prepared by:Shirly F. Perez

Lesson 1

Building Bridges

What ideas come to your mind when you hear the word “self-reliance?” Think of other words that can be associated with “self-reliance.”

Self-reliance

by Estrella D. Alfon

English

She was born in Cebu City in July 18,1917. She was a storywriter, playwright, and journalist. In spite of being a proud Cebuana, she wrote almost exclusively in.She has won the Palanca Awards a number of times

Estrella Alfon writes about everyday life, but she captures the details in this dazzling, intense light. She could write about the ordinary and make it extraordinary.

English. She published her first story, “Grey Confetti”, in the Graphic in 1935

Estrella D. Alfon

Marcothe man who works in a bodega of copra who strive to self-studying reading and understanding English.the father of Paul and Vicente.the husband of Marcela

Marcelakind and loving wife of MarcoMother of Paul and Vicente

Martinbest friend, and co-worker of Marco for two years in bodega of copra.who is fund of reading secretly with him an English newspaper and translating it in Visaya and Spanish language.

Paul and Vicente

The two siblings of Marco who were both at he same first grade level in elementary due to Marco’s lack of knowledge in understanding, speaking and reading in English.

A.

Marco ought to have been used to the stifle of thebodega, its dust, its tang of the sea that rose from the maguey, the spoiled, moldy odor of copra, and

the smell of sweat from bodies unwashed, but every once in a while, he still had to leave his place at the

weighing scales to go out and gasp his fill of air in the alleythat ran by the bodega.

B.

Marco licked his lips again, and looked at the newsboy who stood near him,

thrusting papers at all the passers–by.

C.

Near a schoolhouse, they passed a group of loitering children. They had

abandoned a game of biko-biko marked in lines on the ground, and had grouped

around a little girl who read very loud and fast from a primer in her hands.

D.

At his meal, with his family, Marco regaled Marcela with the story of his

morning. He strung before her admiring ears all the phrases and sentences that

had been in his store, enriched with what Martin had contributed.

E.

At his meal, with his family, Marco regaled Marcela with the story of his

morning. He strung before her admiring ears all the phrases and

sentences that had been in his store, enriched with what Martin had

contributed.

F.

In the bodega that afternoon, the men took a respite, feeling so washed out by

the heat. Martin and Marco eagerly sough each other. Marco said, "How

much is 16 x 89?" Martin scratched his head and said, “Where did you get

that, Pare? Say it again in Spanish...” But Marco did not know. They went

back to saying small sentences in English, and Marco was happy again.

1. Describe Marco.2. Why did he want to learn English?3.What problems did he have in trying to learn

English?4. What details did the author use to emphasize it?5. How do you feel towards Marco's situation?6. What is the theme of the story?7. Why do you think the author chose English as the

title of the story?

Brainstorm on the importance of learning a second language especially English.

Dramatize one scene from the story which you like most.

Draw a comic script based from the story, English.

Thank you for listening!