METRO MANILA COLLEGE

U-Site, Brgy. Kaligayahan, Novaliches, Quezon City

BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

MODULE #1: History of Philippine Literature

Prepared by: Ms. Jessa Mae T. Gemilla

 LESSON #1: WHAT IS LITERATURE?

Sub-cover 1. Tiny woman sitting on

huge book (Pch.vector, 2020).
Freepik.com

CONTENT STANDARD:

The learner…
[CS.LIT.1] understands and appreciates the elements and contexts of 21st century
Philippine literature from the regions.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD:

The learner…
[PS.LIT.1] shows understanding of a written close analysis and critical interpretation
of a literary text in terms of form and theme, with a description of its context derived
from research.

OBJECTIVE:

At the end of the module, you should be able to…

[EN12Lit-Ia-21] identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine
literary history from precolonial to the contemporary.
 LESSON 1.1. LITERATURE

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The Definition of Literature

Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe

it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily
life requires and provides; and in this respect, it
irrigates the deserts that our lives have already
become. (Lewis, 2017)
Literature comes from the French word “littera”
meaning “letter”. It deals with thoughts and
emotions of man; therefore, literature is the story of
man. Through literature, we get the chance to
experience new things, explore themes around us,
and understand people’s feelings and thoughts.

Our forebears are proud forerunners of literature that

reflects their beliefs and traditions. Literature mirrors Fig.1.1. Hand written literary work on
pages of open book with feather and
one’s life story – including one’s struggles, inkwell (Macrovector, 2020). Freepik.com
achievements, sacrifices, failures, and happiness. With
the help of literature, we can learn about the thoughts and feelings of other people; thus,
we gain understanding of others – and by extension, of ourselves.

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LESSON 1.2 TIMELINE OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE (PART 1)

Literature and life always intersect at certain point,

since they feed each other – we seek in literature what
we cannot find in life, and in life what literature
promises. (Cirilo F. Bautista) It is a collection of
works – both oral and written – that Filipinos have
created. These works reflect the experience of people
living in the Philippines. It may be composed in one of
the languages in the country, in English, and/or in
Spanish. Studying Philippine Literature will help us [1]
appreciate our traditions, [2] understand different cultures, and [3] manifest our love and
pride for our own country.
I. PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD ( ___ B.C to 1564)
Pre-colonial period is considered as the longest period in Philippine
Literature. Literary outputs of this period are oral in nature. It is full of lessons
about life, blessings, and their consequences.

A. Oral Literature

1. Riddles are statements or questions with metaphors that are used as

a guessing game of objects.
Example: Buto’t balat, lumilipad (Saranggola)

2. Proverbs are wise sayings that are usually given by the parents or
elders of the community. These are intended to teach values and
considered to be a statement of a certain culture’s codes of behavior
and beliefs.

Example: Bahay man ay palasyo

Kung laman ay kuwago;
Mabuti pa ang kubong
Laman ay tao.

B. Folktales

1. Epics are narratives that revolve around supernatural events or heroic

deeds or adventures. These are either chanted or sung during
occasions. Epics are considered as the longest form pre-colonial poetry.
Example: Biag ni Lam-Ang

2. Myths are tales that explain the creation of the world and the things in
it or around us.
Example: Ang Alamat ng Pinya

3. Legends are stories retold time and time again as if they are real and
dated but not documented in historical accounts.
Example: The Legend of Maria Makiling
 4. Fables are short tales that use animals as characters to represent a
certain characteristic. These are intended to teach lessons and good
manners to children.
Example: Ang Kuneho at ang Pagong

C. Folk Songs

1. Lullabies are songs that are sung to put infants at ease or sleep.

2. Courtship songs are used by men to capture the hearts of the girls
they love.

3. Religious songs are usually sung during religious rituals like

thanksgiving for good harvest, commemoration of death, and the like.

II. SPANISH PERIOD (1565-1863)

The arrival of the Spaniards indicated the transition of Philippine literature from
oral to written. Philippine literature during Spanish period was focused on
religious themes.

A. Doctrina Christiana was published in 1953 and it was the first book
published during this era. This prayer book used both Spanish and Tagalog
which mirrored the spread of ladinos – writers proficient in the use of both
languages.

B. Pasyon was the most popular religious literature that is about the passion
and death of Jesus Christ.

C. Senakulo is the re-enactment of Pasyon performed during the Holy Week.

D. Moro-moro or comedia de capa y espada is the dramatization of the

battle between Christians and Muslims.

E. Awit is a dodecasyllabic four-line stanzas tales of chivalry. Florante at

Laura is a well-known example of this.

F. Korido is a piece composed of octosyllabic four-line stanzas. Ibong

Adarna is an example of this.
 * The diversity of literature spread when Filipinos became more literate in
Spanish and Filipino. In the 19th century, ilustrados wrote about the suffering
of colonized Filipinos. Some like Andres Bonifacio (“Ang Dapat Mabatid ng Mga
Tagalog”), Graciano Lopez Jaena (“Fray Botod”), Marcelo H. Del Pilar (“Pasyong
Dapat Ipag-alab nang Puso nang Taong Baba sa Kalupitan ng Fraile ”), and
Emilio Jacinto (“Ang Ningning at ang Liwanag”) headed reformation movement
and revolution. They wrote about the realities of colonization and pushed for
revolution.

On the other hand, the most influential writer in the 19th century was Dr.
Jose Rizal. He wrote Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in which the
characters of Philippine society during his time were depicted.

III. AMERICAN PERIOD (1910-1945)

In this period, the English language was adopted as the official medium of
instruction. The rise of English concurred with the wane of Spanish. American
teachers known as the Thomasites arrived in the Philippines. Educational
institutions were crucial to the development of Philippine Literature in English
as they helped establish various publications.

A. Zoilo Galang’s “A Child of Sorrow” was the first Philippine Novel in

English which was published in 1921.

B. The first popular short story in English is Paz Marquez-Benitez’s “Dead

Stars”.

C. Araullo and Castillejo’s “A Modern Filipino” is the first Philippine play in

English.
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[ACTIVITY 1.1] LET US ANSWER!

DIRECTIONS: Read the selections below and answer the questions that follow. (5pts
each)

Bilaan Story of Creation

(from Mindanao)
an excerpt

“…Melu did not wish any assistance, and a great argument ensued. Tau Tana finally won his point and
made the noses which he placed on the people upside down. When all was finished, Melu and Tau Tana
whipped forms until they moved. Then Melu went to his home above the clouds, and Tau Tana returned
to his place below the earth.

All went well until one day a great rain came, and the people on the earth nearly drowned from
the water which ran off their heads into their noses. Melu, from his place on the clouds, saw their danger,
and he came quickly to earth and saved their lives by turning their noses the other side up.

The people were very grateful to him, and promised to do anything he should ask of them. Before
he left for the sky, they told him that they were very unhappy living on the great earth all alone, so he told
them to save all the hair from their heads and the dry skin from their bodies and the next time he would
come he would make them some companions. And in this way there came to be a great many people on
the earth.”

"Source: http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/creation-phil.html

Tagalog Story of Creation

an excerpt

“…Then the earthquake called on all the birds and fish to see what should be done with these two, and it
was decided that they should marry. Many children were born to the couple, and from them came all the
different races of people. After a while the parents grew very tired of having so many idle and useless
children around, and they wished to be rid of them, but they knew of no place to send them to. Time went
on and the children became so numerous that the parents enjoyed no peace. One day, in desperation, the
father seized a stick and began beating them on all sides.

This is so frightened the children that they fled in different directions, seeking hidden rooms in
the house – some concealed themselves in the walls, some ran outside, while others hid in the fireplace,
and several fled to the sea.

Now it happened that those who went to the hidden rooms of the house later became the chiefs
of the islands; and those who concealed themselves in the walls became slaves. Those who ran outside
were free men; and those who hid in the fireplace became negroes; while those who fled to the sea were
gone many years, and when their children came back they were the white people.”

Source: http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/creation-phil.html
Guide questions:

1. What differences do the texts have in explaining how the world originated?
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2. Based on the details of the stories, what can you infer about the two cultures
that came up with them?
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3. In your own opinion, is there a “correct” version of how the world was created?
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LESSON 1.3 TIMELINE OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE (PART 2)

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IV. JAPANESE PERIOD (1942-1944)

In this literary period, Philippine literature was
redefined as Japanese strengthened the vernacular
languages and rejected English language from the
Americans.
A. This period deviated from tradition (figurative,
rhetorical, and verbose).

B. Poets in this period wrote using simple language and in free verse.

C. Several writers were distinguished as excellent practitioners. Liwayway

Arceo, Macario Pineda, Lorenzo Dilag Fajardo, and Genoveva Edroza-Matute
are some of them.
 V. POST-WAR PERIOD (1960-1986)
Filipinos experiences particularly during Marcos regime shaped the literary
outputs that the writers produced during these times. English texts and
vernacular works both have abounded.
A. “Prometheus Unbound” published by Ruben Cuevas is an anti-Marcos
poem which surprisingly found its way in a magazine that supports the
dictatorship.
B. Publications like “Philippine Graphic” and “Philippines Free Press”
were shut down when the dictatorship recognized the power of literature
to open the eyes and minds of the Filipinos.
C. In the form of pamphlets and anthologies, our writers came up with
underground literature.

VI. POST EDSA LITERATURE (1986-present)

A. Novels and short stories in English continued to flourish after the
dictatorship.
B. Our writers have produced nationally and internationally-acclaimed texts
despite the fact that outlets for literature diminished.
C. Several award-giving bodies brought out the best of our country’s writers.
The Palanca Awards have extended their recognition to more literary
forms (like children literature). The Manila Critics Circle was established
in the year 1981.

Nowadays, Philippine literature is diverse. The abundance of genres reflect the

richness of cultures.

[ACTIVITY 1.2] LET US IDENTIFY!

DIRECTIONS: Write the letter of the correct answer on the space provided before
each number. Use CAPITAL letters only.

A – Pre-colonial Period D – Japanese Period

B – Spanish Period E – Post-war Period
C – American Period F – Post Edsa Period

_____1. A Child of Sorrow _____6. Philippine Free Press

_____2. Pasyon _____7. Doctrina Christiana
_____3. The Manila Critics Circle _____8. Prometheus Unbound
_____4. The Thomasites _____9. Lullabies
_____5. Riddles _____10. The Palanca Awards
[ACTIVITY 1.1] LET US ANSWER!
DIRECTIONS: Read the poem below and answer the questions. (5pts each)

QUIETNESS
Amador T. Daguio

I am a lover of quietness—
Unechoed songs within a silent heart,
A silver pond, a statued loveliness
Where words can take no part.

I love the quiet ways of memory,

The quiet looks to give you loving praise,
The quiet secrets of your ministry
Through quiet nights and days.

The quiet mountains of the earth I love,

The soaring clouds, the sun, the dewy leaf,
My quiet questioning of God above,
My quiet, tearless grief.

Guide questions:

1. What does the piece say about quietness?

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2. Why does the piece describe quietness as the persona’s “quiet, tearless grief”?
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THINK PIECE #1
In this lesson, I learned that…

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BIBLIOGRAPHY (LESSON 1)

Main Reference (Books):

Ang, J.G. (2016) Literatura: 21st Century Philippines and World Literatures for Senior High School. Mindshapers Co., Inc.
Mata, E.L.I., Gabelo, N.C., Ambon, F.M., Babasa, E.E., (2016). 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
for Senior High School. Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
OFlathery, W. (2017, July 8). Essential C.S Lewis. https://essentialcslewis.com/2017/07/08/ccslq-37-literature-
Redoblado, S.V.D., Anastacio, T.M., Noval, J.C., Coralejo, E.F. (2017). Contemporary Literature: 21st Century from the
Philippines and the World. Brilliant Creations Publishimg, Inc.
Book Cover:

Pch.vector (2020). Focused tiny people reading books [Digital Image]. https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/focused-tiny-
people-reading-books_8609147.htm
Pictures for Lesson 1:
Pch.vector (2020). Tiny woman sitting on huge book [Digital Image]. https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/tiny-woman-
sitting-huge-book-flat-vector-
Macrovector (2020). Hand written literary work on pages of open book with feather and inkwell [Digital Image].
https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-written-literary-work-pages-open-book-with-feather-inkwell-
Pch.vector (2020). Tiny people reading and writing poetry and poem [Digital Image]. https://www.freepik.com/free-
vector/tiny-people-reading-writing-poetry-poem-isolated-flat-vector-illustration-cartoon-characters-standing-sitting-near-
open-book-ink-feather-entertainment-literature-concept_11672013.htm#page=1&query=literature&position=15

Macrovector (2020). University campus library bookcases [Digital Image]. https://www.freepik.com/free-

vector/university-campus-library-bookcases-flat-composition-with-students-reading-books-articles-with-
bookshelves_7201294.htm