Fray Botod Review

Fray Botod Review

The character sketch entitled “Fray Botod” is a satire piece written by Graciano Lopez Jaena, who is a well-known journalist and revolutionary. With this work of his, it can be observed and understood even by the newer generations why Jaena was given this title because of how he rebelled against the Spaniards and showed how he had no fear writing this even during the time of their rule.

                    The title “Fray Botod”, which is the nickname given to the Friar, actually means”big-bellied friar”. I find it humorous how Jaena used this name to ridicule the priest based on his appearance (which was compared to a pig) and his attitude. It truly encapsulates his greediness, gluttony, lust, and abusive ways. It is told how Fray Botod used and took advantage of his position to pursue everything from drunkenness and gluttony to exploitative relationships with young girls. Not only that, but he neglects his parish duties, does gambling, punishes college students, and conducts businesses in a corrupted way. 

                    I particularly liked how the story was told through a different person’s perspective rather than through the point of view of the friar. In the beginning you could see that two people are conversing and criticizing Fray Botod whilst witnessing before them the despicable acts he was doing to other people. Through this perspective you can understand how horrible the acts done by the priest were based on the descriptions and narrations. An instance where Jaena described the acts of the friar was when he was taunting a young woman with his hand cane to make her obey him. These parts of the story where he tells how Fray Botod behaves towards the Filipinos can really make the readers blood boil of anger and distaste. 

Jaena wrote this to criticize the Spanish friars who held authority and power over the Filipinos during the Spanish rule. It means to show how they abused their power and how they used religion as a tool to oppress others.

This written work is a long one, but amidst the ocean of words is an important story and message that Jaena wants to tell to his readers. That is how people with higher positions are not always right, and are sometimes the ones who corrupt their people and use them for their dirty work rather than do their responsibilities for the greater good. It can be a great lesson to us Filipinos when it comes to choosing our leaders wisely, because in the end we are the ones who puts their power over us in their hands.