LESSON 3

Figures of Speech

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify the figurative language used in poetic

lines.
Determine how figures of speech set tone and
mood of the poem.
Compare and contrast things or ideas using
figurative language.

BEFORE READING

A Poem by Adonis Durado

ABOUT THE POEM

The poem speaks of its persona’s desire to have

a romantic episode with the one he is talking to.
This beautiful poem in Cebuano language creates
a vivid imagery of a budding romance set in
the milieu of riding a habal-habal, a common
form of transportation in the countryside.

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MAKE CONNECTIONS

Have you tried riding on a habal-habal? Describe your experience.

− Yes, I've tried riding a habal-habal. Here in our town, we call it "skylab"
instead of "habal-habal". It is a vehicle that we ride on when we go to the
upper part of our place, or what we call "bukid." Back in my high school
years, my aunt was assigned to Lampitak National High School, and that
place was the upper part of our place. Since she has no companion every
time she goes there, I've decided to take my 7th and 8th grade there.
When she will not go to school, I am forced to ride the habal-habal to get
to school. I've experienced riding at the top of a sack full of corn or rice,
and I've tried sitting in front of the driver. I felt kind of scared since I am
not used to riding on a habal-habal. But as the day passes by, I'm getting
used to it. I am so glad that once in my life I've experienced riding a habal-
habal.

ANALYZE LITERATURE: Figures of Speech

Elements of poetry can be defined as a set of instruments used to create a

poem. One of these is figurative language which helps bring imagery and emotion
to a poem.

A figure of speech is a word or phrase that is used in a non-literal way to

create an effect. This intentional deviation from the literal or common usage
aims to emphasize, clarify, or embellish both written and spoken language.

Types of Figures of Speech

➢ Simile (Pagtutulad) is comparison of two dissimilar objects or concepts

using the words like or as.
o “I wandered lonely as a cloud.” (William Wordsworth, Daffodils)
In this example, the speaker (I) in the poem compares his loneliness with a cloud
using the word as.
o “Life is like writing with a pen. You can cross out your past but you
can't erase it.” (E.B. White)
o “Love is like the wild rose-briar.” (Emily Bronte)

Note: Not every statement or comparison that contains like or as is a simile.

“Maria is as pretty as Mirasol” is not a simile because those who were described
in the sentence are both people.

➢ Metaphor (Pagwawangis) is direct comparison of two unlike things without

using the words like or as.
o “And, if you were poor, suffering was your currency.” (Khaled
Hosseini, And the Mountains Echoed)

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 o “To him strawberries were a holy mystery… deep red gems, sweet
orbs, succulent rubies.” (David Guterson, Snow Falling on Cedars)
o “Or shall I say you are an orchid flower
That fevers men beside a jungle stream?” (Angela Manalang-Gloria, To
Lovely Woman)

Note: Metaphor usually contains “be” verbs: am, is, are, was, were. Comparison
should be obvious or explained, and can be changed into a simile by including
“like” or “as”. The statement “Dad is a boat.” is not a metaphor (Although Dad and
a boar are dissimilar, there is no clear reason for the comparison, so it doesn’t
make sense as a metaphor).

➢ Personification (Pagtatao) is giving humanly attributes/characteristics to

an abstract idea, animals or inanimate objects.
o “His alarm clock yells at him every morning.”
o “Opportunity knocks only once.”
o “Her own heart would devour her.” (David Guterson, Snow Falling on
Cedars)

Note: The human quality must be completely unique to humans. Thus the
statement, “The pink flowers swayed in the April breeze.” is not an example of
personification (Although humans can sway, flowers can sway too. This
characteristic is not unique to humans).

➢ Hyperbole (Pagmamalabis) is an exaggeration that cannot be possibly true.

It is used for emphasis or comic effect.
o “She is as skinny as a toothpick.”
o “We are going to pull off the true crime of the century. We are going to
steal the moon!” (Despicable Me)
o “Susungkitin mga bituin para lang makahiling, na sana’y maging akin
puso mo’t damdamin.” (Kung Aking Ang Mundo)

Note: The statement “She is as skinny as a fashion model” is not an example of

hyperbole (since a girl could be as thin as a model, this isn’t a hyperbole.) If it
could happen in real life, then it is not a hyperbole.

➢ Synecdoche (Pagpapalit-saklaw) is a figure of speech in which a part of

something is used to signify the whole, or vice-versa.
o “Those wheels are awesome!” (wheels signifies a vehicle/car)
o “The company needs to hire ten new hands.” (hands signifies
people/new employees)
o “Gusto nang hingiin ni Leon ang kamay ni Leah sa kaniyang mga
magulang.” (hand signifies the whole person)

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➢ Metonymy (Pagpapalit-tawag) is replacing the name of a thing with the
name of something else with which it is closely associated.
o “Married men should stop chasing skirts.”
Skirts is metonymy for women.
o “The pen is mightier than the sword.”( Edward Bulwer-Lytton)
Pen is metonymy for communication (writing) and sword is metonymy for
direct violence)
o “Elias needs to decide if he will go Greek in college next year.
Greek is metonymy for sorority or fraternity membership.

Note: Metonymy is often confused with synecdoche. These literary devices are
similar but can be differentiated. Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part
of something is used to signify the whole. For example, a common synecdoche for
marriage proposal is to ask for someone’s “hand” in marriage. The “hand” in this
case is just the part that signifies the whole person who is receiving the proposal.
Metonymy is a figure of speech in which one word is used to replace another to
which it is closely linked. However, unlike synecdoche, it is not a part of the word
or idea it represents. For example, the “hand” in the sentence, “Let me give you a
hand” is metonymy for help (hand is closely linked to helping other people).

➢ Irony (Balintuna) is contrast between what is said and what is meant, or

between appearance and reality (used as a technique for humor, satire, or
contrast). Irony often stems from an unanticipated response (verbal irony) or
an unexpected outcome (situational irony).
o Telling someone who has a bad haircut, “Ang ganda naman ng gupit
mo. Sino’ng barbero, halika patayin natin.” (verbal)
o Entering a child’s messy room and saying “Nice place you have here.”
(verbal)
o The thieves robbed the police station. (situational)
o The Titanic was said to be unsinkable but sank on its first voyage.
(situational)
o The witch, who intended to eat Hansel and Gretel, is trapped by the
children in her own oven. (from Hansel and Gretel (Grimm fairy tale);
situational)

➢ Litotes (Pagtanggi) is using double negatives to express a positive idea or

statement.
o Your comments on politics are not useless.
o He is hardly unattractive.
o Your effort has not gone unnoticed.

➢ Oxymoron (Pahidwa) is pairing two words together that are opposing

and/or contradictory.
o The contractor was asked to give the exact estimate of the project.

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 o Our past relationship had a lot of bittersweet memories.
o “Vidia was complicated, two fairies in one, a loyal traitor.” (Gail
Carson Levine)

➢ Paradox (Paradoha) is self-contradictory statement or proposition that

when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true.
o “We must destroy in order to build.”
o “If you don’t risk anything, you risk everything.”
o “Life is a preparation for the future; and the best preparation for the
future is to live as if there were none.” (Albert Einstein)

➢ Apostrophe (Pagtawag) is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker,

speaks directly to someone who is not present or is dead, or speaks to an
abstract idea inanimate object.
o “Hello Darkness, my old friend. I’ve come to talk with you again.”
(Sound of Silence)
In this song, the persona is talking to darkness, an abstract idea.
o “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are.” (The Star)
In this nursery rhyme, a child speaks to a star, an inanimate object .
o “Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? *thee-means you (referring to the dagger)
Come, let me clutch thee!
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.” (William Shakespeare,
Macbeth)
In his mental conflict before murdering King Duncan, Macbeth has a strange
vision of a dagger and talks to it as if it were a person.

➢ Antonomasia (Antonomasiya) is the substitution of an epithet or title for a

proper name; a descriptive phrase replacing a person’s name.
o Pacman is one of the greatest boxers in the world. (Pacman is used as
a substitute for Manny Pacquiao.)
o The Flying A for Johnny Abarrientos
o Makata ng mga Mangagawa (Poet of the Laborers) for Amado V.
Hernandez
o The Bard of Avon for William Shakespeare

➢ Allusion (Alusyon) is reference to some historical, biblical, sociopolitical and

literary event, place or person that has striking resemblance to the subject
under discussion.
o His smile is like kryptonite to me. (signifies ultimate weakness; From
Superman’s weakness)
o Is there an Einstein in your physics class? (genius like Albert Einstein)

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 o “After beating dozens of challengers, the champion finally met his
Waterloo.” (signifies final defeat or setback; From the Battle of
Waterloo, where Napoleon Bonaparte was finally defeated.)

➢ Alliteration (Aliterasyon) is repetition of same initial consonant sound in

two or more neighboring words.
o “Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.”
o Walter wondered where Winnie was.
o Sleep gently my dear Amira
Sleep snugly in your crib
Grow gently
Into the raging rains
Mind not the rushing of my tears.” (Mae Monteclaro Roca, Lullaby for
Amira)

➢ Assonance (Asonans) is the repetition of similar vowel sounds in words that

are close together.
o “For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore.”
o “Fire at the private eye hired to pry in my business.” (Eminem)
o “I never meant the words I said,
So trouble not your honest head.”(Angela Manalang-Gloria, Words)

➢ Onomatopoeia (Paghihimig) is a word that sounds like what it is

describing. It creates a sound effect that mimics the thing described, making
the description more expressive and interesting.
o “The door slowly creaked open and then slammed shut.” (creak and
slam imitate sounds)
o The rustling leaves kept me awake. (rustling imitates sound)
o “Ikaw baga’y daing ng nakaligtaan?
Ikaw baga’y hibik ng pinagtaksilan? (Jose Corazon de Jesus, May Mga
Tugtuging Hindi Ko Malimot)
Hibik imitates sound of sobbing or crying.

Note: Onomatopoeia includes animal noises such as moo, meow, his, quack, and
oink.

➢ Anaphora (Anapora) is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning

of successive sentences, phrases, or clauses.
o “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
o “Ikaw baga’y daing ng nakaligtaan?
Ikaw baga’y hibik ng pinagtaksilan?
Matutulog ako sa gabing kadimlan
ay umuukilkil hanggang panagimpan.” (Jose Corazon de Jesus, May
Mga Tugtuging Hindi Ko Malimot)
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 o “At ngayon, 'di pa rin alam kung ba't tayo nandito
Pwede bang itigil muna ang pag-ikot ng mundo?
Pwede bang itigil muna ang pag-ikot ng mundo?
Pwede bang itigil muna ang pag-ikot ng mundo?” (Eraserheads,
Spoliarium)

USE READING SKILLS: Identify Figures of Speech

Read the poem Balaki ko ‘Day Samtang Gasakay Ta’g Habalhabal and identify the
figurative language used in the lines/verses. Determine also the kinds of tones
and moods that are created by the use of these figures of speech. An example has
been done for you.

Line/s Figure of Tone Mood

Speech

1. hinagubtob onomatopoeia passionate romantic

Sa imong kasingkasing
2. Gaksa ko paghugot
Sama sa lastikong Simile Sensual Romantic
Mipungpong sa imong buhok
3. Ang mga balili unya Personification amuse idealistic
Nga naghalok sa ‘tong batiis
4. Isipon tang kaugaligong simile playful optimistic
mga dila

DURING READING

A Poem by Adonis Durado

1Balakia ko day Recite to me, day
2Samtang gasakay ta’g habalhabal. A poem while we ride a habalhabal.
3Idat-ol og samut Stick your chest closer
4Kanang imong dughanb

5Nganhi sa akong bukobuko c Here on my back

6Aron mas mabatyagan ko ang hinagubtob So that I can feel better the beatings
7Sa imong kasingkasing. Of your heart.
8Sa mga libaongd nga atong malabyan. With the potholes that dot our way
9Gaksa ko paghugot Embrace me tightly

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10Sama sa lastikong
11Mipungpong sa imong buhok.
12Ug sa kainit sa imong ginhawa
13Gitikae kining akong dughan.
14Ang mga balilif unya
15Nga naghalok sa ‘tong batiis
16Isipon tang kaugaligong mga dila.
17Dayon samtang nagakatulin
18Kining atong dagan,
19Mamiyong tag maghangad
20Ngadto sa kawanangan
21Aron sugaton ang taligsikg
22Sa uwan, dahon, ug bulak.
Like the rubber bands
That you use to tie your hair.
And with the warmth of your breaths
Tickle this heart of mine.
And the amorseco
That kiss our legs
Let’s think of them as our own tongues.
Then while we’re speeding up
Our ride
Let’s close our eyes and face
The wide sky
To meet the drizzle
Of rain, leaves, and flowers.

abalak-poem egitika-tickle
bdughan-breast fbalili-grass
cbukobuko-back gtaligsik-drizzle, shower
dlibaong-holes

AFTER READING

Name: Kristine Rain C. Panal Subject: LIT111a

Yr/Cr/Sec: 2BPEd-A Date: November 15, 2021

READING CHECK

Grasp the poem’s full implications and suggestions to answer the following
questions.

1. Who is the speaker/persona in the poem? Describe him.

− The speaker of the poem is the driver of the habalhabal. He is the
speaker who has this intimate love to the addressee. And he wants to
feel the warmth of the love of the addressee. He wants the addressee
to recite a poem to him while they are riding the habalhabal.

2. To whom are the lines addressed? Provide words or lines to support your
answer.
− To the person who also rides in the habal-habal and the "day" that
speakers refer to.
Balaki ko day
Samtang gasaka’y tag habalhabal

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3. What is the situation referred to in the poem?
− The speaker wants the addressee to recite the poem while they are
riding the habalhabal. The speaker wants to stick the chest of the
addressee closer to his back so that he can feel the beatings of the
addressee's heart. And he wants the addressee to embrace him tight
like the rubber bands that she uses to tie in her hair. Then, while they
are speeding up their ride, they close their eyes and face the wide sky
to meet the drizzle of rain, leaves, and flowers.

4. Do the speaker and addressee know each other? Explain your answer.
− Yes, in my opinion, the speaker will never ask the addressee to recite
the poem and hug him tightly if they are not close to each other.
5. How does the persona in the poem feel towards the one he is talking to?
Provide words or lines to support your answer.
− The persona wants to feel the warmth of her breath, the beatings of
the addressee's heart, and he wants to embrace him tightly.

3 Idat-ol og samut
4 Kanang imong dughanb
5 Nganhi sa akong bukobukoc
6 Aron mas mabatyagan ko ang hinagubtob
7 Sa imong kasingkasing.
9Gaksa ko paghugot
10Sama sa lastikong
11Mipungpong sa imong buhok
12Ug sa kainit sa imong ginhawa
13Gitikae kining akong dughan.

6. What does the proximity (distance/physical closeness) between the persona

and the addressee in the poem suggest?
− The proximity between the persona and the addressee is very close to
the point that the chest of the addressee sticks to the back of the
persona.

7. How is love described or expressed in the poem? Explain your answer by

providing evidences from the poem.
− The love expressed in the poem is a romantic love. They are enjoying
the ride and savoring every moment while they are still in each other's
arms, and I think that's romantic.

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 Mamiyong tag maghangad

Ngadto sa kawanangan

Aron sugaton ang taligsikg

Sa uwan, dahon, ug bulak.

8. How does the habal-habal ride differ from other modes of transportation?
Make a comparison using figures of speech.
a) When the habalhabal is full of people, and says "Wow! Daming sakay
parang truck lang ah".
b) The habalhabal fare is as cheap as the jeep fare.
c) Riding a habalhabal is like a chill rollercoaster.

THINK AND REFLECT

How do romantic relationships develop? In the context of the poem, how does
the habal-habal ride dramatize the blossoming/progression of love/intimacy?

− The more time you spend together, the more likely it is that things
will change, therefore learning to accept such changes is critical to the
health of your relationship. It is a good thing if a relationship blossoms in
a romantic way because it will lead to a greater sense of intimacy and
openness on both sides. However, how do they grow? When both parties
are fully committed, they begin to form. In the beginning stages of a
relationship, this will decide how long it will last and how strong it
becomes. Having sex is the only way to maintain a long-term relationship,
according to some experts.
The poem "Balaki Ko 'Day Samtang Gasakay Ta'g Habalhabal" is all
about the blossoming of love between the driver and the addressee while
they travel by habalhabal. The driver expresses his desire to be loved by
making intimate physical contact with the addressee. A love blooms
because of the driver's desire to get what he wants most. It's as if the
images are vividly detailed, and the romance flows smoothly down the
page like a gentle river. In the end, the poem's love developed as a result
of the couple's physical intimacy on the ride.

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ANALYZE LITERATURE: Figures of Speech

Read the following lines/ statements and identify the figurative language used.
Write your answer on the space provided before each item.

Anaphora 1. You are the sultan of my heart, the sultan of my heart.

metaphor 2. The night is starry and the blue stars shiver in the distance.

Oxymoron 3. Oh, Sleep! You are indeed the prisoner’s release!

Onomatopoeia 4. She listened to the click-clack of his heels.

Personification 5. The little horse must think it queer to stop without a

farmhouse near.

Oxymoron 6. Paid volunteers were working for the company.

Metonymy 7. Be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.

simile 8. She was like a modest flower blown in sunny June and warm as
sun at noon’s high hour.

Personification 9. Love is a guest that comes, unbidden, / But, having come,

asserts his right.

Metaphor 10. Chris won’t drive her home because she lives on the other side
of the universe.

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