This story by Rony V. Diaz takes place during the Philippine Hukbalahap Rebellion at the end of World War 2. The “Huks”, originally a peasant resistance who fought the Japanese, embraced communist principles and turned their attention to overturning the country’s feudal farming system. The heir to a large landholding mysteriously commits suicide. It is unclear whether he acted because of a promise made to break up his family land, or uncertainty and fear about doing so. The answer may lie in a cryptic poem confiscated by police. Major themes include tradition, feudalism, wealth vs. poverty, social change, suicide. More…

The major theme of this story by Rony V. Diaz is revenge. A boy who has suffered years of torment from his older sister snaps when she severely beats and injures the eye of his beloved dog. Forgetting she has a weak heart, he plays a cruel, potentially fatal trick on her. The girl’s hatred and victimization of her brother raises the question of whether she, too, is taking revenge (albeit unconsciously) for the death of her mother when giving birth to him. Other themes include dealing with injustice and the need to stop and think before acting in anger. More…