Where We Work
ShareThisShare this page with a friend or add it to Del.icio.us, DIGG, Reddit, and more.
Sa Pagsikat Ng Araw - Tune In
The four stories were as follows:
STORY LINE #1. Women’s Status
The first story line revolves around the trials, tribulations and (eventual) transformation of Amelia, who is married to Miguel, an abusive husband with vices such as drinking, gambling, and womanizing. Submissive, sacrificing and tolerant, Amelia (a transitional character) experiences domestic violence, but continues to stay on with Miguel (a negative character), caring for her four children and hoping that someday he will change. A local woman chieftain, Kapitana Pilar (a positive character), supports Amelia emotionally and provides opportunities for Amelia’s socio-economic empowerment by hiring her as a supervisor in her seaweed farming business. With the wages she earns, Amelia is able to send her children to school and save a little money for a rainy day. With Miguel’s behavior worsening, and refusing to bear any more abuse, Amelia moves in to Kapitana Pilar’s house with her children. Miguel promises to change, they reconcile for a while, and when Miguel returns to his abusive behaviors, Amelia decides to take more control of her life. She becomes a seaweed trader and launches her own business in food delicacies; as a result, she becomes economically self-sufficient. Miguel, on the other hand, suffers the consequences of his wrongdoings. He is stabbed by the relative of a prostitute whom he impregnated and abandoned. He then loses his arm while dynamite fishing (an illegal activity). In the culmination of the drama, Amelia finds out that she is the long lost daughter of Kapitana Pilar.
STORY LINE #2. Family Planning
The second story line revolves around the life of a Muslim character, Ahmed, a hardworking, industrious, and loving man, and his wife Jezreel, who together have six daughters. While Ahmed (a transitional character) gives up hope of ever having a son, his mother, Epang (a negative character), insists on more children. Epang is a traditional midwife in the barrio, and she encourages all residents to continue having children, as her livelihood depends on it. Epang’s antithesis is Dr. Lazaro (a positive character), a kind widower and trained medical doctor, who often treats patients for free and promotes family planning. Epang hates Dr. Lazaro and looks for any opportunity to discredit him. When a storm devastates Ahmed’s crops, Epang refuses to lend her son money, but Dr. Lazaro steps in, making Ahmed a business partner in agriculture. Epang tries to burn their crop, but instead ends up burning down her own house. Meanwhile, Jezreel is pregnant again, and an ultrasound shows that, finally, a boy is on the way. However, just before birth, Jezreel develops pre-eclampsia, a life-threatening condition. Ahmed has to choose between saving the life of his wife or the life of the unborn baby boy. He chooses Jezreel’s life. Through this event, Ahmed begins to more fully appreciate his daughters, and the importance of his wife’s reproductive health.
STORY LINE #3. HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, and Support
The third story line centers on Jeff Lazaro (a transitional character), a popular basketball player, and his friend and fellow basketball player, Vince (a positive character). Jeff is known to be careless about sex and girls, while Vince, who is even more popular, is a one-woman-man. Estella Roman (a negative character), an actress-singer, is obsessed with Vince, but Vince is faithful to his girlfriend, Esther, and not tempted by Estella, even after he and Esther break up. Jeff Lazaro, on the other hand, is in love with Estella, and because Estella is non-discerning about sex like Jeff, they have a one night stand. To break into the movie industry, Estella, meanwhile, has been sleeping around with film producers, one of whom is infected with HIV.
When Jeff learns that Estella is HIV positive he opts to be tested and finds out that he is also HIV-positive. He undergoes counseling and is put on a regimen of anti-retroviral drugs. He is also careful about his daily nutrition and exercise. His father, Dr. Lazaro, his family, and his circle of friends still treat him compassionately. Jeff’s childhood sweetheart, who has been in love with Jeff since they were children, and with whom he has a baby, still loves him, despite his sickness, and cares for him. They get married and live a fairly normal life. However, when Estella learns about her HIV-infection, she has a different experience. She becomes a loner; fearful and afraid of being seen by others. Her family disowns her, and her friends disappear. Her health fails until she is next to death.
STORY LINE #4. Youth Health and Responsibility
The fourth story line revolves around the life of Paula (a transitional character), who is Eliza’s younger sister, and who envies her elder sister for her looks, talents, and admirers. Eliza (a positive character) is a youth leader and advocate for youth issues. Joaquin (a negative character), the rogue son of the town’s Mayor, likes Eliza, but Paula, envious of her sister’s suitors, seduces Joaquin. Joaquin is a very bad influence on Paula. He teaches Paula many vices, including use of illicit drugs, resulting in Paula dropping out of school, and running away from home. When Joaquin is jailed, Paula goes to the city to compete in a prestigious teenage TV talent contest. She does well but does not win the contest, as the organizers find out that she is a drug user. Unable to make ends meet in the city, Paula returns to her family, rehabilitates herself, and resumes her studies. She becomes the top student in her school as she models the life of a responsible Filipino youth.
