Reflections and lessons learned from "Piano and the Drums"

 PIANO AND THE DRUMS

REFLECTION AND LESSONS LEARNED

    This poem emphasizes the natural beauty of Africa before the colonization and the aftermath of colonization. Here, I have realized that Africa is indeed a simple nation that is full of wonderful cultures that experienced harsh interference of civilization. I remembered the Philippines again, our own country that also suffered from the effects of civilization. It seems like what Africa and the Philippines are experiencing are of the same treatment, both conquered by powerful nations. I feel sad about this because these colonizers have taken so much of a country’s freedom and opportunity to grow on their own. Here are the things I have learned from this poem:

• Oppressed countries have been through so much pain.
• It took so much rebellion and action to fight for rights.
• Strong foreign countries are always after for power.
• The scars of the oppressed nation will forever remain.

Reflections and lessons learned from "Africa"

 AFRICA

REFLECTIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED

This poem talks about the writer’s homeland which is Africa. Here he expresses his love and hope for the freedom of Africa. And if we relate it to our own colonial history, we can tell that we have been oppressed for so many years and were influenced by the foreign culture. Even though it has some positive effects on some aspects of our country, the negative effects are still dominant. Personally, I was able to realize that that person who has real compassion in loving their country will always show love in different forms such as writing, composing a song, or making a film. And making a literary piece is one of the powerful tools that a person can use to express whatever they’d love to express. Because of this poem, I was able to reflect on my own country’s experience during the colonization and I have learned the following:

• The touch of colonization will bring out a country’s unity.
• Freedom is what we all are seeking for.
• Love for one’s nation is innate.
• Be compassionate in protecting your country.

Reflection and lessons learned from "The Old man, his son, and their bike"

THE OLD MAN, HIS SON, AND

THEIR BIKE

REFLECTIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED

          In life, we tend to consider other people’s judgment because we don’t want to hear negative comments from them. We are so fond of fitting into other people’s standards where in fact it should not be a big deal and we should mind our own businesses. Like from experience, I underwent a phase wherein I need social approval before doing something because I am afraid that I might get bashed. But later on, I realized that everything I did was wrong. It was wrong because I did not follow what I truly wanted. Just like in the story, the old man and his son ended up having a broken bike since they were triggered to ride the rusty bike even if it was not in a good condition. Moreover, I have observed that people will judge us no matter what we do, especially if their mindset is solely focusing on what they saw rather than the real context or score. We aren’t going to be perfect in a man’s eyes.

Overall, the things I have learned from this story are:

• Do not be quick in judging others.
• You will never be happy if you always try to impress others.
• Focus on what you have.
• Pleasing others will make you a failure

Brief summary, reflection, and lessons learned from "The Betel and the Areca Tree"

 THE BETEL AND THE

ARECA TREE

BRIEF SUMMARY

    The mythology of the Betel and Areca Tree explains why newlywed couples, as well as at ceremonies and anniversaries, chew the betel nut. There was a mandarin named Cao during the reign of Hung Vuong III. He has two handsome sons who looked so much alike that many people mistook them for twins. Tan and Lang, the two boys, were really close. Years later, King Hung Vuong III happened to be in that location, and the rock, tree, and plant, all of which he had never seen before, perplexed him. They mixed up the three and were now renowned to be a symbol of conjugal and fraternal love. To sustain conjugal love, brothers and sisters, especially newlyweds, began chewing betel. The tradition swiftly spread, and many people now chew betel at all gatherings to "keep mutual fondness."

REFLECTION AND LESSONS LEARNED

    This story will surely touch the heart of whoever reads it. Personally, I was moved by the story since I also have a sister who is very close to me like we’re twins. In the story, the love of the two brothers to each other prevails at the end wherein even until their last breath. I have realized that in this world, nothing compares to the love of the family because we will always run back to them if things get rough. Moreover, the story highlights a married life setting wherein the brother has to redirect his priorities in life since he already has a wife. This one is very relevant because if we will relate it to the real setting of married life, we usually see our brothers and sisters leaving our houses and giving a full focus on the family they are building. I myself can’t barely imagine if the time will come that my closest sister will plan to build her own family. I will feel happy for her but at the same time, I’d be in pain because for my entire life, she is my very best friend and I am used to having her as my lifesaver as always. On the other hand, the story can also relate to the Filipino culture wherein the oldest sibling will take care of the huge responsibilities in the family. However, this might be very emotional to me already, I have learned these things:

• Married life will surely change one’s priorities.
• The love of the family is the purest love we can have.
• Conjugal and fraternal love stays and remains forever.

Brief summary, reflection, and lessons learned from "My Thai Cat"

MY THAI CAT

BRIEF SUMMARY

Sii Ward is the protagonist of this narrative. Sii Ward is a Thai or Siamese cat with blue eyes and intriguing fur. Sii Sward was a hero during the 1925 drought, earning the title of Rain Queen. It rained for three days and nights, and it appeared as if the rain would never cease until the sky was clear of water. Their crops have been protected, but Sii Sward is unconcerned about the rain. She slept soundly for the entire three days. Following that, farmers and their families came to see her. They stroked her soft fur and left her dry fish and pork, her favorite foods. Sii Sward was hailed as a hero that year.

REFLECTION AND LESSONS LEARNED

    This narrative is about people's faith in their god. They employ their Nang Maaw rite to appease the queen of rain in exchange for water from the sky. Sii Ward is their heroine of choice. As a lesson, faith and prayer are the most crucial things to do whether you are down or even when you are not. Just like what I mostly do every time. I always prayed to God and call His name not because I am asking for something, but for the thanksgiving and praises, I offer to Him. And when we are in our deepest and darkest moments, we all cling to Him because we believed that He will provide. Everything we ask will always come on time. If it is His will to give us such, we will always have it, but sometimes, let us not expect that He will grant our desires right away. Our prayers may be on hold or He will redirect our desires. In relation to the story, the people keep on praying to have what they desire until they were given. They sacrifice and offer prayers and efforts for them to be heard. Overall, I have learned that:

• Everything happens for a reason and God is always in control.
• Faith can move mountains.
• Ask and you shall receive.
• Faith is not seeing is to believe, we need to believe and God will do wonders.

Reflections and lessons learned from "Grandma" by Tan Seok Hoon

 GRANDMA

REFLECTIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED

I think this poem is all about a grandma’s memories, love, and ways of living her life though she’s old. We all have a grandma, and there are some grandchildren out there who are very close to their grandma, and I am one of those kids. It would feel uniquely different to be in our grandma’s arms. Seems to me like it’s the warmest arms in the world we could ever lean. Besides the sweetness that our grandma show, there will also be bad days ahead that Grandma will not be able to understand the things that are clicking or relevant to today’s generation. For me, it is not the world that will adjust, but it is Grandma that needs to understand and adjust because of the phrase that goes “constant change.” In the lines that goes “For a place in an old home. When senile Will is in the company of cronies. Each a tale to tell O the cruelty of their children. Who sends them to die.” She talked about it all the time when she’s sad or angry with us. Our grandma is one of the fallen angels here on earth, she makes everything better.
Here are the things I have learned from the piece Grandma and the things I have learned now that I have no grandma:

• Our grandma is one of the important parts of the family

• We should love our grandma unconditionally.

• We should never forget our grandma

• Appreciate your grandma.