10/22/2019

1. Do you think
VIRTUAL science fiction is
CENTER popular in
Philippine
society?

2. What do you
think would 3. Would you
happened if
Filipinos had never have fought
fought against against it?
martial law?

4. Think the 5. Write the

advantages and advantages and
disadvantages of disadvantages in
technology. your paper.

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BACKGROUND
6. Share your KNOWLEDGE
answer and Certain phrases and words in the short story allude to the time of martial law
under Ferdinand Marcos. These phrases are quite familiar mostly to Filipinos,
especially to those who witnessed the reign of martial law in the country, and

report your to other people, such as historians and journalists, local and foreign, who were
also exposed to this particular political era. This has the effect of localizing the
science fiction genre and giving and additional societal significance to the
story. These are the following words or phrases, and their corresponding
meaning:

answer to the 1. New Society – according to Philippine History.org, martial law was
necessary in order to create an idealized country.
2. CCP or Cultural Center of the Philippines – the Cultural Center of the
Philippines was the pet project of then First Lady Imelda Marcos, created to

whole class. preserve the arts and culture of the country.

3. Escape to the mountains – this phrase would mean to “go underground,” or
join the New People’s Army to rebel against the Marcos government.

1. Explain the Title.

2. What do you think the author’s purpose was?
3. Describe the “class division” that Nick was talking about, is it similar to the class division we
see in Philippine society today? Why or why not?
4. How does the story allude to martial law? Why is this done?
5. Something you liked about it.
6. Something you disliked about it.
7. Describe the setting of the story.
8. Which character in the story do you identify with the most? Why?

PRE-GUIDE 9.
10.
11.
12.
Which character did you like most?
Which character did you like least?
Describe one of the main characters.
What does Art say about reality, and why it is better than virtual reality? Do you agree or
disagree?
13. What changes does a main character go through?

QUESTION 14.
15.
16.

17.
Describe one significant episode.
What techniques does the author use to tell the story?
The virtual reality in the story alludes to today’s technology. What particular products or
services do you think this alludes to?
What does the story have to say about technology? Do you think this is true in today’s
society?
18. Why does Delia long for Manila at the end of the story? What insight can you get from this?
19. How did reading it change you, or your views?
20. What would you say to persuade a friend to read it or not to read it?
21. Summarize it in one written sentence. or a one minute speech.
22. What feedback would you give the author?
23. How might you have written it differently?
24. What do you think of the ending?
25. What happens, or should happen, after the ending?
26. What would you want to read about in a sequel or prequel?
27. Would you like to live in a virtual world? Why or why not?

9. What does the story 1. Why does Delia

have to say about long for Manila at
technology? Do you the end of the story?
think this is true in What insight can
today’s society?
you get from this?

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2. What would
you say to 3. Summarize it
persuade a in one written
friend to read it sentence.
or not to read it?

4. What do you
RONNIE L. ABAO
think of the
ending?