Katrina Ninfa Topacio

The way the plot was conceptualized was truly amazing. But behind this ingenious plot is a depressing story of women who lack agency to make decisions about their lives and free themselves from society's cruelty. This "man-made" story is full of men who knew exactly how to manipulate others, either by physical force, their influence, or their intelligence. It is sad that very few, if none, have paid attention to how the story really began, that is of two women (mother & daughter) trying to protect each other's lives. In the end, I would have been happy if they had just walked away unscathed, getting away from their sad past. But how depressing that the story had to put one woman in jail and the other committing (attempted) sucide. Yes, I know I should have been in awe after reading a clever detective story but I had enough of stories where women are victimized and their fates strongly determined by men around them.