LET’S RECALL

Figure of Speech

 Simile - a simile is a comparison of two different things. It usually USES the words like or as.
 Metaphor - a metaphor is a comparison of two different things that DOES NOT use the words ‘‘like”
or ‘‘as “
 Personification - personification is using human qualities and attributes and applying them to
inanimate objects.

LET’S PLAY
Share! Share! Share!
Typhoons
 Share your experience during typhoons.
 Share your unforgettable typhoon experience.
Volcanic Eruptions
 I think when we say Volcanic Eruptions, Mt. Pinatubo is the first thing that comes to our mind. But
luckily and thankfully, we were not born at that time that’s we didn’t experience it.
Earthquake
 Share your experience during the earthquake.
 Aside from the earthquake drills.
 Do you still remember the Earthquake last April, when the Chuzon in Porac collapsed?

The Philippines is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a path in the Pacific Ocean where there are roam active
volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Thus, natural calamities are part of the lives of Filipino; In Chapter IX of
Burtis Little's Francisco, the Filipino. Let us examine how Francisco has overcome natural disasters.

The Strength of Nature

Burtis M. Little
(Chapter IX of Francisco, the Filipino)

Francisco lived in a country where Mother Nature is very kind to her children, and yet treats them with great
severity (severe, strict, harsh, or intense). He was close enough to the equator to enjoy tropical sunshine the year
round, with no cold weather and but a few months of long-continued rains. The soil of the Philippines is so
fertile that crops grow with little cultivation. Food, drink, clothing, and shelter are obtained readily, and se
people's wants are easily satisfied. But, as if to counterbalance this generosity, Nature is exceedingly harsh with
the Filipinos. and those who live in these islands must remain in almost constant danger of inconvenience, loss
of property, or even death at her hands.
 Who is the main character in the story?
 In what country where Francisco lives?
  Who is very kind but also very harsh to the Filipinos?
Francisco lived in the Philippines, where Mother Nature is kind to the Filipinos because obtaining food, drink,
clothing, and shelter is easy, supporting life and sustenance. However, Mother Nature is also harsh to the
Filipinos due to the presence of active volcanoes, frequent earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural calamities.
Despite the generosity in providing for the basic needs, the Filipinos face constant danger, including the risk of
inconvenience, loss of property, or even death from these natural hazards.

At various times during the year, especially in the month of September, a traveler in the Philippine Islands will
notice many of the houses braced with long poles which reach from the four upper corners out to the ground
some distance from the house. This is to SAFEGUARD (refers to measures taken to protect or ensure the safety
of something or someone) the house against being blown down by a baguio (bai-guio) or (typhoon). Baguios are
terrific cyclones which sweep in from the China Sea or the Pacific Ocean, and rage over the islands for hours
and even days, leaving death and destruction in their track.
 Again, what do we call the typhoon here in the Philippines?
So before, the typhoon season in the Philippines starts at Ber Months that’s why in preparation for the bagyo,
the Filipinos are using long poles as an additional support to prevent the house from being blown down or
damaged. This is the precautionary measures of the Filipinos.
 How about you, do you have any precautionary measures before the Bagyo?
 Or how do you prepare for the Bagyo?
 Do you charge your Emergency Lights?

Houses are DEMOLISHED (to completely destroy or tear down a structure, building, or object) crops ruined,
trees felled, and boats washed up on shore or dashed to pieces on some of the TREACHEROUS (hazardous
because of presenting hidden or unpredictable dangers) coral reefs that FRINGE (the border or outer edges of
an area or group) the shores of most of the islands. All vessels (boat) that have time either hasten to some
sheltered port or put out into the open sea until the wind abates. The weather bureau in Manila sends out
telegraphic reports whenever a typhoon is known to be approaching the islands, and thus preparations can be
made for the storm.
 These are usually the destructive impacts of it - Houses are demolished, crops ruined, trees felled, and
boats washed.
Even if the storm is not severe enough to blow a house over, the THATCHED (refers to something that is
covered with thatch. Thatch is a traditional roofing material made from straw or reeds) roof is sometimes lifted
so that the rain pours in, soaking clothing and furniture. While a baguio is in progress, the people often gather in
one room of their house and pray for safety, chanting their prayer in a most mournful wail that rises and falls
with the gusts of wind.
 How about you, what do you do when there is a typhoon? – do you also pray?

After such a storm has subsided, the sight is a sorry one; acres of abaci (a type of banana tree) beaten down and
washed into heaps of useless vegetation—a most serious loss requiring three years of growth for the plants to
replace themselves; fields that were waving with beautiful green rice lying flat, ruined for a season: trees broken
off or uprooted; houses roofless or in ruins, and the shores strewn with drift-wood or wreckage.
 After the storm, why did the author say that the sight is a sorry one?
 Green rice lying flat -- Trees broken off or uprooted that required 3 years for the plants to grow again.

EARTHQUAKES
People who live in volcanic countries may expect earthquakes at any time, and such shocks are very common in
the Philippines, —so common, in fact, as to arouse little comment unless the shaking is severe.
Francisco was awakened many nights by hearing his bamboo home CREAK (making a harsh, high-pitched
sound when being moved) and by feeling the strange swaying motion, or the sudden jerks, that are so
terrifying when one is only half awake.
 While Francisco was sleeping at his Bamboo Home, he was awakened by the swaying motion caused by
the earthquake.
 If you were the one living in that Bamboo Home and there was a sudden earthquake, what would you
feel?
Unless the shock is violent there is little danger, even for those who live in stone houses. In the history of the
islands there have been many earthquakes, however, of such strength that whole cities have been left in ruins.
About 1863 Manila and the surrounding country received a shock that destroyed practically the entire city and
killed thousands of people. In 1880, violent shocks lasted over a period of ten days, causing untold loss and
suffering. In recent years reenforced concrete has been taking the place of stone in the building of bridges,
churches, and other large structures, and it has been found to withstand earthquakes well.
 Insert Pictures

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
Closely connected with the earthquakes are the volcanoes of the islands, which have a long and destructive
history, especially Mount Taal near Manila, and Mount Mayon in southern Luzon. The latter volcano has been
in eruption many times; the records show a total of more than twenty-five eruptions since the year 1616, and it
is probable that previous to the nineteenth century observations were inaccurately made and many eruptions
have gone unrecorded. More than half of the eruptions have been severe. That of February 1, 1814, was
especially dreadful, burying the county around the mountain under tons of lava and ashes, and causing about
twelve hundred deaths.
 What are the two destructive volcanoes mentioned in the story?

The parish priest of one of the towns nearby has left the following description of the event:
"Repeated earthquakes took place the night before, and they continued during the morning of the first.
There was then a stronger shock, and at the same moment a cloud of smoke rose from the mouth of the
volcano. The cloud rose in the form of a pyramid and then assumed a feathery appearance which was
very beautiful. As the sun was shining, the phenomenon presented various colors. The top was black, the
 center took on various colors, while the sides and lower part appeared of an ashy tint. While we were
watching this, we felt a strong earthquake, which was followed by loud noises and rumblings.
The volcano then continued to vomit forth lava, and the cloud extended till it darkened the whole
district: and then sparks and flashes seemed to come from the ground and from the cloud, so that the
whole presented the aspect of a most terrible storm. There followed almost immediately a rain of large,
hot stones which broke and burnt whatever they fell upon. A little later, smaller stones, sand, and ashes
were thrown out for more than three hours.... Towns were entirely destroyed and burnt.... The darkness
caused by the eruption was noticeable as far as Manila, ... and according to some, the ashes erupted
passed as far as China."
INSERT VIDEO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S74uFJHI6gM
The volcano began to release lava, and the dark cloud expanded, that’s why the whole Southern Luzon is
darkened. The eruption intensifies, it is raining large hot stones that caused damage by breaking and burning
whatever, they fell upon. This was followed by a continuation of the eruption, with smaller stones, sand, and
ashes being expelled for more than three hours. The eruption led to the complete destruction and burning of
towns in the affected area. The darkness caused by the eruption was noticeable as far as Manila, and ashes were
reported to have reached as far as China.

Around the base of Mount Mayon are many GEYSERS (is a rare kind of hot spring that is under pressure and
erupts, sending jets of water and steam into the air) and hot springs which are used (or baths as cures for
diseases, and as convenient places in which to scald hogs at butchering times. Gases and steam arise from
cracks in the ground constantly, as if a sonic great kettle was boiling just beneath the surface of the earth. At
times the mountain smokes, sending up thin, fine wisps that curl lazily into the aka I wind in graceful circles
about the crater. Wise men who understand volcanoes say that it is a good sign when the mountain smokes,
because it means that the gases arc escaping, and that an eruption is not so likely to occur as when the crater is
closed, and the steam is confined.
 Who is the person that understands volcanoes?
 The wise man who understands volcanoes consider it a positive sign when the mountain is smoking.
This is because the smoke indicates that gases are escaping, reducing the likelihood of a more explosive
eruption.
There is an interesting story current in various parts of the Philippine Islands, which advances a new theory to
account for the smoking of volcanoes. It is said that many years ago an old man lived in the crater of the
mountain and ruled all the country rotund its base. lie permitted the people to use the land part way up the
mountainside but drew a line beyond which they might not go. lie disappeared for a long time, however, and the
people forgot his ruling, planting tobacco all the way to the summit.
Many years ago, according to the story, an old man lived in the crater of Mount Mayon. He ruled the land
around the mountain. The old man permitted the people to use the land partway up the mountainside but set a
boundary beyond which they were not allowed to go. The old man disappeared for a long time, and during his
absence, the people forgot his ruling. They started planting tobacco all the way to the summit, disobeying the
old man's decree.
Finally, however, the old man returned, and when he saw that he had been disobeyed, he was exceedingly angry.
lie roared out his curses at the people, shook the mountain, and threw down hot stones and ashes at them until
they fled down into the valley, terrified and ashamed.
As a further punishment, he took all their crop of tobacco and told them that until he had finished smoking it,
they might not make any use of the mountain slopes. Then he retired within the crater with his immense stock of
tobacco, and whenever the mountain smokes, the older men nod wisely and say he is still smoking the people's
tobacco.
Upon the old man's return, he discovered that his ruling had been ignored. In response, he became exceedingly
angry. So he took all their crop of tobacco and told them that until he had finished smoking it, the people were
not allowed to make any use of the mountain slopes. So since then, every time Mt. Mayon smokes, they believe
that the old man still smoking the people's tobacco.

LET’S SUMMARIZE
 Who is the main character?
 Who is the author of the story?
 How does Mother Nature show her kindness to her children—the Filipinos? – giving us food, drink,
clothing, and shelter is easy, supporting life and sustenance.
 How does Mother Nature treat her children with severity? -
 How do earthquakes, typhoons, and volcanic eruptions affect the lives of the Filipinos? – constant
danger, a lot of inconvenience, death.
 Why do you think the title of the story is “The Strength of Nature”?
 What did you learn in the story?

Task 1: Filipinos are known to be resilient in facing natural calamities and life problems. Is Filipino resilience a
strength or a weakness?
 Filipinos are known survivors of circumstances, a strong fighter in desperate situations.
 Filipinos are resilient, simply because our people haven't had the choice not to be.
The Filipinos endure, recover and regenerate from the impact of storms. This shows the resilience of the
Filipinos in the face of these natural challenges.
Filipinos have demonstrated an impressive ability to adapt to challenging situations, showcasing flexibility and
resourcefulness in the aftermath of natural calamities.
Unity and Community Spirit: Resilience often brings people together. Filipinos, in times of adversity, tend to
unite as a community, offering support and assistance to those in need.
Positive Coping Mechanism: Resilience can serve as a positive coping mechanism, helping individuals and
communities bounce back from hardships, learn from experiences, and grow stronger.
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Over-Reliance on Resilience: Depending too much on resilience may lead to complacency and a lack of
proactive measures. It's essential to strike a balance between adaptability and preventive action.
Restoration efforts from the government are often delayed. Like goods, money, and everything.