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Alamat ng Gubat by Bob Ong

Literary Analysis

Armiel Nicole B. Dagasdas

Department of Teacher(s) Education, Cavite State University CCAT Campus

BSEE 27: Teaching and Assessment of Literature Study

Ms. Bhrendelyn Navales

March 11, 2021

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Alamat ng Gubat by Bob Ong

Literary Analysis

Alamat ng Gubat is a kid friendly book with a mature concept created by Bob Ong

which serves as his fourth book. Published in 2003, Alamat ng Gubat (Legend of the Forest)

is the fourth book published by Bob Ong. Bob Ong is a Filipino writer known for his works

depicting Filipino life, culture and society. His books are always a reflection and commentary

of the past and current Filipino setting (Bongbongbooks, 2017).This story is a mix between

fiction and satire which is a genre of literature and performing arts, usually fiction and less

frequently in non-fiction, in which vices, follies, abuses and shortcomings are held up to

ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, government, or society

itself into improvement (Eliot, 2004). Although satire is usually meant to be humorous, its

greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit to draw attention to both

particular and wider issues in society.

At first glance you would think that the title simply depict the legend of the forest but

as you read it further you will notice that it has a deeper meaning. The “Gubat” in the title

simply means forest but it was used as a metaphor to the “Philippines” in which it tackles and

critics about the country’s government, politicians and citizens to serve as an eye opener to its

readers of what really happened and is still happening in the society

The story dwells upon the adventures of an ocean-dwelling crab named Tong who

was tasked by his mother to get the magical banana bud or “Puso ng Saging” to cure the

ailment of his father. Together with his mission to search for the cure, he meet different

animals of different traits and characters along the way. When tong reached the forest, he met

a bird called Maya and a Crocodile who claims to be the king of the domain. Both extorted

and bribed Tong in exchange for help but ended up trying to eat the crab. When Tong ran
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away from the crocodile, he bumped into a duck who got angry with him because her feathers

got dirty due to his carelessness. The crab also met a rich frog who also claimed to be in

authority and forces himself to be with Duck just because of his wealth that he stole from

those who lived in the ocean. When Tong proceeded to ask the two about the whereabouts of

the Magical banana bud and promised to share his morning glory in exchange, a loud growl

was heard. The Lion whom first acted as a good person and reveals his true colors later on.

He took Tong’s Morning glory then throw it back to them and was eaten by the frog and

duck. The lion also addressed that he does not eat frog and duck but the crocodile does. Then

out of nowhere, crocodile arrived and ate the two, leaving Tong the last one standing. The

Lion then commanded the crocodile to return all pearls that he took from the crab before

commanding him to get lost. Tong then kindly stated his purpose in the forest and the Lion

suggested that he should look for Dog and asked the crab to return both chicken and the

turtle’s eggs whom allegedly frog stole. But crab didn’t know that the eggs was actually

stolen and marked by Rat so that they could locate the animals that are hiding from them with

the fear of being eaten. During his search for Dog, Tong came across of a civilization of

quarrelling insects about their plan to revolt against the lion. One of the insects asked Tong of

what is his purpose and pointed him to where Manok and Pagong lives. On his search for

Manok and Pagong he came across a Lobster that prefer to get paid while doing nothing than

doing something. When lobster got swept away by the wave, Tong heard manok from a not

so far away place and followed its direction and found their whereabouts. When Tong saw

Manok and Pagong, he then gave them the eggs. Tong told them again about the banana bud

and Pagong told him to hop on his back and took him to the tree where they saw Dog eating

his own vomit and repeats the cycle. Despite of Dog’s habit, Tong was still able to narrate his

story and learned that the magical Banana Bud was long fought over by the animals in the

forest due to its capabilities that grants any wish that you have. Because of this, Dog
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proposed to help Tong with the terms that the dog will get the wish and tong will get the

medicinal bud. Rabbit, who was already listening to their conversation disagreed of this

proposal and like the other animals, he also claims to be the king which raised chaos between

the animals that resulted to voting on who the true king is. When the ant was declared as the

winner, he was found dead. Suddenly, a very pungent smell visited their senses. The animals

tried to pinpoint the source of the smell and ended with Tong. A loud growl was heard and

the Lion came out of nowhere which caused panic to the animals as they were found by those

whom they are hiding from. Tong saw his brother Katang and he felt a sense of relief but he

didn’t know that Katang was there for revenge which is a result of a long rivalry and

unresolved issues between the two brothers. Tong’s brother help the Lion to locate them. A

massacre was done but still the some of the animals are still fighting over the Banana bud

until they noticed that they already have been eaten by the crocodile. The next day, Tong

woke up near the seashore. A few minutes later he met Monkey who revealed that the Banana

Bud does not have a healing power but a numbing capability instead and told him that his

father only needs the bud to turn a blind eye to what is happening around him. The story

ended when Tong ate the bud the monkey gave and became numb and just like his father.

By looking at the story literally, it was talking about a crab that was sent on a mission

to look for the magical Banana bud in the forest which is the medicine of his father and met

different kinds of animals along the way. But if you examine it deeply it is talking about

different attitudes found in the society and the kinds of politicians that rule over it.

Bob Ong conveyed the story in a very casual and humorous way of storytelling which

is very captivating and entertaining. The story shift its way from character to character

according to the point of view of the main character which is tong and used Filipino slang on

the piece making it captivating, understandable and relatable not just to older readers but also

to the Millennials and Gen Z. It also widens the target audience of the book which would
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convey the message of the piece to the majority. The author used several literary devices such

as Imagery, anachorism, Anthropomorphism, Colloquialism,Flashback, hypebole,

onomatopoeia , allegory, and symbolism to establish a better ambiance to the book and helps

the readers visualizez what is happening and feel the emotions as well. The novel is a

reflection and commentary of the past and current Filipino setting in which it creates

humorous and reflective depictions of life in the Philippines that was shown through the lives

of the animals of the forest and applying past events that happened in the country years ago

that is notable either good or bad so that people can reflect on it and do better choices towards

it.

In the novel, Bob Ong have showcased different types of politicians. First is Buwaya

which represents the corrupt politicians in the Philippines that loves money over anything and

will do everything just to earn more and robs people with fake promises of help.

“ Sabi ko, kinakausap mo ba ako?”

“O-opo. Hihingi po ako ng—“

“Kailangan moong magbayad ng pikak.”

“Wala po akong pilak, perlas lang ang dala—“

“Tatlong perlas!”

…” Tatlong perlas! “(pp.6-7)

“Pero dalawang beses na ‘ko nagbigay, at tatlo na lang ng perlas ko!” Angal ni Tong

Next is Leon, a Politician who give false promises. He also pretended to be someone

who was kind and full of dignity but turned out to be the other way around. A perfect

representation of Filipino politicians who doesn’t keep his words during campaign periods.

“ Namimigay ‘yan ng perlas!”

Malambot ang tingin ni Leon kay Tong, pero tumigas ito paglingon kay Buwaya.

“Ibalik mo sa talangka ang perlas.”

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“Pero, BOSS…!”

“GROOWWWRRRRRRR!!!!!!”(p.12)

He also have a side kick which is Daga who always sticks out with Leon just because

he is powerful and rich, and does everything Leon asks him to and imitates him.

GROWWRRRRR!!!!

“ ano ‘yon?” kinakabahan na naman si Tong.”

“Wala. Si Daga lang ‘yon.  Kakakasama kay Leon, nasanay na ring umungol.”(p.11)

Bob Ong also used the other characters of the story to different types of people

in the society such as Bibe who mirrors those Filipinos who are very proud and had high

visions of themselves .They look at themselves as someone who is beautiful, wealthy and

intelligent enough that could step on one’s dignity and look down on people. Palaka who

represents those Filipinos who tries so hard just to have an equal standing with western

people which is recognizable on how hard he tries to speak English just to be called rich and

be viewed as they are in a higher standing in the society and he also a proof that Filipinos

regards the rich and wealthy in the society as with power and authority. Tipaklong, a member

of the insects who plans to start a revolt against Leon. He represents those Filipinos who

pretends to know about what’s happening yet really clueless of what they are fighting for. A

perfect example for this are the people in social media who likes to rant and complain of the

current regime with no prior research and understanding of the system. Langgam who went

against of Tipaklong’s plans because he is afraid to lose everything he had which is a perfect

example of those people who are afraid to stand for something because they might lose

everything they have built. The langaws reflects the majority of Filipinos who love to hear

gossips and love to enter into conversation, they are also a characterization of Filipino voters

whose vote are easily bought for an extremely low cost. Paruparo was also another insect that

represents another type of Filipino who tends to forget their roots or where they came from
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just because of the success and achievements they received in life. Ipis served as a

comparison to Paruparo. The character represents those Filipinos with lower standing in life

and are often discriminated for it.Tong also met Ulang, a lobster which is used as a reflection

of lazy Filipinos who has no dreams or ambitions in life and prefers to work doing nothing

than to do something. Manok is a representation of a mother who cares and loves her

children. Pagong represents those Filipino who are still generous and kind to everybody. Aso

as the Filipinos who easily believe in rumors. Tong’s brother named Katang. He was envious,

selfish and jealous brother a perfect representation of those people who can’t find happiness

in their heart because of the success of their fellows. Lastly was Matsing, who represents

those Filipinos who are aware of what is happening but prefers to do nothing because they

believe that there are things that can’t be done and change the society.

This story depicts the historical milieu of the Philippines during the Spanish

colonization where the Lion, Crocodile, Maya and the Rat represents as the Spanish

Colonizers and the insects are the Filipino people or the Katipunan, a secret organization who

wants to revolt against the rule of the Spanish regime because of its unjust and unbalanced

treatment against Filipino citizens.

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References

Bongbongbooks. (2017, January 09). My thoughts About alamat ng Gubat by BOB ong
(Book Review #60). Retrieved March 11, 2021, from
https://bongbongbooks.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/my-thoughts-about-alamat-ng-
gubat-by-bob-ong-book-review-60/#:~:text=Bob%20Ong%20is%20a%20Filipino
%20writer%20known%20for,is%20written%20in%20Tagalog%20and%20uses
%20some%20deep

Elliott, Robert C (2004), "The nature of satire", Encyclopædia Britannica.