NEW YORKER IN TONDO

BY Marcelino Agana Jr.

New Yorker in Tondo written by Marcelino Agana Jr. was about a girl who grew in Tondo and went in
New York for a year, she was able to adopt the culture of the country with a short span of time. New
York was a free and liberated country; New York City is comprised of so many different,
eccentricneighbourhoods, there's one thing that all New Yorkers share: an Empire State of Mind. With
so many quality restaurants, bars, theatres and events around, New Yorkers never fall short of reasons
to brag about how NYC is the greatest city in the world. On the other hand, there's also a growing list of
things that New Yorkers absolutely love complaining about, like the difficulties associated with New York
apartment hunting. Many of aspects can be experienced in this country, maybe that is the reason why
the main character Kikay was acting such things in this story. A Tondo woman named Kikay who decides
to spend 10 months in New York studying hair culture and beauty science. She used to be a simple
Filipina who lived a simple and happy life with her cherished family, friends, and loved ones in the
Philippines, but that all changed owing to the effect of her time in New York. She turned from a humble
Tondo girl to a sophisticated New York girl, changing her appearance, personality, and lifestyle. As a
result, she acquired the lifestyle and fashion of New Yorkers. When she returned to Tondo, she
attempted to influence the image of individuals close to her, such as her mother. She wished for her to
transform in the same manner that New York had changed her. However, when his buddies came over
one day, they observed how Kikay had changed. Her friends' comments made her realize that she
needed to abandon New York's way of life and rediscover the Kikay that her family and friends knew.

The character in the story are Aling Atang, or Mrs. Mendoza, is the mother of Kikay The character in the
story are Aling Atang, or Mrs. Mendoza, is the mother of Kikay, Nena, Totoy, and Tony in the narrative.
Kikay or Francesca, the girl from New York, was given the moniker "The New Yorker in Tondo." Kikay was
raised by Tondo, who had only gone to New York for a year to study, and when she returned to her
town, she brought the culture of New York with her. She changed everything about herself, the way she
dressed, the way she talked and mingled with others, and she even tried to change everything about her
mother. After a year, she has forgotten all she has experienced in Tondo, including her friends. Kikay was
engaged to Tony before she left Tondo, but Tony cheated on her and later married their other friend
Nena. They are angry because Tony and Nena decided to tell Kikay that they are also engaged and then
got into a physical fight. Totoy was able to declare her affections to Nena at that time, and Nena just
went with Totoy because Tony was unfaithful.

The setting is in Kikay's house in Tondo, Manila. This is where she reunited with her family and friends.
The story “New Yorker in Tondo” describes what kind of life was there in Tondo, and how was it living in
New York, their culture and tradition and how it relates the main character as well in the story which
also has implication in life. The Plot of the New Yorker in Tondo is a comedy for everyone because it
adds more worth and significance by transcending the concept that one may take the Philippines out of
oneself, but one cannot take the Philippines out of oneself. It properly reflects the common Filipino's
phony love for the nation, which was utterly lost when exposed to the cultural aesthetic of a foreign
country. Kikay portrays this satire by acculturating the New Yorker's manner, style, and habit. Kikay was
completely acculturated to America’s norms and more. Totoy and Nina even convince her liking by
reminiscing their memories when they are still young, especially that Mango tree in the backyard of
Kikay’s house of which reminded the epitome of their childhood memories. Amidst Kikay’s endeavour,
Nena and Totoy went out of the house to visit the old Mango tree.When Kikay and Tony had the chance
to be alone, Tony was trying to open the issue of their engagement. But Kikay did not want to listen;
instead, she keeps on ignoring Tony and even told him that being engaged to him is just a childish act.
She even degraded Tony by telling him, “Imagine a New Yorker marrying a Tondo boy!” Tony gets
irritated with what Kikay acted, so he confronts her, reprimands her, and tells her that New York did not
bring her any good. When Nena and Totoy came back, Tony and Kikay pretended they are in good status
so, Nena opened the topic about their secret engagement. Kikay and Totoy were outraged by the
revelation. Conflict suddenly rose between the two ladies then, Tony and Totoy tried to calm the
situation immediately. The two boys took sides after Totoy expressed her feeling to Nena. After which,
Nena and Totoy exit. Kikay realizes everything that Tony said. She asks for forgiveness and promises him
that she will go back to her original self. She even said that Francesca is dead and told him that the one
standing in front of him is Kikay. Tony forgave her then they went back to the arms of each other.