"Dead stars"

              Have you been in love? Have you been in a relationship? Love is the key word there. As many people said, love conquers all and love is everything yet love has it's own turning point where in it test us how strong and willing to face the big step of the mountains.

              The story revolves between the three characters, Alfredo, Esperanza, and Julia. It's a story that focuses the situation that each man has to go through in life. As  we read the story we could say that it is indeed a page turner because you will touch every heart. It does not only focuses on the idea of love but as well as how Alfredo understand and conquer himself. The mere fact that he will be choosing one from the two woman in his life will be the hardest decision. As we read the true story, we found out that true happiness is choosing and following your heart even if everyone don't. Because it is you who will create your own story that you wish for. Dead stars symbolizes things that are present but are left unspoken of. The love between Alfredo and Julia seemed real, but look closer and no one can state that it was hardly mutual, and that it was imposilbe to last. At night, we see the light of numerous stars but what we don't know is that some of the stars are already dead. When stars are dying, thier glow diminishes then eventually vanish.

             In a relationship, there are always trials that we may encounter, and those trials help us to strengthen the bond and spawn a closer relation towards one another. For everybody deserves to be love especially to be happy but, when our hearts begun to bet faster and choose the one, either we accept and face the reality or ignore the bet and learn to forget. Thus, identify the people who come into your lives and leave a big mark into your mind for some happened to come and go while others remained and continue to create a good and happy memories unexpectedly.

Differences and similarities of the stories Biag ni Lam-ang and Legend of Magat River.

        The two prose Biag ni Lam-ang and The Legend of Magat River have it's own story to portray in each reader's mind and heart. Biag ni Lam-ang is considered as an epic because of it's elements like hero of the story, quest/adventure, valorous deeds and divine intervention. Both have it's similarities and differences to be shown.

        Before we differentiate and contrast the two stories entitled Biag ni Lam-ang and the Legend of Magat River. Let's try to consider the four (4) elements of epic, (a) Hero of the story (b) Quest (adventure) (c) valorous deeds (d) Divine intervention. Between the two stories, only Biag ni Lam-ang was considered to be an epic. It is when Lam-ang came back to life after his roster crowed and his dog barked. Unlike the Legend of the Magat River, Magat drowned himself with his miseries in the stream and never came back to life. Shortly, Biag ni Lam-ang has a divine intervention that makes it an epic. From the story Biag ni Lam-ang he had his white roster and gray dog accompanying him on his journey while, Magat had only his spear to defend himself. Noticed the wife of Magat who doesn't have a name while Lam-ang who has Ines. Though, they both posses the determination, strength, and courage in becoming a hero of the story, only Lam-ang has the ability to speak and choses his name at the time he was born. The existence of their Great God Kabunian which was stated in the story of the Legend of the Magat River. Those are the differences between Biag ni Lam-ang and the Legend of the Magat River.

   

          Let's proceed now to the similarities or resemblance of the two stories. First, both stories had it's own hero which are Lam-ang and the other one is Magat. Secondly, they both journeyed and meet their quest. Next, both posses the determination, strength and courage to fullfil and overcome. Their long and dangerous adventure. Both extends help to the people that signifies valorous deeds. Briefly, though they we're not the same as the whole, one thing was prevailed the love, courage, and sacrifice of the men to protect his people and most specially his family (love ones).

Importance of studying Philippine literature in English.

In 1898 the sovereignty of the Philippines passed from Spain to the United States with capitulation of the city of Manila. A military government was set up by the Americans. Even during the war, schools were reopened in Manila. General Arthur MacArthur restored life to normal in Manila as soon as possible. At first English was taught merely a subject; the system of education set up by the Spaniards was allowed to continue.

However, in 1900, English became the medium of instruction as more and more schools were opened all over the Philippines. For lack of teachers, army men and their  wives became the first teachers. In 1901, however, the army transport Thomas brought in 600 American civilian men and women to teach in and supervise the new school system of the country. English literature and American literature were taught as regular subjects, and the writers then popular in England and America.

 Philippine literature implies important people, places and things that marked big to the Philippine history. Through the years, Philippine literature was developed and more valued by many because it inspires people. Studying literature involves reading, discussing, thinking and writing helping students to improve in those areas. It explores different human beliefs, ideas and societies. This allows people to learn about where they came from and how past events work to shape the different cultures. It awakens our mind on how Filipino before, try to dwell with different languages and try to learn it in order to express their thoughts and feeling. It is an additional tool that helps us develop ourselves as a student, as a person and as a citizen in our country. Thus, literature provides us a common knowledge that allows us to talk, share information and experiences as a productive student.

When we study literature we can get some aspects from it, just like a simple enjoyment and appreciation and the analysis and description of it. Just like when we listen to a song that appeals to the ear or read a book that appeals to the heart for a movement at least we discover a new world, a new place which is so different that it seems to be a place of dreams and fancies. To reach and enjoy this new place, we must learn to love literature. To analyze and explain them maybe less joyous but never the less, an important skill to develop.

Studying Philippine literature is so important because it portrays as a living language. Philippine literature introduces real life situations within the experiential background of the youth to the featured literary pieces. This is bringing us into such issues as environmental awareness, peace education and others. This is also telling us to the real human being, a human being having dual nature which is not only doers of actions but also dreamers of dreams.