Video Adaptation

Synopsis:

Steve had a decent and interesting life. He maintains a strong desire behind his pock-marked appearance to secure a good spot in a community stricture.Even as he matured the taunting continued to escalate until one day Esteban had found a sure fire way to stop the disrespectful taunter. The cemetery was now immaculately maintained, and trees surrounded the monuments, unlike in the past. Father Alcoseba had previously appointed Steve to look after the catholic cemetery, and he had married and had a family on a premises next to the cemetery. Steve eventually discovered his calling and was able to change his degrading moniker.

“Small People: The Cemetery Keeper”

by: Regino Gonzales

The point of view in the short story "Small People: The Cemetery Keeper by: Regino L. Gonzale Jr." was a first person point of view since the narrator is using "I."

BEGINNING: Years before that, the Philippines did not have adequate primary health services. Many communities suffered outbreaks of ailments which could have been prevented by vaccination. Steve wanted to kiss them.", replied the guy laughing and pointed to Steve standing at the corner of the store holding a glass of wine offered to him by the drinkers. He was in his teens when smallpox disfigured his face with pockmarks. The dreaded smallpox struck Steve's town of Danao afflicting many residents, Steve among them.

RISING ACTION: Steve (Christian Esteban) suffered from humiliation with his pockmarked face and a moniker in the vernacular which English equivalent is "Pockmarked Steve". Steve's face was like being punctured with craters similar to the moon's surface. Steve managed to get by decently by doing sundry jobs that had few takers, by doing voluntary services and by honestly adhering to his Christian faith. He dug latrines and graves and sold candles and coffins. Some voluntary tasks and services he rendered endeared him to many residents of the town. Steve's religiosity was also very well known in the community and was even noted by the town's catholic priest, Father Alcoseba.

CLIMAX: Danao's menfolk embraced an unspoken and unwritten code of conduct not to harm the old, the women, and men of inferior strength. Undaunted by the playful taunts and jokes on his pockmarks, Steve learned a hilarious way to get back at his tormentors, some of the town's machos. To the machos, Steve was just another harmless funny chap, game for mild taunting and jesting for laughs. One started to jokingly comment on his pockmarked face drawing grins from his friends. Steve slowly approached the guy, swiftly gripped his shoulders and planted and rubbed his pockmarked face against the guy's. Steve repeated the prank at any opportunity. And men became cautious whenever he is around. Since then, he received fewer and fewer taunts and jokes.

FALLING ACTION: Steve was a very friendly and dignified person. He addressed us in the vernacular of 'Lads' - an expression of esteem for younger ones. When Grandmother Crispina, passed on, I came back to Danao for her funeral and encountered Steve again during Grandmother's wake.

RESOLUTION:I went back home again to Danao when Aunt Margarita passed away. Then I saw Steve came out. I learned later that Father Alcoseba had earlier employed Steve to tend the catholic cemetery and that he found a loving a mate, built a small house on a lot fronting the cemetery and had children.

Character vs. Society

It is a character vs. society because protagonist which is Steve is placed in opposition with society. The protagonist was being judged by the people around him because of his physical appearance.

We should never judge a person in all aspect because what you see or hear may not be the reality or quality of a person. We should never judge for we don't know the story and what the person had been through.

Kindness and love should always win despite the world being unfair, because what's inside your heart is what matters the most.