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.