An Analysis Paper

for

Walang Sugat

of

Severino Reyes

Andrea Shayne S. Garcia

HUMSS 12 – Bl. Gratia
21st Century Literature
Ms. Lisette Isonza
II. About the writer

The late playwright and writer Severino Reyes, popular for his “Lola Basyang” stories, was born
in Sta. Cruz, Manila, on Feb. 11, 1861. He wrote about 26 zarzuelas and 22 dramas in his career and was known
as “the Father of the Tagalog Sarswela.” In “Lola Basyang,” he retold foreign folk tales as well as local legends
like “Mariang Makiling.” He died on Sept. 15, 1942

He is one of the children of Andrea Rivera and Rufino Reyes. He was born in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
He studied at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He started writing plays when he stopped studying at
the University of Santo Tomas after the death of his father. He translated Spanish-language plays into the
Tagalog language, until he was able to create his own original works. Reyes is one of the followers of plays
performed at the Teatro Zorrilla, where he witnessed both the period of popularity and then the abandonment of
the said theater house.

Reyes married his childhood friend Maria Paz Puato, and they had 17 children.

Severino Reyes was a man regarded for the wide variety of literary works that he produced.
Reyes is one of the most renowned literary talents of Filipino descent and he is considered to be one of the most
talented writers and playwrights of Tagalog literature. Those that are familiar with Filipino literature should
know that Reyes has produced countless pieces of written work that are still highly regarded within Filipino
culture. It is also very important to note that Severino Reyes was a writer who was capable of using his talent
for words to create written pieces that span a variety of different genres.

He spoke both Tagalog and Spanish, and understood Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and various
Philippine dialects.
III. Summary of the story

Tenyong arrives to find Julia busy, embroidering a handkerchief. He ask to see it, but she refuses. Rebuffed, he
sulks. Pretending to be angry, she throws the embroidery clamps. He picks them up and asks for forgiveness.
Then seeing that the handkerchief bears his initials, he is elated, but she insists it is not for him but for the
Spanish priest. Angered by this revelation, he wants to burn it so Julia has to tell the truth. Shortly, Lucas
arrives to report that Tenyong’s father and other men were arrested by the Civil Guards on suspicion of being
rebels.

The families and friends of the detained men prepare to visit and bring food to the provincial jail. They take the
train for the capital.

The Spanish friars instruct Marcelo, the town mayor, to continue the torture of the prisoners, showing no mercy
at all, despite the death of seven of them and the near death of Kapitan Inggo, Tenyong’s father.

The head friar tells Inggo’s wife that he has ordered the punishment of her husband stopped and that he would
recommend to the Governor the release of all prisoners. However, he tells the other friars that they will go to
Manila to advise the Governor General to have the rich and educated Filipinos executed.

Kapitan Inggo meets his family and friends just before he expires. Over his dead body, heart- broken Tenyong
swears vengeance. His mother faints in shock.

Tenyong decides to join the rebels and starts recruiting men. Julia tries to dissuade him, claiming that his
widowed mother needs him now. Despite her pleas, he is determined to heed the call of duty of his Mother- land
and asks Julia to look after his mother. In resignation, Julia prays for his success and safety and gives him her
religious medal. They vow to love each other forever.

Julia’s mother tells Julia that Miguel and his father will call on them to propose Julia’s marriage to Miguel. Julia
protests that she do not love him and does not reveal her commitment to Tenyong. Her mother asks her to
reconsider her decision, saying that times have changed and love is no longer the basis of marriage.

Meanwhile, Lucas and Monica are falling in love.

Miguel, his father, and the parish priest arrive to arrange the betrothal of Miguel and Julia. Dull- headed Miguel
fumbles in his attempt to win the heart of Julia. The purpose of the visit is sidetracked by the recitation of the
priest’s growing problems caused by the people’s disenchantment with the church.
While the rebels are in the midst of preparations for an assault on the enemy, Lucas shows up to deliver Julia’s
letter to Tenyong. Captain Tenyong learns of his mother’s death and of Julia’s impending marriage to Miguel.
Depressed by the sad news and feeling helpless to heed her plea to save her, he turned for help to his general
who promises to affect their marriage at all costs.

As shots are heard, the rebels await the action that soon ensues.

Lucas returns to tell Julia that Tenyong could not answer her letter because fighting had started but sends word
that he would be back soon.

Miguel visits Julia and tells her that their wedding will be in grand style and they will leave by ship to Manila
for their honeymoon. His words only disgust Julia who feigns a headache.

Miguel’s father asks that the wedding date be advanced, but Julia rejects it. He then bares his love for Julia’s
mother, claiming that since they both are bereft of their mates and their own children will be leaving them soon,
they might as well get married. Juans, however, takes his proposal lightly, saying they’re too old for that.

Julia, in desperation to avoid marrying Miguel, urges Lucas to take her to the camp of Tenyong, but he fears
that they would not be able to find him as the rebels are always on the move. Lucas advices her to spurn Miguel
during the wedding ceremony, but Julia would not think of disobeying her mother, so she just leaves everything
to God.

The whole town turns out in festive mood to witness the wedding rites that will unite the scions of two
prominent families. As the bridal entourage prepares to enter the church, the rebels, led by their general, arrive.
Tenyong, heavily bandaged, is lying on a carabao sled. Upon seeing him, Julia becomes hysterical and, refusing
to enter the church, she attends to him. Her mother, also worried, asks the general to have a doctor examine
him. The doctor, after examining him, declares him on the verge of death, so the priest was summoned for the
last rites. The priest then announces the last request of the dying man that he be married to his childhood
sweetheart. Juana is shocked to learn of her daughter’s secret and scolds her for her deception. Miguel and his
father give their consent to this strange request for they know that Tenyong will expire very soon and the
original wedding can take place. Juana is also prevailed upon to give her blessings, so the new bridegroom, still
swathed in bandages, is brought to the side of Julia for the start of their wedding rites. As the priest is about to
begin the nuptials, Tenyong rises unexpectedly, removing his bandages. The crowd shouts in disbelief: “Walang
Sugat!”

IV. Analysis

The story Walang Sugat of Severino Reyes is about the love story of Tenyong, a young man that
belong to the low class family and joined the rebels after the death of his father, and Julia, a rich woman. As
you can see, this highlights the theory of marxism. They choose to keep their relationship in secret since they
both know that if they exposed it, the family of Julia will stop them because during that time, people have kept
in their mind that a rich woman is only for a rich man and vice versa. In this, I can say that it is awful and
complicated to love someone that doesn’t reach you family and the society standards. Loving someone is not
easy, what more if your social class is hindering you. Second, you could also apply realism because it tackled
the bravery and dedication of the Katipuneros or the local revolutionary army of the Philippines during the later
years of Spanish occupation. In addition, during that time arranged married, a type of marital union where the
bride and groom are selected by individuals other than the couple themselves, particularly by family members
such as the parents, is very timely. The family wants to keep and maintain their class that’s why for them it is
much better if their child will marry a rich person.

According to Wikipidea, Sarsuewala usually contains mga sitwasyon ng Pilipino na may

kinalaman sa mga kuwento ng pag-ibig at kontemporaryong isyu. I therefore conclude that Walang Sugat is a
good example of Sarsuwela because like what I’ve said, it showed the love story of Tenyong and Julia during
the Revolutionary Period where killings and war are very timely.

Overall, although I only read the summary and I haven’t watch it live, I can say that it is a very
interesting story.
V. References / Citation (APA)

Biography:

Did you know: Playwright Severino “Lola Basyang” Reyes (2012, February 09) Retrieved from:
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/142877/did-you-know-playwright-severino-%E2%80%9Clola-basyang
%E2%80%9D-reyes

Severino Reyes (2016, May 11) Retrieved from: https://infogalactic.com/info/Severino_Reyes

Severino Reyes (2019, October 15) Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severino_Reyes

Damon, K. (n.d.) Severino Reyes Biography Retrieved from:

https://www.academia.edu/31747629/Severino_Reyes_Biography

Summary:

Walang Sugat Summary (2014, October 12) Retrieved from:

http://walangsugatzarzuela.blogspot.com/2014/10/walang-sugat-summary.html

Sarsuwela:

Sarsuwela (2019, May 01) Retrieved from: https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarsuwela