English 1

Quarter 3: Poetry
Module 1: Features, Bases, Sources and Topic Structures of Ancient
Filipino Poetry
EXPLORE Your Understanding
Understanding

At this phase, your background knowledge, readiness and competency on the

prerequisite skills to the tasks at hand will be checked and evaluated. It is expected that
at the end of the lesson you will be able to perform a rap rendition of a well-selected
Filipino poem which will be assessed based on the following criteria: focus/theme,
voice, delivery, fluency, flow and rhythm, musical quality and originality. Are you all set?
Activity 1
Look at the pictures below and identify the Filipino custom and tradition each
of them depicts.

1.

__________________________
Source: http://www.tripsandtips.info.people/

2.

_________________________
Source: http://pinoylife.jp/news/detail.php?news_seq5808

__________________________

3.
Source: http://madlyconfused.tumblr.com/page/2

4.

_________________________
Source: http://www.demotix.com/photo/290685/filipino-customs-and- traditions-during-holy-week

5.

________________________
Source:http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/modules_in_Tagalog/mga_katangian_ng_Pilipinp_htm

6.

________________________
Source: http://www.pinoyadventurista.com/2011/04/pinoyfestivsal-pahiyas-festival-in.html

7.

________________________
Source: http://s4.zetaboards.com/Igorot_Pride/topic/8348327/1/

8.

________________________
Source: http://Shotnroll.com/2010/04/penitensya-penance-holy-week-tradition-in-the-philippines

__________________________

9.

Source: http://www.axlppi.com/2010/12/simbang-gabi.html

__________________________

10.

Source: http://easyoutsource.com/blog/philippine-holidays/

Activity 2
Read each line from songs and poems and tell the Filipino customs,
traditions, belief and ideals they show.
Magtanim ay Di Biro
Magtanim ay di biro
Maghapong nakayuko
Di naman makatayo
Di naman makaupo
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.
4

Planting Rice Is Never Fun

I
Planting (rice) is never fun, Bent from up 'till the set of sun.
Can not stand and cannot sit, cannot rest for a little bit.
Planting (rice) is no fun, Bent from up 'till the set of sun.
Can not stand and cannot sit, cannot rest for a little bit.
Come now, come now my fellow workers.
Let us do some stretching muscles,
Let us renew our strength,
For the work tomorrow.
II
My arms are numb
My waist is tired
My legs are aching
From staying long in the water.
III
Come now, come now
It is unfortunate to be born poor
If the muscles are not flexed,
we would not earn a living.

Answer:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Aking Bituin

My Star

O, ilaw, sa gabing malamig

Wangis mo'y bituin sa langit.
O, tanglaw, sa gabing tahimik
Larawan mo, Neneng,
Nagbigay pasakit. Ay!

O, light, in the cold night

Youre like a star in the sky
O, light, in the quiet night
Your picture, Neneng,
Makes one hurt. Oh!

Gising at magbangon
Sa pagkagupiling
Sa pagkakatulog
Na lubhang mahimbing.

Awake and arise

from slumber
from your sleep
So deep

Buksan ang bintana

At ako'y dungawin
Nang mapagtanto mo
Ang tunay kong pagdaing.

Open your window

and look out to me
So that you may understand
My true lament.

Answer:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Activity 3 (Poetic Lines Or Not?)

Check the lines that suggest poetry. Justify your answer.
_________ 1. First, a poem must be magical,
Then musical, as the sea gull.
It must be a brightness moving
And hold a secret birds flowering.

Reason: _________
_______________
_______________

_________ 2. Long ago there lived a monkey and his

friend turtle.

Reason: _________
_______________
_______________

__________ 3. It must be slender as a bell.

And must hold fire as well.

Reason: _________
_______________
_______________

__________ 4. Even as the bough breaks

from the sheer weight of the song
so does my heart break with love,
so my river will flow
to kiss the seas warm eternal breast,
so will my islands poise their hills
against the sun,

Reason: _________
_______________
_______________

__________ 5. Filipinos love to celebrate.

Reason: _________
_______________
_______________

Activity 4 (EQ Discovery)

Rearrange the phrases to form the Essential Question. Write it on the space
provided and answer it based on your background knowledge and past experiences.

ancient Filipino
poetry

and functions

of local ideals

How does

reflect the
embodiment

feelings, aspirations

Essential Question:
__________________________________________________________?
Answer:
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
6

Activity 4 (K-W-L-S Chart)

Complete the table with the necessary information. Write on the first column
K everything you know about ancient Filipino poetry, on the second column W the
things you want to know about it. Complete the L and S columns as you proceed
with the lesson.
K
(What you know)

W
(What you want
to know)

L
(What you
learned)

S
(Significance/Importance)

Are you done? Very good! Let us now advance to the next phase.

FIRM UP Your Understanding

At present, you will discover the features, bases, sources and topic structures
of ancient Philippine poetry. Here, you will crystallize/illustrate your knowledge and
use basal adjectives in varied activities. You will also reflect, revise and rethink your
understanding. After this you may go back to Activity 4 (K-W-L-S Chart) in the Explore
Phase and list down the things that you have learned L and their
significance/importance S.
Introduction
The ideas explored in poems are related to what interests us in life. Ancient
Philippine poetry depicts Filipino customs, traditions, beliefs, ideals and culture. It
serves as a useful tool by which Filipinos express their feelings and aspirations in
life. It has become the most effective vehicle in preserving Philippine culture, ideals
and heritage.
The sources, bases, features and topic structure contribute to attain meaning
and uniqueness in ancient Filipino poem.
Words in poetry are selected for their beauty, sound and power to express
feelings.
7

Lesson 1: Recognizing Structure

Riddles let you have a peek at the richness of Philippine culture. They are
witty and puzzling questions in which the answers are mostly objects, animals and
fruits found in the Philippines. They are a form of poetry because they rhyme.
Riddles are used for entertainment, mental exercises and amusement. They
are used by Filipinos to while the time away and to show their talent. Filipino riddles
deal largely with animals, plants and objects of local character. They have been
passed from one generation to another and their origins can never be traced.
Proverbs like riddles were also popular among the Filipinos. They use
proverbs to express lessons in life which they must learn by heart. They are
statements which are loaded with meanings. Just like riddles they are also a form of
poetry.
Filipinos are music lovers by nature. Since ancient times, folksongs have
been also used by Filipinos to express their aspirations, beliefs and ideals. They did
tasks while humming tunes or singing. They sang for any reason. They sang when
theyre happy. They sang when theyre sad. They sang when theyre inspired.
They sang when they faced difficulties. They even sang during battles!
Each riddle, proverb and folksong signifies worthwhile experiences our
forefathers wanted to share with us.
Activity 6
Below are samples of Tagalog riddles and their English translation. Give the
answer to each of them and prove which aspect of life is used as the subject.
1. Isang balong malalim, punong-puno ng patalim.
A deep well that is full of chisels.
Answer: ____________________
2. Dalawang batong maitim, malayo ang dinarating.
Two black stones that reach far.
Answer: ____________________
3. Dalawang balon, hindi malingon.
Two wells, which you cannot turn to look at.
Answer: ___________________
4. Naligo ang kapitan, hindi nabasa ang tiyan.
The captain took a bath without his belly getting wet.
Answer: ___________________
5. Dalawa kong kahon, buksan walang ugong.
My two boxes are opened without a sound.
Answer: ___________________
8

6. Limang puno ng niyog, isa'y matayog.

Five coconut trees, one stands out.
Answer: ____________________
7. Aling ibon dito sa mundo ang lumilipad at sumususo ang anak?
Which bird in this world flies yet its young suckles?
Answer: ____________________
8. Nang hatakin ko ang baging, nagkagulo ang mga matsing.
When I tugged on the vine, the monkeys went crazy.
Answer: ____________________
9. Nariyan na si Ambo, dala-dala niya ay siya.
Ambo is coming, carrying himself.
Answer: ____________________
10. Dahong pinagbungahan, bungang pinagdahunan.
Leaves that bore fruit, fruit that bore leaves.
Answer: ____________________
Activity 7
Here are samples of proverbs. Choose one and explain its impact in the past,
its relevance at present and its significance in the future. Write your answers in your
activity notebook.
Tagalog proverb: Ang tunay na pag-anyaya, dinadamayan ng hila.
English translation: A sincere invitation is augmented by a pull.
Tagalog proverb: Bago mo sabihin at gawin, makapitong iisipin.
English translation: Before you say and do, think about it seven times.
Tagalog proverb: Kung di ukol, di bubukol.
English translation: If it isn't related to the matter at hand, it's irrelevant.
Tagalog proverb: Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.
English translation: God helps those who help themselves.
Tagalog proverb: Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga.
English translation: Without perseverance, there is no reward.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
Activity 8
Match up fractured phrases of ancient Filipino poems. Choose the lines that
strike you the most. Explain which aspect makes them meaningful, interesting and
effective.

A
Sweet little songs
Tunes so pure
When lovers
I give them voice

B
Are timid and mute
And full of love
I make them bold
I make

Line/s that strike/s you the most

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Aspect/s that make/s them meaningful, interesting and effective
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Lesson 2: Language Focus: Single-Word Adjectives

The clothes you wear, the people you know, and the place you live would be
dull topics of conversation if you had no adjectives to describe them. Adjectives
add life, color, and feeling to language. Understanding how adjectives work and how
to use them effectively can make your use of language more precise and interesting.
Adjectives are words that modify or describe nouns and pronouns. They tell
the size, shape, quality/kind and color (descriptive adjectives). They may also limit
the meaning of nouns and pronouns by quantifying and qualifying them (limiting
adjectives). The subject of the sentence as well as the objects of the verb and
prepositions may be expanded by using adjectives/adjective phrases.
Look at the following sentences.
1. Sweet songs lulled the little baby to sleep.
(Sweet modifies songs and little describes baby.)
2. Lovers are timid and mute.

10

(Timid and mute modify/describe lovers.)

3. Then too soon the babies grow big and tall.

(Big and tall modify/describe lovers.)

Activity 9
Read the poem The Sampaguita by Natividad Marquez. Then underline the
descriptive adjectives in it and encircle the word each of them modifies. Explain the
meaning of the poem by using adjectives.
The Sampaguita
Natividad Marquez
Little sampaguita
With the wondering eye
Did a tiny fairy
Drop you where you lie?
In the witching hour
Of the tropic night
Did the careless moonbeam
Leave you in its plight?
What does the poem mean?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Activity 10
Copy and complete the following poem. Think of other adjectives that may be
used to replace those in the original version..
The Sampaguita
____________________
_________________ sampaguita
With the ___________________eye
Did a _________________ fairy
Drop you where you lie?
In the _____________ hour
Of the _______________ night
11

Did the _______________ moonbeam

Leave you in its plight?
Activity 11
Read another sample of Filipino poetry. Box the adjectives and underline the
words they modify.
To Don Juan
Angela Manalang Gloria

It was not loveWhy should I love you?

It was not folly, for I was wise,
Yet when you looked at me, your looking
Opened a kingdom to my eyes,
It was not love, it was not folly,
I have no name to call it by,
I only know one shining instant
You held my earth, you held my sky.
Is the experience being communicated real or purely imaginary? Justify and
write your answer in your activity notebook.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Activity 12
Choose one poem from the previous activities and find out how the author
conveys significant experience by answering the following questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

TITLE:__________________________________________
What is it about?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Who is speaking?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
What attitude does it communicate?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Is there a comparison made in the poem?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Is the comparison accurate?
12

___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
6. Are there lines which you disagree?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
7. How do you feel about the poem?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
8. What is the purpose of the poem?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
9. What do you think does the poem mean?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
10. Is the message or the meaning worthwhile?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
11. How does the poem make you hear, see, taste, feel and smell the aspects
of life?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
12. How does the poem relive or unlock the past?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
13. How do the rhyme and sounds of the poem contribute to its meaning?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Activity 13
Classify the following lines as riddles or proverbs. Write P for proverbs and R
for riddles. Then write the answers to the riddles.
___________ 1. Isang prinsesa, nakaupo sa tasa.
A princess seated in a cup.
___________ 2. Nariyan na si Kaka bubukabukaka.
Elder brother is coming with his legs wide apart.
___________ 3. Tuso man ang matsing, napaglalangan din.
No matter how wise a monkey is, he can still be outwitted.
___________ 4. Ang di marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan, di makararating sa
paroroonan.
Anyone who does not know how to look back where he came from will not
reach his destination.
___________ 5. Kapag apaw na ang takalan, kailangang kalusan.
When the pot runs over, you need to level the water off.
___________6. Habang maikli ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.
When the blanket is short, learn to curl up under it.
___________ 7. Ang lumakalad nang matulin kung matinik ay malalim.
Anyone who walks fast gets pricked deeper.
___________ 8. Baboy ko sa Marinduque, balahiboy pako.
My pet swine in Marinduque has nails for hair.
___________ 9. Huli man daw at magaling ay naihahabol din.
13

Though late but great can still be admitted.

___________ 10. Walang paay lumalakad, walang matay lumuluha.
It doesnt have feet but it walks, it doesnt have eyes but it cries.

DEEPEN Your Understanding

At this phase, you will reflect, revisit, rethink and revise your earlier assumptions
about ancient Philippine poetry through thought-provoking questions as well as
challenging activities. Here, you will also be engaged in meaningful self-evaluation.

Activity 14
Read the poem that follows. Then relate, compare and connect its subject to
present day happenings. Write your reactions in your activity notebook.

The Song of Maria Clara

by Jose Rizal
(A Translation from the Spanish by Nick Joaquin)

Sweet hours in the native country,

where friendly shines the sun above!
Life is a breeze that sweeps the meadows;
Tranquil is death; most tender, love.
Warm kisses on the lips are playing
As we awake to mothers face:
The arms are seeking to embrace her,
The eyes are smiling as they gaze.
How sweet to die for the native country,
where friendly shines the sun above!
Death is the breeze for him who has
No country, no mother, and no love!
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

14

Activity 14
Make a poster showcasing your favorite line/s from any of the ancient
Philippine poetry. Highlight the adjectives used.

15

Activity 15
Copy and complete each numbered sentence with appropriate adjective.
1. Public school students donated _____________________ food to the victims
of calamity.
2. The governor assured his constituents that they will have ________________
drinking water in no time at all.
3. Roselle and Patrick read ________________poems.
4. I need to look for the _____________ folder with ____________ papers.
5. Theodore ordered ________________ dessert.
6. Wenceslao doesnt like anyone who wears ___________ clothes.
7. We are called to help save ___________________ animals.
8. ______________ waste materials should be placed in the green container.
9. The _____________ leader was praised for his __________ achievements.
10. Jose Carlo and Carlito have just purchased _____________ cars.
Activity 16
Write the lyrics of a folksong you, your mother or your grandmother used to
sing. Then explain the beliefs, ideals or attitudes the song explains or illustrates.

______________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

16

Beliefs, Ideals or Attitudes the Song Explains or Illustrates

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Activity 16
Pretend that you are an illustrator for childrens books. Your job is to create a
drawing that will best illustrate the meaning of the poem below.

Source: Clip art on office online

My Islands
N.V.M. Gonzales

Even as the bough breaks

from the sheer weight of the song
so does my heart break with love,
so my river will flow
to kiss the seas warm eternal breast,
so will my islands poise their hills
against the sun,
My heart is proud
of this dream and prouder yet my rivers
of the faith that keeps the pace
of tides and moons, and prouder
still my islands of their hills.

17

Source: Clip art on office online

My Islands
N.V.M. Gonzales

Even as the bough breaks

from the sheer weight of the song
so does my heart break with love,
so my river will flow
to kiss the seas warm eternal breast,
so will my islands poise their hills
against the sun,
My heart is proud
of this dream and prouder yet my rivers
of the faith that keeps the pace
of tides and moons, and prouder
still my islands of their hills.

18

Activity 17
Create a script for a commercial of a new product. The commercial should
highlight the values, attitudes, ideals and beliefs used as subjects in ancient
Philippine poetry. Use descriptive adjectives.

Are you done?

Very Good!
Now that you have understood and internalized that the ancient Filipino poetry
served as the most effective vehicle for expressing and preserving Philippine culture,
ideals, and heritage, you will transfer that understanding to real world task.

19

TRANSFER Your Understanding

At this phase you will make independent applications of your understanding of ancient
Filipino poetry as well as the forms and functions of basal adjectives. You will find out the
connection between the tasks and the world.

Activity 18
Rap songs are effective musical expressions of a singers feelings, thoughts,
attitudes, and aspirations in life. Recall the rap song Mga Kababayan Ko by the
Francis Magalona.

Mga Kababayan Ko
Francis Magalona

Chorus
Mga kababayan ko (My countrymen)
Dapat lang malaman nyo (Its right for you to know.)
Bilib ako sa kulay ko (Im proud of my color.)
Ako ay Pilipino (I am a Filipino.)
Kung may itim o may puti (If theres black or white)
Mayron namang kayumanggi (Theres also brown.)
Isipin mo na kaya mong (Think that you can)
Abutin ang yong minimithi (Reach your aspirations.)
Dapat magsumikap para tayoy di maghirap (We should strive so that we wont
suffer.)
Ang trabaho mo pagbutihin mo (Do your job well)
Dahil pag gusto mo ay kaya mo (Because if you want it, you can do it.)
Kung kaya mo ay kaya nya (If you can, he can do it, too.)
At kaya nating dalawa (And we both can do it.)
Magaling ang atin (What we have is great.)
Yan ang laging iisipin (Always bear that in mind.)
Pag asensoy mararating (Progress will come)
Kung handa kang tiisin (If youre ready to bear)
Ang hirap at pagod sa problema (Poverty and tiredness, with problems)
Wag kang malunod (Dont get drowned.)
Umaahon ka wag lumubog (Get up, dont sink)
Pagkat ginhawa naman ang susunod (Because good life will come next.)
Iwasan mo ang inggit (Avoid envy.)
Ang sa ibay ibig mong makamit (Desiring what others have)
20

Dapat nga ikawy matuwa sa napala ng iyong kapatid (You should be glad with
what your brother has achieved.)
Ibig kung ipabatid (I just want to let it be known.)
Na lahat tayoy kapit bisig (That were arm to arm)
Repeat chorus
Respetohin natin ang ating ina (Respect our mother.)
Ilaw siya ng tahanan (Shes the light of the home.)
Bigyang galang ang ama (Give respect to our father.)
At ang payo ang susundan (Their advice should be followed.)
At sa magkakapatid (And siblings)
Kailangan ay magmahalan (Need to love one another.)
Dapat lang ay pag-usapan ang hindi nauunawaan (What is not understood
should be talked about.)
Wag takasan ang pagkukulang (Do not run away from mistakes.)
Kasalanan ay panagutan (Take responsibility for your sins.)
Magmalinis ay iwasan (Avoid being self-righteous)
Nakakainis marumi naman (Its annoying, youre sinful, too)
Ang magkaaway ipagbati (Help settle issues between foes.)
Gumitna ka at wag kumampi (Stay neutral, dont take sides.)
Lahat tayoy magkakapatid (We are all brothers.)
Anumang mali ay ituwid Whatever is not right should be corrected.)
Magdasal sa Diyos Maykapal (Pray to the Lord Almighty.)
Maging banal at wag hangal (Be holy and not fools.)
Itong tula ay alay ko (This poem is dedicated)
Sa inyo at sa buong mundo (To all of you and to all the world.)
Repeat chorus
Did it effectively express the singers aspirations and beliefs as a Filipino? How?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What truths about life should the youth learn from it?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Activity 19
Go over the ancient Filipino poems you have explored in class or read
from books and magazines. Choose one and find a suitable melody for it. If
necessary, change the words to suit/go with the melody. Rap it aloud in class. Then
ask others to give useful comments and suggestions for improvement. Consider
them as you revise and record your rap rendition.

Congratulations!
You have finished the first topic!
21

22