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Basilio's Christmas Eve Reunion

The chapter describes Basilio finding his mentally ill mother Sisa in the woods and bringing her to meet his foster family. An injured man named Elias is found and Basilio insists on helping save his life. Elias recovers and shares a moment with Basilio looking at the night sky. The author wrote an alternate version where Sisa and Elias survive, discussing how they could impact future events.

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Lyn Abuda
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43 views2 pages

Basilio's Christmas Eve Reunion

The chapter describes Basilio finding his mentally ill mother Sisa in the woods and bringing her to meet his foster family. An injured man named Elias is found and Basilio insists on helping save his life. Elias recovers and shares a moment with Basilio looking at the night sky. The author wrote an alternate version where Sisa and Elias survive, discussing how they could impact future events.

Uploaded by

Lyn Abuda
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Chapter 63: “Christmas Eve”

On Christmas Eve, Basilio sat outside the house of the family who adopted him
two months ago after they found him alone and injured in the woods. He watched the
two children who became his foster siblings play with no heavy thoughts running
through their minds unlike him. The two invited him to play with them when his foot
becomes well, but Basilio looks at them with sadness in response. He shifted to talk to
the old man who brought and took care of him and told him that he wanted to go back to
his old town and search for his mother. The old man was worried that it'll be hard for the
young boy to go given his condition, but after seeing the determination of the young
Basilio, he let him go and even offered meat as a gift for his mother. With permission,
Basilio then went to the town only finding out that his mother has become mentally ill. 

He went after his mother Sisa, who went to the woods, running away from people
chasing her, including him. Basilio cried for his mother and assured her that he is her
son. As they arrived at the gate that entrances to a tomb of an old Spaniard, Sisa tried
to lock herself while Basilio tried to find his way to enter it by climbing through a tree of
Balete. Due to his weak condition, as he has arrived at the top and call for his mother,
he passed out and fell. Sisa tried to run and catch her son. She managed to see him
clearly and stared at his face and there, it dawned on her that it was her son whom she
longed for. She cried and fell upon the boy, embracing him. When Basilio woke up, he
saw his mother lying beside him. He tried to call her with a soft voice. Basilio was
relieved and happy when her mother opened her eyes and was calm compared to what
happened a while ago. Basilio hugged her mother tightly and started weeping because
of longing and sadness that Crispin cannot be with them. Basilio told his mother about
what happened to him two months ago and about the man who helped him. Sisa’s
mental condition started to get better as if Basilio’s presence is the cure. In the middle of
Basilio’s stories, a wounded man covered with blood appeared in front of them. Basilio
immediately helped and assisted the man to sit down. Sisa cut a piece of cloth to clean
the man’s wound just like what she did to his sons when she saw them covered with
blood. The man was so weak, and they were worried because he is slipping away.
Basilio looked at the man and he was eager to save the man since he can’t stand
another death after his brother. He told Sisa to help him bring the wounded man to his
foster parent to save the man’s life. 

Elias opened his eyes and saw a boy sleeping near him. Elias tried to get up and
groaned when he felt his whole body aching, which woke up Basilio. Elias introduced
himself to the boy and found out that the boy’s name is Basilio. Basilio explained
everything that happened from the moment he and his mother found him until they
brought him to the man who adopted Basilio. While Elias was asleep, the man who
helped Elias told Sisa and Basilio that he has a gunshot wound and that he was lucky to
survive. Elias can’t explain how grateful he is. At nightfall, Elias sat down on a wooden
chair with a lamp on his side. He stared at the night sky full of stars, and he
remembered what happened to him. Elias was in his deep thoughts when Basilio sat
beside him. He thanked Basilio once again, and Basilio explained to Elias what
happened to Crispin and that he does not want anyone to die on his watch. Elias felt
sad for Basilio because he witnessed something that a young kid should've not
witnessed in the first place. Elias looked at the night sky and whispered just enough for
Basilio to hear, "Your brother and other people die without seeing the dawn brighten
over our native land. But we, who have it to see, welcome it—and forget not those who
have fallen during the night" Basilio keeps that in his mind, and together they watched
the night sky full of stars which made Basilio to realized that light will always shine even
during dark times.

Why you wrote it like that? 

In the original chapter sixty-three (Christmas Eve), Sisa and Elias will die at the
end of the chapter. In my alternate plot, they will survive, because Sisa and Elias can
bring big changes in the sequel. If Sisa was alive in the original one, Basilio would not
be involved in El Filibusterismo, and he will live peacefully with his mother. Another
thing, Basilio was just too young at that time, and he already lost his brother. I can’t
imagine the pain he will feel upon witnessing another death of a person, worst another
person who is close to his heart—his mother. For my alternate plot, Elias should not die
since he could have been an important figure in the later chapters of the novel, or even
in El Filibusterismo, especially in the revolution. It is evident in the previous chapter that
his and Ibarra’s ideas towards reformation are quite different. Elias is one of the
characters in the novel with a unique personality- he is dedicated to reformation and
freedom of his country, courageous, and although with minimal education, he was still
able to sharpen his intellect, far beyond awareness of the real situation of the society.
Thus, he could have made relevant actions in the later chapters. We don’t know if Elias
and Sisa were still alive in El Filibusterismo, the plan of Ibarra could have been a
successful one.

What message/value do you want your readers to have/understand in your


chapter? 

In my chapter, I want my readers to understand or convey a message basing on


the two characters, Elias and Sisa. In the whole novel, Sisa symbolizes the “Inang
Bayan”, and Elias symbolizes a true Filipino who remained strong, brave, and unbroken
despite the colonization of the Spaniards. In this chapter, we can see that Basilio
returned and made Sisa better just by seeing him, and Sisa being alive at the end of my
chapter meant that if we, Filipinos, will return from where we came from and took care
of it, we can make everything better and snatch it back to those who colonized it. We,
Filipinos, are the only ones who can make the Philippines great because this is our
motherland, we came from this land. The message that I want to convey by making
Elias alive is that even at the darkest times of our life most especially during our battles,
we have to remain strong, brave, and unbroken. We should become Elias in our ways;
we must be aware of societal events and issues and be part of solving the ills of society.
Furthermore, through Elias, I want to tell my readers that at the end of the day we will
just be amazed because we survive despite the pain that we experienced.

Common questions

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The imagery of the night sky filled with stars is used to reinforce themes of hope and resilience. As Elias and Basilio watch the sky, it symbolizes the persistence of light and hope even through dark times. This visual metaphor underscores the message that though the past has been fraught with darkness, there is always potential for clarity and renewal, mirroring the enduring spirit of the characters and their determination to survive and strive for a better future .

Sisa’s mental breakdown and subsequent recovery upon reuniting with Basilio serve as a potent metaphor for the Philippine colonial experience. Her initial state of mental illness symbolizes the profound disarray and trauma experienced by the nation under oppressive colonial rule. The healing she experiences, catalyzed by the return of her son—a symbol of hope and promise—reflects the possibility of national recovery and stability through the resurgence of Filipino identity and agency. The metaphor underscores that liberation and healing are possible when connected to one's roots and heritage .

In the alternate chapter, Sisa symbolizes 'Inang Bayan,' representing the nurturing yet suffering motherland under colonial rule. Her improvement upon being reunited with her son, Basilio, symbolizes hope and rejuvenation tied to the return and care of Filipinos for their country . Elias symbolizes the ideal Filipino who, despite adversities, stays courageous and committed to reform and freedom. His survival offers a message of strength and resilience, emphasizing the role of awareness and action in societal change. Together, they represent the connection between personal healing and national liberation .

Reconciliation is a central theme in "Chapter 63: Christmas Eve," where Basilio's reunion with Sisa symbolizes the mending of broken family ties and personal trauma. This act of coming together facilitates healing, as Sisa's mental condition improves in the presence of her son, indicating that reconciliation can restore peace and stability. On a broader level, the narrative hints at the potential reconciliation of national identity and personal histories, evoking a theme of holistic healing through understanding and reunification .

Basilio’s foster family offers him an immediate sense of support and care, reflecting themes of kinship beyond biological ties. Despite the security offered by his new family, Basilio's decision to search for his mother highlights a profound sense of belonging tied to familial roots and heritage. His struggle showcases the tension between his need for familial connection and his yearning to reclaim his past, illustrating the broader human quest for identity and emotional grounding amidst adversity .

By revising the fates of Sisa and Elias to survive, the author suggests a narrative exploration into themes of potentiality and the impact of minor alterations in personal histories. This choice signifies a world where past tragedies do not dictate future outcomes, thereby emphasizing the possibility of regeneration and new beginnings. It allows for the presentation of alternative histories where characters' survival could lead to significant societal changes, reflecting how their continued presence can influence reform and awakening at both personal and social levels .

Basilio embodies resilience through his determination to search for his mother despite his weak physical condition, highlighting his emotional strength and family loyalty. His journey back to his mother showcases his deep familial ties, as he overcomes physical and emotional struggles to reunite with her. His interaction with his mother Sisa, who becomes calmer and more mentally stable upon seeing him, reinforces the theme of family as a source of healing and support .

Elias’s actions and philosophies embody the essence of transformative leadership by advocating for societal reform and embodying the courage required to challenge existing norms. Despite personal hardships, his readiness to act for the greater good and inspire change through awareness and dedication underscores key facets of transformative leadership. Elias’s influence on Basilio, prompting him to consider deeper societal issues, reflects his leadership's transformative impact by motivating others to engage in meaningful societal dialogue and action .

The alternate ending where Sisa and Elias survive could significantly alter Basilio's character development in 'El Filibusterismo.' Without the trauma of losing his mother and potentially Elias, Basilio might not be as driven by vengeance and sorrow. Instead, his character could develop in a more positive and hopeful direction, focused on change and reform inspired by Elias's ideals rather than personal loss. His relationship with Sisa as a nurturing figure may foster a more compassionate and less conflicted outlook, influencing his actions and decisions in the sequel .

Elias's character is portrayed as a pragmatic and ideologically committed revolutionary who understands and supports reform for the freedom of his country. His education may be minimal, but his intellect and awareness of societal issues are profound, making him a critical thinker about social reform . In contrast, Ibarra's approaches may be more aligned with gradual change from within societal structures. The divergence lies in Elias's readiness to act directly against injustices based on a sense of urgency, while Ibarra might prefer a more gradual approach with an emphasis on systemic transformation .

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