THE ODYSSEY RETOLD

 

        Odysseus' Adventure began after the fall of Troy. After the 10-year bloodshed, the Greeks finally defeated the Trojans. All thanks to the crafty engineer of the WOODEN HORSE. Victory over the Trojans made Odysseus so proud that he thought he was invincible; that even Poseidon can't stop him from seeing Ithaca again. This blasphemy angered the gods, especially Poseidon.
        They departed from Troy with their head and hearts painted with the images of Home, Ithaca. They reached the Island of Ismarus, the land of the Ciconians. Odysseus and his men set foot on a bountiful island. Odysseus instructed his men to take only what they need. The Ciconians, on the other hand, were not so happy with all the looting going on. So, they attacked the Greeks in their sleep. Those who survived, including Odysseus, hurried back to their ships.
        They sailed on to wander the vast waters. They saw land and this time, they hope there are no more attacks. They were welcomed by hospitable women. They offered them LOTUS to eat. When the men got a taste of the lotus flower, they began to feel good. Too good, actually. They became high. Worse, they forgot all desires of going back home. Odysseus and some of his sober men had to drag those who seem not themselves back to their ships.

        From the land of the comely Lotus-eaters, Odysseus' fleet has found land again. They found a cave, where there was plenty of cheese. They decided to stay there for the night. Then, they heard loud stomps approaching the cave. It was the Cyclops Polyphemus. The men cowered in fear at the sight of the gigantic one-eyed monster. They thought of going out of the cave but Polyphemus closed the cave with a huge rock only he can carry. Odysseus, who introduced himself as "No Man",  courageously offered the cylops wine.  Polyphemus liked the taste of it and asked even more until he got drunk and fell asleep. 

       While the monster was fast asleep, Odysseus ordered his men to help him sharpen a log. Once the log already had a pointed end, they pierced it through the monster's eye. Polyphemus cried in pain. He grabbed some of Odysseus' men and crushed them. He ran towards the cave opening and moved the huge rock that covers it. He called to his brothers and said, "No Man has harmed me!" His brothers hearing this thought Polyphemus was crazy and they just went on with their chores. Odysseus and his men successfully came out of the cave. They ran straight to their ships and sailed away in haste.

        As the ships sailed away, Odysseus shouted to tell Polyphemus of his real name. Polyphemus then, called on to his father, Poseidon, for help. He threw a huge boulder which almost sank Odysseus ship. In addition, Poseidon sent huge waves to Odysseus' journey to express his wrath for what he did to Polyphemus.

        From the Island of the Cyclops, they reached Aeolia, the land of King Aeolus -   keeper of the Winds. When Odysseus came to ask for his help, he gladly summoned all the troublesome winds into the leather bag. He instructed Odysseus never to open it unless they've reached Ithaca. 

       In a long time, they've had a smooth journey and they've almost reached Ithaca when Odysseus' men thought that the leather bag may have contained treasures. When Odysseus fell asleep, they opened the bag releasing all the Winds which caused a tumultuous weather. They were drifted far, faraway from Ithaca.

     They came back to King Aeolus to ask the same favor but the king refused. They sailed away unsure where the waves may drag them to. They reached the country of the Laestrygonians, ruled by Antiphates.  The Laestrygons were giants and cannibals as well. Odysseus' men were devoured as soon as they've  docked. Odysseus seeing the terror that had become of his men ordered to turn his ship away from the island. Odysseus lost his fleet and only his ship was saved. 

        When Odysseus and his crew reached Aeaea, he asked his men to scout the area. Moments later, Eurylochus came back in a hurry as though he'd seen a ghost. He said his comrades were turned into swine by an enchantress.

        Little did they know that it was the land of Circe, a witch who turns men into beasts, Odysseus was determined to rescue his men, so he set on to trek the steep mountains. On his way up, he met Hermes. He warned him about Circe's enchantment. He told Odysseus to eat molly, a poisonous herb, to counter the enchantment.

        Odysseus did as he was told. He drank wine from the cup Circe prepared for him. When he didn't turn into an animal, Circe fell on her knees and begged him to stay if he wants to see his men again. He agreed. Circe did her end of the bargain turning Odysseus' men back to their true form. 

       They feasted, drank, danced and forgot how long they've stayed. When Odysseus realized they've been doing nothing but be drunk, he bade Circe goodbye and readied his men to leave, but she insisted they should stay. Odysseus was persistent, so with a heavy heart, she gave them instructions to go to the underworld to search for the Prophet Teiresias.

        Odysseus followed Circe's instructions as to how to get to the underworld. When they reached the portal, Odysseus slew a sheep and put it's blood in a cup. As he walked into the fiery and dark place of Hades he met souls of the fallen warriors of the Trojan war. He also met his mother, Anticleia, who told him that his wife, Penelope, had remained faithful to him but suitors came flocking his palace. Odysseus was disheartened with the truth that her mother died in grief for the long wait of his homecoming. 

        Odysseus went on and saw Teiresias, who drank the sheep's blood he brought. The prophet foretold that he shall come home in due time and that he shall never harm the OXEN of the Sun. With such news Odysseus carried on with his journey.

        They passed through the Island of the Sirens, whom Circe warned them about. She told them to  cover their ears with beeswax in order not to hear the sirens' melodious voice, which was believed to be fatal. They lived in a meadow surrounded with bones and decaying human bodies. However, Odysseus wanted to hear what the Sirens' songs are about. He told his men to tie him tightly into the ships' mast. When he heard the song he began to desire to jump off the ship and be with the sirens but he was tightly tied. 

        They have passed the isle of the Sirens safely but they must be cautious when they get to the passage between Scylla and Charybdis. Scylla, the twelve-footed monster, devoured six of Odysseus' men. They were so focused on watching out for Scylla that they forgot Charybdis, the whirlpool, which tends to suck ships into the depths of the seas.              However,they were lucky to have escaped the pangs of Charybdis and went on to journey the vastness of uncertainty.

         Uncertainty brought them to see a glimpse of hope. They reached the Island of the Sun. Odysseus very well recalled the warning of Teiresias not to harm the oxen that roam their. He ordered his men never to touch any of the oxen while he was away to pray. At first, the men were determined to follow their masters order but the longer they stayed the hungrier they became. So, they slaughtered an ox to satiate their hunger. 

        Helios, the Sun god, was angered at this sacrilege, so he asked Zeus to punish Odysseus. Zeus then sent a lightning bolt that hit Odysseus ship hurriedly leaving the island. Only Odysseus survived in the unforeseen circumstance.

        Odysseus, dehydrated and unconscious, drifted in the island of the nymph, Calypso. Only women dwelt in the island and Odysseus was the first man they've seen in over a hundred years. Calypso took care and fell madly in love for Odysseus in seven years but Odysseus never really loved her back. His thoughts were of his wife, Penelope. 

       Odysseus, spent most of his time by the shore wondering how he could and when he could ever get to see his home, his wife and his son. The gods took pity on him. Zeus called a gathering of the gods; all came except Poseidon. Zeus ordered that Odysseus must be sent back home and he asked Hermes to deliver the message to Calypso.

Calypso was hesitant but she is nothing compared to the gods, thus she must comply. So she commanded her maidens to build Odysseus a raft and gave him provisions. When the raft was ready, Odysseus set sail.

        Odysseus' voyage away from Ogygia started with a fine weather not until Poseidon decided to send him waves which destroyed his raft and everything in it. Odysseus again, shipwrecked, was washed out to the land of the Phaeacians, ruled by King Alcinous and Queen Acrete. There he met Nausicaa, the princess, who gave him instructions as to how to get to the palace and that he should find the queen, her mother, first.

        It was in Phaeacia that Odysseus retold his adventures. The king, with the queen's advice, agreed to help Odysseus to get home. He ordered his subordinates to prepare a ship to send him to Ithaca.

        With the Phaeacians' help, Odysseus, at long last, came home to Ithaca. He went straight to Eumaeus' house as he was warned by Athena about his wife's suitors. Eumaeus, Odysseus ever loyal swineherd, introduced him Telemachus, Odysseus' son. Odysseus devised a plan on how to enter the palace without being noticed. So he disguised as a beggar.

        Meanwhile in the Palace, Penelope hosted a contest; to string the bow of Odysseus and successfully shoot through 12 axe handles. Whoever wins will be her husband but Penelope knows no one is up to the task because only Odysseus and Odysseus alone can string the bow and shoot through 12  rings of axe handles.

        All the suitors tried in vain. So the beggar (Odysseus) tried to string the bow. At first, they laughed at him but when he successfully did the task they were all terrified. The tension heightened when the beggar transformed into Odysseus himself. After shooting the arrow through 12 axe handles, he shot at the suitors and killed them all.

        Odysseus, Penelope and Telemachus finally lived as a family again, after 20 long years.

First published in 2016

TYPES OF EVIDENCE USED IN ARGUMENTATIVE TEXTS

In reading and writing, strong arguments are built on evidence. However, not all evidence carries the same weight or serves the same purpose. Some evidence is based on facts, while others come from opinions, experiences, or expert claims.

TYPES OF EVIDENCE BY SOURCE

Not all evidence has the same strength. Some evidence is highly reliable because it is based on data or verified sources, while others are weaker because they are based on opinions or personal experiences. 

Type of Evidence	Most Effective Way to Use It in an Argument	Best Use in Writing
Self-evidence Generally accepted facts or widely known truths	Use as a foundation or starting point to build an argument	Opening statements, background information, establishing common understanding
Anecdotal evidence Personal stories or experiences	Use to make ideas relatable and emotionally engaging, but not as main proof	Supporting examples, introductions, illustrations of a point
Authority evidence Claims from experts or credible organizations	Use to strengthen credibility and support claims with trusted voices	Supporting arguments, reinforcing claims, validating ideas
Empirical evidence Data, research, observation, or experiments	Use as the strongest support for proving claims and convincing readers	Main supporting evidence in arguments, research-based justification

 

The Structure of Argumentative Texts

 Informational texts like argumentative texts are organized in a clear way to help writers present and support their ideas effectively. They usually begin with a claim, followed by reasons and evidence that support the claim. Some texts also include a counterclaim to show an opposing view, and end with a conclusion that restates the main idea and strengthens the argument.

This structure helps readers easily understand the writer’s position and follow how the argument is developed.

HOW IDEAS ARE DEVELOPED IN ARGUMENTATIVE TEXTS

Argumentative texts develop ideas by presenting important points, supporting them with details, and connecting them to real-world issues. Understanding how these elements work together helps readers follow the writer’s reasoning and recognize why the argument matters in society.

The Sender's Voice in Transactional Texts

 Writers make intentional choices in how they express themselves in letters. These choices shape how a message is received and understood by the reader. 

In transactional communication, this is known as the SENDER’S VOICE, which includes diction, style, tone and register, point of view, and sentence structure.	Letters use tone and style to sound appropriate  Letters follow clear structure and organization  Writers use word choice and sentence structure to communicate meaning All these are already being talked about in the previous lessons and units. Could you recall what they are?
What makes a letter clear, appropriate, and effective for its reader?

Structure of a Formal Correspondence

 Here are the parts of a formal letter using the context of a transactional text particularly a letter of complaint.

Aside from the parts of a letter, writers also follow different LETTER FORMAT STYLES to organize how a letter looks on the page. These format styles affect the alignment of text, paragraph structure, and overall presentation of the message.

Different situations require different formats. Formal letters usually follow structured and professional layouts, while informal letters may use more relaxed and traditional styles. Understanding these formats helps writers present their messages clearly, appropriately, and in a way that matches their purpose and audience.

Format Style	Description	Key Feature	Types of Letters Used	Role / Purpose of the Format
Block Style	All parts of the letter are aligned to the left margin	No indentation; clean, straight layout	Formal letters (complaints, business letters, applications, requests)	Ensures clarity, professionalism, and easy reading in official communication
Semi-Block Style	Paragraphs are indented, but other parts are left-aligned	Mix of block alignment and indentation	Formal and semi-formal letters	Balances readability and traditional formatting; still professional but less rigid
Indented Style	First line of each paragraph is indented	Traditional handwritten-style format	Informal letters and personal correspondence	Creates a relaxed, personal feel suitable for friendly or casual communication

Rama's Journey: A Retelling of the Ramayana

 

Long ago in the kingdom of Ayodhya, there lived a prince named Rama. He was known throughout the land for his wisdom, courage, and kindness. The people admired him, and many believed he would one day become a great king.

Rama lived with his wife, Sita, whom

he loved dearly. He also shared a close bond with his loyal brother, Lakshmana. Their lives were peaceful until a series of events changed their future. Just before Rama was to be crowned king, his stepmother asked the king to fulfill a promise he had made long ago. She requested that her own son become king and that Rama be sent away from the kingdom for fourteen years.

Although the decision saddened him, Rama accepted it without anger. He believed that honoring his father's word was more important than claiming the throne. Sita and Lakshmana chose to accompany him into exile, and together they left the palace and journeyed into the forest. For many years, they lived a simple life among trees, rivers, and mountains. They faced hardships, but they remained united.

One day, their peaceful life was disturbed by Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka. Ravana had heard of Sita's beauty and became determined to take her for himself. Using deception, Ravana lured Rama and Lakshmana away from their shelter. While they were gone, he kidnapped Sita and carried her across the sea to his island kingdom.

When Rama returned and discovered that Sita was missing, he was overcome with grief. Yet he refused to lose hope. Determined to rescue her, he began a long search that would lead him on the greatest adventure of his life.

Along the way, Rama formed an alliance with a kingdom of vanaras, or monkey warriors. Among them was Hanuman, a brave and devoted warrior whose strength and loyalty became legendary. Hanuman volunteered to search for Sita. With a mighty leap, he crossed the ocean and reached Lanka. There he found Sita imprisoned in a beautiful garden guarded by Ravana's soldiers. Hanuman delivered Rama's message and assured Sita that help was on the way. Before leaving, he demonstrated his courage by challenging Ravana's forces and returning safely to Rama with news of Sita's location. Upon hearing Hanuman's report, Rama gathered his allies and prepared for battle. The monkey warriors worked together to build a bridge across the sea so that the army could reach Lanka. Soon, a great war began. Warriors fought bravely on both sides. The conflict tested the courage, loyalty, and determination of everyone involved.

Rama eventually faced Ravana in battle. Ravana was a powerful ruler with many strengths, but his pride and selfish desires had led him down the wrong path. After a fierce struggle, Rama defeated Ravana and brought an end to the war. The people of Lanka were freed from fear, and Sita was finally reunited with her husband. With the fourteen years of exile completed, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya. The people welcomed them with joy and celebration. Rama was crowned king, and peace returned to the kingdom. His journey became a symbol of courage, loyalty, sacrifice, and the triumph of good over evil.

For generations, people have shared the story of Rama's journey. Through his trials and victories, the Ramayana continues to teach lessons about duty, perseverance, and the importance of doing what is right even in difficult circumstances.

Reference

The Ramayana and Mahabharata translated by Romesh C. Dutt

A Glimpse of ANNE FRANK's Diary

 Anne Frank is one of the personalities in literature among many others that is etched in my memory since high school, though a bit vague, since we didn't really dig in that deep into her work. Or could be I wasn't paying attention that much, or my memory isn't that reliable. Either way, I remember her name and a glimpse of her diary. I remember that my literature teacher told us that she wrote the diary in hiding because it was WORLD WAR 2. 

Now that I have grown into a fully ripe adult, going back into that memory is not enough. So I have to answer the questions running in my head:

1. How old was Anne when she wrote the diary?

    Anne was 13 years old when she wrote her diary onto a checkered notebook gifted to her on her birthday.

2. Why did she address her entries to "Kitty"?

    She wanted her diary to be a friend and not just any piece of paper bound together filled with teenage musings.

3. How did the diary survive and eventually got famous?

    The diary was retrieved by two of the Frank family supporters. They then gave it to Otto Frank, Anne's father, when he finally returned from the concentration camp. Otto then went to extreme lengths to get his daughter's work published.

__________________________________________

Diary Entry: September 21, 1942

"Dear Kitty,

Now that I'm writing to you regularly, I like the idea more and more. 
It's so strange, but when I write, I feel as if I'm talking to a friend, 
a very close friend who understands everything. 

I'm going to start from now on by writing down everything that comes into my head, without worrying about whether it's silly or not. Up until now, I've just written things down as they happened, 
but from today on, I want to write letters. It's much nicer, and it feels 
as if someone is actually listening to me.

Yours, Anne"

                           __________________________________________

 

This specific text is considered part of "Version A" (her original, unedited diary entries)

before she began rewriting it into "Version B" for future publication.

You can learn more about how her father compiled these versions into

the book we read today directly on the

Anne Frank House overview of her complete works

Frank, A. (1995). The diary of a young girl: The definitive edition 

(O. H. Frank & M. Pressler, Eds.; S. Massotty, Trans.). Doubleday. 

(Original work published 1947).

PROM SPEECHES | Viva La Quinceañera

   BEQUEATHAL CEREMONY SPEECHES

Los Tesoros de la Quinceañera

SYMBOL	BEQUEATHING SPEECH PASSING THE SYMBOL - G10	ACCEPTANCE SPEECH RECEIVING THE SYMBOL - G9
Llave del Nuevo Camino  (Key to a New Path) 🔑	Meaning: The power to lead, make wise choices, and embrace new responsibilities. How to Write: Reflect on the responsibilities you embraced in Grade 10. Share lessons learned, and inspire Grade 9 to take on their new roles with courage and integrity. Starter: "Tonight, we present the Llave del Nuevo Camino -  Key to a New Path, a symbol that true leadership is not in holding authority, but in serving others with courage, wisdom, and dedication..." (Add a sentence or two to form your speech.) Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.) ¡Siempre con Corazón! (Always with heart.)	Meaning: Readiness to take on new roles, challenges, and responsibilities. How to Write: Express gratitude for this honor and your commitment to uphold the duties entrusted to you. Starter: "We gratefully accept the Llave del Nuevo Camino - Key to a New Path, understanding that stepping forward means embracing responsibility, learning from those who came before us, and walking with integrity and courage..." (Add a sentence or two to form your speech.) Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.) ¡Hacia Nuevos Horizontes! (Towards new horizons)
Ancla del Corazón Valiente  (Anchor of the Brave Heart)  ⚓	Meaning: Staying steadfast even in difficult times. How to Write: Share how hope helped your batch overcome struggles. Inspire Grade 9 to persevere and remain resilient in the face of challenges. Starter: "We bequeath to you the Ancla del Corazon Valiente - Anchor of Hope, a symbol of resilience that reminds us to stand firm even in the strongest storms..." (Add a sentence or two to form your speech.) Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.) ¡Siempre con coraje! (Always with courage)	Meaning: Strength in adversity. How to Write: Promise to carry this hope forward and support one another, demonstrating courage and steadfastness. Starter: "With gratitude, we receive the Ancla del Corazon Valiente -  Anchor of Hope, a promise that no matter the challenges ahead, we will remain steadfast..." (Add a sentence or two to form your speech.) Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.) ¡Con fuerza y esperanza! (With strength and hope)
Semilla de los Sueños (Seed of Dreams) 🌱	Meaning: Growth takes time; patience leads to success. How to Write: Reflect on the patience and small steps needed to reach this point. Inspire Grade 9 to nurture their dreams and persist toward their goals. Starter: "We entrust to you the Semilla de los Sueños -  Seed of Dreams, a symbol of steady growth and unwavering perseverance, reminding us that every small effort today blooms into the achievements of tomorrow..." (Add a sentence or two to form your speech.) Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.) ¡Siempre con esperanza! ( Always with hope)	Meaning: Commitment to personal and academic growth. How to Write: Pledge to nurture patience, work diligently, and care for your dreams as they grow. Starter: "We accept the Semilla de los Sueños - Seed of Dreams, knowing that true achievement comes not from haste, but from persistence and dedication, and that every effort we make today shapes the success of tomorrow..." (Add a sentence or two to form your speech.) Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.) ¡Hacia la Luz! (Towards the light)
Libro de los Recuerdos y Lecciones (Book of Memories and Lessons) 📖	Meaning: Education is a lifelong journey. How to Write: Acknowledge how knowledge shaped your batch, including lessons from experiences and challenges. Encourage Grade 9 to seek wisdom beyond textbooks and to value learning in every form. Starter: "This Libro de los Recuerdos y Lecciones - Book of Memories and Lessons holds not just classroom teachings, but the wisdom of experience, curiosity, and the many lessons we have learned together throughout our journey..." (Add a sentence or two to form your speech.) Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.) ¡Siempre con corazón y esperanza! (Always with heart and hope)	Meaning: Dedication to learning and personal growth. How to Write: Commit to valuing education, continuing the pursuit of knowledge, and using what you learn to make a positive impact. Starter: "We receive the Libro de los Recuerdos y Lecciones - Book of Memories and Lessons with open hearts, ready to continue the journey of discovery, growth, and enlightenment, embracing every opportunity to learn and make a difference..." (Add a sentence or two to form your speech.) Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.) ¡Con fuerza y esperanza!” (With strength and hope)
Corona de los Logros  (Crown of Achievements) 👑	Meaning: Achievement is earned through effort and perseverance. How to Write: Reflect on the triumphs and challenges your batch faced. Inspire Grade 9 to strive for their own victories and uphold excellence in all they do. Starter: "The Crown of Achievements is not just a symbol, but a reminder that every victory is built upon hard work, dedication, and perseverance throughout our journey..." Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.) ¡Siempre con esperanza! (Always with hope)	Meaning: Determination to achieve goals and uphold excellence. How to Write: Express gratitude for the symbolic crown and commit to striving for personal excellence, working hard to reach goals. Starter: "We accept the Crown of Achievements, not as a mere decoration, but as a challenge to push ourselves toward greatness, knowing that perseverance and dedication lead to true success..." Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.) ¡Con fuerza y esperanza! (With strength and hope)
Rueda del Esfuerzo  (Wheel of Effort) ⚙️	Meaning: Hard work and perseverance drive progress. How to Write: Share how your batch overcame struggles through dedication and teamwork. Inspire Grade 9 to embrace diligence and remain committed to their goals. Starter: "We pass on to you the Rueda del Esfuerzo - Wheel of Effort, a symbol of unwavering determination and the power of perseverance, reminding us that every step forward requires dedication and focus..." Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.)  ¡Con fuerza hacia el mañana! (With strength toward tomorrow)	Meaning: Commitment to diligence and perseverance. How to Write: Promise to work hard, remain focused, and carry forward the values of perseverance in all endeavors. Starter: "We receive the Rueda del Esfuerzo - Wheel of Effort with the promise that we will work tirelessly, never losing sight of our dreams, and always striving to achieve our goals through determination..." Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.)  ¡Con valor y constancia! (With courage and perseverance)
Antorcha del Futuro Brillante (Torch of a Bright Future) 🔥	Meaning: Wisdom guides and illuminates the path for others. How to Write: Explain that wisdom is not just knowledge, but discernment and understanding. Urge Grade 9 to use wisdom in their journey and inspire others. Starter: "The Antorcha del Futuro Brillante - Torch of a Bright Future we pass to you is not just a light, but a guide to making choices that uplift, inspire, and illuminate the path for others..." Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.)  ¡Siempre iluminados! (Always illuminated)	Meaning: Readiness to seek and apply wisdom. How to Write: Promise to carry the torch, use wisdom in decisions, and lead with integrity. Starter: "We accept the Antorcha del Futuro Brillante - Torch of a Bright Future, knowing that knowledge without wisdom is empty, and true learning lies in how we use what we know to guide ourselves and others..." Spanish Closer: (Say this at the end of your speech.)  ¡Con luz propia! (With our own light)