The Maragtas Epic

AUTHOR- DEPENDENT APPROACH

Moral/Philosophical Theory
 Moral/Philosophical
Approach

“Sinabi ni Datu Sumakwel kay

Datu Puti ang suliranin at balak
na paglaban ni Datu The Epic of Maragtas teaches
Paiborong. Ayaw ni Sumakwel us how avoidance can
sa paglaban. Ipinasiya nina sometimes be the best choice
Sumakwel ang tankang pag- in dealing a problem.
alis nilang sampung datu sa
Borneo.”

“Isang hatinggabi, lulan sa
kanilang mga biniday,
pumalaot ng dagat ang
sampung datu kasama ng
kanilang mga asawa at mga
anak at buong pamilya pati
mga katulong.”
Stepping back to avoid a
problem is not always a
cowardly decision but can be
a choice for the greater good
especially when head on
confrontations that can lead to
violence and can harm not
only your enemy but also your
loved ones.

“Isang araw lamang
pagkatapos makarating sa
Taal ay umalis na sina Datu Puti
at Pinampangan upang
bumalik ng Borneo.”
But of course, running away is
not a permanent solution.
There will really be a time that
you will need to face your
problem but not being directly
involve for a while can also
help you think and work things
out on your side and be ready
for when the time comes.
THEME 1:

Rather than quickly approaching the problem at hand it is

best to consider all the factors involved to see the best
decision the situation really needs. It is not cowardly to
avoid confrontations if it means avoiding violence and
choosing the safety of others, but always take in mind that
avoidance is only a temporary solution and directly facing
the problem should still be addressed.
TEXT- DEPENDENT APPROACH
Structuralism
 Semiology

SIGNIFIER SIGNIFIED

Abuse of power and

Sultan Makatunao
authority

Sampung biniday o The 10 datu or leaders who

led the quest of finding
barangay freedom in foreign land.

A leader who shows cruelty and maltreatment among his people is

like a colonizer who imprisons his own citizens within the walls of injustice
and immorality.
 SIGNIFIER SIGNIFIED

A daunting force or
obstacle that the 10 datu
Dagat (Sea)
and their companions must
face to achieve freedom

Treaties and
Embidayan
compromises

In any change that we want or in any dream we wish to achieve,

there will always be hindrances and difficulties. It is up to us to have grit in
what we do to get what we seek.
 SIGNIFIER SIGNIFIED

New beginnings or
Panay and Taal starting of a new
chapter in life

Buto at Binhi
Freedom
(Seed and Seedling)

In order to attain freedom peacefully, there will be a lot of

compromises to be made.
THEME 2:

Freedom is only achieved through determination and

perseverance as like any other dreams of man. The only
difference is that freedom cannot be bestowed easily, it is
acquired by abolishing the manipulator, establishing a
new administration, and changing the mind-set of the
people involved.
READER- DEPENDENT APPROACH
Reader’s Response
 The epic started by introducing the setting of Borneo and the cruel Sultan

Makatunao who rules it. Examining this first part will let us understand that not only the

Datus but also the people under the Sultan’s rule feel like a prisoner inside their own

country.

Deciding to escape rather than challenging Makatunao' s authority, the Datus

were able to give their families and comrades a new beginning in Aninipay after

being able to buy island. To avoid violence and unwanted deaths, their choice to

escape is the wisest decision for them. But unfinished business is still needed to be

addressed and that is what Datu Puti did when he decided to come back to Borneo

with his wife after seeing that that the other Datus are already in good places.
THEME 3:

Maragtas showed how a wise decision and good thinking

can provide solution to a conflict.
 GRAND THEME
In facing oppressors or conflicts, we must always
think first of all the factors involved, create
different plans, and ponder the possible
consequences. Afterwards, to gain the change
that we want, we must do the work.