By: Izelle Josef Li of ABM 11 This paper critiques the short story, titled “Isang Tikbalang Ka Lang,” from the book “Wag Lang Di Makaraos” by Filipino writer, Eros S. Atalia. Atalia grew up in Cavite City. He got his Bachelor’s Degree on Secondary Education major in Filipino at the Philippine Normal University in 1996 and got his Master’s Degree on Arts in Language and Literature at De La Salle University – Manila in 2008. His poem “Maririing Tusok ng Kalawanging Karayom sa Nagngangalit na Ugat” won 1st place in the National Contest on Poetry Writing of Pandaylapi Ink in 1995. He was also awarded the Gawad Balagtas in 1996, Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 2006, and Gawad Soc Rodrigo …show more content…
Tikbalangs are half-human and half-horse creatures. These creatures are known to be quite playful. It is said that they like playing tricks on travelers and lead them astray or make them go in circles. Dwendes, on the other hand, are little creatures. They can either bring good fortune or bad luck to humans. Just like the tikbalang, duwendes are also playful in a way. These creatures like hiding items and laugh at the person when they try to find it but eventually give it back when they feel like giving it back. Atalia described the tikbalang in the story as self-conscious, generous, and patient. The duwende, on the other hand, was portrayed as an old man that could give the woman an endless amount of …show more content…
It would all just depend on how the reader interprets it. The first version would be the woman as the materialistic or the gold-digger type. This type of woman is the one who cannot be satisfied with what they have. They will always look for more. They are the ones who would often want expensive things as gifts rather than heartfelt ones. The story could mean that the woman left the tikbalang because she met the duwende who had much more wealth and could give her more material things. The second would be the practical type. This type of woman is the one who thinks of the future rather than the present. The woman in the story could probably be in love with both her suitors but –being practical – she chose the one that she knows would give her and their future family a good