PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD Epics – these are narratives of sustained length

based on oral tradition revolving around

Early times 1564
supernatural events or heroic deeds. Ex Biag
The first period of the Philippine literary ni Lam-ang (Ilocano), Hinilawod (Panay),
history is the longest. Long time before Kudaman (Palawan), Darangen (Maranao)
Spaniards and other foreigners landed on the
Folk tale- made up of stories about life,
Philippine shore, our forefathers already had
adventure, love, horror, and humor where one
their own literature stamped in the history of
can derive lessons about life.
our race.
Riddles (bugtong) – battle of wits among
participants. SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD
It is called: 1565-1863

 Tigmo in Cebu, Spanish occupied Philippines in early 15th

 Paktakon in Ilonggo century. The Spanish colonization period has
 Patotdon in Bicol two distinct classifications – religious and
secular
Proverbs (salawikain) -wise sayings that
contain a metaphor used to teach as a food for
thought.
Tanaga – one stanza poems consisted usually
four lines with seven syllables, all lines
rhyming.
Folk songs – one of the oldest form of
Philippines literature that emerged in
Pre-Spanish period.
A. Hele or oyayi – lullaby
B. Ambahan (Mangyan) – about human
relationship 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 – explain how the world was
created, how certain animals possess certain
characteristics, why some places have
waterfalls, volcanoes, mountains, flora and
fauna
Legends – explain the origin of things
Fables – used animal characters and allegory
Fantasy stories – deals with underworld
characters such as tiyanak, aswang, kapre and
so on