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Dead Stars
This is the 1925 short story that gave birth to modern Philippine writing in English.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1925
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About the author
Paz Marquez Benitez
2 books48 followersBorn in 1894 in Lucena City, Quezón, Márquez Benítez authored the first Filipino modern English-language short story, Dead Stars, published in the Philippine Herald in 1925. Born into the prominent Márquez family of Quezón province, she was among the first generation of Filipinos trained in the American education system which used English as the medium of instruction. She graduated high school in Tayabas High School (now, Quezón National High School) and college from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912. She was a member of the first freshman class of the University of the Philippines, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912.
Two years after graduation, she married UP College of Education Dean Francisco Benítez, with whom she had four children.
Márquez Benítez later became a teacher at the University of the Philippines, who taught short-story writing and had become an influential figure to many Filipino writers in the English language, such as Loreto Paras-Sulit, Paz M. Latorena, Arturo Belleza Rotor, Bienvenido N. Santos and Francisco Arcellana. The annually held Paz Márquez Benítez Lectures in the Philippines honors her memory by focusing on the contribution of Filipino women writers to Philippine Literature in the English language.
Though she only had one more published short story after “Dead Stars” entitled "A Night In The Hills", she made her mark in Philippine literature because her work is considered the first modern Philippine short story.
For Márquez Benítez, writing was a lifelong occupation. In 1919 she founded "Woman's Home Journal", the first women's magazine in the country. Also in the same year, she and other six women who were prominent members of Manila's social elites, namely Clara Aragón, Concepción Aragón, Francisca Tirona Benítez, Carolina Ocampo Palma, Mercedes Rivera, and Socorro Márquez Zaballero, founded the Philippine Women's College (now Philippine Women's University). "Filipino Love Stories", reportedly the first anthology of Philippine stories in English by Filipinos, was compiled in 1928 by Márquez Benítez from the works of her students.
When her husband died in 1951, she took over as editor of the Philippine Journal of Education at UP. She held the editorial post for over two decades.
In 1995, her daughter, Virginia Benítez Licuanan wrote her biography, "Paz Márquez Benítez: One Woman's Life, Letters, and Writings."
Source: wikipedia.org
Two years after graduation, she married UP College of Education Dean Francisco Benítez, with whom she had four children.
Márquez Benítez later became a teacher at the University of the Philippines, who taught short-story writing and had become an influential figure to many Filipino writers in the English language, such as Loreto Paras-Sulit, Paz M. Latorena, Arturo Belleza Rotor, Bienvenido N. Santos and Francisco Arcellana. The annually held Paz Márquez Benítez Lectures in the Philippines honors her memory by focusing on the contribution of Filipino women writers to Philippine Literature in the English language.
Though she only had one more published short story after “Dead Stars” entitled "A Night In The Hills", she made her mark in Philippine literature because her work is considered the first modern Philippine short story.
For Márquez Benítez, writing was a lifelong occupation. In 1919 she founded "Woman's Home Journal", the first women's magazine in the country. Also in the same year, she and other six women who were prominent members of Manila's social elites, namely Clara Aragón, Concepción Aragón, Francisca Tirona Benítez, Carolina Ocampo Palma, Mercedes Rivera, and Socorro Márquez Zaballero, founded the Philippine Women's College (now Philippine Women's University). "Filipino Love Stories", reportedly the first anthology of Philippine stories in English by Filipinos, was compiled in 1928 by Márquez Benítez from the works of her students.
When her husband died in 1951, she took over as editor of the Philippine Journal of Education at UP. She held the editorial post for over two decades.
In 1995, her daughter, Virginia Benítez Licuanan wrote her biography, "Paz Márquez Benítez: One Woman's Life, Letters, and Writings."
Source: wikipedia.org
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February 13, 2013
The year is 1925. The Spaniards have ceded the Philippines to the Americans barely just two decades ago. The educational system has improved. There were no Indios, no Umalohokans, no Saguiguilids, only the old rich and the neo-cultivated minds of the Filipinos who has learned to read and write that thrives the country. But two decades is still a young year compared to the three centuries of Christianity and the many beliefs which the friars have embedded to Filipinos. The traditions of a Maria Clara- timid, religious and everything a duly pious wife should act according to the church's desire lives on. Such is the elegance of a woman named Esperanza.
Her name in Spanish meant "Hope". Like a mestiza raised on the grounds of dignity, she stands behind her man, not imposing herself but waits for her man to come to terms with her. She hopes for good things to happen but never implore.
Julita, young and spirited. Her morena skin tells stories that she is a Filipina raised with the changes of time. A Filipina cultivated by the independent teachings of this new conquering nation. I bet she like to drink coke instead of tsokolate. In her smile one could see a liberal mind slip from time to time. Fresh. New beginnings for the coming change.
Alfredo is a young lawyer caught in the tide of change and the upkeep of traditions. His once certain feelings was now challenged. He embodies the many Filipinos of that year, confused. But his feelings are primordial. He gets excited with the happy challenges a new love brings . He begins to doubt his certainties and begins to play with his what if's.
The year is 1925. the smell of change is very distinct but not repugnant. His heart's desire is very much that, a desire. But he is not young, he belonged to the old world. Transcendence was not his best suit. But a heart yearns and builds its what if's. Difficult passions of a past, a could have beens, of scenarios of happiness- infatuation, they call it.
And sometimes that is all the heart needs, a momentary skip, a half beat a dysrythmia, just so a man would feel alive. Torn between the definite Maria Clara in Esperanza or the amusement in the smile of Julita.
But sometimes what if's are meant to remain questions. Because answers may be staring so near you, you fail to see the bigger picture. And there are times they are so far above the heavens that you fail to hug the pertinent, that which has not left you, that which has stayed close to you, she who has remained faithful and trusted you even if stars are not there to shine at you.
For better or worse, till death do us part. She promised.
This is a story of eloquence. Its worth is not only in its story because the story is simple- a love triangle. Paz Benitez made it such that words rolled in my tongue. It was almost like poetry but with more narrative prose. And knowing she made this in that time where women are trying to find their niche in society makes it more wonderful. I guess, the year 1925 is really beautiful.
Her name in Spanish meant "Hope". Like a mestiza raised on the grounds of dignity, she stands behind her man, not imposing herself but waits for her man to come to terms with her. She hopes for good things to happen but never implore.
Julita, young and spirited. Her morena skin tells stories that she is a Filipina raised with the changes of time. A Filipina cultivated by the independent teachings of this new conquering nation. I bet she like to drink coke instead of tsokolate. In her smile one could see a liberal mind slip from time to time. Fresh. New beginnings for the coming change.
Alfredo is a young lawyer caught in the tide of change and the upkeep of traditions. His once certain feelings was now challenged. He embodies the many Filipinos of that year, confused. But his feelings are primordial. He gets excited with the happy challenges a new love brings . He begins to doubt his certainties and begins to play with his what if's.
The year is 1925. the smell of change is very distinct but not repugnant. His heart's desire is very much that, a desire. But he is not young, he belonged to the old world. Transcendence was not his best suit. But a heart yearns and builds its what if's. Difficult passions of a past, a could have beens, of scenarios of happiness- infatuation, they call it.
And sometimes that is all the heart needs, a momentary skip, a half beat a dysrythmia, just so a man would feel alive. Torn between the definite Maria Clara in Esperanza or the amusement in the smile of Julita.
But sometimes what if's are meant to remain questions. Because answers may be staring so near you, you fail to see the bigger picture. And there are times they are so far above the heavens that you fail to hug the pertinent, that which has not left you, that which has stayed close to you, she who has remained faithful and trusted you even if stars are not there to shine at you.
For better or worse, till death do us part. She promised.
This is a story of eloquence. Its worth is not only in its story because the story is simple- a love triangle. Paz Benitez made it such that words rolled in my tongue. It was almost like poetry but with more narrative prose. And knowing she made this in that time where women are trying to find their niche in society makes it more wonderful. I guess, the year 1925 is really beautiful.
January 23, 2013
It's funny how we can all be Alfredo, Esperanza even Julia at one point in our lives. It's really crazy, this thing we all call 'love'. It can bring us pain, hope, happiness, it can even make us dream...
But maybe, we have to stop loving with eyes wide shut. Before it's too late, we have to wake up and face reality. Because this love may be classified as an abstract noun, it is all the more an emotion, and the greatest task bestowed upon us, lovers, is to be able to decipher if the feeling is real or just a by product of our 'dreams'.
But maybe, we have to stop loving with eyes wide shut. Before it's too late, we have to wake up and face reality. Because this love may be classified as an abstract noun, it is all the more an emotion, and the greatest task bestowed upon us, lovers, is to be able to decipher if the feeling is real or just a by product of our 'dreams'.
February 14, 2013
Originally posted here.
The thing that struck me most about Dead Stars is that it was so exquisitely written. Florid? Perhaps. It was written by a Filipino at the turn of the century, at a period when we were adjusting to another language by way of conversations. To her credit, the author was "among the first generation of Filipinos trained in the American education system which used English as the medium of instruction."
That, and the bittersweet feeling that it left me in the end.
*
Of all the stories about love that I've read thus far, this is the kind that never fails to leave me with a hollow, empty feeling inside: lost loves.
Especially loves that are lost because of indecision.
*
Alfredo Salazar, a thirty-something bachelor lawyer, is engaged to be married to Esperanza. Their wedding is supposedly the culmination of a very long engagement. During this period, however, he meets Julia Salas. He spends time with Julia and, quite predictably, falls in love with her.
Does true love fade?
*
If I were Alfredo, I would have stayed away from Julia. That Julia, she's bad news. :P
Dead Stars is part of the Filipino short story anthology, Fourteen Love Stories edited by Jose Dalisay, Jr. and Angelo R. Lacuesta, published by the UP Press.
You might also want to check out The Best Philippine Short Stories , where this and other notable works are included. :)
Happy Love Month, everyone.
Recommended by: TFG's F2F Book for February 2013
Book Details: PDF copy provided by our dear moderator, TINA
November 29, 2016
"Mystery--" she answered lightly, "that is so brief--"
"Not in some," quickly. "Not in you."
"You have known me a few weeks; so the mystery."
"I could study you all my life and still not find it."
"So long?"
"I should like to."
I find it somewhat ironic that I should read this short story promptly after reading The Looking Glass because they are almost in direct opposition to each other, yet they hold similar meanings in my eyes. Of course, the writing, the storyline, the characters, and their dilemmas are vastly different, but what stood out to me once again is this theme of choices and risks and the uncertainty of outcomes involved in such.
Whereas The Looking Glass offers a dismal and pessimistic view of taking risks and how that can play out negatively in the future, Dead Stars seems to beg the question, What if? while portraying the haunting regret of not taking any chances and daringly going out on a limb. The main character, Alfredo, life becomes steeped in his remorse and curiosity, wondering if his life would have been better if only he made a different decision and followed where his heart was leading him. Eventually, it propels him to seek out and pursue those long overdue answers but he discovers that he's been holding on to illusions of What could have been? that have long faded, leaving only remnants of its expired mirage, the light of dead stars.
February 8, 2013
I just learned that "Dead Stars" was the first feminist text in the Philippines.
As the readers would notice, it broke the notion of patriarchal system as the society sees men as rational type or in line with logic while women are the emotional kind.
The protagonist Alfredo was very vulnerable in love. He was trapped in deciding what his heart desires. But in the end, he found himself merely infatuated after he deliberately made a decision .
I did not much like the story because of Alfredo's unfaithfulness. What does he want, a reserve or back up? Oh please. If he truly loves a girl, he wouldn't hesitate a bit (well, just my opinion).
Benitez may have overused the words for embellishments but I like it that way, I like her own style.
I also like how she made it by the perspective of a man. If it will be of a woman (Esperanza), it would be the same old martyr kind of story, and it will be the usual woman longing for her lover.
As the readers would notice, it broke the notion of patriarchal system as the society sees men as rational type or in line with logic while women are the emotional kind.
The protagonist Alfredo was very vulnerable in love. He was trapped in deciding what his heart desires. But in the end, he found himself merely infatuated after he deliberately made a decision .
I did not much like the story because of Alfredo's unfaithfulness. What does he want, a reserve or back up? Oh please. If he truly loves a girl, he wouldn't hesitate a bit (well, just my opinion).
Benitez may have overused the words for embellishments but I like it that way, I like her own style.
I also like how she made it by the perspective of a man. If it will be of a woman (Esperanza), it would be the same old martyr kind of story, and it will be the usual woman longing for her lover.
February 4, 2013
*deep breath*
I didn't like Dead Stars.
The fancy words, the flowery expressions, they infuriated me. I cannot believe that a fellow Filipino wrote Dead Stars. Not because I did not think we are that talented (because we are), but because this short story was claimed to have given birth to modern Philippine writing and yet, it did nothing, nothing to make itself accessible to Filipinos that can barely read/speak the English language. Why? The rhetorical words composing such elaborate sentences strucked me as a forceful effort to unconciously make itself known that the writer can speak/write in English!
Why not use simple terms and austere writing so Filipinos still learning the foreign language will be able to appreciate it? Crap, I'm not into vocabulary lately but I got a mouthful of it from Dead Stars.
and don't even get me started on the wretched story.
I didn't like Dead Stars.
The fancy words, the flowery expressions, they infuriated me. I cannot believe that a fellow Filipino wrote Dead Stars. Not because I did not think we are that talented (because we are), but because this short story was claimed to have given birth to modern Philippine writing and yet, it did nothing, nothing to make itself accessible to Filipinos that can barely read/speak the English language. Why? The rhetorical words composing such elaborate sentences strucked me as a forceful effort to unconciously make itself known that the writer can speak/write in English!
Why not use simple terms and austere writing so Filipinos still learning the foreign language will be able to appreciate it? Crap, I'm not into vocabulary lately but I got a mouthful of it from Dead Stars.
and don't even get me started on the wretched story.
January 2, 2015
For the love month, my favorite book club picked this short story as book of the month. Published in 1925, Dead Stars is considered as the “short story that gave birth to modern Philippine writing in English.” The author, Paz Marquez Benitez, “was among the first generation of Filipinos trained in the American education system which used English as the medium of instruction.”
This particular fact can actually be gleaned in the first few pages of the story. Filled with deep, big, at times unnecessary, English words, I cannot help but feel that too much effort has been put in making use of every English word that the author has learned. Still, putting into context that this story was written at a time when Filipinos have started to learn the American language, the adeptness of the author in applying what she has learned is at least worthy of appreciation. Of course, literary styles have evolved since then and the verbose style in Dead Stars might not be that attractive anymore to contemporary readers.
The story evolves around Alfredo, Esperanza, and Julia, and the complications of love and feelings, old and new, that surround them. Alfredo is soon to wed his long-time fiancee, Esperanza. He meets Julia and immediately believes he has fallen in love with her. But conventions require him to restrain such unwelcome emotions and so he proceeded to marry Esperanza. For eight years, Alfredo yearned for Julia and his long-lost love for her. Told in the point of view of Alfredo, Dead Stars is not a difficult read. It is straightforward and honest, and though I do not entirely agree with what Alfredo did (and did not do), I am quite familiar with the confusions surrounding love and relationships. After all, who can fully understand one’s feelings?
.
Also posted in It's A Wonderful Bookworld.
This particular fact can actually be gleaned in the first few pages of the story. Filled with deep, big, at times unnecessary, English words, I cannot help but feel that too much effort has been put in making use of every English word that the author has learned. Still, putting into context that this story was written at a time when Filipinos have started to learn the American language, the adeptness of the author in applying what she has learned is at least worthy of appreciation. Of course, literary styles have evolved since then and the verbose style in Dead Stars might not be that attractive anymore to contemporary readers.
The story evolves around Alfredo, Esperanza, and Julia, and the complications of love and feelings, old and new, that surround them. Alfredo is soon to wed his long-time fiancee, Esperanza. He meets Julia and immediately believes he has fallen in love with her. But conventions require him to restrain such unwelcome emotions and so he proceeded to marry Esperanza. For eight years, Alfredo yearned for Julia and his long-lost love for her. Told in the point of view of Alfredo, Dead Stars is not a difficult read. It is straightforward and honest, and though I do not entirely agree with what Alfredo did (and did not do), I am quite familiar with the confusions surrounding love and relationships. After all, who can fully understand one’s feelings?
.
Also posted in It's A Wonderful Bookworld.
September 26, 2021
This beautiful prose kick-started modern Filipino literature in English.
January 16, 2013
"Dead Stars" is actually a short story written by Paz Marquez Benitez in 1925, which ushered in an era of Philippine writing in English.
The story is mainly about three people: Esperanza, Alfredo Salazar, and Julia Salas. Esperanza and Alfredo are engaged to be married, and during this period, Alfredo met Julia who he grew very fond of to the point where he almost "unwished" his inevitable marriage to Esperanza. It didn't quite end like most Filipino readers would expect today, though, which I'm glad because it not only cut through the mundane predictability of modern day local tellings that bore me to tears but it also gave the story a great sense of believability. It's never bad to have something like that every once in a while.
I saw myself in the shoes of the said female characters; the story, a section of an old romantic life—the untold and the denied. I was once an Esperanza and a Julia at certain "phases" in that relationship, maybe even an Alfredo upon realizing and seeing only dead stars. Perhaps I was him first.
I can go on and on about what's niggling in my head right now, but I don't want to bother you with that closed chapter of my life.
So going back—
One might find this short story a bit difficult to read and comprehend due to the number of highfaluting words in them. I found it annoying that I had to stop reading to look up the meaning of a word almost every 15 seconds only to find out that the word has a more simple synonym that the author could have used but didn't. Such were the "writings of old", I guess.
Anyway, I'm giving this three stars because I like the story. And, yes, I think I just gave my grey matter its much needed nourishment by knowing new words.
Excerpt: "The golden streamer was withdrawing, shortening, until it looked no more than a pool far away at the rim of the world. Stillness, a vibrant quiet that affects the senses as does solemn harmony; a peace that is not contentment but a cessation of tumult when all violence of feeling tones down to the wistful serenity of regret. She turned and looked into his face, in her dark eyes a ghost of sunset sadness."
The story is mainly about three people: Esperanza, Alfredo Salazar, and Julia Salas. Esperanza and Alfredo are engaged to be married, and during this period, Alfredo met Julia who he grew very fond of to the point where he almost "unwished" his inevitable marriage to Esperanza. It didn't quite end like most Filipino readers would expect today, though, which I'm glad because it not only cut through the mundane predictability of modern day local tellings that bore me to tears but it also gave the story a great sense of believability. It's never bad to have something like that every once in a while.
I saw myself in the shoes of the said female characters; the story, a section of an old romantic life—the untold and the denied. I was once an Esperanza and a Julia at certain "phases" in that relationship, maybe even an Alfredo upon realizing and seeing only dead stars. Perhaps I was him first.
I can go on and on about what's niggling in my head right now, but I don't want to bother you with that closed chapter of my life.
So going back—
One might find this short story a bit difficult to read and comprehend due to the number of highfaluting words in them. I found it annoying that I had to stop reading to look up the meaning of a word almost every 15 seconds only to find out that the word has a more simple synonym that the author could have used but didn't. Such were the "writings of old", I guess.
Anyway, I'm giving this three stars because I like the story. And, yes, I think I just gave my grey matter its much needed nourishment by knowing new words.
Excerpt: "The golden streamer was withdrawing, shortening, until it looked no more than a pool far away at the rim of the world. Stillness, a vibrant quiet that affects the senses as does solemn harmony; a peace that is not contentment but a cessation of tumult when all violence of feeling tones down to the wistful serenity of regret. She turned and looked into his face, in her dark eyes a ghost of sunset sadness."
February 28, 2013
Benitez is a master poet. She throws in a thesaurus of adjectives into her prose and they fall perfectly on top of each other, allowing the narrative to flow forward...though I have to admit that some will find her style rather annoying. The exchanges were unnatural but I didn't care. :) The plot is believable. Fact that the author was able to tell the story from a man's perspective deserves praise.
That being said, I wish I could write like Ms. Benitez but with a little less fancy-schmancy synonyms. Frank Herbert, author of Dune, mastered this art. Not too many writers have the flair or the guts to come up with a piece like this. The 4-star rating goes out to flamboyant writing that's obviously periodical. The story, and the telling of it, will have a challenging time keeping up with today's fast-paced, distracting (and perhaps "idealistic") demands.
*And yes, most of my reviews focus more on how the author told the story than the story itself. :)
That being said, I wish I could write like Ms. Benitez but with a little less fancy-schmancy synonyms. Frank Herbert, author of Dune, mastered this art. Not too many writers have the flair or the guts to come up with a piece like this. The 4-star rating goes out to flamboyant writing that's obviously periodical. The story, and the telling of it, will have a challenging time keeping up with today's fast-paced, distracting (and perhaps "idealistic") demands.
*And yes, most of my reviews focus more on how the author told the story than the story itself. :)
November 7, 2021
I've read this in 2018 when I was searching for Philippine literary works. Now, it is a requirement for my lit class. A delightful read in one sitting. Enough with the chat, I'll start to review it.
The Dead Stars of Paz Marquez-Benitez was set during 1925 where the Spanish still ruled over the Filipinos. It is set on the Salazar’s residence and Judge del Valle’s residence. It shows the patriarchal culture that we still have today. It has some happy and some sad aspects so I would call it bittersweet. It is during the Lenten season and they're celebrating the holy week.
He'd [Alfredo] gone to Del Valle's residence with Don Julian to examine it. He became acquainted with Julia Salas. He was always addressing her as Mrs. Del Valle, which caused him humiliation. Coming to the judge's house became a frequent occurrence. Despite his engagement to Esperanza, he recognized he was in love with Julia.
Alfredo caught up with Julia after the ceremony for The Our Lady of Sorrows Church. When Julia heard out about Alfredo's wedding, he congratulated him. Alfredo must weigh the pros and cons of a difficult decision. It depends on whether he bases it on a need or a desire.
Julia didn't want Alfredo to break his promise to Esperanza. She said her farewell. He returned to Esperanza's house. And with that, the final word has been said. Alfredo and Esperanza wedded in the end. After eight years, he was looking for a lady named Brigida Samuy. A person who was crucial to his defense in court—in Sta Cruz, Julia's hometown. He went to Julia's house, where he found her. Still single.
That's when he finally knew. All these years—since when?—he had been seeing the light of dead stars, long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed places in the heavens. He found
out that his love for Julia is fleeting.
The Dead Stars depicts the relationships that may exist but are not analyzed and lose their significance. It symbolizes confusion when it comes to relationships especially when you're
committed to someone. It also tackled the topic of cheating.
The Dead Stars of Paz Marquez-Benitez was set during 1925 where the Spanish still ruled over the Filipinos. It is set on the Salazar’s residence and Judge del Valle’s residence. It shows the patriarchal culture that we still have today. It has some happy and some sad aspects so I would call it bittersweet. It is during the Lenten season and they're celebrating the holy week.
He'd [Alfredo] gone to Del Valle's residence with Don Julian to examine it. He became acquainted with Julia Salas. He was always addressing her as Mrs. Del Valle, which caused him humiliation. Coming to the judge's house became a frequent occurrence. Despite his engagement to Esperanza, he recognized he was in love with Julia.
Alfredo caught up with Julia after the ceremony for The Our Lady of Sorrows Church. When Julia heard out about Alfredo's wedding, he congratulated him. Alfredo must weigh the pros and cons of a difficult decision. It depends on whether he bases it on a need or a desire.
Julia didn't want Alfredo to break his promise to Esperanza. She said her farewell. He returned to Esperanza's house. And with that, the final word has been said. Alfredo and Esperanza wedded in the end. After eight years, he was looking for a lady named Brigida Samuy. A person who was crucial to his defense in court—in Sta Cruz, Julia's hometown. He went to Julia's house, where he found her. Still single.
That's when he finally knew. All these years—since when?—he had been seeing the light of dead stars, long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed places in the heavens. He found
out that his love for Julia is fleeting.
The Dead Stars depicts the relationships that may exist but are not analyzed and lose their significance. It symbolizes confusion when it comes to relationships especially when you're
committed to someone. It also tackled the topic of cheating.
February 25, 2022
i never thought i'd ever read something because school told me to, but here i am. and i'm glad i did.
this is a very important and significant short story that was written way back 1925 by Paz Márquez-Benítez. Taking place in a time when the Philippines was still in the hands of the Spaniards, the book mainly follows the hesitant and disturbed life of a young man as there nears his long-awaited marriage with his fiance who he has been engaged to for years; when suddenly, prior to that very marriage, he develops a sudden relationship with a woman from the neighborhood. Faced with internal conflicts regarding faith, yearning, truth, and love, the man is faced with decisions and immense pressure which come with consequences that bring him despair just simply thinking of.
I thought the writing was amazing. I actually didn't expect to read such complex and intricate writing from a Filipino book. I mean, I knew this was written during when America still colonized the country, but still, this was not near what I expected. Nonetheless, I thought the writing was great. And back then, as the English language was being highly introduced and encouraged as the medium of literature in the country, you can see in this short story just how masterful the Filipinos have been in utilizing the language. The use of such adjectives and descriptive words just made the whole experience much better, and gave way to the very dramatic atmosphere throughout the story.
This one is a deep and emotional analysis of human psychology when faced with sudden circumstances that lead to people questioning their faith, loyalty, love, and self-awareness. The story talks about longing, unfaithfulness, love and desire, communication, trust, about gender roles and stereotypes, holding onto one's hope, and more. This definitely felt like reading a classic, from the very setting of having people come and visit houses, taking walks together, talking about life and arguing about the human behavior, combined with such writing that just sums it all up.
If you have the time, please read this. This short story has had a tremendous influence and impact on the Philippine's modern English literature.
this is a very important and significant short story that was written way back 1925 by Paz Márquez-Benítez. Taking place in a time when the Philippines was still in the hands of the Spaniards, the book mainly follows the hesitant and disturbed life of a young man as there nears his long-awaited marriage with his fiance who he has been engaged to for years; when suddenly, prior to that very marriage, he develops a sudden relationship with a woman from the neighborhood. Faced with internal conflicts regarding faith, yearning, truth, and love, the man is faced with decisions and immense pressure which come with consequences that bring him despair just simply thinking of.
I thought the writing was amazing. I actually didn't expect to read such complex and intricate writing from a Filipino book. I mean, I knew this was written during when America still colonized the country, but still, this was not near what I expected. Nonetheless, I thought the writing was great. And back then, as the English language was being highly introduced and encouraged as the medium of literature in the country, you can see in this short story just how masterful the Filipinos have been in utilizing the language. The use of such adjectives and descriptive words just made the whole experience much better, and gave way to the very dramatic atmosphere throughout the story.
This one is a deep and emotional analysis of human psychology when faced with sudden circumstances that lead to people questioning their faith, loyalty, love, and self-awareness. The story talks about longing, unfaithfulness, love and desire, communication, trust, about gender roles and stereotypes, holding onto one's hope, and more. This definitely felt like reading a classic, from the very setting of having people come and visit houses, taking walks together, talking about life and arguing about the human behavior, combined with such writing that just sums it all up.
If you have the time, please read this. This short story has had a tremendous influence and impact on the Philippine's modern English literature.
December 25, 2021
Whenever I think about closures, this is what comes to mind. I love this story so much, because it just shows how human nature work. How we follow the scent of roses all the way towards the garden, smitten by the scent, just to realize that we don't actually care because it's bothersome to prick our fingers while picking it. I guess, you can say that I really don't believe in actual love. It only happens in the movies. But, I believe in living for a moment. Chasing after the heat of fresh love, that is so true. Clinging to it until it wore you down. We are all selfish people, aren't we? And then it's a dead end, so we create an alternative route for another one. We are just like those ants, following the line towards the food source, and when we run out, we proceed to another. It's like that Zeus myth too. I actually, felt connected to that. We are condemned to find our other halves. Living to chase after them, meeting so many people along the way, and not finding them in the end until we die. A punishment for mortals. That is so like Alfredo. I mean, is there even really a happy ever after? Do we really believe that there is someone out there who will treasure us the same as if it's the first time they felt they love us? Does love really grow over time? Or it's the same as Alfredo? Who will choose the practical one in the end? I love love stories, I love to dream about someone who will be faithful, loyal, and tresure me dearly. But reality is often disappointing. I believe Paz perfectly portrayed that.
May 8, 2013
Sigh.
What a douchebag.
Okay, this story did not appeal to me at all. Every word that she writes is so confusing and jumbled up, and I ended up having to reread every. single. line. This gave me a headache with all the unnecessary metaphors and descriptions. Simplicity lady, simplicity! I didn't even understand why she had to put multiple chapters!
Alfredo is a doucebag, Esperanza is a jealous quiet person who won't say ANYTHING WHATSOEVER, and Julia is gullible, and naive, and led on by Alfredo.
This was not a very likable cast.
Sigh.
What a douchebag.
Okay, this story did not appeal to me at all. Every word that she writes is so confusing and jumbled up, and I ended up having to reread every. single. line. This gave me a headache with all the unnecessary metaphors and descriptions. Simplicity lady, simplicity! I didn't even understand why she had to put multiple chapters!
Alfredo is a doucebag, Esperanza is a jealous quiet person who won't say ANYTHING WHATSOEVER, and Julia is gullible, and naive, and led on by Alfredo.
This was not a very likable cast.
Sigh.
May 30, 2013
"Dead Stars" - where love is never expressed in polite conversation but felt and painfully missed.
To sum it all up:
Alfredo likes Julia but he doesn’t want to give up Esperanza. Generally, “Dead Stars” only delve on fantasies. Alfredo fantasized about Julia but when faced with reality, his feelings were not grounded. At the end of the story, when he sees Julia again, he then realized his true feelings—that he was not in love with Julia. All these years he put Julia in a pedestal, only to realize that the love he thought was there doesn’t exist anymore, the flame had died already.
He eventually realized that he was only in love with the idea of love. “Dead Stars” represent the fantasies and desires of Alfredo whom he later found out to be fleeting and had vanished with youth and the passage of time.
To sum it all up:
Alfredo likes Julia but he doesn’t want to give up Esperanza. Generally, “Dead Stars” only delve on fantasies. Alfredo fantasized about Julia but when faced with reality, his feelings were not grounded. At the end of the story, when he sees Julia again, he then realized his true feelings—that he was not in love with Julia. All these years he put Julia in a pedestal, only to realize that the love he thought was there doesn’t exist anymore, the flame had died already.
He eventually realized that he was only in love with the idea of love. “Dead Stars” represent the fantasies and desires of Alfredo whom he later found out to be fleeting and had vanished with youth and the passage of time.
January 29, 2013
A typical MMK story.
ELLA CUES TEARS
ELLA CUES TEARS
January 2, 2017
I just remember having read the short story and directed a play (of it) in my college days. I took my English classes seriously even though I'm on a medical course. :)
March 31, 2024
Mga lalaki talaga, haha!
April 5, 2025
i read this for the first time in college for a fil lit class. rereading this, i think about all the short stories, poems, essays, book chapters, and journal pages assigned to me as a student and i feel both happiness to be given such a wonderful gift but an overwhelming sadness for the ephemerality of my memory.
"I'd like to visit your hometown."
“There's not much to see narrow winding streets, thatched roofs with ferns, and sometimes pumpkins."
That was the backdrop. It made her seem less distant, less unrelated, but somehow more remote, as if that backdrop possessed her and excluded him.
"Nothing? There's you."
"I'd like to visit your hometown."
“There's not much to see narrow winding streets, thatched roofs with ferns, and sometimes pumpkins."
That was the backdrop. It made her seem less distant, less unrelated, but somehow more remote, as if that backdrop possessed her and excluded him.
"Nothing? There's you."
March 1, 2013
Original post from One More Page
I thought of writing a review for this short story that we discussed last weekend, but I was honestly a tad lazy to do it just yet. However, I was digging through some college files for some notes to do some work, and I found my work sheet from my English Literature class about Paz Marquez Benitez's short story. I thought I'd just post that one here, because it's sort of a review of the story from when I first read (and liked) it. :) Oh, please note that I wrote these answers about 7 years ago, so these thoughts come from a 19-year-old Tina. :D
Oh, and if you've never read the story, you can read it online here.
Discuss briefly one internal and one external factor or force that might have contributed to Alfredo’s decision to marry Esperanza despite the apparent mutual attraction between him and Julia.
Choose one passage in the story that you particularly like and explain why you like it.
I like this passage because it sounds so sad, yet it is full of meaning. Besides the fact that the title of the short story appears in this passage, which I think is really lovely (the title), I think I can relate to this somehow. I think this passage talks about someone seeing something that is long gone, but knowing that it was there – gone, but was there before. It’s when you end up expecting something from someone for a long time. When you finally get to talk to the person about it, it turns out that what you have been expecting before is gone, and yet you can still see that they were there before.
* * *
Hmmm, I realized I was a tad too repetitive in the second question. Heh.
In a nutshell: I liked the story then, and I still like the story now. While the language may be a bit deep and possibly dated, I thought it had just the right amount of angst and bitterness of a "love" that is lost. It's the kind of story that makes me sigh, shake my fist at Alfredo, and wish that things could be different, even if I'm not sure who needs that different ending the most. True, the characters could have been fleshed out more, but I think the story gives us just enough of the overall conflict that it left me melancholic and wistful at the end.
I thought of writing a review for this short story that we discussed last weekend, but I was honestly a tad lazy to do it just yet. However, I was digging through some college files for some notes to do some work, and I found my work sheet from my English Literature class about Paz Marquez Benitez's short story. I thought I'd just post that one here, because it's sort of a review of the story from when I first read (and liked) it. :) Oh, please note that I wrote these answers about 7 years ago, so these thoughts come from a 19-year-old Tina. :D
Oh, and if you've never read the story, you can read it online here.
Discuss briefly one internal and one external factor or force that might have contributed to Alfredo’s decision to marry Esperanza despite the apparent mutual attraction between him and Julia.
Choose one passage in the story that you particularly like and explain why you like it.
So all these years—since when?—he had been seeing the light of dead stars, long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed places in the heavens. (par. 223)
I like this passage because it sounds so sad, yet it is full of meaning. Besides the fact that the title of the short story appears in this passage, which I think is really lovely (the title), I think I can relate to this somehow. I think this passage talks about someone seeing something that is long gone, but knowing that it was there – gone, but was there before. It’s when you end up expecting something from someone for a long time. When you finally get to talk to the person about it, it turns out that what you have been expecting before is gone, and yet you can still see that they were there before.
* * *
Hmmm, I realized I was a tad too repetitive in the second question. Heh.
In a nutshell: I liked the story then, and I still like the story now. While the language may be a bit deep and possibly dated, I thought it had just the right amount of angst and bitterness of a "love" that is lost. It's the kind of story that makes me sigh, shake my fist at Alfredo, and wish that things could be different, even if I'm not sure who needs that different ending the most. True, the characters could have been fleshed out more, but I think the story gives us just enough of the overall conflict that it left me melancholic and wistful at the end.
July 14, 2013
We had to read Dead Stars for a writing class in college. I started reading it with the full notion that this was the first short story written by a Filipino (a woman in fact) in English. Quick trivia: Paz Marquez Benitez was among the first freshman class of UP.
I'm biased to favor how the story was told because I've always liked good prose. The long, unhandy words can sound too elitist, but the author has proper control over the language and set the tone of the story accordingly. Dead Stars is about a young lawyer with inner conflicts as to how he's living his life. He is engaged to a lady from the same upper middle class, but he gets infatuated with another(which is a bit familiar. Age of Innocence?)
I would say that revolving in a brief, undefined love affair works well. It is unpretentious and honest with the "local flavor" we are looking for in contemporary stories written in English, shown in the description of the settings and the customs. It also shares good humor, Julia and Alfredo's conversations being filled with lightness and heart.
The protagonist's desire is universal. The what-if's are always wounded deep within us, and Paz Marquez-Benitez was able to flesh it out in a story some would often find bland or boring, but the perspective of a lonely dreamer never grows old. Perhaps this is why it is still important up to this day. What fascinates me is the beautiful coherence of Alfredo's introverted thoughts.
We expect firsts to be revolutionary, or having that kind of extreme new taste to it. . . But what makes it inducing is the simple story of a man's indecisiveness that affected a great chunk of his life, and the prose, a bit sentimental (come on, women are made that way), it was told in. If anything, Paz Marquez Benitez' reflection on love is so heart-aching that Dead Stars prove to be an evidence that Filipinos have great talent and can offer more beyond overplayed romance written nowadays for cheap entertainment.
I'm biased to favor how the story was told because I've always liked good prose. The long, unhandy words can sound too elitist, but the author has proper control over the language and set the tone of the story accordingly. Dead Stars is about a young lawyer with inner conflicts as to how he's living his life. He is engaged to a lady from the same upper middle class, but he gets infatuated with another(which is a bit familiar. Age of Innocence?)
I would say that revolving in a brief, undefined love affair works well. It is unpretentious and honest with the "local flavor" we are looking for in contemporary stories written in English, shown in the description of the settings and the customs. It also shares good humor, Julia and Alfredo's conversations being filled with lightness and heart.
The protagonist's desire is universal. The what-if's are always wounded deep within us, and Paz Marquez-Benitez was able to flesh it out in a story some would often find bland or boring, but the perspective of a lonely dreamer never grows old. Perhaps this is why it is still important up to this day. What fascinates me is the beautiful coherence of Alfredo's introverted thoughts.
We expect firsts to be revolutionary, or having that kind of extreme new taste to it. . . But what makes it inducing is the simple story of a man's indecisiveness that affected a great chunk of his life, and the prose, a bit sentimental (come on, women are made that way), it was told in. If anything, Paz Marquez Benitez' reflection on love is so heart-aching that Dead Stars prove to be an evidence that Filipinos have great talent and can offer more beyond overplayed romance written nowadays for cheap entertainment.
June 12, 2024
"Julita," he said in his slow, thoughtful manner, "did you ever have to choose between something you wanted to do and something you had to do?"
"No!"
I’ve been feeling incredibly lost and down lately, so I found this story quite intriguing.
"I thought maybe you had had that experience; then you could understand a man who was in such a situation."
"You are fortunate," he pursued when she did not answer.
"Is--is this man sure of what he should do?"
"I don't know, Julita. Perhaps not. But there is a point where a thing escapes us and rushes downward of its own weight, dragging us along. Then it is foolish to ask whether one will or will not, because it no longer depends on him."
"But then why-why--" her muffled voice came. "Oh, what do I know? That is his problem after all."
"Doesn't it-interest you?"
"Why must it? I-I have to say good-bye, Mr. Salazar; we are at the house."
Without lifting her eyes she quickly turned and walked away.
Had the final word been said? He wondered. It had.
I feel like no matter what I want or don’t want, I’m not actually the one in control. There is someone I really like, but this same person I can not bring myself to talk to very often. Not because I like them too much, but because they really infuriate me, I find them genuinely quite annoying. But at the same time the idea of them with someone else drives me absolutely crazy. They mentioned potentially going on a date (with someone else that they’re not really interested in, yet) and I was in a horrible mood for days. How can I dislike someone but be so uncomfortable with someone else being with them.
I wonder if it’s not them that I find annoying, it’s mostly just myself, and being around them makes me so angry at myself, so I associate the anger with them instead.
The way I perceive myself changes drastically, all of the time, I find it incredibly difficult to think of myself and think for myself. Everything I do is through the lens of “what would someone else say, do or think in this situation”, and at the same time, “what would people think if I did or thought this thing”. It makes it extremely difficult for me to know who I am and what sort of things I’d love, if I wasn’t considering other people’s opinions while doing it. For the majority of things in my life, I’m not sure if I actually enjoy them, or if I just enjoy knowing other people would consider me “normal” or “cool” because of it.
So I think I get annoyed when I’m around them because I know that if I did have a chance with them (and if I’m honest we’re very open about the fact we both like-like each other) (unbelievably) I would absolutely crumble. I’m not sure if I’m romantic, I’m not sure if I’m generous, I’m not sure what I find fun, and I don’t know how to tell people when something has upset me. I’m an absolute pushover, so if I were in a relationship, I know almost for certain that I’d spend the entire time worried that I’m not good enough, rather than just enjoying the moment. It would just be too stressful. And knowing it just makes me so annoyed and I wish that they didn’t like me back.
I apologise for this, but I’m brining it up because this story made me think of it. I relate to all of the characters in some way, but at this specific time, I feel closest to Esperanza. (Not most like Esperanza. I just really felt some sort of connection to him).
Because of how I am, and how almost every single thought I have revolves around other people’s opinions, the moments I feel most at peace is when I’m completely alone, and somewhere unfamiliar and incredibly busy. I live for those moments where I feel invisible. It makes me realise that I’m not permanently unhappy, it’s the thought of being perceived that hurts me. So I get comforted by the fact that one day I could get over it and then I’d actually be a very relaxed and happy person, because outside of this mega issue, I’m actually alright (or maybe not, and I just haven’t had the brain space to think about it). I think I’d love myself a lot if I was able to think of myself from my own point of view.
He was not unhappy in his marriage. He felt no rebellion: only the calm of capitulation to what he recognized as irresistible forces of circumstance and of character. His life had simply ordered itself; no more struggles, no more stirring up of emotions that got a man nowhere. From his capacity of complete detachment he derived a strange solace. The essential himself, the himself that had its being in the core of his thought, would, he reflected, always be free and alone. When claims encroached too insistently, as sometimes they did, he retreated into the inner fastness, and from that vantage he saw things and people around him as remote and alien, as incidents that did not matter. At such times did Esperanza feel baffled and helpless; he was gentle, even tender, but immeasurably far away, beyond her reach.
I just wish things were easier, however I’ve never believed that that day will never come. It’s just not now.
Why would men so mismanage their lives? Greed, he thought, was what ruined so many. Greed--the desire to crowd into a moment all the enjoyment it will hold, to squeeze from the hour all the emotion it will yield.
Men commit themselves when but half-meaning to do so, sacrificing possible future fullness of ecstasy to the craving for immediate excitement. Greed--mortgaging the future--forcing the hand of Time, or of Fate.
I wish the time would come sooner. I’ve tried therapy and medication. They work when I have them- or at least there’s a genuine improvement- but then I convince myself I’m cured, so I let them go, only to be back where I once was a few weeks later. I’m so desperate for fun at it exhausts me and further puts me into a spiral of caring so much about other people’s opinions. I’m trying to focus on the long term and learning how to plan, while also being comfortable with a change in mind or circumstance. I can’t expect to heal or improve myself instantly all of the time, or to wake up suddenly with my anxiety cured, but it’s difficult. I am getting better though I think. Very very slowly.
The rest of the story is also quite mysterious and interesting
May 14, 2016
I first read this about 10 years ago and re-read it today. I have returned to it a few times over the years as well.
The story evokes in the reader a truly vivid sense of the characters and their surroundings. The feelings of disquiet, longing and being torn by duty are not hard to relate to and the prose is meditative and sharply detailed. It does not take much to feel as though the conversations and scenes depicted are being experienced directly by the reader, as each of the characters, all at once.
The story is a universal one at its heart. It is about the things we lose when we farewell our youth - and about discovering with age that the shreds of the past that we cling to were never wholly real in the first place. Dead Stars is poetic and full of pathos. It stirs something deep inside. Unlike the object of its protagonist's affections, its allure has not diminished in the slightest with time.
The story evokes in the reader a truly vivid sense of the characters and their surroundings. The feelings of disquiet, longing and being torn by duty are not hard to relate to and the prose is meditative and sharply detailed. It does not take much to feel as though the conversations and scenes depicted are being experienced directly by the reader, as each of the characters, all at once.
The story is a universal one at its heart. It is about the things we lose when we farewell our youth - and about discovering with age that the shreds of the past that we cling to were never wholly real in the first place. Dead Stars is poetic and full of pathos. It stirs something deep inside. Unlike the object of its protagonist's affections, its allure has not diminished in the slightest with time.
January 3, 2015
Oh yes, nostalgia. Reading Dead Stars brings back my first memories of UP Diliman. It was the first Dulaang UP play I have seen in my freshman year.
This is one of my favorite short stories, apart from Akutagawa's In a Grove. I love the metaphors and the idyllic prose of Dead Stars. I love how Julia was succinctly written and how she had transitioned into a dead star in the eyes of Alfredo in their subsequent meeting. Or was it just pixie dusts in the lenses of his telescope of eyes during the first week they met?
So all these years—since when?—he had been seeing the light of dead stars, long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed places in the heavens. (Marquez Benitez, 1925)
This is one of my favorite short stories, apart from Akutagawa's In a Grove. I love the metaphors and the idyllic prose of Dead Stars. I love how Julia was succinctly written and how she had transitioned into a dead star in the eyes of Alfredo in their subsequent meeting. Or was it just pixie dusts in the lenses of his telescope of eyes during the first week they met?
So all these years—since when?—he had been seeing the light of dead stars, long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed places in the heavens. (Marquez Benitez, 1925)
April 19, 2013
This is not even a book. This was an article written by a Filipino for the Times magazine years ago. I have no idea what it is, but this story has left a huge impression on me.
November 5, 2023
CHEF KISS
ALFREDO SINAUNANG REDFLAG
ALFREDO SINAUNANG REDFLAG
March 17, 2021
Very well-written. I believe in the story, and can't help but be dismayed by Alfredo's problems even as I roll my eyes at him from time to time. It's fascinating to be inside the head of someone so different from me, and who I find very difficult to relate to. This is my second time reading this story, and I don't think I noticed it the first time, but now, at the risk of sounding condescending, I will say this: I feel sorry for Alfredo not because of his problems but because of how incompetent he is at handling them, and how incompetent he is at handling life, in general. His incompetence is what allows love to keep eluding him.
"Love- he seemed to have missed it. Or was the love that others told about a mere fabrication of perfervid imagination, a glorification of insipid monotonies such as made up his life. Was love a combination of circumstances, or sheer native capacity of soul? In those days love was, for him, still the eternal puzzle; for love as he knew it, was a stranger to love as he divined it must be."
At over thirty, Alfredo contemplates love with such naivety and cluelessness. He is a coward, too, which goes without saying. But I think it's his immature outlook on love that is the true root cause of his problems. He did not love Esperanza, and even what he believed to be his love for Julia, I do not entirely trust. I don't think his conception of love matured by the end of the story. He is in many ways a child, but I empathize with his sorrows. His account was sincere, if nothing else. He is at least aware of some his cluelessness. The way he bumbles through the story is realistic to me. It lets me look through a little window, and peer into such issues as inconstancy and faithfulness, through the eyes of someone who is inconstant.
Though it is commonly believed that women have romantic and unrealistic notions of love, I think that in this story, Alfredo's actions in contrast with those of the women, are proof against the popular sentiment. Esperanza and Julia were both much more mature and practical.
"Love- he seemed to have missed it. Or was the love that others told about a mere fabrication of perfervid imagination, a glorification of insipid monotonies such as made up his life. Was love a combination of circumstances, or sheer native capacity of soul? In those days love was, for him, still the eternal puzzle; for love as he knew it, was a stranger to love as he divined it must be."
At over thirty, Alfredo contemplates love with such naivety and cluelessness. He is a coward, too, which goes without saying. But I think it's his immature outlook on love that is the true root cause of his problems. He did not love Esperanza, and even what he believed to be his love for Julia, I do not entirely trust. I don't think his conception of love matured by the end of the story. He is in many ways a child, but I empathize with his sorrows. His account was sincere, if nothing else. He is at least aware of some his cluelessness. The way he bumbles through the story is realistic to me. It lets me look through a little window, and peer into such issues as inconstancy and faithfulness, through the eyes of someone who is inconstant.
Though it is commonly believed that women have romantic and unrealistic notions of love, I think that in this story, Alfredo's actions in contrast with those of the women, are proof against the popular sentiment. Esperanza and Julia were both much more mature and practical.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2020
it was nice-- it has that filipino-literature feel which I quite enjoy. There's just something about how filipino writers of a certain era wrote their stories, they have a distinct character. Anyway, This story's structure, use of words and phrasing-- looks like what my elementary english teacher wanted me to write. (uhm so how do I explain this--hmmm) so she wanted me to write in colorful words that evoked deep emotion--- for example simple events like say walking-- sugar coated to make it... uhm appealing and poetic of sorts (?) welp i don't understand myself too. (but the 2020 version of myself says that you could write plainly--not much extravagant words but structure the few simple words you have and milk it in all its glory.) I guess maybe what I'm trying to say is that some phrases were too much, that it ended up not tapping into the authenticity of human emotion. Anyway it was nice, light read.
February 23, 2022
I was thinking of reading a short story and this came up to mind (I saw it once in a fb post of NBDB on Valentine’s Day and they stated that it paved way for the modern Philippine Literature in English (?) So I gave it a try, why not? The title alone is, I deem, enough to hold my attention throughout the night before I feel sleepy.
So what’s the story all about? Oh, it’s a love triangle and rather cheating lol. Well, somehow, who am I to hate him? He’s just fallen in love. Well, has he truly, though? Anyway, I believe that there’s nothing to hate when loving.
It was fine overall. A bit confusing here and there with the usage of highfalutin words. It distanced me sometimes to empthatize with the main, or any of the characters. But still it was a good read.
So what’s the story all about? Oh, it’s a love triangle and rather cheating lol. Well, somehow, who am I to hate him? He’s just fallen in love. Well, has he truly, though? Anyway, I believe that there’s nothing to hate when loving.
It was fine overall. A bit confusing here and there with the usage of highfalutin words. It distanced me sometimes to empthatize with the main, or any of the characters. But still it was a good read.
November 10, 2023
(for school) A story about an affair between a long-engaged and almost married man and a woman (who seems to be but is not) married that is pursued and broken off... teaching us that sometimes there is true love - but sometimes it's also fleeting (such as in the case of Alfredo and Esperanza and yet again of Julie? Julia?- and Alfredo).
notes: Love the setting portraying Philippine sites and local fruit. Also English vocab is highly admirable for someone who probably have just learned it or is one of the first generation to do so.
(edit: is this translated? and if so I'm not a true (or useful) bilingual if I cannot do the same)
notes: Love the setting portraying Philippine sites and local fruit. Also English vocab is highly admirable for someone who probably have just learned it or is one of the first generation to do so.
(edit: is this translated? and if so I'm not a true (or useful) bilingual if I cannot do the same)
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