What is 'Footnote to Youth' all about?

Summary:
Dodong wanted to marry Teang and asked his father's permission. Thinking that since they are young, their love would be short, he allowed them to get married. After nine months, Teang gave birth to a child named Blas. For six consecutive years, a new child came along. Teang did not complain even thought she secretly regretted being married at an early age. Sometimes she even wondered if she would have the same life if Lucio, her other suitor who was nine years older than Dodong, was the one she married. Lucio has had no children since the time he married. When Teang and Dodong were twenty they looked like they were fifty.
When Blas was 18, he told his father that he would marry Tona. Dodong did not object, but tried to make Blas think twice before rushing to marriage - because Dodong doesn't want Blas to end up like him.

Footnote to Youth

It simply tells the story of an older person who made a mistake in the past who ended up with a not so pleasurable life. Then he had a son who is like him when he was young. His son is hasty in making the decision to get married, just like he was when he was 17. Despite this, Dodong did not - and could not - stop Blas from marrying Tona. Therefore, he didn't object. Instead, he just reminded him that Blas is still very young and might as well think twice before rushing to marriage. But, as the ending goes:

"Youth must triumph... now. Love must triumph... now. As long ago did youth and love triumphed for Dodong. And then... life.

First answer by Katrina Tags. Last edit by AbbyJuat. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 63 [recommend question]