Literature is derived from the latin term “litera” which means letter that

deals with ideas , thoughts and emotions of man.

Qualities of Literature
1. Artistry
2. Intellectual Value
3. Suggestiveness
4. Spiritual Value
5. Permanence
6. Universality

Philippine Literary Development

1. BC-1564 —Pre-colonial Period
2. 1565-1863 —Spanish Colonial Period (333 years)
3. 1864-1896 — Nationalistic Period (32 years)
4. 1910-1930 & 1920-1945 — American Colonial Period (45 years)
5. 1942-1944 — The Japanese Occupation (2 years)
6. 1960-1986 —Contemporary Period
7. 1986-present —Post Edsa Literature

PRE-COLONIAL LITERATURE

Literary Forms in the Pre-Colonial Period

1. Riddles or Bugtong - generally in a poetic form and come in one, two,

three of four lines. It served as a form of folks of folk speech and are
about the battle of the wits.
2. Epic- a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition,
narrating the deeds and adventurous of heroic or legendary figures or
the history of the nation.
3. Folk Songs- one of the oldest forms of pre-colonial literature,
experesses the hopes and aspirations, the people lifestyles as well as
their loves.
Example; ili-ili and Kruhay(Iloilo), Koyu Ne Tubulul(T’boli), Dayo Dayo
Kupita(Maranao)
4. Proverbs or Salawikain- express norms or codes of behavior,
community beliefs that instill values by offering nuggets of wisdom in
short, rhyming verse. Ex. Kung may tanim, may aanihin

Folk Narratives
1. Myths- explain how the world was created; stories that involved the
mythological deities.
2. Legends or Alamat- explain the origin of things.

(Bathala, Amanikable, Idiyanale Dumangan, Mayari, Hanan, Ikapati)

3. Folk Tales- stories about life, horror, humor or adventure where one
can derive lessons about life.
4. Fables- use animals as main characters of the story.

(Manananggal, Tiyanak, Duwende, Kapre, TIkbalang)

COLONIAL LITERATURE (THE RISE OF PROTEST SCRIBBLERS)

Spanish Colonial Period (GOD. GOLD. GLORY)

Introduce the first printing press

Doctrina Christiana - the first published book (1593)

Literary outputs: Cathechisms, confession manuals, grammar books

dictionaries.

Poems in Spanish and Tagalog were written by “Ladinos” who were well-
versed in both languages.
Pasyon - a Philipine epic narrative of the life of Jesus Christ, focused on
his Passion, Death, and Ressurection.

Two-popular narrative poems:

1. Awit(Song) - a lyric poem in a regular metrical pattern set to music.
These have 12 syllables (dodecasyllabic) and slowly sung to the
accompaniment of a guitar or banduria. Ex. Florante at Laura by
Francisco Balagtas
2. Kurido(Corrido)- a poem written with a regular measure of eight
syllables (octosyllabic) and recited to a material beat. Ex. Ang Ibong
Adarna by Jose Dela Cruz

SINGSING NG PAG-IBIG ni Huseng Sisiw

Nationalistic Literature

 The period is divided into propaganda and the revolution

 Bonifacio, Jacinto, Mabini were the prominent revolutionary
writers
 This period was truly significant because it produced literature that
was realistic and truly Filipino (Balabar, 1989)
 A strong feeling of nationalism was the main agenda of this literary.

American Colonial Period

 Philippine Literary production during the American Period in the

Philippines was spurred by two significant developments in the
education and culture.
 The use of English as medium of instruction introduced Filipinos to
Anglo-American modes of thoughts, culture and life ways that
would be embedded not only in the literature produced but also in
the psyche of the country’s educated class.
 Philippine literature in English, as a direct result of American
colonization of the country, could not escape being imitative of
American models of writing especially during its period of
apprenticeship.

Two Periods
1. Emergence- the period of emergence is the time of self-discovery and
growth among writers to create a literature of nationalistic appeal
though English.
2. Apprenticeship- a period of novices with their exercises in fiction-
making and the rise of the new language
Japanese Colonial

 The literary period broke away from tradition

 Poet wrote in simple language and free-verse
 Bountiful harvest of poet

Ako Ang Daigdig ni Alejandro Abadilla

Contemporary Period (Martial Law-Post EDSA Literature)

 Feb. 22-23 — People Power Revolution

 2 millions Filipinos flocked together to support the people power
revolution
 The revolution lasted for 14 years
 Marcos reigns for 20 years
 Literary expressions give responses to the historical and political
force that have shaped Philippine society sine the pacific war.
 English and Filipino continue to be the major media of literature
 Literature as a venue for socio-religious discussions and a vehicle
for personal thoughts and feelings has become more marked.
 The Anglo-American tradition, which includes the free verse and
the blank verse, gained acceptance among writers.

Literary themes covers a wide range of subjects :

 Search for identity in varying levels-- deception, settings and
violence perpetuated by those in power.
 Grinding poverty, especially in the country-sided and in some cities.
 Nationalism
 Tenant-landlord relationship
 Human rights violation
 search for desparecidos
 Filipino diaspora
Post Edsa Literary

 Academic institutions included creative writing as a part of the

curricular offerings.
 Writer’s organizations that periodically sponsor symposia on writer
and/or set up workshops for its members and other interested
parties
 Gay and lesbian writings also started to emerge to re-frame
traditional assumptions.
 La Tondena, sponsors of the venerated Carlos Palanca Memorial
Awards in Literature
 National Commission for Culture and Arts was created by law in
1992
AIM: develop writing that is multi-lingual, multicultural and truly
national
 NGOs and some institutions collaborated in giving recognition to
writers from specific sector in the society.

Prometheus Unbound by Ruben Cuevas(alias Jose F. Lacaba)