Mauren Mae Narona May 14, 2021

2-BES2 LIT 2

PRELIMINARY EXAM

1. Discuss the different changes that Philippine Literature underwent from the pre colonial

to the Spanish period.

“Books and doors are the same thing. You open them, and you go through into another

world.” A quote stated by Jeanette Winterson, an English writer. Upon reading the quote, what

are your initial thoughts? What does it imply?

From my standpoint, the quote suggests that travelling is not only through purchasing

plane tickets, or perhaps booking a flight to a particular destination in mind. Travelling does not

have to be you, sitting on a plane. Rather, travelling can be experienced in the confines of your

home, with a book in hand, and a cozy aura to match your mood. Just like how pilots and

airplanes can take you to your dream destination. Authors, writers, and books can take you to

places yet to be discovered.

That having been said, literature is our passport to our past. It gives us the chance to

unveil the yet to be discovered and the unknown from our history. Owing to the fact that not

everything in our history is disclosed to us in our past history classes. This then is one of the

many reasons as to why we must invest time in studying different literary pieces. By all means, it

is important to know, to study, and scrutinize our pre-colonial texts because it tells us of our own
history, especially the part of history which is usually unavailable to us. At the same time, it

makes us better people through having a feel of what they are experiencing or had experienced.

On the mention of pre-colonial texts, the Philippines have been tagged as Asia’s melting

pot. This specific detail can be contextualized in our traditions, literature, culture, etc. Our

country has had multiple cultural influences and these are results from previous colonizations.

Mainly on the Spaniards and Americans. Now, for every period of colonization, unquestionably

our Philippine literature had specific characteristics that follows within the culture of the

dominant- the colonizers.

Against this background, long before our forefathers discovered our island, we already

had our own literature. Our ancient literature exhibits our customs, traditions, and everyday life.

These are all integrated and reflected within the stories, myths, epics, folktales, legends, and

poems written. It all traces back to our cultural heritage.

Equally important, our ancestors attempted to define and make sense of the world, to

have an avenue to express their feelings, beliefs, and judgements. So they resorted to using the

power of words, of communication, and creating narratives. These said masterpieces of our

ancestors were not all accumulated because most if not all, were passed down from generation to

generation through word of mouth. Despite the efforts of various scholars and them tracking the

left chanters from ethnolinguistic groups, some of these works remain in the memory of our

predecessor. Uncollected and unwritten.

 Fast forward on the time the Spanish colonizers came to our country. A new wave of

literary works were produced under the authority of the Spaniards. Among the many colonizers

that had a great impact on our Filipino culture are the Spaniards. Likewise, not only our way of

living underwent adjustments and changes, so as our literature. Knowing the length of stay of

these Spaniards, it is normal that their culture will be imbued in our literature.

Before the Spaniards came, early Filipinos did not have a certain religion, we were

pagans to say the least. But as these Spaniards continued their voyage on our island, they

introduced to us the Catholic religion. Thus, this became a prominent theme in our writings.

From presenting our pre-colonial tradition with narratives, it had a gradual shift to writing based

on the Catholic teachings of the Church. Also, from oral tradition, printing was made possible by

these Spaniards so a good number of their narratives were published and retained up until the

present.

Their intense fixation on religion to become part of our culture was also a tool for

oppression. As a result, a sense of nationalism was evoked, formed among the oppressed. The

changes they brought led to the awakening of the blind. Although they have changed the purpose

of our literature, it has definitely helped us find our identity as Filipinos. Their maltreatment led

to the greatest change for us, Filipinos. Our bravery has been restored, and we freed ourselves

from their oppressive chains.

 2. Compare and contrast “Scent of Apples” and “May Day Eve.”

Literature opens us to new perspectives. It enables us to see beyond what we can, and

what is in front of us. It aids us to develop and continuously seek for something greater. While

reminding us of its importance and essence. On the basis thereof, literature is more than just

astounding works of greatness and excellence. It is also about adapting to changes and constant

growth.

In view of this, we examine two short stories written during the Commonwealth period or

the American period, namely May Day Eve and Scent of Apples. Discussing May Day Eve, it

was written by Nick Joaquin, a known Filipino National Artist. His story took place after World

War 2 and was set in Intramuros, Manila. The gist of the story revolves around the themes of

love, superstitions, struggles, and nostalgia. The plot of the story was classified under Gothic

literature, wherein it aims to paint a picture of fear, mystery, and dread. All throughout the story,

it was a flashback of a once beautiful love but has turned to be a bitter marriage. Likewise, the

story was written from the third perspective point of view.

The other short story entitled, Scent of Apples was written by Bienvenido Santos. It tells

of a story about an immigrant, their lives and struggles in a foreign land. Hence, the story was set

in the United States. To provide a rundown on the story, it gives us an idea on what these

immigrants are experiencing. The longing to be home with their family and the desire for a sense

of familiarity from their homeland. This being said, the story is considered to be a Literature of

Exile, in which it tells the story of people who went and settled in foreign lands. Through the
course of the story, the protagonist and Celestino Fabia were having a discussion on the changes

in the Philippines that had transpired during his stay in the United States. If the culture he once

knew is still present or was there a drastic change over the years he was not in the Philippines.

He wanted to know, to be home, but he knew he couldn't. For he knew that it may be too late.

Regardless of the differences mentioned, although not quite obvious, these two short

stories have similar themes. Both stories are connected to memories, and to nostalgia. On May

Day Eve, it talks about their past memories with one another. The yearning to return to the past,

where both of them are fueled with love, and passion. But as time passed by, the love they had

was only a mere spur in the moment kind of thing. Perhaps it was not really love that they had,

maybe it was just an infatuation. It may also be their decision to adhere to superstitions present in

their society. But nonetheless, the story was a reminiscence of what they had in the past. The

longing to feel the comfort towards one another rather than hatred.

Whereas in Scent of Apples, it evidently discusses how Fabia was longing to go back to

the land he was born. To the land he was raised and shaped to be the person he is now. All he

had was the memories of the past, not having a clue of the drastic changes that had happened

during the duration of his stay in the United States. The story teaches us that most of the

immigrants are holding on to their memories to keep themselves in touch with what they left. He

feels the nostalgia from his lost youth, and feels that he is still alone. His memories keep him

afloat amidst the feeling of being lost.

3. Write your own short poem / tanaga.

Ngiti

Sa iyong mga ngiti,

Bituin ay nakita.

Lubos na nabighani,

Iba ka sa kanila.

Liwanag ang siyang dala,

Puso na tila lanta,

Muling tumibok sayo.

Ikaw na nga, mahal ko.