Family and Crime in Batacan’s Smaller and Smaller Circles

The subject of crime and family has been creatively illustrated in the novel Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan. All throughout the story, Batacan uses the complexity of the characters to exemplify the relationships between the development of a crime and the situation of a family.
Alex and his family
The situation in the Carlos family is the deficiency of communication, caused by poverty and fear, which results to Alex actions.
In Chapter 22, we see the family background of Alex Carlos. His parents, although aware of what the circumstances were between their son and Mr. Gorospe, were afraid to report this. They “didn’t do anything” and “didn’t ask any questions.” This lines show acceptance of fault, and accountability of what happened to their son, who was molested by his P.E. teacher. This leads to a feeling of embarrassment on the part of the parents. The mother was “afraid somebody else was listening.”
In addition, Flora Carlos, Alex’s mom says, “My son has not kept in touch with us,” on the first part of the same chapter. This is a very ironic statement considering what happened during Alex’s childhood. The mother says that Alex has not kept in touch with them, when it was them who were not there for him during his younger days. They told him only to “be careful and be quiet,” an indication of fear and irresponsible parenthood. This is a case of the parents not having the initiative to reach out which, therefore, means a lack of communication and guidance.
Violence also intensified the lack of communication between the parents and Alex. The father hit Alex when he was young because of the blood he saw on Alex’s shorts. Although this was unintentional and only a result of sudden reaction, it still counts as a major part of what Alex became; it was mentioned that, after this happened, he tried hard to keep himself from killing his father.
All of these factors triggered Alex’s dysfunctional mindset, resulting to the murders he committed.
The victims’ families
Also, we see the families of the victims of the serial killings in one chapter. The author states the status of the families and the lives of the children before they were killed. The three victims have one thing in common: a broken family. This ultimately results to the children’s abduction and eventually, death. But the story also illustrates the effects of the children’s deaths to the families. This shows the back and forth connections between crime and family.
Edith Solis, who gave birth at a very young age and was immediately left by her partner Joel, experienced the trials of being a single mother. But in the end, she was able to carry her son and herself when she worked as a seamstress. It was mentioned that Noel was a “very good boy.” He did chores like washing dishes, cooking rice, and fetching water. His mother was so pleased at him; she kept saying that “he came from her”.
When her son has suddenly disappeared, she did not lose hope, she still washed his clothes, hoping that one day, he would return. However, when she has learned about what happened to her son, her heart was broken. She said, “No. Don’t tell me. Don’t tell me.” This hints her incapability to bear the news and to accept the death of her much-loved child. This is a situation where the death of a child, caused by a crime, affects a single mother. The brutal murder of Noel results to Edith’s grief and broken-heartedness.
But unlike the first family, the other two families also have contributed to the development of the crime. In Binang’s case, it is shown that Lino, her son, was a child she never wanted. This is a direct contrary to Solis’ affection for her son. Although both mothers experience circumstances of bearing a child against their will, Edith showed love for her son while Binang showed resentment towards Lino. Batacan reveals that Binang always had a “look of displeasure” on Lino, ignoring him all the time. Binang even sends him right away to her daughter after he was born, telling her, “It’s your turn now.”
This illustrates how this kind of set-up in the family results to the crime. Lino felt that he was unloved by his lola, who was actually his real mother. This feeling of his is caused by the way he is treated in the family, ignored all the time. Therefore, the lack of attention, and even affection, towards Lino gives good explanation for the development of the crime.
We see in the third family how Enteng, Lolita Bansuy’s son, was affected by the death of his father. After this incident, he went around with his “glue-sniffing friends” and joined them in their antics. He was always considered to be the ‘thorn” in the side of his mother, who was acknowledged to be a “busybody” with “good-natured jibes.”
Again, the condition of the Bansuy family creates a validation of why the crime happened. (By crime, I mean the development of it, not crime per se). Enteng always hung around with a bad crowd, exposing him to the belligerence of the streets. Unfortunately for him, he becomes the target of the serial killer.
Joanna, Wally, and the two priests
A different case of family is showed in the relationships between Joanna and Wally and the friendship of Jerome and Saenz. Both relationships are not based on blood, but are created by values of closeness and concern which makes these produce a mood similar to a family’s.
In Joanna and Wally Soler’s relationship, we observe the evidences that made their father-daughter-like connection. In Chapter 8, their actions signal that they are comfortable with each other’s company. Joanna is fond of calling Wally names like “Wally Wonka” or “Wallykins” while Wally makes fun of her all the time.
But it goes deeper than a friendly relationship. It is stated in the story that Wally showed “the same fondness (for Joanna) with which he might have laughed at his own children” and that he “sees Joanna as the daughter he never had.” With all these feelings revolving around their relationship, cognateness seems irrelevant. Joanna lost her father in an accident and thus, she turns to Wally to be her father-figure.
The two priests’ relationship, meanwhile, stemmed from their experiences of being together for a long time. They treated each other like brothers, finding humor in everything they do. All throughout the story, Jerome and Saenz seem to think alike, which is a result of their experiences as teacher and student.
Since Jerome’s family was not really that close, he felt like a member of the Saenz family. With them, as stated in chapter 7, he felt “an inexplicable happiness, wonderful and bewildering at the same time.” He also admired the family’s collective character which gives him an impression that happy families do exist.
But what are the connections of crime and these “family” relationships? It is obvious in the story that the brotherly communication between Saenz and Jerome was essential in finding out the identity of the serial killer, and thus solving the crime. Wally was committed to protecting Joanna, who managed to control herself from reckless actions that could put her in danger.

Family relationships and crime
In conclusion, the story’s theme, intensified by its characters, mirrors how a family is affected by a crime and vice versa. We understand the situational differences among the characters. Alex and the victims clearly had no one to rely on during their time of need while Jerome and Joanna both found “families” they could depend on. We see how the prior become part of the crime and the latter contribute in solving the crime.

The God of Small Things Chapter Summary

Chapter 1- Paradise Pickles and Preserves
Rahel returns to Ayemenem to see Estha, her twin brother. They were introduced as a “rare breed of Siamese twins” for when they were able to know the thoughts of the other without speaking when they were young. Flashbacks about their parents and how they separated were also mentioned.
Then, the narrative moves to Sophie Mol’s funeral. She was the twins’ cousin. The narrator also tells about the point where Ammu, their mother, reported to the police the mistake they made. Weeks after that, Estha was brought to his father.
The adult lives of the twins were briefly mentioned before their return to Ayemenem. Baby Kochamma’s background was also stated. She is the grandaunt of the twins. Rahel reminisces on the events resulting to Sophie mol’s death.
Chapter 2- Pappachi’s Moth
In the town of Cochin, the twins, Ammu, Baby Kochamma, and Chacko (Ammu’s elder brother, Margaret’s husband) were about to pick up Sophie Mol and Margaret Kochamma. Then, they decided to watch The Sound of Music but they were setback by a rally by the Marxists. Rahel sees Velutha, her friend, who apparently is an “Untouchable.” She greets him but Ammu slaps her angrily.
Flashbacks, again, were presented. They were about Velutha’s relationship with the family, how the twins loved him like a father.
Baby Kochamma is made to wave a Communist flag. Rahel claims that she did not see Velutha afterall. Then, they drive away. Chacko says that Ammu and the twins are burdens to him.
Chapter 3- Big Man the Laltain, Small Man the Mombatti
In the present, it is shown how Baby Kochamma and Kochu Maria, a servant, paid no attention to the Ayemenen house. Estha comes home, undresses and washes his clothes, as Rahel watches.
Chapter 4- Abhilash Talkies
The family arrives at the cinema. Estha sings along to the movie and Ammu gets irritated so she sends him out. Here, Estha was molested by the Orangedrink Lemondrink man when he forced the child to masturbate him. Also in this chapter, we see tension between Rahel and Ammu when the latter tells her she loves her less.
In the hotel where the family stayed, a look into Chacko’s thoughts about his child, Sophie Mol, and the communist groups were stated. Rahel and Estha sleep beside each other, with their hands together, dreaming about their dream house.
Chapter 5- God's Own Country
This chapter takes place in the present where the narrator describes the dirtiness of the river. Through the years, it has been bathed in, swam on, and defecated. Also, this chapter mentions how the old “History House,” a former home of an Englishman who had Indian customs, transformed into a hotel.
Comrade Pillai, the leader of the Communist party, bumps into Rahel and remembers his son named Lenin.
Chapter 6- Cochin Kangaroos
On the day the family went to the airport, Ammu and Baby Kochamma, wearing new dresses, prepare for the arrival of Sophie and Margaret. Estha and Rahel do not greet the visitors properly as what they were told to do, so Ammu scolds them. Nonetheless, Sophie Mol and the twins still get acquainted.
Chapter 7- Wisdom Exercise Notebooks
The story goes back o the present. Rahel finds her and Estha’s old notebooks. She was amused by how Estha wrote about gruesome topics and his childish mistakes.
Also, Rahel remembers the events before her mother’s death, which happened on a job interview, including her last visit to Ayemenem.
Chapter 8- Welcome Home, Our Sophie Mol
Mammachi is introduced. She is the grandmother of the twins and the mother of Chacko and Ammu. She loathed Margaret Kochamma and called her just another whore.
Sophie Mol was welcomed to the house with a cake. Rahel ignores the cake and instead, plays with Velutha. Here, Ammu gets attracted to Velutha.
Chapter 9- Mrs. Pillai, Mrs. Eapen, Mrs. Rajagopalan
Rahel remembers when she, Estha, and Sophie Mol visited Velutha. This moment made the three close friends. Then, Rahel wanders in the abandoned pickle factory.
Chapter 10- The River in the Boat
Estha is in the pickle factory while everyone eles is celebrating Sophie Mol’s arrival. Rahel barges in, and they pick up things to take to the “History House.” They found a boat to go there, but it sank when they were trying to launch it. The twins go to Velutha’s hut and ask for help. Velutha warns them about the dangers of boating in the river.
Velutha brings the twins home. He sees Ammu and tries to control his feelings for her.
Chapter 11- The God of Small Things
Ammu dreams of a one-armed man making love with her. The twins carefully wake her up for they thought she was having a nightmare. Ammu wakes up and realizes she had dreamed of Velutha, who was referred to as the God of Small Things.
The story goes back to the present where rahel thinks about the destruction of their family as she watches Estha bathe.
Chapter 12- Kochu Thomban
Rahel goes to Kochu Thomban, the sleeping elephant and watches the kathkali dancers. She was fascinated by these, and senses Estha’s arrival. Although the twins sit separately, they both think about their own family.
Chapter 13- The Pessimist and the Optimist
This chapter recalls the story of the marriage of Sophie Mol’s parents and why things did not work out. Margaret was attracted by Chacko’s confidence while the latter was attracted by Margaret’s independence. Chacko became careless of his appearance after the wedding and became fat. This resulted to Margaret being tired of her husband’s sloppiness. She meets another man, and the two broke up. Nevertheless, they still became good friends.
Now, the events leading to Sophie Mol’s death are gradually revealed. Vellya Paapen, Velutha’s father, tells Mammachi about Ammu and his son’s affair. He also offers Mammachi that he would kill his own son but Mammachi rejects this and spits at him and pushes him to the ground. Furious, Mammachi and Baby Kochamma, who has always been jealous of Ammu, lock Ammu in her room. The next day, they hear the news that Sophie was found dead in the river.
At the police station, Baby Kochamma lies to the police that Velutha threatened them and tried to force himself on Ammu. The inspector then interviews Comrade Pillai about whether Velutha has any political support and, discovering that he does not, instructs his men to beat Velutha up until he dies.
Chapter 14- Work is Struggle
Chacko visits Comrade Pillai and asks him about Velutha. Comrade Pillai, because of his own ambitions in the Communist Party, tells Chacko in English that Velutha is a Paravan or a perilous member of the Communist party who should be fired.
Velutha comes to see Comrade Pillai, after Mammachi summoned him only to insult and fire him, and Comrade Pillai tells Velutha that he has no support from the party.
Chapter 15- The Crossing
Emotion-filled, Velutha swims across the river toward the “History House.” Again, he is referred to as The God of Small Things.
Chapter 16- A Few Hours Later
The twins were convinced by Sophie Mol to run away to make the adults more upset. The three used a boat to cross the river to go to the History House. But suddenly, the boat tipped over and Sophie Mol was nowhere to be found. The twins reach the shore.
Chapter 17- Cochin Harbor Terminus
The story focuses back to the present where we see Baby Kochamma writing in her diary imaginary love stories about her and Father Mulligan, a love that never happened.
Also, we see Rahel and Estha reminiscing together, quietly sitting on the bed. We learn that Velutha was arrested and was charged with kidnapping and murder. After that, Comrade Pillai led a Communist siege of the pickle factory, saying that Velutha was being persecuted for his party membership.
Chapter 18- The History House
Back to Sophie Mol’s death, the police find Velutha sleeping next to the twins, who just came, at the History House, and they beat him up until he is nearly dead. The police feel good in saving the twins from this man.
Chapter 19- Saving Ammu
Inspector Mathew, who was assigned in this incident, interviews the twins. After this, he sends for Baby Kochamma and tells her about the children’s story.
Afraid to be put to jail, Baby tells Estha to identify Velutha as the one who “kidnapped” them or else, Ammu goes to jail. Fearing that this would happen, Estha obliges and Velutha eventually dies. This leads to Estha being sent to his father, Babu.
Chapter 20- The Madras Mail
This chapter describes the scene when Estha leaves for Calcutta to live with his father. Estha feels guilty of Velutha’s death, and therefore never speaks a word since. Rahel, meanwhile feels sad of her twin’s departure and screams to show her emotion.
The plot shifts to the present where the twins lie on the bed and start to make love.
Chapter 21- The Cost of Living
This chapter returns to the point at which Ammu comes across Velutha at the river. Eventually, she and Velutha make love for the first time.

Bantay Presidente Takes the First Step towards Involvement

At the start of the school year, the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila or Sanggu, debuted one of their projects dubbed as “Bantay Presidente: The First 100 Days in Power.” This project, also called the BP100, is spear-headed by the Socio-Political Alliance of the School of Social Sciences and aims to give comprehensive reports on President Aquino’s performance and to raise awareness in the Ateneo community.

A lot of pressure was on the Sanggu, since this was their initial project. But in the end, their campaign proved to be successful. During the project’s stint in the months of July to October, it established itself as something that the student body can depend on by achieving its aims, reporting systematically and with credibility, and making itself accessible.

The project’s success is gauged primarily on how it was able achieve its objectives. Based on surveys given by the official publication of ADMU, Guidon, and Sanggu itself, around 80% of the students praised the BP100. This landslide of positive feedback from the student body from all Loyola Schools directly means that the project’s aim to raise awareness was accomplished. Also, the reports which are presented on a daily basis attained another aim of this project, which is to assess PNoy’s performance in his first months as president of the country.

The technicalities behind the project were properly organized by setting up committees which would focus on their respective issues. They were divided into teams dedicated to comprehensively report the following: Human Rights, International Relations, Economy, Land Reform, Governance, Education, and Health and Environment. This has greatly contributed to the success of the BP100 because through this framework, the readers were given clear and precise accounts on the issues dealt by the Aquino administration.

The grounds for the reports were very rational and credible. The Sanggu based its daily accounts on news articles from established news-giving bodies such as GMA, ABS-CBN, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Philippine Star. The statistics shown in the reports were based on SWS surveys.

With all that said, it is still unyielding for this project to be efficacious if the accounts or reports are not made accessible to the Ateneo community. Since this is the Internet generation, all reports were posted on the Web, making it easier for the readers to acquire them. The Sanggu created a website dedicated to the BP100, bantaypresidente100.tk, and simultaneously posted reports on different sites such as Facebook.

This project also employed different methods to gain publicity. Banners were all over the campus which featured a cartoonized picture of the president saying his trademark line, “Kayo ang boss ko.” Also, recycling bins that addresses the students’ satisfaction with the president were presented.  Students may put their bottles or cans to their corresponding answer, be it a yes, no, or neutral stand.

All in all, the Bantay Presidente project institutes itself as not only a comprehensive analysis of the president and the government as a whole, but also as an initiative towards participation from the students of the Ateneo. More projects of this kind should continue to grow in the school community, to help promote the value of awareness. Although awareness per se cannot totally change a country, the BP100 clearly demonstrates that it is the first step towards involvement.

Air Force City

Here's my Filipino informative paper:

Makikita sa puso ng Clark Freeport Zone ang Air Force City. Naging mahalagang lugar ito para sa mga miyembro ng hukbong panghimpapawid noong panahon ng Ikalawang Pandaigdigang Digmaan. Ngunit sa paglipas ng panahon, nagkaroon ng mga modipikasyon sa paggagamitan ng pook na ito.

Nagsimula ang Clark bilang isang base ng mga Amerikanong sundalo. Sa kadahilanang ito ay yumabong ang isang siyudad sa loob ng baseng ito. Ang Air Force City sa gayon ay nagsilbing tirahan para sa mga piloto ng hukbong militar.

Sa loob ng maliit na siyudad na ito ay makikita pa rin ang mga lugar at gusali na dating pinapatakbo ng Amerika para sa mga sundalo nito. Ang ilan sa mga gusaling ito ay ang Kelly Theater na itinayo noong 1953 at naghandog ng mga palabas na natunghayan ng mga sundalo noon. Nariyan din ang mga gusali ng mga tirahan at mga opisina ng mga nagsilbi sa militar. Hindi rin mawawala ang mga hospital na nagbigay lunas sa mga sundalong napinsala. Kung papasukin pa ang siyudad ay makikita ang iba’t ibang paaralan noon. Labis na napinsala na ang mga gusaling ito ngayon at ang iba’y nawala na nang tuluyan.

Ngayon, ang siyudad na ito ay naging ng isang pasilidad ng panlibang para sa buong pamilya. Ang malalawak na parang dito ay ipinagtayuan ng mga parke kung saan makikita ang mga “replica” ng iba’t ibang sasakyan at eroplano ng mga sundalo noon.

Ang iba’t ibang gusali naman na dati’y mga opisina, ospital, tirahan ay labis na nasira na ngayon att hindi na maaaring gamitin. Ngunit mayroon pa rin namang mga makasaysayang lugar na maaari pa ring daluhan ng mga turista. Naririto ang Buildings 2425, 2050, 2127, 2125, Old Kelly Theater, at iilang mga gusaling ginawang tindahang “duty free”o mga paaralang pampaliparan gaya ng Clark Polytechnic.

Lahat ng mga modipikasyon sa lugar na ito ay sinimulan ng Clark Development Corporation o CDC. Nais ng organisasyong ito na panatilihin ang kagandahan ng makasaysayang siyudad na ito at palawakin pa ang kayang ihandog nito. Sa ngayon ay marami ng ipinatayong mga bagong paaralan, tindahan, pagawaan, at mga teknikal na gusali ang  korporasyong ito.

Ilang dekada matapos ang digmaan, makikita ang pagbabago sa lugar gaya ng Air Force City sa Clark. Nagbago na ang mga base militar noon ng mga Amerikano at nagsibol ang mga pasilidad na pagmamay- ari na ng mga Pilipino ngayon. Mula sa pagkakasakop ng mga dayuhan ay natamo ng makasaysayang siyudad na ito ang daan tungo sa pag-asenso.

Motivation is key

Alright, my very first blog. Honestly, I was very reluctant to do this whole thing in the first place. At that point, I wasn't really sure if my heart was truly on this. In life, there are times when I start at something and really get excited about it. Then over the course of actually doing that certain thing, I get very nonchalant and too carefree that I forget, sometimes on purpose, to finish it. It has been a habit of mine that I've been wanting to purge out of my soul, but never got the motivation to do so.

But then, something magical happened.

Suddenly, I was getting a lot of ideas scrambling and gathering in my head, which, to me, is a very positive thing. This means that the thought of writing makes my mind work. And believe me, it takes a lot of effort and will power to make this head of mind work properly and more efficiently.

For instance, whenever I do chores like cleaning my room or washing the dishes, my brain seems to function in auto-pilot mode, wherein my subconscious is more active compared to my own consciousness. Some people take this as an opportunity to reflect and imagine things which works to their advantage. It's like hitting two birds with one stone. Clean dishes. Ideas to consider.

But in my case, it's very unfortunate because nothing is in my head during those auto-pilot sessions. Nothing. Zero. Nada. I just look at an object for five minutes, and before I know it, I'm done with the dishes. There are times when I sort of like this because it makes work seem faster and easier. But then again, when I look at the big picture, it certainly is a disadvantage on my part.

That is why I embraced the idea of writing a blog. It motivated me. I know I still need a lot of improvement at this stage, but as that famous saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. The first step in every successful plan is a lot of motivation. There are a lot of locked doors on the way; I know that motivation is key.