The Mats

by Francisco Arcellana

Marcelina's father comes home from a trip to Manila with beautiful hand-made sleeping mats for each member of his large family, including the three daughters who died when they were very young. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0916291863
• ISBN13: 9780916291860
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Publishers
• Length: 24 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.7" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

A Person is of More Value than the Whole World

I can truly relate to the father. He apparently embodies an ideal Filipino who places a kin above anyone else. This is not say that Filipinos are family-centered, or in that sense, self-centered. The character displayed by the protagonist is nonetheless someone that anybody should highly regard. For some people, a dead person may lose significance. Yet, for a father who truly works hard for the living members of the family, remembering those who have passed away is simply an act of remembering those who are still alive. An act to be praised, isn't it?F. Arcellena has simply highlighted one of the most regarded identities of the Philippine Culture in this stunning masterpiece.