LESSON 1: Exploring Philippine Literary Forms, Genres, Elements and

Traditions
● Philippine literature is as rich and diverse as the 7500 plus islands that make up our archipelago.
● This is not surprising considering that we have 183 living languages (ethnologue.com) across 17 regions
comprised of 82 provinces.
● One can only imagine the many forms of artistic communication (oral or written) that have been passed
on to and through generations, communities, and groups.
● Then and now, literature in the Philippines have come in various genres (forms) and have been
appreciated and analyzed for their forms, elements, structures, and traditions.
WHAT’S NEW
● The origin of Philippine literature can only be traced by exploring its evolution from pre-colonial up to
the present.
● Thus, studying the past becomes imperative in understanding the literature of the present.
● Different genres that appeared from each period seem to reflect the place, language, culture, social and
ethnic dimensions of literature produced.
● The nature and essence of literature has evolved over time.
● Traditionally, literature was strictly viewed as any form of written works especially during the 18th
century.
● Today, its definition and scope can be considered more restrictive for there are certain standards set by
some critiques before a work can be considered as a body of literature.
● Among the common words used by scholars and other sources that are associated to literature are
excellence, expression, experience, artistry, and imagination. Its connection to human life and
experiences, wherein audience can easily relate with, is the major characteristic of literature.
● Emerging habitually into quality literary works will help us gain better understanding of people, society,
and culture.
Literature
● The term literature is derived from the Latin word "littera" which means "a letter of the alphabet".
● According to the website Britannica, literature is traditionally defined as body of written works
associated to imaginative and creative works of poetry and prose and can be classified according to
variety of systems such as language, national origin, historical period, genre and subject matter.
● Literature can either be in oral or written form.
Literary Text
● The products of written literature.
● A text can be considered literary if it has the elements of psychological characterization and chronology.
Also, literature uses literary devices such as metaphor and symbolism. Reading for entertainment and
learning is the most common reason why people read literature.
Simply, the best way to describe the characteristics of literary text is that:
1. it narrates a story;
2. it expresses feelings, thoughts, and ideas which can either be based from the imagination or real life
experiences of the author or other people; and
3. it delivers significant information and crosses boundaries of time, places, cultures and languages.
Literary Structure
● refers to the organizational method used in literature in which the most common type is the narrative.
● Parts of the narrative structure (or plot) are the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and
resolution (denouement).
● In a much broader context, literary structure is not only limited to content and form but this may also
refer to "the general features or characteristic of genre, style, a specific literary trend, literature as an art
form, and finally, art as a whole" (The Great Soviet Encyclopedia).
● For Murphy (n.d.), literary structure may involve arrangement of various elements according to purpose,
style, and genre to effectively convey the intended meaning for the audience.
TWO MAJOR FORMS OF LITEARUTURE

POETRY PROSE

NARRATIVE DRAMATIC LYRIC FICTION NON-FICTION

Epic Dramatic Haiku Short Story Biography/
Ballad Monologu Ode Novel Autobiography
Metrical e Elegy Play Narrative Essay
Tales Soliloquy Sonnet Legend Memoir
Song Fable Diaries and
GENRES
● refers to the forms of literature. The general ones are oral and written. The main types are prose and
poetry.
LITERARY ELEMENTS
● refer “to particular identifiable characteristics of a whole text.
TRADITIONS
● refers to the specific traits of literary works that define a generation or period in history.
● A literary tradition “is a collection of works that have an underlying interconnectedness and coherence
that makes them more than simply a group of works sharing geography or group.
●
AN OVERVIEW OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
● All literary works produced before the Spanish colonization such as chants, proverbs, songs, and folk
narratives are considered under pre-colonial period which are mostly of oral traditions.
● This is not because early Filipinos did not have system of writing yet but due to the unavailability of
printing materials.
● Life was simple and so is literature during this period.
● If we have phones and other forms of technology to entertain us, our ancestors had literature for
recreation who were noted for being music lover as more than 10 types of songs in various Philippine
languages were discovered.
● Our forefathers also valued words of wisdom for teaching values as evidenced by numerous proverbs or
salawikain.
● Story telling was used to explain phenomenon and to teach lessons as well.
● Having bugtong or riddles was also a favorite past time and listening to narratives of bravery, magic,
and heroism in epics was a box office hit.
● The focus of literature suddenly changed upon the arrival of Spaniards.
● An emphasis on morality and religion was common in literary forms such as Corrido, Pasyon, and
Cenaculo.
● The production of printed materials started but it was mostly of religious purposes and themes. It was
made in an attempt to instill traditional Spanish ways and cultures among the native Filipinos.
● Despite this indoctrination, native tradition still survived and flourished especially for areas where the
colonial power was less popular.
● Literacy paved the way to develop sense of nationalism among Filipinos during the latter part of Spanish
colonization.
● Filipinos started to write about oppression, corruption, and other social ills such as in the works of Dr.
Jose P. Rizal entitled Noli Me Tangere and its sequel El Filibusterismo.
● The literary production during the American Period was inspired by the developments in education and
culture.
● Knowledge and information became accessible to all Filipinos because of the free public education.
● During the apprenticeship period, the Filipino writers imitated English and American models.
● All forms of literature were explored by Filipino writers.
● During this period, short stories were the most prevalent literary form.
● With the new knowledge of English language, many writers started to gain recognition both locally and
internationally like Jose Garcia Villa who earned the International title, “Poet of the Century" as an
example.
● Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development when we were conquered by Japan between
1941-1945 since freedom of expression was uncommon back then.
● Filipino writers in the Philippines were forbidden to write anything against the government and only
those who were in exile had the privilege to do so.
● The three most influential foreign invaders to the types of literature produced during colonial periods are
Spanish, American, and Japanese wherein the common themes and subject mostly tackle about
oppression, religion, freedom, or anything that reflects the experiences of Filipino people under the
colonizers.
● The influences brought to us by colonial periods are said to have been extended up to the postcolonial
periods especially in social and cultural dimensions.
● As a result of banning the English language, short stories written in the vernaculars flourished in the
country.
● Post-colonial is the period after the rebirth of freedom in the Philippines up to the present.
● One of the most unforgotten and controversial periods during this era is having Martial Law during the
Marcos regime.
 ● All of the periods mentioned are essential towards understanding the types of literature being produced
in the Philippines.

LESSON 2: PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE DURING PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
● The beginning period of Philippine literary history can be considered as the longest as evidenced by the
artifacts of different periods recovered ranging from 50,000 years ago to 14th century A.D. in the Tabon
Cave of Palawan
● The said exploration was headed by a team from the National Museum where they found the oldest
known human skeletal and fossil in the Philippines. The discovery later on led to the realization of our
very own indigenous cultures before the presence of the Spanish colonizers through the analysis of
collected oral literature preserved by our Filipino ancestors.

LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD MAY BE CLASSIFIED INTO THREE GROUPS:

1. Folk Speech
2. Folk Songs
3. Folk Narratives
● such as riddles, proverbs, myths, legends, fables, and hero tales.
EPICS
● Great of proportions among oral literature in all regions
WHAT’S NEW
● Spiritual traditions and regular trading with our Asian neighbors such as India, China, and other
countries from Southeast Asia had been part of our Filipino ancestors' daily lives during the pre-
colonial period
● As a result, early Filipinos were exposed to various religions and cultures that shaped their values,
beliefs, and traditions.
● Indigenous animism was predominant at the time, but Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism were also
embraced.
● Other than being one of the largest Christian countries today, our country is also considered as
predominantly Islamic since it was introduced in the 14th century as a foreign religion.
● Although, there was no formal education, early Filipinos already had their own government system.
● Daily experiences and religious rites and ceremonies mostly reflect the type of literature produced at
that time.
● Experts state the possibility of having our ancestors’ own system of writing during the pre-colonial
period but unfortunately only few survived in terms of written form leading to the prevalence of oral
literature.
PRE-COLONIAL PERDIOD
(Before the arrival of Spaniards)
● Certain events in the Philippines during pre-colonial period started to be recorded in the year 1521.
● Our rich past was reflected in "folk speeches, folk songs, folk narratives and indigenous rituals and
mimetic dances that affirm our ties with our Southeast Asian neighbors
● In terms of government, Filipinos were ruled by chieftains of different barangay. The Malacañang
Palace considered this as more on "alliance networking rather than territorial"
● There was no formal education. Learning was merely through imitation and practice.
Dimensions of Pre- Colonial Literature
● Philippine literature during the pre-colonial era is mostly based on oral traditions passed down from
generation to generation.
● The language used pertains to daily life.
● Common forms of oral literature are riddles, proverbs, and songs to express a thought or emotion.
● Epic was considered as the most exciting poetic and narrative form of literature in which the ASEAN-
sponsored study of Filipino asserted that there are more than 100 epics discovered where majority came
from Palawan (as cited by Quindoza-Santiago, n.d.).
● Majority of proverbs, epigrams, and proverbs collected by researchers come from Tagalog, Cebuano,
and Ilocano dialects.
 ● The ancient pre-Spanish form of writing called Baybayin which was often cited in the work of Pedro
Chirino during the 1500s, was later on approved as the National Writing System of the Philippines
through House Bill No. 1022.
IN GENERAL, THE FOLLOWING WERE COMMONLY PRACTICED:
● The experiences of the people during pre-colonial period such as food hunting, work at home, caring for
the children, and creatures or objects of nature served as the common subject in oral literature.
● Anyone who knew the language and the convention and forms could be a poet, singer, or storyteller.
● All important events such as rites and ceremonies reflect religious observance where people commonly
recite, sing, or utter a chant.
Types of Pre-Colonial Literature
Folk Tales.- These are stories which can be characterized as anonymous, timeless, and placeless tales circulated
orally among a group of people.
Legends- These are a form of prose which deal with the origin of a thing, location or name.
Myths- Unlike legends where the characters have realistic human qualities, the characters here usually have
supernatural powers where the main purpose is to provide explanation about the existence of something or
someone.
Epics- These pertain to a type of a long narrative poem mainly focusing on the heroic achievements and deeds
of the main character.
Folk Songs- These can be considered as the oldest forms of Philippine literature that mirror the culture which
expresses hopes, aspirations, lifestyles, and emotions of early Filipinos. Some examples are kundiman,
kumintang, oyayi or hele and some drinking songs.
Other Forms.- ome examples are proverbs (salawikain), riddles (bugtong), chant (bulong), maxims or those
with rhyming couplets of 5, 6, or 8 syllables, sayings (kasabihan), and idiom (sawikain). Tanaga is another
favorite poem consisting of four rhyming lines of 7 syllables each.

DAMIANA L. EUGENIO
● One of the widely recognized collectors of comprehensive proverbs in our country
● Considered as the "Mother of Philippine Folklore".
She classified proverbs into six categories:
(1) proverbs expressing a general attitude towards life and the laws that govern life;
(2) ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices;
(3) proverbs expressing a system of values;
(4) proverbs expressing general truths and observations about life and human nature;
(5) humorous proverbs and
(6) miscellaneous proverbs. Answer the activities below to explore more about Filipino proverbs (as cited
by Quindoza-Santiago, n.d.).

LESSON 3: SPANISH, AMERICAN, JAPANESE

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE DURING COLONIAL PERIOD
● Almost half a decade, after the documented discovery of the Philippines in 1521 during Ferdinand
Magellan's exploration marks the beginning of the colonial period.
● The Spaniards successfully colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years having evangelization as
its main thrust.
● The nationalistic consciousness of the Filipinos began when world trade took place in the Philippines as
a result of exchanging of liberal ideas with the other countries among children of middle class Filipino
families who were sent to Europe.
● This led to a revolutionary period that ended the long and oppressive Spanish tyranny in our country.
● American period of colonialism officially took place after Emilio Aguinaldo surrendered.
● The transition period between Spanish and American colonialism did not run smoothly since resistance
among the native Filipinos who were threatened by the coming of other colonizers was evident.
● The setting of public schools during the American period became a necessary tool for popularizing
democracy in our country, training Filipinos for citizenship, and embracing the English language.
● All of which are considered influential to Philippine literature even up to this date.
 ● The last colonizers to enter the Philippines were the Japanese who failed to gain the trust of Filipinos
and only lasted for less than five years.
WHAT’S NEW
● Philippine literature had been polished by colonial experiences of Filipinos during Spanish Period,
American Period, and Japanese Period.
● Moreover, foreign encounters with neighboring countries were also significant parts of Filipinos' lives.
● All of these Eastern (Asia and Middle East) and Western influences (Europe and North America) have
uniquely shaped the geopolitical, as well as economic conditions of the Philippines.
● Eastern culture is more conservative and traditions, while Western culture is liberal, open, and blunt.
Great consideration and respect for the elders is emphasized among Asian countries.
● On the other hand, Europeans and North Americans are quite expressive and have high regards for one's
own decision-making.
● An emphasis on Christian doctrine was manifested through various types of texts which replaced stories
about heroes and animated creatures to Biblical characters and saints as evidenced by novenas, prayer
books, and other printed materials.
● This makes literature during the Early Spanish Period didactic or intended for teaching morality and
conduct for good behavior.
● Other than books, plays and dramas emerged for recreational purposes.
● These were mostly poetic in nature and were intended for public performances.
● When few privileged Filipino men from middle class families were given access to education, they also
became fluent in Spanish language which paved the way to production of literary texts by our own
natives.
● Eventually, this led to reforms in the government through underground newspapers and revolts.
● Threatened by the presence of other colonizers, the transition between Spanish Period and American
Period was not smooth due to resistance among Emilio Aguinaldo who was the appointed president at
that time and our fellow countrymen.
● As compared to Spanish regime, American colonizers used democratic approach as manifested by
allowing a Filipino to lead the country through elections where Manuel Quezon won over Aguinaldo.
● Public education was then emphasized during this period where the English language was introduced
and embraced by many Filipinos resulting in various literary works in English which were mostly
imitative at first.
● Some notable Filipino writers later on adapted and developed their own theme, styles, and conventions
making their works recognizable both nationally and internationally.
● Watching foreign films replaced the popularity of theatrical shows and novels.
● The cruelty of the Japanese occupation was evidenced by strong resistance among the majority of
Filipino people.
● The attempt to erase Western influences was shown when they tried to ban the use of English language
during their reign.
● Freedom of the press and of expression was also suppressed.
● The Tagalog language was favored by the Japanese which made Tagalog stories and dramas flourish at
the time.
● Love for music was evident through exposure to opera and classical music.
● Life struggles, nationalism, and patriotism were the common themes and subjects but were secretly
published.
● Only those Filipinos who were living abroad could freely write and express their opinions.

I.SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD (1565-1898)

● This can be divided into two major periods: Early Spanish Period (1565-1863) and Later Part or
Revolutionary Period (1864-1896).
● Early Spanish Period can be categorized as either religious or secular.

DIMENSIONS OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

● The type of literature produced during this period used Spanish, Tagalog, and the vernacular form of
languages.
● Spanish was introduced as the medium of communication and later shifted to Tagalog when a sense of
nationalism arose during the revolutionary period.
● The introduction of the printing equipment called xylographic press by the Dominicans resulted in
publication of various religious materials and earliest books.
● Poetically inclined writers led by Tagalog versifiers called Ladinos (natives who were also fluent in
Spanish) such as Fernándo Bágongbantâ and Tomas Pinpin tackled mostly morality and religion.
● Folk songs still existed.
 ● Drama, as another type of literary genre, as well as metrical tales based on European origin (such as
awit and corrido) flourished.
● Diaryong Tagalog (1882), a Spanish-Tagalog newspaper, published bulk of Filipino writings. The
publication signaled the open campaign for reforms.
● In 1889, the La Solidaridad, an underground newspaper, became the mouthpiece of the Reform
Movement.

Emergence of Other Types of Literature during Spanish Colonial Period

1.Books
 In 1593, the book written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva entitled "Doctrina Cristiana"
(The Christian Doctrine) was first printed.

Among the other notable books printed are:

 "Nuestra Señora del Rosario" by Fr. Blancas de San Jose,
 "Barláan at Jósaphát" (first published in 1708) translated from Greek to Tagalog by Fr. Antonio de
Borja
 "Urbana at Felisa" by Modesto de Castro who is considered as the Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog.
2.Folk Songs
 These were songs modified based on the folkways of Filipinos during this period.
3.Recreational Plays
 These were mostly poetic in nature and intended to be performed during the Spanish era. Cenaculo,
Carillo, Zarzuela, Moro-Moro, Balagtasan, Duplo, and Karagatan are among the examples.
4.Novels
 These are fictitious prose usually lengthy and complex in nature. Pedro Paterno's work entitled "Ninay"
is the first novel published by a Filipino author. This was originally written in Spanish language and
translated into English and Tagalog in 1907 and 1908.
5.Newspapers
 There has been a debate on whether newspapers should be categorized as literature or not.
 However, according to Britannica, some high level journalism like articles written in a newspaper such
as columns and feature articles can be considered as literature for as long as they achieve a certain
level of satisfaction under aesthetic, chronological, and psychological characterization.
 Bulk of Filipino writings produced were mostly published in Diaryong Tagalog.
 The underground newspaper La Solidaridad is considered as the mouthpiece of the Reform Movement.

SOME NOTABLE WRITER

Francisco Baltazar (1788-1862)
 was hailed as the "Master of Traditional Tagalog Poetry". His well-known literary work, Florante at
Laura (1838–1861), is regarded as the most famous metrical romance of the country.
Pedro Paterno (1857–1911)
 the first Filipino who wrote poetry collection in Spanish entitled Sampaguitas y poesias varias (1880).
His novel in Spanish Ninay (1885) was considered to be the first Filipino novel.
Jose Rizal (1861–1896)
 a prominent ilustrado and the country’s national hero, is famous for the novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. These novels portray the corruption and abuse of the Spanish officials and the clergy.
Andres Bonifacio (1863–1897)
 the founder of the Katipunan, wrote the poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” which appeared in the
official newspaper of the Katipunan called Kalayaan in March 1896.
Leona Florentino (1849–1884)
  known as the “Mother of Philippine Women’s Literature,” was a poet in both Ilocano and Spanish.
Twenty of her poems were preserved and exhibited in Europe and were included in the Encyclopedia
Internationaldes Oeuvres des Femme in 1889.

II. AMRERICAN COLINIAL PERIOD(1898-1941)

American colonial period is divided into two periods:
 the period of apprenticeship (1910-1930)
 the period of emergence (1920-1941).
The surrender of first Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1901 signified the end of the military struggle
for independence.
Aguinaldo promised allegiance to America but still continued to be very vocal of achieving independence for
the Philippines.
In 1935, Aguinaldo was soundly defeated by Manuel L. Quezon as the first President of the Commonwealth.

DIMENSIONS OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

● During the transition period many Filipino writers still preferred to write in Spanish since English was
still a foreign language to them.
● Filipino writers were into all forms of literature during the period of apprenticeship but most of their
works were critiqued as an imitation of English and American models.
● Short stories became the most prevalent literary form during the latter part of American colonial period.
● The existence of American literary works and periodicals as well as the coming of American teachers
encouraged many aspiring Filipino writers to use the English language.
● A new type of literature began when American system of education and English language were
introduced.
● At the beginning, most of the literary works written in English were considered imitative in nature, but
then later on evolved to a new variety of subjects, styles, and conventions of writing.
● Common theme in plays was all about nationalism.
OTHER TYPE OF LITERATURE EXISTED DURING AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD
Short Stories
 These are stories that can typically be read in one sitting revolving around one subject and may range
between 1,000 up to 20,000 words. The first short story written in English is entitled "Dead Stars" by
Paz Marquez Benitez.
SOME NOTABLE WRITERS
Juan C. Laya
● He won first prize for his novel "His Native Soil" in the First Commonwealth Literary Awards in 1940.
Zoilo M. Galang
● His work entitled "A Child of Sorrow" in 1921 is considered as the first Filipino novel in English.

III. JAPANESE COLONIAL PERIOD(1941-1945)

● Japan invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941 which was strongly opposed by the Guerillas.
● Captured soldiers and American deportees were forced to have "Death March" to a prison camp where
they walked for 100 kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga. An estimated
10,000 prisoners died here.
● Aguinaldo cooperated with the Japanese to end Filipino and American opposition.
● Japanese colonizers failed to gain the trust of Filipinos.
● The resurgence of World War II forced former President Manuel L. Quezon and Vice-President Sergio
Osmeña Sr. to immediately leave the Philippines and sought residence in the United States as the
Commonwealth government was suddenly in exile.
● There was a great tension between the two major groups: HUKBALAHAP (unified guerilla army
against Japanese invasion) and KALIBAPI (political party approved by the Japanese).
● Jose P. Laurel was appointed as the President of the Philippines under the Japanese-sponsored Republic.
THERE WAS A GREAT TENSION BETWEEN THE TWO MAJOR GROUPS:
1. HUKBALAHAP (Unified Guerilla Army against Japanese Invasion)
 2. KALIBAPI (Political Party approved by the Japanese)
JOSE P. LAUREL
● He was appointed as the President of the Philippines under the Japanese-sponsored Republic.
GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR
● In 1942, He escaped but promised to return which he did in 1944. The US victory in the battle of Leyte
gulf signaled the beginning of Philippine liberation from the Japanese.
DIMENSIONS OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
● All forms of writings were censored during this time because there was no freedom of speech and of the
press.
● Only those who were living in the United States such as Carlos P. Romulo and Manuel L. Quezon could
write freely.
● The use of English language was stopped in almost all publications and only Tagalog and the
vernaculars were permitted.
● Few literary works were printed and mostly considered as pessimistic and bitter according to the author
Victoria Abelardo.
● Another type of poetry that emerged is the Haiku consisting of three lines with 5-7-5 syllables or 17
syllabic poetry in all.
● Tagalog short stories flourished and some of the best works were compiled by the Liwayway magazine
editors in Ang Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang Pilipino ng 1943. Some notable stories were “Lupang
Tinubuan” by Narciso G. Reyes, “Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa” by Liwayway Arceo, “Nayon at
Dagatdagatan” by N. V.M. Gonzalez, and “Suyuan sa Tubigan” by Macario Pineda.
● Opera and classical music gained popularity.
● Among the other types of literature emerged were essay (e.g. "Literature and Society" by Salvador P.
Lopez) and autobiography (e.g. "The Good Fight" by Manuel Quezon).
SOME NOTABLE STORIES
1. Lupang Tinubuan By Narciso G, Reyes
2. Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa by Liwayway Arceo
3. Nayon at Dagatdagatan by N.V.M Gonzales
4. Suyuan sa Tubigan by Macario Pineda
SOME NOTABLE WRITER
CARLOS P. ROMULO
● He won the Pulitzer Prize for his notable works such as "I Saw the Fall of the Philippines", "I See the
Philippines Rise", "Mother America", and "My Brother Americans".
NARCISO REYES
● He won the first prize with his story “Lupang Tinubuan”

LESSON 4: POST-COLONIAL PERIOD

● As an aftermath of war and a series of foreign invasions in our country, the term post-colonialism was
popularized. The lasting impact of imperialism and colonialism had been the utmost concern at this
period.
● American colonial rule already loosened but its influences and control are still somehow affecting us in
terms of social, political and economic aspects of our country as manifested in the form of literature
produced in various genres
WHAT’S NEW
● Literary works of Filipino authors started to be recognized through the initialization of Carlos Palanca
Memorial Awards in 1950 and realization of the need to grant National Artist Awards in 1972 under the
former President Ferdinand Marcos.
● The influences of Spanish and American cultures can be observed. More and more Filipino writers
continued to write more fluently using the English language since gaining independence from the
Japanese occupation in 1945.
● In fact, many of the literary works in both Palanca and Order of National Artists were written in English.
Most of these writers were considered as social realists.
● Short stories became the most popular form of literary expression and more novels were published
which mostly dealt with freedom from both economic and political bondage.
 ● Moreover, the leaders of the country have to deal with issues concerning economic stability, new and
contrasting ideas, and morality to name a few.
● The most significant period that greatly influences many Filipinos is the period of Martial Law during
the Marcos regime.
Social issues
 such as poverty, survival, gender inequalities, justice system and domestic conditions have been
prevalent themes and subjects in literature.

POST-COLONIAL PERIOD (1945-present)

AFTER THE WAR
1. SERGIO S. OSMENIA SR.
● In 1944, He assumed the presidency upon the death of Manuel L. Quezon while the Philippine
Commonwealth goverment was in exile in the U.S.
2. MANUEL A. ROXAS
● He defeated Sergio S. Osmefia, Sr. as the President in April 1946 for the Independent Second Republic
of the Philippines
3. ELPIDIO R. QUIRINO
● He assumed the remaining term of Roxas when the latter died of a heart attack in 1948.
4. RAMON F. MAGSAYSAY
● In 1953, Ramon F. Magsaysay was elected as the new president but died in an airplane crash on March
16, 1957.
5. CARLOS P. GARCIA
● Magsaysay's position was assumed by Carlos P. Garcia who was re-elected and served until 1961.
6. DIOSDADO P. MACAPAGAL
● Diosdado P. Macapagal became the President after Carlos P. Garcia. He changed the date of Philippine
Independence from July 4, 1946 (Liberation from America) to June 12, 1896 (Liberation from Spanish
by the revolutionists).
● He also recognized the presidency of Jose P. Laurel.

PHILIPPINES DURING THE MARTIAL LAW PERIOD

1. FERDINAND E. MARCOS
● Ferdinand E. Marcos took office for presidency in 1965 who got re-elected in 1969 making him the
first to win two presidential terms.
● He declared Martial Law on September 21, 1972 and led the country into what he calls "The New
Society" against lawlessness which incited a lot of opposition. Marcos was forced to hold an election in
1978 and 1981 to stabilize the country's chaotic condition where he won again.
2. BENIGNO SIMEON “NINOY” AQUINO JR.
- Marcos was forced to hold an election in 1978 and 1981 to stabilize the country's chaotic
condition where he won again.
- The death of Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. became the beginning of calling for
Marcos' removal.
3. MARIA CORAZON C. AQUINO
- EDSA People Power Revolution (bloodless revolution) through the initiative of Maria Corazon C.
Aquino and her supporters erupted which marked a significant national event.
- Snap election was conducted in 1986 which seated Corazon Aquino- the widow of Benigno Simeon
"Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. as the 11th President of the Philippines and ended the 21 years of what many
claimed as the tyrant rule.
- Marcos went on exile in Hawaii, where he died on September 28, 1989.
PHILIPPINES AFTER THE MARTIAL LAW PERIOD (5TH REPUBLIC TO PRESENT)
The political and economic condition of the Philippines during Cory Aquino's administration was described as
chaotic.
Monopolization of the agricultural industry took place after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forced the
Philippines to pay its debt amounting to 27.2 billion dollars which they claimed to be inherited from Marcos
administration.
 1. FIDEL V. RAMOS
- Fidel V. Ramos (also known as "Centennial President") took office in 1992 where he
immediately worked on the country's recoveo,'. He was awarded the Peace Award by UNESCO
in his effort to achieve a Peace Agreement with MILF.
- Film actor Joseph Ejercito Estrada won presidency with his pro-poor campaign in1998 but was
ousted in 2001 because of corruption and gambling Issues.
2. MARIA GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
● Maria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo assumed office in 1998, got re-elected, and served until 2010.
During her term, many impeachment complaints were filed against her due to corruption and electoral
sabotage where she got hospital arrest for her spinal surgery.
○ Former Senator Benigno Simeon C. Aquino Ill
● (aka PNoy or Noynoy Aquino) seated as the next president in 2010.
○ President- Rodrigo Roa Duterte
● who is both a lawyer and politician. and our current President
○ Ferdinand E. Marcos, Jr.
● (aka Bongbong Marcos or BBM) He is the current President in the Philippines
DIMENSIONS OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
Filipino writers began to develop new themes, styles, and techniques.
MACARIO PINEDA
● The first notable work that appeared right after the second world war under Japanese occupation in the
Philippines is a novel written by Macario Pineda entitled “Ginto sa Makiling” which was considered as
a narrative of the Philippines' social, political, and moral aspects.
● It was noted for its resemblance to the work of Rizal and more on the work of Balagtas in terms of plot
and style.
The rise of English writers began after exposure to American language and culture, although there were still
many Filipino writers observed using the vernaculars.
Sarvia (n.d.) considers the following factors contributory to the flourishing of Filipino literature:
1. establishment of the University of the Philippines in 1908 where English was primarily used as the
medium of instruction,
2. the founding of the Philippine Writers' Association in 1953, and
3. the establishment of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award in 1955 to name a few.
According to Macansantos et al (n.d.), among the common literary themes in novels and short stories were war
experiences which can be seen in the works of Stevan Javellana's Without Seeing the Dawn (1947) and
Edilberto Tiempo's Watch in the Night for the English category.
While for Filipino literature that used the vernaculars, the works of Lazaro Francisco were profoundly noted
for his style associated to Rizal's influence such as Bayaning Nagpatiwaka? (1932), Sugat sa Alaala (1950),
Magandapa ang Daigdig (1956), and Daluyong (1962).
The influence of both Spanish and American styles could be observed in the work of Nick Joaquin where his
flashback technique was highly appreciated by critics.
Some writers attempted to incorporate a taste of folk tradition especially in poetry such as epic and other oral
forms of literature which still existed like Balagtasan. However, oral tradition became less popular as people
became more interested in short stories.

LESSON 5: REPRESENTATIVE TEXT

IMAGERY
● A poetic element that tries to create a picture in the mind of the reader or a mental image through of the
reader or a mental image through the use of figurative language
● A language used by poets, novelists and other writers to create images in the mind of the readers to
improve the reader’s experience through their senses
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
● Refers to a language that intended to create an image, association, or ther effect in the mind of the
listener or reader that goes beyond the literal meaning or expected use of the words involved.
EXAMPLES OF LITERARY WORKS
DOCTRINA CHRISTIANA
 ● It was an early book of Roman Catholic Catechism, written in 1593 by Fray Juan de Plasencia, and is
believed to be one of the earliest books printed in the Philippines

ILOCOS REGION: FRANSCISCO LOPEZ

● In fact, the earliest known written Iloko poems were the romances he translated from Spanish
● Augustinian friar who in 1621, published his own Iloko translaton of the Doctrina Christiana, the first
book to be printed in Iloko
LEONA FLORENTINO
● A Filipino poet in the Spanish and Ilocano languages.
● She is considered as the “Mother of Philippine Women’s Literature” and the “Bridge from oral to
literary tradition”
● Considered by some as the “National Poetess of the Philippines” wrote Nalpay a Namnama o
Naunsyaming Pag-asa (Blasted Hope)
PEDRO BUCANEG
● He was a Filipino poet who is blind since birth and the “Father of Ilocano Literature”
● He is the acknowledged author of the Ilocano epic Biag ni-Lam-ang
REGION 2: INES TACCAD CAMMAYO
● First prize for “People of Consequence”, Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, 1970
● Second prize for “Tears Melancholy”, Focus literary contest, 1979
● Second prize for “On Friends You Pin Such Hopes”, Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for
Literature, 1973.
FERNANDO MARAMAG
● He wrote the poem “The Rural Maid”
● An excellent poet and journalist in English. He had a rich style and deep understanding of human nature
REGION 3: ANICIO PASCUAL
● He wrote “Juan Manalaksan”
● He is from Arayat, Pampanga, who heard the story from an old Pampangan woman
MACARIA GARCIA
● She did not write these stories, but she narrated them.
● She narrated “ Suan, The Good Guesser” and “ Suan’s Good Luck”

REGION 4: MARIANO PERFECTO

● He is the “Father of Bikol Literature”
● He published the first bikol newspaper, Ang Parabareta (The Newsman)
MERITO B. ESPINAS
● He wrote Ibalon
● The story talks about three stories of Bicol heroes

REGION 6: WESTERN VISAYAS LITERATURE

● Also called the Panayanon Literature; known for “Tungkung Langit and Alunsina”
● The Paktakon is a Riddle, while the Hurubaton is a proverb

REGION 7: VICENTE SOTTO

● He is the “Father of Cebuano Literature”
● He wrote the first written Cebuano Literature, “Maming”
REGION 8: CLODUALDO DEL MUNDO
● He wrote the poem “Ang Kanyang Mga Mata”

NCR: SHORT STORIES AND POEM

1. Magnificence by Estrella Alfon
2. Footnote to Youth by Jose Garcia Villa
Nick Joaquin
 ● He wrote the poems “ Happy never After” and “The Martyr”

LESSON 6: CONVENTIONAL AND 21ST CENTURY GENRES

21ST CENTURY LITERTURE
● It refers to new literary work created within the last decade
● It is written by contemporary authors which may deal with current themes/issues and reflects a
technological culture
● It often breaks traditional writing rules
21ST CENTURY READER
● Grew up using technology as a primary learning tool
● Grew up capable of navigating and interpreting digital format and media messages. Technology as a
primary learning tool
● Possesses literacy skills, which include technological abilities such as keyboarding internet navigation,
interpretation of technological speak, ability to communicate and interpret coded language and decipher
graphics

THE FOUR CONVENTIONAL LITERARY

POETRY
● It is an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound and rhythmic language
choices to evoke an emotional response.
● It has been known to employ meter and rhyme
● The very nature of poetry as an authentic and individual mode of expression makes it nearly impossible
to define
DRAMA
● It is a composition in prose or verse presenting in dialogue or pantomime a story involving conflict,
more contrast of character, especially intended to be acted on stage: a play
● It may be any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, comflicting or striking interest.
FICTION
● It is a literature created from the imagination, not presented as fact, through it may be based on a true
story or situation.
● Some examples are novel, short story and novella
NON-FICTION
● It is based on facts and the author’s opinion about a subject
● Purpose: to inform, sometimes to persuade
● Some examples are biographies, articles from textbooks, and magazines and newspapers.

21ST CENTURY LITERARY GENRES

ILLUSTRATED NOVEL
● Story through text and illustrated images
● 50% of the narrative is presented without words
● The reader must interpret images to comprehend the story completely
● Textual portions are presented in traditional form
● Span all genres
Some examples are The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick and The Arrival by Shaun Tan
DIGI-FICTION
● Triple Media Literature
● Combines three media: book, movie/video and internet website
● To get the full story, students must engage in navigation, reading, viewing in all three forms
● Some examples are Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman and Level 26 by Anthony Zuicker
GRAPHIC NOVEL
● Narrative in comic book formats
 ● Narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using a comic form
● Some examples are Archie Comics by John Goldwater and Illustrator, Bob Montana
MANGA
● Japanese word for comics
● It is used in the English-speaking world as a generic term for all comic books and grahic novels
originally published in Japan
● Considered as an artistic storytelling style
● Ameri-manga sometimes used to refer to comics created by American artists in manga style
Types and Examples
1. Shonen - Boy’s Manga
(Naruto, Bleach, One Piece)
2. Shojo – Girl’s Manga (Sailormoon)
3. Seinen – Men’s Manga (Akira)
4. Josei – Women’s Manga (Loveless, Paradise Kiss)
5. Kodomo – Children’s Manga (Doraemon, Hello Kitty)
DOODLE FICTION
● Literary presentation incorporating doodle writings and drawings
● Handwritten graphics in place of the traditional font
● Drawing enhances the story, often adding humorous elements
● Some examples are The Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney and Timmy Failure by Stephan Pasts
TETX-TALK NOVELS
● Blogs, email and IM format narratives
● Stories told almost entirely in dialogue simulating social network exchanges
CHICK LITERATURE
● A genre fiction which address issues of modern womanhood, often humorously and lightheartedly
● It typically features a female protagonist whose femininity is heavily thermalizing in the plot
● Some examples are The Night Before Christmas by Scarlet Bailey and It Started with a Kiss by
Miranda Dickinson
FLASH FICTION
● A very short story
● It is a style of fictional literature of extreme brevity
● There is no widely accepted definition of the length and category
● It could range from word to a thousand
SIX-WORD FLASH FICTION
● Fast and fun bite-sized narratives
● Like other forms of short stories or flash fiction, a six-word story allows a reader to consume an entire
narrative in just a moment’s time
● Some examples are Ernest Hemingway: for sale: baby socks never worn and Margaret Atwood: Longed
for him. Got him, Shit.
CREATIVE NON-FICTION
● Also known as literary non-fiction or narrative non-fiction
● A genre of writing that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives
● Contrasts with other non-fiction, such as technical writing or journalism, which is also rooted in accurate
fact, but is not primarily written in service to its craft
● As a genre, creative non-fiction is still relatively young and is only
● beginning to be scrutinized with the same critical analysis given to fiction and poetry
● Some examples are 1000 Gifts by Ann Voscamp and Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint
SCIENCE FICTION
● Sci-Fi, actual or imagined science upon society or individual
● It is a genre of speculative fiction dealing with imaginative concepts such as futuristic science and
technology, space travel, time travel, faster than light travel, a parallel universe and extra-terrestrial
life
● Often explores the potential consequences of scientific and other innovations and has been called a
“literature of ideas”
● Some examples are Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and Kingdom of Ash by Sarah Maas
BLOG
● A regularly updated website or web page
● A weblog, a website containing short articles called posts that are changed regularly
● It is written in an informal or conversational style
● Some blogs are written by one person containing their own opinions, interests and experiences, while
others are written by different people.

HYPER POETRY
● It can either involved set words, phrases, lines, etc. that are presented in variable order but sit on the
page much as traditional poetry does, or it can contain parts of the poem that move and mutate.
● It is usally found online, through CD-ROM and diskette versions.
● The earliest examples data to no later than the mid-1980’s

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT 21ST CENTURY LITERARY GENRES?

● Modern
● Open to experimentation and free from old forms
● Concerns artistic and social traditions
● Comes from individual perspective
● Writers make their own meaning if the world
● Complex and complicated
● Rise of technology and mass communication

LESSON 7: CONTEXT AND TEXT’S MEANING

CONTEXT
● The words that are used with a certain word or phrase and that help to explain its meaning
● The situation or group of conditions in which something happens
Examples:
To really know a word, you must be able to use it in context
We need to look at the event within the larger/broader context of world history
The book puts these events in their proper historical and social contexts
We need to consider these events in context
CONTEXT IN LITERATURE
● The setting within which a work of writing is situated
● Background information or circumstances you provide to inform why something is taking place
● Can also be the backstory of a character, provided to inform their behavior and personality
● Context provides meaning and clarity to the intended message

4 TYPES OF CONTEXTS IN WRTING DIFFERENT TEXTS

HISTORICAL CONTEXT
PHYSICAL CONTEXT
● The physical environment will influence how certain characters act and how the audience understands
them
CULTURAL CONTEXT
● Belief, Religion, Marriage, Food, Clothing
SITUATIONAL CONTEXT
● Why something is happening based on the event or situation itself
● Understand how the circumstances of the event occurring affect those involved
WHY IS CONTEXT IMPORTANT IN WRITING?
● Bridge the gap between authors and their audiences
● Strengthen comprehension
 ● Prevent miscommunication
TIPS FOR PROVIDING CONTEXT IN YOUR WRITING
 Get creative
● Remember your audience
● Be mindful or overloading

LESSON 8: LITERARY APPROACHES

Literary Criticism
● The lens through which we like to examine literature
● The study, discussion, evaluation and interpretation of literature
● “Critic” or “Critique” comes from the Greek verb kritikos, which means to judge or to decide.
Examples: He wrote several essays with literary criticism that highlight the life experiences of authors.
He has written short stories, novels and five books of literary criticism
Literary Approaches
FORMALIST APPROACH OR NEW CRITICISM
 A text is a separate and individual entity
 Engaging in extremely close textual analysis
Example: The three little pigs

BIOGRAPHICAL APPROACH
● Reads the text looking for the author’s influence
Example: To build a fire by Jack London
MORAL/ETHICAL/HUMANISTIC CRITICISM
● Literature is viewed to discuss man and his nature
● Close to the “morality” of literature, to questions of ethical goodness or badness
HISTORICAL/CULTURAL APPROACH
● Literature is seen both as a reflection and product of the times and circumstances in which it
was written, or the nation or race’s culture and tradition
READER’S RESPONSE CRITICISM
● Not interested in a “correct” interpretation of a text or what the author intended
● Interested in the reader’s individual experience with a text
● Rejects the idea: “There is a singualar, correct interpretation of a text”
READER + READING SITUATION AND TEXT = MEANING
The study, discussion, evaluation and interpretation of literature
● “Critic” or “Critique” comes from the Greek verb kritikos, which means to judge or to decide
Examples: He wrote several essays with literary criticism that highlight the life experiences of authors
He has written short stories, novels and five books of literary criticism
FORMALIST APPROACH OR NEW CRITICISM
● A text is a separate and individual entity
● Engaging in extremely close textual analysis
Example: The three little pig

LESSON 9: CREATIVE REPRESENTATION OF LITERARY TEXT

Multimedia Formats in Interpreting Literary Text
TERMS
ADAPTATION
● something that is adapted especially a movie book, play etc., that is changed so that it can be presented
in another form.
For instance:
His stage adaptation of the novel was a success .
The film is an adaptation of a book of the same title.
MULTIMEDIA
● Marshall (2001) defined multimedia as a computer controlled integration of text, graphics drawings,
still and moving images (video),, animation, audio, and any other media where every type of
information can be be represented, stored, transmitted and process digitally.
● The use of variety of artistic communicative media or combining multiple media formats.
INFPRMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)
● all the technology used to handle telecommunications, broadcast media, intelligent building
management system, AV processing and transmission, etc.
ICT SKILLS
● About understanding and applying a range of computer programs, software and other applications..
● Include word processing, spreadsheets, database, power points and search engines.
IMPORTANCE OF USING MULTIMEDIA
● Can provide opportunities for learners like you to construct and reconstruct your ideas in audio and
visual formats.
● Can apply a wide range of strategies to understand, interpret and evaluate texts.
Here are some of the multimedia formats that you can use to creatively interpret various genres of
literary texts.
● Blog
● Mind Mapping
● Mobile
● Slideshow Presentation
● Tag Cloud
● Video
● Text
● Images
● Audio
● Animation
BLOG
● Blog or "weblog" is a website containing informational articles about a person's own opinion, interests
and experience s. These are usually changed regularly (DepEd 2013, 9)
MIND MAPPING
● Mind mapping is a graphical technique to visualize connections of ideas and pieces of information. This
tool structures information to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and generate new ideas.
You can use Microsoft Word or online mind mapping tools in creating a mind map (Pasuello 2017)
MOBILE PHONE TEXT TULA
● Mobile phone text tula is a traditional Filipino poem. A particular example of this poem is a tanaga that
consists of 4 lines with 7 syllables each with the same rhyme at the end of each line. (DepEd 2013, 8)
● The term "textula" is a blend of the English word "text" and the Filipino word "tula!" Meaning text
poem, it is a poem written in the form of a text message Usually consisting of one or two stanzas, it is
sent as a direct communication to a person close to the sender. Two examples are presented on the next
page.
SLIDESHOW PRESENTATION
● Slideshow Presentation is created with the use of Microsoft PowerPoint.
 ● It contains series of pictures or pages of information (slides) arranged in sequence and often displayed
on a large screen using a video projector. (Computer Hope, 2018)
TAG CLOUD
● Tag Cloud is a visual, stylized arrangement of words or tags within a textual content such as websites,
articles, speeches nd database. (Technopedia 2020)
VIDEO
● Video is an electronic device used to record, copy, playback, broadcast, display moving visual media.
 An anecdote is a quick story about something of interest, usually with a singular theme or lesson.
Anecdotes are no different than the stories told among friends, but when they're used in literature, they
can accomplish more than merely passing the time
FOUR (4) PURPOSES OF ANECDOTES
1. to Bring Cheer
2. to Reminisce
3. to Caution
4. to Pursued or Inspir