POETRY

 writing that uses words chosen and organized for their

meaning, tone, and rhythm to elicit a focused imaginative
awareness of experience or a particular emotional reaction.

Example:

Can We Touch Your Hair?

By Skye Jackson

at the parades, everyone

wants to touch my hair.

on the corner
of st charles and marengo,

i am cold & smashed & puffy AF

when two white women
try to convince me
that they love my hair

no they really really do

they say because it is so
black and thick and curly
and soaking up all of the
water in the damp air.

the mousy one says

through an alabama drawl:
gawd, you can do so much with it

and her blonde friend says:

ya can’t do a damn thing with mine,
won’t even hold a curl.

she runs away to grab another friend

and says to her: stacey, isn’t it even
prettier than macy gray’s?
we just love her,
don’t we?

they circle me and ask:

can we touch your hair?

and then, suddenly,

just like my ancestors long ago,
i am pulled apart

soft
by pale hands
from all directions.

Comprehension Questions:

 Is the girl’s hair curly or straight?

 What did the character mean when she said “i am cold & smashed & puffy
AF”?
 What do you think was the character’s race?
 Personally, do you prefer having curly, or straight hair?
 How do you think the girl felt when strangers touched her hair?
 PICTURE BOOKS
 With or without text, picture books employ visuals to tell
stories that enthrall and captivate young readers. The task of
making a picture book "work" falls on both the author and the
illustrator in picture books containing text.

Example

The Cat In The Hat

Comprehension Questions:

 The title "Cat in a hat" is an example of what figure of speech?

 What were the names of the children who were left at home alone?
 What do you think the children's mother would've felt is she found out a
strange cat went into their house?
 If you were one of the children who were left at home, what other things
would you prefer to do?
 Do you think the children liked the presence of the cat in a hat?
 TRADITIONAL LITERATURE
 Folktales, myths, fables, and legends are all included in the
category of "traditional literature," which comprises novels
that are based on oral traditions -- tales that have been handed
down for years-- and are thus often disseminated over the world.

Example:

The Monkey and the Turtle

Filipino folktale

A monkey, looking very sad and dejected, was walking along the bank of the river
one day when he met a turtle.

“How are you?” asked the turtle, noticing that he looked sad.

The monkey replied, “Oh, my friend, I am very hungry. The squash of Mr. Farmer
were all taken by the other monkeys, and now I am about to die from want of food.”

“Do not be discouraged,” said the turtle; “take a bolo and follow me and we will
steal some banana plants.”

So they walked along together until they found some nice plants which they dug up,
and then they looked for a place to set them. Finally the monkey climbed a tree and
planted his in it, but as the turtle could not climb he dug a hole in the ground and set
his there.

When their work was finished they went away, planning what they should do with
their crop. The monkey said:

“When my tree bears fruit, I shall sell it and have a great deal of money.”

And the turtle said: “When my tree bears fruit, I shall sell it and buy three varas of
cloth to wear in place of this cracked shell.”
A few weeks later they went back to the place to see their plants and found that that
of the monkey was dead, for its roots had had no soil in the tree, but that of the turtle
was tall and bearing fruit.

“I will climb to the top so that we can get the fruit,” said the monkey. And he sprang
up the tree, leaving the poor turtle on the ground alone.

“Please give me some to eat,” called the turtle, but the monkey threw him only a
green one and ate all the ripe ones himself.

When he had eaten all the good bananas, the monkey stretched his arms around the
tree and went to sleep. The turtle, seeing this, was very angry and considered how
he might punish the thief. Having decided on a scheme, he gathered some sharp
bamboo which he stuck all around under the tree, and then he exclaimed:

“Crocodile is coming! Crocodile is coming!”

The monkey was so startled at the cry that he fell upon the sharp bamboo and was
killed.

Then the turtle cut the dead monkey into pieces, put salt on it, and dried it in the sun.
The next day, he went to the mountains and sold his meat to other monkeys who
gladly gave him squash in return. As he was leaving them he called back:

“Lazy fellows, you are now eating your own body; you are now eating your own
body.”

Then the monkeys ran and caught him and carried him to their own home.

“Let us take a hatchet,” said one old monkey, “and cut him into very small pieces.”

But the turtle laughed and said: “That is just what I like, I have been struck with a
hatchet many times. Do you not see the black scars on my shell?”

Then one of the other monkeys said: “Let us throw him into the water,”

At this the turtle cried and begged them to spare his life, but they paid no heed to his
pleadings and threw him into the water. He sank to the bottom, but very soon came
up with a lobster. The monkeys were greatly surprised at this and begged him to tell
them how to catch lobsters.
“I tied one end of a string around my waist,” said the turtle. “To the other end of the
string I tied a stone so that I would sink.”

The monkeys immediately tied strings around themselves as the turtle said, and
when all was ready they plunged into the water never to come up again.

And to this day monkeys do not like to eat meat, because they remember the ancient
story.

Comprehension Questions:

 What is a "bolo"?
 Why was the monkey sad when the turtle met him?
 What characteristics did the monkeys portray?
 If you were the monkey, what could you have done to not anger the turtle?
 What do you think was the moral of the story?
 MODERN FABLES
 a brief, straightforward tale designed to impart a moral lesson,
frequently including talking animals that exhibit both human
and animal traits. The fables of Aesop are well known to many
people because they have permeated popular culture
throughout the years since they were first penned.

Example:

The Boy who cried Wolf

There once was a shepherd boy who was bored as he sat on the hillside watching
the village sheep. To amuse himself he took a great breath and sang out, "Wolf!
Wolf! The Wolf is chasing the sheep!"

The villagers came running up the hill to help the boy drive the wolf away. But
when they arrived at the top of the hill, they found no wolf. The boy laughed at the
sight of their angry faces.

"Don't cry 'wolf', shepherd boy," said the villagers, "when there's no wolf!" They
went grumbling back down the hill.

Later, the boy sang out again, "Wolf! Wolf! The wolf is chasing the sheep!" To his
naughty delight, he watched the villagers run up the hill to help him drive the wolf
away.

When the villagers saw no wolf they sternly said, "Save your frightened song for
when there is really something wrong! Don't cry 'wolf' when there is NO wolf!"

But the boy just grinned and watched them go grumbling down the hill once more.

Later, he saw a REAL wolf prowling about his flock. Alarmed, he leaped to his
feet and sang out as loudly as he could, "Wolf! Wolf!"

But the villagers thought he was trying to fool them again, and so they didn't come.
At sunset, everyone wondered why the shepherd boy hadn't returned to the village
with their sheep. They went up the hill to find the boy. They found him weeping.

"There really was a wolf here! The flock has scattered! I cried out, "Wolf!" Why
didn't you come?"

An old man tried to comfort the boy as they walked back to the village.

"We'll help you look for the lost sheep in the morning," he said, putting his arm
around the youth, "Nobody believes a liar...even when he is telling the truth!"

Comprehension Questions:

 What words did the boy cry out?

 What type of animal did the boy look after?
 How do think the boy felt when nobody showed up on his last call?
 If you were the boy, who you have done the same?
 What characteristics were uncommendable in the story?
 MODERN FANTASY

 Story elements that violate the natural, physical laws of our

known world—events akin to magic" are a common feature of
contemporary fantasy. Known authors of contemporary fantasy
exist. Talking animals, fantastical settings, colorful people,
magical entities, and other amazing features can be found in
contemporary fantasy.

Example:

Hunted

Rain hammered the slatted wooden roof, making the most terrible racket.
The well-sewn thatch seemed to keep out most of the downpour, although some
drips crept into the dark corners of the hut.
Outside, through the doorless timber frame, rain could be seen splattering against
the muddy ground in the patches of moonlight that broke through the thick clouds
above. An ever-growing pool of water lay just beyond the building’s threshold,
inching closer moment by moment. Crates and barrels were stacked high against
the walls, with little room for anything else, or anyone. In what space there was,
hid Driev; crouched down and rooted to the spot. He dare not move, he dare not
make a sound. Despite the rain lashing down outside, he feared that any noise or
movement would alert his hunters. The beasts were vicious and highly-skilled
predators. If he was caught, he’d be torn apart and feasted upon. Their thick coats
protected them from the harsh weather, and their carnivorous mindset meant that,
despite the conditions, Driev knew they’d still be out there, in the forest, seeking
him out. The vast wilderness that spread out all around him seemed to be almost
swarming with them. His only hope was to sneak through and make it to the
mountains, where they wouldn’t chase him.
He should move, he should go now under the cover of darkness and rain, the
hunters had weak eyes after all. But he was terrified. Up in this little hut, atop a
lone hill, he was vulnerable, and he knew it, but what if got lost out in the forest?
What if he was seen? He could feel the fear rising within him, and desperately tried
to bring his senses down to a calmer state. A blind panic was the last thing he
needed. The hunters were smart, so he had to be smarter. Creeping forward, the
soaking wet ground sloping beneath him, Driev peered out into the night. Visibility
was dire, he could only see the ground encompassing the peak of the hilltop and a
few branches of trees that were perched on its slopes. But if he couldn’t see, then
neither could they. Clinging as close as he could to the wall, he snuck around the
doorframe and out into the night.
Immediately, he was battered by the cold, brutal rain. He was already
drenched, having been fleeing through the forest for much of the night, but it made
the lashing of water no less pleasant. He dove off, down the slopes and into the
woods. So dark was it that most of his movement was lead by touch alone. He
reached out to feel for tree trunks, moving carefully as not to collide with bushes or
low-lying shrubbery, nor crunch twigs or nuts laying on the forest floor. Driev
carried on through the wilderness, slowly, as the unrelenting downpour showed no
sign of reprieve. He could feel a weakness building, he was desperate to rest. He’d
been hunted since dusk, and with dawn only a few hours away, had been moving
non-stop for far too long. The gnawing feeling of hunger didn’t make things easier.
But he had to ignore the hunger, ignore the weakness. Fight his urge to falter and
trick it into thinking he was strong. He didn’t have the energy to waste on such
trivialities as worry. Every move through this pitch black forest could be taking
him closer to his hunters. The predators could be around any corner, any tree trunk,
waiting to strike. His eyes were darting in all directions, seeking out any tiny piece
of light he could find.
The darkness felt so close, so tight.
There was a constant feeling that something was behind him. About to
reach and grab, pulling him down into the abyss. Occasionally he would give in to
the paranoia, only to spin around to more darkness. He wanted to just run. To
sprint and hide. But to give into the feeling would just make more noise; an easier
target. In this nightmare, with all his senses on edge, he had to fight that feeling of
adrenaline, to avoid his instinct to tear through the trees and escape as fast as
possible. The occasional patch of dim moonlight breaking its way through both
trees and cloud felt like sanctuary. He could at least escape the total darkness, and
gain what he felt was some sort of control. Any sound — a rustle of leaves, a
heavy drop of water hitting a leaf the wrong way — would cause him to jump,
move forward faster or catch his breath. Driev wanted nothing more than to be out
and away from here; to feel safe again. Safety though, was a long way off. Dawn
would bring new challenges. Yes, he would be able to see better, and keep a
lookout for his hunters instead of hoping they weren’t mere steps away, but they’d
also be able to see him better. He’d have to move much more carefully through the
trees. He couldn’t just make slow and steady progress like he was now. Not that
he’d be able to move much faster, even if he wanted.
The cold of the night was wrapping around his core, making his
movements sluggish. As time went by, and nothing leapt out of the darkness to
finish him off, Driev started to feel hopeful. He might make it out after all. Then,
up ahead, he saw something. The only thing he could possibly see in all this
darkness: light. It wasn’t moonlight though, nor the sun creeping its way over the
horizon. The light was small, flickered and clung close to the ground. A fire. At
this point, anything could be there. Driev had no idea who started the fire, or if
they were still there. He approached, ducking between the trees, careful not to be
caught in the light of the fire.
Soon, he came to the edge of the forest, reaching a clearing. Surrounded
by the wilderness was what appeared to be a burial site. Wrought-iron fence, some
10 feet high, topped with jagged spikes, encased a small selection of dirt graves,
marked by stone tablets and the occasional assortment of — now drowned —
flowers. A large pair of gates, chained shut but ajar, were set along the fences’
edge closest to Driev’s hiding spot. Within the burial site stood four wooden poles,
half as high as the fence, topped with a large sheet tied to each one of them at the
corner. Beneath the shelter was the fire, burning away, protected from the
onslaught of rain. And, beside that, Driev could make out the shape of a lone
hunter. The beast, keeping warm by the fireside, appeared to be fast asleep. Laying
down, covered in its thick coat, it was hard to make out their size and shape, but
Driev could tell it was a hunter. Dug into the ground beside it was a hand-craft
metallic weapon; its two razor-sharp edges shimmering in the light of the fire. The
tell-tale sign of a hunter. Rearing up on his hind legs, gripping the soggy bark of
the tree in front of him with his sharp, scaled claws, Driev tried to get a better look
at the vicious predator now sleeping so peacefully by the fire. They appeared to be
male, adult, with a face covered in dark patches of fur. It was rare for a Lokar to
get a good look at one of these hunters for so long. Most contact involved either
death or fleeing from it. Slowly padding down, silently, onto all fours, Driev faced
a choice. He could slip on by and into the mountains beyond, their dry, rocky
peaks now becoming visible as dawn fast approached, or he could take advantage
of this opportunity.
A sleeping hunter, right before him.
He could become the hunter, he had the potential to save many Lokar from a
fate he nearly met that night. It was not in the nature of his kind to be violent, but it
was not often you found a vulnerable predator such as this. A sharp wind whipped
around the trees, rattling the chains of the gate. It startled the sleeping creature, but
it soon fell back into their deep stupor. For Driev, this was the decider. If those
large, metal chains didn’t wake the beast, his gentle webbed footsteps wouldn’t
either. Skulking out from the trees, he edged his way forward, step by step,
keeping low to the ground. His body, slippery from the torrential rain that
continued its assault on the wilderness, he carefully dragged the gate open as far as
the chains would allow before sliding his slender form between the gap.
He was in a cage now. Trapped with his fiercest predator. Softly, he
approached the crackling fire until he hung over his prey. Gazing at the weapon
momentarily, a weapon he’d seen cut down many a Lokar in the past, he
considered trying to lift it, but thought better of it. He did not know how to wield
it, nor if he could even lift its presumably mighty weight. Beside the beast, Driev
looked small, it was longer than him by around two feet. A grunt from the creature
had him stumble backwards with a jolt of fear. He couldn’t wait, he had to do it
now. The cold air was slowing his body down. He wouldn’t be able to escape or
fight back if they woke. Back up beside the hunter, he gripped his claws tightly
together, so the points of his talons created a sharp trio of what he hoped would be
a fearsome weapon. If he could crush the shell of the toughest beetle, surely this
would work?
As quickly as he could, Driev raised up on his back legs, claw high, then
slammed down towards the ground, driving his talons into the beast’s exposed
neck. With a squirt of blood and a desperate attempt to inhale through its now
carved up throat, the hunter lurched up. In a flight of terror, it tried helplessly to
breathe through the hole in his neck, as Driev withdrew quickly, slinking back out
the burial site before the creature could react to him. He watched, from behind the
gate, as the hunter grasped at his wound, blood coating his hands and chest, trying
to drag in deep, dry breaths to no effect. Within moments, it crumpled into a heap,
still and lifeless.
 Elated by a sense of accomplishment, Driev once again made for the
mountains beyond the forest, making quicker progress in the light of dawn; his
new-found confidence allowing him to move more recklessly than he perhaps
should. The fish had just slain the shark, and he couldn’t wait to let the others
know. It was unheard of, for a monster such as the hunter to be struck down by one
of his kind. In their history, he’d never heard of anything like it. But then, he
thought, the hunters were ruthless and relentless, now.
Had he just shown them the Lokar were something to be feared and left
alone, or a threat that needed to be taken care of? Fear unlike anything he’d ever
experienced, not even while being hunted down in the dead of night for his own
meat, gripped him. Would the beasts see that it was their own acts that led to such
violence, or would they see it as an act of war? New and previously unseen
aggression. The prospect of their wrath was without equal. Their weapons, tools,
intellect and numbers made them an impossible foe to match. As Driev finally
reached the safety of the warm mountains and sanctuary he had craved all night,
his heart was heavier than ever. Should he tell the others? And if so, should he be
bragging of his conquest, or warning them of impending catastrophe?

Comprehension Questions

 What words did Driev use to describe the beast?

 How did Driev kill the beast?
 Why do you think Driev killed the beast?
 Would you have done the same if you were drieve?
 What dillema did Driev experience after killing the beast?
 REALISTIC FICTION

 Realistic fiction depicts our society and world through fictitious

characters and situations. It is about growing up and dealing
with personal and social issues. Characters in this genre learn to
understand themselves and others.

Example

Fat
by Raymond Carver

A woman has coffee and cigarettes with her friend Rita, and tells her a story
about a customer she waited on at the diner late on Wednesday.
It’s slow and Herb seats a fat man in her section. He’s neat and dressed well, but
he’s the fattest person she’s ever seen. His fingers stand out in particular; they’re
three times the size of a normal person’s. She also has three other tables to wait on.
Leander, the bus boy, pours his water and she gives him time with the menu. She
takes his order. He refers to himself as “we” and occasionally makes a little puffing
sound. He orders salad, soup, extra bread & butter, pork chops and baked potato with
sour cream. He’ll see about dessert later.
She gives the order to the cook, Rudy, who makes a face. Another waitress,
Margot, asks about her fat customer.
She makes the big salad at his table while he watches and butters his bread. She
knocks over the water glass and apologizes; he doesn’t mind. She returns after
Leander wipes up the spill with the salad and the man’s bread is all gone. She brings
him more bread and the big salad is gone. He compliments the food.
Not remembering him from before (Rita says you couldn’t forget), she finds out he’s
from Denver. She tends to another table and then returns with his soup just as he’s
finishing the bread. The fat man says he doesn’t always eat like this. The waitress
brushes it off; she likes seeing a man enjoy himself. He guesses it’s enjoyment.
Leander comments on the man’s fatness. The waitress says he can’t help it.
She brings more bread and butter and takes away the empty soup bowl. They
comment on the heat. He says he’ll take his coat off, but doesn’t. When she brings
the pork chops, baked potato and more bread & butter, he’s the only customer left.
She tops the potato generously and lingers a moment before leaving. Harriet refers
to him as “tub-of-guts” and jokes about how much he’s eating.
For dessert, the fat man orders the pudding cake special and a dish of ice cream.
Rudy, having heard from Harriet, asks about the fat man from the circus. She tries
to defend him again. Joanne and Rudy joke about Rudy getting jealous.
She brings the desserts. He says he hasn’t always eaten like this. The waitress says
she eats a lot but can’t gain weight. He comments on having no choice.
The story’s getting interesting and Rita asks what happened next. That was it. He ate
his desserts and left.
The waitress and Rudy go home. Rudy comments on the man’s fatness and
watches TV. She gets a shower and thinks about having a child who ends up that
fat. She brings a tray of tea to Rudy. He remembers two fat kids he used to know,
whom everyone called Fat and Wobbly. He wishes he had their pictures. She can’t
think of anything to say.
They drink the tea and she goes to bed, with Rudy right behind. She moves over to
the edge. Rudy starts right away, getting on top of her. She’s not into it, and she
suddenly feels fat. Rudy seems tiny.
Rita says the story is funny. The narrator is depressed but doesn’t want to explain;
she’s already said too much. Rita pokes her hair, as if she’s waiting. The narrator
wonders what she’s waiting for. It’s August and she feels her life is going to
change.

Comprehension Questions

o How did Rita describe the man who entered the cafe?
o What was Rita’s work?
o How did you think the man felt?
o If you were Rita, what would you have done differently?
o What was the moral of the story?
 NON-FICTION
 "Nonfiction" refers to literature based in fact. It is the broadest
category of literature.

Example

Sex Education
By Johanna Joy Meilane M. Cadimas

Sex education is a topic widely known, but not vastly practiced. It is an important
subject that needs to be given more attention in the Philippines. With the rising
number of teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual abuse
cases, it is important that young people are well-informed about sexual health and
relationships. Sex Education provides us with the knowledge and skills to make
informed decisions about their sexual health and well-being.
Friends, I have seen the effectiveness of Sex Education, because, as early as 5th
grade, my parents had taught me how my reproductive organs work, how the
opposite sex's reproductive organs work, and that has led me to become more
educated and aware about my body.

But unfortunately, Sex Education is still a taboo subject in the Philippines, and
many schools and parents are hesitant to discuss it with their children. This results
in many young people being misinformed or having a lack of information about safe
sex practices, consent, and healthy relationships. According to the Executive
Director of the Commission on Population and Development, Juan Antonio A.
Perez, 30% or higher of the pregnancies in the Philippines are unintended.

As future educators who are to be labeled as "second parents" it is time for us to

make a more proactive approach to Sex Education. This includes teaching about
reproductive health, contraception, and safe sex practices. It also means addressing
sensitive topics such as sexual orientation and gender identity. Quality sex education
can lead to better prevention of the aforementioned complications. Ignorance to this
topic can also cause further problems like over population, rise of HIV, and teenage
pregnancies.

With all that, the Philippines has yet to improve their strategies in informing the
public about Sex Education because up until today, this has remained a controversial
topic in our country and has carried on to be a continuous conversation between
governmental, faith, and non governmental actors. As part of the next generation's
heroes, may we be a vessel of change.

Comprehension Questions
-What words found in the text were unfamiliar to you?
- What topic did the writer address?
- In the bigger picture, what do you think the writer advocates about?
- In your perspective, would you teach your children about Sex Education?
- Do you think Sex Education is important for young people? Why or why not?
 HISTORICAL FICTION

 A historical fiction narrative transports readers to a certain

period and location in the past. How far back in time must a
writer travel before their work qualifies as historical fiction? A
reasonable guideline is to wait at least 50 years. The purpose is
to remove readers from the happenings in their own lives.

Example:

Legend of Mabinay Spring

This is a tale that tells the story of the creation of Mabinay Spring and the
rivers that cut through the hillsides of this mountain town. The story revolves
around a love story between the son and daughter of rival chieftains. Binay, the
daughter of Datu Ilog, serves as the Juliet in this story. Binto, the son of Datu
Namangyan, is our brave Romeo.
Binto came across Binay bathing in the river while he was out hunting a wild
deer. From the moment they met the two young rivals fell in love. Because they
knew their fathers would disapprove they had to keep their love secret.
Their secret was exposed when Binay's father began noticing changes in
behavior with his love-struck daughter. Datu Ilog decided to follow his daughter
and caught her and Binay red-handed.
Regardless of Binay's pleas to spare Binto's life, her enraged father struck Binto
with a spear to his chest. Instantly upon his death in this blood-soaked ground the
springs of Banintohan began to flow.
Filled with the grief of her lost love Binay runs away from home. Overcome
with emotion Binay runs wildly through the hillsides unsure of where she was
going. Mother Earth sees Binay and takes pity on her broken heart and swallows
up Binay. It's said that the tears of Binay to this day are what fill the spot of
Binay's last moments. This spot they can Mabinay Spings.
Binay's father went looking for his daughter and came across Binto's father, his
rival. Binay's father admitted to killing Binto. Instead of retaliating the two grief-
stricken fathers joined forces. Mother Earth was still not happy with what this feud
had caused so she swallowed up Datu Ilog and Datu Namangyan in the place they
met. This is now the location of where the Ilog River and Namangyan River join.

Comprehension Questions

 In ancient times, what do we mean when we say “Datu”

 Who were the two Datu’s in the story?
 Why do you think they were Rivals?
 If you we one of the Datus, would you allow your child to date the child of
your rival?
 How did the story make you feel?
 MULTICULTURAL AND INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE

 Multicultural literature fosters a feeling of community by

establishing ties between the home and school contexts as well
as between cultures. The potential of multicultural literature to
foster understanding among readers, regardless of culture or
race, is one of its many benefits.

Example:

The Story of Gio, Latif, and the Laksa

When Gio was a second-year international affairs student in a University in

Cebu City, he obtained funding to join the school team participating in an
international Model UN competition in Sydney, Australia. At the height of the
competition, Gio made plenty of new firneds and became particularly close to Latif
from the Malaysian team. The two first started talking when Latif Gio where he was
from. Upon discovering that Gio was from the Philippines, Latif lit up and declared
that he was a big fan of Filipino actors Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa. Gio
was pleasantly surprised to learn that Latif had seen every episode of the ABS CBN
telenovela Pangako Sa’yo. The show had aired on Malaysian TV a few years back,
and it’s two stars had developed a modest following. Ashamed that he did not know
as much about Malaysia as Latif knew about the Philippines, Gio asked Latif what
his country was like. Latif, he discovered, was from a Muslim university in Kuala
Lumpur. Gio asked him what he liked best about living in “KL”, and Latif
immediately mentioned the food. Latif explained that in Kuala Lumpur, one can find
Chinese, Indian, and Malay cuisines. He told Gio that this assortment of foodways
was the result of how British reorganized Malaysian society during the colonial
times.
The British did little to change the way of life of the Malays who were the
original residents, but brought in Chinese laborers to work in the rubber plantations
and tin mines, and Indians to help manage the bureaucracy and serve as the initial
professional core of the potential middle class. One of the ways that these ethnic
groups were identified was through their foodways. According to Latif, Malaysia
eventually became famous for these cuisines which can be found in the various
“hawker centers” across the nation’s cities and towns. These food stands are located
in outdorr food parks where locals and tourists taste the best of Malaysia, from nasi
lemak to laksa. Gio interrupted Latif and asked, “What is Laksa?” He felt more
ashamed at his lack of knowledge. “Ahh.. let me show you what it is and how it is
prepared!”, replield Latif. The next day, Latif took Gio to a Malaysian restaurant a
few blocks away from the university. Gio was surprised to discover that Malaysian
food was readily available in Sydney. Having noticed this, Latif explained to his
Filipino friend that, over the years, as more and more students from Malaysia moved
to Sydney to study, Malaysian restaurant’s followed suit. Soon after, they were
catering not only to these students, but Australian born “Sydneysiders” as well,
whose culinary tastes were becoming more and more diverse. Gio finally had his
first taste of laksa—a rice noodle soup in spicy coconut curry sauce. He found the
flavors intense since, like most Filipinos, he was not used to spicy food. However,
in deference to his friend, he persisted and eventually found himself enjoying the hot
dish.
After the meal, Gio and Latif went to a nearby café and ordered “flat
whites”—an espresso drink similar to latte, which is usually served in cafés in
Australia and New Zealand. Both knew what flat whites were since there were
Australian-inspired cafés in Malaysia and Cebu. The new friends promised to keep
in touch after the competition, and added each other on Facebook and Instagram.
Over the next two years, they exchanged e-mails and posts, congratulated each other
for their achievements and commented on and liked each other’s photos. Latif sent
his mother’s recipe to Gio and the latter began cooking Malaysian food in his home.
A few years after graduation, Gio moved to Singapore, joining many other Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFW) in the city-state. The culture was new to him, but one thing
was familiar, the food served in Singapore was no different from the Malaysian food
he had discovered through Latif.
He would later learn from Singaporean colleagues that the island country
was once part of the British colony of Malay and the post-war independent
Federation of Malaysia. Singapore, however, separated from the Federation in
August 1965, and became a nation-state.
Today, they may be two distinct countries, but Singapore and Malaysia still
share the same cuisine. After he settled down in his apartment, Gio sought out and
found a favorite laksa stall in Newtown Hawker Center. He would spend his
weekends there with friends eating laksa and other dishes. One Saturday, while Gio
was checking his Facebook feed along the very busy Orchard Road – Singapore’s
main commercial road—he noticed that Latif just posted something 5 minutes
earlier. It was a picture from Orchard Road. Surprised but also excited, Gio sent Latif
a private message. Latif replied immediately saying that he too had moved in
Singapore and was, at that moment, standing in front of a department store just a few
blocks away from where Gio was. The two friends met up, and after a long hug and
quick questions as to what each was up to, they ducked into a café and renewed their
international friendship by ordering a pair of flat whites.

Comprehension Questions
 What were the unfamiliar words found in the story?
 Why was Gio at Singapore?
 How would you describe Gio and Latif’s relationship?
 Would you make friends if you were in Gio’s Shoes?
 How did Gio and Latif’s friendship make you feel?