Research for 21st Century Lit:

-Period of Philippine LIt-

Pre Historic period:

-Pre-colonial literary pieces transferred in traditional narratives, speeches, and songs

include Tigmo in Cebuano, Bugtong in Tagalog, patototdon in Bicol, and paktakon
in Ilonggo. Baybayin (to spell) was the pre-colonial writing system in the Philippines.
Some modern scripts in the Philippines descended from Baybayin.

Philippine folk tales, epics, poems, and chants existed in most ethnolinguistic groups
and were passed from generation to generation through word of mouth.
● Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of Lam-ang) of the Ilocanos narrates the adventures of
epic hero, Lam-ang.
● Other epics known to most Filipinos are the Ibalon of Bikol, Darangan a Muslim
epic, the Kudaman of Palawan, the Alim of the Ifugao, Bantugan of the Maranao,
the Hinilawod of Panay, and the Tuwaang of Manobos.
● Pre-colonial literary pieces transferred in traditional narratives, speeches, and
songs include Tigmo in Cebuano, Bugtong in Tagalog, patototdon in Bicol, and
paktakon in Ilonggo.
● Baybayin (to spell) was the pre-colonial writing system in the Philippines.
● Some modern scripts in the Philippines descended from Baybayin. Those are
Hanunó’o, Buhid, Tagbanwa, the Kapampangan script, and the Bisaya script.

RELIGION
● Animism was widely practiced in the pre-colonial Philippines. This is a collection
of beliefs in the idea that the world is inhabited by spirits and supernatural
entities, both good and bad, and that respect must be accorded to them through
worship.
● These entities are commonly called the anitos, referring to spirits including
household deities, deceased ancestors, nature-spirits, nymphs, and diwatas
(minor gods and demigods).
● Tagalog supreme deities include Bathala and his children Adlaw, Mayari, and
Tala, or the Visayan deity Kan-Laon.
● Folk healers were called the babaylan: shamans and spiritual leaders, and
mananambal: the medicine men.
● In 1380, Arabian trader Karim Al Makhdum reached the Sulu and later
established Islam and the first Muslim mosque in Barangay Tubig Indangan on
Simunul Island in Tawi-Tawi.
● Their belief principally lies the unity of God (‘Allah’ in Arabic), and Muhammad as
his final messenger in a series of revelations.
CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS

● Farmers adapted the kaingin (swidden agriculture) to produce staple crops such
as rice, millet, bananas, and root crops.
● Weapons wielded by Filipino warriors were the balaraw, kris, and kampilan.
● Early Filipinos worked in various mines for gold, silver, copper, and iron for
jewels, gold ingots, chains, bangles, kalombigas, and earrings. These were
handed down and passed from generation to generation.

Spanish Period
-Philippine literature was born in Spanish. There had been a rich literary
tradition in the islands before the Spaniards arrived but it was the Spanish who
started to publish those tales and stories. The works of Rizal, the best known
Filipino writer and national hero, are a result of this inter-cultural process.

– Spanish colonization of the Philippines began in 1565 but it was not until the
late 19th century that significant writing in Spanish by Filipino emerged. A key
reason for the late development is that while printing was introduced in 1593
(with the first book printed in the Philippines, Doctrina Cristiana), the conditions
for a “culture of literacy” – particularly, the rise of journalism and an educational
system based on letters – developed only in the 19th century. Between 1593 and
1800, only 541 books were published in the Philippines. Before 1800, the only
noteworthy Filipino writers in Spanish were those who wrote religious literature,
usually in collaboration with the Spanish missionaries.
- The late 19th century was a watershed because of political, economic, and
social changes that “opened up” the colony to the world. While the first
newspaper in the Philippines, Del Superior Gobierno, came out in 1811, it was
the second half of the 19the century that saw the rise of popular journalism, with
the publication of papers like Diario de Manila (1848-52,1860-98) and El
Comercio (1869-1925). The increase in publishing outlets fostered the writing of
fiction and poetry, particularly among Spanish and Creole citizens of the colonial
capital. Equally important, the reforms of 1865 marked the beginning of a secular
public school system and efforts in promoting teacher training.
- The production and circulation of literature were regulated by the colonial
government. Censorship was in force, restricting the entry into the colony of
books like those of Victor Hugo, Alexander Dumas, and Eugene Sue. Even
Cervantes’ Don Quixote was initially banned for depicting “immoral customs.”
Yet, the force of social economic changes created openings for the emergence of
Filipino writing in Spanish.
 An important vehicle was the nationalist “Propaganda Movement” carried out by
Filipinos in Europe and the Philippines. The generation of the Propaganda Movement
produced a major wave of literary activity. The most important figure is that of Jose
Rizal (1861-1896), who produced, among many other writings, Noli me Tangere(1887)
and El Filibusterismo (1891) which remain, to this day, the most important novels written
by a Filipino. Important writers of Rizal’s generation include Pedro Paterno (1858-1911),
Marcelo H. del Pilar (1850-1896), Graciano Lopez-Jaena (1856-1896), and Mariano
Ponce (1863-1918). The organ of the Propaganda Movement in Spain, La Solidaridad
(1889-1895), was the leading medium for 19th-century nationalist writings in Spanish.

The end of Spanish rule in 1898 and the first decades of the American occupation
saw a surge of literary activity in Spanish. Factors for this surge include the spread of
secular and liberal ideas, advances in public education, and the expansion of journalism
and book publishing. A key factor, too, was the language situation in the early 20th
century. Three languages contended as medium for expression — the native language
(whether Tagalog, Iloko, Cebuano, or some other Philippine language), Spanish (the
language of the educated elite), and English (then in the process of being propagated in
the U.S. -sponsored public school system). In this transition, Spanish persisted as a
medium, particularly for the generation schooled in the Spanish system.

- The early years of the century — which some call “the golden age” of
Philippine literature in Spanish – produced a substantial body of work. The most
vigorous activity was in poetry, spurred by the presence of Spanish-language
periodicals, like El Renacimiento and La Vanguardia, and the popularity of
publicly-performed poetic jousts called balagtasan. The most important poets are
Fernando Ma. Guerrero (1873-1929), Cecilio Apostol (1877-1936), Jesus Balmori
(1886-1948), Manuel Bernabe (1890-1960), Claro M. Recto (1890-1960), and
Flavio Zaragoza y Cano (1892-1965). Significant books of poetry include Recto’s
Bajo los Cocoteros (1911), Guerrero’s Crisalidas (1914), Balmori’s Mi Casa de
Nipa (1938), and Apostol’s Pentelicas (1941).
Japanese period

-During the Japanese period, Philippine Literature in English was stopped

and writers turned to writing in Filipino. The Japanese authorities, with
extreme hate to the Americans, did their best to turn the Filipinos' sympathy away
from them. They rewarded handsomely the Filipinos who are faithful to them

Philippine literature poems during Japanese period

Haiku
Haiku is a poem of free verse of Japanese origin. It has 17 syllables divided into
3 lines. The first has 5 syllables, second has 7, and the third has 5 syllables. The
famous haikus that were penned by the early Japanese haiku masters such as
Bashō, Issa, Buson and Shiki. Haiku normally features allegorical meaning. It is
usually short but it covers a wide scope. The favorite topics of haiku writers
include nature, love, patriotism, nationalism, friendship and human emotions.
Haiku samples
Tagalog English
Tutubi Dragonfly
Hila mo’y tabak, -5- You pull a saber,
Ang bulaklak nanginig, -7- The flower is shivering,
Sa paglapit mo. -5- Moment you approached.
Anyaya Invitation
Ulilang damo, -5- A lonely grass,
Sa tahimik na ilog, -7- By the edge of the river,
Halika, sinta. -5- Come with me, my love.

Tanka
Tanka poems are very similar to haiku but Tanka poems have more syllables
and it uses simile, metaphor and personification. Tanks poems are written about
nature, seasons, love, sadness and other strong emotions. This form of poetry
dates back almost 1200 years ago. The 31 syllables are divided into 5 lines with:
first line with 5, second line with 7, third line with 5, fourth line with 7,and the fifth
line with 7

Winter
Beautiful mountains, -5-
Rivers with cold, cold water, -7-
White cold snow on rock, -5-
Trees over the place with frost, -7-
White sparkly snow everywhere. -7-

Philippine republic period

-It was formally established with Emilio Aguinaldo as president by proclamation
of the Malolos Constitution on January 21, 1899, in Malolos, Bulacan,
succeeding the previous Revolutionary Government of the Philippines. It endured
until 1901.

What are the characteristics of Philippine literature?

The early writings in English were characterized by melodrama, unreal language,
and unsubtle emphasis on local color. The literary content later imbibed themes
that express the search for Filipino identity, reconciling the centuries-old Spanish
and American influence to the Philippines' Asian heritage.Filipino writers
mastered using English and its different techniques in writing, wherein poetry,
fiction, drama, and essay was written.The World is an Apple and Other Prize
Plays (1959) by Alberto S. Florentino
Stories (1968) by Kerima Polotan
The Woman with Two Navels (1961) by Nick Joaquin
The Bamboo Dancers (1959) by N.V.M. Gonzalez
Countries where writers trained by joining workshops to dominate writing fiction
and poetry

Examples of Literature during Philippine republic period:

-America is in the Heart (autobiographical), Carlos Bulosan (1946)
-The Bamboo Dancers, N.V.M. Gonzalez (1959)
-Dogeaters (novel, nominated for National Book Award), Jessica
Hagedorn(1990)
-Many Voices (poetry), José García Villa (1939)
 Martial Law period

after signing the Proclamation No.1081, it became effective throughout the country and
on September 21, 1972, Ferdinand E. Marcos, the tenth President of the Philippines,
two days later officially declared the country to be on martial law. During his term, many
have feared his strong and ambitious character, and his power and political stances.
And this made a massive change that affected about 44 million Filipinos. Marcos being
the dictator, doesn’t favor the people of the Philippines.

The declaration of Martial Law stifled the creativity of most writers. The freedom of
speech, media and your own human rights were oppressed. During his regimentation,
there were different forms of literature that were being used. These forms that the
journalists used include Prison Literature, Protest Literature, Proletarian Literature, and
Circumvention Literature. The journalists used these as their weapons but they suffered
at the end.

September 25, 1972. The Department of Public Information issued Dept Order No. 1
which states the policies and guidelines for news media outlets. And it states that they
should assist the martial regime and any editorial opinion or commentary that is critical
of Marcos’s reign is forbidden.

On September 22, 1972, Marcos issued the Letter of Instruction No 1 which states that
he will take over and control all newspapers, magazines, radios, books and televisions
and other mass media. Anyone who will speak ill of the government and plant
propaganda against the regime will be sent to jail.

Despite the chaos that was happening, they didn’t stop writing. They still try to speak
out the truth to the public and fight for their rights. Even so, the government made a law
that journalists would have a limit on their writings against Marcos’ regime.

Who among the following are the notable authors during the martial law period?
-The Notable Authors during Marcos' Administration were Pete Lacaba, Mila
Aguilar, Jose Ma. Sison, F. Sionil Jose, Pedro Cruz Reyes, Lamberto
Antonio, and Lualhati Bautista.
Example of Literary works in this period are:
The Conjugal Dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos (Book)
by : Primitivo Mijares
- Among the most scathing publications on the Presidential couple, “The
Conjugal Dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos” was published in
1976 in the US amid growing demand for unsanitized information on the
administration. Prior to defecting from the government, the author
Primitivo Mijares was a Marcos propagandist and reporter for the
government-backed ‘The Daily Express’. Months after its publication, Mr.
Mijares disappeared, and copies of the book were allegedly stripped from
book stores in the US. The publication was banned in the Philippines.

Manila by Night (film)

by : Ishmael Bernal
-A stark depiction of Manila’s underbelly and the characters that operate
in it, Manila By Night gained critical acclaim (and pressure) for the bold
move to portray the capital city as anything but ’true, good,and beautiful’.
While not fully censored, facing pressure from the government the film was
heavily edited and distribution was limited. The word ‘Manila’ was also
dropped from the title, and barred from entering the 1981 Berlin Film
Festival.

The Untold Story of Imelda Marcos (Biography)

by : Carmen Navarro Pedrosa
-Once Martial Law took effect in 1972, Carmen Navarro Pedrosa’s the
Untold Story of Imelda Marcos was immediately banned, understandably
considering the substance of the publication. The ‘unauthorized biography’
allegedly revealed the magnitude of the former First Lady’s extravagance
during the ML period.

Contemporary Period

The Contemporary Period

-The flowering of Philippine literature in the various languages continue
especially with the appearance of new publications after the Martial Law years
and the resurgence of committed literature in the 1960s and the 1970s.
-Filipino writers continue to write poetry, short stories, novellas, novels and
essays whether these are socially committed, gender/ethnic related or are
personal in intention or not. Of course the Filipino writer has become more
conscious of his art with the proliferation of writers workshops here and abroad
and the bulk of literature available to him via the mass media including the
internet. The various literary awards such as the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial
Awards for Literature, the Philippines Free Press, Philippine Graphic, Home Life
and Panorama literary awards encourage him to compete with his peers and
hope that his creative efforts will be rewarded in the long run.
-With the new requirement by the Commission on Higher Education of teaching
of Philippine Literature in all tertiary schools in the country emphasizing the
teaching of the vernacular literature or literatures of the regions, the audience for
Filipino writers is virtually assured. And, perhaps, a national literature finding its
niche among the literatures of the world will not be far behind.

What is Philippine literature in the contemporary period?

-The Contemporary PeriodFilipino writers continue to write poetry, short
stories, novellas, novels and essays whether these are socially committed,
gender/ethnic related or are personal in intention or not.

Examples of Literature during Contemporary period:

-BayaningNagpatiwakal (1932)
-Ilaw Sa Hilaga (1948)
-Sugat Sa Alaala (1950)
-Maganda Pa Ang Daigdig (1956)
-Daluyong (1962)

-The contemporary movement toward the use of native languages in Filipino

literature was slow to begin due to the oppressive martial-law dictatorship of
Ferdinand Marcos from 1972 to 1986. However, following the end of the
dictatorship, the Philippines undertook an effort to resurface their native
language literary history, and the Philippine Commission on Higher Education
made it obligatory to teach Philippine literature to students.