Written Close Analysis in

21st Century Literature from the Philippines

Analysis of the Story

Galla
by Ara V. Santos

Presented by:
TORION, HARLYN L.
Grade 11 – STEM 1 Rosas

Presented to:
Mrs. Abegail R. Gulla
Subject Teacher
 Galla
Ara V. Santos
1. Author’s Background
Ara V. Santos
Personal life
o She was born on December 15, 1991. Despite her achievements as a
writer, she keeps her life private so there is not much information about her personal life.
But based on the note she attached in her book, she is acknowledging four mothers who
raised her; Ina, Mama, Yayay, and Mommy.
Professional life
o She is a blogger who's been working online since 2011 using different pen names. She
studied BS Communication, and she used to work as an elementary teacher/tutor and
account executive/e-mail coordinator in an international company before she decided to
focus on writing and blogging. Currently, she is one of the most popular Wattpad writers in
the Philippines. Using her pen name Jamille Fumah, she had already published 30 works
in Wattpad.

2. Background of the Work

The story Galla is a textserye. A textserye is an epistolary-like kind of story. It is one of the
results of technology-fiction collaboration and it has been a trend in social media for the past years
up to present. In this new way of story writing, the fictitious dialogues of the characters are
presented through a series of text messages. It is also regarded as "fiction in pictures" because the
text message conversations of the characters are like screenshots of their phones, giving the
readers an impression that they truly exist in real life.
The textserye Galla was first seen on Facebook pages Random Photos and Pepeng
Pinakamalupet. It gained a lot of reads, comments, and likes that is why it was eventually
published under PSICOM Publishing Inc. The book version is not different from the electronic
version of the story in terms of length, but the vulgar words were replaced with euphemisms and
grammatical errors were edited.

3. Character Web
love each other
DALLA GAGE
Bestfriends

Siblings

Dated

GERINA
Engaged Dated

KYLE CASH BECCA

4. Characterization
Dalla (a protagonist)
o She is a pretty girl. Her friendly and bubbly personality is also the reason why she had a lot of
suitors in the story. In the beginning, she is a typical teenager; melodramatic and impulsive.
 Nonetheless, she developed into a more understanding and mature person. Also, the way she
experienced difficulty in choosing between her love life and her parents is an evidence that she
is thoughtful to her well-off family.

Gage (a protagonist)
o His handsome appearance is the first reason why the heroine got attracted to him. He is older
than the other characters in the story that is why from the start up to the ending, his maturity is
evident. However, his character also mirrors the usual bachelors nowadays -- adventurous and
naughty. But the way he responded to the consequence of his actions demonstrated his
responsibleness. Aside from that, his actions showed that he is a gentleman and a loving
person.

Becca (the main antagonist)

o Her trademark would be her proportionate body shape. In the story, that is also her strength.
But she became dislikable when she turned into a treacherous woman due to her unhealthy
love for the main character. Apart from that, her social status was also revealed in the story
when she blackmailed Gage into giving her a car and money.

Gerina (the deuteroganist)

o She is the epitome of a girl best friend. She is very supportive to the heroine but there are
instances in the story showing that she also has her own problems. There was even a time that
she accused Dalla wrongly, but she eventually apologized when she realized it. Other than
that, she is also an example of a younger sister. She knows and criticizes Gage very well, but
her respect for him is always there.

Cash (fringe/a minor character)

o He appeared pervert when he was introduced in the story but it was then revealed that he is
trustworthy, kind, and charming. His perseverance added to the reasons why the heroine tried
to reciprocate his affection for her. And when Dalla turned him down, he respected her
decision, proving his nobleness.

Kyle (fringe/a minor character)

o He is a Filipino-American and is the richest among the characters in the story, but he was not
well-favored. His lack of good looks is not the reason why the heroine did not love him back; it
is his lack of humor and social manners.

5. Plot (10 major events supported with lines from the text)
1. Dalla was surprised when Gage, Gerina's brother (which happened to be her crush),
confessed that he's been inlove with her ever since the day that they met.

Gage: I love you, Dalla. I'll wait for you.

Dalla: Uy! Ano ba? Pakilinaw, please...

Gage: Minahal ko iyong dalagitang palaging nasa amin... iyong magandang Dalla na nahihiya kapag
nakikita niya ako... hindi niya alam, palagi ko siyang pinagmamasdan. Hindi na siya nawala sa isip ko.
Hanggang sa namalayan ko na lang, nakarating na rin siya sa puso ko.
2. Gage promised that he will start courting Dalla after her 18th birthday but suddenly, he
became indifferent towards her.

Dalla: It’s my birthday. ‘Di ka dumating. Ni hindi ka nagparamdam… namimiss na kita.

Gage: Why are you still texting me?

Dalla: Really?! You’re asking me that?!

3. After Dalla get drunk because of heartbreak, Gage finally decided to stop his pretention and
just tell her the truth- that in spite of his true love for her, he was forced to marry Becca, the
girl he knocked up.

Gage: Dalla, may sasabihin sana ako sayo… about my officemate.

Dalla: Iyong kasama mo lagi? What about her?

Gage: We’re getting married…Dalla, I’m so sorry.I have always love you. It’s you that I wanna marry
someday. Kapag ready ka na.

Dalla: Really?! So why are you marrying that Becca? It doesn’t make sense!

Gage: I have to marry her. I got her pregnant.

4. Galla decided to give Cash, her new suitor, a chance making Gage extremely jealous that he
chose to go abroad even after they learned that Becca is not really pregnant.

Gage: This is so unfair! I’m doing everything para ayusin ang sitwasyon. Sinusuyo kita at
nagpapakumbaba ako. But still you’re dating another guy?! What the heck, Dalla?!

Dalla: I’m sorry, Gage.

Dalla: (after knowing from Gerina that Becca isn’t really pregnant and Gage is going to Las Vegas with
his Dad) Gage, huwag ka ng umalis. ‘Wag mo na akong iwan.Hindi ko na uulitin. Magtitiwala na ako.
Mahal naman talaga kita. ‘Wag ka na umalis.

Gage: Babalik ako. Babalik ako ‘pag handa ka na. Sa pagbalik ko na wala ka pang asawa at ako pa rin
ang mahal mo, papakasalan kita Dalla. I still love you but I really need to go.

5. Galla waited patiently for Gage, and after 5 years, he finally came back with a ring but Galla
found out that she is bound to marry another man named Kyle.

Gage: Gusto kong sorpresahin ka kaya hindi ko sinabi sayo na narito ako. Hindi ko naman kasi akalain
na ibubuko ako ng kapatid ko.I’m sorry, I can explain.

Dalla: Alam mo bang pinaiyak mo na naman ako? Sige, magpaliwanag ka.Kung kaya ng two words,
two words lang.
Gage: Marry me.

Dalla: May problema... Nandito na sila Dad,

Gage: What’s the problem?

Dalla: May kasama sila. Fiance ko… Gage, ipinagkasundo na pala nila ako.

6. Gage got seriously upset and Galla was really torn between choosing her love for him or
obeying her parents.

Dalla: Bessy, ang sakit-sakit na. Pinakinggan ko ang puso ko pero heto at nasasaktan ako... Mahal ko
si Gage, mahal na mahal. At gagawin ko ang lahat para ipaglaban siya... Pero paano ang pamilya ko?
Mahal ko rin sila, mahal na mahal. Kaya hindi ko alam ang pipiliin ko, bessy, please tell me. Ayaw kong
masaktan ang bawat isa sa kanila.

Gerina: Sometimes, in order to cure the cancer is to destrot both the good and bad cell. You have to
take the risk.

7. In the night of Galla's engagement, Gage arrived and beat Kyle, literally giving Galla's father
a heart attack.

Dalla: Iyon sana ang ipapaliwanag ko sayo. Kaya lang bigla mong sinapak si Kyle kaya inatake sa
puso ang dad ko.

Gage: I'm sorry about your dad. Pero nawala kasi ako sa sarili nang makita ang gag*ng iyon sa
harapan mo at nakaluhod. He proposed to you, wasn't he? Tinanggap mo ba? Are you going to marry
him?

Dalla: Bilang pagtanaw ng malaking utang na loob, pumayag si dad na ikasal ako sa nag-iisang anak
na lalaki ng taong tumulong at kumupkop sa kanya... At tulad ni dad ay ayaw ko ring mawala sa kanya
ang lahat ng kanyang pinaghirapan... I'm sorry, Gage. And yes, I will marry Kyle.

8. Gage tried to let Galla go when she finally told him that she is going to marry Kyle, but he
failed and something even happened between them.

Gage: I'm sorry. Okay, I'll admit. Naglasing ako kagabi because of you. I don't know pero nasasaktan
pa rin ako. Hindi ko sinasadya ang nagawa ko sayo kagabi.

Dalla: May tanong ako sayo... Bakit hindi mo ako pinaglaban? Bakit hahayaan mo akong makasal kay
Kyle?

Gage: Dahil ayaw kong mawala sayo ang mga taong mahal mo... If you choose me, you will lose
everything. Your dad, your family, iyong mga bagay na pinaghirapan ng pamilya mo. Masasaktan ka
lang at ayaw kong makita yun.
 Dalla: Bakit sa tingin mo, hindi ako nasasaktan ngayon?

Gage: Ako ba, hindi? You have no idea. But I'd rather na ganito kaysa iyong mawala lahat sayo..

9. With the unexpected help from her parents, Galla runaway on her wedding day, ditching
Kyle.

Gage: Dalla, nagsisisi ako. Sana pala ipinaglaban kita. Sana pala itinakas na lang kita sa kanila...
Dalla, ikinakasal ka na siguro ngayon. Siguro nga ay dapat na rin kitang palayain. Sorry kung
nakaistorbo pero atleast, nasabi ko. I love you, Dalla.

Dalla: Nasaan ka?

Gage: Nandito sa bahay. Tapos na ba ang kasal mo?

Dalla: Nandito ako sa labas ng bahay mo.

Gage: What?! Di ba ngayon ang kasal mo?

Dalla: 'Di ko kayang pakasalan si Kyle, Gage. I ran away.

10. Gage and Dalla got married before having their son, Galla.

After nine months of construction, our little project is now complete! We're deliriously happy to
announce, the birth of our newborn healthy baby boy! We welcome to the world our greatest joy, we
named him "Galla". Our baby, Galla.

- Love, His proud parents Gage and Dalla

6. Elements of the Story

a. Setting
Chronology (Time)
The modernity of the characters' personalities is an evidence that the story
happened in 2016.
Physical (Place)
The story took place in Cavite, which was directly stated in the book.

b. Point of View

First Person Point of View

c. Conflict
Person vs. Person (Gage vs. Becca)
Person vs. Person (Dalla vs. Becca)
Peson vs. Person (Gage vs. Cash)
Person vs. Person (Gage vs. Kyle)
Person vs. Person (Gage vs. Dalla)
Person vs. Self (Dalla vs. Herself)
7. Figures of Speech
Simile
 Break na kami ni Theo na mukhang sugpo.
 Mukha siyang sugpo na may helmet.
 Iyong buhok niya mukhang bao.
 Iyong hininga niya amoy gutom.
 Mukha siyang binaliktad na trumpo.
 Mukha na akong biik.
Metaphor
 Bulahaw ka.
 Lechugas ka, Gage!
 Boobs na tinubuan ng katawan.
 Kyle pala ang name ng talakitok na yun.
 Ako ang pakasalan mo at hindi 'yang si ultraman.
 Ayaw mo na sakin kasi biik na ako.
 Bessy, isa kang alamat!
Personification
Iyong puso ko super active ngayon.
 Sa ikatatahimik ng kaluluwa ko.
 Itong tiyan ko nag-aalburoto.
 'Yang puso mo lang ang makakasagot sayo.
 Kayakap niya ang kubeta buong magdamag.
Hyperbole
 End of the world na sa 'kin.
 Lahat ng lalaki mahilig sa maganda.
 Bakit beast mode ka diyan?
 Iyong mata niya bulwat saka 'yong ilong niya puro buhok.
 Iyong kung makatawa parang humihiwalay ang katawan sa kaluluwa.
 Laging mainit ulo niya.
 Kung yung aso namin anh nakakagat sayo, baka nililitis ka na ngayon ni San
Pedro.
 Yung mata niya parang nasa sintido niya.
 Tapos wala siyang panga.
 Kayakap niya ang kubeta buong magdamag.
 Kung alam lang ng kuya mo king ilang drum ng pride ang nilunok ko!
 Kulang na lang kasi ay balutan mo kami ng kama gamit ang alambre mo.
 Mahal ko so Gage higit pa sa buhay ko.
 Everything was served to you in a silver platter.
 Dalawa na yung baba ko.
 All your life, dinaig mo pa ang prinsesa.

8. Styles of the Author

a. Symbols
Kapote - thin rubber covering for contraception
Barbed wire - horrible punishment
 Bunga - daughter
Little project - baby Galla

b. Flashbacking
 Dalla: Bessy. Galing kami ng mall ng kuya mo. Nagpasama siya sa akin na bumili ng gift
para sa babaeng gusto niya. Cute teddy bear ang binili namin. Ibibigay niya raw yun sa
love niya.
 Dalla: I saw you kanina. Kasama mo iyong officemate mong boobs na tinubuan ng
katawan! Ang sweet pa sayo, kulang na lang ihiga ka na sa semento!
 Gerina: Goodmorning, Bes! Sorry pala at iniwan ka namin ni Theo. Ikaw kasi e ayaw mo
pa umuwi. Di pa rin sana kami aalis kaya lang nag-LQ kami ni jowa.
Galla: Bessy... I think nasa motel ako.
Gerina: What?! Sinong nagdala sayo diyan?!
Galla: I was so drunk last night... paggising ko nandito na ko. Ang naaalala ko ay may
isang guy kagabi na nakangiti sakin. Nilapitan niya ako... kinuwentuhan ng kubg anu-ano...
Siya ang huling kasama ko.
 Dalla: Wala namang nag-utos sayo na gawin iyon ah?! Tapos isusumbat mo sakin ngayon
yan?!
Gage: That's not the point. Mabuti naabutan ko kayo sa parking lot! Isasakay ka na nong
lalaki sa kotse niya. Sa tingin mo saan ka dadalhin non kung di kita inagaw sa kanya?! Ni
hindi ka pa nga naaayos sa pasenger's seat, hahalikan ka na! What more kapag nadala ka
na niya kung saan mang balak niyang pagdalhan sayo!
 Dalla: Limang taon mo akong pinaghintay, letse ka! Ilang manlikigaw ang tinanggihan ko,
ilang liha ang iniyak ko pag namimiss kita at ilang dasal ang dinasal ko gabi-gabi para lang
bantayan ka ng guardian angel mo! Alam mo ba, sa limang taon na wala ka, wala ri akonh
ibang inisip kundi ang muli kang makita. Nong graduation ko, inaasahan ko na darating ka.
Nakakalungkot kasi hindi nangyari.
 Gerina: Akala ko ba nagsabi ka na aa Mom mo na magpakasal ka na?!
 Dalla: Mali intindi niya. My bad, di ko nabanggit na may gusto na akong pakasalan. Kaya
pala natuwa si Mommy kasi pagkakaintindi niya, ready na akong mag-asawa. Gusto ko
sanang manorpresa, pero nako yung nasorpresa na may bitbit pala siyang guy for me!
 Gage: Five years, Dalla. Limang taon kong pinaghandaan ito. Limang taon akong
nangulila sayo.
Dalla: Talaga lang, ah. Wala ka ngang paramdam sa loon ng limang taon na yun, eh.
Gage: It's because I was working so hard for us. There were so many times that I wanted
to call you, to at least hear your voice, pero tiniis ko.
 Gerina: Bessy, okay ka lang ba?
Galla: Hindi ako okay, bes. Nasa ICU na si daddy.
Gerina: I'm sorry. Ano bang nangyari?
Galla: Pinapunta ko ang kuya mo sa bahay para ipaalam kila daddy ang tungkol samin.
Kaso naabutan nyang nagpo-propose sa akin si Kyle. Ayun sinapak niya. Mabilis ang mga
pangyayari. Pero dahil sa ginawa ng kuya mo inatake sa puso si daddy.
Gerina: I'm sorry, Dalla.
 Dalla: Noong binata pa si dad, nasawi ang mga magulang niya sa sakuna. Tumalon siya
sa imog dahil gusto niya ng mamatay pero may nagligtas sa kanya. Hindu lang siya
iniligtas ng isang lalaki. Ipinaliwanag pa nito sa kanya ang kahalagahan ng buhay.
 Biniguan sya nito ng negosyo na palalaguin. Nang mapalago nya ang negosyo ay sakto
namang nakilala niya si mommy. Ako ang naging bunga nila. Nabuhay kami sa
maginhawa at masagana. Pero ang lahat pala ay may kapalit. Gusto ng lalaking ito na
ikasal ako sa nag-iisang anak nito na lalaki... at iyon si Kyle.

c. Foreshadowing
 Gage: Hindi pa pwede yung gusto ko.
Dalla: Bakit?
Gage: Bata pa kasi.
Dalla: Gaano kabata?
Gage: Nag-aaral pa.
Dalla: She's so lucky. Naghihintay ka sa kanya. Bihira yung ganyan.
Gage: Kung ikaw yung babaeng hinihintay ko... hihintayin mo rin ba ako?
Dalla:Kung mahal kita, oo...
 Dalla: Kung alam ko lang na papatol sa bagets, de sana pinush ko na noon pa!
Kakaimbyerna! May nalalaman pang hintay-hintay! Pag sakin siya, di ko na siya
paghihintayin!
Gerina: Bessy... busy ako.
 Dalla: Mahal mo talaga siya...
Gage: Matagal na... matagal na akong naghihintay.
 Dalla: Gage, yung bear mo at roses... bakit nasa amin? Hindi ba niya nagustuhan? Ibinalik
sayo?
Gage: Nagustuhan mo ba?
Dalla: Yeah... oo naman.
Gage: Thanks.
Dalla: Bakit?
Gage: I love you, Dalla.
 Dalla: Gage nasaan ka na? 'Di ka namin ma-contact ni Gerina... Nasaaan ka ba? Nagwo-
worry na ako!
 Dalla: Ikaw ang walanghiya! Akala ko ba iba ka! Nagkamali ako! Lalaki ka pa rin at wala ka
pa ring pinagkaiba!
Gage: I'm sorry.
Dalla: Sorry?! Really?!
 Gage: Where are you, sweetie?! Please!
Dalla: I'm with someone... sabi niya he'll help me forget you.
Gage: Please, no! Huwag kang sasama sa kung sino man yan! You don't have to forget
me! Please tell me, nasaan kayo?!
Cash: Pre, tulog na si Dalla. Wag ka ng istorbo.
 Gerina: How could you?! Bakit mo ako sinumbong kay kuya Gage?!
Dalla: Hindi kita sinumbong!
Gerina: Pwes pano niya nalaman ang tungkol kay Theo at sa grades ko?!
Dalla: I don't know!
Gerina: Liar!
 Dalla: Gage, wag ka ng umalis... wag mo akong iiwan. Hindi ko na uulitin. Magtitiwala na
ako. Mahal naman talaga kita. Wag ka ng umalis...
 Gage: Babalik ako... Babalik ako kapag handa ka na... For now, I want you to enjoy life...
without me.
 Dalla: Kaya naman pala di nagre-reply, andyan kasi ang babae mo.
Gage: I can explain.
Dalla: Explain mo sa pagong.
 Gerina: Don't worry about kuya, he's doing well.
Galla: Weh?
Gerina: Lalo siyang naging workaholic after niyo magbreak. Lagi na siyang nagsisimba
tuwing Sunday. Madalas din siyang good mood at laging nakangiti. Hindi ko rin alam,
bessy, pero malaki ang ipinagbago ni kuya. Imbis na magmukmok ay lalo pa siyang
nagsumikap.
Dalla: Ganun?
 Dalla: Gage! Nasaan ka? Pupuntahan kita, nasaan ka?
Gage: I'm here.
Dalla: Ha? Saan?
Gage: In front of your gate. Please let me in.
 Dalla: Bessy may problema.
Gerina: Anong problema, bes? Tungkol ba ito kay kuya? Nakausap mo na ba siya?
Dalla: Nakausap ko na siya.
Gerina: Thank God. Okay lang ba siya?
Dalla: Okay lang siya.
Gerina: So anong problema?
Dalla: May nangyari saming dalawa.
 Dalla: Hmp. Naihi tuloy ako bigla.
Gerina: Yak ka po.
Dalla: Bessy... hindi yata to ihi.
Gerina: Ha?
Dalla: OMG!!!

9. Quotable Statements/ Memorable Lines

 “You don't love him enough kung 'di mo kayang tanggaoin ang lahat tungkol sa kanya.”
 “Kung mahal mo, patatawarin mo. Kung mahal mo, papakinggan at iintindihin mo. Kung
mahal mo, mahal mo. Tapos!”
 “Good or bad, I will still love you the same.”
 “Hindi basehan ng pagmamahal ang bilbil at kulay ng kili-kili.”

10. Themes
The theme of the story is about the essence of love. Not just romantic, but also
platonic and familial love.
Dalla and Gage were romantically in love with each other, and they proved that love
conquers all. Despite Gage's mistakes and Dalla's situations, they still ended up with each other
happily.
Dalla and Gerina were best friends, and they, too, have been through misunderstandings,
but still, their friendship made it until the end.
 In spite of her reluctance, Dalla agreed to get married with Kyle because she loves and
obeys her parents so much but in the end, her parents showed her that her happiness is their
priority.
For some, Galla might be a cliché at first, but its "shallowness" actually hides a deeper
message; that the true essence of love is accepting, understanding, and forgiving. Because just
like what Gerina said, "Kung mahal mo, mahal mo. Tapos!"

11. Cultural Implication

Galla reveals some parts of Filipino culture. First is the courtship. Giving a love letter is a
Filipino way of courting, which was done by Gage; only that his letter was done through a text
message. The Filipinos' quality of being family-oriented was also shown in the story when Galla
decided to give up her own happiness for the sake of her family. In addition, Gerina's family reflects
a typical Filipino household, wherein the mother is a housewife (ilaw ng tahanan) and the father is
the one working (haligi ng tahanan). Apart from that, the Filipinos' way of saying "po" and "opo" as
a sign of respect was also evident in the characters' dialogues.

12. Implication of the Title

The title, Galla, is an implication that the story revolves around the main characters, Gage
and Dalla, since it is the combination of their names. But at the end of the story, it was revealed
that Galla is more than just the name of their love team, because it is a product of their blissful love
for each other, their son.