Presentation in Literature

By: Ayn Rand Rommel Q. Paspie

Literature

Is a collection of recorded and unrecorded human experiences which attempt to mirror

artistically what exist in real situations.

These human experiences which oftentimes embody man’s great passions , thoughts,

ideals, beliefs and attitudes are expressed and transmitted aesthetically through the medium

of language.

The subject in literature is often presented in an ideal manner of lasting interest so that the

reader is inclined to exert effort to experience it.

When one reads a literary work, he is given the opportunity to look at life from a very familiar

perspective- his own self.

He does not only become a reader but also an observer, a participant, and a reactor to a

certain situation. He pauses in order to indulge in this experience and to relate it to

his own personal experiences.

In other words…

Amid the rapid events happening around him, he is allowed to reflect momentarily about

himself and his surroundings through literature.

Literature likewise manifests the culture and traditions of different places since it is the result or product of the age in which it is

produced.

Literature is separated into two parts…

Prose

It is a type of literature which is written in sentences and paragraphs. It may either be

fiction or non-fiction.

Poetry

It is a special kind of writing in which language, pictures, and sounds combine, creating a

special effect. It packs meaning into a small amount of words which tend to be more

visual and musical than prose.

The different types of Prose…

Short Stories

These are brief narrative prose which presents a single world of experience in action and can

be read in one sitting.

Here are some of the popular short stories that you might have read…

Hansel and Gretel

The Ugly Duckling

Little Red Riding Hood

The Little Match Girl

The Red Shoes

Novels

It is a type of prose which presents a more complex view of life. It is much longer than a short story since it consists of several sub-

plots.

Here are some novels made by popular authors…

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series

Tami Hoag’s Still Waters

Jerry Spinelli’s Space Station Seventh Grade

Chelsea Cain’s Sweetheart

And here’s a novel that made quite a trend back when it got it’s movie adaptation…

Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga

Novelette

It is a type of prose narrative which has all the elements of a short story and a novel.

Obviously, it is shorter than a novel but longer than a short story.

Here are some novelletes…

Karsten Kluge’s Necrophobia

Ada Uzoije’s The Ghost at London Victoria Station

Kary English’s Flight of Kikayon

Essays

It is a non-fiction prose writing expressing the writer’s view or opinion on any topic.

Drama

It is a story to be acted on the stage by a group of actors before and audience.

Next are the types of Poetry…

Narrative Poems

These intends to tell a story and as such, has a plot, setting, dialogue, and theme. Narrative

poems also have their different types.

These are…

Ballads

These are narrative poems telling a simple dramatic story intended either to be sung or to be recited. Most ballads have anonymous

authors and are handed down from one generation to another orally.

Here’s an example of a ballad...

Ballad of the Cool Fountain: Anonymous Spanish poetess (15th century)

Fountain, coolest fountain,Cool fountain of love,

Where all the sweet birds comeFor comforting–but one,

A widow turtledove,Sadly sorrowing.

At once the nightingale,That wicked bird, came by,

And spoke these honied words:"My lady, if you will,I shall be your slave.""You are my enemy:

Begone, you are not true!Green boughs no longer rest me,

Nor any budding grove.Clear springs, where there are such,

Turn muddy at my touch.I want no spouse to loveNor any children either.I forego that pleasureAnd their comfort too.

No, leave me; you are falseAnd wicked–vile, untrue!

I’ll never be your mistress!I’ll never marry you!"

Epic

It is a long narrative poem that tells the adventures and exploits of a legendary hero who usually embodies the aspirations and

culture of a particular race or group of people.

One good example of an epic is the Western Visayan epic known as the Hinilawod.

Metrical Romance

It is a narrative poem telling about the love and adventures of knights and their ladies. This

type of poetry was highly inspired during the age of Chivalry in England and other parts of

Europe.

Metrical Tale

It is a narrative poem about a simple and ordinary folk.

Another type of Narrative Poem is the lyric poem…

Lyric Poem

It is a highly musical poem expressign the personal thoughts and feelings of the writer. In

ancient times these lyric poems were sung and accompanied by a stringed instrument like

the lyre.

Lyre

is a string instrument known for its use in Greek classical antiquity, it is played by

being strummed by a plectrum, like a guitar or a zither, rather than being plucked like a harp.

If you’re questioning on what a lyre looks like here’s a picture of it…

Different types of Lyric poem…

Sonnet

It is a special form of a lyric poem consisting of 14 lines popularized by Francesco Petrach in Italy. It is otherwise known as Petrarchan or

Italian sonnet.

Here’s an example of a sonnet done by James DeFord, in 1997

Turn back the heart you’ve turned away

Give back your kissing breath

Leave not my love as you have left

The broken hearts of yesterday

But wait, be still, don’t lose this way

Affection now for what you guess

May be something more, could be less

Accept my love, live for today.

Your roses wilted, as love spurned

Yet trust in me, my love and truth

Dwell in my heart, from which you’ve turned

My strength as great as yours aloof

It is in fear you turn away

And miss the chance of love today!

Ode

It is a lyric poem of praise of a person, an inanimate object or a lofty and profound idea

written in a highly dignified manner.

Here’s an example of an ode entitled: Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood written by

William Wordsworth

There was a time when meadow, grove and stream,The earth, and every common sight

To me did seemAparelled in celestial light,

The glory and the freshness of a dreamIt is not now as it hath been of yore;--

Turn wheresoe’er I may,By night or day,

The things which I have seen I now can see no more.

Elegy

It is a lyric poem of lamentation over a loss of a loved one.

Here’s an example of an elegy written by Walt Whitman entitled: “O Captain! My Captain!”

which was written in memory of Abraham Lincoln.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;

My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;

The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, it’s voyage closed and

done;

From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes with the object won;

Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!

But I, with mournful tread,

Walk the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead

Simple Lyric

It is any short, simple poem expressing the writer’s response to any ordinary thing which

provokes a certain deep feeling or emotion

Here’s an example of a simple lyric entitled: A Recipe for Love

The recipe of love must always includeSome herbs and spices for fortitude;

A tablespoon of forgiveness –A clove of loyalty –

A cup of faith –And a sprig of honesty;A pinch of patience –A teaspoon of trust –A cup of friendship –

And a bit of lust;Mix all these herbs and spices well –

No other recipe could ever excel;Add your name and her’s for proper effect;

Then saute the whole in two cups of respect.

The Origin and Growth of Philippine Literature

Ancient Philippine Literature

Historical records show that before the coming of the Spaniards, our ancestors had been performing rituals in relation to worship,

marriages, deaths and other social occupational activities.

These rituals were made colorful and interesting by their presentation in mixed forms like

reciting, chanting, dancing and even playing the crude musical instruments to accompany

these ritual presentations.

Ancient Filipino literature such as songs, poems, riddles, sayings and folk stories are generally

regarded as part of unrecorded literature which have been handed down from one

generation to the next orally.

Part of the ancient Philippine literature is the ancient metrical tales coming from the Western Visayas Region. These are the

Haraya, Lagda, Maragtas, and Hinilawod.

Haraya and Lagda though remain unrecorded while Maragras is more of a historical record

rather than a literary work.

Hinilawod

It is considered as the oldest and longest epic of Panay, and is sung for a number of days.

It tells about the story of the three superheroes, Labaw Dongon, Dumalapdap, and

Humadapnin- all sons of the goddess Alunsina and her mortal husband, Paubari.

It also gives account of the unusual and fantastic adventures of these three sons especially

when each decides to go in quest for his own bride.

The last part of the epic interestingly reveals the origin of Panay and Negros as the result of

the moral combat between the youngest son, Dumalapdap, and the monster, Ayutang.

Besides the epic Hinilawod, there are other forms of literature that

existed in our region before the coming of the Spaniards.

These are short narratives consisting of myths and stories of local heroes. Gnomic verses consisting of short, didactic, general truths

about moral and civic conduct.

Paktakon which are witty riddles recited mainly for entertainment.

Ritual chants consisting of verses recited by a babaylan on any occasion like planting,

harvesting, or healing the sick.Poetic joust consisting of verbal battle in rhyme

as in “siday sa pamalye”.

Philippine Literature during the Spanish Period

Although the literature of the Philippines during the Spanish occupation was predominantly religious in nature, many European literary forms were brought to the country by the

Spaniards, and became popular to us.

These literary forms were: Composo, Corrido, Comedia, Zarzuela, Moro-

Moro, Luwa, Pagdayaw, Novena, Pasyon, and Flores de Mayo.

It was also during the period of the Spanish occupation when brave-hearted Filipino

propagandists arose.

Burning with the desire to claim back the Philippines from the foreign invaders, they used their literary prowess to awaken the hearts and minds of their fellowmen from

lethargic indifference.

Our National Hero Jose Rizal along with his fellow writers and his two important works

Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, published literary works intense with patriotic

zeal.

Philippine Literature after the Spanish Period

The literature after the Spanish period was predominantly made up of literary works

using English and Filipino languages.

With the introduction of the English language as the medium of instruction in 1900, many budding Filipino writers tried using the

Western tongue in writing stories and poems.

Understandably, the first attempts were imitative…

It was amazing, however how they learned and mastered this language so quickly that It was

not very long before their works began to show marked sensitivity as well as originality.

Philippine Regional Literature

Regional literature refers to the recorded or unrecorded literature typical of a certain

boundary or area which is a part of the entire country.

It consists of distinctive linguistic, cultural, and traditional characteristics common among the

people within the community, not withstanding the numerous factors brough

about by the foreign influences.

Western Visayas literature, or Panayanon literature, includes that written or orally

transmitted in the provinces into which Panay island is divided: Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, and

Aklan.

The term also includes the literature of the provinces of Negros Occidental and Guimaras, both of which are on separate islands. This is because the people of these two islands have

the same ethnic origins as those of Panay.

Hiligaynon refers to the language and culture of the Illongo people, who inhabit Iloilo, Capiz,

Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.

However, the term has to come to connote the more formal and literary language as it is used in schools and by older generation of speakers

and writers. Ilongo is now used to the more popular and informal use of the language.

The Filipino student is now given a holistic perspective of the Filipino culture and spirit, in spite of the diversity in the regional cultures, is given this chance to understand and develop a

deep sense of appreciation for the Filipino psyche.

Origin and Development of the Hiligaynon Language

Hiligaynon is a word which originated from “ilig” which means “to flow”. It did not originally

mean the language spoken by the inhabitants of Western Visayas.

It actually referred to the occupation of the people living in the upper region of Panay.

They are bamboo floaters.

These bamboo floaters would float bamboo poles downstream(“ilawod”) from

upstream(“iraya”) until they reach the bottom of the river where others waited to buy these

poles for building houses.

Santiago Alv. Mulato related in his article “Why Hiligaynon” how the Spaniards, through

misconception, became indirectly responsible for popularizing the word “Hiligaynon” to refer

to a group of people called by that name.

When the Spaniards came, and since they also used water for travel, they came upon these

people from upriver and their buyers transacting business at the river mouths in the

Kalanagan Area and in Panay-an in Capiz.

When the Spaniards asked the name of this group of people who navigated the river by usign rafts like the “baizeros”(raftsmen) of

Mexico, the inaccurate answer they received was “Iligaynon”.

As the informants thought they were being asked what profession those “manog-ilig sang

kawayan” (bamboo floaters) people had.

Today, this term is formally applied to the dominant language used by the inhabitants of

Panay and Negros Occidental. “Ilonggo” is another popular West Visayas term referred to

the people living in the region.

The term “Negrense” or “Negrosanon” or “Tabukanon” became the specific word for the inhabitants of Negros Occidental. The

practice extends to other places in the Panay provinces.

For instance, one refers to those from Aklan as Aklanon, or from Antique as Antiquenos. Another term which is commonly heard is

“Binisaya”. This is a modification of Visayas which was earlier accepted as referring to the

language of Western Visayas also.

With the publication of the magazine “Hiligaynon” many writers gave way to the

demands of the times and accepted Hiniligaynon or Hiligaynon as the literary

language of Western Visayas.

Notable Writers in Hiligaynon

Hiligaynon writers have produced works in various fields such as grammar books, novels

and short stories to serve the need and purpose of time.

Some who researched in grammar were able to publish dictionaries of Hiligaynon-English

translation especially for educational purposes.

Flavio Zaragoza Cano who hailed from Cabanatuan, Iloilo, wrote both in Spanish and

Hiligaynon. His masterpiece, De Mactan A Tirad (From Mactan to Tirad), won the first

Commonwealth Literary Contest in Spanish in 1940.

Another famous poet from Binalbagan, Negros Occidental is Augurio M. Abeto who is

unforgettable for his Dalawidaw and Tuburan.

Angel Magahum is remembered as the first Hiligaynon novelist who wrote the first novel

in Hiligaynon, Benjamin.

Magdalena Jalandoni, whose works, Ang Bantay Sang Patyo, and Ang Dalaga Sa Tienda, marked her place as a famous

novelist. She also won the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1969 making her the first

Hiligaynon writer to be given the honor.

Avid readers of the leading vernacular magazines, Hiligaynon and Yuhum, will never forget the prolific and eloquent writer, Ramon Muzones, whose literary prowess is illustrated

in his many unforgettable novels such as Margosatubig, Tamblot and Dama de Noche.

The Hiniraya Language

The mother tongue of the region is Kinaray-a (also called Karay-a, Hiniraya, or Kaday-a). In

act, Hiligaynon is a modern language that evolved from kinaray-a.

Kiniray-a is better known as Hinaraya because it coems from the word Iraya meaning “a high

place where water comes from”.

When the Malays and the Polynesians reached the East Asia and the Pacific, the greatly

influenced people in these areas with their languages. A group of these Malays and

Polynesians known as the Ilayanon settled in West Visayas.

Some landed in Panay, especially in Capiz, which was referred to by Otley Beyer and Jaime C.

de Veyra in their Philippine Saga as the Ilayan section of Panay.

Today, Kinaray-a is spoken in most rural areas especially the coastal towns of Iloilo, in

Antque in Capiz (except in Roxas City where Hiligaynon is used).

In one of Conrado J. Norada’s articles cited Hiniraya as being responsible for enriching the Hiligaynon language. Two factors which made

this possible are worth mentioning…

The difference in the usage of letter “l” in Hiligaynon and the letter “r” in Hiniray-a e.g. “wala” in Hiligaynon and “wara” in Hiniray-a

And the last one is…

The increase in vocabulary through the use of several words for the same meaning e.g. “idu” for Hiligaynon and “ayam” for Hiniraya (both

words mean dog)

That’s all, end of presentation.