Reflective Essay: 'Urbana and Feliza:Two Letters'

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Aiming to educate the public regarding good manners and proper conduct, especially in public dealings, was given great emphasis by the 'Urbana and Feliza: Two Letters' written by Father Modesto de Castro. This was written many years ago but the message still holds nowadays.

The letters were traditionally regarded as a repository of lessons meant not only for nineteenth-century readers, but also for twenty-first-century readers. This literary piece had such a great appeal and impact to a reader who is hoping to a reader who is hoping for the real change in our society through showing the sincere effort in serving our country and the endless discipline that must everyone possesses.

First letter of Urbana to Feliza is greatly interesting and satisfying. It is deeply substantiated and highly-spirited with the essence of good governance. It tackles the significance of good leadership and building camaraderie towards other people. Being good and honest leader bounces with proper treatment and devoid of discrimination and degradation of your constituents. Facing the real situation in our society particularly in politics seems to disregard the good manners and virtues of a non-traditional politician. "Ang korona ang dapat na humanap ng puputungan at hindi ang ulo ang maghanap ng mismong ipuputong", as what one of the lines stated on Urbana and Feliza. Many politicians or soon to be politicians are just like crocodiles who are craving for meat or pork barrel or what else that money is a great deal. Some of them are not thinking for a better future in the Philippines instead, their eyes are endlessly staring on the sparks of gold and critically planning for their own prosperity. How disgust and greedy it is!

On the other hand, the second letter of Urbana to Feliza is somewhat all people who loved to go on a special or formal occasions can strongly relates to it. I learned numerous things say for instance, the table manners, eating properly and neatly and with 'class', greeting or praising the people who helped and organized the occasions. These are some of the manners that we can o in our very simple way.

Urbana which symbolizes 'urbanity' or good manners, Feliza who came from the Spanish word feliz which means happiness through fulfilling good deeds, and Honesto which represents sincerity of heart and neatness of honor can be the paragons of good values and manners that we must incorporate in ourselves. However, after I read the significant piece of Modesto de Castro, a question directly strikes in my had...Do all Filipinos are aware of such literary piece? If your mind says NO, stand up and let your mind and eyes walk, explore, and know about it, future youths of righteousness...