“Ang Aking mga Kabata”

Group 2
Life and Works of Rizal

October 2020. All Rights Reserved.

 People in Play

Dennis Tenajeros- A student who is passionate about his Inang Bayan.

His views and opinions are ideal and tough as steel.

Arth Chester Reyes- A freshman who uses foreign language. However,

his intentions are for the betterment of his country.

Edin Consilba Pagasian – Patriotic and would defend her opinions about
her homeland.

Ailine Moñera Trias – would use any means to conserve her cultural
heritage.

Joyce Jane Roluna – Coed with boundless passion for her motherland.

Maria Leah Kim Pelongo – Narrator/ student influenced by foreign

literature. But her loyalty stands with her birthplace; The
Philippines.

Allyn Mae Pingkian – A just and benevolent teacher.

Scene 1:

SCHOOL. CLASSROOM. EARLY MORNING - DAY

Narrator: It was early in the morning, and at the classroom, the students are
just arriving. Some are busy in their own; either studying or scrolling
through their phone. Some are even still yawning and gossiping as they wait
for their teacher to arrive. As time passes by. A student walks in and
confronted another student who was seated in his seat. This however, sparks an
interesting turn of events.

Arth:(walks towards to Dennis who is seated on his seat) Pardon for the sudden
interruption of your work, but uh (hums), it seems that you are occupying my
seat. So uh (gestures his fingers at Dennis to move away) can you please move?
(smiles)

Dennis: Ayy! (Shocked about the sudden situation) Pagpasensyahan mo na at di’

ko namalayan. Hayaan mo at lilipat na din ako. (while grabing his stuff
frantically, leaving his pen on the bench)

Arth: Hey. (calls out Dennis) you forgot this. (waves the pen)

Dennis: Uyy, (takes the pen from Arth) salamat ah. (followed by a small pause
with a thoughtful look to Arth) aking napapansin, na napakahusay mo gumamit ng
salitang banyaga at ako’y napamangha sa iyo, kaibigan. (a warm smile slowly
etched into his lips showing his admiration)

Arth: Oh? (shows surprised emotion with a hint of flattery) oh, pfft it’s
nothing. It’s just the language I am comfortable speaking with. Thank you by
the way.

Dennis: Mmmm, walang ano man. Pero (shows expression of doubt) matanong ko
lang, dapat ba talaga gamitin ang salitang banyaga sa mga simpleng bagay or
gawain? (chuckles) hindi naman sa hindi ako sang ayon pero parang nalilimutan
na natin ang ating lenguahe. Ang lenguahe na ipinaglaban ng ating mga bayani.

Arth: I admire your patriotism. However, and I will say it again, this is the
language I am comfortable with. It does not concern me nor it worries me that
I am using the English literature than my own language. (crosses his arms in
defiance) I can tell you a lot about why it is also important to learn other
literature too.

Dennis: Pero paan- (Dennis’s statement was abruptly cut off by Maria who was
overhearing the conversation)

Maria: Hey! (whistles) You both arguing on something?

(Dennis and Arth both simultaneously looks at Maria)

Arth: Well (bats an eye at Dennis) our classmate here says I should refrain
from using foreign language.

Dennis: Hindi naman ganun ang ibig kong sabihin.

Joyce: (suddenly chimes in) Yes. (slowly rose from her seat and gets herself
closer towards the group) Nakita ko ang nangyari at hindi naman ganun ang ibig
nyang sabihin.

Maria: Well, how about you, Joyce? Would you agree to Dennis… (pause) what can
you call this one… theory?

Joyce: Yes. Most definitely yes. Sapagkat-

Ailine: Sapagkat what? Is there really anything to argue?

Dennis: At bakit mo naman nasabi-

(their argument was abruptly cut off when their teacher arrived at the
doorstep)

Allyn: Ahem. (clears throat)

(All eyes were focused into the doorway. Standing there was their teacher. Ms.
Allyn slowly strode into the group of students while they stand there
motionless.)

Allyn: And what seems to be the problem at present here? (looks at the student
one by one) would anyone tell me?

Dennis: I was only asking ma’am, na kailangan ba dapat natin gumamit ng mga
banyagang lenguahe na ipagpapalit natin sa ating mismo at nakasanayan na wika
at iyan ay ang Filipino-

Ailine: Yes! Because it will help us be fluent with communication with oth-

Edine: (who was being silent the whole time but agrees to the point of Dennis)
Sa pag sasakripisyo ng sarili mismo nating wika? Iyan ba ang nais mo?

(their argument became loud and inaudible, causing ruckus which made the
teacher place a fingers in her temple. Suddenly, a smile formed in her lips.)

Allyn: Okay enough! (the room became silent. All eyes were on Allyn) all of
you disperse and get back to your seat.

(the students broke apart and returned from their respective seats. The
students however, were still bickering with inaudible speeches while pointing
fingers and giving dagger stares)

Allyn: Settle down everyone, settle down. (scans around the room and grips the
edges of her desk) You have created such a way to start a thoughtful and a
possibly intriguing morning. But never fear, kase hindi ako galit about it. In
fact, this is quite the opportunity to open our topic about this week’s
lesson. And that is “Banyagang panitikan o wikang kinasanayan; alin ang mas
mahalaga?”

(indistinctive murmuring in the class broke out)

Allyn: Shh, lend me your ears. Since you have already sided on which factions
you are in, group in that particular manner. Dennis, Joyce and Edine, you will
be defending our native language, the Filipino language. Arth, Maria and
Ailene, you will be contending your ideas on why its necessary to learn
foreign literature.

Narrator: The room was full of emotion of intensity. The students are eager to
voice out their views and opinions.

Allyn: Let us settle this argument once and for all. Now, my beloved students!
(clapped her hands and smiled with joyous intent in her eyes) shall we resolve
this like civilized humans by a debate?

End of scene 1

Scene 2

SCHOOL. CLASSROOM. MORNING - DAY

Narrator: The students are now in their respective groups. Both parties are
ready to defend and voice out their opinions on the matter at hand. As their
teacher raised her hand, this signals that the debate has started.

Allyn: Students lend me your ears! (raises her left hand as a gesture for
attention)

(the students who are grouped and seated opposite to each other are focused to
their teacher)

Allyn: We will now be starting our symposium with the central theme “Mas
ikabubuti nga bang’ talikuran ang sariling wika para sa ikakaunlad ng sariling
bayan?". The matter is now at hand. Ailene, you may start.

Ailene: I cannot stress this more. (places her hand as she makes a point) It
is needed, for we are now at point of evolution. And we, a third world
country, we crucially needed to ameliorate to better our living.

Arth: And I, could not agree more. When we learn and use foreign language, the
more we learn about their culture and this will help a strong bond to other
major countries which will also help us grow into a much more sufficient
country.
Joyce: Hindi naman masama ang inyong mga ideya. Pero iyan lang ba ang
pamamaraan na iyong naiisip? Pwede naman tayong makipag halubilo sa mga
banyaga while at the same time we are promoting our own language. (crossed her
arms in defiance) It’s time for us Filipinos to be heard and not be “pre-
owned” by these outlanders.

Edine: tama nga naman. Ang wika natin ang nagsisilbing gulugod nating mga
Pilipino. Kakalimutan nalang ba natin ng basta-basta kung paano ipinaglaban ng
ating mga bayani ang Inang bayan natin?

(a sudden pause but also broken when Maria answered)

Maria: But (waves her finger) once we learn foreign language, we would have a
better understanding of their culture too. Magiging matibay ang ugnayan natin
sa mga banyagang bansa at ito ay makakatulong hindi lang sa promosyon, pati
narin sa pagtaas ng ating sariling bayan.

Arth: That’s right. We will not be labeled as “ignorant people” if we are

integrated by other countries. Their modern technologies will be available at
our disposal.

Dennis: Pendejadas! (smirks in disgust) Ang wika natin ay nagsisilbing

prinsipyo natin. Hindi tayo makikila ng buong mundo kung di natin ihahayag sa
kanila ang pagiging tayo, (shakes his fist in the air) ang pagiging Pilipino.

Ailene: (quickly chimed in) But imagine our country being free from its past
debts. We can grow economically and technologically.

Joyce: (quickly interrupts) Sa pagsasakripisyo ng prinsipyo natin? prinsipyo

ng pagiging isang Pilipino? Iyon ba ang ninanais mo?

Dennis: Muy bien, Joyce. (chuckles as he claps his hands)

(a wave of insufferable retort was visible in Arth’s group)

Maria: (hastily answered back) Then we will bring back these so called
“principles” once we are free from our past troubles which is holding back the
growth of our country. If you didn’t know, America has been supporting the
Philippines for its resources.

(Chaos broke out. Indistinctive speech blared between the two groups for a
couple of seconds. Allyn issued an injunction to restore concord between both
parties)

Ailene: That is right. The more we know about western or any migrant culture,
the more we know how to start business with them. When we are using their
literature, we are basically molding a bridge. And this bridge will help us-

Edine: Tulong saan? Nakalimutan mo ba yan din ang pangako ng mga amerikano
nung sinasakop nila tayo? Wag kayong maniniwala sa mga matatamis na salita ng
mga amerikano!

Ailene: Tumigil ka nga! Lahat tayo ay may sariling interes. All we want is in
order for us to be heard, and to reach that dream is that we must undergo such
circumstances. Tao lang tayo. (leans back in her chair in frustration) wala
tayong dapat ikatakot lalo na sa panahon na sibilisado na tayo.

Arth: (stands up) What I want or what I want is for my beloved country to be
more. I want my country to be held and respected highly by other places known
on the earth. With the help of globalization lalago ang ating mga negosyo,
hindi na tayo maghihirap-

Dennis: (shakes his head in disbelief and slaps the desk with his palms as he
stands up) Negosyo o kalayaan? Bayan o sarili pumili ka!

(the room became silent. Arth slowly sits down, unable to reply. Allyn was in
deep thought after hearing it.)

Dennis: nakalimutan nyo naba ang pangaral ng ating mga bayani? Nakasaad sa
tula na ginawa ni Rizal, na “Ang wikang tagalog ay tulad din sa latin, sa
ingles, sa kastila, at salitang angel. Sa pagka’ ang poong maalam tumingin ang
syang nag gawad, nagbigay sa atin”. Ganon naba kahirap ipaglaban kahit mismo
ang sarili nating wika?
(Allyn waves Dennis to calm down which he replied with a small gesture of a
bow and calmly sits back. Joyce pats Arth’s back for support. The room was
left with a deafening silence)

Allyn: arth? Would you like to refute Dennis’s opinion?

Arth: Hum… (stands up from his seat and scans the other party) I am at loss
for word as of now ma’am.

Allyn: oh. (pause) so I guess this riveting wrangle has come to an end.

End of scene 2

Scene 3

SCHOOL. CLASSROOM. MORNING – DAY

Narrator: all students has returned the arrangement of their chairs and have
settled down.

Allyn: Now. (clears throat) I have heard your different angles about the given
concern. It was pleasant to know that both parties are focused on one goal.
The betterment of their country. Alam ko naman mahal nyo ang sarili nyong
bayan and you would do all means to protect and preserve its hereditament; the
hundred islands which we live and adore its beauty, our culture which its
uniqueness has bewildered us and even foreigners has become captivated with
it. and the paramount of them all; our language, ang wika ng inang bayan. Ang
wika ay isang bahagi ng pakikipagtalastasan na ginagamit araw-araw. Kalipunan
ito ng mga simbolo, tunog, at mga kaugnay na bantas upang maipahayag ang nais
sabihin ng kaisipan.

Maria: Tama nga naman si ma’am. Magkaiba man ang ating pamamaraan at
paninindigan, pero at the end of the day, iisa lang ang ating hangarin.

Joyce: Sang-ayon ako dyan. Ang hangarin ko ay Makita ang bandila ng pilipinas
na binibigyan respesto at hinahangad sa bawat sulok ng mundo. Na sana rin ay
dumating ang panahon na hindi na tayo mahihiya pa kahit saan man tayo
magpunta.
Edin: Kung atin lang naman mamarapatin, hindi naman masama ang globalisasyon.
Pero we should also not forget on who we are.

Ailine: (speaks calmly) We are Filipinos. Hindi tayo tinatawag na Bayan ni

Juan ng basta-basta lang. Baka nakakalimutan nyo na natalo natin ang mga
banyagang mananankop sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa.

Maria: At tulad din ngayon, kaya natin paunlarin ang pilipinas kung tayo ay
magtutlungan lamang. (shrugs) Tho’ I won’t advise that we should go to war
kase it sucks.

(Edin and Joyce unintentionally answered in chorus)

Edin & Joyce: indeed.

(Both looked at each other’s eyes, then later broke into short fits of
giggles)

Allyn: (smiles) I’m quite happy that you got the message in the end of our
debate.

(Dennis stands up from his chair and walks directly into Arth’s direction.
Dennis presented a hand as a sign of friendly gesture)

Dennis: I think I may have overlooked your intentions and reacted to such
manner, my sincerest apologies.

(Arth took Dennis’s friendly gesture and they both shook hands)

Arth: (smiles but quickly turned into a smirk of doubt) Teka. Akala ko ba di’
ka marunong mag ingles?

Dennis: Ah. (smirks) hehe, at ako rin naman akala ko di ka rin marunong
magtagalog?
(Both laughed. The rest of the room gave short fits of giggles by overhearing
the two of them)

Maria: tut, (shakes head in disbelief) akalain nyo nagsimula ang lahat ng ito
sa isang ball pen lang.

Dennis: Ayy oo nga pala, (shuffles in his pocket and produced the pen) di’ ko
pala pag mamay ari ito. Wait (scans the room in confusion) kanino ba ‘to?

Allyn: teka akin yan ah. (takes the pen in Dennis’s hand) Kaya pala nawala sa
bag ko kahapon nung hinanap ko.

(Allyn was busy checking the pen and didn’t recognize that the whole class was
staring at her with shocked expressions. As he she looks up to the room she
replied)

Allyn: Oh? (pause) Bat ganyan ang mga tingin nyo sa akin? Gusto nyo ¼ and
quiz?

Dennis: Ay kahayahay!

(All broke into fits of laughter. Some are holding their stomach because of
too much laughing. Some got teary eyed after. Some clapped their hands by such
experience)

Narrator: with that retort everyone laughed to their fulfillment. The intense
situation was quickly buried away by the exchanging smiles and short fits of
giggles and laughs. But who would not like to see their own county grow and
prosper? Ika nga ni Dr. Jose Rizal, na “ang di magmahal sa sariling wika, ay
higit pasa mabaho at malansang isda…”. Ikaw kaibigan, handa mo bang ipaglaban
ang inang bayan? At dun nagtatapos ang aming dula. Hanggang sa susunod at…
paalam.

End of scene 3
References

Ang aking mga kabata, Dr. Jose Rizal

Heneral Luna