Author: Amado V. Hernandez.

Flies in a glass of milk

Characters:

1. Bandong – Protagonist
2. Anang – Bandongs wife
3. Don Lamberto Adron – Millionaire who made whiskey illegal in America. He is the most
important among them all.

Bandong seemed to witness a miracle.

One morning, two trucks and a bulldozer arrived at the scene. The first truck carried a group of workers,
and the second with tools and equipment. The form holds a plan.

Before noon they had built a framework of planks and galvanized iron. There the tools and equipment
were buried.

The next day, the workers began clearing the weeds and low trees. The blazing flames of the bonfire
swiftly crept across the expanse of thirty acres of farmland.

Bandong watched from his backyard and watched what was happening. A farmer who was aware of the
Works of the land, Bandong was a healthy and strong man. Every day for him to plow the field, weed,
chop wood, plant and weed. Even fifty years on, he still feels young. When he cleans the field, he does
not burn the weeds. He pulls and cuts one by one. But

Summary: The workers came to the field and cleared the weeds with fire.

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workers clearing the former large lawn are left to be consumed by fire as well as native fertilizers.
Probably, the land will no longer be used for planting.

Bandong saw the bulldozer move on the third day. Loose soil is easily leveled and compacted. Later that
day, several trucks of crushed stone arrived and were laid on the ground. And the bulldozer went
through it again.

It was followed that the workers laid the necessary roads after burying the water tunnel pipes. Shallow
cement ditches lined the side of the roads.
For a week, Bandong saw that the pillars of the houses were being torn down. At the same time, light
poles were erected at each intersection and mandipang trees of acacia and banaba were planted side by
side.

Two dozen bungalow-shaped houses were first erected. Every day, the formerly barren farm is enclosed
in a separate yard covering two thousand square meters or more, which is enough to provide space for a
garden of flowering plants, a spacious garage and servants' quarters, as well as for a moderate
suwimingpul. Bandong heard that the twenty -four houses will be followed immediately by others.

The houses are not yet ready, each yard is piled with silky garden soil and also planted with a few trees
that will bring shade, then roses and other masetas that when flowering will beautify and smell the
whole area.

Bandong met some of the workers in the subdivision. They were the first to approach him, before the
water pipe was installed. Asked if

Summary: The workers of subdivision asked Bandong asking where they can water for the water pipe.

Page 629
Where can they get water. Bandong offered to help

For several days, the workers asked to be served food, and they were willing to pay for it. So since then,
it was still dark, Anang, Bandong’s wife, went up to the market of the nearby village, four kilometers
away, to buy dishes and snacks for twenty to twenty-five people. At that time, there were up to sixty
days of housework in the entire subdivision. More than half have fresh food, while the rest are self-
cooked. The Bandong couple's customers were those who came with the bulldozer.

Bandong found out early, therefore, what was happening in the former vast on Don Felipe's grass farm.
It was bought by a corporation of merchants and government officials. The houses that are being built
will be inhabited by the members as if they were in need.

"Instinct I saw you there the other day,"

Bandong's attention to the worker he talked to.

"They are said to be the small United Nations, mixed up," the worker explained. "We are Kano, we are
Chinese, we are Jews and Tisoy, we are Filipinos."

"We've seen it before, eh."

"There is. The only condition is money. That could include a clean income of P50,000 a year, and a
ponding of half a million in the bank. ”

"It's not like those people are called big shots, is it?" Bandong asked in surprise.

“Right. The most important of them is the millionaire Don Lamberto Ladron. He lived in America for a
long time and made money when alcohol was banned. Expert

Summary: The workers asked for food they are willing to pay. Don Lamberto Ladron is the most
important among them all.
Page 630

-he was making whisking illegal. Returned here after the war, but already an American citizen. According
to rumors, he now has a lot of capital in smuggling. "

"Not because."

“And now that there is, it is possible to have delicacy. It's time to blow up. Friends and neighbors do
shop. So here in this subdivision the morir cannot live, those who do not belong… ”

So, isn’t that Lambertong a very good person? ” condition of the peasant.

"What do you want to say?" worker barriers.

"If you're right about his money, I don't think his life is clean, huh?"

“You are human. Who here has a clean life? ”

Persecution of Bandong's interlocutor. “He’s a millionaire, isn’t that enough? Isn't it terrible that inside
and outside the government is disgraceful, even millionaires? ” "But I'm their neighbor, because they
don't want to and they want to," Bandong reminded.

"Quite, but you're out of the fence," the interlocutor chased. "Is this land yours?"

"Of course," Mang Bandong's voice was proud. “I became human here. My father inherited it from my
grandfather, and I inherited it from my father. It's still a war in this area. They were washed and washed,
cleaned, fertilized, and planted. My grandfather was a former Katipunero colleague of Andres Bonifacio.
”

Bandong said he did not regret having the subdivision then. He hopes that the formerly expelled
countryside will be lively and happy.

As a matter of fact, Bandong and his family are not fond of fun. The couple has three children: the eldest
is studying in town, the other man helps the father, and the youngest daughter is the mother's sidekick.
The only fun they have is

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To party at the poor table and talk before going to bed at night. They were quiet and had no quarrels.

It was Bandong's entertainment to get wet. At noon he reads aloud, and enjoys listening to Ana and her
two young children. He repeatedly reads some songs, such as Florante, Ibong Adarna, and Doce Pares.
He often unfolds old excerpts of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Kabisang Tales sa Fili is
Bandong's idol.

"Our town needs a lot of Kabisang Tales", he told his family when he heard of the big excess.

"What went into your head," Ana noticed immediately.

Regarding the security of their lives, Bandong repeatedly stressed, “The day I am rescued from Manila
will be cured. I haven't seen the inside of the movie yet, even though it's good that our actors are Indian
pigs. ''

Bandong's own yard measures one hectare. In front of it is an old bamboo house. Despite the rain and
heat of many years, the house is still strong, and for Bandong, he prefers living there than in a modern
bungalow. They are a happy family in the midst of poor simplicity.

At the back of the yard are six old mango trees that bear abundant fruit during the summer, as well as a
few guavas, chicory, santol, and atis. He also harvests vegetables. On one side they have raised pigs and
chickens. This is the sum total of the family's livelihood.

The bungalows in the subdivision were built almost simultaneously. Immediately painted in different
colors according to the owner's wishes. Every yard is surrounded by

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-rail or deliberate wire fencing. A telephone had just been installed in every house and a television
antenna had been installed on every roof. It is equipped with air conditioning.

All of that was completed in as little as five to six months. The former lawn that in its long desolation
was forested with talahib and amorseco, the land that with the pouring rain turned into a pond and the
noisy frogs that roared incessantly, has now become a small city of enviable homes full of prosperity and
comfort. And this is the Miracle of money. Bandong often rubs his eyes to make sure that it is not just a
vision that blinds his man -made Miracle.

The day came for the migration of the royal inhabitants. Every arrival is a truckload of tools. Piano,
refrigerator, icebox, television, Hi-fi, radio-combination, kitchen utensil cabinets and dining room,
among those specifically built-in, bed, sofa, divan, household furniture. Terrace and garden, large
mirrors, extraordinary lamps, electric cooker, right table, writing table, mahjong and poker table,
dressing table, drawing cards by famous artists, small statues and figurines, porcelain pots, a file of
books, a thick rug of saints made of unbreakable crystals, a hose, a lawn mower, a washing machine, a
variety of children's toys, and a thousand and one things that Bandong and his family. They were
amazed at every move in every new de luxe bungalow.

"The bazaar will open more," Bandong exclaimed.

"Where will they assume and use those pulls?" self -question as they reflect on their own tools over the
past 20 years. Ilang

Page 633

-plates, a tub, two pans, an iron, a hoe, a saw, a hammer, an ax, and two pickaxes.

At the beginning of the road entering the subdivision, Bandong saw a stone arch erected with the
inscription: ROYAL LANES (Private). He could not fathom what Royal Lanes, (Private), meant. Bandong
asked.

"It's a place owned by the people who live there, outsiders are not allowed to enter." The father easily
understands the meaning of the son.
It was also there at the opening of that passage and placed a barracks of special guards. Six guards in
uniform look like PCs; with a badge on the chest and a revolver on the waist alternately day and night.
Those who come who are not from there are punished, especially if they are just walking or getting off
the jeepney.

When Bandong first appeared before the police-special,

The peasants thought this man was arrogant and cruel. There is no doubt that their office is highly
valued.

"They look like the thing to watch," Bandong thought. Meanwhile, the workers have finished their jobs.
One day the couple said goodbye to what they had eaten. Binarayan their answers to Aling Ana. The
wholesale is over and they will not be coming back. “Thank you, Mang Bandong.

Thanks, Aling Ana. God bless you. ”

Ana counted that night her earnings from feeding the workers over the past months. Aside from what
they drop every week,

Ana saved less than five hundred pesos. He counted the money in front of Bandong.

"It's only now that you've gathered like this, huh, Bandong?" happy woman's language. "We won't miss
Tonying at the entrance." Tonying is their son who studies in the town.

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"Let's see, now we have a little money," and Ana gently confessed what she was thinking. “Maybe we
can install a water tap. Maybe we can hook up and pay for the subdivision. ”

Bandong seemed shocked, but did not interrupt what his wife said.

"Hale na nga," Ana continued. "It's hard to stay in the creek here."

"I don't have any complaints about scooping, ah," Bandong said.

"And where do I do my laundry, isn't it a stream?" recollection of the woman. “It's just far away and hot.
When it rains, you can’t drink water. ”

"Hey, what do you want to happen?" Bandong's condolences.

"Maybe we can hook up on the other side," the woman suggested and pointedly added, "maybe the
hundred won't run out."

"Let's not tap if the six months you worked so hard to earn are gone," Bandong smiled sparingly.

"You're human," Ana said.

Banfong met with the caretaker of Royal Lanes (Private). Passing the guard's barracks was not easy for
him. He was startled by this question, and eventually telephoned the trustee's office. The guard heard
the okey before the farmer entered.

The steward seemed pleased when he confronted Bandong.

"I'm really the one planning to go there," the steward said before Bandong mentioned his intention.

His name is said to be Mister Pena.

You've been in this place for a long time, haven't you? Check that out.

"It's been a hundred years since my ancestor," Bandong said.

Page 635

“Can you tell if the yard is occupied, yours?

"Sapul at sapul," the farmer replied firmly.

"We don't have a title, do you?"

Bandong was moved, but he also answered calmly.

"Why are you asking?" aniya.

"Mang Bandong," Pena said clearly, "the corporation wants to buy your land."

The farmer was quick to respond that his land was not his attention.

"Buy if you have a title," said the steward.

"But if you don't, you're not a squatter."

"Squatter!" Bandong was aroused because Pena also emphasized the word squatter. Pena's gaze
covered Bandong's arms and hands.

"Don't be angry, Mang Bandong," the steward said slowly. “I have no bad wishes. I'm just clarifying part
of the law. ”

“Laws! What law? ” exclaimed the peasant and the then suddenly blanketed darkness.

"The law I mentioned is that in case you are sued, you will be forced to leave the yard," Pena explained.

"The skin will be mixed first and peeled," Bandong revealed that his apology is gone.

"But if you can get that thing in the right words," insisted the trustee, "maybe they'll give you help to
move elsewhere."

Bandong calmed down. He thought that his coming was to follow his wife's desires, besides he had no
desire to quarrel. He was still able to ask after untying the knot of his breath.

Page 636
"Why do they want me to leave here even though I've become human here?"

"Because they built a dream project here that is unmatched in the Philippines. They want to embody the
beauty of Royal Lanes in and around. Your hut is out of place and spoils the view. ”
Bandong finally stood up for what he thought was contempt for his smallness.

"Sir," the big tendon in his neck said angrily, "I'm leaving."

"Mang Bandong," Pena interrupted.

"What I came here for, Mister Pena," Bandong said coldly as he recalled that his purpose for going to the
subdivision had not yet been stated, "what I came here was also about the plan to fix my solar. We
would like to install a water tap, and a light, just in case… ”

“Where?” nothing inside the trustee.

“Here in the subdivision…”

"Impossible!" Pena suddenly snapped.

"Then stop saying nothing," and the farmer stepped out of the office.

"Te'kayo," Pena chased. "It's also good to know that you're complaining about the bad smell your pigs
are spreading, and the hoarseness of your chickens."

"They're too picky," Bandong said.

"Here in Royal Lanes, animals are not allowed," said Pena. "No one is allowed here except imported
dogs and cats, canaries and goldfish."

"Animals that can't be eaten," Bandong said.

"But the people here eat pork and chicken, don't they?"

"If it's cooked, but they don't take care of it," said Pena. "Fruit trees are also forbidden, paris ng manga."

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"Why?" Bandong remembered his mango tree plant.

"Because of the flowering and fruiting of the mango, thick flies appear during the day and mosquitoes at
night."

"Those people ate manga, didn't they?"

"Ah, they don't miss the Frigidaire of ripe mangoes and other fruits."

Bandong closed his eyes and opened his mind. In a few brief conversations with the daring person in
charge of this dream project of extraordinary creatures, Bandong learned a lot that he had never
dreamed of with the mindset and will of simple people like him about the gap between different
societies. of some nothing. With sadness he finally asked Pena.

"If I leave here, will they come to my yard?"

“The house will be demolished and the fruit trees will be cut down. Flatten the ground and maybe make
a basketball toy for teenagers. The corporation thinks that sticking that yard to Royal Lanes is like a fly
perched on a glass of milk. ”

Badong turned around and left without saying goodbye. When they arrived, the child had a sore throat
when he told Ana the end of his walk. The woman listened intently to the man's sentence and said no,
but her heart was even stronger than the needle she was using at the time.

"We haven't invested badly in our neighbor," Ana whispered, her words wet with tears. "God will not
forsake us."

One fine morning the Royal Lanes (private) woke up happily. United Nations flags adorn the arch at the
opening of -

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