The play Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio is about Mang Serapio who is being tried by the syndicate for the crime of taking care of a child. The play presented many social and moral issues that reflect today's society. The play must not be taken into literally for it used symbols and that we must go deeper into its story so as to have a better understanding.

Mang Serapio is the one on trial as the title of the play suggests. It is not really Mang Serapio who is on trial, but the audience. They are trying us for the crime of not being aware to the apparent problems in our country. We are blinded by the false system that surrounds us. We are branded as mute for we do not voice out our beliefs regarding the issues around us. Likewise, we are accused as lame for not doing anything to resolve the problems the country is facing right now. We are not only being tried but also being challenged to do what must concerned citizens do.

The social issues involved are poverty, existence of organized crime syndicates, and the existence of a manipulative justice system. Poverty existed since the ancient times and that if we do not have the attitude and the will to banish it from the system little by little, then it will just spread like a plague. Poverty has been the ultimate root of the existence of organized crime syndicates. They are using other people to make money for themselves tirelessly. The continuous existence of syndicates has been the result of the manipulative justice system in our country. Some recognized authorities are also benefiting from those syndicates or they are the one that's controlling them.

The moral issues that are presented in the play are almsgiving as an occupation, and abusing the rights of other people. As a La Sallian, I do not believe that giving money to beggars would be the right thing to do. Instead of giving money, give them food since the money will just go to the leaders of the syndicate. As the saying goes, "The end does not justify the means." Although some beggars are not part of certain syndicates, it does not mean that it is good to give them money for the mere intention of helping. They may use the money to buy for their necessities and yes, it will really of big help to them. But asking for charity works is not a business. Remember that we should just teach them how to fish instead of giving them the fish. Enslaving people is against God's will and that the ones who are leading organized crime syndicates are going against His will. We must put a stop to those who are enslaving other people.

Symbols are very much evident in the play. To Mang Serapio, the doll symbolizes the memories of his daughter. It gave him the will to continue his life despite of the fact that his family is gone. The doll is the only thing he have and that it hurts him that it has to be taken away from him. For me, the doll symbolizes the simple happiness that one could get which is something priceless. And from that simple happiness comes the real meaning of life. Life becomes meaningful when we find happiness even though we experience some hardships and pains. With strong faith hope, and love in God and also faith and love with ourselves, we are able to cross the roads planted with obstacles. Experiencing those obstacles teach us the meaning of life. We will not know the true meaning of life unless we ourselves experience it. In addition, life sprung into this world because of the love of God and of the mortal instruments He used. Hope is the one that makes us to continue struggle and if we are just going to lose our hope, nothing will happen. Life for us will just be gloomy and not meaningful for us at all.

In the last part of the play, Mang Serapio was shouting, "Isusumbong ko kayo sa pulis.". Mang Serapio has so much faith when he was shouting that and all that he wanted is justice. I guess that it should not just be pure faith at all. Of course, a concrete action must be done instead of just believing and believing but nothing is actually happening.

Values presented in the film are negative such as poverty, and injustice. Poverty is presented in a negative manner since it gives focus to the poverty in the streets of Manila as evidenced by the beggars. Injustice was also presented negatively as evidenced by the syndicate's enslavement of the beggars. The play has indeed become an eye-opener for the audience to what is really happening in the society. Thus, the play promotes a positive value.

Although the play is short, it actually presented issues that we must be aware of. It delivered the message right there and there especially if you go deeper to the story. Let us not be blind, mute and lame regarding the issues presented in the play and also to the other existing ones.