HANDOUT FOR PHILIPPINE LITERATURE (GECC 9)

What is literature?
• Literature is defined as books and other written works, especially those considered to
have creative or artistic merit or lasting value. Books written by Charles Dickens are an
example of literature.
•  a body of written works. The name has traditionally been applied to those imaginative
works of poetry and prose distinguished by the intentions of their authors and the
perceived aesthetic excellence of their execution. Literature may be classified according
to a variety of systems, including language, national origin, historical period, genre, and
subject matter.
• It is a term used to describe written or spoken materials.
• Describes anything from creative writing to more technical or scientific works
• is commonly used to refer to works of the creative imagination ( e.g. poetry, drama,
fiction, and nonfiction.
• “Literature is the art that aims at producing beauty in writing and pleasure in the
reader” -

Literature is aesthetic

 Readers find pleasure in the form ,techniques and style of writing a well-
constructed plot, vivid characterization, unusual imagery, expressive
language ,etc. In other words all the elements are combined to create an over-
all order or coherence. What does it show about literature?
Theme
 refers to the universal aspects of life as the writer perceives them to be so that it
determines his choice and organization of action, characters, setting ,and point
of view?
Composition
a form of expository prose presents the personal view of its writer on a topic. It is said to
provide light as well as delight for the author tries to charm his reader with his prose as
he discusses his ideas or experiences.

Importance of Literature
• Literature improves your command of language
• It teaches you about life, cultures and experiences od people in other parts of the world
• It gives you information about other parts of the world which you may never be able to
visit in your lifetime
• It entertains you and provides useful occupation in your free time
• It makes you wiser and more experienced person by forcing you to judge, sympathize
with, or criticize the characters you read about
• It helps you compare your own experience with the experiences of other people
• Gives useful information
• Enhances reading and writing skills
Literary Genres of literature
Fiction
 Narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination and is not
necessarily based on fact.

Drama
 Stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where
conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.
Fable
 Narration demonstrating a useful truth, especially in which animals speak as
humans; legendary, and supernatural tale.
Fairy Tale
 Story about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children.
Fantasy
 Fiction with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites
suspension of reality.
Fiction in Verse
 Full-length novels with plot, subplot(s), theme(s), major and minor characters, in
which the narrative is presented in (usually blank) verse form.
Folklore
 The songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a people or "folk" as handed down by
word of mouth.
Historical Fiction
 Story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting.
NON-FICTION
  Prose writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people, such as
biography or history.

Horror
 Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the
reader.
Humor
 Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement, meant to entertain; but can be
contained in all genres

• Biography/Autobiography
 Narrative of a person's life, a true story about a real person
• Essay
 A short literary composition that reflects the author's outlook or point
Narrative Nonfiction
 Factual information presented in a format which tells a story
Speech
 Public address or discourse
HISTORY OF LITERATURE
Literature 
 from the Latin Littera meaning 'letters' and referring to an acquaintance with the
written word.
 it is the written work of a specific culture, sub-culture, religion, philosophy or
the study of such written work which may appear in poetry or in prose. 
 Originated in the southern Mesopotamia region of Sumer (c. 3200) in
the city of Uruk and flourished in Egypt, later in Greece (the written word having
been imported there from the Phoenicians) and from there, to Rome. 
  Writing have originated independently in China from divination practices and
also independently in Mesoamerica and elsewhere.
 The first author of literature in the world, known by name, was the high-
priestess of Ur, Enheduanna (2285-2250 BCE) who wrote hymns in praise of
the Sumerian goddess Inanna.
 Early literary works were usually didactic in approach and had an underlying (or
often overt) religious purpose such as in the Sumerian Enuma Elish of 1120 BCE
or the Theogony of the Greek writer Hesiod of the 8th century BCE.
 For the purposes of study, Literature is divided into the categories of fiction or
non-fiction today but these are often arbitrary decisions as ancient literature, as
understood by those who wrote the tales down, as well as those who heard
them spoken or sung pre-literacy, was not understood in the same way as it is in
the modern-day
 One of the earliest known literary works is the Sumerian/Babylonian Epic of
Gilgamesh from c. 2150 BCE which deals with themes of heroism, pride,
nationality, friendship, disappointment, death, and the quest for eternal life

Examples of Ancient Literature:

• The Song of Songs (c. 950 BCE) from the Hebrew scripture of the Tanakh, immortalizes
the passionate love between a man and a woman (interpreted by Christians, much later,
as the relationship between Christ and the church, though no such interpretation is
supported by the original text) and the sacred aspect of such a relationship
• The Indian epic Mahabharata (c.800-400 BCE) relates the birth of a nation while
the Ramayana (c. 200 BCE) tells the tale of the great Rama's rescue of his abducted wife
Sita from the evil Ravna
• Book of Exodus (1446 BCE) is considered historical truth, a spiritual sense as it was
written to empower the worshipers of Yahweh
• Assyrian King Asurbanipal's library (647-627 BCE) record the heroic deeds of the gods,
goddesses and the struggles and triumphs of heroic kings of ancient Mesopotamia such
as Enmerkar, Lugalbanda, and Gilgamesh
HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
1. Ancient settlers in the islands of Phil. Had their own form of literature even before
coming of the Spaniards.
2. Most of the ancient literary forms were in oral tradition since there was no system of
writing that existed during pre-colonial period
3. It was during the Spanish occupation that literature was introduced to the Philippines
4. Literature is a way used by our forebears communicated their stories to future
generations
5. Legends are stories popular in the country which highlights the assumed origin of a
thing, place or of anything.
6. Philippine Literary texts are only those written in the native or local language
7. 7. Primitive literary forms revealed the way of life of our forebears including their
traditions, beliefs, customs and more
8. 8. Ancient Philippines literature was only in oral traditions
TIMELINE OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
Pre-Colonial (BC.1564)
Characteristics:
- Based on oral tradition
- Crude on ideology and Phraseology
Literary forms:
- Oral lit. (Riddles, Proverbs, Tanaga)
- Folk songs (Oyayi, Tagay, Ambahan)
- Folk tales (Myths, Legends, Fables)
- Epics (Lam-ang, Darangen, Hinilawod)
Spanish Colonization (1565-1872)
Characteristics:
1. It has two distinct classification: Religious and secular
2. It introduced Spanish as the medium of communication
 Literary forms:
- Religious literature (Pasyon, Senakulo)
Secular literature (Awit, Korido)
Period of Enlightenment (1872-1896) and Revolutionary Period (1896-1900)
Characteristics:
- Planted seeds of nationalism in Filipinos
- Language shifted from Spanish to tagalog
- Addressed the masses instead of “intelligence”
Forms:
1. Propaganda literature
a. Political essay (Diariong tagalog, La solaridad)
b. Political novels (Noli Me Tangere, El Fili)
2.Revolutionary literature
a. Political essay (Kalayaan)
b. Poetry (True Decalogue, Katapusang Hikbi ng Dilim)
American Colonization (1900-1942)
Characteristics:
- Period of Apprenticeship (1910-1930)
- Period of Emergencies (1920-1930)
Forms:
- Period of Apprenticeship
a. Short stories (Dead star by Paz Benitez, The Key by Paz Latorena)
b. Novels (Child of Sorrow by Zoilo Galang)
Period of Initial Autonomy (1935-1942)
Characteristics:
- Works perceived to be of no value were eliminated
- Comaparison between Spanish and rural living became a common focus n most texts
Forms:
- Poetry (free verse and modern themes)
- Foreign films
Japanese Colonization (1942-1950)
Characteristics:
- Period of maturity and originality
- Served as “golden years” for short stories and tagalog drama
Forms:
- Tanaga (Ildefonso Santos)
- Short stories (Lupang hinirang by Narciso Reyes)
Post-Wat Period/Period of the Philippine Republic (1946-1972)
Characteristics:
- Social issues and domestic conditions were mostly revealed
- New themes, styles, and techniques were used
Literary forms:
- Commercial magazines
- Journals
 Revolutionary poems
CHARACTERISTICS AND ELEMENTS OF PROSE AND POETRY
PROSE VS POETRY

PROSE POETRY
Follows natural patterns of speech and Traditional poetry has deliberated patterns,
communication such as rhythm and rhyme

Has a grammatical structure with sentences Many poems have a formal metrical
and paragraphs structure—repeating patterns of beats

Uses everyday language Incorporate more figurative language

Sentences and thoughts continue across lines Poems visually stand out on a page with
narrow columns, varying line lengths, and
more white space on a page than prose

Written in sentences and paragraphs Written in lines and stanzas

Normal language patterns Artistic language to express thoughts and
emotions
No limit on words Word limits
Doesn’t use a rhyme scheme or rhythm Can include rhyme and rhythm
Example: Example:
Novels Narrative poetry
Short story Lyric poetry
Plays Dramatic Poetry
Legends
Fables
Anecdotes
Essay
Bibliography
News
Oration

ELEMENTS OF PROSE
CHARACTERS are the people or animals in the story. A story often describes the
interaction of characters, including their relationship and the changes they undergo
SETTING is when and where the story takes place
PLOT is what happens in the story, or the sequence of events.
Linear actions or events arranged chronologically. This is the most common plot because
it follows the natural order of events.
Circular this type of development combines linear with flashback. The opening scene will be
repeated in the series toward or at the end.
En medias res the story begins in the middle part of the action.

POINT OF VIEW of the story relates to the person telling the story.
TYPES:
a. First-person Point of View- the narrator is a character in the story and tells the story.
b. Third-person Point of View- the narrator is not a character in the story and refers to the
characters by name or he or she.
THEME is the lesson or message of the story. To identify the story's message, look for clues in
what the characters say and do, what happens as the result of their actions, and how the
character change.
MOOD of the selection is the feeling the author creates using story details, setting and the
images.
ELEMENTS OF POETRY
Rhyme Scheme -consistent pattern of rhyme throughout a poem.
Alliteration- the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close
together.
Blank Verse -unrhymed verse
Diction- a writer’s or speaker’s choice of words.
Figurative Language- imaginative language that is not meant to be interpreted literally.
Free Verse -a kind of poetry that does not follow any regular pattern, rhythm, or rhyme.
Imagery -descriptive of figurative language used to create word pictures; created by
details that appeal to one or more of the five senses.
Refrain -a regularly repeated word, phrase, line, or group of lines.
Rhythm- the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in spoken or written language.
Stanza- a group of lines, usually similar in length and patterns.
Verse- a unit of poetry, such as a line or a stanza.
Mood or Tone- the feeling the reader gets from the poem.
 Symbolism- when something represents or stands for something else.
Meter -the rhythm or beat established by a poem.
Rhyme -words have the same ending sound.
Assonance- words that have the same middle sound.

LITERATURE IN THE PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

Folk Narratives:
(Myths & Legends)
1. 900BC-1521
2. Based on oral tradition
3. Crude on ideology and phraseology
FOLK NARRATIVES
 These are stories handed down from the remote past by words of mouth from one
generation to another, reflecting the people's tradition, feelings, beliefs, and
judgments.
Myths
 Myths are traditional stories occurring in a timeless past.
 In general, myth is a narrative that describes and portrays in symbolic language the
origin of the basic elements and assumptions of a culture. Mythic narrative relates,
for example, how the world began, how humans and animals were created, and how
certain customs, gestures, or forms of human activities originated. Almost all
cultures possess or at one time possessed and lived in terms of myths.

Three types of Myths

1. AETIOLOGICAL MYTHS
 -Aetiological myths (sometimes spelled etiological) explain the reason why
something is the way it is today. The word aetiological is from the Greek
word aetion (αἴτιον) meaning “reason” or “explanation”.

Three subtypes of aetiological myths:

1. A natural aetiological myth explains an aspect of nature. For example, you could
explain lightning and thunder by saying that Zeus is angry.
2.An etymological aetiological myth explains the origin of a word. (Etymology is the
study of word origins.) For example, you could explain the name of the goddess,
Aphrodite, by saying that she was born in sea-foam, since aphros is the Greek word for
sea-foam.
3.A religious aetiological myth explains the origin of a religious ritual. For example, you
could explain the Greek religious ritual of the Eleusinian Mysteries by saying that they
originated when the Greek goddess, Demeter, came down to the city of Eleusis and
taught the people how to worship
2.HISTORICAL MYTHS
Historical myths are told about a historical event, and they help keep the memory of
that event alive. Ironically, in historical myths, the accuracy is lost but meaning is gained.
The myths about the Trojan War, including the Iliad and the Odyssey, could be classified
as historical myths. 
3. PSYCHOLOGICAL MYTHS
Psychological myths try to explain why we feel and act the way we do. A psychological
myth is different from an aetiological myth because a psychological myth does not try to
explain one thing by way of something else.  In a psychological myth, the emotion itself
is seen as a divine force, coming from the outside, that can directly influence a person’s
emotions.

MYTHS FROM THE DIFFERENT REGIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

 1. The Gods and Goddesses (Ilocos)
2. Why there is a High Tide during a Full Moon (Ibanag)
3. Why the Dead Come Back No More (Ifugao)
4. Mag-Asawang Tubig (Tagalog)
5. How the Moon and Stars Came to Be (Bukidnon-Mindanao)
LEGENDS
 Pre-colonial legends are fictitious narratives which explain the origin of
things, places, or names. The early Filipino customs are also depicted in them
as it entertains the people during gatherings and occasions.
Example:
1. The Legend of the Tagalog
2. The story of Pinya by Nene Sta. Romana- Cruz
3. The Girl who turned into a fish by Maria Elena Paterno
4. The Legend of Mayon Volcano by Bienvinido Santos

Literature in the Pre-colonial period: Folk Narratives

“Early Poetry & Riddles”

Early Poetry
- Centuries before the Spaniards came; the Filipinos already had their own cultural
traditions, folklore, mythologies and epics. There were substantial writings by early
natives that Jesuit historian Fr. Pedro Chirino noted: “All of the islanders are much given
to reading and writing. And there is hardly a man, much less a woman who did not read
and write.” (Relacion de las isles Filipinas-1604)
- The verses were addressed to the ears rather than eyes.
- Filipinos managed to preserved law, legends, songs and epics by inscribing them on
barks of trees palm leaves and bamboos

Folk poetry (short poems)

- They are generally quatrains consisting of 5-12 syllables per line and which are need to
be chanted.
- TANAGA- is a tagalog folk poetry which is consisted of four lines, full of metaphors and
the consistent use of seven syllables in every line.
EXAMPLE OF TANAGA:
- “Tahak ng tingin tulak
- Ng sulyap, yakap, lapat
- Ng titig sa balikat
- Hatak pa, kindat, kalat”
- The Mangyan AMBAHAN is a poem with seven syllables per line, with the end syllables
following a rime scheme.
- It presents a human experience or a situation by means of a metaphor.
- They usually use ambahan to communicate with others, using plants, animals and
nature symbols allegorically to convey their thoughts and emotions about all aspects of
life. They carve or engrave ambahan on bamboo beams of all house, bolo sheats, and
all handy items.

EXAMPLE OF AMBAHAN:
- Kawayan sa Marigit
- Pag tanaw ko, palapit
- Labong pa siyang kay liit
- Nang daanan ko pabalik
- Siksikan mga tinik
- Mainam nang pang- sahig!

Riddles o Bugtong
-Riddles are most amusing form of folk speech. They uses one or more images as
metaphor to refer to an object to be guessed and enriches the imagination and sharpen
the senses.
-generally poetic in form and come in one, two, three or four lines.
-The themes of riddles are drawn from surrounding flora and fauna, the human body,
dwellings, tools and toys, clothing, and food.
Example:

Hinugot ko ang tadyang lumapad ang tiyan.

 Sagot: Payong
Purpose of Riddles
 EDUCATE- Riddles serve the function of passing down knowledge from
generation to next.
 ENTERTAIN- It serves as the way of entertainment during those times for
there were no electricity available thus family would sit around the fire and
elders would quiz the younger generations with riddles.
 TO CURSE, WITHOUT EXPRESSLY CURSING- a riddle could be made up against
an enemy, rival town or suitor.
 TO PRESERVE THE CULTURE- Riddles communicate the old ways from one
generation to the next.

Chants and folk epic

Ritualistic Literature

• consists of songs, chants, and narratives which can only be performed or recited in a
religious context in the observance of certain rituals or ceremonies in divine or
supernatural intervention in human affairs.

SONGS
• Folk Song
-form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and aspirations, the people’s
lifestyles as well as their loves
-These are often repetitive and sonorous, didactic and naive 
Examples:
• Ili-ili (Ilongo) – lullabye
• Mambayu - a Kalinga rice-pounding song
• duplo - popular during wakes
CHANTS
 • are kind of poetry used in witchcraft and enchantments
• Rythmic group recitation
• Like nursery and skipping rhymes, they have lots of repetition and they are also rich in
musical qualities.
• Short and simple series of words that are sung on the same note
• Our ancestors believe in unseen spirits or elemental spirits like dwarfs
Example of Chants
Tabi, tabi po, Ingkong
Makikiraan po lamang

Narratives
• These are the stories handed down from the remote past by words of mouth from one
generation to another, reflecting the people’s tradition, feelings, beliefs, and judgments.
• Includes myths, legends and folktales
Biag ni Lam-ang of Ilocus
Narrates the adventures of the prodigious epic hero, Lam – ang who exhibits
extraordinary powers at an early age. At nine months he is able to go to war to look for
his father’s killers. Then while in search for his lady love, Ines Kannoyan, he is swallowed
by a big fish, but his rooster and his friends bring him back to life

Folk epics
• also known as ethnoepics
• are long narrative accounts of heroic exploits or events of a hero under supernatural
control
• an old form of epic poem that was originally told in oral form

Ibalon of Bicol
 tells the story of three legendary ancient heroes seizing the virginal land of Ibalong and
fighting numerous enemies, including fictional beasts and monsters. The heroes' names
were Baltog (who killed the man-eating wild boar Tandayag), Handiong (who defeated
the evil serpent Oriol) and Bantong (who won over the fearsome monster Rabut).
Waray Literature
The literature of Eastern Visayas refers to the literature written in Waray and Cebuano
by writers from the region.
Literature of Waray
 Of the two, it is Waray literature that has been collected, recorded, and
documented by scholars and researchers, a movement largely spurred by the
interest of German priests, managing a university in Tacloban City, who saw the
necessity of gathering and preserving the literary heritage of the region.
 It is in this light that whenever East Visayan literature is written about, it is
usually Waray literature that is being described.
 In 1668, a Spanish Jesuit Fr. Francisco Ignacio Alzina documented poetic forms
such as:
o Bical
o Balac
o Ambahan
o Siday
o Canogon and awit

• Modern East Visayan literature, particularly Waray, revolves around poetry and drama
produced between the 1900s and the present.
• The flourishing economy of the region and the appearance of local publications starting
in 1900 with the publication of An Kaadlawon – the first Waray newspaper that saw the
flourishing poetry in Waray.
Eco de Samar y Leyte – long running magazine in the 1900s, published articles in
literary works in Spanish, Waray, and English

Bical - Two persons, either two men or two women, reply to each other in strict musical
time and without hesitation. It can go on for an hour or two, usually making public
whatever faults they have whether it is personal, physical, or moral. The audience
normally would laugh and applaud as a response. Once done, anything that has been
mentioned during the Bical remains there and don't get talked about afterwards.
 Balac - Very metaphorical and usually talks about love affairs between a man and a
woman. They answer or reply to each other vocally on amatory affairs. Other times,
they use instruments: the man plays the coriapi (kudyapi) while the woman plays the
corlong (kudlung).
Ambahan - The easiest, most common and simplest form of poem. It is a ballad,
consisting of 2 blank verses, each one having 7 syllables. This type of poem uses
conversational words and has less metaphors. The concepts and meaning of the 2
verses must be similar. This poem is easily understood by all people across all age
groups.
Siday - The most difficult poem to interpret. It is used when giving praises and honor to
others, the ancestors, or the dress or beauty of a woman or a valiant man. Some
Visayans do not understand this poem as well because each words used may be
figurative and have many different interpretations.

The Visayans loved it very much and can listen to it overnight without yawning or
sleeping and would often pay a high price to people who can sing it.
Canogon- Dirges that are sung by women in a very mournful way mixing in praises of the
dead or their ancestors to which the husband or wife of the deceased reply with some
unbecoming howls. Parahaya is also called Anogon or Canogon (probably Kaanogon)
which also translates as regret, waste, unenjoyable thing, etc
Awit - Which means to sing. It is often sung along by the Visayan sailors together with
the sound of the oars. The spirit of the oars is a good singer, called paraawit, and he
sings in whatever boat he may be. Some sailors are skilled enough that they are able to
sing for many days without stopping. The songs are composed by their ancestors for this
very purpose, and are usually hard to understand. The compass of the voice and tunes
are used to hurry or retard the movement of the oars as they continuously entertain
themselves on hard and difficult journeys. Compared to the other poems, the verses
may not be similar in thought or concept.

• An Lantawan – printed religious and occasional poetry.

• Sanghiran San Binisaya 1909 – writers as well as the illustrados in the community
banded together for the purpose of cultivating the Waray language.
• In the 70s up to the present, poetry sent to the radio stations were written mostly by
local folk – farmers, housewives, and students.
• Fiction in Waray did not flourish because it lacks a venue for publication.
• An Pagtabang Ni San Miguel (Norberto Romualdez) – the earliest zarzuela production
staged in Tolosa, Leyte in 1899.

• Of the playwrights, Iluminado Lucente stands out in terms of literary accomplishments.

He wrote about 30 plays and most of these dealt with dosmetic conflicts.

Waray Language Writers

Pedro Acerden- Filipino zarzuela playwright who writes in the Waray language.
Francisco Alvarado- noted playwright of zarzuela in Lineyte-Samarnon.
He was a member and literary luminary of the Sanghiran San Binisaya organization
which was founded in 1909 to cultivated the Waray language.
Literary works:
Poetry
• Panhayhay hin Bungtohanon, 1921 (Hinagpis ng Isang Taga-Bayan)
• An Marol, 1925 (Ang Sampaguita)
• Kaadlawon, 1925 (Araw)
• Kagab-ihon, 1925 (Gabi)
• Nihaga, 1930
• Pilipinas, 1931

Iluminado Lucente
• A Filipino writer primarily writing poetry and drama in the Waray language.
• He is considered by many as the greatest writer in the Waray language.
• He was a member of the Sanghiran San Binisaya ha Samar ug Leyte (Academy of the
Visayan Language of Samar and Leyte.
His most famous work is the poem “An Iroy nga Tuna” – The Motherland
Literary Works:
 Poetry
• An Iroy nga Tuna
• Baga Durogas Ngan Baga Tinuod (1939)
• Hangin Gad La (1960)
• Pilipinas
• An Higugma
• Panhayhay (Ginsa-aran)
• Bumangon ka Pepe
• It’s Just The Wind
Drama
• Abugho
• An Duha nga Sportsmen
• Diri Daraga, Diri Balo, Diri Inasaw-an
• Up Limit Pati An Gugma

An Iroy nga Tuna

by: Iluminado Lucente

An iroy nga tuna matam-is pagpuy’an

Bisan diin siplat puros kasangkayan.
Aanhi an hingpit na ginkalipayan
Hira nanay, tatay pati kabugtuan.
Lugaring kay hiblon, sa dughan bati-on
Inin Pilipinas dayuday uripon
Ay Tuna nga akon nataw'han!
Hain daw an hingpit nga ginkaripayan?
• The song text is actually a translation made by Iluminado Lucente of an old patriotic
song in Spanish which spells the sweetness of living (and dying) in one's motherland,
 however, lamenting the bondage from colonial masters. The translated poem
mentioned was originally entitled "Ha Akun Tunang Natawhan" which was inalid'agid
(adopted/translated) by Lucente in September of 1911. The poem appeared first time in
"Pinulongan han Kasingkasing" (1912) and reprinted in Vicente de Veyra's "Hinugpung"
(1914). The poem of Lucente contributed two (2) stanzas to the An Iroy nga Tuna song
version known to most people in Samar and Leyte.

Norberto Romualdez
Literary Works:
Drama
• An Pagtabang ni San Miguel (The aid of St. Michael)
An Anak han Manaranggot (The Tuba Gatherer’s Child)
The Spanish Colonial Period:
Love of country - Andres Bonifacio
Love of country ‘’ PAG -IBIG SA TUNUBUANG LUPA’’ Ni ANDRES BONIFACIO
The poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” was a composition of Andres
Bonifacio ,regarded as the Father of the Philippine Revolution, for he led the Philippine
revolutionaries in asserting and defending the Filipinos’ right to liberty from the Spanish
rule.
LOVE OF COUNTRY/PAG-IBIG SATINUBUANG BAYAN/ EL AMOR PATRIA
 Rizal wrote this essay in Spain-June 1882
 Rizal was 21 yrs. Old then;
 It was published under the name of Laong Laan in Diariong Tagalog Manila (August
20,1882)
 In La Solidaridad in Madrid on 31st October 18
 It inspired a plebian Manileno named Andres Bonifacio to write a poem faithfully
echoing it.
 Titled Pag-ibig Sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of the Native Land), Bonifacio’s long Tagalog
poem.
 It was published in the Katipunan newspaper Kalayaan (Liberty) in its first issue, January
18, 1896
 Bonifacio read this essay when he was 18 yrs. Old
 This was the first of Rizal’s works that had shaped and sharpen his political convictions.
The message of this essay is wisdom urged the Filipinos to invest their time, strength,
and knowledge for motherland
This passionately written work of Bonifacio was one of his contributions to the Filipinos’
awakening from their ill-fated plight back then. Moreover, this particular poem was
likely based on his life, his experiences among fellow Filipinos, since in reading the poem
one would notice that Bonifacio wrote his sentiments about the Filipinos. One of those
sentiments—or the major sentiment, at that—was the Filipinos’ lack of nationalism.
Such sentiment of him is stated blatantly and explicitly in the opening verse of his poem.
To be sure, he thought that Filipinos had lost their sense of pride of being Filipinos. In
response, he provoked the emotions as well as the intellects of the Filipino populace to
feel inside them, more so, realize among themselves that there is no other country for
them but the Philippines.
Adding that, they should appreciate and love their country more than anyone else,since
there are no other people who can give love and appreciate their country except the
countrymen themselves, the Filipinos themselves. As had Bonifacio, who ceaselessly
showed his love and patriotism to his motherland.
• Love of country is always the desire of a man with honor; In songs, in poetry, in his
writings the greatness of the country is always the theme.” “Ah, this is the Mother
country of ones birth, she is the mother on whom the soft rays of the sun shine, which
gives strength to the weak body.”
Urbana and Felisa-Modesto de Catro
• Urbana at Felisa, a novel written in 1938 by Modesto de Castro
• The whole title of the novel is Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na si Urbana at Feliza.
•  It was tremendously popular from the 19th-century to the first half of the 20th-century
during the Renaissance. The story relates the importance of purity and ideal virtues that
married people should practice and enrich.
• Fr. Modesto de Castro was a Filipino literary priest born in Binan, Laguna
He studied at the San Jose Seminary
His first assignment was at the Manila Cathedral, then to Naic, Cavite
He was an excellent orator, eloquent preacher and a prolific writer in Tagalog.
• Among his well-known works are:

- Urbana at Felisa (1938)

- Platicas Doctrinales (1855)
- Novena of St. Isidro
- a collection of sermons and prose.
CHARACTERS

● Urbana- the eldest in the siblings, who gives words of wisdom to her younger sister;
filled with good moral and how must one act accordingly in different ties.

● Felisa- the second in the siblings, studying in Paombong, Bulacan

● Honesto- the youngest in the siblings whom Urbana always advices to stay away from
vices and fights.
SUMMARY

● The story is about the two sisters Urbana and Feliza who exchanges letters about the
happenings in their lives

● Feliza asks advices from Urbana knowing that her sisters knows the right thing to do

● The story talks about etiquette, proper gestures and ways in different situations.

● Feliza asks advices from Urbana on the knowledge that she learned while studying in
Manila to guide her sister Feliza, who is in Paombong, Bulacan.

● Also, she reprimands their youngest brother, Honesto, not to engage in vices, fights and
not to hang out with bad people.

 The letters exchanged were about normal events from their day to day lives until the
point where Feliza asks her sister in what she should do about her suitor, Amadeo
whom she had second thoughts about marrying him. She pushed through the wedding
after she settled her doubts and fears.
 The last part of Feliza’s letter is about their father’s death stating that their father
wanted Urbana to know he died after he is buried because he doesn’t want her to be
sad.
 The last letter of Urbana says that she will pursue in being a nun.
 The author used the epistolary style wherein a series of thirty-four letters, members of a
family in Paombong, Bulacan gave each other advice on the ideal conduct and behavior
expected of a middle-class and Christian family.
 Thus in her letters to her younger siblings Felisa and Honesto, who remained in
Paombong, Urbana, who left for Manila to study, wrote not only of the need to follow
the values and norms found in Christian teaching, but as importantly, to observe the
proper mode of conduct as one dealt with people in society.
 In retrospect, Urbana at Felisa should be perceived as a text not only meant to regulate
conduct and behavior, but as a discourse to contain the moral excesses of the period
and affirm basic Christian tenets.
 The series of correspondences, including a letter from a priest on the duties and
responsibilities of married life, touched on various facets of experience that a person
underwent from birth to death both in the secular and spiritual realms.
To my Fellow Youth
" Sa Aking Mga Kabatà " (English: To My Fellow Youth) is a poem about the love of
one's native language written in Tagalog. It is widely attributed to the Filipino national
hero José Rizal, who supposedly wrote it in 1868 at the age of eight.

A Son is Born- Manuel Arguilla

'A Son' is a story written by Manuel Arguilla. The story was published in the year
of 1937. It is about a son being born around Christmastime.

Light and Darkness

Emilio Jacinto
• Born on December 15, 1875
• Intelligent assistant of Andres Bonifacio in the establishment of Katipunan.
• He is called the Brains of the Katipunan.
• He edited Kalayaan (Freedom), a Katipunan newspaper.
Liwanag at Dilim (Light and Darkness)
• Series of articles on human rights, liberty, equality, labor, government and love of
country
• Light and Darkness has 7 essays which includes:
  Light and Glitter
 Liberty
 People and the government
 All men are equal
 Love
 Work
 False belief

PASYON, METRICAL ROMANCES, CENACULO,

DUPLO & COMEDIA
Pasyon
• The Pasyon is a retelling of the Passion of Christ. Readings and performances of
the pasyon text are widespread in the Philippines, where they have synthesized
indigenous religious performativity with Catholicism and political and social activism.
• There are three pasyon texts, the first of which was published in 1704 by the Filipino
poet Gaspar Aquino de Belen.
• The pasyon is performed during Lent in cities and villages throughout the Philippines,
often by unskilled pious actors and paid for as an act of piety by affluent patrons.
• Historically, the pasyon has served as a symbolic lens through which political events and
figures have been interpreted. 
• In the late colonial period, during which nationalist speech was curtailed by the Spanish
government and Catholic Church, the pasyon narrative of the suffering of Christ was
imbued with layers of nationalist, anticlerical and anticolonial meaning.
• Revolutionary leaders were associated with Christ while peasants and nationalists were
expected to be like his disciples, giving up their worldly lives in pursuit of independence. 

OTHER EXAMPLES:
• KASAYSAYAN NG PASYONG MAHAL NI HESUKRISTONG PANGINOON NATIN (COPYRIGHT
1949 BY IGNACIO LUNA & SONS)
PANALANGIN SA MAHAL NA BIRHEN
Metrical Romance
• A metrical romance, or chivalric romance, is a type of narrative poem which typically
centers on courtly love, knights, and chivalric deeds. Metrical romances do not need to
have a consistent rhyme or meter - although some do.
• A popular form of entertainment from the Middle Ages until the 19th century when the
prose romance, already established in the previous century, gradually superseded it.
• Metrical romance appeared in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial rule. In the
form of awits and corridos, it spread among the northern ethnic groups such as
Tagalogs, the Ilocano, and the Pangasinan.
Corrido- is a popular narrative metrical tale and poetry that forms a ballad. It derives
largely from the romance, and in its most known form of consists of a salutation from
the singer and prologue to the story, the story itself, and more farewell from the singer.
EXAMPLE:
• FLORANTE AT LAURA (BY FRANCISCO BALAGTAS 1838)
Cenaculo
Is a traditional Filipino dramatization of the life and times of Jesus Christ. Done in singing
(pasyon) and recitation, it is presented in the public squares in many towns, in houses
and streets during the season of Lent.
Is Lenten play that depicts events from the old and New Testaments to the life of
sufferings ,and death of Christ.
• Senakulo which started back in 1904 in Barrio Dayap, which is presently the area
covering three barangays in Cainta—Sto. Domingo, Sto. Nino, and Sta. Rosa in the
Philippines.
• During that time, Filipinos set up cross on vacant lot for their belief that it can drive
away evil spirits. It was said that one day there was an unfamiliar yet powerful scent was
believed to have emanated from the cross.
Duplo
• The duplo is a poetic debate presented through song and dance, which originated from
indigenous courtship customs. Poets used proverbs and riddles to present their suit to
the woman of their choice.
• This ultimately evolved into a more formal debate on issues, and started to be called the
balagtasan.
Moro-Moro or comedia de capa y espada
A blood and thunder melodrama which depicted the conflict between the Christians and
the Muslims, of course the Christian always emerged as victors in the struggle.
Is like cenaculo, is presented also on a special stage. This is performed during town
fiestas to entertain the people and to remind them of their Christian Religion.
Example: “ PRINSIPE RODANTE” by a Christian Filipino army of an Islamic stronghold. It
was so popular that other plays were written and staged as folk dramas in Christianize
Villages.
The earliest known form of organized theater is the comedia or moro-moro, created by
Spanish priests. In 1637 a play was written to dramatize the recent capture
How my Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife
 “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife” is the story of a man introducing his city-
born wife to his more provincial family. To summarize the story, Baldo was able to meet
his brother’s wife Maria, As Baldo saw his older brother’s wife, he described her as
lovely, tall, and beautiful.

Man of the Earth

Man of Earth by Amador T. Daguio (and more!) Amador Daguio's poem, "Man of

Earth" compares the Filipino to the bamboo "tree". The poem alludes
to the legend of the first Filipinos and to the flexibility of the Filipino.
My Father Goes to Court

Father Goes to Court was written by Carlos Bolusan. It was about the two
different families and how they are living their lives. The family of the narrator
was the poor. The poor family is living happily and healthy while on the other
hand is the rich family who is living without social life.
The Small Key-Paz Latorena
"The Small Key" is a short story by Filipino author Paz Latorena. It is about Soledad, a
woman in her mid-twenties who is married to a man named Pedro Buhay. They lived in a
hut within a prosperous farm away from neighbors.

To the Man I Married- Angela Manalang Gloria

Angela Manalang Gloria's poem, "To the Man I Married," metaphorically portrays her
love for her husband by comparing her need for him to her need for the earth. Angela
Manalang Glorias "To the Man I Married" is a combination English/Italian sonnet: it
consists of an octave with the rime scheme ABABCDCD and in the sestet EFEFGG.
Like the Molave- Rafael Zulueta da Costa
 Like the Molave by Rafael Zulueta da Costa is a beautiful poem that likens the youth and
vigor of Philippines youth to the beautiful Filipino Molave tree. In the poem, strong
images of hard work, suffering, and bloodshed evoke the difficult life of the poorer
classes in the Philippines, and the poet wishes that these generations of young people will
show the same eventual strength, beauty, and longevity as a fully-grown Molave tree.

Dead Stars- Paz Marquez Benitez

The short story revolves around one man, Alfredo Salazar and the affairs
of his heart. He is a man who believes in true love and hopes to find bliss
in its wake. The first woman he falls in love with is Esperanza.

References:
• https://jacs.weebly.com/uploads/1/2/3/5/1235512/historical_literary_periods.pdf
• https://salirickandres.altervista.org/pre-spanish-period/
• https://press.rebus.community/mythologyunbound/chapter/three-types-of-myth/
• https://www.slideshare.net/AttheaJaneLepiten/philippine-literature-and-texts-
precolonial-times-and-spanish-colonizations-77510710
• https://elearningsnow.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/philippine-poetry/
• https://www.slideshare.net/glenda75/pre-colonial-literature
• https://www.slideshare.net/itsebo/pre-colonial-philippine-literature
• https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/pasyon
• https://study.com/academy/answer/what-is-metrical-romance-in-narrative-
poetry.html#:~:text=A%20metrical%20romance%2C%20or%20chivalric,Gawain%20and
%20the%20Green%20Knight.
• https://literaryocean.com/what-is-metrical-romance-and-its-examples/
• https://philnews.ph/2019/04/17/senakulo-passion-play-philippines-origin-history/
• http://theaterfansmanila.com/7-types-of-theater-in-the-philippines/#:~:text=The
%20duplo%20is%20a%20poetic,to%20be%20called%20the%20balagtasan.
• https://www.slideshare.net/RojEusala/spanish-period-philippine-literature

• Sugbo, V. (2015.). The Literature of Eastern Visayas. National Commission for Culture
and the Arts. Retrieved August 29, 2021, from
https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/
literary-arts/the-literature-of-eastern-visayas/
• Wikipedia contributors. (2021, March 14). Waray literature. Wikipedia. Retrieved
August 29, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waray_literature
• https://prezi.com/m2v2pbxxkkdl/urbana-at-feliza/
• https://prezi.com/9l0dinhzusk8/urbana-at-feliza/
• http://ironmao.weebly.com/uploads/5/4/1/6/54162303/urbana_at_feliza.pdf