LESSON 3

Figures of Speech

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify the figurative language used in poetic

lines.
Determine how figures of speech set tone
and mood of the poem.
Compare and contrast things or ideas using
figurative language.

BEFORE READING

A Poem by Adonis Durado

ABOUT THE POEM

The poem speaks of its persona’s desire to have

a romantic episode with the one he is talking to.
This beautiful poem in Cebuano language creates
a vivid imagery of a budding romance set in
the milieu of riding a habal-habal, a common
form of transportation in the countryside.

CASS-DELL | Literature of the Philippines 1

 MAKE CONNECTIONS

Have you tried riding on a habal-habal? Describe your experience.

Yes, I've ridden a habal-habal because it's a mode of transportation in the

province. Riding it was a lot of joy, but there was also a lot of adrenaline and
worry at first. But, all of a sudden, I'm at ease, and I'm enjoying the journey.

ANALYZE LITERATURE: Figures of Speech

Elements of poetry can be defined as a set of instruments used to create a

poem. One of these is figurative language which helps bring imagery and
emotion to a poem.

A figure of speech is a word or phrase that is used in a non-literal way to

create an effect. This intentional deviation from the literal or common usage
aims to emphasize, clarify, or embellish both written and spoken language.

Types of Figures of Speech

 Simile (Pagtutulad) is comparison of two dissimilar objects or concepts using

the words like or as.
o “I wandered lonely as a cloud.” (William Wordsworth, Daffodils)
In this example, the speaker (I) in the poem compares his loneliness with a cloud
using the word as.
o “Life is like writing with a pen. You can cross out your past but you
can't erase it.” (E.B. White)
o “Love is like the wild rose-briar.” (Emily Bronte)

Note: Not every statement or comparison that contains like or as is a simile.

“Maria is as pretty as Mirasol” is not a simile because those who were described
in the sentence are both people.

 Metaphor (Pagwawangis) is direct comparison of two unlike things without

using the words like or as.
o “And, if you were poor, suffering was your currency.” (Khaled
Hosseini, And the Mountains Echoed)
o “To him strawberries were a holy mystery… deep red gems, sweet
orbs, succulent rubies.” (David Guterson, Snow Falling on Cedars)
o “Or shall I say you are an orchid flower
That fevers men beside a jungle stream?” (Angela Manalang-Gloria, To
Lovely Woman)
 Note: Metaphor usually contains “be” verbs: am, is, are, was, were. Comparison
should be obvious or explained, and can be changed into a simile by including
“like” or “as”. The statement “Dad is a boat.” is not a metaphor (Although Dad and
a boar are dissimilar, there is no clear reason for the comparison, so it doesn’t
make sense as a metaphor).

 Personification (Pagtatao) is giving humanly attributes/characteristics to an

abstract idea, animals or inanimate objects.
o “His alarm clock yells at him every morning.”
o “Opportunity knocks only once.”
o “Her own heart would devour her.” (David Guterson, Snow Falling on
Cedars)

Note: The human quality must be completely unique to humans. Thus the
statement, “The pink flowers swayed in the April breeze.” is not an example of
personification (Although humans can sway, flowers can sway too. This
characteristic is not unique to humans).

 Hyperbole (Pagmamalabis) is an exaggeration that cannot be possibly true. It is

used for emphasis or comic effect.
o “She is as skinny as a toothpick.”
o “We are going to pull off the true crime of the century. We are going to
steal the moon!” (Despicable Me)
o “Susungkitin mga bituin para lang makahiling, na sana’y maging akin
puso mo’t damdamin.” (Kung Aking Ang Mundo)

Note: The statement “She is as skinny as a fashion model” is not an example of

hyperbole (since a girl could be as thin as a model, this isn’t a hyperbole.) If it
could happen in real life, then it is not a hyperbole.

 Synecdoche (Pagpapalit-saklaw) is a figure of speech in which a part of

something is used to signify the whole, or vice-versa.
o “Those wheels are awesome!” (wheels signifies a vehicle/car)
o “The company needs to hire ten new hands.” (hands signifies
people/new employees)
o “Gusto nang hingiin ni Leon ang kamay ni Leah sa kaniyang mga
magulang.” (hand signifies the whole person)

 Metonymy (Pagpapalit-tawag) is replacing the name of a thing with the

name of something else with which it is closely associated.
o “Married men should stop chasing skirts.”
Skirts is metonymy for women.
o “The pen is mightier than the sword.”( Edward Bulwer-Lytton)
Pen is metonymy for communication (writing) and sword is metonymy for
direct violence)
 o “Elias needs to decide if he will go Greek in college next year.
Greek is metonymy for sorority or fraternity membership.

Note: Metonymy is often confused with synecdoche. These literary devices are
similar but can be differentiated. Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part
of something is used to signify the whole. For example, a common synecdoche for
marriage proposal is to ask for someone’s “hand” in marriage. The “hand” in this
case is just the part that signifies the whole person who is receiving the proposal.
Metonymy is a figure of speech in which one word is used to replace another to
which it is closely linked. However, unlike synecdoche, it is not a part of the word
or idea it represents. For example, the “hand” in the sentence, “Let me give you a
hand” is metonymy for help (hand is closely linked to helping other people).

 Irony (Balintuna) is contrast between what is said and what is meant, or

between appearance and reality (used as a technique for humor, satire, or
contrast). Irony often stems from an unanticipated response (verbal irony) or an
unexpected outcome (situational irony).
o Telling someone who has a bad haircut, “Ang ganda naman ng gupit
mo. Sino’ng barbero, halika patayin natin.” (verbal)
o Entering a child’s messy room and saying “Nice place you have here.”
(verbal)
o The thieves robbed the police station. (situational)
o The Titanic was said to be unsinkable but sank on its first voyage.
(situational)
o The witch, who intended to eat Hansel and Gretel, is trapped by the
children in her own oven. (from Hansel and Gretel (Grimm fairy tale);
situational)

 Litotes (Pagtanggi) is using double negatives to express a positive idea or

statement.
o Your comments on politics are not useless.
o He is hardly unattractive.
o Your effort has not gone unnoticed.

 Oxymoron (Pahidwa) is pairing two words together that are opposing and/or
contradictory.
o The contractor was asked to give the exact estimate of the project.
o Our past relationship had a lot of bittersweet memories.
o “Vidia was complicated, two fairies in one, a loyal traitor.” (Gail
Carson Levine)

 Paradox (Paradoha) is self-contradictory statement or proposition that when

investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true.
o “We must destroy in order to build.”
 o “If you don’t risk anything, you risk everything.”
o “Life is a preparation for the future; and the best preparation for the
future is to live as if there were none.” (Albert Einstein)

 Apostrophe (Pagtawag) is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker, speaks

directly to someone who is not present or is dead, or speaks to an abstract idea
inanimate object.
o “Hello Darkness, my old friend. I’ve come to talk with you again.”
(Sound of Silence)
In this song, the persona is talking to darkness, an abstract idea.
o “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are.” (The Star)
In this nursery rhyme, a child speaks to a star, an inanimate object.
o “Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? *thee-means you (referring to the dagger)
Come, let me clutch thee!
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.” (William Shakespeare,
Macbeth)
In his mental conflict before murdering King Duncan, Macbeth has a strange
vision of a dagger and talks to it as if it were a person.

 Antonomasia (Antonomasiya) is the substitution of an epithet or title for a

proper name; a descriptive phrase replacing a person’s name.
o Pacman is one of the greatest boxers in the world. (Pacman is used as
a substitute for Manny Pacquiao.)
o The Flying A for Johnny Abarrientos
o Makata ng mga Mangagawa (Poet of the Laborers) for Amado V.
Hernandez
o The Bard of Avon for William Shakespeare

 Allusion (Alusyon) is reference to some historical, biblical, sociopolitical and

literary event, place or person that has striking resemblance to the subject under
discussion.
o His smile is like kryptonite to me. (signifies ultimate weakness; From
Superman’s weakness)
o Is there an Einstein in your physics class? (genius like Albert Einstein)
o “After beating dozens of challengers, the champion finally met his
Waterloo.” (signifies final defeat or setback; From the Battle of
Waterloo, where Napoleon Bonaparte was finally defeated.)

 Alliteration (Aliterasyon) is repetition of same initial consonant sound in two

or more neighboring words.
o “Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.”
o Walter wondered where Winnie was.
 o Sleep gently my dear Amira
Sleep snugly in your crib
Grow gently
Into the raging rains
Mind not the rushing of my tears.” (Mae Monteclaro Roca, Lullaby for
Amira)

 Assonance (Asonans) is the repetition of similar vowel sounds in words that are
close together.
o “For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore.”
o “Fire at the private eye hired to pry in my business.” (Eminem)
o “I never meant the words I said,
So trouble not your honest head.”(Angela Manalang-Gloria, Words)

 Onomatopoeia (Paghihimig) is a word that sounds like what it is describing. It

creates a sound effect that mimics the thing described, making the description
more expressive and interesting.
o “The door slowly creaked open and then slammed shut.” (creak and
slam imitate sounds)
o The rustling leaves kept me awake. (rustling imitates sound)
o “Ikaw baga’y daing ng nakaligtaan?
Ikaw baga’y hibik ng pinagtaksilan? (Jose Corazon de Jesus, May Mga
Tugtuging Hindi Ko Malimot)
Hibik imitates sound of sobbing or crying.

Note: Onomatopoeia includes animal noises such as moo, meow, his, quack, and
oink.

 Anaphora (Anapora) is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of

successive sentences, phrases, or clauses.
o “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
o “Ikaw baga’y daing ng nakaligtaan?
Ikaw baga’y hibik ng pinagtaksilan?
Matutulog ako sa gabing kadimlan
ay umuukilkil hanggang panagimpan.” (Jose Corazon de Jesus, May
Mga Tugtuging Hindi Ko Malimot)
o “At ngayon, 'di pa rin alam kung ba't tayo nandito
Pwede bang itigil muna ang pag-ikot ng mundo?
Pwede bang itigil muna ang pag-ikot ng mundo?
Pwede bang itigil muna ang pag-ikot ng mundo?” (Eraserheads,
Spoliarium)
USE READING SKILLS: Identify Figures of Speech

Read the poem Balaki ko ‘Day Samtang Gasakay Ta’g Habalhabal and identify the
figurative language used in the lines/verses. Determine also the kinds of tones
and moods that are created by the use of these figures of speech. An example has
bbeen done for you.

Line/s Figure of Tone Mood

Speech

1. hinagubtob onomatopoeia passionate romantic

Sa imong kasingkasing
2. Gaksa ko paghugot Hyperbole Affectionate Romantic
Sama sa lastikong
Mipungpong sa imong
buhok
3. Ang mga balili unya Irony Assertive Reflective
Nga naghalok sa ‘tong batiis
4. Isipon tang kaugaligong Personification Encouraging Persuasive
mga dila

DURING READING

A Poem by Adonis Durado

1
Balakia ko day Recite to me, day
2
Samtang gasakay ta’g habalhabal. A poem while we ride a habalhabal.
3
Idat-ol og samut Stick your chest closer
4
Kanang imong dughanb
5
Nganhi sa akong bukobukoc Here on my back
6
Aron mas mabatyagan ko ang hinagubtob So that I can feel better the beatings
7
Sa imong kasingkasing. Of your heart.
8
Sa mga libaongd nga atong malabyan. With the potholes that dot our way
9
Gaksa ko paghugot Embrace me tightly
10
Sama sa lastikong Like the rubber bands
11
Mipungpong sa imong buhok. That you use to tie your hair.
12
Ug sa kainit sa imong ginhawa And with the warmth of your breaths
13
Gitikae kining akong dughan. Tickle this heart of mine.
14
Ang mga balilif unya And the amorseco
15
Nga naghalok sa ‘tong batiis That kiss our legs
16
Isipon tang kaugaligong mga dila. Let’s think of them as our own tongues.
17
Dayon samtang nagakatulin Then while we’re speeding up
 18
Kining atong dagan, Our ride
19
Mamiyong tag maghangad Let’s close our eyes and face
20
Ngadto sa kawanangan The wide sky
21
Aron sugaton ang taligsikg To meet the drizzle
22
Sa uwan, dahon, ug bulak. Of rain, leaves, and flowers.

a
balak-poem e
gitika-tickle
b
dughan-breast f
balili-grass
c
bukobuko-back g
taligsik-drizzle, shower
d
libaong-holes

AFTER READING

READING CHECK

Grasp the poem’s full implications and suggestions to answer the following
questions.

1. Who is the speaker/persona in the poem? Describe him.

The speaker/persona of the poem is the habal-habal driver. A driver that

is gentle and passionate to the person behind him while they are traveling.

2. To whom are the lines addressed? Provide words or lines to support your
answer.
The speaker, a habal-habal driver, tells his passenger, most likely his
sweetheart, to embrace him closer so he can feel her pulse on his back more
vividly. His urge for her to cling to him may be seen as affection.
“Balaki ko day
Samtang gasakay ta’g habalhabal.
Idat-ol og samut
Kanang imong dughan
Nganhi sa akong bukobuko
Aron mas mabatyagan ko ang
hingubtob
sa imong kasingkasing”

3. What is the situation referred to in the poem?

As I read the poem, it represents a relatively common situation in the
provinces: a habal-habal ride, but the distinctive element of this habal-habal
trip is that it has a romantic and sensual feel to it when you hear the lines
said by the persona yourself. In my perspective, as I read the words used, the
speaker and the woman were both innocent and free.

4. Do the speaker and addressee know each other? Explain your answer.

Yes, they had previously met due of the passion they enjoyed while traveling
in a habal-habal, in my perspective. Also, I recognized it when reading the
poem because of the phrases chosen, which suggest that they are at ease
expressing themselves to one another.

5. How does the persona in the poem feel towards the one he is talking to?
Provide words or lines to support your answer.

The persona felt romance with the lady behind him, and his urge for
physical touch reflects youthful love, since young lovers sometimes
act as if they can't get enough of each other and need to have their
hands on each other all the time.
“Gaksa ko paghugot
Sama sa lastikong
Mipungpong sa imong buhok.
Ug sa kainit sa imong ginhawa
Gitika kining akong dughan”

6. What does the proximity (distance/physical closeness) between the persona and
the addressee in the poem suggest?

Because they were on a habal-habal, the persona wants to feel the heartbeat
of the woman behind him, who is truly romantic and quite near.

7. How is love described or expressed in the poem? Explain your answer by

providing evidences from the poem.
Love is described by physical attraction. We know that many individuals
appreciate expressing their love via touch and physical contact. The love was
communicated by softly, attentively, and safely riding on a habal-habal.

‘Ug sa kainit sa imong ginhawa

Gitika kining akong dughan.
Ang mga balili unya
Nga naghalok sa ‘tong batiis
Isipon tang kaugaligong mga dila.”

8. How does the habal-habal ride differ from other modes of transportation? Make a
comparison using figures of speech.
a. Traveling in a habal-habal while touching grass and flowers is a unique
experience.
b. Our legs seem so free and innocent, yet traveling in a fancy automobile
feels like being cooped up in a little space.
c. The speed of the habal-habal may cause you to scream silently.
 THINK AND REFLECT

How do romantic relationships develop? In the context of the poem, how does
the habal-habal ride dramatize the blossoming/progression of love/intimacy?

When traveling to hilly locations, habal-habal is the most cost-effective

mode of transportation in the province. It is also the most resourceful. You
may only bring a modest amount of luggage from the terminal to your
apartment. They occasionally carry animals such as goats and hens.
Furthermore, habal-habal may transport up to seven persons on a single
journey, albeit this number varies. The persona's love for the lady in front of
her, on the other hand, is incredibly romantic and innocent since it keeps the
persona motivated and less weary while riding. The poem illustrates city life
and customs, as well as the romanticism and closeness of individuals riding
habal-habal with their loved ones.

ANALYZE LITERATURE: Figures of Speech

Read the following lines/ statements and identify the figurative language used.
Write your answer on the space provided before each item.

Anaphora 1. You are the sultan of my heart, the sultan of my heart.

Personification 2. The night is starry and the blue stars shiver in the distance.

Synecdoche 3. Oh, Sleep! You are indeed the prisoner’s release!

Onomatopoeia 4. She listened to the click-clack of his heels.

Personification 5. The little horse must think it queer to stop without a

farmhouse near.

Oxymoron 6. Paid volunteers were working for the company.

Metonymy 7. Be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.

Simile 8. She was like a modest flower blown in sunny June and warm as
sun at noon’s high hour.

Metaphor 9. Love is a guest that comes, unbidden, / But, having come,

asserts his right.

Hyperbole 10. Chris won’t drive her home because she lives on the other
side of the universe.