1. 13.

 Literary Forms during the Pre-colonial Period

2. 14. Mythology, body of myths of a particular culture, and also the study and
interpretation of myth. Myth is a complex cultural phenomenon that can be approached
from a number of viewpoints. In general, myth is a narrative that describes and portrays
in symbolic language the origin of the basic elements and assumptions of a culture.
Mythic narrative relates, for example, how the world began, how humans and animals
were created, and how certain customs, gestures, or forms of human activities
originated. Almost all cultures possess or at one time possessed and lived in terms of
myths. MYTHS
3. 15. Myths are traditional stories occurring in a timeless past. They involve supernatural
elements and are beyond the frontiers of logic. Long ago, when our ancestors heard the
sound of thunder and saw lightning, they were frightened because they could not
understand why these things happened. In order to understand these and other natural
events, they created stories. The stories were handed down from generation to
generation all over the country. Although myths are not based on objective truth, they
reflect both universal worries and the worries of specific cultures. MYTHS
4. 16. WORLD LITERATURE: In the cold northern countries, where the sun disappears
almost completely during the winter season, great fires were lit in the midwinter to help
the sun to be reborn. The ancient Greeks tell a myth in which Prometheus stole fire from
Zeus, the chief god, and gave it to humans so that they could keep themselves warm.
To punish him, Zeus chained Prometheus to a rock where his liver was eaten by an
eagle every day but grew again every night. MYTHS
5. 17. a. The Gods and Goddesses (Ilocos) b. Why There is a High Tide during a Full
Moon (Ibanag) c. Why the Dead Come Back No More (Ifugao) d. Mag-asawang Tubig
(Tagalog) e. How the Moon and the Stars Came to Be (Bukidnon – Mindanao) Myths
from the Different Regions of the Philippines
6. 18. One day in the times when the sky was close to the ground a spinster went out to
pound rice. Before she began her work, she took off the beads from around her neck
and the comb from her hair, and hung them on the sky, which at that time looked like
coral rock. Then she began working, and each time that she raised her pestle into the
air it struck the sky. For some time she pounded the rice, and then she raised the pestle
so high that it struck the sky very hard. Immediately the sky began to rise, and it went
up so far that she lost her ornaments. Never did they come down, for the comb became
the moon and the beads are the stars that are scattered about. How the Moon and the
Stars Came to Be (An Epic from Bukidnon)
7. 19. Traditional narrative or collection of related narratives, popularly regarded as
historically factual but actually a mixture of fact and fiction. The medieval Latin word
legenda means “things for reading”. During certain services of the early Christian
Church, legenda, or lives of the saints, were read aloud. A legend is set in a specific
place at a specific time; the subject is often a heroic historical personage. LEGENDS
8. 20. A legend differs from a myth by portraying a human hero rather than one who is a
god. Legends, originally oral, have been developed into literary masterpieces. Legends
are stories about real people who are famous for doing something brave or
extraordinary. Every time the story was told, it became more exaggerated and so it is
now difficult to tell how much of the story is really true. LEGENDS
9. 21. WORLD LITERATURE: One of the greatest legendary figures in Britain is King
Arthur. He was the son of King Uther Pendragon, a Celtic King. King Uther gave his
child to Merlin the wizard. Merlin taught Arthur everything he knew so that he could
become a great king. When King Uther died, Merlin stuck a sword into a rock and said,
‘This sword is in the stone by magic. Only the true king will be able to pull it out’. Many
men tried but none succeeded. When Arthur tried, the sword slipped out easily. Arthur
 was made king. He went on to found the Round Table, an order to knights who became
famous for fighting the wicked and helping the poor. LEGENDS
10. 22. a. The Legend of the Sleeping Beauty (Kalinga) b. Legend of the Dama de Noche c.
Legend of the Banana Plant d. Legend of the Firefly Legends from the Philippines
11. 23. The proverbs or aphorisms express norms or codes of behavior, community beliefs
or they instill values by offering nuggets of wisdom in short, rhyming verse. The
extended form, tanaga, a mono- riming heptasyllabic quatrain expressing insights and
lessons on life is “more emotionally charged than the terse proverb and thus has
affinities with the folk lyric.” Some examples are the basahanon or extended didactic
sayings from Bukidnon and the daraida and daragilon from Panay.
12. 24. The folk song, a form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and aspirations, the
people’s lifestyles as well as their loves. These are often repetitive and sonorous,
didactic and naive as in the children’s songs or Ida-ida (Maguindanao), tulang pambata
(Tagalog) or cansiones para abbing (Ibanag).
13. 25. A few examples are the lullabyes or Ili-ili (Ilongo); love songs like the panawagon
and balitao (Ilongo);harana or serenade (Cebuano); the bayok (Maranao); the seven-
syllable per line poem, ambahan of the Mangyans that are about human relationships,
social entertainment and also serve as a tool for teaching the young; work songs that
depict the livelihood of the people often sung to go with the movement of workers such
as the kalusan (Ivatan), soliranin (Tagalog rowing song) or the mambayu, a Kalinga
rice-pounding song; the verbal jousts/games like the duplo popular during wakes.
14. 26. Made up of one or more measured lines with rhymes and may consist of 4 to 12
syllables Showcase the Filipino wit, literary talent, and keen observation of the
surroundings Involves reference to one or two images that symbolize the
characteristics of an unknown object that is to be guessed RIDDLES (Bugtong or
Palaisipan)
15. 27. 1. Nagtago si Pedro, labas ang ulo. (Pedro hides but you can still see his head. ) 2.
Hindi pari, hindi hari, nagdadamit ng sari-sari. (Not a priest, not a king but wears
different kinds of clothes.) 3. Bugtong-pala-bugtong, kadenang umuugong. (Riddle me,
riddle me, here comes a roaring chain). 4. Heto na si Kaka, bubuka-bukaka. (Here
comes Kaka, walking with an open leg.) 5. Buhok ni Adan, hindi mabilang. (Adam's hair,
you can't count.) 6. Buhok ni Adan, hindi mabilang. (Adam's hair, you can't count.) 7. Sa
araw ay bungbong, sa gabi ay dahon. (Roll in the morning, leaf in the afternoon). 8. Iisa
ang pasukan, tatlo ang labasan. (It has one entrance, but has three exit. ) Examples of
Riddles
16. 28. Answers 1. Pako - (Nails) 2. Sampayan - (Clothesline) 3. Tren - (Train) 4.Gunting -
(Scissors) 5. Ulan - (Rain) 6. Tubig - (Water) 7. Banig - (Mat) 8. Damit/Baro - (Dress)
17. 29. A proverb is a simple and concrete saying, popularly known and repeated, that
expresses a truth based on common sense or experience. They are often metaphorical.
A proverb that describes a basic rule of conduct may also be known as a maxim. These
have been customarily used and served as laws or rules on good behavior by our
ancestors. To others, these are like allegories or parables that impart lessons for the
young. PROVERBS or EPIGRAMS (Salawikain or Sawikain)
18. 30. 1. A broom is sturdy because its strands are tightly bound. Matibay ang walis,
palibhasa'y magkabigkis. People gain strength by standing together. 2. It is hard to
wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep. Mahirap gisingin ang nagtutulog-
tulugan. While it is easy to tell people something they do not know, it is much harder if
they are willfully choosing not to see what is before them. Examples of Proverbs
19. 31. 3. If you persevere, you will reap the fruits of your labor. Pag may tiyaga, may
nilaga. They don't call them the fruits of labor for nothing. Hard work and perseverance
are needed to reach your goals. But if you keep trying, one day you will enjoy the results
 of your efforts. 4. New king, new character. Bagong hari, bagong ugali. New leadership
always brings new ways. Examples of Proverbs
20. 32. Chants are used in witchcraft and enchantments. Our ancestors also believe in
unseen spirits or elemental spirits like dwarfs. They give respect, ask for permission,
and excuse or apology to these spirits in order to deliver them from trouble and danger.
Example of chants, Tabi, tabi po, Ingkong, makikiraan po lamang. Bari-bari Apo, umisbo
lang ti tao. (Ilokano) CHANTS (Bulong)
21. 33. Sayings are used in teasing or to comment on a persons’ actuations. Example of
sayings, Nag-almusal mag-isa; Kaninglamig, tinapa; Nahulog ang kutsara; Ikaw na
sana, sinta. SAYINGS (Kasabihan)
22. 34. A quatrain with seven syllables each with the same rhyme at the end of each line
Example of tanaga, “Tahak ng tingin, tulak ng sulyap, yakap, lapat ng titig sa balikat,
hatak pa, kindat, hakat.” TANAGA
23. 35.  A form of folk lyric which expresses the people’s hopes, aspirations and lifestyles.
 Repetitive and sonorous, didactic and naïve.  Traditional songs and melodies. 
Inspired by the reaction of the people to their environment. FOLK SONGS
24. 36. 1. Uyayi – lullaby 2. Komintang – war song 3. Kundiman – melancholic love song 4.
Harana – serenade 5. Tagay – drinking song 6. Mambayu – Kalinga rice-pounding song
7. Subli – dance ritual song of courship or marriage 8. Tagulaylay – songs of the dead
Examples of Folk Songs
25. 37. The ambahan is a literary product and poetic expression of the Southern Mangyans
of Mindoro, Philippines. As a definition, it can be stated that the ambahan is: a. A
rhythmic poetic expression with a meter of seven syllable lines and having rhythmic
end-syllables. b. It is most often presented as a chant without a determined musical
pitch or accompaniment by musical instruments. c. Its purpose is to express in an
allegorical way, liberally using poetic language, certain situations or certain
characteristics referred to by the one reciting the poem. AMBAHAN
26. 38. 1. Buli sa may kaingin Noong s'ya pa'y musmusin Hindi ko pinapansin Nang
gumulang, pagsapit Tanggi ko ang lumain Sariwa kong kukunin Bayong kong lalalain
Lagi kong sasakbitin! Example of Ambahan
myth is a narrative that describes and portrays in symbolic language the origin of the basic elements
and assumptions of a culture and narrates how the world began, how humans and animals were
created, and how certain customs, gestures, or forms of human activities originated
RIDDLES (bugtong) – battle of wits among participants. It is called Tigmo in Cebu, Paktakon in Ilonggo and
Patotdon in Bicol.

PROVERBS (salawikain) – wise sayings that contain a metaphor used to teach as a food for thought.

TANAGA – one stanza poems consisted usually of four lines with seven syllables, all lines rhyming.

FOLK SONGS – one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature that emerged in the Pre-Spanish period.

a. Hele or oyayi -lullaby

b. Ambahan (Mangyan) –about human relationships and social entertainment

c. Kalusan (Ivatan) – work songs

d. Tagay (Cebuano and Waray) – drinking song e. Kanogan (Cebuano) – song of lamentation for the dead

FOLK TALES MYTHS – describes and portrays in symbolic language the origin of the basic elements and
assumptions of a culture

LEGENDS – explain the origin of things.

FABLES – used animal characters and allegory

FANTASY STORIES – deal with underworld characters such as tiyanak, aswang, kapre and so on.

EPICS – these are narratives of sustained length based on oral tradition revolving around supernatural events or
heroic deeds.

Ex: Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilocano), Hinilawod (Panay), Kudaman (Palawan), Darangen (Maranao) FOLK TALES –
made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror and humor where one can derive lessons about life. 

1.  SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD 1565-1863

Spanish occupied Philippines in early 15th century. The Spanish colonization period has two
distinct classifications – religious and secular.
 2. 2. RELIGIOUS LITERATURE – religious lyrics written by Ladino poets or those versed in
both Spanish and Tagalog were included in early catechism. a. Pasyon – long narrative
poem about the passion and death of Christ. 1704 – Mahal Na Pasion ni Jesu Cristo, b.
Senakulo – dramatization of the pasyon, it shows the passion and death of Christ. SECULAR
LITERATURE – non-religious literature a. Awit – colorful tales of chivalry made for singing
and chanting. Ex: Ibong Adarna b. Korido – metrical tale written in octosyllabic quatrains. Ex:
Florante and Laura by Francisco Baltazar c. Prose Narratives - written to prescribe proper
decorum. 1879 – Modesto de Castro’s “Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na si Urbana at
si Feliza” and Joaquin Tuason’s “Ang Bagong Robinson” Spanish Colonization Period also
has oral and written literature. ORAL LITERATURE – songs, religious drama, drama SONGS
– a composition for voice and voices performed by singing. Kundiman – is a Filipino love
song traditionally sung by a man wooing the woman of his dreams. a. Leron Leron Sinta –
this song depicts humbleness. b. Sarung banggi – a Kundiman which means “one night” or
“one evening” in Bicol. RELIGIOUS DRAMA – setting forth events recorded in the Bible or
moral lessons to be drawn from religious teaching. a. Panunuluyan – a Philippine Christmas
dramatic ritual. DRAMA –enacted in front of live audiences. It is also known as play. a. Why
Woman Wash the Dishes – this is filled with humor and antiques. WRITTEN LITERATURE –
short stories and poetry SHORT STORIES – a brief work of literature POETRY –an
imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound, and rhythmic
language. 1838 – Florante at Laura –about the love and determination.
3. 3. NOTABLE FILIPINOS DURING THE SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD IN PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE JOSE DELA CRUZ (1746-1829) – he was the foremost exponent of the
komedya during his time. FRANCISO BALTAZAR (1788-1862) – he was popularly called
Balagtas, he is the acknowledged master of traditional Tagalog poetry.
4. Mohammedans. The father organizes a rescue party where fighting between the Moros and
Christians ensues. 10. Awit – fabricated stories from writer’s imagination although the setting
and characters are European; refers to chanting. 11. Corrido – were usually on legends or
stories from European countries like France, Spain, Italy, and Greece; refers to narration.
5. 59. 12. Karagatan – this is a poetic vehicle of a socio- religious nature celebrated during the
death of a person. 13. Duplo – this replaced the Karagatan; this is just a poetic joust in
speaking and reasoning. 14. Balagtasan – a poetic joust or a contest of skills in debate on a
particular topic or issue. 15. Dung-aw – a chant in free verse by a bereaved person or his
representative beside the corpse of the dead.

Spanish colonization of the Philippines started in 1565. Literature started to flourish during this time.

ALIBATA as first Filipino alphabet was replaced by the Roman alphabet.

The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
The Spanish language became the literary language during this time.
The periodicals during these times gained a religious tone.
Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano, and Visayan.
European legends and traditions became assimilated in our songs, corridos and moro- moros.
Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other dialects.
Printing presses that published literary works were owned and managed by religious order.

SPANISH INFLUENCES ON THE PHILIPPINE LITERATURE 

THE FIRST BOOKS
1. Ang Doctrina Cristiana (The Christian Doctrine)
2. Nuestra Senora del Rosario
3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre
 4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat
5. The Pasion
6. Urbana at Felisa
7. Ang mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary) 

LITERARY COMPOSITIONS
1. Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (Art and Rules of the Tagalog language)
2. Compendio de la Lengua Tagala (Understanding the Tagalog language)
3. Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (Tagalog vocabulary)
4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampango vocabulary)
5. Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya (Bisayan vocabulary)
6. Arte de la Lengua Ilokana (The Art of the Ilocano language)
7. Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol Language)
 
RECREATIONAL PLAYS- During Spanish times, many recreational plays performed by Filipinos were in
poetic form

NOTABLE FILIPINOS DURING THE SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

JOSE DELA CRUZ (1746-1829) –the foremost exponent of the komedya during his time.

FRANCISO BALTAZAR (1788-1862) – he was popularly called Balagtas, he is the acknowledged master of
traditional Tagalog poetry.

CENAKULO- dramatic performance of the passion and death of Christ

ZARZUELA- 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.
LAGAYLAY- special occasion for the pilareños of sorsogon during maytime to get together
TIBAG- dramatic performance for manifesting devotion for the holy cross.
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.
SALUBONG- dramatizes the reunion of the risen Christ and his mother.
CARILLO- form of dramatic entertainment perform on a moonless night during a town fiesta or on dark
nights after a harvest.
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.
 THE MORO-MORO Like the Cenaculo, it is presented also on a special stage where this is performed
during town fiestas to entertain the people and to remind them of their Christian religion.
Example: “Prinsipe Rodante”
KARAGATAN This is a poetic vehicle of a socio- religious nature celebrated during the death of a person.
DUPLO- replaced the Karagatan. This is a poetic joust in speaking and reasoning.
THE BALAGTASAN- a poetic joust or a contest of skills in debate on a particular topic or issue.
THE DUNG-AW- a chant in free verse by a bereaved person or his representative beside the corpse of
the dead.
 AWIT
- in dodecasyllabic verse.
- fabricated stories from writers’ imagination although the setting and characters are European.
- refers to chanting
 Example: Florante at Laura by Francisco Balagtas
CORRIDO
- in octosyllabic verse.
- usually on legends or stories from European countries like France, Spain, Italy and Greece.
- refers to narration.
Example: Ibong Adarna by Jose de la Cruz
Two Distinct Classifications of Spanish Colonzation Period.

RELIGIOUS LITERATURE – religious lyrics written by Ladino poets or versed in both Spanish and Tagalog

a. Pasyon – long narrative poem about the passion and death of Christ

b. Senakulo – dramatization of the pasyon, it shows the passion and death of Christ.

SECULAR LITERATURE – non-religious literature

a. Awit – colorful tales of chivalry made for singing and chanting. Ex: Ibong Adarna

b. Korido – metrical tale written in octosyllabic quatrains. Ex: Florante and Laura by Francisco Baltazar

c. Prose Narratives - written to prescribe proper decorum.

Oral and Written Literature during Spanish Colonization Period

ORAL LITERATURE – songs, religious drama, drama

SONGS – a composition for voice and voices performed by singing.

a. Kundiman – Filipino love song traditionally sung by a man wooing the woman of his dreams.

b. Leron Leron Sinta – this song depicts humbleness.

c. Sarung banggi – a Kundiman which means “one night” or “one evening” in Bicol.

RELIGIOUS DRAMA – setting forth events recorded in the Bible or moral lessons to be drawn from
religious teaching.

a. Panunuluyan – a Philippine Christmas dramatic ritual.

DRAMA –enacted in front of live audiences. It is also known as play.

a. Why Woman Wash the Dishes – this is filled with humor and antiques.

WRITTEN LITERATURE – short stories and poetry

SHORT STORIES – a brief work of literature

POETRY –an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound, and rhythmic
language. Florante at Laura –about the love and determination.

1. NATIONALISTIC/ PROPAGANDA AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD 1864-1896 Literary

Forms under this period include propaganda literature and revolutionary literature.
 PROPAGANDA LITERATURE – reformatory in objective. a. POLITICAL ESSAYS – satires,
editorials and news articles were written to attack and expose the evils of Spanish rule. i.
1882 – Diariong Tagalog ii. 1888 – La Solidaridad b. POLITICAL NOVELS i. 1887 – Noli Me
Tangere ii. 1891 – El Filibusterismo REVOLUTIONARY LITERATURE – more
propagandistic than literary as it is more violent in nature and demanded complete
independence for the country. a. POLITICAL ESSAYS – helped inflame the spirit of
revolution 1896 – Kalayaan – was a newspaper of the Katipunan which means
"independence and solidarity” edited by Emilio Jacinto. b. POETRY 1896 – Hibik ng Pilipinas
– Andres Bonifacio 1896 – Liwanag at Dilim – Emilio Jacinto 1898 – True Decalogue –
Apolinario Mabini
2. 4. RIZALIST AGE 1896-1899 1896 - Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo sparked the
Revolution of 1896. RIZAL AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES JOSE RIZAL Philippine National
Hero of the Philippines. a. 1896 – Mi Ultimo Adios – a poem written by Jose Rizal that was
one of the last notes he wrote before his death. MARCELO H. DEL PILAR Popularly known
as Plaridel, he was the editor and co-publisher of La Solidaridad. 1888 – Dasalan at
Tocsohan –a satire on the friars’ hypocrisy, licentiousness and greed sarcasm. ANDRES
BONIFACIO He was the “Father of the Philippine Revolution”. 1896 – Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang
Lupa –directed to the Filipinos in order to arouse their spirit of nationalism and self-
dependence.