COR 011 – 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD

MODULE 11 - He was an Author, Scientist, Poet, Journalist, Novelist,

Situating and Explaining the Text in the Context of the Ophthalmologist, Visual Artist, Agriculturist.
Nation in the 21st Century - Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere played a crucial role in the
(Reading and Revolution) political history of the Philippines.

Now that we've learned about Noli Me Tangere, let's meet a

Dr. Jose Y. Dalisay makes the following observations to
Filipino author who describes the revolution.
describe today’s Philippine literature.
1. Today’s literature is derived from predominantly Western ways of
- She was born in Manila and lives in New York.
writing and is influenced by Western writers, but not necessarily
- Her first novel, Bibliolepsy, won the 1998 Philippine National
canonical writers;
Book Award for Fiction.
- The Revolution According to Raymundo Mata, her third
2. It deals with uniquely Filipino experiences, such as “OFWs and
novel is a comic historical novel about the Philippine war for
the Filipino diaspora, the war in the countryside, the alienation of
independence against Spain and America in 1896
the middle class, the Chinese and the Others among us, our
- The novel takes the form of a found memoir by a fictionalized
connections to the supernatural and to the afterlife, the tangled
revolutionary named Raymundo Mata.
web of our personal relationships, including sexuality, and
- In the excerpt of Gina Apostol’s novel The Revolution According
Artmaking itself as a subject.
to Raymundo Mata, the “revolutionary act of reading” is
explored through the eyes of a young man, a high school
3. Its forms of stores are no longer limited to realism, but have
student from the Ateneo.
“assumed the forms and mindsets of magic realism, metafiction,
minimalism, science fiction, parable, comic books, gothic horror,
Why did the Noli Me Tangere have such a big impression
and postmodern parody”;
on the narrator? Could you relate to the narrator’s experience of
reading?
4. When it comes to language, “our young writers today use English
unapologetically, refusing to be burdened by colonial guilt; quite
- The Noli Me Tangere have such a big impression on the
a number of them write bilingually. Indeed we are witnessing the
narrator because after she read the novel his philosophy, views
continuing de-Americanization of English, its appropriation by
and perspective in life change.
Filipino writers for Filipino subjects and purposes.”
- It has a big contribution to the Philippines' acquisition of
freedom, leading for the Filipinos to be what they are today.
REVOLUTIONARY LITERATURE
- exposes that sparked revolution and resistance in the hearts of
What does the line “Art is a reproach to those who receive
Filipinos.
it” mean? Should art be a reproach? Should we relate art to
society?
When was the revolutionary period in Philippine literature?
- Philippine Revolution, (1896–1898), Filipino independence
- "Art is a reproach to those who receive it", it means that the
struggle that exposed the weaknesses of Spanish
meaning of the artwork and the idea that it wants to portray
administration but failed to evict Spaniards from the islands
depends on how the views will look and interpret it.
after 333 years of Spanish colonial rule.
- When the Spaniards read Noli Me Tangere, they perceived it as
Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
an attempt to contradict the government that they had
- Noli Me Tangere is the first novel written by Filipino patriot and
established in the country.
national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal in 1887 and published in
Germany. The story line goes detailed with the society of the
- However, it became a reproach to the Filipinos as they realized
Philippines during Spanish colonial period and features
what they had failed to do to free their country, leading to
aristocracy behind poverty and abuse of colonialists.
revolution.
- Rizal described the Spaniards as a disgrace which provided
When the narrator says that the act of reading was a
more hardpships to the life of the Filipinos.
historic act, what did he mean? Do you think this is true even
today?
- When Rizal wrote the Noli Me Tangere, the concept and dream
- The narrator means that the event happened in the novel
of the Philippine nation was born.
was a substantial part or our history and it is true even today
because it states the fact an incident happened, and it
Life & Works of Rizal
provides a gate way to see what they’ve experience in that
- His real-full name is Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso
era.
Realonda.
- He was born on July 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna and died
- Specifically, in the Philippines, READING became a historic
on December 30, 1896 at the age of 35.
act. With the act of reading Noli Me Tangere, it inspired them
to fight and free the country.

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COR 011 – 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD
- By reading, people created history.
What about now?
- Many think that the key to a true revolution in education lies
in TECHNOLOGY, but technology itself does not change the
quality of instruction and may in fact diminish it.
- The more basic and useful issue relevant to the reading
program problem today has to do with ways in which the
reading and language skills can be expanded and integrated
into broader and more significant contexts.
- As the 21st century began, history remained the most
important consideration of modern today's literature.
MODULE 12
Situating and Explaining the Text in the Context of the
Nation in the 21st Century
(The Death of a Hero)
Dr. Jose P. Rizal
Complete Name of Rizal:
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
Nickname: "PEPE", "JOSE"
Rizal Birthday: June 19, 1861
Hometown: Calamba, Laguna
Pen Names: LAONG LAAN, DIMASALANG
- He was a polyglot. He was fluent in 22 languages: Hebrew,
Filipino, Ilokano, Bisayan, Subanon, Chinese, Latin, Spanish,
Greek, English, French, German, Arabic, Malay, Sanskrit,
Dutch, Japanese, Catalan, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish and
Russian.
- He was also a polymath, "a man of many professions". He was
an ophthalmologist, farmer, historian, painter, journalist,
playwright, novelist, engineer, and educator. He also had
varying degrees of expertise in economics, ethnology,
sociology, anthropology, architecture, cartography, martial arts,
dramatics, fencing, and pistol shooting.
- Makata at Nobelista ng Propaganda
Is Dr. Jose Rizal a National Hero?
- Jose Rizal is not the Philippines’ national hero.
- According to the National Commission for Culture and the
Arts, there has been no official proclamation of any Filipino
historical figure as our national hero. The NCCA states,
“Even Jose Rizal, considered the greatest among the
Filipino heroes, was not explicitly proclaimed as a national
hero.
- The position he now holds in Philippine history is a tribute to
the continued veneration or acclamation of the people in
recognition of his contribution to the significant social
transformation that took place in our country.”
What do you think is the importance of Rizal’s legacy in
today’s culture?
Read PADRE FAURA WITNESS THE EXECUTION OF
RIZAL BY DANTON REMOTO…
PADRE FAURA
- Jesuit priest Federico Faura, aka Padre Faura
- Padre Faura was a priest and a meteorologist.
- He was the director of the Observatorio Meteorológico del
Ateneo Municipal de Manila, now known as the Manila
Observatory.
- He is considered to be one of the 19th century's great
scientists and a founding father of cyclonic meteorology.
DANTON REMOTO
- A Filipino writer, essayist, reporter, editor, columnist, and
professor.
- He was born on March 25, 1963.
- He was a first prize recipient at the ASEAN Letter-Writing
Contest for Young People.
- Author of PADRE FAURA WITNESS THE EXECUTION OF
RIZAL
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1. WHO IS PEPE?
- Pepe is the Philippine National Hero, Jose Protacio Mercado
Rizal y Alonso Realonda or commonly known as Jose Rizal.
During the Spanish era in the Philippines, children named
Jose is given a nickname Pepe.
2. WHY DOES PEPE ASK THE PERSONA ABOUT
PURGATORY?
- Rizal has been in battle against the Spaniards through his
writings. Being consciously aware that his name is under
fire, there is an immense knowing that his execution might
be coming.
- When we speak about purgatory in Roman Catholic
Doctrine, it is where the souls enter after death for cleansing
and purifying of sins before transcending to heaven.
- Rizal might have been thinking about his forthcoming death
and is mentally preparing himself if he is about to go to
purgatory. What is it like? or maybe, does it even exist.
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3. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PERSONA FELT FOR RIZAL?
- Sadness and regrets (panghihinayang)
4. WHY WAS RIZAL EXECUTED? HOW IS THIS SIMILAR TO
THE IDEA OF A STAR? RELATE THIS TO PHILIPPINE
HISTORY.
- Dr. Jose Rizal was executed because of his novels that talk
about the injustices and brutalities suffered by the Filipinos
to the hands of Spaniards.
- He hardly criticized and exposed the problematic life under
the Spanish Government.
- He also became the leader of the reform movement of
Filipinos in Spain. It is similar to a star because his works
remain as part and have a great contribution in the Philippine
history and this will remain and remembered through
generations.
What do you think is the importance of Rizal’s legacy in
today’s culture?
- The greatest contribution of Dr. Jose Rizal to the Philippine
society is his words, sayings, thoughts and his published
works.
- The Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo have a big
contribution because of this our sleeping minds wake up and
we became aware to what happened in our own country and
this lead us to right for our freedom.
- The works of Rizal also help the Philippine History.
“Pen is mightier than the sword” and “Quiet fighter is better
than a noisy fighter”
MODULE 14
Situating and Explaining the Text in the Context of the
Nation in the 21st Century (Poverty)
READING
Written Close Analysis of
Lengua Para Diablo (The Devil Ate My Words)
I. View
Lengua Para Diablo is an excerpt from the book “Banana Heart
Summer.” Banana Heart Summer is written by Merinda Bobis.
Merlinda Bobis is an acclaimed Filipino-Australian writer and performer
who has published in three languages. Her novels, short story and
poetry collections, and plays have received various awards.
Lengua Para Diablo means “The Devil Ate My Words.” “Lengua
is a Spanish word meaning “tounge,” which in the story, symbolizes
the words eaten by the devil.
Lengua (Beef tongue) is also a dish made of cow’s tongue.
Lengua is often seasoned with onion and other spices, and then placed
in a pot to boil.
II. Condense (Summary)
The story started when a daughter suspected that her father sold
his tongue to the devil. Her father did not speak much in their house.
Her father said that “the devil ate his words” which means he forgot
what he was about to say; that statement appeases his wife. Her father
lost his job, so he needed to conciliate more. Her mother was always
complaining about their hard situation, so her father kept on promising
that he would buy them the things that would make them comfortable.
The devil that ate his words was her father’s employer, who is a
Spanish mestizo that owned several stores in the city. The employer
fired her father who is a mason after he found a cheaper deal for the
extension of his house. Her father didn’t say any word about his job to
placate his family; the devil really ate his words.
Her daughter was wondering what the devil did to her father’s
tongue. She was thinking that her father’s tongue was cooked in
mushroom sauce in the special Spanish way. She also imagined that
her father’s tongue was served on the devil’s platter with spices that
gives an aroma of something rich and foreign. She thought that her
father’s tongue was luxuriating in a multitude of essences, so she said
that maybe he should also sell his esophagus and his stomach for him
to be pampered. She also imagined being cooked and put inside the
stomach of a rich man where she could know the feeling of too much
affluence.
III. Culture Reflected
A culture that can be reflected from the text is the way of living of
Filipino Families. Here in the Philippines, some families depend more
on fathers than the mothers. Fathers provide more for their families’
needs and wants. In the story, the mother was always complaining, not
knowing that her husband had lost his job. The problems that can be
seen in the story are loss of jobs, poverty, and unequal effort of parents
which are the most common family problems here in our country.
The Lengua (Beef tongue) dish was introduced in the story. It was
described as a delectable food served with different spices that gives
off a rich and foreign aroma. That dish is often cooked and eaten by
Filipinos. The colonization of Spain here in the Philippines is probably
the reason why it became known to us Filipinos.
IV. Literary Technique
The use of figurative language is the first technique that the
author used. One example is when she represented tongue as “words”
which is a metaphor. The tongue was also made a food that is eaten
by the devil to better convey the message that the devil gets to
experience much satisfaction in his life because the food is described
as pampering. Another example is when the father’s employer is
represented as a devil. Figurative language is used to better
communicate with the readers because some ideas are too
complicated. Figurative language also cause enjoyment on the reader
and author.
Another technique that the author used is the inclusion of
descriptive words especially in describing food. The author stated the
steps in cooking; she also included the ingredients of the food. The
descriptive words enable the readers to know the appearance, smell,
texture, taste, etc. which is an effective technique because they will be
able to easily imagine the things that are being described.
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V. Deep
The interpretation of the text became hard at first for me. I did not
understand why the tongue is cooked and served. But later on, I
realized that the daughter wants to deliver a message. She was always
imagining food; she thought that a body part experiences satisfaction
because of the exotic ingredients added to it. She thought that it was
better to sell other body parts as well so that they could experience
things that they were not experiencing. For me, I think the reason why
she stated those things is because they are not affluent; she says that
selling body parts will make them inducted to secrets, thus
experiencing what the wealthy are experiencing.
The author only wanted to deliver the message that there are
problems today that Filipinos are still facing. Some families are still
struggling in life. The excerpt successfully delivered its message about
the situation of families here in our country. The text is interesting; the
author’s techniques caused me to be engaged while reading. I
recommend this text to be read by teen students because it would help
them improve their reading comprehension and make them aware of
some problems in our society. Being aware of our different problems
at an early age would be a great help because it will prepare us to
avoid or face those problems.
https://sensationalstudentguide.wordpress.com/2017/11/08/lengua-para-diablo-analysis/
WRITING
Elements of a Story
1. Setting
- Where and when is the story set? Setting represents both
the physical location but also the time (i.e. past, present,
future) and the social and cultural conditions in which the
characters exist.
2. Character
- A person or animal or really anything personified. There can
be one main character or many, and often there are
secondary characters, but not always.
3. Plot
- Plot The events that happen in a story are called the plot. In
a plot you typically find an introduction, rising action, a
climax, the falling action, and a resolution. Plot is often
represented as an arc.
4. Conflict
- Every story must have a conflict, ie a challenge or problem
around which the plot is based. Without conflict, the story will
have no purpose or trajectory.
5. Theme
- Idea, belief, moral, lesson or insight. It's the central argument
that the author is trying to make the reader understand. The
theme is the "why" of the story
6. Point-of-view
- "Who is telling the story? First person (1) or third person
("he/she/t). Limited (one character's perspective), multiple
(many characters' perspectives) or omniscient (all knowing
narrator). Second person ("you") is not often used for writing
stories.
7. Tone
- The overall emotional "tone" or meaning of the story. Is it
happy, funny, sad, and depressed? Tone can be portrayed
in multiple ways, through word and grammar choices, choice
of theme, imagery and description, symbolism, and the
sounds of the words in combination (ie, rhyme, rhythm, and
musicality)
MODULE 16
Situating and Explaining the Text in the Context of the
Nation in the 21st Century (Justice)
READING
Justice by Ralph Semino Galán
(Summary)
Justice is supposed to have no biases and measures the
evidence regardless if it is pro or against. It is this evidence that will
eliminate all lies and find out if the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
However, in the Philippines, it is the opposite. It’s similar to a game of
cards where money is involved and even the Chief Magistrate is not
immune to the faults of the system.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1. Why are symbols important in a poem?
- The symbol is important in the poem because it helps us to
comprehend deeply and it also widens our understanding.
Some of the symbols means like the “Golden pair of scale”
for example, it serves as the emblem of evaluating and
weighing the testimony with equality for both parties.
Another example is the “Double-edged sword” that serve as
the warrior who strike or breaks the wall of lies to show the
truth. These symbols are only the branches or part of the
whole which is the symbol of justice or The Lady Justitia.
These symbols add to the meaning of the poem by capturing
and enhancing the implied message that the author wants to
convey to the readers.
2. Why are symbols important in the life of a nation?
- The symbols are important to the life of the nation because
it serve as the representation of who they are or the
characterization of what kind of nation is it. Through
symbols, people will have an idea or knowledge and we will
easily know and identify what kind of nation is them.
3. Why does the poem describe the Philippines as “my
uncertain country”?
- It describes the Philippines as “my uncertain country”
because you will not know what will occur or happen next in
the decision or judgement of the adjudicator because justice
in the Philippines is easy to manipulate so it is hard to trust
them.
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4. What does the simile, “right and wrong can be shuffled like reader imagines things. Personification is often used in poetry,
cards” mean when it comes to politics, politicians, the fiction, and children's rhymes.
police, and the justice system?
- This simply means that everything in the life of a politician • Hyperbole is an outrageous exaggeration that emphasizes a
and politics is subject to uncertainty and relativity. Cards are point. It tends toward the nidiculous or the funny. Hyperbole adds
commonly used in casino gambling. The cards are shuffled color and depth to a character
and distributed to the gamer by the gamblers. Every gamer's
chance of winning is uncertain, relative, and distributed. In • Symbolism occurs when a word has its own meaning but is used
essence, they are all losers as a result of their own vices. to represent something entirely different.
Politics, like gambling, is a dirty game.
- Politicians, like gamblers, are playing a dirty game. And, in
order to win the game, gamblers frequently deceive their
opponent. This holds true in politics as well. They simply
"shuffle" the right from the wrong. And once a politician is in
power, he can reshuffle everything that looks good in his
eyes. And because they see justice as a relative, trivial
matter, they do not believe in absolute justice.

5. Of all the objects that Justice owns, which one do you think
is the most important, why?
- I think the most important is the blindfold that symbolizes
impartiality. We all have different race, religion, age or
gender, whether we are poor or rich, young or old, we are all
the same because we are human being and that’s the
reason why justice should treat us all fairly and equally.

6. Why is money mentioned in the poem?

- I think the money was mentioned in the poem because it
plays a big role in the field of justice. It can manipulate a
certain testimony that can destroy the victim’s life or much
more an innocent life.

7. Why does Justitia look like she is fading in the painting?

- Justitia looks like she is fading in the painting because as we
can see in the justice system today, fairness and equality
disappear, the lies become the truth and the treatment
towards everyone are different in short Justice is just merely
a word. Nothing more. Nothing less.

WRITING
Figurative Language
- refers to the color we use to amplify our writing
- It takes an ordinary statement and dresses it up in an
evocative frock.
- It gently alludes to something without directly stating it.

Common Examples of Figurative Language

• When you use a metaphor, you make a statement that doesn't
literally make sense. For example, "Time is a thief." Time is not
actually stealing from you but this conveys the idea that hours or
days sometimes seem to slip by without you noticing.

• A simile also compares two things. However, similes use the

words "like" or "as."

• Personification gives human characteristics to inanimate

objects, animals, or ideas. This can really affect the way the