• A tombstone serves as a memorabilia of

the life of the deceased. It serves a

lasting reminder of one’s existence.
Normally, it contains an epitaph or a
short poem inscription that tells
something about or praises a deceased
person that lies in a certain spot.
 How would you like to be remembered?
Write an epitaph that tells something about
your life that you want other people to
know.
• What do you feel about writing your own
epitaph?
• What did you consider in writing your
own epitaph?
• Do you think you made a good epitaph?
Why?
• What can you say about your other
classmate’s epitaph?
• Angela Marie Legaspi Manalang was born on
August 24, 1907 in Guagua, Pampanga to
parents, Felipe Dizon Manalang (born in
Mexico, Pampanga) and Tomasa Legaspi.
However, their family later settled in the Bicol
region, particularly in Albay. She studied at St.
Agnes Academy in Legaspi, where she
graduated valedictorian in elementary. In her
senior year, she moved to St. Scholastica's
College in Malate, Manila, where her writing
started to get noticed.
• Angela Manalang was among the first
generation female students at the
University of the Philippines. Angela
initially enrolled in law, as suggested by
her father. However, with the advice of
her professor C.V. Wickers, who also
became her mentor, she eventually
transferred to literature.
• It was also during her education at the
University of the Philippines that she and
poet, Jose Garcia Villa developed a lifelong
rivalry. Both poets vied for the position of
literary editor of The Philippine Collegian,
which Manalang eventually held for two
successive years. In her junior year, she was
quietly engaged to Celedonio Gloria whom
she married. She graduated summa cum laude
with the degree of Ph.B. in March 1929.
• After graduation, Manalang-Gloria
worked briefly for the Philippine Herald
Mid-Week Magazine. However, this was
cut short when she contracted
tuberculosis.
I shall haunt you O my lost one, as the twilights
Haunts a re-entangled trail,
And your dreams will linger strangely with the
music
Of a phantom lover’s tale,
You shall not forget, for I am past forgetting,
I shall come to you again
With the starlight and the scent of white
Champacas,
And the melody of rain.
You shall not forget. Dust will peer into your
Window, tragic-eyed and still,
And unbidden, startle you into remembrance
With its hand upon the still.
 MUSIC OF HEART
• Select any local or international song
that expresses a meaning in the light
of the poem that you have read.
• Write the lyrics of the song.