Mark Joren Sera 1st Year

Sr. Michelle Carcasona Phil. Literature

1. Religious Literature
A. Pasyon (The Passion)
According to Kahayon and Zulueta (2000), there were four versions of this in
Tagalog and each version is according to the name of the writer. These are the version of
Mariano Pilapil in Bulacan in 1814, the version of Gaspar Aquino de Belen of Bat, in 1704. The
version of Aniceto de la Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan in 1856 and the version of Luis de Guia
in 1750.
Moreover, in singing, chanters may take 2-4 nights taking turns in shifts of 3-4
hours each. It has been translated into every principal dialect like Ilocano, Ibanag, Pampanga,
Bicol, and Visayan version.

PANALANGIN SA DIOS (de la Merced’s version)

Oh Diyos sa Kalangitan.
Hari ng Sangkalupaan,
Diyos na walang kapantay,
Mabait lubhang maalam
At puno ng karunungan

Ikaw na Amang Tumobos

Na nangungulilang lubos
Amang di matapus-tapos
Maawai’t mapagkupkop
Sa taong lupa’t alabok

Iyong itulot sa amin

Diyos Amang maawain,
Mangyaring aming dalitin
 Hirap, sakit at hilahil
Ng Anak mong ginigiliw
B. CENACULO
This is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
This is written in octosyllabic verse with 8 verses in each stanza. The full length versions take
about 3 nights of staging. The performers come in costumes with wigs, and the performers are
carefully chosen for their virtuous life. One performs the role of Jesus Christ and the other, the
role of the Virgin Mary. Many famous cenaculo players come from Tagalog regions although
there are also those from the Ilocos, Pampanga, Bicol, and both Sibulanon and Hiligaynon.
There are two kinds of Cenaculo:
1. Cantada – This is chanterd like the Pasion.
2. Hablada – The lines are spoken in a more deliberate manner showing the
rhythmic measure of each verse.

2. Secular (Non- Religious) Literature

A. Awit – Is a narrative poetry. It has measures of twelve syllables (dodecasyllabic)
and slowly sung to the accompaniment of a guitar or banduria. Refers to chanting.
B. Corrido – Is in octosyllabic verse. Refers to narration. Usually on legends or
stories from European countries like France, Spain, Italy, and Greece.