1
spunky
showing courage
Min Min
Malaka's spunky
half-sister with a mind of her own
2
matriarch
a female head of a family or tribe
Tita Pinky
Malaka's maternal aunt and the
matriarch of the family
3
martial
of or relating to the armed forces
People wanted President Ferdinand Marcos—who had declared martial law in 1972—OUT.
4
toil
work hard
Why would I want to come to the United States? To toil away?
5
visa
an endorsement that allows the bearer to enter a country
Get visa!