Urbana and Feliza

Written by: Modesto de Castro 1938 Spanish Regime

A novel written in 1938 by Modesto de Castro was tremendously popular from the 19th-
century to the first half of the 20th-century. The whole title is Pagsusulatan ng
Dalawang Binibini na si urbana and Feliza. The story relates the importance of purity
and ideal virtues people should practice and enrich.
Genre: Literature and Fiction
(Author Background) Modesto De Castro
-Filipino literary priest born in Binan, Laguna
-Excellent orator, eloquent preacher and a prolific writer in Tagalog

Characters
 Urbana
-eldest of the siblings, symbolizes urbanization which was expressed through her
civilized and sophisticated nature
 
Feliza
 – middle child, her name in Spanish feliz means joy which was shown in the story
ashappiness in being obedient and kind
Honesto
- youngest of the siblings, derived from the word Honesty which was highly valued inthe
story alongside grace and power
- She always advices to stay away from vices and fights.
SETTING
Manila and Paumbong, Bulacan

This is about who exchanges letters about the happening is their lives. Feliza asks
advices from Urbana knowing that her sisters knows what is the right thing to do. The
story talks about etiquette, proper gestures and ways in different situations. Feliza asks
advices from Urbana because her sister is studying in Manila, her sister shares her
knowledge that she learned in Manila to guide her sister who is Paombong, Bulacan.
Also she reprimands their youngest brother Honesto to not engage in vices, fights, and
not to hang out with bad people. The letters exchanged were about normal events from
their day to day lives. Until the point where Feliza asks her sister on what she should
about her suitor Amadeo. Feliza has second thoughts about marrying Amadeo. But she
pushed through the wedding after Urbana settled her doubts and fears. The last part of
Feliza's letter is about their father’s death. Stating that their father wanted Urbana to
know he died after he is buried because he doesn’t want to her make Urbana sad. And
the last letter of Urbana says that she will pursue in being a nun.
Example of being modesty according to this story:
Walking in a studied manner is not appropriate, nor is provocatively swaying the hips nor coyly glancing
at a young man proper, because a woman will be faulted for breach of decorum

The author said that if the morals in the book will be used by the people, he will be
happy that he will be able to share the good discipline and conduct that a person should
have.