1. Who are the different characters involved in the case?

The characters are Mrs. Angustina, Nadya, Myra and Serapio.

2. Which character occupies a position of strength? Why do you say so?

Serapio, in my opinion, occupies a position of strength. Serapio is unrelated to the family, being only a friend of Nadya’s uncle from her father’s side. As such, it would be hard to determine his identity and whereabouts from the prosecution’s perspective. Moreover, being a friend of an uncle, it would not be unlikely that Serapio be more or less Nadya’s parents’ age. Such fact would put him in a position to better assert moral influence over Nadya and Myra, with whom Serapio was last seen.

3. Which character occupies a position of vulnerability? Why do you say so?

Mrs. Angustina and Nadya are in a position of vulnerability. Mrs. Angustina has not heard from her daughter Nadya for more than two months and has in fact expressed fears that Nadya might be dead or in the hands of a syndicate. Such lack of knowledge about her daughter’s well-being and location shows her vulnerable position. As for Nadya, she is in an even more vulnerable position. First of all, she was not informed of the nature of the work she would be getting. Lack of information here is detrimental to her in many respects. Secondly, Nadya is relatively young, having only just graduated from college. As such, she may prove to be someone easily swayed or persuaded, given her youth. Lastly, she has not contacted her mother at all for over two months despite having been given a cellphone as a graduation gift. Common sense would tell us that when a person, particularly one who has recently graduated college, actually finds work, he or she would inform his or her parents of such fact. The absence of such notice to Mrs. Angustina points to a bad situation.

4. Is there a character who occupies both positions of strength and weakness?

Myra, in my opinion, is in a position of strength and weakness. She is in an advantageous position if what her parents said about her growing up is true. If she was indeed a rebel, it is not unlikely that Myra precisely sought the situation to get away from her parents and live a life of her own. It is possible that she has found proper employment and just chooses not to contact her parents. On the other hand, she is in a very vulnerable position if she not informed of her employment like Nadya. It might be the case that Myra is being employed against her will and is prevented by her employer from contacting her relatives.