Filipino Classic short story depicting the repetitions of experiences of father to his son.

3. FOOTNOTE TO
YOUTH
JOSE GARCIA VILLA

4. Jose Garcia Villa
Born: August 5, 1908
Died: February 7, 1997

5. Jose Garcia Villa
 Villa was awarded as National Artist for Literature in
1973.
 Aside from being a poet and a writer, he was also a
critic and a painter.
 His story “Footnote to Youth” tells about the
consequences of early marriage.
 He was encouraging young readers to think of their
actions and reminding them that parental wisdom is
not always a basis for a wise decision.

6. The story
Dudong,17, is impatiently waiting for his father to return home so
that he can tell him of his love for Teang and his desire to marry
her. He feels that at 17 he is a grown man and is ready for the next
important step in his life. When he tells his father that he has asked
Teang to marry him and wants his blessing, there is a long and cruel
silence. His father asks if he must marry her because Dudong is very
young. Dudong resents his father's question, and finally his father
gives his consent.

7. The story
Nine months later, Dudong is waiting outside while Teang
gives birth to their first son, Blas. He feels young and
inexperienced, a contrast to how he felt nine months ago. Dudong
did not want any more children, but they came anyway. For the
next six years, Teang gave birth. Seven children in all.

8. The story
Teang did not complain. However her body was now shapeless
and thin from bearing so many children and from the hard work of
caring for them and the household. Even though she loved Dudong,
she cried and wished that she had not married so young. There had
been another suitor, Lucio, who was nine years older than Dudong.
She chose Dudong because he was so much younger. Lucio had
married after she married Dudong, however, he was childless. She
wonders if she had married Lucio, would she be childless? She feels
that would have been a better lot in life. But she loves Dudong, even
though life has made him old and ugly.

9. The story
One night Dudong goes outside and thinks about his life. He
wants to have the wisdom to know why life does not fulfill Youth's
dreams. Why did life forsake you after love? He never finds the
answer.

10. The story
One night Dudong goes outside and thinks about his life. He
wants to have the wisdom to know why life does not fulfill Youth's
dreams. Why did life forsake you after love? He never finds the
answer.

11. The story
When Blas turns 18, he comes home and tells Dudong that he
wants to marry Tena. Dudong at this time is only 36 years old, but
he is portrayed as a much older man. Dudong does not want Blas to
marry so young. He asks the same question his father asked
him. Does Blas have to marry Tena? He does not want him to make
the same mistake he did. Blas also reacts with resentment. Dudong
realizes that he is dealing with Youth and Love, and they will
triumph over this situation. After that, comes real life. He gives his
consent, feeling sad and sorry for his son.

12. Title
 Footnote to Youth – It is said that it is a footnote to youth
because it is a brief reminder for the Filipinos especially the
youth of what a real life could be today.

13. Characters:
1.Dodong - main character of the story who got
married at the age of 17
2. Teang - regretted marrying at an early age
3. Lucio - Teang's other suitor who got married after
she did and who's childless until now
4. Blas - Dodong and Teang's oldest son who followed
their footsteps in the end. Blas contemplated to
marry Tona when he was 18
5. Tona - woman whom Blas wants to marry.

14. Setting
Where : Farm, a rural area where life is simple
When : It happened when the sun was already setting
in the west, after Dodong was done with his work.

15. Theme
 Enjoy being Youth
 Responsibilities and Realities
 Decision Making
 Teenage Pregnancy

16. Moral
 It’s easy to get married but we should know it comes along
with big responsibilities.
 Marriage is something to be taken seriously.