Uagnil Acanrf - Lingua Franca 2. Shilgne - English 3. Nialoloc - Colonial 4. Nematlity - Mentality 5. Ytilanoitan - Nationality
Uagnil Acanrf - Lingua Franca 2. Shilgne - English 3. Nialoloc - Colonial 4. Nematlity - Mentality 5. Ytilanoitan - Nationality
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Arrange the following scrambled words that you will find in the essay.
1. uagnil acanrf - lingua franca
2. shilgne - English
3. nialoloc - colonial
4. nematlity - mentality
5. ytilanoitan - nationality
LEARN
Manila and Byzantium
Michael A. Bernard, S.J.
Miguel Bernard is a Filipino Jesuit, literary critic and Ph.D. holder from Yale
University. He has written several articles for international magazines. Many of his
essays are included in Philippine Literature
EXPLAIN
A. Vocabulary Check. Give the meaning of the underlined words below.
1. masterpiece in English a work done with extraordinary skill
2. intrinsically impossible in an intrinsic manner: by natural character; in itself
3. sign of subservience a subservient or subordinate place: function
4. expatriates in America to withdraw from residence in or allegiance to one’s native country
5. signify either subservience a subservient or subordinate place: function
6. Manila and Byzantium the ancient Greek city on the side that later become
Constantinople
B. Comprehension Check
1. What was the author’s point of view?
Manila and the Byzantium question why a tons of Filipino literature is written in English.
The country was once dominated by English speaking country such as the American foe almost half
a decade. The influence in the language remain strong and significant among the people which
strongly evident in choice of communication and literature. In view of all this, the author clearly
stated that there is nothing incongruous about the preference of the Filipinos writing in English
language as it is the nature of people to refuse for compartmentalization.
The Philippines has been under Spanish colonization for over 333 years and been colonized
by the American for 48 years. The Philippines has undergone a lot of changes both in culture and in
literature brought by these western powers who occupied the country. Miguel Bernard has some
questions why his fellow Filipinos still write in English rather than Filipino in literature.
In an essay entitled ‘Manila and the Byzantium’, Miguel Bernard articulated the common
points why there were so much Filipino literature written in English. While the Spaniards brought
the Philippines into the attachment of western culture and introduced their own philosophy of life
to the Filipinos as well as their habits, language, clothing, ways of amusement including games,
religion, arts, and even cooking; meanwhile, the Americans has introduced free public instruction to
the Filipinos, with English as the medium of instruction which made knowledge and information
accessible to all greater number of Filipinos. During the American period, the Philippine literary
production was spurred out by two significant development: culture and education. As a tribute to
the effectiveness of the educational system of the Americans in the country, more native in the
archipelago learned English language more than the Spanish despite the fact that Spaniards ruled the
country for quite a lengthy time compare to the Americans. Several Filipino authors and writers
emerged and through the influence of western culture and language created a new landscape in
Philippine literature.
While it is true that the country were once the colony of an English speaking country, it is
questioning why this continuous when other colonial inspired issues have gone extinct yet the choice
of communication remains strongly English. This could be attributed to the human nature itself.
The fact is that human race resists compartmentalisations. Given the course that it is impossible for
a nation to produce great literature in a language not its own, Filipino writers and authors took the
challenge and produced tons of beautiful pieces of literature mostly written in English to prove that
it is not intrinsically impossible to create a great literature written in an alien tongue.
Various attacks on the use of English on the Filipino literature still exists and though the
issue remains the same for some who see the English language as a tool of American neo-
colonialism, and for some literary historians, who see that that form literature is insignificant in the
context of several centuries of Philippine writings in various vernacular languages. However, the fact
is that English language is a lingua franca to the rest of the world and the Philippines had quite
adapted it well. Even Rizal’s patriotism could not be questioned base on the language he used on his
literary works which is mostly written in Spanish to condemn the abuse of Spaniards. Ironically,
even those who strongly advocate the sole use of Tagalog and, therefore, the rejection of foreign
language, as a medium of creative expression have written intensively in English. English language
has been part of the Filipino lives ever since and therefore, there is nothing incongruous about the
preference of the Filipinos writing in English language. It is form of creative expression that is not
dictated by any rules whether what language is right or wrong to use.
Content Clearly states the content Moderately states the Does not state the
of the piece content of the piece. content of the piece.
TOTAL ________
Task Sheet 15
THINK
How do you think is culture passed on through literary works?
Culture shapes one’s identity and beliefs, while on the other hand, literature is the reflection
of all these things. People write base on their views, beliefs, and behaviour which is mostly
influenced by their cultural background. As people continue to make literary pieces, so is culture is
pass on.
LEARN
The Tausug belongs to the Moro ethnic groups of southwestern Philippines. They live
primarily in the Sulu Archipelago, mainly in the Jolo island cluster. There are, however, significant
migrant (or immigrant) communities of Tausug in Malaysia and Indonesia, particularly on the
northeastern coast of the island of Borneo. You may read more about the ARMM from online
sources.
Tarasul are poems of the Tausug. They are both entertaining and pedagogical. Although
part of oral tradition, they are also written down. Topics of the tarasul are various-nature, cooking,
love, among others.
EXPLAIN
1. Why do you think is it important to call on the divine about matters on earth as shown in the first
tarasul?
People believe in divine ruling on earth. The deities are the one who create and provide
people’s needs and therefore they ask for guidance and provision to these beings.
2. What effect does the description of the fruits in the second tarasul have on you?
The way the second tarasul was described shows the people’s living and how they love fruits
so much. Personally, living in a province, I can relate to this things because I also love fruits and
sometimes people just grow their own fruits on their yard.
CONNECT
Learn more about Folk Literature of the Muslim Mindanao communities at
https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-cultural-communities-and-
traditional-arts-sccta/central-cultural-communities/folk-literature-of-the-muslim-cultural-
communities/
CREATE
Create a poem that teaches a lesson. You may write it in any language that you are
comfortable with but you must translate it into English.
Battles of life
TOTAL ________
Task Sheet 16
PRACTICE
“Picture Interpretation”
Source: world.wng.org
Draw out a possible description and/or interpretation that you can attribute to the picture
shown. Write a 3-5 sentence paragraph on the space provided.
The picture shows the universe as how we can observe it, an enormously vast space that is
beyond the finite human mind can conceive. The universe is everything- all the matter, energy, and
space. However, it’s always been a mystery of what is really out there to prove how everything exists
and came into form and being. This leads to certain discussion whether or not does really God exists
or everything were just a product of natural phenomenon that leads to the evolution of life.
LEARN
I Vialed the Universe
Leoncio Deriada
Leoncio Deriada was born in Iloilo City and raised in Davao City. He
studied his bachelors degree at the Ateneo de Davao University and at Xavier
University for his Master’s in English. He received his PhD in English and
Literature from Silliman University in 1981 where he became a professor and later
on chairperson of the English Department. He won 13 Palanca Awards and is
currently a Professor Emeritus at the University of the Philippines Visayas, where
he heads the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino.
EXPLAIN
Understanding Check
1. What does the phrase “vialed the universe” signify?
The Phrase signifies putting something unconceivably vast thought/belief and try to enclose it in a
little bottle as if the speaker already understood everything. When you “vial” the universe, you try to
control your own life or attempt to be in control and ignore the need for religion or God. The
speaker in the poem wants to declare his independence and he feels he is better than the Divine;
however, the speaker may have felt invincible at first but he is still a human being and in the end,
surrenders to the powers of those “larger” than him.
2. Explain the meaning behind the lines “and laughed at the concentrated Gods” and “the Genie
escaped with His halo of riddles”?
the line “and laughed at the concentrated Gods” somehow connote that the speaker tries to belittle
the gods to prove his domination to his own life, on the other hand, the line “the Genie escaped
with His halo of riddles” is a symbolic connotation for understanding religion– understanding God
is difficult, almost enigmatic or riddle-like and trying to solve the mystery of God’s existence could
be an unending task.
Main Task
In an essay form, give your analysis about the poem. Include in your discussion the literary
devices used and their relevance and impact to the entirety of the poem. Write your answers on the
space provided. You will be graded accordingly by the rubric in the next page.
Leoncio Deriada was A Filipino author who had produced several great pieces of literature,
one of which is his poem entitled “I vialed the Universe”. The poem primarily tackles on a certain
belief whether it is true or not. It explores the journey of the persona trying to rationalize things to
control his own life and ignore the need of religion or question the existence of God. From the title
itself, the poem speaks its concept in a subtle way but remains mysterious to feed the reader’s
curiosity.
The poem is consists of nine lines with no particular number of syllables per line. It is a
short poem that conveys intimate moments with simple, specific, and compelling words. In terms of
the use of language, the poem carries a growing momentum from start to finish by utilizing
meaningful symbolism and figurative language as it tries to remain faithful to its concept. The poem
incorporates phrase such as ‘vial the universe’ which means putting something unconceivably vast
thought/belief and try to enclose it in a little bottle as if he already understood everything. The line
“And laughed at the concentrated gods” would somehow connote that the speaker tries to belittle the gods
to prove his domination to his own life. The line “But the genie escaped with his halo of riddles” implies
that understanding religion or God is difficult, serves an unending task in trying to solve the mystery
of God’s existence which was also supported by the following lines, “I pondered anew and unslept”,
“Thoughts were strange as the strangeness of new towns” .In the end, the persona finally surrendered and
tried to accept that something is bigger that his own thought. “There: I saw Him mark in the matutinal
mist”, implies the realizations of one’s faith and the rising of sun enlightens the dark doubt and
disbelief of someone for a long time. He surrendered.
Furthermore, the effective use of imagery to the poem is also commendable. It gives you the
attachment to another dimension by using the universe as its main visual and incorporating magical
character like a ‘genie’ in a bottle.
On the other hand, the poem follows a strong theme which is “faith”. It gives the reader a
broader insight of what faith is all about. It is the essence of the things that we hoped for, it is the
evidence of the things we cannot see. It’s not because something is crazy to believe, it doesn’t mean
it isn’t true at all, and that is what faith is all about.
TAKE-AWAY
What are your insights about atheism? In your own opinion, is religious affiliation necessary
especially during this time of pandemic?
Atheism is disregarding any religious beliefs and denying the existence of God. I think
people tend to become more rationalise being and think everything as if they already understood the
complex thread of reality. However, I think it is more foolish to believe that everything exists as a
product of circumstances. Everything is has order from the tiniest of matter to the more complex
one like human being- everything is perfectly crafted. It is not a product of some sort of explosion
but Someone greater than us has planned everything.
I believe it is necessary to believe and have faith in God especially in this time of pandemic.
It is the time where everything is beyond our own control, all we can do is to hope for the best as
everything has its own purpose.
Task Sheet 17
PRACTICE
What comes to mind when you read the title of the poem? Draw your thoughts in the space
provided.
Base on the title of the poem I can imagine that the main character is fairly beautiful
lady to be able to have that numbers of lovers easily.
LEARN
Song of My Seven Lovers is a lyric or song of the Muslim-Filipino. Way back then, the genre
of the literary pieces was more on courtship, marriage,and other ceremonies. It is one of the popular
lyrics in Lanao, translated by Dr. Frank C. Laubach that was a missionary at that time.
EXPLAIN
1. Who is the persona speaking in the poem?
The person speaking in the poem is a lady sharing her experiences about love and how she
met six different guys.
2. How does the persona describe its experiences about love?
It was sad and painful experiences that brought aching memories in her heart after how
many time she failed to find the right man, however, she remains hopeful despite the odds that she
will face by falling in love.
3. Explain this line “He did not dare to tell his love”.
He was too shy to confess his love.
5. If you will be given a chance to talk to the author, what would you say?
To the author, you did a great job in incorporating the perfect emotions to the poem and the
elements were catered perfectly. I was just wondering if the poem was based on you own
experiences or have you ever been the woman in the poem or are you one of those seven lovers?
6. What is your best stanza in the poem? Why did you choose it?
For me, it’s the fifth stanza;
This particular stanza shows how painful the poem is that would lead us as to where the story flows.
I like it because it is simple yet it has so much meaning to the story.
CREATE
Imagine that you are one of the seven lovers and the poem was read to you. Write a poem
response to the persona in the lyric.
Regrets
Sitting here; feeling alone
Standing stunned; as hard as stone
Feeling so empty
Badly hurt to accept the reality
Total ________
Task Sheet 18
PRACTICE
Write a narrative essay about your unforgettable experience during summertime.
My most unforgettable summertime would always be my childhood days. I can still vividly
picture out the whole experiences during that time where everything was so innocent and real. I
grew up in a small town where everything is surrounded with tall mountains and wide meadows
where I used to fly a kite along those tall grasses. Trees where everywhere and the branches where
sturdy enough to carry my weight as I try to grab the mango fruits at my grandmother’s backyard.
The peak of the sun was negligible as I am enjoying the thrill of playing patentiro together with my
friends. The tan complexion of my skin reminded me of those warm moments we shared with my
cousins as we used to gather firewood preparing for the wet season. My summer during childhood
was fun and meaningful. Time moves so fast but I can always go back in my memories the best
summer that I ever had.
LEARN
Heart of Summer
Jose Iñigo Homer Lacambra Ayala III
José Iñigo Homer Lacambra Ayala, popularly known as Joey Ayala, was
born on June 1, 1956 in Bukidnon Philippines. He was known as a folk and
contemporary pop music artist in the Philippines. His major contributions in the
Philippine Literature are his songs which promoted environmental awareness and
arts education from ancestral roots to new artistic routes of musical expression
advocating for the protection of the environment and the conservation of natural
resources. He has won many awards such as the Awit award for best Folk-pop
recording to his song Karaniwang tao, best musical arrangement for his song
Maglakad etc.
EXPLAIN
1. Describe the setting of the story.
The story happened one summer where series of events took place in a movie theatre, where he sees
her after so long but she ignores him when he calls her; in the girl’s house, in his dream- the
flashback; in a city in a beach, where he sees her again and tries to speak to her even if she now
doesn’t know him.
CONNECT
Research more about the writer of Heart of Summer and think about how his life is reflected
in the short story, or not.
CREATE
Write a thematical analysis of the story on the space provided below.
The story “Heart of Summer” by Jose Iñigo Homer Lacambra Ayala III explores a theme of
‘love and obsession’. Love has always been a common theme for most literature but Ayala unravels
even deeper to a make plot twist to the story. The story dramatically breaks the thin line of love and
obsession that leads to an unpredictable ending of the story.
In the story, the main character cannot face the reality that his love is taken and can never
love him back, so he persists and meets his fate. Oftentimes we tend to believe that the right thing
to do is always to follow our heart and do the things what makes us happy. However, our heart is
one of the most deceitful being that drives us to twist the truth to lie and fantasy to reality. Love and
obsession are two different thing. Love delights in good and rejoices in the truth while obsession is
just deep emotion, an unhealthy emotion that becomes more and more suffocating over time.
Although the story is written in a narrative that follows a poetic or symbolic way of telling
the story, it isn’t clear whether it is completely true, half true or just allegory. Nonetheless, the story
presents a narrative of our reality today and tackles social issue such as rape. Oftentimes, we hear
stories on victim blaming for those who experienced sexual assault and harassment rather than the
real perpetrator itself. The thing is, it is not the victim’s fault or responsibility to fix the situation; it is
the abuser’s choice.
ASSESS (Essay Writing)
CATEGORY 3 2 1 POINTS
Focus Clearly state the writer’s Implies but does not Does not clearly state
point of view clearly state the the writer’s point of
writer’s point of view. view.
No swerving points of
discussion No swerving points Swerving points of
of discussion discussion
Content Clearly states the content Moderately states the Does not state the
of the piece content of the piece. content of the piece.
TOTAL ________