LESSON 3 : 21ST CENTURY LITERARY GENRES ELEMENTS, STRUCTURES AND

TRADITIONS

At the end of this lesson, the learners are expected to:

1. define what literary genre is;
2. identify the different literary genres of the 21st century and the earlier periods in Philippine history;
and
3. use a Venn diagram in comparing and contrasting the 21st century Philippine literary genres and those
in the earlier time.

INSTRUCTIONS: Read and answer the following statements. Write the letter with correct answer
in your notebook.
1. These are forms of folk lyric that speak volumes of the typical rural lives and reflect people’s
aspirations and lifestyles.
a. proverbs b. riddles c. songs d. epics
2. These are called sawikain or salawikain.
a. riddles b. folk songs c. epics d. proverbs
3. These are long narrative accounts of heroic exploits.
a. epics b. legends c. chants d. fables
4. It is a hybrid genre that incorporates elements of fiction and poetry in retelling of a personal
experience.
a. drama b. creative nonfiction c. creative fiction d. novel
5. Defined as narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination
a. drama b. nonfiction c. fiction d. creative nonfiction

What is the definition of literary genre?

Literary genre is a category of literary composition.
Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, or even (as in the case of fiction) length.
The distinctions between genres and categories are flexible and loosely defined, often with subgroups.
The most general genres in literature are epic, tragedy, comedy, and creative nonfiction. They can all be
in the form of prose or poetry. Additionally, a genre such as satire, allegory or pastoral might appear in
any of the above, not only as a subgenre, but as a mixture of genres.
Finally, they are defined by the general cultural movement of the historical period in which they were
composed. Genre should not be confused with age categories, by which literature may be classified as
either adult, young-adult, or children's. They also must not be confused with format, such as graphic
novel or picture book.-SHS Curriculum Guide, 21st Century Literature of the Philippines and the World.

INSTRUCTIONS: After reading the definition above, in your notebook, list down three examples
of literary genres:
1. __________________________________
2. __________________________________
3. __________________________________

What are the Literary Genres in the Philippines?

The multiplicity of Philippine literature progressed alongside its rich history. Its themes are rooted in the
context of the Philippine’s pre-colonial cultural traditions and the socio-political histories of its colonial
and contemporary ways. However, some Filipinos encounter unfamiliarity with the literature of the past
essentially due to what has been taught upon us, that our country was ‘discovered’ and, hence, Philippine
‘history’ began in March 1521. Through the comprehensive works of archaeologists, anthropologists, and
ethnologists, we have known more information about our pre-colonial times established against loads of
material about early Filipinos as recorded by chroniclers of the past.

Let us now look into the different Philippine literary genres that emerged through time:

The Pre-colonial Period

The Pre-colonial Filipinos demonstrated rich-lived experiences orally expressed in their folk
speeches, songs, narratives, and indigenous rituals and mimetic dances. These are passed down from
generation to generation. The most common of these are:

a. Riddles – These are mystifying statements or questions phrased and rhymed to require
ingenuity in determining its answer. These are presented as a game and considered as forms of
entertainment during the earlier times. Talinghaga or metaphor is dominant in any riddles as it discloses
subtle comparisons between unlike things, thus, wit and observation are required in this mental exercise.

For the Visayans, these are called tigmo, for the Tagalogs, bugtong. For the Ilongos, paktakon and for the
Bicolanos, atototdon. Here are the examples:

Tigmo Baboy sa lasang (A wild pig in the forest,)

Ang tunok puro lansang. (Is covered with spikes)
Answer: Nangka (Jackfruit)
Paktakon Ano nga tuboran Masulog sa tag-init, (What spring flow in summer)
Ginabubsan kong tag-ulan?. (and run dry on rainy days?)
Answer: Balhas (Sweat)

b. Proverbs - These are called sawikain or salawikain in Tagalog or sarsarita in Ilocano.

Philippine proverbs are wise sayings that prescribe codes of behavior, mirror societal norms, traditions,
and beliefs and impart lessons in brief, rhyming verse. Read the examples below: Ilocano on Guilt
Hiligaynon on Suffering Ti agutak, (He who cackles) Kon indi ikaw mag-antos (If you don’t sacrifice)
Isut nagitlog. (laid the egg.) Indi ka gid magsantos.( You can’t be a saint.)

c. Songs – These are forms of folk lyric speak volumes of the typical rural lives and reflect
people’s aspirations and lifestyles. Here are some song categories of our ancestors:

i. Folk Songs (Awit ng Bayan) – These are songs with lines often described as repetitive,
didactic, and sonorous. The following are examples of famous Filipino folk songs:
Magtanim ay di Biro (Tagalog Folk Song)
Dandansoy (Visayan Folk Song)

Magtanim ay di biro Maghapong nakayuko

Di man lang makaupo Di man lang makatayo
Braso ko’y namamanhid Baywang ko’y nangangawit.
Binti ko’y namimitig Sa pagkababad sa tubig.
Sa umaga, paggising Ang lahat, iisipin
Kung saan may patanim May masarap na pagkain
Halina, halina, mga kaliyag, Tayo’y magsipag-unat-unat.
Magpanibago tayo ng lakas Para sa araw ng bukas
(Bisig ko’y namamanhid Baywang ko’y nangangawit.
Binti ko’y namimintig Sa pagkababad sa tubig.)
Kay-pagkasawing-palad Ng inianak sa hirap,
 Ang bisig kung di iunat, Di kumita ng pilak.

Dandansoy, bayaan ta ikaw Pauli ako sa payag

Ugaling kung ikaw hidlawon Ang payag imo lang lantawon.
Dandansoy, kung imo apason Bisan tubig di magbalon
Ugaling kung ikaw uhawon Sa dalan magbubon-bubon.
Kumbento, diin ang cura? Munisipyo, diin justicia?
Yari si dansoy makiha. Makiha sa pag-higugma
Ang panyo mo kag panyo ko Dal-a diri kay tambihon ko
Ugaling kung magkasilo Bana ta ikaw, asawa mo ako.

ii. Lullaby (Oyayi) – These are soothing songs often sung to put babies to sleep.
The following is an Ilocano lullaby with its English translation:
Folk Songs (Awit ng Bayan)
Lullaby (Oyayi)
Serenade (Harana)

43 Maturug, duduayya Go to sleep, dear little one Maturog kad tay bunga, Will my child please
sleep, Tay lalaki nga napigsa This strong boy Ta inton dumakkel tay bunga, So when the child grows big
Isunto aya tay mammati He will obey Tay amon a ibaga me. Everything that we say.

iii. Serenade (Harana) – These are courtship songs used by young men to capture the
heart of the girl they love.

d. Chants (Bulong) – These are used to give respect, excuse, or apology to unseen or other
elemental spirits our ancestors believed in to deliver them from danger or harm. Moreover, these are
utilized in enchantments and even in withcfraft.
Read the examples below: Tabi-tabi po, Ingkong, makikiraan po lamang (Tagalog) Bari-bari po,
Apo, umisbo la ting tao. (Ilokano) Ikaw ang nagnanakaw ng bigas ko Lumuwa sana ang mata mo
Mamaga sana ang katawan mo Patayin ka ng mga anito.

e. Epics – These are long narrative accounts of heroic exploits. Examples of these are Darangen
in Maranaw, Aliguyon at Hudhud in Ifugao, Ibalon in Bicol.
Below is a guman or epic of the Subanen people of Zamboanga, which is chanted during Buklog
or festivals. Ag Tobig Nog Keboklagan (The Kingdom of Keboklagan)

The epic begins with Timoway’s quandary as to how to support his wife who is about to giving
birth. He decides to earn money by being a whetter of tools in the neighboring villages. He leaves
Sirangan with his assistant Kasangolan and fifteen datus. However, their boat refuses to move until
Timoway beheads one of his companions. In the village Batotobig, Datu Sakandatar decides to join
Timoway, although his wife, like Timoway’s, is pregnant. While they are cruising, Diwata Pegeraman-
the goddess of wind, lighting, and thunder-invites them to her abode to chew mamaq, betel nut. Rejected
by the datu, she creates a storm that breaks Timoway’s vessel and kills Timoway and his companions.
The broken and now empty vessel returns to Sirangan. Learning about the incident, Timoway’s wife,
Balo Libon, cries so intensely that she gives birth to a boy. At this same instance, Sakadanbar’s wife in
Batotoy also gives birth to a boy. Balo Libon names her son Taake. He grows quickly, and after seven
months, Taake asks about his father. When he is told that his father’s death was not caused by a mortal,
he becomes happy. Learning that his father was a fisher, 44 Taake asks for his father’s hook and line.
With the aid of his magic, he establishes himself as an excellent fisher. One day, Taake, now a young
man, ask his mother for clothes to go deep-sea fishing. The request surprises her, for Taake has never
asked for clothes. Questioned, he explains that he is embarrassed to be naked in the company of ladies.
Balo Libon then grooms her son. At sea, Taake hooks a fish with golden scales, but it drags him farther
and farther away from the shore. The tug of war lasts for months, until an eel warns Taake to go home
and offers him help to get there. But Taake only kills the eel. A storm develops, and Taake sinks. He sees
a shore under the sea and sets foot on it. Finding a horse with his hook and line in its mouth, he pursues it
with karisan or sword, but the animal escapes him. Taake has reached Keboklagan. Taake sees a tower.
He climbs a ladder with golden rungs to reach the top of the tower. There, he finds a woman, nearly
naked, sewing. Called the Lady of Pintawan, she invites him to chew mamaq. As they chew, their eyes
meet an exchange message of love. Taake courts her for seven days. Finally, the Lady of Pintawan
accepts Taake’s offer of marriage. However, the romance is blocked by two men, Towan Salip and
Soratan Domatong, who abhor the idea of the Lady of Pintawan marrying a Subanon. The two rally the
folks of Keboklagan and urge them to kill Taake. The Lady of Pintogan, a close friend of the Lady of
Pintawan, learns about the plot and flies on her monsala or scarf to the Lady of Pintawan’s place. She
advises Taake to take his wife to Sirangan. Taake however, insists on his innocence and refuses to leave
Keboklagan. He fights the people who attack him. In Sirangan, the Datu Tomitib Manaon dreams of a
lone Subanon fighting in Keboklagan. When he awakes, he prepares to help Taake, whom he discovers
has been away from Sirangan for a long time. Accompanied by two other datus, he proceeds to
Keboklagan. Although they lose their way at first, they finally arrive at Keboklagan, following Taake’s
route. Taake approaches Tomitib for fighting without first asking for the reason for the fight. Saulagya
Maola, the datu of Keboklagan and the Lady of Pintawa’s brother arrive. The Ladies of Keboklagan
explain to him the cause of the fight. He recalls his promise to his sister that anyone who can climb the
ladder with rungs of blades shall be his sister’s husband. Saulagya Maola tells the two datus about the
promise, but they insist on fighting. Saulagya, therefore, divides his kingdom between those who decide
to fight and those who decide to withdraw from the battle. Tomitib Manaon asks Saulagya Maola if he
can marry the Lady of Pintogan. But because of his incivility, she rejects Tomitib. Tomitib runs back to
the crowd and starts fighting. Datu Liyo-liyo, hearing about the fight, rides his horse and proceeds to the
battleground. Datu Liyo-liyo engages Tomitib in a hand-to-hand battle. Eventually, the datu of Sirangan
defeats the datu of Keboklagan. 45 The datus then proceed to other kingdoms to fight further. First, they
challenge the chief of Dibaloy, Datu Bataqelo. Lilang Diwata, his sister, renames Taake Malompyag, or
“he fights in all places”. Taake and Tomitib would have exterminated the whole kingdom had compassion
not overtaken them after half of the population had fallen to their sword. In Todong-todong, Taake and
Tomitib are invited by its chief to chew mamaq before they start fighting. After the chew, they annihilate
the kingdom. The datus then proceed to Walo Sabang, ruled by Egdodan Magsorat and Egdodan Sabagan,
who themselves do not fight. Their subjects, however, are sufficient, for they get resurrected after having
been killed. Taake tires after seven months of fighting and falls asleep, leaving Tomitib to fight alone. In
Taake’s dream, a girl instructs him to disguise himself as Towan Salip Palasti and to go to the Tower of
Walo Sabang to get magical medicines by which to prevent the enemies from coming back to life. When
he awakes, he does as instructed, and he and Tomitib defeat the army of Walo Sabang. At one point in the
battle, Tomitib falls dead, but the women of Keboklagan restore him to life. The massive destruction
disturbs the god Asog. He descends to the earth and reprimands the Sirangan. He instructs them to go
home and hold a buklog, in which each of them will be given his partner. Asog fans his kerchief, bringing
the dead to life. The datus return to Sirangan, where Taake finds his mother dying of longing for him. He
kisses her and she revives. All the datus of the different kingdoms are invited to a buklog, and Asog gives
each of them a partner in life.

f. Myths – These are symbolic narratives, usually of unknown origin and at least partly
traditional, that ostensibly relate actual events and are especially associated with religious belief. Ancient
Filipino myths include The Story of Bathala, and Ang Pag-aaway ng Dagat at Langit. g. Legends – These
are stories that explain the origin of things and phenomena in the surrounding world. Some of the most
famous legends are: The Legend of Maria Makiling, The Legend of Mayon, and The Legend of
Sampaguita.
 h. Fables – These are brief stories for the children of the native Filipinos. These talk about
supernatural or extraordinary people and usually follow in the form of narration that demonstrates a
useful truth. These stories use animals as characters to represent a particular attribute or characteristic.
One of the most orally narrated Filipino fables is Ang Kuneho at ang Pagong.

i. Folk tales (Kwentong Bayan) – These are stories that deal with the power of nature-personified,
their submission to a deity (Bathala), and how the deity is responsible for the blessings and the curses in
the form of calamities. These are often passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth. 46
After knowing the literary genres of the Pre-colonial Philippines, can you cite local/ regional examples of
riddles, proverbs, songs, epics, myths, and folktales? Share it in class.

The Spanish Period The Spanish colonizers ruled the country for over 300 years. They used
the cross to influence and impose their religion upon the natives. For more than three centuries of
colonization in the Philippines, not only was our history as a nation altered but also our traditions,
lifestyles, and belief systems.
This has immensely influenced our literature. A shift of interest from writing about nature to
writing about the Christian faith – of hymns, saints, miracles, and the teaching of the church, took place.
Most of the writings were religious, secular, and at the latter part, propaganda and revolutionary.
Religious matters were in the form of prose as prayer books, novenas, biographies of saints, and
the likes. Senakulo, a Filipino dramatization of the life and times of Jesus Christ presented during the
Lent, was widely held. Pasyon,
Philippine epic narrative of the life of Jesus Christ, was written in stanzas with five lines of eight
syllables each and focused on his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Dalit (psalm), a song praising God or
the Virgin Mary and containing a philosophy of life, also became popular.

Secular or Non-religious literature also flourished. These are prominently tales of valiance and
adventure. They include the following:
a. Awit (Song)– These have measures of twelve syllables (dodecasyllabic) and are slowly sung to
the accompaniment of a guitar or banduria. Francisco Baltazar’s Florante at Laura is the best example for
this.
b. Kurido (Corrido) - These are metrical romances and tales that follow a structure of a poem.
These have measures of eight syllables (octosyllabic) and recited to a martial beat. More often, these are
tales of chivalry where a knight saves a princess. Ibong Adarna is an example of this.

c. Karagatan - This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature celebrated during the death of a
person.
d. Duplo – This is a poetic joust in speaking and reasoning.

e. Prose Narratives – These are instructional materials that teach Filipinos proper decorum.
Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na si Urbana at Feliza (1864) is an example.

f. Sarswela – This is a type of drama that originated in Spain. It includes singing and dancing on
stage with lyrics alternatively spoken and sung in operatic and popular styles. The exposure of the
Filipinos to Europe’s liberal idealism, the martyrdom of GomBurZa, the Cavite Mutiny in 1872 and the

Spanish Revolution in 1868 led to Filipino consciousness (Martin, Guevarra, del Campo, 2016).
This gave birth to two crucial and historic movements during this time – the Propaganda movement and
the Revolutionary movement which awakened nationalism.
 The Propaganda movement 47 was reformatory in objective and its members were Jose Rizal,
Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano Lopez-Jaena. They have published news, editorial, and satires that
attacked Spanish rule. The exposure of the evils of the Spanish rule in the Philippines was because of
Rizal’s novels: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo and has paved the way to a revolution against
Spain. Del Pilar’s essays and editorials in Diariong Tagalog which he founded with Lopez-Jaena’s articles
in La Solidaridad (where he was an editor) reflected nationalism that was dominant at this time. Lopez
Jaena’s Fray Botod (1876) exposed how some friars were greedy, immoral, and ambitious. Del Pilar’s
Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes) was similar to that of a catechism but sarcastically done against
the Spanish priests. Revolutionary literature also loomed with exposes that sparked revolution and
resistance among the Filipinos. Andres Bonifacio’s Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Anak ng Bayan
(Obligations of our Countrymen) outlined the obligations of Filipinos toward nationalism. Apolinario
Mabini’s essay titled El Desarollo y Caida de la Republica Filipina (The Rise and Fall of Philippine
Republic) highlighted the establishment of Philippine Republic and its subsequent downfall due to
disunity among the Filipinos. Emilio Jacinto’s collection of essays called Liwanag at Dilim (Light and
Darkness) was on work, faith, freedom, government, and patriotism.

The American Period

The Philippines had a great leap in education and culture during the American colonization.
During their time in the country, public school system was introduced and the usage of both English and
Filipino was practiced. The literature during the American period was imitative of the form of American
writing. Forms of poetry still followed the old structure but had contents that ranged from free writing and
societal concerns under the American regime. Some poems focused on non-traditional themes such that of
Jose Corazon de Jesus’ Mga Gintong Dahon (1920). This is a collection poem that tackled themes on
passion-slaying, griefinduced, insanity and lover’s suicide. Drama also became popular as it was used to
degrade the Spanish rule and immortalized the heroism of Filipinos who fought under the Katipunan.
Remake novels also took up Dr. Jose Rizal’s portrayal of social conditions under colonial repression.
Severino Reyes led the movement to supplant the komedya with a new type of drama, the sarswela
(adaptation of the Spanish zarzuela). Sarswelas such as Juan Abad’s Tanikalang Guinto (1902), Juan
Matapang Cruz’s Hindi Ako Patay (1903), and Aurelio Tolentino’s Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas (1903)
allegorically presented the history of nationalist struggle. 48

The Japanese Period and the Republic With the coming of the Japanese invaders,

Philippine literature came to a halt. The English language was banned and the Filipino language
was mandated under Japanese rule. For some, this seemed to be a problem but for others it was a blessing
in disguise. Filipino literature was given a break in this period as many wrote plays, novels, poems, short
stories with themes circling on life in the province, the arts, nationalism, and the likes. Many plays were
reproduced from English to Tagalog. Writing during the Japanese reign were journalistic in nature.
People felt suppressed but the spirit of nationalism slowly seeped into their consciousness. Thus, essays
were composed to glorify Filipinos and to figuratively attack the Japanese.

21st Century Literature of the Philippines

All literary works written and published at the later part of the 21st century (from 2001 onwards) are
often characterized as gender sensitive, technologically alluding, culturally pluralistic, operates on the
extreme reality or extreme fiction, and questions conventions and supposedly absolute norms.

Just as technology advanced in the 21st century, Filipinos have also adapted, invented, and written some
literary innovations far different from before.
Philippine literature, nowadays, deals with current themes on technological culture and traces artistic
representation of shared experiences.

These works are characterized as gender sensitive, technologically alluding, culturally pluralistic,
operates on the extreme reality or extreme fiction, and questions conventions and supposedly absolute
norms.

There are a lot of new forms from the basic genres of literature; thus, proving how far the literature in the
Philippines has gone and how far it will go on from here. The following are the most notable literary
genres in the 21st century:

a. Drama- It is the genre of literature with stories composed of verse or prose which is meant to
be dramatically or theatrically performed. Its emotions and conflicts are expressed through dialogue and
movements or actions.

b. Creative nonfiction – It is also known as literary nonfiction or narrative nonfiction, is a genre

of writing that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives.

c. Blog – It is a web log containing short articles called posts that can be changed regularly. Some
blogs are written by one person (called blogger) containing his/her hobbies or interests, opinions, and
experiences, while others are written by many different people. 49

d. Poetry – It is a verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that evokes an emotional response
from the reader. Mina Roy defines poetry as “prose bewitched”. If fiction is concerned with plot action,
poetry is “life distilled” through words and language.

Poetry works via suggestion, implication, and ambiguity rather than straightforward
communication. The art of poetry is rhythmical in composition, written or spoken. Poetry is for
entertaining and exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts.

i. 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. Tanagas do not have titles
traditionally because the tanaga should speak for itself.

However, moderns can opt to give them titles. Text tula is often read on cellular phones.

ii. Hyperpoetry – It is a form of digital poetry that uses links using hypertext mark-up.

It is a very visual form, and is related to hypertext fiction and visual arts. The links mean that a
hypertext poem has no set order, the poem moving or being generated in response to the links that the
reader/user chooses. 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. It is usually found online. The earliest examples date to no later than the mid-1980s.
 iii. Spoken word poetry – It is a poem that has made its way into the hearts and souls of thousands
of Filipinos especially the millennials. It is a type of poem performed or read in artistic and emotive
manner which can be accompanied by music or presented in the streets or bars, even café shops. It is an
oral art that focuses on the aesthetics of word play such as intonation and voice inflection. It is a
"catchall" term that includes any kind of poetry recited aloud, including poetry readings, poetry slams,
jazz poetry, and hip hop, and can include comedy routines and prose monologues.

The most viewed YouTube Filipino spoken word artist is Juan Miguel Severo whose original
poems have been performed in TV dramas like On The Wings of Love.

e. Fiction - Fiction has genres that can be defined as narrative literary works whose content is
produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact. In fiction something is feigned,
invented, or imagined; a made-up story. 50 Examples are the following:

i. Short Story – This is brief fiction that can be read in one seating and is not able to support any
subplots.

ii. Chick-Lit – This is a genre which addresses issues of modern womanhood, often humorously
and light-heartedly. The genre became popular in the late 1990s, with chick-lit titles topping best seller
lists and the creation of imprints devoted entirely to chick-lit. Although it sometimes includes romantic
elements, chick-lit is generally not considered a direct subcategory of the romance novel genre, because
the heroine's relationship with her family or friends is often just as important as her romantic
relationships.

iii. Flash fiction – This is 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.

iv. Realistic Fiction – It is a story that can actually happen and is true to real life. v. Historical
Fiction- It is a story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting.

vi. Horror – These are frightfully shocking, terrifying, or revolting stories.

vii. Mystery – It deals with unraveling of secrets and solution of a crime.

viii. Illustrated Novels – These are stories through text and illustrated images.

ix. Graphic Novels – These are narratives in comic book formats.

x. Speculative Fiction – It is a 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.

a. Science Fiction – It is a story based on impact of potential science, either actual or

imagined and is set in the future or on other planets. 51 WHAT’S MORE ASSESSMENT

b. Fantasy – It is the forming of mental images with strange or other worldly settings or
characters and invites suspension of reality.
 c. Humor – It is the faculty of perceiving what is amusing or comical. It is fiction full of
fun, fancy, and excitement which meant to entertain. This genre of literature can actually be seen
and contained within all genres.

INSTRUCTIONS: Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast the various literary
genres of the earlier periods and the 21st century Philippine literature. Focus on their themes,
elements and styles. Do this in your notebook.

INSTRUCTIONS: In your notebook, write the literary genre described in each statement
below. Choose your answers from the words found in the box.

Science fiction play haiku blog graphic novel Chick-lit folk song
duplo hyperpoetry drama Lullaby short story poem novel
fable legend humor sarswela

1. It is a narrative in comic book format.

2. It is a poetic joust in speaking and reasoning.
3. It is a story based on impact of potential science.
4. It is form of digital poetry that uses links of hypertext mark-up.
5. It is a soothing song often sung to put babies to sleep.
6. It is fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement which meant to entertain.
7. It is fictitious narrative about the origin of the place, name person or thing.
8. It is a weblog containing short articles called posts that can be changed regularly.
9. This is a genre which addresses issues of modern womanhood, often humorously and
light-heartedly.
10. This is a type of drama that originated in Spain.