Alamat ng Langaw(The Legend of fly)

Alamat ng langaw

Segundo D. Matias, Jr.

©2012

Lampara Publishing house

Be appreciative around of you.

   

   By: Lee, Yujin

  

 The story of the book, ‘Alamat ng Langaw’, is the origin of the name ‘langaw(fly)’. In the old days, there was a king who had a rather bad habit. Aside from being arrogant, King Lang-ao was very hard to please when it came to food. He was gluttonous, choosy, wasteful, and he never wanted any dish served twice. Because of this, his loyal cook got angry and cursed him. Bathala and the other gods and goddesses quickly responded and the curse immediately took effect. Finally, King Lang-ao became a fly.

The author of the book, ‘Alamat ng Langaw’, is Segundo D. Matias, Jr. For his children’s story, ‘Alamat ng Duhat(The legend of the Java Plum), Segundo D. Matias, Jr. won first prize in the 2011 Don Carlos Memorial Awards for Literature. He has also written teleplays and screenplays. He has written a various ‘Legend’ series like ‘Alamat ng Langaw’, ‘Alamat ng Duhat’, ‘Alamat ng Lamok’ and etc. Lampara Publishing house and the author defined legend as a part of Filipino life and culture. Legends, like myths, are stories that explain the origins of things and occurrences according from them. They said that early Filipinos used legends and myths as means of understanding their environment.

I think the most memorable highlight that appeal to emotions and sense of values is the scene that had a change on King Lang-ao’s body. I felt the extremely delightful when he was punished by Bathala and all the gods and goddesses for his wrong behavior. Because I was so irritable when King Lang-ao barked and appraised about the food even though he didn’t eat. I understand how Senyang feel when Lang-ao barked with his appraisal of her work.

In the storybook, there are two main characters, King Lang-ao and Senyang the Cook. King Lang-ao is irresponsible. He never took care about his kingdom as a king. He is dependent to others, especially to Senyang. And he is selfish. He doesn’t care about others. He only cares about only himself. Senyang is the exact opposite character of King Lang-ao. Senyang the Cook is patient. Even though King always tells her that the food she prepares for the King is tasteless. She is responsible unlike King Lang-ao. She always does what is expected to her. And she is appreciative for the things. She values the food she prepares.

The book or the story wants to tell the readers some values in life. First is to be contented and appreciative on the things that you have. Because, not all people are blessed like you. People are unsatisfied with the thing what they have already. We complain of the thing what we have, but that thing can be the important or eager thing to someone. Next is to give importance and do not waste food because it is precious. Like in this story, food doesn’t have enough values for King Lang-ao, but it is very important for Senyang’s children. Last is to be good and be concerned with other people. People around of you are the one of the precious things for you to live life well.

I recommend this book for children’s education. Illustration of the book is attractive and colorful. Children, especially girls, like colorful things. This book is very brief and concise. And it uses two languages, English and Filipino. Children who are not familiar with English, they might learn English by the book. It also helps that children will learn about values that would help them to become better individuals. They can get a lesson from the book. Or they can improve their imagination skill with the story. I think book is the one thing can imagine or have experiences that we can not experience in real life.  As you know, development of childhood will be affecting the children’s whole life. For the children to improve their whole life, adults or parents could teach them good reading behavior and habit. If you want that your children would like books in the future, you could teach them right way of reading books and the books that helpful for them to improve. 

 * My name is Lee, Yujin, 19 year-old, Korean. I am the second year of BS PSY in Miriam College.