Human rights, above all, must be remembered and be viewed equally all the time. In a literature written by Rogelio Sikat entitled “Tata Selo”, it was shown how societal class affects the justice serve to unfortunate ones. The literature revolves around Tata Selo – a farmer – who kept on explaining the reason behind Kabesang Tano’s death.

SYNOPSIS OF THE BOOK

    The sun has shined, the news has gotten to everyone, Kabesang Tano died. A man curiously asked Tata Selo why he killed Kabesang Tano, with extreme emotion, he explained everything. As the day goes fast, everyone, police, chiefs, and even civilians, has interrogated Tata Selo, the reason and how he did it. However, Tata Selo kept to his words, emphasizing that he only did that since Kabesang Tano immediately fired him because he was already being replaced by another farmer. In non-verbatim, “he called me when he saw me working in the farm. He told me he’s firing me since he found another farmer. I asked him why he had to this, I even knelt while begging him not to. However, he just kept on poking my forehead with his cany stick. I could not stop myself that time, knowing that land was mine, I just mortgage it to him, but I work hard to be able to claim it back someday, I slashed a knife against his knife.” Tata Selo said.

    Tata Selo was sent to prison as the police and chief escorted him. After the police left, the chief beaten up Tata Selo as the chief were a friend of Kabesang Tano.

    After a little while, Saling – the daughter of Tata Selo—visited him. Tata Selo got worried about her, insisting that she shouldn’t have come since she is sick. In despair, Saling had to go home.

 

PERSONAL OPINION

    The story of Tata Selo portrays the intricate life of the poorest of the poor when it comes to justice. Even though Tata Selo killed Kabesang Tano, it did not erase the fact that Kabesang Tano belittled Tata Selo and did extremely superior treatment just because Tata Selo was a farmer. However, it is still written in the law that killing is a crime, and Tata Selo has no exemption on that.

    In the case of Saling, the author did not mention any specific sickness of her. However, based on choice of words, character’s gender, storyline, and emotions, in my opinion, Saling is being molested by Kabesang Tano.

 

CHARACTERS

Tata Selo

•   the father of Saling
•   farmer who works for Kabesang Tano for many years
•   killed Kabesang Tano

Kabesang Tano

•   owner of the land
•   mayor of the town

Saling

•   daughter of Tata Selo
•   maid at Kabesang Tano’s house

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rogelio R. Sikat was born on June 26, 1940. After he worked as literary editor at University of Santo Tomas, he became one of the most popular pioneers of Philippine literature. One of his renowned works are "Liwayway," "Mga Agos sa Disyerto", "Impeng Negro", and "Tata Selo". He was awarded for translating the book "Ang Gubat: Isang Personal na Rekord ng Pakikilabang Gerilya ng mga Huk sa Pilipinas” a year after he died.