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: Gracielle Marie D. Caparas ACTIVITY TYPE : Content Analysis
Year AND Section: 12 EABM-5 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?

I think the narrative is based on a Bagobo origin myth. Because it mentions the formations
of celestial bodies like sun and moon. And different supernatural beings are present. Plus, the
narrative used dream sequence as a technique to convey some information that cannot
otherwise be shown within the narrative.

2. How would you describe the characters in the story?

The main characters in the narrative are the Sun, the Moon, and their child. I pictured the
Moon as a loving and caring mother, while I imagined the Moon as aggressive and heartless
father. And their child is pure as white, and innocent as doves.

3. What is the main source of conflict?

I think the main cause of the problem is, the disagreement between the Sun and the Moon
over the fate of their child. The Sun wants the child to be killed because it turns out to be a girl,
while the Moon has no courage to let their child die that is why he hid it in the box to prevent
the Sun from killing it if he sees the child.

4. How is the conflict resolved?

It got resolved when the Sun cut their child into numberless little bits, and after that, he
throws the pieces of the shining little body into the night sky, where they become the stars.
 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

5. What message does the story seem to convey?

I think the narrative wants to let the readers know the importance of obeying the laws of
gods. It also wants to show us the consequences of disobedience, that even if we faced
hardships, it is very significant to trust and follow the wisdom and guidance of the gods. Plus, I
think the narrative also conveys the things that we can do for love, that we can sacrifice
anything for our loved ones just to make sure their safe and guarded.