"TATA SELO" BY ROGELIO SIKAT
A STORY OF LOVE, LABOR, AND LOSS
A BLOG BY CLARK MANALO
OVERVIEW OF THE STORY
Tata Selo is a short story by Rogelio Sikat, a Filipino writer who won the second prize in the Carlos Palanca Award in 1963.
The short story is about a poor farmer who killed a rich landowner for taking away his land. Tata Selo sold his land to Kabesang Tano when his wife got sick, but he never got it back. He stabbed Kabesang Tano when he tried to evict him.
He was then put in a cage, where he faced the judgment of the people and the authorities. None of them understood his motive or his situation. He only wanted to keep his land, which he loved and worked hard for. He was taken to the mayor's office, where he was told that he would be sent to the capital for a trial. He begged them to kill him instead. He was returned to the cage, where he lost all hope. He was visited by a young peasant who offered to take care of his daughter and his land. He thanked him, and then said that he had nothing left.
The story of Tata Selo by Rogelio Sikat touched me deeply and made me sad. It made me realize that his situation of injustice and oppression still exists today. I imagined being in his shoes, an old farmer who had to sell his land to pay for his wife's medical expenses. He still wanted to work on the land that was once his, but he was treated harshly by the new owner, Kabesang Tano, who also happened to be the barangay captain. He was beaten and humiliated by the powerful man who wanted to evict him from the land.
I think I would do the same as Tata Selo did, especially if I was pushed emotionally to my limits. He defended himself and his dignity by stabbing Kabesang Tano to death. It is heart breaking that he lost everything he cared and worked hard for. His wife, his land, his freedom, and his reputation. He was imprisoned and tortured by the authorities who did not listen to his side of the story. He was judged and condemned by the people who did not understand his plight. He was abandoned by his daughter, Saling, who was also sick and worked as a maid for Kabesang Tano. He was left alone and hopeless in his cell, singing for freedom like a caged bird.
WHY IS THE STORY RELEVANT?
The story of Tata Selo is relevant because it reflects the social realities and issues that many Filipinos face, such as poverty, landlessness, injustice, and oppression. It also shows the courage and dignity of a farmer who fought for his rights and his land, even if it cost him his life. The story can inspire us to be aware of the struggles of our fellow countrymen and to stand up for what is fair and humane.
The story was written by Rogelio Sikat, a Filipino novelist and playwright who was known for his social realism and criticism of the feudal system in the Philippines. He wrote the story in 1968, during the Marcos regime, when the country was under martial law, and human rights violations were rampant. The story is still relevant today, as many farmers still face the same problems of land grabbing, exploitation, and violence from the powerful elites.
REFLECTION
In my perspective as a student, it is like studying with all your might but having a low score on a test. I know, it is minuscule in comparison to the situation of Tata Selo, but it still hurts to see your sacrifices and efforts go to waste.
It makes me wonder how unfair life can be, and how some people have to suffer more than others. It also makes me appreciate what I have and not take it for granted. It taught me not to be primarily driven by emotions and to take a stoic approach to highly stressful situations. It inspires me to fight for what is right and to help those who are in need in my own way.
