THE NEW

YO R KER I N
TONDO
Lloyd Jezreel Perez
Israel Serafica
 WHAT IS DIASPORA AND
SPOR MIGRATION?M
DIA IGRATIO
Aopulation that refers to p N
p
refers to a o n h eritage eople mo
v in g t o
o m m different a
shares a c d in d i ff e rent reas in se
arch of
ttere
who is sca e w o rld. a settleme
n t.
parts o f t h

The key difference between Diaspora and Migration is that in

Diaspora the people maintain a very strong tie to their
homeland, their roots, and their origin, unlike in migration.
 WHAT IS NEW YORKER IN
TONDO?
New Yorker in Tondo is a classic satirical play in one-act
writer by Marcelino Agana Jr. in 1956. it was first staged
by the Far Eastern University Drama Guild in Manila and
has become popular since, having produced many times
through the years.
● ONE ACT PLAY First Prize: "New Yorker in Tondo" by
Marcelino Agana Jr. in the The Carlos Palanca
Memorial Awards for Literature.

SATIRICAL
(of a person or their behavior) sarcastic, critical, and mocking another's weaknesses.
 WHAT IS NEW YORKER IN
TONDO?
As a classic satirical play, it deals with human folly, which
are neither painful or destructive. It depicts accurately how
a Filipino acts when exposed to foreign countries’ culture.
This satire is being portrayed by Kikay who acculturate*
the New Yorker’s manner, style and custom. Since this type
of drama is a comedy the conflict involved is fortunately
solved to give the the play a happy ending.

*ACCULTURATE
assimilate or cause to assimilate a different culture, typically the dominant one.
 CHARACTERS
KIKAY/FRANCESCA
-from being a person of Tondo to a New Yorker (changing
not only her external but internal qualities as well)
-went to New York to study Cosmetology; prefers to be
called Francesca and not Kikay
ALING ATANG/MRS. MENDOZA
-mother of Kikay
-listens and looks up to her daughter that is why she
reminds people to call her Mrs. Mendoza and not Aling
Atang
 CHARACTERS
TONY
-the Engineer fiancee of Kikay who is waiting for her at
Tondo
TOTOY
-childhood friend of Kikay, Tony, and Nena, who has
hidden feelings for Nena
NENA
-a friend of Kikay and the secret fiancee of Tony
 CHARACTERS

MARISSA, ARIANNE, and JAMIE

- good friends of Kikay
- giving their opinions but still letting her decide for
herself and supporting her
 SUMMARY OF THE PLAY
The New Yorker in Tondo is a short play written by Marcelino Agana Jr.
centralizing on the character of Tony whom visits his “fiancé” that had
gone away to New York for a year to study beauty science. However, when
his fiancé Kikay, went back to Tondo she had already been to acculturated
by the American lifestyle and had completely changed her attitude, clothes,
even her name.
As she talked of New York and how she misses it Kikay dramatically
said, “I’m home, they tell me. Home! But which is home for me? This
cannot be home because my heart aches with homesickness. I feel myself
to be an exile…yes, a spiritual exile. My spirit aches for its true home
across the sea. Ah, New York! My own dear New York!”
 SUMMARY OF THE PLAY
In the middle of Tony’s visit their two other friends arrived. Namely, Nena
and Totoy. The three friends tried to make undertones of humor with the way
that Kikay was acting. Here, one of the important symbolisms of the play,
the Mango tree that they all played at when they were children, was
introduced.
When the tree was said to be incomparable beauty of the grand tree in
Central Park Nena said, “I still prefer a tree that grows in Tondo.”
 SUMMARY OF THE PLAY
One of the revelations in the play is when apparently Tony had
proposed to Nena during the time that Kikay is away and now, they
want to tell her about it. When Kikay found out about Tony’s and
Nena’s engagement she was enraged and a fight ensued between the
four friends.
Nena and Totoy- who had always harbored a deep crush for the girl
ended up running off together leaving Kikay and Tony alone. Here the
two ex-lovers fought and then eventually they talked peacefully and
Kikay finally, realized just how pretentious she was being and how
she still has feelings for Tony.
 SUMMARY OF THE PLAY
Nearing the end, when Kikay has returned to her old Tondo-self,
Tony said, “That was Francesca, Aling Atang, and Francesca is dead.
The girl standing before you is Kikay”
It seems that at the end of the play Aling Atang, Kikay’s mother
was right after all, “Once a Tondo girl, always a Tondo girl”
 CONFLICT OF THE PLAY

The conflict started when Kikay ‘Francesca’ assimilated the

style, culture, and behavior of New York. Going back after
being away from Tondo for only a year, she acted like she
really is an American and expects everyone to see her that
way.
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
❖ Conyo
Kikay’s mother is doing her best to speak english just to sound
‘sosyal’ in the ears of her daughter because as we go on in the
play you will see Kikay’s indifferent to Tondo.
EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY:

(Kikay is reading a letter from her Mother with Honey and Arlene ) Dear Kikay, I
miss you na, and super like to be see of your view. Because it’s very sad here in
Tondo, please go home na, coz I am very lonely. Love, Your mommy dear, Atang.

I told her to call herself Mrs. Mendoza! Oh well, I needed to go back to Tondo!
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
❖ Influence not only from the country but peers as well
❖ Ethnocentrism is also present. They keep calling Philippines
stupid to show us that the place where they are is the best and
far superior than the rest.
EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY:
JAMIE: Whaaat? Who’s going back to their stupid country?
KIKAY: Me.
JAMIE: You? OMG! It’s super stupidity!
KIKAY: I know.. And surely, I’ll be the hottest girl there…
ARIANNE: Isn’t Tondo too hot for you?
MARISSA: Hey Francesca, Look at this! This says, Tondo is established with a
church, but the church is famous for its bangketa or a cheaper bazaar.
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
Palikero
Tony is a playboy. Judging from his looks and words and
even the event that will occur later on in the play
EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY:
(She opens door. Tony steps in, carrying a bouquet. Tony is 26, dressed to
kill, and is suave type. Right now, however, he is feeling a trifle nervous. He
starts slightly on seeing Mrs. Mendoza.)
….
TONY: Oh, no,no... you look just wonderful, aling atang. For a moment I
thought you were your own daughter. I thought you were Kikay.
MRS. M: (Playfully slapping his cheek) Oh, you are so palikero as ever,
tony. But come in, come.
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
A first glimpse to the point of the writer:
You can move away but the ghost of who you are will follow
you
EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY:
MRS. M: Yes, you must bring her back as soon as possible. We miss her whenever we
play panguinge.
TONY: (Laughing) That is what she misses of all.
MRS. M: Now I understand what she feels! Your mother can never, never become a
provinciana, Tony. Once a Tondenia, always a Tondenia, I always say. (She pauses,
struck by thought) But I wonder if that’s true after all. Look at my Kikay ; she was
there in America for a whole year, and she says that she never felt homesick at all!
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
Kikay is assimilated to the New York culture
EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY:
MRS. M: (Plaintively) That girl only arrived last Monday and look what has
happened to me! When she first saw me, she was furious. She said that I
needed a complete overhauling...But what can I do. You know how impossible
it is to argue with Kikay. And she says that I must learn how to look and act
like an Americana because I have a daughter who has been to America. Dios
mio, do I look like an American?
...
MRS. M: Oh, It is Just some orange juice. You see, Kikay ... I mean Fran-Ces-
ca, always tell me that in New York they don’t eat breakfast they just drink
Orange juice so... come on, Totoy.
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
MRS. M: Of course, she is at home! She’s still sleeping!
TONY: (Glancing at his watch) Still sleeping!
MRS. M: She says that in New York people do not wake up before Twelve o’clock noon.
Besides, she has been very, very busy. Uy, the life of that giurl since she came home!
Welcome parties here and welcome parties there, and visitors all day long! That girl has
been spinning around like top!
...
(Kikay Appears, garved in a trailing gown trimmed with fur at the neck and hemline. From
one hand she dangles a large silk handkerchief which she keeps waving about as she walks
and talks. In the other hand she carries a cigarette. Kikay’s manner and appearance are... to
use a hollywood expression – “Chi-chi like mad.”
...
KIKAY: Oh really mumsy, don’t forget my celery. (to visitors) I can’t live without celery!
ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
Mrs. Mendoza and Francesca
The change in name indicates the change of identity, and it
is clear that ‘Francesca’ prefers her new self than ‘Kikay’.
EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY:
MRS. M: Kikay doesn’t like it. She says I must tell people to call me Mrs.
Mendoza. She says it is more civilized form of address. So... especially in
front of Kikay... you must call me, Mrs. Mendoza.
...
MRS. M: She says that in New York , she says that’s the way they pronounce
her name, it sounds like “chi-chi” so Italian, be sure to call her Francesca and
not Kikay. Oh, how she hates that name!
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
Palikero II
Tony is engaged with both Nena and Kikay

EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY:

TONY: (Irritated, Imitating her tone) Oh, Tony, tony ... use your head, Nena.
Whoever heard of a man breaking off his engagement just like that! It’s not
easy!
NENA: Are you inlove with Kikay or with me?
TONY: Of course I’m in love with you. I’m engaged to you.
NENA: Yes, and you’re engaged to Kikay too.
TONY: But that was a year ago.
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
“Our Tree” a symbol of New York
EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY:
KIKAY: I’m home, they tell me. But this cannot be home, because my heart aches with
homesickness. I feel like an exile. My spirit aches for its true home across the sea. Ah,
New York, New York. My own dear New York. Listen! It’s springtime there now. Oh, we
have a funny custom. When spring comes around each year, we new Yorkers, we make a
sort of pilgrimage to an old tree growing down the Battery. Oh! We New Yorkers call it
“Our Tree” – In a way, that tree is our own symbol for New York.

(She is silent for a moment. Her visitors glance uneasily at each other. Kikay laughs and
makes an apologetic gesture.) But please forgive me! Here I am going sentimental and
just mooning away over things you have no idea about. No, you can’t understand this
emotion I feel for our own dear New York...
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
“Mango Tree”a symbol of memories in Tondo
EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY:
NENA: Our mango tree, Kikay. Have you forgotten about it? Why you and I used
to go climbing up there everyday and gorging ourselves on green mangoes. How
our stomachs ached afterwards. And then these bad boys would come and start
shaking the branches until we fell down. (laughs)
TOTOY:(laughing) Aling Atang once caught me climbing that tree and she grabbed
my pants... and off they came!
TONY: (Laughing) I was up there in that tree at that time and I laughed so hard I
fell down!
NENA: (laughing) Yes, and Aling Atang chased you all around the yard with her
broom, and when she caught you... bang! She got you on the head with the broom
and how you screamed!
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY

In a funny way, with all the problems and anger

Francesca felt because of the engagement, being
mocked by Nena and Tony altogether, the beast hiding
inside is suddenly released from the cage.
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY:
NENA: I told you to leave him alone! He’s my fiance!
KIKAY: And I tell you he's not!! He's engaged to me until I release him… and I
haven’t release him yet.
NENA: You ought to be ashamed of yourself... laos ka na!
KIKAY: You ought to be ashamed of yourself... you’re... you... you steal my
boyfriend!
NENA: What? What did you say!!??
TONY: Totoy, pull them apart!
KIKAY: (to Totoy) You keep out of this or I’ll knock your head off!
TOTOY: Naku lumabas din ang pagka Tondo!
NENA: Walanghiya ka. Kapal mukha!
KIKAY: Walanghiya pala!
 ANALYSIS ON THE PLAY
With all the ruckus going on our dear Francesca finally realized that
deep in her heart she is Kikay, the Tondo girl inlove with a Tondo boy

EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY:

KIKAY: Oh, Tony you’re wrong...wrong...! I’m not that kind of person at all.
TONY: Oh, person is just a relative term, huh?
KIKAY: Yes, Tony... that francesca saying all those silly things. But Francesca exists no
more. Tony, no more. The girl standing before you is kikay.
TONY: In that silly dress?
KIKAY: Oh, this? this is just a gift-wrapping. But deep down inside me I’m just a Tondo
girl inlove with a Tondo boy.
TONY: Oh...?
KIKAY: It’s true Tony. I’m kikay... remember me? I’ve come back.
TONY: If, I remember, I was engaged to girl named Kikay.
 If this is a Satirical play
which highlights the weakness
of society through
exaggeration, what is that
weakness?
 The play is a satiric comedy that aimed to portray the realistic
cultural distortion and abandonment that many Filipinos go through
when living the country to study or work abroad. This can be seen
in the exaggerated portrayal of Kikay’s character that changed her
entire personality just to “fit in” in the culture on New York.
This play is comical because it talks about people that we
know, one way or another we know a Kikay, we know someone
who is so quick to dismissive the Filipino culture in exchange for a
foreign one with such vigor and pretentiousness that they only end
up making fools of themselves.
 Centered on exaggerating Kikay’s character to make the
very tone of the play more whimsical the deeper undertone that
Agana wanted to convey in his work of art is that reality that
the Filipinos suffers from deeply situated cultural inferiority
complex. This then translates to societal weakness and fault
that denigrates our cultural sense of identity.
However, the beautiful end of the play only shows that you
can take Filipinos out of the Philippines, but you can never
take the Philippines out of Filipinos.
 THEME OF THE PLAY
It revolves around a girl named Kikay who after
staying in New York fell in love with the place and chose
to forget her identity as a Filipino. As the story goes on
she encounters different situations that made her realize
or go back to who she really is.
It reminds us that no matter what happened you will
always go back to your first home- to the one who
nurtured and love you. Nothing can really compare to
one’s first love.
 VALUES OR MORAL OF THE PLAY
● One can take someone out of the Philippines, but the
Philippines cannot be taken out in oneself.

● Never forget who you are, always have a sense of self

or it is easy to lose yourself and who you are.

● The whole town will mock you but your family will
always be there for you.
Thank You for
Listening!
Questions?
Clarifications?
Suggestions?