This document contains the paper presented at the Fourth International Conference on Asian Studies from June 11-12, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. The paper analyzes six Spanish poems translated to English that were written by Father Bernardino Melendreras, a Franciscan priest who served in the Philippines' Bicol region for 21 years. The poems provide insights into the history and culture of Bicol soil. Through qualitative analysis and using historiography, the paper examines the depictions of nature and people in the poems to reveal sociocultural aspects of the region. It recommends using such local literary works and histories as sources to teach Philippine literature.

1. Fourth International Conference on Asian Studies 2016, 11-12 June 2016, Toronto,
Canada (ICAS2016)

2. Sorsogon City, Philippines’ GPS coordinates :
Latitude – 12.9771, Longtitude – 124.0106
Fourth International Conference on Asian Studies
2016, 11-12 June 2016, Toronto, Canada (ICAS2016)

3. Dr. Sherill A. Gilbas
Sorsogon State College
Sorsogon City, Philippines
sheriillgilbas@gmail.com
Fourth International Conference on Asian Studies 2016, 11-12 June 2016,
Toronto, Canada (ICAS2016)
Dr. Magdalena M. Ocbian
Sorsogon State College
Sorsogon City, Philippines
ssc_magz@yahoo.com.

4. Background of the Study
Fourth International Conference on Asian Studies 2016, 11-12 June 2016, Toronto,
Canada (ICAS2016)
Father Bernardino Melendreras, a
Franciscan priest stayed and served in the
Philippines, in Bicol region for 21 years. His
book, Antologia Poetica, a collection of 54
Spanish poems serves as Hispanic heritage.
Six of the poems are translated into English
and regarded as forms of late 19th century
Filipino literary relations.

5. Objectives
Fourth International Conference on Asian Studies 2016, 11-12 June 2016, Toronto,
Canada (ICAS2016)
This paper’s objective is to identify
the history behind the materials with
an attempt to unravel their meaning
and reference to Bicol soil. As an
outcome, it hopes to provide
materials using historiography in
teaching Philippine literature.

6. Framework
Fourth International Conference on Asian Studies 2016, 11-12 June 2016, Toronto,
Canada (ICAS2016)
• One of the varying relationships of literary theory to
the literary text is the use of literature as a teaching
device.
• Hornedo’s four reality frames in teaching literature
are: literature as a theme, literature as aesthetics,
literature as script and literature as history.
• A history is a vehicle and a tool of the author in
dealing constantly with life’s struggles and society’s
expectations.

7. Methodology
Fourth International Conference on Asian Studies 2016, 11-12 June 2016, Toronto,
Canada (ICAS2016)
• Qualitative-descriptive type of literary criticism which
analyzes the content and context of the translated Spanish
poems to reveal the material and non-material culture as
well as historical facts.
• Historiography–contextual analysis to reveal the
sociological and historical background of the materials.
• New Historicism theory reconstructs literary texts as
historical objects by considering documents and methods
previously excluded from traditional literary and aesthetic
study.

8. Discussion of Results
Fourth International Conference on Asian Studies 2016, 11-12 June 2016, Toronto,
Canada (ICAS2016)
• The six poems under study clearly enunciate the nature
which the author, Fr. Melendreras views around him.
• The poems depict the nature of people in the milieu and
the poet’s both initial and final assessment of the place.
• The poem “Handiong” which is also written by Fr.
Melendreras has similar ideas about mountains and
animals. The said poem was first claimed as Bicol epic
with the title “Ibalong” but had been renounced and
proven as just another Spanish poem.

9. Conclusion and
Recommendations
Fourth International Conference on Asian Studies 2016, 11-12 June 2016, Toronto,
Canada (ICAS2016)
• The Spanish poems written by a Spaniard who stayed in
the place for over two decades can be considered as a
literary legacy to the Philippines, particularly to the Bicol
Region.
• Those poems may be used as reference of the future
generation in terms of historical background. They are
enough sources of images of the place, both physical and
cultural aspects.
• The use of local materials in teaching literature as
sources of local history is strongly recommended.

10. References
Fourth International Conference on Asian Studies 2016, 11-12 June 2016, Toronto,
Canada (ICAS2016)
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University of the Philippines, Quezon City. p. 61
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[4] Hornedo, F.H. 2000. Culture and Community in the Philippine Fiesta and Other Celebrations ,
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