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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

QUARTER 3 MODULE|2nd SEM|SY: 2021-2022

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Lesson 2: Representative Texts and Authors from different Regions

At the end of this course, the learners will be able to: dentify 21st century literary works
and authors from different regions

What books do you have on your shelf? Most of us have lots of books written by
writers from Metro Manila or foreign authors, but not written by those from the other
regions of our country. In this lesson, you will be given a glimpse of the unique features
and examples of Philippine literature from the regions.

Literary Genres Common in the Regions

The Philippines is home to different ethnic groups from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Each group has its own culture, beliefs, and practices, which are embodied in the kinds
of literature the writers in each region produce. The following are some literary genres
common in the regions:
a.  Etiological legends explain how things came to be or why things are as they
are. However, the source of these legends cannot be verified because they are
handed from one generation to another through word of mouth.
b. Epics narrate the adventures of tribal heroes who embody the ideals and values
of the tribe.
c. Folktales/Folklore are narrative prose. These mirror the early forms of our
culture, and they are traditional stories passed on from generation to generation
by word of mouth. They often include fables, riddles, proverbs, folk songs, and
sometimes superstitious beliefs.
d. Myths are stories that involve gods and goddesses with divine powers. These
explain a belief, custom, or strange natural phenomenon.

Literature from Luzon

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 After studying about the fundamental
characteristics and genres of Philippine regional
literature, you will learn about the more specific
characteristics and examples from each of the
country's major islands, starting with the biggest one,
Luzon.
Luzon is the largest island group in the Philippines. It is divided into eight
regions: Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, Cordillera Administrative Region
(CAR), National Capital Region (NCR), Bicol Region, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA
(Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), and CALABARZON (Cavite,
Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon).
The major regional languages in Luzon are Bikolano, Ilokano, Kapampangan,
Pangasinense, and Tagalog. Some ethnic groups that can be found in Luzon are Aetas,
Igorots, Ibalois, Mangyans, Apayaos, Kalingas, and Itnegs.
MAJOR LITERARY WORKS FROM LUZON:
a.  Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilocos Region) – This is an epic about Lam-ang, a man with
extraordinary strength, who sets out to find his missing father Don Juan.
b.  ”The Legend of Magat River” (Cagayan Valley, first version) – This is a legend
about Magat, a handsome and strong-willed youth, who saved a lovely maiden in
a stream from the clutches of a python.
c.  Aliguyon (CAR) – An epic from the region of CAR, Aliguyon is about a series
of mortal combats between Aliguyon and Pumbakhayon to settle a tribal feud.
d. “Footnote to Youth” (NCR) – This is a short story about Dodong, who wanted
to marry Teang. Both were young, so when Dodong asked his father, he was met
with silence. The two ended up getting married, but later on, they both start to
think about and even regret doing so
e.  Ibalon or Ibalong (Bicol Region) – This is an epic about three heroes—Baltog,
Handiong, and Bantong—who all defeated their adversaries.
f.  “Atin Cu Pung Singsing” (Central Luzon) – This is a children’s folk song about
a child who lost the ring given to her by her mother.
g. Tagbanua Myth (MIMAROPA) – This is a myth about the first man, named
Adan, who was like a stone, for he could not speak.
h. “The Legend of Maria Makiling” (CALABARZON) – This is a story about a
mountain in Laguna called Makiling that was guarded by a fairy named Maria.
The townsfolk fondly called her Mariang Makiling.

Literature from Visayas

Visayas is the smallest island group in the Philippines. It is divided into three regions:
Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

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 The major regional languages in Visayas are Cebuano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo,
Kinaray-a, and Waray. The seven main islands in Visayas are Bohol, Cebu, Panay,
Samar, Negros, Leyte, and Masbate.

LITERARY FORMS PRODUCED IN VISAYAS:

a. Poems are called binalaybay.

b. Stories are called asoy or sugilanon.
c. Riddles are called paktakon.
d. Proverbs are translated to hurubaton. These are usually in two lines and rhymed.
e. Lullabies are called ili-ili.
f.  Ambahan is long song alternately sung by a soloist and a chorus.
g. Siday is a long poetic battle between two paid poets representing the two families
in the pursuit of marriage.
h. Balitaw is a love song sung by a man and a woman in a debating manner.

MAJOR LITERARY WORKS FROM WESTERN VISAYAS:

a. Hinilawod is the oldest and perhaps most well-known epic of Panay. It narrates
the story of the goddess of the eastern sky named Alunsina who reached the age
of maidenhood. Every god from different places tried to win her heart. Soon,
the goddess decided to marry a mortal from Halawod, Datu Paubari.
b.  The Fall of Polobulac is a tale from Panay about the seven deadly sins

MAJOR LITERARY WORKS FROM EASTERN VISAYAS:

a. “ Bowaon and Totoon” – This is a Waray folktale with the English translation
“Falsehood and Truth.” It is about two friends named Bowaon and Totoon who
could not find work, so they decided to go away from their place to look for their
fortune elsewhere.
b. “Si Amomongo at Si Iput-iput” – This is a fable about a gorilla and a firefly.
The lesson it conveys is that one should never belittle those who are small
because they could do big things that big people cannot do.

MAJOR LITERARY WORKS FROM CENTRAL VISAYAS:

a.  ”Sicalac and Sicavay” – This is a Visayan creation myth about Captan and
Maguayan who are both gods who created earth and all living things. Captan
planted a bamboo in the garden. One day it broke into two sections and out
stepped a man and woman who were respectively named as Sicalac and
Sicavay.
b.  ”Catalina of Dumaguete” – This is a legend about a 16-year-old girl named
Catalina who was very beautiful and industrious but with many strange ways.
She was said to have mysterious powers and was said to have saved
Dumaguete from the Moros.

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 Literature from Mindanao

Mindanao is the second largest island group in the

Philippines. It is divided into six regions: Davao
Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao,
Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat,
Sarangani and General Santos), ARMM (Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao), and Caraga Region. The
major regional languages in Mindanao are Chavacano,
Maguindanao, Maranao, and Tausug. The region is
generally inhabited by Muslims. Although they are no
longer a majority, the Islamic culture is still evident.

Unlike Luzon and Visayas, Mindanao was not entirely colonized by the Spaniards;
only few port cities were under the Spanish rule. Large groups of ethnic minorities can
be found in Mindanao, such as Maranao, Magindanao, Ilanun, and Sangil. These groups
are also referred to as Moro. Meanwhile, the following groups are found in the uplands:
the Bagobo, Bukidnon, Manadaya, Manobo, and Subanon. In general, the folk literature
of Mindanao may be in prose or verse. These are of collective authorship instead of
individual authorship.

Every ethnic minority has a number of raconteurs or narrators who deliver a story
in a creative way, bearing two or three or more folktales. The stories they tell have been
conveyed to them by older members of their respective families, friends, and
acquaintances, some of whom have already died. Raconteurs can be young or old, men
or women.

MAJOR LITERARY WORKS FROM MINDANAO:

a. The Origin of Davao (Davao Region) – This is an account of the beginning of

Davao. It is about the natives of Davao called Kalagans.
b. Ag Tobig Nog Keboklagan (Zamboanga Peninsula) – This is an epic story
translated as The Kingdom of Keboklagan. It is considered as one of the oldest
epics in Zamboanga. It is chanted or performed during their week-long buklog
festival, and it tells the life and adventures of an extraordinary hero named Taake.
c.  How Cagayan de Oro Got Its Name (Northern Mindanao) – This is a legend
explaining the origin of the name of the province, which means “shameful
peace.”
d.  Ulahingan (SOCCSKSARGEN) – This is an epic about the adventures of Agyu
and his relatives who had a conflict with their rulers. As they flee from their place,
they were guided by a diwata.
e. The Maguindanao Tale of the Faithful Wife (ARMM) – This folktale is about
an aged man’s last words to his son, telling him that he should never marry a
widow and only choose a young lady.
f. Tulalang (Caraga Region) – This folktale is about Tulalang, the firstborn of a
poor couple. One day, he went into the forest to gather some food. When he
was collecting crops, an old lady approached him and pitied their poor life. She

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 said that they will never be hungry, and they can get anything they want. Soon
after, they had a prosperous life.

 Etiological legends
- “The Origin of the Hundred Islands” is about the brave Rajah Masubeg
who ruled over the people of Alaminos. His kingdom was guarded by several
hundred warriors led by his son. They enjoyed peace and prosperity until they
got invaded by forces across the sea. One hundred brave soldiers were
summoned to fight the enemy. This is where the story started.

- “Ang Alamat ng Batangas” tells the origin of the province. It was said that
the province of Batangas was very beautiful, making it attractive to Spaniards.
Every time they needed to leave the place, mishaps kept on occurring. They
would pray and sing praises until the sea calmed down. One day, even though
they prayed and sang praises, the waves would not stop. The strong wind
wrecked their ships, and many of them died. Until one day, near the province
of Batangas, the people saw a batangan or a log carrying a Sto. Niño. The
people retrieved the log or batangan from the sea. From then on, they called
the province Batangas, from the word batangan. “Ang Alamat ng
Batangas” tells the origin of the province.

 Epics
- Biag ni Lam-ang (The Life of Lam-ang) is an epic poem from the Ilocos
region. It is about the adventures and bravery of Lam-ang, who could speak
from a very young age. His adventures started when he searched for his father
who got killed by the Igorot of the Cordillera Mountains.
- Ibalon is an epic that originated in Bicol. It is a tale that talks about three
heroes, namely Baltog, Handiong, and Bantong.

 Folktales
- “Juan Tamad” is a story about a man named Juan who was extremely lazy.
In one of the story’s versions, Juan was instructed by his mother to buy crabs
from the market. On his way home, he heard his friends playing near the
riverbank. Juan wanted to join them. So he released the crabs on the shore as
he believed that the crabs can reach their house. Noon came and Juan hurried
home. His mother was so angry and asked where the crabs were. Juan was so
scared of his mother that after saying what he did to the crabs, he immediately
hid in their backyard.

 Myths
- “Why the Sky Is High” is about the brothers Ingat and Daskol. Ingat was
more favored by his parents than Daskol. Ingat, as his name implies, was
careful, whereas Daskol performed his duties clumsily. One day, he was

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 angrily pounding a huge amount of palay. Eager to finish his work quickly,
Daskol would raise the pestle so high that it hit the sky. His anger added to
his strength so that every time he would raise the pestle, the sky would rise
higher. When he was done, he looked up and noticed how far the sky already
was.

To check if you indeed understand, list at least five (5) literary works from
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Luzon Visayas Mindanao
1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3.
4. 4. 4.
5. 5. 5.

Alip, Eufronio M. 1931. Tagalog literature; a historico-critical study. Manila: Eufronio

M. Alip.

Asain, Calbi A. 2015. “Folk Literature of the Muslim Cultural Communities.” April 30.
Accessed December 2021. http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-
oncultural-communitiesand-traditional-arts-sccta/central-cultural-communities/folk-
literatu re-of-the-muslimcultural-communities/.

Curzon. Sugbo, Victor M. 2015. “The Literature of Eastern Visayas.” April 15.
Accessed December 2021. http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-
the-arts-sca/literary-arts/the-lite ratureof-eastern-visayas/.

Dator, Adrain. 2010. “Literary Works of Filipino Authors.” December 7. Accessed

December2021,http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/library/webliography/subject/filipino_write
rs.asp.

Deriada, Leoncio P. 2015. “Hiligaynon Literature.” April 14. Accessed May 7, 2017.
http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-
sca/literaryarts/hiligay non-literature/.

Landicho, Domingo Goan. 2015. “Tagalog Literature: History and Tradition.” April 15.
Accessed December 2021. http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-
the-arts-sca/ literary-arts/tagalog-literature-history-and-tradition/.

Mabanglo, Ruth Elynia S. 2000. “The Classics of Tagalog Literature.” In The Canon in
Southeast Asian Literatures, by David Smith, 254. Richmond, Surrey: