A Sense of Pride and Representations: Figures of Speech Analysis on Selected Poems

Poetry serves as a profound and evocative medium, capable of expressing complex emotions, cultural identities, and deeply held beliefs through the artful manipulation of language and imagery. Through its use of vivid literary devices, poems can encapsulate personal experiences while also reflecting the broader societal, religious, and cultural values of a community. This study presents an in-depth analysis of selected poems by Restituto Acapulco, a celebrated poet from Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental. Employing a textual analysis approach, the research focuses on the use of various figures of speech, including synecdoche, hyperbole, metaphor, personification, simile, metonymy, apostrophe, repetition, imagery, and alliteration, within five of Acapulco's notable works. These poems are examined for their cultural and religious significance, particularly how they reflect the faith and spiritual practices of the local community. The findings of this study reveal how Acapulco’s poetic language not only expresses individual artistry but also serves as a representation of the religious culture, faith, and devotional activities of the residents of Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. Through this analysis, the research uncovers the deeper meanings embedded in the poems, which resonate with the region's cultural pride and religious traditions.