The Maragtas Epic

 

The Maragtas Epic

 

AUT AUTHOR HOR-- DEP DEPEND ENDEN ENTT APPRO APPROACH ACH Moral/Philosophical Moral/Philosop hical Theory

 

Moral/Philosophical Approach

“Sinabi ni Datu Sumakwel kay

Datu Puti ang suliranin at balak na paglaban ni Datu

The Epic of Maragtas teaches

Paiborong. Ayaw ni Sumakwel

us how avoidance can

sa paglaban. Ipinasiya nina

sometimes be the best choice

Sumakwel ang tankang pagalis nilang sampung datu sa

in dealing a problem.

Borneo.”

 

Stepping back to avoid a “Isa Isang ng hat hating inggab gabi, i, lula lulan n sa

problem is not always a

kanila kan ilang ng mga bin binida iday, y,

cowardly decision but can be

puma pu mala laot ot ng da daga gatt an ang g

a choice for the greater good

sampung samp ung dat datu u kasam kasama a ng

especially when head on

kani ka nila lang ng mg mga a as asaw awa a at mg mga a

confrontations that can lead to

anak an ak at bu buon ong g pa pami mily lya a pa pati ti mga ka katul tulong ong.”

violence and can harm not only your enemy but also your loved ones.

 

But of course, running away is not a permanen permanentt solution. “Is Isan ang g ar araw aw la lama mang ng

There will really be a time that

pagka pa gkatap tapos os mak makara aratin ting g sa

you will need to face your

Taall ay um Taa umali aliss na si sina na Dat Datu u Pu Puti ti

problem but not being directly

at Pinampan Pinampangan gan upan upang g

involve for a while can also

buma bu malilik k ng Borneo.”

help you think and work things out on your side and be ready for when the time comes.

 

THEME 1:

Rather than quickly approaching the problem at hand it is best to consider all the factors involved to see the best decision the situation really needs. It is not cowardly to avoid confrontations if it means avoiding violence and choosing the safety of others, but always take in mind that avoidance is only a temporary solution and directly facing the problem should still be addressed.

 

TEXT XT-- DE DEPE PEND NDEN ENTT APPRO APPROAC ACH H TE Structuralism

 

Semiology SIGNIFIER

SIGNIFIED

Sultan Makatunao

Abuse of power and authority

Sampung biniday o barangay

The 10 datu or leaders who led the quest of finding freedom in foreign land.

A leader who shows cruelty and maltreatment among his people is like a colonizer who imprisons his own citizens within the walls of injustice and immorality.

 

SIGNIFIER

SIGNIFIED

Dagat (Sea)

A daunting force or obstacle that the 10 datu and their companions must face to achieve freedom

Embidayan

Treaties and compromises

In any change that we want or in any dream we wish to achieve, there will always be hindrances and difficulties. It is up to us to have grit in what we do to get what we seek.

 

SIGNIFIER

SIGNIFIED

Panay and Taal

New beginnings or starting of a new chapter in life

Buto at Binhi (Seed and Seedling)

Freedom

In order to attain freedom peacefully, there will be a lot of compromises to be made.

 

THEME 2:

Freedom is only achieved through determination determination and perseverance as like any other dreams of man. The only difference is that freedom cannot be bestowed easily, it is acquired by abolishing the manipulator, establishing a new administration, and changing the mind-set of the people involved.

 

READ RE ADER ER-- DE DEPE PEND NDEN ENTT APPROA APPROACH CH Reader’s Response

 

The epic started by introducing the setting of Borneo and the cruel Sultan  Makatunao who rules it. Examining this first part will let us understand that not only the Datus but also the people under the Sultan’s rule feel like a prisoner inside their own

country. Deciding to escape rather than challenging Makatunao' s authority, the Datus were able to give their families and comrades a new beginning in Aninipay after being able to buy island. To avoid violence and unwanted deaths, their choice to escape is the wisest decision for them. But unfinished business is still needed to be addressed and that is what Datu Puti did when he decided to come back to Borneo with his wife after seeing that that the other Datus are already in good places.

 

THEME 3:

Maragtas showed showed how a wise decision and good thinking can provide solution to a conflict.

 

GRAND THEME In facing oppressors or conflicts, we must always think first of all the factors involved, create different plans, and ponder the possible consequences. Afterwards, to gain the change that we want, we must do the work.