21 Century Literature

st

from the Philippines and

the World
Quarter 1 – Module 1 – Lesson 2:
Identifying Representative Texts
from the Regions
 Lesson Identifying Representative Texts
2 from the Regions
The country’s rich repertoire of literary masterpieces may be rooted in the diverse
cultural heritage of the Filipino people. They have produced varied texts because of
differences. The mighty roar of the North and to the fiery temperament of the South
blended well. The Filipinos speak of the collective experiences from the people who have
gone through difficulties, triumphs, struggles, successes, armed conflicts, bloodless
revolutions, and others. It is the reason why these masterpieces resonated loud and
clear in the Philippine archipelago.

What’s In

1. What are the different Literary Periods in Philippine Literature?

2. What are the basic elements of the literary pieces under the Japanese Regime?
American Period? Spanish Period?
1. What are changes in Literature during the 21st Century?

What’s New

Imagery is a poetic element that tries to create a picture in the mind of the
reader or a mental image through the use of figural language. It represents
objects, places, ideas, or even actions that appeal to the senses of the
readers.

Gabu
by Carlos A. Angeles
The battering restlessness of the sea And neutral where the sea has
Insists a tidal fury upon the beach beached its brine,
At Gabu, and its pure consistency Where the spilt salt of its heart lies
Havos the wasteland hard within its spread
reach. Among the dark habiliments of Time.
Brutal the daylong bashing of its heart The vital splendor misses. For here,
Against the seascape where, for miles here
around, At Gabu where the ageless tide recurs
Farther than sight itself, the rock- All things forfeited are most loved and
stones part dear.
And drop into the elemental wound. It is the sea pursues a habit of shores.
The waste of centuries is grey and dead

1. What image does the poem, Gabu, try to create?

2. Which word or group of words from the poem help you form this
image? Draw this on a separate sheet of paper.

10
 What is It

A Taste of Philippine Poetry

Located in the northwest of Luzon, the Ilocos Region or Region 1 is comprised of
four provinces, namely: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan. It is
bordered to the west by the turbulent South China Sea, to the east by the Cordillera
Administrative Region, the northeast and southeast by Cagayan Valley and the South
by Central Luzon. Most of the inhabitants of the Ilocano homeland are concentrated
along a narrow coastal plain. Because of geographical boundaries, these people often
experience heavy rains and violent typhoons, especially during rainy seasons.
The region, then, takes pride in long stretches of white sand and clear waters
alongside its rich cultural heritage. What you are about to read is a poem written by a
Carlos Palanca Memorial Awardee in Poetry in 1964, Carlos A. Angeles. His collection of
poems entitled, Stun of Jewels, also bagged him the Republic Cultural Heritage Award
in Literature in the same year.
A Moment of Silence
Gabu depicts a coastline in Ilocos that is constantly experiencing the battering
restlessness of the sea. The water that comes back to the shore seems furious and
ruthless with its daylong bashing, which havocs the wasteland. Being an archipelagic
country, the Philippines knows the importance of water and the sea.

A Taste of Tagalog Essay

More popularly known now as the CALABARZON referring to the provinces of
Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, Region IV-A is home to Tagalog-speaking
people in the Philippines. Recognized all over the country for their bravery and
fearlessness in battles, CALABARZON has participated actively in the country’s fight for
freedom and democracy. It is home to many a Philippine hero foremost, and among
them are Rizal of Laguna, Mabini of Batangas, and Aguinaldo of Cavite.

A Taste of Creative Nonfiction

The island of Visayas is one of the major geographical divisions in the Philippines,
the other two being Luzon and Mindanao. It is divided into Western, Central, and
Eastern Visayas. The Visayas region is comprised of several islands circling the Visayan
Sea. Its people, therefore, share a sea-based culture and tradition that may be rooted in
a strong religious foundation.

The dwelling place of many festivals such as the Ati-Atihan, Di-nagyang, Sinulog,
Pintados, and Maskara, the Visayas may indeed be considered as one of the cradles of
Philippine civilization.

11
 What’s More

Activity 1. Graphic Organizer

Directions: Delve deeper into the poem Gabu by Carlos A. Angeles using the
graphic organizer. You may re-read the poem to get the details that would
complete the organizer.

Title of the Text:

Author:

QUESTIONS RESPONSE

TOPIC

What is the text all about?

SITUATION

What is the setting referred to or

described in the text?

CLIENT

Who is the target group of readers

of the text?

How would you describe the group

in terms of skills, values, beliefs
and attitudes.

PURPOSE

Why was the text written

What does it hope to achieve
especially among its client?

PERSONA

Who is the voice behind the text?

What is known about him or her?

12
Assessment 1. Reflect On Me
Direction: Read and answer the questions.
Aug 2009 by SIGLIWA
Salubungin ang (Bagong) Daluyong ng mga Agos sa Disyerto

SA PANAHONG tila natutuyuan ang mga linang ng panitikan noong gitnang

bahagi ng dekada ’60, dumaloy ang mga akda nina Efren R. Abueg,
Dominador B. Mirasol, Rogelio L. Ordo-ñez, Edgardo M. Reyes at Rogelio R.
Sikat, sa aklat katipunang Mga Agos sa Disyerto.

Unang buhos ng daluyong ay noong 1964 at isang dekada ang lumipas, muling
umalon at binasa ang namimitak na lupain ng panitikang Filipino nang mailimbag
ang ikalawang edisyon ng Mga Agos sa Disyerto noong 1974.

Huling sargo ng daluyong ng Agos ay 16 na taon ang nakararaan, nang

lumabas ang ikat-long edisyon nito noong 1993.

Ngayon, sa panahong sampu isang pera ang patakbuhing literaturang

patuloy na lumuluoy sa diwa at kaluluwa ng mga Pilipino, muling nagbabanta
ang pagbugso ng mga Agos sa Disyerto.

1. In what language was the text, Maga Agos sa Disyerto written?

2. What did the text aim to accomplish?

Activity 2. Outline
What does the writer want to say about the use of Filipino especially in awakening the
social and moral consciousness of the masses? Outline the main points of the essay
through the graphic organizer below.

13
Assessment 2. Theme’s Up

Pananalamin sa Tubig ng Katotohanang Panlipunan

Sinalamin ng 25 akdang isinama sa Agos (na 20 lamang
noong ika-2 edisyon) katotohanang umiiral sa lipunan.
Binigyang mukha ng mga ito ang kalagayan ng karaniwang
tao, maging ang pingkian ng kapangyarihan at
karumaldumal na karalitaan at kawa-langhiyaang umiiral
sa ating lipunan.
Nilaro ng mga akda ang emosyon at kaisipan, na bagaman
ginagawa na noon, hindi ganoong kahantad.

1. What is the central theme of this text?

What I Have Learned

1. Imagery is a poetic element that tries to create a picture in the mind of the reader
or a mental image through the use of figurative language.

2. Gabu depicts a coastline in Ilocos that is constantly experiencing the battering

restlessness of the sea.

3. Panahon na muling Padaluyin ang Agos is a persuasive essay that focuses on the
potent capacity of a national language to arouse patriotism and love of country
in its people.

4. The Dreamwaevers is a text written by a feminist Filipina who strongly promotes

women’s rights.

14
 What I Can Do

Activity 1. Verse of the Day

The text you are about to encounter is written by a native Visayan who was born
in Maribojoc, Bohol. Considered by many as a feminist Filipina who strongly promotes
women’s rights, Marjorie Evasco is not only a Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awardee
but also recipient to several accolades here and abroad. Give the meaning of the
following verses: 1, 6,& 7

Dreamweavers
Marjorie Evasco

We are entitled to our own

definitions of the worlds
we have in common:
earth house (stay)
water well (carry)
fire stove (tend)
air song (sigh)
ether dream (died)
and try out new combinations
with key words
unlocking power
house on fire sing!
stove under water stay.
earth filled well die.
The spells and spellings
Of our vocabularies
Are oracular
In translation
One woman in Pagnito-an
Another in Solentiname
Still another in Harxheim
And many other women
Naming
Half the world together
can move their earth
must house their fire
be water to their song
will their dreams

15
 Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. Chant (Bulong) was used in witchcraft or enchantment especially in remote places

in the Visayas.
a. Japanese Period
b. Rebirth of Freedom
c. Pre-Spanish Period
d. Period of Enlightenment

2. Lagaylay was used in a special occasion for the Pilareños of Sorsogon during May
time to get together.
a. Spanish Period
b. New Society Period
c. Pre-Spanish Period
d. Period of 3rd Republic

3. PAGIBIG SA TINUBUANG LUPA was translated from the Spanish

AMOR PATRIA of Rizal, published on August 20, 1882, in Diariong Tagalog.
a. Spanish Period
b. American Period
c. Pre-Spanish Period
d. Period of Enlightenment

4. Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo and the Embayoka of the Muslims were presented in
the rebuilt Metropolitan Theater, the Folk Arts Theater and the Cultural Center of
the Philippines.
a. New Society Period
b. American Period
c. 21st Century Period
d. Period of 3rd Republic

5. Haiku, is short with a measure and rhyme consisting of 17 syllables which had
favorable diminishing effect on Tagalog literature.
a. New Society Period
b. American Period
c. 21st Century Period
d. Period of 3rd Republic

6. English as medium of instruction was introduced in the schools as intellectual

language of education in this period.
a. New Society Period
b. American Period
c. 21st Century Period
d. Period of 3rd Republic

16
7. This is the period wherein the youth became vocal with their sentiments and
demanded change in the government.
a. Spanish Period
b. Period of Activism
c. Pre-Spanish Period
d. Period of 3rd Republic

8. Filipinos during this period were hooked in reading magazines and comics.
a. New Society Period
b. American Period
c. Period of 3rd Republic
d. 21st Century Period

9. “Ang Bayan ko” is a song popularized in this period.

a. Period of 3rd Republic
b. New Society Period
c. 21st Century Period
d. Post-EDSA 1 Period

10. This period is notable in the reawakening of the Filipino spirit when the 3 priests
Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were guillotined without sufficient evidence of guilt.
a. Post-EDSA 1 Period
b. Period of 3rd Republic
c. Period of Enlightenment
d. Period of Activism

11. A statement of fact about Philippine regional literature is _______.

a. It mirrors the deeply ingrained Filipino values, culture and tradition even
when keeping up with the changing times.
b. It reflects the conservatism of indigenous folks who have maintained a
backward expression style.
c. It embraces only the written compilation of literary works in various
styles and genres.
d. It depicts the influences of various colonizers that occupied the country
for more than three centuries.

12. An element in poetry that refers to the image or picture created in the minds of
readers that helps give light to the main idea is _______.
a. form
b. imagery
c. rhythm
d. sound pattern

13. Many Filipino authors, writers, or poets are encouraged to use the mother
tongue as the medium of expression in their craft because _______.
a. Readers fail to comprehend a piece not written in either English or
Tagalog.
b. Our people’s culture and tradition are upheld through this despite
effects of colonization or even modernity.
c. The expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas of a writer are
emphasized in the personalized codes that they use.
d. The continuous flow of feelings and insights are inhibited when a foreign
language is used instead.

17
 14. The development of literature in the Philippines __________.
a. is given life only in the oral tradition of the country.
b. could reflect the richness of our countrys resources.
c. may be attributed to both local and foreign influences.
d. grew and prospered alongside the country’s history.

15. Philippine regional literature has become rich and varied because of _______.
a. the contributions of numerous artists who patterned after the Western
literary masters.
b. the nationalistic fervor of texts written in various stages of our history
as a nation.
c. various topics used as themes by the writers and their alignment to
world events.
d. the archipelagic nature of the Philippines, its geographical features,
and the presence of various ethno-linguistic groups in the country.

Additional Activities

Activity 1 Short Reflection

1. In what ways can you as a Filipino reader be affected by such works

(short stories in Tagalog) that endeavor to open the minds of people on
socio-political and moral issues confronting the country?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

18