THE SUMMARY OF "THREE GENERATIONS" BY NICK JOAQUIN

The story opens one morning with Celo and Sofia Monson having breakfast. Sofia tells her husband that their son Chitong has decided to stop pursuing his law studies and become a priest instead. Celo is surprised by his son's decision. He comments that Chitong has "always been quiet and reserved" and "not noticeably of a religious temper."

Sofia tells Celo that he needs to go and see his aging and ailing father. Sofia informed him that his younger sister Nena called and that their father had been acting up again. In a flashback, Celo is reminded of his childhood when his father used to beat him up. Celo tells Sofia to tell Chitong to have their car ready. Chitong is to accompany him when he goes to visit his ailing father.

Celo goes to a Dominican church to pray. His son Chitong is there. He tries to compose himself so that he can fervently pray but the thoughts of his father and the beatings he suffered under him when he was a child occupy his thoughts. Chitong looks around towards his father. But Celo turns away and walks out of the church. Chitong informs his mother Sofia of what happened at the church. He tells her that his father is angry with him for choosing to pursue the priesthood. He breaks down and cries. Sofia comforts him.

Celo and Chitong drive to the house where his ailing father lives. The house is at the edge of town. They are met by Celo's youngest sister Nena who informs them that the old man has refused to eat for several days. Nena also tells Celo that the old man keeps on asking for "the girl", a young woman in a romantic relationship with the old man. Celo has driven the girl away prior. 

Celo spends time with his father. He changes his clothes and feeds him. The old man refuses to speak to Celo and defies his every move. Celo then leaves the house and instructs Chitong to stay behind with the car. He says he will take the bus to go home and return in the morning with a doctor. 

Chitong tries to sleep in the same room as his grandfather but he can't because the old man keeps on crying, moaning, and calling on the women he has loved and been with. Chitong tries praying over his grandfather but the pain and desire in the old man's eyes continue to bother him. No longer able to stand the cries of the old man, Chitong decides to go out in town and find the girl who had been with the old man before he got very sick. The idea is that the girl should be able to comfort and calm the old man down.

Chitong finds the girl's house and convinces her to go with him to see the old man, her lover. Back at the old man's house, before the two enter, they are met by Nena. Nena tells them that Chitong's father has come back because there was no available bus to take him home. The girl becomes hesitant to enter the house but Chitong tells her to be not afraid.

Chitong and the girl enters the house and they see his father in the sala. Celo sees them and angrily shouts at Chitong to get the girl out of the house. Celo thinks about taking his belt out and beating the girl. Chitong adamantly protects the girl and stands between her and his father. Celo clinches his fist and strikes Chitong in the face. Celo is immediately overpowered by guilt. He has never struck his son. Not until now. 

Celo and Chitong stare at each other. Shocked and petrified of what just happened. During this incident, the girl has taken the time to slip away, enter the old man's room, and lock it behind her. During the night, the voices of the girl and the old man, the lovers, can be heard coming from the room. The girl is telling the old man that she will never leave him again. That no one shall ever take her away from him again.