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The Woman Who Had Two Navels

This story by Nick Joaquin narrates the life of ordinary Filipinos during the post-Spanish period, the Amerian era, the Japanese occupation and the life after the liberation. It revolves around Connie(Conchita) Escobar, the dubbed "woman with two navels." The first chapter introduces Connie's description of her discovery about her two navels in an appointment with Pepe Monson, a horse-doctor. This account was later opposed by her mother, Concha(Conchita) Vidal, implying that Connie is somewhat unstable of personality and lying to Pepe. This chapter also reveals some patriotic thoughts and feelings about the Philippines, deeply affeting Pepe's father, Pepe and a vague hint of Concha Vidal's past. It also introduces Paco and Mary Texeira, two half-Portuguese staying in a sardine can of an apartment in Hong Kong. Paco was a band leader in Manila and had a past with Concha Vidal and her daughter. He said that "they're both agents of the devil" out there to "corrupt" and to "ruin your soul." Chapter two introduces Rita Lopez, Pepe's fiance. She runs an art shop together with Helen Silva. It also focuses on the background story of Macho Escobar, Concha Vidal's former beau and Connie's husband. Chapter Three introduces Father Tony, Pepe's brother. It also focuses on the life of Concha Vidal as young Conchita Gil and Conching Borromeo. It also states that Connie accepts the challenge that Pepe will look at her body and tell her if she really has two navels, and that she will accept anything that the former says as the truth. She is also given a choice to come to Father Tony's convent. Chapter Four focuses on the "chinese moon", a time to pay old debts. It's all about Connie's recollection or even experiences in relation to her old life. It is also stated there that Connie car fell on a cliff. Chapter Five relates that Connie has survived, that she ran away with Paco and that Concha Vidal was shot by Macho, reasons of which are implied somewhere in the novel.