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Pre-midterm exam constructed response

Why is there a need for people to read fiction and poetry?

Fiction has the power that no other forms of communication have. The power to understand other people’s perspectives and fully put the readers’ minds in the minds of the character. Good fiction runs deep into realms of philosophy and psychology and it is in delving into those books that we consume content that sharpens our intellect and builds our knowledge set. Reading, in general, does not only widen our intellectual stimulation but rather enhances our vocabulary.

Why is there a need for people to read fiction and poetry?

As a student, it is a necessity for us to learn new knowledge. These bits of knowledge are instruments for success. Take a look at fiction and poetry. They can develop an individual’s creativity and help their feelings be expressed. With this, people have the confidence to let their thoughts be known which will make the world a better place.

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Constructed response A composition

Think of a specific scenario watched, observed or experienced which proves the statement, “Reality is often stranger than fiction.” 

One scenario would be the recently recorded eruption of Taal Volcano. With thousands of evacuees being forced to leave their houses and livelihood behind, government officials are expected to coordinate and lend a helping hand. However, what is happening today is street vendors giving up a day of their income to provide food for the families. Farmers are donating the majority of their harvests and minimum wage workers are giving out free masks to the public. What is observed is the cruel reality of Filipinos doing the jobs of the Government.

Think of a specific scenario watched, observed or experienced which proves the statement, “Reality is often stranger than fiction.”

Fiction, nowadays, fantasizes about people’s imaginations. They tend to target what’s within the real world just to delve into the world of fiction. There are times that they find reality in fiction. They do this in order to fetch lessons, entertain themselves, or just daydream. Even I won’t disguise that I love fiction. I find devotion within fiction. It helps me escape the chaotic world. That’s why the phrase says, “Reality is often stranger than fiction.”

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Constructed response B Composition

Write a short vignette or a two-stanza poem to creatively present the specific scenario mentioned above.

THE BELIEFS OF THE YOUTH

I used to think we elected government officials to protect us.

That come what may, they would be there to stand with us.

But why is it that as I stand and look at the news,

Half of the world is telling me to change my views?

Is this what my country- my leaders have now come to?

Lots of money, lots of approvals but with nothing to do?

Can't they hear the loud cries of the people they swore to protect?

Or were those just a part of their propaganda so people could elect?

Write a short vignette or a two-stanza poem to creatively present the specific scenario mentioned above.

GLAMOURED FICTION

O fiction, my fiction

I fantasize your glamour

In this world full of hinder

I am in a different dimension

For you, my fiction, my devotion

So that’s why, reality is often stranger than fiction.

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Vignette written work

“TOXIC FAMILY MINDSET”

Yesterday, I went home from school.

Excitement filled me as I rushed into my parent’s room.

Finally, something I can show off.

I held my card on my chest when suddenly my dad said,

“Anak, wala na ba tong itataas?”

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Poem written work

DIFFERENT TIMELINES

Older generation, younger generation

To each with their own accord and a hint of desperation

Distinctive beliefs, distinctive principles

Tell me why exactly this seems unbridgeable.

Golden agers will tell you the cliche,

“Son, we did not do that back in our day.”

I suppose for every action comes dissatisfaction

For every answer comes the banter.

In the end, we seek to understand

their way of living,

which brings the question of

“are we really living?”

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Worksheet on literary tone, personal style, leads, and titles

UTANG NA LOOB

Family is constructed and often represented as the core institution in a person’s life. However, this isn’t the case for all families. Toxic Filipino culture may come in the form of shared preconceptions over simple matters—for instance, how skin color is used as an indicator of economic status, how parents see their children as trust funds, how the eldest often feels the most pressure and how English is used as a litmus test of one’s level of education.

Of course, these aren’t established correlations but with how Filipino families have been living their life in conjunction with their beliefs, it is deemed and often passed down as the truth or the norm. Toxic Filipino culture has also been used to describe family dynamics. Close family ties are tested when relatives feel free to comment on a member’s physical appearance, career or marital status. This is how usually happy family gatherings can become dreaded occasions. In terms of interpersonal relationships, toxicity is seen when parents emphasize a child’s obligation to them as they grow older. They stress this term of what we call, “Utang na loob” which roots from their belief that once put out in this world, it is imperative to give back and compensate for all years.

While these ideologies have always been the way, to challenge their place and purpose in our evolving society would be the fitting thing to do as future generations will be the beneficiaries of the changes we were bold enough to apply to our Filipino-style parenting, relating, and coexisting practices.

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Pre-final exam constructed response

CORONA NG WUHAN, CORONA NG BAYAN

“Sino ang uuwi ng Corona?”, tanong ko sa aking sarili. “Sila ata. Kami ata.” sagot ko rin sa aking sarili habang nakahilatay sa aking kama. Ako nga ba ay nababaliw na parang si Sisa o nasa tapat ko na talaga ang katotohanan? Mundong kulungan na ang ibabaw ay kalangitan. O inang bayan, bigyan mo ako ng kakalmahan. Ako’y batang-bata pa na isinilang sa mundong ibabaw at natataranta sa nakakapagpabagabag na katagang, “Corona ng Wuhan, Corona ng Bayan.”

OUTBREAK

Dr. Edsel Salvaba, director of the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Molecular Biology, released a statement saying, “The novel coronavirus is not fatal and that recovery is more likely than dying from the disease.” Tests showed that a 60-year old woman from Wuhan appeared to have recovered from the virus, resulting to this statement. Despite all of this, more than 200 cases are being monitored for possible exposure to those that have been confirmed- including a chartered plane that arrived early on Sunday with 30 Filipinos from Hubei probince in China. Salvana also mentions not to spread fake news as this only causes fear and panic from the public.

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LITERARY REPORTAGE

HIRAN

Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences student, James Loresto, performs for the Gimmick Presentation at Ateneo Ave, Naga, Camarines Sur on Monday, February 17, 2020. His role portrayed that of a deer, with an underlying theme of Australia’s wildfire that took place on January 13, 2020.

CRY

Grade 11 student, Charlene Bellen, paints her classmate’s gown, Hana Abad, as the latter competes for the HUGAS pageant at the Gymansium of Ateneo de Naga University on Friday, February 21, 2020. Illustrations about the war on drugs is seen as the contestant advocates for the termination of Extra Judicial Killings.

CAMARADERIE

Students of the Humanities and Social Sciences and General Academic strand assemble for the Orgullo week at Ateneo de Naga University on Monday, February 17, 2020. The shirt has a logo which symbolizes the unity and correlance of both strands.

VOICE

Students of the Humanities and Social Sciences and General Academic strand celebrate the Gimmick Parade at Ateneo Avenue, Naga, Camarines Sur on Monday, February 17, 2020. As the different sections marched towards the four pillars, chants of pride and victory made their way to be heard by the entire Ateneo community.

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Micromemoir

DEAD END

It was the 21st of December and snows were rapidly falling as light, white flakes creating a thick layer on the ground. I was sitting on my bed with a cup of cinnamon latte spice when a movement caught my peripheral vision. Outside the window, stood a man around his 20s. I noticed he was struggling to pull something and saw that his foot was stuck, desperately trying to get it out. An emotion of annoyance was evident as he tripped and lightly hit his head on the pavement. My hands instantly shot up to my mouth, trying to stifle a laugh but failed miserably as an uncontrollable laugh followed. Reaching over to my desk, I grabbed my latte and took a sip just as a knock came from the door making me drop my drink and open the drawer to my left, getting the knife on reflex. Moments of happiness from a while ago were gone as they were replaced with with shock, anxiety and fear. My knees are wobbly and every hair on my body stood up. I put the knife behind me and slowly crept my way towards the door. Get a grip, I thought. My head was pounding and seconds before I opened the door, I heard a voice. The chilling voice that has been haunting me for weeks already. I turned around and pointed the knife to my left, only to see a blank space. A voice spoke to my right and I point the knife towards the direction but it was yet again empty. Chills ran up my arm and I suddenly felt cold. I shook my head, I’m probably just sleepy, I tell myself. Just as I turned around, I saw a figure lunging their way towards me and I instantly screamed. A few seconds after, my scream was covered by another, only it wasn’t mine. It was Allie’s, my sister.

Screams of fear left as joy and excitement took over. Putting the knife back in the drawer, I squeled in delight. “Bloody hell! You could’ve let me know that you were coming over?” I lunge myself and engulfed her in a hug. How I’ve missed her. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I did!”, she began. “Here, hold this.”, she said, handing me the car keys. How come I did not notice that? “I’ll just get my luggage downstairs.” I waited. It took so long that I started to worry when I didn’t hear anything from her. It was so silent and empty that I felt like the walls were staring back at me. “Astrid, you here?”, I asked. Slowly, everything around me disappeared and I was again in my room with a cup of latte spice, looking out the window, just as a lad fell and hit his head. I clutched my stomach in laughter and walked to my bed. It’s a tiring day. Not realizing later, I fell asleep. I was disturbed by children laughing, muffled conversations and voices echoing. I woke up and and found myself in a different place. Everything was so dark. Heavy, almost. Examining my surrounding, I felt a bit lump in my throat as I looked at my sister’s name in the headstone. It could’ve been your 18th birthday.

“IKAW” SA ANIM NA SALITA

UNA, sa lahat ng taong puwede kong magustuhan. Bakit ikaw pa? Ikaw pa na napaka-kulit at parang walang pakialam sa pag-aaral basta makahawak ng bola. Oo, yan ang tingin ko sayo. Simula ng makilala kita sa isang institusyon na pinagsisisihan kong puntahan hanggang ngayon. Pero wala, tumibok ang aking puso sayo.

IKALAWA, ikalawang taon din natin sa institusyon na ‘yon. Ito rin ang taon kung saan nagsimula ang lahat at ‘yon ay dahil sayo. Mahimbing na gabi, ang mga bituin na kumikinang sa taas kasama ang kanilang ina. Mga salitang nanggaling sayo na nagpaliwanag ng aking mga mata at nagpaantig ng aking puso. “Mahal kita.”

IKATLO, sa paglipas ng araw ay akin ding pinansin ang iyong nararamdaman. Sa bawat hakbang mo papalapit saakin, parang ako na rin ay naguguluhan. Tanong sa aking sarili, “Sa dinamidami ng kagandahan sa mundong ibabaw, bakit saakin napadpad ang isang ikaw?”

IKAAPAT, sapagkat alam ko ang katotohanan, akin pa ring ipinairal ang katangahan. Dahil yun ang makabuluhang saysay ng pagmamahalan. Saglit, hindi nga pala ito pagmamahalan dahil sa pagmamahalan walang takot harapin ang gulo sa ating kasaysayan. Ikaw na sinimulan ang lahat ng ito, bakit parang ako lamang ang lumalaban para sa ating puso? Pilit na itinatago ang iyong nararamdaman upang walang husga ang iyong matanggap galing sa iyong kapaligiran.

IKALIMA, isa ka pa ring alaala, huwag kang mag-alala. Sinasabi ng aking mga kaibigan ay akin ka pa ring pinapahalagahan. Sapagkat kailangan nating lumisan upang atin itong maintindihan. Hindi tayo ang para sa isa’t-isa at ngayon ay tanggap ko na. Kasiyahan, iyan ang aking nararamdaman. Alam kong hanggang doon na lang. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na kailangang makapiling ka at magkaroon ng koneksiyon kahit isang pursyento lamang sa iyong kamundohan. Akin nang nasabi ang lahat tungkol sayo, sa pamamagitan ng dasal. Alam kong ayos ka at ayos ako. Doon, hindi na tayo magiging problemado.

IKAANIM, bilangin mo ito dahil ito lang naman ang gusto kong sabihin sa “ikaw” na nagpatibok ng aking puso. “Salamat sa pagkakataon kong mahalin ka!”

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Part 4 final examination

PADABA KONG INA

Maorag! Hundreds of Bikolanos gather for the celebration of Our Lady of Peñafrancia at Naga, Camarines Sur every second Friday of September. Amidst the scorching hot sun and jam-packed places, devotees stand their ground and continuously pray in Ina’s honor.

MIRACULO NG ISANG INA

Noong ikalawang Biyernes ng Setiyembre, naganap ang itinatanghal na engrandeng okasyon para sa mga Bikolano na itinatawag na “Pista ni Ina” sa lungsod ng Naga City, Camarines Sur. Sa bawat sigaw ng katauhan ng katagang “Viva La Virgen” ay ating dama ang kapayapaan sa ating Inang Bayan.

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Part 5 Final Examination

MATERNAL LOVE

My definition of love changed as I grew older. I used to think love meant 3 colorful flavors of ice cream all scooped into one cone. I used to think it was the different dolls I would so often receive on my birthday and the non-stop request for useless, impractical and expensive things. “Get anything you want as I love you,” she said. And so I did. But as I grew older, little did I know that the 3 colorful flavors of ice cream were from the little that she had. That the dolls I was so delighted to get were the product of sleepless, suffering nights; and the money she’d save up just to grant my wishes were the causes of skipped, past time meals. It was when I grew older that I realized love not meant the material things but the love, attention and care a person can give. Afterall, we have to remember that the most important things in life are free!

IROG

Ako ay isang mamamayan na nakadarama ng isang salitang gumumon sa ating Inang Bayan. Isang salitang naging pundasyon ng katauhan. Bumuo sa ating tirahan na kung tawagin ay ang Perlas Ng Silanganan. Kaibuturan sa ating mga puso ito’y namumutawi, bilog ma mundo, ito ang instrumento. Ang salitang ito ang simbolo ng pagkakaisa’t kapayapaan, irog ay ang pagmamahalan na ating kailangan.

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Reflection

ALTAREJOS

Writing used to be one of my greatest interests. I remember making poems on my notebook whenever I felt like the world was against me or whenever I would feel out of place. It became my safe haven where I was constantly scribbling down unuttered thoughts, conviction and aggravation. It was through this that I have found that the best way to grasp internal turmoil is to write. Some people have the luxury to tell a friend about what goes on in their day, while others do not. Writing has proved to be my friend. And so learning about the different structures, techniques and methods sparked a fire in me that I thought was once lost; because if I am going to be completely honest, writing has grew on me over the years. Pages filled with words from everyday’s affair went from habitually writing to intermittently writing to hardly. However, learning about CNF and seeing other people prosper from writing has encouraged me to get back to it as well. I told myself that I should start reading books again and to introduce myself to foreign texts that would revitalize my love for reading; and so that’s what I plan to do. All credit goes to CNF.

RITO

Sa totoo lang, aking inaamin sa sarili na wala akong kakayahan sa paggawa ng isang magandang komposisyon sa dahilang hindi ako isang manunulat. Pero nang aking natagpuan ang asignaturang Creative Non-Fiction at nabigyan ako ng daan upang mapag-aralan ito at isapuso, aking napagtanto na dahil sa asignaturang ito, ako ay naging bukas sa pagpapahayag ng aking damdamin sa pamamagitan ng pagsulat. Hindi ko ipinapahayag na ako ay naging isang magaling na manunulat, sa halip ay aking nakita ang aking malikhaing kakayahan pagdating sa asignaturang ito. Ako’y mapagpasalamat lalong-lalo na sa taong naitalakay ang asignaturang ito ng maayos at may puso sa kanyang kaibuturan, ang aming guro. Siya ang naging instrumento upang ako’y magumon saaking kakayahan sa pagsulat at maggamit ito hanggang sa aking hinaharap.