Lesson 4

Life and Works of

Alejandro Roces
Learning
Competency Appreciate the contributions of
the canonical Filipino writers to
1 the development of national
literature (EN12Lit-Ic-24).
 Objectives

• describe the life and works of Alejandro Roces; and

• evaluate some of the works of Alejandro Roces.
 Essential Question

How do Alejandro Roces’s viewpoints impact readers?

 Warm Up!

Answer the following questions.

● What do you know about cockfighting?

● How is cockfighting associated with our history?
● What impact does cockfighting have on the image of the
 

Filipino people?

Look for a partner. Discuss your answers with each other.

Take note of the similarities and differences of your
responses. Share what you have discussed with your
partner to the class.
 Vocabulary Words
1 peculiar (adjective) – special, unusual, or something that is not ordinary
Members of their religion have peculiar practices distinct to them.

2 lynch (verb) – to illegally kill one as a form of punishment

Unidentified people lynched the accused drug pushers.

3 lunge (verb) – a sudden movement forward

He lunged toward the ball.

4 squawk (verb) – to complain loudly

The students squawked about the increase in their tuition fees.

5 tether (noun) – a rope used to tie an animal to a post

The chicken was tethered in the shade.
 Learn about It!

Life and Works of Alejandro Roces

● He was a short story writer and essayist.

● He was known for his comic short stories such as “My

Brother’s Peculiar Chicken” and “We Filipinos Are Mild
Drinkers.”
● He became a National Artist for Literature in the
Philippines in 2003.
 Learn about It!

● He served as the Secretary of Education during the term of

the former Pres. Diosdado Macapagal.

● Alejandro R. Roces was born in Manila on July 13, 1924.

● He was the son of Rafael Roces and Inocencia Reyes.

● Anding, as his family and friends called him, was educated at

the Ateneo de Manila in high school.
 Learn about It!

● He won Best Short Story for “We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers”
during his freshman year in the University of Arizona. He
received his undergraduate degree in Fine Arts in this university.

● He finished his master’s degree at Far Eastern University.

● He received a Doctor of Arts and Letters degree from PUP.

● He received a doctorate in Humane Letters (Honoris Causa)

from Ateneo de Manila University and a doctorate in Humanities
(Honoris Causa) from St. Louis University, Baguio City.
 Learn about It!

● He also attained a Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa)

degree from Toyo University in Japan.

● He received numerous awards, some of these are Rizal

Pro-Patria Award from the Knights of Rizal, Gawad CCP
Para sa Sining award in 1990, Zobel Award for Literature in
1995, etc.

● Roces incorporated in his writing humor and fleshed out

characters.
 Learn about It!

● The stories of Roces revolve around the cockpit, which he

regarded as the center of Filipino culture. It also serves as a
bridge to people of other cultures, who also knew
cockfighting as a sport.

● In his stories, Roces wanted to save the hearts and minds of

Filipinos against three types of oppression: colonial
mentality, censorship, and literary prejudice.
Learn about It!

My Brother’s Peculiar Chicken

Alejandro Roces
 Learn about It!

Guide Questions

1. What is the message that the writer would like to convey in this
story? Support your answer with details from the story.
2. What characteristic of Filipinos is revealed by the behavior of Kiko
and his brother when it comes to dispelling their doubts?
Expound.
3. Do you find the story realistic? Expound.
4. Why do you think this story is appealing to readers? Support your
answer with details from the text.
5. What behavior of Filipinos is evident in Kiko and his brother?
Expound.
 Analysis

Read and analyze the selection below. After, answer the

following questions comprehensively. Responses should
be backed up by textual evidence, and opinions should be
explained clearly.

We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers

Alejandro Roces
 Analysis
Short Response Questions

1. What is ironic about the response of the farmer, “No, thank

you, Joe. We Filipinos are mild drinkers”?
2. Does the behavior of the farmer reveal something about how
Filipinos usually deal with foreigners?
3. What do you think is the theme of this story?
4. Do you find the title appropriate for the text? If you would
have the chance to change its title, what would the story’s title
be?
5. Do you think Alejandro Roces portrayed Filipinos in a positive
light in this story? Why or why not?
 Analysis

Criteria Score
Content  
(The responses answer the questions well. Details such as names of
characters and events are clearly presented, and opinions are well
explained.) 6 pts.
Organization  
(The responses are logically organized. There is a smooth transition
observed from one idea to another.) 6 pts.
Language  
(Words are appropriately spelled, and grammar rules and
mechanics are followed.) 3 pts.
 Values Integration

Alejandro Roces’s works highlight Filipino culture and

identity. As a Filipino, what characteristic(s) of ours are
you most proud of? Why?
 Synthesis

1. Form a group with two of your classmates. Look for at least

three others works of Filipino writers, regardless of their
genre.

2. Look at the similar features of Alejandro Roces with that of

other Filipino writers. Use a diagram to present your findings.

3. Simplify your diagram to present the ideas clearly.

4. Present your diagram in the class. Respond to the questions

and comments during the presentation.
 Synthesis

5. After the activity, answer the following questions: 

● What were the difficulties you encountered in terms of

finding similarities in the works of Alejandro Roces and
those of other Filipino writers?
● Was it easy to find similarities? Why or why not?
 Assignment

Reread the stories “My Brother’s Peculiar Chicken” and “We

Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers.” Then, write a short essay about
them, guided by the following questions:

● How did Alejandro Roces show his love for the Philippines through
his works?
● What are the elements of these two works that show local color?
● Alejandro Roces is considered as the Philippines’ best comic short
story writer. Based on the two stories you have read, how do you
think he can make his stories comical?
 Criteria Score
Content
(The essay answered all the questions well. It provided textual
evidence as well as clear explanations of opinions.) 5 pts.
Organization
(The essay shows the logical progression of details/events
and uses clear transitions between ideas.) 3 pts.
Language
(The essay makes use of proper spelling, mechanics,
grammar, and word choice) 2 pts.
Score: /10