Spanish PERIOD

In the early time of the Spanish Period, Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the
Philippines at the head of a Spanish expedition searching for the Spice Islands in
1521. Magellan never completed the journey himself; he was killed in an encounter
with natives after having claimed the Philippines for Spain. The actual work of
colonization began in 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi concluded treaties of
friendship with the native chiefs. Then he proceeded to establish a Spanish town on
Cebu Island, to convert the people to Roman Catholicism.

Christianization is not the only contribution of the spaniards

but also Education. The Education system that time is very limited and
only the illustrados are allowed to attend school also schools for boys and
girls are seperated.

 American PERIOD
Philippine literary production during the American Period in the Philippines was spurred by two significant
developments in education and culture. One is the introduction of free public instruction for all children of
school age and two, the use of English as medium of instruction in all levels of education in public
schools. Free public education made knowledge and information accessible to a greater number of Filipinos.
Those who availed of this education through college were able to improve their social status and joined a
good number of educated masses who became part of the country’s middle class. The use of English as
medium of instruction introduced Filipinos to Anglo-American modes of thought, 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. It was this educated class that would be the wellspring of a vibrant Philippine Literature in English.
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.

 Japanese PERIOD

During World War II, the Philippines was invaded by the Japanese army. This resulted in the death of
most national leaders, destruction of cultural properties, and an overall decline in the quality of life for
most Filipinos. Filipino poetry blossomed during this period. Most poetry written under the Japanese
occupation had a common topic of nationalism, country, love, and life in the barrios, as well as faith,
religion, and the arts. During this time, three styles of poetry evolved. The kanshi style was used by poets
such as Lazaro Alonzo and Francisco Balagtas. The waka style was popularized by Fujiwara no Teika in
the 11th century and includes many poems by Japanese poets such as Terazawa Zentaro and Ishikawa
Gohei. The tanka style originated in Japan and is known for its simplicity. Many Filipino poets were
influenced by these styles and others.

 Pre-Historic PERIOD

Earth’s beginnings can be traced back 4.5 billion years, but human evolution only counts for a tiny speck
of its history. The Prehistoric Period—or when there was human life before records documented human
activity—roughly dates from 2.5 million years ago to 1,200 B.C. It is generally categorized in three
archaeological periods: the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age.

Philippine prehistoric Period is in the early 564 and the longest literary period it ended when Magellan
came to the Philippines. The Jaw and Skull was discovered in the Tabon cave of Palawan before the
Arrival of the spanniards