Minsan May isang puta

by: Mike Portes (Entry #2)

The Poem touches the soul of all the mothers. Minsan may isang puta expressed the pain and suffering of every mother for the sake of her child. It also dared two things: it addressed the moral and economic fibers of the Filipinos and second--it opened the moral consciousness of the people on the REALITY of poverty in the country.

Artwork: Vicente Manansala 

If you read it further, it also represent the selfless love of a mother to her child. They are selfless but at the same time neglected. The writer showed the very clear reality that good mothers will "prostitute" themselves for there children even forgetting the risks and consequences they will face. It also addressed the passiveness of most children to the sufferings of their mothers.

the writer wrote the word "puta" which does not mainly embodied  about the physical prostitution but in the moral prostitution as well. It will inspire us to explore issues and not to judge based on the perimeters of our religious and cultural background.

The writer used to express in a narrative way were you can feel the dramatic effect in some of it's lines, for example:

"Ina ninyo ako! Pagmamahal nyo lang ang kailangan ko!”

You can feel the frustration and the disappointment of the mother to his children. The mother only wants the love of her children despite of her sacrifices just for them to have a good life.

It also symbolizes our country as our mother "Pilipina" (Pilipinas).

Upon reading this poem, especially the last part, Pilipinas nga pala.... I feel ashamed that even myself dont know how to contribute something to the Philippines. I felt guilty that I'm one of the people who keeps thinking about myself only and never thinks of our mother. but I hope every one will be aware of the situation of our country.