21st Century Literature

Activity

Directions: Read the short poem below from Ivatans. Read it carefully and answer the questions
by writing your answers in a separate sheet of paper.

Whose Face Do I Behold (Translation by Florentino H. Hornedo from Muyin Paru Ñinu, An
Ivatan Laji)

1 Whose face do I behold mirrored

2 Upon the warm water I am about to drink?
3 I dare not drink that the vision I may
4 Prolong!
5 If I die, bury me not
6 at the Cross of San Felix: bury me
7 under your fingernails, that I may
8 be eaten along with every food you eat;
9 that I may
10 be drunk along with every cup
11 of water you drink.

Source: Lumbera Bienvenido and Lumbero Cynthia Nograles, Phil Lit, A History and
Anthology, Anvil Publishing, Manila Philippines, 2005

And now answer the questions below based on the poem read.

1. Who is the speaker in the poem?

2. Who is being addressed in the poem?
3. What situation is being anticipated by the narrator?
4. Describe the irony in the poem done through the images of water. Refer to Lines 1 and 2
5. The cross of San Felix is an example of symbolism. Explain what it symbolizes.