MODULE TWO

PHILIPPINE COLONIAL LITERATURE:

RESOLVING CONFLICTS; CHANGING PERSPECTIVES

S
panish colonization of the Philippines began in 1565 but it was not
until the late 19th century that significant writing in Spanish by Filipino
emerged. A key reason for the late development is that while printing
was introduced in 1593 (with the first book printed in the Philippines, Doctrina
Cristiana), the conditions for a “culture of literacy” – particularly, the rise of
journalism and an educational system based on letters – developed only in the
19th century. Between 1593 and 1800, only 541 books were published in the
Philippines. Before 1800, the only noteworthy Filipino writers in Spanish were
those who wrote religious literature, usually in collaboration with the Spanish
missionaries.
The end of Spanish rule in 1898 and the first decades of the American
occupation saw a surge of literary activity in Spanish. Factors for this surge
include the spread of secular and liberal ideas, advances in public education,
and the expansion of journalism and book publishing. A key factor, too, was
the language situation in the early 20th century. Three languages contended
as medium for expression — the native language (whether Tagalog, Iloko,
Cebuano, or some other Philippine language), Spanish (the language of the
educated elite), and English (then in the process of being propagated in the
U.S. -sponsored public school system). In this transition, Spanish persisted as a
medium, particularly for the generation schooled in the Spanish system.

The module is divided into five comprehensive lessons:

Lesson 6: Doctrina Cristiana (Christian Doctrines):

Works of Spanish Religious

Lesson 7: El Parnaso Filipino (The Filipino Poet):

The Formative Stages

Lesson 8: Los Indios Bravos (The Brave Men):

Ignited Nationalism

Lesson 9: Huellas Españolas (Spanish Imprints):

The Golden Age of Literature

Lesson 10: El Transito (The Transit):

Literature during the Transition Period
BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND!

CONTENT STANDARD

The learner demonstrates understanding of: Philippine literature

during the Period of Apprenticeship as a means of examining conflicts; various
purposeful listening and viewing strategies; difference between literal and
figurative language; ways to extract and condense information based on
library sources; verbal and non-verbal cues in oral communication; and types
of phrases, clauses, and sentences.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD

The learner transfers learning by: resolving conflicts presented in

literary selections; using tools and mechanisms in locating library resources;
extracting information and noting details from texts to write a précis, summary,
The Noli Me Tangere & El Filibusterismo or paraphrase; distinguishing between and using literal and figurative
books by Jose Rizal are two of the most language and verbal and non-verbal cues; use phrases, clauses, and sentences
influential books in the Philippines. Art
from www.jaeon009.tumblr.com

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 69

 LESSON 6
Did You Know That...
Doctrina Cristiana
(Christian Doctrines):
Works of the Spanish Religious

First Mass at Limasawa. 1960s. Carlos “Bot- KNOW WHAT

ong” Francisco. Photo from the National
Museum Collections webpage. YOU KNOW
The first Catholic Mass in the
Philippines was held on March 31, TASK 1
1521, Easter Sunday. It was said by Watch a news report from GMA News TV’s State of the Nation Address about
Father Pedro de Valderrama along the traditional Pabasa or reading of the Pasyon. Using the diagram below,
the shores of what was referred to in identify and enumerate the reasons of the slow vanishing of this century-old
the journals of Antonio Pigafetta as tradition, especially among the current generation.
“Mazaua”.
Today, this site is widely believed
by many to be Limasawa at the tip
of Southern Leyte, though this is
contested by some who assert that the
first mass was instead held at Masao,
Butuan.
On June 19, 1960, Republic Act No.
2733, called the Limasawa Law,
was enacted without being signed
by the President of the Philippines.
The legislative fiat declared The site
in Magallanes, Limasawa Island in
the Province of Leyte, where the first
Mass in the Philippines was held is
hereby declared a national shrine to
commemorate the birth of Christianity
in the Philippine.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 70

Spotlight on the Author EXPLORE

I in 1814, Fr. Mariano Pilapil of

Barangay San Jose, Bulakan, Bulacan
and one of the first ladinos or bilingual
translators from Spanish to Tagalog, wrote
the “Kasaysayan ng Pasyong Mahal ni
THE TEMPTATION OF ADAM AND EVE
(ANG PANGINGIMBULO NG DEMONYO KAY ADAN AT EBA)
excerpt from Mariano Pilapil’s translation of Kasaysayan ng Pasyong Mahal
ni Hesu Kristong Panginoon Natin

T
Hesu Kristong Panginoon Natin” or
simply “Pasiong Genesis”, also known he “Pasyón” is a Philippine epic
as “Pasyong Pilapil.” Pilapil was born in narrative of the life of Jesus Christ,
1759 in San Jose village and was a doctor focused on his Passion, Death,
of theology and a representative to the law- and Resurrection. In stanzas of five lines
making body, the Spanish Cortes. Before he of eight syllables each, the standard
gained popularity for writing the “Pasyon,” elements of epic poetry are interwoven
Pilapil also wrote the book, “Gramatica with a colourful, dramatic theme.
Hispano-Latina,” which drew attention This version by Mariano Pilapil is
to his linguistic prowess. The priest was
assigned to Cavite province from 1794 to also known as the Pasyóng Genesís as the
1795. He also served as a teacher at Colegio Genesis creation narrative precedes the
Real de San Jose in 1812, where he taught sections concerning the Virgin Mary and
Bulacan poet Francisco Balagtas who wrote Christ.
“Florante at Laura.” In this portion, Adam and Eve
have been punished by God for listening
to the temptation of the serpent. Along
MOTIVE QUESTION with the serpent, Adam and Eve were
driven out of the garden to toil.
How do you think Adam and Eve’s circumstance In the Christian faith, this is
became a relevant concern among Filipinos what is being pertained to as the ‘original
during the Spanish colonization? sin’ which will only be forgiven by God
How does this affect us in the present? through a sacrifice, that was fulfilled by
Jesus Christ upon his death on the cross.
***
VOCABULARY BUILDING
TAGALOG VERSION ENGLISH TRANSLATION*
perverse – adj. \ˈpər-ˌvərs\
turned away from what is right or good; Sinumpa na kapagkuwan Thereafter was the serpent cursed
corrupt; improper ng Diyos itong bulaan by Almighty God, this fraud
incite – v. \in-ˈsīt\ ay, aniya tampalasan, and perverse being, will be
to move to action; stir up; spur on; urge on magpangayo’t kailan man crawling down the ground
sa lupa ka ay gagapang. now until the end
prodigal – adj. \ˈprä-di-gəl\
characterized by profuse or wasteful Ikaw at itong babae, You, serpent, and this woman,
expenditure; recklessly spendthrift magtatanim na parati, will toil all your life,
sa supling niya at iwi, down to your children and kin
cherubim – n. \ˈcher-ə-ˌbim\ sisipot siyang aapi she will incite oppression
an order of angels sa kalupitan mong dati. to your cruelty
keenly – adv. \ˈkēn-lē\
very enthusiastic or serious about Ito ang siyang sumpa Ko This shall be My curse
sa iyo, lilong demonyo to you, evil demon
isang babae ring tao, a woman will be
balang araw’y paririto coming one day
yuyurak ng iyong ulo. to crush your head

Nang ito nga ay mawika When it was uttered

nitong Diyos na dakila by the Almighty God
ay nilingon alipala He then turned directly
ang babaing alibugha’t to the prodigal woman
kaniya naman sinumpa. and He incited judgment

Anang Diyos na maalam The All-Knowing God said

babae ay ikaw naman Woman, you will be
totoong masasakupan, fully submitted
ng buong kapangyarihan to the full authority
ng asawang kaibigan. of your man

Lalong hirap lalong dusa Greater hardships and sufferings,

*NOTES: ang sasapitin mo Eba Eve, you will face
The rough translation in English of the Tagalog version sakit na walang kapara, unmatched pain, you’ll experience
did not religiously follow the 8-syllable pattern to kung maglihi’t manganak ka when you give birth
adhere to the thought of the Tagalog terms.
sa lahat mong ibubunga. to all your offsprings

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QUESTIONS FOR COMPREHENSION
At ikaw, Adang suwail And you, disobedient Adam
na di sumunod sa akin who did not follow my command,
What curse did God subject on the
serpent? madlang hirap ang daratnin, will face a lot of hardships,
na ang lahat mong kakanin that everything you’re going to eat
sa iyong pawis manggagaling. will come from toiling

Itong abang mag-asawa This poor couple was

pinaramtan kapagdaka, dressed immediately
ng damit na masasaya with skin from an animal
nang matapos iniwan na then, they left
ng Diyos na Poong Ama. God, their Father
To which, do you think, was God angry
about? Is he mad to Adam and Eve or to Nanaog nga at sukat Upon leaving, they saw
what they did? kerubing sakdal ng dilag, a cherubim so glorious
isang espada ang hawak, with a sword on his hand
nagbabaga’t nagniningas that burns brightly,
daig ang mabisang kidlat. incomparable to a fiery lightning

Agad ipinagtabuyan Immediately sentenced,

yaong si Eba at si Adan Adam and Eve went
at sila ay pinapanaw, away from the garden
pinaalis pinaluwal pushed away, thrown
Conduct a cross-reading of the selection sa paraisong pintuan. from the paradise’s gates
with the version written in the Holy Bible
(Genesis 3:1-23). How was the character Pinto’y binantayang tambing The gates were keenly guarded
of God portrayed in the Pasyon? Is it the niyong mahal na Kerubin by this splendid cherubim
same with his character as it is told from sino ma’y di papasukin, anyone cannot enter
the Bible? Explain your answer. lupang yao’y inilihim this land was kept a secret
ng Diyos na poon natin. by God, who is our Lord.

PROCESS

The marks of Christianity brought by almost four centuries of Spanish

colonization is deeply embedded in the cultural context of the Philippines up to
this time. One of these is the commemorating of the life, teachings, death and
ressurection of Jesus Christ through the reading of the Pasyon. These practices
may have evolved through time, but the message is still a timely reminder of our
faith in God Almighty. This is because of the universality of the subject, or simply
put, the theme.
Theme is an element of prose that talks about the main message or the
overall content of a particular story or narrative. While it may not directly affect
the story’s appreciative quality, the theme typically provides the reader a pre-
conceived idea of what the story is all about.
Some of the prevailing themes in Spanish colonial literature is all about
defending one’s faith, religion and religious affairs, because of the intentions of
the Spaniards to colonize the archipelago by spreading their religion across the
islands, which is a successful stint in its almost 400-year stay.
Along the way, themes in narratives developed and gave birth to
additional themes. Some of the many themes that are considered universally
accepted are: love, war, peace, social hierarchy, sexuality, death, and culture.

TASK 1
Do you still have surviving grandparents, relatives or even old neighbors that are
participating in the annual Pasyon every Holy Week? Conduct an interview with
these people by asking the following questions:

1. How long are you participating in reading the Pasyon?

2. What makes your participation in the annual pasyon a unique experience?
3. Aside from strengthening one’s faith, what other message can be drawn from
the Pasyon?

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 72

 ENRICH
HOW FAR DO YOU KNOW YOUR LIBRARY?

LIFE SKILL As early as your grade school years, you were already introduced to
Libraries and museums are among a room full of books and informative resources - the library. You’ve been in
our communities’ most engaging and and out of its portals, yet you don’t know it full well. In this lesson, you will be
trusted learning institutions. They familiarized to what a library really is and what are the sections of the library you
are places where children and their need to be familiar with.
families connect, discover and grow
together. With a focus on discovery A library is a collection of sources of information and similar resources,
and experience, libraries and museums made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing. It provides
can build the executive function life physical or digital access to material, and may be a physical building or room,
skills that are so essential to success in or a virtual space, or both. A library’s collection can include books, periodicals,
learning and in life. newspapers, manuscripts, films, maps, prints, documents, microform, CDs,
cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, e-books, audiobooks, databases, and
other formats. Libraries range in size from a few shelves of books to several
million items.
The library is divided into several sections:

Circulation or Loan Section. This section houses and circulates books

and other materials in the General Collection and Reserve Collection. This section
contains the bulk of the library collection. It houses the collection of books
in computer science, history, psychology, social sciences, engineering,
nursing, education, and other allied fields.

Filipiniana Section. This section houses a collection of publications

about the Philippines regardless of author and imprint, works written by Filipinos
and materials written in the Filipino language in the form of books,
DID YOU KNOW THAT... periodicals, pamphlets, etc.
The Philippines, through
Proclamation No. 563, series of 1959, Reference Section. Materials found in this section are for inside use
designating March 9 of every year as only. Books found in this section comprises of different kinds of dictionaries,
Public Library Day and authorizing encyclopedias, directories, manuals, atlases, yearbooks, almanacs, indices,
the Bureau of Public Libraries, in bibliography, and non-book materials that include maps, globes, and vertical
cooperation with all other public files of clippings, pamphlets, leaflets and ephemeral materials.
libraries all over the Philippines, to
sponsor a nationwide celebration of
this event and to conduct a public Periodical Section. This section holds current and back issues
library drive. of selected foreign professional journals. Local professional journals can be
found at the Filipiniana Section.

Fiction Section. This section holds a wide range of literary collections

like novels, short story collections and poetry collections

Multimedia Section. This section houses all multimedia resources such

as CDs, DVDs, films, cassette tapes, containing various information. This can also
include computers with internet connection for web resources.
Books are arranged according to their classifications, as guided by either
a Dewey Decimal classification system or Library of Congress Classification. For
some old libraries, they are still using the card cataloguing system, while others
already resorted to having an inline database of their book collections.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 73

TASK 1
Visit your library or any other community or public libraries in your area. What
other features of the library that were not mentioned in the lesson are found
in them? Enumerate them and give a short description of the purpose of this
particular section.

Section Functions/ Purposes

TASK 2
Identify which section can you find the following resource materials/ book titles.

1. Rizal’s Literary Collections _______________________________________

2. NatGeo Documentary Films _______________________________________
3. 2017 Issues of Reader’s Digest _______________________________________
4. A book about Martial Law _______________________________________
5. Edgar Allan Poe’s Stories _______________________________________
6. Encyclopedia Brittanica _______________________________________
7. Philosophy of the Human Person _______________________________________
8. The Manila Times _______________________________________
9. Ortograpiyang Pambansa _______________________________________
10. Damiana Eugenio Collection
of Folklore and Traditions _______________________________________

SPEAK UP!
VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL CUES
Humans are pack animals. Our ancestors hunted and gathered as
a collective, depending upon one another for protection, sustenance and
companionship. Our success as a species and as individuals depends upon our
ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and non-verbally. Verbal and
non-verbal communication shapes our interactions with others in business and
interpersonal relationships, as well as our financial and personal success, and our
physical and psychological well-being. Understanding the different aspects of
verbal and non-verbal communication, and the important roles they play in our
interactions with others, is the first step to enhancing positive communication
and nurturing relationships.
We use verbal communication to inform, whether it is to inform
others of our needs or to impart knowledge. Clarification is a key component
of verbal communication. Often, we do not articulate ourselves clearly, or our
words or actions are misconstrued. Verbal communication helps to clarify
misunderstandings and provides missing information.
Non-verbal communication includes body language, such as gestures,
facial expressions, eye contact and posture. Touch is a non-verbal communication
that not only indicates a person’s feelings or level of comfort, but illustrates

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 74

 personality characteristics as well. A firm handshake or warm hug indicates
something very different than a loose pat on the back or a timid handshake
does. The sound of our voice, including pitch, tone and volume are also forms
of non-verbal communication. The meaning behind someone’s words is often
entirely different than the literal translation, as is seen in instances of sarcasm
and mockery. The clothing we wear and the way we design our living space
are also forms of non-verbal communication that frequently shape people’s
judgments about others, regardless of whether or not the perceptions are true.

TASK 1
Find a partner. Identify which between you and your partner will be Student
A or Student B. Student A will read the lines out loud with the appropriate
emotions and tone of voice. Student B, will only be prompted by the dialogue
to act out his/her response. For example, student B may be in a rush, may be
really bored, or maybe feeling guilty.

A: Have you seen my book? I can’t remember where I put it.

B: (Which one?)
A: The murder mystery. The one you borrowed.
B: (Is this it?)
A: No. It’s the one you borrowed.
B. (I did not!)
A: Maybe it’s under the chair. Can you look?
B: (OK--just give me a minute.)
A: How long are you going to be?
B: (Geez, why so impatient? I hate when you get bossy.)
A: Forget it. I’ll find it myself.
B: (Wait—I found it!)

TASK 2
Watch the short clip from Charlie Chaplin’s silent movie entitled “The Lion Cage”.
Scan the QR Code or copy the URL of the video. Then answer the matrix below
about what you have observed from the non-verbal cues of the character.

Non-Verbal Cues Observation

Posture and Composure
Youtube URL: https://www.youtube. • Does he look defensive?
com/watch?v=mpjEyBKSfJQ • Does he seem confident?
• Do you find him reckless?
• Is he aggressive?
• Is he welcoming?
Attention and Interest
• Head movements
• Eye contact
• Body orientation
• Facial expressions
• Leaning in or out
General Dynamics
• How animated, edgy, nervous or stoic,
calm, collected they appear?
• Do you notice any unnecessary
motions that signify nervousness -
such as: darting eyes, erratic
movements or self-comforting
gestures?
• Does he seem full of energy and very
upbeat and dynamic?

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 75

 EXPAND YOUR HORIZON
LITERAL AND FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
In our daily activities, speaking forms a large part of it. We talk to people
close to us, people we work with and even strangers. Language is a vital part
of human existence and sometimes, we find ways on how we will be easily
interpreted by people.
When we are having casual conversations with people, our primary
purpose in conversing is to quickly send the message across without the worry
of being misunderstood. That is why we make it a point to say it straightforward.
However, there are instances wherein we wat people to figure it out themselves
DID YOU KNOW THAT... by using indirect words or words with figurative meaning.
Usually, an idiom is figurative in This is where the function of literal and figurative language takes place.
modern contexts but once had a literal
meaning. These literal meanings, or Why do we need to learn how to distinguish literal and figurative language as
idiom origins, can help a learner of part of our daily expression?
English to understand where a phrase
originated. Ever wondered what it LITERAL LANGUAGE
means for an item to “cost an arm If you’re doing something highly technical, like building a rocket, you’ll
and a leg?” The story goes that this want to know exactly what the instructions say without any possible confusion.
phrase originated from 18th-century In an instance like this, literal language is essential, because it explains exactly
paintings, as famous people like what should be done through the course of the rocket construction.
George Washington would have their Look at these examples:
portraits done without certain limbs
showing. Having limbs showing is said
to have cost more. Now, the idiomatic The grass is green.
expression is being used to refer to The hot flames roasted the fibers of the asparagus until it had dark
something that is extremely expensive, grill marks.
like a Chanel bag or a Balenciaga pair
of sandals. Do you know of any other Literal language should have no potential confusion, and the language
English idioms with surprising origin should be very straightforward, or else, the message will not be translated
stories? across, the steps will not be successful; to the disappointment of the one who
followed the instruction.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Any time your writing goes beyond the actual meanings of your words,
you’re using figurative language. This allows the reader to gain new insights into
your work. Figurative language is generally more colorful. Literature drips with
figurative language! Instead of using an exact description of what is happening in
the text, figurative language creates comparisons and uses suggestive language
to paint a picture in the mind of the reader.
There are many forms of figurative language, but let’s take a look at
some of the most common:

Metaphor. Metaphors only makes sense when the similarities between

the two things being compared are apparent or readers understand the
connection between the two words.

You’re a couch potato.
Time is money.
He has a heart of stone.

Simile. A simile also compares two things. However, similes use the
words “like” or “as.”

The tall girl stood out like a sore thumb.

It was as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.
My mouth was as dry as a bone.

Personification. Personification gives human characteristics to

inanimate objects, animals, or ideas. This can really affect the way the reader
imagines things. Personification is often used in poetry, fiction, and children’s
HOME TASK rhymes.
What other kinds of figurative
expressions do you know? Give each Opportunity knocked at his door.
one an example and try to use it in one The sun greeted me this morning.
of your daily conversations! The sky was full of dancing stars.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 76

 Hyperbole. Hyperbole is an outrageous exaggeration that emphasizes
a point. It tends toward the ridiculous or the funny. Hyperbole adds color and
depth to a character. Examples include:

You snore louder than a freight train!

It’s a slow burg. I spent a couple of weeks there one day.
She’s so dumb, she thinks Taco Bell is a Mexican phone company.

Symbolism. Symbolism occurs when a word has its own meaning but is
used to represent something entirely different. Examples in everyday life include:

Using the image of the Philippine flag to represent patriotism and a

love for one’s country.
Incorporating a white dove in emblems to symbolize peace.
Using a carabao to represent the Filipino simplicity and industry.

In literature...

In the selection “The Temptation of Adam and Eve,” the serpent

symbolized the evil schemes of the devil, while the clothing from the skin of
animal represents God’s sacrificial love for mankind, which was later on made
clear in the New Testament, by Christ’s death on the cross.
In the epic “Hudhud hi Aliguyon,” the Idaw bird symbolized the hardships
that Aliguyon will face in fighting the warriors of Daligdigan.

TASK 1
Identify whether the following statements are literal or figurative. Write your
answers before the number.

______________ 1. The sea lashed out in anger at the ships, unwilling to tolerate
another battle.
______________ 2. Grasshoppers make a high pitched noise.
______________ 3. He launched his hang glider from the hill top and it flew along
the beach.
______________ 4. The hills are alive with the sounds of music.
______________ 5. The old wall is falling apart.

TASK 2
Change the following literal statements to make it figurative.

1. The sand feels rough. _______________________________________

2. The flower smells sweet. _______________________________________

3. Your dog is off the chain! _______________________________________

4. The internet is not working. _______________________________________

5. Coffee perks me up. _______________________________________

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 77

 INSTA-GRAMMAR
#FAKENEWS: WHICH IS THE REAL SENTENCE?

THROWBACK!
A sentence is a word or group of
words that expresses a complete
though or idea.

Nowadays, Filipinos, being one of the most active in terms of social

network use, is facing a pressing dilemma - the spread of wrong information
through web, or what we know as fake news. Different illegitimate online
news sources are spreading like wildfire, creating confusion among the people
whether these news are true or not. Preventive measures have already been
done to eradicate these to the point of passing a resolution in congress to battle
this.
In a generation where we are confused between real and fake, it’s not
surprising that we are also facing the same dilemma in grammar and sentence
construction. In this lesson, we are going to discuss about this certain group of
words that pretends to contain an idea, but in reality, isn’t. This topic is about
identifying complete sentence from sentence fragments.
First, you need to understand what a sentence is. A sentence is a word or
group of words that expresses a complete thought or idea. It contains a subject,
which is the doer of the action or the one being described in the sentence, and
a predicate, which is the action of the subject or its description.
A fragment resembles a sentence in two ways. Both groups of words
begin with a capital letter and conclude with an end mark—usually a period [.]
but sometimes a question mark [?] or an exclamation point [!].
The one important difference is that a fragment does not contain a
main clause. Like an engine, the main clause powers a complete sentence,
propelling the reader through the development of an idea. A fragment, missing
this essential component, stalls on the page.
When you analyze a group of words looking for the main clause, you
have to find three things: a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. If one of
these three items is missing, a fragment results.
Here are examples of fragments:

The House of Representatives, together with the committee on

information

Do you see any subject? How about a verb? How about a complete,
LIFE SKILL understandable idea? How about this next group of words?
In order to create an effective
sentence, one must know how to make Met at the meeting to talk about the preventive measures on the
the subject agree with its verb, and spreading of fake news.
vice versa.
As you can see from the first sentence, there is a subject that is present,
but it doesn’t give any action being done. On the other hand, the second
sentence only shows an action being done, but there is no doer of the action.
You can correct a fragment two ways: 1) adding the necessary main
clause or 2) connecting the fragment to a main clause already in the passage.
Whether you add or connect, you must use the right punctuation. In the case of

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 78

 the two sentences, you can combine them to become one complete sentence
with a complete idea.

The House of Representatives, together with the committee on

information met at the meeting to talk about the preventive
measures on the spreading of fake news.

Some fragments, for example, will require a comma if you connect

them at the beginning of a main clause. If you choose to connect them at
the end, however, these same fragments require no punctuation at all. Other
fragments will require a comma whether you connect them at beginning or the
end. To make an intelligent comma decision, you first have to identify the type
of fragment that you have.
A fragment will often be a lone subordinate clause, participle phrase,
infinitive phrase, afterthought, lonely verb phrase, or appositive. Each type of
Here are the words that will begin a
fragment has a marker that identifies it.
subordinate clause fragment:
Subordinate clause fragments
Subordinating Conjunctions A subordinate clause fragment, sometimes called a dependent clause
after once fragment, will begin with a subordinate conjunction, a relative pronoun, or
although provided that a relative adverb. You will also find a subject and a verb. Unfortunately, this
as rather than combination of words will not express a complete thought by itself.
as if since Here is one example:
as long as so [that implied]
as soon as so that Because the undersecretary of the Presidential Communications
as though than Office denied that he is the one propagating the fake news.
because that
before though
even if till Despite having the subject and the verb required in completing a
even though unless sentence, the thought became incomplete because of the word because,
how until which made it a subordinating or dependent clause. A complete idea should
if when precede this group of words to complete the statement, or you can remove the
in case whenever subordinating conjunction and it will give you a complete idea already.
in that where
in order that whereas Participial Phrase fragments
in so far as wherever A participle phrase fragment will begin with a word ending in ing or
just as whether
no matter how while
ed, or the fragment will open with an irregular past participle. More words will
now that follow to finish the phrase, but nowhere will you find a main clause to complete
the thought. By itself, a participle phrase cannot be a sentence.
Relative Pronouns Relative Adverbs
Your marker for this type of fragment is the present or past participle
that you will find at the beginning of the fragment.
which Take a look at these examples:
whichever when
who where
whoever why Hidden in the bureau drawer underneath a pile of foldered documents
whom
whomever Turned down the reporter for an interview
whose
One way to fix a participle phrase fragment is to add the necessary main
clause. Notice that you’re not sure what is hidden in the first group of words, or
even the one who turned down the interview. If you add this information and
complete the verb, the problem would be fixed. The correction would look like
this:

The officers bring in the evidence hidden in the bureau drawer

underneath a pile of foldered documents.

The Senator turned down the reporter for an interview.

Infinitive Phrase Fragments

An infinitive phrase fragment will begin with to followed by the base
form of the verb, like this:

To catch the propagators of fake news.

To break the law by spreading news with unreliable source.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 79

 You can convert an infinitive phrase fragment into a sentence by adding
a subject and conjugating the verb.

The President created a task force to catch the propagators of fake news.

The TV networks need to be sure not to break the law by spreading

news with unreliable source.

TASK 1
The sentences below appeared in papers written by students. Act as their editor,
marking a C if the sentences in the group are all complete and an F if any of the
sentences in the group is a fragment.

________ 1. Then I attended Torres High School. A junior high that was a
bad experience.
________ 2. The scene was filled with beauty. Such as the sun sending
its brilliant rays to the earth and the leaves of various shades
of red, yellow, and brown moving slowly in the wind.
________ 3. He talked for fifty minutes without taking his eyes off his
notes. Like other teachers in that department, he did
not encourage students’ questions.
________ 4. Within each group, a wide range of features to choose from. It
was difficult to distinguish between them.
________ 5. A few of the less serious fellows would go into a bar for a
steak dinner and a few glasses of beer. After this meal, they
were ready for anything.
________ 6. It can be really embarrassing to be so emotional. Especially
when you are on your first date, you feel that you should be in
control.
________ 7. The magazine has a reputation for a sophisticated,
prestigious, and elite group of readers. Although that is a
value judgment and in circumstances not a true premise.
________ 8. In the seventh grade every young boy goes out for football.
To prove to himself and his parents that he is a man.
________ 9. She opened the door and let us into her home. Not realizing
at the time that we would never enter that door in her home
again.
________ 10. As Christmas grows near, I find myself looking back into
my childhood days at fun-filled times of snowball fights.
To think about this makes me happy.

JUST WRITE
WRITING A PRECIS
Précis, from the Old French and literally meaning “cut short” (dictionary.
com), is a concise summary of an article or other work. The précis, then, explains
the main point, logical support, and structure of the original work but in greatly
condensed form. The précis is objective, unlike a critical analysis, which evaluates
the argument and use of evidence within an article. Thus, the précis does not
offer evaluations about a text, nor does it include personal reaction to a text.
In essence, a précis is a concise summary of some other written work,
and it should demonstrate your understanding of the original text while also
conveying the meaning of that text to your own readers. You’ll need to follow a
fairly rigid structure when writing a précis, and you’ll also need to know the text
you’re writing about with considerable thoroughness before you can write an
accurate précis around it.
How should a writer begin to write a précis?
1. Read and annotate the article or other text.
2. Reflect on the author’s purpose.
3. Consider the kinds of evidence the author uses.
4. Restate the author’s thesis in your own words.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 80

 5. Write a one or two sentence summary of each section or
subdivision of the article.
6. Reread the article to compare it with your summary notes.
7. Begin writing, using your paraphrase of the thesis and your one
or two sentence summary statements.
8. Review your précis to confirm that you have explained the main point
of the article, identified the supporting evidence that the writer uses,
and have used the same logical structure as the text.
9. Finally, check for clarity, coherence, and correctness.

Introduction
Some writers offer a hook; explain the author’s broad topic; and then
restate the author’s thesis, while others may open with a restatement of the
author’s thesis and then explain the broader framework of the subject. In order
to determine which approach would best suit the assignment, ask your professor
about the format of the introduction. In either format, the restatement of the
thesis should include the name of the author, the title of the article, and the date
of its publication.

Body Paragraphs
Generally, each body paragraph should explain a separate section of
the text and should provide the evidence (though in greatly condensed form)
that the writer has used to support that section. If used, quotations should be
brief, should be correctly introduced or incorporated, and should be correctly
attributed.

Conclusion
The conclusion should restate the main idea of the text and reiterate
the main support. Remember to avoid any personal statements about the text.

TASK 1
Watch the short film “My Fat Chance,” from the Precious Pages Channel. Write a
15-sentence precis about the story, following the guidelines set above. You will
be guided by the following criteria:

Criteria 1—Limited 3—Proficient 5—Advanced

Student includes • Topic may be identified, • Most key concepts are • All key concepts are
essential content— but not key concepts. identified. identified.
Identifying key • Examples may be included • Supporting information is • Supporting information is
concepts and along with supporting briefly summarized. omitted unless essential to
condensing details. • Demonstrates an ability to summary.
relevant supporting Or generalize information. • Demonstrates an ability to
information to • Student indiscriminately synthesize information.
explain the lists information.
concepts.
Student organizes • Organization is random or • Organization is orderly. • Organization is logical.
information from disconnected. • Some transition words are • Transitions smoothly link
Youtube URL: https://www.youtube.com/ the presentation in • Precis does not follow the used to connect each point together.
watch?v=mSTxrQJKPZk a logical format. sequence of ideas from the information. • There is a clear sequence
original. • There is indication of the of main ideas and
logical flow of information supporting points.
in the original.

Student • Writing is unclear or • Writing is understandable. • Writing is clear and

demonstrates simplistic. • Sentences are complete, expressive.
control of the • Sentences are choppy or but may be mechanical. • Sentences connect with a
written form. awkward. • Convention errors do not natural flow/rhythm and are
• Convention errors make make writing hard to varied in style.
writing hard to understand. understand. • Few convention errors
• Word choice is simple or • Word choice is occur.
not appropriate to the appropriate to the subject. • Word choice is specific
subject. • Some subject specific and accurate.
• Subject specific vocabulary appears in the • Subject specific vocabulary
vocabulary is missing. summary. is applied with
Or • Student mostly uses understanding.
• Student may copy much of his/her own words. • Student uses her/his own
the content from the words in a natural way.
presentation.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 81

Did You Know That...
LESSON 7

El Parnaso Filipino
(The Filipino Poet):
The Formative Stages of Colonial
Literature
KNOW WHAT
YOU KNOW

TASK 1
In the space below, illustrate your family tree.

Francisco Balagtas

Florante at Laura is a Philippine

literature classic written in the
nineteenth century by Francisco
Baltazar (1788-1862), better known
by his pen name Balagtas. It is a
romance in Tagalog verse. What earns
it a distinguished place in the literary
canon is that it was written in the
most beautiful Tagalog at a time when
the dominant language of educated
Filipinos was Spanish. Balagtas wrote
it while in prison in the 1830s.
Every Filipino schoolchild can quote
at least these first two lines. They
are commonly alluded to in popular
culture (even used in a rap song) and
are arguably the two most famous lines
of Tagalog poetry.
Sa loob at labas ng bayan kong sawi
kaliluha’y siyang nangyayaring hari
kagalinga’t bait ay nalulugami
ininis sa hukay ng dusa’t pighati.
Ang magandang asal ay ipinupukol
sa laot ng dagat na kutya’t linggatong
balang magagaling ay ibinabaon
at inililibing na walang kabaong.

In what ways do you want to protect your family? How do you show them that
you love them?

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 82

Spotlight on the Author
EXPLORE Reading 1

J ose dela Cruz, more popularly known

as Huseng Sisiw, was one of the great
Filipino writers during the Spanish
regime. He is given
the honor of Hari
THE LEGEND OF BERNARDO CARPIO
adapted from Jose dela Cruz’ Historia Famosa del Bernardo Carpio

ng mga Makata
(King of the Poets)
in the Philippines.
His family was
illfated and he
could not afford
to study. However,
by his own efforts,
he was able to
learn “Katon at
Cartilla” (Spanish
primers), Doctrina
Christiana
( C h r i s t i a n
doctrines),
Philosophy, Canon
law and Theology. De la Cruz was one of the
three poets whose names are prominent for
the use of “Corrido”, a type/style of poem, in
the history of Literature. The other two are
Francisco Balagtas, his student, and Ananias
Zorilla. Some of his writings with corrido
style are Clarito, Adela at Florante, Flora In the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range lies the Pamitinan cave. It is located in Brgy. San
at Clavela, Doce Pares de Francia, Rodrigo Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal. The cave was formerly known as the “Cave of Bernardo Carpio,” believed to be
de Villas, and the famous Historia Famoso the place of exile of the famous legendary character.

O
de Bernardo Carpio.
nce upon a time, there was a couple who lived in one of the many
mountains of San Mateo, Rizal. The man and the woman were very
poor and led a very hard life. But one day, amidst all their poverty
MOTIVE QUESTION and hardships, came a bundle of joy and happiness. The man and the
woman were given the gift of the birth of a big, beautiful, and healthy
What does the story of Bernardo Carpio teach baby boy. They named their newborn son Bernardo Carpio and he became
us about love for one’s country? his parents’ most precious treasure.
Like any other kid, Bernardo loved to play. But something was noticeably
very different about Bernardo. Unlike the other kids, Bernardo had the
power of extraordinary strength.
It was said that when Bernardo was still a baby crawling on all fours,
all the floorboard nails that he hooked with his tiny fingernails were pulled out
VOCABULARY BUILDING from their very places. When Bernardo was still learning how to walk, any railing
splintered – adj. \ˈsplin-tərd\ that he used for support was destroyed and splintered into pieces. And anytime
to be wounded by a thin piece split or Bernardo’s parents gave him a new toy to play with, the toy would break and
broken off lengthwise become crushed in the palms of his small hands.
As Bernardo grew up to be a handsome young man, his power doubled
dense – adj. \ˈden(t)s\ and increased even more. He soon became renowned not only for his power
marked by compactness or crowding of extraordinary strength, but also for his dashing good looks. Furthermore,
together of parts Bernardo possessed great courage and bravery that were second to none.
Everyone knew that Bernardo could easily beat any man so no one would dare
begrudging – adj. \bi-ˈgrə-jiŋ\ face Bernardo Carpio in a match of strength and bravery.
said, done, or given reluctantly Not like other typical guys, Bernardo was not interested in merriment,
social gatherings, and other festivities. The loveliness of all the beautiful young
arduous – adj. \ˈär-jə-wəs\
hard to accomplish or achieve women in his town did not appeal to him. What really captivated Bernardo was
the forest.
Bernardo found his real happiness in the forest. The part where the trees
were the thickest and the densest is where he often stayed. There is where he
spent time with and sought the company of his close friends, the animals of the
forest.
In the forest that Bernardo frequented lived an enchanted creature. This
enchanted creature was a very big and a very strong male. However, the creature
also had the ugly manner of envying and causing harm to others. The enchanted
creature had seen Bernardo many times during the innumerable visits that he
had made to the forest.
It did not take long before the begrudging and hateful enchanted
creature got wind of Bernardo’s fame for his extraordinary strength.
The enchanted creature was sure that the young man would be no

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 83

QUESTIONS FOR COMPREHENSION match against his own power and strength. One day, the enchanted creature
waited for Bernardo to come into the forest. As soon as he saw Bernardo, he
immediately challenged him to a duel. Bernardo was not one to back down from
How was Bernardo Carpio described in any fight so he accepted the challenge right away.
the story? And so the two fought. This was followed by many different battles in
which both of them made use of their power of great strength. And in every
single one of them, the enchanted creature lost.
They separated after a long and arduous battle. The enchanted creature
left but not without hatred in his heart for the one that defeated him. He waited
for the right time and the right opportunity to exact revenge on Bernardo for the
loss and shame that he had suffered in his hands.
When the enchanted creature was able to chance upon Bernardo
once again, he invited him to a hidden area of the forest. In that area were two
What happened to Bernardo when he come enormous slabs of stone that were positioned on either side of the place. In the
face to face with the enchanted being? middle of those two stone slabs was where the enchanted creature dwelled. The
creature told Bernardo to go ahead and enter the place. As soon as Bernardo
reached the spot right in the center of the two stones, the enchanted creature
vanished into thin air. And suddenly, the two stone slabs started to fall towards
Bernardo. Using his extraordinary strength, Bernardo fought against the stones’
massive weight and size to prevent them from crushing him.
According to the elders, Bernardo Carpio is still in the same place,
holding those two stones. And every time an earthquake occurs, it is said that it
is because of Bernardo Carpio moving and wishing to break free.
What makes the people in that place
associate the happening earthquakes to
Bernardo Carpio?

PROCESS

The legend of Bernardo Carpio – the strongman imprisoned between

two great rocks in the mountains of Montalban who would, upon his freedom,
lead his people out of slavery and into salvation – may have lapsed into relative
cultural obscurity in recent years, but even then, we Filipinos are still familiar with
the story behind the name.
How would you relate what Bernardo did That is because Bernardo Carpio represents the messianic archetype,
in the story to what the Filipinos would do the hero-savior chosen by destiny to fulfill great deeds. It is, undeniably, one
to defend their country years later?
of the more recognizable figures across genre and medium. And its various
manifestations, from King Arthur to modern-day cinema characters such as Neo
of the Matrix and Harry Potter, have become icons of popular culture.
Bernardo Carpio is an example of character archetype - a hero, in
particular. An archetype is a a recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, or
mythology. Because of his character, he became an embodiment of how one
should defend his own country. In our modern time, we don’t need to become
like Bernardo Carpio who would fought against the stones, but we can do small
things for our country and these small things will eventually lead to greater
things if we become consistent.

TASK 1
Remember that our actions always have consequences. Be more aware of the
effects of your actions by writing down a list of ten resolutions: five of which
should be personal, while the other five should concern the environment. Write
these in bulleted/numbered form. Use simple sentences for your resolutions.
A one-to-three-sentence elaboration of every resolution should be included.
Consider the example below. Do this on a whole sheet of paper. You may add
relevant drawings and photos to your work. Be prepared to read your work with
the proper intonation pattern in class.

Example:
I will jog once a week.
Who doesn‘t want to be healthy? I need to shed off 5 pounds to meet
my ideal weight target.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 84

Spotlight on the Text
Reading 2

B
EXPLORE
arlaan and Josaphat are two
legendary Christian martyrs and
saints. Their life story may have been
BARLAAN AND JOSAPHAT
adapted from the Tagalog translation of Fr Antonio de Borja
based on the life of the Gautama Buddha.
It tells how an Indian king persecuted
the Christian Church in his realm. When
astrologers predicted that his own son
would some day become a Christian, the
king imprisoned the young prince Josaphat,
who nevertheless met the hermit Saint
Barlaam and converted to Christianity.
After much tribulation the young prince’s
father accepted the Christian faith, turned
over his throne to Josaphat, and retired to
the desert to become a hermit. Josaphat
himself later abdicated and went into
seclusion with his old teacher Barlaam.
The original transcript was written by
17th Century Spanish writer Lope de
Vega, which was in turn translated by Fray
Antonio de Borja into Tagalog for native A Christian depiction of Josaphat, 12th Century manuscript. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org
readership.

K
ing Abenir (Abenner or Avenier) reigns over a vast Indian Kingdom
outstretched beyond the lands of Egypt. He lives in luxury and
MOTIVE QUESTION worldly honors, and is known for his bravery and victory in battles.
Yet despite being mighty in wealth and power, his happiness is marred, for
How do the lives of Barlaan and Josaphat he has no heir to inherit his throne, kingdom, and glory.
reflect the religiosity of the Filipinos? Meanwhile, he learns that noblemen and senators have abandoned
their luxurious lives and started laying their lives for Christ’s sake. Those
who embrace the monastic life are growing in number. Hence, the king
starts passing on decrees forcing Christians to renounce their religions,
and later mastered various methods of torture to persecute them. Many of
the followers who are weak in spirit are unable to endure the torture and yield to
VOCABULARY BUILDING the king. The others who rebuke him suffer and become martyrs. The threatened
few seek refuge in the deserts and mountains.
monastic – adj. \mə-ˈnas-tik\ The king rules for many years and in this terrible state of error, the queen
of or relating to monasteries or to monks bears a child. The comely babe, they name Josaphat (Ioasaph). The king is filled
or nuns with joy, and orders his men to gather his people to celebrate his son’s birthday.
Although in shroud of fear, the people come, bringing offerings according to
disillusionment – n. \dis-ə-ˈlü-zhən\
the condition of being dissatisfied or what each man has in store. King Abenir’s joy is however short-lived when he
defeated in expectation or hope learns from the oracles of kings that his son will embrace the Christian faith:
“From that which I learn from the courses of the stars, O king, the
hermit – n. \ˈhər-mət\ advancement of the child, now born unto thee, will not be in thy kingdom, but
one that retires from society and lives in in another, a better and a greater one beyond compare. Methinketh also that he
solitude especially for religious reasons will embrace the Christian religion, which thou persecutest, and I trow that he
will not be disappointed of his aim and hope.” thus spoke the astrologer.
ascetic – adj. \ə-ˈse-tik\ King Abenir’s wrath and disillusionment is such as to have his men
practicing strict self-denial as a measure of build a castle for his only son in a secluded city. There Josaphat (Ioasaph) lives,
personal and especially spiritual discipline devoid of any contact from the outside world, except for instructors, servants,
and guards–whom the king thinks fit to serve him. The young prince grows to
manhood.
Meanwhile, in the wilderness of Senaar, there lives a hermit saint. This
elder’s name is Barlaan (Barlaam). Upon witnessing an apparition, Barlaan leaves
for the young prince Josaphat’s palace. In disguise as a merchant, he starts
imparting the Christian teachings and works to Josaphat until the latter accepts
the faith and finally gets baptized.
When King Abenir discovers his son’s baptism, he is outraged. But after
QUESTIONS FOR COMPREHENSION
six years of his son’s persistent urging and encouragement, the king himself gets
baptized. Not long after, the king dies, and Josaphat honors his body by burying
him in a sepulchre where the devoted men lay and clothing him in a robe of
What made the king start to passing penitence.
decrees forcing Christians to renounce After erecting and establishing a church, Josaphat leaves his father’s
their religions? land and entrusts the kingdom to a faithful servant and follower, Barachias.
He embarks in a journey in search of true happiness and a life unobstructed by
worldly confusions. Enduring sundry misfortunes and hardships, Josaphat finally
finds his friend, Barlaan. The rest of their lives they devote in living godly lives
and venerating the Lord. They took to an ascetic lifestyle until Barlaan’s death.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 85

 Two years later, Josaphat followed.
What did King Abenir learned from The news of their death reaches King Bacharias, upon which he orders
the oracle about his child Josaphat? the remains of Barlaan and Josaphat to be brought back to India and buried in
the church that Josaphat has built. Since then, the believers considered Barlaan
and Josaphat saints:

PROCESS

Why did Josaphat leave his order as Religiosity or being devoted to ones religion is one of the inheritance
a king? left to us by the almost four centuries of Spanish rule in the archipelago.
Although the early ancestors already had a concept of a Supreme Being, the
introduction of Christianity to the natives strengthened and concretized their
belief of Almighty God.
As a nation with now different denomination of the Christian faith,
religious expressions has been diverse and continues to become more radical.
As a Filipino student, how would you exercise your faith to God in difficult and
challenging circumstances?

TASK 1
Create a collage of images that shows how you would keep your faith in God
amidst difficult and pressing challenges. Use a separate sheet of paper for this
activity.
In this modern times, how does a
faithful or believer live a life that is
pleasing to God?
TASK 2
Interview your local pastor, priest or church minister about the things that they
do as the leader of the church where you belong. You can use the following
questions as a guide:

1. Do you see your work as a job or as a vocation? Why?

2. Are there times in your life wherein you find yourself questioning your
chosen field? What motivates you to keep on doing it?
3. What piece of advice can you give to students like me to keep their
faith and devotion to God despite of the difficulties?

ENRICH
THE CARD CATALOG
Card catalogs appear in many libraries and are used to categorize and
locate the available books. The most widely used types are by subject, title and
author, although certain libraries may use less common types. In many cases,
DID YOU KNOW THAT... card catalogs have been or will be replaced by computerized cataloging systems.
The concept and creation of the first
cards used for catalogs occurred SUBJECT CARD PH151
in France around 1789. Because With this type of card
875.6

of wartime shortages, confiscated s2

playing cards were used to record catalog, the cards are grouped by
subject area. For example, if you
Philippine Literature
the information. Playing cards were
larger and instead of having a pattern were looking for a book about Polo, Jaime Biron
or a picture, were blank on the back. the Philippine Literature, you PANITIKAN: An Essay on the Spanish
would need to locate the drawer Influence on Philippine Literature
that encompasses the letters “Ph” Cultural Center of the Philippines.
and browse until you come to the Copyright 1992
Philippine Literature books. From 41 pages, with illustrations

there, the books will likely be

alphabetized either by author’s

subject card

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 86

TITLE CARD PH151
In a title system, the books 875.6

will be arranged alphabetically s2

by title. Information about the

book’s subject and author will PANITIKAN: An Essay on the Spanish
then be listed underneath on the Influence on Philippine Literature
card. These are usually found in Cultural Center of the Philippines
Polo, Jaime Biron
libraries that include publisher Copyright 1992
series. 41 pages, with illustrations

AUTHOR CARD
In an author catalog, the
books are listed alphabetically
based on the author’s last name. title card
Cards for all books written by that
author will then appear, and will
be grouped alphabetically by
either subject or title.
PH151
875.6
s2

ELECTRONIC
In many libraries, Polo, Jaime Biron
especially larger ones, card PANITIKAN: An Essay on the Spanish
systems are being replaced Influence on Philippine Literature
by computers to save space Cultural Center of the Philippines
and promote efficiency. In a Copyright 1992
computerized system, the book 41 pages, with illustrations
title, subject or author name is
typed into the appropriate field.
The search can then be narrowed
down to pinpoint the specific
book and where it is located in the author card
library.

OTHER TYPES
Other less-common types of catalogs may be present in places such
as academic or research institutions. These include a government publications
catalog which can be used for locating items such as IRS publications, and
catalogs that list books alphabetically by their first sentence.

TASK 1
Identify what type of card catalog is presented.

___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________

TASK 2
Visit a nearby public library. Ask the librarian or any person-in-charge about the
use of their card catalogs. Try to access some of their books through the use of
their card catalogs. Are the books placed in the right shelves, as prescribed by
the card catalogs? What makes the card catalog an easy way to find books in
the library? What are the other accession means that is being used in the library
you have visited? Document your visit using the social media platform: photos
uploaded on Facebook or Instagram; My Day or IG Stories; or Videos through
Youtube.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 87

 SPEAK UP!
TOPIC-CONTROL STRATEGIES IN CONVERSATIONS

Many of you can relate to

this situation: You and your
friends are having a casual
conversation and without all
of you noticing, you have been
talking about random stuff
one after another. Having this
kind of random conversation
is fun because you are able
to make connections of
different topics under the sun.
However, having this kind of
conversations may also create confusion among people, and may defeat the
purpose of communication, which is to send the message across.
You can actually take control of the topics you are discussing in order to
create valuable and meaningful conversations.
Topic-control is a communicative strategy that helps in keeping the
interaction going by asking questions and eliciting a response. Topic shifting-
introducing a new topic followed by the continuation of that topic.
Examples: Have you noticed the weird weather lately? Is this because of
global warming? I was late for class again! The MRT stopped midway. What is
wrong with the MRT?
You can actually take control of the conversation, but not actually
dominating it. It means that you can control the flow of conversation by
gradually creating shifts of information entry. Below are examples of topic
control communicative strategy:

1. Nomination- collaboratively and productively establish a topic

Romeo: Bit warm today. Isn’t it?
Dennis: You can say that again. It’s hot as hell in my house, I have to
wear less garment on inside!
Romeo: I know, our place is the same. Our air conditioning doesn’t work
and the landlord won’t fix it!
Dennis: That’s awful, speaking of landlords, ours is threatening to put
the rent up again!
Romeo: What a jerk! Why don’t you just move out?
Dennis: We’re thinking about it, we could have a massive leaving party
and trash the place!
Romeo: Haha, go for it! I’ll come. Oh, that reminds me, are you going to
Tony and Dave’s tonight?
Dennis: Nah, I’m not going to make it, I have to work tomorrow.

2. Restriction- limitation you may have as a speaker

Ms. Dy: (After a lengthy discussion) Now class, are there any questions
about our lesson?
Robert: Miss, do we need to still ask for a permit when we go to the gym
today?
Ms. Dy: Robert, I’m afraid I do not know the answer about what you’re
asking. Better ask the gym custodian, Mr. Reyes, about it.

3. Turn-taking- process by which people decide who takes the conversational
floor

Joseph: (After a brief pep talk to participants) Is there anything all of you
want to share something to the group? Perhaps some things that
you have learned from our sessions? We can start with Gino and
then followed by the person to his right.
Gino: Joseph, I’ve realized that for me to lead effectively, I need to keep
my integrity intact.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 88

4. Topic control- covers how procedural formality or informality affects
the development of topic in conversations

Mr. Go: At this point, we’re going to discuss some misconceptions

about leadership. Gio’s group will give some insights about
what leadership is, while Archie’s group will discuss what
leadership is not.

5. Topic shifting- involves moving from one topic to another

Maya: Ronald, can I request you to accomplish these forms for our
group report on Monday. Miss Rodriguez is already asking for
our manuscript.
Ronald: Oh, yes, sure! I’ll deliver it after lunch to your desk. By the way,
Fred asks if you’re available tonight for Daphne’s birthday.
Maya: Sure. I’m in.

6. Repair- refers to how speakers address the problems in speaking,

listening and comprehending that they may encounter in a
conversation

Steve: There are four functions of communication...

Tony: Sorry, may I interrupt? There are actually five, not four functions
of communication.

7. Termination- refers to the conversation participants’ close-initiating

expressions that end a topic in a conversation

Mrs. Ho: Alright, if you don’t have any questions, that ends our lesson
today. Good bye, class!
Class: (In chorus), Good bye, Mrs. Ho. See you tomorrow!

TASK 1
Together with a partner, choose two related topics from the list below and
organize a meaningful conversation regarding those topics. Observe gradual
shift in the changing of topics to make it more sensible.

1. Smoking cigarettes is harmful to your health.

2. Commuting instead of bringing a car is more cost-efficient.
3. Developing computer skills will help you in high school.
4. Most students who want jobs must wait until they are 16.
5. Some school rules seem unnecessary.

EXPAND YOUR HORIZON

FINDING MEANING: FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONS

In traditional
analysis, words in
figurative expressions
connote additional layers
of meaning, while words
in literal expressions
denote what they mean
according to common or
dictionary usage. When
the human ear or eye
receives the message, the
mind must interpret the
data to convert it into meaning.
On many occassions, the words may not convey the literal meaning of
them. They may convey the indirect meanings which may be just the opposite
to their literal meanings. Such symbolical and metaphorical meanings are called
Figuratives. They contain the figure of speech.

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SIMILE
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things in
an interesting way. The object of a simile is to spark an interesting connection
in a reader’s or listener’s mind. A simile is one of the most common forms of
figurative language. Similes can be found just about anywhere from poems to
song lyrics and even in everyday conversations. Simile uses the words “like” or
“as” to draw a comparison.
Here are some examples:

She is as innocent as an angel.

You are as cool as a cucumber.
You were as brave as a lion.
They fought like cats and dogs.

METAPHOR
A metaphor is a figure of speech containing an implied comparison.
With metaphors, words or phrases that are ordinarily applied to one thing are
applied to something you wouldn’t necessarily pair it with. Just as there are
many ways to paint metaphorical pictures, there are many different types of
metaphors. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular forms:

Absolute Metaphors – These metaphors compare two things that have
no obvious connection, in order to make a striking point.
Example: She is doing a tightrope walk with her grades this semester.

Dead Metaphors – Like clichés, these metaphors have lost their punch
through over-usage.
Example: You light up my life.

Extended Metaphors – These are exactly as they sound. They’re

lengthy metaphors that are intended to create deep comparisons.
Example: “It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the
envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief.” (from William
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet)

Implied Metaphors – These metaphors compare two things without

using specific terms.
Example: Spending too much time with him is worse than swimming
in a sea of sharks.

Mixed Metaphors – These metaphors jumble comparisons together,

often without any logic.
Example: In the heat of the moment, she turned to ice and danced to
the beat of her own drum.

Root Metaphors – These metaphors are so rooted in everyday

language and assumptions, we hardly even recognize them
as metaphors. You could liken them to dead metaphors or clichés,
due to their over usage.
Example: Life is a journey.

PERSONIFICATION
Personification is a type of metaphor and a common literary tool. It
is when you assign the qualities of a person to something that isn’t human or
that isn’t even alive, like nature or emotions. There are many reasons for using
personification. It can be used as a method of describing something so that
others can more easily understand it. It can be used to emphasize a point. It can
be used to help paint a picture in your mind. You may in fact use personification
without even knowing it.
Personification is often found in literature and poetry. Some examples
include:

“A round, orange moon rose lazily into the clear sky...”

- Paz Marquez Benitez, Dead Stars

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 “The sun on the hill forgot to die
And the lilies revived, and the dragonfly
Came back to dream on the river.”
- Francisco Icasiano, Sonia

“Now the shadows took flight and did not crowd so near.”
- Manuel Arguilla, How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife

TASK 1
What are compared in the following lines? What do two unlike objects have in
common?

1. “Eyelids like the feather’s edge

Tresses long and black as night,
Lips and cheeks like jasmine blooms...”
- Procopio Solidum, Fair Rosario of Sagay

2. “The gay and lovely pirouette

Like dancers in my mind.”
- Angela Manalang Gloria, Poems

3. “I sit alone,
Thinking sharp thoughts as warmless as the glacial sun,
I sit alone like a frozen rock
Left and embedded deep in glacial rivers - lonely.”
- M. de Gracia Concepcion, Lonely

4. “The crowd easily overpowered the handful of policemen.”

- Hernando Ocampo, We or They?

5. The tall trees in the mountains are the sentinels of the forest.
- Delfin Fresnosa, Tragedy at Lumba’s Bend

TASK 2
Use personification to describe the things listed below. Suggest an action or
attribute which resembles that of a human being.

1. a noisy clock 6. wilted flowers

2. the buzzing of mosquitoes 7. endless line of busy ants
3. palay ready for harvest 8. a cold rainy day
4. an old, abandoned house 9. a car engine
5. a tall buidling 10.tiny rippling waves of the sea

INSTA-GRAMMAR
NOUN AND VERB PHRASES
Do you imagine yourself being invited to a party where people are
complete strangers to each other. How do you think would that feel?
That is the case with phrases. Unless you add a doer or an action to
a group of words, that is the only time that it will create meaning for itself.
Strangers no more!
A phrase is two or more words that do not contain the subject-verb
pair necessary to form a clause. Phrases can be very short or quite long. Certain
phrases have specific names based on the type of word that begins or governs
the word group. In this lesson, you are going to be acquainted to two kinds of
phrases: noun phrases and verb phrases.

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NOUN PHRASE
A noun phrase includes a noun—a person, place, or thing—and the
modifiers—either before or after—which distinguish it. Here are some examples:

The shoplifted pair of jeans

noun - pair; modifiers - the, shoplifted, of jeans

A cat that refused to meow

noun - cat; modifier - a, that refused to meow

A great English teacher
noun - teacher; modifier - a, great, English

To use them in sentences, noun phrases can function as subjects,

objects, and complements:

The shoplifted pair of jeans caused Nathaniel so much guilt that he

couldn’t wear them. (noun phrase as subject)

Jerome adopted a cat that refused to meow. (noun phrase as direct

object)

With her love of Shakespeare and knowledge of grammar, Jasmine will

someday be a great English teacher. (noun phrase as complement)

VERB PHRASE
Sometimes a sentence can communicate its meaning with a one-word
verb. Other times, however, a sentence will use a verb phrase, a multi-word verb,
to express more nuanced action or condition. A verb phrase can have up to four
parts. Here are some examples:

Had cleaned
Auxiliary verb - had; ain verb - clean; verb ending - ed.

Should have been writing

auxiliary verbs - Should, have, been; main verb - write; verb
ending - ing

TASK 1
Make the following noun phrases meaningful by adding words. Use the noun
phrases as either subject, direct object or complement.

1. his manager
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. the wicked man
_________________________________________________________________________________

3. my question
_________________________________________________________________________________

4. having to punish his servants

_________________________________________________________________________________

5. to climb a tree
_________________________________________________________________________________

TASK 2
Underline the verb phrase in the following sentences.

1. She was walking quickly to the mall.

2. He should wait before going swimming.
3. Those girls are not trying very hard.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 92

4. Ted might eat the cake.
5. You must go right now.
6. You can’t eat that!
7. My mother is fixing us some dinner.
8. Words were spoken.
9. These cards may be worth hundreds of dollars!
10.The teacher is writing a report.

JUST WRITE
SUM IT UP! WRITING A SUMMARY
Have you watched a good movie lately? How would you tell and
convince someone that it is indeed a good movie to watch? If you would be
asked to write a review about it, how would you summarize the movie for your
readers? A good summarizing technique is needed for you to convey a good
retelling of the story.
This goes as well in reading a story. To write a good summary it is
important to thoroughly understand the material you are working with. Here
are some preliminary steps in writing a summary:

1. Skim the text, noting in your mind the subheadings. If there are no
subheadings, try to divide the text into sections. Consider why you
have been assigned the text. Try to determine what type of text you
are dealing with. This can help you identify important information.

2. Read the text, highlighting important information and taking notes.

3. In your own words, write down the main points of each section.

4. Write down the key support points for the main topic, but do not
include minor detail.

5. Go through the process again, making changes as appropriate.

TASK 1
Read the following text. Using the steps in summarizing, do a quick summary
of the article.

BSP warns public vs non-existing P10,000 bill

by Faye Orellana, Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

warned the public that it has not issued any
P10,000 banknote series, a photo of which was
recently seen circulating the social media.
The BSP clarified that such P10,000 bill
does not exist.
The BSP said it has not produced and
issued a 10,000-Piso NGC banknote, saying only
six kinds of banknotes were released in its New
Generation Currency Banknote Series—P1000,
P500, P200, P100, P50, and P20.
“The BSP has not produced and issued
a 10,000-Piso NGC banknote,” the BSP said in its
advisory late Friday night.
“The forgery of Philippine banknotes as
well as the use or possessions of forged banknotes are punishable under the
law,” it stressed.
The BSP also urged the public to report to the police or the National
Bureau of Investigation any instance of forgery, use, or possession of the
“fictitious 10,000-Piso Banknote”

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 93

 Write here:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

TASK 2
Watch the short film entitled “Changing Batteries.” Write a short summary about
the film. Scan the QR Code or type the URL of the video link.

Write here:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Youtube URL: https://www.youtube.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________
watch?v=O_yVo3YOfqQ ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

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Did You Know That...
LESSON 8

Los Indios Bravos

(The Brave Men):
Ignited Nationalism

KNOW WHAT
YOU KNOW

TASK 1
Look at the following picture. What is the first thing that come to your mind
when you see this picture?

A copy of the revolutionary paper La Solidaridad

La Solidaridad (The Solidarity) was

an organization created in Spain
on December 13, 1888. Composed
of Filipino liberals exiled in 1872
and students attending Europe’s
universities, the organization aimed
to increase Spanish awareness of the
needs of its colony, the Philippines,
and to propagate a closer relationship
between the colony and Spain.
Headed by José Rizal’s cousin,
Galicano Apacible, it also issued a
newspaper of the same name which ____________________________________________________________________________________
was published in Barcelona, Spain on ____________________________________________________________________________________
February 15, 1889. It was edited by ____________________________________________________________________________________
Graciano López Jaena and later on ____________________________________________________________________________________
by Marcelo H. del Pilar. The social, ____________________________________________________________________________________
cultural, and economic conditions of
the colonial Philippines was published ____________________________________________________________________________________
in La Solidaridad. Speeches of the ____________________________________________________________________________________
Spanish liberals about the Philippines ____________________________________________________________________________________
was also featured in the newspaper. ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
After years of publication from ____________________________________________________________________________________
1889 to 1895, funding of the La ____________________________________________________________________________________
Solidaridad became scarce. Comite ____________________________________________________________________________________
de Propaganda’s contribution to the
newspaper stopped and del Pilar
funded the newspaper almost on
his own. Penniless in Spain, del TASK 2
Pilar stopped the publication of La In what ways can a person show his love for the country? Fill in the boxes below
Solidaridad on November 15, 1895,
with 7 volumes and 160 issues. In del
Pilar’s farewell editorial, he said :
“We are persuaded that no sacrifices
are too little to win the rights and the
liberty of a nation that is oppressed by
slavery.”

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 95

Spotlight on the Author
Reading 1

G
EXPLORE
raciano Lopez-Jaena was a Filipino
journalist, orator, revolutionary,
FRIAR BOTOD
translated from Graciano Lopez-Jaena’s “Fray Botod”
and national hero

W
who is well known ho is Botod?”
for his newspaper,
La Solidaridad Look at him, there he goes, he is there in the Plaza, that plump friar
P h i l i p p i n e who is talking with a woman beside the trunk of the almendre tree!
historians regard Do you recognize him?”
López Jaena, along “No.”
with Marcelo H. del “Look well towards the center of the plaza, look across it, and fix your
Pilar and José Rizal, gaze on that small tower of bamboo and nipa that is the belfry of the town.
as the triumvirate At the stairs, also made of bamboo and nipa, grow various luxuriant young
of Filipino almond trees, and beside the trunk of the largest trees and under its shade is
propagandists. Friar Botod, talking angrily with a woman. Do you see him now?”
Of these three
ilustrados, López Jaena was the first to “Yes, yes, I see him. He is a barbarian. How he frowns! The girl is not
arrive in Spain and may have begun the bad: but by what I see, by his movements and grimaces, Friar Botod, the devil,
Propaganda Movement which advocated has a bestial look. What do I see? Now he raises his stick in a threatening
the reform of the then-Spanish colony of the manner.”
Philippines and which eventually led to the “He scares the girl so that she will grant him his wishes.”
armed Philippine Revolution that begun in “Will this rogue of a friar eat this girl?”
Manila in 1896. The Propaganda Movement “He is capable of it. See the crowd of small boys who are leaving the
was a key step towards a Philippine national parochial school, naked, some from the waist down, others from the waist
identity. up, running towards his Reverence to kiss his hand. The surrounded friar
commands them in a scornful manner; the boys run away frightened.”
“But, look, look! The shameless friar has slapped the girl twice…
Hmm… She falls down on her knees at his feet, looks as if she were
MOTIVE QUESTION asking his pardon. She kisses his hand. Poor girl. He leads her away…
the bad friar. What a brute, what a detestable person. But you permit
How does the description of the friar in the text and suffer the same abuses against the honor of this weak person, victim
reflect the situation of the Philippines in the of the brutal force of this cynical friar.
present time? “We are hardened to this sight; it happens all the time.”
“But what does this religious devil do in God’s world? He is the priest
of this town.”
“A priest! A friar is a priest! I did not believe that the friars are parish
priest in the Philippines. They told me, and I never believed it, then see it for
yourself and be convinced.”
In my country there came a time
VOCABULARY BUILDING when we kicked them out.”
“There is no more reedy, my friend;
luxuriant – adj. \(ˌ)ləg-ˈzhu̇r-ē-ənt\ you must give the morcilla (black sausage)
abundantly and often extravagantly rich as you give it to dogs.”
and varied “All things come to an end and all
debts must be paid, says a proverb; the day
grimace – n. \ˈgri-məs\ will come and woe to them. Meanwhile,
a facial expression usually of disgust, let us leave everything which prolongs it.”
disapproval, or pain
“This is horrible, worse than China, a
parentage – n. \ˈper-ən-tij\ thousand times worse than Warsaw. Ah,
descent from parents or ancestors let us leave these sad ideas, let us go near
and see the rascally friar.”
omnibus – n. \ˈäm-ni-(ˌ)bəs\ “Jesus, Jesus! How terrible, ho ugly!
a book containing reprints of a number of …He looks like a seal.”
works “What a comparison friend!”
“Yes, yes, a seal, a seal without
rogue – n. \ˈrōg\ whiskers.”
a dishonest or worthless person “Well said.”
“Let us describe a seal—I mean a
friar—so that the whole world will know
him.”
Like this.
Friar Botod is not called so because it
is his proper name nor his family name.
Botod means big abdomen, fat belly. The town nicknamed him so
because of his immense paunch.
His baptismal name is Ano (anus) because he was born on St. Ann’s
day; but he gets furious and very angry when he is called Friar Ano, preferring
that they call him Botod rather than Ano.

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QUESTIONS FOR COMPREHENSION It is then Friar Botod or Friar Ano Aragones, son of unknown parentage,
who was found near the vicinity of Eber by the stairs of the church of Pilar on
a stormy night by a certain mule driver who passed by that place on his way
How was Botod characterized in the story? from work.
He educated the boy as well as he could; he wanted to teach the child
his trade, but at the age of fourteen the boy ran away from the house of
his aged foster father, and after walking and walking, he arrived at Valladolid,
where he entered the convent of the
Augustinian fathers.
Not quite twenty-one years
of age, he was sent by his superiors to
Why do you think Botod chose tobe as how the Philippines, to which he brought his
he was described in the text? boorish ways.
He looked like a dead mosquito;
but after being ordained and singing his
first mass, after five years in the country,
eating bananas and papayas and being
angry and being called a priest in a town
as important as this, he came out of his
shell. He changed completely. He is a
How was the condition of Filipinos very valuable man.
reflected in the story? He knows more than Lope, and
he has more grammar than Santillan.
There you get a sketch of the birth
and novitiate of Friar Botod and his stay
during his first years in the Philippines.
[Lopez Jaena here describes the Physical appearance of the friar and
concludes that Friar Botod looks like a well-fed pig who eats, drinks, sleeps and
thinks of nothing but how to satisfy his carnal appetites.]
Look, he is leaving the convento (parochial house) again accompanied
by that young girl who is sobbing and crying bitterly. Friar Botod is petting her,
How is this condition described in the consoling her, but she is insensible and indifferent toward it all. She continues
story reflecting the current condition of our crying and being overcome by fear, obeys and follows the friar automatically.”
country today?
This time they don’t leave the convent alone; following them are some
young girls, very beautiful, very young; others are grown up already, but all are
beautiful and well-dressed. He now enters an omnibus to take them for a ride
and a picnic.”
“But who are these young girls and why does he have them in his
convent, the Fray Botod?”
“These are his canding-canding.”
“Who are these canding-canding?”
“In the Spanish language canding means goats.”
“If you don’t explain it to us more clearly I will not be able to unravel the
story. Why does this devilish friar have in his power these innocent creatures
and why are these angelic-looking girls called little goats?”
They are called little goats simply because in time when they mature…
you hear it, do you understand now? He has them in his power because they
come from poor families. Under the pretext of educating them in the Christian
doctrine, the Catechism, reading, writing and other skills, he takes them from
their homes, fooling the unfortunate parents, or even using force.”
“But isn’t there a woman teacher in town?”
“Yes, but the woman is of the same tribe as Fray Botod.”
“This is unheard of! Horrible! But why don’t they denounce this
barbarity of Boboo or this lascivious friar to the government?”
“There is nobody in town who wants to meddle. Oh! The one who
dares…
“I do not wonder because since I was born I have not left this town but
from what I have heard of the others, it is not venturing too far to infer that this
practice is common.
“Wretch! What villainy! In that manner the young buds open up near
the heartless, soulless, friar, having the same fate as that of the bayaderas of
India.”

[An explanation of the bayaderas of India follows. They are women

kept by the Brahmins, supposedly for religious reasons but actually for their own
gratification.]
[For entertainment, Botod plays monte and burro with the town’s rich

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 97

but he never loses. The indios let him win; otherwise he is in a bad mood.]
How does his “Reverence” discharge his duties towards his parishioners’
souls?
Tilin, tilin, tilin—a loud sound of the bell is heard at the door of the
convent.
“Open, boy.”
The boy brings into the gambling room an old man, who walks slowly
as if he had come from a long distance.
“Good evening, sir.”
“What do you want?”
“Confession, sir.”
“Go and call the assistant, father Marcelino.”
“Not here, sir.”
“What do you want?”
“Confession, sir.”
“Go and call the assistant, father Marcelino?”
“Not here, sir.”
“What do you mean, not here?”
“Father Marcelino, sir, is in the other confessional.”
“Then wait for him.”
“I cannot wait, sir.”
“Why can’t you wait, you rogue, you savage.”
“Because the sick person, sir, is dying. He will die.”
“Then let him die and let him go to hell. I am not hearing confessions.”
“Sir, pity, pity, sir.”
“Go, tell him to make an Act of Contrition and I will give him absolution
from her.”
“Sir, sir.”
“Go rogue, do not bother me anymore. I am losing, damn Jack! Oh,
brute, go. Boy, open the door for this old man.”
You can have a good idea here of how Fr. Botod regards his religion—
He leaves a sick Christian who is asking for the last rites of the church
to die without confession because of a Jack of Clubs.
After the death.
“Sir, that one died.”
“Well, and what?”
“The family wants, sir, that three priests get the corpse from the house
and a Requiem Mass be said for him.”
“Does the family of the dead person have much money?”
“No, just enough, sir, the family wants three priests.”
“I will do it; but you can’t have three priests.”
“The wife, sir, wants Father Marcelino to be the main priest.”
“No, I don’t like it. These things belong to me and do not concern the
assistant at all.”
“But, sir…”
“Nothing doing.”
“Well, sir, how much sir?”
“One hundred and fifty pesos, second class funeral with an old cape
with silver.”
“Three priests, sir?”
“Three? It can’t be; I alone am worth three.”
“Father Marcelino, sir, asks only fifty pesos for three priests, and a first
class funeral.”
“You, with your assistant, can go to hell. You are talking to the wrong
party. Father Marcelino is a scoundrel.”
“Pardon, sir.”
“Go bring the money. If you do not come with the money, your dead
will not be buried. Do you understand?”
“Very well, sir, I will consult the family.”
“Whom will you consult? No, bring the hundred fifty pesos. If not, the
corpse will rot in your house, and you and your whole family will go to jail.”
“Sir (in a repentant tone), sir, he does not have much money, sir, the
dead person.”
“Go and ask the rest of the relatives to lend you money.”
“They don’t want to lend it, sir.”
“Go away, go away. Sell the dead man’s rice field and you will have
money. Look for a loan company, you idler. If not, I won’t bury your corpse.”

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 98

 “Very well, sir.”
He kisses the hand of the priest and leaves the poor man. Three hours
later, the assistant priest, knowing the friar very well and that he will be the
object of insults, arms himself with a strong drink and creates a scandal.
With a glass of alcohol and tuba which he mixed well, Father Marcelino
goes straight to the convent.
The assistants of the secular order step themselves in vices to the
same extent as the friars themselves. The bad examples begin to spread. The
Indian priests follow the examples of their superiors, the friars. They become
as wicked as they, or worse.
It is said then that Father Marcelino went to look for Friar Botod,
planning to hit the chubby-cheeked “Reverence” in the abdomen.
Father Botod, foreseeing that his assistant would be drunk and what
he would do, ordered the boy to close the convent with an expressed order
not to let the assistant in. Father Marcelino, doubly irritated by this measure,
shouts loudly at the door of the convent, shocking the people.
“Come down, come down, Botod, if you are not afraid, friar without
shame, you filthy, stingy vile, bad man, see, see what I will do. I will break your
neck! Animal! Friar, coward, you do not have a bit of shame.”
Similar insults and others spurt out of that mouth, smelling of alcohol
and tuba. Fr. Botod does not utter a word against these diatribes, but after
three days, the father assistant is called by the bishop and locked up in the
Seminary. The corpse is given a pompous funeral but the family has gone into
debt.
[As host, he entertains visitors at the expense of the townspeople. As
money lender, he lends money but forces the tao to pay him back with cavans of
rice, the price of which he dictates.]
How does he think and boast?
Preaching:
“Indios, laborers, we are all rich in Spain. There on that soil of the
Virgin, nobody is poor. We all wade in gold.”
“Jesus, what a liar is this friar.”
Botod continues.
“We came here to these barbaric lands to conquer souls for heaven, in
order to be dear to our great Father San Agustin.”
“Keep still, Manola,” exclaims a Spaniard who happens to hear this
nonsense of Fr. Botod.
He continues the sermon.
“We have come to civilize you, serfs, indios, carabaos, and illiterates.
You are all slaves of Spain, of Father San Agustin. Do you understand? Amen.”
It is the first time that Fr. Botod has occupied the pulpit during his
fifteen years of being a priest, and all he does is to hurl a lot of insults.
[He eats like a pig and is fond of pepper, luya and other sexual stimulants.]
Between a Kastila and his “Reverence”:
“Father Botod, why don’t you educate, provide and endow the town
with good instruction?”
“It doesn’t suit me, countryman.”
“Your mission is to instruct the country which you administer spiritually”
“Political reasons forbid us. The day when the Indio becomes educated
and knows how to speak Spanish, we are lost.”
“Why, father?”
“Because they will rebel against us and will fight the integrity [sic] of
the country.”
“I don’t believe it. You will be the ones who will lose your substance
and easily get gains, but Spain…”
“But why, are we not the same Spain? Go, go, go! The interest of the
friars is the interest of Spain. We cannot go back to the old ways.”
“How does the friar punish?”
“Barbarously.”
Because a man did not work three days in the hacienda, he deprived
him of salary and gave the unhappy laborer fifty lashes on his bare buttocks.
See it:
“Oy, tao, why didn’t you come to work for three days?”
“My wife is sick, sir.”
“Oy, boy.”
“Sir.”

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 99

 “The bench and the whip, ala, ala, hapa, hapa (stretch him out, stretch
him out).”
“Sir, sir, my wife is sick, my wife is sick!”
“You lie; ala, hapa!”
The poor unfortunate lies down flat keeping his mouth above
the bench. Fray Botod at the same time takes off the man’s pants and his
underwear, tying his head and feet to the bench.
“And you, sacristan, get the whip and give him fifty lashes.”
You should know that the punishment is in three measures, that is,
that it is not fifty but one hundred fifty lashes.
What brutality!
“Enough sir, enough sir, aruy, aruy, aruy! It hurts, sir, enough, sir,
enough!”
“Keep quiet, brute, animal. Boy bring the hot peppered vinegar.”
Over the body lacerated from the lashes, the inhuman friar pours the
vinegar with the pepper in it, rubbing the vinegar and making the unfortunate
man see stars.
“Compassion, compassion sir, enough, Padre, aruy, aruy, aruy!”
The poor laborer is doubling up because of the pain, trying to untie
himself.
After such a cruel operation, the sacristan applies the rest of the lashes
until he completes the fifty.
Terrible moments! The man doubles up again, a nervous spasm
chokes him—groans, moans die out in his throat.
The friar in his cruelty is amusing himself, laughing like a fool.
Sad reflections of the past Inquisition! Fr. Botod is worse than a hyena.

PROCESS

In his oft-cited but rarely examined satirical sketch ‘Fray Botod’, the
eccentric Ilonggo journalist, orator, and propagandist Graciano López Jaena
vividly portrays a Spanish cleric so utterly dissipated and depraved that he exists
solely to satisfy his carnal appetites. Written in Spanish in 1874, Jaena’s salacious
anti-clerical portrait of corrupt, immoral, cruelty is a satire for our times. Graciano
López Jaena grasped an even more basic condition. “The conflict between friars
and Filipinos,” he wrote, was not fundamentally about religion or nationalism.
It was “a struggle for life, for survival; one side defending exploitation, the
other fighting for their right to lead a modern life, to lead a free life, to lead a
democratic life.”
A satire is a genre of literature, and sometimes graphic and performing
arts, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule,
ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, government,
or society itself into improvement. Although satire is usually meant to be
humorous, its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit to
draw attention to both particular and wider issues in society.

TASK 1
Watch the clip entitled “Modern Educayshun”. What social norm is being
Youtube URL: https://www.youtube.com/ revealed and satirized in this clip? Create a short reaction about this clip. Scan
watch?v=iKcWu0tsiZM this QR Code or type the Youtube link.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 100

Spotlight on the Author
Reading 2

E
EXPLORE
milio Dizon
Jacinto was
a Filipino TO THE FATHERLAND
translated from Emilio Jacinto’s “A La Patria”
General during

O
the Philippine n October 8,
Revolution. He was
one of the highest- 1897, Emilio
ranking officer Jacinto, dubbed in
in the Philippine Philippine history as the
Revolution and was Brains of the Katipunan,
one of the highest- wrote “A La Patria”
ranking officers of (To The Fatherland), a
the revolutionary patriotic piece inspired
society Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang by “Mi Ultimo Adios”
Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, or simply (My Last Farewell)
and more popularly called Katipunan, being
a member of its Supreme Council. He was written by Dr. Jose Rizal
elected Secretary of State for the Haring before his execution at
Bayang Katagalugan, a revolutionary the Bagumbayan field
government established during the outbreak (known today as the
of hostilities. Jacinto also wrote for the Rizal or Luneta Park).
Katipunan newspaper called Kalayaan. He Jacinto wrote the poem
wrote in the newspaper under the pen name under the coconut palms
“Dimasilaw”, and used the alias “Pingkian” of Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
in the Katipunan. Jacinto was the author of
the Kartilya ng Katipunan as well.
Hail! oh my native country! more than aught I adore thee,
Whom with so many treasures lavish Nature has blessed;
Eden where flowers more fragrant bloom than in other gardens,
Where with more beautiful colors, rising, the dawn paints the heavens,
MOTIVE QUESTION And where the poet, enraptured, sees what he elsewhere but dreamt.
How is the patriotism of the persona reflected Hail! oh thou queen enchanting! Filipinas beloved,
in the selection? Venus beauty-enshrouded, peerless, beloved land!
Region of light and color, poetry, fragrance, and gaiety,
Regions of fruits delicious and of sweet harmonies, gently
Lulled to sleep by the breezes and the surf of the sea.
VOCABULARY BUILDING Pearl the most precious and dazzling of our Eastern ocean,
Paradise gilt by the splendors of our brilliant sun:
enrapture – v. \in-ˈrap-chər\ Eagerly do I greet thee, and adoration ardent
to fill with delight Offers my soul with the burning, fervent desire to see thee
ardent – adj. \ˈär-dᵊnt\
Free from thy bitter sorrow, free from the Spaniard’s yoke!
characterized by warmth of feeling typically
expressed in eager zealous support or Ah, in the midst of thy splendors, sadly in chains dost thou languish,
activity That which to thee is most precious-Freedom, thou hast it not!
Ah, to relieve thee, my country, in thy distress, in thy suffering,
oblivion – n. \ə-ˈbli-vē-ən\ Fain would I give my life-blood, gushing forth from my bosom
the fact or condition of not remembering To the last drop, and oblivion find, and eternal rest.
: a state marked by lack of awareness or
consciousness What should be thine by justice, rights unalienable
Are naught but words vain and hollow, cruelmockery to thee;
diaphanous – adj. \dī-ˈa-fə-nəs\ Justice is but a deception in thy sad situation,
characterized by such fineness of texture as
to permit seeing through Bondmaid art thou, though worthy of a queen’s purple instead,
Joy givest thou to thy tyrant, who gives thee gall in return.
manifold – n. \ˈma-nə-ˌfōld\
marked by diversity or variety What does it help thee, my country, sad, bowed by dire misfortune,
That thou hast skies like the turquoise, clear and diaphanous,
That of thy moon the silvery beams are of matchless beauty:
What does it help thee, who, weeping, sighing in bitter bondage,
Hast for four centuries been suffering-what is the good to thee?

Aid what avail thee the flowers covering thy smiling meadows,
What the birds’ carols that sweetly in your forests resound?
Ah, the same breete that their fragrance bears and songs harmonious,
Bears on its wings cries and sobbing, weeping and bitter complaints,
That fill the soul with anguish and the mind with sad thoughts.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 101

QUESTIONS FOR COMPREHENSION
What is the good of thy splendor, pearl of virginal beauty,
What of the wealth oriental of thy alluring charms,
How did the persona describe the If all thy grace and beauty tyrants have cruelly blighted,
Fatherland in the poem? Bound with mortiferous irons, fetters of hardness unequalled,
Drawing enjoyment and pleasure from thy anguish and woe?

What is the good of thy fertile soil and its matchless exuberance,
That it brings forth fruit delicious, manifold, bountiful?
If all thy generous heavens smile down upon and shelter
Is claimed as his by the Spaniard, who stepping boldly forward,
Insolent in his vileness, loudly proclaims his right?

But to an end comes all silence, end must all servile patience,
Now, that the tocsin resounding calls us to fight for thee,
And without fear, without mercy, openly, crush the vile serpent
How was the persona’s nationalism That with its venom has poisoned thy embittered existence:
portrayed in the poem? Fatherland, here we are, ready, anxious, to die for thee!

All, the idolized mother, and the wife whom we worship,

Even the babe whom his father loves like a piece of his soul,
In the defence of thycause we abandon them, leaving behind us
Happiness, love, and hope: all we hold dear we give up,
All our fondest dreams, our illusions all.

And lo! throughout the country heroes spring up by enchantment,

More than the usual, writers are referring Burning with love of their country, radiant with virtue’s light,
to their homeland as their mother. Why do Fighting with ardor that only death will defeat and vanquish,
you think Jacinto portrayed the Philippines And even dying they will utter thy sacred name,
as a father? Fatherland, wishing thee happiness, still with their dying breath.

Numerous like stars in the heavens, thousands of noble heroes

Lay on thy sacred altars willingly down their lives,
And when ye hear of the combats and of the desperate charges,
Fervent prayers to heaven send up, ye children, ye aged,
And ye women, that victory may be with our hosts!

PROCESS

Patriotism, in the best sense of the word, is love of justice and democracy
for all of your fellow citizens. And it’s something we can and should practice
every day, not just once each summer.
We can literally no longer afford a confined consciousness which prizes
one people or place or race above another. As our own colorful history has
shown us in a dramatic way - we are interconnected - economically, socially, and
morally. Begin to develop a new consciousness that seeks to understand what is
best for the whole community vs. you and yours. And then begin to act on that
consciousness.

TASK 1
Patriotism is something that should be a part of us everyday. Help yourselves
and other people by reminding them how patriotism is important. Create a
slogan that will ignite one’s nationalism and patriotism. You can use different art
media in creating your work. Be guided by the following criteria:

Relevance to the Theme - 15

Originality - 15
Creativity - 10
Impact - 10
Presentation - 10
TOTAL - 60

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 102

 ENRICH
THE LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS

A library classification is a system of coding and organizing library

materials (books, serials, audiovisual materials, computer files, maps, manuscripts,
realia) according to their subject and allocating a call number to that information
resource. Similar to classification systems used in biology, bibliographic
classification systems group entities that are similar together typically arranged
in a hierarchical tree structure (assuming none-faceted system).
Library classification forms part of the field of library and information
science. It goes hand in hand with library (descriptive) cataloging under the
rubric of cataloging and classification, sometimes grouped together as technical
services. The library professional who engages in the process of cataloging and
classifying library materials is called a cataloger or catalog librarian. Library
classification systems are one of the two tools used to facilitate subject access.

DEWEY DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), or Dewey
Decimal System, is a proprietary library classification
system first published in the United States by Melvil Dewey
in 1876. It has been revised and expanded through 23
major editions, the latest issued in 2011, and has grown
from a four-page pamphlet in 1876. It is also available in an
abridged version suitable for smaller libraries.
The Dewey Decimal System is composed of ten
categories:
000 – Computer science, information & general
works
100 – Philosophy and psychology Melvil Dewey
200 – Religion
300 – Social sciences
400 – Language
500 – Pure Science
600 – Technology
700 – Arts & recreation
800 – Literature
900 – History & geography

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 103

 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The Library of Congress Classification (LCC) is a
system of library classification developed by the Library
of Congress. It is used by most research and academic
libraries in the U.S. and several other countries. The
classification was invented by Herbert Putnam in 1897,
just before he assumed the librarianship of Congress.
With advice from Charles Ammi Cutter, it was influenced
by his Cutter Expansive Classification, the Dewey Decimal
System, and the Putnam Classification System.
Unlike the Dewey Decimal System, the
For a more comprehensive list of Library classification is divided into letters:
of Congress classification, visit this link: Herbert Putnam
A General Works
B Philosophy, Psychology, and Religion
C Auxiliary Sciences of History
D General and Old World History
E History of America
F History of the United States and British, Dutch, French, and
Latin America
G Geography, Anthropology, and Recreation
H Social Sciences
J Political Science
URL: https://www.loc.gov/aba/ K Law
publications/FreeLCC/freelcc.html#About L Education
M Music
N Fine Arts
P Language and Literature
Q Science
R Medicine
S Agriculture
T Technology
U Military Science
V Naval Science
Z Bibliography, Library Science, and General Information
Resources

TASK 1
Identify the Dewey Decimal Classification of the following books or book
descriptions. Write the code and category.

_____________________ 1. You would like to find a book about the stars. Which
Dewey Decimal System category would you look in?
_____________________ 2. You would like to find a book about italian cooking.
Which Dewey Decimal System category would you
look in?
_____________________ 3. You would like to find a book about learning
Kapampangan. Which Dewey Decimal System
category would you look in?
_____________________ 4. You would like to find a book about Manuel L. Quezon.
Which Dewey Decimal System category would you
look in?
_____________________ 5. You would like to find a book about Filipino poems.
Which Dewey Decimal System category would you
look in?

TASK 2
Identify the Library of Congress Classification of the following books or book
descriptions. Write the code and category.
_____________________ 1. book about internal medicine
_____________________ 2. book about human population
_____________________ 3. book about the 1987 Philippine Constitution
_____________________ 4. book about Philippine Contemporary Art
_____________________ 5. book about the philosophy of Jose Rizal

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 104

 SPEAK UP!
ASKING QUESTIONS AND ELICITING ANSWERS
“Garbage in, garbage
out,” is a popular truth, often
said in relation to computer
systems: if you put the wrong
information in, you’ll get the
wrong information out.
Asking questions
is a natural feature of
communication, but also one
of the most important tools
which teachers have at their
disposal. Questioning is crucial
to the way teachers manage
the class, engage students
with content, encourage
participation and increase understanding.
Every question demands a response (except in the case of requests and
suggestions), so that questions inevitably generate communication. However
the quantity of questions asked needs to be considered in relation to general
time constraints and the need to keep teacher talking time to a minimum while
maximising learner contributions.
Asking the right question is at the heart of effective communications
and information exchange. By using the right questions in a particular situation,
you can improve a whole range of communications skills. For example, you can
gather better information and learn more, you can build stronger relationships,
manage people more effectively, and help others to learn too.

OPEN AND CLOSED QUESTIONS

A closed question usually receives a single word or very short, factual
answer. For example, “Are you thirsty?” The answer is “Yes” or “No”; “Where do
you live?” The answer is generally the name of your town or your address.
Open questions elicit longer answers. They usually begin with what, why,
how. An open question asks the respondent for his or her knowledge, opinion
or feelings. “Tell me” and “describe” can also be used in the same way as open
questions. Here are some examples:

What happened at the meeting?

Why did he react that way?
How was the party?
Tell me what happened next.
Describe the circumstances in more detail.

Open questions are good for:

- Developing an open conversation
- Finding out more details
- Finding out the other person’s opinion or issues

Closed questions are good for:
- Testing your understanding, or the other person’s
- Concluding a discussion or making a decision
- Frame setting

A misplaced closed question, on the other hand, can kill the conversation
and lead to awkward silences, so are best avoided when a conversation is in full
flow.
FUNNEL QUESTIONS
This technique involves starting with general questions, and then drilling
down to a more specific point in each. Usually, this will involve asking for more
and more detail at each level. It’s often used by detectives taking a statement
from a witness:

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 105

 Q: “How many people were involved in the fight?”
A: “About ten.”
Q: “Were they kids or adults?”
A: “Mostly kids.”
Q: “What sort of ages were they?”
A: “About fourteen or fifteen.”

Using this technique, you can elicit answers that will lead you to the
actual response that you would like to find out.

TASK 1
Watch the full length Headstart interview of newscaster Karen Davila to Alma
Moreno, then was running for a senate seat in the 2016 National Elections.
Identify the kind of questioning Davila is doing on Moreno. How do you know
if the questions are open or close? List the questions based on whether they
are open or close and give your reason what makes it as such.
Youtube URL: https:// Questions Reason
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=1qfqPNoXs5w Open
Scan the QR code or
encode the URL to
watch the clip.
Closed

EXPAND YOUR HORIZON

ISN’T IT IRONIC? FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONS
Sometimes words are bandied around in casual conversation until they
lose their precise meaning. This happens more often if the original conception
of the words is esoteric. Once imprecise notions begin to circulate in popular
culture it is extraordinarily difficult to restore these concepts to their original
sophistication. Such is the case with irony, oxymoron and paradox.

IRONY
Irony usually conveys a difference between how things seem to be and
the reality. As a literary technique it is used when a certain outcome is revealed,
but is not what readers were expecting or hoping for. Irony can be difficult to
define; it’s often subjective and depends on the audience’s expectations.
These are the categories of irony:

Dramatic irony is used when the audience knows more about what’s
going on than the characters. This creates suspense, or humor, as the audience
waits to see if the characters will come to understand what’s really happening.

Example: A woman thinks her boyfriend is about to break up with her.

He hasn’t been himself lately, acting distracted and distant. We know he bought
her an engagement ring and is nervous she won’t say yes. He calls her one
afternoon and simply says, “I need to see you. Meet me at Columbus Square at
six o’clock.” She’s sure he’s going to break up with her. But when she arrives, he’s
set up a beautiful proposal with a string quartet, dozens of roses, and a huge
sparkler of a diamond.

Verbal irony comes to play when a speaker says one thing, but means
another. Sarcasm comes into play when a witty attack or somewhat derogatory
statement is made.

Example: A writer is working on his manuscript, and it’s a comedy. The

days have been fraught with rain and clouds, bringing down his mood and
hampering his ability to craft witty scenes. As he opens his blinds one morning,
he sees the dark clouds outside again and says, “Great. Another rainy day. How
wonderful.”

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 106

 Situational irony occurs when something happens that is completely
different from what was expected. Usually, these instances incorporate some
type of contradiction and a certain level of shock.

Example: A man has been working hard all his life, saving a portion of
every paycheck for retirement. Upon retirement he plans to move to the Virgin
Islands, sit back and relax. On the morning of this retirement party, he dies of a
sudden, massive heart attack.

PARADOX
A paradox is a statement that may seem absurd or contradictory but
yet can be true, or at least makes sense. Paradoxes are often contrary to what is
commonly believed and so play an important part in furthering our understanding
in literature and everyday life, or they can simply be an entertaining brain teaser.
Some more examples of paradoxical statements are:

You can save money by spending it.

I know one thing; that I know nothing.
This is the beginning of the end.
Deep down, you’re really shallow.
I’m a compulsive liar.

OXYMORON
An oxymoron is a figure of speech containing words that seem to
contradict each other. It’s often referred to as a contradiction in terms. As
with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes.
Sometimes they’re used to create a little bit of drama for the reader; sometimes
they’re used to make a person stop and think, whether that’s to laugh or to
wonder.
It’s likely you’ve used, or at least heard, a couple oxymorons in your
everyday life, even if you didn’t realize it at the time. Let’s see if any of these hit
home for you:

Act naturally Alone together

Amazingly awful Bittersweet
Clearly confused Dark light
Deafening silence Definitely maybe
Farewell reception Growing smaller
Jumbo shrimp Only choice
Open secret Original copy

TASK 1
Below is a collection of paradoxes and oxymorons. Identify each by writing
paradox or oxymoron in the blank.

1. It’s a definite maybe that Talia will come to the party. __________________________
2. I must be cruel to be kind. __________________________
3. There was a deafening silence in the stadium. __________________________
4. Robin Hood was an honest thief. __________________________
5. No one goes to that store because it is too crowded. __________________________
6. She was busy doing nothing. __________________________

TASK 2
Identify what category of irony is expressed in the following situations.

1. Taking money from the poor and giving it to the rich.

2. You are walking down the street and you find a penny but you do not pick
it up, when you try to take the bus you are missing a penny and you have
to walk.
3. You work at a fire extinguisher factory, when you get home your house is on
fire and you don’t have one.
4. Boxing is called a noble sport, yet the people who do it are aggressive
violent thugs

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 107

5. A patient is at the dentist and just as the dentist is about to give him a shot
in the mouth to numb him, the patient says, “Wow, this is going to be fun!”
6. In a movie, a man is about to shoot someone, However, when the noise
of the gun being fired occurs, instead of the bullet hitting the victim, the
shooter himself is shot by someone else.
7. The local fire station burns down.
8. Someone referring to someone’s son-in-law as their ‘favorite’, when in fact
that is far from the truth.
9. When John Hinckley attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan, all of his shots
initially missed the President; however, a bullet ricocheted off the bullet-
proof Presidential limousine and struck Reagan in the chest. Thus, a vehicle
made to protect the President from gunfire was partially responsible for his
being shot.
10. In real life, an ambulance comes to a woman’s house to take her to the
hospital, hopefully to save her life. On the way to the hospital the
ambulance is hit by a semi truck and everyone on board the ambulance is
killed.

INSTA-GRAMMAR
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

At the minimum, a
prepositional phrase will begin
with a preposition and end
with a noun, pronoun, gerund,
or clause, the “object” of the
preposition. The object of the
preposition will often have one
or more modifiers to describe it.
Here are some examples
of the most basic prepositional
phrase:

At home
At = preposition; home
= noun.

In time
In = preposition; time =
noun.

From Richie
From = preposition; Richie = noun.

With me
With = preposition; me = pronoun.

Most prepositional phrases are longer, like these:

From my grandmother
From = preposition; my = modifier; grandmother = noun.

Under the warm blanket

Under = preposition; the, warm = modifiers; blanket = noun.

In the weedy, overgrown garden

In = preposition; the, weedy, overgrown = modifiers; garden = noun.

A prepositional phrase will function as an adjective or adverb. As an

adjective, the prepositional phrase will answer the question Which one?

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 108

 As an adverb, a prepositional phrase will answer questions such as
How? When? or Where?

TASK 1
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate prepositional phrase.

1. After school, the children played tag ________________.

a. at the park b. roughly c. and baseball

2. Come ___________________ with me.

a. home b. over c. into the store

3. __________________ the chair sat mouldering in the attic.

a. Sad to say, b. For a hundred years c. Incredibly

4. I gave the children pizza ______________ pancakes for breakfast today.

a. instead of b. because of c. anymore

5. There are lots of birds nesting _____________________.

a. under the leaves b. there c. now

JUST WRITE
PARAPHRASING
Paraphrasing involves taking a set of facts or opinions and rewording
them. When paraphrasing, it is important to keep the original meaning and to
present it in a new form. Basically, you are simply writing something in your own
words that expresses the original idea.
Paraphrasing can be done with individual sentences or entire paragraphs.
There are several examples of paraphrasing listed below for both long and short
blocks of text.
Here are some sentences that have been paraphrased:

Original: Her life spanned years of incredible change for women.

Paraphrase: Mary lived through an era of liberating reform for women.

Original: Giraffes like Acacia leaves and hay and they can consume 75
pounds of food a day.
Paraphrase: A giraffe can eat up to 75 pounds of Acacia leaves and hay
everyday.

Original: Any trip to Italy should include a visit to Tuscany to sample

their exquisite wines.
Paraphrase: Be sure to include a Tuscan wine-tasting experience when
visiting Italy.

Paragraphs can also be paraphrased. Here is an example of paraphrasing

of a longer passage:

Original Passage:

In The Sopranos, the mob is besieged as much by inner infidelity as it

is by the federal government. Early in the series, the greatest threat to
Tony’s Family is his own biological family. One of his closest associates
turns witness for the FBI, his mother colludes with his uncle to contract
a hit on Tony, and his kids click through Web sites that track the federal
crackdown in Tony’s gangland.

Paraphrased Passage:

In the first season of The Sopranos, Tony Soprano’s mobster activities

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 109

 are more threatened by members of his biological family than by agents
of the federal government. This familial betrayal is multi-pronged.
Tony’s closest friend and associate is an FBI informant, his mother and
uncle are conspiring to have him killed, and his children are surfing the
Web for information about his activities.

TASK 1
Paraphase each sentence. There may be more than one way to rewrite each one.
Remember to change vocabulary, phrases and sentence structure wherever you
can.

1. Despite their massive size, elephants are known for being agile.
_________________________________________________________________________________

2. Because elephants consume up to 500 pounds of food a day, they are able
to strip a forest bare in no time.
__________________________________________________________________________________

3. Over the centuries, lions have been used in art to represent power
and magnificence.
_________________________________________________________________________________

4. Lions are social animals with one dominant male in each pride.
_________________________________________________________________________________

5. George Washington Carver was a dedicated teacher, in addition, he was

known as a talented artist, musician, and researcher who made valuable
contributions to his people and his country.
_________________________________________________________________________________

TASK 2
Read each paragraph and state the main idea in your own words. If you find
the main idea stated directly in the paragraph, Be sure to use the paraphrasing
techniques that you practice in Task 1.

1. There is plenty of water on the earth. In fact, there is enough water in this
planet for everyone to have a huge lake. The trouble is that the water is not
always found in the place where is needed. In addition much of the water is
polluted or salty. Because of these problems, there are many people without
sufficient water.

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

2. New oil supplies need to be found to replace those that have been used
up. There is a constant search for new oil fields. Oil hunters sink their wells
wherever there are signs of oil. Each of these drillings costs thousands and
thousands of dollars, and often there is not enough oil to make it profitable.
Nevertheless, the search for new oil never ends.

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
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LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 110

Did You Know That...
LESSON 9

Huellas Españolas
(Spanish Imprints):
The Golden Age of Literature

KNOW WHAT
YOU KNOW

TASK 1
A treasure chest can symbolize riches, or anything that is handed over as
Fort Santiago facade in Intramuros inheritance. What is that one thing you can consider an inheritance from your
family?
_____________________________________________
The greatest portion of Spanish _____________________________________________
literature by native Filipinos _____________________________________________
was written during the American _____________________________________________
commonwealth period, because _____________________________________________
the Spanish language was still _____________________________________________
predominant among the Filipino _____________________________________________
intellectuals. One of the country’s _____________________________________________
major writers, Claro Mayo Recto, _____________________________________________
continued writing in Spanish until _____________________________________________
1960. Other well-known Spanish- _____________________________________________
language writers, especially
during the American period _____________________________________________
were Francisco Alonso Liongson _____________________________________________
(El Pasado Que Vuelve, 1937), _____________________________________________
Isidro Marfori, Cecilio Apóstol _____________________________________________
(Pentélicas, 1941), Fernando _____________________________________________
Ma. Guerrero (Crisálidas, 1914),
Gaspar Aquino de Belén, Flavio
Zaragoza Cano (Cantos a España TASK 2
and De Mactán a Tirad) and others. Think of a story from your childhood when you played a prank on a sibling,
Manila, Cebu, Bacolor and many other
cities and towns across the Philippines friend, or parent. If you are still in good terms with that person, interview him
had its share of writers in Spanish, or her so that you can get a more complete view of that episode. Complete the
most of whom flourished during the statement that follows the grid.
early decades of the century.
I played a prank on Because The result was I learned that
Among the newspapers published
in Spanish were El Renacimiento,
La Democracia, La Vanguardia,
El Pueblo de Iloílo, El Tiempo
and others. Three magazines, The
Independent, Philippine Free Press
and Philippine Review were published
in English and Spanish.
In 1915, the local newspapers began
publishing sections in English and
after World War II and the destruction
of Intramuros where a large part of
the Hispanic community was based,
Hispano-Filipino literature started
declining and the number of books
and magazines written in Spanish by
Filipino authors was greatly reduced.

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Spotlight on the Author

J esus Balmori EXPLORE Reading 1

was a Filipino
S p a n i s h
language journalist, BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
translated from Jesus Balmori’s “Bienaventurados Los Humildes” by Pilar Eugenia Mariño

I
playwright, and
poet. In his early n a corner of the sleeping forest,
years, Balmori was rose the solitary green pine trees
already gathering
literary honors and and the black kamagong.
prizes for poetry. They were face to face; the pine was
In a Rizal Day arrogant and triumphant, crowned
contest, his three with sunlight and birds, perfumed and
poems, each bearing beautiful, and full of the kisses of the
a different pen name, won the first, second, breezes. Humble and ugly was the
third prizes. Later, he figured in friendly kamagong which stood under a heap
poetical jousts, known as Balagtasan of black twisted branches without a
(in reference to Tagalog poet Francisco song, not even a kiss, nor fragrance
Balagtás), with other well-known poets
in Spanish of his time, notably Manuel on its crown.
Bernabé of Parañaque and the Ilonggo That morning, the forest had all the
Flavio Zaragosa Cano, emerging triumphant divine colors of April; the dew fell from
each time. As ambassador, Balmori was the flowers like celestial tears; and
sent abroad as Philippine Ambassador of between the blue of the sky and the
Goodwill to Spain, Mexico, South America, blue of the copse, the sun was smiling,
and Japan. In Spain, Generalissimo luminous and golden.
Francisco Franco decorated him with the The kamagong bending its branches
Cross of the Falangistas. In 1926, he and said, “Good morning, charming
Bernabé were awarded the Premio Zóbel for
his contributions to Philippine literature. neighbor!”
The pine tree shaking itself arrogantly
and disdainfully formally answered, “A
good morning to you!”
“It seems that today we have waken
up early…”
“And how can one sleep with so much love! Do you not see what a
MOTIVE QUESTION world of love and nests are on my crown? The wings of the birds and the
breezes are plaguing me with their kisses.”
What human trait is protrayed by the “Love seeks youth and beauty. What are you complaining about?”
kamagong? How about the pine tree? “Oh, it’s because so much obsequiousness overwhelms me!”
“However, how many would envy your ideal fortune?”
“You, for example, old man?”
“Me? No, my friend! I am old. I am already inured to disillusionment,
and I know that love and fortune are for my poor bones like shades, like
VOCABULARY BUILDING clouds… Before you had been born, yes, I used to crown myself with trills and
perfumes. Now all of that is, for me, a memory, nothing more.”
celestial – adj. \sə-ˈles-chəl\ “So useless, do you think?”
of or relating to the sky or visible heavens “My friend, I have looked at myself in the mist this morning, before
Father Sun swept it away with his rays, and I saw myself so deformed and too
disdainful – adj. \dis-ˈdān-fəl\
full of or expressing contempt for someone black that I pitied my own self.”
or something regarded as unworthy or “But…”
inferior “Everything you will tell me is useless; even the ravens and the lizards
disdain me now!”
haughty – adj. \ˈhȯ-tē\ The pine tree, smiling, flattered by the humility of the strong and old
blatantly and disdainfully proud; having kamagong, swayed haughtily, bursting with pride. And he compared his bark
or showing an attitude of superiority and of cool greenness of jades and emeralds with the worm-eaten crust of the
contempt for people or things perceived to old tree; and the large flowers of its leafy crests which were like stars, with the
be inferior parched, bare and lonely branches of the old tree.
He contemptuously stopped kamagong from speaking any further
illumine – v. \i-ˈlü-mən\
brightened with light; intellectually or and withdrew into himself and in his divine love of the spring morning filled
spiritually enlightened with the fragrant waves of his leaves, flooded by sunlight, and covered with
blue.
fetid – adj. \ˈfe-təd\
having a heavy offensive smell ***

The whole forest burned with the heat of a forge, of hell, even if the
sun had hidden itself and the thicket lay enveloped in very dense shades and
darkness.
From time to time, the flash of lightning shook the clouds like a crack
of a whip. And after an instant, the thunder rumbled harshly in the distance.
The beautiful birds of spring had sought refuge anywhere they could.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 112

QUESTIONS FOR COMPREHENSION The big red, yellow and white flowers, withered over their bent stems, fell. A
swift wind, hot and cutting like the vapor of a crater carpeted everything with
petals and shattered leaves.
How was the kamagong described in the The green pine tree trembling and frightened spoke, “Old kamagong,
text? the pine tree? aren’t you afraid?”
The kamagong smiled, “Afraid? Of what?”
“Of the storm that is coming…”
The kamagong continued smiling, “Bah! My friend, not everything
has to be enchantment, light, flowers and kisses. In the happiest life, there are
many days of storm like this; I have seen so many, so many that now it is all
the same to me whether its fire of sunlight or of the gentle white light of the
full moon that illumines the forest. Furthermore, the storm passes away, like
The pine tree, despite of its young age, was all things do; youth, love and glory itself.”
seen as always worried about everything. “Yes… but the storm returns…”
How does this attitude reflect the youth of “And who tells you that youth, glory and love do not return?”
today?
The atmosphere was becoming darker, the lightning each time
sharper and almost without interruption, the thunder rumbled nearby;
and some great drops of rain started falling indistinctly, raising a rustle of
whiplashes.
In the agitated forest one could hear the hissing of the reptiles, the
screech of the kalaws and the groans of the injured trees. A strong windstorm
rose destroying everything in its way, throwing down nests and tearing down
branches. Suddenly, a red flame set the forest on fire, and it was followed
by an infernal noise which stirred up the depths of the earth. Then the first
thunderbolt fell, coiling itself like a snake of crackling embers around the
According to an old adage, with old age beautiful and proud ilang-ilang, which slowly fell in pieces.
comes wisdom. Is this still true with our When the devastating roar passed, the kamagong looked at the pine
elder people nowadays? tree with pity. He had been stripped of all his arrogance, of all his stupid pride,
and he seemed harassed and tremulous, prey of a terror that corroded even
the sap of his deepest roots. Covered by his graceful branches which the rain
mercilessly lashed, he seemed to be crying, shedding all the drops of water
that were blown through his leaves. The kamagong, feeling sorry for the pine
tree, spoke to him, then over the tremulous sound of the wild elements.
“Do not tremble, do not cry, this will pass!”
“Oh, grandfather, I am afraid to die!”
“You will not die. You are still young; but if it is written that today you
will stop existing, what difference does that make? Sooner or later it has to
What misconception is always attributed to happen. All of us go the same way. It is only a question of some years more
meekness? How was it broken in the story? or less.”
The echo of another thunder drowned his voice. Another infernal
blaze blinded them, and both listened as at their very back a poor ilang-ilang
tree scorched by the thunderbolt dryly plunged to the ground.
The pine tree even more terrified, rose in a cry of desperate protest.
No, he did not want, could not, should not die, and die just like that,
split by a thunderbolt. He was still young, and hardly had he enjoyed the
divine sweetness of April. Why for black fetid death’s sake tear him away from
his silvery nights that smell of flowers and dreams, from his golden days full
of wings and rosy dawns?
Suddenly he kept silent, shuddered, shaken by a horrible death rattle,
bending the ideal treetop that a thunderbolt now streaked with its blue, red,
green and yellow phosphorescence, like a long necklace of turquoises, rubies,
emeralds and sapphires hanging over its dead trunk. The poor pine tree was
yet another dream which was falling, an immense dream of grandeur lost in
the greatness of the universe!

***

Meanwhile, the storm grew more violent, and the forest at every
instant became inflamed with a very intense purple radiance.
And nothing could be heard except the horrifying voice of the
thunder which rolled over all the places like a gigantic, diabolic cavalry of
horses stamping with its hoofs of fire the celestial garments of heaven.
And suddenly the kamagong felt in turn, that a serpent of burning fire
was consuming him completely, burning his forehead, his arms, his entrails.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 113

 Afterwards, he felt nothing more. He was also mortally wounded to
death. And then the sky began to clear and gradually the storm died down.

***

After a year, during another bright April morning, some woodcutters

invaded the forest.
And among the trunks and fresh branches of the trees which they
hacked down with bolos and axes, they brought with them withered remains
of the green pine tree and the black kamagong.
And it happened that while people of the village needed firewood,
the priest of the town needed a big cross for his church. And that was why he
took the trunk of the old kamagong so he could entrust it to a skilled sculptor.
And in that same night, while shattered into a thousand pieces,
the pine became ashes in the rustic home-made stoves of the village, the
kamagong, converted into a divine cross and adored, was raised over the
holy and humble trill of prayers.
There it was, humble, black, affectionate, serving as a support for a
God who on top of him was dying and died of love.
Meanwhile, the priest over the pulpit began to speak, and his words
penetrated the simple souls of the multitude like stars, like spikenards.
“Blessed are the meek…”

PROCESS

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus opens with a series of statements

known as the Beatitudes. The third Beatitude is “Blessed are the meek, for they
will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Jesus’ words echo Psalm 37:11, which says,
“The meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.” What does it
mean that the meek are “blessed”?
The word meek refers to mildness, gentleness of spirit, or humility.
This one characteristic was seen by Jesus Balmori as one of the characteristics
of the early Filipinos. However, being meek doesn’t equate to being inferior. In
actuality, this meekness, brought them to the realization that they need to be
liberated as a nation - to “inherit the earth.”
Just like the kamagong that is very ready of whatever is going to
happen, Filipinos are characterized as resilient individuals, as evident in every
calamity or repression that we have faced in the past - an almost four centuries
of oppression, world wars, even social unrests brought about by Martial Law,
major calamities, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

TASK 1
Everyday, we are met by different circumstances; some are easy, but some are
difficult to conquer. Regardless, our resilient spirit plods on. As a sign of that
innate Filipino attitude, create an emblem, somehow a pin, a key chain or a
pendant, that will remind you of this Filipino attitude. You can use indigenous
materials and different media to create that item. Write a short description
below why you made such emblem. Take a picture of that emblem and paste
it in the box below.

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

place your picture here _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
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LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 114

Spotlight on the Author

C ecilio Apóstol was a Filipino poet EXPLORE Reading 2

and poet laureate. His poems were
once used to teach the Spanish
language under the Republic Act No. 1881. TO THE YANKEES
by Cecilio Apostol, translated to English by Nicanor Tiongson
During the early

I
years of American
occupation he n this poem, the poet attacks American
worked as a Imperialism. Throughout our country’s
journalist for the modern history, we have been under
revolutionary the clout of the United States of America.
n e w s p a p e r s In almost every aspect of our government’s
Independence, The policy making since our independence,
Brotherhood, The America has had a hand in it directly
Union, Renaissance or indirectly. Our culture has also been
and Democracy.
His pseudonym “Americanized” that’s why it’s hard to
on his work at the remove their colonial vestige in the
La Independencia, Philippines. But there will come a time
under Antonio Luna, was Catulo. Apóstol when our “puppet” country will cut its
wrote in English and Spanish, and composed strings and start acting on it’s own from
poems that demonstrated his mastery of the “puppeteer” United States.
Spanish. He composed the poem Al Heroe
Nacional (To the National Hero) which is ***
dedicated to José Rizal.
As long as greed
Tears a gash in foreign hands

Poets, avengers
Of the universal conscience,
MOTIVE QUESTION Can you be silent,
Drowning the honorable voice of
Based on the poem, what is the initial perception Protest?
of the Filipinos about Americans? Is this still
true in the present time? Why or why not?
Never, when might,
Joined with treason and injustice
To crush the laws and rights
The sacred rights of a race,
VOCABULARY BUILDING When the sons of the infamous Judas
gash – n. \ˈgash\
Fell the faith that has been sworn,
a deep narrow depression or cut When the whimper of weak peoples
They answer with animal laughter;
treason – n. \ˈtrē-zᵊn\
the offense of attempting by overt acts to When the holy right is bartered
overthrow the government of the state to In the banquet of human ambition,
which the offender owes allegiance or to As when the Yankees
kill or personally injure the sovereign or the Toast a nation to the sound of a cannon;
sovereign’s family
Silence is impossible: the oppressed nation
infamous – adj. \ˈin-fə-məs\ Shall protest indignantly
having a reputation of the worst kind;
notoriously evil And bury the dagger of vengeance
In the enemy’s breast.
indignant – adj. \in-ˈdig-nənt\
feeling or showing anger because of This unredeemed people
something unjust or unworthy May perhaps succumb in the struggle,
But only its corpse
yoke – n. \ˈyōk\ Can be yoked by alien tyranny.
a wooden bar or frame by which two draft
animals (such as oxen) are joined at the Yankee! If u defeat us
heads or necks for working together With the powerful weight of weapons,
You will not live happily, because you are hated
Even by the air of my native land.

Yankee! If my verses
Survive me, their words
Will echo in the centuries to come
The eternal hate of the eternal outcast.

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QUESTIONS FOR COMPREHENSION
PROCESS
Who is the speaker of the poem?
The term “Yankee” and its contracted form “Yank” have several
interrelated meanings, all referring to people from the United States; its various
senses depend on the context. Outside the United States, “Yank” is used
informally to refer to any American, including Southerners. Within Southern
American areas, “Yankee” is a derisive term which refers to all Northerners, or
specifically to those from the regions of the Union side of the American Civil War.
The initial phase of American surveying in the Philippines threatened
the independence that was declared in 1989. Because of this, and our initial
To whom were the Yankees alluded to? experience with the Spaniards, Filipinos became reluctant about the Americans.
Why? Nationalism and patriotism is still heavily ingrained in the hearts of the Filipinos
that speaks “Never Again.”
The poem heavily speaks of protest against the entry of American
troops in the Philippines. This protest sparked the Philippine-American War.

TASK 1
Together with your group, collaborate with your History/ Social Science teacher
to guide you in leading a discussion about our current ties with the Americans.
Acquaint yourself with the following:
What does this poem speak about the
Americans during the colonization period? - Balikatan exercises (involvement of US military aid to the Philippine Army)
Is this still the same impression in the - Philippines–United States Visiting Forces Agreement
present? - US-Philippines trade and investment
- Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement

Make a short report about the topics above. Identify your stand regarding these
issues. Create a powerpoint presentation about this.

ENRICH
GENERAL REFERENCES IN THE LIBRARY

When looking for basic information on a subject, your library’s reference

section is an excellent place to start. While you might think of the reference
section as just containing dictionaries and encyclopedias, each library provides
access to a wide variety of other reference tools you can use in your research. If
there is a specific sort of reference source you are looking for, don’t forget to ask
your librarian.

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 DICTIONARIES AND THESAURUSES
When you think of dictionaries, the first thing that
may come to mind are the Oxford English or Merriam-
Webster dictionaries, books that simply contain the
definitions of words. However, reference sections also
include historical and etymological dictionaries that
provide information about the origins of words, as
well as foreign-language dictionaries that allow you to
translate between different languages. You might also
find dictionaries that define the terms used in a specific
academic field, such as economics or sociology.
A thesaurus lets you look up a word and find its
synonyms -- words with the same or similar meanings.
A thesaurus can be a useful tool if you are writing on a
specific topic and find you repeat one or two words too frequently.

ENCYCLOPEDIA AND ALMANACS

While today most encyclopedias are no longer
printed and have moved online, you can still find text
copies at libraries. An encyclopedia is a multi-volume work
that provides lengthy articles based on research. General
encyclopedias, such as the Encyclopedia Britannica, cover
a wide variety of topics, from science and history to
language and culture.
An almanac is typically published annually, and
contains up-to-date statistics and facts from the most
recent year. An almanac is a useful source if you want
to use the most current information on a topic in your
research.

ATLASES, GAZETEERS, MANUALS AND HANDBOOKS

An atlas is a book containing maps. It may include
maps from all over the world or may focus on a specific
area, such as Western Europe. An atlas may also be used
to show historical maps from a specific time period,
such as World War II. A gazetteer is another sort of
geographical reference that uses definitions, rather than
maps, to describe different regions.
Manuals are how-to guides that show you the
operation of tools and machines, or describe how to
do certain tasks. A camping manual, for instance, might
show you how to pitch a tent and light a fire. Handbooks
are used to identify and provide information about
different members of a specific category. For example, one of the Audubon
Society’s field guides might include pictures of birds, maps of their habitats and
descriptions of their behavior.

DIRECTORIES AND INDICES
A library can be a useful place to find
contact information for an individual or organization.
For instance, you can find directories of public
information, such as ZIP codes and postal information,
in the reference section. Your library will likely also
have local directories that provide information about
businesses and organizations in your area.
If you’re looking for scholarly articles
on a specific topic, you can look in your library’s
indexes. These books provide references and brief
descriptions of the articles and art contained in
periodical publications, which can be useful if you’re
trying to track down a piece of information from a
large catalog, but don’t know where to look.

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 NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES AND JOURNALS
A newspaper is a periodical publication containing
written information about current events. Newspapers
can cover a wide variety of fields such as politics, business,
sports and art, and often include materials such as opinion
columns, weather forecasts, reviews of local services,
obituaries, birth notices, crosswords, editorial cartoons,
comic strips, and advice columns.
A magazine is a publication, usually a periodical
publication, which is printed or electronically published
(sometimes referred to as an online magazine). Magazines
are generally published on a regular schedule and contain
a variety of content. They are generally financed by
advertising, by a purchase price, by prepaid subscriptions,
or a combination of the three.

TASK 1
Identify what general references should be used in the following circumstances.

__________________ 1. Zoe is doing a report on Zimbabwe and needs to know

what the country’s average temperature is in the
winter. Where should she look first?
__________________ 2. Brian needs to know the distance between Brussels
and Brisbane. What resource should he use first?
__________________ 3. Michael wants the latest medical news about mumps.
What would provide him with the latest research
information?
__________________ 4. Ben is doing research on zebras and wants to read a
good general background article on the animal. Where
should he look?
__________________ 5. Sue wants to know what the life of a teacher might be
like. Where should she turn?
__________________ 6. Jessie wants to read about the airport expansion
project currently taking place in her city. The
information seems to change daily. Where should she
go for information?

SPEAK UP!
APPROPRIATE HAND AND BODY GESTURES

When you communicate, your brain automatically involves your hands

to convey thoughts and emotions, without you even knowing it. In that way,
your hand body language signals what you don’t say with your words. Being
able to properly read body language is a key to any successful relationship.
Here are 10 of the most common hand body language gestures (with
pictures) you’ll see every day:

Touch. How you touch another person reveals
how you feel toward them. When you make full contact
with your palm, this communicates warmth, familiarity
and fondness. Touching with only your fingertips
means less fondness, maybe even some discomfort.

Palms up. Open

palms usually have a positive effect on people. It’s
effective in making amends or closing a sale. Combined
with outstretched arms, it communicates acceptance,
openness and trustworthiness. When done with a jerk
of the shoulders, it can mean resignation or admitting
weakness, as if to say, “I have no idea”.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 118

 Palms down. This means confidence
and shows that you know what you’re talking
about – but it also conveys rigidity. Downward
palms with straightened fingers indicate a sense
of authority, even dominance or defiance. When
a person does this while talking to you, it means
he is not going to budge and you might have
to change your approach. When combined with
a chopping action, a downward palm indicates
emphatic disagreement.

Hands behind the back. This is

DID YOU KNOW THAT...
Abraham Lincoln is considered as one of usually shows some amount of confidence,
the most eloquent and most persuasive as the front torso and vital parts are exposed.
speaker in history. According to an article You will often see this in men, and while it is
in the newspaper Inquirer in 1860, “Mr. always better to show hands, this is perhaps
Lincoln spoke nearly two hours and we the exception to the rule as far as hand
believe he would have held his audience confidence displays go. For many people,
had he spoken all night.” this hand position makes them feel totally
uncomfortable when they are being looked
at. They feel naked.

Clenched fists. Clenched fists usually

connote firmness of resolve – think of someone
preparing himself for a football game or a fistfight.
It can signify unyieldingness, like a more intense
version of palms facing down. Clenched fists
with thumbs tucked-in indicate discomfort. This
person is anxious and trying to harden himself.

Hands on heart. This conveys a person’s

desire to be believed or accepted. Though
intended to communicate sincerity, it doesn’t
necessarily mean honesty. It just means, “I
want you to believe me (whether or not what
I say is true”. I means, “What I say comes from
the heart”.

Chopping movements. Chopping is

for emphasis, and is usually authoritative. A
person who “chops” has made up his mind
and is not likely to change it. It can often be
used as a way to make a point. For example,
chopping down as to separate an idea in two
categories. If you use this gesture, just don’t be
too aggressive when you do it.

Finger-Pointing. Pointing a finger at

a person while speaking is an authoritative
gesture. People do this when imposing
themselves: parents do it to their children,
teachers to unruly students. It’s a way
of talking down, usually interpreted as
aggressive and angry. When done to a peer,
it’s a show of arrogance – it’s confrontational,
invasive and offensive. A fiercer variation is
jabbing your finger. In any case, it’s often
considered impolite to point at a person. It would be more refined to point
with your whole hand. A playful finger-point with a wink however, is a pleasant
expression of approval or acknowledgement.

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 Rubbing hands together. Hand-
rubbing indicates anticipation or relishing
something to come. Always remember that
self-rubbing gestures used to dissipate stress
– and being overly excited in anticipation of
something to come is a form of positive stress.
Another form of this is cracking knuckles – it
expresses readiness for action, more often
associated with men.

Clasping hands, squeezing hands.

Clasping and squeezing hands together is
a self-pacifying gesture. A person who does
this is uncomfortable, maybe even nervous
or fearful. He’s trying to assure himself,
“Everything’s going to be alright.” A variation
of this is rubbing the wrist. Clasped hands with
interwoven fingers indicate great anxiety and
frustration. That person is thinking, “Things
are going really bad”. You better prepare
yourself when you spot this.

Criteria for Speech Delivery (focused on TASK 1

hand gestures) Read the following short speech. Learn the speech, including how it should be
delivered. Apply the necessary hand gestures as needed.

Voice 10 How Humor Heals

Use of Bodily Language 30 I had to spend a week or so in the hospital last year. A minor ear infection
turned into some major problems for my immune system. I was fairly depressed
Appropriate Tone 10 and frustrated one night after my doctor had given me the news that still more
TOTAL 50 tests would be needed, which meant another few days in an uncomfortable bed
with people poking and prodding at me.
As I thought about it, the pain began again, and I was sure that my
condition might only become more serious. About the time I began to wonder if
I would ever see my own home again, my best friend from high school stopped
by. She was, quite literally, our class clown. She always had a great joke on the
tip of her tongue. She was the mascot at the football games because her antics
were so funny. Even now I can’t help but smile when I think about her.
Two hours after she left, I felt great. I had no pain when I woke up the
next morning, and that evening, all of my test results were positive. A miracle?
Actually, yes. Study after study has indicated that humor has interesting healing
powers.
One way that humor can help to heal is that it literally changes our
outlook on life. As we laugh, we have trouble seeing life’s difficulties the same
way. Suddenly, our problems don’t seem quite as bad. Humor allows one to
distance him/herself from a painful physical or medical situation while also
acknowledging that he or she is in such a situation.
This change in perspective is a powerful healing force. Distancing
yourself from a distressing situation allows you to view certain circumstances
from a more objective perspective, and this can help you extract powerful
emotions that focus on your pain or sorrow. In doing this, you do not reject
the painful circumstances surrounding you, but acknowledge the reality of your
situation - the good with the bad.
The benefits of humor, though, aren’t all mental. Humor triggers
laughter. According to physiological studies, the laughter, in turn, stimulates
our cardiovascular systems by increasing the rate at which the heart beats and
contracting the muscles. In fact, one study suggested that laughing one hundred
times per day is the equivalent of spending ten minutes on a rowing machine.
Seeing the humor in our painful or emotional situations can free us
from the chains we have built around ourselves, helping us to recognize that
life is more than anger or pain or sorrow, but that it is full of humor and the
contagious sound of laughter.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 120

 EXPAND YOUR HORIZON
NOTE-TAKING TECHNIQUES

Many times note

taking is one of the most
difficult things for a student
to do effectively. It can be
difficult for students to know
what to write down, what
is important or pertinent
information, or how to
structure their notes so they
are easy to study from in the
future. By taking the time
to understand why we take
notes, how best to do so,
and how to use them, we are able to improve our ability to make them truly
useful. Notes taken during reading or lectures can be one of the strongest tools
a student has in their academic experience.
Before attempting to take notes, consider the following questions:

What is effective note taking?

How can I take good notes in class or from written texts?
Is it different for each?
What is the overall goal of my note taking?
How do I study and what should I include in my notes to help this
process?
How is the class that I am taking taught and how should I take notes
based on this?

In taking notes, these things should be in mind:

Pertinent information – What subject/chapter are you covering in class

that day? Look on your syllabus. Any information that is presented and pertains
to that area is pertinent information.
Valid information – Before including information in notes, it is important
to determine if the information is accurate and based on fact.
Questions you have – These include questions you have about things you
don’t understand and the topics that you need clarification on later. Perhaps they
may even include questions about how the point pertains to the subject. Account for
anything that will prompt your memory later when you are reviewing.
Ideas - Write down ideas that you come up with during discussion in
class, from points read in the text, or even ideas for an upcoming paper or essay
exam.
Verbal clues – These may include clues from the professor about future
exams, or future implications of the material on concepts you will study later.
Points to study later - Included can be ideas/concepts you need more
review to grasp or points the professor indicated will be covered on the exam.
Know the source (lecturer, author, etc.) - Knowing the lecturer can help
pinpoint important information or highly testable material. Even if they simply
repeat material from the texts, always be prepared to take notes and listen.
There may be clues in the lecture about exams and assignments.
Tangents/Examples – It may appear that your professor is off-subject,
but more that likely examples and real case scenarios will be given.

TASK 1
Watch the clip entitled “How to take Cornell Notes.” Without skipping or pausing
the video, apply what you have learned from the note-taking lesson.

Youtube URL: https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=WtW9IyE04OQ

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 121

 INSTA-GRAMMAR
DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
When you want to use commas and semicolons in sentences and when
you are concerned about whether a sentence is or is not a fragment, a good
way to start is to be able to recognize dependent and independent clauses. The
definitions offered here will help you with this.

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and
verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.

Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

DEPENDENT CLAUSE
A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and
verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a
sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.
A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an
Some common dependent markers are: independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.
after, although, as, as if, because, before,
even if, even though, if, in order to, since, When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz... (What
though, unless, until, whatever, when, happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)
whenever, whether, and while.
How should this be corrected?

It was very noisy when Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry
quiz.

Because of the independent clause “It was very noisy” the dependent
clause was able to establish its meaning.

TASK 1
Choose the best clause to make this a grammatical sentence.

_______ 1. I hope it will snow soon _______.

a. because I want to go sledding.
b. I want to go sledding.

_______ 2. The park closes in 15 minutes, ______.

a. unless the sun is setting.
b. so we should pack up our things.

_______ 3. She drove me here _____.

a. because its hard to find a ride from where we came.
b. but she refused my payment.

_______ 4. I need to get a haircut ______.

a. because my hair is getting in my eyes.
b. so you can get a haircut.

_______ 5. I want to go get in my seat, _______.

a. because I finish my drink.
b. but I have to finish my drink before I can enter the stadium.

TASK 2
Underline the independent clauses in the following sentences.
1. The doctor told Charlie to lose weight and exercise vigorously for forty-five
minutes a day.
2. The doctor was worried that Charlie was putting on too much weight.
3. Charlie has a hard time sticking to a diet; he really loves rich, sweet desserts.
4. Charlie has decided to hire a personal trainer because he is worried about his
heart.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 122

 JUST WRITE
WRITING A THESIS STATEMENT
Every paper you write should
have a main point, a main
idea, or central message. The
argument(s) you make in your
paper should reflect this main
idea. The sentence that captures
your position on this main idea is
what we call a thesis statement.
A thesis statement focuses
your ideas into one or two
sentences. It should present
the topic of your paper and
also make a comment about
your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your
reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your
argument focused.
You should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or
in longer essays in the second paragraph -- in order to establish your position
and give your reader a sense of direction.
In order to write a successful thesis statement:

Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or

late in the paper.
Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words.
Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like,
“The point of my paper is…”

Your thesis statement should be as clear and specific as possible.

Normally you will continue to refine your thesis as you revise your argument(s),
so your thesis will evolve and gain definition as you obtain a better sense of
where your argument is taking you.
Check your thesis:

Are there two large statements connected loosely by a coordinating

conjunction (i.e. “and,” “but,” “or,” “for,” “nor,” “so,” “yet”)?
Would a subordinating conjunction help (i.e. “through,” “although,”
“because,” “since”) to signal a relationship between the two sentences?
Or do the two statements imply a fuzzy unfocused thesis?
If so, settle on one single focus and then proceed with further
development.

Being specific in your paper will be much more successful than writing
about general things that do not say much. Don’t settle for three pages of just
skimming the surface.
The opposite of a focused, narrow, crisp thesis is a broad, sprawling,
superficial thesis. Compare this original thesis (too general) with three possible
revisions (more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same
topic):

Original thesis:
There are serious objections to today’s horror movies.

Revised theses:
Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to
get more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young American
viewers to violence.

Use your own words in thesis statements; avoid quoting. Crafting an

original, insightful, and memorable thesis makes a distinct impression on a
reader. You will lose credibility as a writer if you become only a mouthpiece or
a copyist; you will gain credibility by grabbing the reader with your own ideas

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 123

and words. A well-crafted thesis statement reflects well-crafted ideas. It signals
a writer who has intelligence, commitment, and enthusiasm.

TASK 1
Indicate whether each thesis statement below is good or not. If it is not a good
thesis, try to improve the thesis statement.

1. This essay will examine the effects of prohibiting fishing in the Otonabee
River during spawning season.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

2. The development of steel was very important in the growth of a distinctively

new architecture both in Europe and in North America.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

3. Every socioeconomic group in North America has suffered adverse effects

from the growth of technology over the past century and a half.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

4. Both in terms of major energy production, such as the generation of electricity

for cities, and in terms of localized energy needs, such as the fuel for a single
automobile, hydrogen is the power source of the future.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

5. Shakespeare’s King Lear is pervaded by images of animals, of torture, and of

clothing.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 124

Did You Know That...
LESSON 10

El Transito
(The Transit):
Literature of the Transition Period

A depiction of Philippine-American War

KNOW WHAT
YOU KNOW

TASK 1
The Philippine–American War was What is the most difficult part of transitioning from becoming an elementary
an armed conflict between the First student to becoming a junior high school student for you? Howe were you
Philippine Republic and the United able to overcome this difficult transition?
States that lasted from February 4,
1899, to July 2, 1902. While Filipino __________________________________________________________________________________
nationalists viewed the conflict as __________________________________________________________________________________
a continuation of the struggle for __________________________________________________________________________________
independence that began in 1896 __________________________________________________________________________________
with the Philippine Revolution, the __________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. government regarded it as an
insurrection. The conflict arose when __________________________________________________________________________________
the First Philippine Republic objected __________________________________________________________________________________
to the terms of the Treaty of Paris __________________________________________________________________________________
under which the United States took __________________________________________________________________________________
possession of the Philippines from __________________________________________________________________________________
Spain, ending the Spanish–American __________________________________________________________________________________
War.
Although the output of Philippine TASK 2
literature in Spanish has diminished
in later years, there are still some Think of an experience when expectations of loved ones like family or of
notable writers, like José del Mar, society are not met. What were these expectations? Why were you not able to
who won a Zóbel Prize (Premio fulfill them? How did your decision affect your relationship with these people?
Zóbel) for his work, Perfiles, in 1965, Write an anecdote narrating this experience. Highlight lessons learned from
Francisco Zaragoza (1914-1990), defying expectations.
author of “Castala Íntima”, Guillermo
Gómez Rivera, academic director of __________________________________________________________________________________
the Academia Filipina de la Lengua __________________________________________________________________________________
Española (Philippine Academy of __________________________________________________________________________________
the Spanish Language), Edmundo
Farolan, director of “Revista Filipina” __________________________________________________________________________________
and recipient of the Premio Zobel in __________________________________________________________________________________
1982 for his poetry work “Tercera __________________________________________________________________________________
Primavera” or Lourdes Castrillo __________________________________________________________________________________
Brillantes, a prominent Filipino female __________________________________________________________________________________
writer, author of “80 Años del Premio __________________________________________________________________________________
Zobel” (80 Years of the Zobel Prize), __________________________________________________________________________________
a compilation of Spanish literature __________________________________________________________________________________
written by Filipinos. __________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 125

Spotlight on the Author EXPLORE Reading 1

C arlos P. Romulo was a Filipino

diplomat,
statesman,
soldier, journalist
and author. He was
I AM A FILIPINO
by Carlos P. Romulo

a reporter at 16, a
newspaper editor by
the age of 20, and a
publisher at 32. He
was a co-founder of
the Boy Scouts of the
Philippines, a general
in the US Army and
the Philippine Army,
university president, President of the UN
General Assembly, was eventually named
one of the Philippines’ National Artists in
Literature, and was the recipient of many
other honors and honorary degrees.

I
am a Filipino–inheritor of a glorious past, hostage to the uncertain
MOTIVE QUESTION future. As such I must prove equal to a two-fold task–the task of
meeting my responsibility to the past, and the task of performing my
How do you feel as a Filipino? Are you proud obligation to the future.
or ashamed? Why? Do you consider I sprung from a hardy race, child many generations removed of ancient
yourself unique? Malayan pioneers. Across the centuries the memory comes rushing back
to me: of brown-skinned men putting out to sea in ships that were as frail
as their hearts were stout. Over the sea I see them come, borne upon the
billowing wave and the whistling wind, carried upon the mighty swell of
hope–hope in the free abundance of new land that was to be their home and
VOCABULARY BUILDING their children’s forever.
appurtenance – n. \ə-ˈpərt-nən(t)s\ This is the land they sought and found. Every inch of shore that their
an incidental right (such as a right-of-way) eyes first set upon, every hill and mountain that beckoned to them with a green-
attached to a principal property right and and-purple invitation, every mile of rolling plain that their view encompassed,
passing in possession with it every river and lake that promised a plentiful living and the fruitfulness of
commerce, is a hallowed spot to me.
vindication – n. \ˌvin-də-ˈkā-shən\ By the strength of their hearts and hands, by every right of law, human
justification against denial or censure and divine, this land and all the appurtenances thereof–the black and fertile
soil, the seas and lakes and rivers teeming with fish, the forests with their
languor – n. \ˈlaŋ-gər\ inexhaustible wealth in wild life and timber, the mountains with their bowels
weakness or weariness of body or mind swollen with minerals–the whole of this rich and happy land has been, for
centuries without number, the land of my fathers. This land I received in trust
vanguard – n. \ˈvan-ˌgärd\
the forefront of an action or movement from them and in trust will pass it to my children, and so on until the world is
no more.
stevedores – v. \ˈstē-və-ˌdȯr\ I am a Filipino. In my blood runs the immortal seed of heroes–seed
one who works at or is responsible for that flowered down the centuries in deeds of courage and defiance. In my
loading and unloading ships in port veins yet pulses the same hot blood that sent Lapulapu to battle against the
first invader of this land, that nerved Lakandula in the combat against the alien
foe, that drove Diego Silang and Dagohoy into rebellion against the foreign
oppressor.
That seed is immortal. It is the self-same seed that flowered in the
heart of Jose Rizal that morning in Bagumbayan when a volley of shots put
an end to all that was mortal of him and made his spirit deathless forever,
the same that flowered in the hearts of Bonifacio in Balintawak, of Gergorio
del Pilar at Tirad Pass, of Antonio Luna at Calumpit; that bloomed in flowers
of frustration in the sad heart of Emilio Aguinaldo at Palanan, and yet burst
fourth royally again in the proud heart of Manuel L. Quezon when he stood
at last on the threshold of ancient Malacañan Palace, in the symbolic act of
possession and racial vindication.
The seed I bear within me is an immortal seed. It is the mark of my
manhood, the symbol of dignity as a human being. Like the seeds that were
once buried in the tomb of Tutankhamen many thousand years ago, it shall
grow and flower and bear fruit again. It is the insignia of my race, and my
generation is but a stage in the unending search of my people for freedom
and happiness.
I am a Filipino, child of the marriage of the East and the West. The East,

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 126

QUESTIONS FOR COMPREHENSION with its languor and mysticism, its passivity and endurance, was my mother,
and my sire was the West that came thundering across the seas with the Cross
and Sword and the Machine. I am of the East, an eager participant in its spirit,
What are the true qualities of a Filipino and in its struggles for liberation from the imperialist yoke. But I also know that
as pointed out by Carlos P. Romulo? How the East must awake from its centuried sleep, shake off the lethargy that has
do these qualities influence you as the new
generation? bound his limbs, and start moving where destiny awaits.
For I, too, am of the West, and the vigorous peoples of the West have
destroyed forever the peace and quiet that once were ours. I can no longer
live, a being apart from those whose world now trembles to the roar of bomb
and cannon-shot. I cannot say of a matter of universal life-and-death, of
freedom and slavery for all mankind, that it concerns me not. For no man and
no nation is an island, but a part of the main, there is no longer any East and
West–only individuals and nations making those momentous choices which
are the hinges upon which history resolves.

At the vanguard of progress in this part of the world I stand–a forlorn

figure in the eyes of some, but not one defeated and lost. For, through the
thick, interlacing branches of habit and custom above me, I have seen the
Despite your youth, could you name some light of the sun, and I know that it is good. I have seen the light of justice and
things you have done that show you are a equality and freedom, my heart has been lifted by the vision of democracy,
true Filipino? and I shall not rest until my land and my people shall have been blessed by
these, beyond the power of any man or nation to subvert or destroy.
I am a Filipino, and this is my inheritance. What pledge shall I give that
I may prove worthy of my inheritance? I shall give the pledge that has come
ringing down the corridors of the centuries, and it shall be compounded of the
joyous cries of my Malayan forebears when first they saw the contours of this
land loom before their eyes, of the battle cries that have resounded in every
field of combat from Mactan to Tirad Pass, of the voices of my people when
they sing:

Land of the morning,

The essayist believes that Filipinos must Child of the sun returning–
prove equal to a twofold task of meeting
responsibility to the present and of
performing his obligation to the future? Ne’er shall invaders
How can we do these duties? Trample thy sacred shore.

Out of the lush green of these seven thousand isles, out of the
heartstrings of sixteen million people all vibrating to one song, I shall weave
the mighty fabric of my pledge. Out of the songs of the farmers at sunrise when
they go to labor in the fields, out of the sweat of the hard-bitten pioneers in
Mal-lig and Koronadal, out of the silent endurance of stevedores at the piers
and the ominous grumbling of peasants in Pampanga, out of the first cries of
babies newly born and the lullabies that mothers sing, out of the crashing of
gears and the whine of turbines in the factories, out of the crunch of plough-
shares upturning the earth, out of the limitless patience of teachers in the
classrooms and doctors in the clinics, out of the tramp of soldiers marching, I
What does the writer/essayist think about shall make the pattern of my pledge:
the kind of spirit and strength the Filipinos “I am a Filipino born to freedom, and I shall not rest until freedom shall
have? have been added unto my inheritance—for myself and my children and my
children’s children—forever.”

PROCESS

I Am a Filipino, Romulo’s most famous literary work, sheds light on

national identity through an examination of the Filipino’s fervent dream for
freedom from colonial rule. Frequently chosen by aspiring speakers for elocution
contests and memorized by grade-school students all over the country, the piece
awakens Filipino nationalism, transcending linguistic and ethnic boundaries, and
resonating in the hearts of people from all walks of life.

TASK 1
The writer values what our past heroes have achieved. Do you think Filipinos can
still make great heroes in today’s world? Why? Why not? Write a short reflective
journal about this.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 127

Spotlight on the Author EXPLORE Reading 2

L
and
eona Florentino was a Filipino
poet in the
Spanish
Ilocano
languages. She
BLASTED HOPES
by Leona Florentino, translated from Ilokano to English by M. Foronda, Jr.

is considered
as the “mother
of Philippine
w o m e n ’ s
literature” and
the “bridge from
oral to literary
tradition”. Her
lyrical poetry
in Spanish,
and especially
that in Ilocano,
gained attention
in various international forums in Spain,
Paris and St. Louis, Missouri. Her literary
contributions - particularly 22 preserved
poems - were recognized when she was
included in the Encyclopedia Internationale
des Oeuvres des Femmes (International

L
Encyclopedia of Women’s Works) in 1889.
She is believed to be the first Filipina to eona Florentino was a Filipina poet who wrote both in Spanish and Ilokano.
receive this international recognition, an She is known as the “mother of Philippine women’s literature” and the
homage that occurred after her death at a
young age. “bridge from oral to literary tradition”. Her poems were dedicated to her
fellow Ilokanos and they were exhibited in the Exposicion General de Filipinas
in Madrid in 1887 and in the International Exposicion in Paris in 1889.
They earned fame and her works were included in the Encyclopedia
MOTIVE QUESTION Internationale des Oeuvres des Femmes (International Encyclopedia of
Women’s Works) in 1889.
What is the persona’s pledge of love? How does
this reflect Filipinos perspective about love?
Is this still evident in the present time? ***

What gladness and what joy

are endowed to one who is loved
for truly there is one to share
all his sufferings and his pain.
VOCABULARY BUILDING
endow – v. \in-ˈdau̇\ My fate is dim, my stars so low
to furnish with an income; especially : to perhaps nothing to it can compare,
make a grant of money providing for the for truly I do not doubt
continuing support or maintenance of for presently I suffer so.

spurn – v. \ˈspərn\ For even I did love,

to tread sharply or heavily upon the beauty whom I desired
never do I fully realize
vow – n. \ˈvau̇\ that I am worthy of her.
a solemn promise or assertion; specifically;
one by which a person is bound to an act,
service, or condition Shall I curse the hour
when first I saw the light of day
would it not have been better a thousand times
I had died when I was born.

Would I want to explain

but my tongue remains powerless
for now do I clearly see
to be spurned is my lot.
But would it be my greatest joy
to know that it is you I love,
for to you do I vow and a promise I make
it’s you alone for whom I would lay my life.

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 128

QUESTIONS FOR COMPREHENSION
PROCESS
Why does the persona consider loving
someone as a source of gladness and joy? Leona Florentino’s legacy, though not known by most in today’s showbiz
worthy society, is one that has helped form the wealth of what is Philippine
literature. Though most of her brilliant work has been lost over time since
her death, some of the original manuscripts have been preserved and kept in
Madrid, London, and Paris. Today her former home has been transformed into
the Provincial Tourism Center (Vigan Heritage Commission) where a statue of
her in her honor and dedication sits watching over those who come to Vigan.
The restaurant there is also named after her, Café Leona, which was named by a
scholar of her work who studied Leona’s work. He wrote that she was “a pillar of
feminism in the country.”
What perspective about love is being One’s love for the country is sometimes parallel to loving a person.
portrayed in the selection? It requires a lot of sacrifices. It doesn’t count on anything but the promise of
freedom that no one can steal.

TASK 1
Have you ever thought of a reply to the poem? Have you ever wondered what
could be in the mind of the other person? Write a response to the poem by
writing a letter. Use the space below.

In the advent of technology and fast-paced

society, do you think this kind of affection
or attention still applicable? Why or why
not?

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 129

 ENRICH
GATHERING INFORMATION FROM NON-PRINT MEDIA
Information can come from
virtually anywhere: personal experiences,
books, articles, expert opinions,
encyclopedias, the Web. The type
of information needed will change
depending on its application.
These days, people are at
crossroads. With the continuous boom
of technology, the print industry has
suffered setbacks. Books, magazines, and
newspapers, which were once scanned
and flipped, are now being scrolled.
Pictures, which were once artfully
pasted and decorated in albums and
scrapbooks, are now being viewed with
a press of a button. Letters, which were
once intricately penned and sealed, are
almost nonexistent, replaced by neat and unending rows of a monotonous font.
Some say that print media has been replaced by digital media.
Some of the non-print materials which we can get valuable information
include:

Internet (e.g. websites, search engines, vlogs, blogs)
E-mail communication
Interviews (e.g., telephone, e-mail)
Video recordings (e.g. television programs, films, documentaries)
Audio recordings (e.g. radio programs, songs, nursery rhymes, podcasts)
Communications through social networking applications (e.g. Facebook,
Twitter, Youtube, Instagram)

TASK 1
Explore what other non-print materials can you use to look for the following
information:

1. Old Streets of Manila

2. The Life and Works of Nick Joaquin
3. The Epic of Indarapatra and Sulayman
4. A video copy of a live stage play of New Yorker in Tondo
5. Brief history of Filipino being hailed as National Language

SPEAK UP!
GUESS WHAT: MAKING INFERENCES
We all have to take those
standardized tests where you’re
presented with a large passage of
text and must work your way through
the multiple-choice problems that
follow. Most of the time, you’ll get
questions asking you to find the main
idea, determine the author’s purpose,
understand vocabulary in context,
figure out the author’s tone, and, the
topic at hand, make inferences. For
many people, understanding how to
make an inference is the toughest part
of the reading passage, because an
inference in real life requires a bit of

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 130

guessing.
Inferences are what we figure out based on an experience. This will
help you understand a text when information is implied or not directly stated.
These skills will be needed for all sorts of school assignments, including reading,
science and social studies.
How can we make inferences?

1. Identify an Inference Question

First, you’ll need to determine whether or not you’re actually
being asked to make an inference on a reading test. The most
obvious questions will have the words “suggest,” “imply” or “infer”
right in the tag like these:

- “According to the passage, we can reasonably infer...”

- “Based on the passage, it could be suggested that...”
- “Which of the following statements is best supported by the
passage?”

Some questions, however, will not come right out and ask you
to infer. You’ll have to actually infer that you need to make an
inference about the passage.

- “With which of the following statements would the author

most likely agree?”
- “Which of the following sentences would the author most
likely use to add additional support to paragraph three?”

2. Trust the Passage

Inferences on a multiple-choice exam are different from those
in real life. Out in the real world, if you make an educated guess, your
inference could still be incorrect. But on a multiple-choice exam, your
inference will be correct because you’ll use the details in the passage
to prove it. You have to trust that the passage offers you the truth in
the setting of the test, and that one of the answer choices provided
is correct without stepping too far outside the realm of the passage.

3. Hunt for Clues

Your third step is to start hunting for clues – supporting details,
vocabulary, character’s actions, descriptions, dialogue, and more – to
prove one of the inferences listed below the question. Take this
question and text, for example:
Reading Passage:
The widow Elsa was as complete a contrast to her third bridegroom, in
everything but age, as can be conceived. Compelled to relinquish her first
marriage after her husband died in the war, she married a man twice
her years to whom she became an exemplary wife despite their having
nothing in common, and by whose death she was left in possession of a
splendid fortune, though she gave it away to the church. Next, a southern
gentleman, considerably younger than herself, succeeded to her hand, and
carried her to Charleston, where, after many uncomfortable years, she
found herself again a widow. It would have been remarkable if any feeling
had survived through such a life as Elsa’s; it could not but be crushed and
killed by the early disappointment of her first groom’s demise, the icy duty
of her second marriage, and the unkindness of her third husband, which
had inevitably driven her to connect the idea of his death with that of her
comfort.

Based on the information in the passage, it could be suggested

that the narrator believes Elsa’s prior marriages to be:
a.) uncomfortable, but well-suited to Elsa
b.) satisfactory and dull to Elsa
c.) cold and damaging to Elsa
d.) awful, but worth it to Elsa

To find clues that point to the correct answer, look for

descriptions that would support those first adjectives in the answer

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 choices. Here are some of the descriptions of her marriages in the
passage:

- “…she became an exemplary wife despite their having nothing

in common…”
- “…after many uncomfortable years, she found herself again a
widow.”
- “…the icy duty of her second marriage and the unkindness
of her third husband which had inevitably driven her to
connect the idea of his death with that of her comfort.”

4. Narrow Down the Choices

The last step to making a correct inference on a multiple-
choice test is to narrow down the answer choices.
Using the clues from the passage, we can infer that nothing
much was “satisfactory” to Elsa about her marriages, which gets rid
of Choice B.
Choice A is also incorrect because although the marriages
certainly seem uncomfortable based on the clues, they were not
well-suited to her as she had nothing in common with her second
husband and wanted her third husband to die.
Choice D is also incorrect because nothing is stated or implied
in the passage to prove that Elsa believed her marriages to be worth
it in some way; in fact, we can infer that it wasn’t worth it to her at all
because she gave away the money from her second husband.
So, we have to believe that Choice C is the best – the marriages
were cold and damaging. The passage states explicitly that her
marriage was an “icy duty” and her third husband was “unkind.” We
also know that they were damaging because her feelings had been
“crushed and killed” by her marriages.

5. Practice
To get really good at making inferences, you’ll need to practice
making your own inferences first!

TASK 1
Read the following translated version of the flash fiction entitled “Si Ma’am Kasi”
by Eros Atalia. Use the graphic organizer after the story to create an inference

It’s Ma’am’s Fault (Si Ma’am Kasi)

by Eros Atalia, translated to English by Joshua Daño

Today is the graduating students’ final exam. A make-or-break ordeal.

Their professor is known for being a terror in this major subject. She doesn’t
care if you are graduating or not. If you fail, you fail.
She walks like a barangay tanod, going around all the corners of the
classroom. Any suspicious moves, glances or even stares of the students, she
notices.
Suddenly, a cellphone placed over an armchair vibrated.
“Turn it off! Or keep it away!” the prof shouted.
All of the students inside the room stared at the student who struggled
to turn the phone off and keep it.
Everyone turned back to answering the examination.
Later on, the student with the phone glanced again on her phone and
then turned her eyes to the professor.
The professor became skeptic about the student’s actions.
Some students are used to put their exam answers on their phones.
As the professor walks towards her, the student who holds the
cellphone began crying.
“Give me your phone, you’re cheating!”
The moment the student surrendered her phone to the professor, she
picked her bag and immediately rushed outside the classroom. She left her test
paper.
“Class, you’re all my witnesses. Your classmate is cheating. Will you read
what is written in the message?”

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 The tasked student stood up. He read the message on the phone.
“Why did you not answer the call? Dad is gone. He didn’t survive the
operation. We’re here at the hospital,”

QUESTION: What made the student leave the exam and rush immediately
outside the classroom?

What I know The text tells me

I can infer that…
about… that…

EXPAND YOUR HORIZON

IDENTIFYING SUPPORTING DETAILS

Supporting details are those facts and ideas that prove or explain the
main idea of a paragraph. Some details are more important than others. As you
read, it is important to distinguish between these details.
Major details are the most important facts or ideas that directly explain
the main idea.
Minor details, on the other hand, are facts or ideas that provide
additional information or explain a major detail.
In order to identify these supporting details, transitions can help you
understand how the details are related to one another and to the main idea.
Time Sequence first, later, next, finally
Examples for example, for instance, to illustrate, such as
Lists first, second, third, last, another, next
Continuation also, in addition, and, further, another
Contrast on the other hand, in contrast, however
Comparison like, likewise, similarly
Cause and Effect because, thus, therefore

As you read for main idea, you should look at supporting details. To
help you determine what the supporting details are, look
for:
statements of facts statistics and data
expert testimony examples
primary source accounts

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TASK 1
Read the following paragraphs. Each consists of a stated main idea and several
details. Since there is more than one detail, you will select more than one
answer for the first question for each paragraph. (Suggestion: Locate the answer
choice with the stated main idea—this will you identify identified the details
that support it. To help you further, the topic is given for each paragraph.) The
second question about each paragraph asks you the purpose of the details in
the paragraph or, in other words, the type of information the details present
(such as explanations, descriptions, examples, and so forth).

Passage 1: “Millennials”

Students born after 1982 are considered Millennials, and they exhibit
quite different characteristics from those of students only a few years older.
Among the differences are these:
- They gravitate toward group activities.
- They identify with their parents’ values and feel close to their parents.
- They spend more time doing homework and housework and less
time watching TV.
- They believe it’s cool to be smart.
- They are fascinated by new technologies.
- They are racially and ethnically diverse, and 20% have one immigrant
parent.

1. Which of these are supporting details in the paragraph?

A. Students born after 1982 are considered Millennials, and they exhibit
quite different characteristics from those of students only a few years
older.
B. They gravitate toward group activities.
C. They spend more time doing homework and housework and less
time watching TV.
D. They are fascinated by new technologies.

2. The purpose of the major details in this paragraph is to give

A. an explanation of how the term Millennial came about.
B. characteristics of Millennials.
C. the process for becoming a Millennial.

Passage 2: Personal Digital Assistants

Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are small, hand-held electronic

organizers that come in a range of prices and capabilities. These lightweight
computers are usually operated with a stylus, a special “pen.” The most basic,
inexpensive PDAs have monochromatic screens. They can be used to organize
and store contact information, such as names, phone numbers, and email
addresses. More expensive models have color screens and offer computer-
like applications. For example, you can manage email and create documents.
In addition, they include a calendar function that allows you to keep track of
appointments and events. They feature the ability to play video and audio files.
The most expensive PDAs also offer a phone function, including text messaging.

3. Which of these are supporting details in the paragraph?

A. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are small, hand-held electronic
organizers that come in a range of prices and capabilities.
B. They can be used to organize and store contact information, such as
names, phone numbers, and email addresses.
C. More expensive models have color screens and offer computer-like
applications.
D. The most expensive PDAs offer a phone function, including text
messaging.
4. The purpose of the major details in this paragraph is to give
A. reasons to buy a color PDA.
B. differences between inexpensive and expensive PDAs.
C. the procedure for buying a PDA.

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 INSTA-GRAMMAR
KINDS OF SENTENCES: FORM AND FUNCTION
Sentences had been a part of people’s lives ever since language became
an established form of communication. Different languages have their own
forms of sentence construction, and the English language is not an exemption.
English grammatical rules require a definite form and functions of sentences.

FUNCTION
There are four kinds of sentence according to function.

1. Assertive or Declarative Sentence

2. Interrogative Sentence
3. Imperative Sentence
4. Exclamatory Sentence

Assertive or Declarative Sentence. These are sentences that make a

statement or assertion. These can be in form of factual information or opinion-
based.

Examples:

Filipino culture has its own share of rich history.

Mayon Volcano is not located in Naga, but in Albay.
We need to participate in democratic interventions.

Interrogative Sentence. These are sentences in which a question is

asked. Interrogative sentences end with question mark (?).

Examples:

Did you read the newspaper today?

Have you heard about the plans of changing the Philippine government
to Federalism?
What are the implication of not exercising your rights as a Filipino
citizen?

Imperative Sentence. These are sentences that express a request,

command or advice.

Examples:

Participate in school activities.

Encourage your classmate to do good today.
Help your parents at home during the weekends.

Exclamatory Sentence. These are sentences that show strong feelings

or emotions. These sentences express surprise, joy, sorrow, appreciation,
love excitement, frustration, anger etc. An exclamatory sentence ends with
exclamation mark (!).

Examples:

The sea of clouds in Mount Pulag is a sight to see!

The mangoes of Guimaras are so sweet!
The traffic in Aguinaldo Highway in Cavite is so unbelievable!

FORM
A sentence may consist of one clause (independent clause or dependent
clause). An independent clause is also called main clause. A dependent clause is
also called subordinate clause.

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 There are four kinds of sentences according to form or structure:

1. Simple Sentence
2. Compound Sentence
3. Complex Sentence
4. Compound-Complex Sentence

Simple Sentence. A simple sentence consists of only one independent

clause containing a subject and a verb and it shows complete meaning. There
is no dependent clause. Take note that rewgardless of how many subjects there
are in a sentence, as long as they are doing only one action at the same time, the
sentence remains simple. This goes also with a subject doing multiple actions.

Examples:

Manila is the capital of the Philippines.

The life and leadership of Jesse Robredo is a good example to follow.
Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano execute TV hosting very well.

Compound Sentence. A compound sentence consists of at least two

independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunction. There is no dependent
clause in compound sentence. The coordinating conjunctions use to join
independent clauses are “for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so”. Independent clauses can
also be joined by a semicolon (;). A comma may or may not be used before the
conjunction in compound sentence.

Examples:

Manila is the capital of the Philippines but Cebu is the oldest city,
established in 1565.
The life and leadership of Jesse Robredo is a good example to follow;
he even spent the last hours of his life serving the country.
Billy Crawford is doing a good job hosting and Luis Manzano is also
taking it to the next level.

Complex Sentence. A complex sentence consists of one independent

clause and at least one dependent clause joined by subordinating conjunction
(because, although, since, when, unless etc) or relative pronoun (that, who, which
etc). If a complex sentence begins with an independent clause, a comma is not
used between clauses in a complex sentence. If a complex sentence begins
with dependent clause, a comma is used after dependent clause in a complex
sentence.

Examples:

When it was founded on June 24, 1571, Manila became the seat of
power of the entire archipelago.
Jesse Robredo served six terms as Mayor of Naga City in Camarines Sur
before being appointed to the Cabinet of President Benigno Aquino in
2010.
Billy Crawford is part of the pool of artists performing in German
Moreno’s “GMA Supershow“ and “That’s Entertainment” until he made
it big to the international scene in 1995.

Compound-Complex Sentence. A complex-compound sentence

consists of at least two independents and one or more dependent clauses. It is
also sometimes called compound-complex Sentence.
Examples:

Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and the Pasig
River flows through the middle of the city where major neighboring
cities are also located.
Because of his untiring dedication, Jesse Robredo became the first

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 Filipino mayor to be honored the Ramon Magsaysay Award for
Government Service in 2000 and he also put Naga City in Asiaweek
Magazine as “Most Improved Cities in Asia” in 1999.
Billy Crawford had major chart success in France and other parts of
Europe, but he did not repeat this success in the United Kingdom and
the United States, although his single “You Didn’t Expect That” did make
the lower reaches of the UK Top 40, peaking at number 35.

TASK 1
Identify the function of the following sentences. Add the necessary punctuation
marks for each sentences.

1. Thank goodness__ There are already daily flights going to Batanes__

Function: _____________________________

2. I want to explore more of Zambales next time___

Function: _____________________________

3. Will you join the 2:30AM trek to Mt. Pulag___

Function: _____________________________

4. Bring Vjandep’s Pastel and lanzones from Camiguin as your pasalubong

instead___
Function: _____________________________

5. What shall I bring for the trip to Ilocos tomorrow___

Function: _____________________________

TASK 2
Identify each of the following sentences as simple, compound, complex, or
compound-complex.

1. Intramuros and Binondo are two of the most historic places in the city of
Manila.
Form: _____________________________

2. Intramuros is known to become the most progressive part of Manila during

that time, but Binondo is considered the center of commerce and trade.
Form: _____________________________

3. Binondo, which is the oldest Chinatown in the world, was established in 1594
by the Spaniards as a settlement near Intramuros but across the Pasig River
for Catholic Chinese residents.
Form: _____________________________

4. Binondo was already a hub of Chinese commerce even before the Spanish
colonial period.
Form: _____________________________

5. Binondo was intended to replace the Parian near Intramuros, where the
Chinese were first confined.
Form: _____________________________

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 JUST WRITE
WRITING A POSITION PAPER
Position papers are forms of essays that make a claim about something
and then prove through arguments and evidences.
In writing position papers, you want your reader to finish reading the
essay and believe that your position is better than other positions on the issue.
Although you may mention other points of view to refute them or to use in
drawing consensus, the body of your paper will be explaining your position and
giving reasons and evidence that persuades the reader to agree with you.
Position papers can use any of the other essay forms like definition,
description, and cause, evaluation, argument or problem solution. However, you
need to remember that the purpose of the paper is not to explore the issue but
to argue a particular position about the issue.
Example: “Do women make less money than men for the same job”
is something you can research and find a factual answer and so it isn’t a good
position topic. However, you can argue any of the following:

Women should make the same as a man for the same job.
Women are better employees than men.
Men should make more money than women.

Do those statements sound like something that could generate a good

argument? Perfect! You want to choose a topic that is interesting and make a
claim that other people would disagree with. Because there is a contrary point
of view, you have something you can write about.
It is possible to write position essays without evidence from other
sources. You can just use logic and your own personal experiences. However,
often a position essay is going to draw on evidence like statistics, expert opinion
or case studies. That way, the reader doesn’t have to rely only on your opinion.
By incorporating evidence from other sources, you strengthen your
argument. There are three ways to incorporate sources in your essay: quotation,
paraphrase and summary. However, you should be careful to use quotation
sparingly and to be sure to cite all your sources using the MLA or APA format.
While there is some value in arguments which “preach to the choir”
and “rally the troups” to support something they already strongly believe, most
arguments are more effective if they seek to persuade an audience which is
undecided or not strongly in favor of your position.

Basic Outline of a Position Paper:

Introduction. Describe the problem and make it vivid for the reader.
Your introduction should:

Make the reader interested in this issue.

Convince the reader that this is an important issue.
Explain your point of view (thesis statement).

Body. The body will focus on one particular sort of claim: fact, definition,
value, cause or policy. Your claim is what you want your audience to believe and
it should be stated in one sentence. The claim can be placed in different points
in the paper but is usually at the end of the intro or the first sentence of the
body.

Sub-claims - reasons why the reader should believe your claim

Warrants/ Backing - why you believe this claim to be true
Rebuttal - discussion of other positions on this issue and explaining why
your position is better.

Conclusion. Conclusions can use some of the same techniques that you
use in your introduction. Be sure your conclusion is linked to your introduction.
Do not just repeat the claim, but draw a conclusion which urges the reader to
believe it or do something about it.

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TASK 1
Visit the Filipiniana section of the library and borrow materials that contain
other Filipino epics such as the Ibalon, a Bicol epic poetry and the Darangan, a
Mindanaoan epic. Create a position paper and identify why we should preserve
these epic stories as part of our cultural heritage and upbringing as Filipinos.
Use the space below to create your outline for the position paper. Then, rewrite
your essay on a different piece of paper.

Title: _____________________________________________________________________________

Introduction: _____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Thesis Statement: ________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Body:

Sub-claims:
1. ________________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________________________________

Warrants/ Backing:
1. ________________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________________________________

Rebuttals:
1. ________________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion: ______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Sources:
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

LITERATURE IN CONTEXT: Module in Philippine Literature for Grade 7 139