Children of the City

byAmadisMa.Guerrero
(ForthenewsboysofManila,inthehopeofabetterlifeforthem.)
"SufferthelittlechildrentocometoMe...
THEfatheroftheboyVictorworkedonthewaterfrontandgotinvolvedinastrike,a
longdrawnoutaffairwhichhadtakenthefollowingcourse:Itbeganwithchargesthatthe
employeeswerenotbeinggivenajustcompensation,thatpartoftheirearningswere
beingwithheldfromthem,andthattheirrighttoformaunionwasbeingdisregarded.It
escalatedwiththesuddendismissal,forunstatedreasons,ofseveralworkers,givingrise
tofearsthatmorelayoffswouldbecarriedoutinthenearfuture.Thisledtoorganized
defiance,andthesettingupofpicketlines.Finally,onestiflingsummerevening,
violencebrokeoutonthepiersofthecityasthestrikerswerereceivingsandwichesand
softdrinksfromsympatheticoutsiders.
Victorhadbeen,andstillwas,tooyoungtounderstanditall.Butwhentheywereliving
inoneoftheshantiesthatstoodinIntramuros,hewouldfrequentlyoverhearsnatchesof
conversationbetweenhisparentsregardinghisfathersjob.Sobrana,hisfatherwould
say,wecannottakeitanymore.Naglalagaysila,theyaredeprivingusofourwages,and
theyevenhavethiscanteenwhichchargesuswhetherweeatthereornot.
Thenhismother'svoice,shrillandexcited,wouldcutin,urginghimtoswallowitall,
acceptwhatlittlewasgiventohimandstayawayfromthegroupsthatwantedtofight
back.Shespokebitterlyofthenewlyemergingunionsandthatpriestwithhiscohorts
andhisstudentvolunteerswhoweretryingtoorganizetheworkers.Victor'sfather
defendedthesegroups,sayingwereonlyprotectingthedockhands'interests.Youdon't
knowwhatit'slikeoutthere,hewouldsay,therehavebeenbeatings,andallsortsof
accidents.It'sadreadfulplacereally
Oncetheboyinterruptedthemandwantedtoknowwhatthediscussionwasallabout,
onlytobemetwitharebukefromhismother.Buthewasinsistent,theheatofthe
argumentstirringavaguefearwithinhim,andheaskedwhatacabowas.Todistract
him,hisfatherplayfullylaidholdofhimandhoistedhimoverhisshoulders(although
Victorwasgettingabitheavyforthissortofthing).Andthustheyhorsedaboutthe
house,orwhatpassedforit,tothetuneoftheboy'sdelightedshrieksandthecoldstares
ofhismother.

Occasionally,wheneverhewouldfindthetime,hisfatherwouldtakehimoutatnightfor
astrollalongtheBoulevard,tofeelthebreezeandtowalkgingerlyonthenarrow
embankment.Theplaceatthishourwoveitsspellaroundhim,akindofeerie
enchantment,andhewouldgazefascinatedatthemurkywatersgently,rhythmically
swirlingontheshore,andatthebeckoninglightsofCavite,andthrilltothemournful
blastofadepartingship.
Tatang,whereistheshipgoing?
Idon'tknow,Victor.Maybetotheprovinces.Maybetoanothercountry,afaraway
land.
Whenwillwebeabletotraveltoo?
Idon'tknow,whenwehavealittlemoney,perhaps.
Thewhistleoftheship,whichseemedtobeabigliner,soundedoncemoreasitsteamed
outoftheharborandheadedinthedirectionoftheSouthChinaSea.Arminarminthe
darknesspunctuatedonlybyafewinsufficientlights,fatherandsontriedtomakeoutthe
dimoutlinesteadilymovingawayfromthem.Thentheshipfadedintotheshadows,and
itswhistlesoundednomore.
LatertheystrolledonthepromenadeandmadetheirwayslowlytotheLuneta,wherehis
fatherboughthimsomechicharon.
Theparkwasdimlylitandillkept,andastheypassedbytheRizalmonumentthey
noticedanumberofroughlookingmenlurkingaboutinitsvicinity.Twowomen,
dressedgaudilyandunawareoftheirpresence,wereapproachingfromanotherdirection.
Astheyneared,themenunloosedavolleyofwhistles,yellsandtaunts.Thenstoneswere
flung,triggeringscreamsandcursesfromthetwo.Victorwasstartledathearingtheir
voices,which,thoughhighpitched,soundeddistinctlymasculine.
Hisfatherhurriedlyledhimawayfromthescene,andtohispuzzledqueriesrepliedthat
itwasnothing,justaquarrel,anincident.Asanafterthought,heobservedthatthepark
hadnotalwaysbeenlikethis,thatonceinthedistantpastithadbeenacleanand
picturesqueplace.
Maybeitwillbecomebeautifulagaininthefuture...
Aweekafterthisthedockstrikematerialized.Itwascalledagainstashippingfirm
followingthebreakdownofnegotiations.Thepicketdraggedon,withthestrikersand

theirfamiliessubsistingonfundsraisedbystudent,laborandcivicspiritedelements.
Andthetideseeminglybegantofavorthestrikers,forsoonthecaseattractednational
attention.
Victor'sfatherwouldreturnhomelateatnightfromthemarathonpicketmannedin
shifts,exhaustedbutexcited,andbrimmingoverwithenthusiasmforthecause.His
mothermadenocomment,herprotestshavinglongsubsidedintoasullensilence.
Studentsandunionistsdrummeduppublicsupportfortheworkers,organizingdrivesfor
them,detailingtheirplightinpamphletsandpressinterviews.Theyreinforcedthepicket
lines,heldralliestoboosttheirmoraleanddistributedfoodandmoney.Andtheshipping
management'shaughtinessturnedtoconcernandthentodesperation...
ONEevening,fourmonthsafterthestrikebegan,thesilenceofthepierswasbrokenby
therumbleofsixbysixtrucks.Therewerethreeofthem,andtheywereheadingstraight
forthepicketlines.Ashotrangout,reverberatingthroughthenight,thenanotheranda
third.
Panicspreadthroughtheranksofthestrikers,andafewstartedtorunaway.Callsbythe
activiststostandfast,however,steadiedthemajority,whostoodrootedonthespot
followingtheinitialwaveoffearandshock.Easylang,easylang,theywon'tdarecrash
through.Butthehugevehiclesadvancedinexorably,andastheyneared,akindof
apocalypticfitseizedthreepicketerswho,propelledbythemonthsandyearsof
exploitation,chargedrightintotheonrushingtrucks.
Amidscreamsandyells,thebarricadeswererammed.Andthescoresofstrikersfellupon
the6by6sloadedwithgoonsinafury,uncaringnowastowhathappenedtothem.They
swarmedoverthetrucks,forcedopenthedoorsandfoughtbackwithstones,placardsand
barefists,asmoregunssounded.
Thentheharborpolicemovedin,andassuddenlyasitbegan,thespasmofviolence
ended.Themoansoftheinjuredmingledwiththestridentordersoftheauthoritiesto
replacethenoiseofcombat.Inadditiontothethreewhohadbeenranover,twoother
menhadbeenshottodeath.OneofthemwasVictor'sfather,andhispictureappearedon
thefrontpageofonenewspaper.Itshowedhimspreadeagledontheground,eyesstaring
vacantly,withastainonhisbreast.
Laterthatevening,thenewswasrelayedtoVictor'smother,andshefellintohysterics.
Hercriesbetrayednotonlyanguishbutfuryandfrustrationaswell,andlearningofhis
father'sdeathandseeingandhearinghismotherthus,Victor,eightyearoldVictor,
coweredintheshadows.

Neighborstookcareofhimthatnight,butinthemorninghemanagedtoslipout,andhe
madehiswaytotheBoulevard,oncetherewalkingaboutaimlessly.Heheardthecallof
newsboysgoingabouttheirjob,andunknownfearsbegantotugathim.Atanewsstand
intheErmitadistricthisglancefellonthephotoofhisfather,andhestaredatitlongand
hard.Itwasthefirsttimehehadpaidsuchcloseattentiontoanewspaper.
Victor'sfatherwaslaidtorestthreedayslateratthecrowdedcemeterytothenorth.His
fellowworkershadpassedthehataround,andalthoughtheamountcollectedwas
meager,contributionsfromtheunionorganizersandtheirsupportershadmadepossible
thefairlydecentburial.Hismothersobbedallthroughouttheceremony,andbrokedown
noisilywhenthetimecameforafinallookatherhusband.Theboystoodatherside,
subdued.Asthecoffinwasbeinglowered,hefeltlikecallingouttohis
father,tatang,tatang,buttheimpulsedieddown,sweptasidebythecopioustearsofhis
mother.Itwasabright,clearday.Ontheavenidaextension,theearlymorningtrafficwas
formingandthesoundofcarhornsintrudedintotheplacewherethemournerswere
gathered.
Notlongafterhisfather'sdeath,Victor,athirdgraderdroppedoutofschool,andplans
weremadetoemployhimasanewsboywiththehelpofanunclewhowasanewspaper
agent.Hismother,whohadgottenintothehabitofdisappearingintheafternoonsand
returninghomeearlyintheevening,pointedoutthathewashealthyandactive,though
lackingsomewhatinaggressiveness.Surelythiscouldbeeasilyacquiredoncehewas
thrownoutintothefield?
Onedayshebroughtwithheraman,astrangerwithafowlbreathwhoswayedfromside
toside,andintroducedhimtoVictorasyournewtatang.Theboydidnotrespondto
him,thinkingsomejokehecouldnotcomprehendwasbeingplayedonhim.Andinthe
daysthatfollowedheavoidedasmuchaspossibleallcontactwiththeinterloper.This
man,unkemptinappearance,seemedtobeeverythinghisfatherwasn't.Foronethinghe
wasalwayscursing(hisfatherhaddonesoonlywhenangry,andkeptthisataminimum
wheneverVictorwasaround.)Andinhisfriendliermomentshewouldbeckontotheboy'
andsaywantthis,sioktong?insuchafalsettotonethatVictorcoldlylookedaway.At
nightheheardstrangesoundsbehindthepartition,accompaniedbyhismother'sgiggling
andtheman'scoarselaughter,andhefeltliketakingapeek,butsomeinstinctheldhim
back.Hewasdisturbednoend.
Onemorningaweekafterthemanmovedin.Victorwokeuptofindhimgone,along
withhismother.Intheirsteadstoodhisagentuncle,TioPedring,whosaidhismother
hadgoneonalongvacation,andamidassurancesthatshewouldcomebacksoon,
informedtheboythathewastostarttoworkimmediatelyasacourierforthenewspaper

hewasconnectedwith.It'seasy,TioPedringsaid,andforthwithbriefedhimonhis
duties.
Hewastoreportattheplanteverynightat9o'clock,waitforthefirstedition,which
cameoutat11p.m.,andobservetheroutine.Hewastosleeprightoutsidethecirculation
offices,andthenawakenbefore4a.m.,forthatwasthetimethecityeditionwasmade
available.Anumberofcopies,perhaps15or20,wouldthenbeturnedovertohim,andit
wasuptohimtodistributetheseintheBlumentrittarea.TioPedring,hismother'solder
brotherandathinmanwithanervoustic,gavehimthenamesandaddressesof10
regularcustomers,andsaidthatitwasuptohimtodevelop,hisowncontactssoasto
disposeofftherestofthenewspapersallotted.Whenhewasoffduty,Victorcouldstay
inhisuncle'sBlumentrittplace,andforeverynewspaperhesoldhewouldgetthree
centavos.Nomentionwasmadeofresumingtheboy'sinterruptedschooling.
THATeveningattheappointedhourhewentovertothenewspaper'sbuildinglocatedin
thedowntownsection,andwasgreetedbythesightofscoresofragged,barefooted
newsboysswarmingbeforethedispatcher'ssection.Afewwerestretchedoutonthe
pavement,asleeponkartonsthatservedastheirbed,whileotherswerehavingtheir
supper,bibingkaandsoftdrinks,fromtheturoturothatcateredtothem.Themajorityjust
milledaround,groupedtogetherintightbunchesplayingtheircrudegameofcheckers,or
simplyloafing,awaitingthecalltoduty.Thenoiseoftheirconversation,loudandharsh
andpunctuatedbywordslikeputangina,filledthenewspaper'sbuilding.
Inreplytohishesitantqueries,theguarddirectedhimtothedistributingcenter,astifling,
enclosedplaceadjoiningtheprintingpresses.Victorentered,knowingthatthenotice
whichsaidunauthorizedpersonskeepout
Ourworkhereisrush,rush,rush.You'vegottobelisto.
Victornodded,then,dismissed,madehiswaybackoutside,wherethechillofthe
eveninghadreplacedtheheatoftheplant.Amoodofforebodingdescendeduponhim,
likeapall.Hewashungry,buthadnomoney,andsocontentedhimselfwithwatching
theothernewsboys.Hewantedtominglewiththem,buttheydidn'tseemtobevery
friendly.Adilapidatedicecreampushcartstoodatoneendofthecorner,andtothisthe
urchinswentfortheiricecreamsandwiches,consistingofoneortwoscoopstuckedinto
hotdogandhamburgersizedbread.BesideitwasaMagnoliacart,patronizedby
outsiders.
Oneboystoodoutfromamongthethrong.TheotherscalledhimNacio,andlikeallof
themheworeadirtyTshirtandfadedshortpants,andhadgalissoresonhislegs,but
cheerfulnessemanatedfromhimandheseemedtoenjoyameasureofpopularityamong

hiscompanions.UponnoticingVictorwatchingfromthesidehedetachedhimselffroma
groupandofferedhimacigarette.
Surprised,Victordemurred,andsaidhedidnotknowhowtosmoke.Nacioshruggedhis
shoulders,asiftosayhindibale,thenaskedifVictorwasnewonthejob.Upon
receivingareplyintheaffirmative,henoddedinsatisfactionandtoldtheothertolearn
fromhim,forhewouldteachhimthetricksofthetrade,suchashowtokeepasharpeye
outforcustomers,howtoswiftlyboardabusorjeepandalightfromitwhilestillin
motion,andsoon...
Nacioinvitedhimtoeat,butagainVictordeclined,sayinghehadnomoney.
Hindiproblemayan!theirrepressibleNaciosaid,Sige,I'llpayforyou.Heturned
totheturoturoowner:Hoy,AlingPacing!PianonoatCokengaho!Willyougivemea
discount?AlingPacingonlylookeddowncoldlyattheboy,andgruntednodiscount
foryou.Nodiscountforanyofyou
NaciowinkedatVictorashepaid,tooktherollsanddrinks,andhandedovertotheother
hisshare.Victorwolfeddownthepianono,althoughitdidn'ttastetoonew,anddrank
withdeepsatisfactionwhilehiscompanionchatteredon,regalinghimwithhis
experiencesasacarrierandhisabilitytoskillfullydodgeinandoutoftraffic.He
disclosedthatoncehehadbeensideswipedbyacar,butescapedonlywithafew
scratches,andboasted:I'mthefastestnewsboyinManila.Victormarveledathisluck
infindingsuchafinefriend.
Asthetimeforthereleaseofthefirsteditionneared,anairofexpectationmaterialized
outsidetheplant.Thenewspaper'strucksandvansstoodinreadiness.Thenewsboys
grewinnumberandbegantoformadensemass.Theirconversationbecamelouder,
moreexcited,andtheirhorseplayrougher.Shortlyafter11p.m.ateamofdispatchers
emergedwiththeinitialcopies,theinkofthepressesstillwarmonthem,andwas
greetedbyyellsofanticipation.Astampedefollowed,andVictornotedthatforevery
bundleturnedovertoanewsboy,onedistributorjotteddownonapieceofpaperthe
numberallottedtohim.
Theclamorgrewastheboysdashedoutofthebuildingandsurgedintothedarkened
streets.Theywerelikeschoolchildrenbeingletoutforrecess.Thenoisecontinued,then
subsidedafterafewminutes,withthelasturchinscamperingaway.Thenighttime
silencereturnedoncemoretothearea,brokenonlybyoccasionalshoutsofthemen
loadingthemainbulkoftheprovincialeditionintothetrucks,thetootofpassing
motorist'shornandthesoundoflaughterfromdrunkardsinthesarisaristoreinfront.

Victorsettledhimselfonthepavement,anddespitethehardgroundhefelttiredand
sleepy.Heusedhisrightarmasapillow,andthoughtbrieflyabouthisfather,hismother
andthemanshehadtakenupwith,TioPedringandtheday'sevents,beforesleep
claimedhim.
Heawakenedseveralhourslater,joltedbythenoiseofthesecondwaveofnewsboys
gatheringforthecityedition.Gingerlyhestretchedhiscrampedarmsandlegs,peered
abouthimandshivered,forithadgrownmuchcolder.HekeptaneyeoutforNacio,
althoughhefeltsurehewouldnotcomebackanymoretonight.Hecouldrecognize,
though,someofthefacesinthecrowd.
Thesameproceduretookplaceat4a.m.,itwaslikeareelbeingretaken.Theroutinewas
nowfamiliartoVictor,butwithadifference.Thistimehewasaparticipantinthe
activities,andhefoundhimselfcaughtupintheexcitement.Allwearinessgonefrom
him,hespedawayinthecompanyofhiscolleagues,holdingontightlytohisrationof15
copies.Exhilarationcoursedthroughhim,andheranandran,stoppingonlywhenhe
reachedtheavenida.Theothershadscatteredindifferentdirections,andthestreet
stretchedawayendlessly,virtuallydevoidoftraffic.Itsstoreshadlongcloseddownfor
thenight,andonlyafewneonsignsglowed.
Hebegantowalkslowly,sobernow,hisresponsibilitiesheavyonhim.Hisdestination
wasBlumentritt.AshecrossedAzcarraga,ataxisloweddown,anditspassengercalled
outtohim.Tremblinglyhehandedoverapaper,andreceived15centavosinturn.His
veryfirstsale!Hisspiritssoaredanew...perhapsitwasn'tsodifficultafteralltosella
newspaper.Thisimpressionwasbolsteredwheninamatterofminuteshemadetwo
moresales,tocustomersatasmall,allnightrestaurant.
Itwasstilldarkwhenhearrivedatthedistrict,andthefirstthingheheardwasthe
whistleofthetrainwhichpassedthroughtheplaceeveryevening.Hereactedinthesame
wayhehadtothefoghornblastsoftheshipsalongtheBoulevard.
Hesetaboutreconnoiteringthearea,togetthefeelofit,andtookoutthelistTioPedring
hadgivenhim.Herecalledhisuncle'swords:
You'relucky.Notallnewcomershavemgasukiwhentheybegin,andtheyhaveto
returnsomanycopiesatfirst.Tambaksila.Thecustomersincludedadressmaker,a
barber,asmallpharmacist,andabeautician.AndtotheirplacesVictoreventuallymade
hisway,slippingthenewspapersunderdoors,intomailboxes,andtheaperturesof
padlockedsteelgates.
Soonitgrewlight,andmorejeepneysbegantoplytheirroutes,asbusesappeared,bound

forSantaCruzandGracePark.Thesignsofactivityintheneighborhoodmarket
increasedwhilethesmallparishchurchnearitremainedclosed,silentanddeserted.
Youngscavengers,wornoutfrompokingallnightamongtrashcans,sleptinsidetheir
pushcarts.Pilesofgarbagestoodonseveralstreetsandalleyways.
Victormadenoothersalesthatday,andhereturnedtotheplantwiththreeunsold
newspapers.Heturnedthemoverapologetically.Theoneinchargenowshrugged,then
notedthathehadnotdonebadlyforafirstnight'swork.Headdedthatheexpected
Victortoimproveinthefutureandequaltheothernewsboys,whoalwayscomplained
thattheirallotmentwasnotenough.Thedispatchersaid:Ournewspaperissikat.By
noonweareallsoldoutinthenewsstands.
Onhissecondnightonthejob,Victorwassetuponbyagroupofstreetboyshisage,
whosprangupfromoutoftheshadowsandbegantobeathimup.Hemanagedtoflee
fromthesceneinterror,leavingbehindallhisnewspapers.Forthishewasroundly
cursedbyhisuncle,whopromisedtotakeitoutonhisearningsforthenextfewdays.
Hetooktohauntinghisbeatevenduringthedaytimeandbecamefriendswiththelittle
people,thevendors,thesellersofpeanuts,kalamansi,coconutsandpigs,thegrocery
employees,themarketdenizens,themodistasandshopowners,andevensomeof'the
patrolmen.Throughhisconstantpresenceinthearea,hewasabletofindadditional
regularcustomers,andnomoredidhehavetoreturnunsoldcopies.Atnighthewent
abouthistaskswithrenewedconfidence,andwhenthroughhewouldrestinfrontofthe
localbank.Graduallyhelosthisfearofthugs.
Thoughhisworkimproved,hisrelationswiththeothernewsboysdidn't.Nacioremained
hisonlyfriend,andwheneverhewasaroundtheothersletVictoralone.Hecouldn't
makethemoutatall,withtheirroughgamesandharshtongues,theirsmokingandtheir
constantbaiting.Atonetimehewasjoltedawakefromthedreamlesssleepbythe
concertedyellsofthenewsboys,whowerehurlingmissiles,withthedriversreactingby
merelysteppingonthegas,andthepassengerscoweringinalarm.Theguardswhosejob
itwastobreakupthesethingsdidnotseemtobearound.Noonecouldgivean
explanationforthesuddenoutburst.
VICTORwaseventuallyallowedtosellbotheditionsofthepaperandhisdailyquota
wasincreasedto20.Soonhewasmakingaboutthreepesoseveryday,sometimesmore.
HisbeatlateatnightwastransferredtotheBoulevarddistrict,wherehepeddledthe
provincialeditiontonightclubbersandcocktailloungers.Intheearlyhoursofthe
morninghewoulddistributethecityeditiontohisBlumentrittcustomers.TioPedring
expressedsatisfactionwithhisdevelopment,andgrantedtheboymoredecent
accommodationsandbetterfoodathisresidence.

Victorsettleddownintotheroutine,whichwouldbelivenedupsometimebybigevents,
likeanearthquake.Duringsuchoccasionsthelaborforcewouldswell,augmentedby
nowinactiveboyswhohadgraduatedtootherfieldsofendeavor,likepickpocketingand
thewatchyourcarbusiness.InJanuarythePressClubhelditsannualpartyinhonorof
newsboys,andVictorandNacioalongwithmanyothers,attended.Therewereballoons,
softdrinksandcookies.Naciokeptstuffingtheseintohispockets,tothegreat
amusementofVictor,whowastemptedtodothesame,buttheredidn'tseemtobe
enougharound.
Thatwasthelasttimethetwospenttogether.WithinaweekNaciomethisdeath
violently;hehadbeenrunoverbyacarwhilerecklesslychargingintothestreet
followingthereleaseofthefirstedition.Thefollowingafternoon,thissignstoodatthe
cornerleadingtothenewspaperbuilding:SLOWDOWNNEWSBOYSCOMINGOUT.
Victorgrievedforhisfriend,andfromthattimeonhebecameevenmoretaciturnand
withdrawn.
HEavoidedtheBoulevardbynight,withitsmotionlessships,itsneckingcouples,jagged
embankmentandswayingtrees,andstucktothewellpopulatedareas.Thebardistrictin
thesouthernpartofthecitybegantoattracthim,andfortifiedbyhissheafofnewspapers,
whichwaslikeabadgeofdistinctionforhim,hewouldstareexpressionlesslyatthe
paintedgirlsposingbeforethedoorwaysunderthegarishneonsigns,atthecustomers
brieflyeyeingthembeforegoingin,andatthewelldressedbouncers.
Onthisparticulareveningthebarswerefilledwithforeignsailors,foramilitaryexercise
wastobeheldwithinafewdays.Redfacedandgrinning,thefaircomplexionedseamen
madetherounds,boisterous,arminarmsometimes,andswayingfromsidetoside(they
remindedVictorofthemanwhohadreplacedhisfather).Helmetedmen,withMParm
bands,stoodinfrontofsomeofthecocktaillounges.
Victorapproachedoneofthedivesand,gettinganodfromthebouncer,whosawhewas
anewsboy,madehiswayin.Itwasalmostpitchdarkinside,andittookafewminutes
forhiseyestogrowaccustomedtothecavernlikeatmosphere.Hostessesandsailors
weregroupedaroundthesmalltables,drinking,talkingandlaughingshrillywhilea
combobeltedoutpulsatingmusicandasingerstrainedtomakeherselfheardabovethe
din.Somecoupleswerepawingeachother.
Heapproachedagroupnoisilydrinking,andtuggedatthesleevesofonesailor.
Youbuynewspaperfromme,sir.Sigena,Joe.

Theotherpeeredathiminsurprise,thenguffawedloudly,andwavedhimaway.Hesaid
thicklyBeatit,Flipboy!
Victorstoodrootedonthespot.Hedidn'tunderstandthewords,butthegesturewas
unmistakable.Somehostessesstartedgigglingnervously.Hewasabouttoturnawayin
angerandhumiliationwhenanotherseaman,blondeandcleanshaven,gentlylaidahand
overhimWaitaminute,sonny.Thenhedippedintohispocketandhandedover
somethingtoVictor.Here,takeit,it'syours.Haveagrandtimewithit.
Victorthankedhimautomatically,andwentoutswiftly.Helookedatthepaperbillsin
hishandandsawthattheytotaledtwopesos,practicallyanight'sworkforhim...andthe
pallthathaddescendedoverhimforweekswassuddenlylifted,likeaveil.Hefelt
liberated,renewed.Hewantedtosingout,toshoutanddanceabout.Andhebeganto
run,joyspurringhimon.
Laterthatnightherecountedtheincidenttohissurprisedcolleagues,whohadneverseen
himthisgarrulousbefore.Heelaboratedonthestory,enrichingitwithimaginarydetails,
andtransformeditintoataleofdanger,excitementandexoticdrama.Asaclincher,he
proudlyshowedoffhismoney,realizinghismistakeinthenextinstant.Butitwastoo
late.Theothersbegantoadvancetowardhim,encirclinghim.Theirwordswereflungat
himlikestones:
Whyaren'tyoulikeus?
Whydon'tyousmoke?
Whydon'tyoucurse?
Sayputangina.
Victordrewback,frightened.WithachillherememberedthetimetheBlumentrittboys
hadgangeduponhim.Idon'tsaywordslikethat.
Sayit!
Allright,allright,putangina.Buttheephitetcarriednoconviction,andherepeatedit,
strongerthistime.Theboyslaughedinderision,andgaveoutamirthlesskindofcheer.
Afterutteringthewords,Victorcouldnolongercontrolhimself.Hebeganscreamingall
kindsofcurses,andhehurledhimselfbodilyuponthem,kicking,hitting,screaming,in
thegripofafuryhehadnotknownexistedwithinhim.

Withagreatshout,theothersfelluponhim.Newsboyssleepingonthegroundwokeup
inalarm,thenightcirculationpeoplelookedaroundinconsternation,andtheturo
turoownerscreamed.Themeleecontinueduntilashoutingsecurityguardrushedinand
roughlybrokeitup.HeledVictoraway,andwasabouttointerrogatehimwhentheboy,
whohadsustainedsomecutsandbruises,brokefreeofhisgraspandfledintothenight.
Heroamedthestreets,thebywaysanddarkenedalleysoftheteemingdistrict.Hepassed
bychildrenhisagescroungingaroundtrashcans,anddingymotelswherecoupleswent
inandout.Onesmallrestaurant,afocalpointofexcitementduringthedaytimewhenthe
racingresultswereposted,nowstoodsilentandalmostempty,abouttoclosedown.His
faceandbodyachedfromtheblowshehadreceived,andatrickleofbloodstreamed
downhisnostrils.HewipedthisonhisTshirt.Heseemedtobeingoodshapeotherwise,
andhefeltreliefthatthefighthadbeenstoppedintime.Histhoughtsflewbackand
forth.Hepromisedhimselfthathewouldnevergobacktotheplant,buthisresolvesoon
begantoweaken.Hewasatalossastowhattodo.
Aroughvoicetohisrightdrewhisattention,andasheturnedintoanarrowsidestreet
leadingtotheavenida,hesawapolicemanbendingoveramansprawledonaheap,and
apparentlyasleep.Theofficerkeptonshakingthefellow,whofailedtorespond.Then,
cursing,hehithimwithhisnightstick,asVictorwatched...
HEreportedforworkthefollowingevening,preparedforanything.Butnothing
untowardhappened.Lastnight'sincidentseemedtohavebeenforgotten,andtheothers
madenoreferencetoit.Thenoneoftheboys,whomVictorrecognizedasaringleader,
wentovertohimand,apparentlyasakindofpeaceoffering,heldoutacigarette.Victor
hesitated,thensaidhe
didn'tsmoke.
Theothersbegantoformaroundhimanew,butthistimetheirattitudewasoneof
curiosityratherthanofmenace.
Sigena,takeit.Itisverynicetosmoke,anditiseasy.Allyouhavetodoistakeadeep
breath,thenexhaleslowly.
AndVictor,hislastdefensesdown,leanedforwardandwearilyacceptedthecigarette,
whilearoundthemswirledthelifeofthecity:thiscity,flushedwithtriumphantcharity
campaigns,whereworkersweremadetosignstatementscertifyingtheyreceivedthe
minimumwage,wheremillionairepoliticiansreceivedHolyCommunioneverySunday,
wheremotherstaughttheirsonsanddaughterstheartofbegging,whereorphansand

childrenfrombrokenhomessleptonpavementsandunderdarkenedbridges,andwhere
bestfriendsfelloutandbetrayedoneanother.
Summary
"Children of the City" is a short story written by the Filipino contemporary author,
Amadis Ma. Guerrero.
The story is about the life of Victor, an eight year old boy whose father was involved in
a company menace because of unjust salaries and compensations. His father joined the
employee's strike and there he met his death when he was shot by the police officers
managing the chaos in the strike. Victor was shocked to know the sudden death of his
father on a newspaper. He and his mother were in deep pain upon hearing his father's
death.
Soon, her mother had a new husband. She left Victor to his older brother. There, he
was trained to be a newspaper boy in the dangerous streets of Avenida. He met there
many children doing just like what he is. In those dark street he learned how to cursesay bad words and smoke cigarette because he was influenced by a group of
unmannered teenagers. He found himself alone in the street, sometimes being beat up
by bullies.
The story ended when the author realized how cruel the world is...
"... And Victor, swirled the life of the city: this city, flushed with triumphant charity
campaigns, where workers were made to sign statements certifying they received
minimum wage, where millionaire politicians received Holy Communion every Sunday,
where mothers taught their sons and daughters the art of begging, where orphans and
children from broken homes slept on pavements and under darkened bridges, and
where best friends fell out and betrayed one another."
Read
more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Summary_of_children_of_the_city_by_amadis_ma_G
uerrero#ixzz22XNs8spp