21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD

Grade Level: Grade 11

SLA No. 3: Luzon: Genres of Urban Writing

Subject Code/Number: Q1LC2a; Q1LC3; Q1LC5
Subject Title: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Teacher: Kevin T. Eleseo

I. Introduction

Have you heard of the controversial “Martial law”? Some of you might be so interested
about the wars and stories of the old which ignites different emotions as we hear accounts from
tragic period of history that left a lot of remarkable events in our country.

In this lesson we will learn more about the origin of these accounts and understand how
the history gave a great influence over the 21 st century literatures of the Philippines.

A. Learning Competencies
 Writing a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts and doing an
adaptation of these require from the learner the ability to identify:
a. the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history
from pre-colonial to the contemporary (Q1LC2a)
 Discuss how different contexts enhance the text’s meaning and enrich the reader’s
understanding. (Q1LC3)
 Do self- and/or peer-assessment of the creative adaptation of a literary text, based
on rationalized criteria, prior to presentation. (Q1LC5)

B. Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze the story through the use of its elements and the different figures of speech.
2. Explain the meaning of the story and its sociocultural context.
3. Create a poster reflecting the theme “The Existence of Martial Law in the Present
Times”.
21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD
Grade Level: Grade 11

II. Learning Content

Pre-Reading activity
Literary History of Luzon
Geography:
Luzon sits at the northern end of the Philippines, and is the
country’s largest and most populous island. It’s known for its mountains,
beaches and coral reefs, and is home to Manila, the national capital. The
island group has eight (8) regions, namely, Region I (Ilocos Region), Region
II (Cagayan Valley), Region III (Central Luzon), Region IV-A (CALABARZON),
MIMAROPA Region, Region V (Bicol Region), Cordillera Administrative
Region (CAR), and the National Capital Region (NCR) where Manila, the
nation's capital city, is located.

Short Activity:

Research about the region of Ilocos including its prominent families, historical events, places,
notable authors and culture. Use a graphic organizer to present the information you have gathered and
share it to your groupmates.
21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD
Grade Level: Grade 11

Reading activity

About the Poem:

“Apo on the wall” by Bj Patino is a
poem that talks about the narration of a
child’s point of view about his rigorous
Father and the hanging photo around the
wall called “Apo”. The poem tells the reality
of life during the reigning of Marcos
alongside with the Martial Law. It is a
reflection of the scenario of what and how
the Filipinos experienced the tragic and
traumatic event throughout the
dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in the
Philippines. “Apo on the wall” shows the
real situation concerning with the different perspective between millennial and those who lived through
Martial law. This masterpiece of Bj Patino advocates reasonably close to the realization of giving
importance on looking back to our past, moving forward through our present and ensuring the success
of our future.
21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD
Grade Level: Grade 11

Apo on the Wall by Bj Patino

There’s this man’s photo on the wall

Of my father’s office at home, you
Know, where father brings his work,
Where he doesn’t look strange
Still wearing his green uniform
And colored breast plates, where,
To prove that he works hard, he
Also brought a photo of his boss
Whom he calls Apo, so Apo could
You know, hang around on the wall
Behind him and look over his shoulders
To make sure he’s snappy and all.
Father snapped at me once, caught me
Sneaking around his office at home
Looking at the stuff on his wall- handguns,
Plaques, a sword, medals a rifle-
Told me that was no place for a boy
Only men, when he didn’t really
Have to tell me because, you know,
That photo of Apo on the wall was already
Looking at me around,
His eyes following me like he was
That scary Jesus in the hallway, saying
I know what you’re doing.
21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD
Grade Level: Grade 11

III. Self-Learning Activities

A. Activity 1- Information Association

1. Do you have personal experiences or encounters that you can relate to the story?
2. Share your insights online or write it on a piece of paper.
B. Activity 2- Content Evaluation
1. Create a poster reflecting the theme “The Existence of Martial Law in the Present
Times”.

C. Activity 3- Guided Online and Offline Discussion

1. How would you describe the persona and the persona's father? How would describe
their relationship? Would you say that your relationship with your father is similar or different?
Explain.
2. Who is Apo in the poem? Cite evidence to support your answer.
3. What kind of values does the persona’s father want to teach to his child, specifically,
about what it means to be a man? Do you agree with these values? Why or why not?
4. Do you think the persona’s perspective about martial law is the same as his father’s?
Why or why not?
5. How does this poem provide the reader a glimpse of what martial law was like? How
did the poem make you feel?
6. In lines 12-13 in the poem, there is the use of the words “snappy” and “snapped”,
respectively. What do these words mean? How do they add to the poem in terms of sound?
How do they add to your understanding of the relationship between the father and the son?
7. Why is Apo compared to the “scary” Jesus in the hallway? What do they seem to have
in common?
8. Read the last line of the poem. What does it mean? How does this regulate the
persona’s behavior?
9. Do you think the persona’s perspective about martial law is the same as his father’s?
Why or why not?
21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD
Grade Level: Grade 11

V. Extension of Learning

For students both with and without internet connection:

Using the given text “Apo on the Wall” by Bj Patino, write a close analysis discussing the
geographic, linguistic and socio-cultural aspect of the poem. Elaborate how this reflects the people in
Luzon and how your own perspective interprets the piece. (50pts.)

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21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD
Grade Level: Grade 11
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