the Mats and Divided by Two

Between the two stories, I would pick "The Mats" over "Divided by Two" because it hits closer to home and it really shows that core essentials of a Filipino family. The main idea of the "pasalubong"
really struck me, every time my dad or mom would come home they'd bring me and my brother something, from donuts to toys. But the other emotion of Mr. Angeles showed at the end of the story, weirded me out for a while. Not unless it's a big thing for them not to talk about the dead or missing people in their family. In my family we respect the dead but we don't hesitate to talk about them because we like talking about the past. "Divided by Two" is basically a story about gossip, qualms between people and their relationships. Insecurities people have within themselves and how people want to prove themselves to others in such great lengths.