VOICE TAPES

• Author

  Ariel S. Tabag
• Ariel Sotelo Tabag (born August 16, 1978) is an Ilokano fictionist, poet, editor, and translator. He has received awards for his Ilokano literary works.
• Story type

  Maikling kuwento
• Setting

  Santa Teresita, Cagayan
• Death of Uncle Ato

  February 16, 1992
• Voice Tape: '"4 my one & onli lab ATO"'
• Magdalena (Ato's wife) worked in Abu Dhabi
• Dante went back to get his certificate (Best in Math)
• Dante teaches in a public school in Cubao
• "LA" brand of cigarettes of Tatang
• Bannawag: Ilokano magazine
• The certificate was found in 4 pieces of buho
• Pook Tactac


  Opposite the roadside where Dante passes
• St. Francis Academy - high school attended by Dante, 2nd year
• Martes, people thought there was shouting and a crowd because they were going to the market. They gathered behind a Manny Trans bus
• Mam Usita - Dante's teacher in Grade 3
• Angkel Ceferino was abducted by the NPA
• Tatang cried when his carabao drowned in 1989
• The CAFGU beat and almost shot Angkel Mulong, Nanang's brother
• Angkel Mulong - catches fish in Calacungan
• Dante's siblings are in Grade 1 and Grade 6
• Sotelo is the surname of Nanang's father, from Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur, who married someone from the Palor clan of Villa
• Tong-its and pusoy dos - games played by gamblers
• Superstitions


  • Women are forbidden from sweeping while there is a wake, or they will get lice
  • They dug a hole for the main post, threw coins in it, sprinkled holy water and chicken blood, "for their life to be comfortable"
  • They will behead a chicken, "so no one else in the family will die"
• Magdalena was abused by her boss
• Nanang and Tatang have 3 children, but there were 4 pieces of buho because they thought they would have 4 children (Tatang asked Nanang to get an abortion in Aparri)
• The first white and shiny container they put the money in was worth ten thousand pesos
• Sarao, jeep (term used in Santa Teresita)
• Dante is the oldest cousin, so he watched over the body in the living room with 4 candles and some insects
• Dante was afraid the ghost of his uncle might be behind him, so he had to face the body
• Angkel Ato


  • Loved his wife dearly but also demonstrated a hint of arrogance and recklessness
  • Later revealed to have committed suicide
• Angkel Ato: '"I'll kill someone!" in a low but high-pitched voice, almost choking.'
• Dante


  • Narrator of the story, a bright kid and an achiever
  • Cares for his family while also demonstrating a hint of comedy
• Dante: '"I suggested the 'P.S.' because maybe, I said, I also have a gift from his wife."'
• Nanang


  • Played a big role in the family as a responsible and caring mother
  • Appeared to be superstitious
• Magdalena


  • Wife of Renato who worked abroad (Abu Dhabi) but couldn't come home for her husband's wake because she was maltreated abroad
• Magdalena: '"Forgive me, my love. I didn't mean to. They'll kill me if I fight back..."'
• Tatang


  • Likes reading Bannawag and looks after his wife
• Tatang: 'Tatang got a glass of water for Nanang. "You'll just get more upset if you answer."'
• Angkel Mulong


  • Nanang's brother, born before Angkel Ceferino, who was generous and kind, giving huge shrimp to Dante
  • Unable to read or write, and later mentioned as an alcoholic