Works of Spanish Religious About the Philippines (1593–1800)

 It was the Spanish colonizers, specifically Augustinian and Franciscan missionaries, who
introduce and spread Christianity in the Philippines.
 The colonizers want to undermine the native oral tradition of Filipinos by replacing it
with the story of the passion of Christ.
 The Spanish colonizers leaped by communicating with the "Indios" and employing them
as translators. Eventually, most of them learned to read and write both in Spanish and
their native language. This was the start of Indio(Filipino) literacy and the creation of the
first written literary native text by the native.
 Doctrina Christiana (1593), a prayer book, was the first book to be printed in the
Philippines and with a Tagalog translation. This was exclusive to Spanish missionaries
only.
 Then there was "Mahal na Pasyon" by Gaspar Aquino de Belen and was published in
1704, a poem written in the Tagalog language. It was all about the story of the
humanized, nativized Jesus. This was a milestone in the history of Philippine letters.
 In the 19th century, printing presses were managed by religious orders. Although
religious themes of the Christianized majority dominated, the native literature, at this
time, persists.
 In 18thcentury, secular literature called "komedya" was known which was inspired by a
spanish medieval ballad, a poetic-drama which was later called "Moro-moro", in which
the theme is about Christians triumping over Muslims.
 In the 17th, There was Tomas Pinpin, a Chinese Filipino writer, write a book entitled
"Librong pagaaralan nang manga Tagalog nang uicang Castila" which was the first such
work ever written and printed by a Philippine native. The book was made to encourage
the Filipinos to learn and speak Spanish.
 Catholism
 Writers who are called as "Ladinos", published mainly devotional poetry.
 There were writers who were known in their works during Spanish era:

1. The earliest writers of note were Francisco de San Jose and Francisco Bagongbata (Medina or
unlettered Indio catechumens ).

2. Gaspar Aquino de Belen, the most gifted among the poet-translators. He was known for
authoring Pasyon (a famous work of Christian poetry about the passion, death and resurrection
of Jesus) that was published on 1704.
3. Jose de la Cruz (1746 – 1829), the foremost exponent of the komedya during his time. He was
popular in his prodigious output and urbane style which was genuinely appreciated by majority
of lettered minority and the illiterates.

4. Francisco Baltazar (1788 – 1862) popularly known as Balagtas. He was one of the first indios
to become a Filipino. He was remarkably acknowledged master of traditional Tagalog poetry.
His narrative poem Florante at Laura written in sublime Tagalog, is about tyranny in Albanya,
but it is also perceived to be about tyranny in his Filipino homeland. Amidst the knocking
foreign influence, he managed to remain true to his native traditions.

*During Spanish period, printing overtook tradition, and became a mnemonic device. During
this times, a stage was set for the development of prose.

5. Pedro Paterno, a Filipino ilustrado and was known of his works "Ninay" (The first Filipino
novel written in Spanish), and his first book "Sampaguitas" that endeavors the endearingly
unique qualities of Filipinos.

6. Jose Rizal (1861 – 1896), known for his works Noli Me Tangere and its sequel El
Filibusterismo. These novels vividly portrayed corruption and oppression. He chose realistic
novel as his medium and Spanish language not to support, but to challenge the oppressor. His
patriotic works leads the Filipinos to overthrow the system, and unfortunately, his works leads
him to death.

*From the conclusion brought by Jose Rizal's books, the campaign for liberal reforms known as
the Propaganda Movement was created and waged by Graciano Lopez Jaena, and M.H. del
Pilar. It was a failed attempt. Then after that, the start of Philippine revolution leaded by Andres
Bonifacio with his revolutionary organization's idealogue, Emilio Jacinto, began. Both were the
admirer of Jose Rizal.

7. Andres Bonifacio (1863 – 1897, his most important work are his poems, the most well-known
being Pag-Ibig Sa Tinubuang Lupa. His work was in his native language.
8. Emilio Jacinto (1875 – 1899), he wrote political essays expressed in the language of the folk
and just like Bonifacio they both choses to communicate to their fellowmen in their own native
language.