Summary Reaction of Philippine Literature Stories

SUMMARY REACTION ELSA MARTINEZ COSCOLLUELA 'IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE'

SUMMARY REACTION: IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE

In My Father's House is a play by Elsa Martinez Coscolluela about the Santamaria Family, a family residing in Dumaguete during the Japanese-American war. The story revolves around the member of the family – Carlos, the head of the family, Amanda, his wife, and their sons, Miguel, Franco, Carlito, their wives, Isabel and Cristy, including their family bookkeeper, Benito and how they view and cope up with the war individually and as a whole. In My Father's House is a mixture of pain, suffering, strength, trust and faith. Carlos Santamaria, the head of the household is a 65 years old man who has strong facial features and graying hair. Though he walks with a walking stick, he does not fail to exude an air of strength and authority. Amanda, Carlos' wife on the other hand is a 60 year old, mature and refined woman. Miguel Santamaria, the eldest son of Carlos and Amanda, is reserved, idealist lawyer who is about 35 years old. Isabel Santamaria, 33 years old, is the gentle and affectionate wife of the eldest son of the Santamaria Household, Miguel. Franco, another son of Carlos and Amanda, is a 33 year old aggressive, frank politician that is married to Cristy, a 27 year old confident, knowledgeable woman. Carlito, brother of Miguel and Franco is an aspiring doctor but is currently based on Urdaneta, Pangasinan with the USAFFE. Benito, the quiet, dependable bookkeeper of the Santamaria household, is about the same age as the two brothers. And because of the Japanese-American War, is the greatest factor and obstacle that greatly affects the lives of the Santamaria and their household.

Act 1 Scene 1

The story started with some slight bantering among the family as they were finishing their dinner one evening. Though there was some bantering, the men, Carlos, Miguel and Franco were distracted and preoccupied with the knowledge that the women, Amanda, Isabel and Cristy are not yet aware of. Isabel and Cristy were talking about how Cristy was still up in the clouds and a foot in heaven even after a year of marriage, while her on the other hand, had come down to earth long before their first anniversary. Miguel then jokingly asked Isabel if she was complaining but she denied it saying that she has three children and what more could she ask for. Afterwards, Benito got the last champagne in the house; Senor Carlos has specifically ordered to save it for the New Year's Eve. They first shared a toast for Cristy and Franco for a successful year of marriage and plenty of children to come. Another toast was shared by the family for their health and never ending happiness. After reprimanding Carlos that drinking too much champagne won't cause him good, Carlos then opened up about the war. Amanda then questioned on how long the Japanese-American would be. With a secret look to his sons, Carlos feigned to not know anything. For Cristy, who's oblivious to the real state of the war, thinks that it wouldn't last long for the American's are on their side and it's their responsibility the country. Amanda agreed with her and proceeded to ask her about the fruitcake she sent to Cristy's foster parents who left for Camp Look Out that afternoon. Her foster parents didn't want to leave the University but there was an instruction from the University President that all American professors and their families should evacuate to the hills. Amanda has heard of it at the market and Isabel thought it was just a precautionary measure. Even at Camp Look Out, Cristy's parents would still continue their research. Carlos, who has a glimpse of idea about the war agreed that it's for the best since the University is an American Institution and is highly probable that Japan will seize it when they will occupy Negros. Isabel, Amanda and Cristy thought that it was nothing for there was no war in Negros and they were all civilians. Amanda, being worried then sought for Carlos' opinion if they should go away to Caranoche, but Carlos said it's not necessary. After a while, Amanda and Isabel then proceeded to prepare the provisions for Cristy's parents at Camp Look Out and wished that all evacuation sites were all well provided.

Everything was so unreal to Amanda, except to the fact that Carlito, their other son has been called back to Manila for training. She then reminisced what has happened on Christmas – filling the room with laughter and wrapping the children's Christmas presents. Carlos then comforted his wife and convinced her that Carlito will be alright. Miguel blurted out of the blue that everything else outside was so quiet. No children, no carolers in the street. Last year was completely different – there were lots of fireworks that time. Then, they wondered if Father Joaquin would still continue his midnight mass even if there won't be any people tonight for everything seems so quiet. The girls then went to the kitchen while the men proceeded to the living room to have a private conversation. Carlos told his son that it was the right time to tell their mother and their wives about their situation. He then warned Miguel to not alarm them so much. Franco wants to miss the mass for he needs some sleep for their business tomorrow, but Carlos disagreed in behalf of his wife. The men then proceeded to talk about the sugar, rice and corn to be milled. They then decided to tell Benito to store a little of everything in all the farms – Valencia, San Jose, Caranoche and the orchard in case if they need to leave town.