WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

Solomon P. Lozada National High School

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
2nd Quarter – Week 1

Techniques and Performance Practices Applied to Contemporary Arts

Competency:
MELCs- Writing a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts and doing an
adaptation of these require the learner the ability to identify.
a. the Geographic, linguistic and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history from
pre-colonial to the contemporary.
b. Representative texts and authors from each regions (e.g. engage in oral history
research with focus and key personalities from the student’s region/province/town)

Objectives: At the end of the week, students are expected to:

 Discuss intelligently the true meaning of literature;
 Assume responsibility in learning the history that influenced 21st century
Philippine Literature; and
 Appreciate and value the history of the literature in the
Philippines.
Key Concepts:

WHAT IS LITERATURE?

According to John J. Mark whose article was published through the Ancient History
Encyclopedia.

Literature ( from the Latin word “ Litera” meaning letters and referring to an
acquaintance with the written word) is the written work of a specific culture , subculture,
religion, philosophy or the study of such written work which may appear in poetry or in prose.
( Ancient History Encyclopedia, 2009) Moreover ,Literature is the art of written works, and is
not banned to published sources( although unpublished sources can be exempt). Literary
translated, the word literature means “acquaintance with letter”( as in the arts and letters).

Literature can be defined in several ways. Literature is:

 Written works with artistic value: written works, e.g. fiction, poetry and
drama, that are recognized as having important or permanent artistic
value.
 Body of written works: the body of written works of culture, language,
people or period of time , example: Philippine Literature, Russian
Literature etc.
 Writings on subject: the body od musical compositions for a particular
instrument or group of instruments, example: literature for the piano.
 Printed information: printed matter such as brochures or flyers that give
information, example: the company’s promotional literature.
 Production of literary works: the creation of literary work, especially as an
art or occupation.

According to R.A Scott James ( The making of Literature), it is with literature as an

art that it should be clearly distinguished from the literature which sets out to impart
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knowledge or produce moral convention. Obvious as the difference may seem to us, it was
not always obvious, and the border-line is blurred even today. It is the distinction which may
be made between two drawings of a house, one being a “picture” the other an architect’s
plan. The first has an aesthetic character. The second is a piece of information its purpose is
didactic.

According to Thomas De Quincy, Literature of knowledge is didactic(-to teach) while

Literature of Power is aesthetic(-to move).

Furthermore, literature is the product of imagination, originality, style of expression

thought emotions and feelings, ideas among others.

Universal Characteristics of Literature

 Timelessness
The condition of literature being timeless means that it can be applied
to different context and situations.
 Eternity
It is a characteristic of literature that pertains to the appeal of the
moral values of the literary masterpiece towards its audience.
 Universality
This literature characteristic pertains to the global applicability in which
a work transcends across culture, gender, religion, age and time and
generation.
 Permanence
Literature is a permanent expression in words of some thought of
feelings or idea about life and the word. Once it was told, it will never
be forgotten. It is like a mark which endures time and generation that
remains in the hearts and minds of every spectator or reader.

Why we study literature?

We study literature because it feeds our souls. Great works of literature threat
timeless themes that resonate with readers across centuries. The human condition
remains fundamentally the same today as it was when the printed word was first
produced. More than this, there are several reasons why we study literature.
 Understanding social milieu
 Understanding culture
 Understanding human nature and behavior
 Develop historical sense
 Relish aesthetics of artistic expression
 By studying good literature, we learn more about human problems and
difficulties
 Universality of such problems and ways to overcome them
 Humanity and compassion International understanding and world peace

ACTIVITY 1
DIRECTIONS: Discuss intelligently the following questions. Write your answer on the space
provided.
1. On your own understanding, what is literature all about?
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ACTIVITY 1

DIRECTIONS: Discuss intelligently the following questions. Write your answer on the space
provided.

1. On your own understanding, what is literature all about?

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2. Based on your own words, why we study literature?

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3. What are the positive and negative impact on your part as we learnt about literature?

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THE 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

21ST Century Literature is the new literary work which deals with current themes/
issues and reflects a technological culture. It is created with the last decade written by
contemporary authors who often breaks traditional writing rules. Emerging genres like IM
and blog format books, digi-fiction, doodle fiction and graphic novels. Generally,
50% of the narratives are produced without words and are mainly technologically
based literature.

21st century literature consists of written works of various genres (poetry,

drama, fiction/prose, nonfiction, media) printed and published from the start of the new
millennium up to the present.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE 2IST CENTURY READER:

 Grew up using technology as a primary learning tool
 Is capable of navigating and interpreting digital formats and media messages
 Possesses literacy skills which include technological abilities such as
keyboarding, internet navigation, interpretation of technological speak, ability to
communicate and interpret code language and decipher graphics.

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HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT INFLUENCED 21ST CENTURY PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

1. Jose Rizal’s revolutionary Ideals through his novel Noli Me Tangere

They say that the pen is mightier than the sword and Rizal’s 1889 novel Noli Me
Tangere was the impetus that turned Philippine society upside down. When Rizal peaceful
La Liga group failed in achieving the political and religious reforms being asked by the
Spaniards, younger upstart heroes like Bonifacio and Jacinto who have read his novel
were roused into action to establish the revolutionary sect Katipunan.

2. The execution and death of National Hero Jose Rizal

On December 30, 1896 after five years of trial and exile, the entire
nationwitnessed the execution of Jose Rizal in Luneta by firing squad. Four months before
on August 19, 1896, the Spanish authorities had discovered the whereabouts of
Katipunan. To show their open rebellion, the Katipuneros tore their cedulas and took to
their bolos in the Cry of Balintawak. From then on until June 12, 1898, it was open warfare
for Katipuneros against the Spaniards.

3. Martial Law
On September 21, 1972 by virtue of Proclamation Order 1081, then
Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos placed the entire country Martial Law rule. This era
is considered as a very divisive one. For the puritans and loyalists, it was an era of gross
human rights abuses, the end of individual rights, as well as the loss of freedom of
expression in Philippine society.

ACTIVITY 2

DIRECTIONS: Cite other historical events that influenced the 21st century Philippine
literature. Include your references. Use the space provided.

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The Literary Forms in Philippine Literature

The diversity and richness of Philippine literature evolved side by side with the
country’s history. This can best be appreciated in the context of the country’s
pre-colonial cultural traditions and the socio-political histories of its colonial and
contemporary traditions.

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 The average Filipino’s unfamiliarity with his indigenous literature was largely due to
what has been impressed upon him: that his country was discovered and, hence,
Philippine history started only in 1521.

So successful were the efforts of colonialists to blot out the memory of the country’s
largely oral past that present-day Filipino writers, artists, and journalists are trying to correct
this inequity by recognizing the country’s wealth of ethnic traditions and disseminating
them in schools and in the mass media.

The arousing of nationalistic pride in the 1960s and 1970s also helped bring about
this change of attitude among a new breed of Filipinos concerned about the “Filipino
identity”.

Pre-Colonial Times

Owing to the works of our own archaeologists, ethnologists and anthropologists we

are able to know more and better judge information about our pre-colonial times set against
a bulk of material about early Filipinos recorded by Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and other
chronicles of the past

Pre-colonial inhabitants of our islands showcase a rich past through their folk
speeches, folk songs, folk narratives and indigenous rituals and mimetic dances that affirm
our ties with our Southeast Asian neighbours.

Kinds of Speeches

1. Riddles

Tigmo- tigmo in Cebuano

Bugtong in Tagalog
Paktakon in Ilongo
Patototdon in Bicol

Examples: Munting hayop na pangahas, aaligid aligid sa ningas.

------ gamu-gamo
Naabot na ng kamay, ipinagawa pa sa tulay.
------ kubyertos

2. Aphorisms or Proverbs

The proverbs or aphorisms express norms or codes of behavior,

community
beliefs or they instill values by offering nuggets of wisdom in short, rhyming
verse.

Examples: A broom is sturdy because its strands are tightly bound.

Matibay ang walis, palibhasa’y magkabigkis.
-People gain strength by standing together.
New king, new ways.
Bagong hari, bagong ugali.
-New leadership always brings new ways.

3. Tanaga

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 The Filipino equivalent of a Japanese haiku is tanaga. In Philippine literature, a
tanaga is apoem consisting of four lines with each line equally having between
seven and nine syllables. To compare, the Japanese haiku has 17 phonetic units
divided into three phrases of 5, 7 and 5 units respectively. The short poems do not
have any titles, although the apparent theme is used to refer to it. Most are written
in Tagalog, the basis of the Filipino national language.

Example of Tanaga by Emelita Perez Baes

Pag-ibig
Wala iyan sa pabalat
at sa puso nakatatak,
nadarama’t nalalasap
ang pag-ibig na matapat.

Galit
Ang damdami’y sumisikdo
sa balitang di totoo;
habang sila’y nanunudyo,
poot nag-aalimpuyo.

4. Folksongs

The folk song, a form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and aspirations
thepeople’s lifestyles as well as their loves. These are often repetitive and
sonorous,didactic and naïve as in the children’s songs or Ida-ida
(Maguindanao), tulangpambata(Tagalog) or consiones para abbing (Ibanag).

Examples:
 Ili-ili(lullabyes) in Ilongo
 Harana or serenade in Cebuano
 Bayok in Maranao Kanogon in Cebuano
 Annako in Bontoc

5. Folk Narratives

The folk narratives, i.e. epics and folk tales are varied, exotic and magical.
Theyexplain how the world was created, how certain animals possess
certaincharacteristics, why some places have waterfalls, volcanoes, mountains, flora orfauna
and, in the case of legends, an explanation of the origins of things. Fables areabout animals
and these teach moral lessons

.Examples of epics are:

 Lam-ang (Ilocano);
 Hinilawad(Sulod);
 Kudaman (Palawan);
 Darangen (Maranao);
 Ulaningan(Livunganen-Arumanen Manobo)

ACTIVITY 3

DIRECTIONS: Answer and give examples of the following.

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 SET A

1. What are your thoughts about living in the past as compared to present time?

SET B

a. Five Philippine riddles with answer.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

b. Five Filipino proverbs with meaning

1.

2.

3.

4.

PHILIPPINE LITERARY PERIOD

Pre-Colonial Period (BC 1564)

 This existed before the Spanish occupation in the 1500s.

 It is oral in nature and is full of lessons and ideas about life, its blessings
and itsconsequences.
 It contains ideas from birth to the grave.
 The oral characteristic of pre-colonial literature gives the possibility for
manyalterations.
 In the Philippine context, no matter how it may be considered as altered,
pre-colonial literature is still revered to by many Filipinos.
 The sources are usually the local native town folk.

FORMS:

1. Oral Literature
a. Riddles b. Proverbs

2. Folk songs
a. Lullabies b. Drinking Songs c. Love songs

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 d. Religious songs e. Songs of Death

3. Folktales
a. Myth b. Legends c. Fables d. Epics

Spanish Period (1521-1898)

 The start of the Philippines more colorful history took place in March 6,
1521when Ferdinand Magellan docked on the shores of Homonhon.
 The Filipinos were then called “Ladinos” meaning they were latinized.
 Filipinos were called two things. One is “taga-bayan” while the others
“taga-bukid” or “taga-bundok”
 A person who is “taga-bayan” is considered urbane or civilized and were
in easyrange of the church and state.
 A person who is “taga-bundok” or “taga-bukid” is called bruto savage
(savagebrute) or Indio and were the ones who lived far from the center
of the Spanishpower

FORMS:

1. Religious Literature – revolves around the life and death of Jesus

a. Pasyon – it is about the passion (journey and suffering) and the death ofJesus
Christ
b. Senakulo – it is the re-enactment of the Pasyon

c. Komedya – it depicts the European society through love and fame, but can also be
a narrative about journey, just like Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. It is
also considered religious, because it usually depicts the battle between the
Christians and the Saracens or the Moros.

2. Secular or Non-Religious Literature – revolves around tales of valiance

and adventure
a. Awit – these are tales of chivalry where a knight saves a
princess. Florante at Laura is a good example.
b. Corrido – is a metrical tale or a tale that follows the structure of a poem.
c. Prose narratives – are easy to understand instructional materials that in a literary
light that teaches Filipinos on proper decorum. Pagsusulatan ng dalawang binibini
na si Urbana at Feliza is a good example.

3. Propaganda Literature

 These were in the forms of satires, editorials and news articles that aimed to attack the
Spanish rule. The propaganda trinity is composed of Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. Del
Pilar and Graciano Lopez Jaena.
 Ang Fray Botod one of Jaena’s works written in Jaro, Iloilo in 1876, six years after the
Cavite Revolt attacking the friars in the Philippines. Heex posed how some of the friars
were greedy, ambitious and immoral.
 Everything is hambug (Everything is mere show) Jaena’s work that explains
the tragedy of marrying a Spaniard.

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  Kaiingat kayo (Be Careful) Del Pilar’s work as a humorous and sarcastic dig to Fr.
Jose Rodriguez in the novel Noli of Rizal, published in Barcelona in 1888.
He used Dolores Manapat as pen-name here.
 Dasalan at Tocsohan (prayers and jokes) Del Pilar’s work that is similarto catechism
but sarcastically done against the parish priests, published in Barcelona in 1888.
Because of this, Del Pilar was called “filibuster”. Done in admirable tone of supplication
and excellent use of Tagalog.
 Ang Cadaquilaan ng diyos (God’s Goodness) published in Barcelona, it was also like
catechism sarcastically aimed against the parish priests but also contains a
philosophy of the power and intelligence of God and appreciation for and love
for nature.
 Noli Me Tangere Dr. Jose Rizal’s work, this was the novel that gave spirit to
propaganda movement and paved the way to the revolution against Spain. In
this book, he courageously exposed the evils in the Spanish-run government in the
Philippines.

4. Revolutionary Literature
Are exposes that sparked revolution and resistance in the hearts of
Filipinos.

Andres Bonifacio
1. Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Anak ng Bayan – an outline ofobligations just
like the Ten Commandments, hence it islikewise called as “Ang Dekalogo”
2. Ang Dapat mabatid ng mga Tagalog – an essay outlining thebasic tenets of
Bonifacio’s ideas on nationalism.

Emilio Jacinto
1. Liwanag at Dilim – a collection of essays on different subjectslike freedom, work,
faith, government and love of country.

Apolinario Mabini
1. El Desarollo y Caida de la Republica Filipina (The Rise andthe Fall of the
Philippine Republic) – this essay highlights theestablishment of the Philippine Republic
and its subsequentdoom due to disunity among the Filipinos

Dr. Jose Rizal

1. El Filibusterismo – this is a sequel to the Noli. While theexposed the evils
in society, the Fili exposed those in thegovernment and in the church. However,
the Noli has beendubbed the “novel of society” while that of Fili is that
ofpolitics.

5. Publications
 El Heraldo de la Revolucion (Herald of Revolution) – this is the official newspaper of
the Revolutionary Government of Aguinaldo
 La Independencia (Independence) – an independent newspaper founded and edited
by Gen. Antonio Luna.
 La Republica Filipina (The Philippine Republic) a public newspaper edited by
Pedro Paterno.
 La Libertad (Liberty) another private newspaper edited by Clemente Zulueta
American Period (1900-1942)
 The Philippines had a great leap in Education and Culture
 The use of English alongside Filipino was practiced.
 The Philippine Public School system was introduced.
 Free public instruction was given to the Filipinos.
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  The literature during American period was considered as imitative of American model.
Instead of asking the students to write originals, students ended up
following the form of American poets.

FORMS:

1. Poetry – under the American rule still followed the style of the old, but had
contents that ranged from free writing to societal concerns under American. Example: Mga
Gintong Dahon (Jose Corazon de Jesus known as “Batute”)

2. Drama – was usually used in the American period to degrade the Spanish rule and to
immortalize the heroism of the men who fought under the Katipunan. Examples: Walang
Sugat (Severino Reyes) – is a zarzuela (drama in the form of singing) Kahapon, Ngayon at
Bukas (Aurelio Tolentino)- is an allegorical presentation Tanikalang Guinto (Juan Abad) is
about lovers who stand for freedom.

3. Remake Novels – took up Dr. Jose Rizal’s portrayal of social conditions by

colonial repression. Examples: Madaling Araw (Inigo Ed. Regalado) Lalaking uliran o tulisan
(Juan Lauro Arsciwals)Japanese

Period and The Republic

 The Philippine literature came into a halt.
 The use of the English language was forbidden, and the use of Filipino language
was mandated under the Japanese rule.
 For some this was a problem, but to most writers, it was a blessing in disguise.
 Almost all newspapers were stopped.
 Filipino literature was given a break during this period. Many wrote plays, poems,
short stories, etc. Topics and themes were often about life in the provinces.

FORMS:

1. Poetry – The most common theme of most poems during the Japanese period was
nationalism, country, love and life in barrios, faith, religion and the arts.

2. Fiction – the field of the short story widened during the Japanese occupation. Many
wrote short stories.

3. Drama – the drama experienced a lull during the Japanese period because movie
houses showing American films were closed.

4. Newspapers – writings that came out during this period were journalistic in nature.
Writers felt suppressed but slowly, the spirit of nationalism started to seep into their
consciousness.

5. Essays – were composed to glorify Filipinos and at the same time to

figuratively attack the Japanese.

Literature of the Philippines Today

21st Century Literature

In the 21st century Philippines, there are a lot of literary innovations that are
adapted and created by Filipinos. Nowadays, even those who do not have any significant

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literary background make their own way using the freedom that they have to write and to
express.

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.

ACTIVITY 4

DIRECTIONS: SET A – Identify the following. Write your answer after each sentence.

1) It talks about the journey and suffering of Jesus Christ.

2) A metrical tale that follows the structure of a poem.
3) These are tales of chivalry where a knight saves a princess.
4) An official newspaper of the Revolutionary Government of Aguinaldo.
5) A period that exposes the sparked revolution and resistance in the hearts of Filipinos.
6) An essay outlining the basic tenets of Bonifacio’s ideas of nationalism.
7) He was called as “filibuster”.
8) The sources of this period are usually the local native town folks.
9) A person who is considered urbane and civilized.
10) In this period, the Philippine Public School was introduced.

SET B – Match the Column A (Writers) to Column B (Works). Write your answer before the
number and it should be the idea not the letter only.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1. Batute a) Tanikalang Ginto
2.JuanAbad b) Divine Comedy
__________________3.Graciano Lopez Jaena c) Ang Dekalogo
__________________4.InigoEdRegalado d) Everything is Hambug
__________________5.ClementeZulueta e) La Independencia
__________________6.DanteAlighieri f) Walang Sugat
__________________7.SeverinoReyes g) Mga Gintong Dahon
__________________8.AndresBonifacio h) Madaling Araw
__________________9.EmilioJacinto i) Noli of Rizal
__________________10. Fr. Jose Rodriguez j) Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas
k) Liwanag at Dilim
l) La Libertad

Rubrics

5pts – The answer is related to the overall idea presented and the uniformity of sentence is
excellent.

3pts – The answer is somewhat related to the idea presented and the uniformity of
sentence is good.

1pt – The answer is not related to the idea presented.

References

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A. Book Ma. Leticia Jose Cabana-Basilan, Ph.D. Letra 21st Century Literature in
the Philippines and the World. Intramuros, Manila. Unlimited books Library Services
&Publishing Inc.B. Online sources Tip: Press “shift and enter: to break URLs without
breaking the link.https://www.slideshare.net/macalaladernest/21st-century-literature-of-the-
philippines-and-the-world

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