Ang akdang “ Dekada ‘70” ni Lualhati Bautista ay isang halimbawa ng akdang nagpapakita ng Teoryang Realismo kung saan sapilitang inilalahad ng isang manunulat ang tunay na mga gawi at pananalita ng mga tauhang nakapaloob sa akda. Ang nobela ay umikot sa pamumuhay ng pamilyang Bartolome kung saan dumaan sila sa iba’t ibang problema sanhi na rin ng sa kalupitan ng administrasyong Marcos.
Suliranin- Problemang haharapin ng tauhan. Tunggalian- May apat na uri: tao laban sa tao, tao laban sa sarili, tao laban sa lipunan, tao laban sa kapaligiran o kalikasan. Kasukdulan- Makakamtan ng pangunahing tauhan ang katuparan o kasawian ng kanyang ipinaglalaban. Kakalasan- Tulay sa wakas. MAN TO MAN CONFLICT. Julian vs. Amanda . Amanda can't do what she wants like working to experience the real essence of being a woman. They have different belief with Julian when it comes to this matter. Jules vs. Isagani . Jules wants to fight for the freedom of their country, but Isagani pursued to become a soldier, who will fight for the government. Isagani vs. Evelyn . They don't really love each other, that's why they keep on fighting. Jules vs. The Government Jules is against the martial law that Marcos declared. Amanda vs. Jason Amanda did not allowed Jason to go to his love one.The Government vs. The people of the Philippines. The people of the Philippines is against The Marcos government because he declared Martial Law and keeps on killing many innocent people. MAN VS. HIMSELF. Amanda vs. Herself Amanda cannot do what she wants. Kalinawan o kakalasan. Ito ang panghuling bahagi ng kuwento. Kung minsan, ang kasukdulan at ang kakalasan ay pinag-iisa na lamang ng manunulat. Gaya ng ibinabadya ng katawagan, ang kakalasan o kalinawan ng kuwento ay nagsasaad ng paglinaw ng pangyayari o pagpapakita ng kakalasan ng napasidhing damdamin. 3. Naglaban sina Tulalang at Agio gamit ang lahat ng kanilang lakas at kapangyarihan. Kaibahan ng tauhan sa epiko sa iba pang akda halos karamihan ng pangunahing tauhan ay nagtataglay ng supernatural o di pangkaraniwang kapangyarihan itinuturing na dakila at bayani dahil sa kakayahang kalabanin ang mga hamon sa buhay para sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng komunidad Ang tunggalian ay mauuri sa apat: - ang kinakalaban ng pangunahing tauhan ay ang mga tao sa kanyang paligid. Maaaring may isang tauhang palaging kontra sa pangunahing tauhan. Ito ay karaniwang idinadaan sa talino, lakas ng katawan, tagisan ng kapangyarihan gayundin ng paniniwala, pananaw at prinsipyong pinaninindigan Tao laban sa kalikasan Tukuyin kung anong uri ng tunggalian ang sumusunod: 1. Si Pinkaw ay gustong maipagamot ang kanyang mga anak subalit ayaw siyang tanggapin sa
hospital dahil mukha siyang mahirap. Ang mga Tauhan at Uri ng Tunggalian Tunggalian o Concflict - ay ang paglalaban ng pangunahing tauhan at ng sumasalungat s kanya. Tao laban sa sarili - ang kinakalaban ay ang mismong kanyang sariling paniniwala, prinsipyo, at palagay. May kaugnayan ito sa pagtitimbang-timbang ng mga pangyayaring kinakaharap ng pangunahing tauhan at kung ano ang kanyang gagawing pagpapasya. Ang pangunahing tauhan ay kailangang magkaroon ng mahalagang suliraning pagsisikapang lutasin sa kabila ng hadlang o sagabal. Ang mga hadlang na ito ay nagiging dahilan ng pagtutunggali sa kuwento. Tao laban sa tao - pilit na pinaglalaban ng pangunahing tauhan ang puwersa ng kalikasan. Halimbawa nito ang lindol, baha, bagyo, buhawi, pagguho ng lupa at iba pa. Tao laban sa lipunan - ang kinakalaban ay maaaring ang mga pangyayari sa lipunang kanyang ginagalawan. Halimbawa nito ang kahirapan, kawalan ng katarungan, pag-uuri-uri ng mga tao sa lipunan at iba pang suliraning panlipunan. 2. Hindi malaman ni Handiong kung dapat ba niyang patayin si Oriol upang matapos ang problema o makikipag-ayos siya sa mapayapang paraan. 4. Namatay ang lahat ng mga tao sa kapatagan dahilan sa tindi ng bagyong sumalanta sa kanila. 5. Lumisan si Bantugan dahilan sa kautusan ng kanyang kapatid na walang sinumang maaaring kumausap sa kanya. 6. Pagkakaroon ni Bantuganng sakit dahil sa paglalakbay. 7. Pinag-aralan ni Bantong ang mga kilos ni Rabut. Tunggalian ng Noli Me Tangere Paksa : Pagsulat sa tunggalian ng Noli Me Tangere A. Tunggalian ng Tao laban sa Tao : Pag-igting ng pangyayari dulot ng pangyayari sa isang tao at kapwa tao. • Ang tunggaliang ito ay naipakita nina Sida at Doña Consolacion. Ang pangyayaring ito ay naganap nang inutusan ni Doña Consolacion si Sisa na kumanta at sumayaw gamit ang wikang Kastila na siyang nakapaglito kay Sisa. Pinahinto ni Doña Consolacion si Sisa dahil sa malungkot at emosyonal nitong kanta at sa paggamit ng wikang tagalog na naging dahilan sa pagkahiya ni Doña Consolacion. B. Tunggalian ng Tao laban sa Lipunan : Ang pagkabigo o pagkatagumpay ng tao sa mundong ginagalawan. • Ang tunggaliang ito ay napapakita ng karanasan ng isang guro noon. Ang mga paaralan sa unang panahon ay matatagpuan sa silong ng kumbento at sa tabi ng karwahe ng kura. Ikinagalit ni Padre Damaso ang malakas na boses ng mga bata sa pagbabasa. Dahil dito, hinamak ang guro ng mga kura. C. Tunggalian ng Tao laban sa Sarili : Tunggaliang umigting sa pagitan ng isang tao at sa
kanyang sarili. • Maigting ang ganitong sitwasyon sa karanasan ng isang guro ng matuklasan niyang hindi makakatulong ang pamamalo sa pag-aaral ng mga bata.Dahil dito, pinalitan niya ang paraan ng kanyang pagtuturo. Ipinatawag siya ng kuro dahil sa pagtigil ng pamamalo niya sa mga bata aty iniutusang ibalik ang pamamalo. Pati na rin ang mga magulang ng mga bata ay magdedesisyong patigilin ang mga bata sa pag-aaral kung walang pamamalo. Pinilit na lamang ng guro na ibalik ang pamamalo kahit na labag ito sa kanyang kalooban. Although the title implies it follows the 70‟s, the film actually follows a family from the time from Marcos‟ first election to the mobilizations leading to his ouster (a period of 21 years). Featuring an impressive line up of stars including Christopher de Leon, Vilma Santos and Piolo Pascual, we see how the unfolding of the mass movement and dictatorship impacts this large, upper-petty bourgeois family. It could almost be the story of Edgar Jopson in a way. The family‟s 5 sons each go a separate way. One joins the NPA, another remains with the above ground workers movement, another joins the US Navy, while the youngest two try to lead “normal” lives of students. While this film follows an individual family‟s drama, it puts up a faithful portrayal of the events and social movement. It is shocking to see a film (backed by a relatively large budget and shown in a wide release) mention William Pomeroy, show a wedding of two Communists, street theater denouncing “Imperialism, Feudalism, Bureaucrat Capitalism,” inhuman torture by the military, the Ang Bayan newsletter, infiltration by deep penetration agents, student rallies and more. One of the most poignant moments was during a KM rally, when the students suddenly broke out singing the National Anthem, exposing it as a genuinely militant and patriotic song if you follow the lyrics. (You wouldn‟t think so today they way it is sung and after the US National Anthem at events). After the song, the students then fought against a police barricade yelling “Makibaka! Huwag Matakot!” Even though the film ends predictably at what we assume is an EDSA I rally, one can‟t help wonder how similar all of this is to today with President Arroyo. The rallies and mass movement are still there. Sons (and daughters) leaving for the countryside, joining up with the peasants fight for survival, military and police repression, the jailing and torture of those who are fighting for better social conditions. Although the film takes place in the „70‟s, it feels eerily present. After starring in such a movie, I wonder about the present sympathies of these actors/actresses. Can one be part of such a movie and not feel for the masses at BAYAN rallies? Can they shut off their patriotic feelings once the camera turns off? Or as celebrities, do they uphold the interests of the ruling clique? For example, Vilma Santos is currently governor of Batangas, a province with a heavy population in support of the underground movement. In 2007 she supported Satur Ocampo and BAYAN MUNA during the elections. At the same time, the military presence has increased its presence in the province. What about Piolo Pascual? Currently one of the top celebrities, his character in the movie emphatically
represented the movement, as one based on love, compassion & militant social justice. Where does he stand in reality? Although the film follows a relatively formulaic & melodramatic approach to the events, it does capture one‟s attention, as you cannot ignore both the social movement and the reactionary repression which are constantly in the background. It isn‟t subtle like many of the independent and art-house style films in its criticism of society. It doesn‟t use any stylistic devices or groundbreaking cinematic tricks. It is straight-forward, blunt and leaves the audience to reflect on how much things have changed (or not) since then.. However, as a mainstream flick, it does serve as a vehicle to reach a mass audience and presents a sympathetic if not outright supportive view of the Left and the underground mass movement. Identify the main characters on the story and describe each of the characters. Vilma Santos acted the role of Amanda, a mother of five who lives under the dictatorship of her husband . She has no choice but to follow the decisions of her husband. She cannot do what she want and she also want to know the real meaning of being a woman. She is struggling so hard in her own family circle while everyone's concern in the country is the state of Martial Law. Julian, the husband of Vilma Santos in person ofChristopher de Leon. He emphasizes good characters, he becomes a good father to his children but his thoughtfulness becomes negative in the part of her wife. He makes decisions that can't be contradicted by anyone even is wife. Jules (Piolo Pascual) is the first son of Amanda and Julian. He decided to help the NPA rebels and help fight against the Marcos Martial Law. Isagani (Carlos Agassi) second son, he becomes a soldier though he made some mistakes in his early years.He is considered the cream of the crop in their family. Emmanuel (Marvin Agustin). He choose to become a writer but his father opposed him because for his father being a writer will not give you a high income. Jason (Danilo Barrios) is just a typical teenager but was tortured and killed by the police during the Marcos Regime. Benjamine (John Wayne Sace) the youngest son of Julian and Amanda. He is in his teen-age-years during the Marcos regime. Mara- she was inpregnated by Jules before he was caught by the Marcos government. Jules married her inside the jail. Amanda Bartolome- is a mother of a middle-class family who has five young sons. Christopher De Leon... Julian Bartolome-is husband of Amanda Bartolome with their five sons. Piolo Pascual... Jules Bartolome-husband of evelyn with one daughter. was an activist whose concern is about the freedom of our country. Marvin Agustin... Emmanuel Bartolome- offspring that provided himself with the most secure future. Writes illegal political exposes. Kris Aquino... Student Leader- of the rally’s movement organization. Ana Capri... Mara Dimples Romana... Evelyn Jhong Hilario... Willy Carlos Agassi... Isagani Bartolome- is in the US navy.
Danilo Barrios... Jason Bartolome- the fell victim to a corrupt police department. Carlo Muñoz... Rene Tirso Cruz III... Evelyn's Father. Orestes Ojeda... Dr. Rodrigo can help to Domeng while healing their wound. John Wayne Sace... Bingo Bartolome the youngest son of Amanda and Julian is still a boy. Marianne de la Riva... Evelyn's Mother. Characters Vilma Santos-Amanda - main character; wife of Julian and mother of 5 sons: Jules, Isagani, Jason,Emmanuel,Benjamin;the main female character, reaches her feminist and nationalist consciousness living through the personal hardships of Philippine martial law. Instead of silently succumbing to the various oppression in her life, such as martial law and being a dependent housewife and mother, she takes control of her traditional identities and turns them into transgressive ones to help bring down the Marcos regime. As a case study, Amanda Bartolome represents women and mothers who have openly questioned their nationalism to oppressive states, and have used their identities as mothers to fight for social justice and peace. o
Christopher De Leon-Julian - husband of Amanda and father of her 5 sons; had suspicions of their son's inclination to become an anti-Government winger but became convinced when they find copies of rebellious pamphlets lying around the house.They confronted their son about them, and he had to admit his decision. At first, conflict ensues in the family. Eventually, the parents learned to accept their son's decision, and eventually became proud of him. Since then, their home became a constant place of recreation for Jules who often brought a friend along with him. o Piolo Pascual-Jules - eldest son of Amanda and Julian;Being the eldest in the family, he was already old enough during the declaration of martial law President Marcos. He became exposed to rebellious reading material, and inevitably molded his mind into that of guerilla. Jules grew up to become a member of the communist New People's Army. o Carlos Agassi-Isagani - the second son;grew up to become a sailor, and became the family's cream of the crop. Gani, however, quickly became the goat of the family because he had made the simplest mistake of getting a girl, his girlfriend Evelyn, pregnant. Naturally, being a Catholic country, the parents insisted on marriage. Alas, their lives were nothing but hollow imitations of couples in love, without enough of the very essence that keeps two people together. Their separation was inevitable; Gani never lived the shame down. o Marvin Agustin-Emmanuel - the third son;offspring that provided himself with the most secure future. Emmanuel lived the same life as his elder brothers, but knew that the extreme left and the extreme right had no place in society. He called for peaceful evolution, change in the form of expression. He wanted to become a writer, a noble profession, one exceptionally crafted for someone of Emmanuel's ability. His problem was, his father violently objected to his son's decision, due to practical reasons. There is no good pay for a writer. o Danilo Barrios-Jason - the fourth son;Jason was Julian's favorite among his children. He was also the opposite of Emmanuel. While Emmanuel was studious and hardworking, Jason was a typical teenager. He joined rallies to make noise, not express a message. He was a constant failure in school, albeit his problems were self-inflicted.
He stole from his parents. He lied to them. However, in the midst of the first three brothers' hardships, it was Jason's happy-go-lucky demeanor that provided Amanda and Julian with a well-needed dose of happiness. Unfortunately, in the end, it was Jason's felonious tendencies that caused hm his life; it wasn't his fault, but he was out with his usual round of pecadillos that the police accidentally killed Jason. o John Wayne Sace-Benjamin - the youngest son; After all had come to pass, he was in the middle of his teens. Minor Characters o Ana Capri-Mara - Jules' wife o Dimples Romana-Evelyn - Isagani's girlfriend and later wife o Jhong Hilario-Willy - Jules' bestfriend o Carlo MuñozRene - Jules' comrade. Informant of METROCOM o Tirso Cruz III-Evelyn's Father o Orestes Ojeda-Dr. Rodrigo o Marianne de la Riva-Evelyn's Mother 2. Identify the different conflicts that can be seen in the story tell what is the conflicts? f Answer: Amanda Bartolome and her husband, Julian Bartolome, had suspicions of their son's Jules Bartolome inclination to become an anti-Government winger but became convinced when they find copies of rebellious pamphlets and picture of Jules lying around the house. They confronted their son about them, and he had to admit his decision. At first, conflict ensues in the family. One friend of Jules Bartolome is Domeng who stayed at the family for a little time while healing their injury in her knees. The Bartolome family became close with Domeng because, among other things, he reminds them of his son Jules his friend. Unfortunately, it was late when Jules realized that Domeng his friend was an operative of the government constitution of the Marcos Republic. Domeng exposed his friend name Jules participation and involvement in the New People’s Army (NPA) movement in Marcos ERA. At that time Jules Bartolome subsequently sent to the prisoners. And the second conflict it is all about for friendship like Jules and Domeng. The progression of martial law brings along with it the development of Amanda Bartolome’s consciousness as a nationalist and, to some degree, a feminist. Witnessing civil society go into an authoritarian lockdown, hearing about the violence inflicted on Filipino citizens by military personnel, and personally experiencing the tragedy of state sanctioned abuse on her children takes its toll on Amanda. When she sees how easily the state can violate the rights of citizens under the guise of protection against domestic threats, she realizes that she can no longer give her full support to an authoritative government. Her son, Jules, plays a role in awakening her nationalist consciousness because he brings an
alternative viewpoint to the political discussions at home. Because of him freely expressing his leftist politics, his mother hears a different political voice than the conservative, nationalistic views of her husband, Julian. 3. Among the characters who can you most relate? Answer: The character that I most relate is Piolo Pascual(Jules); because he contributed a lot to the their government like the changes that empowered Filipinos to rise against the Marcos government. This series of events happened after the bombing of Plaza Miranda, the suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, the proclamation ofMartial Law and the random arrests of political prisoners.The oppressiveness of the Marcos regime made people become more radical. This shaping of the decade are all witnessed by the female character, Amanda Bartolome, a mother of five boys. While Amanda's sons grow, form individual beliefs and lead different lives, Amanda awakens her identity to state her stand as a Filipino citizen, mother and woman. Dekada '70 introduces the new generations of Filipino readers to a story and a family of a particular time in Philippine history. Its appeal lies in the evolution of its characters that embody the new generation of Filipinos. 4.What is the lesson of the story you learn? Answer: The lesson that I learn in the story is all about a mother and her family, and the society around them that affects them. It is a tale of how a mother becomes torn between the letter of the law and her responsibilities as a mother.The movie dekada 70 was a greate movie to watch, because it tells a story about a middle class that experienced the marcos government and in the story shows how a mother cares for his family most especially to her eldest son. They experienced the suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, the proclamation of Martial Law and other worst things. And at the last scene Amanda Bartolome said "ang payapang pampang ay para lamang sa mga taong nangangahas sumagupa sa alon nito". My opinion in her sayings is..we need to be brave and have the courage to fight to achieve our goal in life and to have our own freedom, because if we do not start to make a move, nothing will happen to us. 5. What should be your contribution to the country if you are living in the Martial Law Era?Why? Answer: I was a journalist-political activist involved with the Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties (MCCCL), organized and led by then Sen. Jose W. Diokno in response to the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in August 1971. In fact I was involved in the larger progressive protest movement that began in the mid-1960s.We had generally anticipated that Marcos would declare martial law, as (follow up) to the writ suspension that spurred bigger protest actions. The street slogan then was, “Sagot sa martial law, digmaang bayan (Response to martial law, people’s war)!” Still, we didn’t expect he would do it that soon and in the manner he did—shutting down tri-
media establishments and making arrests before formally proclaiming martial law.Marcos realized that he and his government were increasingly being isolated from the people, but he was determined to hold on to power at all cost. Exploiting the presidency’s residual power under the Constitution to declare martial law, Marcos invoked as basis an alleged conspiracy to overthrow the government between the Left and those he tagged as “oligarchs.” There was no such conspiracy, so martial law was not justified. Totoo sa titulo nito, tinatahak ng nobela ang ilang mahahalagang pangyayari sa buong dekada '70, ang di-malilimutang radikal na panahon sa Pilipinas. Nagsimula ang nobela sa taong 1972 nang isailalim ni Pangulong Marcos sa Batas Militar ang buong kapuluan at isuspendi ang Writ of Habeas Corpus. Sentro ng nobela ay isang pangkaraniwang burgis na pamilya, ang mga Bartolome, na natagpuan ng bawat miyembro ang kanilang sarili na may iba't ibang reaksyon ukol sa mga nagaganap sa lipunan. Ikinukwento ang nobela sa punto de vista ni Amanda Bartolome, ina sa apat na anak na lalaki, at housewife kay Julian Bartolome. Sa pamamagitan ng mga kwento ni Amanda tungkol sa apat na anak, naipapakita ng nobela ang mga piniling reaksyon at buhay ng mga bata upang tumulong baguhin ang magulong lipunan: ang panganay na si Jules na tuluyang naging rebelde; ang sumunod na si Gani na piniling sumapi sa US Navy; ang matalinong si Em na piniling maglabas ng kanyang mga opinyon sa pagsusulat; ang paboritong si Jason, malambing at mabarkada, ang sumapit ng malagim na kapalaran; at ang bunsong si Bingo na nagkaroon ng interes sa pagiging pulis o imbestigador. Ang mag-asawang Bartolome, sa tagong paraan man, bilang mga mapagmahal, maintindihin at liberal na mga magulang ay nakapagambag din ng tulong upang magkaroon ng pagbabago sa dekada '70. Kung sa mga batang Bartolome, ang pag-aaral sa mga unibersidad ang nagmulat sa kanila ng mga mali sa lipunan, ang impluwensya marahil ng progresibong lipunan ang nagturo naman kay Amanda na ikwestyon ang mga dating konserbatibo at di-pantay na pagtingin sa mga babae. Isang aspeto din ng nobela ay ang mga femistang ideya at opinyon ni Amanda Bartolome. Nagi itong dagdag na metaphor tungkol sa pagkamulat ng isang tao sa kamalian ng lipunan na kanyang kinabibilangan. Sa katauhan ni Amanda, unti-unti niyang natutunan ang pagtatanong tungkol sa mga karapatang pambabae: "Maaring Bartolo ang apelyido ko o Cruz o Santos-- pero apelyido 'yon na minana ko lang sa tatay ko, at minana ng tatay ko sa tatay niya. Oo nga pala,bakit puro sa tatay nagmamana ng apelyido? Bakit kahit minsan, hindi sa nanay?" Ang mga bagong ideya ni Amanda ang nagdala din ng tensyon sa relasyon at pagsasama nila ni Julian. Subalit, 'di gaya ng sinapit ng pamahalaang Marcos laban sa mga mamamayan, mas naging payapa ang pagkakasundo ng mag-asawang Julian at Amanda sa katapusan. Maayos na binigyan ni Lualhati Bautista, ang may akda, ng matibay na dahilan ang bawat
aksyon na pinili ng mga karakter. Sa ilang senaryo ng pakikipag-usap o pakikipagtalo ng mga bata kina Julian at Amanda, nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na masulyapan ng mambabasa ang tunay na isyung panlipunan. Dahil dito, tila isang expose din ang nobela na tumutukoy sa maraming pang-aabusong ginawa ng mga dayuhang negosyante, bansa at pandaigdigang samahan laban sa mga Filipino. Isang halimbawa nito ay ang panggigiit ng World Bank at International Monetary Fund na gawing "export-oriented economy" ang Pilipinas: "Sinusulat ko ito ay nakasampa na sa $17B ang panlabas na utang ng Pilipinas, partikular ang World Bank at International Monetary Fund, dalawang international lending institutions na bagama't kapwa binubuo ng lagpas isandaan at tatlumpung member countries ay kapwa din dominado't kontrolado ng Amerika." Sa bawat henerasyon ng isang nasyon, may iilang rebolusyonaryong nobela ang nakakapagpinta ng tunay na kalagayan ng kanyang kapanahunan. Gaya ng Noli Me Tangere sa panahon ng mga Kastila sa Pilipinas, ang Dekada '70 naman ang kasama sa mga espesyal na nobela na nagpapakita ng naging buhay ng mga Filipino sa ilalim ng rehimeng Marcos. Pero ang babae (ang tao, for that matter), talian man ang katawan o suutan ng chastity belt, ay may uri ng kalayaang hindi mananakaw ng kahit sino; ang kalayaan niyang magisip. Buod Ng Dekada 70 by Ephraim Buhi-on Ang panahon ng Martial Law ay nagdulot ng ibayong hirap sa mamayang Pilipino. Isang di-makatao at di-makatarungang gobyerno na nagbibingi-bingihan sa daing ng mamayan. Laganap sa bansa ang iba?t ibang klaseng krimen gaya ng salvaging. Magkabila ang mga rallies at iba pang demonstrasyon na kinabibilangan ng mga estudyanteng imbis na nagaaral ay nakikipaglaban upang makamit ang kalayaan at ito ang lubhang bumagabag kay Amanda Bartolome, isang tipikal na maybahay, ?Mom? ng 5 anak na pulos lalaki. Ang kanyang buhay ay umikot na lang sa pagiging ina at asawa, at nakuntento na siya sa pagiging ganito kahit na kakulangan ang nadarama niya para sa sarili. May mga pangarap siyang ninais din niyang matupad, itinuring niya na lang na ang katuparan ng mga pangarap ng kanyang mga anak ay katuparan na niya rin.Ang panganay na si Jules, may liberal na pag-iisip. Naging isang komunista, di man matatawag na isang tunay na propesyon dito na niya natagpuan ang katuparan ng kanyang pangarap, pangarap ng isang makataong lipunan para sa anak nila ni Mara na s iRev at sa iba pang kabataan naghahangad ng mabuting kinabukasan. Sumunod ay si Gani, maagang nag-asawa?t nagkaanak ngunit mabilis din silang nagkahiwalay ni Evelyn. Siya?y nanirahan na sa Abroad kapiling ng kanyang bagong pamilya. Ang pangatlo si Em, pinakamatalino sa magkakapatid naging isang magaling na manunulat sa isang lingguhang pahayagan na tumutuligsa sa Martial Law. Sumunod ang pinakamalambing na si Jason, ang kakulangan niya bilang estudyande ay matagumpay na napagtatakpan ng katangian niya bilang anak. Isang araw sa di-inaasahang pagkakataon, natagpuan ang kanyang bangkay sa isang basurahan, hubo?t hubad, labimpito ang saksak, tagos sa baga ang iba tuhog pati puso. May marka din ng itinaling alambre sa pulso, talop halos ang siko, tastas pati hita?t, tuhog, basag pati bayag. Malagim at malupit ang pagkamatay ni Jason, salvage dahil kung bakit at kung sino ang
maygawa walang makapagsabi. Ang kaso ng pagkamatay ni Jason ay hindi na nagkamit ng hustisya. Ang bunsong si Bingo namulat sa mundong walang katahimikan at walang katiyakan, ngayo?y magtatapos na ng kolehiyo.Iba?t ? iba ang kinahinatnan ng buhay ng mga anak ni Amanda. Sa loob ng 27 taon ng pagiging asawa at ina, sa kanyang palagay hindi siya ganap na umunlad bilang tao. Nagsilbi na lang siyang bantay sa paghahanap at pagkatagpo ni Julian ng katuparan niya bilang tao, sa paglaki ng kanyang mga anak at pagtuklas ng kanilang kakayahan at kahalagahan. Si Julian naman ay naging manhid at parang walang pakialam sa kakulangan nadarama ng kanyang asawa, naging walang kibot sa mga problemang kinakaharap ng kanilang pamilya. Kaya minsan napag isip-isip ni Amanda na makipaghiwalay na dito, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon nagawa niyang ipaalam kay Julian ang pagkukulang niya sa kanyang pamilya, lalo na kay Amanda. Pinigilan siya ni Julian at nangakong magbabago at kanya naming tinupad ang pangakong ?yon.Paulit-ulit na binabalikan ni Amanda ang masasayang alaala ng kabataan ng kanyang mga anak. Masarap ang maging ina habang maliliit pa ang mga anak mo, habang wala pa silang sinasaktan sa?yo kundi kalingkingan ng paa mo na natatapakan nila sa kasusunod at kapipilit magpakarga pero hintayin mo ang panahong kasintaas mo na siya, ?yong panahon ng pagkakaroon niya ng sariling isip at buhay, buhay na hiwalay na sa?yo, at matitikman mo sa kamay niya ang mapapait na kamatayan habang inihahanda mo ang kasal na hindi niya gusto. Habang nagpuputukan sa tapat ng kongreso sa isang pagkakataong hindi pa siya umuuwi. Habang binabasa mo ang balitang nasugatan siya sa isang sagupaan. Habang ibinibigay nila sa?yo ang selyadong kabang ng batang kailanma?y di mo malilimutan hinugot mula sa tiyan mo. Ito ang nadama ni Amanda nang pumunta sila sa burol ni Willy, kaibigan at kasamahan ni Jules sa NPA na napatay sa isang engkwentro.Naging mahirap para kay Amanda na tanggapin ang pagkamatay ni Jason at ang pagsali ni Jules sa NPA, hindi niya mapigilan ang sarili sa pagaalala sa kalagayan nito na minsan pa nga ay nagdadala ng mga kasamahang sugatan sa kanilang tahanan upang ipagamot sa ina. Maging ang pagkasira ng relasyon nila Gani at Evelyn. Ang pagkakamali at mga kabiguan ng kanyang mga anak ay nagagawa niyang isisi sa sarili, iniisip niya na marahil meron siyang pagkakamali sa pagpapalaki sa mga ito.Natamo niya ang kaganapan ng kanyang pagkatao sa pagtulong na kanyang ginagawa sa mga sugatang kasama na dinadala ni Jules. Pagtulong na bukal sa kanyang puso, tungkulin hindi naman iniatas sa kanya ninuman o isang obligasyon, na kahit gaano man kapanganib ay nagawa pa rin niyang gampanan.Tuloy pa rin ang laban tungo sa kalayaan, nakaalpas man tayo sa pagmamalupit ng diktador, tuloy pa rin ang laban na sinumulan pa ng ating mga ninuno at hindi ito matatapos hanggang may mga taong gahaman sa kapangyarihan. Marami pang buhay na handang ibuwis at marami pang tulad nila Jules at Mara na handang makipaglaban upang makamtan ang kalayaan ng ating bayan. Natutunan niyang pangibabawan, kahinaa?t kahirapa. Sa mga kamay ng kaaway o sa larangan man. Magiting siyang naindigan.
