Senior High School

21st Century Literature from the

Philippines and the World
Module 1: Philippine Literature and
21st Century Literary Genres

AIRs - LM

LU_21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World_Module1

 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Module 1: Philippine Literature and 21st Century Literary Genres
Second Edition, 2021

Copyright © 2021
La Union Schools Division
Region I

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form without written
permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: Imelda L. Butardo

Content and Language Evaluator: Reynosa S. Acosta
Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team
Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr.
Design and Layout: Dylan C. Rufinta

Management Team:

Atty. Donato D. Balderas Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent
Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, PhD
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
German E. Flora, PhD, CID Chief
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Belen C. Aquino, PhD., EPS in Charge of English
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Department of Education – SDO La Union

Office Address: Flores St. Catbangen, San Fernando City, La Union
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LU_21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World_Module1

 Senior High School

21ST Century Literature

from the Philippines and the
World
Module 1: Philippine Literature
and 21st Century Literary Genres

LU_21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World_Module1

 Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear
learners, can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities,
questions, directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you
to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you
step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you
will be honest in using these. In addition to the material in the main text,
Notes to the Teacher are also provided to our facilitators and parents for
strategies and reminders on how they can best help you on your home-based
learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on
any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises
and tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in

answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher
or facilitator.

Thank you.

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 Target

Philippine literature was tremendously influenced by the colorful history of our

country. As the Philippines went through different periods in history, so is its
literature as it is reflected in various literary pieces written by notable Filipino
writers. Their literary works mirror the thoughts, feelings, values, beliefs, practices,
rich traditions and diverse cultures of Filipinos from all over the various regions in
different periods. These literary works were passed, developed and evolved, each
with its own characteristic and features which reflected the era by which they were
written.

This lesson allows you to travel back in time and trace the beginnings of Philippine
literature, get acquainted with prominent Filipino authors and their works from
different regions, know the similarities and differences of various 21st century literary
genres from those of the earlier genres or periods. You have to learn all these to help
you produce a creative representation of a literary text in your next lessons.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine
literary history from pre-colonial to the contemporary
2. identify representative texts and authors from each region (e.g. engage in
oral history research with focus on key personalities from the students’
region/province/town)
3. compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the ones
from the earlier genres/periods citing their elements, structures and
traditions (EN12Lit-Id-25)

Brace yourself and enjoy the ride as we traverse the past.

So let’s go down memory lane!

Note to the Teacher

This SLM is strategically designed for independent learning.
However, as the teacher or facilitator of learning, you are highly
encouraged to engage with your learners as they go along. Some learners
may find the activities difficult and would require you to explain
instructions and lesson contents for them to be able to understand and
successfully finish the module.
Your support in the success of teaching-learning is very important.

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 Module Philippine Literature and
1 21st Century Literary Genres

Jumpstart

Read and understand the text below, then do the activity that follows.

Early stages of Philippine literature consists of the Precolonial Period, Spanish

Colonial Period, American Occupation, Japanese Occupation, Postwar and
Contemporary Period.

The precolonial period includes all literature produced before the Spanish
colonization. It includes chants, proverbs, songs, spells, and different folk narratives
like folk tales, fables, legends, myths, and epics that were all passed down from
generation to generation through the word of mouth. Work and activity songs
described how people earn their livelihood like farming, fishing, pottery and a lot
more. An example is the popular song by the Tagalogs-―Magtanim ay di Biro
(Planting Rice is Never Fun).

Philippine literature during the Spanish Colonization was mostly influenced

by Christianity as well as the European ideals of liberty and freedom through trade.
During this era, writers slowly changed the subject of their writings from nature and
natural phenomena to the lives of the saints, hymns, miracles and invocations based
on the teachings of the Catholic faith.

Literature during the American period was like an imitation of those of the
Americans. Filipino writers follow the forms and style of the American writers thus
spurred the writing of Filipinos in English. On the other hand, Japanese occupation
censored literary works yet contributed to the maturity of the Tagalog short story
because English language was not allowed to use. Tagalog was declared an official
language (together with Nihonggo).

During the postwar period, Filipino writers got their inspiration from American
teachers and were able to learn their techniques, which also helped in mastering the
English language. Writers wrote fiction that focused on courageous deeds as well as
the sacrifices and suffering in the lives of Filipinos. It was also common for writers
to write about the experiences of the Filipino people under the Spanish and American
rule and the Japanese Occupation. Philippine literature flourished even more during
the postwar and contemporary period. Writers were able to produce short stories,
novels, essays, and poems that continue to be read by Filipinos today.

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Activity: Brisk Walk Down Memory Lane
Instructions: Trace the timeline of Philippine literature. Copy this graphic organizer
in a clean sheet of long bond paper and provide the needed information based from
the text you just read. Be guided by the legend below the graphic organizer

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 Discover

Philippine Literature during the Precolonial Period

The precolonial literature includes all literature produced before the Spanish
colonization like chants, Bari-bari Apo, makidalan ti tao(Iloko chant) proverbs,
salawikain, bugtong (burburtia/burburcha in Iloko), songs such as the Oyayi or Hele,
in Iloko are “Manang Biday”, “Pamulinawen”, and “Naraniag a Bulan” and folk
narratives. These were all passed down from generation to generation by word of
mouth. Philippine folk narratives are varied and distinct. They depict the people’s
livelihood, customs, and traditions.
1. Folktale – This is a characteristically anonymous, timeless, and placeless tale
circulated orally among people. Folktales about Juan are very popular. Some
emphasize certain virtues, and some serve as warning about behavior. Also,
some are for the reader’s amusement.
Example: Juan Gathers Guavas (Tagalog)
Juan Pusong and His Father’s Cows (Visayan)
2. Fable – This features animal characters or inanimate objects that behave like
people. The monkey is a common animal character in Philippine fables. It is
often depicted as a cunning animal
Example: The Monkey and the Crocodile (Tagalog)
3. Legend – This is presented as history but is unlikely to be true. There are
different Filipino legends of the great flood. The story of Bukidnon, for
instance, tells that a huge crab caused the water to rise by going into the sea.
On the other hand, the Igorot story tells that the sons of Lumawig the Great
Spirit caused the flood.
Example: The Flood Story (A Legend of Bukidnon)
The Flood Story (A Legend of the Igorot)
4. Myth – This is told to explain a belief, a practice, or a natural phenomenon.
There are Philippine versions of the creation myth. The Igorot’s story tells
that Lumawig the Great Spirit created people. On the other hand, the Tagalog
story tells that the first man and woman came from a bamboo.
Example: The Creation (An Igorot Myth)
The Creation (A Tagalog Myth)
5. Epic – This narrative poem celebrates the adventures and achievements of a
hero. The Philippine epics are sung or chanted in episodes. They feature
supernatural characters and reflect the society where they originated.
Also, there are different versions of a story.
Example: Biag ni Lam-ang (Iloco)
Hinilawod (Panay)

Philippine Literature during the Spanish Colonial Period

The works during this time are imitative of the Spanish theme, forms, and
traditions. The corrido, awit, dalit, cenaculo, moro-moro, duplo and karagatan, and
zarzuela are reflective of the said characteristics. Religious matters were in prose as
novenas and prayer books, biographies of the saints, tales and novels. The Filipinos
were able to retain their native traditions and poems in the field of poetry reflected
as lyrical folksongs and riddles. Some examples of songs are Bahay Kubo, kundiman,
and tapat. Francisco Baltazar also was popular during this time because of his
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“Florante at Laura”.

The Spanish missionaries taught the gospel through the native language, so
they hired natives to translate Spanish religious instructional materials. Eventually,
the natives became fluent in Spanish and became known as ladinos. Ladinos mainly
wrote devotional poetry. Two of them were Fernando Bagongbanta and Gaspar
Aquino de Belen. Bagongbanta wrote “Salamat nang walang hanga/gracias de sin
sempiternas,” which appeared in Memorial de la vida cristiana en lengua tagala
(1605), a book containing basic Catholic doctrines. On the other hand, de Belen wrote
“Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Christong Panginoon natin na tola” (1704), the
earliest version of pasyon.

Also, the native drama called the komedya or moro-moro was popular. It
depicted the war between Christians and Muslims, wherein the former always wins.
The poet Jose de la Cruz (1746–1829) was a master of such art form.

Francisco Baltazar (1788-1862), the master of traditional Tagalog poetry,

became well-known for his work Florante at Laura (1838–1861), the most famous
metrical romance of the country. Pedro Paterno (1857–1911) wrote Sampaguitas y
poesias varias (1880), the first poetry collection in Spanish by a Filipino; and the
novel in Spanish Ninay (1885), considered to be the first Filipino novel. Jose Rizal
(1861–1896), a prominent ilustrado and the country’s national hero, is famous for
the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. These novels portray the corruption
and abuse of the Spanish officials and the clergy. Andres Bonifacio (1863–1897), the
founder of the Katipunan, wrote the poem “Pagibig sa Tinubuang Lupa.” This poem
appeared in the Kalayaan, the official newspaper of the Katipunan, in March 1896.
Leona Florentino (1849–1884), known as the “mother of Philippine women’s
literature,” was a poet in both Ilocano and Spanish. Twenty of her poems were
preserved and exhibited in Europe. The poems were included in the Encyclopedia
International des Oeuvres des Femme in 1889.

Philippine Literature during the American Period (1898–1940)

The US established a civil government in 1901. Free public education was

introduced. Also, English was the medium of instruction. The production of literary
works in English is the direct result of the American colonization of the Philippines.
The first collection of poetry in English is Filipino Poetry (1924), edited by Rodolfo
Dato.

The short story “Dead Stars” (1925) by Paz Marquez Benitez is considered as
the first Filipino modern short story in English. A Child of Sorrow (1921) by Zoilo M.
Galang is the first Filipino novel in English. The novel His Native Soil (1940) by Juan
C. Laya won first prize in the First Commonwealth Literary Awards in 1940.
Filipino writers in English during the apprenticeship period (1900–1930) imitated
American writing.

The poet Fernando Maramag writes in the Romantic tradition in his sonnet
“Moonlight on Manila Bay” (1912). Filipino fictionists copied Sherwood
Anderson, William Saroyan, andErnest Hemingway. Jose Garcia Villa used
the Anderson pattern. Manuel Arguilla and N. V. M. Gonzalez were influenced by
Anderson and Hemingway. In his writings, Arguilla used local color, a literary
technique that features the unique regional traditions of people and emphasizes the
ordinary events in their lives. Francisco Arcellana was influenced by Saroyan.
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Philippine Literature during the Japanese Period (1941-1945)

During the occupation, publications were censored by the military.

Also, Tagalog was declared an official language (together with Nihonggo). In effect,
Philippine literature in English came to a halt. Some Filipino writers then turned to
writing in Filipino.

The Tagalog short story reached its maturity during the period. The best
works were compiled by the Liwayway magazine editors in Ang Pinakamabuting
Maikling Kathang Pilipino ng 1943, which came out in 1944. It is a collection of
stories that won a contest sponsored by the Japanese. The top four stories were
“Lupang Tinubuan” by Narciso G. Reyes, “Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa” by Liwayway
Arceo, “Nayon at Dagat-dagatan” by N. V. M. Gonzalez, and “Suyuan sa Tubigan” by
Macario Pineda.

Philippine Literature in the Post war and Contemporary Period

Post war and contemporary literature include all

literary works written and published in the Philippines from 1946.
After World War II, the Philippines had to deal with the economy and the need for
rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructures. There was political, economic,
and social confusion, as well as great poverty, and these issues found their way into
the short stories and novels during that time.
During the post war period, Filipino writers got their inspiration from
American teachers and were able to learn their techniques, which also helped in
mastering the English language. Writers wrote fiction that focused on courageous
deeds as well as the sacrifices and suffering in the lives of Filipinos. It was also
common for writers to write about the experiences of the Filipino people under the
Spanish and American rule and the Japanese Occupation. Other subjects and
themes include religious faith, superstitious, fantasy, social problems, poverty,
politics, nationalism and morality

Philippine literature flourished even more during the postwar and

contemporary period. Writers were able to produce short stories, novels, essays, and
poems that continue to be read by Filipinos today.

Nick Joaquin, a National Artist for Literature awardee, wrote articles under
the name of Quijano de Manila. His short story "May Day Eve," published in 1947,
is about love in a patriarchal society. It also made use of magic realism. F. Sionil
Jose, one of the most widely read Filipino writers in English, wrote the short story
"Waywaya," which is about pre-Hispanic society and the people’s struggle for moral
order. Francisco Sionil Jose was born on December 3, 1924 in Rosales, Pangasinan.

Alejandro Roces, a Filipino author, essayist, and dramatist, wrote the short
story "We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers." This story focuses on the drinking habits and
culture of Filipinos and Americans. Edith L. Tiempo's poem "The Return" is a
sentimental piece that talks about life in old age. Horacio de la Costa wrote the essay
"History and Philippine Culture," which emphasizes the importance of understanding
and presenting a nation’s culture.

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 Stevan Javellana wrote the first post war Filipino novel in English, Without
Seeing the Dawn. This novel narrates what people experienced during World War II
under the Japanese rule in the Philippines.

In addition Ilocano literature was also popular even during the precolonial
period up to the present. Ilocano literature, next to the Tagalog, is believed by
scholars to be the richest and most highly developed in the Philippines. Ilocano
literature can be traced back at least to the early 17th century. There are a large
number of religious documents, poems, riddles (burburcha), proverbs, epic stories,
folksongs, and other literary works that belong to this tradition. There is a sizable
body of Ilocano literature, including newspapers and periodicals like the Bannawag.

Some of the most notable Ilocano fictionists include Manuel Arguilla of La

Union (author of “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife” and “Morning in
Nagrebcan”); Carlos Bulosan of Pangasinan (author of “America is in the Heart”, “My
Father’s Tragedy”, and “Father Goes to Court”); Amador T. Daguio of Ilocos Norte
(author of “A Wedding Dance”); Francisco Sionil José of Pangasinan (author of “The
God Stealer” and “My Brother, My Executioner”); and Pedro Bukaneg of Bantay,
Ilocos Sur (Father of Ilocano Literature and the acknowledged author of the “Epic of
Biag ni Lam-ang”).

Literary Genre
This refers to a type or category of literature. It has a specific form, content,
and style. The four main genres of literature are poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and
drama. Under each of those genres are different genres. For example, fiction includes
speculative fiction, fantasy, and science fiction

Poetry
Elements
Rhythm – a pattern created with sound
Meter – the systematic regularity in rhythm
Stanza – a part of a poem with similar rhythm and rhyme that will usually
repeat later in the poem
Rhyme – the repetition of similar sounds in the lines of a poem
Rhyme scheme – a pattern of rhyme. Either the last words of the first and
second lines rhyme with each other, or the first and the third line,
or the second and the fourth, and so on. It is denoted by alphabets
like aabb (1st line rhyme with 2nd line and 3rd line rhyme with 4th line);
abab (1st line rhyme with 3rd line and 2nd line rhyme with 4th line);
abba (1st line rhyme with 4th line and 2nd line rhyme with 3rd line);
and so on.
Theme – the central idea of the poem, the poet wants to convey to the reader.
Symbolism – an object, idea or word that is used to represent another idea,
thought or feelings that will create such a strong effect
Imagery – the mental pictures the poet creates through language
- words used by the poet to create an image in the mind of the readers.
Imagery appeals to the five senses
Allusion – using this literary device, the writer refers to a significant person,
place, thing, or idea in culture, history, literature, or politics briefly
and indirectly.
Apostrophe – with this literary device, the writer addresses someone or
something that is not present in his work.

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Fiction
Literary elements – These devices are inherent in a literary text. Some
examples are the characters, setting, conflict, plot, and theme of a short story.
Literary techniques – These devices are used deliberately by a writer in his or
her work to convey a particular meaning. Dialogue is an example.
The literary meaning of a work is conveyed through its elements and the
literary techniques that the writer used. In a short story, for instance, the writer
weaves a story, putting elements and techniques together in a specific arrangement
to convey its meaning.
Example:
"The Mats" by Francisco Arcellana
“How my Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife” by Manuel Arguilla
Drama
Drama is a literary work that tells a story through actions and dialogues. It is usually
performed on stage.
Elements:
Characters – these actors set the scene and flow of the story.
Dialogues – these are conversations between the characters.
Plot – this is the series of events that take place.
Stage directions – these statements tell the actors how they should look, move,
and speak. They also give the director a picture of how the setting looks like, and
what music and other sounds would set the mood of the play.

"The World Is an Apple" by Alberto S. Florentino is a one-act play. As the term

suggests, a one-act play is composed of only one act or part. Its story has a few
characters; it is condensed and has a single effect.

Three of the notable Filipino dramatists in English of the Postwar Years are Severino
Montano, Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero, and Alberto Florentino. They produced relevant
dramas during the period. However, because their works were written in English,
they could only reach out to the educated class.

Creative Nonfiction
Creative nonfiction refers to narratives of real events told using a literary style of
writing. Some of its forms are the memoir, the biography, the autobiography, the
diary, and the essay. It is a major genre of literature. It refers to narratives of real
events told in a literary style. In Philippine Literature, the essay is the most common
form of creative nonfiction.

Kinds of Creative Nonfiction

• Memoir - This account is narrowly focused on a single event in a person’s life.
• Biography - This is a detailed account of a person’s life written by another
person.
• Autobiography - This is a written account of the life of a person written by
the subject himself or herself.
• Diary - This is a collection of discrete accounts of a person’s experiences and
thoughts each day.
• Essay - This writing features any subject that the writer personally comments
about or describes.

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 Philippine Creative Nonfiction
The American Occupation (1898–1940)
The essay in English proved to be an influential medium. The first volume of
essays was Life and Success (1921) by Zoilo Galang. The earliest travel writing was
Notas de Viaje (1930) by Maria Paz Mendoza-Guazon. The essay “Literature and
Society” by Salvador Lopez sparked a debate on socially relevant literature versus
aesthetic value. It won in the first Commonwealth Literary Awards in 1940.
The Japanese Occupation (1941–1945). Because of censorship, only a few essays in
English were published. Horizons from My Nipa Hut, published in 1941, is a
collection of humorous essays by Francisco B. Icasiano. I Am a Filipino, the most
famous essay of Carlos P. Romulo (born in Intramuros, Manila and grew up in
Camiling, Tarlac), was published the same year.

1960s and 1970s

Literary journalism came into its own. It appeared in some publications like
the Philippines Free Press and the Philippine Graphic. It attracted some of the best
Filipino writers. Nick Joaquin, who sometimes used the pen name Quijano de Manila,
was the most prolific among those writers.

1990s
A few autobiographies and memoirs were published like Memory’s Fictions: A
Personal History (1993) and Postscript to a Saintly Life (1994) by Bienvenido Santos.
Also, there were works on wars like Living With the Enemy: A Diary of the Japanese
Occupation (1999) by Pacita Pestaño-Jacinto, and Breaking the Silence (1996) by
Lourdes Reyes Montinola. Also, published in this period were travel writings by
Filipino women like Sylvia Mayuga’s Earth, Fire & Air (1992) and Kerima Polotan’s
Adventures in a Forgotten Country (1999).

Early 21st Century

This period saw the publication of collections of short essays and narratives
of young writers. Their works were Wala Lang (2004) by Bud Tomas; Love, Desire,
Children, Etc.: Reflections of a Young Wife (2005) by Rica Bolipata-Santos; The King
of Nothing To Do (2006) by Luis Katigbak; and Stressed in the City (2007) by April T.
Yap.

Other creative nonfiction in the Philippines are:

1. “The Cardinal’s Sins, the General’s Cross, the Martyr’s Testimony, and Other
Affirmations” by Gregorio C. Brillantes
2. “Manananggal Terrorizes Manila and Other Stories” by Jessica Zafra
3. “Sapay Koma” by Jhoanna Lynn Cruz

Philippine Literature in the 21st Century (2001 up to the present)

This body of literature includes digital writings, graphic novels, textula,
hypertext, and other emerging literary genres at present.
• New literary works created within the last decade.
• Written by contemporary authors.
• Deals with current themes/ issues and reflects a technological culture.
• Often breaks traditional writing rules.
• Emerging genres like IM and blog format books, digi-fiction and doodle.

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Popular Fiction
Popular fiction, also called genre fiction, refers to works of literature that are
intended for the masses or large audience. Its main purpose is to appeal to the
general public.
Features of popular fiction:
• Its story is plot-driven.
• Its characters are mostly stock figures.
• Its setting is either familiar or exotic.
• Its language is closer to everyday spoken language.
• It contains a lot of dialogues.

Science fiction, also called sci-fi, at its core, deals with science and
technology. It is often lumped with the fantasy and horror genres under the
broader term “speculative fiction.” As this term suggests, sci-fi writers are
often preoccupied by the question “what if.”

Pocholo Goitia’s short story “An Introduction to the Luminescent” is an

example of science fiction. It was published in Philippine Speculative Fiction
volume 1 in 2005. The story is set in the year 2105 in a mall described as
an “ultrasaur,” a massive structure that towers at two kilometers and
stretches at half kilometer. Magenta, one of the characters, is a member of
La Luminosa, a group of biogenetically engineered people that live in the
mall. This mall is protected by “clone warriors” that hover in the air using
devices called gravity disruptors.

Chick literature, or chick lit, is written by women who write for women.
The usual target readers are young and single women, especially in their
20s or 30s. The stories deal with real life, usually love and relationships,
and they are written in a light-hearted tone.

Tara Sering’s Getting Better is an example of chick literature. The novella

was published in the October 2002 issue of Cosmopolitan Philippines, a
magazine that targets contemporary women and that mostly features topics
regarding relationships, beauty, fashion, and health. Told in the second
person point of view, the story tackles the life of a single woman named
Karen—how she was as a girlfriend, how she dealt with cheating, and how
she moved on.

Ghost stories are part of Filipino pop culture. They are a specific kind of
stories in the horror fiction genre. As the name suggests, a ghost story
features a ghost as one of its characters. Like any story in the horror fiction
genre, a ghost story is meant to scare its reader.
Joel P. Salud’s “The Haunting at Concha Cruz Drive” is an example of a
ghost story. It was published in True Philippine Ghost Stories Book 1 in
2002. It tells the story of three friends driving along a road named Concha
Cruz Drive which is known to be haunted by ghosts of a young couple who
were victims of drag racing accident.

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New and Emerging Literary Forms in the 21st Century
Many works of literature produced at present are characterized by the writers’ use
of unconventional techniques. For instance, the illustrated novel, the graphic novel,
and doodle-fiction present narratives using pictures or images.

Illustrated novel – presents images that tell some parts of the story, while the other
parts are told in words.
Example: Zsazsa Zaturnah sa Kalakhang Maynila

Graphic novel – tells a story in comic book format.

- a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using
comic form. The term is employed in a broad manner, encompassing
non-fiction works and thematically linked short stories as well as
fictional stories across a number of genres.
Doodle fiction – contains doodles and hand-written graphics.
- a literary presentation where the author incorporates doodle drawings
and hand written graphics in place of traditional font. Drawing
enhances the story, often adding humorous elements that would be
missing if the illustrations were omitted.
Digi-fiction - a literary experience that combines three media: book, movie/video,
and internet website. In order to get the full story, students must engage
in navigation, reading, viewing, in all three formats. Digital fictions are
different from e-books because they do not just exist as a digital version
of a print novel, rather, they are known as “born digital” – that is, they
would lose something of their aesthetic and/or structural form and
meaning if they were removed from the digital medium.
- they may contain hyperlinks, moving images, mini-games or sound
effects.
- Unlike e-books in which the reader moves from one page to
another in a linear fashion, in many digital fictions, the reader has a
role in constructing the narrative, either by selecting hyperlinks or by
controlling a character’s journey through the story world.
Manga – the Japanese word for comics
- it is used in the English-speaking world as a generic term for all comic
books and graphic novels originally published in Japan.
- considered an artistic and storytelling style.
- the term “Ameri-Manga” is sometimes used to refer to comics created
by American artists in manga style.

Besides the illustrated novel, the graphic novel, and doodle-fiction, there are other
literary forms or genres emerging at present, such as the flash fiction, slipstream,
metafiction, and magic realism.

1. Flash Fiction is known for its extreme brevity. A typical work of flash fiction is
only a few hundred words long. Examples are the stories in Fast Food Fiction:
Short Short Stories To Go (2003), edited by Noelle Q. de Jesus. The collection
features stories written by well-known Filipino writers like Gemino H. Abad,
Gregorio Brillantes, Jose Dalisay, Jr., Jessica Zafra, and Lakambini Sitoy.
Example: For sale baby socks, never worn.

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2. Slipstream or the “fiction of strangeness,” features elements of fantasy, science
fiction, and serious fiction. For many, works of slipstream are difficult to
categorize because of their similarities with speculative fiction. The collection
Philippine Speculative Fiction, edited by Dean Francis Alfar and Nikki Alfar,
contains stories that are slipstream fiction.

3. Metafiction is about fiction itself. A work of metafiction can be a story about a

writer who writes a story or a story about another work of fiction. Some works of
metafiction by Filipinos are the novel Ilustrado (2010) by Miguel Syjuco and Hari
Manawari (2011) by German Gervacio.

4. Magic Realism is a fiction genre in which magical elements are blended with
reality. It is characteristic of the stories by Latin American writers like Gabriel
Garcia Marquez, Jorge Luis Borges, and Isabel Allende. The short story “The
Death of Fray Salvador Montano, Conquistador of Negros” by the Filipino writer
Rosario Cruz Lucero has elements of magic realism.

Electronic literature refers to works commonly published and shared on the Web.
Unlike traditional printed literature, it has features that could only be presented
through multimedia.

Kinds of Electronic Literature

1. Hyperpoetry – This is a kind of graphic poetry, which combines words
with images. It has no standard lines or verses, but its words are arranged
in a way that it creates meaning and visual effect.

2. Hyperfiction – This contains hyperlinks. When readers click on a

hyperlink, they go to another Web page that contains the next part of a story.

3. Photo poem – This uses real-life images or electronically generated

images as representation of the textual poem.

4. Silent comics – These have no verbal dialogues. The dialogues are

presented through symbols.

5. Textula – it is a mobile phone poetry using traditional formal verses like.

This poem is intended to be shared through the SMS. It is poetry written and
read on a mobile phone. It is popularized by the playwright Frank Rivera,
who came to be known as the “makata sa cell phone.” His works of textula
and other poems are performed in different occasions, such as rallies, school
programs, and contests; published in newspapers; heard on radio; and
shared on social media or through text messaging.

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• Frank Rivera, a playwright, received recognition for a number of his plays like
Ambon, Ulan, Baha: Sarsuwelang Pinoy (2003) and Oyayi, Ang Zarzuela (2004). Also
he received awards of the Makata sa Cellphone (2005), a collection of poetry which
include his populay textula. For his work of textula, he was dubbed as the "makata
sa cellphone."

Example: Textula ni Frank G. Rivera

Bayang mahilig sa ganda

Inuuna ang postura
Walang laman ang bituka
Kundi gasgas na pag-asa.

Si MEGAN YOUNG nang Manalo

Nagbunyi ang Pilipino
May dala sanang asenso
Makakapag-asa tayo.

Nagkagyera sa Mindanao
Kaban ng bayan ninakaw
Sa Bagyo’y daming pumanaw
MISS WORLD, salamat sa araw.

6. Blog – This Web site is where a person writes about his or her personal
opinions, activities, and experiences. A blog (shortening of “weblog”) is an
online journal or informational website displaying information in the reverse
chronological order, with latest posts appearing first. It is a platform where a
writer or even a group of writers share their

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 Explore

The following activities are designed to help you retain and master the concepts you
just learned in this lesson. Answer each of them as instructed. Enjoy and have fun.
Activity 1: Check your Knowledge of the Past
Copy the graphic organizer in a clean sheet of long bond paper and give the
needed information as indicated in the legend below.

Activity 2: Tell Me the Difference

Instructions: In a clean sheet of long bond paper, answer briefly what is asked.
A. Fiction vs. Creative Nonfiction
1. Give the main difference between a fiction and creative nonfiction
_______________________________________________________________________
B. Popular Fiction
Give the distinguishing features of the following:
2. Science fiction -____________________________________________________
3. Chick literature -___________________________________________________
4. Ghost stories-______________________________________________________
C. New and emerging Literary forms
Give the distinguishing characteristic of the following:
5. Flash Fiction -______________________________________________________
6. Slipstream-_________________________________________________________
7. Metafiction-_________________________________________________________
8. Magic Realism-______________________________________________________
D. Electronic Literature
9. Why is an electronic literature different from the earlier forms of
literature?
____________________________________________________________________

10. What is common among hyper poetry, photo poem, and comics?
____________________________________________________________________

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 Deepen

Activity: Let’s Compare

Instructions: Read the two poems below then in a clean sheet of long bond paper,
copy the questions and answer them.

Man of Earth (Amador T. Daguio) A Textula (Frank Rivera)

Pliant is the bamboo; Merong himala, hindi totoong wala

I am man of earth.
They say that from the
bamboo
We had our first birth.
Am I of the body,
Or of the green leaf?
Do I have to whisper
My every sin and grief?
Ituro ma’y mali, alam nati’y tama
Kahit walang sagot itong panalangin
Hindi tumitigil ang ating paghiling.
Walang nagturo na tayo’y makibaka
Ngunit sulirani’y ating binabata
Kahit may pangakong laging napapako
Sa anumang init, handa ring mapaso

If the wind passes by, Sa ating puso’y may awit ng pagasa

Must I stoop, and try Kahit titik nito’y hindi makabisa
To measure fully Ang katotohana’y lalaging totoo
My flexibility? Basta maniwalang mayroong milagro
Source: https://mevipres.wordpress.com/2013/09/29/textula-ni-
I might have been the bamboo, frank-g-rivera-angmakata-ng-cellphone/
But I will be a man.
Bend me then, O Lord,
Bend me if you can

Source: https://www.scribd.com

A. Man of Earth by Amador T. Daguio

1. How many stanzas does the poem have? __________
2. Each stanza is composed of how many syllables? _________
3. What kind of rhyme does the poem contain? ___________
4. The poem mentioned that the first man and woman came from the
bamboo which is taken from Philippine creation myth. What figure of
speech is used in those lines? __________
5. The speaker addresses a spiritual being he calls “Lord”. What figure of
speech is used? __________

B. A Textula by Frank G. Rivera

6. How many stanza does the poem have?____________
7. What Filipino values is depicted in the poem? __________
8. – 10. Considering the elements, structure and tradition, identify 3
similarities of Frank Rivera’s A Textula and Amador Daguio’s Man of
Earth. __________ __________ __________

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 Gauge

Read each item carefully, choose the letter of the best answer and write it in a clean
sheet of short bond paper. Use CAPITAL letter.

1. Period which includes all literature produced before the Spanish colonization like
chants, proverbs, songs, and folk narratives.
A. American B. Contemporary C. Japanese D.Pre-colonial
2. It is considered as the first Filipino modern short story in English.
A. Breaking the Silence B. Dead Stars
C.Man of Earth D. May Day Eve
3. How was precolonial literature passed down from generation to generation?
A. by printing B. by reading
C. by writing D. by word of mouth
4. It is a native drama that depicted the war between Christians and Muslims.
A. Fliptop B. moro-moro C. talumpati D. Sarzuela
5. The poet who was a master of komedya
A. Fernando Bagongbanta B. Gaspar Aquino de Belen
C. Jose Dela Cruz D. Pedro Paterno
6. He is the master of traditional poetry and author of Florante at Laura.
A. Francisco Baltazar B. Jose Rizal
C.Gaspar Aquino de Belen D. Pedro Paterno
7. It was during this period when literary works were censored yet contributed to the
maturity of Tagalog short story
A. American period B. Japanese period
C.Pre-colonial period D. Spanish period
8. It is a literary technique that features the unique regional traditions of people and
emphasizes the ordinary events in their lives.
A. humor B.hyperbole C. local color D. sarcasm
9. Who is the Ilocano fictionist who wrote “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife”?
A. Amador Daguio B. Francisco Sionel Jose
C.Carlos Bulosan D. Manuel Arguilla
10. What poetry is written and read on a mobile phone?
A. Epic B. hypertext C. spoken poetry D. textula
11. What title has been given to Frank Rivera for popularizing textula?
A. Father of modern poetry B. Makata sa cellphone
C.Makatang high-tech D. Prince of spoken poetry
12. The stanza from Rivera’s textula has a regular rhythm. What makes its rhythm
regular?
A. Each line consists of the same number of syllables
B. it is composed of three stanzas
C. the poem is lyrical
D. all lines rhyme
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 13. What Filipino traits do this stanza suggests?
Sa ating puso’y may awit ng pag-asa
Kahit titik nito’y hindi makabisa
Ang katotohana’y lalaging totoo
Basta maniwalang mayroong milagro.

A. hopeful and courageous B. smart and active

C. industrious and cunning D. wise and resourceful
14. The following literary devices are inherent in a short story, which is NOT?
A. Characters B. theme C. setting D. stage direction
15. This literary work is usually told in actions and dialogues.
A. drama B. essay C. poetry D. short story
16. “The World is an Apple” is a one-act play that is written by _________.
A. Alberto S. Florentino B. Carlos P. Romulo
C. Bienvenido Lumbera D. Amador Daguio
17. It refers to narratives of real events told in a literary style
A. creative nonfiction B. drama
C. fiction D. popular fiction
18. Which genre of fiction is known for its brevity?
A. Doodle fiction B. flash fiction C. graphic novel D. meta fiction
19. Suppose a short story has elements of magic and reality, what genre would it be
classified?
A. Flash fiction B. magic realism C. meta fiction D. slip stream
20. Which literary forms or genres use pictures or images to tell their story?
A. Doodle fiction B. flash fiction C. graphic novel D. magic realism

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LU_21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World_Module1
22
Jumpstart
Activity 1: Brisk Walk Down Memory Lane
1. Pre-colonial Period
2. Spanish Period
3. American Occupation
4. Japanese Occupation
5. Postwar and Contemporary Period
(Answers on features of each period/era may vary)
Explore
Activity 1. Check your Knowledge of the Past
1. Pre-colonial Period
2. Spanish Period
3. American Period
4. Japanese Period
5. Post war and Contemporary Period
(Answers on representative texts and their authors may vary)
Activity 2: Tell Me the Difference
A. Fiction vs. Creative Nonfiction
1. Fiction is a product of imagination while Creative nonfiction is based of real events but are
told using literary style in writing
B. Popular Fiction
2. Science fiction - deals with science and technology. It is often lumped with the fantasy and
horror
3. Chick literature - written by women who write for women. Stories deal with real life, usually
love and relationships, and they are written in a light-hearted tone.
4. Ghost stories- it features a ghost as one of its characters. It is meant to scare its reader.
C. New and emerging Literary forms
5. Flash Fiction - known for its extreme brevity; only a few hundred words long
6. Slipstream- “fiction of strangeness,” features elements of fantasy, science fiction, and
serious fiction.
7. Meta fiction- a story about a writer who writes a story or a story about another work of
fiction
8. Magic Realism- fiction genre in which magical elements are blended with reality
D. Electronic Literature
9. Because works are commonly published and shared on the Web and it has features that
could only be presented through multimedia.
10. The use of symbols and images
Deepen
Activity: Let’s Compare
A. Man of Earth by Amador T. Daguio B. A Textula by Frank G. Rivera
1. Four (4) stanzas 6. Three (stanzas)
2. 23 syllables 7. Hopeful, optimistic
3. End rhyme 8. Lyric
4. Allusion 9. Has traditional elements
5. Apostrophe 10. Use of end rhyme
Gauge
1. D. 6. A 11. B 16. A
2. B 7. B 12. A 17. A
3. D 8. C 13. A 18. B
4. B 9. D 14. D 19. B
5.
Answer Key
 References

Cruz, Katrina Melissa (2018 May 25) Introduction to Philippine Literature.

Retrieved from https://21stcenturylitph.wordpress.com/introduction-to-

philippine-literature/ https://www.slideshare.net/augustianelijah/the-philippine-literary-history

https://www.slideshare.net/lhengacusan/21st-century-literary-genre

https://www.slideshare.net/MaineSamson/basic-elements-of-poetry https://www.quipper.com/ph

https://www.slideshare.net/AttheaJaneLepiten/philippine-literature-and-textsprecolonial-times-and-

spanish-colonizations-77510710 https://readingdigitalfiction.com/about/what-is-digital-fiction/

http://www.homeofbob.com/literature/genre/poetry/elements

https://www.scribd.com

https://mevipres.wordpress.com/2013/09/29/textula-ni-frank-g-rivera-angmakata-ng-cellphone/

https://www.google.com/search?q=rubric+in+writing+analysis+of+a+literary+text&
rlz=1C1MSIM_enPH848PH872&oq=rubric+in+writing+analysis+of+a+literary+text&
aqs=chrome..69i57.22167j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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 For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – SDO La Union

Curriculum Implementation Division
Learning Resource Management Section
Flores St. Catbangen, San Fernando City La Union 2500
Telephone: (072) 607 - 8127
Telefax: (072) 205 - 0046
Email Address:
launion@deped.gov.ph
lrm.launion@deped.gov.ph

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LU_21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World_Module1