CO-LIT 6 | ALAALA BY JAYSON GAMELO
DACAYANA
JANSON
OGANG
TIONGCO
TORRECAMPO
INTRODUCTION
Jayson Gamelo’s flash fiction, “Alaala,” captures this idea through the eyes of an elderly man trapped between memory and reality. The narrative explores the fragility of memory and the emotional burden of aging, especially in matters of love and loss. One morning, the protagonist wakes up confused, unable to recognize those around him. In his search for his wife, Jane, he confronts the painful truth that she has passed away, and the people around him are his children and grandchildren.
This story resonates deeply with philosophical reflections on memory and identity. John Locke argued that personal identity is rooted in consciousness and memory—our memories connect who we are today with who we were in the past. Henri Bergson emphasized the fluid and subjective nature of memory, suggesting that our recollections are not exact records but lived experiences colored by emotion. Paul Ricoeur further explored how narrative memory allows us to interpret and give meaning to our lives, linking the past, present, and future through storytelling. In this way, “Alaala” not only portrays the personal grief of its protagonist but also illustrates the universal struggle to preserve identity and meaning in the face of memory’s fragility.
OVERVIEW
The narrative follows the life of an old man who wakes up feeling weak and confused but forces himself to get up because he believes he still needs to attend church with his wife, Jane. As he prepares, he notices unfamiliar people in his house and begins searching for his wife. He later encounters children playing outside who tell him that Jane has long been dead. In the end, he realizes that the strangers are actually his own children and grandchildren, revealing his fading memory and painful condition.
BIOGRAPHICAL LENS
Mark Twain once said, “Write what you know,” and in “Alaala,” Gamelo clearly does. While little biographical information is available about the author, his other works—mostly short poems focusing on regret, love, and emotional exhaustion—suggest that he draws from personal experience to craft emotionally resonant stories. This personal touch strengthens the story, making it feel authentic and relatable, while also giving it a reflective depth that invites readers to empathize with the protagonist’s struggles
CRITICAL LITERARY PERSPECTIVE
One of its most notable strengths is the use of minimalism. Gamelo employs a “less is more” approach, revealing the grandfather’s confusion and grief in just a few carefully chosen sentences. This technique immerses the reader immediately, forcing us to engage with the emotions beneath the surface. While minimalism heightens the story’s impact, it also presents a minor limitation: some secondary characters, like the children and grandchildren, remain underdeveloped, leaving readers to infer their personalities and relationships. Still, this choice reinforces the protagonist’s perspective, emphasizing the isolation and disorientation caused by memory loss.
The present themes of memory and identity are deeply compelling and resonate with philosophical perspectives. John Locke argued that personal identity is founded on consciousness and memory; without memory, the sense of self can falter. Henri Bergson emphasized the subjective and fluid nature of memory, suggesting that recollections are lived experiences shaped by emotion rather than exact records. Paul Ricoeur further explored how narrative memory allows individuals to interpret their lives, linking past, present, and future. In the storyline, these ideas come to life as the grandfather struggles to reconcile his fading recollections with reality, showing the intimate connection between memory and identity.
Literature is more than just a collection of words; it is a combination of an author’s personal, emotional depth and technical craft. In analyzing this literary work, it is important to consider the different aspects that build its foundation: its themes, elements, techniques, and genres.
Gamelo demonstrates excellence in writing the narrative perspective and plot structure. Told in first-person from the grandfather’s viewpoint, it places the readers directly inside his mind, creating an intimate and immersive experience. The plot is tragic yet concise, as the protagonist’s realization of his memory’s decline carries both emotional weight and philosophical depth. This functions as flash fiction, demonstrating that even in a short format, literature can evoke profound reflection and universal emotion. It succeeds in blending emotional depth with literary craft. Its minimalistic style, philosophical undertones, and focus on memory make it a powerful meditation on love, loss, and identity. While some secondary characters could have been more developed, the story’s strengths—its intimacy, emotional resonance, and philosophical richness—far outweigh these minor limitations. Gamelo’s work reminds us that literature’s true power lies in its ability to illuminate universal human experiences through the lens of personal memory.
ANALYSIS OF SOCIETAL STRUCTURES AND NORMS
This narrative reflects Filipino family values and cultural attitudes towards the elders, death, and family relationships. Writing “Alaala” in his native language allowed Gamelo—a Filipino author—to incorporate more cultural depth into the story. The use of the mother tongue enhances the storyline, especially when interpreting traditional authenticity and family dynamics. It highlights how the family supports each other, especially when dealing with problems, including aging, memory loss, confusion, or even death, that is experienced by the family. When the old man woke up, he was confused and continuously looked for his wife, not remembering that she had already passed away a long time ago. Although he was confused and could not remember what happened or even recognize any of his grandchildren, including his own children, they didn’t get angry or impatient; instead, they gently guided him and explained the situation. The family’s gentle guidance and patience reflect the importance of empathy and understanding in Filipino culture, embodying a known characteristic of Filipinos being respectful and family-oriented.
In the Philippines, families often bear primary responsibility for caring for elderly members, reflecting cultural values of utang na loob and filial piety. Aging and memory loss, as seen in “Alaala” by Jayson Gamelo, leave the elderly vulnerable and confused—the old man fails to recognize his late wife, children, and grandchildren—demonstrating how such conditions affect both individuals and their families. The story emphasizes compassion, love, respect, and shared responsibility, highlighting the central role of family as the strongest source of care and emotional support in Filipino society.
Portraying fear, confusion, and disconnection that accompany aging and memory loss, the story shows families carrying the emotional burden of caregiving with patience and understanding. The elderly man’s inability to recognize his home or his late wife illustrates how memory loss erases familiarity and security. Beyond family, it underscores aging as a societal concern, highlighting empathy, moral responsibility, and collective support while reflecting Filipino cultural values of love, respect, and filial duty in a society often prioritizing productivity over care.
The way the family responds to the old man’s condition reflects deeply rooted Filipino cultural values. Instead of reacting with anger or neglect, his children and grandchildren show patience and compassion as they guide and care for him. This response highlights the importance of paggalang sa nakatatanda, strong family ties, and utang na loob, which are central to Filipino identity. These values show that caring for elders is seen as a moral obligation rather than a burden. Such cultural practices demonstrate how traditions shape human behavior and encourage compassion during times of vulnerability.
Memory loss in the narrative reshapes family roles by forcing the elderly man’s children into unprepared caregiving positions, revealing an unspoken expectation that families must shoulder the burden of aging alone. The absence of institutional support highlights how caregiving is treated as a private responsibility, intensifying emotional, financial, and social strain, particularly for those with limited resources. Through this silence, the story exposes broader societal and governmental neglect, underscoring the need to recognize elder care as a shared public responsibility supported by effective healthcare, social services, and state policies.
Ultimately, Alaala reminds readers that aging and memory loss demand compassion not only from families but from society as a whole. Through its emotional narrative, the story shows how culture shapes care, how social expectations place pressure on families, and how government support is crucial in protecting the vulnerable. More than a personal story, it serves as a call for collective empathy and responsibility toward the elderly.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, “Alaala” by Jayson Gamelo offers a deeply moving reflection on memory loss, aging, and identity, viewed through the lens of Understanding Culture and Society. The story highlights how aging is not only a personal or medical experience but a social reality shaped by cultural values, family expectations, and societal structures. It reflects Filipino ideals such as paggalang sa nakatatanda, respect for elders, and strong family responsibility, while also exposing how families are often left to carry the burden of caregiving with little institutional support. From a societal and government perspective, the narrative subtly reminds us that aging and vulnerability may not concern us now, but one day we might find ourselves in the same position as the old man—dependent on compassion, family, and social systems. Alaala ultimately serves as a call for empathy, cultural awareness, and shared responsibility, urging society to recognize elder care as a collective concern that requires understanding, support, and humane policies.