The 207-page book was published in Manila by R. Martinez[1] and was printed by the Imprenta at Litograpya Ni Juan Fajardo (Printer And Lithography By Juan Fajardo) during the American era in Philippine history.

[2] The novel is alternatively known as Ang Tala sa Panghulo: Nobelang Taga-ilog ("The Bright Star at Panghulo: A Riverine Novel"),[1] which can also mean Ang Tala sa Panghulo: Nobelang Tagalog (the word Tagalog originated from the Tagalog-language word "taga-ilog" meaning riverine or river people), thus the alternative English translation is The Bright Star at Panghulo: A Tagalog Novel.

Being a barrio resident, Berta is presented by the author as shy and modest, while Lucia – being a city girl – was portrayed as impatient, devious, and disloyal.

Mang Pedro, as revealed at the end of the novel, turns out to be the wealthy father of Berta[3] and the owner of the house in Manila where Luciano resides.

Berta, while gathering dampalit (a local plant used as an ingredient in pickling), heard the shots.