Module VI: Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa

Module VI: Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa
Being the mother of children from different fathers or mothers is very common today especially for the Filipinos. Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa basically means “Child, child how were you made.” Well this film explained everything one needs to know about how it is raising two children from different fathers.
During kindergarten graduation day, there was a Miss Kindergarten contest and the winner receives 7,000 pesos. Maria “Maya” Gascon’s favorite subject is Math did what she had to do and made her mother proud by doing skit which was more like drama. Another girl who competed against Maya was obligated because the girl’s mother told the girl that she had to do good and putting pressure on the girl telling her the competition is for 7,000 pesos. The skit was supposed to be on a mother-child situation and of course she did her & her mom in a conversational situation. Maya’s mother, Lea was really proud of her which led tears of joy. Because Maya was perfect in the competition, Maya won the 7,000 pesos. The family threw a party for Maya after winning the competition at Maya’s house. While everybody was at the party, Maya had her mouth open sharing stories about how her parents love each other only in bed. It was pretty funny because she couldn’t be quiet and she kept going. She was ahead of the game for a young child because she knew exactly the story to her parent’s relationship. She made sure she understood what’s going on around her surroundings. Kids nowadays always find a way to know the truth about their parent’s background. Maya played a role as “Chismis.” Ding, Maya’s father, scolds Maya for opening her mouth and said that her parents are married only in bed. That’s sounds just about true because Filipinos are known to wander around or shop around. Not so much of the women but the guys who are known as “Babaero.” Earlier in Leah and Ding’s relationship, they have never fought because Leah was in Suigao working and there was no time to see each other. Ojie, Maya’s half brother asked lots of questions like Maya. Both children wanted to know who their mother’s husband was. Maya again would open her big mouth and said Raffy and Lea fought because Maya and Ojie fought because argue about whose father was better. Ding always yelled and shouts. Lea and Elenor, Raffy’s wife talked about Ojie living with Raffy. Then Ding and lea fight because Maya hasn’t eaten dinner yet and it was already late. Ding cared about his daughter so he decided to attempt to cook for her two eggs but didn’t know how. The mom always knows. That’s why a mother is always needed because they lead their children to the people they are today.
At one point, Lea and Raffy talk about Ojie’s custody. Raffy wanted to bring Ojie’s with him to the states after Raffy’s newborn baby comes out. It was hard for Lea and Maya after Ojie’s would be gone from their sites because Ojie’s began hanging out with his dad a lot and Maya was because Maya was being sad. Maya was so used to having her older brother around. Johnny, Lea’s illusionary friend, works with Lea at the Women’s Center. One night, when Lea got home, she wonders where Ojie could be. So with the help of Maya, Maya tells her mom that Ojie went to play billiards and hasn’t been going to Boy Scouts. When Ojie got home, he got busted from his mother because he went home really late. Of course the parents would be really worried because Filipinos care for their children like no other. So, Ojie talks back then Ojie got a slap in the face because talking back to one’s elders is disrespect. In our Filipino culture, it is a sign of disrespect to not obey your elders. Notice we always say Tata, Nana, Manong, Manang, and Ading. So, Lea goes to her son who’s crying and they both apologize to each other. Ojie’s told his mother that he never wanted to go Boy Scouts to begin with. Lea was asked to attend a conference in Baguio and never knew where to put Ojie and Maya. Then she drops them off to Elinor who was pregnant, to take care of them for a couple of days. Raffy was really angry when he found out Lea left because Elinor was pregnant and Lea should’ve known that Elinor was going to give birth soon. Lea got a phone call that her two children, Maya and Ojie were in the hospital because of an accident. She got there and the nurses were really confused because there were two kids, two fathers, and a mother. Another reason why they were confused was because the nurses never knew what Lea’s last name was. So Lea got into a big fight with Raffy and Dino and all of a sudden she decided to just flee the hospital because she was sick and tired of all the things the two men have put her through. Then as she’s leaving, both fathers are begging her not to leave. The principle never knew what kind of last name Lea had so she kept giving Lea attitude that it was wrong to act in such manner and her two children can get expelled if Lea doesn’t choose just one last name for the two of them. Lea then explains to the principle where she works at the Women’s Center and deals with the situation where mothers and children go after getting beaten up or get help. The things Lea was talking about caught the principle’s eyes because Lea wanted to give a helping hand and wanted to know the situation of the children who lost their parents whom one was also a classmate of Maya’s.
Finally Maya and Ojie got Lea a cake on Valentine’s Day and after Dino left them. Dino apologized and said he will be getting married to another woman and will also be expecting a baby from another woman. Lea made a speech at Ojie’s commencement and felt a little embarrassed. Lea realized that her happiness was being the best mother she could and most of all, her children.