Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Precolonial To Colonial
Precolonial To Colonial
FROM THE
PHILIPPINES TO THE WORLD
from generation to generation through word of mouth. Tales associated with the Spanish conquest
also took part in the country’s rich cultural heritage. Some of these pre-colonial literary pieces
showcased in traditional narratives, speeches and songs are tigmo in Cebuano, bugtong in Tagalog,
patototdon is Bicol and paktakon in Ilongo. Philippine epics and folk tales are varied and filled with
magical characters. They are either narratives of mostly mythical objects, persons or certain places,
or epics telling supernatural events and bravery of heroes, customs and ideologies of a community.
LITERARY FORMS
• RIDDLE (Bugtong)
Example:
* Ate mo, ate ko, ate ng lahat ng tao.
(My sister, your sister, everyone’s sister)
ATIS (SUGAR APPLE)
*Hindi hari, hindi pari. Ang damit ay sari-sari.
(Neither king nor priest. But has a variety of clothes)
SAMPAYAN
Example:
Tabi, tabi po, Ingkong
Makikiraan po lamang
• PROVERBS (Salawikain)
-short poems that have been customarily been used and served as laws or
rules on good behavior by our ancestors
Example:
*Ang matapat na kaibigan, tunay na maaasahan.
You will know a true friend in times of need.
*Ang umaayaw ay di nagwawagi, ang nahwawagi ay di umaayaw.
He who quits does not succeed, he who succeeds does not quit.
*Ang hindi lumilingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa
paroroonan.
A person who does not remember where he/she came from, will never reach
his/her destination.
• FOLK SONGS
-it is a form of folk lyric expresses the hope, aspiration and
lifestyles
heated. Smoke rose from the river. Soon, thick, black clouds began to darken the sky. Then Saguday
sent the strongest wind until the crowns of the trees brushed the ground. The god Revenador sent
down the largest strings of fire. The heaviest rains fell. All these frightful events lasted seven days.
The river Abra then rose and covered the trees. There rose a vast body of water until only the highest
part of the mountain could be seen. It looked like a back of a turtle from a distance. This was the spot
On the seventh day, Abra heard a cry. He also heard a most sorrowful song. Abra dried his tears and
looked around, but he saw no one. He was determined to find Maria Makiling, his grandchild. He did
The search for the baby lasted three full moons but to no avail, and the poor old man returned to his
home very sad. He lost all hope; his wits were gone. At that time Maria Makiling was under the care of
the fierce dog, Lobo, who was under a god of the Underworld. He had been punished by the other
gods, and that is why he looked like a fierce dog. He was sent down to do charity.
IBANAG
Why There is High Tide during a Full Moon
Long, long ago only gods lived in this world, the earth, seas, and sky were ruled by three different
powerful gods.The sun god, who ruled the sky, had a very beautiful daughter, Luna, the moon. Luna
enjoyed going around the heavens in her golden chariot. One day she found herself taking another
path which led her outside her kingdom. She wandered on until she reached the place where the
sky met the sea. Beautiful and unusual sights greeted her eyes. As she was admiring the beautiful
Things around, a voice startled her. It asked, "Where has thou come from, most beautiful one?"
Turning around she saw a young man who looked much like her father though fairer. She wanted to
run away, but when she looked at him again, she saw that he was smiling at her. Taking courage
kingdom." Soon the two became good friends. They had many interesting stories to tell each other.
When it was time for Luna to go, they promised to see each other as often as they could, for they
have many more tales to tell. They continued meeting at the same spot until they realized that they
One day after one of their secret meetings, Luna went back to the heavens full of joy. She was so
happy that she told her secret to one of her cousins. The cousin, jealous of her beauty and her
happiness, reported the affair to the sun god. The sun god was angered at his daughter's
disobedience to the immortal laws. He shut her in their garden and did not allow her to get out. Then
he sent a messenger to the sea god informing him that his son Mar disobeyed the immortal law. The
sea god, who was also angered by his son's disobedience, imprisoned him in one of his sea caves.
escaped from the garden. She took her golden chariot and rushed to their meeting place. Mar, who was
imprisoned in
the sea cave, saw her reflection on the water. He wanted to get out to meet her. He tried hard to get out of
his cave
causing unrest in the sea. Luna waited for Mar to appear, but he did not come. Then she went back home
very sad. Each
time she remembered Mar, she would rush out in the golden chariot to the meeting place in hopes of seeing
him again.
The fishermen out in the sea believe that each time Luna, the moon, appears, the sea gets troubled.
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
* LEGEND
-explaining the origin of things
Examples:
* Legend of the Banana Plant
* Legend of the Firefly
Legend of the Banana Plant
In the early days when the world was new, spirits and ghosts lurked everywhere. They lived in gloomy
caves, they
hid in anthills and tree trunks they frolicked in nooks and corners under the houses. In the dark,
sometimes their
tiny voices could be heard dimly, or their ghostly presence be felt. But they were never seen.
It was during these days of phantoms and unseen spirits that a young and beautiful girl lived. Her
name was Raya, and she was a girl bold and daring. She was never afraid of spirits. She would walk
in
the shadowy forests, bringing along a lighted candle.
Then she would tiptoe into dark and dirty caves, searching the place for spirits. Raya only felt or
heard
them never having seen them. But Raya always felt the presence of one kind spirit, whenever she
walked in the forest the spirit was with her at all times.
One day she heard someone call her name, and she looked up to see a young handsome man. She
asked him who he was, and he replied that his name was Sag-in, and he was the spirit who followed
her around, and even confessed that he had fallen in love with a mortal.
They married had a child and lived happily, but Sag-in knew that his time on earth was short for he
was a spirit-man, and would have to return to the spirit world soon. When he knew his time had
come,
he called Raya and explained why he had to leave. As he was slowly vanishing, he told Raya that he
would leave her a part of him. Raya looked down and saw a bleeding heart on the ground. She took
the heart and planted it. She watched it night and day. A plant with long green leaves sprouted from
the grave.
One day, the tree bore fruit shaped like a heart. She touched the fruit and caressed it. Thinking could
this be Sag-in's heart? Slowly the fruit opened , Long golden fruits sprouted from it. Raya picked one,
peeled it and bit into it. Then, she heard Sag-in's voice floating in the air:
"Yes, Raya, it is my heart. I have reappeared to show you that I will never forsake you and our child.
Take care of this plant, and it will take care of you in return. It's trunk and leaves will give you shelter
and clothing. The heart and fruits will be your food. And when you sleep at night, I will stand and
watch by your window. I will stay by your side forever!"
Legend of the Firefly
Fireflies!
Lovely little creatures, glittering, sparkling, throwing fragments of light in the dark night skies. How did the
fireflies or alitaptap come about? Once, along time ago, in the valley of Pinak in Central Luzon, one of the
islands in the Philippines. There was a deep large lake rich with fish. There, the people of Pinak fished for
their food, and always, there was plenty for all. Then suddenly, the big river dried up. In the shallow mud,
there wasn’t a fish to catch. For months, there were no rains. Out in the fields, the land turned dry. The rice-
stalk slowly withered. Everywhere in Pinak, there was hunger. Night after night, the people of Pinak prayed
hard.
"Dear Bathala," they would recite together in their small and poorly-built chapel, “send us rains, give us food
to eat. For the people are starving, and there is want among us!“
Then one black and starless night, the good Bathala answered the prayers of the faithful people of Pinak.
For suddenly up in the dark skies appeared a blaze of gold! A beautiful chariot of gold was zooming thru the
sky. The people started to panic but a big booming voice came from the chariot soothing them with words. "
I am Bula-hari, and I have come with my wife, Bitu-in. We are sent to the heavens to rule Pinak from now
on. We have come to give you good life!" As Bulan-hari spoke, the black skies burst open. The rain fell in
torrents. Soon the dry fields bloomed again. The large lake rose and once again was filled with fish. The
people were happy once more under the rulership of Bulan-hari.
Soon Bulan-hari and Bitu-in had a daughter. She grew up to be a beautiful maiden. Such long dark hair! Such
lovely eyes under long curling lashes! Her nose was chiselled fine. Her lips like rosebuds. Her skin was soft and
fair like cream. They named her Alitaptap for on her forehead was a bright sparkling star. All the young, brave
handsome men of Pinak fell in love with Alitaptap. They worshipped her beauty. They sang songs of love
beneath her windows. They all sought to win her heart.
But alas! The heart of Alitaptap wasn't human. She was the daughter of Bulan-hari and Bitu-in, who burst from
the sky and were not of the earth. She had a heart of stone, as cold and as hard as the sparkling star on her
forehead. Alitaptap would never know love.
Then one day, an old woman arrived at the palace. Her hair long and dirty. Her clothing tattered and soiled.
Before the king Bulan-hari, Balo-na, the old, wise woman whined in her sharp voice... that she had come from
her dwelling in the mountains to bear the king sad news. The news being that she saw the future in a dream and
it betold of their fate... the warriors of La-ut are coming with their mighty swords to conquer the land, the only
solution is to have a marriage between Alitaptap and one of the young men, so as to have a heir to win the war.
At once Bulan-hari pleaded with his daughter to choose one of the young men in their village. But how could the
beautiful maiden understand? Alitaptap's heart of stone merely stood in silence. Bulan-hari gripped his sword in
despair... "Alitapatap!" he bellowed in the quiet palace, "You will follow me, or you will lay dead this very minute!"
But nothing could stir the lovely young woman's heart. Bulan-hari blind with anger and
fear of the dark future finally drew his sword. Clang! the steel of his sword's blade rang
in the silence of the big palace. It hit the star on Alitaptap's lovely forehead!
The star burst! Darkness was everywhere! Until a thousand chips of glitter and light
flew around the hall. Only the shattered pieces of the star on Alitaptap's forehead
lighted the great hall, flickering as though they were stars with tiny wings.
Alitaptap, the lovely daughter from the heavens lay dead.
And soon, Balo-na's prediction had come true. Riding in stamping wild horses, the
warriors of La-ut came like the rumble and clashes of lightning and thunder. They
killed the people of Pinak, ruined crops, and poisoned the lake. They spread sorrow
and destruction everywhere.
When it all ended, the beautiful, peaceful valley of Pinak had turned into an empty and
shallow swamp. At night, there was nothing but darkness. But soon, tiny sparkles of
light would flicker and lend glimmers of brightness in the starless night.
And so, the fireflies came about. Once, a long time ago, they were fragments from the
star on theforehead of Bulan-hari's daughter, the beautiful Alitaptap.
* FABLES
- used animals characters and allegory
Example:
Ang Pagong at ang Matsing
* EPICS
- these are narratives of sustained length based on oral
tradition
revolving around suprenatural events or heroic deeds
Example of Epics:
• Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of Lam-ang) of the Ilocanos narrates the adventures of the
prodigious epic
hero, Lam-ang who exhibits extraordinary powers at an early age. At nine months he is
able to go to
war to look for his father’s killers. Then while in search of lady love, Ines Kannoyan, he is
swallowed
by a big fish, but his rooster and his friends bring him back to life.
• The Agyu or Olahing of the Manobos is a three part epic that starts with the pahmara
(invocation) then the kepu’unpuun ( a narration of the past) and the sengedurog (an
episode
complete in itself). All three parts narrate the exploits of the hero as he leads his people
who have
been driven out of their land to Nalandangan, a land of utopia where there are no
• Sandayo, of the Subanon tells of the story of the hero with the same
name, who is born through extraordinary circumstances as he fell out
of the hair of his mother while she was combing it on the ninth stroke.
Thence, he leads his people in the fight against invaders of their land
and waterways.
• Aliguyon or the Hudhud of the Ifugaos tells of the adventures of
Aliguyon as he battles his arch enemy, Pambukhayon among rice
fields and terraces and instructs his people to be steadfast and learn
the wisdom of warfare and of peacemaking during harvest seasons.
• Labaw Donggon is about the passionate exploits of the son of a
goddess Alunsina, by a mortal, DatuPaubari. The polygamous hero
battles the huge monster Manaluntad for the hand of Abyang
Ginbitinan; then he fights Sikay Padalogdog, the giant with a hundred
arms to win Abyang Doronoon and confronts the lord of darkness,
Saragnayan, to win Nagmalitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata.
SPANISH COLONIAL TEXT
Spanish colonization of the Philippines started in 1565 during
the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first Spanish Governor-
General in the Philippines. Literature started to flourish during this time.
The spurt continued unabated until the Cavite Revolt in 1872. The
Spaniards colonized the Philippines for more than three centuries.
The Spaniards colonial strategy was to undemine the native
oral tradition by substituting for if the story the Passion of Christ.
Althought Christ was by no means war like or sexually attractive as
many of the heroes of the oral epic tradition. Spain brought to the
country though at a much later time, liberal ideas and an
internationalism that influenced our own Filipino intellectuals and writes
for them to understand the meaning of “liberty and freedom.”
LITERARY FORMS
1. Religious Literature
-religious lyrics written by ladino poets
A. Pasyon
-long narrative poen that about passion and death of
Christ
Example: “Ang Mahal na Passiom ni Jesu Christong
Panginoon Natin
na Tola”
B. Senakulo
-dramatization of the pasyon, it shows the passion and
2. Secular Literature
A. Awit
-colorful tales of chivalry made from singing and
chanting
B. Korido
-metrical tale written on octosyllabic quatrains
C. Prose Narratives
-written to prescribe proper decorum
l. Dialogo lll. Ejemplo
ll. Manuel de Urbanidad lV. Tratado
THE FIRST BOOKS
1. Ang Doctrina Cristiana (The Christian Doctrine)
2. Nuestra Senora del Rosario
3. lLibro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre
4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat
5. The Passion
6. Urbana at Felisa
7. Ang mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary)
Ang Doctrina Christiana
LITERARY COMPOSITIONS
• Florante at Laura
• Ibong Adarna
• Gonzalo de Cordoba
NOVELS
• Noli Me Tangere
• El Filibusterismo
• Ninay
THANK YOU!
Alianie A. Etorma
Daryl Louise Lloren
12- FRANC Anamae Malait
Mia Grace Rosellosa