Imagine. What if all we know about Cinderella’s Wicked Stepmother is a LIE and that what she have gone through was actually an exaggerated story that were being manipulated as it is being passed down the hill? What if Cinderella’s stepmother was actually a caring and loving woman who just wanted nothing but to provide comfortable living for her daughters. These are some of the questions and some of the thoughts I had as I read through this book. It is a magnificently twist of what if’s and definitely a different perspective to look at.
And also, I did not know that her name was AGNES. I can’t be the only one! LOL
Moving on, it is indeed undeniable that Cinderella had a lot of ups and downs in her life but this book will make you sympathize more with Agnes and what she have gone through just to survive life. Earlier days of Agnes reminded me of how it is to live in a 3rd world country. It reminded me of how cruel the society can be. You would be lucky enough if you get to meet good people to trust and pity on you if you don’t. As someone who have lived in a 3rd world country for 18 years of my life, It is heart wrenching to know that situations such as what Agnes have gone through does not only exist in the books but also in real life and yes even up to today.
Agnes’ determination and ability to work as if she have a magic touch and a mind enough to intimidate you reminds me of Imelda Marcos. For those who aren’t aware, Imelda Marcos was the first lady of the Philippines back in 1965 to 1986 during the Presidential era of her husband Ferdinand Marcos. This is during the Martial Law event in the Philippines which have lasted for 14 years which brought both good and bad name for the country. But I am not here to discuss about Martial Law, I am rather here to explain the similarity between Agnes and Imelda and how they have shown determination and charm can go hand in hand leading to success and power.
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Rags to Riches. This is basically how I could closely relate this two. In the book, Agnes is not a cruel person just like how we were always told so when we were kids, she have gone through a lot of struggles in life, the separation from her Family at a young age, the skills she have to learn to support her own Family, and the heartbreak on losing people that is dear to her had made her who she was but that does not mean she is cruel, discipline is different from torture. And this is where I see Imelda Marcos through Agnes. Imelda, despite of her influential maiden last name, Romualdez, she was tested by fate at such a young age when she lost her mom and everything appears to fall apart since then. Imelda used her charm, the wit, and her intelligence to overcome hardships of life. It just so happen that a handsome congressman later turned into one of the most influential President of the Philippines fell inlove with her and offered her marriage 11 days after they have met. How enchanting kind of a love story isn’t it? Imelda learned her way in politics, she wasn’t born with that kind of thinking. With the help of her supporting husband they both went through it hand in hand. A Conjugal Dictatorship which resulted to a bloody tyranny. Despite of this, it also have given good name to the country, Philippines were known all over the world. Filipinos would be recognized as if we are living in such a high class country. And Imelda, despite of her extravagance, she have helped the country maintain such a good name. A woman who have no formal education with regards to politics, no manuals on how to become a mother and wife to a President, and lastly, how to remain influential even decades after but still manage to flawlessly do her part effectively.
Dynasty. A threat of being evicted from the castle came upon Agnes, once again she have feared of losing a home just like how it was when she lost her husband, how she have begged and traded to keep her Family alive and intact. Imelda have gone through similar situation as Agnes, when Martial Law ended in the Philippines, her and her entire family fled to Hawaii. Several interviews and Documentaries have said how heartbroken she was, how badly it feels like to be homeless and countryless. I can’t imagine. Its like dead end right there. Where do you go?. Wiseness and Toughness have and will always prevail therefore they both achieved their own version of happily ever after. To maintain and stabilize a dynasty. A dynasty that will continue to influence and write history. A dynasty that would not end unless the earth will one day vanish.
Agnes. For the millionth time that I have been watching Cinderella since I was a kid, I did not even know her name is Agnes until now. This book gave me the chance to slip my feet into Agnes’ shoes and know what her side is about. It opened my eyes on how she is a mother, that every stories have more than one side, that no matter how kind you are to others you will always be a Villain to somebody else’s story. I like how the story gives us the chance to know the other side of the story and play what is in question, “what if?”. The same thing goes to Imelda Marcos, a lot of people criticizes her for her lavishness and grandiosity during her Husbands reign as the President of the Philippines but how much do we know? How well do we know her to easily judge her and her Family? What if she is not really what other people say about her? There is just so much what if’s in this world that we are ought to find the answers and until then let’s stay curious my friends!
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