Apo on the Wall

by Bj Patino

1. There’s this man’s photo on the wall
2. Of my father’s office at home, you
3. Know, where father brings his work,
4. Where he doesn’t look strange
5. Still wearing his green uniform
6. And colored breast plates, where,
7. To prove that he works hard, he
8. Also brought a photo of his boss
9. Whom he calls Apo, so Apo could
10. You know, hang around on the wall
11. Behind him and look over his shoulders
12. To make sure he’s snappy and all.
13. Father snapped at me once, caught me
14. Sneaking around his office at home
15. Looking at the stuff on his wall- handguns,
16. Plaques, a sword, medals a rifle-
17. Told me that was no place for a boy
18. Only men, when he didn’t really
19. Have to tell me because, you know,
20. That photo of Apo on the wall was already
21. Looking at me around,
22. His eyes following me like he was
23. That scary Jesus in the hallway, saying
24. I know what you’re doing.

INSIGHT

The poem is all about the Marcos time. It shows the life of the Filipinos during martial law. The people are living in fear. They dont know what will be the future of their children. They are not free.

 it provides a glimpse of what martial law was like back then. It gives me also an idea of what kind of relationship the narrator has with his father. Reading between the lines has a lot more to say than understanding its literal meaning. It made me feel like I was there when it happened, like I witnessed what had happened. I made a vision that was like it. Although, I didn’t actually lived then, I wasn’t even formed yet.

REFLECTION

During Martial Law the authority was very strict. We can't live with freedom and we feel that we are in jail. When the clock strikes six in the evening we should be tucked at home. But during the Marcos time good infrastructures starting to appeal. We should learn from our past because that is the key to the future. and also remember that once upon a time we the Philippines experienced Martial Law.
-Lenie T. Latigo an English Teacher.