Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region X
Division of Cagayan de Oro City
CAGAYAN DE ORO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
SY 2022 -2023

CRITICAL ANALYSIS PAPER

ON THE BOOK
ONCE UPON A SUNSET BY TIF MARCELO

In Partial Fulfilment Of The Subject

ST
21 Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Submitted by:

Devine Jean B. Orapa

STEM 11 B

Submitted to:

Ms. Candice May B. Gamayon

Date: January 10, 2024

Devine Jean B. Orapa January 10, 2024
STEM 11 B Ms. Candice May B. Gamayon

Once Upon a Sunset

(TIF MARCELO)

The book "Once upon a sunset" is an intruiging book authored by Tif Marcelo, a Veteran
US Army nurse and a Romance and Women's fiction story writer. Tif Marcelo believes
and writes about the strength of families, the endurance of friendship, heartfelt
romances, and is inspired daily by her own military hero husband and four children.

Once upon a sunset is a captivating literary work that navigates the

intricacies of human emotions through vivid storytelling and poetic prose. It's a story
about family secrets, love, and self-discovery that spans generations, following the
journey of a woman who discovers her grandmother's past through a series of letters.
It delves into themes of heritage, romance, and the complexities of family relationships.
"Once Upon a Sunset" is primarily set in the Philippines and the United States. The
story moves between these two locations as the main character, Diana, unravels her
grandmother's past and explores her family's heritage. The author masterfully captures
the essence of memory and its subjective nature. This technique not only engages the
audience but also underscores the theme of nostalgia or the bittersweet nature of
memories. The main character in “Once Upon a Sunset” is Diana Gallagher-Cary The
main points of the story are Diana's Crisis: Diana, a successful OB/GYN, faces personal
grief and professional repercussions leading to a sabbatical from her job after a
controversial medical decision. Discovery of Family History: Diana and her mother,
Margo, uncover hidden letters revealing that Diana's grandfather survived World War II,
contrary to what they believed. This discovery leads to the revelation of surviving
relatives in the Philippines. Determined Journey: Despite Margo's reluctance, Diana is
determined to connect with her newfound family in the Philippines, embarking on a life-
changing journey to explore her roots and family history, Identity and Love Exploration:
Through this journey, Diana confronts her identity, reconsiders her notions of family,
and reevaluates her understanding of romantic love, potentially altering the course of
her life. The author presents the argument that confronting one's past, exploring familial
roots, and embracing unexpected changes can lead to personal growth and a deeper
understanding of oneself. "Once Upon a Sunset" ends with the idea that accepting
one's past, reestablishing ties to one's family, and confronting unpleasant realities can
all lead to a very fulfilling life. The narrative underscores the significance of embracing
change, drawing strength from familial ties, and maintaining an open mind to fresh
starts, finally demonstrating how these components support personal fulfillment,
development, and a heightened sense of self-awareness.

What I really loved about the book is that, Dianna Gallagher-Cary showed

bravery that made me realize something and it is even if you're on the tipping point of

your life, if you never stop believing in yourself and continues to strive with optimism

throughout the challenge you're facing, you could always have the chance to

accomplish and fix everything that went wrong in your life. I also really liked the idea of

a closely guarded family secret that the main character embraces the adventure of

those secrets so obviously this was a book I was really looking forward to for early

spring. The author did a great job in constructing such majestic book that leaves a

powerful message towards the readers.

In overall, I enjoyed reading the book of Tif Marcelo even if it made me

shed tears at some point, yet somehow I look forward on reading another book of her

creation due to the fact that the masterpiece I read was majestic.