Sinigang by Marie Aubrey J. Villaceran

Summary

In this poignant tale, Lisa assists her Tita Lolling in preparing sinigang, a dish that becomes a backdrop for their conversation about Lisa's half-brother Lem, who recently passed away from cancer. Despite Lem's past unkindness, his death prompts a reflection on family and identity. At the funeral, Lisa encounters her half-brother's mother, who seeks forgiveness, and Lisa's father expresses regret. The evening ends with a family dinner, where the sinigang serves as a bittersweet reminder of change and the lingering impact of loss.

Takeaways

• 🍲 Lisa and her Tita Lolling are preparing Lisa's favorite dish, sinigang.
• 👵 Lisa is usually not involved in cooking, but today she is tasked with picking out vegetables.
• 🗣️ They discuss Lisa attending the funeral of her half-brother, Lem, who died of cancer.
• 😔 Lem was not always kind to Lisa, calling her 'vergenza' (shameless daughter) when he was alive.
• 🤔 Lisa recalls her curiosity about the boy who called her father daily, now knowing it was Lem.
• 💔 Lisa feels heartbroken after learning the truth about her father's other son.
• 🤝 At the funeral, Lisa is greeted by Lem's mother, who asks for forgiveness and hugs Lisa.
• 🙏 During Lem's burial, Lisa's father apologizes to her, acknowledging the family's shared loss.
• 🍲 The sinigang prepared by Lisa and Tita Lolling will be served for dinner, symbolizing a return to normalcy.
• 😊 Lisa's father will compliment the sinigang, but Lisa's smile will be less genuine than usual.

Q & A

Who is the main character in the story?

The main character in the story is Lisa.

What is the relationship between Lisa and Tita Lolling?

Tita Lolling is Lisa's grandmother, who is preparing Lisa's favorite dish, sinigang.

Why is Lisa helping Tita Lolling cook sinigang?

It is an exception to the usual routine where Lisa does not help her grandmother in cooking, indicating a special occasion or circumstance.

What significant event is mentioned in the script?

Lisa's half-brother, Lamb Lem, has died of cancer, and she is attending his funeral.

What was Lamb Lem's relationship to Lisa's father?

Lamb Lem was Lisa's father's son from another mother, making him Lisa's half-brother.

How did Lamb Lem treat Lisa when he was alive?

Lamb Lem was not always kind to Lisa, often calling her 'vergenza', which means 'shameless daughter' in Italian.

What was Lamb Lem's occupation or role before his death?

Lamb Lem was an acolyte for the church.

How did Lisa react when she met Lamb Lem's mother at the funeral?

Lisa was greeted by Lamb Lem's mother, who asked for forgiveness. Lisa nodded without any emotions and allowed the mother to hug her.

What did Lisa notice about Lamb Lem's mother's scent?

Lisa noticed that Lamb Lem's mother smelled like perfume and sweat.

What is the significance of the sinigang dish in the story?

The sinigang dish symbolizes the family's attempt to maintain normalcy and connection despite the loss of Lamb Lem. It is a tradition that Lisa and Tita Lolling cook together, and it will be served for dinner after the funeral.

How does Lisa's father react during Lamb Lem's burial?

Lisa's father looks at her and says 'sorry', possibly expressing regret or acknowledging the complexity of the situation and the mixed emotions it brings.

What can be inferred about Lisa's relationship with her father?

Lisa is described as 'daddy's girl', suggesting a close and affectionate relationship with her father.

How does the story suggest Lisa's emotional state after the funeral?

Although Lisa smiles at her father as she usually does, the script indicates that her smile does not reach her eyes, suggesting that she is deeply affected by the events of the day and is not fully expressing her true feelings.