LESSON 1

LITERARY PERIOD OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

1. PRE-COLONIAL ERA (EARLY TIMES-564)

This is the literary period before the coming of the Spaniards and considered as the first and longest literary
history among the other periods.

The discovery in Tabon cave in Palawan in 1962 of a skull cap and a portion of a jaw presumed to be those of a
human being shows conclusively that man came earlier to the Philippines.

Oral literature marks the birth of literature in the Philippines. Different stories of myths, folks and narratives
meant to be sung were passed hand in hand orally. Oral literature serves to be their language of life and their way of
promoting cultural language. Their riddles, proverbs and other forms of poetry were based on their community and real
life experiences.

Syllabary or alibata was probably of Sanskrit or Arabic Provenance. It is consisted of seventeen symbols, or
which three were vowels standing for the present five vowels and fourteen consonants.

1.Pre-Colonial Poetry
Early forms of poetry during the pre-colonial era were meant to be recited in a manner of songs and chants.

a. Proverbs (Salawikain)
These are truths and wise sayings express in a language that is popularly known. These are often called
expressions of wisdom which is based on common sense and real life experiences.
b. Tanaga
A poem in quatrain containing seven syllables each line with a monorine.
Example:
KAIBIGAN
Emelita Perez Baes
Palay siyang matino,
Nang humangi’y yumuko;
Nguni’t muling tumayo,
Nagkabunga ng ginto.
c. Folk Song
This is a form of lyrical expression created by people according to their region.
d. Riddles (bugtong)
This is a game in a form of mystifying question and a mind puzzle intended to be solved.

2. Prose Narratives
Prose narratives were created in order to give an explanation about a certain natural phenomena. These are
stories of mythological creatures, legends and humans with supernatural power transmitted orally and preserved as
part of the region’s history.
a. Epic-This is a long narrative poem about quests and exciting adventures of a hero with unusual strength and
power.
b. Myth-This is a story of gods and goddesses told using a traditional explaining mysteries, beliefs and cultural
practices.
c. Fables-These are stories intended to teach human values with animals as major characters attributing human
qualities.
d. Legends-These are stories explaining origins handed down from the past and passed through different
generations. This is believed by some people but not proven scientifically.
e. Folk tale-This is an imaginative narrative story told by ancient group of people.

2.SPANISH-COLONIAL ERA (1565-1898)

The Spaniards attempted to teach Filipinos the Spanish language for they wanted their poems and other
writings play a major role in the society. The first Filipino alphabet called alibata was also replaced by the Roman
Alphabet.
 During this period Filipino writers started to write articles about the negative impacts and effects of colonization
in the country. Literary works during this era follow a universal theme of religion and other social isuues.

The natives were called Indios during this time. Church authorities headed by the friars were spreading church
doctrines during holy masses using Spanish language. In 1953, Doctrina Christiana was the first book published in the
Philippines. It was a collection of prayers written in Spanish translated in Tagalog.

Brought by the language influence of the Spaniards, the natives or the Indios became fluent in both Spanish and
Tagalog. Ladinos is the term used for native literary writers.

In the next century, members of the middle class decided to wage their propagandas and started to create
reforms to show their concern to the country. Their main goal is for Spain to grant assimilation in the Philippines and
recognize it as one of their provinces.

Graciano Lopez Jaena was known to be highly intelligent man of his age. His most famous writing is tale
entitled “Fray Botod”. Botod means Botyok in Filipino Language. The second word of his title means a big-
bellied man. The character of the protagonist symbolizes the abusive and immortality of the friars. He also
became the editor of the newspaper “La Solidaridad”.

Marcelo H. Del Pilar founded the nationalistic newspaper called “Diariong Tagalog” . He was known to be the
“Master of Tagalog language” and tried to awaken the consciousness of the masses to act as a unified people.
In 1882, his writing career took place as he wrote of patriotism revealing the sad state of the country. As he
joined the other propagandists in the year 1888, he began writing pamphlets ridiculing the administration of the
friars regarding injustices towards Filipinos.

Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas) is a genius writer of Tagalong poetry. He is known for his poem “Florante at
Laura”. In this poem, the way he described Albanya as the setting, reflected the tyranny of the Spaniards during
the Spanish-colonization era.

Jose Rizal was popular for his two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The first novel was entitled
“Noli Me Tangere” which means (Touch Me Not). He describe is as a “work of the heart”. It was a story of love
and aspiration s of a Filipino. The protagonist name “Crisostomo Ibarra” was a representation of himself. El
Filibusterismo was his second novel, the title means (The Traitor). He describe his second novel as the “work of
the mind”. In his second novel, he did not just expose the dirty secrets of the Spanish government and abusive
side of the friars but also predicted a revolution between Filipinos and Spaniards.

Aside from being theicons of revolution, Andres Bonifacio the husband of Gregoria De Jesus who is known as
the “Father of Katipunan” showed his patriotism and poetic side as he wrote the poem “Pag-ibig Sa
Tinubuang Lupa” while Emilio Jacinto who is addressed as “The Brains of Katipunan” who wrote political
essays using folk language.

3. AMERICAN-COLONIAL PERIOD (1899-1945)

It was evident during the period of American occupation in the Philippines that the public school system was
their biggest contribution in the country. Thomasites were American soldiers who come to the Philippines to become
teachers. Another great influence of Americans on the cultural life of the Filipino was the adoption of the American
language in the national language. English was chosen to be the second language of the country nowadays. This period
also introduced the English Alphabet.

During the colonization of the American, Filipino writers greatly enjoyed the freedom of expression. American
authorities also prescribed some plays to be performed onstage such as: Kahapon, Bukad Ngayon by Aurelio
Tolentino, Hindi Ako Patay by Juan Matapang, Tanikalang Ginto by Juan Abad and Walang Sugat by Severino
Reyes.
 The development of the Filipino literature rose continuously during this period. Since English language became
the medium of instruction in all schools, literary writers decided to use English as a form of creative expressions in their
writings. Some essayists and poets during this period were: Juan F. Salazar, Bernardo P. Garcia, Maximo M. Kalaw,
Tarcila Malabanan and Francisco M. Africa.

With the combination of language and nationalistic themes during the American time, this period signaled the
growth of Philippine literature. New uprising generation of writers continued producing literary work reflecting Filipino
culture and beliefs such as: Manuel Arguilla’s “How my Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife” follows the way of
living of the Ilocanos, Jose Garcia Villa’s “Footnote to Youth” reminds the young Filipinos about the consequences of
early marriage.

Faustino Aguilar’s “Pinaglahuan” and Lope K. Santos “Banaag at Sikat” used other significant theme s like
stories of love and social justices. Other literary authors during this period are Idelfonso Santos, Alejandro Abadilla,
Jose Corazon De Jesus, Brigido Batungbakal, Genoveva Edroza Matute and Claro M. Recto.

4. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD (1946-PRESENT)

Japanese did not resist the emerging progress of Filipino literary activity. Before the occurrence of the World
War II, Filipino literary writers began writing about the pre-war social problems of the country. But in 1920’s it had
been neglected in favor of fantasy and romances brought by the influence of American colonization. During the first
years after the liberation, few literary magazines appeared Malaya, Ilang-Ilang, Sinag_Tala, Liwayway and Bulaklak.

During 1920’s, short stories became the favorite literary type of prose among the Filipino writers. However, in
the 1930’s decade, the post-American Independence inspired Filipino writers to follow the footsteps of some of the
prominent writers of English Literature such as William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Earnest Hemingway and
William Faulkner. Some writers still to continue the style and manner of writings of these authors. Genova D. Edroza-
Matute, Macario Pineda, Elpidio P. Kapulong, Hilario Coronel and Pablo N. Bautista wrote literary articles that had
been included in short story anthologies. In the same year, Alejandro G. Abadilla collected and edited “Mga Pilang
Katha” while Genova D. Edroza-Matute wrote “Ako’y Isang Tinig” which is a collection of stories and essays.

In 1951, more Filipino literary writers were encouraged to produce more literary writings. It was also this
period, when the prestigious award-giving body for literature was founded the “Carlos Palanca, Sr. Memorial for
Literature.” The best stories for each year were picked by the literary editors who submit their entries to the Board of
Judges. Other writers who became nominees for this award were: Idelfonso Santos, Teodoro Agoncillo, Alejandro
Abadilla, Jose Corazon De Jesus, Brigido Batungbakal and Teodoro Agoncillo for his anthology “25
Pinakamahusay na Maikling Kwento”

During the latter years, poetry had been dominated by the other literary forms of prose. Alejandro G. Abadilla
who was known to be one of the est poets of his century wrote other genres of literature for he believed that there was
no assurance of being an agent poetry. In 1955, “Parnasong Tagalog” written by Abadilla became the first major
anthology of poetry. Not contented with his work, in the same year be brought out his collection of verse entitled “Ako
ang Daigdig at Iba pang Tula.” However, Haiku, a pattern of poetry which follows 5-7-5 syllables per verse with
themes talking about nature, caught the interest of some Filipino poets.

Amado V. Hernandez was addressed as the greatest post-war Filipino poet. He wrote “Dipang Langit” in 1961
and “Bayang Malaya” in 1969. Before his death in 1970, he won the Republic Cultural award and National Artist Award
in 1973.

In 1987, our alphabet that had gone many changes was developed from the 26 letters of English alphabet to the
Modern Filipino Alphabet.