1. + Bread of Salt N.V.

M Gonzalez
a. Place
• Bakeshop
• Aida’s house for the party
• School
b) Time
• 1930’s in the Philippines Setting

Boy- main character of the story (name not mentioned)–

Protagonist
• Grandfather and Grandmother of Albert
• Aida- object of the boy’s affection
• Pete Saez – the guy who invites then boy to join his band
• Other bandmates – preferably two guys • Josefina and Alicia – Aida’s cousin
• Don Esteban- J & A’s father
• Mr. Custodio Characters

1. 5. Resolution: The boy realized that like a pandesal he is still not yet ready to face reality.
Plot Falling action: When the fourteen year old throw away the food that he packed. 
Climax: When Aida caught him packing some of the food in the party.  Conflict: When his
aunt doesn’t support him to perform in public or parties because the musicians are the last to
eat during parties. (Man vs. Society, Man vs. Circumstances)  Rising Action: When the
fourteen year old boy started to learn and master playing violin. +
2.
3.
4. Summary
5. The story is about a teenage boy who buys pandesal or “bread of salt” because of its
wonderful flavor. Every day he walks by the house of the old Spaniard’s niece Aida whom
the boy liked. He could follow her everyday to school. He would also think about how he
would confess his feelings for her during classes. He joins Pete Saez’ private band Minviluz
Orchestra.
One of the reasons he joined was to save money tobuy a brooch for Aida. Also it was his
dream to be a violinist. Though his aunt did not want him to pursue his passion. One night when
the band was performing the boy did something embarrassing that Aida saw. Embarrassed he
walked out in shame.

He was probably thinking that because of what he had done. There is no chance for Aida to like
him back. Pete led him home and passes by baker’s on the way. They ordered pandesal but the
bread was still not ready.

6. 7. + First person narrator -Simple routine in life -Love bet. Social status Because it all started
when he was buying pandesal every morning in the bakery near the great Spanish house
where his mestiza classmate Aida lived and where he begun to fall in love with Aida. Point of
View Theme Why the story revolves in the title “Bread of Salt”
7.
8. 14. He was born on September 8, 1915 in Romblon, Romblon and moved to Mindoro at the
age of five. Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez, familiarly known as simply "N.V.M.,"  The
affair of letters Gonzalez created is more than literature. It is the story of a Filipino in the
world. It is his story.  Distinctively wrote of the Filipino life, of the Filipino in the world  His
most notable works include the novels The Winds of April, The Bamboo Dancers and A
Season of Grace, short story collections Children of the Ash- Covered Loam and The Bread
of Salt and Other Stories and essay.  A teacher, author, journalist and essayist +
"Literature is an affair of letters,” - N.V.M. Gonzalez
9. . He was 84. N.V.M. Gonzalez is remembered as an innovative writer, a dedicated and
humble worker and an honest witty friend. 65 years later, he was still creating affairs with
letters. He passed away on November 28, 1999, due to kidney complications.  N.V.M.
started his career at the age of 19  Received an honorary doctorate from the University of
the Philippines in 1987 and became its first international writer in residence in 1988. 
Produced 14 books and accumulated many awards  As a teacher at the University of the
Philippines for 18 years, Gonzalez was only one of two people to teach there without holding
a degree.  After Gonzalez returned to the Philippines in 1950, he began a long teaching
career, at the University of Santo Tomas. Gonzalez also taught at the Philippine Women's
University  First published essay appeared in the Philippine Graphic and first poem in
Poetry in 1934.  Studied at National University in Manila, he never obtained a degree. +