Module I: Identity

Direction: Read the monologue entitled "Waiting" written by Ron Darvin and answer the following
questions below. (15 points)

1. How does food get involved in the monologue? What can you say about the food that they are
eating? (2 points)

- To them, it reminded their home country, the Philippines. However, their views seem different
from the mother and son. To Isaballe, as the more optimistic person, being able to eat certain
foods serves as hope for her that a better life awaits. She associated Canada with the word:
heaven because she knew it would help her provide a better life for her family. Maybe if she
sacrifices her wants, she can be at peace that her family is eating well.
- On the other hand, to Miguel, food represents the homesickness he is constantly feeling. He
often compares the food he eats in Canada to the ones he used to have in the Phillippines. Due
to his mom being busy, she hasn’t been able to cook fresh food for her son. Miguel felt
resentment at the idea of leaving the Philippines, where he could have fresh Filipino food
every day.

2. How do you feel toward Roberto? Why did he do what he did? (2 points)
- I feel disappointed in Roberto. He let his insecurity get the best of him. Isabel had sacrificed
so much for them to be in Canada and he repays her by cheating. This mistake caused his
family.
3. What can you associate with the word "sakripisyo"? Why? (1 point)
- Hope is also a word I associate with sakripisyo. Maybe if we give up something there’s
something better waiting for us. That thought always gave us hope, that all this sacrifice
would be worth it.
4. How do you feel toward Miguel? Why do you feel that way? (2 points)
- I feel pity for Miguel. I understand that he feels some sort of resentment towards his mom
because she wasn’t able to spend enough time with him but also I can’t blame him for having
anger in the world. Being apart from your parent at a young age is challenging. You would
think that once they are in Canada things would be better.
5. What does Miguel want? Can Isabel ever give it to him? Why or why not? (2 points)
- That their waiting has reached its end. Isabel is still working on giving him a better life than
she could provide. I believe that Miguel needs more understanding of his mother’s point of
view. It’s already hard being the sole breadwinner of the family hence, sacrificing time. The
blame shouldn’t lay on her shoulders for why their family fell apart. After all, she is trying to
make ends meet.
6. Why is Miguel being difficult? Is it because he's a teenager? limit your answer to 4-5 sentences. (3
points)

- Miguel has a lot of angst since he has felt abandoned for so long by his mother. He feels like
he has been constantly waiting for his mother to be able to provide him with the life she
wants. He feels like what he has isn't entirely the life he wants for himself.

He feels like his life turned to worse due to the decisions his mother made. He's putting all the
blame on his mother.

7. What kind of irony is employed in the play, "Waiting"? Why was it effective?
Answers must be in 5-6 sentences.
- It is cosmic irony because a teacher in the Philippines who chose to work abroad becomes
someone who is used as a bad example for a kid. A mother who dreams of giving her family a
brighter future is being treated with hostility and resentment due to her lack of time with her
family. The person who truly sacrifices herself for her family is viewed as selfish and only
does what she wants with her life.
It provided the sad reality of life where irony is truly happening in reality, especially to our
dear overseas Filipino workers. The hardships they have to endure just to be viewed as the
enemy of the family and not be treated with respect or the love they deserve.

Module 2: Racism
Answer the following questions:
1. What is the importance of the poem's setting?
- This is to commemorate what happened at Cronulla Beach, where riots erupted due to racial
differences, where blood has spilled due to the racism within the people at Cronulla Beach.
This setting also gives a vivid image to the reader and to people who have previous
knowledge about the events this beach has witnessed.
2. Why is it ironic that the beach used to be an "aboriginal landscape?"
- Ironically, people are fighting over the rights of this beach and disagreeing with each other
because of their skin color, even though in a greater sense of things, no matter what their color
is, they’re still Australians and the beach belongs to all of them.
3. What does it mean that there are generations who want to keep themselves "pure and sterile"? What
does this say about immigration issues in Australia?
- The pure and sterile means that they wanted to remain white. Which raises the racism in the
country and endangers the immigrants from Asian countries and other descents.
4. Why did the white men rampage against colored people? How do you feel about this?
- It awakens the white-men supremacy ideology that had already happened in the Philippines
when the Americans colonized us. It is still sad to learn that some people or even a particular
“race” find themselves superior to other people when the truth is no matter what the color of
our skin we are all humans through and through.
5. In this discussion about immigration and race, where does the Filipino come in?
Why this is an important concern for Filipinos?
- This is a concern that we should educate ourselves as Filipinos. Racism is sadly common in
our culture. When you look into our beauty standards fair skin color and white features are
commonly glorified characteristics in our country. It becomes impossible to achieve as we are
blessed with Southeast Asian features. By bringing light onto this issue we can recognize that
we are unintentionally racist to our own culture.
6. Did this change the way you look at living or working abroad? Did it change the way you view
Australia? Why or why not?
- Yes, I think that the color of my skin or even the way I speak English might be offending to
other people and I might get into hate crime because of it. It can endanger my life and can
cause serious damage not only to my physical health but also to my mental health.
7. In your own opinion, what is the best way to stop racism all over the world?
- By accepting that racism comes in different forms. We need to understand and educate
ourselves that certain cations may offend specific communities.
8. According to what we discussed at our most recent meeting, racism is a type of discrimination that
keeps people out of society. How do you feel about this? Answer in no more than five or six
sentences.
 - It disappoints me because this prohibits them from their rights and being able to take
opportunities just because of their race. Racism doesn’t only affect an individual but also their
community. We all deserving of basic human rights. Yet, just because of their skin color, they
experience extreme discrimination from the people around them.
9. Not only does racism exist abroad, but it also exists in the Philippines. How can you, as a student
who is already aware of the drawbacks, persuade your fellow students to refrain from doing this?
- Not only served as an example to my fellow students but also educated them about racism and
how it’s important to appreciate everyone’s culture.
10. Has there ever been a period in your life when you felt similarly trapped or alone in an unhappy
place? Why or why not?
- Yes, there was a period in my life when I had a hard time believing that there was still beyond
me and my mistake. I could describe it as being trapped in my own mind and people’s
expectations of me. It felt like my life took a pause and I’m happy that it did. I had learned so
many things in that period of my life. Not only that it made me stronger mentally. I’m able to
break free of the cage that bound me before.