Many are often faced with a decision between what is accepted and what is correct. We feel the need to get the approval of those who surround us instead of us ourselves. However, the mere bystanders are no more than just that. We must overcome our worries and do what is necessary. After all, what will matter most later in our lives is what our actions were rather than what they were thought of. Albert Einstein explained this: “What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.” This, I believe, is the foundation for Montress, a collection of short stories by Lysley Tenorio. Throughout the collection, readers explore the lives of young Filipino immigrants who must face decisions regarding their families, society, and…show more content… When a new director, Gaz Gazman, picks Reva and her director up to help direct a new film, Reva ends up an actress in it. After seeing her act, Gaz decides to keep her for future movies, though it would mean leaving her boyfriend to go back home. Seduced by the money and fame, she stays, later regretting it. Although Gogo wants to go home, she knows that she will be ridiculed for not taking the opportunity, and regrets the choice for the rest of her life. If she had done what her heart wanted, she would have been happier. Another example of this theme is in the short story, “The Brothers,” in which a young man, Edmond, is to bury his transsexual brother who was shut out of the family. After meeting one of Eric’s friends, Edmond learns more about his brother. He starts to feel guilty about leaving Eric when he needed him most. However, if he had done what he thought was right and stayed by his brother’s side, instead of thinking about what society would think about his brother’s change, Eric would have died a happier man. We learn again that the most important thing to do is the right thing instead of the popular thing. Finally, we can see the importance of this theme in the story, “Felix Starro,” in which a young man is forced to participate in the deceitful family business of faith
