THE FOLK LITERATURE OF CEBUANO

THE FOLK LITERATURE OF CEBUANO

A term paper submitted to

English Department

Mindanao State University

General Santos City

In partial fulfillment

For the requirement in

Survey of Philippine Literature

Amen, Jhoanna Marie E.

Ochavillo, Pearl Joy N.

Ombajin, Mariz T.

Rocha, John Rey Es.

October 14, 2014

1. What folk literature do Cebuano find most appealing? Why is this so? What does this tell of them as a people?

            Cebuano people are believed to be religious. Evident to this is that before even in the present time, near the entrance of the church are the vendors who sell Sampaguitas to offer to the saints and some of the books like “Gozos” or religious hymns, books which tackles about the lives of the saints and the “Napta” or the horoscope are very common to the Cebuano tribe.

            All of those are appealing to the Cebuano because it defines their identity as religious people. But according to the one we interviewed, the most appealing to him is the “Napta” or what we commonly called as horoscope. He even showed the “Napta” to us. In that book, you could read the fate of the people with accordance to what stars they are born to. This implies that the Cebuano people are hopeful people and strongly believed in their fate; it’s either you’re lucky or unlucky. He also said that, at the end it is your choice either to believe or not to your fate. It just serves as your guide in your existence in this world. In the end, it’s you who decides your fate with the guidance of the Divine Providence.

2. Discuss the role that folk song plays in lives? Is it still a strong significant part of their folklore?

Of all the literary types, only poetry is represented by the folk songs, riddles and proverbs which they managed to retain the indigenous sense of values because of the mode of conveying its message. Folk songs, an important part of literature, give the reader an insight into the various aspects of life and customs of the Cebuano forebears. The reader may find the impulsive and casual expression of the real nature and spirit of the Cebuano. A number of songs show the Cebuano interest in the different aspects of their natural environments such as the colors, songs and characteristics of birds.

The songs possess a remarkable lyrical quality. Like the song “Si Pilemon” where Pilemon is a fisherman who worked near the seashore to catch a small fish and sell it to the market where after he sold the small fish for small amount of money he usually went for his friends to buy “tuba” where most fishermen are contented with these simple living.

Yes, indeed folk songs play a significant role in the lives of the Cebuano for they show what kind of people the cebuanos are and how simply they live their lives. According to some of the Cebuano people that we interviewed the song “Si Pilemon” is one of the favorite folk songs their ancestors wanted to sing during the time because it simply distinguishes their identity as a tribe in the society. Cebuano: a group of people whose way of living is simple yet they have the satisfaction in their hearts.

3. How vital is Lapu-Lapu to their culture?

The Cebuano folk literature is primarily a blended culture of the visayan domain. Their Folk Literature is the combination of the different tribes in the Visayas Island.

The colourful and fascinating literature of pre-Hispanic Filipinos are still here,  giving the new generation an overview of a heritage that is an unusual and invaluable source of joy and information regarding the lifestyle, love and aspirations of early Filipinos. It is from these, wonderful Philippine epics, where a Filipino can find his or her national identity.

 The "Hinilawod" is an epic poem made by the early inhabitants of Iloilo, Aklan and Antique also from Panay. The hero of Hinilawod, “Humadapnon” was of divine ancestry. He had super natural powers and guardian spirits to protect him. His most exciting adventure was his search for Malitong Yawa Sinamagling Diwata: A beautiful maiden whom he saw in his dream. He boarded his golden boat, sailed amidst dangerous seas, and was captured by an enchantress/engkantada. Finally, he found and won the love of Malitong Yawa Sinamagling Diwata.

This epic hero is vital in the Cebuano literature because it portrays how the Cebuano people fight for their love despite of all the hindrances that takes place. It shows the great love he had for the woman he loved which also describes the traits that the Cebuano men possessed. It is from these epic that a Filipino especially the Cebuano can feel heroic, truly pulsating with splendor of a magnificent and authentic cultural force.

4. Is there literature still an Elan Vital to the Cebuano? Show proof.

            When we asked this question to Mr. Faustino Taylaran, a Cebuano whom we interviewed, he answered positively as he said, “Oo, naa gyud ka-uswagan ang Cebuano labi na sa mga kanta.” This is very true in our society today in terms of Cebuano songs which evolved in different genres in present. Before, the Cebuano songs are mostly in mellow genres where it takes a singer with a golden and a wide-range voice to sing; songs like “Lagkaw”, “Usahay”, “Matud nila” and etc. are just some of the examples. But, in the present time, as the product of modernization the Cebuano songs also evolved in a different genre wherein the new generation can sing with; songs like “Bisan pa”, “Balay ni Mayang”, “Ayaw palabi ‘day”  and etc. are just some of the songs which are the product of the modernization.

            These songs are simply the proofs that the Cebuano literature, specifically their folk songs really evolved through time. It is not only the tune of the song which evolved but also the message of the song that the composer/singer is trying to convey to the audience.