PROLOGUE
DON FELIX GOMEZ is the town's richest and has long been living in a pointless yet ultra luxurious lifetyle. An undetermined malaise cause him to lose his appetite, feeling always fatigued. Parties and the company of others overwhelm him. After not getting a cure from the renowed medical specialist in many countries all over the world, he desperately seeks the opinion of the town physician Dr. Cassas.
Dr. Cassas, after some persistent prodding, comes up with a prognosis that Don Felix is living a life of a fraud[Mini in Visayan Language]. A life that looks enviable to all in the society but one that is actually directionless and empty. This shocks the young man but he resolves to meet the challenge of the good Doctor, that he changes his present lifestyle in order to find his true self. Only by existing solely through the sweat of his brow will he earn self-worth and a meaningful life.
Dr. Cassas, after some persistent prodding, comes up with a prognosis that Don Felix is living a life of a fraud[Mini in Visayan Language]. A life that looks enviable to all in the society but one that is actually directionless and empty. This shocks the young man but he resolves to meet the challenge of the good Doctor, that he changes his present lifestyle in order to find his true self. Only by existing solely through the sweat of his brow will he earn self-worth and a meaningful life.
A SMALL FISHING VILLAGE
Don Felix [now as Eling] stops at a seashore, tired and hungry. He looks like an empoverished migrant worker, looking for any menial job. He meets the family of the beautiful Mayang-the henpecked husband Alipio and his termegant wife Inka, with their guitar-strumming happy-go-lucky son Quintin.
Mayang is about to betrothed to slow-witted Gorio, son of Pascual, a moderate wealthy landlord. Despite her great reluctance, Mayang remains the obedient daughter and agrees to the coming engagement, solely arranged by the parents of both parties. Eling meanwhile finds a work as a manananggot[coconut toddy or tuba gatherer] in Pascual's coconut plantation. Over the months, he finds himself drawn to Mayang, with the pure heart that likes him for himself, not for what he has. She is the woman he has been looking for all his life.Mayang on the other hand, has been attracted to Eling from their first meeting.
Formal betrothat is about to take place, so Elingdelivers big jugs of tuba to Mayang's house for the event. He wants to tell her of his true feelings-that he loves her-but he refrains, as he nothing compared to the rich Gorio, who later finds them deep in conversation, Gorio gets angry, as two were forbidden by the older folks to get close to each other, much more to converse. He goes off to tell his Papa Pascual what he has just discovered. As hell breaks loose when Pascual barges in to the house of Alipio and Inka, hurling accusations.The betrothal is about to be cancelled, if not for the timely intervention of Dr. Cassas.
Pascual banishes Eling from the village, as the agreed dowry of carabao in exchange for Mayang's hand in marriageis being delivered to the house of the bride-to-be. That night, Eling secretly bids goodbye to his ladylove. Mayang in desperation expresses her love for him. The couple decides to elope.
Mayang is about to betrothed to slow-witted Gorio, son of Pascual, a moderate wealthy landlord. Despite her great reluctance, Mayang remains the obedient daughter and agrees to the coming engagement, solely arranged by the parents of both parties. Eling meanwhile finds a work as a manananggot[coconut toddy or tuba gatherer] in Pascual's coconut plantation. Over the months, he finds himself drawn to Mayang, with the pure heart that likes him for himself, not for what he has. She is the woman he has been looking for all his life.Mayang on the other hand, has been attracted to Eling from their first meeting.
Formal betrothat is about to take place, so Elingdelivers big jugs of tuba to Mayang's house for the event. He wants to tell her of his true feelings-that he loves her-but he refrains, as he nothing compared to the rich Gorio, who later finds them deep in conversation, Gorio gets angry, as two were forbidden by the older folks to get close to each other, much more to converse. He goes off to tell his Papa Pascual what he has just discovered. As hell breaks loose when Pascual barges in to the house of Alipio and Inka, hurling accusations.The betrothal is about to be cancelled, if not for the timely intervention of Dr. Cassas.
Pascual banishes Eling from the village, as the agreed dowry of carabao in exchange for Mayang's hand in marriageis being delivered to the house of the bride-to-be. That night, Eling secretly bids goodbye to his ladylove. Mayang in desperation expresses her love for him. The couple decides to elope.
THE MANSION OF DON FELIX GOMEZ
Eling brings his bride to his mansion,pretending that it is his close friend's home. The couple has gotten married the night before. Soon a wildered Mayang finds out from the equally bewildered named Azon that Eling is Don Felix Gomez, the owner of the mansion, after trailing the eloping couple all throughout the nigh. Inka demands the return of Mayang, but Eling explains that they are now maried. After recognizing Eling in his new elevated stature, they all ask for his forgiveness and welcome him to the family. Pascual with Gorio arrives a moment later, demanding the refund for his expenses on the betrothal.
It his happy conclusion when Mayang, resplendent in her ner new fineries as Mrs. Gomez, greets everyone.Eling then acknowledges the role of Dr. Cassas in his transformation from a mini[fraud] into a tawo ng tinuod [ a real man].
