Dimensions of Philippine Literary

History from Precolonial to

Contemporary
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the
World
LITERATURE
• Is a body of written works.
• Originated from oral traditions.
• Are imaginative works.
• Deals with stories and poetry.
• The content depends on the author.
Three Points of Literature
• Literatureportrays human
experience.
• Authorsinterpret these human
experiences.
• It
is an art form and a style of
expression.
Philippine Literature
during the
Pre-Colonial Period
B.C.E - 1565
The Pre-Colonial Period
• Thisexisted before the Spanish
occupation in the 1500s.
• Itis oral in nature and is full of
lessons and ideas about life, its
blessings, and its consequences.
• It
contains ideas from birth to the
grave.
• The oral characteristic of pre-colonial
literature gives the possibility for many
alterations.
• In the Philippine context, no matter how
it may be considered as altered, pre-
colonial literature is still revered to by
many Filipinos.
• The sources are usually the local native
town folk.
Genres of Pre-Colonial Philippine Literature
• Oral Literature • Folk Tales
 a. Riddles  a. Myths
 b. Proverbs  b. Legends
 c. Fables
• Folk Songs  d. Epics
 a. Lullabies
 b. Drinking Songs
 c. Love Songs
 d. Songs of Death
 e. Religious Songs
Riddles (Bugtong)
• Theseare statements that contain superficial
words, but they function figuratively and as
metaphors, and are in the form of questions.
• These
are questions that demand deeper
answers.
• Deals with everyday life.
• It usually has mundane things as answers.
• This
is used in the past as a form of game in
small or large gatherings.
 Riddles (Bugtong)
• Bisaya • Chabacano
Baboy sa lasang, (A wild pig of the
forest,) Tagia que tagia, (You
keep on slashing it,)
Ang tunok puro lansang. (Is covered
with spikes.) Hende ta penetra. (But
Answer: Nangka (Jackfruit) it does not penetrate)
• Meranaw Answer: Agua (Water)
Sominub lawiyan, (It dived,)
Mbowat lawitan. (It rose.)
Answer: Ragum (Needle)
Proverbs (Salawikain)
• These
are statements that are
considered as wise.
• Theseare usually given by parents or
elders of the community.
• Thereis belief that experience is the
best teacher.
Proverbs (Salawikain)
• Mandaya on Virginity
Yang ataog aw madugdug, (An egg once
broken,)
Di da mamauli. (Will never be the same.)
• Tausug on Secret Affairs
In lasa iban uba, (Love and cough,)
Di hikatapuk. (Cannot be hidden.)
 Folk Songs
• These are folk lyrics that are usually chanted.
• These usually contain ideas on aspirations,
hopes, everyday life and expressions of love for
loved ones.
• It is bounded by the learning of good morals.
• Itis easy to understand because it is
straightforward and not figurative in nature.
 Folk Songs
• Lullabies- these is locally known as the
Hele. These are sung to put to sleep babies.
The content varies, but usually, parents
sing these with ideas on how hard life is and
how they hope that their child will not
experience the hardships of life.
• Drinking Songs- these are locally known
as Tagay and are sung during drinking
sessions.
 Folk Songs
• LoveSongs- It can also be called Courtship
Songs and are used by young men to
capture the heart of the girl that they love.
Examples are Harana and Kundiman
 Folk Songs
• ReligiousSongs- are songs or chants
that are usually given during exorcisms
and thanksgiving during good harvest.
• Songs of Death- are lamentations that
contain the roll of good deeds that the
dead has usually done to immortalize
his or her good image.
Folk Tales (Kwentong Bayan)
• These are stories of native Filipinos.
• Thesedeal with the power of nature
personified, their submission to a deity usually
Bathala- and how this deity is responsible for
the blessings and calamities.
• These
also tackle about irresponsibility, lust,
stupidity, deception, and fallibility that
eventually leads to the instilling of good morals.
Folk Tales (Kwentong Bayan)
Usual Themes
• Ceremonies needed to appease the deities.
• Pre and Post apocalypse
• Life and Death
• Gods and Goddesses
• Heroes and Heroines
• Supernatural beings
• Animals
Myths
• These tackle the natural to strange occurrence
of the earth and how things were created with
an aim to give an explanation to things.
• There is Bathala for the Tagalogs and the
Gueurang for the Bikolanos.
• Paradise is known as Maca, while Hell is
Kasanaaan
• Examples:
 The Story of Bathala
 Ang Pag-aaway ng Dagat at Langit
Legends (Alamat)
• Throughlegends, the natives understood
mysteries around them. These stories usually
come with a moral lesson that give credit to
supernatural powers, supernatural occurrence,
and other out-of-this-world native imagination.
• Examples:
 The Legend of Maria Makiling
 The Legend of the Sampaguita
Fables (Pabula)
• are short or brief stories that cater the
children of the native Filipinos and are
usually bounded by good manners and
right conduct. These stories use animals
as characters that represent a particular
value or characteristic.
• Examples:
Ang Kuneho at and Pagong
Si Juan Tamad
Epics (Epiko)
• are very lengthy narratives that are based
on oral traditions. These contain
encounters of fighters, stereotypical
princes or heroes that save a damsel in
distress.
• Examples:
• Biag ti Lam-Ang
• Hudhud ni Aliguyon
 EVALUATION: Identify what is being
asked in the following sentences.
1. It is a statement or question or phrase having a double or veiled
meaning, put forth as a puzzle to be solved.
2. These are statements that are considered as wise.
3. These is locally known as the Hele. These are sung to put to sleep
babies.
4. These are songs or chants that are usually given during exorcisms
and thanksgiving during good harvest.
5. These are short or brief stories that cater the children of the
native Filipinos and are usually bounded by good manners and
right conduct. Often characterized by animals .
 EVALUATION: Identify what is being
asked in the following sentences.
6. It can also be called courtship songs and are used by young
men to capture the heart of the girl that they love.
7. A traditional story, especially one concerning the early
history of a people or explaining some natural or social
phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or
events.
8. A long poem, typically derived from ancient oral tradition,
narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary
figures or the history of a nation.
9-10. Give the 2 Major forms of Literature.
Philippine Literature
during the Spanish
Colonial Period
1565 - 1898
The Spanish Colonial Period
• It
is an accepted belief that the Spanish colonization of
the Philippines started in 1565 during the time of
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first Spanish governor-
general in the Philippines.
• Literaturestarted to flourish during his time. This
spurt continued unabated until the Cavite Revolt in
1872.
• TheSpaniards colonized the Philippines for more than
three centuries. During these times, many changes
occurred in the lives of Filipinos.
• They
embraced the Catholic religion, changed their
names, and were baptized.
The Spanish Colonial Period
• The Filipinos were then called “Ladinos”, meaning they
were latinized.
• Filipinos were called two things. One is the “Taga-Bayan”,
while the other is the “Taga-bukid” or “Taga-bundok”.
• A person who is a Taga-bayan is considered urbane and
civilized and were in easy range of the church and state.
• A person who is a Taga-bundok or Taga-bukid is called a
Bruto Salvage (Savage Brute) or Indio and were the ones
who lived far from the center of the Spanish power.
Genres of Philippine Literature
during the Spanish Colonization
•Religious Literature
•Secular or Non-Religious
Literature
•Propaganda Literature
•Revolutionary Literature
Spanish Influences on Philippine Literature
1. The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman
alphabet.
2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious
practices.
3. The Spanish language which became the literary language during this time
lent many of its words to our language.
4. European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our
songs, corridos, and moro-moros.
5. Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other dialects.
6. Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano and
Visayan
7. Our periodicals during these times gained a religious tone.
The First Books…
Doctrina Cristiana (The Christian Doctrine)
• Thiswas the first book printed in the Philippines
in 1593 in xylography.
• It
was written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr.
Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog and Spanish.
• It
contained the Pater Noster (Out Father), Ave
Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli (Hail Holy
Queen), the Ten Commandments of God, the
Commandments of the Catholic Church, the Seven
Mortal Sins, How to Confess, and the Catechism.
Nuestra Señora del
Rosario
• The second book printed in
the Philippines was written
by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in
1602, and printed at the UST
Printing Press with the help
of Juan de Vera, a Chinese
mestizo.
• It contains the biographies of
saints, novenas, and
questions and answers on
religion.
Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras
de Hombre
• This is the first book printed in typography.
Barlaan at Josephat
• This is a Biblical story printed in the
Philippines and translated to Tagalog
from Greek by Fr. Antonio de Borja.
• It is believed to be the first Tagalog
novel published in the Philippines even
if it is only a translation.
• The printed translation has only 556
pages. The Ilocano translation in
poetry was done by Fr. Agustin Mejia.
• Aral na Tunay na totoong Pagaacay sa
Tauo, nang manga Cabanalang Gaua
nang manga Maloualhating Santos na
si Barlaan ni Josaphat Mula sa India:
The Pasion
• This is the book about the life and sufferings of
Jesus Christ.
• It is read only during Lent.
• There were 4 versions of this in Tagalog and
each version is according to the name of the
writer.
 Pilapil version (by Mariano Pilapil of Bulacan,
1814),
 de Belen version (by Gaspar Aquino de Belen of Bat.
in 1704),
 de la Merced (by Aniceto de la Merced of
Norzagaray, Bulacan in 1856)
 de Guia version (by Luis de Guia in 1750).

• Critics are not agreed whether it is the Pilapil

or the de la Merced version which is the most
popular.
Urbana at Felisa
•Abook by Modesto de Castro,
the so called Father of
Classic Prose in Tagalog.
• Theseare letters between
two sisters Urbana at Felisa
and have influenced greatly
the behavior of people in
society because the letters
dealt with good behavior.
Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary)
•Acollection of songs praising the Virgin
Mary. Fr. Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino
priest, wrote this in 1865 and it was
popular especially during the Maytime
“Flores de Mayo” festival.
Literary Compositions
• Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (Art and rules of the Tagalog
language). Written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose and translated to Tagalog by
Tomas Pinpin in 1610.
• Compendio de la Lengua Tagala (Understanding the Tagalog
language). Written by Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin in 1703.
• Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (Tagalog vocabulary). The first Tagalog
dictionary written by Fr. Pedro de San Buenaventura in 1613.
• Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampanga vocabulary). The first
book in Pampanga written by Fr. Diego in 1732.
• Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya (Bisayan vocabulary). The best
language book in Visayan by Mateo Sanchez in 1711
• Arte de la Lengua Ilokana (The Art of the Ilocano language). The first
Ilocano grammar book by Francisco Lopez.
• Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol language). The first
book in the Bicol language and written by Fr. Marcos Lisbon in 1754.
Recreational Plays
Tibag
• The word tibag means to excavate.
• Thisritual was brought here by the
Spaniard to remind the people about
the search of St. Helena for the Cross
on which Jesus died.
Lagaylay
• This is a special occasion for the Pilareños of
Sorsogon during Maytime to get together.
• As early as April, the participating ladies are
chosen and sometimes, mothers volunteer their
girls in order to fulfill a vow made during an illness
or for a favor received.
• In some parts of Bicol, a different presentation is
made but the objective is the same – praise, respect
and offering of love to the Blessed Cross by St.
Helen on the mound she had dug in.
The Cenaculo
• This is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion
and death of Jesus Christ.
• There are two kinds: the Cantada and Hablada .
• In the Hablada the lines are spoken in a more deliberate
manner showing the rhythmic measure of each verse and the
rhyming in each stanza and is more dignified in theme;
• the Cantada is chanted like the Pasion.
• It is written in octosyllabic verse, with 8 verses to the stanza.
• The full length versions take about 3 nights of staging.
Performers come in costumes with wigs and performers are
carefully chosen for their virtuous life.
Panunuluyan
• Thisis presented before
12:00 on Christmas Eve.
This is a presentation of
the search of the Virgin
Mary and St. Joseph for
an inn wherein to deliver
the baby Jesus.
The Salubong
(or Panubong)
• The Salubong is
an Easter play
that dramatizes
the meeting of
the Risen
Christ and his
Mother. It is
still presented
in many
Philippine
towns.
Moro-moro
• Like the Cenaculo, the Moro-moro is presented also on a special
stage.
• This is performed during town fiestas to entertain the people
and to remind them of their Christian religion.
• The plot is usually the same that of a Christian princess or a
nobleman’s daughter who is captured by the Mohammedans.
• The father organizes a rescue party where fighting between the
Moros and the Christians ensue.
• The Mohammedans are defeated by some miracle or Divine
Intercession and the Mohammedans are converted to
Christianity.
Karagatan
• This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature
celebrated during the death of a person.
• In this contest, more or less formal, a ritual is performed
based on a legend about a princess who dropped her ring
into the middle of the sea and who offered here hand in
marriage to anyone who can retrieve it. A leader starts
off with an extemporaneous poem announcing the
purpose. He then spins a “lumbo” o “tabo” marked with a
white line. Whoever comes in the direction of the white
line when the spinning stops gets his turn to “go into the
sea to look for the ring.” This means a girl will ask him a
riddle and if he is able to answer, he will offer the ring to
the girl.
Duplo
• The Duplo replace the Karagatan. This
is a poetic joust in speaking and
reasoning. The roles are taken from the
Bible and from proverbs and saying. It
is usually played during wakes for the
dead.
Carillo (Shadow Play)
• This is a form of dramatic entertainment
performed on a moonless night during a town fiesta
or on dark nights after a harvest.
• This shadow play is made by projecting cardboard
figures before a lamp against a white sheet. The
figures are moved like marionettes whose
dialogues are produced by some experts.
• The dialogues are drawn from a Corrido or Awit or
some religious play interspersed with songs.
The Zarzuela
• Considered as the father of the drama;
it is a musical comedy or melodrama
three acts which dealt with man’s
passions and emotions like love, hate,
revenge, cruelty, avarice or some social
or political problems.
Balagtasan
• This is a poetic joust or a contest of
skills in debate on a particular topic or
issue. This is replaced the DUPLO and
is held to honor Francisco “Balagtas”
Baltazar.
Dung-aw
• This
is a chant in free verse by a bereaved
person or his representative beside the
corpse of the dead. No definite meter or
rhyming scheme is used. The person
chanting it freely recites in poetic rhythm
according to his feelings, emotions and
thoughts. It is personalized and usually
deals with the life, sufferings and
sacrifices of the dead and includes
apologies for his misdeeds.
Secular or Non - Religious
Literature
Revolves around tales of valiance and adventure.
Awit- these are tales of chivalry where a knight saves a
princess. Florante at Laura is a good example.
Korido- is a metrical tale or a tale that follows the
struture of a poem.
Prose Narratives- are easy to understand
instructional materials that in a literary light that
teaches Filipinos on proper decorum. Pagsusulatan ng
Dalawang Binibini na si Urbana at Feliza (1864) is a
good example.
Awit at Korido
• Though some us these interchangeably,
the difference of the two is based on the
measure and how is it performed.
• Awit have 12 syllables per line. Stories
and characters are more realistic. Can be
sung in andante.
• While the korido have 8 syllables per line
and recited in allegro.
Propaganda Literature
• Thesewere in the forms of satires,
editorials, and news articles that
aimed to attack the Spanish Rule.
• The
propaganda trinity is
composed of Dr. Jose Rizal,
Marcelo H. Del Pilar, and
Graciano Lopez Jaena.
The Filipino
Propagandists
 Graciano
Lopez Jaena

• Great Orator
and
Propagandist
Graciano Lopez-Jaena (1856-1896)
• Journalist, writer and intellectual Filipino, born
in Jaro (Iloilo, Panay Island) on December 20,
1856 and died in Madrid on 20 January 1896,
who founded the La Solidaridad and was one of
the main members of the Group of Filipino
intellectuals known as propagandists.
• Pen name: Diego Laura
Graciano Lopez-Jaena (1856-1896)
• AngFray Botod- One of his
works written in Jaro, Iloilo in
1876, six years after the Cavite
Revolt attacking the friars in the
Philippines. He exposed how some
of the friars were greedy,
ambitious and immoral.
Graciano Lopez-Jaena (1856-1896)
• La
Hija Del Fraile (The Child of
the Friar) and Everyting Is
Hambug (Everything is mere
show)
• Here
Jaena explains the tragedy of
marrying a Spaniard.
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
(1850-1896)
• Philippine
revolutionary
propagandist and
satirist.
• Father
of True Filipino
Masonry
Marcelo H. Del Pilar (1850-1896)
• was a Philippine revolutionary
propagandist and satirist. He tried to
marshal the nationalist sentiment of
the enlightened Filipino ilustrados,
or bourgeoisie, against Spanish
imperialism.
• Pen name: Plaridel, Piping Dilat,
Pupdoh, Dolores Manapat, Siling
Labuyo
Marcelo H. Del Pilar (1850-1896)
Works
• Diariong Tagalog (1882)
• Caiigat Cayó (Be as Slippery as an Eel)
• Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and
Mockeries)
• Pasióng Dapat Ipag-alab nang Puso nang
Tauong Babasa (Passion That Should
Inflame the Heart of the Reader)
 Dasalan at Tocsohan excerpts
• Ang Amain Namin
• Amain naming sumasaconvento ka, sumpain ang ngalan mo, malayo sa amin
ang kasakiman mo, quitlin ang liig mo dito sa lupa para nang sa langit.
Saulan mo cami ngayon nang aming kaning iyong inaraoarao at patauanin
mo cami sa iyong pagungal para nang pag papataua mo kung cami'y
nacucualtahan; at huag mo kaming ipahintulot sa iyong manunukso at iadya
mo cami sa masama mong dila. Amen.
• Ang Aba Guinoong Baria
• Aba guinoong Baria nakapupuno ka nang alcancia ang Fraile'I sumasainyo
bukod ka niyang pinagpala't pina higuit sa lahat, pinagpala naman ang
kaban mong mapasok. Santa Baria Ina nang Deretsos, ipanalangin mo
caming huag anitan ngayon at cami ipapatay. Siya naua.
Jose P. Rizal
(1861-1896)
•TheGreat
Novelist of the
Propaganda
Movement
Jose P Rizal (1861 – 1896)
• José Rizal, in
full José Protasio Rizal
Mercado y Alonso Realonda, (born
June 19, 1861, Calamba,
Philippines—died December 30, 1896,
Manila), patriot, physician, and man
of letters who was an inspiration to
the Philippine nationalist movement.
Jose P Rizal (1861 – 1896)
• Rizalwrote "Noli Me Tangere" in
Spanish; it was published in 1887 in
Berlin. The novel is a scathing indictment
of the Catholic Church and Spanish
colonial rule in the Philippines, and its
publication cemented Jose Rizal's position
on the Spanish colonial government's list of
troublemakers.
Jose P Rizal (1861 – 1896)
• In1891, Rizal published a sequel, titled "El
Filibusterismo.“
• The Subversive or Subversion, as in the
Locsín English translation, are also possible
translations), also known by its English
alternative title The Reign of Greed, is the
second novel written by Philippine national
hero José Rizal. It is the sequel to Noli me
Tangere and, like the first book, was written
in Spanish. It was first published in 1891
in Ghent.
Jose P Rizal (1861 – 1896)
• Mi Último Adiós (English; “My Last
Farewell”) is a poem written by PDr. José
Rizal, on the eve of his execution by firing
squad on December 30, 1896. The piece
was one of the last notes he wrote before
his death. Another that he had written was
found in his shoe, but because the text was
illegible, its contents remain a mystery.
Philippine
Revolutionary
Literature
Background
• The
Filipinos did not get the reforms
demanded by the propagandists.
• The government turned deaf ears to the
oppression and abuses of the colonial
officials.
• Thegood intention of Mother Spain was
reversed by the friars.
• Many Filipinos affiliated with Rizal’s La
Liga Filipina (The Filipino League).
Background
• Events which triggered the
outbreak of Revolution include:
The Banishment of Rizal to Dapitan,
Zamboanga del Norte;
The establishment of the then secret
society KKK (Katipunan);
The execution of Jose Rizal; and
The discovery of Katipunan and
arrest of its members.
Revolutionary
Writers
Andres Bonifacio
(1863-1897)

•The Great Plebeian.

Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897)
• He was deemed as the “Father of Philippine Revolution.”
• He was called the Great Plebeian.
• He was recognized as
the “Supremo” of “Katipunan” or Kataas-taasan, kagalang-
galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK).
• He was greatly inspired by the Noli and Fili of Rizal.
• Initially, he joined Rizal’s La Liga Filipina but
established Katipunan when Rizal was banished in Dapitan,
Zamboanga
Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897)
• Heused Agapito Bagumbayan as
his nom de guerre (pen name).
• After
the Tejeros Convention, he was
charged with sedition and was
executed by Aguinaldo’s men in
Maragondon, Cavite on May 10, 1897.
Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897)
• His major written works include:Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga
Tagalog (What the Tagalogs should Know) – an essay
outlining the basic tenets of Bonifacio’s ideas on nationalism.
• Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Anak ng
Bayan (Obligations of our Countrymen) – an outline of
obligations just like the Ten Commandments, hence, it is
likewise called Ang Dekalogo.
• Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of One’s Native Land) – a
poem describing love of one’s country considered as his poetic
masterpiece
• Huling Paalam (Last Farewell) – his translation of Rizal’s Mi
Ultimo Adios from Spanish into Tagalog tongue.
Emilio Jacinto
(1875 – 1898)

•TheBrain of the
Katipunan
Emilio Jacinto (1875 – 1898)
• Hewas deemed as “The Brains of the
Katipunan.”
• Hewas the adviser of Bonifacio and the
secretary of the Katipunan.
• He served as editor
of Kalayaan (Freedom), the official
newspaper of Katipunan.
• Heused Pingkian and Dimas-Ilaw as
pen name.
Emilio Jacinto (1875 – 1898)
• After the death of Bonifacio, he led
the fight independently of
Aguinaldo in his hometown in
Laguna.
• He became a general of the
revolution and he died due to
bullet wounds in Majayjay,
Laguna.
Emilio Jacinto (1875 – 1898)
• His major works include:
• Ang Kartilya ng Katipunan (A Primer Book of Katipunan) –
this served as the charter of the Katipunan which is required
to be read by all members.
• Liwanag at Dilim (Light and Darkness) – a collection of
essays on different subjects like freedom, work, faith,
government and love of country.
• A Mi Madre (To my Mother) – a touching ode to his mother,
Marina Dizon.
• A La Patria (To my County) – an ode he composed believed as
his poetic masterpiece.
Apolinario Mabini
(1864 – 1903)

• The
Sublime
Paralytic
Apolinario Mabini (1864 – 1903)
• He
was deeded as “The Sublime
Paralytic.”
• He
was regarded as The Brains of the
Revolution.
• Dueto sensitive and political
inclination of his job as Aguinaldo’s
adviser, he was called Aguinaldo’s
Dark Cabinet.
Apolinario Mabini (1864 – 1903)
• He
was a working honor
student despite his handicap
and finished his law degree.
• He
wrote several works about
government, society,
philosophy and politics.
Apolinario Mabini (1864 – 1903)
• His major works include:
• ElVerdadero Decalogo (The True Decalogue) – this is
considered as his literary masterpiece which aims to
propagate nationalism
• ElDesarollo y Caida de la Republica Filipina (The
Rise and Fall of the Philippine Republic) – this essay
highlights the establishment of the Philippine republic
and its subsequent doom due to disunity among the
Filipinos
• Sa Bayang Pilipino (To the Filipino Nation)
• Pahayag (News)
Publications During the
Revolutionary Period
• El Heraldo de la Revolucion (Herald of the Revolution) –
printed the decrees of the Revolutionary Government, news and
works in Tagalog that aroused nationalism. This is the Official
Newspaper of the Revolutionary Government of
Aguinaldo.
• La Independencia (Independence) – an independent newspaper
founded and edited by General Antonio Luna.
• La Republica Filipina (The Philippine Republic) – a private
newspaper edited by Pedro Paterno.
• La Libertad (Liberty) – another private newspaper edited by
Clemente Zulueta.
Evaluation: Answer the following questions.
1. Which of the following writers (Propagandists and
Revolutionary writers) evoked the minds and
emotions of the Filipinos on nationalism and
independence? Why?
2. If you were a writer during the Spanish colonial
period, what genre of literature and what medium of
expression (language) are you going to use to stir up
the sense of nationalism of the Filipinos? Justify
your answer.
3. Do you think that literature is powerful enough to
instigate a revolution? Explain your answer.
The Philippine
Literature during The
American Period
1900-1942
Background
• The
Filipino Revolutionists ‘won’ against the
Spaniards who colonized the country for more
than 300 years.
• OnJune 12, 1898, the Philippine Flag was
raised as a symbol of our independence. Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo was the first president of the
Philippine Republic but this was short lived.
• TheFilipino-American War was concluded
after the defeat of Gen. Miguel Malvar in 1903.
 Background
• Many Filipinos started writing again and the
nationalism of the people remain undaunted.
• Filipino
writers went into all genres of literature like
news reporting, poetry, stories, plays, essays and
novels.
• Theirwritings clearly depicted their love of country
and longing for independence.
• Spanish, Tagalog , the Vernaculars and eventually,
the English were the mediums of literature during
this period.
Background
• Theactive arousal in the field of literature
started to be felt in the following newspapers:
El Nuevo Dia (The New Day) – established by Sergio
Osmeña in 1900
El Grito Del Pueblo (The Call of the Nation) –
established by Pascual Poblete in 1899
El Renacimiento (The Rebirth) – founded by Rafael
Palma in 1900
Manila Daily Bulletin – founded in 1900 as a
shipping journal
Three Group of
Writers
Three Group of Writers
•Spanish
•English
•Filipino
Three Group of Writers: Spanish
•The writers in Spanish were
accustomed to write on nationalism
like honoring Rizal and other
heroes.
•Writers: Cecilio Apostol, Fernando
Ma. Guerrero, Jesus Balomori,
Manuel Bernabe and Claro M. Recto
 Three Group of Writers: Spanish
• CecilioApostol wrote poems dedicated to
Rizal, Jacinto, Mabini and all other heroes.
• Fernando Ma. Guerrero, together with
Apostol, became Kings of Balagtasan.
• Jesus
Balmori used the pen name
Batikuling. He was elected Poet Laureate
in Spanish.
Three Group of Writers: Spanish
• Manuel Bernabe is a lyric poet whose
fierceness and nationalistic spirit
unchanged in any topic.
• Claro
M. Recto wrote poems compiled
them under the title Bajo Los Cocoteros
(Under the Coconut Trees)
• AdelinaGuerea was the first woman poet
in the Philippines.
Three Group of Writers: Spanish
• IsidroMarpori became famous for his books
entitled Aromas de Ensueno (Scent of Dreams)
• MacarioAdriatico wrote the legend of
Mindoro (La Punta de Salto – The Place of
Origin)
• EpifanioDelos Santos (Don Panyong) was a
good leader and biographer in Spanish
• PedroAunario wrote the Decalogo del
Proteccionismo
 Three Group of Writers: Tagalog
• LopeK. Santos was a novelist, poet, author and
grammarian. He was also dubbed as “Ama ng
Balarilang Filipino.” The novel Banaag at Sikat was
his masterpiece.
• Jose
Corazon De Jesus was also known as “Huseng
Batute. He was deemed as Makata ng Pag-ibig.
• Amado V. Hernandez was crowned Makata ng mga
Manggagawa. He wrote poems Isang Dipang Langit,
Bayang Malaya and Munting Lupa while being
incarcerated.
Three Group of Writers: Tagalog
• ValerioHernandez Pena was popularly
known as Tandang Anong. He used Kuntil
Butil as his pen name. The novel Nena and
Neneng was his masterpiece.
• Inigo
Ed. Regalado was the son of
Odalager, a famous writer during the
Spanish period.
Three Group of Writers: Tagalog (Poetry)
• ValerioHernandez Pena was popularly
known as Tandang Anong. He used “Kuntil
Butil” as his pen name. The novel “Nena
and Neneng” was his masterpiece.
• Inigo
Ed. Regalado was the son of
Odalager, a famous writer during the
Spanish period.
 Three Group of Writers: Tagalog (Poetry)
• Poet of the Heart (Makata ng Puso)
 These included Lope K. Santos, Iñigo Ed. Regalado,
Carlos Gatmaitan, Pedro Deogracias del Rosario,
Ildefonso Santos, Amado V. Hernandez, Nemecio
Carabana, and Mar Antonio.
• Poets of Life (Makata ng Buhay)
 Led by Lope K Santos, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Florentino
Collantes, Patricio Mariano, Carlos Garmaitan, and
Amado V. Hernandez.
• Poets of the Stage (Makata ng Tanghalan)
 Led by Aurelio Tolentino, Patricio Mariano, Severino
Reyes, and Tomas Remigio.
 Three Group of Writers: English
• Ina way, we can say that we can trace the
beginnings of Philippine literature in
English with the coming of the Americans.
For this purpose, we can divide this period
into three time frames, namely:
• The Period of Re-Orientation (1898-1910)
• The Period Of Imitation (1910-1924)
• Period Of Self-discovery And Growth (1925-
1941)
 Three Group of Writers: English
• The Period of Re-Orientation (1898-1910)
• English as a literary vehicle came with the American
occupation in August 13, 1898 and as they say, a choice
bestowed on us by history.
• 1900, English came to be used as a medium of instruction
in the public schools. From the American forces were
recruited the first teachers of English.
• By 1908, the primary and intermediate grades were using
English. It was also about this time when UP, the
forerunner in the use of English in higher education, was
founded.
 Three Group of Writers: English
• The Period Of Imitation (1910-1924)
• By1919, the UP College Folio published the
literary compositions of the first Filipino writers
in English. They were the pioneers in short story
writing.
• They were then groping their way into imitating
American and British models which resulted in
a stilted, artificial and unnatural style, lacking
vitality and spontaneity.
 Three Group of Writers: English
• Period
Of Self-Discovery And Growth
(1925-1941)
• Bythis time, Filipino writers had acquired
the mastery of English writing. They now
confidently and competently wrote on a lot
of subjects although the old-time favorites
of love and youth persisted. They went into
all forms of writing like the novel and the
drama.
 Three Group of Writers: English
• Period Of Self-Discovery And Growth (1925-1941)
• Poetry.Noteworthy names in this field ,they wrote in free
verse, in odes and sonnets and in other types. Poetry was
original, spontaneous, competently written and later,
incorporated social consciousness.
• ShortStory (1925-1941) Poetry and short story flourished
during these times.
• Publications.The Philippine Free Press provided the first
incentives to Filipino writers in English by offering prizes to
worthwhile contribution. Other publication followed suit.
• TheDrama.(1925-1941) Drama during this period did not
reach the heights attained by the novel or the short story.
The Philippine
Literature during The
Japanese Period
1941-1945
 Historical Background..
• Between 1941-1945, Philippine Literature
was interrupted in its development when the
Philippines was again conquered by another
foreign country, Japan.
• Philippine literature in English came to a
halt. Except for the TRIBUNE and the
PHILIPPINE REVIEW, almost all
newspapers in English were stopped by the
Japanese.
 Historical Background..
• This
had an advantageous effect on Filipino
Literature, which experienced renewed
attention because writers in English turned
to writing in Filipino. Juan Laya, who use to
write in English turned to Filipino because of
the strict prohibitions of the Japanese
regarding any writing in English.
 Historical Background..
• Theweekly LIWAYWAY was placed under
strict surveillance until it was managed by
Japanese named ISHIWARA In other words,
Filipino literature was given a break during
this period. Many wrote plays, poems, short
stories, etc. Topics and themes were often
about life in the provinces.
 Philippine Literature During the
Japanese Period: Poetry
• The common theme of most poems during the
Japanese occupation was nationalism,
country, love, and life in the barrios, faith,
religion and the arts.
• Three types of poems emerged during this
period.
Haiku
Tanaga
Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form)
 Philippine Literature During the
Japanese Period: Poetry
• Haiku – a poem of free verse that the
Japanese like. It was made up of 17 syllables
divided into three lines. The first line had 5
syllables, the second, 7 syllables, and the
third, five. The Haiku is allegorical in
meaning, is short and covers a wide scope in
meaning.
Philippine Literature During the
Japanese Period: Poetry
English Tagalog
• DRAGONFLY • TUTUBI
You’re pulling a saber Hila mo’y tabak
The flowers shivered Ang bulaklak nanginig
When you approached. Sa paglapit mo.
• INVITATION • ANYAYA
Lonely grass Ulilang damo
By the quiet river Sa tahimik na ilog
Come, love. Halika, sinta.
 Philippine Literature During the
Japanese Period: Poetry
• TANAGA – like the Haiku, is short but it had
measuring and rhyme. Each line had 17
syllables and is also allegorical in meaning.
 Philippine Literature During the
Japanese Period: Poetry
English Tagalog
• PALAY • PALAY

He’s behaved palay Palay siyang matino

Who bowed when the wind blew Nang humangi’y yumuko,

But stood up again And bore gold. Ngunit muling tumayo,

• SHELL Nagkabunga ng ginto.

• KABIBI
Shell, hey!
Kabibi, ano ka ba?
You’re a beautiful pearl
May perlas maganda ka
If you are pressed to the ears
Kung idiit sa tainga
You sigh.
Nagbubuntunghininga.
 Philippine Literature During the
Japanese Period: Drama
• The drama experienced a lull during the Japanese period
because movie houses showing American films were closed.
• The big movie houses were just made to show stage shows.
• Many of the plays were reproductions of English plays to
Tagalog.
• The translators were Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Alberto
Concio, and Narciso Pimentel.
• They also founded the organization of Filipino players
named Dramatic Philippines.
 Philippine Literature During the
Japanese Period: Drama
• Jose Ma. Hernandez – wrote PANDAY PIRA
• Francisco Soc Rodrigo – wrote sa PULA, SA
PUTI
• Clodualdo del Mundo – wrote BULAGA (an
expression in the game Hide & Seek)
• Julian Cruz Balmaceda – worte SINO BA
KAYO?, DAHIL SA ANAK, and HIGANTE
NG PATAY
 Philippine Literature During the
Japanese Period: Short Stories
• The
field of the short story widened during the
Japanese Occupation. Many wrote short stories.
• The
field of the short story widened during the
Japanese Occupation. Many wrote short stories.
Among them were: Brigido Batungbakal, Macario
Pineda, Serafin Guinigundo, Liwayway Arceo,
Narciso Ramos, NVM Gonzales, Alicia Lope Lim,
Ligaya Perez, and Gloria Guzman.
 Philippine Literature During the
Japanese Period: Short Stories
• Thebest writings in 1945 were selected by a
group of judges composed of Francisco
Icasiano, Jose Esperanza Cruz, Antonio
Rosales, Clodualdo del Mundo and Teodoro
Santos. As a result of this selection, the
following got the first three prizes:
 Philippine Literature During the
Japanese Period: Short Stories
• First
Prize: Narciso Reyes with his LUPANG
TINUBUAN
• Second
Prize: Liwayway Arceo’s UHAW ANG
TIGANG NA LUPA
• Third
Prize: NVM Gonzales’ LUNSOD
NAYON AT DAGAT DAGATAN
 Philippine Literature During the
Japanese Period: English Writers
• Because of the strict prohibitions imposed by the
Japanese in the writing and publishing of works
in English, Philippines literature in English
experienced a dark period.
• Writings that came out during this period were
journalistic in nature.
• Noteworthy writer of the period was Carlos P.
Romulo who won the Pulitzer Prize for his
bestseller I SAW THE FALL OF THE
PHILIPPINES. I SEE THE PHILIPPINES RISE
and MOTHER AMERICA AND MY BROTHER
AMERICANS.
The Philippine
Literature during The
Contemporary Period
1946-1999
The Rebirth Of Freedom (1946-1970)
• TheAmericans returned in 1945. Filipinos rejoiced and
guerillas who fled to the mountain joined the liberating
American Army.
• On July 4, 1946, the Philippines regained is freedom and
the Filipino flag waved joyously alone. The chains were
broken.
• The early post-liberation period was marked by a kind of
“struggle of mind and spirit” posed by the sudden
emancipation from the enemy, and the wild desire to see
print.
 The Rebirth Of Freedom (1946-1970)
• HEART OF THE ISLANDS (1947) –a collection of poems by Manuel Viray
• PHILIPPINES CROSS SECTION (1950) –a collection of prose and poetry by Maximo
Ramos and Florentino Valeros
• PROSE AND POEMS (1952) –by Nick Joaquin
• PHILIPPINE WRITING (1953) –by T.D. Agcaoili
• PHILIPPINE HAVEST –by Amador Daguio
• HORIZONS LEAST (1967) –a collection of works by the professors of UE, mostly in
English (short stories, essays, research papers, poem and drama) by Artemio Patacsil
and Silverio Baltazar
• The themes of most poems dealt with the usual love of nature, and of social and
political problems. Toribia Maño’s poems showed deep emotional intensity.
• WHO SPOKE OF COURAGE IN HIS SLEEP –by NVM Gonzales
• SPEAK NOT, SPEAK ALSO –by Conrado V. Pedroche
• Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L. Tiempo, Jose Garcia Villa’s HAVE
COME, AM HERE won acclaim both here and abroad
 The Rebirth Of Freedom (1946-1970)
• Philippines literature in Tagalog was revived during this
period. Most themes in the writings dealt with Japanese
brutalities, of the poverty of life under the Japanese
government and the brave guerilla exploits.
 Period Of Activism (1970-1972)
• Many young people became activists to ask
for changes in the government. In the
expression of this desire for change, keen
were the writings of some youth who were
fired with nationalism in order to
emphasize the importance of their
petitions.
 Period Of Activism (1970-1972)
• The
irreverence for the poor reached its
peak during this period of the mass
revolution. It was also during this period
that Bomba films that discredit our ways
as Filipinos started to come out.
Palanca Awardees For Literature In English
• Establishedin 1950, the Palanca
Memorial Awards for Literature had been
giving cash prizes for short story, poetry
and one-act play writing as an incentive to
Filipino writers. The prizes come from La
Tondena, Inc., the firm founded by the late
Carlos Palanca Sr.
 Period Of Activism (1970-1972)
• The irreverence for the poor reached its peak
during this period of the mass revolution. It was
also during this period that almost all themes in
most writings dealt with the development or
progress of the country –like the Green
Revolution, family planning, proper nutrition,
environment, drug addiction and pollution. The
• New Society tried to stop pornography or those
writings giving bad influences on the morals of
the people. All school newspapers were
temporarily stopped and so with school
organizations.
 New Society (1972-1981)
• Themes of most poems dealt with patience,
regard for native culture, customs and the
beauties of nature and surroundings.
• The government led in reviving old plays and
dramas, like the Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo
and the Embayoka of the Muslims which were
presented in the rebuilt Metropolitan Theater,
the Folk Arts Theater and the Cultural
Center of the Philippines
 New Society (1972-1981)
• Radio continued to be patronized during this
period. The play series like SI MATAR,
DAHLIA, ITO AND PALAD KO, and MR.
LONELY were the forms of recreation of those
without television.
• A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulng Pilipino
(Yearly Filipino Film Festival) was held
during this time. During the festival which
lasted usually for a month, only Filipino films
were shown in all theaters in Metro Manila.
 New Society (1972-1981)
• Duringthis period of the New Society,
newspapers donned new forms. News on
economic progress, discipline, culture,
tourism and the like were favored more
than the sensationalized reporting of
killings, rape and robberies.
 Period Of The Third Republic (1981-1985)
• After ten years of military rule and some
changes in the life of the Filipino which
started under the New Society, Martial Rule
was at last lifted on January 2, 1981.
• Poems during this period of the Third
Republic were romantic and revolutionary.
Writers wrote openly of their criticism against
the government. The supplications of the
people were coached in fiery, colorful, violent,
profane and insulting language.
The 21stCentury
Philippine Literature
2000- present
 Background
• 21st century literature per se, is anything that was written and
published in the year 2000s.
• It is possible, however, to approach contemporary literature as a
reaction to and dialogue with existing forms of expressive culture.
As we engage in technology more and more, we create and
discover more existing forms of expressive culture as well.
• The idea is to create an e-book reading application, as e-books are
becoming in demand during that time, however, the founders
thought that it would be time consuming to maintain their own
catalog, so they decided to let the community decide what they
want to read, and they can also upload their works and content
into the application.
• It has become a network.
 Creative Non-Fiction
• It’s a rich mix of flavors, ideas, and techniques, some of which are
newly invented and others as old as writing itself. Creative
nonfiction can be an essay, a journal article, a research paper, a
memoir, or a poem; it can be personal or not, or it can be all of
these.
• Some of the creative nonfiction in the Philippines are:
• “The Cardinal’s Sins, the General’s Cross, the Martyr’s
Testimony, and Other Affirmations” by Gregorio C. Brillantes
• “Manananggal Terrorizes Manila and Other Stories” by Jessica
Zafra
• “Sapay Koma” by Jhoanna Lynn Cruz
 Hyper-Poetry
• Hypertext poetry and hypertext fiction are new
genres of literature that use the computer
screen as medium, rather than the printed
page.
• Theliterary works rely on the qualities unique
to a digital environment, such as linked World
Wide Web pages or effects such as sound and
movement.
 Chick Lit
• Thisis genre fiction, which “consists of heroin-
centered narratives that focus on the trials and
tribulations of their individual protagonists”. Some of
the chick lit in the Philippines are:
• Spotlight New Adult by Mina V. Esguerra
• Tall Story by Candy Gourlay
• All’s Fair in Blog and War by Chrissie Peria
 Speculative Fiction
• Itcovers all stories from fantasy to science fiction to
slipstream to magic realism to urban fantasy — so on
and so forth.
• Some of the speculative fiction in the Philippines are:
 Smaller and Smaller Circles by FH Batacan
 Sink by Isabel Yap
 The Secret Origin of Spin-Man by Andrew Drilon
 Speculative Fiction
• Itcovers all stories from fantasy to science fiction to
slipstream to magic realism to urban fantasy — so on
and so forth.
• Some of the speculative fiction in the Philippines are:
 Smaller and Smaller Circles by FH Batacan
 Sink by Isabel Yap
 The Secret Origin of Spin-Man by Andrew Drilon
 FlashFiction
• Flash fiction goes by many names, including
microfiction, microstories, short-shorts, short short
stories, very short stories, sudden fiction, postcard fiction
and nanofiction. While it can be difficult to pinpoint an
exact definition of flash fiction based on word count,
consideration of several of its features can help provide
clarity, like its brevity, length, background and purpose.
• Some of the flash fiction in the Philippines are:
• 100 Kislap, by Abdon M. Balde Jr.
• Karapote: Antolohia Dagiti 13 a Nasuerte A Sarita, by
Ariel S. Tabag
Graphic Novel
• The ‘graphic novel’ has existed as an art form
arguably from the time our species learned how to
paint. Some of the graphic novels in the Philippines
are:
• TheMythology Class (Nautilus comics) by Arnold
Arre
• Light (Anino comics) by Rob Cham
• Sixty Six (Anino comics) by Russell Molina
• Maktan 1521 by Tepai Pascual