Apo on the Wall|Review

Apo on the Wall by BJ Patino

1. There’s this man’s photo on the wall
2. Of my father’s office at home, you
3. Know, where father brings his work,
4. Where he doesn’t look strange
5. Still wearing his green uniform
6. And colored breast plates, where,
7. To prove that he works hard, he
8. Also brought a photo of his boss
9. Whom he calls Apo, so Apo could
10. You know, hang around on the wall
11. Behind him and look over his shoulders
12. To make sure he’s snappy and all.
13. Father snapped at me once, caught me
14. Sneaking around his office at home
15. Looking at the stuff on his wall- handguns,
16. Plaques, a sword, medals a rifle-
17. Told me that was no place for a boy
18. Only men, when he didn’t really
19. Have to tell me because, you know,
20. That photo of Apo on the wall was already
21. Looking at me around,
22. His eyes following me like he was
23. That scary Jesus in the hallway, saying
24. I know what you’re doing.

Our thoughts:

A poem that is a must-read for every Filipinos

     Apo on the Wall is a poem by BJ Patino and it has a perspective of a child which symbolizes the Filipinos. I like the way on how the writer recounts the tale about the martial law. It demonstrates the encounters and the dread of the Filipinos to the late President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos during that time. The poem demonstrates the connection between the citizens and the government in those days with the help of the child and his father. The poem doesn't simply discuss the citizens, additionally the steadfastness and responsibilities of the soldiers to Marcos. It additionally says that there will be a reward each time you'll accomplish something great as it mentions the plaques, swords, awards and riffles. The poem has a more profound significance as we read it between the lines.

     It truly shows people how the martial law during Marcos's regime affected the life of a certain Filipino child. I liked the poem simply because of the figurative languages he used to hide what he wanted us to visualize. Those metaphoric styles he injected for readers to think and read between the lines. Another reason why I liked the poem is because of the light words he used to make us think that these are real scenarios that happened in the life of child at his age during those times, which in reality is BJ Patino's anecdote written as a poem. In the lines 17-18 where his father said that there's no place for boys only real men, if you will understand it thoroughly and imagine yourself at that time, you will realize a very important life lesson. For me, the word "boys" represents a playful child and the phrase "handguns, plaque, sword, medals and rifles" symbolizes how serious Martial Law was. So the persona's father might want to teach us that we must never play around during serious situations. For chances are, things will end up worse or even worst.

The #Feels while reading it

     For me, reading a poem is like reading a new masterpiece. I was really curious about the message at first. I thought the father was Ferdinand Marcos and the child was the Filipino. But when I noticed the Apo, it seems like he has the greatest part in the poem (we could already see in the title). So I was really amazed on how simple the meaning of the poem was. It was just that the persona was only stating his experience because of Martial Law. It could somehow taint his innocence. It could affect one's relationship. So it was a mixed emotion for me. I was really curious because this poem is never ending. It has a lot of what ifs and maybes. You wouldn't know the reason until you would found out on the persona's point of view. The class discussion made me feel like I am making a jigsaw puzzle. Their suggestion and opinions, together with my own perspective, we have solved the mystery behind this poem.

     On the other hand,I felt a bit terrified when I tried to put my shoes in the child's position. Seems like knowledgeable or not to what is happening, we got no choice but to follow. How ironic it is that our country that time is a progressive one but its countrymen don’t feel the same as it is. Lack of freedom is indeed awful. Just like the photo of Apo who make the child feels as if he was the scary Jesus in the hallway who makes me feel that I don’t have any privacy even in my thought. The dictatorship of the former president was so firm that no one can distort his commands.It,s suffocating to have a president like him because as a citizen of our country, we should be free.

A message from our past, A challenge for our present

     The poem imparts a message regarding the Martial Law. From this poem, it states how the Filipinos managed to follow the rules and policies and what are the punishment they may get if ever they will disobey. It shows how during those times the people of the country had to follow strict orders, have their rights violated and how they were abused by power that was beyond their reach. The poem also shows how Filipinos in the past were disciplined but in a wrong way It was a dark time of Filipinos where this past should not happen again. Being the past that should not happen again, this serves as a foundation for the present. Having a past which is considered dark can serve as a lesson for the future leaders not to execute a relatively abusive method of leading ones country.

“For what has been, thanks; for what will be, yes.” 

     The truth is that we cannot change whatever happened in the past. The poem has reminded me the importance of looking at the past and applying the lessons in our everyday lives.  The poem let us to view the two sides of persona during the Martial Law. The one who follows and agrees with the Martial Law, and the one who’s scared of it. And as of now, we can still see those reactions at this very present time. The only thing left for us, people in this generation, is take that moments us a lesson. Like the child in the poem, he became aware of what is  and what happened in the office, and he will always remember that. But the child can still grow, and change will vary from time to time. All those moments, the terror that it brings to us, the disciplined people during that time, the essence of showing respect to the one who rules and more, is part of who we are and shapes us.

     The poem Apo on the wall did a good job in showing a glimpse of Martial law. It is indeed visible what happened in the past. BJ Patino was able to show the possible relationship towards his father. When I read the poem, it feels like you were there when it happened and you were the one witnessing it. The poem has reminded us how important to take a look at the difference between the past and the present. Yes, past is already in the past but it must be looked back in order to have a better present where mistakes will be avoided and victories will be repeated. If I will make a comparison between the time of martial law and in the present , there's really a huge difference. In any angle you looked, you'll only be able to see difference. Even though I'm not yet born in the time of martial law, I'm still aware of what happened before. As of now the people is freely living unlike before people were living in pure dictatorship leaving a huge scar in their hearts and minds. Martial law doesn't care if you're young or old, rich or poor.