Title:
Visitation of the Gods
Author:
Gilda Cordero-Fernando
Author’s
Background:
Gilda Cordero-Fernando is a multiawarded writer, publisher and cultural icon from the Philippines. She was born in Manila, has a B.A. from St. Theresa’s College-Manila, and an M.A. from the Ateneo de Manila University.
Gilda Cordero-Fernando is a multiawarded writer, publisher and cultural icon from the Philippines. She was born in Manila, has a B.A. from St. Theresa’s College-Manila, and an M.A. from the Ateneo de Manila University.
She
started off as a writer and was awarded the Palanca Award for Literature
several times. She has also written and illustrated children’s books.Her short
stories are collected in The Butcher, The Baker and The Candlestick Maker
(1962) and A Wilderness of Sweets (1973).
She
has had a very rich life as a publisher. In 1978 she launched GCF Books, which
published landmark books on Philippine cultural history: Streets of Manila
(1977), Turn of the Century (1978), Philippine Ancestral Houses (1980), Being
Filipino (1981), The History of the Burgis (1987), Folk Architecture (1989),
& The Soul Book (1991).
Cordero-Fernando
has also worn numerous other hats as a visual artist, fashion designer,
playwright, art curator and producer. In February 2000, she produced Luna: An
Aswang Romance. In 2001 she produced Pinoy Pop Culture, the book and the show,
for Bench.
In
1994, she received a Cultural Center of the Philippines (Gawad CCP) for her
lifetime achievements in literature and publishing.
Source: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3370901.Gilda_Cordero_Fernando
Vocabulary:
assiduous - showing great care and perseverance.
nymphs - a mythological spirit of nature imagined as a beautiful maiden inhabiting rivers, woods, or other locations.
dishabille - the state of being only partly or scantily clothed.
bougainvillea - an ornamental climbing plant that is widely cultivated in the tropics. The insignificant flowers are surrounded by brightly colored papery bracts that persist on the plant for a long time.
grandeur – splendor and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style.
tangible - perceptible by touch.
bureaucratic – relating to the business of running an organization, or government.
rowdy - noisy and disorderly.
appellation - a name or title.
efface - make oneself appear insignificant or inconspicuous.
shawl - a piece of fabric worn by women over the shoulders or head or wrapped around a baby.
placket - an opening or slit in a garment, covering fastenings or giving access to a pocket, or the flap of fabric under such an opening.
amicable - (of relations between people) having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor.
grime - dirt ingrained on the surface of something, especially clothing, a building, or the skin.
corset- a woman's tightly fitting undergarment extending from below the chest to the hips, worn to shape the figure.
belch - emit gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth.
compañero – (in English) comrade.
squawking – (of a bird) make a loud, harsh noise.
dilemma - a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.
vain - producing no result; useless.
gallant - (of a person or their behavior) brave; heroic.
pettiness - undue concern with trivial matters, especially of a small-minded or spiteful nature.
rigmarole - producing no result; useless.
flattery - excessive and insincere praise, especially that given to further one's own interests.
elucidate - make (something) clear; explain.
gyrated - move or cause to move in a circle or spiral, especially quickly:
draft - select (a person or group of people) for a certain purpose.
headstrong - self-willed and obstinate.
comportment - behavior; bearing.
sweepstakes - a form of gambling, especially on horse races, in which all the stakes are divided among the winners.
conformist - a person who conforms to accepted behavior or established practices.
mellow - (of a person's character) softened or matured by age or experience.
syllogism - an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion.
spinster - an unmarried woman, typically an older woman beyond the usual age for marriage.
idealistic - characterized by idealism; unrealistically aiming for perfection.
pandemonium - wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.
ode - a lyric poem in the form of an address to a particular subject, often elevated in style or manner and written in varied or irregular meter.
perceptive - having or showing sensitive insight.
rung - a horizontal support on a ladder for a person's foot.
nymphs - a mythological spirit of nature imagined as a beautiful maiden inhabiting rivers, woods, or other locations.
dishabille - the state of being only partly or scantily clothed.
bougainvillea - an ornamental climbing plant that is widely cultivated in the tropics. The insignificant flowers are surrounded by brightly colored papery bracts that persist on the plant for a long time.
grandeur – splendor and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style.
tangible - perceptible by touch.
bureaucratic – relating to the business of running an organization, or government.
rowdy - noisy and disorderly.
appellation - a name or title.
efface - make oneself appear insignificant or inconspicuous.
shawl - a piece of fabric worn by women over the shoulders or head or wrapped around a baby.
placket - an opening or slit in a garment, covering fastenings or giving access to a pocket, or the flap of fabric under such an opening.
amicable - (of relations between people) having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor.
grime - dirt ingrained on the surface of something, especially clothing, a building, or the skin.
corset- a woman's tightly fitting undergarment extending from below the chest to the hips, worn to shape the figure.
belch - emit gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth.
compañero – (in English) comrade.
squawking – (of a bird) make a loud, harsh noise.
dilemma - a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.
vain - producing no result; useless.
gallant - (of a person or their behavior) brave; heroic.
pettiness - undue concern with trivial matters, especially of a small-minded or spiteful nature.
rigmarole - producing no result; useless.
flattery - excessive and insincere praise, especially that given to further one's own interests.
elucidate - make (something) clear; explain.
gyrated - move or cause to move in a circle or spiral, especially quickly:
draft - select (a person or group of people) for a certain purpose.
headstrong - self-willed and obstinate.
comportment - behavior; bearing.
sweepstakes - a form of gambling, especially on horse races, in which all the stakes are divided among the winners.
conformist - a person who conforms to accepted behavior or established practices.
mellow - (of a person's character) softened or matured by age or experience.
syllogism - an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion.
spinster - an unmarried woman, typically an older woman beyond the usual age for marriage.
idealistic - characterized by idealism; unrealistically aiming for perfection.
pandemonium - wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.
ode - a lyric poem in the form of an address to a particular subject, often elevated in style or manner and written in varied or irregular meter.
perceptive - having or showing sensitive insight.
rung - a horizontal support on a ladder for a person's foot.
Source: Oxford Dictionaries © Oxford University Press
Characters:
Miss Noel – An English teacher that
believes that her work is to give proper education to students and not to
impress her superiors.
Mr. Olbes – Principal
Mrs. Olbes – Principal’s wife
Mr. Buenaflor – Teacher in Industrial Arts and leader of group 2
Mr. de Dios – Teacher in Physics
Mr. Baz – Teacher in National Language
Mr. del Rosario – Teacher in Military Tactics
Mr. Alava – Superintendent
Mr. Ampil – Former Supervisor in Language Arts
Mr. Sawit – Supervisor in English
Mrs. Divinagracia – Instructor in Home Economics and part of Group 1
Mr. Olbes – Principal
Mrs. Olbes – Principal’s wife
Mr. Buenaflor – Teacher in Industrial Arts and leader of group 2
Mr. de Dios – Teacher in Physics
Mr. Baz – Teacher in National Language
Mr. del Rosario – Teacher in Military Tactics
Mr. Alava – Superintendent
Mr. Ampil – Former Supervisor in Language Arts
Mr. Sawit – Supervisor in English
Mrs. Divinagracia – Instructor in Home Economics and part of Group 1
Setting:
Geographic Location: Philippines
Setting
1:
Location: Pugad Lawin School
Location: Pugad Lawin School
Exposition:
The
Pugad Lawin School received a letter announcing the visitation of the
superintendent, the district supervisiors and the division supervisors for
“purposes of inspection and evaluation”
Rising
Action:
Classes
were dismissed to prepare for the visitation of the superiors. Nearly
everything was repaired, floors became “mirrors”, and the capiz of the windows
are as white as eggshells. The flagpole has finally been cemented and the old
gate was given a new paint. Beautiful pots were brought to the school for
decoration that came from their neighbors. The teachers also prepared a
bougainvillea.
The
teaching and the students were divided into four groups, each with their
assigned tasks. First group was composed of Mrs. Divinagracia, the harassed
Home Economics instructor and some other less attractive teachers were assigned
to cook in the kitchen and prepare the menu where all expenses would be
deducted from their paychecks. The second group was assigned to prepare the
building where the superintendent and his companions would stay and the dishes
to be used for supper. The teachers in the group used their position in power
to give all their assignments to the students such as the things needed for the
preparation of beds which they got from their neighbors. The only bed in the
Home Economics building was to be only used by the superintendent once he
arrives therefore it was prepared with the best sleeping mats and pillows both
hard and soft. The third group was assigned to decorate the rooms. The once
empty walls are now filled with visual aids and placed unfinished books inside
a broom closet to keep them from being seen. The fourth group was composed of
the rowdiest boys and Miss Noel. They were assigned in the removal of
everything unsightly from bubble gums or whatever that are sticking on the
walls to boogers found below the tables. Miss Noel was not surprised by this,
as she was on the bad side of the principal and his wife. But accidentally they
met in the lavatory where she finds Mrs. Olbes struggling with her zipper. To
avoid further complications with their relationship she accepted Mrs. Olbes’
appeal for help and helped her when she just cam fresh from the trash pits.
At
1:30, the Superintendent and his companions arrived and the Principal was
unprepared for this as he was still in his undershirt. He rushed and placed all
his mess inside his desk drawer. Finally, the teachers gave them a grand
welcome. Meanwhile Miss Noel searched for Mr. Ampil, an old Language Arts
supervisor. She was someone whom she really respected because Mr. Ampil
dedicated himself to the service of education. Sadly, she found out from Mr.
Sawit, a new English supervisor, that Mr. Ampil died and he was given a burial
unjust for service to education. Miss Noel also found out the Mr. Sawit noticed
the obviously rehearsed demonstration class held by a grammar teacher.
Soon
after the feast full of elaborate dishes began. The superintendent was given
the honor to seat at the head of the table with the principal at his right.
During the course of the meal, Miss Rosales and Mrs. Olbes took care of the
superintendent, fanning him and boning the lapu-lapu on his plate. While the
rest of the teachers that ate hopia and drank coke a while ago acted as
waitresses. During the feast never was any of guests in discomfort. Nothing
they want would not be available from them.
After
the meal they had everyone watched the performance of the high school boys.
Then they had dancing for the next event. The principal pulled Miss Noel
towards the superintendent to open the dance. The superintendent knew little
about dancing but Miss Noel smiled thinly. All the other supervisors were to
dance with a pretty instructor while the others that aren’t too attractive were
left to do whatever they like. At ten o’clock, the district supervisor
suggested they all go to a nearby town where a fiesta was being celebrated with
a big dance in the plaza. All the pretty teachers left for the fiesta, and Miss
Noel left with Mrs. Divinagracia and the Home Economics staff, pleading a
headache. Mr. Sawit also left behind.
Climax:
As
Miss Noel went to the kitchen, Mr. Sawit followed her. He knew more about Miss
Noel from the principal. He asked what Miss Noel how she felt about the
visitation. Miss Noel honestly answered what she felt about the visitation. Mr.
Sawit realized Miss Noel’s dedication to education. Mr. Sawit believes that
Miss Noel is too young which is why she thinks that way. But he offers her a
job in Manila if she adapts how her fellow teachers would act. Miss Noel was
put into deep thought, was this the fruit of everything she worked hard for? To
adapt a system that was corrupt and one that doesn’t put the education of the
students its’ topmost priority? Mr. Sawit continued to talk. One does not
simply get a position as his if you continue to work diligently.
Falling
Action:
Miss
Noel feel like it isn’t right. Getting favors and what ever just for a
position. She believes she is stubborn but seeing all the kids in the school
with these big dreams of theirs. She can’t just let it slip away
Ending:
The
next morning after breakfast, the supervisors started packing as they were
about to leave. Finally, they take one last picture the superintendent and Mr.
and Mrs. Olbes on either side of him and his fellow supervisors in descending
order on the Home Economics stairs. Miss Noel was late but she ran with pride
and humility by going on the lowest stair.
Symbolisms:
The
supervisors – As seen in the story. The supervisors, especially the
superintendent was treated as gods. When the school heard of their visitation.
A school that was not in orderly fashion suddenly had everything set up, tidy,
neat, and new. The impression of these people was important to the school
especially because they will be evaluated like how a god would judge a mortal
of its actions.
“the
lowest rung of the school’s hierarchy” – When Miss Noel went for the lowest
stair with “pride” and “humility” this implies that she is not going for
position that Mr. Savit offered to her. She is planning to do her job with
utmost honesty and dedication for her students and not be like her colleagues
who would go and make errands for the supervisors to get their favor and obtain
a recommendation from them.
Theme:
The
story takes place in the Philippines, a rural area, in I would say a pretty
generic school. The situation in story is pretty much true to life. Like how a
school would only give its’ best when an inspection is scheduled. The teachers
here too resemble what our system is right now. It’s horrible. We can see that
the moment when they postponed the classes to prepare for the visitation.
Education was not their topmost priority. Rehearsed demonstration? Such is a
thing in school when you want to gain good evaluation marks and avoid bad
impressions. I believe the author wrote this story to show the corruption of
the system we have imposed today and its effect to the students.
Lesson:
When such occasions come like this I believe
that such preparation to impress people is not necessary. When you are truly
diligent and honest of your work, and that you are really trying your best in
giving the students the proper education they need and paid for. That would get
full check in evaluation marks to anyone with a real devotion to uphold proper
education.
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