21st Century Literature

from the Philippines

and the World

Activity Sheets
(First Quarter)

Department of Education
June 2016

Lesson 1:
Poetry
 Overview
21st Century Literature
This lesson examines the elements of poetry by looking at an
example of Filipino regional poetry. from the Philippines and
the World
Objectives Grade 11
 Identify the geographic, linguistic and ethnic dimensions of
Philippine literary history from pre-colonial to modern. Week Four (EN12Lit-Ia-21)
 Appreciate the application of imagery in the text provided, paying
particular attention to the regional origins of the poem.
 Respond critically to the poem and articulate this response
through a presentation that showcases regional culture. Materials : Poem
MAYON
Activities Kristian Sendon Cordero
Students will be grouped into 3-4 members and will be asked to Camarines Sur
discuss about the picture of Mayon Volcano that the teacher
presented to the class. Ayon sa alamat, lason ng
What do you think about Mayon Volcano?
pana ni Pagtuga,
Why do you think people love this tourist destination?
Ang lumikha sa bulkan –
Have you seen Mount Mayon up close? If yes, how did
you react when you saw it for the first time? libingan ito Ng dalagang
Can other events have the same effect on us as a volcanic namatay sa isang digmaan.
eruption? Name some. Ngayon, ano ang tutubo sa
paanan ng Mayon
Gayong nagiging malawak na
Adaptations itong sementeryo
Read the poem: MAYON by Kristian Sendon Cordero Ng abo, ng tao.
(Camarines Sur) Translated from the Bikol by the author Manganganak na kaya ito?

Tinitigan ko ang
Evaluation nakangangang bulkan –
1. Prepare a grid on the board. Divide the class into 4 groups binalot
then ask each group to: Ng ulap at ng sariling
a) Explain a particular stanza usok ang tuktok, gatas sa
b) Identify the various images in the poem
labi.
c) Brainstorm on how the poem Mayon can be interpreted
literally and figuratively Baka sakali, magpakita,
d) Write a short critique of the poem focusing on how the nang may silbi ang kamera.
images in the poem present the experience of viewing Mount Mayon
2. Research into an aspect of four different region’s culture and Sa ilang retrato na ibinebenta
present it to the class via a five-minute audio visual presentation that ng mga bata sa Cagsawa
may be recorded or on print. Lusaw na tae ang nagliliyab na
lava, dumadaloy pababa.
Matandang nag-nganganga
Lesson 1: Poetry ayon naman sa isang
makata.

Sa isang lumang postcard na

nakita ko sa Antigo Merkado
—
Kapag sa malayo, isa siyang magandang sikyung nakatanod,
Handa sa pagkapkap, naghihintay sa iyong pagpasok.
1

21st Century Literature

from the Philippines and
the World

Lesson 2: Poetry
 Grade 11
Week Five (EN12Lit-Ib-22)

Lesson 2: Poetry 2

Objectives
Overview Identify representative texts
This lesson recognizes the contributions of representative or and authors from each region.
canonical texts to the development of Philippine Literature. Appreciate the use of
poetic devices such as
 dramatic situation in the development of meaning in a
poem.
Respond critically to the poem and consequently
articulate this response through a creative Materials : Poem
visualization of the poem.
THIRD WORLD
GEOGRAPHY
Activities Cirilo F. Bautista
Ask: What are the different scenarios in the present time Manila
that show oppression?
Students will be grouped into 6-8 members, they will
A country without miracles
be asked to present a 3 minutes dramatization of the
different instances of oppression in the present time. Sits heavy on the map,
Discuss: How do 21st century people combat Thinking of banana trees rotting
oppression in their simple ways? In the sunlight.
Give a short actual historical data on what happened The man who watches over it
during the time of Marcos. Has commandeered all hopes,
Placed them in a sack,
Adaptations And tied its loose end.
He goes around carrying it
Read the poem: THIRD WORLD GEOGRAPHY by Cirilo F. On his back.
Bautista (Manila)
When asked what is inside,
He say, “Just a handful of feathers,
Evaluation Just a handful of feathers.”
That’s how light the burden
Students will: Of government is in peace time –
a) Cut out news clippings of oppression happening in other
Any tyrant can turn it into a
parts of the world, paste this on a sheet of paper and write your
metaphor.
reaction about it. (The cut out of news clippings should be given as a
home work.) You kneel on the parched earth
b) Write about the realities of struggles that happen in a And pray for rice. Only the wind
country faced with an oppressive ruler. Hears your useless words.
c) Relate the details and images in the poem and how it can be The country without miracles
related to actual historical events in the story. Tries to get up from the page,
d) Explain the dramatic situation presented in the poem.
But the bold ink and sharp colors
e) Explain how allegory was demonstrated in the poem by
identifying the literal and symbolic meaning of the poem. Hold it down.

Search for a blog site about

oppression and write your
reaction about the blog on a ½
sheet of paper. (The blog site
search should be given as a
home work, the reaction will
be written in class)

Lesson 2: Poetry
 3

Lesson 3: Essay

Lesson 3: Essay
Overview
This lesson examines the essay and how its techniques
response to a particular content.

Objectives
Value the contributions of local writers to the
development of regional literary traditions.
Identify how tone is related to literary style and how
both help create a unique meaning in the essay.
Respond critically to the essay and consequently
articulate this response through a five minutes skit
reenacting the aftermath of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption.

Adaptations
Read the essay: HOME OF THE ASHFALL by John
Jack Wigley (Pampanga)

Evaluation
Students will:
Present a five minutes skit that will reenact one of the
scenes in the essay. Look into the aftermath of the
Pinatubo eruption and what happened to the people who
were affected by the disaster.
After the five minutes skit:
Explain how Filipinos deal with adversity
Discuss how you would react if you were faced
by a similar situation
The author utilized Kapampangan language in some of
the dialogues in the essay. List down three possible
reasons and effects that this technique made.
In a grid, list down 5 parts of the essay that sounds
humorous. Explain why that particular part seems
to be funny.
Cite incidents how the writer displayed qualities of
honesty and openness in his essay
 a) The main ideas in the
essay
b) Give 5 incidents in the
essay and identify the tone that the
speaker has in narrating each
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the incident.
c) Explain the style of the
World writer by describing how the writer
used words and sentences to deliver
Grade 11 his message and commenting on the
use of anecdotes in the essay.
Week Six (EN12Lit-Ic-23)
d) Explain the
significance and choice of the author
to have an introduction that began
Materials : Essay with startling statistics followed by a
brief description of the Mt. Pinatubo
HOME OF THE eruption.
ASHFALL
John Jack Wigley
Pampanga

Activities
Divide the class into 5 groups, each group will be given a
copy of the essay.
3
Each group will do a round robin reading method of the
essay.
Each group would have to prepare their answers to:

Adaptations
Read the essay: VOICE TAPE
by Ariel S. Tabag (Cagayan)

Evaluation

Lesson 4: Short Students will:

Write the meaning of
plot, exposition,

Story
complication, rising
action, climax and
denoument.
Make a character sketch of
the following:
a) Dante
Overview b) Angkel Ato
This lesson recognizes the use of fiction and of fictional c) Nanang
techniques in appreciating regional literature. d) Angkel Ato’s
Wife
Identify the
Objectives prediction that they
made in the story
Appreciate the contributions of the canonical Filipino that eventually did
writers to the development of national literature. not happen.
Relate how plot and plot devices help create the reading Write the instances
experience in works of fiction. when the author
Respond critically to the story and articulate this built up tension in
response through a written blog, an audio-visual
presentation or a voice recording.
 the story. In groups of 3-4 members, come up with an
audio visual
presentation, a blog or a voice recording to answer the
question:
“ Can we say that the story ‘Voice Tape’ is a realistic
story?” What details would you give to support your 21st Century Literature
answer? Does the story have to be realistic for it to be
able to present a believable human experience? from the Philippines and
the World
Grade 11
Week Seven (EN12Lit-Ic-24)

Lesson 4: Short Story Materials : SHORT

STORY
VOICE TAPE
Ariel S. Tabag
Cagayan

Activities
Ask the students to gather
pictures of their OFW
family members or
relatives. Tell them to
create a montage and
present it in class.
In groups of 3-4 ask the
students to come up with
one group answer for the
following questions:
a) Are the economic
benefits of having an OFW family
member worth the hardship of being
separated from them for extended
periods of time?
b) If you grew up in a
household with an OFW family
member, who was the chosen relative
who shaped your childhood years?
c) What important values
did you learn from the relative who
raise you?
d) What aspect of your
life reflects his or her influence?
Expound on your answer.
 4
Lesson 5: Essay

Lesson 5: Essay
Overview
This lesson notes the differences between the 21st century essay
and earlier forms of the same genre.

Objectives
Compare and contrast the various 21st century literary
genres from those of earlier periods, citing their
elements, structures and traditions.
Contrast the said elements and conventions with
Philippine essays from earlier periods.

Adaptations
Read the essay: FIVE BROTHERS, ONE MOTHER
from ‘Many Mansions’ by Exie Abola (Manila)

Evaluation
Students will post a blog or on their FB wall an answer to:
a) What defines home to you?
b) If you need to leave where you were staying now, what
would you do to make yourself at home?
c) How do you see your home thirty years from now?
 c) What does the advent
of social media like facebook and
tweeter mean to our concept of being
‘at home’?
d) OFW’s are often
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the separated from family members
geographically, how can this affect
World how we view ‘home’?
e) How does Abola’s
Grade 11 essay dramatize the saying “home is
where the heart is”
Week Eight (EN12-Lit-Id-25)

Materials : ESSAY
FIVE BROTHERS,
ONE MOTHER
from ‘Many Mansions
Exie Abola
Manila

Activities
a) Think – pair – share on the description of the kind of
house that you have.
b) Share about four things that you love about your home.
5

Evaluation
a) The story of
Magdalena Jalandoni points us to a
particular conservative time when
men and women were expected to

Lesson 6: Essay perform certain roles. How has

society changed since then? In what
ways are women more free than
before, and in what ways do they still
face limitations?
Overview b) Respond critically to
the essay and articulate this response
This lesson explains the concept of literary meaning and how
through a presentation of a short
inference can help in the appreciation of literary text. biography of a local woman writer
from your area or region.
Objectives
a) Infer literary meaning from literal language based on
language.
b) Describe how literary meaning is created in the essay by
way of characterization and structure.
c) Respond critically to the essay and articulate this
response through a presentation of a short biography of a local woman
writer from your area or region.

Adaptations
Read the essay: THE LOVE OF MAGDALENA
JALANDONI by Winon Lou G. Ynion (Iloilo)
Lesson 6: Essay 21st Century Literature
from the Philippines and
the World
Grade 11
Week Nine (EN12Lit-Id-26)

Materials : ESSAY
THE LOVE OF
MAGDALENA
JALANDONI
Winton Lou G. Ynion
Iloilo

Activities
a) How did the essay go
beyond the biographical details of the
Hiligaynon writer?
b) Plot the development
of the character or Jalandoni between
the period of her birth and her death.
c) What do you think
inspired Jalandoni to become a
writer? Point out specific details in
the essay that will support your
answer.
d) Imagine you are a
cultural worker trying to educate
people about the importance and
contributions of women in Philippine
society. List down three relevant
programs that you would introduce
and why.

6
HOME OF THE ASHFALL
 John Jack Wigley

Pampanga

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo was recorded as the

th
second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20
century, and the largest eruption populated area. Ash
fall, whichformed a weighty, rain‐drenched snow‐like
film, affectedalmost the entire island of luzon, and would be the Arayat, which was located at the heart
even reached the neighboring countries of Malaysia
of Pampanga, with its open mouth and forbidding
and Vietnam. It was firther aggravated because of
counterance. Not this obscure mountain whose
Thypoon Yunya, which brought with it heavy rains
native inhabitans, the Aetas, never even knew
and strong winds. To the Kampampagans and to the
about, I paidno more attention to warnings.
people affected by this tradegy, it would serve as a
testament to their irrepressible attribute of rising I had only been in Manila for barely six
about their plight and predicament. months and was enjoying my new‐found
I was no longer living in Angeles City when independence. I would sometimes go to Angeles City
Mt. Pinatubo erupted on June 15, 1991. I was to see Mother during days off, which usually fell on a
promoted from being a crew member at Pizza Hut weekday,since management people did not have the
Dau to management trainee at Pizza Hut Harrison luxury of the day‐off during weekends because it was
Plaza in December 1990. After being a service crew the time when more people would go out and
member for more than four years abd graduating eat.Pizza Hut Harizon Plaza wasa high volumeunit.
from college in 1989, I had to say goodbye to my
hometime where I lived for more than two decades. That fateful day, after my opening shift, I
It was my first time to work in manila. I asked the went to see a film. I t was “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit”,
assistance of Ed Calupitan, a fellow Pizza Hut Dau a film adaction of Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights”
crew member now based in Manila, to help me find directed by Carlitos Siguion Reyna. The film starred
a place to stay. He was living in a two‐bedroom erstwhile loovers played by Richard Gomez and Dawn
apartment and gladly offered the other room to me. Zulueta. I was feeling all mushy and melodramatic
after watching the film when, once outside, I saw
Weeks before the eruptrion, I read several
parked cars covered with what seemed like a whitisn‐
news and warnings about Mt. Piantubo. Frankly, I
gray banket. And so were the streets. Is it finally
never knew that there was a volcano in the Zambales
showing in Manila? I thought, as I felt some of the
mountain range. Nobody among my Kapampangan
particles in my hand and smudge my shirt. When I
friends did. I guesswe were all clueless about the
looked closely and touched them, they were grainy. I
impending danger this would cause in our lives. Later
t was like ash from an ashtray.
on Later on, I realized that the summit of the volcano
was justy fortheen kilometers away from the extent
of Clark Air Base. I thought that volcanoes were
conspicuous mountains and had fierce‐looking Sa kabila ng aking paghingal dahil sa pagod
summits like Maycn’s and Haicon’s. But this one was at takot , sabi ko: “Nanang ,ay nabangga! Parang si...
deeply hidden among the several mountains called Parang si...”
the Cabusilan mountains” of Zambales. How a
volcano had managed to hide among the mountains Hindi na nag‐urirat pa si Nanang kung sino
and be covered with a defense forest was something ang nabangga. Tumakbong pumnta siya sa kalsada at
I couldn’t comprehed. If it was bound the erupt, I nakalimutan pang magsuot ng ng tsinelas o kahit
guess it would be just like a friecracker. man lang sana pinuyod ang medyo mahabang
nagtitikwasang buhok.

Hell, I thought that if there was a mountain Halos patakbo rin akong sumunod kay
near us which I imagined would erupt anytime, it Nanang kahit sobrang kaba ko na.

Ang gagong si Kalbo na lang sana! Sumpa ko

sa loob‐loob ko na ang nasa isip ko, ang CAFGU na
nambugbog at muntik bumaril kay Angkel Mulong na

7
kapatid din ni Nanang at sinundan ni Angkel Halo‐halong mga iyak ang naghatid sa
Ceferinc. Mabait kasi si Angkel Mulong dahil kung makislap na puting kabaong ni Angkel Ato sa sala ng
manghuhuli siya ng isda sa Calacungan, nag‐iiwan bahay nila. Subalit mas lumutang na naman ang pag‐
siya ng gustong gusto kong sugpo na sinlaki ng iyak ni Nanang at inawat pa ni Tatang dahil hinihila
hinlalaki ng paa—at samaral na sinlaki ng palad ni na ng bakuran nina Angkel Ato, sa ililim ng
Tatang. matandang mangga.

Pero nagulat akopagkarating ni Nanang sa Agad ding pinatabi muna ni Angkel Mulong
may umpukan, kaagad siyang umiyak ng pasigaw. ang mga nakapalibot sa tatlong mesa na naglalaro ng
Inaawat nila dahil sobra ang kanyang pagwawala. tong‐its at pusoy dos. Nauna pa nga sila kaysa sa
Wala akong ibang naintindihan sa mga isinisigaw bangkay (Hanggang ngayon pugad ng mga mahihilig
niya kundiang magkakasunod na “Diyos ko po! Diyos maglaro ng baraha ang baryo namin.)
ko po!”
“Saka na ‘yan atupagin pag naiayos na!”
Nanghilakbot ako. Nagtayuan ang mga medyo mabigat ang tenor ng boses ni Angkel Mulong
balahibo ko. nang di kaagad tumabi ang mga kalalakihang
nagsusugal na di ko alam kung taga saan.
Siguradong hindi si Boying ang nabangga‐‐‐
higanon ang magging asta ni Nanang kung ang Di ko noon maintindihan na pagkatapos
kaibigan ko dahil malayong pamangkin na siya ng maiakyat ang kabaong, at pagkatapos makipag‐usap
nanay ko. ang mga taga‐punenarya kay Nanang, kaagad din
nilang binuksan ang kabaong, tinakpan ng puting
E sino? Si Tatang kaya? Pero alam kong kumot saka hinango ang bangkay.
hindi, dahil sa mga ganoong oras na malambot pa
ang sikat ng araw, katatapos lamang dalhin sa ilog
ang kalabaw niya; at hindi dadaan sa national
highway dahil naibenta niya ang kaisa‐isang bisikleta I saw farther down the riverbank that
niya at ipinambayad sa klinika at sa mga gamot ni people were lining up to cross the river by stepping
Nanang na nakaapak ng bubog noong hinahabol nya on coconut trunks and wooden poles attached from
ang inahin na kinatay namin noong kaarawan ni one end to the other. The gaunt shirtless bot who
Tatangna ginawa nilang araw ng pag‐aalala sa mga was juggling coins and walking to and fro shouted.
kaluluwa ng mga namatay naming mahal sa buhay. “Pesus mu. Deng bisang lumakad papunta Angeles,
keni na kayo bang ali la mabasa deng bitis yu. For
Hindi rin naman ang mga kapatid ko dahil one peso, take this trail and your feet wo’t get wet in
nasa silangan ang elementaryang pinapasukan nila the river”. I was about to fall in line but i realized that
sa Grade Six at Grade One. there as a long queue of people already as far as the
bend , waiting for their turn to get actions the river.
Nagtaka ko kung sino dahilganoon na
lamang magwala si Nanang. At para akong nakasagi
ng espiritu dahil napakaliwanag sa aking pandinig It would take me forever to get to other
ang tila nagmula sa ilalim ng lupang pangahoy ni side if I fall in line, I thought. I talked to the person
Nanang: “Kapatid ko! Ato! Kapatid ko! Ato!” behind me. “Malalam ya pu ing daanum. Is the
water deep?”
Kahit noong nailibing na si Angkel Ato,
madalas akong nahihintakutan kung maaalala ko ang “Tabalu. Bala mu, malalam pin. I don;t
malagim na pag iyak ni Nanang. know. It’s deep. I guess,” the immediately rejoined.
“Lawen me itang tau angga ne keng atyan na. Look
Mag‐aalas dos nang magparada ang karo ng at the guy crossing. The water’s up to his tummy,”
punenarya sa rough road ng barangay sa harapan ng he said, pointing to the man.
lote ng mag‐anak nina Nanangna nasa gitna sa pook
ng mga Palor. Sotelo nag apelyido ng ama nina It was deep, I contempalted. I didn’t want
Nanang na magmula sa Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur, at to take the risk of getting my clothes wet. I was also
nakapag asawang galing sa angkan ng mga Palor ng thinking that perhaps the water that flowed down
Villa.

8
the river was contaminated because of the volcanic The barker haited for a second tand
ash and the sulfuric content of the water. adjusted me weight on his arms. I wiggle
momentarily and after a while, I instructed him to
Just the i saw about four barkers holding carry on. He looked at me and then smiled blissgully.
wooden chairs, inviting people to cross the river on
these chairs. They explained that people would be First, it was my body weight. Then I sensed
sitting on the chair and thr barkers themselves woul that he was mocking me because he thought iI was a
carry the chair to the other side for a fee of ten sissy. I turned back to the other barkers, and they
pesos. Despite the horrible sight before me, I forced a were all carrying passengers, all of whom were
smile I was thinking about how indestructible humans women. One was carrying an older woman with cane.
are. These people were still struggling to live even if I saw the men and they were braving the river. Oh
catastrophes like thypoons and volcanic eruptions dear, now all these barkers would regard me as the
had truck. Catastrphes constantly plagued their lives. only man in the Abacan river who did not want to get
I felt deep admiration for them. his feet wet. Why hadn’t I decided earlyon to just
cross the river? Now, I felt guilty that I had to subject
One barker thought my smie was an this cadaver‐looking barker to such pain and suffering
indication that I wanted to ride in the chair. “Bisa by carrying me, the queen all of my 160‐ pound
kang sake. Would you like to take a ride?” he asked. royalty for a measly 15pesos. I shock my head of all
this guilt away. Well, too bad, I thought I had the
I was meaning to say no but I was
money which you hadn’t, Sorry. Even in ancient
speechless, still talking everything in. Besides, I
times, slaves laboriously carried their obese masters.
wanted to see my family. I nooded my head. History repeats itself, I tried to reason out in my
“Koya, padagdag naku mu keka ne. Kasi thoughts.
lupa kang mabayat. I’ll charge you extra. You look
heavy” the barker smiled fully; revealing he had no When we got to the middle of the river, I
teeth. closed my eyes, not because I was afraid of the
For a moment, i wanted to pull his hair and water , but because I was worried that the barker
drown his head in the river. This impertinent one. I wouldn’t be able to cross it, with me as his burden.
thought. He had to subtly insult my chubby body. The water was already knee‐deep. He wasn’t even
But I surmised that he meant well. It was not going wearing any footwear . What if he slid doen because
to be easy carrying me to the other side of the river. he sttepped on a rock or a hole under the water?
I just simply agreed. But he was very much focused. His steps
I sat on the chair ad put the bag on my lap. were show but cautious. I wanted to talk to him so
The barker clasped an improvised rope seatbelt from that my mind would be distracted from worrying ,
one and tp the other. Yeah, like I would experience a but i felt that he needed full concentration to get us
terrible accident by forgetting to use this seatbelt, I through. I just held on the hand rest of the chair.
thought sarcastically. I imagined that poor people have always
exhibited their resilence this way. When calamities
Just hold the chair’s handles, sir it’s good
happen, they are the first ones to suffer the initial
that you came this early. Potang gatganapun, ali
blows. Yet, they survive and eventually thrive. They
tana makapunta karin uling malalam ne ing danum.
just need to go slow and sure. The rich and the
Later in the afternoon, we won’t be able to cross
middle class are alienated from this kind of survival
because of the deep water,” the barker
stratedgy. That is why much is lost in them when
enthusiastically said.
things go down. But not the poor; they are like fungi.
As he started lifting the chair, I felt that i They don’t die. They morph after a catastrophe.
was sliding down. The fabric of my pants was
We got to the order end of the river. The
slippery “Sagull, Kala‐kalale. Wait, carefull
barker found a coarse spot where he could put down
Mananabu ku! I’m falling,” I cried.
the chair. He was painting heavily, beads of sweat
dripping from his temples. I thanked him and handed
a twenty peso bill. He looked grateful and smiled. I
 9

was waiting for him to utter an insulting remark so I the river. I am not that old. Besides, you’re here to
could give him the sermon of the day. But he didn’t. keep me company, right? I’ll cook your favorite
ginataang kamansi.”
“Dacal a salamat pu koya. Thank you .
Pantunan mu naku potang bisa nakang mibalik keng I was dumbfounded. Mother was
sumangid. Hatad daka. Just look for me when you unbelievable.
want to cross the river going back. I’ll take you.” He
said as he nooded his head approvingly, once again “Hurry up! The river gets deeper in the
showing his toothless mouth “Sige pu, salamat mu afternoon,”Mother shouted “Let’s go.”
rin,” I replied.

There was hardly any roving jeepney at all

when I climbed up the gully. Tricycles were waiting MAP OUT
at the corner, but I chose not to ride in one. I
decided to walk. The house was only about five This lesson recognizes the use of fiction, and of
minutes away anyway. fictional techniques, in aprreciating regional
literature.
As I was walking, I thought about what the
future would hold for this city I loved. Kapampangans ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
are known to be a proud people. I only wished that
they would get past all this soon. I was hoping that I How do writers use fiction and fictional
would also see my family complete and in the best of techniques to respond to contexts that surround
health. My steps got quicker. I started to run. them?

LEARNING POINTS
At the threshold of the house, I saw Mother
carrying a bundle of laundry. When she saw me, she 1. Appreciate the contributions of the canonical
smiled and patted my arm. Filipino writers to the development of national
literature.
I was puzzled to see her carrying a load. 2. Relate how plot and plot devices help create
“Where are you going? I just got here. I was so the reading experience in works of fiction.
worried about you. Where is ate and her family, are 3. Respond critically to the story and articulate
they okay?” I asked. this response through a skit on the story.
Mother placed the bundle on the table and
tightened it. “They’re all okay, thank God. I’m going
to Dau to give this to your ate.”

“What, are you serious?” I was shocked by

Mother’s retort. “The Abacan bridge has collapsed,
Trackback
didn’t you know? How are you going to get to Dau?”
Overseas Filipino Workers as new heroes
“I know that the Abacan bridge is no more,”
Mother said pensively. “I’ve been to Dau and back We have heard OFWs in the news, and perhaps in
Twice already. There are still barkers that lift chairs stories told to us by our friends and family members.
down there in the river, aren’t there?” she looked at While it is not new, the effects of so many Filipinos
me. travelling abroad to work has an affect on the family
members these workers leave behind OFWs
I was aghast to hear this from her. “You contributed $12 billion in the first half of 2014 alone,
mean you want to go down the river? You are not making them a significant contributor and supporter
afraid?” of the Philippine economy. But is this worth the price
of being away from their loved ones?
“Why should I be afraid?” Mother
interrupted. “Only the old ones are afraid to cross
 10

How far os the phenomenon from you? Is mga apat na piraso ng buho na pinaglagyan ni
anyone in your family a current of former OFW? How Nanang ng aming birth certificate‐‐‐ tatlo kaming
long have they been away? How do they magkakapatid pero apat na tubo dahil inakalang
communicate? What is it like when they are at makakaapat sila ng tatay (dahil sa hirap ng buhay
home? If you don’tknow, you can ask your parents, nila, si Tatang ang nakiusap sa kanya para magpa‐
grandparents, or other family members for details. ligate na sa Aparri).
Write the experience down. Gather pictures of these
OFW family members. Pero nauna naming nakita itong bag na
kailaliman ng isang drawer ng aparador na dahil
Create a montage, mixing the pictures as well as nagkagasgas na sa kalumaan, inilagay na nila ni
your own drawings and some qoutes from your Tatang sa nag‐iisang kuwarto sa ibaba, doon malapit
research, showcasting what the OFW experience is sa kusina, kung saan inilalagay din ang iba pang
for you. gamit ni Tatang gaya ng sprayer, tatlong klase ng
itak, panabas, kuribot, ang mga bungkos ng iba’t
1. How do you feel about OFWs and the work ibang binhi gaya ng mais, ang inukit niyang tikbalang
that they do? mula sa puno ng santol (naniniwala akong nakuha
2. Are we right to call these OFWs “heroes”? niya ang kanyang pagiging artist sa madalas niyang
3. Should we encourage more people to pagbabasa ng Bannawag), at oo, ang lagpas‐tao ang
become OFWs or not? Why? tass na inipon niyang kopya ng Bannawag na
pinagpatong‐patong sa almuhadera.

Iba’t iba ang laman nitong lumang aparador

Read the short story:
mga lumang litrato na karamihan ay ang mga
pumanaw na mahal sa buhay nina Nanang, mga
lumang damit, babasaging plato na ginagamit lamang
VOICE TAPE tuwing may bisitang mataas na uri ng tao gaya ng
mga politikong bumibili ng boto, ang mga papel
Ariel S. Tabag namin ng aking mga kapatid noong nasa elementarya
ay hayskul na may markang “100%”...
Cagayan
Pero ano itong “ibang bagay” na ito?
Nitong pinakahuling bakasyon ko sa Santa Teresita sa
Cagayan, mistulang bumata ako ng labing walong Ang voice tape na may markang 4 my one &
taon dahil parang bumalik ako sa taon na may onli lab ATO na sabi ni Nanangay nakuha niya sa
nangyari kay Angkel Ato. Noong hinahanap namin ni ilalim ng unan ni Angkel Ato na kapatid niyang
Nanang ang mga sertipiko ko bilang Best in Math sa sumunod sa kanya, kinahapunan noong araw na
elementarya ay hayskul at nang may maibigay ako sa nabangga ito, o pagkamatay niya sa umagang iyon ng
prinsipal ng pinatuturuan kong public school sa Pebrero 16, 1992.
Cubao para sa karagdagang puntos sa aking
Nakabihis na akong papasok sa eskwela
kakayahan at nang mapabilis din ang pag‐akyat ng
katunayan, naroon na ako sa tabi ng kalsada dahil
aking ranggo, siyempre kasama na ng aking sahod,
kaharap lamang ng Pook Tactac, kung saan naroon
may nahanap kaming “ibang bagay”.
din ang aming bahay, ang magdadalawampung
Sabi ni Nanang, inilagay niya ang mga aktaryang bakuran ng St. Francis Academy na
sertipiko sa isang bag na manipis na palaoad na may pinapasukan ko ng hayskul. Nasa second year na ako
markang “LA,” ang brand ng sigarilyo ni Tatang kaya marahil, malakas ang aking loob kahit madalas
noong chain‐smoker pa ito. Napuno na kasi ang akong ma‐late. Gaya ng oras na iyon na nagpasya
dingding ng maliit naming bahay sa mga sertipiko ng akong magkubli sa Indian free na sintangkad na ng
napalanunan ko sa mga paligsahan sa pagsusulat. mga matatanda sa tabi ng national highway dahil
Itong bag na ito, na isa sa mga pinagpalitan ni nagsisimula na ang flag ceremony.
Nanang sa mga daan‐daang pinagbalatan ni Tatang
Nang bigla na lang may lumagatak sa may
ng sigarilyo niya, ang binuksan namin. Subalit wala
ang mga sertipikoiyon pala, nakarolyo ito sa isa sa kanluran. Parang may nagsuwagang mga torong
kalabaw, mas malakas nga lamang ito ng sampung
11
beses. Pagkaraa’y nagsisigawan na ang mga
estyudyante at iba pang mga tao‐‐‐ marahil ay
pupunta ang mga ito sa palengke dahil Martes noon,
araw ng palengke sa bayan‐‐‐ nagmamadali silang
pumnta sa harapan ng bakante at matubig na lote
kung saan kami nangunguha ng kangkong. Nag
umpukan sila doon sa likuran ng isang bus na Manny
Trans.

“Nakupo! Nabangga na!” Buong lakas na

sigaw ng di ko maalala kung sinong matandang
babae, na ang duda ko’y si Ma’am Usita dahil katabi
lang nila ang bakanteng lote at nakapagretiro na rin
kaya napapansin na niya ang lahat ng nangyayari sa
paligid niya, nakita man o nababalitaan lamang niya.
Maliban sa lagi kong naaalala ang tinig niya dahil
madalas niya akong pagalitan noong titser ko pa sa
Grade Three.

“Patay na! Patay na!”

Kinutuban ako. Nabaghan ako dahil noon

lamang ako nakadarna ng ganoong kutob‐‐‐ kakaiba
dahil di ko man lang ito naramdaman kahit madalas
umiyak si Nanang noong nadukot ng mga NPA si
Angkel Ceferino, na kapatid din niya na sinundan ng
bunso (bale pang‐lima sa anim na magkakapatid); o
noong iniyakan ni Tatang ang kaisa‐isang kalabaw
niya na anlunod sa bagyo noong 1989.

Nakupo! Si Boying yata na kaibigan ko!

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