(no subject)
assignment for LIT13: creatively rewrite Ernest Hemingway's "A Clean Well-Lighted Place" in a Philippine context.
Karinderia
It was early in the morning and customers were just starting to come in Manang Lucita's famous karinderia. In this small barrio of San Carlos where everyone knew each other and almost no secrets were kept, the young farmers were taking breakfast before heading off to the fields. Pedro, a regular of Manang Lucita came at his usual hour for his longganisa and egg breakfast.
"A pleasant morning, Manang Lucita. The usual please!"
"Yes, a beautiful morning it is. Except for that Pablo over there. Can you believe that he's already drinking a bottle of Tanduay at this hour?" Manang Lucita exclaimed.
"What? Haha! He should realize that drinking wouldn't solve any of his problems!"
"He's tried to run away, you know."
"Again? What's his problem this time?"
Manang glanced at Pedro for a while unsure of what to say but finally said, "Well! From what I've heard, he got his nobya pregnant!"
"What a reckless boy."
Manang could only nod in agreement.
The two sat closer together and lowered their voices, continuing the tsismis.
"He should just go home and straighten things out with his parents."
From across the karinderia, Pablo shouted for another bottle of rhum.
"As long as you pay for it, iho."
"Manang! You shouldn't encourage him- Go home Pablo! Stop wasting your time-and the time of others!" the exasperated young farmer bit back at Pablo, "Go help your parents and be productive for once."
"Don't be so harsh. He's already trying to deal with his problems, as you can see" the sympathetic Manang replied.
"Getting drunk is hardly a solution to your problems."
"That's just his way of coping. I'm sure you have your own."
Pedro shrugged as he continued feeding himself his breakfast.
"He should stop being a burden for others. The palayans are work enough this time of the year."
Pablo remained silent in his seat, glass in hand and an empty plate in front of him. He had not spoken since he arrived- except the occasional order- and he slowly faded into the background of the karinderia.
Pedro paid for his meal and left, but not without re-iterating his view of Pablo.
"Tell him to leave. Drinking at a karinderia is definitely not what he should be doing now. Good day, manang."
But he just needs a place to eat, Lucita thought. And a place to think. Ceratinly everyone is entitled to one. Times are difficult and sometimes you just need to get away for a while.
The rest of Manang Lucita's customers continued pouring in and out of the karinderia. Each one sits down, eats his meal, and takes a breather before once again returning to the palayan for another hard day's work.
to be submitted in around 11 1/2 hours. comment before then!
Karinderia
It was early in the morning and customers were just starting to come in Manang Lucita's famous karinderia. In this small barrio of San Carlos where everyone knew each other and almost no secrets were kept, the young farmers were taking breakfast before heading off to the fields. Pedro, a regular of Manang Lucita came at his usual hour for his longganisa and egg breakfast.
"A pleasant morning, Manang Lucita. The usual please!"
"Yes, a beautiful morning it is. Except for that Pablo over there. Can you believe that he's already drinking a bottle of Tanduay at this hour?" Manang Lucita exclaimed.
"What? Haha! He should realize that drinking wouldn't solve any of his problems!"
"He's tried to run away, you know."
"Again? What's his problem this time?"
Manang glanced at Pedro for a while unsure of what to say but finally said, "Well! From what I've heard, he got his nobya pregnant!"
"What a reckless boy."
Manang could only nod in agreement.
The two sat closer together and lowered their voices, continuing the tsismis.
"He should just go home and straighten things out with his parents."
From across the karinderia, Pablo shouted for another bottle of rhum.
"As long as you pay for it, iho."
"Manang! You shouldn't encourage him- Go home Pablo! Stop wasting your time-and the time of others!" the exasperated young farmer bit back at Pablo, "Go help your parents and be productive for once."
"Don't be so harsh. He's already trying to deal with his problems, as you can see" the sympathetic Manang replied.
"Getting drunk is hardly a solution to your problems."
"That's just his way of coping. I'm sure you have your own."
Pedro shrugged as he continued feeding himself his breakfast.
"He should stop being a burden for others. The palayans are work enough this time of the year."
Pablo remained silent in his seat, glass in hand and an empty plate in front of him. He had not spoken since he arrived- except the occasional order- and he slowly faded into the background of the karinderia.
Pedro paid for his meal and left, but not without re-iterating his view of Pablo.
"Tell him to leave. Drinking at a karinderia is definitely not what he should be doing now. Good day, manang."
But he just needs a place to eat, Lucita thought. And a place to think. Ceratinly everyone is entitled to one. Times are difficult and sometimes you just need to get away for a while.
The rest of Manang Lucita's customers continued pouring in and out of the karinderia. Each one sits down, eats his meal, and takes a breather before once again returning to the palayan for another hard day's work.
to be submitted in around 11 1/2 hours. comment before then!