1. ABSENT,
MAAM
by: FERDINAND BALINO
Prepared by: Madilyn Caresusa

2. CEBUANO
SHORT STORY
CATEGORY
07 DON
PLAC E ON 20 MORIAL
2 CA ME
ND
CARLO S PALAN RATURE
ARDS f or LITE
AW

3. • 1st place -
Kanamit Gid
Sang Arroz
Valenciana ,
Short Story –
Hiligaynon
Other Awards of • 3rd place - Mga
Mananap sa
FERDINAND BALINO
for 2009 Kagabhion ,Regi
onal Division

4. P L OT

5. CHARACTERS
1. MAAM FUENTES
2. DAISY BUHAY
3. ROSE BUHAY
4. LANI
5. NOY JUNIOR
6. UNCLE YOYONG
7. MANGHURNALAY

6. • She
- implements
• Story of a strict
public regulations
teacher especially in
who wearing a
practices complete
uniform and in
her speaking
profession English as a
in a far- means of

7. PUBLIC
CLASSROOMS

8. • The setting of the story reflects a simple life
in a barrio.

9. Folks living
there realize
the
importance of
education.
Children go to
school despite
hindrances
that come
along because

10. FACES OF POVERTY

11. • The two
sisters,Rose “Buhay,
Buhay and Daisy Daisy…?”
Buhay, had
already got six-
seven absences “Absent, Ma’am.”
in school that’s
why Ms.
Fuentes, their “Buhay,
Math teacher Daisy…?”
had already been
bothered.She
asked Lani about “Absent, Ma’am.”
them.

12. Lani just
said they
were sick
but the truth
was they
only had one
pair of shoes
so they
alternately
wore it .

13. Ms. Fuentes and Lani
visited the house of Rose
and Daisy to follow them
up. They were heading to a
barrio where they rode in a
habal-habal.

14. Ms. Fuentes was being respected
and valued by the people in the
barrio.
• She met Noy Junior, the elder
brother of Rose and Daisy. He
apologized for their absences.
She told her that they were
buying another pair of shoes.

15. Until an
accident
happene
d.
• Rose was bumped by a
truck of an illegal
logging company.

16. Because of
this, Rose died.

17. Ms. Fuentes blamed herself for
the tragic event.
It could have not happened if she
only let the students enter the class
even if they’re not in complete
uniform.
Rose and Daisy were choosing a
pair of shoes before the accident
happened. Rose feared the shots of
a gun she heard that’s why she ran

18. AFTER HOW
MANY DAYS,

20. • Ms. Fuentes
checked the
attendance.
• She remembered
the tragedy that
happened to Rose
and she had said

21. “Ayaw gyod mog
absent
bisan wala moy sapatos,
Class,
ha?”

22. WORDS OF
WISDOM
• Justice is a hope and not a
certainty.
• Justice may be too good for
some and not good enough for
others.
• Conscience is its own
punishment.
• Patience is the only remedy for
poverty.