What is the plot summary of The Mats by Francisco Arcellana?

Arcellano was accurate when he wrote about the mats with a two-prong points conveyed: First, the Filipinos have strong family ties and second, the mats have bonded that tie till death as in the case of the Arcellana family.

Mr. Angeles travelled to southern Philippines and bought mats for his wife and children. Each mat has the corresponding name of all his living offspring, even those who already died. When he arrived home from his trip, he presented the mats to his family. As he unfolds one mat after another, he narrated the emotions, longings and beautiful memories they have had as a family. The sorrow heightened when the last two mats he opened are for his dead children which made his wife reacted with grief, and told Mr.Angeles that there is no need for him to open those mats for the two were already dead.

At that point, Mr. Angeles cried with pain while telling his wife that his children must always be in their memory no matter where they are now.

A very sentimental write. Arcellana's story would indeed capture the Filipino readers by heart for his brilliant display of emotions by using only one symbolism-THE MAT.