CONTENT: English 7; Philippine Literature

CONTENT STANDARDS: The learner demonstrates understanding of:

• pre-colonial Philippine literature as a means of connecting to the
past;
• various reading styles;
• ways of determining word meaning;
• the sounds of English and the prosodic features of speech; and
• correct subject-verb agreement.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: The learner transfers learning by: showing

appreciation for the literature of the past; comprehending texts using appropriate
reading styles; parti cipating in conversations using appropriate context-
dependent expressions; produc ing English sounds correctly and using the
prosodic features of speech effectively in various situations; and observing
correct subject-verb agreement.

LEARNING COMPETENCY: The learner supplies other words or expressions that

complete an analog y.

LITERARY TEXTS:
The Creation; An Igorot Myth
Malakas and Maganda (Myth of the First Man and Woman)

LESSON 1: LITERATURE IN THE PHILIPPINES

At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

a. define literature based on picture clues;
b. differentiate the genres and forms of literature;
c. distinguish the literary elements; and
d. valuate the significance of literature.

Introduction:

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 1

In the ancient times, the early Filipinos knew the value of stories as a way to preserve cultural
practices and beliefs.
Were there stories which your grandparents, parents or siblings have told you about? Have
you heard of Filipino stories over the radio or watched on the television? Have a short recall.

Philippine folk literature began with stories and myths that were told orally. Professor
Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artists for literature, together with his wife, Cynthia Lumbera,
observed that “the oral literature of the pre-colonial Filipinos bore the marks of the community.
The subject matter was invariably the common experience of the people constituting the village—
food gathering, creatures and objects of nature, work in the home, field, forest, or caring for
children. The language of oral literature, unless the piece was part of the cultural heritage of the
community, was the language of daily life.”
The history of Philippine literature can be tracked back as early as 1564. This period of
Philippine literature, which consisted mostly of oral folklore, spans the longest period in
Philippine literary history. It has now also been proven by historians that long before the Spanish
colonial era, Filipino forefathers has already shared a rich prehistoric tradition and culture.
Checkpoint 1: What is Literature?
One of the biggest questions you might have in mind now is: “What is Literature?”
You will understand what Literature is all about by supplying the missing words in each
of the items below using the pictures as your clues.

A. Literature is a reflection, or excitement_ of

life.

Literature reflects and comments on aspects of

things people encounter in their daily lives even
Figure 1- Photo was taken from clipartkey.com their emotions such as joy, sadness, anger or
excitement.

B. Literature is a body of _art ______ works.

Literature has traditionally been applied to
those imaginative works of poetry and prose
distinguished by the intentions of their authors
and the perceived artistic excellence of their
execution.
(Encyclopedia Britanica)
Figure 2- from Constant-content.com

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 2

 C. Literature means writing formed with _letters______.
Etymologically (origin of word), the term derives from Latin
litaritura/litteratura.Literature was first produced by some of the
world’s earliest civilizations— those of Ancient Egypt and
Sumeria—as early as the 4th millennium BC.

Figure 3- from Pinterest.com

D. Literature is a work of fiction that is the result of creation by

a spontaneous surge of _emotion_____.
Literatureis capable of expressing the aesthetic aspects of
both the aspects of language as well as aspects of meaning
(Mukarovsky, E.E. Cummings, and Sjklovski)

Figure 4-from Gozen.com

E. Literature allows a person to step back in _time____ and

learn about life.
We can gather a better understanding of culture and have
a greater appreciation of them. We learn through the ways
history is recorded, in the forms of manuscripts and through
speech itself.
Figure 5-from Future.travel

Literary Texts. Read the following texts which are really known in Philippine Literature

The Creation
An Igorot Myth

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 3

 Figure 6-from Igorot Origin Myths

In the beginning there were no people on the earth.

Lumawig, the Great Spirit, came down from the sky and cut many reeds. He divided these
into pairs which he placed in different parts of the world, and then he said to them, “You must
speak.”

Immediately the reeds became people, and in each place was a man and woman who could
talk, but the language of each couple differed from that of the others.

Then Lumawig commanded each man and woman to marry, which they did. By and by there
were many children, all speaking the same language as their parents. These, in turn, married and
had many children. In this way there came to be many people on the earth.

Now Lumawig saw that there were several things which the people on the earth needed to
use, so he set to work to supply them. He created salt, and told the inhabitants of one place to
boil it down and sell it to their neighbors. But these people could not understand the directions of
the Great Spirit, and the next time he visited them, they had not touched the salt.

Then he took it away from them and gave it to the people of a place called Mayinit. These
did as he directed, and because of this he told them that they should always be owners of the
salt, and that the other peoples must buy of them.

Then Lumawig went to the people of Bontoc and told them to get clay and make pots. They
got the clay, but they did not understand the moulding, and the jars were not well shaped.
Because of their failure, Lumawig told them that they would always have to buy their jars, and
he removed the pottery to Samoki. When he told the people there what to do, they did just as
he said, and their jars were well shaped and beautiful. Then the Great Spirit saw that they were
fit owners of the pottery, and he told them that they should always make many jars to sell.

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 4

 In this way Lumawig taught the people and brought to them all the things which they now
have.

Malakas and Maganda

Myth of the First Man and Woman
(Retold by Teofidel Castillo)

Figure 7-- from philcue.weebly.com

A long time ago, there was no land. There were only the sea and the sky. A bird was
them flying in the sky. Soon she grew tired and wanted to rest. But she could not. As she was
smart, she made the sea throw rocks up at the sky. And the sky turned very dark and poured
down water. That was how the island came about. Now the waves break on the shore and can
never rise as high as the sky again.

Horrified by the unusual downpour of rain, the bird flew away as fast as she could. She
saw the land just created. And on that land, she could see tropical trees, throwing up their naked
shoulders. These green things were merely bamboos.

As the bird was flying all the time, she became thirsty. But she could not quench her thirst
with the salty sea water. She, therefore, looked for rivulets. Unfortunately, there was none.
Realizing that some water was stored in the bamboo joints, she alighted, and started to peck on
the bamboo clumps.

“Peck harder, peck harder,” a weak voice cried, the moment her bill struck the bamboo.
The bird was extremely frightened, and was about to fly away. But like a curious woman, she

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 5

restrained herself. She wanted to know that voice really was. Gathering her courage, she pecked,
pecked, and pecked.

“Peck harder, peck harder,” the weak voice complained again. The bird became he more
curious. She pecked and pecked with all her might. But as her pecking was ineffectual, she
snatched a piece of rock nearby and dropped it on the bamboo. The bamboo was broken and
split in two. In the wink of an eye, a man and a woman stepped out of the bamboo joint, the
man bowing politely to the woman. The woman gave recognition to the man; then they walked
away hand in hand.

The appearance of the human beings frightened the bird. She forgot her thirst and flew away,
hardly realizing that she saw the first human beings, and had a role in their creation.

The Forms of Literature

There two common forms of literature, Prose and Poetry. Below is a table that further
explains their differences.
Prose Poetry
Meaning - straight forward form of literature, - form of literature in which the poet
wherein the author expresses his uses a unique style and rhythm, to
thoughts and feelings in an express intense experience.
understandable way
Language -straight Forward -expressive or decorated
Nature -realistic -imaginative

Purpose -to provide information or to send a -for enjoyment or amusement

message
Structure -ideas can be found in sentences, -ideas can be found in lines, which
which are arranged in paragraph. are arranged in stanzas.
Line break -there are no line breaks -there are line breaks
Paraphrasing -paraphrasingis possible -exact paraphrasing is not possible.

What form of literature is “The Creation?” How about “Malakas and

Maganda?”

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 6

 The Genres of Literature

Genres of literature are important to learn about. The two main categories separating the
different genres of literature are Fiction and Nonfiction.Below is a table that further explains
their differences.
Fiction Nonfiction
Meaning -a belief or statement that is false -a belief or statement that is true
Nature -imaginative -realistic
-showcases supernatural powers or -showcases ordinary life
phenomenon and common people
Source -playful imagination which causes -facts
imaginary world -based on real events, people and
reports
Purpose -read for fun or enjoyment -read to get new information

What genre of literature is “The Creation?” How about “Malakas and

Maganda?” the “the creation” is fantasy and “Malakas and Maganda”is also
fantasy

There are several genres of literature that fall under fiction and nonfiction categories.
Nonfiction sits in direct opposition to fiction.
Fiction Nonfiction

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 7

Drama is the genre of literature that’s usually Narrative Nonfiction is information based
for theatrical performance, where conflicts on fact that is presented in a format which tells
and emotion are expressed through dialogue a story.
and action.
Essay is a short literary composition that
Poetry is for exciting pleasure by beautiful, reflects the author’s outlook or point.
imaginative, or elevated thoughts. A Biography is a written account of another
person’s life.
Fantasy is the forming of mental images with
strange or other worldly settings or An Autobiography gives the history of a
characters. person’s life, written or told by the person
himself/herself.
A Fable is a story about supernatural or
extraordinary people, where animals often A Biography is a written account of a
speak as humans that are legendary and person’s life written by somebody else.
supernatural tales.

Speech is the faculty or power of speaking;

Fairy Tales are stories are about fairies or oral communication; ability to express one’s
other magical creatures, usually for children. thoughts and emotions by speech, sounds,
Short Story is fiction of such shortness that is and gesture. Generally delivered in the form of
not able to support any subplots. an address or discourse.

Folklore are songs, stories, myths, and News is newly received or noteworthy
proverbs of a person of “folk” that was handed information, especially about recent or
down by word of mouth. important events.

Legend is a story that sometimes of a national

or folk hero.

Mythology often pertains to the actions of the

gods.

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 8

 Checkpoint 2. Write F if the piece is an example of Fiction meanwhile, write NF if it is
an example of a Nonfiction literature. Write your answer before the item number.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs _F__ 2. Ang Probinsyano _ NF____

3. Dora the Explorer _F____ 4. Ang Pagong at ang Matsing _F__

5. The Legend of Maria Makiling_F__ 6. 24 Oras Scripts _NF_

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 9

7. The Biography of Jose Rizal _NF___ 8. The 2019 SONA_NF__

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 10

9. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin_NF_ 10. The Diary of Anne Frank _NF__

The Literary Elements

Literary elements are the things that all literature—whether it's a news article, a book,
or a poem—absolutely need to have. Like the story, The Creation and Malakas and
Maganda have these literary elements:

• Plot- the series of events that unfold in the story. This means that it is made up
of the main things that happen in the story from the beginning, middle, to end.
In folktales and fables, the plot is usually simple.
• Setting- the time and location where the story takes place. A story may have a
change of settings in different scenes.
• Characters- the persons, figures, or animals involved in the story.

Checkpoint 3. Answer the following comprehension questions based on the stories;

“The Creation” and “Malakas and Maganda.” Write your answers on the spaces
provided.

1. Who are the characters in The Creation? Man and woman, Lumawig
Mayinit, Bontoc, Samoki

2. Where did the scenes in The creation happen? Different parts of the world

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 11

 3. Who are the characters in Malakas and Maganda? Malakas and Maganda
and bird

4. Where did the scenes in Malakas and Maganda happen? Land with tropical
trees, Inside the bamboo

5. Why do you think some communities still believe in folktales like “The Creation”
and “Malakas and Maganda.”? Because Folklore is the mirror that depicts
people's lives, reflects their human history, and expresses, at the same
time, the outcome of the individual experiences of a social group.

6. What moral/s can we learn from the story, The Creation? We should know
how to use resources properly and take every opportunity not for
granted and make the most out of it.

7. What moral/s can we learn from the story, Malakas and Maganda? It is always
good to help other people that are in need that was portrayed by the
bird.

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 12

 Self Assessment Check: ESSAY

It is said that literature can stand the test of time, therefore it lasts. How can Literature
be important in our lives? Do you find the morals embedded in stories applicable in real life
scenarios? What will you do with these morals then? Refer to the rubric on the next page.

Literature is the foundation of life. It is important in everyday life because it

connects individuals with larger truths and ideas in a society. Also literature creates a
way for people to record their thoughts and experiences in a way that is accessible to
others, through fictionalized accounts of the experience.
Literature is important and necessary. It provides growth, strengthens our minds,
and gives us the ability to think outside the box. We can gather a better understanding
of culture and have a greater appreciation of them. We learn through the ways history
is recorded. It gives us an inside look into how cultures from other parts of the world
differ from their own, and how customs from other countries help shape how their
citizens view the world. It opens our minds, to what different cultures have to offer.
Consequently, it become more accepting of the unique differences of people from
around the world. It can also give them unique insights into their own past or present
cultures, and can help them make a stronger connection to others in their own cultures
In short, reading literature is like having a conversation with the minds of the
greatest men and women who have ever existed, and, in my opinion, ever will.
Literature is a reflection of humanity and a way for us to understand each other.

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 13

 Job well done, Northwesternian!

Rubric for Essays

Trait 4 3 2 1
Focus & There is one clear, There is one clear, There is one topic. The topic and main
Details well-focused topic. well-focused topic. Main Main ideas are ideas are not clear.
Main ideas are clear ideas are clear but are somewhat clear.
and are well not well supported by
supported by detailed detailed information.
and accurate
information.
Content Answer is Answer is Content relates Content unrelated to
appropriate to the appropriate to the peripherally to the question.
question. Content is question. Content may question; contains
factually correct. have one or two factual significant factual
errors. errors.

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 14

Organization The introduction is The introduction The introduction There is no clear
inviting, states the states the main topic states the main topic. introduction, structure,
main topic, and and provides an A conclusion is or conclusion.
provides an overview overview of the paper. included.
of the paper. A conclusion is
Information is included.
relevant and
presented in a logical
order. The conclusion
is strong.
Word Choice Uses Accurate word Ordinary word Limited vocabulary;
technical choice. No more than 2 choice. Some serious errors impair
terminology major errors and a few errors (but they don’t communication.
appropriately and minor errors. impair
correctly. No major communication).
grammatical or
spelling errors.
Sentence All sentences are Most sentences are Most sentences Sentences are
Structure, well constructed and well constructed and are well constructed, distractingly repetitive,
Grammar, have varied structure have varied structure but they have a or are difficult to
Mechanics, & and length. The and length. The author similar structure understand. The author
Spelling author makes no makes few errors in and/or length. The makes numerous errors
errors in grammar, grammar, mechanics, author makes several in grammar, mechanics,
mechanics, and/or and/or spelling, but errors in grammar, and/or spelling that
spelling. they do not interfere mechanics, and/or interfere with
with understanding. spelling that interfere understanding.
with understanding.

ENGLISH 7: LESSON 1 Page 15