YASMINE M.

RAMOS
BSED ENG II

REFLECTION PAPER 
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE DURING THE SPANISH COLONIZATION

It was not so long ago since we reported this lesson that drives us to look back at
what happened in our country, Philippines a few centuries ago at the hands of the
Spaniards that colonized our country for almost 333 years.
This long years, make a great impact to the life of every Filipinos as it leave scars
to our own identity, shredded blood- as the same Filipinos fought against each other,
force labors- as Spaniards were very superior to our fellow, and abusing of power- as
they imposed law that only beneficial to every Spaniards neglecting the right of every
Filipinos, resulted of their dark years and sufferings. These were only a few of the evil-
actions and hostility done by Spaniards to our fellowmen, as it made me agonized every
time I think about their worst and painful experiences as they lived under their rulings.
However, they still made a great influence in our culture, traditions, norms, and
most importantly our religion and belief system that made our literature bloom.
Although they dominated our own land, their architectures, infrastructures,
buildings, education schools, galleon trade and other facilities were the foundation of the
economy and open opportunity to the privileged Filipino citizens to study and learn with
them.
I believe that Galleon Trade becomes the vehicle for every Filipinos to speak
other languages and the process of barter helps us shape our culture and influence our
clothes, food and recipes and many more.
Going beyond, I become more aware that Christianity, our Religion were the greatest
contribution they made in our country.

Despite many sufferings faced by every Filipinos, their belief and religion were their
fortress as they began believing and following its principles and believing into one
Supreme God. Through their great books of Doctrina Christiana that contain the prayer of
God, sacraments and even psalms of prayers and to the Nuestra Senora, a pledge of love
and prayer offerings were the backbone of our religion and belief system.
As I realized, our literature in the Philippines during their time was very secular, divine
and always connected to the divinity of God, and showed what was written from their
bible. Most of the themes focus on morality and the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Also the
alphabet letters were changed, from alibata during the Pre-Colonial period up to the
Roman alphabet.
 As we can observe, Filipino were very intelligent, and fast-learners as they began to learn
and write their own pieces of literature among themselves. Even some of the Spanish
literature was translated by the Filipinos to Tagalog version and other dialects in the
Philippines.

A drama and other plays like zarzuela, pasyon, feast and many more were celebrated by
every Filipinos and they became more devoted to serve in the church and ready every doctrine
and prayer. Some of our Filipino terms and languages are also derived from the Spanish
colonization as people get to use the words and even practice it from day to day.

All of the learnings bestowed by privilege students like Jose Rizal along with his longing
for independence and love for the country were the backbone of him to write his two great
novels that reflect on how he resist to the tyrannical government made by the Spaniards to the
Philippines  as he wanted to save his oppress people from their dirty hands and awaken their
mind and souls to become aware about their situation and motivate other writers to follow his
path and become the image of hope to every Filipinos to rise up and fight for their own rights to
their own land and for their life.

For almost three century being hostile by the Spaniards, we cannot deny the fact the they
leave a great influence and legacy to us, from our religion and beliefs, culture, education, our
own Philippine Literature that shined and withstand every foreign conquerors as many Filipinos
were urge and dedicated to write their story and other genres of literature even after we gain a
total independence up to the present civilization.

Overall, a huge effect happened in our livelihood, religion, government, education and in
valuing our life as a person. Their great books that has been printed in the Philippines; Doctrina
Christiana and the Nuestra Senora Del Rosario are the key factors of our growing literature genre
and forms. Along with the prominent Filipino figures like Dr. Jose Rizal that though his works
and writings, he ignites other Filipino writers to fight in peace through their pen and paper and
become aware of their own rights on their own country land.