LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

21st Century Literature of the Philippines and the World

Name of Learner: Catherine R. Discorson

Grade Level/ Section: XII - Quarks Date: September 21, 2021

Background Information for Learners:

Philippine literature is considered unique because of the diverse contemporary periods happened
after each generation. Every Filipino learner should commemorate this legacy because it reflects
our history, our people and our identity. The collected stories of Fay Cooper Cole and Mabel
Cook-Cole from the indigenous people were remembrance of our inspired culture and life.

Learning Competency:
1. identify the geographic, linguistic and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history from
pre-colonial to the contemporary
2. identify representative texts and authors from each region in the Philippines

Directions/ Instructions: Read each directions below then answer what is being asked.
Plagiarism is not allowed. Write your answer on a short bond paper. Write clearly and legibly.
Exercises / Activities:
Read the story of “The White Horse of Alih” by Alvarez Enriques. After reading the story,
identify the geographical, linguistic and ethnic dimension of the story.

“The White Horse of Alih” by Alvarez Enriques

The story happened on July 4th in a city with a parade of people. It was a happy day for
everybody because they are celebrating the big American Holiday. Among the crowd was Alih, a
Moro who was then looking for his brother, Omar. That day was intended for them to fulfill their
plan. Their plan is to kill these people.
So Alih waited for his brother, he went out of the crown and sat under the Balete tree.
While he was sitting and looking at the parade, he remembered his past, his childhood and his
growing years where he met the women whom he wished and longed for and he remembered his
mission. That is—to kill the people. But people can’t notice them as Moros because they were in
disguise.
When he saw a man riding a horse and controlling the crowd, he remembered how much
he longed for a horse for himself. He recalled when his brother punished him because he spent his
earnings just to ride in a merry – go- round. He wanted to ride on a wooden horse because he saw
the girl whom he liked most and her name was Lucy. Lucy was the girl who lived in the reservation
area where the Americans live. Moros were not allowed to enter that vicinity. But because he needs
to go to school, he cross the river and reached the reservation area. There he saw the first girl he
liked. Though, they were not given the chance to see and talk to each other since then.
When he grew up, Omar told him about how the American soldiers killed their father
without any reason. Their father was known and respected in their village. With these, Omar taught
him to be brave and be able to fight against these people because he believes that only by killing
could they wash away their shame. He taught him words to live by and beliefs to be respected and
attained.
As he grew into a mature individual, he met another woman named Fermina. Fermina was
a beautiful bar maid with a mole near her mouth. He likes her so much but the woman doesn’t like
him because of his impertinent manner towards her. He was put to jail for six months because of
what he did.
Remembering all of these from his past, he thought of what Omar said about the promise
of their prophet to those who are faithful to him. That is to have a white horse ride to heaven and
as many hours as the number of infidel heads he could lay before Allah. But when he thought of
what their Imam said that white horse, as a reward for killing is a reference conjured by fanatics

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in their attempt to give reason to their behavior. The prophet never taught them about that because
he was man of peace.
So back to reality, he continued searching for Omar into the crowd. Soon he saw a float
with a girl whom he thought of as Fermina. He went near the float and assisted the girl to go down
to the ground. As he was about to hold her completely, Omar came but to his surprise, he was
drunk and tipsy! All along, he realized that Omar had been drinking tuba. He knew that Omar was
afraid to kill that is why he drink tuba first before he go to the town.
Omar shouted and leap to the street, and then he gets his fatal blade from his pants.
The crowd screamed. Fear and panic seized everyone. Everyone is running and escaping
from Omar, even Fermina jumped into the ground and run away but she got stocked from a
bamboo frame of the float because of her long flowing robe that hooked on the edge of the bamboo
frame. She tried to set her free but she saw Omar coming to her swinging his blade. Fermina
screamed and screamed because of fear.
The screams struck Alih because he saw that Fermina the girl he was love is in danger and
get his blade from his leg immediately and then he leaped to his brother Omar and hit its back by
his sharp blade repeatedly. Omar died.
The town spoke out about the strange tragedy for many days after. But nobody had known
Alih, and nobody could figure out why he turned against his brother.

Geographic Linguistic Ethnic

(Where did the story happen?) (What are the new terms in the (What are the cultures and
passage you encountered that traditions of an ethnic group
represent the community?) that were being portrayed in
the story?

• The parade route • Alih – a baby boy • Marching on July 4th

• Under the Balete tree name mainly popular as a way to celebrate
• The float in the Muslim religion, Filipino-American
• Their father's and its main origin is Friendship Day.
childhood village Arabic. • They seek vengeance
for their deceased
• Omar – it means loved ones as a way to
flourishing or long- bring back their
lived in Arabic. dignity.
• They believed in
• Moro – the native prophets.
Muslim inhabitants of • They believed that
the Philippines when they died, there
would be a white
• Imam - a leader of horse that would bring
congregational prayer them to heaven.
in a mosque, a • Their tradition is to
religious teacher pass the responsibility
of the deceased father
• Allah – the common to the eldest son.
Arabic word for God

• tuba - the Filipino

version of the palm
(coconut) wine.

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Guide Question:
After reading the story, what are your thoughts about it? Make a four (4) stanza poem following
a traditional style or free style. Write your answer on a separated sheet.

Alih
A Poem by Catherine R. Discorson

Alih was the victim,

Of society’s harsh discrimination.
And it was the system,
Who started the altercation.

But killing is not always the right thing,

Now, who’s gonna take the blame?
And life for them must be thrilling,
Because the fire within them has started to flame.

Anguish was the reason,

How could you blame the innocent?
Do you think it was treason?
Maybe it is not for us to resent.

In the end, it was never going to stop,

Revenge has never been the answer.
For our lives is not a penny to drop,
It’s a treasure from God that seeks for the better.

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Rubrics:

References for learners:0

https://ischoolsericsonalieto.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/the-white-horse-of-alih/

Prepared by:
Jan Carol S. Salas
English 123 Teacher