“THE BAMBOO DANCERS”

CREATIVE NONFICTION
LOCAL STORY
MEMBERS
AGUILAR
BAYABAO
MARTINEZ
MORILLO
PADILLA
PEÑA
PONS
TORRES
SETTINGS: manila /new york / japan( hiroshima)
CHARACTERS (DESCRIPTION)

MAIN CHARATER:
Ernie - is a sculptor with a study grant in the United
States. He is aloof and avoids becoming involved with
anyone. [ PROTAGONIST ]
PLOT

Exposition – The story begins with Ernie. A shy,

reserved sculptor with a study grant in the United
States who has a fleeting understanding of his
Filipino origins. He received an opportunity to
travel, which brought him in contact with other
Filipinos, which led him to meet an old
acquaintance who fell in love with him.
Rising Action – Ernie and the young woman began
an affair, which led to the woman questioning her
sexuality. She eventually decided to break-up with
Ernie. Ernie on the hand, finds out his brother in
California. Who left the Philippines after he had a
dysfunctional relationship with his wife. His brother
also not good on terms with the housemaid. Ernie
does not show any affection or sympathy towards
his brother’s problems.
Climax – While in New York, Ernie meets
three Filipinos - a young man and his two
girlfriends. Like himself, and his brother,
they are inherently disconnected towards
one another. Eventually, Ernie travels to
Japan where he learns about the aftermath
of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima,
which did not move him at all.
.Falling Action – Ernie suffers a near-death
experience after he almost drowns. Ernie
realizes that he does not have any pity or
remorse because life for him is a continuous
cycle of tragedy.

Denouement – Surprisingly, no one seems

to be affected by it, or even notices it. Like
all of Ernie’s previous encounters, he is
now questioning his identity and morality
CONFLICT
Conflict Man vs. Himself – The conflict surrounding the
story is Ernie’s battle with his inner demons and his
failure to acknowledge or feel any sympathy towards
people, himself, and other loved ones. This struggle to
feel any sort of emotion led to his near death experience,
which then led to him nearly dying.
SYMBOLISM
Gonzalez uses bamboo dancing as a symbol. Bamboo
dancing or tinikling, is a traditional Filipino dance which
involves the beating of bamboo sticks together. This
symbolises the clashing of two ideologies — local Filipino
culture and imported Western elements.