IDENTITY

by Group 8
FOR YOU,
WHAT IS
WAITING ?
Ron Darvin
• An Assistant Professor in
Transnational Language and Literacy
Education Across the Life Course.

• A PhD student and Vanier Scholar in the

Department of Language and Literary
Education, University of British Columbia.
 SUMMARY
For eight years, Isabel worked
as a Filipino caregiver in
Vancouver, Canada. She had the
opportunity to bring her
husband, Roberto, and their 15-
year-old son, Miguel, with her
when she was granted
permanent residency. Miguel is
eager to start working as he is
about to turn 16.
 SUMMARY
Every time he gets home from
school, he whines about the
bagels, tuna salad, and leftover
Spam that await him. They would
consume the food for the entire
week until there was none left, as
her mother is only able to
prepare meals on her days off.
He remembers how much he
missed his lola, who makes at
least three dishes, in Manila.
 SUMMARY
At ten o'clock at night, Isabel
would return from work and wish to
speak with his son in Tagalog. But
Miguel spends most of his time in his
room listening to headphones. She
mentioned that between her two jobs
and the laundry, she didn't get much
time to sleep. One woman at work
harassed her, saying things like, "This
is why you have to study hard, my
love. Because Otherwise you'll end up
just like her." in reference to her child.
 SUMMARY
That was the last time Miguel saw
her, a year ago. He recalls his mother
being in Canada and his father
remaining in Cavite. Miguel was aware
that his father had also been waiting
for Isabel. A few years ago, his spouse
worked as a medical agent, and Isabel
taught English at a public school.
They realized that no matter how hard
they worked, it would never be
enough to purchase a home or send
their son Miguel to college.
 SUMMARY
Isabel chose to work overseas.
Isabel was happy to make more
than twice as much as she did in
Manila, but Roberto would always
insist that it be "Nakakahiya!"
Although she acknowledged that
there are moments when she
longs to be at home, she firmly
maintains that this is what she has
decided to do for Miguel and her
family.
 SUMMARY
The first few months in Canada were
good for the family. However,
Roberto's inability to find work and
Isabel's constant fighting over
money led to a persistent conflict
over time. Isabel learned one
evening that Kiko's five-block-away
sister-in-law was the object of his
husband's attentions. It was the
evening that Roberto departed from
them.
 SUMMARY
Miguel accused his mother of taking
charge of tasks that belonged to his
father. Though Miguel does not
envision attending college, she
persisted in telling him that he should
study hard. Miguel feels like there is a
lot of time wasted. His mother cannot
even help him with assignment or
attend his parent-teacher meetings.
Money lives, according to Isabel.
doesn't grow on trees, and her life was
given up for them.
 SUMMARY
Isabel feels that because she was
separated from her kid for seven years,
she also sacrificed him. Isabel
demonstrates that sacrifice will always
be the key. Miguel knew that day that
his mother had abandoned him.
"What's a few years of sacrifice? If I
could do it for a better life? For my
son?" Isabel asked her Lola the night
before she left him for Manila, when he
was asleep. "Soon, Miguel... youll see
her... soon."
SUMMARY
The characters faced each
other and delivered their
lines as the monologue
came to an end. After all
these years of waiting, I
finally hear, "Just wait, anak.
Soon everything will be
alright." Tell me, please,
when will soon start?"
 SETTINGS CHARACTERS

PHILIPPINES ISABEL

CANADA MIGUEL

ROBERTO
 THEMES

WOMAN
LOVE SACRIFICE
EMPOWERMENT
Irony
The Irony is expressing something
contradictory to its literal
meaning. Irony takes place when
there is an incongruity between
appearance and reality. It is a
literary device that can be used to
portray illusion with the intent of
ridicule and a hit of laughableness.
Three Types of Irony:
Verbal Irony: a contradiction between what is
said and what is meant.
Situational Irony: the results of an action are
the opposite of what was intended or
expected.
Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows
something a character does not.
 What kind of Irony is
employed in the play
“Waiting”? Why was it
effective?
Thank
You