CHAPTER II – The Development of Philippine

Literature

LESSON 1
Understanding the Value of Literature

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Define literature.
Identify genres of Philippine literature.
Enumerate the benefits from studying literature.
Use context clue skills to find the meaning of a word.
Evaluate author’s purpose in writing.

BEFORE READING

An excerpt from “Southeast Asian

Literary Traditions and the Philippines”
An Article by Bienvenido L. Lumbera
ABOUT THE ARTICLE

Literature is the verbal expression, oral or written, of the experiences of the

people as influenced by their history. The paper ‘Southeast Asian Literary Traditions
and the Philippines’ by Bienvenido Lumbera describes the significance of
establishing a linkage between literary traditions found in the Philippines and the
traditions described in its ASEAN neighbors. It advances the idea that the oral
literature of the Philippines, being indexical to the country’s ‘precolonial’ past serves
as an important vehicle in shaping cultural bridge with its ASEAN neighbors, and in
establishing a sense of identity and the national interest it represents in the larger socio-
political, cultural and economic landscapes.

CASS-DELL | Literature of the Philippines 1

MAKE CONNECTIONS

Why is it important to maintain national identity in the age of globalization?

Maintaining our national identity is crucial to our well-being and survival as trade,
communication, and travel qualities continue to make the world more accessible. When
borderless nations, free movement of people, and one world government become the goals
of "globalization," the more prosperous states will be annihilated, plundered, and rendered
completely incapable of supporting what was once their homeland. A strong national
identity is needed to connect all people, especially in a varied society when members of
many different cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and language groups are all citizens.

ANALYZE LITERATURE: Genres

In the study of Philippine literature, genres refer to the different forms and
classifications of literary pieces. Examples are riddles, proverbs, songs, myths, epics
and so on.

Riddle, which is bugtong in Tagalog, tigmo in Cebuano, paktakon in Ilonngo, is folk

speech from the precolonial times characterized as a mystifying, misleading, or
puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed.
e.g. Bibingka ng hari, hindi mo mahati.
(Rice cake of the king, that you cannot divide.)- Answer: water

Proverb expresses norms or codes of behavior, community beliefs. It generally

instills values by offering nuggets of wisdom in short, rhyming verse.
e.g. Lumilipas ang kagandahan, ngunit hindi ang kabaitan.

Song is a short lyric poem that is intended to be sung. It has that particularly
melodious quality required by a singing voice. E.g. Anak by Freddie Aguilar

Myth is a usually traditional story common to the members of a tribe, race, or

nation. It usually involves the supernatural and serves to explain natural
phenomena or suggest a religious or moral truth.
e.g. Tungkung Langit and Alunsina (A Panay-Visayan creation myth)

Folktale is an anonymous, timeless, and placeless story circulated orally among a

people. E.g. The Misadventures of Juan Tamad

Epic is a long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary
or historical hero. E.g. Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of Lam-ang), an Ilocano epic.
USE READING SKILLS: The Author’s Purpose

Authors write with an aim or purpose in mind. The style of writing often
reflects the author’s purpose, which could be to entertain, to inform, to instruct, or to
persuade. As you read the article below, identify details related to the author’s
purpose and fill in the information in the Author’s Purpose Chart. An example has
been done for you.

Author’s Purpose Chart

Author’s Purpose: to inform

Details: My Evaluation: The author

The fact that, to this day,
epics continue to be
collected among ethnic
groups is an indication
of the deep roots of this
literary form in various
cultural communities.
included this information to
emphasize to the readers the role
of oral literature, specifically epics,
in performing cultural identities.
This information helps me
understand why the author
asserts the idea that oral literature
translated in Filipino language can
serve as our cultural bridge to
other ASEAN nations.

Author’s Purpose: to inform

Details:
Contemporary Filipinos lost
not only a good part
of their literary legacy when
English was installed
as the language of instruction
in Philippine
schools; they also lost a
cultural bridge that would
have firmed up their relations
with their neighbors.
My Evaluation:
This information was included by
the author to let the Filipinos
know that they destroyed not
only a significant portion of their
literary heritage, but also a
significant portion of their
cultural heritage that would have
strengthened their ties with their
neighbors.
 Author’s Purpose: to inform

Details: My Evaluation:
However, in the context of a
period when “nation” According to the author, when
is claimed to be on the way to globalization starts to take shape
obsolescence, the
the Philippines is on its way to
Philippines needs a sense of
region that be outdated so that we have to
will give it a larger identity give importance in our national
when globalization identities for the next
begins to eat away national generations to learn it.
identities.

Author’s Purpose: to inform

Details:
With English as the medium of
instruction in the
Philippine educational system,
the likelihood is
remote that pleasurable
translations of Filipino
oral lore will form part of the
literature our students
are taught to appreciate.
My Evaluation:
According to the author, the only
way to strengthened our ties is to
use our own native language
which is the Filipino because
that’s what most of us
.understand.

PREVIEW VOCABULARY

Key Words and Words and Phrases Definition Practice

Phrases in Context
Read each key Read to see how the Write down what Practice using the
word and rate it key word or phrase you think the word key words and
using this scale: can be used in a or phrase means. phrases by
① I don’t know sentence. Then use a completing the
this word or dictionary to check following
phrase at all. your definition. sentences.
② I’ve seen this
word or phrase
before.
③ Know this word
or phrase and use
it.

form Narrative, lyric, and Appearance or type Song is a form of

[ˈfȯ rm] dramatic are forms of of something lyric poetry that
noun poetry. communicates
① ② ③ one's own
particular feelings
or emotions.

rudimentary You need to have at A little bit One rudimentary

ru·di·men·ta·ry least a rudimentary comprehension function of
[ ˌrü -də-ˈmen-tə-rē] understanding of computer is
adjective technology before you allowing you to
① ② ③ can upload a video on transfer
that website. information into
the system.
sophisticated Some sophisticated Advanced The encryption
so·phis·ti·cat·ed programs require that codes being used by
[sə-ˈfi-stə-ˌkā -təd] passwords contain criminals are
adjective letters and numbers. incredibly
① ② ③ sophisticated and
complicated.

Legacy A monumental legacy Memory Ferdinand

leg·a·cy in astronomy is Magellan’s
[ ˈle-gə-sē] Galileo’s telescopic expedition in 1522
noun observations of the left a legacy of
① ② ③ heavens. being the first man
to circumnavigate
the globe.

contextualize Module writers must To make something Teacher Lea

con·tex·tu·al·ize contextualize texts clearer contextualizes the
[kən-ˈteks-chə-wə- and genres to enhance stories in her
ˌlīz] the students’ learning module to help the
verb processes. learners acquire
① ② ③ new knowledge.

contemporary Contemporary artists Currently living at Online platforms

con·tem·po·rary were selected to paint the same time are now used to
[kən-ˈtem-pə-ˌrer- the museum’s ceiling. publish
ē] contemporary
adjective poetry because you
① ② ③ can freely express
your thoughts.
heritage Though he was proud Inheritance It can be exciting to
her·i·tage of his Italian heritage, explore your
[ ˈher-ə-tij] he really had never heritage and gain a
noun visited the country. better
① ② ③ understanding of
oneself

globalization The process of Development of Not everyone has

glob·al·i·za·tion globalization is the economic been benefiting the
[ˌglō -bə-lə-ˈzā - profound economic same from
shən] change of the current globalization and
noun era. technological
① ② ③ change because the
benefits are
dispersed
unequally.

decolonize To decolonize a To leave There is a need to

de·col·o·nize territory is easier than decolonize our
[dē-ˈkä -lə-ˌnīz] to decolonize our practices if we want
verb consciousness. to be productive.
① ② ③

precolonial Precolonial Filipinos Existing before the An example of

pre·co·lo·nial made good armor for beginning of precolonial
[ˌprē-kə-ˈlō -nē-əl] use in the battlefield, colonial rule weapon is balaraw,
adjective and swords were an kris and the
① ② ③ important part of kampilan.
native weaponry.
Link The presentation of the Connection between Her Youtube video
[ˈliŋk] past is linked to all two things links important
verb forms of image stories from her
① ② ③ consciousness and vacation in other
manipulation. nation.

identity In fostering our A person's unique You can show your

i·den·ti·ty Filipino identity, we characteristics appreciation of
[ ī-ˈden-tə-tē] must devote ourselves your Filipino
noun to our studies and the identity through
① ② ③ appreciation of history, our literature.
culture, and literature.
DURING READING

An excerpt from “Southeast Asian Literary

Traditions and the Philippines”

An Article by Bienvenido L. Lumbera

THE ORAL LITERATURE OF THE FILIPINOS [ˈfȯrm] noun, classification or
types
Philippine oral literature comes in many forms
and many languages. The forms range from the ru·di·men·ta·ry [ ˌrü -də-ˈmen-
simplest to the most complex, depending on their tə rē] adjective, basic or
functions within the community. The most fundamentalS
rudimentary are the riddles and the proverbs,
which function principally as vehicles for
Analyze Literature
familiarizing the younger members of the
Genres: Enumerate the
community with their immediate environment various forms of
and for instructing them on the basic values which Philippine oral literature
the older members of the community hold in and the functions they
common. Songs take many forms, and once again, serve.
it is function that determines the occasion and Riddles and proverbs-
the manner of the singing. Children have their which function principally
own songs—lullabies to put them to sleep, game as vehicles for
familiarizing the younger
songs to entertain them, learning songs to initiate
members of the
them into tasks appropriate for their age and community with their
physical development. The adults have songs for immediate environment;
courtship, worship, work and entertainment. Songs it’s function
determines the occasion
Myths and folktales are for both young and old, and manner of the
for these help them understand their singing; Myths and
environment and relationships with one folktales are for both
another, and they allow them to cope with young and old, for these
help them understand
mundane problems and with the mysterious their environment and
and the threatening. relationships with others;
The lengthiest and most sophisticated form Epic as the bearers of
of Philippine oral literature is the epic. As of 1994, identity and persevers of
values and traditions
thirty epics have been recorded, published or which bind the members.
translated out of supposedly a hundred,”
according to the most recent review (Epics). so·phis·ti·cat·ed [sə-ˈfi-stə-
The fact that, to this day, epics continue to be ˌkā -təd]
adjective, complex, elaborate
collected among ethnic groups is an indication
of the deep roots of this literary form in various Analyze Literature
cultural communities. These epics are treasured
by the community as bearers of identity and Genres: What special
preservers of values and traditions which bind function does an epic serve?
the members.
Epics are treasured
by the community as bearers
The cultural legacy that oral literature of identity and
represents demands to be incorporated into preservers of values and
the literary component of the curriculum for traditions which bind
the members.
Philippine schools. Unfortunately, this legacy is
_________________________________
hardly accessible even to the most assiduous
student of Philippine literature in the form leg·a·cy [ ˈle-gə-sē] noun,
which will allow it to claim a place in literary inheritance, something
transmitted by or received from
studies. The epics, in particular, are in many an ancestor or from the past
different languages, many of these only beginning
to be described by linguists. This means that,
even after they have been recorded and
transcribed, translation into a language accessible
to many and reflective of the artistic genius of the Note the Facts
original remains a problem.
What makes it difficult for
It must be noted that, traditionally, the language oral literature such as epics
of research in the Philippine academe is to be incorporated into the
English. This already poses a problem in the literary component of the
curriculum for Philippine
proper contextualization of a literary work
schools?
which is intricately woven into the cultural
The epics are in many
fabric of the community. Producing a reasonably different languages, many of
accurate rendition of the oral work into an these only beginning
English version further complicates the problem. to be described by linguists.
The English version often serves only as some kind This means that,
even after they have been
of crib, guiding the reader through the recorded and
difficulties in the proper understanding and transcribed, translation into
appreciation of the text. No wonder, teachers a language accessible
of Philippine literature have often recoiled from to many and reflective of
a presentation of oral literature as part of their the artistic genius of the
courses. If they themselves cannot derive original remains a
enjoyment from the texts that are available for problem.
their use, what can they expect from students who
see the epics as even more alien than Beowulf,
and the language into which they have been as
more impenetrable than Anglo-Saxon itself.
con·tex·tu·al·ize [kən-
ˈteks-chə-wə-ˌlīz] verb, to
With English as the medium of instruction in the place something in a
Philippine educational system, the likelihood is particular context which
may provide important
remote that pleasurable translations of Filipino clues about the its social
oral lore will form part of the literature our students and cultural meaning.
are taught to appreciate. The contemporary
student will continue to be suckled on the works
of Filipino writers in English, both young and old,
con·tem·po·rary [kən-
for these are the works that have familiar subject ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē]adjective,
matter and “artistic” language. Because much of our modern, relating to present
time
literature is in the “unexciting” and often “clumsy”
English of scholars, young Filipinos have been effectively
cut off from a valuable part of their literary
heritage, a heritage that can make them proud
her·i·tage [ ˈher-ə-tij]noun,
of their past and give them a secure sense of
tradition, something handed
identity as a people. Fortunately, there are down from one's ancestors or
literature teachers who have kept up with the the past
times and have come to recognize the loss of the
past that the omission of oral literature from their
courses has occasioned. These teachers have now
begun to devise ways and means of restoring
oral literature to the history of Philippine
literature through videos and live performances.

Reconnecting Asia with Southeast Asia

Three years before the new millennium, in

this conference, the Philippines is being asked glob·al·i·za·tion [ˌglō -
bə-lə-ˈzā -shən] noun,
to link up with the literary traditions of Southeast
the expansion of many
Asia. In the so-called “era of globalization,” businesses into markets
isn’t the Philippines taking a rather belated throughout the world
step toward what is then a necessary retrieval of
its non-Western past? And isn’t the effort
altogether anachronistic at this time when we are
being enticed to “abolish national boundaries”
in the name of “global competitiveness”?

Contemporary Filipinos lost not only a good part

of their literary legacy when English was installed
de·col·o·nize [dē-ˈkä -lə-
as the language of instruction in Philippine ˌnīz] verb, to free from
schools; they also lost a cultural bridge that would colonial status
have firmed up their relations with their neighbors.
Reclaiming its place in the culture of Southeast Asia
cannot be too late, if Filipinos will recognize that
[ˈliŋk] verb, to couple or connect
the decolonization of their consciousness is a by or as if by a link
process which remains to be completed.

The oral literature which will link them once

pre·co·lo·nial [ˌprē-kə-ˈlō -nē-əl]
again to Southeast Asia allows the Filipinos a adjective, existing or occurring
“precolonial” past which is still recoverable. before an area undergoes
colonization
That past is a special weapon it can be wield
in resisting neocolonial hegemony that
“globalization” proposes to legitimize and
naturalize. Globalization, with the IMF and
the World Bank behind it, proposes to erase
national boundaries purportedly to ease Use Reading Skills
commercial intercourse among peoples of the Evaluate the author’s
world. Doubtless, this is going to take place purpose.
and it will be to the advantage of strong
Evaluate the author’s purpose
economies. Unstable economies, and these
for writing about globalization
are common in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and the need for the
will have to stand up to the aggressive, rich Philippines, as a country with
industrialized countries in order to survive in unstable economy, to recover
its precolonial past through its
the globalized international economic order.
oral literature. Record your
In devising a strategy for survival, it is never evaluation in your Author’s
too late for a people to gear itself toward a Purpose Chart provided above.
struggle. The Philippines, through its oral
literature, has a “precolonial” past which is
still recoverable. To recover that past, it needs
a native language that will allow it to make its Note the Facts
oral literature a living part of its contemporary
What language is proposed by
culture. That language is Filipino, so the the author to be used in
struggle for a native language that will also be reclaiming Philippine oral
the language of instruction in the educational literature?
system is part and parcel of recovering the past. The language that is proposed
by the author to be used in
In a globalizing world, even as English is held reclaimimg Philippine oral
up as the global language, it may seem literature is Filipino.
paradoxical that the Philippines which has
been educating its youth through the medium
i·den·ti·ty [ ī-ˈden-tə-tē]noun,
of English, must be urged to shift to its The set of characteristics by
national language. which a person or group is
definitively recognizable or
known
To be able to maintain a firm hold on a sense of
identity and the national interest it represents,
ob·so·lete [ˌä b-sə-ˈlēt]
the Philippines needs Southeast Asia. At the adjective, no longer in use
outset, it may seem that it is only a literary
tradition that it stands to recover in linking up
Use Reading Skills
with the cultures of its neighboring countries.
However, in the context of a period when “nation” Evaluate the author’s
is claimed to be on the way to obsolescence, the purpose
Philippines needs a sense of region that
Why does the author assert
will give it a larger identity when globalization that the Philippines needs
begins to eat away national identities. Southeast Asia in the era of
Reconnecting with Southeast Asia fortifies the globalization? Write your ideas
in the Author’s Purpose Chart.
Filipino by giving him a past that colonial
Education had closed off to him.

Think and Reflect

Do you think recovering our oral literature through our national language
Filipino is our best strategy for establishing our sense of identity as Filipinos
and for our survival in the era of globalization? Explain.

Oral literature is used to convey ideas, feelings, beliefs, and a sense of awe
for life. Apart from knowledge, language is believed to be the most
important indicator of success in the effort to develop and preserve a
national identity. Indeed, the usage of a common language throughout the
territory brings the people together to survive this era of globalization.
 AFTER READING

Name: Christine Joyce J. Navarro Yr/Cr/Sec: 1DVM-C ___________

Subject: Lit111a___________________ Date: September 1, 2021______

READING CHECK

Circle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following is NOT true about literature?

A. It is one of the ways people in the community shape their own worlds, and
value their traditions.
B. It speaks of life—emotions, situations, and ideas.
C. It orients and guides the young.
D. It devalues the cultural fabric of the community where it comes from.

2. Which of the following oral literary genre is in rhyming verse and expresses
norms and community beliefs?
A. folktale C. riddle
B. proverb D. myth

3. Which of the following literary genre begins with the line, “In the beginning, the
earth was dark…”?
A. spic C. creation myth
B. Song D. folktale

4. Which of the following is a long narrative poem that talks about the adventures
of a hero?
A. song C. folktale
B. epic D. myth

5. What determines the occasion and manner of singing of a song?

A. function C. style
B. artistic conventions D. central idea

6. What value does the following proverb teach?

“You will not know what is coming unless you make a trip.”
A. intelligence C. initiative
B. guilt D. industry
7. What value does the following proverb teach?
“Natutuwa kung pasalop. Kung singili’y napopoot.”(Full of good cheer while
borrowing a measure of rice. Full of wrath when you ask him to pay it back.)
A. honesty C. loyalty
B. responsibility D. understanding

8. Which of the proverbs is NOT about alertness?

A. If you want a chance, be quick in moving.
B. If the chicken is not on guard, the eagle sweeps upon it.
C. If you can spot the quarry, you are the winner.
D. Not all that glitters is gold.

9. According to the article, what makes the reading of our literature unexciting and
less meaningful?
A. the subject of the literary pieces
B. the function of the literary piece
C. English as the medium of translation and instruction
D. the rich symbolisms and creative expressions used in the literature

10. Members of a tribe or race can have common myths which serve varied
purposes, EXCEPT:
A. trace a portion of their history C. suggest a religious or moral truth
B. explain natural phenomena D. predict future calamities.

VOCABULARY CHECK

Circle the letter of the correct answer.

1. “Mundane matters such as paying bills and shopping for food do not interest
her.” What does mundane mean?
A. ordinary C. exceptional
B. noble D. unique

2. “The Benedictines have been best known as educators and as preservers of

antique texts.” What does preserver mean?
A. A person that destroys something
B. A person who maintains something in its original form
C. A person who exacts punishment or in return for an injury.
D. A person that mends or repairs something.
3. “Jake was an assiduous student, commonly spending fourteen hours a day
among his books.” What does assiduous mean?
A. careful C. passive
B. weird D. diligent

4. “Voters legitimize the government through the election of public officials"

Which is NOT a meaning of legitimize?
A. make official C. make legal
B. nullify D. validate

5. “It sounds paradoxical: the events that made the universe habitable were
catastrophic.” Which is NOT a meaning of paradoxical?
A. temporary C. incongruous
B. Inconsistent D. inconsistent

USE READING SKILLS: Evaluate Author’s Purpose

1. Review your Author’s Purpose Chart. Why did the author write this article?

The fact that an English translation was made added to the problem's
complexity. It leads the reader through the challenges of understanding
and appreciating the text properly. That’s why the author write this article
to underline the importance of oral literature and our national language as
a link between Filipinos and ASEAN countries.

2. How do the details and information included in the article enhance the
author’s purpose?

The details and information included in this article enlighten the readers
about a real-world topic. It also explains why, as globalization eats away at
national identities, the Philippines appears to require regions that will
give it a larger identity.