Module 1:

Ninorte Samarnon Literatures

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

PATRICK MAC B. DELA PEÑA

Subject Teacher
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Module 1: Ninorte Samarnon Literatures 3
Lesson 1: Songs 3
Owata – Pablo Rebadulla 3
Binlad – Pablo Rebadulla 4
Basuni – Pablo Rebadulla 5
Duyan – Pablo Rebadulla 6
Sidsid san Adlaw sa Laoang – Bernardino Muncada 7
Lawiswis Kawayan 8

Lesson 2: Siday 9
Si Mana Cordapia – Oskar Muncada Monje 9
Satum – Mark P. Bonabon 10
Mondragon – Jerry B. Gracio 11

Lesson 3: Folktales (Retrieved by Dr. Dela Rosa) 13

Bowaon and Totoon 13
The Crab Mother 15
Clever Rosa 17

WHY DO WE NEED TO STUDY NINORTE

SAMARNON LITERATURES?
Performance Learning
Content Content Standard
Standard Competency
Names of authors The learner will be An adaptation of a Value the
and their works, able to understand text into creative contributions of
and backgrounds and appreciate the forms using local writers to
of the literature elements and multimedia. the development
from the region contexts of 21 st
of regional literary
where the high century Philippine traditions
school is located literature from the
regions
(https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/SHS-Core_21st-Century-Literature-from-the-
Philippines-and-the-World-CG.pdf)

Module 1: Ninorte Samarnon Literatures (21st Century Literature from the Philippines & the World) Page 2
 MODULE 1: NINORTE SAMARNON LITERATURES
Learning Outcomes:
• Know and familiarize the different Ninorte Samarnon literatures such
as:
a) songs;
b) siday; and
c) folktales
• Analyze the underpinning themes of each literary masterpiece.
• Understand and appreciate history as well as the cultural behaviors
of the people.
INTRODUCTION
In this module, there are three lessons. Lesson 1 focuses on well-known
Waray songs; Lesson 2 concentrates on Siday; and Lesson 3 focuses on folktales.
LESSON 1: SONGS
EXPLORE

Pablo Rebadulla – is a lawyer and Waray-language poet and musician from Catubig,
Northern Samar.
Owata – is an original composition of Pablo Rebadulla. It is a song about love,
faithfulness, and firmness.

“OWATA”
- Pablo Rebadulla
Bisan ikaw kon malimot
Bisan ikaw magpalain
Mayman takna manumdum ka
Sin pagindig sa iba.

Kon bulan ka nga maparong

Mahanap ak sin bituon
Dadawgon ko, luludhan ko
Tambal san gugma nga ilo.

Masasaka an kabukiran
Matutungkad an kadagatan
Inin dughan, manipis man
Tinago an ngatanan.
Kon bulan ka nga maparong
Mahanap ak sin bituon
Dadawgon ko, luludhan ko
Tambal san gugma nga ilo.

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 Binlad – is another original song of Pablo Rebadulla. The Waray name for “Palay”
is “Binlad” (unhusked rice). This song expresses how fleeting life is.

“BINLAD”
- Pablo Rebadulla
An tawo sugad hin binlad
Diri dayuday an kamutangan
Tinitipon, tinataltag
Mahibabaw, mahilarum naman

Ayaw tapod han im hibawbaw

Kay an Diyos gud la am madadayaw
Sugad hin binlad mahibawbaw naman
Sugad hin binlad mailarum naman

Aanhon ta man kay an palad burubaliskad

Diri mapudngan an limbag-limbag
Inuukay an ngatanan nga kapalaran
Basi an tawo waray indigay

Amo ini ha kalibutan

Diri dayuday an kamutangan
An magsurub-on magtatawa naman
An maglipayon magtatangis naman

Inuukay an ngatanan nga kapalaran

Basi an tawo waray indigay

Amo ini ha kalibutan

Diri dayuday an kamutangan
An magsurub-on magtatawa naman
An maglipayon magtatangis naman

An tawo sugad hin binlad…

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 Basuni – is yet another one of Pablo Rebadulla’s unique songs. Basuni means
“splinter.” It is a song of sorrow, regret, and longing.

“BASUNI”
- Pablo Rebadulla

Basuni ko sa dughan
Arantuson, tinipigan
Kay an lanit san gugma
Kon ilubon, kalipayan
An magkalit nga palad
Say naghatag sin kasamdan
Punyal san kapalaran
Pagtitipigan, hinumduman.

Di’ ko igpapatambal
Bisan mangutngot
Inin dinultan
Karuyag ko magbilin
Dagko nga ulat Basi tigaman
An magkalit nga palad
Say naghatag sin kasamdan
Punyal san kapalaran
Pagtitipigan, hinumduman

Tunok san kasingkasing

An kangutngut nagpabilin
Nag antus sa kanunay
San kasakit san kamingaw

An magkalit nga palad

Say naghatag sin kasamdan

Punyal san kapalaran
Pagtitipigan, hinumduman
Punyal san kapalaran
Pagtitipigan, hinumduman

Basuni ko sa dughan.

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 Duyan – another masterpiece of Pablo Rebadulla. This song titled Duyan which
means “hammock,” indicates the longing for affection, repose, and embrace.

“DUYAN”
- Pablo Rebadulla
An akon pagtalinguha
Paghimo sin duyan
Kay basi ko ig-abyog
An aton kapagalan

Kon si ikaw makilungon

Mapuktol an mga bahayan
Diri ko pagbabasulan
An akon gugma may bug-at man

An akon pagtalinguha
Paghimo sin duyan
Kay basi ko ig-abyog
An aton kapagalan

Kon si ikaw makilungon

Mapuktol an mga bahayan
Diri ko pagbabasulan
An akon gugma may bug-at man

Bisan kon mabari

Duha nga paragangan, ahay!
Tigaman san higugma, Iday!
Indig san lumalabay

Bisan kon marugtas

Malupo an ak dughan
Diri ko pagbabasulan
An akon gugma may bug-at

Bisan kon mabari

Duha nga paragangan, ahay!
Tigaman san higugma, Iday!
Indig san lumalabay

Bisan kon marugtas

Malupo an ak dughan
Diri ko pagbabasulan
An akon gugma may bug-at.

Diri ko pagbabasulan
An akon gugma may bug-at.

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 Sidsid san Adlaw sa Laoang – is an original work by Bernardino Muncada, a native
of Laoang, Northern Samar. The song depicts the passage of time and the recall of
pleasant memories.

“SIDSID SAN ADLAW SA LAOANG”

- Bernardino Muncada

Katam-is ko daw bati-on

Mga adlaw naton kahapon
Matalimway kakukulpon
Sidsid san langit kamatahum

Agi nga takna balikon

Gikan sa limot padayon
Rayhak san tuna pagdad-on
Sa tahum sinin kakukulpon

Adlaw nasisid bulawan

Ranggat san dagat ginhadkan
Baya inin kalibutan
Langit nga asul ginbaghan
Diri ko gud mapupudngan
Mingaw ngot-ngot sinin dughan
Kahusay san lo-ok Laoang
Nagkakaway, Rawis, Baybay
Gamhanan nga Pasyao pangpang
Sidsid san adlaw sa Laoang

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 Lawiswis Kawayan – is a popular folk song from Samar and Leyte.

“LAWISWIS KAWAYAN”

Ako magtatanum lawiswis kawayan

Akon la kan pikoy palatay-latayan
Salbahis nga pikoy kawaray batasan
Sinmulod ha kwarto, kan inday higdaan.

An panyo, an panyo nga may sigarilyo,

Ginpiksi ni Inday kay may sentimyento
An nasisinahan, an nabi- an nabibidu-an
Tungod la han hadton nga waray katuman.

An ini nga hugpo lawiswis kawayan

Diin an higugma nga may rayan-dayan
Magburugto gayud mga gin-angayan
Maglipay ngatanan mga kasangkayan.

An ini nga pikoy, nga pikoy paglupad murayaw

Natungtong han sanga dagus paparayaw
Binuklad an pako, an pako daw hilaw nga dahon
An iya pagrayhak nga ak ginkinantahon.

Hi Mano palabyo mahal magbaligya

Adobo, sitsaron, upod an mantika
Ginpapadisan pa hin luyak nga tarung
Hi mano Palabio mahal la gihapon.

EXAMINE

Performance Task #1
Transcreate the Ninorte Samarnon song:
a. Owata – 11 STEM A (SET A)
b. Binlad – 11 STEM A (SET B)
c. Basuni – 11 STEM B (SET A)
d. Duyan – 11 STEM B (SET B)
e. Sidsid san Adlaw sa Laoang – 11 TVL (HE & ICT) (SET A)
f. Lawiswis Kawayan – 11 TVL (HE & ICT) (SET B)

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 LESSON 2: SIDAY

EXPLORE

SIDAY is a word in Hiligaynon with its meaning in English.

síday - Poetry. (cf. baláybay, binaláybay)
(https://www.philippinelanguages.com/word/siday/19649)

Si Mana Cordapia – is one of the famous poems of Oskar Muncada Monje. It talks
about a churchgoer yet depicts the polar opposite of a devout and kind woman.

Oskar Muncada Monje

- Laoang, Northern Samar
- Artist/writer, fellow, cultural worker,
environmental activist
- Chair and member of different
organizations and movements
- Palanca Awardee (for “KBL: Kasal, Binyag,
Libing” - 1998)

To know more about Oskar Muncada Monje, you may browse the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf06G78xFJ8&t=947s

SI MANA CORDAPIA
- Oskar Muncada Monje
Si Mana Cordapia
Masyado karelihiyosa
Nasingba siya kada Domingo
Ngan aga-aga
Tikang sa porta
Pagluhod paglakaw niya
Pag-abot sa lingkuran
Hinagay an nalingkod na
Kay kono, iton man kanya
Kay ngay-an nakaulang
Sa kanya pagpenetinsiya
Sa alas-kwatro nga misa
Nagrurusaryo, nagnonobena
Ngan gindungan an pag-estasyon
Sa alas sais nga misa
Sa alas otso nga misa
Kay an tawo damo na
Natugbos siya sa paglimos

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 Ngan hinulog sa kakolekta
San naubusan na siya san pangadyion
Ubos na an mga nobena
Sa ngatanan nga mga santo-santa
Ngan hasta mga kalag sa Purgatoryo
Ginpanakop na
Nanguros ngan inuli gihapon siya
Pag-agi sa kalye
Ginkita an mga igkasi
Nagtatapsik gad an laway
San panlibak kalaksi
Naabre pa an porta
Ay sus! Kada naulang, nabalandra
Apo, binate, kuying
Bisan sa silya ngan lamisa
Kastigo, kubot, buy-ak
Pamagaw, panhimang, pamuyboy
Aringit siya ura-ura
Kay ngay-an, waray pamahaw pa!

Mao iton si Mana Cordapia

An buotan kuno nga paragsingba
Nga iba an batasan
Kun sa singbahan nagawas na!
________________________________________________________________

Satum – is a traditional Filipino game.

Mark P. Bonabon
- Biri, Northern Samar
- BA Literature and Language Teaching
(Magna cum Laude) - UEP CAC
- SHS Teacher, Biri National High School
- Writing Fellow - Lamiraw, Iligan National
Writers Workshop, Palihang Lira
- Published Creative Works in Magazines,
Books/Anthologies, Folios, Online
Publications

SATUM
- Mark P. Bonabon
Nakadumdom ka pa ba?
Nadulag kita san siesta
Kun mga adlaw nga wara eskwela
Basi magbaragat sa iyo hawan.
Sa ligid san tanuman bat-aw,
Sa butnga san ragitnit san adlaw,
Bisan wara pudong, wara pandong,

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 Maghahanap kita mga bala nga patong –
Sayo nga halip-ot, sayo nga halaba
Ngan magluluho kita hababaw sa tuna.
Nakadumdom ka pa ba san satum?
San hagong san patong
Kun nalatos sa harayo.
San hangos nga halarom
Kun ubos ko na masalo an bala.
Nalupad la sa igbaw san akon ulo o sugbong.
Sa igbaw san akon huna-huna.
Sa pagdumdom nga manta –
Susukulon an kaharayo san gintupaan.
Babalikon an luho nga gintikangan.
________________________________________________________________

Mondragon – a municipality in the province of Northern Samar.

Jerry Bayoca Gracio

- Born in Tondo District of Manila
- Spent his childhood in the small rural village
of Nenita, Mondragon, Northern Samar
- Poet, fictionist and screenwriter
- Among his awards are the:
Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for
Literature
Poet of the Year (2005)
Screenwriter’s Prize from the Film Development
Council of the Philippines

MONDRAGON
- Jerry B. Gracio

Bungto sa pangpang san dagat,

Ito’n imo hangin ako hinahanap
Labi kun mapaso. Labi kun mauhaw,

Hingyap ko uminom sa imo burabod;

Karuyag lumangoy tikadto sa baybay
San im’ pagmayuyo. An akon ungara:

Tumagay sin tuba kaupod si Tatay,

Mga kasangkayan. Bisan sa harayo,
Nahihinumdom ko an mga pasakay

Nga gintutubuan sin lubi ngan paray,

Mga kabukiran nga gin iistaran
Sa akon kasakit, inop, ngan kalipay.

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 Ayaw ak’ kalimti kay diri mabaya
Bisan adi ako sa iba nga tuna.
Adi ka gad pirmi sa ak’ kasingkasing

Nga di nalilimot sa akon inulnan.

Kun ako mamatay, iuli ak’ niyo,
Sa ak’ tinikangan sakay sa bulawan

Nga galyon nga adto sa San Bernardino---

Itabok ak’ tabi ngadto sa Mondragon!

EXAMINE

Performance Task #2
Select one Siday and create a poster of it. (Digital or Analog)

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 LESSON 3: FOLKTALES

EXPLORE

The following folktales are retrieved, compiled, and translated by Dr. Lydia P.E.
Dela Rosa.
Dr. Lydia P.E. Dela Rosa
- Professor Emeritus, UEP
- Literature, Languages, Speech, Folklore Research
- AB English (USC, Cebu City)
- MA English (CEU)
- DA Language and Literature (DLSU)
- Diploma in Teaching of English to Speakers of Other
Languages (East West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii)
________________________________________________________________
BOWAON AND TOTOON
Once upon a time, there were two friends. They couldn’t find work so they
decided to go away from their place to look for their fortune somewhere. They
brought with them rice and they mounted their horses. As they went on, they got
hungry. From a distance, they saw a coral reef. They got off their horses and headed
for the reef to catch fish. There, they caught schools of fish but they were very tiny.
Totoon forgot his hunger. He returned the fish he caught back to the reef. Bowaon
got angry, “How will we be able to eat” he scolded.
“Never mind, Bowaon, they are so tiny; they will still grow bigger.”
So, they rode on their horses again. After a distance, they saw a dead man.
Totoon asked Bowaon to stop so they could bury the body. But Bowaon got angry,
“Are you out of your mind? If somebody sees us, he’ll think we killed him!”
“But we should show mercy. There is a way of finding the truth. Well, if you
won’t help me, then I will bury him myself. You may go onward if you please, I’ll
follow later,” decided Totoon.
Bowaon went ahead while Totoon dug a hold for the body. Then he carried
the dead and buried him. He prayed over it, then, went on his journey. Bowaon
could not bear to leave him so he returned for Totoon. They therefore set out
together again. Trotting along, they heard baby cries. They went towards the
direction of the sound. They found hungry baby eagles in a nest.
“Let’s stop for a while, and feed the eagles,” suggested Totoon. Then Bowaon
saw that Totoon was going to kill his horse.
“Are you foolish? When they grow up, they’ll prey on you. Let’s go on, we’re
already delayed,” Bowaon said.
“Don’t mind me. I pity these baby eagles. Anyway, no debt goes unpaid. Go
ahead, I’ll just follow.”

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 “If you go on with your silly ideas, I’ll not give you a ride,” threatened
Bowaon.
“Then, I’ll walk,” decided Totoon. “Even if I go slowly, I’ll still reach my
destination.”
After killing the horse, he fed the eagles. When they fell asleep, Totoon left.
Bowaon again had returned to give Totoon a ride. Far head, they sighted a palace.
“Let’s go,” suggested Bowaon. “Let’s ask for work.”
They knocked at the palace door. They were told to enter, but since it was
late, they were not granted an audience with the king. But they were given shelter
for the night in the palace. “You see,” taunted Bowaon, “if you did not delay our
trip, we should’ve been able to eat. You are the cause of all this.” They went to sleep
nevertheless since they were so tired from their journey.
After a while, Totoon heard his name being called.
“Rise Totoon and listen. In the morning, when the king calls you for a
breakfast, don’t eat at once. On the table you’ll see a pen and some cooking utensils.
Sit near the pen, and your future will be bright. Don’t be surprised. I am the dead
whom you buried. I came to pay the favor you showed me.”
Everything went silent and Totoon fell asleep again.
In the morning, the two friends were called for breakfast by the king. As he
was told the night before, he saw a pen and some cooking utensils on the table.
Bowaon sat down and just as soon, began eating. Totoon sat near the pen. After
their breakfast the king called them.
“You, Totoon, will become my secretary, while you, Bowaon, will become my
cook,” announced the king.
At first, Bowaon was glad with this work for it meant plenty of food. He
would not go hungry. But as the time went on, he began to envy Totoon for latter
was not fatigued much. He thought of smearing the name of his friend.
One day Bowaon went to the king to report that he heard Totoon say that
the latter would be able to find the ring the king lost within three days, and that the
reward will be marriage to the princess. Of course, the king got angry for words were
being put into his mouth. He had Totoon summoned to his hall. Totoon protested
the accusation but the angry king would not listen to him.
“Go, look for the ring then, and if you find it you will have the princess for a
reward, but if you fail you will lose your head,” announced the king.
Totoon did not say anything. He got a paddle and rode far out the sea. There,
he cried over his fate. Not long after, he heard a voice. It was a fish asking him why
he was crying.
Totoon unburdened his problem. After listening, the fish dove deep into the
sea. When it surfaced, many fishes came up with it, and each one with a ring on its

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 snout. Totoon looked among the rings but the king’s ring was not there. The fishes
dove again. When they came up, they were bringing the king’s ring. Totoon thanked
the fish.
“Don’t mention it,” said the fish. “Actually, we are only paying the favor you
showed us before when you threw us back into the reef.” Then they left.
The king rejoiced that the ring had been found. He held a banquet. Now,
Bowaon had plenty of work again. He did not like it. In the banquet, the king
announced the forthcoming marriage of Totoon and the princess. Bowaon was very,
very angry. There would be much work ahead. He thought of an evil plan to thwart
the wedding. But it did not succeed.
After the wedding, Bowaon went to the king. “Your majesty,” he said, “I
heard Totoon say that on the third day, the princess will give birth.”
The king got mad. He once more summoned Totoon. “Do you mean to say
that you had an affair with the princess even before you got married?” You
scoundrel! But since you’re already my child, I can’t do anything. However, do what
you’ve said – that the princess will give birth three days from now. If not, you’ll
surely lose your head.”
Totoon cried in despair. The princess comforted him by saying that she’d talk
with her father, but he couldn’t be assuaged.
After a while, an eagle came. “Don’t cry Totoon,” she began. “This time I’ll
help you in payment for the help you extended my children. Get a midwife and talk
to her. I’ll bring you a newly born child.” Then the eagle flew away.
When she came back, she had an infant, still dripping with blood. In the
bedroom, the midwife acted as if there really was a delivery. When the king awoke,
he heard the cries of an infant. He was amazed that the princess did give birth. He
forgot his anger. “It must be a miracle,” he muttered.
And so, everything went well, and everyone rejoiced except Bowaon. In
desperation over his foiled plans, he committed suicide.
________________________________________________________________
THE CRAB MOTHER
Once there was a couple who had an only child – a daughter. The father didn’t
want his wife any more. He wanted to get rid of her and look for another woman.
One day, the husband invited his wife to go to fishing with him. The mother didn’t
want to go but he insisted. Because she couldn’t say no, she prepared food and
placed it near the sleeping child. She had a feeling that if she went away, she wouldn’t
be able to come back anymore.
“If I wouldn’t be able to return,” said the mother to the sleeping child,
“remember to be good always. Beside you is your supper. Don’t worry, I’ll watch
over you all the time.” She kissed the child, bid her goodbye, and went with her
husband.

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 In the middle of the sea, the couple saw a school of fish. The wife took the
net and threw it into the sea. At about the same time, the husband pushed her into
the sea. The wife didn’t know how to swim, so she drowned easily.
When the father went home, the child asked for her mother. The father didn’t
bother to answer. The child was left alone. However, true to her word, the mother
took care of her. Whenever the child was asleep, she would come to visit her, to
clean her and prepare her food.
The father took another wife. Like most stepmothers, she was not kind to the
child. But the child remained obedient and loyal even if she was treated badly. She
wasn’t even cared for.
One day, the child dreamt that her mother told her to look for a crab at the
well where she fetched water. This crab was actually her mother. Whenever she had
problems, she was told to ask help from the crab.
The next day as she fetched water, she did find a crab by the well. She came
near it and started to cry. The crab soothed her, cleaned her and picked her lice.
When the child came home, the stepmother was surprised to find her immaculately
clean in a new dress. She found out that every time she came home from the well,
she was neat and clean.
One day, as she went to fetch water, her stepmother followed her. She saw
that the child was attended to by a crab. So, she planned to catch it next day. That
night, the child dreamt that if the crab was caught, she should not eat it. instead, she
should get a tip of the crab’s leg and plant it. When the plant grew, it would be the
source of living.
The next day, the crab was trapped. The stepmother cooked it and she and
her husband ate it. The child wasn’t able to eat it because she was asleep. When she
awoke, she remembered her dream. But when she went to the kitchen, nothing
remained of the crab. She looked at the dog feed. There she found a tip of the crab’s
leg. As she was told in her dream, she planted it in the yard. But this plant could not
grow, because it was always uprooted when the dog and the cat played.
When the night came, the child’s mother appeared to her. She was told that
at noon the following day, her parents would sleep. She should get the tip and bring
it to the third mountain where she should plant it.
Following the instruction, she went to the third mountain the next day. It was
already twilight when she came home so she was scolded. She just bore the anger of
her stepmother.
As time went by, the child grew up. She didn’t even have the decent clothes.
In her tattered clothes, she visited religiously the plant on the third mountain. The
tree also had grown. She loved to sit on its branches and listen to the beautiful
rustling of its leaves. It sounded like a lovely violin melody. Whenever she had
nothing to do at home, she would be up on the tree to pass her time away.
One day, the prince passed by the tree on the third mountain. He heard the
beautiful sound of the leaves. He alighted from his horse and climbed the tree.
Because of the fine music, he fell asleep there. When he woke up, he found, much
to his surprise, that he couldn’t budge an inch. All the companions he called out to,
could not help him down.
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 They told the kin about the fate that befell his son. The old king sent food to
his son and sent out an announcement that anyone who could bring the prince down
will get an unparalleled reward.
Almost everyone in the kingdom tried to help the prince, but to no avail. That
same day, the child went to visit her plant. She was amazed that so many people
were gathered around it. She also saw the prince up in the tree. She was surprised.
She climbed up the tree to the prince. Barely had she set her foot on the branch
when the prince stood up. The king was overjoyed.
“This lady who saved my son will become the princess of my palace,” the
king announced. He sent for royal robes for the child and brought her to the palace.
A lavish banquet was held during their wedding.
The child remembered her parents, sent for them, and took them to live with
her in the palace.
________________________________________________________________
CLEVER ROSA
Once upon a time, there was a widower by the name of Basilio. He had an
only daughter whose name was Rosa. She was an intelligent girl. One day, Rosa was
cutting grass in their front yard. The king who was taking a stroll, chanced upon her.
“Hello, Rosa, what are you doing?” casually asked the king.
“My lord, I’m giving life to the dead, and killing the living,” answered Rosa.
The king was piqued by what he considered was an insolent reply.
“That’s not the way to answer your king! I better teach you how. Unless you
bring me the milk of a bull you will be beaten in the town square, but if you do, you
will be forgiven.” The king went on his way.
Rosa couldn’t do anything. It was the king’s decision. Early the next morning,
the king looked out of his window to find Rosa running by.
“Rosa, did you come to bring what I commanded you to?” roared the king.
“My lord,” Rosa said in between quick breaths. “Don’t delay me with your
banter because I’m in a hurry.” And she started to run again.
“Rosa!” thundered the king. “I’m talking to you. Stop!”
“Forgive me because I’m in a hurry. I’m going to fetch a midwife because my
father is about to give birth.”
“What? Your father is having labor pains? You are lying.”
“Please let me go now or my father will die.” Rosa pleaded convincingly.
“Rosa, are you out of your mind? Wherever can you find a man giving birth
to a child?”
“If it will not offend you, my lord, I would also like to ask if a bull can give
milk.”
“Impossible, Rosa,” answered the king. And remembering that it was the task
he set her to do, added hurriedly, “Forget about it. You can go home now.”

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 Alone by himself, the king seethed in anger that a mere girl could outwit him.
He thought of marrying her in revenge. If she becomes his wife then he can get rid
of her easily. He had Basilio and Rosa summoned before him. There he asked Basilio
to give Rosa to him if he wanted both of them to be safe. Rosa, aware of the threat,
accepted the proposition. She had to save her father’s life more than anything else.
The wedding was performed. Right after the ceremony, the king told Rosa
that he would go away for three years. But when he came home after three years, he
would like to see Rosa with three children of their own. If this did not happen her
life was endangered. To give him advance information about whatever happened at
home, the king ordered that on the day of his arrival, the palace should be gaily
decorated if there were children. But if there was none, then the palace should be
draped in black. With these instructions, the king set sail.
Rosa thought hard of what to do. Then, after the king left, she ordered a boat
to take her to the places that her husband would go to.
In the first port of call of the king, Rosa, in disguise, met him. She was among
the many welcomers. She tried to attract the king who easily took interest in her. It
wasn’t long before she became pregnant. The king waited for her to give birth. It
was a baby boy. Rosa asked the king for any object that would identify the baby as
his son. The king gave his scepter and a bag of money for raising the child. They had
the child baptized Pedro.
The king then left for his second destination. Right after his departure, Rosa
left her child in the care of a nursemaid and prepared to leave for the king’s
destination. She was just on time to greet him as one of the welcomers at the port.
Rosa tried to seduce the king until she became pregnant again. The child was another
son whom she and the king named Felipe. The king left his royal band and a bag of
money for the care of his son.
When the king departed for his third journey, Rosa again left Felipe in the
care of a nursemaid, and followed her husband. As in the two previous places, Rosa
was at her best in attracting the king. On his part, the king began to be suspicious of
the girl. He found some similarities but he was sure that the same girl would not be
able to follow him wherever he went – because she had a child. But because the flesh
is weak, he trysted with Rosa till she bore a third child by him. This, they named
Juan. The king gave him his ring and a bag of money.
After three years, the king readied to set sail for home. Rosa, by then had also
packed up with her third child and retraced her journey to get the other two children.
The king went home by the long route, passing other places on the way, Rosa, took
the shorter route, therefore, got home ahead of him.
On the day of the king’s arrival, everything was astir in the palace. They were
busy decorating the place. From the kitchen came the aroma of delicious cooking.
The king’s ship had arrived. When Rosa heard the fanfare, she changed into
her best clothes and stationed herself at the door to meet the king.
Approaching the palace, the king saw that it was gaily decorated, which meant
that his wife had borne him three children. He got mad thinking of the unfaithfulness
of the wife he left. He was convinced that, indeed, Rosa was unchaste, for how could
she have babies when he didn’t even touch her?
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 Upon disembarking, he went straight to the palace, stormed through the
doorway, and shouted for Rosa. There was Rosa. Without any waning he slapped
her hard. She was sent reeling to the floor. When she came to, she found herself in
prison.
She was told that that very afternoon, she would be beheaded for her
unfaithfulness.
That afternoon, shrouded in black, Rosa was brought to the town square for
the execution. But before she was killed, Rosa asked to see her children for the last
time – in front of the king. So, the children were brought before her and the king.
“My lord,” cried Rosa, “if you’ll only listen to me, I never sullied your name.
I had never been unfaithful. Do you remember what you asked of me before you
left? Where would I get the children? Do you not recall that at your first destination,
you had a mistress? This is Pedro, your son, and this is the scepter plus the bag of
money you left him. In your second journey you also took a woman – this is Felipe,
the fruit of that relationship. Here are the band and the bag of money you gave him.
In the third place you went to, you had another child. Here is Juan who is not even
one year old. Here are the ring and the bag of money you left us. I am the mother
of all three. And you are their father.”
Surprised, the king couldn’t say and do anything. In front of everyone he
acknowledged the wrong he had done his wife. He set her free but took her back
again as his wife. From then on, he treated her with respect, and loved her because
he realized that the girl really had the sterling qualities of being witty and chaste.
________________________________________________________________
EXAMINE

Writing Activity 4:
Choose one of the aforementioned folktales and write an essay describing
how it reflects the Ninorte Samarnon identity and soul.

Specific Instructions:
Paper Size – A4
Margin – 1 inch on all sides
Font style – Arial
Font size – 12
Spacing – 1.5
Alignment – Justify/Justified
No. of Pages – 2-3 pages
Format – PDF

Module 1: Ninorte Samarnon Literatures (21st Century Literature from the Philippines & the World) Page 19