Cebu Reliable and Excellent Seafarers Training Center, Inc.

Senior High School

Escario Street, Capitol Site, Cebu City

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

S.Y. 2020-2021
Teacher: Cheryl D. Castro CREST:CDC:3

MODULE 1
MAPPING OUR LITERARY PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

INTRODUCTION

Hello there Poets! Through the literary texts that you will be reading in this module, you will get to know
yourself, the society you live in, and the world you will be moving in a lot better. The knowledge you will
unearth and explore from the poems, stories, plays, and essays in this module will teach you how to be a
better Filipino---as a holistic human being and, more importantly, as an agent of compassion to the rest of the
world. This module begins with a glimpse of our precolonial literary heritage. Here, you will learn that before
the Spanish colonized the country, Filipinos already enjoyed a variety of literature. Maybe you are the start of
something new, dear student, and hopefully, the stories of your life will inspire you to exercise your creativity
and make your mark in the world.

Let us now see the beauty of Literature as we slowly unveil the hidden treasures behind it through this
module.

LESSON 1- PHILIPPINE PRE-COLONIAL LITERATURE

LESSON 2- SPANISH COLONIAL LITERATURE

MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCIES

At the end of this module, I can:
 Writing a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts and doing an adaptation of these
require from the learner the ability to identify:
 the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history from pre-colonial to
the contemporary
 Compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the ones from the earlier
genres/periods citing their elements, structures and traditions

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, I can:
 Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of the Philippine literary history from
the precolonial era to the contemporary using the given kinds and forms of literature from
precolonial to Spanish colonial era;
 Value the contributions of local writers to the development of regional literary traditions by
reflecting to the different stories; and
 Differentiate the various 21st century literary genres and the ones from the earlier genres or
periods citing their elements, structures, and traditions using the Venn diagram.

LET’S WARM UP Directions: Guess the 10 best and famous Filipino riddles below.
Let’s see if how many correct answers you will get.
1. Maikling landasin, di maubos lakarin. _____________

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2. Hindi hayop, hindi tao, pumupulupot sa tiyan mo. ______________
3. Dala mo dala ka, dala ka ng iyong dala. ________________
4. Maliit pa si Kumpare, nakakaakyat na sa tore. ________________
5. Kung gusto mong tumagal pa ang aking buhay, kailangang ako ay mamatay. _____________
6. Buto’t balat na malapad, kay galing kung lumipad. ____________
7. Lumuluha walang mata, lumalakad walang paa. _____________
8. Nagbibigay na, sinasakal pa. ________________
9. May puno walang bunga, may dahon walang sanga. ___________
10. Hinila ko ang baging, sumigaw ang matsing. ________________

ANALYSIS
Directions: Read the questions comprehensively and answer it concisely.
1. It is stated in the introduction that before the Spanish colonization there is already literary
heritage, how do you think these literary pieces created and spread to be enjoyed our
ancestors?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2. If you were born during the precolonial era and was given a chance to live on the present
time, what experiences are you going to share? Why?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACTION

Lesson 1: PHILIPPINE PRE-COLONIAL LITERATURE

Before the Philippines was colonized, it was already brimming with a rich tradition of oral literature.
Early Filipinos weaved together countless myths and legends to explain certain phenomena in life.
They had stories on how the world was created—why there is a sun in the morning and the moon at
night, how mountain was formed, why there are earthquakes, and other life events. However,
because paper was not invented yet, many of the tales were not preserved and have vanished from
local knowledge.
The precolonial literature of the Philippines was marked by your ancestors’ daily observations about
life, explanations for natural phenomena, and beginnings of rituals. These also function as an
explanation for society and culture as they know it to be. Here are the descriptions and other forms
of literature that were passed on by the early Filipinos to today’s generation.
 Proverbs or salawikain are practical observations and philosophy of everyday life that are
written usually in rhyming scheme. It is obviously meant to entertain while teaching basic skills
in surviving local life. Here are some examples:

Kung ano ang puno, siya ang bunga kung walang tiyaga, walang
nilaga

(whatever the tree, so is the fruit.) (If you don’t persevere, you can expect no reward)

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  Riddles or bugtong usually riddles, are used in a battle of wits, where locals young and old join
and/or watch to see who is the smartest. Another characteristic of Filipino riddles is their
carefree nature—they seem to be referring to something laughable, but in reality, the answer
is more serious than expected. Can you guess the answers of these riddles?

Heto na si kaka, bubuka-bukaka (Here comes kaka, walking with an open leg). ___________

Sa araw ay bungbong, sa gabi ay dahon ( Roll in the morning, leaf in the afternoon).
____________

 Folksongs are beautiful songs that are informal expressions of our ancestors’ experiences in
life. These range from courtship (which they sing in a harana or a serenade for a girl), to
lullabies, harvest, funerals and others.

BAHAY KUBO

Bahay kubo, kahit munti

Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari.
Singkamas at talong, sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani.

Kundol, patola, upo’t kalabasa

At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa,
sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya
sa paligid-ligid ay puro linga.

 Tales are stories of origin for certain places, their names, and their creation. These are also known as
myths and legends. They usually are used to explain certain events or phenomena in our ancestors’
lives that cannot be explained by the limited practical kind of science they knew back then. Some
examples are the origin of mountains such as Mount Makiling or Mount Arayat, or legends of great
heroes like Bernardo Carpio who is a legendary figure in Philippine mythology who is said to be the
cause of earthquakes.

 Epics are long-winded poems about a hero and his adventures and misadventures. It usually tells of a
male hero who is born with all the pleasing qualities that your ancestors like in a person and who also
has superhuman capabilities. One of the best epics of the Philippines come from Negros, which is
Hinilawod.

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 Read the story Hinilawod using the storyboard and guided by the storyboard text. After which, answer the
questions that follow.

THE HINILAWOD

Storyboard Text
 When Alunsina reached maidenhood, her father, Kaptan decreed that she should marry.
 Instead of marrying a god, she chose a mortal
 Her decision angered the suitors and gods, and a meeting was called to bring harm to the
newlyweds.
 Oh no!
 Several months later Alunsina bacame pregnant and told Paubari to prepare the siklot necessary
for childbirth.
 You need to escape the gods will harm you and your husband!
 After the water will subside we will settle near the mouth of Halawod River.
 When the ceremony was over the high priest opened the window and wind came blowing,
suddenly the babies became big, handsome and strong.
 Mother can you prepare my magic cape, hat and belt and kampilan. I am going on a journey.
 Labaw Donggon, my eldest what do you need
 I shall defeat this monster using my magic belt.
 After the wedding he and his new bride proceeded home.
 If you want to marry my daughter you must kill a monster as your dowry.
 We are on our way to win the hand of Abyang Durunuun whose beauty was legendary.
 After taking his wife home he went on another journey. Before he can get to the place he had to
pass a ridge guarded by a giant named Sikay Padalogdog
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 I am Labaw Donggon, son of Datu Paubari and goddess Alunsina of Halawod. I came for the
beautiful Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata.
 Who are and why are you here?
 Labaw Donggon won and took his new wife home. Not long after he went another journey to
Gadlum to ask the hand of Malitong Yawa
 Labaw Donggon was defeated and was imprisoned beneath the house of Saragnayan.
 The two sons of Labaw Donggon from both wives went to free their father, defeating Saragnayan
once and for all.
 A seductive sorceress changed herself to a beautiful maiden and captured the heart of
Humadapnon. Buyong Matanayon begged him to leave the place until one night, using the ginger slices
Buyong defeated the sorceres.
 Angered by the defeat of Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon set out to wreak revenge on all
saragnayan's kingsmen and followers. Along side him was Buyong Matanayon who is skilled in
swordmanship.
 Now that you came to this land and learned about the rock by moving it I will keep my promise to
let you marry my daughter.
 After the wedding humadapnon went to seek the hand of the goddess of marriage. Along the way
he encountered Buyong Makabagting who had the same purpose in mind. In the end Humadapnon won.
 Upon approaching the gate of the palace where the maiden lived he was confronted by Uyutang, a
bat like monster.
 Humadapnon's brother Dumalapdap went on a trip, accompanying him was Dumasig who is the
most powerful wrestler in Madya-as. Along the way they encoutered a monster who was guading a narrow
ridge to the place where the maiden lived.
 Returning from their journeys, their father set up a feast in their honor. After that they part their
ways once again. Labaw Donggon went to North, Humadapnon went to South, Dumalapdap to the West
and Datu Paubari remained in the East.
Source: https://www.storyboardthat.com/storyboards/fayelucy/the-hinilawod-story

LESSON 2: SPANISH COLONIAL PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

When the Spaniards came, there was an immediate shift on the focus on literature. It became centered on
the Chirstian faith, and the stories about natural phenomenon suddenly became all about the lives of
saints and other religious hymns. Slowly, Philippine literature started to emulate the traditional Spanish
ways of themes and forms in writing, including the repetitive plots and obvious shadowy characters
Spanish literature has these common kinds:

 Corrido is a legendary religious narrative form that usually details the lives of saints or the historic of a
tradition and refers to narration
Example: IBONG ADARNA by: Jose De la Cruz
 Awit is a chivalric poem about a hero, usually about a saint. It is also usually sung and used in
religious processions and refers to chants.

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 Example: FLORANTE AT LAURA by: Francisco Balagtas
 Pasyon is a narrative poem about the life of Jesus Chirst, beginning from his birth and up to his death.
This is usually sung during the Lenten season.

Source: http://theinkdrive.blogspot.com/2017/04/10-things-you-want-to-know-about-pabasa.html
 Cenaculo is the dramatization of the passion of Christ. It highlights the sufferings and death of Jesus
Christ, and it is also done during the Lenten Season.

https://malate.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/img_2666.jpg

 Moro-Moro or Comedia de Capa y Espada is a blood-and-thunder melodrama depicting the conflict of

Christians and Muslims. It is usually battles to the death and the proofs of faith.
Local people write the script, which is in verse, and some performances include quite elaborate scenery 
and costumes. Music and dance are also part of the production. One of the most notable moro-
moros is held in San Dionisio in Rizal Province, where the drama is performed in the church and the vill
age square every spring, usually in April or May.

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Source:https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/340795896801007935/?nic_v1=1ax
%2B2GsfY1%2FCDQWD8NuAzqDpfBrisuiO0IXHbuIKInN9sMjAOhqWP%2FFTfENS3iQrgD

 Carillo is a play that uses shadows as its main spectacle. This is created by animating figures made
from cardboard, which are projected onto a white scree. One of the famous groups in the Philippines
who use this kind of play or act is the EL GAMA PENUMBRA.

 Tibag is the dramatic re-enactment of St. Helena’s search for the Holy Cross. St. Helena is the mother
of Constantine and is oftentimes credited to great influence her son to be the great Christian leader.
She is also well-known to have travelled to Syria to look for the relics of Jesus Christ’s cross.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Helena

 Duplo or Karagatan are native dramas that are connected to Catholic mourning rituals and harvest
celebrations. Duplo was a poetical debate held by trained men and women in the ninth night, the last
night of the mourning period for the dead. Karagatan was also poetical debate like duplo, but its
participants were amateurs. Theme: about a ring that fell into the sea
 Zarzuela is probably one of the most famous forms of entertainment back in the Spanish era. These
are musical comedies or melodramas that deal with elemental passions of human being.
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 Source: https://morrighansmuse.com/2014/04/30/z-is-for-the-zarzuela/

APPLICATION

I. Directions: Read the questions comprehensively and answer it in a complete sentence.

1. How did Labaw Donggon win the hand of Abyang Durunuun in marriage?

_________________________________________________________________________________.
2. Who saved Halawod and Alunsina from being drowned in a flood?

_________________________________________________________________________________.
3. What are the values that are shown in the story Hinilawod?

_________________________________________________________________________________.
4. Why is important to learn about the precolonial literature of the Philippines?

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. How different and similar are the situations of your ancestors back then to your situation right now?

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

II. Directions: Think of an example of a Spanish Colonial Philippine literature that are still
existing and practical in today’s generation, like pasyon. Afterward, share what you
have thought and discuss it below:
Note: Personal experiences during Lenten Season are fine.

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REFLECTION

1. How do the values from the story Hinilawod shape you as a Filipino today? How much has changed
from the ways Filipinos lived before and after we live now?

2. Which era do you think has been able to exert its influences the most contemporary Philippine society?

ASSESSMENT
Directions: Using the Venn Diagram below, write the differences and similarities of Pre-
Colonial and Spanish Colonial Literature base on their elements, structures, and traditions.

__________________________ ____________________________

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