Republic of the Philippines

University of Cabuyao
(Pamantasan ng Cabuyao)
Senior High School Department
Katapatan Mutual Homes, Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna 4025

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Topic: Introduction to 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
NAME: Trixcie Louise G. Tahal ACTIVITY TYPE : Content Analysis
Year AND Section: 12-EABM7 WEEK 1: Written work No. 2

Directions: Read the passage carefully and analyze how to answer the following guide
questions below. Please write your answer on our Google Classroom classwork page.

The Sun and the Moon

(Bagobo Tradition)
Long ago, the Sun had to leave the Moon to go to another town. He knew that his
wife, the Moon, was expecting the birth of a child; and, before going away, he said to
her, "When your baby is born, if it is a boy, keep it; if it is a girl, kill it."
A long time passed before the Sun could come back to the Moon, and while he
was gone, the Moon gave birth to her baby. It was a girl. A beautiful child it was, with
curly hair like binubbud, burnished nails that looked like gold, and white spots called
pamoti on its body. The mother felt very sad to think of killing it, and so she hid it in the
big box (kaban) where they kept their clothes.
As soon as the Sun returned, he asked the Moon, "How about our baby?"
At once the Moon replied, "It was a girl: I killed it yesterday." The Sun had only a
week to stay at home with the Moon. One night, he dreamed that a boy with white hair
came to him from heaven. The boy stood close to him, and spoke these words:—"Your
wife got a baby, but it was a girl; and she hid it away from you in the box."
When the Sun woke from his sleep, he was very angry at the Moon, and the two
began quarreling about the baby. The Moon wanted the child saved.
"You ought to keep it with you," she urged.
"No, no!" protested the Sun. "I cannot keep it, because my body is so hot, it would make
your baby sick."
"And I cannot keep it," complained the Moon, "for my body is very dark; and that would
surely make the child sick."
Then the Sun fell into a passion of rage, and he seized his big kampilan, and
slew the child.
He cut its small body into numberless little bits—as many as the grains of sand
that lie along the seashore. Out of the window, he tossed the pieces of the shining little
body, and, as the gleaming fragments sparkled to their places in the sky, the stars came
to life.
 Republic of the Philippines
University of Cabuyao
(Pamantasan ng Cabuyao)
Senior High School Department
Katapatan Mutual Homes, Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna 4025

Guide Questions

1. What kind of folk narrative is the story? What characteristics of the story make
you think so?
-The story is a creation myth from the Bagobo tradition. Its characteristics
include the explanation of the origin of celestial bodies, the use of dream
sequences, and the presence of supernatural beings.
2. How would you describe the characters in the story?
-The main characters in the story are the Sun, the Moon, and their child. The Sun
is portrayed as a powerful and angry figure, while the Moon is depicted as a loving and
protective mother. The child is described as beautiful and innocent.
3. What is the main source of conflict?
-The main source of conflict in the story is the disagreement between the Sun
and the Moon over the fate of their child.
4. How is the conflict resolved?
-The conflict is resolved when the Sun kills the child and throws its body parts
into the sky, where they become the stars.
5. What message does the story seem to convey?
-The story seems to convey a message about the origins of the stars and the
importance of following the orders of the gods. It also touches on themes of love,
sacrifice, and the consequences of disobedience.