Course Objectives

 Comparison of 21st Century Literature by region with focus on

• Various dimensions of Philippine literary history
• Canonical authors and works of Philippine National Artists in Philippines
• Names of authors and their works
• Backgrounds of the literature from the region where the high school is located
 Study and appreciation of literary texts from the different regions including
• Regions in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao
• Major genres (poetry, fiction, drama, creative nonfiction, as well as hyper poetry, blogs, mobile, phone
texttula, chick lit, speculative fiction, flash fiction etc)
 Literary genres, traditions and forms from
• Asia
• Anglo-American
• Europe
• Latin American
• Africa
 Basic textual and contextual reading approach in the study and appreciation of literature
Requirements
• Writing a close analysis and critical interpretation of a literary text
• Producing a creative representation of a literary text by applying multimedia skills
• Identifying authors based on their typical writing styles
• Differentiating literary genres from the 21st century with those from previous ones
• Performing self and / or peer-assessment of the creative adaptation of a literary text based on rationalized
criteria.
What is 21st Century Literature?
 The 21st century in literature refers to world literature produced during the 21st century. The range of years is,
for the purpose of this article, literature written from (roughly) the year 2001 to the present.
 Deals with current themes and reflects technological culture.
 Often breaks traditional writing.
 Traces artistic representation of shared and familiar experiences.
e.g. Illustrated novels, Digi-fiction, Graphic novels, Manga, Doodle Fiction, Chicklit, Flash fiction, Speculative
Fiction, Spoken poetry,
QUARTER 1/LESSON 1 : Philippine Precolonial literature, Spanish Colonial Philippine
Literature, Contemporary Literature
Lesson objectives
 Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history from pre-colonial to
the contemporary.
 Value the contributions of local writers to the development of regional literary traditions.

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
 The pre-colonial literature of the Philippines was marked by our ancestors’ daily observations
about life, explanations for natural phenomena, and beginnings of rituals. These also function
as an explanation for society and culture as they know it to be.
 Most of what have been transcribed now are taken from oral literature, which means that
these stories have been passed on from one generation to another. Most of that which
survived are epics and folklores.
LITERARY FORMS:
 Bugtong (Riddles)
 Salawikain (Proverbs)
 Kasabihan (Saying)
 Kantahing bayan (Folk Song)
 Folk tales (Myth, Legend)
 Epiko (Epic)
 Oyayi (Lullaby)
 Soliranin (Boat Song)
 Kumintang (War Song)
  Diona (Wedding Song)
 Dalit (Religious Song)
 Kundiman (Love Song)
 Dipayanin (Drinking song)
 Hibais (Travel Song)
 Bung-aw (Funeral Song)
 Bansal (Courting Song)
 With the passage of time Oral literature becomes lengthy and this long forms was the epic such
as:
 Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilocanos)
 Alim and Hudhud (Ifugao)
 Kumintang (Tagalog)
 Ibalon (Bicolanos)
 Maragtas and Hinilawod (Visayas)
 Hari sa Bukid (Hiligaynon)
 Dagoy and Sudsud (Tagbanuas)
 Bantugan ( Muslims)
 Indarapatra and Sulayman (Maguindanao)
 Tatuaang (Bagobos)
 Prose and works
 Alamat (Legends)
 Myth (Mito)
 Kwentong Bayan (Folk Tales)
 Pabula (Fables)
 Parabola (Parables)
 The oral works are able to translate in written works through the use of Syllabary called
ALIBATA.
SPANISH PERIOD
 Spanish colonization of the Philippines started in 1565 during the time of Miguel Lopez de
Legaspi, the first Spanish governor-general in the Philippines. Literature started to flourish
during his time.
LITERARY FORMS:
 Religious literature
a. Pasyon – a long narrative poem about passion and death of Christ
b. Senakulo – dramatization of the pasyon. Depicts events from the Old and New testaments
related to the life, sufferings and death of Christ.
 Secular Literature
a. Awit – colorful tales of chivalry made from singing and chanting
B. Korido - metrical tale written on octosyllabic verse. Were usually on legends or stories from
European coumtries. Refers to narration.
 Other forms:
a. Zarsuela - the father of drama, a musical comedy or melodrama three acts which death with
men’s passion and emotions like love, hate, revenge, cruelty, avarice or some political problem.
b. Tibag – Dramatic performance for the purpose of manifesting devotion for holy cross.
c. Panuluyan – Philippine Christmas dramatic ritual narrating the whole family’s search for a place
to stay in Bethlehem for Jesus Christ’s birth through songs.
d. Salubong – Dramatizes the reunion of the risen Christ and his mother.
e. Carillo – A form of dramatic entertainment perform on a moonless night during a town fiesta or
on darknights after a harvest.
f. Sainete – A short musical comedy popular during the 18th century. They were exaggerated
comedy shown between acts plays and were mostly performed by characters from the lower class.
 g. Moro- moro – Like the cenakulo, the Moro-moro is presented also
on special stage. This is performed during town fiestas to entertain the people and to remind them
of their Christian Religion.
h. Karagatan – This is poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature celebrated during the death of a
person.
i. Duplo – The duplo replaced the karagatan. This is poetic joust in speaking and reasoning.
j. Balagtasan – This is poetic joust or a contest of skills in debate on a particular topic or issue.
k. Dung-aw – this is a chant in free verse by a bereaved person on his representative beside the
corpse of the dead.
 The First Books
 Ang Doctrina Christiana (The Christian Doctrine)
 Nuestra Senora del Rosario
 Ang Barlaan at Josephat
 The Passion
 Urbana at Felisa
 Ang mga Dalit Kay Maria (Psalms for Mary)
CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
 The Rebirth of Freedom (1946 – 1970)
 The Americans returned in 1945. Filipinos rejoiced and guerillas who fled to the mountain joined
the liberating American Army.
 On July 4 1996, the Philippines regained its freedom and the Filipino flag waved joyously alone.
 The State of Literature during this Period
 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.
 Philippine literature in tagalog was revived during this period. Most themes in the writing dealth
with Japanese brutalities, of the poverty of life under the Japanese government abbd the brave
guerilla exploits.
 PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970 - 1972)
 Many young people became activists to ask for changes in 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.
 THE LITERARY REVOLUTION
 The youth became completely rebellious during this period.
 PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972-1980)
 Almost all themes in most writings dealt with the development or progress of the country.
 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, etc.
 Radio continued to be patronized during this period.
 A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulang Pilipino was held during this time which lasted usually for a
month, only Filipino films were shown in all theaters in Metro Manila.
 During this Period, newspapers donned new forms. Newws 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)
 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.
 Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were really true-to-life like those of grief, poverty,
aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country and of fellowmen.
 The yearly festival of Filipino Films continued to be held during this period.
Prepared by: Ms. Jonna Mae E. Gonzales, LPT
Philippine Literature Instructor