21st CENTURY LITERATURE
“There have been great societies that did not use
the wheel, but there have been no societies that
did not tell stories.” - Ursula K. LeGuin
“You cannot appreciate something you don’t
understand.”
Literature
- came from the Latin word litera which
means “acquaintance with letters”
- a body of work, either written, oral, or
visual containing imaginative language.
Literary Standards
1. Universality
- literature appeals to everyone, regardless
of culture, race, sex and time.
2. Artistry
- literature has an aesthetic appeal and
possesses a sense of beauty.
3. Intellectual Value
- stimulates critical thinking that enriches
mental processes of abstract and
reasoning, making man realize the
fundamentals of truths of life and its
nature.
4. Suggestiveness
- unravels man’s emotional power to
define symbolism, nuances, implied
meanings, images and messages, giving
and evoking visions above and beyond
the plane of ordinary life and
experiences.
5. Spiritual Value
- elevates the spirit and soul thus has the
power to motivate and to inspire.
6. Permanence
- literature endures across time and draws
out of time factor
timeliness: occurring at a particular time
timelessness: remaining invariable
throughout time.
7. Style
- literature presents peculiar ways on how
man sees life as evidence by the
formation of his ideas, form, structures,
and expressions which are marked by
their memorable substance.
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
Pre-Colonial Period
Baybayin
- pre-spanish Philippine writing system.
- term baybay means “to spell”
- attributed the name alibata but this
name is incorrect.
- the term alibata was coined by Paul
Rodriguez Versoza.
FORMS DURING PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
1. Folk Songs
- one of the oldest forms emerged in Pre-
Spanish period.
- mirrored the early forms of culture.
- many of these have 12 syllables.
examples:
kundiman: melancholic love song
kumintang o tagumpay: war song
dalit: song ritual usually sung to the
rhythm of a dance
uyayi o hele: lullaby
panambitan: courtship song
soliranin: song for travelers
talindaw: seaferer’s song
pamanhikan: song ritual of a groom to
his bride as he asks permission to marry
her
subli: dance ritual song of courtship and
marriage
popular song forms of Ilocanos
dallot o duayya: love songs
dung-aw: dirge or wake song
Bontoc in Mt. Province
bagbagto: song ritual for harvest
Ivatan in Batanes Island
laji, kanta, kalusan: sung after a day’s
work [palek: native wine]
2. Bugtong
- tagalog riddles
- made to rhyme and utilize talinhaga
- Ilokanos called it burburtia
3. Tanaga
- poem consisting of 4 lines with each line
equally having between 7 and 9
syllables
- traditional: 7 syllables
- modern: 8 or 9 syllables
- doesn’t have title because it should
speak for itself
Rhyme Patterns
AAAA (basic)
ABCA (freestyle)
AABB (sunuran)
ABAB (salitan)
ABBA (inipit)
4. Epigrams
- called Salawikain
- Sarsarita in Iloko
- serves as laws or rules on good
behavior
- lessons are IMPLIED
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Prof. Damiana Eugenio (Mother of Folklore)
classifies Philippine Proverbs into 6 groups
according to subject matter:
Proverbs expressing general attitudes
towards life and the laws that govern life
- example: Ang kapalaran ko di ko man
hanapin, dudulog lalapit kung talagang
akin
Ethical proverbs recommending certain
virtues and condemning certain vices
- example: Do not put off for tomorrow
what you can do for today
Proverbs expressing a system of values
- example: A lazy young man is like a
foul smelling meat
Proverbs expressing general truths and
observations about life and human
nature
- example: Huli man at magaling ay
naihahabol din
Humorous proverbs
- example: The love of an old man is like
a snail that crawls
Miscellaneous proverbs
- expressive of specic realities to a certain
area
5. Sayings
- also called Sawikain
- lessons are EXPLICITLY STATED
6. Bulong
- called pasintabi in Tagalog
- bari-bari in Ilokanos
7. Epics
- long narrative poems in which a series
of heroic achievements usually of a hero
involves supernatural forces or
phenomena
Examples:
Aliguyon or Hudhud: Ifugao
Biag ni Lam-Ang
Labaw Donggon
Aghu or Olahing
Sandayo
Bantugan: Maranao
Darangen: Muslim epic; longest epic
Kudaman: Palawan
Alim: Ifugao
Hinilawod: Panay
Ibalon: Bicol
Tuwaang: Manobo
SPANISH PERIOD (1565-1898)
A. Spanish Influences on PH Lit.
Alibata
- first Filipino alphabet replaced by
Roman alphabet
Lessons from Christian Doctrine
- became the basis of religious practices
Spanish Language
- became the medium of instruction and
literary language
Legends and Traditions from Europe
- assimilated in our songs, corridos, and
moro-moros
Ancient literature was collected and
translated to Tagalog and other dialects
Grammar books were printed in Filipino
(Tagalog, Visayan, Ilocano)
B. The First Books
The Christian Doctrine (Doctrina
Cristiana)
- first book printed in the Philippines
(1593) in xylography
- Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo
Nieva,in Tagalog and Spanish
- contains Pater Noster (Our Father), Ave
Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli (Hail
Holy Queen), and the Ten
Commandments of the Catholic Church,
The Seven Mortal Sins, How to
Confess, and Cathecism
Nuestra Senora del Rosario
- second book printed in the Philippines
(1602) by Fr. Blancas de San Jose
- printed in UST Printing Press with the
help of Juan de Vera, a chinese mestizo
- contains biography of saints, novenas,
and questions and answers on religion
Libro de los Cuatro Post Primeras de
Hombre (in Spanish and Tagalog)
- first book printed in typography
Ang Barlaan at Josephat
- first biblical story in the Philippines
- translated from Greek to Tagalog by Fr.
Antonio de Borja
- the printed translation has 556 pages
- translated to Ilokano by Fr. Agustin
Mejia
The Passion
- book about the life and sufferings of
Jesus, and is read only during lent
 4 VERSIONS
o Pilapil Version (1814)
- Mariano Pilapil, Bulacan
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o De Belen Version (1704)
- Gaspar Aquino de Belen, Bataan
o de la Merced Version (1856)
- Aniceti de la Merced, Norzagaray,
Bulacan
o de Guia Version (1750)
- Luis de Guia
Urbana at Felisa
- written by Modesto de Castro, “Father
of Classic Prose” in Tagalog
- contains letters of Urbana at Felisa and
has influenced the behavior of people in
society
Mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary)
- collection of songs praising Virgin Mary
- written in 1865 by Fr. Mariano Sevilla,
which became popular during Flores de
Mayo
C. Folk Songs
During Spanish Period, each region had
its national songs from the lowlands to
the mountains of Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao. Folk songs truly manifests
the Filipinos’ artistic feelings and innate
appreciation for love of beauty (e.g.
Leron-Leron Sinta, Dandansoy, Atin Cu
Pung Singsing, Pamulinawen, Sarong
Banggi)
D. Recreational Plays
Tibag
- means “to excavate”
- ritual to remind people about the search
of Saint Helena for the Holy Cross
Lagaylay
- special occasion to get together during
the month of May for the Pilarenos of
Sorsogon
- ladies are chosen or mothers volunteer
their girls to fulfill a vow or panata
during illness or even for a favor
received
Cenaculo
- dramatic performance to reenact the
passion and death of Jesus
- written in octosyllabic verse; 8 verses
per stanza
- it takes 3 nights to stage the full-length
version
 2 KINDS OF CENACULO
o Cantada
- chanted like the Passion
o Hablada
- lines are spoken
Panunuluyan
- reenactment of Virgin Mary and Saint
Joseph in search of an inn to deliver
baby Jesus
Salubong
- easter play that dramatizes the meeting
of the risen Jesus and His mother
Carillo or Shadow Play
- performed on dark nights projecting
cardboard figures before a lamp against
a white sheet
- figures are moved like marionettes
whose dialogues are produced by
experts and are drawn from corridor,
awit, or some religious plays
Zarzuela
- “Father of Drama”
- musical comedy or melodrama in 3 acts
which deal with man’s passions and
emotions like love, hatred, revenge,
cruelty, or some social and political
problems
Sainete
- short exaggerated musical comedy
performed by characters from lower
class
- themes were taken from everyday life
situations
Moro-Moro
- performed during town fiestas to
entertain and remind people of their
Christian religion
Karagatan
- poetic contest where a ritual is
performed about a legend of a princess
who dropped her ring in the middle of
the sea and who offered her hand in
marriage to anyone who can find it
Balagtasan
- poetic joust or contest of skills in debate
on a topic or issue
- held in honor to Fancisco “Balagtas”
Baltazar
Dung-aw
- wake song
- chant in free verse by a bereaved person
beside the corpse of the dead
- the person recites in poetic rhythm
according to his feelings, emotions, and
thoughts
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PHILIPPINE LITERATURE DURING
AMERICAN REGIME
 Filipino revolutionist won against
Spaniards
 Philippine flag was hoisted on June 12,
1898, symbol of independence
 Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was the first
president
 Americans colonized Philippines and in
1901, Aguinaldo surrendered
 Two developments in Education and
Culture during American Period
o introduction of free public instruction
for all children of school age
o use of English as medium of instruction
in all levels of education in public
schools
Features of Philippine Literature
 Spanish and Tagalog, and Vernaculars
- language used in writing during the first
years in American period
- predominated language
 Spanish Writers
- wrote about nationalism
 Tagalog Writers
- wrote about their lamentations on the
conditions of the country and their
attempts to arouse love for one’s native
tongue
 English Writers
- imitated the themes and methods of the
American
3 Kinds of Tagalog Poets accdg. to Julian Cruz
Balmaceda
1. Poets of the Heart
o Lope K. Santos
o Iñigo Ed. Regalado
o Carlos Gatmaitan
o Pedro Gatmaitan
o Jose Corazon de Jesus
o Cirilo H. Panganiban
o Deogracias del Rosario
o Ildefonso Santos
o Amado V. Hernandez
o Nemicio Carabana
o Mar Antonio
2. Poets of Life
o Lope K. Santos
o Jose Corazon de Jesus
o Florantino Collantes
o Patricio Mariano
o Carlos Gatmaitan
o Amado V. Hernandez
3. Poets of the Stage
o Aurelio Tolentino
o Patricio Mariano
o Severino Reyes
o Tomas Remigio
A. Philippine Literature in English
1. Period of Re-Orientation (1989-
1910)
- English as a literary vehicle came in
August 13, 1898
- English as a medium of instruction in
public school; American forces were
recruited the first teacher (1900)
- primary and intermediate grades were
using English; time when UP, the
forerunner in the use of English was
founded (1908)
2. Period of Imitation (1910-1924)
- UP College Folio published literary
compositions of the first Filipino writers
in English (1919)
- they imitate American and British
models which resulted to stilted,
artificial ang unnatural style, lacking
vitality and sponteinty
3. Period of Self-Discovery and
Growth
- Filipino writers acquired the mastery of
English writing
Filipino Writers during American Regime
1. Maximo Maguiat Kalaw (1891-1955)
- studied at Philippine Normal School and
UP wherein he became the editor of
Collegio Folio, first UP school paper
- Associate director of Manila Times,
professor of PolSci at UP, exchange
professor in University of Michigan
- Published works: Usapin ng mga
Pilipino (1915), The Development of
Philippine Politics (1926), The Filipino
Rebel: A Romance of the American
Occupation of the Philippines (1930),
The Philippine Question: An Analysis
(1931), An Introduction to Philippine
Social Science (1933), and Materials for
the Constitution (1934)
2. Faustino S. Aguilar (1882-1955)
- one of the first novelist to explore social
realism through literature in the
Philippines
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- His Pinaglahuan was a pioneer novel in
the Philippines according to Soledad
Reyes
- Pinaglahuan is his response against
imperialism and colonialism
- As a novelist, he authored the Tagalog-
language novels Busabos ng Palad
(Pauper of Fate) in 1909, Sa Ngalan ng
Diyos (In the Name of God) in 1911,
Ang Lihim ng Isang Pulo (The Secret of
an Island) in 1926, Ang Patawad ng
Patay (The Pardon of the Dead) in 1951,
Ang Kaligtasan (The Salvation) in 1951,
and Pinaglahuan (Place of
Disappearance) in 1906 (published in
1907)
3. Paz Marquez Benitez (1894-1983)
- author of Dead Stars, published in
Philippine Herald in 1925
- one of the founders of Philippine
Women College
- another story is “A Night in the Hill”
(1925)
4. Zoilo Galang (1895-1959)
- author of first novel in the Philippines,
“A Child of Sorrow”
- wrote and edited the first 10-volume
Encyclopedia of the Philippines
- Other notable works include "Nadia",
"For Dreams Must Die", "Springtime",
"Leaders of the Philippines", "Glimpses
of the World", "Life and Success",
"Master of Destiny", "Unisophy" and
"Barrio Life"
5. Amado Vera Hernandez (1903-1970)
- labor leader who was known for
criticism of social injustices and was
imprisoned for his involvement in the
communist movement
- writes in Tagalog for the newspaper
Watawat, write a column for the
Tagalog publication Pagkakaisa, and
become editor of Mabuhay
- Clodualdo del Mundo’s Parolang Ginto
and Alejandro Abadilla’s Talaang
Bughaw were included in anthologies
- In 1922, he became a member of the
literary society Aklatang Bayan which
included noted Tagalog writers Lope K.
Santos and Jose Corazon de Jesus
6. Manuel Arguilla (1911-1944)
- graduated in UP with a BS Education
degree
- author of “How my Brother Leon
Brought Home a Wife” which won 1st
price in Commonwealth Literary
Contest in 1940
- also wrote stories Midsummer and Heat
which was published in US
7. Juan Cabreros Laya (1911-1952)
- Filipino novelist and publisher
- founder of Inang Lupa publishing
- wrote novells and stories about his
country and native land
- awarded a Commonwealth prize
because of “His Native Soil”
8. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (1911-1995)
- wrote 41 published plays
- became the director Filipino Players
from 1941-1947
- founder of UP Mobile Theater
- delivered no less than 2500
performances in a span of 19 years
- he was appointed as UP Dramatic Club
director in 1947 and served for 16 years
Japanese Period (1941-1945)
 Newspapers during Japanese
colonization
o Tribune
o Philippine Review
o Pillars
o Free Philippines
o Filipina
 During this time, there was no freedom
of speech and of the press
 Victoria Abelardo described Filipino
writing during Japanese period as
pessimistic and bitter
Liwayway (weekly magazine)
- placed under surveillance until it was
managed by Japanese, Ishiwara
Voice of Freedom
- underground radio program used to
contact with the outside world
 Movie houses showing American films
were closed.
 Stage plays translated from English to
Tagalog were shown in big movie
houses
Translators:
o Francisco Soc Rodrigo
o Alberto Concio
o Narciso Pimentel
(They also founded the organization of Filipino
Playwrights)
o Jose Ma. Hernandez (Panday Pira)
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 o Francisco Soc Rodrigo (Pula sa Puti) Japanese Musical Mission
o Clodualdo del Munod (Bulaga) - held on 1943, headed by Kosak Yamada
o Julian Cruz Balmaceda (Sino Ba Kayo?, Metropolitan Theater
Dahil sa Anak, and Higante ng Patay) - became an important venue for cultural
 Haiku is usual and common form of event
poetry  Opera and Classical Music were
Haiku flourished during war
- 17 syllables divided into 3 lines (5-7-5) Philippine Orchestra
- allegorical - first all-Filipino orchestra
Tanaga - Francisco Santiago, conductor
- similar to haiku - all-Philippine symphonic program was
- short in measurement and rhyme with performed in July 1942
17 syllables Palanca Awardees for Literature
Short Story Writers during Japanese Period o Jose Garcia Villa
o Bridigo Batungbakal o Nick Joaquin
o Macario Pineda o NVM Gonzales
o Serafin Guinigundo o Bienvenido Santos
o Liwayway Arceo o Gregorio Brillantes
o Narciso Ramos o Gilda Cordero Fernando
o NVM Gonzales National Artist Award
o Alicia Lopez Lim o Jose Garcia Villa
o Ligaya Perez o Nick Joaquin
o Gloria Guzman
Short Stories who got the First 3 prizes POST WAR-CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
1st: Narciso Reyes’ Lupang Tinubuan (1945-Present)
2nd: Liwayway Arceo’s Uhaw and Tigang na The Rebirth of Freedom (1946-1970)
Lupa - Americans returned to the Philippines
3rd: NVM Gonzales’ Lungsod, Nayon, at Dagat- after the end of Japanese rule
Dagatan Philippine Literature during this period
Carlos P. Romulo  post liberation period wasmarked by
- outstanding writer of the period “struggle of mind and spirit”
- won Pulitzer Prize for his “I Saw the  Filipinos learned to express themselves
Fall of the Philippines”, “I See the more confidently
Philippine Rise”, “Mother America”,  Newspapers such as Free Press,
and “My Brother Americans” Morning Sun of Sergio Osmeña Sr.,
Journalists Daily Mirror of Joaquin Roces, Evening
o Salvador P. Lopez News of Ramon Lopez, and Bulletin of
o Leon Ma. Guerrero Menzi proves that there are more
o Raul Manglapuz readers of English
o Carlos Bulosan st
21 Century Readers
Nick Joaquin - grew up using technology as a primary
- author of “The Woman Who Looked learning tool
Like Lazaruz - capable of navigating and interpreting
Salvador P. Lopez digital formats and media messages
- “Literature and Society” (essay) - possesses literacy skills which includes
Juan Laya technological abilities such as
- “Native Soil” (novel) keyboarding, internet navigation,
Manuel L. Quezon interpretation of technological speak,
- “The Good Fight” (autobiography) ability to communicate and interpret
Other writers coded language and decipher graphics
o Juan Collas (1944) st
21 Century Literature
o Tomas Confesor (1945) - literary work created within the last
o Roman A. de la Cruz decade
o Elisa Tabuñar - written by contemporary authors

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 - deals with current themes/issues and
reflects aa technological culture
Literary Genre
- type or category of literature
- has a specific form, content, and style
4 Main Genres: poetry, fiction,non-fiction,
drama
Literary Technique
- literary device deliberately used by
writer to convey a specific idea
Motif
- object or idea that is repeated in a
literary work
Personification
- figure of speech in which inanimate
objects is given human qualities
Illustrated Novel
- presents images that tell some parts of
the story, while other parts are told in
words
Graphic Novels
- tells a story in a story in a comic book
format (e.g Batman: The Dark Knight
Returns, Alice in Sunderland,
Watchmen, Vendetta)
Doodle Fiction
- contains doodles and handwritten
graphics
- often adding humorous elements that
would be missing if the illustrations
were omitted
Slipstream
- “fiction of strangeness”
- features elements of fantasy, science
fiction, and serious fiction
- Philippine Speculative Fiction by Dean
Francis Alfar and Nikki Alfar, contains
stories that are slipstream fiction
- this kind of writing makes you feel very
strange
- falls between mainstream literature
- usually explores elements in a more
surreal fashion
Metafiction
- about fiction itself
- can be a story about a writer who writes
a story (e.g Illustrado by Miguel Syjuco
(2010), and Hari Manawari by German
Gervacio (2011)
- can be playful or dramatic, but always
forces readers to think about the nature
of storytelling itself and how fictional
stories are made

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