Where to Find Philippine Legends or Alamats
If you are Philippine-based and have grade school-age kids, most likely, your kids will be asked to find some Philippine legends or what we call “alamats” for their homework. What is an alamat?
“Ang alamat ay isang salaysay hingil sa pinagmulan ng isang bagay o pook. Ito ay salaysay na hindi totoo or mahirap patunayan.”
In English, a legend is defined as: “a story that comes from long ago in the past and which is thought by many people to be at least partly true.”
Here are some of the books that we have used when our kids need to bring an “alamat” or a legend to school. These are all available at National Book Store.
1. Mga Alamat at Iba Pang Kuwento – ni Anna Adriano – this is ideal for younger kids. It already has lessons pointed out and also features review questions.
2. Mga 55 Piling Alamat ng Pilipinas – ni Pedro Cuasay – this is alright for older kids considering the length of the stories and the vocabulary used. It also features a glossary of terms and guide questions.
3. The Legends – compiled and edited by Damiana L. Eugenio – a comprehensive collection which can also be appreciated by adults interested in learning about Philippine stories and culture. The sections of the book are categorized according to: history, religion, supernatural beings, and places. The stories are in English though and if you are looking for “alamats” for your child’s Filipino class, chances are, it has to be in Filipino.