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FOR ZAMBOANGA CITY DIVISION USE ONLY

NOT FOR SALE

11/12
21st Century Literature from the
Philippines and the World

QUARTER 1
WEEK 2.2

Capsulized Self-Learning Empowerment Toolkit

Schools Division Office of Zamboanga City

Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula
Zamboanga City

“Unido, Junto avanza con el EduKalidad Cree, junto junto puede!”

Written by: MARION B. GUERRERO

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CapSLET
Capsulized Self-Learning Empowerment Toolkit

21st Century
Literature
from the
SUBJECT & Philippines
QUARTER 1 WEEK 2.2 DAY ___________________________________
GRADE/LEVEL and the dd/mm/yyyy

World

Grade 11/12
TOPIC Philippine Literature in the Contemporary Times
Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of
Philippine literary history from pre-colonial to the
contemporary.
LEARNING Code: Objectives:
COMPETENCY EN12Lit-Ia-21  Discuss social realism as a theme of contemporary
Philippine literature; and
 interpret a representative text of literature of
circumvention.
IMPORTANT: Do not write anything on this material. Write your answers on the Learner’s
Activity and Assessment Sheets provided separately.

UNDERSTAND
Contemporary Philippine Literature

How did the years after World War II change Philippine literature? The Philippines formally
became and independent country in 1946, and the years that followed it were full of social issues such
as economic inequality and agrarian reform. Literary works were now not merely made for
entertainment or for its sake (aestheticism), but sought to reflect the many changes in society (social
awareness/realism).

Post-War Philippines encouraged the publication of works in the regional languages and most
importantly, in Filipino as literary artists were no longer expected to only write in English. In fact,
this period also saw writers experimenting with the rules of language, and/or going against traditional
rules in language like the use of Taglish. Take for example this excerpt from National Artist for
Theatre and Literature Rolando S. Tinio‟s Valediction sa Hillcrest:

Bueno, let’s get it over with.

It’s a long walk to the depot.
Tama na ang sophistication-
sophistication.

Sa steep incline, pababa sa highway

Where all things level, sabi nga,
There’s a flurry, ang gentle-gentle.
Pagwhoosh-whoosh ng paa ko,
The snow melts right under:

Nagtutubig parang asukal,

Humuhulas,
nagsesentimental.

Written by: MARION B. GUERRERO

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What was the effect of the Martial Law Period (1972-1981) to Philippine literature?

Martial Law closed down many publishing houses, newspapers, radio and television networks, and so
production of literature was greatly affected, but the period also gave birth to the literature of
circumvention or literature which sought to expose and criticize political issues without risking the
imprisonment of its author. Social realism and social protest became the common themes of poems.

Jose Maria F. Lacaba (1945- ) is a journalist, poet, translator, university

lecturer, screenwriter, and show business specialist. His poetry collections
include Mga Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran (1979, 1996), Sa
Daigdig ng Kontradiksyon (1991) and Sa Panahon ng Ligalig (1991). There
is also the highly charged Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage (1982), a
reportage on the First Quarter Storm and the subsequent times, has also
been released. Many of his screenplays have been ingrained in the Filipino
consciousness; these include the acclaimed Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim
(1984), Sister Stella L (1984), Orapronobis (1989) and Segurista (1996).

SAQ-1: Does literature need to reflect social issues? Why or why not?
SAQ-2: What is the importance of literature in ensuring our rights and freedoms?

Let’s Practice! (Write your answer on the separate sheets provided.)

Published in Focus Magazine on July 14, 1973, the following is a poem by Jose Maria F. Lacaba
which he wrote under the pseudonym (an alias or fake name) Ruben Cuevas.

Directions: Read the poem. Circle the letter of the correct answers of Questions 1-4.

1. What words does each letter of the line in

Prometheus Unbound the first stanza of the poem spell?
A. MARKS
Mars shall glow tonight, B. MARCOS
Artemis is out of sight. C. MARCUS
Rust in the twilight sky D. MARS
Colors a bloodshot eye,
Or shall I say that dust 2. What social issue or event did this poem
Sunders the sleep of the just?
„protest‟ against?
Hold fast to the gift of fire! A. Cold War
I am rage! I am wrath! I am ire! B. EDSA Revolution
The vulture sits on my rock, C. Martial Law
Licks at the chains that mock D. World War II
Emancipation’s breath,
Reeks of death, death, death. 3. This poem is qualified to be a literature of
circumvention because?
Death shall not unclench me. A. Its true subject is hidden by its
I am earth, wind and sea! lines.
Kisses bestow on the brave B. Its true subject is in the title.
That defy the damp of the grave
C. Its true subject is about Greek
And strike the chill band of
Death with the flaming sword of love. mythology.
D. Its true subject is the author
Orion stirs. The vulture
Retreats from the bard, pure 4. The author of this poem is?
Thrust of the spark that burns, A. Ruben Cuevas
Unbounds, departs, returns B. Adolf Hitler
To pluck out of death’s fist C. Jose Maria Lacaba
A god who dared to resist. D. Ferdinand Marcos

Written by: MARION B. GUERRERO

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REMEMBER
Key Points

 The Contemporary Period of Philippine literature covers the period after World War II and the
EDSA Revolution of 1986. It was a progressive period, ranging from experimentations in
language or medium to themes and subjects that reflect current social issues or events.
 The movements that played an important role in literary development include aestheticism,
realism, social realism and protest literature.
 Martial Law gave birth to literature of circumvention –or literature which sought to expose
and criticize political issues without risking the imprisonment of its author

TRY
Let‟s see how much have you learned today!

Directions: Read each item carefully and answer the following questions. (Answer on the Learner’s
Activity and Assessment sheets.)

If the subject follows aestheticism, write A on On the lines provided, write T if the statement is
the space provided and SR if the subject is an true or F if the statement is false.
example of social realism.
_______ 11. The Contemporary Period covered
_______ 1. Harvesting rice. the Spanish times.
_______ 2. Celebrating a town fiesta. _______ 12. Protest literature is an example
_______ 3. Graft and corruption. of aestheticism.
_______ 4. Teenage pregnancy. _______ 13. Contemporary literary artists
_______ 5. Playing the guitar. experimented with language forms.
_______ 6. A religious procession. _______ 14. Literary artists wrote freely during
_______ 7. Urban poor families. Martial Law.
_______ 8. Out-of-school youth. _______ 15. The Contemporary Period in
_______ 9. A song for a young lady. Philippine literature was marked by
_______ 10. Malnutrition among students. social awareness among writers.

Books
Bienvenido L. Lumbera, Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology, ed.
Cynthia N. Lumbera Mandaluyong City: Anvil Publishing, 2005, 1-458

Online Sources
“Panitikan at Sining,”University of California, Berkley, accessed July 13, 2020,
http://www.language.berkeley.edu/ucfcp/unit9/kalinangan.php
REFERENCE/S
“Valediction sa Hillcrest by Rolando S. Tinio,” Wordpress, accessed July 13, 2020,
https://frankgomendoza.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/valediction-sa-hillcrest-by-
rolando-s-tinio/

Photograph
Panitikan, Jose F. Lacaba, photograph, n.d., accessed July 13, 2020.
http://panitikan.ph/2014/06/06/jose-f-lacaba/

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Written by: MARION B. GUERRERO