History and Analysis of

Literature of
School of Graduate Studies
Baliwag, Bulacan

Bohol and Siquijor

History and Analysis of Literature
of Bohol and Siquijor

Submitted by

Prepared by: MARIA KRISETTE B. CRUZ

MARIA KRISETTE B. CRUZ
MaEd- English

MAEd-English
Submitted to:

MA. THERESA DE GUZMAN

Faculty-Graduate Studies

Presented to: MA. THERESA DE GUZMAN

Faculty- Graduate Studies
Thesis Statements
(1)Bohol has a very rich literary history from
pre-colonialism until contemporary period;
most of their works showcase the Boholanos
qualities and their surrounding environment.

(2)Being a former part of Bohol, Siquijor has a

limited literary history which is dependent to
Boholanos history; most of it concerns the
stories of mystique, witchcraft (kulam/barang),
and faith healing which are popular to the
place.
Literary History of Bohol
In the thesis study conducted by Pajo in 1954, it was
proven that Bohol possesses a vast number of
different literary types covering folk speech, folk
narratives, and folk songs which were all made
available via- oral tradition during pre-Spanish
Colonialism.
During the Spanish regime, collections of poetry
were also produced by Boholanos expressing their
characteristics and love for the island province of
Bohol. It was also during the colonialism period of
Spaniards when Balak writers have sprung and
lasted until the Japanese period. Balak pertains to
Boholano poetry.
Many contemporary writers are also Boholanos.
Literary History of Siquijor
(Katugasan- Isla del Fuego Sikihod)
Folk legend depicts a story of a ruler
who allegedly introduced himself as Si
Kihod when the Spaniards arrived.
The native term quidjod which
means the tide is going out. As to how
the province arose, it emerged out
from the waves after a very destructive
earthquake.
known as Mystical Island. In 1997, the
island was featured in the book of
Licauco having its title Encounter with
the unknown. Even the natives do
not reject the belief about their
province. (Licauco, 1997)
Literary History of Siquijor
Its literary history,
majority of the
literature falls unto
those subject or
theme- Magic,
Witchcraft

With regards to Riddles, Folk Songs, Proverbs, Fable or

short stories, Siquijor does not have their own since their
history including its literary history is deemed dependent
to Bohol and Negros Oriental where it formerly belong
for a long time. To reiterate, it was only in 1971 when
Siquijor became an independent province.
Nature and Description of Bohol
Origin of Bohol- sprung from shell of a turtle and
served as shelter to a woman who fell from the Sky.
Mythology of Creation - the landforms of the earth
was created because Sky, out of anger, threw rocks
and to the sea when a bird through water to the
sky.
Origin of Man and Woman depicts a story which is
almost the same to the story of Adam and Eve. The
first man named Silalac, and the first woman name
Sibabay both came from a bamboo pecked by a
bird. They were also tempted by a snake, and
Bathala punished them.
Nature and Description of Bohol
Another legend explaining the reason why
Boholanos are in Bohol was told by Mr. Anacleto
Sevilla, a native of Tagbilaran Bohol. According to
him, Boholanos are originally natives of heaven, that
is the reason why they are peace loving and
hospitable
dominated with an abundant folk speech in the
form riddles, proverbs, and lyric poetry.
Gamay pa si pari, Kusog nang mosaka ug lubi.
Riddle Translation: No matter how small is
compadre, He can climb a coconut tree. (Ant)

Ang mga butang nga dili hikitan, Ug dili hidungan sa

tawo, Sa langit hikitan ug hibaloan.
Proverb translation: What a person sees not, And
hears not, Heaven sees and knows.
 Kon may monoljunda ang langit
Nga sa kahimayaan nag ambahan
Ug sa mga yawa gikalisangan,
Ang Bohol usab dunay manag-awit
Mga matahum nga kadalagahan
Salamin sa kaligdong, apan maiing-git
Kon lampingasan pasipad-an

If in the heavens are angels

Everlasting happiness
And envied by Satans empire,
In Bohol, there are sweet singers,
Beautiful and lovely maidens,
Mirror of Industry and humility
Who fight for their rights if trampled upon
Nature and Description of Siquijor
- 3rd smallest island of the
Philippines, formerly a part
of Bohol then later on
Negros Oriental.
its literature cannot be
separated from what has
been prevalent on those
both provinces.
Own folk speech and
narrative are only limited
to the mystique of the
island and eerie beliefs of
the natives
Literary Works of Bohol
Literary Works of Bohol
3. Folk Riddles and Proverbs
4. Lyric Poetry
Asa Ka Paingon, Hinoyohoy
(Whither Goest Thou, Cold Breeze)
Ulipon (Enslave)
Bohol
Literary Works of Siquijor
1. The legend of Siquijor
2. Ang Alamat ng Isla del Fuego
3. The Black Magic Mary
4. The Balete Tree in Lazi
5. The Capilaray Spring
Critical Analysis for Literary Works

 The second poem

was written by
Marjorie Evasco, a
Boholano Palanca
Awardee who hails
from Tagbiliran City.
It was written in 1999
(Revilla, 2003).

It does not observe exact

rhyming or measure;
however, it is shaped like a
sail of a ship or a boat. This
kind of structure may be
attributed to the Boholanos
love for fishing, traveling, and
striving for success.
 The researcher
presumed that the
story was altered
because of the
Siquijodons strong
disbelief to the
Spaniards by the
time they are
proliferating
Catholicism.
During those times, Siquijor was still a part of Bohol, and it was
described in history that majority of people back then fought for
their ancestors religious belief of which may be called as
occult. However, for the natives of Siquijor, the story of the Black
Magic Mary is true. Faith healer, acclaimed sorcerers of the
place venerates it during the Faith healing festivals.
To them, Sta. Rita is the saint of witches; she can grant even
prayers that causes harm.
 The Black Magic Mary is Sta. Rita de Siquijor. Sta.
Rita is married at the age of 14, and had sons with her
extremely abusive husband. Long after, when her son
grew, their father was found murdered and beheaded. It
was speculated that Sta. Rita killed him. Meanwhile, her
sons plead to take vengeance over their fathers death,
yet Sta. Rita advised them to just forget and forgive what
had happened. At night, Sta. Rita would always pray for
her sons death in order to refrain them in taking revenge.
Within a year, her sons died. After the death of her sons,
she decided to enter a convent; in spite of the rule that
only virgins and unmarried woman can enter nunnery,
Rita who never ceased praying to be a nun, was
unexplainably accepted. Thereafter, in one of her
meditation in the convent, she prayed "Please let me
suffer like you, Divine Saviour
and a thorn from the crown of thorns adorning the
crucifixion of Jesus Christ fell and hit her in the forehead,
leaving a gaping wound that never healed and became
a full stigmata. Nevertheless, the story continued that in
her death bed, Sta. Rita asked her cousin for a rose and a
fig from her old house. Her cousin probably thought her
senile as it was January and supposedly the winter season
would have long killed the plants in her yard. still, the
cousin obliged Sta. Rita and visited the house only to find
a single rose in full bloom as well as a ripe fig ready to be
plucked.
Nowadays, in Siquijor tourist are warned to leave
the place before night begins because the Black Magic
Mary roams around at night time. And in the morning,
you can see the image filled with grass and traced of soil
evidencing that it indeed walked during nighttime to
hunt.
Conclusions:
From the information collated and interpreted, the researcher
concludes that:
(1) Bohol has a very rich literary history from pre-colonialism
until contemporary period; most of their works showcase the
Boholanos qualities and their surrounding environment. This
statement is supported through the detailed list of available
literary works from the province, particularly discussing samples
of Myth and Legend (Myth of Bohol and Origin of Boholanos),
Riddles, Proverbs, Poetry (Bohol and Babayeng Talabon)
(2) Being a former part of Bohol, Siquijor has a limited literary
history which is dependent to Boholanos history; most of it
concerns the stories of mystique, witchcraft (kulam/barang),
and faith healing which are popular to the place. This
statement is supported by the History of Siquijor, Legend of
Siquijor and the story of Black Magic Mary.