Author
Manuel Estabillo Arguilla is a Ilocano writer in English. He was born on
June 17, 1911 in Nagrebcan, Bauang, La Union. Most of his stories
depict scenes in Barrio Nagrebcan, La Union. He studied at the
University of the Philippines, finished his BS in Education in 1993. He
secretly organized a Guerilla intelligence unit against the Japanese. On
August 5, 1944, he was captured and tortured by japanese army of
Fort Santiago. Here are his other literary works : How My Brother Leon
Brought Home a Wife, Heat, Morning in Nagrebcan, Ato, A Son is Born,
The Strongest Man.
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Characters
Major Characters
Manong
A young cart driver, Manong is a simple man who finds himself
captivated by Aiding's beauty. He is playful and easygoing, showing a
relaxed approach to life despite the harsh realities of his environment.
Manong's invitation for Ading to join him reveals a desire for deeper
connection, showcasing a yearning for companionship beyond the heat
of the summer day.
Ading
Aiding is a beautiful and graceful young woman. She's self-conscious
about her family's poverty. However, she connects with Manong,
showing kindness and respect.
Minor Characters
Ading's Family
Mother
Ading mentioned that her mother used to teach her laughing noises. In
the novel her mother is a memory to cherish, that becomes a way for
the two characters to have a great conversation.
Father
Ading mentioned that Manong laugh similary to her father, which
cleared a path for the two main characters to have a smooth
conversation.
2
Synopsis
The story revolved around a man named Manong and a woman named
Ading who accidentally met during summer. It happened in the rural as
evident with the bull, well, and dusty long road that was described in
the story. The story started with Manong whose riding his cart when he
suddenly saw Ading from afar. He was captivated with the beauty of
Ading to the point that he tried to follow her. At first, Ading suddenly
got lost but when Manong continued to follow the way where she went,
it led him to a well under a big mango tree and there he saw her again
filling her jar with water. But she leave after and he didn't have the
chance to talk to her. The story continued until Ading came back to fill
in water again in her jar and Manong asked her to join him with his
lunch but Ading refused. She accidentally spilled water in Manong's
food and from there, they started to become comfortable with each
other. He offered help to Ading in filling the jar again with water and
there she saw how masculine Manong is. At the end of the story, Ading
invite Manong to her home and he accepted the invite.
3
Culture
Manuel Arguilla's "Midsummer" depicts the rural Filipino life on a hot
summer day. An encounter between a man called "manong", his bull,
and a young woman called "ading" sparks a gentle conversation.
Filipino hospitality and respect for tradition shine through their
interaction. Sensory details evoke the sights, sounds, and feelings of
rural life. The story captures the essence of Filipino culture, valuing
community, respect, and harmony.
Reflections
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Midsummer might be read as a simple illustration, but when I reflected
on the story, I saw a comparison between the present generation and
past generations. Ading's hospitality, by inviting Manong to their house
with the consent of her parents, describes a typical way a dalagang
Filipina met a binata. This is undeniably comparable to our generation
where the traditional way of meeting someone is very different.
Manong's treatment of Ading with respect and kindness is also
[Link] is that human connection transcends social barriers.
Even amidst poverty and class differences, a spark of attraction and
understanding can exist. (Donna Cris Hernandez)
Upon reading 'Midsummer' by Manuel Arguilla, I reflected on the
inherent nature of being Filipino - our warmth and on how we treat that
enables us to effortlessly form connections with others. Hospitality
comes naturally to us, making us attract people and foster meaningful
relationships. The strangers' instant rapport in the story exemplifies
Filipino conviviality or being sociable or friendly highlighting our innate
inclination towards warmth, connection, to people in community.
(Aljeane Blazo)
As I reflect in the story, I notice that the story shows how a simple
meeting between two strangers can spark strong feelings of attraction.
It reminds us that attraction isn't the same as love, even though it can
feel powerful in the moment. The hot summer day reflects the intensity
of their emotions, which are sudden and unexpected. The brief
encounter leaves readers wondering what might happen next, showing
how life can be full of [Link] story teaches us that sometimes
feelings arise out of nowhere, and they can have a lasting effect on us.
(Princess Ericka Bacquel)
Upon reading this story I saw that it centers on the fleeting nature of
love and life. This story shows how human connections can be shaped
by the desire, time , and environment. It reveals the fragility of
moments and complexities of emotions. Another realization is a
acceptance of the limitations of human experiences. Also i saw that the
narrator’s relationship with the woman in the story serve as a way to
explore deeper questions of emotional vulnerability, self-awareness,
and the passage of time. (Nicole Padrones)
Manuel Arguilla's "Midsummer" highlights the Philippines' hot
temperatures and rural setting, highlighting the harshness and
simplicity of rural life. In the middle of their separate difficulties, the
interaction between Tia Ines and the unnamed man, the two major
characters, highlights a moment of unspoken understanding and
connection. Arguilla's expressive descriptions arouse feelings of
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longing and a brief moment of interpersonal relationships. The
narrative carefully examines themes of attraction, loneliness, and the
need for social interaction in human nature. In the end, "Midsummer"
is an emotional focus on the short yet significant moments that can
happen even in the most everyday circumstances. ( Mary Joy Santiago)