Review of Fray Botod

Fray Botod

             The story of Fray Botod is written by Graciano Lopez Jaena in 1874 when he was only eighteen years old. The word Fray Botod, means big-bellied friar. Big-bellied, is because of the laziness of the friar. The story Fray Botod is about the friars abusive doing during the Spanish Era in the Philippines. 

            The priest in Fray Botod shows the type of the Spanish priest where they use the religion as an instrument in oppressing others in order to satisfy their hunger for food, money and women. This friar concept became the symbol of the Spanish authority in the Philippines. The sketches in Fray Botod, told through a dialogue between a Filipino and his liberal Spanish friend, illustrate the vile character of the friar through various situations. 

              These situations contain the sinful relationships with young girls called canding-canding, disregarding his duties as a parish priest in favor of gambling, and conducting his business unfairly. He takes advantage of his position as a priest to do everything according to his needs and wants.

               As I read the story that was Graciano Lopez was written I realized how the Spaniards are merciless that time. Where the Filipinos experienced cruel things from the Spaniards. I also realized, how lucky I am to be on this generation where there will be no Spaniards that will going to rule us as they want. Despite of all those thing, I can say that I am proud to those Filipino in Spaniards time because they are brave and a type of person who don't easily give up