You are on page 1of 45

MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

PERIOD OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

I. Introduction
This lesson presents the different forms of literature during the Pre-Colonial Philippines which serves as the
foundation of our Contemporary Literature. These forms manifest our country’s diverse culture and history.

II. Objectives

1. Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history from the pre-colonial
period.
2. Distinguish the earliest forms of literature in the Philippines.
3. Understand and appreciate classic literary forms.

III. Discussion

man’s vehicle for self


a form of catharsis/relief
came from the Latin word expression
Littera which means letter

primordial aim is to entertain preserver of culture of a


LITERATURE
nation

tool for cultural transmission


showcase people’s national
upheavals

About the Philippines

• The first settlers of the Philippines arrived through land bridges around 15,000 – 30, 000 BC. Those first
settlers (the Aetas) were excellent hunters and food gatherers.
• In 2500 BC, two types of Malays came and influenced our ancestors. The Proto- Malays introduced
knowledge in seafaring, farming, building houses from trees, and creation of fire for cooking. The Deutero-
Malays (Indian, Chinese, Siamese, Arabic) shared their own systems of writing, knowledge and skills in
agriculture, metallurgy, jewelry- making, and boat- building.
Beliefs

• Ancient Filipinos were animistic (worships nature). They believed in Anitos, Diwatas, good spirits, and bad
spirits.
• The name/ term for God varies from region to region; same with the belief on how the world came to be.
o BATHALA (Tagalog)
o LAON or ABBA (Bisaya)

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz |1
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

o IKASI, ZAMBAL, or GUGURANG (Bicolano)


o KABUNIAN (Ilocano and Ifugao)
Way of Writing

• According to a Spanish Historian named Father Pedro Chirino , Filipinos already have their way of writing
even before the Spaniards came.
o Baybayin Tagalog)
o Kirim (Muslim
o Jiwi (Tausug)
Government

• The Ancient Filipinos lived in settlements called ‘baranggays’ (erived from ‘balangay’ – the boat of Malays).
Each barangay consists of 30 to 100 families.
• A settlement is led by a leader called “Datu” (also Lakan or Rajah in some places)
• The umalohokan or town crier announces the laws or news to the whole barangay.
Way of Living

• The houses and lifestyle of Ancient Filipinos vary. It depends on their place of origin.

PLACE TYPE OF HOUSE LIFESTYLE


1. Mountains Caves; Tree Houses Excellent Hunters
2. Near a body of water Boat Houses; Houses with stilts Seafarers, Fishermen
3. Land Houses made of either mud, wood, Hunters, Food Gatherers
or bamboo

Social Classes

Datu
Freemen (Maharlika)
Common People (Timawa)

Slaves
1. Aliping Namamahay
2. Aliping Sagigilid

Philippine Literature

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz |2
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Pre-colonial
Nature Forms
Period

Oral and Written Traditions Traditional Verses

• Folk Wisdom Riddles, Proverbs, and Short Poems


Communal and Collective Folk Songs
• Language of Daily Life Ritualistic Chants and Spells
Functional Folk Narratives
• Transmission of Beliefs and Epics, Myths
Morals
• Values, Ideals, and Customs Legends, Fables
• Entertainment Folktales, Fantastic Stories

Traditional Verses

• Riddles – usually a rhyming couplet, each having a regular syllabic count, varying from four syllables to as
many as 14 syllables. Riddles draw their subjects from everyday life, and they are used to test wit, ingenuity,
and imagination.

• Proverbs – terse statements of practical wisdom based on long experience and observations about life. It
ranges from expressions of general attitudes toward life to exhortations on behavior.

• Songs – are of great variety, expressive of a gamut of human experiences and feelings. They are sung at
almost every occasion: work, worship, wedding, and war, with the accompaniment of musical instruments.

o TYPES OF SONGS
▪ Uyayi – lullaby
▪ Komintang – war song
▪ Kundiman – melancholic love song
▪ Harana – courtship song
▪ Tagay – drinking song
▪ Mambayu – Kalinga rice- pounding song
▪ Subli – dance ritual song of courtship/ marriage
▪ Tagulaylay – songs of the dead

• Chants – used in witchcraft or enchantments (ex. Tabi tabi po…)

Folk Narratives

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz |3
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

• Folk Epics – are lengthy narrative poems revolving around supernatural events, heroic deeds, or folk
heroes. They were either chanted or sung with a certain seriousness of purpose. They were recited in
communal gatherings as a way of strengthening tribal pride and unity.

• Creation Myths – deals mainly with the creation of the universe, the origin of people, the gods, supernatural
beings, and divinities

• Legends – deals mainly with the origin of local phenomena or happenings, origin of places, plants, animals,
things, and names.

• Fables – deals with animals and inanimate beings made to speak and act like rational beings and teaching
morals

• Fantastic Stories – deals with the unseen world or the underworld, and with odd, whimsical, or grotesque
characters.

• Folktales – deals with humorous or heroic stories about native culture heroes, village idiots, tricksters,
tramps, and other stock characters.

IV. Activity/Activities

A. Individual Activity
Write a summary of a folk narrative you have learned from your younger years. Identify the lesson of the story and
discuss how it shaped your way of thinking.

LESSON 2: PHILIPPINE MYTHOLOGY

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz |4
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

I. Introduction
Just like the Greeks, Filipinos also have a number of deities who represents our culture. In this lesson, you will be
introduced to the various residents of Lakuwalhatian (Skyworld) and Kasamaan (Underworld).

II. Objectives

1. Identify the different Gods and Goddesses from Philippine Mythology.


2. Reflect on the role of the deities from different regions in shaping Philippine Literature.

III. Discussion

• Philippine mythology gave our ancestors a sense of direction and helped them explain everything.
• For them, it was not just a belief in invisible higher beings. Philippine mythology defined who they were and
what they’re supposed to do.
• Filipinos didn’t stick to a single version of creation story nor did they give uniform names to their deities.
• Is a collection of stories and superstitions about magical beings a.k.a. deities whom our ancestors believed
controlled everything.

Good Tagalog Deities in Ancient Philippine Mythology

the residents of Kaluwalhatian (the Ancient Tagalog Skyworld)

▣ Bathala - The supreme god of being; creator of man and earth and addressed sometimes as Bathalang
Maykapal. dwells in Kaluwalhatian
▣ Amanikable - God of hunters
▣ Idiyanale - The goddess of labor and good deeds.
▣ Lakapati - The goddess of fertility and the most understanding and kind of all the deities. Also known
as Ikapati
▣ Mapulon - The god of seasons
▣ Mayari - The goddess of the moon, war, and revolution
▣ Tala - The goddess of the stars
▣ Hanan - The goddess of morning
▣ Dumakulem - The strong, agile guardian of mountains
▣ Anitun Tabu - The fickle-minded goddess of wind and rain
▣ Anagolay - The goddess of lost things and the only offspring of Lakapati and Mapulon.
▣ Apolaki - The god of sun and the chief patron of warriors.
▣ Diyan Masalanta - The goddess of love, conception and childbirth and the protector of lovers.

Harmful Tagalog Deities in Ancient Philippine Mythology

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz |5
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Residents of Kasamaan (Ancient Tagalog Underworld)

▣ Sitan - The guardian of Kasamaan and the keeper of all souls therein, the counterpart of Satan. He
had four agents whose task was to lead man to sin and destruction.
▣ Manggagaway - She was the first agent of Sitan and was primarily blamed as the cause of diseases.
▣ Manisilat - The second agent of Sitan, she was tasked to destroy and break every happy and united
family that she could find.
▣ Mangkukulam - The only male agent of Sitan, he was to emit fire at night and when there was bad
weather.
▣ Hukluban - The last agent of Sitan. Could change herself into any form she desired. She could kill
someone by simply raising her hand and could heal without any difficulty as she wished.

Other Tagalog Deities in Ancient Philippine Mythology

▣ Aman Sinaya - She is the primordial goddess of the ocean and protector of fishermen.
▣ Galang Kaluluwa - The winged god present in some creation myths who loves to travel. He is
identified as a close friend of Bathala.
▣ Haik - god of the sea
▣ Lakambakod - The protector of the growing crops.
▣ Lakambini - is known as the “pure maiden” for his incomparable beauty, ironic that he is a male diwata.
He was originally known as the god of “kapurihan”(purity) and is also the god of food, festivity and anti-
gluttony.

Ancient Visayan Deities in Philippine Mythology

▣ Adlaw – God of the Sun


▣ Alunsina – She was the virgin goddess of the eastern skies.
▣ Bangun Bangun – God of time and cosmic movements.
▣ Barangaw – He is the god of the rainbow.
▣ Bulalakaw – Bird god, causer of illness.
▣ Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan – Goddess of greediness.
▣ Dalikamata – The many-eyed goddess, cures eye illnesses.
▣ Nagmalitong Yawa Sinagmaling – Diwata the goddess of lust,
▣ Ribung Linti – God of lightning and thunder, seduction and demons

Ancient Bikolano Deities in Philippine Mythology

▣ Gugurang – The supreme god who dwells inside of Mount Mayon where he guards and protects the
sacred fire in which Aswang, his brother was trying to steal.
▣ Asuang – The harmful god who always try to steal the sacred fire of Mount Mayon from his brother,
Gugurang.
▣ Haliya – The masked goddess of the moon and the arch-enemy of Bakunawa.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz |6
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

▣ Bakunawa – A gigantic sea serpent deity who is often considered as the cause of eclipses. As the
devourer of the sun and the moon, this serpent became an adversary of Haliya.

Notable Deities from other Regions

▣ Balitok (Ifugao) – son of Bugan and a mortal man; due to the separation of his parents, he was eventually
split in half, the upper half became a celestial being and the lower half became animals.
▣ Melu (Bilaan) – was so large that he could not be compared with any known thing. He had gold teeth and
was obsessed with cleanliness

IV. Activities

A. Individual/ Group Activity


Choose a character from Philippine Mythology and write a contemporary story about him/her in 200 words. Write
your output on a short bond paper.

B. Group Activity
Plan and execute a photo shoot depicting Ancient Filipino Gods and Goddesses.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz |7
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

PHILIPPINE LITERARY HISTORY: SPANISH

I. Introduction
Although literature is often thought of as ephemeral and transient, it can also remind us of the events from the past,
and bring with it sensory experiences through rhyme, rhythm, and image. In this lesson, the influences of the
Spaniards, Americans, and Japanese on our literature will be discussed including the different forms of literature that
they introduced.

II. Objective

1. Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history during the Spanish,
American and Japanese Colonial Period.

PHILIPPINE LITERARY HISTORY

SPANISH INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
3. The Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lent many of its words to our language.
Our periodicals during these times gained a religious tone.

THE FIRST BOOKS (Books published during the Spanish Period)


1. ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE)
◉ first book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in xylography
◉ written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog and Spanish.

2. NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL ROSARIO


◉ second book printed in the Philippines written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in 1602
◉ biographies of saints, novenas, and questions and answers on religion

3. LIBRO DE LOS CUATRO POSTPRIMERAS DE HOMBRE (IN SPANISH AND TAGALOG).


◉ first book printed in typography

4. ANG BARLAAN AT JOSEPHAT


◉ a Biblical story printed in the Philippines and translated to Tagalog from Greek by Fr. Antonio de Borja
◉ first Tagalog novel published in the Philippines even if it is only a translation
5. THE PASION
◉ This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ.
◉ There were 4 versions of this in Tagalog and each version is according to the name of the writer.

6. URBANA AT FELISA
◉ A book by Modesto de Castro, the so called Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog.
◉ These are letters between two sisters Urbana at Felisa

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz |8
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

7. ANG MGA DALIT KAY MARIA (PSALMS FOR MARY)


◉ A collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary.
◉ Fr. Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest, wrote this in 1865

FORMS

A. Folk Songs

− manifest the artistic feelings of the Filipinos


− Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi and Atin Cu Pung Singsing.

B. Recreational Plays

1. Tibag
This ritual was brought here by the Spaniard to remind the people about the search of St. Helena for the
Cross on which Jesus died.
2. Lagaylay
this is a special occasion for the Pilareños of Sorsogon during Maytime to get together.
3. The Cenaculo
this is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ
4. Panunuluyan
this is presented before 12:00 on Christmas Eve. This is a presentation of the search of the Virgin Mary and
St. Joseph for an inn wherein to deliver the baby Jesus.
5. The Salubong (or Panubong)
The Salubong is an Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Christ and his Mother. It is still
presented in many Philippine towns.
6. Carillo (Shadow Play)
This is a form of dramatic entertainment performed on a moonless night during a town fiesta or on dark
nights after a harvest.
7. The Zarzuela
It is a musical comedy or melodrama three acts which dealt with man’s passions and emotions like love,
hate, revenge, cruelty, avarice or some social or political problem.
8. The Sainete
This was a short musical comedy .They were exaggerated comedies and the themes were taken from
everyday life scenarios.
C. Moro-moro
− This is performed during town fiestas to entertain the people and to remind them of their Christian religion.
D. Karagatan
− This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature celebrated during the death of a person.
E. Duplo
− The Duplo replace the Karagatan.
F. Balagtasan
− This is a poetic joust or a contest of skills in debate on a particular topic or issue.
LITERARY HISTORY: AMERICAN

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz |9
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

II. Objective:

1. Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history during the Spanish,
American and Japanese Colonial Period.

AMERICAN INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

◉ English as medium of instruction


◉ Philippine literature in English was imitative of American models of writing
◉ 1925 - Paz Marquez Benitez short story, "Dead Stars”
◉ In 1936, the Philippine Writers League was organized
◉ The novel in Tagalog, Iloko, Hiligaynon, and Sugbuanon also developed during the period aided largely by
- considered as the "Bible of working class Filipinos“
◉ Poetry in all languages continued to flourish.
◉ Huseng Batute, emerged triumphant to become the first king of Balagtasan.
◉ 1932 - “Ako ang Daigdig“ by Alejandro G. Abadilla began the era of modernism in Tagalog poetry.
◉ Modernist poetry - free or blank verses

PHILIPPINE LITERARY HISTORY: JAPANESE

I. Introduction
Although literature is often thought of as ephemeral and transient, it can also remind us of the events from the past,
and bring with it sensory experiences through rhyme, rhythm, and image. In this lesson, the influences of the
Spaniards, Americans, and Japanese on our literature will be discussed including the different forms of literature that
they introduced.

II. Objectives

1. Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history during the Spanish,
American and Japanese Colonial Period.
2. Distinguish the different forms of literature during the period of colonization.

JAPANESE INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

◉ Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development.


◉ During this time, there was no freedom of speech and of the press.
◉ The writings are pessimistic and bitter.
◉ There were some efforts at escapist literature.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 10
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

◉ The weekly Liwayway was placed under strict surveillance until it was managed by a Japanese named
Ishiwara.
◉ “Voice of Freedom” – only contact with the outside world
◉ Tagalog was favored by the Japanese military authority and writing in English was consigned to a limbo.

FILIPINO DRAMA
◉ The drama experienced a lull during the Japanese period because movie houses showing American films
were closed.
◉ PLAYWRITERS

1. Jose Ma. Hernandez – wrote PANDAY PIRA


2.Francisco Soc Rodrigo – wrote sa PULA, SA PUTI
3.Clodualdo del Mundo – wrote BULAGA (an expression in the game Hide and Seek).
4. Julian Cruz Balmaceda – wrote SINO BA KAYO?, DAHIL SA ANAK, and HIGANTE NG PATAY.

FILIPINO POETRY
◉ HAIKU - It is made up of seventeen (17) syllables divided into three (3) lines. The first line has five, the
second – seven and the third – five.
◉ TANAGA - it is short, but has measure and rhyme.
◉ KARANIWANG ANYO - the usual and common form of poetry

FILIPINO SHORT STORIES


◉ The field of the short story widened during the Japanese Occupation.
◉ Noteworthy writer of the period was Carlos P. Romulo who won the Pulitzer Prize for his bestsellers

Source:
National Commission for Culture and the Arts
IV. Activities

A. Individual Activity
Choose one period from the Philippine literary history and create an infographic timeline about it.

B. Group Activity
Analyze a literary text written during the periods discussed and present it in front of the class. Groupings depend
upon your teacher’s discretion.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 11
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

LESSON 6: AUTHORITARIANISM

I. Introduction
There are many different perspectives regarding martial law. In the history books, martial law is seen as a great evil
under the reign of former President Ferdinand Marcos, but there are some Filipinos who look at that period with
fondness. In this lesson, we will explore what happened during martial law and analyze the themes of the texts
written during that period.

II. Objectives

1. Familiarize one’s self with the events during the Marcos regime.
2. Analyze the functions and purposes behind the literary pieces written about Martial Law.

III. Discussion

Martial law period: a brief glance in Philippine history

Who is Ferdinand Edralin Marcos?


 Born September 11, 1917
 Died September 28, 1989 (72 yrs. old) Honolulu, Hawaii
 Father’s also a politician whose opponent to Cojuangco-Aquino clans
 Attorney-at-law late 1930’s
 Officer in the Philippine Armed Forces World War II
 Technical Assistant to Former President Manuel Roxas 1946-47
 Member, House of Representatives and of the Senate 1949-59
 Senate President 1963-65
 Originally from the Liberal Party to Nationalist Party
 Won the elections over Former President Diosdado Macapagal
 Imposed Martial Law on September 21, 1972

Facts behind implementation


• Violent urban guerilla activities
• Increasing student demonstrations
• Communist and subversive forces
• The Marcos administration was threatened. Hence, the proclamation of martial law.

Apo On the Wall


Bj Patino

1 There’s this man’s photo on the wall


2 of my father’s office at home, you

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 12
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

3 know, where father brings his work


4 where he doesn’t look strange
5 still wearing his green uniform
6 and colored breast plates, where,
7 to prove that he works hard, he
8 also brought a photo of his boss
9 whom he calls Apo, so Apo could,
10 you know, hang around the wall
11 behind him and look over his shoulders
12 to make sure he’s snappy and all
13 Father snapped at me once, caught me
14 sneaking around his office at home
15 looking at the stuff on his wall—handguns,
16 plaques, a sword, medals, a rifle—
17 told me that was no place for a boy,
18 only men, when he didn’t really
19 have to tell me, because, you know,
20 that photo of Apo on the wall was already
21 looking at me while I moved around,
22 his eyes following me like he was
23 that scary Jesus in the hallway, saying
24 I know, I know what you’re doing.

IV. Activities

A. Individual Activity
On a ½ crosswise, work on this worksheet:
Characters from Apo on the Wall Details about the Character Conclusion

B. Group Activity
Read “The Safe House” by Sandra Nicole Roldan and write a reflective essay about the protagonist’s decision in the
end of the story.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 13
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

LESSON 7: Philippine National Artists for Literature

I. Introduction
The Philippines is home to many talented writers. Some of them were even conferred as National Artists for
Literature. This lesson explores the life of each notable writer and some of their literary works.

II. Objectives

1. Enumerate the National Artists that made significant impact to Philippine Literature.
2. Appreciate the contributions of the National Artists to the development of national literature
3. Evaluate texts written by different canonical writers.

III. Discussion

Literary Standards:
1. Universality
2. Artistry
3. Intellectual Value
4. Suggestiveness
5. Spiritual Value
6. Permanence
7. Style

Philippine National Artists for Literature

Amado V. Hernandez
National Artist for Literature (1973)
(September 13, 1903 – May 24, 1970)

• the function of the writer is to act as the conscience of society


and to affirm the greatness of the human spirit in the face of
inequity and oppression.
• wrote in prose closer to the colloquial than the “official” style permitted.
• his novel Mga Ibong Mandaragit, was written while in prison
Works:
• Bayang Malaya
• Isang Dipang Langit
• Luha ng Buwaya
• Amado V. Hernandez: Tudla at Tudling: Katipunan ng mga Nalathalang Tula 1921-1970
• Langaw sa Isang Basong Gatas at Iba Pang Kuwento ni Amado V. Hernandez

Jose Garcia Villa


National Artist for Literature (1973)
(August 05, 1908-February 07, 1997)

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 14
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

• Finest contemporary poet


• he used Doveglion as penname
• One of his first poems Have Come, Am Here received critical recognition in New York, 1942
• Footnote to Youth
• Many Voices
• Poems by Doveglion
• Poems 55
• The Bashful One

Nick Joaquin
National Artist for Literature (1976)
(May 4, 1917-April 29, 2004)

• most distinguished Filipino writer in English


• “Joiaquinesque” -baroque Spanish-flavored English/reinventions of English in Filipinisms
• Explores the Philippine colonial past under Spain and psychology of social changes

1. The Woman Who Had Two Navels


2. A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino
3. Manila, My Manila: A History for the Young
4. The Ballad of the Five Battles
5. Rizal in Saga
6. Almanac for Manileños
7. Cave and Shadows

Carlos P. Romulo
National Artist for Literature (1982)
(January 14, 1899 – December 15, 1985)

• 50 years of public service as educator, soldier, university president, journalist and Diplomat
16 – reporter
20 – newspaper editor
32 - publisher
• only Asian to win the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism

1. The United (novel)


2. I Walked with Heroes (autobiography)
3. I Saw the Fall of the Philippines
4. Mother America
5. I See the Philippines Rise (war-time memoirs).

Francisco Arcellana
National Artist for Literature (1990)
(September 6, 1916 – August 1, 2002)
• writer, poet, essayist, critic, journalist and teacher
• one of the most important progenitors of the modern Filipino short story in English
• experimental tradition in fiction
Works:
• Frankie
• The Man Who Would Be Poe

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 15
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

• Death in a Factory
• Lina
• A Clown Remembers
• Divided by Two
• The Mats

N.V.M. Gonzales
National Artist for Liaterature (1997)
(September 8, 1915 – November 28, 1999)

• Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez


• fictionist, essayist, poet, and teacher
• won the First Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940
• English language to express, reflect and shape Philippine culture and Philippine sensibility
Works:
1. The Winds of April
2. Seven Hills Away,
3. Children of the Ash-Covered Loam and Other Stories
4. The Bamboo Dancers
5. Look Stranger

Rolando S. Tinio
National Artist for Theater and Literature (1997)
(March 5, 1937 – July 7, 1997)

• playwright, thespian, poet, teacher, critic and translator


• sole inventor of “Taglish” peotry
• Stage director -brought forth productions notable for their visual impact and intellectual cogency
Works:
1. Sitsit sa Kuliglig
2. Dunung – Dunungan
3. Kristal na Uniberso
4. A Trick of Mirror

Levi Celerio
National Artist for Literature/Music (1997)
(April 30, 1910 – April 2, 2002)
• prolific lyricist and composer for decades
• He made it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the only person able to make musicusing just a leaf

Edith Tiempo
National Artist for Literature (1999)
(April 22, 1919 – August 21, 2011)
• poet, fictionist, teacher and literary critic
• Poems- intricate verbal trasnfigurations of significant experiences
• founded and directed the Silliman National Writers Workshop in Dumaguete City with her late husband,
Edilberto K. Tiempo
Works:
1. A Blade of Fern
2. The Native Coast
3. The Alien Corn

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 16
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

4. The Tracks of Babylon and Other Poems


5. The Charmer’s Box and Other Poems

F. Sionil Jose
National Artist for Literature (2001)
(December 3, 1924-)
• Its sheer volume puts him on the forefront of Philippine writing in
English
• national sovereignty and social justice
• His works were published and translated into various languages

Virgilio Almario
National Artist for Literature (2003)
(March 9, 1944-)

• Also known as Rio Alma


• poet, literary historian and critic
• has revived and reinvented traditional Filipino poetic forms, even as he championed modernist poetics
• Chairperson of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (2017-2019)
• He put a face to the Filipino writer in the country, one strong face determinedly wielding a pen into truths,
hypocrisy, and injustice.

Bienvenido Lumbera
National Artist for Literature (2006)
(April 11, 1932-)
• poet, librettist, and scholar.
• Born April 11, 1932 Lipa, Batangas
• Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa (poems in Filipino and English), 1993;
• Balaybay, Mga Tulang Lunot at Manibalang, 2002;
• Sa Sariling Bayan,
• Apat na Dulang May Musika, 2004;
• “Agunyas sa Hacienda Luisita,”
• Pakikiramay, 2004

Alejandro Roces
National Artist for Literature (2003)
(July 13, 1924 – May 23, 2011)
• short story writer and essayist, and considered as the country’s best writer of comic short stories
• focused on the neglected aspects of the Filipino cultural heritage
• My Brother’s Peculiar Chicken

Lazaro Francisco
National Artist for Literature (2009)
(February 22, 1898 – June 17, 1980)
• His work embodies his commitment to nationalism
• championed the cause of the common man, specifically the oppressed peasants
• Master of the Tagalog Novel
• Ama
• Bayang Nagpatiwakal
• Maganda Pa Ang Daigdig
• Daluyong

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 17
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Cirilo Bautista
National Artist for Literature (2014)
(July 9, 1941-2018)
• poet, fictionist and essayist
• Teacher in literature
• updated students and student-writers on literary developments and techniques.
• Philippine Literary Arts Council in 1981
• Iligan National Writers Workshop in 1993
• Baguio Writers Group.
• Major works: Summer Suns (1963)
• Words and Battlefields (1998)
• The Trilogy of Saint Lazarus (2001)
• Galaw ng Asoge (2003).

IV. Activities

A. Individual Activity
Do a more intensive research on the life of any national artist and share it in front of the class.

B. Group Activity
Create a brochure promoting the works of your chosen National Artist. Further instructions will be given by your
teacher.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 18
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

LESSON 8: BULAKENYO WRITERS AND THEIR


CONTRIBUTIONS TO PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

I. Introduction
Aside from Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Francisco Balagtas, there are also several writers from Bulacan that became
instrumental in the development of our local literature. This lesson is an introduction to the life and works of those
writers.

II. Objectives

1. Identify different Bulakenyo writers and their famous works.


2. Value the contributions of local writers through appreciation on the development of national literature
3. Analyze representative texts written by Bulakenyo writers.

III. Discussion
:

BULAKENYO WRITERS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

A. Francisco Baltazar
(April 2, 1788 - February 20, 1862)

− born in Barrio Panginay, Bigaa, Bulacan


− influential poet and orator
− many consider him to be the Filipino William Shakespeare
− his pen name was Francisco Balagtas
− The popular Filipino debate form Balagtasan is named after him
− he graduated with degrees in Crown Law, Spanish, Latin, Physics,
Christian Doctrine, Humanities, and Philosophy at the Colegio de San Jose
− Dr. Mariano Pilapil- taught him how to write (developed his writing style)
− José de la Cruz (Huseng Sisiw)- mentored his poetry
− known for writing his poems in Tagalog instead of Spanish to show
resistance to Spanish rule
− Maria Asuncion Rivera – served as a muse for his writings (Celia and Mar)
− Wed Juana Tiambeng of Orion, Bataan in 1842
− 1838- he published Florante and Laura which is regarded as his defining work

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 19
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

B. Marcelo H. Del Pilar


(August 30, 1850 – July 4, 1896)

− born in Cupang (now Barangay San Nicolas), Bulakan, Bulacan


− one of the leading propagandists for reforms in the country
− his pen name was Plaridel
− patron saint of journalists
− Father of Philippine Masonry
− belonged to the Tagalog nobility
− Marciana H. del Pilar – his cousin whom she married in 1878
− Del Pilar attacked the friars with his tirades and stinging criticisms
− August 1, 1882 - he published Diariong Tagalog, which exposed the
abuses of the friars and the need for reforms
− January 1, 1889 – Arrived in Barcelona, Spain
− La Solidaridad – primary organ of the propaganda
− released its first issue on February 15, 1889
− had to be discontinued for lack of funds
− last issue was released on November 15, 1895

C. José Corazón de Jesús


(November 22, 1896 - May 26, 1932)

− Born in Santa Cruz, Manila but spent his childhood in Santa Maria, Bulacan,
his father's hometown
− his pen name was Huseng Batute
− was a Filipino poet who used Tagalog poetry to express the Filipinos' desire
for independence during the American occupation of the Philippines
− finished Bachelor of Laws in Academia de Leyes
− Pangungulila (Yearning) – his first published poem in 1913
− became a columnist of the Tagalog newspaper Taliba
− changed the format of the duplo and renamed it balagtasan in honor of
Balagtas
− dubbed "Hari ng Balagtasan" (king of versified debate) for winning over
Florentino Collantes in a showdown held on Oct. 18, 1925

D. Teodoro E. Gener

- a poet and novelist from Bulacan


- a classical and conservative poet
- His most notable work is the translation of the Spanish novel Don Quijote Dela Mancha to Tagalog

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 20
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

- as part of the Institute of National Language o Surian ng Wikang Pambansang, he published important
writings relevant to the development of our national language
- Some of his works are:
− Duplo't Balagtasan (1949)
− Essentials of Tagalog (1940)
− Our National Language: Studies in Grammar (1940)
− Ang Kudlit at Tatas ng Wikang Tagalog (1940)
− Taluntunan (Balangkas ng Balarila)

E. Valeriano Hernandez-Peña
(December 12, 1858 – September 7, 1922)
− Born in San Jose, Bulacan
− he was known as Tandang Anong and his pen name was Kuntil Butil
− Father of the Tagalog Novel or Alpha of the Tagalog Novel
− Nena at Neneng - first novel ever published in the vernacular in 1905.
− Although fluent in Spanish, he seldom used it because of his great love for
Tagalog.
− Hernandez’s literary obsession was to point out the problems besetting our
country. This is evident in Mag Inang Mahirap, Mga Tinik ng Bulaklak, Dangal
ng Magulang and Hatol ng Panahon.
− assisted Marcelo H. Del Pilar in his novels against the friars

F. Amado V. Hernandez
(September 13, 1903 – March 24, 1970)

− from Hagonoy, Bulacan


− a pre-war poet laureate and journalist
− He was married to zarzuela actress and queen of kundiman Honorata
"Atang" dela Rama
− During WWII, he served as intelligence officer for the resistance.
− imprisoned due to rebellion
− the main theme of his works is "social consciousness"
− Bayang Malaya - a historical account of defending the nation and the
ordinary citizens against the dominance of the Imperial Japanese Army
− Mga Ibong Mandaragit - is the first socio-political novel that, like Jose
Rizal's Noli Me Tangere, exposes the grave social cancer achieved in
society post-war to the early open conflicts in Central Luzon in the 1950s

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 21
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

G. Virgilio Almario
(March 9, 1944)

− his pen name is Rio Alma


− from San Miguel, Bulacan
− he is a poet, literary historian, a translator, and critic, who has revived and
reinvented traditional Filipino poetic forms, even as he championed
modernist poetics
− Graduated with a degree in A.B. Political Science at the University of the
Philippines
− he spearheaded the second successful modernist movement in Filipino
poetry
− former Dean of the College of Arts and Letters of UP
− has published 12 books of poetry
− currently the Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 22
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Kay Celia
ni Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas)

1 Kung pagsaulan kong basahin sa isip 9 Ang katauhan ko’y kusang nagtatalik
ang nangakaraang araw ng pag-ibig, sa buntung-hininga nang ikaw’y may sakit,
may mahahagilap kayang natititik himutok ko noo’y inaaring Langit,
liban na kay Celiang namugad sa dibdib? Paraiso naman ang may tulong silid.

2 Yaong Celiang laging pinanganganiban, 10 Liniligawan ko ang iyong larawan


baka makalimot sa pag-iibigan sa Makating ilog na kinalalagyan,
ang ikinalubog niring kapalaran binabakas ko rin sa masayang do’ngan,
sa lubhang malalim na karalitaan. yapak ng paa mo sa batong tuntungan.

3 Makaligtaan ko kayang di basahin 11 Nagbabalik mandi’t parang hinahanap


nagdaang panahon ng suyuan namin, dito ang panahong masayang lumipas,
kaniyang pagsintang ginugol sa akin na kung maliligo’y sa tubig aagap
at pinuhunan kong pagod at hilahil? nang hindi abutin ng tabsing sa dagat.

4 Lumipas ang araw na lubhang matamis 12 Parang naririnig ang lagi mong wika:
at walang natira kundi ang pag-ibig, “tatlong araw na di nagtatanaw tama,”
tapat na pagsuyong lalagi sa dibdib, at sinasagot ko ng sabing may tuwa,
hanggang sa libingan bangkay ko’y maidlip. “sa isang katao’y marami ang handa.”

5 Ngayong namamanglaw sa pangungulila 13 Ano pa nga’t walang di masisiyasat


ang ginagawa kong pang-aliw sa dusa, ang pag-iisip ko sa tuwang lumipas,
nagdaang panaho’y inaalaala, sa kagugunita, luha’y lalagaslas,
sa iyong larawa’y ninitang ginhawa. sabay ang taghoy kong “O, nasawing palad!”

6 Sa larawang guhit ng sintang pinsel 14 Nasaan si Celiang ligaya ng dibdib?


kusang inilimbag sa puso’t panimdim, ang suyuan nami’y bakit di lumawig?
nag-iisang sanlang naiwan sa akin nahan ang panahon isa niyang titig
at di mananakaw magpahanggang libing. ang siyang buhay ko, kaluluwa’t langit?

7 Ang kaluluwa ko’y kusang dumdalaw 15 Bakit baga noong kami’t maghiwalay
sa langsanga’t nayong iyong niyapakan, ay di pa nakitil yaring abang buhay,
sa ilog Beata’t Hilom na mababaw kung gunitain ko’y aking kamatayan
yaring aking puso’y laging lumiligaw. sa puso ko’y Celia’y di ka mapaparam.

8 Di mamakailang mupo ang panimdim 16 Itong di matiis na pagdaralita


sa puno ng manggang naraanan natin, nang dahil sa iyo, o, nalayong tuwa,
sa nagbiting bungang ibig mong pitasin, ang siyang umakay na ako’y tumula,
ang ulilang sinta’y aking inaaliw. awitin ang buhay ng isang naaba.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 23
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

17 Celia’y talastas ko’t malabis na umid, 20 Masasayang nimfas sa lawa ng Bai,


mangmang ang musa ko’t malumbay ang tinig, sirenas ang tinig ay kawili-wili,
di kinabahagya kung hindi malait, kayo ngayo’y siyang pinipintakasi
palaring dinggin mo ng tainga’t isip. ng lubhang mapanglaw na Musa kong imbi.

18 Ito’y unang bukal ng bait kong kutad 21 Ahon sa dalata’t pampang na nagligid
na inihahandog sa mahal kong yapak, tonohang ng lira yaring abang awit,
tanggapin mo nawa kahit walang lasap, na nagsasalitang buhay ma’y mapatid,
nagbuhat sa puso ng lingkod na tapat. tapat na pagsinta’y hangad na lumawig.

19 Kung kasadlakan man ng pula’t pag-ayop, 22 Ikaw na bulaklak niring dilidili


tubo ko’y dakila sa puhunang pagod, Celiang sagisag mo’y ang M.A.R.,
kung binabasa mo’y isa mang himutok Sa Birheng mag-ina’y ipamintakasi
ay alalahanin yaring naghahandog. ang tapat mong lingkod na si F.B.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 24
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Dasalan at Tocsohan
(Excerpts)

Ang Amain Namin


ni Marcelo H. Del Pilar Aba Ginoong Barya
ni Marcelo H. Del Pilar
Amain namin, Sumasacumvento ka.
Sumpain ang ngalan mo, Aba ginoong barya, nacapupuno
Malayo sa amin ang kasakiman mo Ca nang alcansiya, ang Fraile sumasaiyo
Quitlin ang liig mo Bukod ca niyang pinagpala’t pinahigit
Dito sa lupa para ng sa langit. Sa lahat, pinagpala naman ang kaban
Saulan mo kami ngayon ng aming Mong mapasok.
Kaning inyong inarao – arao
At patawarin mo kami Santa Baria, Ina ng Deretsos,
Sa inyong pangungal para nang taua Ipanalangin mo kaming huag anitan
Mo kung nacucualtaan; Ngayon at cami ipapatay,
At huag mo caming ipahintulot sa Siya Naua.
Manunukso at iadya mo cami
Sa masama mong dila. Amen.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 25
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Isang Punungkahoy Bayan Ko


ni José Corazón de Jesús ni José Corazón de Jesús

Kung tatanawin mo sa malayong pook, Ang bayan kong Pilipinas


ako’y tila isang nakadipang kurus; Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
sa napakatagal na pagkakaluhod, Pag-ibig na sa kanyang palad
parang ang paa ng Diyos. Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag.
Organo sa loob ng isang simbahan
ay nananalangin sa kapighatian, At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
habang ang kandila ng sariling buhay Dayuhan ay nahalina
magdamag na tanod sa aking libingan. Bayan ko, binihag ka
Sa aking paanan ay may isang batis, Nasadlak sa dusa.
maghapo’t magdamag na nagtutumangis;
sa mga sanga ko ay nangakasabit Ibon mang may layang lumipad
ang pugad ng mga ibon ng pag-ibig. kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag
Ang di magnasang makaalpas!
Sa kinislap-kislap ng batis na iyan,
asa mo ri’y agos ng luhang nunukal;
Pilipinas kong minumutya
at saka ang buwang tila nagdarasal,
Pugad ng luha ko't dalita
ako’y binabati ng ngiting malamlam.
Aking adhika,
Makita kang sakdal laya.
Ang mga kampana sa tuwing orasyon,
nagpapahiwatig sa akin ng taghoy,
ibon sa sanga ko’y may tabing nang dahon,
batis sa paa ko’y may luha nang daloy.

Ngunit tingnan ninyo ang aking narating,


natuyo, namatay sa sariling aliw.
Naging kurus ako ng pagsuyong laing
at bantay sa hukay sa gitna ng dilim.

Wala na, ang gabi ay lambong na luksa,


panakip sa aking namumutlang mukha!
Kahoy na nabuwal sa pagkakahiga
ni ibon, ni tao’y hindi na matuwa.

At iyong isiping nang nagdaang araw,


isang kahoy akong malago’t malabay.
Ngayon, ang sanga ko’y kurus sa libingan,
dahon ko’y ginawang korona sa hukay!

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 26
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Isang Dipang Langit


Ni Amado V. Hernandez

Ako’y ipiniit ng linsil na puno sampu, dalawampu, at lahat ng taon


hangad palibhasang diwa ko’y piitin, ng buong buhay ko’y dito mapipigtal.
katawang marupok, aniya’y pagsuko,
damdami’y supil na’t mithiin ay supil.
Nguni’t yaring diwa’y walang takot-hirap
Ikinulong ako sa kutang malupit: at batis pa rin itong aking puso:
bato, bakal, punlo, balasik ng bantay; piita’y bahagi ng pakikilamas,
lubos na tiwalag sa buong daigdig mapiit ay tanda ng di pagsuko.
at inaring kahit buhay man ay patay.
Ang tao’t Bathala ay di natutulog
Sa munting dungawan, tanging abot-malas at di habang araw ang api ay api,
ay sandipang langit na puno ng luha, tanang paniniil ay may pagtutuos,
maramot na birang ng pusong may sugat, habang may Bastilya’y may bayang gaganti.
watawat ng aking pagkapariwara.
At bukas, diyan din, aking matatanaw
Sintalim ng kidlat ang mata ng tanod, sa sandipang langit na wala nang luha,
sa pintong may susi’t walang makalapit; sisikat ang gintong araw ng tagumpay…
sigaw ng bilanggo sa katabing moog, layang sasalubong ako sa paglaya!
anaki’y atungal ng hayop sa yungib.
Bartolina ng Muntinlupa – Abril 22, 1952
Ang maghapo’y tila isang tanikala
na kala-kaladkad ng paang madugo
ang buong magdamag ay kulambong luksa
ng kabaong waring lungga ng bilanggo.

Kung minsa’y magdaan ang payak na yabag,


kawil ng kadena ang kumakalanding;
sa maputlang araw saglit ibibilad,
sanlibong aninong iniluwa ng dilim.

Kung minsan, ang gabi’y biglang magulantang


sa hudyat – may takas! – at asod ng punlo;
kung minsa’y tumangis ang lumang batingaw,
sa bitayang moog, may naghihingalo.

At ito ang tanging daigdig ko ngayon –


bilangguang mandi’y libingan ng buhay;

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 27
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

45
Ni Virgilio Almario

Madalî ang magsinungaling;


Ordinaryong trabaho ito ng entablado.
Ngunit mahal ko ang sinabi kong mahal
Dahil bahagi ng aking búhay.
Tulad ng mahal kong kanin sa araw-araw,
Ng saging,
Ng laging preparadong sardinas,
Ng mahirap kalimutang higop ng kape,
Ng sagitsit ng kawali,
Ng ulyaning gripo,
Ng lahat ng pumapalyang sistema ng lungsod,
Ng naninisnis na kalinga ng tuwalya,
Ng masunuring sapatos.
Mahal ko na
Kahit ang kailangang inuming gamot.
At mahal ko ang sorbetes pandan dahil mahal mo:
Ang sapin-sapin,
Ang inipit na halimuyak ng ilang-ilang,
Ang kundiman at jazz,
Ang aklat ng tula,
Ang paborito mong restoran,
Si Chaplin.
Ang damuhang ito dahil inupuan mo.
Ang bangketang iyon
Dahil nilakaran mo rin araw-araw.
Ang takipsilim
Dahil matagal mong pinanood
At hinangaan.
Ang bantayog
Dahil niligid mong nakatingala.
Mahal ko ang suklay dahil iyo:
Ang botones,
Ang sinulid at karayom,
Ang imperdible,
Ang garter,
Ang palda,
Ang panti’t bra, at marami pa.
Lalong hindi ako sinungaling kung minamahal ko
Ang araw,
Ang dagat,
Ang naglalahòng bundok,

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 28
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Ang pangahas na simoy,


Ang ulap,
Ang buhangin at bato,
Dahil naaalaala ko ang init at lamig mo,
Ang lungtian at harot mo,
Ang mga pangarap mo,
Ang lambot at tigas mong minamahal ko.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 29
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Watawat
Ni Virgilio Almario

Ma mabuti pang
Panti
Ang isinasampay sa tagdan
O tseke
ang itinataas tuwing Lunes
Sa saliw ng plakang awit.
Siguradong kahit saglit
Hihinto ang trapik
Titingala ultimong paslit,
At baka tunay na magpugay
Nanginginig pa ang kamay
Sa dibdib
Na tumatahip sa pananabik.

Sino ba ang papansin


Sa telang parihaba’t kulay pula’t bughaw?
Kahit may borla pa’t
Palamuting araw at bituin,
Maghaponitong kakaway sa hangin.
Higit na malikhain,
Higit na kaakit-akit,
Sa pana-panaho’y papalit-palit,
At ginastusan ang mga bilbord
At banderitas
Sa araw araw na pista ng lungsod.

Laro
Ni Virgilio Almario

1
“Ina, walang nangyayari sa mundo.”
“Anak, talasan mo pa ang mata’t tenga.”

2
“Ina, me bagong balita kanina.”
“Anak, takpan mo ang mata’t tenga.”

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 30
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Ang Bungi ni Ani


Ni Virgilio Almario

Sa araw ng aking mahahabang antok


At di mapigilang pagputi ng buhok,
Sisilip-silipin sa bintanang gapok
Ang musmos na araw at sumpang marupok.

Kung katabi kita, aking itatanong:


Natatandaan mo ang bungi mo noon?
Di ba’t ang iyak mo habang nagsusumbong
At parang inapi ng sampung batalyon?

Ay, anung lungkot mo tuwing masusugid


Ang nasirang bakod sa iyong gilagid;
Para bang wala nang tutubo sa bukid
At bawat kampana’y nawalan ng lubid.

Pinanga-pangarap mo pang magpustiso


Para matapos na ang sawi mong kaso;
Hangad ko rin sana’t sunod pa sa uso
Danga’t nang humiling pabagsak ang piso.

Subalit ang aral na dapat itangi:


Walang walang-hanggang tuwa o pighati.
Tandaan mo Ani, kahit ka nabungi
May inaani ka na rosas pagngiti.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 31
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Di na Tayo Umiibig Tulad Noon


Ni Virgilio Almario

Di na tayo umiibig tulad noon,


Dibdib nati’y walang init ng bituin
Pagka’t puso’y mga plastik at de-motor.

Guniguni’y bantulot nang maglimayon,


Humihingal nang maglubid ng buhangin,
Di na tayo umiibig tulad noon.

Bawat liham na lagdaan ay may karbon,


Bawat sumpa’y kasunduang nakapapel,
Pagka’t puso’y mga plastik at de-motor.

Natutuos nating lagi ang ginugol,


Halik nati’y patubuan kung isiil,
Di na tayo umiibig tulad noon.

Tanglaw nati’y buwan kundi neon


Kung ibulong ang pagsuyo sa ‘sang motel,
Pagka’t puso’y mga plastik at de-motor.

Kahit pusong umibig ngang walang gatol


hahatulan nating musmos o nabaliw,
Di na tayo umiibig tulad noon
Pagka’t puso’y mga plastik at de-motor.

IV. Activities

A. Individual Activity
Do a video blog about your reaction on the poems above.

B. Group Activity
The class will be divided into 5 groups and each group will have a creative interpretation of a poem by Rio Alma.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 32
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

LESSON 9: LITERARY ELEMENTS

I. Introduction

The literary elements are a collection of universal artistic structures that are so typical of all works of
literature frequently employed by the writers to give meanings and a logical framework to their works
through language. When such works are read by readers, they ultimately recognize and appreciate them.

II. Objectives

1. Familiarize one’s self with the various literary elements.


2. Recognize hierarchical structure that distinguishes concepts and facts about genres and elements.
3. Create concept map of literary elements, literary genres, structures and traditions.

III. Discussion

LITERARY ELEMENTS
Basic components of a literary piece

I. SETTING
✖ It pertains to the time, place, and social context of a story.
✖ Time: of day, year, era/age?
✖ Place: city, country? Outside, inside? Rich and opulent or poor and simple? Stark and barren landscape?
Rainy or sunny? Beautiful or adversarial? Dark or light? Dangerous or safe? The weather? how does all this
affect meaning? What feelings (atmosphere) are evoked just by the setting?

Sample:
In a little district west of Washington Square the streets have run crazy and broken themselves into small
strips called "places." These "places" make strange angles and curves. One Street crosses itself a time or two. An
artist once discovered a valuable possibility in this street. Suppose a collector with a bill for paints, paper and canvas
should, in traversing this route, suddenly meet himself coming back, without a cent having been paid on account!
So, to quaint old Greenwich Village the art people soon came prowling, hunting for north windows and
eighteenth-century gables and Dutch attics and low rents. Then they imported some pewter mugs and a chafing dish
or two from Sixth Avenue, and became a "colony."

II. CHARACTER
✖ is a fictional person in a story, and readers’ first reactions to him are usually based on their subjective
capacity to empathize with the character’s experiences
DYNAMIC CHARACTER- a person who changes overtime
STATIC CHARACTER- someone who doesn’t change
ROUND CHARACTER- is anyone who has a complex personality

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 33
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

FLAT CHARACTER- is notable for one kind of personality trait


STOCK CHARACTER- Conventional or stereotypical
PROTAGONIST- is the central person in a story
ANTAGONIST- the opposition against which the protagonist must contend

III. PLOT
✖ Exposition – talks about an important background to the readers
✖ Rising Action – related series of incidents in a literary plot that builds toward the point of greatest interest
✖ Climax – is the most intense, exciting, or important event in the story
✖ Falling Action – occurs after the climax has been reached and the conflict has been resolved
✖ Denouement - the final part of the plot that explains the outcome

IV. THEME
✖ Is the central topic of a text
✖ Two categories:
• thematic concept "think the work is about"
• thematic statement being "what the work says about the subject.

V. NARRATOR
✖ is the voice that narrates the story
• First Person
It’s midnight and the moon shines so bright when I came to see my love. I was contemplating with the
thought that I am so bad for killing my mother just to give her heart to the maiden I love. I’m on my way to
my maiden, my legs are shaking and my heart keeps on pounding. The rain fell and I was so wet and I fell
down to the ground crying, thinking of my mother who love me so much.

• Omniscient

It’s midnight and the moon shines so bright when the boy came to see the maiden he loves. He was
contemplating with the thought that he is so bad for killing his own mother just to give its heart to the maiden
he loves. On his way, his legs are shaking and his heart doesn’t stop pounding. The rain fell and he was so
wet when he fell down to the ground crying, thinking of his mother who love him so much.

• Unreliable

It’s dark and the moon shines so bright when the boy came out holding a heart. He left a dead body of a
woman with a breast cut open. He was teary eyed staring at the dead body but smiled when he opened his
wallet and stare at the picture of a young beautiful lady. He glance at the heart and said,“this is for the
beautiful maiden.” He ran out holding the heart when it rain and he fell down and started to cry. He
remembered the old woman he left at the house.

VI. TONE

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 34
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

✖ the manner, mood or pervading attitude that writers establish for characters, situations, and readers such as
intimate or distant, ironic or direct, hostile or sympathetic, formal or casual, humorous or serious, and
emotional or objective.

VII. STYLE

✖ refers to the way the writers express themselves. It depends on diction (choice of words), syntax (grammar
and sentence structure), as well as voice and rhythm.

IV. Activities

A. Individual Activity

Write an essay answering the question: As a 21st century reader, do you think literary elements, literary genres,
structures and traditions can influence one’s outlook in life? Explain how.

B. Group Activity

Create concept map of literary elements, literary genres, structures and traditions.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 35
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

LESSON 10: EMERGING LITERARY GENRE

I. Introduction

The first decade of the new millennium witnessed a range of exciting developments in contemporary
writings in English, from innovations in recognized forms such as the novel, poem, play and short story to
developments in digital writings, creative writings and genres.

II. Objectives

1. Recognize the emerging genres of literature in the 21st century.


2. Appreciate the genres of 21st century literature.
3. Compose a literary form based on the students’ preferred genre.

III. Discussion
:
CATEGORIES OF LITERATURE

Literature according to CONTENT

1. FICTION – literature created from the imagination of the author

2. NON-FICTION - based on facts, real events, and real people

Literature according to FORM

1. PROSE – Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.

2. POETRY – Literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the
use of distinctive style and rhythm

EMERGING LITERARY GENRES IN THE 21ST CENTURY

1. Hyperpoetry - a form of digital poetry that uses links using hypertext mark-up. It can either involve set
words, phrases, lines, etc. that are presented in variable order but sit on the page much as traditional poetry
does, or it can contain parts of the poem that move and / or mutate.

2. Blog - a web log: a website containing short articles called posts that are changed regularly. Some blogs
are written by one person containing their own opinions, interests and experiences, while others are written
by many different people.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 36
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

3. Mobile Phone Text Tula - a particular example of this poem is a tanaga, a type of Filipino poem, consisting
of four lines with seven syllables each with the same rhyme at the end of each line - that is to say a 7-7-7-7
syllabic verse, with an AABB rhyme scheme. The modern tanaga still uses the 7777 syllable count, but
rhymes range from dual rhyme forms: AABB, ABAB, ABBA; to freestyle forms such as AAAB, BAAA, or
ABCD.

4. Speculative Fiction - an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically
science fiction, fantasy, horror, weird fiction, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian
fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as related static,
motion, and virtual arts.

5. Flash Fiction - a style of fictional literature or fiction of extreme brevity. There is no widely accepted
definition of the length of the category. Some self-described markets for flash fiction impose caps as low as
three hundred words, while others consider stories as long as a thousand words to be flash fiction.

6. Digi-fiction – a literary experience that combines three media: book, movie/video, and internet website. In
order to get the full story, students must engage in navigation, reading, viewing, in all three formats.

7. Graphic Novels – a narrative work in which story is conveyed to the reader using comic form.

8. Illustrated Novels – generally 50% of the narrative is presented without words. The reader must interpret
the images in order to comprehend the complete story. Some illustrated novels may contain no text at all.

9. Manga – japanese word for comics. Generic term for all comic books and graphic novels originally
published in Japan.

10. Doodle Fiction – A literary presentation where the author incorporates doodle drawings and hand written
graphics in place of traditional font. The drawings enhance the story, often adding humorous elements that
would be missing if the illustrations were omitted.

11. Text-Talk Novels – Blog, e-mail, & IM format narratives. Stories told almost completely in dialogue
simulating social network exchanges.

IV. Activities
Group Activity

A. Create a Text-Talk Novel with a theme of their choice. Post it on your facebook account and tag your teacher.

B. Create a Literary Folio composed of different literary genres.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 37
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

LESSON 11: ASIAN LITERATURE

I. Introduction

II. Objectives

1. Identify and analyze a variety of representative Asian literary masterpieces, genres and authors, especially
of the core Asian cultures; China, Japan, India, and Afghantanistan
2. Define the social and historical contexts out of which major Asian genres emerged and trace the
development of these genres over time and across cultures;
3. Compare and contrast writing styles and generic forms of different Asian cultures;
4. Make a presentation that will best represent the Asian countries particularly China, Japan, India, and
Afghanistan

III. Discussion

INDIAN LITERATURE

- Indian literature refers to the literature produced on the Indian


subcontinent until 1947 and in the Republic of India thereafter.
- The Republic of India has 22 officially recognized languages.
- Examples of early works written in Vedic Sanskrit include the holy
Hindu texts, such as the core Vedas. Other examples include the
Sulba Sutras, which are some of the earliest texts on geometry.
- Ved Vyasa's Mahabharata and Valmiki's Ramayana, written in Epic
Sanskrit, are regarded as the greatest Sanskrit epics.
- The famous poet and playwright Kālidāsa wrote one epic: Raghuvamsha (Dynasty of Raghu) ; it was written
in Classical Sanskrit rather than Epic Sanskrit.
- Other examples of works written in Classical Sanskrit include the Pāṇini's Ashtadhyayi which standardized
the grammar and phonetics of Classical Sanskrit.
- The Laws of Manu is a controversial text in Hinduism.
- Kālidāsa is often considered to be the greatest playwright in Sanskrit literature, and one of the greatest
poets in Sanskrit literature, whose Recognition of Shakuntala and Meghaduuta are the most famous
Sanskrit plays.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 38
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Ahmed Salman Rushdie

- born on June 19,1947


- Bombay, British India
- is a British Indian novelist and essayist
- His second novel, Midnight's Children (1981), won the Booker Prize in 1981 and
was deemed to be "the best novel of all winners"
- His epic fourth novel, The Satanic Verses (1988), was the subject of a major
controversy, provoking protests from Muslims in several countries.
- He was appointed Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France in
January 1999.
- Rushdie was strongly favored to have received the Nobel Prize in Literature but the
Nobel organizers were later quoted as saying that they would have been "too
predictable, too popular."

JAPANESE LITERATURE

- Early works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by


cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, often written in
Classical Chinese.
- Indian literature also had an influence through the Diffusion of
Buddhism in Japan.
- Early Japanese texts first followed the Chinese model.
- The Heian period has been referred to as the golden era of art and
literature in Japan.During this era, literature became centered on a
cultural elite of nobility and monks

Haruki Murakami

- Born on January 12, 1949


- Kyoto, Japan
- a Japanese writer
- His books and stories have been bestsellers in Japan as
well as internationally, with his work being translated into 50
languages and selling millions of copies outside his native
country.
- the World Fantasy Award (2006) and the Frank O'Connor
International Short Story Award (2006).
- Murakami's most notable works include A Wild Sheep
Chase (1982), Norwegian Wood (1987), The Wind-Up Bird
Chronicle (1994–95), Kafka on the Shore (2002)
- Steven Poole of The Guardian praised Murakami as
"among the world's greatest living novelists" for his works and achievements.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 39
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

CHINESE LITERATURE

- Chinese literature is a vast subject that spans thousands of years.


One of the interesting things about Chinese literature is that much of
the serious literature was composed using a formal written language
that is called Classical Chinese.
- The history of Chinese literature extends thousands of years, from the
earliest recorded dynastic court archives to the mature vernacular
fiction novels that arose during the Ming Dynasty to entertain the
masses of literate Chinese
- In more modern times, the author Lu Xun (1881–1936) is considered the founder of baihua literature in
China.

Adeline Yen Mah

- Born on November 30, 1937


- Tianjin, Republic of China
- A Chinese-American author and physician known for her autobiography Falling
Leaves. It made the New York Times Bestseller list, selling over a million copies
worldwide and translated into twenty two languages.
- Founder and President of the Falling Leaves Foundation, whose mission is 'to
promote understanding between East and West' and provides funds for the study
of Chinese history, language, and culture.
- In her autobiography Chinese Cinderella, Adeline Yen Mah talks about the
emotional and physical abuse she suffered in her childhood at the hands of her
stepmother.
- Yen Mah has written three further books for children and young adults. Chinese
Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society, Along the River, and China, Land of Dragons and Emperors

AFGHANISTAN LITERATURE

- The ancient art of storytelling continues to flourish in Afghanistan, partly in


response to widespread illiteracy.
- The use of folklore has become the thread that links the past with the
present in Afghan society.
- Folktales concern all parts of Afghan life and often teach traditional values,
beliefs, and behaviors. They are also a major form of entertainment in
Afghanistan.
- Literature in both the Dari and Pashto languages originated in the early Muslim centuries, when Arabic was
also used.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 40
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Khaled Hosseini

- Born on March 4, 1965


- Kabul, Afghanistan
- an Afghan-born American novelist and physician
- He has been working to provide humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan
through the Khaled Hosseini Foundation.
- All three of his novels became bestsellers:
- The Kite Runner (2003) spent 101 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller
list, four of them at number one.
- A Thousand Splendid Suns (2007) was a Times Best Seller for 103 weeks, 15
at number one.
- Mountains Echoed (2013) debuted near the top of the Times list[7] and
remained on it for 33 weeks until January 2014.

IV. Activities

A. Individual Activity

On a ½ sheet of yellow paper (crosswise), 8 sentences or more.


Essay: Of all the four Asian countries discussed which culture and literature do you like best? Why?

B. Group Activity

The class will be divided into four groups. Each group will prepare a presentation about each Asian country.

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 41
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

LESSON 12: NORTH AMERICAN LITERATURE

I. Introduction

Like other national literatures, American literature was shaped by the history of the country that produced it. This
lesson will delve into the origin and evolution of North American Literature.

II. Objectives

1. Recall facts about the History of North America


2. Compare and Contrast the literary genres in the Evolution of American Literature
3. Distinguish the Writing Style of North American authors to that of other continents
4. Identify writers and representative texts from North America

III. Discussion

About North America

• The first settlers of North America were the ‘Paleo-Indians’ who was said to have travelled from the Beringia
land bridge between eastern Siberia and present-day Alaska around 40,000 – 17,000 years ago, when sea
levels were significantly lowered due to the Quaternary glaciation.
• Europeans remained largely ignorant of the existence of the Americas until 1492

States in North America

• Alabama • Maryland • North • Wyoming


• Alaska • Massachusetts Dakota
• Arizona • Michigan • Ohio
• Arkansas • Minnesota • Oklahoma
• California • Mississippi • Oregon
• Colorado • Missouri • Pennsylvania
• Connecticut • Montana • Rhode
• Delaware • Nebraska Island
• Florida • Nevada • South
• Georgia • New Dakota
• Hawaii Hampshire • Tennessee
• Idaho • New • Texas
• Illinois Jersey • Utah
• Indiana • New • Vermont
• Iowa Mexico • Virginia
• Kansas • New York • Washington
• Kentucky • North • West
Carolina Virginia
• Louisiana
• Wisconsin
• Maine

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 42
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Timeline of North American Literature

➢ Native American Literature (pre 1620s – 1840s)


o Focuses on Balance and Harmony in the universe
o NATURE is a healing spirit, worshipped as a deity
o Mostly oral literature
o HERO is archetypal ( strong, just, brave, ideal)
o TRICKSTER is archetypal (causes chaos, outcast, ruled by self – gratification)
o instead of “Once upon a time” they start with “Before the people came”

➢ Puritanism (1620s – 1750s)


o Written sermons
o EVERYONE is born Evil
o Evil is a constant and physical presence in the world
o Only the “saved” go to heaven. Good works don’t cut it.

➢ Age of Reason/ Age of Enlightenment (1650s – 1700s)


o paved way to inventions, sciences
o aims for broader, clearer thinking
o believes that man is born w/ natural goodness
o Deism – belief that God created the universe and left it alone

➢ Romanticism (1800s – 1850s)


o People are ruled by emotion not logic/ reason
o governed by the 3 I’s (Imagination, Inspiration, and Idealism)
o Glorification of the past (antique and fanciful)
o Loathes artificial things

➢ Dark Romanticism
o Dark mysteries of human nature
o Themes: Horror, Tragedy, Supernatural, Sin, Fear, and Pain
o Revolutionary ideas alienate people from society
o The period where Edgar Allan Poe flourished

➢ Transcendentalism (1820s)
o Elements of Transcendentalism:
▪ Nonconformity – Individualism;
▪ Self-Reliance – Trust yourself/ intuition
▪ Optimism – All men have equal possibilities, man is inherently good.
▪ Nature – appreciation of the simple life and the natural surroundings
▪ Oversoul – Connects all to God, Nature, Man. We are all part of something larger than
each part. This belief draws the line between celebrating the self and being selfish.
▪ Carpe Diem – Seize the Day

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 43
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

➢ Realism (1850s)
o captures the world through objective details
o subject is common man
o average, probable
o PURPOSE OF WRITING: to instruct and entertain, not to self-examine
o Avoids artistic conventions, implausible, exotic, and supernatural elements

➢ Naturalism (1850s)
o Inspired by Charles Darwin’s Natural Selection (Survival of the Fittest)
o Pessimistic
o Characters in a story are forced to struggle to survive
o Principles of Naturalism:
▪ Nature alone is the entire reality
▪ Material world is the real world
▪ Physical world is a closed system
▪ Laws of Nature are unchangeable
▪ Mind is subordinate to matter
▪ Senses are the gateways of knowledge
▪ Matter is the ultimate reality

➢ Modernism (1890s – 1945)


o Alienation
o Discontinuous Narrative
o Fragmentation, Choppiness
o Stream of Consciousness
o Longing for the past
o Technology is evil
o Does not often make sense or ABSTRACT

➢ Harlem Renaissance
o a sub-genre of modernism
o jazz/ blues influence
o direct/ indirect reactions to racism
o double consciousness
o primitivism vs. culture

➢ Post – Modernism (1940s – present)


o counter culture
o taboo subjects
o moral changes overtime
o metanarrative
o celebrates incoherence of life
o Shows social issues like:
▪ Civil Right
▪ Feminism

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 44
MODULE: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

IV. Activities

Individual Activity

On a ½ sheet of yellow paper (crosswise)

1. Search for Native American names on the internet. On the list available, pick one name and explain why you
chose it using ten sentences or more.

2. In your own opinion, did the evolution of American Literature turned out for the better? Or was there a decrease in
depth and quality?

Prepared by Mayuko Niki Bernal, Maryann Cebricus, Maria Theresa Mora, & AngeIyn Cruz | 45

You might also like