Jessalyn G.

Butawan BSA 2-1 2015-10054

Philippine Literature under Spanish Period

Metrical Romances
Definition:
A metrical romance is also known as romantic poetry. It tells a story in verse form and
portray the adventures of romantic poetry. These texts highlighted chivalric periods in
history focusing upon civility and manners. Examples of these types of work normally
show the heroic deeds of a knight on a quest to win the heart of a woman and the honor
placed upon him by his king.
How they reach our country:
Vicente Barrantes assumes a Spanish origin and suggests that romances and popular
tales of Spain, which were already altered when they reached the country and were in
turn altered by the natives, may have been brought by the soldiers of Miguel Lopez de
Legaspi from Mexico). The corridos that took shape in the Philippines thus may have
been influenced not just by Spanish and European sources but also by the Mexican
corrido.. Oral transmission is considered the probable cause for the very imperfect way
some stories have been preserved in Philippine romances.

Types of Metrical Romances

1. Corrido - an extended narrative of the life and adventures of some person. In
Tagalog the term, if strictly used, is applied only to poems written in octosyllabic
lines
Example: Ibong Adarna by Jose de la Cruz
Kabanata 22: Pagwawangis (956 saknong)
Isang sirena sa dagat
Na nagsasabog ng dilag
Sa paligid ay may perlas
Sa perlas din nakayapak.

2. Awit - ts literal translation into English is "song," although in the context of poetry,
it is closer to the narrative

Example: Florante at Laura by Francisco Balagtas Baltazar (125 saknong)

"Nang matumbasan ko ang luha, ang sakit
nitong pagkalimot ng tunay kong ibig,
huwag yaring buhay ang siyang itangis
kundi ang pagsintang lubos na naamis."
Similarities and Differences
CORRIDO
<<
1. octosyllabic (8 syllables)

CORRIDO & AWIT

<<SIMILARITIES>>
1.both related to music

"legendary and religious

poems

usually sung to the

accompaniment of a guitar,
in fandango style

in allegro or hurried time

AWIT
>>
1. dodecasyllabic (12
syllables)
"chivalric-heroic" poems

set to music in andante or

slow time