Chapter 28
In chapter 28, At the apartment complex, what was Sab's response to Excel about heading back to Hello City?
Sab tells Excel that she is done with Hello City and moved in with her aunt after kicking out her boyfriend, leaving a room open for Sab.
In Chapter 29, Maxima and Excel bring Jerry a pasalubong / gift, what do they give him? Provide a quote and page number that reveals this information.
"...three packs of Oh Fresh! dried mango, two tins of Ding-Ding mixed nuts, and a white T-shirt that says THRILLA FROM MANILLA: CUTE-CUTE! in red, blue, and yellow letters." (Tenorio 259).
In Chapter 30, why are Excel and Maxima afraid to go through TSA? What didn't they expect Jerry to do?
TSA agents were checking boarding passes meanwhile Excel and Maxima had fake ones. Their original plan was to meet Roxy at the curb of international but plans quickly changed as Excel and Maxima got caught in their own lie with Jerry waiting for them both to go through security.
In Chapter 31, Before lining up to the counter, What does Z pack for his flight back to Serbia? Provide a quote and page number that shows this.
"Excel make sure Z has brought all he needs for the flight in his backpack- one change of clothes, some bananas, and cashews for the plane, a toothbrush" (Tenorio 281).
In Chapter 32, Excel is finally able to send a ten-thousand dollar check to Lucia's PO box to pay for all of the damages to the Square. Along with this check, he sends a note. What does the note say? Provide a quote and page number that reveals this information.
What important news does Sab tell Excel regarding their baby?
Sab tells Excel that she's not pregnant anymore and that she went to the clinic.
How do Maxima and Excel get passports before the scheduled flight with Jerry? Since Maxima's passport is expired and Excel doesn't have one.
A guy in San Jose that made "passable passports" for cheap.
What did Jerry need to tell Excel? Why did Jerry tell him what he did?
Jerry told Excel that he must do good in school, commitment, and treating his mother well. Jerry wants Excel to be the best possible son and for him to strive the best he possibly can as he tells him "You are her investment, so you need to be your own investment too" (Tenorio 270).
What did Maxima do after scamming Jerry out of twenty thousand dollars?
She deleted all her social accounts from the Fil-Am Catholic Heart connections, the site where they meet, and the email.
What is the main reason why Maxima wants to return to the Philippines? BONUS FUN QUESTION: What occupation or hobby do you see her pursuing once she returns to the Philippines?
Maxima wants to return to the Philippines because she wants to help out her sick sister, Queenie.
BONUS: Maybe she wants to try acting again?
While in San Francisco years prior, what was the amount Maxima and Joker paid to a lawyer in an effort to better their situation in America?
What is seven hundred dollars?
What is the tragic news Maxima informs Jerry of? Who is the relative? How did they die?
Auntie Fritzie died of a sudden brain aneurism.
What does Joker request of Maxima during his final moments? (Extra bragging rights if you say it in tagalog)
"Protect the child" / "Protektahan ang bata"
Where does Excel have the taxi driver stop before heading to the airport? And why does Excel make this detour?
They stopped at a Serbian cemetery in Colma, where Excel wanted Z to visit his son's grave.
While looking at her computer, Maxima is playing with a switchblade, just like how she was playing with one in the prologue of the story. Is there a significance to this switchblade?
Represents Maxima as a person because to the people that she's meeting online, she may seem helpless and docile (concealed aspect of the switchblade) but when you meet her in person, she's a very strong willed woman who is capable of protecting those she loves (unconcealed aspect of the switchblade/the actual knife).
What do you think was the main reason for Sab getting rid of Excel's child? Do you think Sab could've been a good mother?
The main reason was that she didn't feel ready to raise their child since both of her parents were absent growing up.
In another universe, do you think Jerry, Maxima, and Excel would've been a happy family together?
Opinion.
Excel is finally able to admit to Maxima that there's no professor that he needs to pay back, and that he actually needs the money to help fix the Square that he burned down. However, what he doesn't tell Maxima is that Sab was pregnant and that he could've been a father. If Excel told her this important info, how do you think Maxima would react?
Opinion.
What do you think was so significant about the relationship between Excel and Z from working with one another at the Pie to their final interaction at the airport?
open-ended
Throughout the whole book, Excel has always referred to his mom by her name, Maxima. But in this final chapter, he calls her "Mom" during their heartfelt conversation. Why do you think Excel decided to call Maxima "Mom" in this moment? Or, why do you think Excel never calls Maxima, "Mom" ?
Opinion.