Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region VII, Central Visayas
DIVISION OF BOHOL

21st CENTURY LITERATURES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD

Quarter : 1 Week : 1 Day : 1 Activity No. : 1
Competency : Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimension
of Philippine literary history from the precolonial era to
the contemporary. (EN12Lit-Ia-21)
Objectives : 1. Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic
dimensions of Philippine literary history from the
precolonial era.
2. Compare and contrast the forms of literature in the
precolonial and the present time.
Topic : Various Elements of Philippine Literature
Materials : Learner’s Module
Reference : Chua, Rina G. 2016. "21st Century Literature from the
Philippines and the World." In 21st Century Literature from
the Philippines and the World, by Rina G. Chua, 3-4.
Makati City: DIWA Learning Systems Inc.
Copyrights : For Classroom Use Only
Learning Concept:

Philippine Precolonial Literature

Before the Philippines was colonized, it was already brimming with a rich
tradition of oral literature. Early Filipinos weaved together countless myths
and legends to explain certain phenomena in life. They had stories on how the
world was created – why there is a sun in the morning and the moon at night,
how a mountain was formed, why there are earthquakes, and other life events.
However, because paper was not invented yet, many of these tales were not
preserved and have vanished from local knowledge. Most of what have been
transcribed now are taken from oral literature, which means that these stories
have been passed on from one generation to another. Most of that which
survived are epics and folklores. Here are their descriptions and other forms
of literature that were passed on by the early Filipinos to today’s generation.
1. Proverbs – are practical observations and philosophy of everyday life that
are written usually in a rhyming scheme. It is obviously meant to entertain
while teaching basic skills in surviving local life. In Filipino, these are called
salawikain. Here are some examples:
Kung ano ang puno, siya ang bunga.
(Whatever the tree, so is the fruit.)
Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilalga.
(If you don’t persevere, you can expect no reward.)

2. Riddles - are like proverbs with one main difference: they demand an
answer and are used to test the wits of those who are listening to them.
Usually, riddles (or, in Filipino, bugtong) are used in a battle of wits, where
locals young and old join and/or watch to see who is the smartest. Another
characteristic of Filipino riddles is their flippant nature – they seem to be
referring to something laughable, but in reality, the answer is more serious
than expected. Can you guess the answers to these riddles?
Heto na si Kaka, bubuka-bukaka.
(Here comes Kaka, walking with an open leg.)
Sa araw ay bungbong, sa gabi ay dahoon.
(Roll in the morning, leaf in the afternoon.)
3. Folksongs – are beautiful songs that are informal expressions of our
ancestors’ experiences in life. These range from courtship (which they sing in
a harana or a serenade for a girl), to lullabies, harvests, funerals, and others.

4. Tales – are stories of origin for certain places, their names, and their
creation. These are also known as myths and legends. They usually are used
to explain certain events or phenomena in our ancestors’ lives that cannot be
explained by the limited practical kind of science they knew back then. Some
examples are the origin of mountains such as Mount Makiling or Mount
Arayat, legends of great heroes like Bernardo Carpio.

5. Epics – are long-winded poems about a hero and his adventures and
misadventures. It usually tells a male hero who is born with all the pleasing
qualities that your ancestors like in a person and who also has superhuman
capabilities. This male hero is also paired with a beautiful young maiden,
whom he will fall in love with and will usually have to go to battle for.
Sometimes, supernatural elements are also introduced to show the strength
of the hero and his capabilities. One of the best epics of the Philippines
comes from Negros, which is the Hinilawod.
Activity 1
Identify the forms of Philippine literature in the precolonial era.
1. They demand an answer and are used to test the wits of those who are
listening to them.
2. Stories of origin for certain places, their names, and their creation.
3. Practical observations and philosophy of everyday life that are written
usually in a rhyming scheme.
4. Beautiful songs that are informal expressions of our ancestors’
experiences in life.
5. Long-winded poems about a hero and his adventures and misadventures.
6. It is obviously meant to entertain while teaching basic skills in surviving
local life.
7. They usually are used to explain certain events or phenomena in our
ancestors’ lives that cannot be explained by the limited practical kind of
science they knew back then.
8. They are used in a battle of wits, where locals young and old join and/or
watch to see who is the smartest.
9. It usually tells a male hero who is born with all the pleasing qualities that
your ancestors like in a person and who also has superhuman capabilities.
10. These range from courtship (which they sing in a harana or a serenade
for a girl), to lullabies, harvests, funerals, and others.
Activity 2
Identify the types of literature, region where it is originated, and language
used from the following:
1. Dandansoy
2. Boholano Proverbs
3. Biag ni Lam-ang
4. Maria Makiling
5. Balitaw
Activity 3
Answer the questions properly in complete sentences. Use a separate sheet
of paper for your answers.
1. What are the forms of literature shown in the Activity 1?
2. Compare and contrast the forms of literature in the precolonial and
the present time using the Venn Diagram
3. How do the literary works differ from region to region?
4. How can these precolonial forms of literature be of use to your life
right now?
5. How different and similar are the situations of your ancestors back
then to your situation right now? Are there still values you can learn
from them that you can apply to your life?