State Universities and Colleges

Guimaras State University

Buenavista, Guimaras
GRADUATE SCHOOL

MODULE IN

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
(ENG 318)

INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

POETRY

Presented to:

FORTUNATO G. GEDALANGA, PhD

Professor

Presented by:

MARIANNE G. OJERIO
M.Ed. English
 State Universities and Colleges
Guimaras State University
Buenavista, Guimaras
GRADUATE SCHOOL

INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

III. POETRY

I. OBJECTIVES

• Appreciate the different characteristics of Filipino poems.

• Identify the poets who contributed in the development of Philippine literature in line to
poetry
• Understand the historical and literary development of Philippine literature in poetry.

II. PRE-TEST
Answer the following questions.
1. What is poetry?
2. Who are the poets who contributed in the development of the Philippine Literature?
3. Enumerate concurrent events in the Early Period of the Philippine Literature.

III. POETRY

A. Definitions
• It is a literature that evokes a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience or a
specific emotional response through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound and
rhythm.
• A collection of spoken or written words that expresses ideas or emotions in a powerfully vivid
and imaginative style. It comprised of a particular rhythmic and metrical pattern.

B. Poems

“Sursum Corda” (Hearts Lifted) by Justo Juliano

- the first known Filipino poem in English which appeared in the Philippines Free Press in
1907.
- This poem, along with others of that period, has been criticized as being too artificial
and overwritten in order to achieve intensity.

The early poems often borrowed images and similes from English or American poets.
 State Universities and Colleges
Guimaras State University
Buenavista, Guimaras
GRADUATE SCHOOL

Reminiscences by Lorenzo Paredes

- The first collection poems in book form, in 1921.

Never Mind published by Procopio Solidum

- It is a collection of Filipino poetry in English in 1922.

Filipino Poetry edited by Rodolfo Dato

- It is an anthology of Filipino poems in 1924. In 1926, Dato published his own poems in
Manila.

Azucena by Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion

- Azucena was published in New York in 1925.

- Most critics agree that Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion was a leading poet of the early
period.
- His poems reveal simple images with deep sensitivity and original thought.

C. Poets who belonged to the early period of Philippine Literature

Aurelio S. Alvero, Conrado B. Rigor,

Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion, Juan F. Salazar,
Rafael Zulueta da Costa, Abelardo Subido,
Luis Dato, Trinidad Tarrosa Subido,
Vicente L. del Fierro, Francisco G. Tonogbanua,
Virgilio Floresca, L.B. Uichangco,
Angela Manalang Marquez,
 State Universities and Colleges
Guimaras State University
Buenavista, Guimaras
GRADUATE SCHOOL

D. Some Concurrent Significant Historical and Literary Events in the Philippines

Year Historical Literary

1898 1898: American Forces occupy Manila

On January 29th Taal Volcano erupts, killing 1900: English becomes the official
1900 1,300 people and destroying 13 villages medium of instruction for all public
schools

1901 Civil Government is inaugurated with Judge

William H. Taft as Governor

1905: The Philippines Free Press is

founded

Establishment of the first Philippine

1907 Assembly. Sergio Osmeña serves as
speaker from 1907 to 1922

1908 University of the Philippines is founded.

1909 Manuel L. Quezon is appointed as Filipino

Commissioner to the United States

1910 :The College of Folio is published at

the University of the Philippines

1913 - Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison

1931 initiates policy of Filipinizing the
government

1920: Philippine Herald begins publication

1921: First Filipino novel in English, A
Child Sorrow, is written by Zoilo M.
State Universities and Colleges
Guimaras State University
Buenavista, Guimaras
GRADUATE SCHOOL

Galang

First Volume of essays in English, Life and

Success, is published by Zoilo M. Galang

1924: Philippine Education Magazine is

started. It is later renamed Philippine
Magazine

1925: The Philippines Free Press offers

literary prizes.

1927: The Writers Club is founded at the

University of the Philippines.
 State Universities and Colleges
Guimaras State University
Buenavista, Guimaras
GRADUATE SCHOOL

Moonlight on Manila Bay

by Fernando M. Maramag

A light serene, ethereal glory rests

Its beams effulgent on each cresting wave;
The silver touches of the moonlight wave
The deep bare bosom that the breeze molests;
While lingering whispers deepen as the wavy crests
Roll with weird rhythm, now gay, now gently grave;
And floods of lambent light appear the sea to pave
All cast a spell that heeds not time’s behests.
Not always such the scene: the din of fight

Has swelled the murmur of the peaceful air;

Here East and West have oft displayed their might;
Dark battle clouds have dimmed this scene so fair;
Here bold Olympia, one historic night,
Presaging freedom, claimed a people’s care.
 State Universities and Colleges
Guimaras State University
Buenavista, Guimaras
GRADUATE SCHOOL

Are We Too Far Gone?

by Jose Hernandez

Sometimes I lay awake at night

And wonder if we’re savable
‘cause see we try to do what’s right
But still our actions cause a fight
Just asking one more thing from God,

We try so hard to do what’s right

(Can we be)
And make each other happy
(saved or are we)
It seems so many have lost sight
(Just way too)
And now we have to pay the fee
(Far gone)

Can you help us se what’s right

Help us see that we’re deranged
Can you help us stop the fight
For stupid things like weapon range

Can you help us see the blood

That’s on our hands and on our pants
Or will the blood just come and flood
Will we suffocate like ants?

Are we still sufficient

Of godly recognition
Because the way I see it we’re so far gone
We’re lucky if we see the dawn
Of next day’s tragic happenings

Really, truly, seriously

We’re so far gone in this game
People reacting furiously
Their faces always look the same
The looks of hatred never leave

God I’m asking seriously

Can we be saved?
Or is it as I feared
Has this hatred seared our skin
And our emotions, they’ve been cleared

God I’m asking, pleading you

Is this world really gone?
Are we really to far gone?
(Are we?)

ARE WE?!