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ENG 107: SURVEY OF THE PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

Liezel D. Didulo Prof. Emmanuel Dayalo

BSEd English 2B Course Facilitator

LITERATURE ANALYSIS

THE WEDDING DANCE

(Short Story)
Amador T. Daguio

A. Characters
Lumnay - Awiyao's former wife who is still in love with him despite the fact that
he married another.
Awiyao - the lead male in the story who loves Lumnay, but left her because she
can't bear children for him.
Madulimay - Awiyao's new wife, who is younger and he hopes to have children
with.

B. Setting
The story took place a long time ago in the mountains somewhere in the
Philippines.

C. Plot
Exposition
The story opens with Awiyao entering his and Lumnay's house to invite his ex-
wife to join the dance and dance as if nothing had happened. But Lumnay didn't respond.
Then, Awiyao said that if Lumnay would go there and dance, someone might like her and
marry her.
Rising Action
Things started to heat up when Lumnay said that she does not want any other man
and Awiyao said that he doesn't want any woman either. Though, they've been good
husband and wife to each other, it wasn't all enough in the end since they don't have a
child, albeit they already did everything.
Climax
Awiyao went closer to Lumnay and explained everything to her, that he was only
marrying Madulimay for his need to have a child, to follow their tribe's tradition and she
cannot replace Lumnay in his heart. There's a feeling of longing on their eyes knowing
that it was already the last time they get to hold each other and everything will change
afterwards. Awiyao tried to give their house and the field but Lumnay refused them
saying she will go back to her parents' house and take care of them.
She said that she would go back to her parents and die. But Awiyao said that if she
would, that only proves that she hates him and doesn't want him to have a child.
However, if Awiyao failed to have a child again with Madulimay, he would go back to
Lumnay and they would die together.
Falling Action
Awiyao was then fetched by his friends and he had no choice but to go back to the
wedding. However, before he went back, he gave some beads to Lumnay as the sign of
his love for her. She clung onto him tightly for the last time but Awiyao's grip loosened
after a few seconds because his friends kept calling him and are waiting outside the
house. And so he hurried out into the night.
Resolution
She heard the throbbing of gangsas coming to her through the caverns of the other
houses. After a moment, she found courage within her that she would go to the dance
especially to the elders and would complain about the rule of the tribe to make Awiyao
come back to her.
However, when she was already near to the dance, she lost her courage to break
into the wedding feast. She walked away from the dancing ground, away from the village
and went to a mountain instead. After climbing it and reached the top, she could see there
the entire village especially the wedding. She reminisced her memories with Awiyao and
thought about the future.

D. Point of View
The point of view used in this short story is the Omniscient Limited. The author
tells the story in third person (using pronouns they, she, he, it, etc.) We'll only know what
the character knows when the author allows him/her to tell us. We can see the thoughts
and feelings of characters if the author chooses to reveal them to us.

E. Mood
The feeling of sorrow ascended when Awiyao invited Lumnay to join the wedding
dance. It was the mood of the story, particularly of that scene since it was mentioned that
it was against their will for Awiyao to have another partner but their tradition commands
that he should in order for him to have children. I also feel pity for Lumnay since she has
to sacrifice his love for Awiyao and to let go of him and let him marry another woman.

F. Theme
The theme that dominates in the story was "Love is about sacrifices." There are
times that your love will be tested and sometimes no matter how much you hold on and
love each other, when it's already fate that is making a way to separate the both you, you
can't do anything. The best that you can do is to accept and let go.

G. Reaction
This is a story of an unsuccessful marriage with an unhappy ending for me which
took place in a community where people are engrossed with beliefs or customs. It's a
story of a man who has to leave or had left his wife to marry someone who could bear
and give him a child which his former wife cannot. For them, a marriage or a couple
without child/children will be useless or meaningless, no matter how much they love each
other. I felt a bit of sadness for the characters. It's about how beliefs or let's say, outside
forces and factors such as the society or a certain community contributes to the failure or
success of a relationship. For me, it's about acceptance of the situation and letting go of
the person who can't be yours forever. This would be one of those stories I couldn't
forget.

BIAG NI LAM-ANG
 (Epic)
Pedro Bucaneg

A. Characters
Lam-ang - the main character of the story, the only son of Namongan and Don
Juan Panganiban. He had tge unusual power of speech and physical form.
Ines Kannoyan - a beautiful maiden, daughter of the richest man of the town of
Kalanutian, and a lady who loved and married Lam-ang.
Namongan - mother of Lam-ang who helped him match the wealth of the
Kannoyans.
Don Juan Panganiban - father of Lam-ang who went to the mountains to fight an
Igorot band.
Sarindang - she tried to seduce Lam-ang.
White rooster - acted as a spokesperson of Lam-ang.
Parents of Ines Kannoyan - they dared Lam-ang to bring gold to match their
wealth.
Marcos - diver who rewarded by Lam-ang for collecting all his bones.
Sumarang - Lam-ang's rival.

B. Setting
The epic took place at Nalbuan. It is located somewhere in the Valley of Naguilan
River in La Union in the northern part of the Philippines where Lam-ang and his parents
lived.

C. Plot
Exposition
Namongan and Don Juan of Nalbuan has a son named Lam-ang. He was an
extraordinary being, manifesting in his early years when he started to speak, thus
enabling him to choose his own name.
Rising Action
At barely nine months, he went to search in the highlands for his father, Don Juan
who set out for a battle but never returned. Aware that her child was a blessed,
exceptional creature, his mother Namongan allowed him to go. Lam-ang then went off to
search for his father, leaving his grieving mother behind.
Lam-ang went on until he found out it necessary to rest and take a nap. While
asleep, he dreamed of his father's head being an object of festivities among the Igorots.
He immediately arose and continued his journey until he found the Igorots indeed
feasting over his father's head.
Climax
He asked the Igorots why they killed his father, but they advised him instead to go
home if he doesn't want to suffer the same fate which his father suffered. This was
accompanied by a challenge to a fight, despite their obvious numerical superiority. But
Lam-ang, armed with supernatural powers, handily defeated them, except for one whom
he let go so that he could tell other people about Lam-ang’s greatness.
Upon returning to Nalbuan in triumph, he was bathed by women in the
Amburayan River. All the fish died because of the dirt and odor from Lam-ang’s body.
There was a young woman named Ines Kannoyan whom Lam-ang wanted to woo. She
lived in Calanutian and he brought along his white rooster and gray dog to visit her. On
the way, Lam-ang met his enemy Sumarang, another suitor of Ines whom he fought and
readily defeated.
Falling Action
Lam-ang found the house of Ines surrounded by many suitors all of whom were
trying to catch her attention. Through her pets, he was able to catch the attention of Ines
and her parents and expresses her love for her. The parents agreed to a marriage with their
daughter if Lam-ang would give them a dowry valued at double their wealth. Lam-ang
had no problem fulfilling this condition and he and Ines were married.
Resolution
After the celebration, Lam-ang agrees to hunt rarang, a shellfish. But
unfortunately, he was swallowed by a giant fish, called 'berkakang', as he has dreamt so.
However, a diver recovers his bones. The pet rooster flaps its wings and resurrects Lam-
ang. He then rewards the divet and lives happily with his wife and pets.

D. Point of View
The point of view of the story is in third person. The adventures of Lam-ang was
narrated by the author since it is an epic.

E. Mood
As Lam-ang started his journey in looking for his father, excitement could be felt
as you will be thrilled as to what would happen to this amazing journey of him. You will
be happy or triumphant every time Lam-ang defeats his enemies and when he was able to
get the justice for his father and married the woman he loves.

F. Theme
The theme of the epic revolves around the bravery and courage of the main
character portrayed by Lam-ang, who was gifted with speech as early as his day of birth
and embarked on a series of adventures which culminated in his heroic death and
subsequent ressurection. It could also be about the love for a father, that the son would do
everything to save the father who disappeared and might be in danger.

G. Reaction
This epic talk about the adventure of a young brave boy named Lam-ang in
finding his father and fighting for the woman she loves. I was amazed by the story as it
was an extraordinary journey where he had encountered a lot of obstacles on the way but
surmounted them all. I like how our traits, attitudes, and beliefs as Filipinos was depicted
in this epic as it portrays the unwavering bravery, love, justice, determination and even
friendship. I also love how the story was brimmed with fantasy and imagination. Biag ni
Lam-ang is indeed a great and remarkable epic.

THE OTHER WOMAN

(Short Story)
Virgilio R. Samonte

A. Characters
Manuel - husband of Cecilia
Cecilia - a devoted wife to her dying husband and a strong-willed woman
Cora - a relative of Cecilia who turned out to be a mistress of the husband
Loida - a harelip woman who is a servant in the house; mistress of Manuel

B. Setting
The story happened at the old house of Manuel in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

C. Plot
Exposition
Cecilia lived with her husband Manuel who possessed a vitality that was
insatiable. They also have a servant named Loida who was a harelip woman. Cecilia has a
sister named Cora who also stayed with them.
Rising Action
Cecilia suspects that her husband Manuel is having an affair with Cora that's why
Cora left the house.
 Now, Manuel is sick and dying, his appearance is a far cry from the lusty man he
was once known to be and he has the ashen look of a corpse. Cecilia cares for him and
seldom goes out from his room. For her, Manuel has finally become hers.
Climax
Cecilia heard a loud scream from the room of Manuel and she saw Loida holding
the dead body of Manuel, screaming while tears flowed down her face, saliva flying from
his mouth.
Denouement
Cecilia screamed at Loida and trying to pull the dead body of her husband. Then
Loida screamed that Manuel is hers too and that she loved her.
Conclusion
Cecilia learned that Loida is a mistress of Manuel.

D. Point of View
The story used a first person point of view wherein its teller was the nephew of
Cecilia and Cora. He shared delineated description of the place and time of where and
when the story happened. It was based on his experience when he went to his Nana's
house and learned about everything.

E. Mood
The story aroused the feeling of sadness and pity for the character of Cecilia that
though her husband had been dishonest and betrayed him multiple times already by
having mistresses she never left her side even when he became very ill. She has shown so
much love and care for her husband, Manuel.

F. Theme
The primary theme that is being pinpointed could be " Love, in different forms, is
never - ending". This can be seen on the three woman on Manuel's life. First, with
Cecilia, she still took good care of her husband who is already bedridden in spite the fact
that he betrayed her many times already and still sleeps with him. Second, is when Cora
chose to surrender her feelings for him and went away. Even though she didn't ask about
Manuel's condition, it was obvious that she still cares for him when she walked away
looking frail and forlorn. Lastly, is with Loida, that though he is already weak, she still
stayed there and worked as a maid.

G. Reaction
The other woman is a story showing an endless love even in amid betrayal. It is a
very catchy story since it talks about relationships as it gives us some viewpoint on what
are the possible happenings inside a marriage relationship or their household. What I like
most with the story is that it tackles one of the most well-known issues in our society
nowadays which is the infidelity or the existence of mistresses, other woman which
destroys relationships. However, just like the women in the story, they were mere victims
of the so called "love" though I don't like how the legal wife (Cecilia) acted that in spite
of what her husband did to her, how much pain he had inflicted to her, she still chose to
stay by his side and took care of him when he was very ill. So with this, men should
treasure the women and treat them well instead of using them only for sexual desires.
This story shows us the reality. Women should be valued and let's make sure that before
entering into a relationship, we should know the person very well and be careful of who
to trust.
 IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE
(Poem)
Carlos Bulosan

INTRODUCTION
Name of poem - If You Want To Know What We Are
Name of poet - Carlos Sampayan Bulosan
Date of publication - 1983
Other relevant background information - Bulosan is remembered as a progressive
anti-colonial, pro-labor, humanitarian voice by an array of communities including
Asian/Pacific Islanders, organized labor, academics and intellectuals, and a wide range of
social justice; ethnic; and activist communities. He was once recognized for his
commitment to social justice.

FORM
Form of poem
If You Want To Know What We Are is a lyric poetry in free verse form.

Structure of poem
This poem is composed of 14 stanzas. Each of the first 13 stanzas has five lines
while the final stanza has only two lines. Since it's a free verse poem, it does not follow
any rules. It is free in both meter and rhyme.

Rhyme Scheme
The poem has no rhyme scheme since it is in free verse form.

Mood
In this poem, you'll feel sympathy with the persona as you empathize with
her/him for he/she exemplified the hardships and the painful experiences they have
experienced however, you can also sense their determination to get out from that
particular nightmare. You’ll feel bad for them but you will be happy at the same time for
they are marching for change and freedom.

Theme
The theme that was tackled in the poem was the inhumanities endured by the
Filipinos as victims of an unforgettable period of our history. It also centered on the
hopefulness and faith showed by them as they face the adversities thrown in their way.

Point of View
The poem was written in first person point of view because the persona in the
poem shared his actual experience in a particular time or period in his/her life.

MEANING
Overall Meaning
The poem generally talks about the struggles of Filipinos and our history of
fighting for our rights and freedom particularly from the dictatorship of Marcos
administration. It's about those people who were oppressed and treated unjustly and their
determination and perseverance in the face of suffering, yearning for meaning, truth and
justice that is essential in the human race. The poet wants to praise the invincible human
spirit which he believes will succeed against difficult times and persecution. They are the
people or let's say victims who remained strong amidst all the adversities.

How the poem relates to life in general and/or my life

The poem centers on the injustices and cruelties that people have experienced
from those arrogant and barbaric leaders. However, in spite of those, there are still hopes
in the hearts, they were still very determined in finding ways to overcome their sufferings
and live in a peaceful and secure place. The same thing goes with people nowadays. Even
though we are experiencing tough times or in the middle of problems, we are still
hopeful, never gives up and are willing to march and fight when we need to. We,
Filipinos, are resilient in our own ways.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE AND POETIC TECHNIQUES

DEVICE/ QUOTE(S) MEANING/SIGNIFICANCE

TECHNIQUE
Repetition -1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th 9th The phrase "If you want to know what we
and 14th stanzas are" was repeated in some of the stanzas
of the poem (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th 9th and
- 4th, 5th, 7th, 11th, 14th stanzas) particularly on the first line
12th and 13th stanzas of each stanza addressed to those who are
interested to know them. On the other
hand, the words "we are" was placed on
the first line of the 4th, 5th, 7th, 11th, 12th
and 13th stanzas as if they were
introducing themselves.

Personification "each part pregnant Since hope cannot be pregnant, this part
with hope, each hope means that in every struggles they've
supreme" encountered, people were still filled with
hopes and that hope reigns within them
that everything will fall back into place.

Metaphor "searching in the The term "lost word" was used as a

pages of history for metaphor as it might refer to a reason,
the lost word" meaning or way. They're looking for ways
on how to end their sufferings and attain
peace and joy.

Imagery "observe the bloody These words suggest imagery because we

club smashing heads" are told to observe or imagine those
people who were covered with blood and
were killing one another.

Metaphor "see the lynch trees The word "lynch" indicates "killing" as
blossoming, the well as the word "rioting" which implies
hysterical mob "violence". This line means that people are
rioting" ready to engage in war or battle just to get
the justice they deserve.

Personification "to make the starved Since the word "starved" was directed to
earth a place of "earth", this suggests that our world is
abundance" must be starving. However, it's not with
food but it's yearning for eternal peace and
blissfulness of the earth and its people.

Metaphor "We are the vision and "Vision", "star" and "quietus" are
the star, the quietus of metaphor that refers to the people. This
pain" just signifies that we are the hope of our
beloved nation to whom they entrusted
their life and fate, who would put an end
to their pain and sufferings and would be
the instrument to attain freedom and
happiness.
Reaction
If You Want To Know What We Are" by Carlos Bulosan is a poem which fired up
a sense of nationalism within me, within us. It teaches us that never be afraid to stand up
for ourselves and for those who cannot fight for themselves. This poem is a sort of
reminder of the things and struggles that our ancestors have experienced before. Every
lines struck a nerve because it reminds us the power that we carry inside ourselves and
our responsibilities as citizens as we are the hope our nation and we have the ability to
change the world. It is a wonderful and touching poem for me.