Red ang Luha Ni Michael

Jimmy Alcantara (After Edsa)

Michael and I were meant to be together.Tumira sa iisang komunidad sa Butuan, magkaeskuwela mula prep school hanggang kolehiyo, lumaki na pareho ang barkada, nagsosyo sa bawat stick ng yosi at sa bawat piraso ng french bread, pan de sal at pan de coo, at kung minsan sa bawat bilog, lapad at cuatro cantos. Kaya walang nagulat nang isang mahalumigmig at makulimlim na agosto, magkasama kaming "lumaya" sa Agusan del Norte. Limang libo, trancript of records at sense of adventure ang bulsa-bulsa namin papuntang Maynila. Pagkatapos ng anim na taon ng iba't ibang komedya, trahedya at melodrama, magkasama pa rin kami. Sa isang sulok ng quezon City kami umupa ng apartment-dalawang kuwarto, three-five. Hati na naman kami s lahat: renta, pagkain, bayad sa tubig, ilaw, telepono. Aking ang sala set, kanya ang kama; akin ang TV, kanya ang ref; akin ito, kanya 'yun. At pag naghiwalay kami, siyempre naman, kanya-kanyang hula ng gamit. Malabo ang relasyon namin-magkaibigan, mag-asawa, magsyota, magkakilala. Kaya siguro di kami nagpakasal at di rin kami nag-anak. Pero di kami apektado kung di man ma-define ang relasyon namin. Yuppy ang gimik ni mike. Nagtatrabaho siya sa personnel department ng isang ad agency sa Vito Cruz. Wala akong trabaho. Hindi, nawlan ako ng trabaho. Huwag na anting pag-usapan ang nangyari sa CCP. Di raw nila kailangan ang "nahihibang" na production designer. Masisira raw ang mga dula at musikal nila. Gago raw ang mga kulay at konsepto ko. Kapag ganitong wla akong trabaho, solo ko siyempre ang mga gawaing bahay. Linis, luto, laba, plantsa. Isang makulit at mainit na Lunes ng umaga, sa harap ng pinagbuhusan ko ng atnsiyon at pawis na omelet at bagong pigang orange juice, nagbubuntung-hininga si Mike at, "sa init ngayon, natutusta ang utak ko at maalala ko, kinakalawang na ang ref, pag may bisita tayo, gusto kong magtago sa aparador." Napangiti ao. Ito na ang pagkakataon para soorpresahin si Mike. No, di ako bibili ng bagong ref. Babaguhin ko lang ang kulay! Marumihin ang puti, vile naman ang brown. Pula! Tama, scarlet red. Magugustuhan niya. Madrama ang pula, may landi. Minsan morbid perso kadalasan, romantic. Masisiyahan siya. Ako na rin ang magpipinta. Gagawin kong isang obra-maestra ang ref. Sa isang tindahan sa Cubao bumili ako ng malaking lata ng Scarlet aluminum paint. Di ko alam kung pwede 'yun sa ref, pero kinuha ko na rin. At isinama ko na rin ang isang brush na katamtaman ang laki para kontrolado ang pagpahid. Kaya pagpask ni Mike sa trabaho ng Biyernes na iyon, hinarap ko na ang ref. Binakbak ko ang lumang balat nito. Binuksan ko ang lata ng pintura at hinalo ang parang likido ayon sa direksyon. At binanatan ko na. Ang ganda ng kinalabsan. Perfect ang first coatinh. Bagay na bagay ang kulay. At natakpan ang dumi at iba pang lumang pinturang di natanggal sa ref. Naaliw ako ng husto s aginawa ko, kaya di ko na hinitay na matuyo ang unang coating bago pahiran uli. At para makasiguro na di mababakbak ang pintura, pinahiran ko pa ng isa. At ngayon ko na-realize na dry ang itsura ng kusina, walang dating. Suinimulankong pasadahan ang mga cupboards. Kaya lang, natuluan ang lababo, itinuloy ko na rin ang pagpinta rito. Ilang pahiran lang, bagung-bago na ang mukha ng kusina-intense. Di na ako nakapagpigil. Nang mapuno ang sahig ng kusina ng mga pulang polka dots, napagpasiyahan kong gawing maliliit na puso ang mga ito. To relieve the monotonous squareness of the tiles kung baga. Tutal narumihan na ang kamay ko at bukas na ang lata, naggalugad ako sa loob ng bahay ng puwede pang mapinturahan. dali-dali kong hinarap ang nangungupas na lampshade, ang miniature na modelo ng eiffel Tower, ang frame ng isang pekeng Monet, ang mga paso at dahon ng palmera, airpot, pati na ang tsinelas ni Mike sa loob ng bahay. Naa-addict na ako sa ginagawa ko. pero nang makita ko ang itsure ng pinto ng bahay, di ko napaglabanan ang tukso. Kulay dilaw na brown na puti ang kulay ng pinto. Ilang pahiran lang at nawala ang ambiguity nito. Pagkatapos ng pinto, naisip ko: "Ayoko na, tama na." Pero di siguro magandang tingnan na isang picture frame lang ng bahay ang kulay pala, kaya pinintahan ko ang lahat. Ilang minuto ako sa ceiling fan. And dutsa sa kubeta at ang mga gripo, nag-improve mula sa walang kalatuy-latoy sa silver. Habang pinapasadahan ko ang gilid ng TV, nahulog ang brush sa saliwang sapatos long de-goma. Itinuloy ko na rin ang pagpipinta sa sapatos-sa isang paa lnag. Parang si Tom Hanks sa Man with one red shoe. Pagkatapos ng konting pahiran sa radyo, determinado akong huminto-sa sandaling lagyan ng glamour ang mg athor pillows. Kaya lang, natilamsikan ang rug. I'm sure, masisiyahan kayong malaman na maganda ang pagkaka-absorb ng rug sa pintura. Di ko alam kng iyon ay dahil sa kalidad ng pintura o ng rug. Pumanhik ako sa kuwarto at hinarap ang mga aparador. Binuksan ang isa. Pinasadahan ko ang mga bag at sinturon ni Mike at ilan sa mga attché cases ko. Bumaba ako at lumabas sa garden at piniturahan ko ang mga pas, ang mga dahon ng san francisco at gumawa ng kauna-unahang pulang sampaguita. Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagpipinta sa telepono nang may kumatok. Si Mike! Binuksan ko ang pinto. Di si Mike. "Sulat galing sa Butuan. Sino si Mike Fernan? galing sa isang joan." Inabot ko ang sulat. Maputla ang kulay ng kartero, kulang sa buhay. Pinahiran ko ang mukha niya ng konting pintura para di naman siya mukhang anemic. Di yata naintindihan ng mama ang gusto kong palabasin at nagtatakbo itong humihiyaw. Habang pinipintahan ko ang dingding ng sala para ibaay sa bagong personalidad ng bahay, bumukas ang pinto ng bumulaga si Mike. "Ipagpaumanhin ninyo," sabi niya, "nagkamali ako. Akala ko'y ito ang bahay ko at ikaw ang Ricky ko." Hinawakan niya ang pulang doorknob at lalabas na sana nang pigilan ko siya. "Mike, ako ang Ricky mo. Di ka ba nasorpresa, ref mo'y iba na?" Di lang siya nasorpresa, nagulantang pa siya. Doon na raw muna siya sa kaibigan niya sa Fairview. Iiwan na raw niya sa akin ang ref niya, ang kama niya, ang ito niya, ang iyon niya. aalis na raw siya at di sigurado kug babalik-pero di pa siya makaalis kasi'y basa pa ng pintura ang mga maleta niya. Di malaman ang gagawin, bumigay ang tear ducts niya. "Totoo ngang nababaliw ka na. Sabi mo'y matino ka na. Ibabalik uli kita sa basement. Sana'y gumaling ka na. Ayoko kasing mag-isa." Wala akong nasabi at sa isang mahinay na unday, pinitahan ko ang mga luha niya ng pula. naubos ang laman ng lata.

LIT 1 Course Outline

LITERATURE 1
Intro to Literature with  Philippine Literature

This course aims to introduce students to the study of different literary forms and genres exemplified from various regions of the Philippines written at different periods in Philippines. This course also provides opportunities to students to help them appreciate and understand Literature in general. Activities are prepared to cater to student’s further improvement in the skills in reading, listening, speaking and writing.

References

Aguilar, Celedenio G. Readings in Philippine Literature. Rex Book Store1994.

David-Maramba, Asuncion. Philippine Contemporary Literature in English and Filipino. Bookmark Inc., Makati City. 1990.

Ferdilyn C. Lacio et.al.. 2008. The Literature of the Philippines (Revised Edition). Rex

Saba,T.et.al. A worktext in English 5-Philippine Literature. Liceo de Cagayan University.

Literature defined. 1.  Importance of Literature 2.  Literature and Its History 3.  Literary Compositions that have influenced the World 4.  Qualities and Genres  of Literature The Pre-Colonial Times 1.  Historical Background 2.  Genres  of Literature The Poetry 1.  Definition 2.  Types of Poetry 3.  Figurative Expressions 4.  Denotation and Connotation Selected Pieces 1. Tungkong Langit and Alunsina 2. Bi-ag ni Lam-ang 3. Hinilawod 4. Indarapatra at Sulayman 5. Chit-chirit-chit 6. Ang Huling El Bimbo 7. The Ignorant Poor Man

The Prose 1. Definition and Importance 2. Types of Prose The Short Story 1.  Definition and Importance 2.  Elements of Short Story 3.  Types and Qualities of Character Portrayal 4.  Meaning and Message in Themes 5.  Symbolism The Spanish Colonization 1. Historical Background:komedya, the sinakulo, the sarswela Selected Pieces 1. Mi Ultimo Adios 2. Two letters of Urbana and Feliza 3. Si Miss Phathupats 5. The Lover's Death 4. Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog 6. Holy Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Verse

The Essay 1. What is an Essay? 2. Elements of an Essay The Novel 1. What is a Novel? 2. Elements of a Novel The American Colonial Period 1. Historical Background Selected Pieces 1. Dead Stars 2. The Fence 3. Footnote to Youth 4. How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife. 5. Bayan Ko 6. My Father Goes To Court 7. The Small Key 8. On the Road to Edsa Requirements 1.        E-mail address 2.        Quizzes and Group Oral Presentation 3.        Term Exams 4.        Film Analysis 5.        Essays and Literary Critique 6.        Teaching Demonstration

The Drama 1.   Types of Drama / Play 2.  Elements of Drama Literature Under the Republic 1. Historical Background 2. Famous Authors Literature After EDSA 1. Famous Authors Modern Literature of the Philippines 1. Famous Authors Selected Pieces 1. The Nanking Store 2. Hidden Injuries of the Poor 3. The Crown Jewels of Heezenhurst 4. The Emperor's New Underwear 5. Red ang Luha ni Michael

HINILAWOD

a Panay epic 

Hinilawod is the oldest and longest epic poem in Panay. It is usually sung for a period of three weeks at intervals of two hours at night. It contains, in its complete form, some eighteen stories. Each story represents three generations.

In the eastern part of what is known as the Philippines, there lived a beautiful goddess named Alunsina, goddess of the eastern sea. Alunsina fell in love with an ordinary mortal named Paubari and she married him though she knew that marriage between heavenly persons and ordinary mortals was frowned upon.

When the marriage was discovered, Maklium-sa-t’wan, god of the plains and valleys, became angry. He vowed to make life miserable for the unfortunate couple. Together with other gods who felt insulted by the marriage, Maklium-sa-t’wan sent down raging storms and floods to the kingdom, of Paubari and Alunsina.

Fortunately, Suklang Malayon, the guardian of happy homes, had warned the couple beforehand. Heeding the warning, the two fled to the top of the Madyaas Mountains and stayed there until the gods had spent their wrath.

With the deluge over, the couple descended to the plains to live in peace and raise a family. Eventually, Alunsina gave birth to triplets. These three children grew up to become giants, all endowed with superhuman strength which they used for helping their parents and the people in outlying villages.

With their coming of age, Labaw Dingin, the eldest of the three, asked his parents, “Respected Father, O, my Beloved Mother, I ask your permission to go and seek a loving and industrious woman who will give me sons and daughters and who will serve you in your old age.”

“Go, my son,” replied the two. “Bring back a woman who will be a source of happiness for all.”

But bringing back the woman of his dreams was no easy task. To win his first wife, he had to vanquish Manalutad, a monster. For his second wife, he had to kill a hydra-headed giant named Sikay Padalogdog. And for his last love, Labaw Dinggin had to fight Saragnayan, the lord of darkness. For many moons they grappled with each other until Labaw Dinggin was overpowered. He was thrown into prison and there, he languished for many years until one of his children fought the lord of darkness and killed him.

When Alunsina’s second son, Humadapnin, heard of the maltreatment suffered by his brother, he set out to punish the people of the lord of darkness. He brought with him his trusted warrior Buyong Matang-ayon. Along the way, they met a sorceress named Pinganun-Pinungganum. The Sorceress had the taken the form of a woman so beautiful that in no time, Humadapnin was bewitched. Fortunately, Buyong Matang-ayon succeeded in breaking her spell and the two were able to escape.

Upon reaching the kingdom of Umban Pinaumbaw, they found their way blocked by a huge boulder. Because of this huge rock the people in the kingdom could not move about freely. The two friends tried to go around the boulder but it seemed that the rock grew wider with every step. They tried to climb it, but it seemed to grow higher with their every step. Seeing that the boulder could not be overcome by ordinary effort, Humadapnin put on his magic cape. Without much ado, he was able to lift the rock and put it out of the way. For thus great feat, he was awarded the hand of the princess.

Meanwhile, Alunsina’s third son, Dumalapdap, set out to win the hand of the beautiful Lubay-Lubyok Hanginin si Mahuyok---- the goddess of the evening breeze. After several minor adventures, he finally reached the palace where she lived. But this place was guarded by ferocious monsters.

The first was Balanakon, a two-headed monster. With the aid of a friendly dwende, Dumalapdap overcame this first foe. Hardly had he rested from this battle when a bat-like monster named Ayutang came hurtling down at him. No matter how he tried, Dumlapdap could not pierce the monster with his sword for its body was covered with thick scales. Finally, he inflicted a wound on the monster’s armpit, the only vulnerable part of the monster’s body.

Mortally wounded, Ayutang began growling in pain and gasping for breath. The earth beneath him quaked as he trashed about in agony. Suddenly, the earth split into two and swallowed up the hapless monster. The rocks in the area sank into the newly-formed sea but their surfaces stuck out and became the island of Panay.

With his hard-earned victory, Dumalapdap returned home accompanied by the beauteous goddess of the evening breeze. Meanwhile, the newly-formed land was apportioned among the brothers. Labaw Dinggin was made the ruler of Irong-Irong (Iloilo); Humadapnin, the king of Hantique (Antique); and Dumalapdap, the lord of the Aklan region. Thereafter, Alunsina and Paubari went to live in peace atop the Madyaas Mountains.

Life was Good, but then Everything Started Falling Apart

by Frank Krause

I'd like to tell you that what you’re about to read is really important and is going to impact your life. The truth is, I'm probably not going to tell you anything you haven't heard before, but let me encourage you to read it anyway.

Raised in a Christian Home
I was raised on a dairy farm in the Fraser Valley along with five sisters and one brother. It was a beautiful, quiet place. As a preschooler, I often took our dog along the creek to fish over the hill at the back of our property. My parents always taught me about God and his Son Jesus, so as I walked, I would often think about God. Was He bigger than my dad? How long was forever - longer than a Sunday morning service?

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The Frog in the Well

There was a frog that lived in a shallow well.

" Look how well off I am here ! " he told a big turtle from the Eastern Ocean. " I can hop along the coping of the well when I go out, and rest by a crevice in the bricks on my return. I can wallow to my heart's content with only my head above water, or stroll ankle deep through soft mud. No crabs or tadpoles can compare with me. I am master of the water and lord of this shallow well, What more can  a fellow ask ? Why don't you come here more often to have a good time ? "

Before the turtle from the Eastern Ocean could get his left foot into the well, however, he caught his right calw on something. So he halted and stepped back then began to describe the ocean to the frog.

" It's more than a thousand miles across and more than ten thousand feet deep. In ancient times there were floods nine years out of ten yet the water in the ocean never increased.

And later there were droughts seven years out of eight yet the water in the ocean never grew less. It has remained quite constant throughtout the ages. That is why I like to live in the Eastern Ocean. " 

Then the frog in the shallow well was silent and felt a little abashed.

Speech Communication Process

“The words you speak are reflections of your personality.”Anonymous

Man is a social being. Each has to get along with people every day. It is your ability to communicate that makes you different from all other living things. It is instrument for human interaction. It is your means of understanding, your tool for communicating with your fellow human beings.

 You communicate so much. You listen, speak, read and write every day. Of all these activities, it is in speaking where you are engaged more often. At least 60% of your active hours is spent in speaking. (Tan, 1997). You communicate with your parents, brothers, sisters, jeepney drivers, teachers, classmates and friends. For example, you start your day by asking allowance from your parents. In school, you ask your classmates some assistance in mathematics. Inside the classroom, you have to answer the question of your teachers.

Communication, therefore, is indispensible to you. Since communication is very much part of your life, you have to use it effectively.

Functions of Communication

1.        Speech communication connects one person with another.

2.        Speech communication develops high mental processes.

3.        Speech communication regulates speech itself.

4.        Speech communication as an important factor in the preservation of one’s heritage.

Nature of Speech Communication

Latin = communicare- which means to make common

Communication is the process of understanding and sharing meaning. Communication is considered a process because it is an activity, exchange, or set of behavior, not an unchanging static product. It is an activity in which we participate. Communication requires understanding. People involved in communication must understand what they are saying and hearing.

                Communication involves sharing. Sharing is a gift that people exchange. The sharing that occurs in communication is not necessarily a totally positive experience. We must remember that it can also be neutral and even negative. In the process of communication, the object of our understanding and sharing is meaning. The term meaning refers to that which is felt to be significance of something and is a more accurate and useful description of the object of communication.

Characteristics of Speech Communication

1.        Speech is Purposive

2.        Speech Communication involves Interaction

3.        Speech Communication is Transitory

4.        Speech Communication occurs in Specific Settings

5.        Speech Communication is Influenced by the fields of Experience of the Speaker.

6.        Speech Communication does not contain the Usual Cues of Writing.

Types and Level of Communication

1.        Intrapersonal Communication Process

This refers to the communication process that operates within the communicator. This range from simple thinking, meditating, reflecting or talking to oneself.

2.        Interpersonal Communication

This is the transactional process of exchanging a message. This is between people. This usually but not always, occurs face to face.

a.        Dyadic Communication

b.        Small Group Communication

c.        Public Communication

Communication Process and the Key Elements:

A. Sender – The communicator or sender is the person who is sending the message. There are two factors that will determine how effective the communicator will be. The first factor is the communicator’s attitude. It must be positive. The second factor is the communicator’s selection of meaningful symbols, or selecting the right symbols depending on your audience and the right environment.

Question: Name some of the ways we communicate.

B. Message – A communication in writing, in speech, or by signals

C. Receiver – The receiver is simply the person receiving the message,

making sense of it, or understanding and translating it into meaning. Now think about this for a moment: the receiver is also a communicator. How can that be? (When receiver responds, he is then the communicator.) Communication is only successful when the reaction of the receiver is that which the communicator intended. Effective communication takes place with shared meaning and understanding.

D. Feedback – Feedback is that reaction I just mentioned. It can be a verbal or nonverbal reaction or response. It can be external feedback (something we see) or internal feedback (something we can’t see), like self-examination. It’s the feedback that allows the communicator to adjust his message and be more effective.Without feedback, there would be no way of knowing if meaning had been shared or if understanding had taken place. Communicating is not an isolated series of one skill, it involves several skills. For example, speaking involves not only getting your message across but also being able to listen and understand what others are saying (active listening) and observing the verbal and nonverbal clues in order to monitor the effectiveness of your message.

Barriers of Communication

Have you ever been talking to someone and they misunderstand what you were saying? Why do you think that happens? (Give learners the opportunity to share their experiences.) At any point in the communication process a barrier can occur. Barriers keep us from understanding other’s ideas and thoughts. Barriers can appear at any point of the communication  loop.  There are two types of barriers—internal and external. Examples of internal barriers are fatigue, poor listening skills, attitude toward the sender or the information, lack of interest in the message, fear, mistrust, past experiences, negative attitude, problems at home, lack of common experiences, and emotions. Examples of external barriers include noise, distractions, e-mail not working, bad phone connections, time of day, sender used too many technical words for the audience, and environment. Barriers keep the message from getting through. When communicating, watch out for barriers. Monitor the actions of the receiver. Watch her body language; check to make sure the message the receiver received is the one sent—ask questions and listen.

Environmental factors

Communication can be influenced by environmental factors that have nothing to do with the content of the message.  Some of these factors are:

• the nature of the room, how warm it is, smoke, comfort of the chair, etc
• outside distractions, what is going on in the area.
• the reputation/credibility of the speaker/writer.
• the appearance, style or authority of the speaker.
• listener's education, knowledge of the topic, etc.
• the language, page layout, design of the message.

People remember:

• 10% of what they read
• 20% of what they hear
• 30% of what they see
• 40% of what they hear and see

"Good Riddance"

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while

-Green Day-

Is the Philippines ready for K+12?

The current System of Education in the Philippines is in the brink of extinction, for a new Education System is being proposed. The existing system of 6 years in Elementary, and 4 years in Secondary before entering Tertiary is being challenged. In fact, a major reform in the Education System is on the horizon, and this shall radically change the way Filipinos are educated.

Many queries arise because of the new system. Students, parents and even educators doubt the effectiveness of the K+12. Contrarily, the Department of Education does not want to be stopped and is determined to pursue the program. On a reform as massive as this, it is expected that the opinions of the people are divided; after all, it depends in the K+12 on how the Education of the country will progress.

It is proper then that the public be educated about the issue. Parents must know about this because in it depends the Education of their child; students must know about this because in it depends the way on how they would be educated; and educators must know about this because in it depends how they’ll educated the students.

The purpose of this essay is straightforward: to inform the public about the issue and present my arguments regarding the K+12. I will embark upon the effectiveness of the implementation of K+12, not necessarily the effectiveness of K+12 as a system. In Education lies the future of a society; it is appropriate then that the students be educated properly, because their individual as well as societal growth depends in it.
What is K+12 and why would we implement it?

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