Philippine Literature Reviewer in 21st Century PDF

REVIEWER IN 21^st^ **LUZON** The largest island group in the Philippines. Divided into eight regions: Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), National Capital Region (NCR), Bicol Region, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, and CALABARZON Major regional languages: Bikol...

REVIEWER IN 21^st^ **LUZON** The largest island group in the Philippines. Divided into eight regions: Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), National Capital Region (NCR), Bicol Region, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, and CALABARZON Major regional languages: Bikolano, Ilokano, Kapampangan, Pangasinense, and Tagalog Some ethnic groups: Aetas, Igorots, Ibalois, Mangyans, Apayaos, Kalingas, and Itnegs **Examples of Literature from Luzon** - **Aliguyon** Hudhud ni Aliguyon is a famous epic that came from the Ifugao province of Luzon in the Philippines. It narrates events about the culture and traditions of the Ifugao and their hero, Aliguyon. Belonging in the genre of Hudhud di Ani for harvesting in the fields - **Ibalon** - \"Ibalon\" is an epic narrative originating from the Bicol region of the Philippines. The tale unfolds in a land characterized by wide plains and fertile fields, known for its exceptional agricultural productivity. - **Atin Cu Pung Singsing** is a traditional Filipino folk song from Central Luzon, Philippines in Kapampangan sung by adults and children. The origin of the song is unknown, and there was a debate whether it was pre-historic or colonial. **Atin Ku Pung Singsing"** is literally **"I have a ring."** But the ring is just a symbol. The focus of this line is actually the space inside the ring, which represents alaya. **Alaya** is the spirit, the soul, the core of the Kapampangan.\" - **Maria Makiling,** more properly Mariang Makiling, is a diwata (anito) in Philippine mythology, associated with Mount Makiling in Laguna, Philippines. - **The Legend of Magat River** The story originated and is **set in Region 2, specifically in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya where the** Magat River can be found. - **Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilocos Region)** This is an epic about Lam-ang, a man with extraordinary strength, who sets out to find his missing father Don Juan. - **Tagbanua Myth (MIMAROPA)** This is a myth about the first man, named Adan, who was like a stone, for he could not speak. **Literature from Visayas** - **the smallest island group in the Philippines** - **divided into three regions: Western, Central, and Eastern** - **major regional languages: Cebuano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Kinaray-a, and Waray** - **seven main islands: Bohol, Cebu, Panay, Samar, Negros, Leyte, and Masbate** - **a. Poems are called *binalaybay*.** - **b. Stories are called *asoy* or *sugilanon*.** - **c. Riddles are called *paktakon*.** - **d. Proverbs are translated to *hurubaton*. These are usually in two lines and rhymed.** - **e. Lullabies are called *ili-ili*.** - **f. * Ambahan* is long song alternately sung by a soloist and chorus.** - **g. * Siday* is a long poetic battle between two paid poets representing the two families in the pursuit of marriage.** - **h. * Balitaw* is a love song sung by a man and a woman in a debating manner.** **Examples of Visayan Literature** **Western Visayas** **Hinilawod -** It is the oldest and perhaps most well-known epic of Panay. It narrates the story of the goddess of the eastern sky named Alunsina who reached the age of maidenhood. Every god from different places tried to win her heart. Soon, the goddess decided to marry a mortal from Halawod, Datu Paubari. **The Fall of Polobulac - T**his is a tale from Panay about the seven deadly sins**.** - **Eastern Visayas** - **Bowaon and Totoon** - This is a Waray folktale with the English translation "Falsehood and Truth." It is about two friends named Bowaon and Totoon who could not find work, so they decided to go away from their place to look for their fortune elsewhere. - **Si Amomongo at Si Iput-iput** - This is a fable about a gorilla and a firefly. The lesson it conveys is that one should never belittle those who are small because they could do big things that big people cannot do. - **Central Visayas** - **Sicalac and Sicavay** - This is a Visayan creation myth about Captan and Maguayan who are both gods who created earth and all living things. Captan planted a bamboo in the garden. One day it broke into two sections and out stepped a man and woman who were respectively named as Sicalac and Sicavay. - **Catalina of Dumaguete** - This is a legend about a 16-year-old girl named Catalina who was very beautiful and industrious but with many strange ways. She was said to have mysterious powers and was said to have saved Dumaguete from the Moros. **Literature from Mindanao** **fortress** (noun) - a large military stronghold *Although the invading army was large, the king was confident in the defenses of his [fortress]* **frieze** (noun) - a horizontal band of sculptures or decorations on the wall near the ceiling, found in old structures *The temple was well-preserved; even the [frieze] on the interior wall seemed good-as-new.* **buckler** (noun) - a small round shield usually worn on the forearm *The warrior went out to meet his foe with sword and [buckler] at the ready.* **convent** (verb) - an obsolete word that means "to gather" *In modern language, we say "to convene" instead of "to [convent]."* **exhort** (verb) - to strongly encourage someone to action *The senator tried to [exhort] the citizens to stop believing the lies of the ruling dictator.* **Mindanao** - the second largest island group in the Philippines - divided into six regions: Davao Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, ARMM, and Caraga Region - major regional languages: Chavacano, Maguindanao, Maranao, and Tausug - generally inhabited by Muslims, but although they are no longer a majority, the Islamic culture is still evident Unlike Luzon and Visayas, Mindanao was not entirely colonized by the Spaniards. **About Mindanao:** - large groups of ethnic minorities: Maranao, Maguindanao, Ilanun, and Sangil; also referred to as Moro - groups found in the uplands: the Bagobo, Bukidnon, Manadaya, Manobo, and Subanon - Every ethnic minority has a number of raconteurs or narrators who deliver a story in a creative way, bearing two or three or more folktales. The stories they tell have been conveyed to them by older members of their respective families, friends, and acquaintances, some of whom have already died. Raconteurs can be young or old, men or women. **Examples of Literature from Mindanao** - **The Origin of Davao (Davao Region)** - This is an account of the beginning of Davao. It is about the natives of Davao called Kalagans. - **Ag Tobig Nog Keboklagan (Zamboanga Peninsula)** - This is an epic story translated as The Kingdom of Keboklagan. It is considered as one of the oldest epics in Zamboanga. It is chanted or performed during their week-long buklog festival, and it tells the life and adventures of an extraordinary hero named Taake. - **How Cagayan de Oro Got Its Name (Northern Mindanao)** - This is a legend explaining the origin of the name of the province, which means "shameful peace." - **Ulahingan (SOCCSKSARGEN)** - This is an epic about the adventures of Agyu and his relatives who had a conflict with their rulers. As they flee from their place, they were guided by a diwata. **)** - **The Maguindanao Tale of the Faithful Wife (ARMM)** - This folktale is about an aged man's last words to his son, telling him that he should never marry a widow and only choose a young lady. - **Tulalang (Caraga Region)** - This folktale is about Tulalang, the firstborn of a poor couple. One day, he went into the forest to gather some food. When he was collecting crops, an old lady approached him and pitied their poor life. She said that they will never be hungry, and they can get anything they want. Soon after, they had a prosperous life. Overview of Philippine Literature from the Regions **Vocabulary Words** **drought** (noun) - a prolonged period of little to no rainfall *We saw a lot of [poplars] when we went to Ireland in the Wintertime.* **Manama** (proper noun) - the supreme deity (equivalent to the Tagalog's Bathala) in Mindanaoan mythology *According to Mindanaoan tradition, Manama created all the humans on Earth.* **baraan** (noun) - baskets normally carried by women in ancient times *.The Bilaan tribe in Mindanao is said to be named after the baraan.* **stalk** (noun) - the main stem of an herbaceous plant *Aside from their cobs, the stalks of a corn plant also have many uses.* **Bagobo** (proper noun) - a tribe in Southern Mindanao whose name is a combination of their native words for *new* and *growth* *Sibulan is one of the last ancient settlements of the Bagobo people.* **Some common literary genres in the regions:** - **Etiological Legends** - **explain how things came to be or why things are as they are** - **passed down through oral tradition** - **anonymous authors** - **Epics** - **narrate the adventures of tribal heroes** - **The tribal heroes possess traits and values considered ideal by the tribe of origin.** **Some common literary genres in the regions:** - **Folktales/Folklore** - **traditional stories passed down through oral tradition** - **include fables, riddles, proverbs, folk songs, and sometimes superstitious beliefs** - **Myths** - **stories that involve the native pantheon of gods/goddesses** - **explain a belief, custom, or strange natural phenomenon** Japanese literature **Archaic Period** Introduction of the art of writing (kanji) from China Chinese characters were adopted to write Japanese, creating what is known as the ***man\'yōgana***, the earliest form of Japanese writing, was introduced First propagation of the Buddhist religion Literature was mostly a series of songs and poems about war and historical incidents **Nara Period** considered as the Golden Age of Poetry (710--794 AD) produced two important literary works: **Kojiki** or Records of Ancient Matters - contains early traditions of the Japanese race, mythology, and legendary history **Man\'yōshū** or Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves - oldest extant anthology of Japanese poetry **Man\'yōshū** or Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves - oldest extant anthology of Japanese poetry kan - twenty-chapter division contains 4,500 poems two principal poetic forms used: ***tanka*** - short poem with 31 syllables arranged in five lines or units ***choka*** - long poem with 31 syllables and undefined length with an extra seven-syllable line Representative prose works: **Shoku-Nihongi** - history text **Izumo Fudoki** - ancient record of Izumo **Nihon Shoki** - Chronicles of Japan, the second oldest book of classical Japanese history **Heian Period** considered the classical age of Japanese literature literature reflected the pleasure-loving and effeminate but cultured and refined character of the class of Japanese who produced it largely the work of women Popular works: **Kokinshū** (Collection of Ancient and Modern Poems) - anthology of the best poems **The Tale of Genji (Murasaki Shikibu)** - referred to as the first modern Japanese novel **Kamakura-Muromachi Period** characterized by a constant state of warfare and turmoil and the decline of learning Important works: **Shin Kokinshū** (New Collection of Ancient and Modern Poems) - reflects the gloom and solitude of the period **Heike Monogatari** (Tale of the Heike) - tells the defeat of the Taira by the Minamoto Clan Important works: **Gempei Seisuki** - history of the rise and fall of Gen and Hei **Tsurezuregusa** (Essays in Idleness) - collection of essays on various subjects Other highlights Buddhist monks were the chief maintainers of learning. development of ***renga*** or linked verse evolution of ***Noh drama,*** a one-act dance performed by male dancers with extremely slow movement while chanting prose passages **Zeami Motokiyo** - developed the Noh drama **Edo Period** Literature was more voluminous. Writings were produced by merchant class and were considered bawdy and worldly. Popular drama evolved to kabuki, a popular Japanese theater consisting of colorful background, lively and emotional music, dancing, and exaggerated acting. **Haiku**, a poem of 17 syllables in three lines of five, seven, five syllables, was perfected. Other important works **Koshoku ichidai otoko** **Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige** **Oku no Hosomichi** reflect philosophical meditations toward existence highlight Japanese sensibilities in daily or mundane experiences **Meiji Era** reopening of Japan to the West and period of rapid industrialization **Fukuzawa Yukichi and Nakae Chōmin -** wrote enlightenment literature **Haibun** - combines prose and poetry **Ichiyō Higuchi -** a woman writer who wrote short stories of powerless women of this age **Izumi Kyōka** - wrote early novels that made use of supernatural elements **Modern Period** characterized by the denial of worth of traditional writings themes focus on disaffection, loss of purpose, and coping with defeat as a result of World War II Prominent writers: **Kenzaburō Ōe -** A Personal Matter (1964) second winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature **Kōbō Abe - (**Women in the Dunes) won the 1962 Yumiuri Prize for Literature Prominent writers: **Shizuko Todo -** won the Naoki Prize (1988) for Ripening Summer **Haruki Murakami** - one of the most popular and controversial Japanese authors Indian Literature **Sanskrit** - ancient language used for writing epics and religious texts **Vedas** - collection of sacred books written in Sanskrit Vedas - collection of sacred books written in Sanskrit **Rig Veda** ("knowledge of the verses") - a collection of 1,028 sacred hymns; divided into ten books called Mandalas **Yajur Veda** ("knowledge of the sacrifice") - priests' handbook in the performance of sacrificial rituals **Sama Veda** ("knowledge of the melodies") - collection of chants and melodies drawn from the Rig Veda and are to be sung during worship **Atharva Veda** ("knowledge of the fire priest") - a collection of charms, spells, and hymns **Mahabharata** by Vyasa ancient tale of war within a family caused by a desire for power contains 100,000 lines considered as one of the longest literary masterpieces **Ramayana** by Valmiki part of Mahabharata; romantic treatment in the form of kavya or court poetry centers on the life and adventures of the couple Ramachandra and Sita ***The tale of Savitri*** - another narrative found in Mahabharata; it is told to the exiled king of the Pandavas by way of consoling him for the plight of his much-tried queen, Draupadi **Modern Writers** **Arundhati Roy** - God of Small Things (Man Booker Prize for Fiction, 1997) **Rabindranath Tagore** - Nobel Prize in Literature (1913) **Manasi** (1890) **Chitrangada** (1892) **Sonar Tori** (1894)