Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region V
Schools Division of Sorsogon
GALLANOSA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
San Pedro, Irosin, Sorsogon
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Name of Student: ________________________________________________
Learning Area-Grade Level & Section: ___________________________
Date: _______________________
LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET 3
Title: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World Quarter 1 Module 1: Lesson 3
I. Introduction
Literature in all forms is everywhere in our society and with this idea; it is clear just how significant it
is. Whether it is studied in the classroom, read for pleasure or purpose, literature is an integral part
of many lives. Through literature, one is given not only an opportunity to be enlightened but also a
chance to broaden his/her horizons, views and perceptions. (Conroy, n.d) Dear learners, you are
about to start another learning journey in this module. As you go through this module, prepare to
explore, discover and learn from well selected notable literary pieces written by commendable and
distinguished writers from their respective regions and all over the country.
II. Learning Competency with code:
MELC 1: Writing a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts and doing an
adaptation of these require from the learner the ability to:
a) Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimension of Philippine literary history
from pre-colonial to the contemporary
b) Identify representative texts and authors from each region (e.g. Engage in oral history
research with focus on key personalities from the students’ region/province/town)
Objectives:
1.) Identify literary authors and representative texts from each region.
2.) Read and understand some of their selected literary works/pieces.
3.) Realize the significance of literature in one’s life.
III. Activities
Activity 1. Guess Who? Directions: Write only the letter of your chosen answer. Write letter
D if you think the correct answer is not found in the given choices. Use a separate sheet of
paper for your answer.
1. She was a native of Pampanga but settled in Albay. She was known as the Matriarch of
Filipino women poets writing in English, and was the author of the poem “Revolt from
Hymen”.
A. Edith L.Tiempo B. Angela Manalang Gloria C. Estrella D. Alfon
2. He was from Baao, Camarines Sur and was one of the first Filipinos to write and publish
works in English.
A. Amado V. Hernandez B. Luis G. Dato C. Nick Joaquin
3. A Filipino poet who was the author of "Mi Ultimo Pensamiento" which was the first good
English translation, in rhymes, of José Rizal's "Mi Ultimo Adios".
A. Luis Dato B. Honesto Pesimo,Jr. C. Abdon M.Balde,Jr.
4. She was the author of a book of poetry called “Poems” in 1940. In this collection was also
her last poem, “Old Maid walking In the City.”
A. Merlinda Bobis B. Paz Marquez-Benitez C. Angela Manalang Gloria
5. She is a contemporary Bikolano writer who was born from Legaspi City, Province of Albay
and is the author of “Banana Heart Summer”.
A. Lilia Quindoza-Santiago B. Angela Manalang Gloria C. Merlinda Bobis
6.”The Pretenders” is his most popular novel, which is the story of one man's alienation
from his poor background and the decadence of his wife's wealthy family.
A. F. Sionil Jose B. Cirilo F. Bautista C. Kristian Cordero
7. He is known as the “Father of Ilocano Literature” and acknowledged author of “Biag Ni
Lam-Ang”.
A. Carlos Bulosan B. Pedro Bukaneg C. F.Sionil Jose
8. A writer deeply concerned with social justice, his novels have been translated into 22
languages, and he is one of the most widely read Filipino authors.
A. N.V. M Gonzales B. F. Sionil Jose C. Nick Joaquin
9. ”Third World Geography” is a poem written by_____.
A. Cirilo F. Bautista B. Amado V. Hernandez C. Jose Garcia-Villa
10. "Pagpangaran" is a poem written by a Bicolano writer named___________. A. Jose
Fernando Obias B. Eduardo E. Uy C. Eden Elizanan-Velarde
GIL L. GREGORIO Born on June 24, 1961, Naga, Camarines Sur He’s been into poetry writing since 1983
while serving as one of the staffs of the Nueva Caceres Bulletin, the official publication of the University
of Nueva Caceres. He is a regular contributor to the Bicol literature publication, An Tambobong nin
Literaturang Bikolnon, where several of his poems in Bicol dialect were published. Notable work: A View
From Afar
MERLINDA BOBIS (November 25, 1959) Award-winning writer Merlinda Bobis grew up in Albay,
Philippines at the foot of an active volcano, which figures prominently in her writing and performance.
As a child her main interest was painting, but at age ten she began writing poetry because ‘painting with
words’ was cheaper. She has published novels, short stories, dramas and poems. Works: Fish-Hair
Woman, Coffee Grove, Banana Heart Summer, Dwell, The Kissing
ABDON M. BALDE, JR. (Sept 12, 1946) He was born in Busac, Oas, Albay A contemporary Bicolano writer
in Bikol, Filipino and English He was awarded as one of the Outstanding Bikolano Artists for 2009 in
Literary Arts category in Naga City, In 2012, he was named Poet laureate of Albay. Today, he is a
councillor of the organization Lupon Sa Wika, a member of the National Commission for Culture and the
Arts (NCCA) and director of the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL; English: Writers’ Union of
the Philippines)
Kristian Sendon Cordero (April 1983) His books of poetry in three languages have won the Madrigal-
Gonzales Best First Book Award, the Philippine National Awards and the Gintong Aklat wards( Golden
Book Awards). In 2017, he represented the Philippines in the International Writing Program at the
University of Iowa. As a translator, he has translated the works of Rainer Maria Rilke, Jorge Luis Borges,
Franz Kafka, and Oscar Wilde into Bikol and Filipino.
Meanwhile, let’s get to know as well some of the finest writers from other regions who have also
contributed a lot in the development of Philippine Literature.
FRANCISCO SIONIL JOSE or F.Sionil Jose From Rosales, Pangasinan (1924-Present) Region 1, Ilocos
Region His writings since 1960s when taken collectively can be described as epic. His works reflect the
consistent espousal of the aspirations of Filipinos: National Sovereignty and Social Justice His works
were translated into various languages Rosales Saga, The Pretenders, The Molave and the Orchid (2004)
CIRILO F. BAUTISTA (1941-2018) National Capital Region a poet, fictionist and essayist with exceptional
achievements and significant contributions to the development of the country’s literary arts. As a way of
bringing poetry and fiction closer to the people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to
develop their creative talent, Bautista has been holding regular funded and unfunded workshops
throughout the country. Summer Suns (1963), The Trilogy of Saint Lazarus (2001),Pedagogic (2008),Third
World Geography (2005)
Knowing the vital role of authors or writers in our society is as significant as understanding the essence
of their literary pieces. Do we benefit from it? How?
The Importance of Literature
➢ "By reading narratives, we can empathize and understand others," -Judith Caesar, English professor
at the American University of Sharjah (AUS).
➢ Literature is thought provoking; it allows us to raise questions and gives us a deeper understanding of
issues and situations."
➢ "Literature provides insight into the minds of other human beings, into the mind of the author and
the minds of the character he or she brings to life,"- Sophie Chamas, international studies student at
AUS.
➢ "Literature teaches us to analyze a character, allows us to reach inside his or her mind so we see
what drives a character, what shapes his or her beliefs and how one relates to others."
➢ Literature also allows us to question some of our most prominent beliefs and examine our lives, giving
them deeper meaning.
Now that you have a better understanding as to why our authors and their literary texts play a very
significant role in our lives, let’s have a sample of a thought provoking fiction, an excerpt from a selected
novel piece written by Merlinda Bobis from the Bicol Region and find out the author’s way to teach us a
lesson about life through reading intensively and critically. Then, answer the questions afterwards.
Lengua Para Diablo means “The Devil Ate My Words.” “Lengua is a Spanish word meaning “tongue,”
which in the story, symbolizes the words eaten by the devil. Lengua (Beef tongue) is also a dish made of
cow’s tongue. Lengua is often seasoned with onion and other spices, and then placed in a pot to boil.
Have you eaten Lengua? Would you like to try it or eat it again? Why or why not?
LENGUA PARA DIABLO
[Excerpt from Banana Heart Summer, 2005]
by Merlinda Bobis
I suspected that my father sold his tongue to the devil. He had little say in our house. Whenever he felt
like disagreeing with my mother, he murmured, ‘The devil ate my words.’ This meant he forgot what he
was about to say and other was often appeased. There was more need for appeasement after he lost his
job. The devil ate his words, the devil ate his capacity for words, the devil ate his tongue. "but perhaps
only after prior negotiation with its owner, what with other always complaining, ‘I’m already taking a
peek at hell’ when it got too hot and stuffy in our tiny house. She seemed to sweat more that summer,
and miserably. She made it sound like Father’s fault, so he cajoled her with kisses and promises of an
electric fan, bigger windows, a bigger house, but she pushed him away, saying, ‘Get off me, I’m hot, ay,
this hellish life’ 'gain he was ready to pledge relief, but something in my mother’s eyes made him mutter
only the usual ‘The devil ate my words,’ before he shut his mouth. Then he ran to the tap to get her
more water. Lengua para Diablo, tongue for the devil. Surely he sold his tongue in the devil (change for
those promises to my mother) comfort, a full stomach, life without our wretched want . . . But the devil
never delivered his side of the bargain. The devil 11 was alien to want. He lived in a Spanish house and
owned several stores in the city. This Spanish mestizo was my father’s employer, but only for a very
short while. He sacked him and our neighbour Tiyo Anding, also a mason, after he found a cheaper hand
for the extension of his house. We never knew the devil’s name. Father was incapable of speaking it,
more so after he came home and sat in the darkest corner of the house, and stared at his hands. It took
him two days of silent staring before he told my mother about his fate. I wondered how the devil ate my
father’s tongue. Perhaps he cooked it in mushroom sauce, in that special Spanish way that they do ox
tongue. First, it was scrupulously cleaned, rubbed with salt and vinegar, blanched in boiling water, then
scraped of its white coating ---- now, imagine words scraped off the tongue, and even taste, our capacity
for pleasure. In all those two days of silent staring, father hardly ate. He said he had lost his taste for
food, he was not hungry. Junior and Nilo were more than happy to demolish his share of gruel with fish
sauce. Now after the thorough clean, the tongue was pricked with a fork to allow the flavours of all the
spices and condiments to penetrate the flesh. Then it was browned in olive oil. How I wished we could
prick my father’s tongue back to speech and even hunger, but of course we couldn’t, because it had
disappeared. It had been served on the devil’s platter with garlic, onion, tomatoes, bay leaf, clove,
peppercorns, soy sauce, even sherry, butter, and grated edam cheese, with that aroma of something
rich and foreign. His silent tongue was already luxuriating in a multitude of essences, pampered into a
piquant delight. Perhaps, next he should sell his esophagus, then his stomach. I would if I had the chance
to be that pampered. To know for once what I would never taste. I would be soaked, steamed, sautéed,
basted, baked, boiled, fried and feted with only the perfect seasonings. I would become an epicure. On a
rich man’s plate, I would be initiated to flavours of only the finest quality. In his stomach, I would be
inducted to secrets. I would be ‘the inside girl’, and I could tell you the true nature of sated affluence.
Activity 2.
1. What does the father mean by “the devil ate my words”?
2. Does the little girl understand what the father means?
3. How does the girl misinterpret her father’s words?
4. In her excerpt, what reality does the author want to tell us about Philippine society? Do you think this
is still true? Explain.
5. What common social issues are being tackled by the author in this excerpt?
___________________________________________________________________ ____________
6. What Filipino family culture is dominantly described/ presented by the author in the excerpt? Cite
proof/evidences from the excerpt.
___________________________________________________________________
7. The author used metaphor in her writing. Explain the metaphorical/symbolical meaning of “tongue “in
her excerpt.
Activity 3.
You can have a short break from the usual writing activity. What you need is a pencil and a clean bond
paper. You may also use coloring materials to make your output more creative. You have to read and
understand the Filipino poem written by Merlinda Bobis. Then, draw something that best represents the
meaning of the poem. Briefly explain the object that you have drawn. Do this in a separate sheet of
paper.
"Usapang Ina at Anak"
Merlinda Bobis
“inang, napakaiksi ng inyong biyahe mula kama hanggang kalan.”
“ay, anak, tinatawid ko sa mundo ikaw at ang tatang.”
“inang, nanunuyo na ang inyong mga matang
hindi marahil nasipingan ng diwa.”
“anak, ako ang nagluluwal ng binhi ng isip.”
“inang, araw-araw yata ay umiikli ang inyong dila.”
“anak, anak, ang mga labi ko’y hitik sa mga salitang napipi ng halik.”
“inang, hindi tadyang ang hinugot kay adan puso.”
Activity 4. Appreciate, Demonstrate
Directions: This time you will be asked to show your respect and appreciation to your local writers/
authors by making a creative tribute through any of the following: Use a separate sheet for your output.
A. Writing a two-stanza poem
B. Tiktok Presentation
C. Creating a Slogan (can be posted on facebook)
D. Poster-Making (can be posted on facebook)
E. Other creative forms
IV. Reflection
1. How does literary texts affect the readers?_____________________________.
V. Answer Key
Activity 1 Guess Who?
1.B
2. B
3. A
4. B
5.C
Activity 2
1-4 Answers may vary
5. Unemployment and poverty
6. Men should be the one who will work for the family.
7. Answers may vary
Activity 3
Answer may vary
Sample outputs (students may draw candle which symbolizes light, heart which symbolizes
unconditional love, sketches of their own mother)
VI. References for learners
a. The Panitikan Website www.panitikan.com.ph/poetry/usapanginaatanak.htm
b. https://www.slideshare.net/NicoleAngeliquePangilinan/lengua-para-diablo21st-century-
literature-grade-11
c. https://gulfnews.com/general/literature-is-the-mirror-of-society 1.86134
d. http://gwhs-stg02.i.gov.ph/~s2govnccaph/about-culture-andarts/culture-profile/national-
artists-of-the-philippines/cirilo-f-bautista/
Prepared by:
JUVELYN HAPITA GUTLAY
TIII
