REVIEWER – 21st
the inhibitions associated with performing in front of an
Types of Philippine Theater
Komedya is developed in early 1500’s. Comedies were
normally performed in the pueblos or village centers to
attract more people to the foundation of its regime. The
comedy can last 3 to 25 hours through a series of
performances. The first Filipino comedy was performed
in Latin and Spanish by Fr. Vicente Puche in Cebu in
1598. One of the most popular kinds of comedy in the
Philippine was the Moros y Cristianos, which is not
surprising for a country that was under Spanish rule for
300 years. It is commonly called moro-moro, a street
drama that usually lasted for several days, and
presented both secular themes like love and vengeance,
and the Spanish-influenced religious theme of the
conflict between Christians and Moors. The moro-moro
only survives in isolated towns today, and an integral
part of Filipino art history.
Sinakulo is a stage or street play. Sinakulo was
developed on 1637 in Barrio Dayap in Cainta Rizal. This
is the dramatization of the life and death of Jesus Christ
and is usually presented as a community activity during
the Lenten season. This still endures to the present,
ranging from simple productions to more technically
sophisticated and modernized versions.
Zarzuela o sarswela is originated in Spain in the 17th
century. A zarzuela is a form of musical theater that
combines spoken word and song that celebrates various
Catholic liturgical feasts. Jugar Con Fuego by Francisco
Asenjo Barbieri was the first zarzuela introduced in the
country in late 1778 or early 1779.
Examples:
Pagibig sa Tinubuang Lupa – Pascual Poblete
Junto Al Pasig – Jose Rizal
Tanikalang Ginto – Tomas Remigio
Walang Sugat – Severino Reyes
Theater with Anglo-American was developed in the
Philippines in early 1900’s. When American colonial rule
was established, the United States introduced the
American way of life through education, media, language
and its form of theater. Their influence in Philippine
theater is most apparent through the bodabil
(vaudeville). The bodabil is not a straight up play. The
theatrical performance is a mix of songs, dances,
comedy skits, and even magical performances. This
form of theater was an American import in the pre-war
era, but became uniquely Filipino theater with the
indigenization of the name. It employs representational
and presentational styles drawn from contemporary
modern theater, or revitalized traditional forms from
within or outside the country.
Drama is a play that can be performed for theater, radio
or even television. Drama was developed in early
1980’s. These plays are usually written as a script or a
written version of a play that is read by the actors but not
the audience.
Examples:
- Ang Huling El Bimbo - Half an Hour in a
Convent
-The World is an Apple - The Love of Leonor
Rivera
Theater has been an influential factor in many people.
Creativity can flourish, academics can improve, and
means of self-expression can be developed. Performers
will benefit significantly, not only in terms of exploring the
unexplored or hidden ability to act, but also by shedding
audience. Theater can be influential in all aspects of life.
Theater makes you connect people and impact their
lives by conveying the message in a subtle way.
Creative non-fiction is also known as literary nonfiction
or narrative non-fiction. The goal is to make nonfiction
stories read like fiction so that you, as a reader is
enthralled by facts as you are by fantasy. Creative non-
fiction refers to literature that is based on facts. It is the
broadcast category of literature.
Elements of Creative Nonfiction
Characters are a major requirement of any stories.
Characters bring life to the story. Keep in mind that while
human characters are most frequently featured in
stories, sometimes there are non-human characters in a
story such as animals or even the environment itself.
Setting is the place where the story takes place.
Usually, an effective story establishes its setting early in
the story: otherwise, readers will have a difficult time
visualizing the action of the story.
Descriptive Imagery is used by the writer to paint the
scene, or image, in the mind of the reader. It usually
involves descriptions that appeal to the five senses;
sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.
Figurative Language is a counterpart to descriptive
imagery. Figurative language is a language used in a
surprising way to describe a literary moment. Figurative
language can take the form of a metaphor. Figurative
language can also take the form of a simile and other
literary devices.
Plot is one of the basic elements of every story. Plot
refers to the actual events that take place within the
bounds of narrative works. We can identify “plot” as the
primary subject of a descriptive personal narrative.
According to Freytag, there are Five Elements of Plot:
Exposition is the beginning of the story and prepares
the way for upcoming events unfold. In this part of the
plot, where major characters are introduced, the setting
is established and major conflicts of the story are
revealed. This is also the part where the character’s
backstory is presented for viewers to gain insight into the
reasons why the main characters think and behave in a
certain way.
Rising action reveals the main problem or conflict of the
story. During the point of rising action, the protagonist
will struggle to face the conflict which could be internal
(protagonist vs. self) or external (protagonist vs.
antagonist or protagonist vs. nature/society). This also
chronicles how the main characters deal with the
curveball that comes on their way.
Climax is the turning point in the story. It is the
protagonist’s most difficult challenge or his/her bleakest
moment. The climax is the most exciting part of the story
and initiates a turning point in the characters’ lives.
Falling action is the point that occurs immediately after
the climax and reveals the details of the consequences
of their actions. The main characters must deal with after
the turning point of events. It sets the stage for the
resolution.
Resolution is the part where the outcome of the event
and the fate of the protagonist and antagonists are
revealed. This part is where the protagonist resolves the
conflict and the loose ends of the storyline are tied.
Types of Creative Nonfiction
Personal Essay is a piece of writing that is usually in
the first point of view. It focuses on a topic through the
lens of the personal experiences of the narrator. It can
be narrative or non-narrative. It can tell a story in a
traditional way or improvise a new way. It should always
be based on true personal experiences.
Example: I walked with Heroes
I walked with Heroes is an autobiographical text
written by Carlos P. Romulo, a former Philippine
general, journalist, poet and story writer.
In the personal essay of Carlos Romulo, he
personally reviewed his boyhood, early life,
school days, and career in which he presented
the facts and events with frankness, intimacy,
and sense of person to person communication.
It also includes Romulo’s memories of his
parents and the first time he met the American
soldiers in Camiling, his native town in Tarlac.
He also narrated his life in Manila when he was
both a morning-time student and an evening-
time news reporter. The personal essay
revealed Romulo’s “unfailing faith in mankind”.
Memoir is a longer piece of creative nonfiction that
delves deep into a writer’s personal experiences. It
typically uses mutiple scenes or stories as a way
examining a writer’s life (or an important moment in a
writer’s life)
Example: The Yellow House
The Yellow House is an example of memoir
written by Sarah M. Broom, a writer of great
intellect and breadth. In the memoir of Sarah
Broom, she narrated the restless divestment of
wealth from the African American family and the
government’s failure to protect the poor from
environmental catastrophe. She also narrated
about the persistence of love and grit.
Literary journalism uses the techniques of journalism
(such as interviews and reviews). It uses literary
practices to capture the scene or setting of the persona
of the person being interviewed. It can be often be
narrative or heavily imagistic. Another important aspect
of literary journalism is it often stretches the idea of
objective facts in order to reflect in real life and real
people. Literary journalism says people cannot be
objective because they already have their own subject
views about the world. Therefore, by taking the
“objectiveness” out of the journalistic process, the writer
is being more truthful.
Example: In Cold Blood
In Cold Blood is an example of literary
journalism written by Truman Capote, an
American novelist, short story writer, screen
writer, playwright and actor.
Lyric essay is similar to the personal essay. It also
deals with a topic that affects the reader. However, the
lyric essay relies heavily on descriptions and imagery.
Lyric suggests something poetic, musical, or flowing (in
a sense). This type of essay uses a heavily descriptive
flowing tone in order to tell a story.
Example: The Unreality of Memory
The Unreality of Memory is an example of lyric
essay written by Elisa Gabbert, a poet and
essayist. In The Unreality of Memory, Elisa
Gabbert wrote the truth, beauty, and pain of
living in our era. Her essay performs a beautiful
autopsy of our fears showing us what it means
to exist in a time of eternal apocalypse.
• Philippine literature is constantly evolving
• One of these is the comic book industry, which is a
good way for you to read and be informed in a
creative and enjoyable manner.
• There are many genres coming out in Philippine
literature. Some of them have gained ground and
some of them have branched out to other forms
of media, such as theater or movies. Some are
just starting to blaze their own path in the local
literature scene.
• One of the most popular literary genres in the
Philippines is comics or komiks.
• Some of the famous comics are Mang Ambo of Larry
Alcala from Albay, Pugad Baboy by Pol Medina from
San Juan, Manila and News Hardcore by Manix
Abrera from Metro Manila.
Zsazsa zaturnnah
 Won the National Book Award in 2003. It is
unique because even if it follows the life of a
super hero, it has a gay male character in the
lead named Ada.
Three latest genres in 21st century literature
Speculative fiction is a literary “super genre,” which
encompasses a number of different genres of fiction.
Each speculative element is based on conjecture and
does not exist in the real world. Sometimes it is called
“what-if” books, speculative literature changes the laws
of what is real or possible as we know them in our
current society and then speculates on the outcome.
Example: Six from Downtown- Dean Francis Alfar
Sub-genres of Speculative Fiction
• Science fictions are stories with imagined
technologies that do not exist in the real world,
like time travel, aliens, and robots.
• Sci-fi fantasy fictions are stories inspired by
mythology, folklore, and fairy tales that combine
imagined technologies with elements of magical
realism.
• Supernatural fictions are stories about secret
knowledge or hidden abilities including
witchcraft, spiritualism, and psychic abilities.
• Space opera fiction is a play on the term “soap
opera,” sci-fi stories that take place in outer
space and center around conflict, romance, and
adventure.
• Urban fantasy fictions are stories that take
place in an urban setting in the real world but
operate under magical rules.
• Utopian fictions are stories about civilizations
the authors deem to be perfect, ideal societies.
• Dystopian fictions are stories about societies
deemed problematic within the world of the
novel, often satirizing government rules, poverty,
and oppression.
• Apocalyptic fictions are stories that take place
before and during a huge disaster that wipes out
a significant portion of the world’s population.
The stories center on characters doing
everything they can to stay alive like, running
from zombies or trying to avoid a deadly plague.
 • Post-apocalyptic fictions are stories that take
place after an apocalyptic event and focus on
the survivors figuring out how to navigate their
new circumstances like, emerging after a global
nuclear holocaust or surviving a total breakdown
of society.
• Superhero fictions are stories about
superheroes and how they use their abilities to
fight super villains.
Avant-garde poetry are poems that push the
boundaries of what is expected as the norm. These
kinds of poems experiment with forms, phrasing,
ideas and imagery. Some poets who have written
this genre are Angelo, Suarez, Paolo Manalo,
Cinchinita Cruz, Arbeen Acuna and Marc Gabba.
Example: Permit us to refresh your memory-
Conchitina Cruz
Contemporary essay is unrestricted and explores
diverse topics such as dysfunctional families, LGBT
issues, terrorism, religion or faith. It is a far cry from
the common topics of previous essays because
young writers nowadays are willing to voice out their
opinions about Filipino society through writing.
Example: Can We Get Rid of “Filipino Time”?
REVIEWER - EAPP
Aspects of Academic and Professional Language
Formality in using a language reflects your dignified
stance as a member of the academic community.
TO ACHIEVE FORMALITY:
 Avoid contractions.
 Avoid figurative language.
o Figurative Language You should start
investing now because as the old adage
goes, “Opportunity knocks only once.”
o Formal Language Investing at a young
age is an important decision one has to
make to secure a good financial
situation in the future.
 Avoid two-word verbs.
 Observe rules in writing numbers and acronyms
 Avoid colloquial and slang expressions
Objectivity are Statements and claims in any academic
text should be backed up by solid, valid, and factual
evidences.
TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVITY:
 Avoid using personal pronouns
 Avoid expressions that are focused on personal
opinion.
 Avoid rhetorical questions
 Avoid emotive language
Explicitness in the use of language aids in serving the
text’s purpose allowing readers to trace relationships in
the parts of the text.
Caution in the use of language is needed to distinguish
between facts and claims and to avoid sweeping
generalizations.
When to observe caution?
 When a hypothesis needs to be
tested
 Drawing conclusions or predictions
from your findings that may
generalize certain matters or may
not be conclusive
 referencing others’ work to build on
your own paper
Hedging is technique used by writers by resorting to
tentative language to avoid making generalizations
AVOIDING PLAGIARISM AND EFFECTIVE NOTE-TAKING
THE NATURE OF PLAGIARISM
 The term ‘plagiarism’ - does not only pertain to
the act of copying, but also to the act of taking
credit for what is copied.
 “copy and paste”
 to steal and pass off the ideas, words, or works
of another person as one’s own
 to use another person’s ideas, words, or works
without proper acknowledgement of the source
 to claim ownership of another person’s creative
or literary work
 to present as new and original an idea or
product derived from an existing source
 Stealing other people’s ideas can result in
expulsion or loss of academic degree.
 Academic dishonesty undermines the hard work
one has put in previous works.
 Plagiarism is easily detected now with the aid of
software or applications.
 Intellectual fraud can be punished by the law
due to Intellectual Property Rights.
TWO TYPES OF PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism of Ideas - This occurs when credit for a work
is attributed to oneself untruthfully.
To avoid plagiarism of ideas use PROPER CITATION
Plagiarism of Language - This occurs when an author
uses the language of another writer and claims it as his
or her own.
CITATIONS are used to attribute ownership of ideas.
NOTE-TAKING TECHNIQUES allow you to rephrase
original text into your own.
Three Types of Note-Taking Techniques
• Summarizing
• Using Direct Quotations
• Paraphrasing - is a restatement in your own words of
the main idea and supporting details of a text.
DIRECT QUOTING - You use direct quotations for
statements that are closely associated that altering the
words may lose its rhetorical impact.