent of arrais roots e8posed to the ni%ht air and of the

ha! inside the cart(

Loo)" Noel" !onder is or starC Deep srprise and %ladness #ere in her $oice(

Ver! lo# in the #est" al'ost tochin% the ra%%ed ed%e of the &an)" #as the star"

the &i%%est and &ri%htest in the s)!(


17/22

I ha$e &een loo)in% at it" '! &rother Leon said( Do !o re'e'&er ho# I

#old tell !o that #hen !o #ant to see stars !o 'st co'e to Na%re&can,

Yes" Noel" she said( Loo) at it" she 'r'red" half to herself( It is so 'an!

ti'es &i%%er and &ri%hter than it #as at Er'ita &each(

The air here is clean" free of dst and s'o)e(

1o it is" Noel" she said" dra#in% a lon% &reath(

Ma)in% fn of 'e" Maria,

1he la%hed then and the! la%hed to%ether and she too) '! &rother Leons

hand and pt it a%ainst her face(

I stopped La&an%" cli'&ed do#n" and li%hted the lantern that hn% fro' the cart

&et#een the #heels(

.ood &o!" Baldo" '! &rother Leon said as I cli'&ed &ac) into the cart" and '!

heart sant(

No# the shado#s too) fri%ht and did not cro#d so near( =l'ps of andadasi and

arrais ashed into $ie# and *ic)l! disappeared as #e passed &!( Ahead" the

elon%ated shado# of La&an% &o&&led p and do#n and s#a!ed drn)enl! fro'

side to side" for the lantern roc)ed 5er)il! #ith the cart(

Ha$e #e far to %o !et" Noel, she as)ed(

As) Baldo" '! &rother Leon said" #e ha$e &een ne%lectin% hi'(

I a' as)in% !o" Baldo" she said(

+ithot loo)in% &ac)" I ans#ered" pic)in% '! #ords slo#l!:

1oon #e #ill %et ot of the +ait and pass into the 0elds( After the 0elds is

ho'e///Manon%(

1o near alread!(

I did not sa! an!thin% 'ore &ecase I did not )no# #hat to 'a)e of the tone of

her $oice as she said her last #ords( All the la%hter see'ed to ha$e %one ot

of her( I #aited for '! &rother Leon to sa! so'ethin%" &t he #as not sa!in%


18/22

an!thin%( 1ddenl! he &ro)e ot into son% and the son% #as 1)! 1o#n #ith

1tars///the sa'e that he and Father san% #hen #e ct ha! in the 0elds at ni%ht

&efore he #ent a#a! to std!( He 'st ha$e ta%ht her the son% &ecase she

5oined hi'" and her $oice o#ed into his li)e a %entle strea' 'eetin% a stron%er

one( And each ti'e the #heels encontered a &i% roc)" her $oice #old catch in

her throat" &t '! &rother Leon #old sin% on" ntil" la%hin% softl!" she #old 5oin hi' a%ain(

Then #e #ere cli'&in% ot into the 0elds" and thro%h the spo)es of the #heels

the li%ht of the lantern 'oc)ed the shado#s( La&an% *ic)ened his steps( The

5oltin% &eca'e 'ore fre*ent and painfl as #e crossed the lo# di)es(

Bt it is so $er! #ide here" she said( The li%ht of the stars &ro)e and scattered

the dar)ness so that one cold see far on e$er! side" tho%h indistinctl!(

Yo 'iss the hoses" and the cars" and the people and the noise" dont !o,

M! &rother Leon stopped sin%in%(

Yes" &t in a di7erent #a!( I a' %lad the! are not here(

+ith diclt! I trned La&an% to the left" for he #anted to %o strai%ht on( He

#as &reathin% hard" &t I )ne# he #as 'ore thirst! than tired( In a little #hile

#e drope p the %rass! side onto the ca'ino real(

///!o see" '! &rother Leon #as e8plainin%" the ca'ino real cr$es arond

the foot of the Gata!a%han hills and passes &! or hose( +e dro$e thro%h the

0elds &ecase///&t Ill &e as)in% Father as soon as #e %et ho'e(

Noel" she said(

Yes" Maria(

I a' afraid( He 'a! not li)e 'e(

Does that #orr! !o still" Maria, '! &rother Leon said( Fro' the #a! !o tal)"

he 'i%ht &e an o%re" for all the #orld( E8cept #hen his le% that #as #onded in

the 2e$oltion is tro&lin% hi'" Father is the 'ildest/te'pered" %entlest 'an I

)no#(

+e ca'e to the hose of Laca! 6lian and I spo)e to La&an% lodl!" &t Monin%

did not co'e to the #indo#" so I sr'ised she 'st &e eatin% #ith the rest of

her fa'il!( And I tho%ht of the food &ein% 'ade read! at ho'e and '! 'oth


19/22

#atered( +e 'et the t#ins" Uron% and =elin" and I said Ho!C callin% the' &!

na'e( And the! shoted &ac) and as)ed if '! &rother Leon and his #ife #ere

#ith 'e( And '! &rother Leon shoted to the' and then told 'e to 'a)e

La&an% rn9 their ans#ers #ere lost in the noise of the #heels(

I stopped la&an% on the road &efore or hose and #old ha$e %otten do#n &t'! &rother Leon too) the rope and told 'e to sta! in the cart( He trned La&an%

into the open %ate and #e dashed into or !ard( I tho%ht #e #old crash into

the ca'achile tree" &t '! &rother Leon reined in La&an% in ti'e( There #as

li%ht do#nstairs in the )itchen" and Mother stood in the door#a!" and I cold see

her s'ilin% sh!l!( M! &rother Leon #as helpin% Maria o$er the #heel( The 0rst

#ords that fell fro' his lips after he had )issed Mothers hand #ere:

Father((( #here is he,

He is in his roo' pstairs" Mother said" her face &eco'in% serios( His le% is

&otherin% hi' a%ain(

I did not hear an!thin% 'ore &ecase I had to %o &ac) to the cart to nhitch

La&an%( Bt I hardl! tied hi' nder the &arn #hen I heard Father callin% 'e( I

'et '! &rother Leon %oin% to &rin% p the trn)s( As I passed thro%h the

)itchen" there #ere Mother and '! sister Arelia and Maria and it see'ed to 'e

the! #ere cr!in%" all of the'(

There #as no li%ht in Fathers roo'( There #as no 'o$e'ent( He sat in the &i%

ar'chair &! the #estern #indo#" and a star shone directl! thro%h it( He #as

s'o)in%" &t he re'o$ed the roll of to&acco fro' his 'oth #hen he sa# 'e(

He laid it carefll! on the #indo#sill &efore spea)in%(

Did !o 'eet an!&od! on the #a!, he as)ed(

No" Father" I said( No&od! passes thro%h the +ai% at ni%ht(

He reached for his roll of to&acco and hithced hi'self p in the chair(

1he is $er! &eatifl" Father(

+as she afraid of La&an%, M! father had not raised his $oice" &t the roo'

see'ed to resond #ith it( And a%ain I sa# her e!es on the lon% cr$in% horns

and the ar' of '! &rother Leon arond her sholders(

No" Father" she #as not afraid(


20/22

On the #a!///

1he loo)ed at the stars" Father( And Manon% Leon san%(

+hat did he sin%,

///1)! 1o#n #ith 1tars((( 1he san% #ith hi'(

He #as silent a%ain( I cold hear the lo# $oices of Mother and '! sister Arelia

do#nstairs( There #as also the $oice of '! &rother Leon" and I tho%ht that

Fathers $oice 'st ha$e &een li)e it #hen Father #as !on%( He had laid the roll

of to&acco on the #indo#sill once 'ore( I #atched the s'o)e #a$er faintl!

p#ard fro' the li%hted end and $anish slo#l! into the ni%ht otside(

The door opened and '! &rother Leon and Maria ca'e in(

Ha$e !o #atered La&an%, Father spo)e to 'e(

I told hi' that La&an% #as restin% !et nder the &arn(

It is ti'e !o #atered hi'" '! son" '! father said(

I loo)ed at Maria and she #as lo$el!( 1he #as tall( Beside '! &rother Leon" she

#as tall and $er! still( Then I #ent ot" and in the dar)ened hall the fra%rance of

her #as li)e a 'ornin% #hen papa!as are in &loo'(


21/22

)i melvin ay hinatulan ni 7ukom 8illafuerte ng bitay.9ka-kailangan kong... m-maunawaan mo ako,

+ey9;asa hindi niya pagtuon ang sakit na nadarama niya.9Malupit kayo, *udge. 6asi!yhindi n!yonaiintindihan kung ano ang maging kaibigan9)a katiyakan na hindi si melvinlamang ang dapata maparusahan, siya!y nagtanimng lihim na galit kay hukom8illefuerte.)akan naman, sa isang pagdalaw niy kay Melvin ay nilapitan siya ng ilang bataanngpulitikong may hawak dito.96aibigan mo si Melvin, di ba, +ey59 "umango siya. 9(inaramdam ko.3ala akong naitulong99o. 3ala ring naitulong ang ginawa naming paglapit. Matigas ang ulo ng amomo,+ey99p-palagay ko nga.99pero may maitutulong sa sa!ming iba. pwede mong ituro, halimbawa,kung saankayo nagdaraan.9Ang sarili ay pinily niyang libangin sa kabatiran ng hait hindi sapamamagitan ngtulong niya, ang plano ay maisasagawa rin. at maganda ang pangakonglimanglibung pisong pabuya na tatanggapin niya.Marahang huminto ang kotse sa tapat ng 6ongreso.$ago tuluiyang nanaog, ang dinila pagkikibuan ay binasag ng hukom.9Masama ang loob mo sa !kin,

+ey59Matigas ang kanyang tugon. May pagkutya. 9hindi n!yo kailangan ulitin, *udge,naginawa n!yo lamang ang tungkulin niyo99oo.9 iyon ang mahina. 9at nahihirapan din ako, +ey9"iimang bagang na naghihintay si +ey. 6inakabahan. /igil ang hininga halos./agkuwan aysumabig ang putok at siya!y napapikit nang mariin. ;gunit mabilis dinna idinilay niyaang mga mata. At kitang-kita niya ang umigtad na katawan nghukom ay dahan-dahangbumagsak, at gumulong sa hagdan ng kongreso.;aghari ang tilian at pulasa sa paligin.

ayon kadaling naisagawa ang krimen, at gayon din kadali na iyong ay lumaganapnangtila apoy. ;gunithindi gayon kadali na iyon ay nalutas.7anggang sa araw ng libing, ang bumaril sahukom ay hindi natatagpuan. 3ala isaman sa mga nakasaksi ang nakakuha sa numerong kotseng ginamit. Maynakapagsabi na iyon ay kulay pula, ngunit ni ang tatak o

modelo at hindi naturol.7indi iisa o dalawang pagbabanta ang tinanggap ng hukom sabuong panahon ngkanyang panunungkulan. ang mga dinampot at inimbistigahan ay pinawaladinnang hindi makunan ng ebidensya.)i rey ay ligtas sa hinala. ;a naipagtapat niya sa hukom nakaibigan niya si Melvinna isang gabi ay pinasok niya ito sa aklatan at hiningan ng awa, ayni hindinabanggit ng hukom kaninuman, maging kay ng. 8illafuerte.)a harap ng mganag liliwanagang ilaw na nakatunghay sa kabaong ni 7ukom8illafuerte ay idinaos ang hulingparangal. nasa telebisyon at kaipala ay pinanonoodng libu-libong tao. bawat magsalitaat tumatalakay sa mga kabutihan ng hukom, atbawat katagang iyon ng papuri ay tilahagupit sa kalooban ni +ey. 7indi niyamaiwasan.7uling nagsalita ang /angulo./agkaraan ay ipinarinig sa lahat ang talumpati nghukom mula sa dictaphone na hindina nito nagawang bigakasin sa sesyong dapatay dinaluhan nito.)inasabing isa ako

sa pinakamalupit na hukom...6abilang si +ey sa mga taimtim na nakikinig./alagay n!yo kayaay nasisiyahan ako na ako ay pinupuri, hinahangaan, sa paraanko ng pagbaka sakriminalidad5 palagay nyo kaya ay ikinarangal ko nanapakaraming tao na ang hinatulan ko ngbitay5 "ulad ng lahat, si +ey ay walang kakilus-kilos sa pagkakaupo.Ang tagal nang iniisip-isip ko, na minsan ay narinig ko sa isang kaibigan... na angbitay ay hindi kalitasan... dahil ang isangpatay ay hindi marereporma... at hindi namabibigyang ng ikalawang pagkakataon.;apaangatang mukha ni +ey. ;apabuka ang bibig niya. 6aibigan5 Ang mgapangungusap na iyon aysa kanya narinig ng hukom6asama akong ;agsusog na alisin ang silya-elektrika)i +ey ay


22/22

napatindig. sa paligid ay nabuhay ang anasan.Ang kriminalidad ay laganap, sa kabila ngkatotohanang mayroon tayong silya-elektrika. 7indi ang silya-elektrik ang kalutasan.6ung bagamt marami na ang

hinahatulan ko, at nakatakda pang hatulan ng silya-eletktrika. Isinusumpa ko naanglahat ng ginagawa ko nang laban sa aking sarili.;atanga nang matagal ni +ey. ;amuoang huling pangungusap sa utak niya, at angsumunod ay halos hindi na niya nabigyan ngpansin.Mababawasan ang kriminalidad sa pamamagitan nang mabilis na pagkilos ngmgakinaukulan... sa mabilis na pagpapasiya sa mga usapin... hindi sa pamamagitanng---biglangtumindig si +ey at mabilis na umalis sa kalipunang iyon. hindi niya pinansinang nag-uusisang mgatingin na sumunod sa kanya. /atakbo halos na nagtuloy sasariling silid. Ikinandado ang pinto,at humihingal, punagpapawisan na doon aysumandal.Ang lahat ay isinusumpa kongginawa ko nang laban sa aking sarili... kasama akongnagsusuog na alisin...Matindi angalingawngaw ng tinig ng hukom. a, matindi ang gunita ng lahat ngpagsisikap nitongmaunawaan niya9+ey, dinaramdam kong gawin ang mga bagay na kinakailangan konggawain...ngunit sa sala ng isang hukom, ang kanyang pagiging hukom ay dapatnamangibabaw... ;ahihirapan din ako, +ey9;asumpungan ni +ey ang sariling umiyyak.mariing nakasubsob ang mukha niya samga palad, at ang mga baliat na niya ay yumayanig.;gunit pagkuwan ay pinayapaniya ang sarili, tinipon ang lahat ng lakas ng loob, atbinuksan na muli ang pinto.mapulang mapula ang mga mata niyang naghahanap ngkinauupuan ng /angulo.May ipagtatapat siya.

speech of president laurel addressed to the filipino youth

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