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Life and Works of
ALEJANDRO R.
ROCES
May N. Cordova 1
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Subject Teacher Core Subject
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Alejandro R. Roces
Alejandro R. Roces was a Filipino literary writer. He was born on July 13,
1924.
He was a playwright, an essayist, and a short story writer. He was also a
columnist at the Philippine Star, the Manila Times, and the Manila
Chronicle.
He attended the Ateneo de Manila University for his primary and
secondary education and the University of Arizona where he earned his
degree in fine arts. He pursued further studies at the following institutions:
Far Eastern University (master’s degree); Ateneo de Manila University,
Polytechnic University of the Philippines, St. Louis University, and Tokyo
University in Japan (doctorate).
May N. Cordova 2
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Subject Teacher Core Subject
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Alejandro R. Roces
He was known for his short story "We Filipinos Are Mild
Drinkers," a story about an American soldier in the Philippines
who brags about his drinking habits, but becomes overly drunk
after drinking lambanog offered by a Filipino farmer.
From 1961 to 1965, he served as the Secretary of Education
under the regime of former president Diosdado Macapagal. He
has also served as chairman of the Movie and Television
Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in 2001.
May N. Cordova 3
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Subject Teacher Core Subject
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Alejandro R. Roces
His other literary works are "My Brother’s Peculiar Chicken," a story
which talks about two brothers who were arguing whether the
chicken they caught was a hen or a rooster; Something to Crow About,
the first Filipino zarzuela in English about a man named Kiko who
earns a living by means of cockfighting; and Fiesta, a collection of
essays about various Philippine festivals.
Alejandro R. Roces was conferred as National Artist for Literature in
2003.
He died on May 23, 2011.
May N. Cordova 4
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Subject Teacher Core Subject
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Alejandro R. Roces
Read the synopsis of “My
Brother’s Peculiar Chicken”
below, one of Alejandro R. Roces’
notable works.
May N. Cordova 5
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Subject Teacher Core Subject
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Alejandro R. Roces
Humor is a literary device which aims to make the audience or
readers laugh or be amused. Alejandro R. Roces employed humor in
most of his works. There are various types of humor. Some of which
are exaggeration/hyperbole, surprise, and sarcasm.
Sarcasm – is a literary device used to mock. In the story, the chicken
crowed and Kiko triumphantly asked his brother if he heard it. Kiko
then mocked his brother by saying “I suppose you are going to tell me
now that hens crow and that carabaos fly.”
May N. Cordova 6
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Subject Teacher Core Subject
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Alejandro R. Roces
Exaggeration/Hyperbole – is a literary device used to make an event
appear better or worse than what it really is. In the story, Kiko’s
brother shared how they were almost whipped for arguing too much.
Surprise – is a literary device commonly found in unlikely situation
or an unexpected turn of events. As the brothers ran from the mob,
Kiko’s brother was convinced that the chicken was a rooster based on
how it defeated its opponent, until it laid an egg.
May N. Cordova 7
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Subject Teacher Core Subject
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Alejandro R. Roces
Alejandro R. Roces was best known for
his short stories, "My Brother’s Peculiar
Chicken" and "We Filipinos Are Mild
Drinkers." He employed humor in most of
his works, usually tackling the Filipinos’
fascination of cockfighting.
May N. Cordova 8
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Subject Teacher Core Subject
