NAME: Kaye A.
Barroga DATE: February 20, 2025
COURSE & YR: BSED-FILIPINO 4 GREAT BOOKS
PORK EMPANADA
BY TONI PEREZ
ELEMENTS OF THE STORY
PLOT:
EXPOSITION: The story starts in Katipunan, where 6-year-old Bototoy can usually be seen.
He has a shaved head, lively round eyes, round cheeks, a constant smile, and rabbit-like
front teeth. Bototoy becomes a "watch-your-car" boy in front of Frankie's Steaks and
Burgers. He has eleven siblings, but Nining is his favorite. Despite earning very little, he
always buys Nining a small present. One notable specialty at Frankie's is the ₱10.50
Frankie’s Special Meat Pie, which catches the attention of passersby. Bototoy often
watches those who order it, perched on the concrete island, silent and alone.
RISING ACTION: Bototoy, a six-year-old "watch-your-car" boy, often sits on a concrete
island near Frankie's Steaks and Burgers. One day, he overhears a young couple talking
about the restaurant's meat pie. Determined to try it, Bototoy decides to save money,
marking the first time he thinks about budgeting. Despite earning little, he remains
hopeful, shaking his Ligo sardines can-turned-piggy bank each day. Bototoy dreams of
buying a meat pie for his sister Nining on her birthday. After weeks of saving, he finally
collects twenty-one pesos—enough for two meat pies. Filled with joy, Bototoy and Nining
set out the next morning to enjoy their well-deserved treat, embodying themes of
determination, sacrifice, and familial love.
CLIMAX: On the same morning, a waitress at Frankie's Steaks and Burgers was scolded
and accused of stealing two missing meat pies. She later found the pies in a drawer under
the window, just before Bototoy and Nining arrived. Angered by the owner's hurtful words,
she felt a dark glee and decided to sell the pies anyway. This twist highlights the waitress's
feelings of revenge and victory. Despite this incident, Bototoy and Nining's excitement
over finally affording their meat pies remains the emotional core of the story, emphasizing
themes of determination and familial love.
FALLING ACTION: Finally he bought two meat pies from the restaurant. The waitress
secretly pocketed the twenty-one pesos he handed her and gave him the two stale pies.
Bototoy and his sister Nining sat side by side on the concrete island, smiling, giggling, and
quivering with delight. It was their first time eating Frankie's special meat pie. Despite the
pies being stale, they savored every bite, cherishing the moment. The scene captures
their innocence and joy, highlighting themes of resilience and familial love.
RESOLUTION: The cars on Katipunan zoomed past, some speeding while others crawled
along, as Bototoy and Nining sat side by side, chattering happily and savoring their long-
awaited meat pies. Their faces lit up with joy, reflecting the simple pleasures of childhood
despite the pies being stale. The world around them continued its relentless pace,
indifferent to their small celebration. In that moment, the siblings found a pocket of
happiness amidst their challenges, their laughter and love transcending the chaos of the
busy street. As the day unfolded, their bond and resilience remained unwavering, a
testament to the enduring power of familial love.
1
NAME: Kaye A. Barroga DATE: February 20, 2025
COURSE & YR: BSED-FILIPINO 4 GREAT BOOKS
CHARACTERS
1. Bototoy: The hardworking, determined 6-year-old who saves for meat pies.
Resilient and caring. Flat character.
2. Nining: Bototoy's favorite sister, innocent, helps mother. Proud of Bototoy. Flat
character.
3. Nono, Itoc, Radny: Bototoy's playmates, beat ball boy jobs, love fishing. Stock
characters.
4. Waitress: Scolded for missing pies, pockets Bototoy's money. Foil character
SETTING
1. Place: Katipunan Avenue-where bototoy would always sit in concrete island in
front of Frankie’s Burgers and Steak.
2. Time: Mondays to Saturdays- bototoy would always be a watch your car boy.
POINT OF VIEW
• The Second Person Point of View is also used in the story. We observed that
some lines are for or refer to the readers just like the first line.
"Madalas ka ba sa katipunan?"
"Natatandaan mo na ba siya?
• Third Person Omniscient because the author, the narrator of the story refers to
the characters by their names or third person pronouns.
Sabi ni Bototoy sa kaniyang sarili, “Pag yumaman ako, kakain ako no’n.”
CONFLICT
1. MAN TO SELF
- Bototoy works hard to afford pork empanadas for his sister's birthday, facing a
man vs. self conflict. With no external enemies, he must remain resilient and
hardworking to achieve his goal of making Nining happy. He saves money
despite being ignored or reprimanded as a "watch-your-car" boy. Bototoy's
greatest challenge is overcoming his own doubts and maintaining his
determination. His story emphasizes the internal struggle of self-motivation and
the importance of perseverance to achieve his dream of gifting his sister a
special treat.
2. MAN TO SOCIETY
- When Bototoys work hard for his sister but due to technicality of the waitress
they eat unnecessary food.
THEME
Poverty, struggles in life, dreams, and perseverance.
2
NAME: Kaye A. Barroga DATE: February 20, 2025
COURSE & YR: BSED-FILIPINO 4 GREAT BOOKS
- The family's financial difficulties are evident in their decision to delay Bototoy
and Nining's education. The mention of the father's and mother's occupations,
as well as the siblings' efforts to pursue education, reflects the broader
economic challenges faced by many families.
GENRE: FICTION/DRAMA
APPROACHES:
REALISM
Realism is the dominant literary approach in "Pork Empanada." The story provides a
detailed and authentic portrayal of everyday life, capturing the struggles and resilience
of the characters. The setting, characters, and events are depicted in a believable and
relatable manner, reflecting the realities of the socioeconomic environment.
READERS- RESPONSE CRITICISM
Perez's detailed descriptions create vivid imagery, allowing readers to visualize the setting
and characters. This fosters a strong connection with the story, as readers can easily
imagine the scenes and empathize with the characters. The inclusion of dialogues adds
to the realism and helps readers engage with the narrative. Perez's use of rhetorical
questions, such as “Madalas ka ba sa Katipunan?” and “Natatandaan mo na ba siya?”,
invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and memories. These questions create
a sense of familiarity and involvement, prompting readers to consider their own
connections to the story's setting and themes. Perez's creative and direct writing style
keeps readers engaged and ensures that the story's message is clear. The lack of flowery
language allows readers to focus on the characters and events, making the narrative
more impactful and memorable.
LITERARY TECHNIQUES
IMAGERY
In "Pork Empanada" by Tony Perez, vivid imagery brings the story to life. The description
of Katipunan's bustling streets, filled with fast and slow cars, sets the scene. Bototoy's
appearance is detailed with his round eyes, rabbit-like teeth, and worn-out clothes,
painting a clear picture of his character. The imagery extends to the concrete island
where Bototoy and Nining sit, highlighting their simple joys. The pork empanada itself is
described in a way that emphasizes its importance, symbolizing Bototoy's dreams and
aspirations. These sensory details immerse readers in the story, evoking empathy and
connection with the characters.
SYMBOLISM
1. Pork Empanada: Represents dreams and contentment. Bototoy saves money to
buy it, symbolizing his hopes and aspirations.
2. Liku-likong Landas: Symbolizes life's path. Bototoy's journey to Frankie's Steaks and
Burgers mirrors life's struggles and obstacles.
3
NAME: Kaye A. Barroga DATE: February 20, 2025
COURSE & YR: BSED-FILIPINO 4 GREAT BOOKS
3. Frankie's Steaks and Burgers: Symbolizes societal class and destination. It reflects
different social classes and Bototoy's dreams.
4. Kendi: Symbolizes Bototoy's love for his sister. Despite limited earnings, he buys
candy for Nining, showing his care and dedication.
5. Cars: Symbolize hope. Each passing car represents an opportunity for Bototoy to
earn money and get closer to his goals.
6. Waitress: Represents selfishness. Her actions towards Bototoy and Nining highlight
her lack of empathy and self-centered nature.
IRONY
Due to Bototoy's perseverance, he and Nining finally eat the meat pie. However, the
twist is the pies were stale and spoiled. The innocent children, unaware of the original
taste, were affected by the store attendant's selfish actions. Despite this, they still
enjoyed their special treat, showcasing their resilience.
