PHILIPPINE LITERATURE HISTORY TIMELINE

PRE-COLONIAL (BC to 1564)

• Historical Events

Filipinos often lose sight of the fact that the first period of the Philippine literary history is the longest.
However, through the researches and writings about Philippine history, much can be reliably inferred
about precolonial Philippine literature from an analysis of collected oral lore of Filipinos whose
ancestors were able to preserve their indigenous culture by living beyond the reach of Spanish colonial
administrators.

The oral literature of the precolonial Filipinos bore the marks of the community. This is evident in the
most common forms of oral literature like the riddle, the proverbs and the song, which always seem to
assume that the audience is familiar with the situations, activities and objects mentioned in the course
of expressing a thought or emotion. The language of oral literature, unless the piece was part of the
cultural heritage of the community like the epic, was the language of daily life. At this phase of literary
development, any member of the community was a potential poet, singer or storyteller as long as he
knew the language and had been attentive to the conventions of the forms.

Almost all the important events in the life of the ancient peoples of this country were connected with
some religious observance and the rites and ceremonies always some poetry recited, chanted, or sung.
The lyrics of religious songs may of course be classified as poetry also, although the rhythm and the
rhyme may not be the same.Filipinos had a culture that linked them with the Malays in the Southeast
Asia, a culture with traces of Indian, Arabic, and, possibly Chinese influences. Their epics, songs, short
poems, tales, dances and rituals gave them a native Asian perspective which served as a filtering device
for the Western culture that the colonizers brought over from Europe.

• Literary Works

Riddle- Made up of one or more measured lines with rhymes and may consist of 4 to 12 syllables and it
showcases the Filipino wit, literary talent, and keen observation of the surroundings.

Epigrams/Proverbs (Salawikain&Sawikain)- Short poems that have been customarily been used and
served as laws or rules on good behavior by ancestors. Usually the work imparts lessons for the young
ones.

Chants (Bulong)- Used in witchcrafts and enchantments.

Myths- derived from Philippine folk literature, which is the traditional oral literature of the Filipino
people. This refers to a wide range of material due to the ethnic mix of the Philippines.

Folk Songs- a form of folk lyric which expresses the people’s hopes, aspirations, and lifestyles.

Epic- a series of heroic achievements, usually a hero, is dealt with at length.

• Famous Authors

Literature was passed down through storytelling from one person to another. The author of these works
remains unknown until present time.

• Literary Styles and Themes

Most of the content of the literature in the said era revolves around the creation of the world,
community, the Philippines and life.

• Literary Samples

Guman (Subanon); Darangen (Maranao); Hudhud (Ifugao); Lam-ang (Ilocano); Hinilawod (Sulod);
Kudaman (Palawan); Darangen (Maranao); Ulahingan (Livunganen-Arumanen Manobo);
MangovaytBuhongnaLangit(The Maiden of the Buhong Sky from Tuwaang-Manobo); Ag
TobignegKeboklagan (Subanon); and Tudbulol (T'boli).

TIMELINE OF THE PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

COLONIAL PERIOD (Spanish)

• Historical Events

The Spanish colonial strategy was to undermine the native oral tradition by substituting for it the story
of the Passion of Christ. Although Christ was by no means war-like or sexually attractive as many of the
heroes of the oral epic tradition, the appeal of the Jesus myth inhered in the protagonist’s superior
magic: by promising eternal life for everyone. It is to be emphasized, however, that the native tradition
survived and even flourished in areas inaccessible to the colonial power. Moreover, the tardiness and
the lack of assiduity of the colonial administration in making a public educational system work meant
the survival of oral tradition, or what was left of it, among the conquered tribes.The church authorities
adopted a policy of spreading the Church doctrines by communicating to the native (pejoratively called
Indio) in his own language.

This development marked the beginning of Indio literacy and thus spurred the creation of the first
written literary native text by the native. These writers, called ladinos because of their fluency in both
Spanish and Tagalog, published their work, mainly devotional poetry, in the first decade of the 17 th
century. Ironically — and perhaps just because of its profound influence on the popular imagination —
as artifact it marks the beginning of the end of the old mythological culture and a conversion to the new
paradigm introduced by the colonial power.
• Literary Works

Christian Doctrine (Religious literature)- a prayerbook written in Spanish with an accompanying Tagalog
translation. It was, however, for the exclusive use of the missionaries who invariably read them aloud to
the unlettered Indio catechumens.

Senakulo (Religious literature)- a dramatization of the pasyon.

Pasyon (Religious literature)- long narrative poem about the passion and death of Christ.

Awit- colorful tales of chivalry made for singing and chanting.

Komedya (moro-moro)-secular literature from Spain in the form of medieval ballads inspired the native
poetic-drama.

Prose Narratives- written to prescribe proper decorum.

• Famous Authors

Gaspar Aquino de Belen – was a Filipino poet and translator of the 17 th century, known for authoring a
1704 rendition of the Pasyon: a famous poetic narrative of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus,
which has circulated in many versions.

Jose de la Cruz (1746 – 1829) – was the foremost exponent of the komedya during his time. A poet of
prodigious output and urbane style, de la Cruz marks a turning point in that his elevated diction
distinguishes his work from folk idiom.

Francisco Baltazar (1788 – 1862) – popularly called Balagtas, is the acknowledged master of traditional
Tagalog poetry. But the crucial element in Balagtas’ unique genius is that, being caught between two
cultures (the native and the colonial/classical), he could switch codes (or was perceived by his
compatriot audience to be switching codes), provide insight and information to his oppressed
compatriots in the very style and guise of a tradition provided him by a foreign (and oppressive) culture.
His narrative poem Florante at Laura written in sublime Tagalog, is about tyranny in Albanya, but it is
also perceived to be about tyranny in his Filipino homeland (Lumbera).

Jose Rizal (1861 – 1896)- He chose the realistic novel as his medium. Choosing Spanish over Tagalog
meant challenging the oppressors on the latter’s own turf. By writing in prose, Rizal also cut his ties with
the Balagtas tradition of the figurative indirection which veiled the supposed subversiveness of many
writings at that time.

• Literary Styles and Themes

The topics covered by the literary works include religion, specifically Christianity, and European
traditions. Grammar books in Tagalog were also published at that time period. Some were sung, like The
Passion while some were prayers that believers chant in church.

• Literary Examples
Doctrina Christiana (1593); Mahal Na Pasion ni Jesu Christo by Gaspar Aquino de Belen; Angmga Dalit
kay Maria (Psalms for Mary); AngBarlaan at Josaphat by Fray Antonio de Borja; Florante at Laura by
Francisco Balagtas; MiUltimoadios by Jose Rizal.

TIMELINE OF THE PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD

• Historical Events

It began in August 1896, when the Spanish authorities discovered Katipunan, an anti-colonial secret
organization.During a great revolution, literature nearly disappears and there is silence for, swept up in
the tide of revolution, all turn from shouting to action and are so busy making revolution that there is no
time to talk of literature. However, Filipinos who aren’t into making revolution in action revived the
Philippine literature with their own writings and inflaming Filipinos’ emotions with the said content.
Revolutionary period likewise saw various literary masterpieces written as ammunition and shield in the
ever-changing tide of war to independence. Periodicals and magazines were likewise continued to
flourish as both avenue for idea propagation and vehicle for literary initiatives.

• Literary Works

Political Essays (Propaganda Literature) – satires, editorials and news articles were written to attackand
expose the evils of Spanish rule; helped inflame the spirit of revolution

Political Novels (Propaganda Literature) – the content directly criticizes an existing society or present an
alternative, even fantastic, reality.

Revolutionary Literature – more propagandistic than literary as it is moreviolent in nature and

demanded complete independence for the country.

• Famous Authors

Jose Rizal, Graciano Lopez Jaena, and M. H. Del Pilar – In a sense, Rizal’s novels and patriotic poems
were the inevitable conclusion to the campaign for liberal reforms known as the Propaganda
Movement, waged by Graciano Lopez Jaena, and M.H. del Pilar. The two novels so vividly portrayed
corruption and oppression that despite the lack of any clear advocacy, they served to instill the
conviction that there could be no solution to the social ills but a violent one.

Emilio Jacinto – Jacinto wrote political essays expressed in the language of the folk. Significantly,
although either writer could have written in Spanish (Bonifacio, for instance, wrote a Tagalog translation
of Rizal’s Ultimo Adios), both chose to communicate to their fellowmen in their own native language.

Andres Bonifacio– was an admirer of Rizal, and like Rizal, he wasa writer and social critic profoundly
influenced by the liberal ideas of the French enlightenment, about human dignity. Bonifacio’s most
important work are his poems, the most well-known being Pag-IbigSaTinubuangLupa.
Jose Palma – was a Filipino poet and soldier. He was on the staff of La Independencia at the time he
wrote Filipinas, a patriotic poem in Spanish. He also wrote the Himno Nacional Filipino (The Philippine
National Anthem) composed by Julian Felipe which was originally entitled, MarchaMagdalo. He joined
the fight against the Americans together with Gen. Del Pilar with his works and as a soldier.

• Literary Styles and Themes

During this period, Filipinos began to write novels and poems about love for their country. The
revolutionary literature journey marked a drastic period of inflamed emotions and fiery rhetoric on the
account of achieving freedom from the shackles of tyranny.

• Literary Examples

Kalayaan edited by Emilio Jacinto; True Decalogue by ApolinarioMabini; KatapusangHibik ng Pilipinas

and Pag-ibigsaTinubuangLupaby Andres Bonifacio; Liwanag at Dilim by Emilio Jacinto; Noli me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal.

TIMELINE OF THE PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

AMERICAN PERIOD

• Historical Events

Philippine literary production during the American Period in the Philippines was spurred by two
significant developments in education and culture. One is the introduction of free public instruction for
all children of school age and two, the use of English as medium of instruction in all levels of education
in public schools. Free public education made knowledge and information accessible to a greater
number of Filipinos. Those who availed of this education through college were able to improve their
social status and joined a good number of educated masses who became part of the country’s middle
class. The use of English as medium of instruction introduced Filipinos to Anglo-American modes of
thought, culture and life ways that would be embedded not only in the literature produced but also in
the psyche of the country’s educated class. It was this educated class that would be the wellspring of a
vibrant Philippine Literature in English.Philippine literature in English, as a direct result of American
colonization of the country, could not escape being imitative of American models of writing especially
during its period of apprenticeship. The poetry written by early poets manifested studied attempts at
versification as in the following poem which is proof of the poet’s rather elementary exercise in the
English language.

The separate, yet parallel developments of Philippine literature in English and those in Tagalog and
other languages of the archipelago during the American period only prove that literature and writing in
whatever language and in whatever climate are able to survive mainly through the active imagination of
writers. Apparently, what was lacking during the period was for the writers in the various languages to
come together, share experiences and come to a conclusion on the elements that constitute good
writing in the Philippines.

• Literary Works

Poetry – Noteworthy names in this field, they wrote in free verse, in odes and sonnets and in any other
types. Poetry was original, spontaneous, competently written and later, incorporated social
consciousness.

Short Story – 1925 to 1941, poetry and short story flourished during these times.

Publications – The Philippine Free Press provided the first incentives to Filipino writers in English by
offering prizes to Filipino writers in English by offering prizes to worthwhile contribution. Other
publication followed suit.

Drama – 1925 to 1941, drama during this period did not reach the heights attained by the novel or the
short story.

• Famous Authors

Fernando Ma. Guerero – he collected the best of his poem in a book called Crisalidas, and one of the
poems written in this book was “Inovacion A Rizal”

Manuel Bernabe – is a lyric poet, he was more attractive to the public in a debate with balmori because
of the melodious he used.

Lope K. Santos – “Father of the National language Grammar”, he was also called “apo” of the tagalog
writers. “Banaag at Sikat” was his masterpiece.

Jose Corazon de Jesus – known as husengbatute, he was also called the poet of love in his time.

Inigo Ed Regaldo– a popular story teller, novelist, and newspaper man. He reached the peak of his
success by the “sumpong” of his pen.

• Literary Styles and Themes

By this time, Filipino writers had acquired the mastery of English writing. They now confidently and
competently wrote on a lot of subjects although the old-time favorites of love and youth persisted. They
went into all forms of writing like the novel and the drama.

• Literary Examples

“A Rizal” by Cecilio Apostol; “Ante El Martir” by Claro M. Recto; “AngPanday” by Aramando V.

Hernandez.

TIMELINE OF THE PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

POST-WAR PERIOD (JAPANESE OCCUPATION)

• Historical Events

Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development when the Philippineswas again conquered by
another foreign country, Japan. Philippine literature in English can to a halt. Except for theTRIBUNEand
thePHILIPPINE REVIEW, almost all newspapers in English were stopped by the Japanese.

The weeklyLiwaywaywas placed under strict surveillance until it was managed by a Japanese named
Ishiwara. This had an advantageous effect of Filipino Literature, which experienced renewedattention
because writers in English turned to writing in Filipino.

Juan Layawho used to write in English turned to Filipino because of the strict prohibitions of the
Philippines of the Japanese regarding any writing in English.

In other words, Filipino literature was given a break during this period. Many wrote plays, poems, short
stories, etc. Topics and themes were often about life in the provinces.

• Literary Works

Haiku – A poem of free verse that the Japanese liked. It was made up of 17 syllables divided into three
lines. The first line had 5 syllables, the second had 7 syllables, and the third had 5. It is allegorical in
meaning. It is short andcovers a wide scope in meaning.

Tanaga – It is like the Haiku since it is short but it had measure and rhyme. Each line had 17 syllables and
is also allegorical in meaning.

Filipino Drama – The drama experienced a lull during the Japanese period because movie houses
showing American films were closed. The big movie houses were just made to show stage shows. Many
of the plays were reproductions of English plays to Tagalog.

• Famous Authors

Macario Pineda – a writer who was known with this short story, “SuyuansaTubigan”.

NarcisoReyes -was a Filipino diplomat and author. He wrote “LupangTinubuan”.

LiwaywayArceo – was a multi-awarded Tagalog fictionist, journalist, radio scriptwriter and editor from
the Philippines. Arceo authored a number of well-received novels, such as Canal de la Reina and Titser.

• Literary Styles and Themes

The common theme of most poems during the Japanese occupation was nationalism, country, love, life
in the barrios, faith, religion, and the arts.

• Literary Examples
LupangTinubuan by Narciso Reyes; UhawangTigangnaLupa by LiwaywayArceo; LunsodNayon at Dagat-
dagatan by NVM Gonzales.

LATE 20TH CENTURY (MARTIAL LAW)

• Historical Events

With the declaration of Presidential Decree 1081 on September 21, 1972, many publications and mass
media outfits were shut down, Filipino writers started to use their writings to explore socio-political
realities. The tradition of protest has always been a potent force in the production of socially committed
writings, as a number of critics such as BienvenidoLumbera, and Epifanio San Juan Jr. Have argued. The
1970s, for example, witnessed the proliferation of poems, short stories, and novels which grappled with
the burning issues of the times. In a large number of magazines and journals, writers in both English and
Pilipino faced the problems of exploitation and injustice, and appropriated these realities as the only
relevant materials for their fiction. In effect, writers such as Ricardo Lee, Virgilio Almario, Efren Abueg,
Ave Perez Jacob, and DominadorMirasol produced a large number of texts that were profoundly
disturbing, even as these works zeroed in on the various forms of repression and violence.

In the underground press, writers used pen names. Illegal organizations or groups published the works,
which they had to distribute under the radar. Those caught with such publications could be held in
detention or imprisoned, tortured, and even killed.

• Literary Works

Protest Literature–referred as revolutionary literature. Mainly all about engagement, combat,

committed, resistance, socially conscious literature.

Proletarian Literature – works under this literature was too strong to ignore. It was deemed for
unimaginable, for the committed writer doing political work, to still think f poetry as “beauty recollected
in tranquility”.

Prison Literature – Journalists and prominent political opposition figures were the first to be ensnared in
the dragnet cast by the Marcos intelligence and police apparatus, followed by militant activists,
including academics who were also noted for their critical literary writings.

Circumvention Literature – it was in the precious little space afforded, wittingly or not, by certain
publications and institutions sanctioned by the Martial Law Administration, that the so-called “Literature
o Circumvention began to appear”.

• Famous Authors

Ponciano Pineda - is an American writer, teacher, linguist, lawyer and activist during Martial Law.
Ponciano Pineda is considered as the “Father of the Commission on Filipino Language”.

Anicento Silvestre – an activist, he won Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Poetry in Filipino because of
his works.
Bienvenido Ramos – a Filipino poet who contributed to Liwayway, Ilang-ilang, and other magazines with
his revolutionary poems.

Jose Y. Dalisay Jr. – is a Filipino writer. He has won numerous awards and prizes for fiction, poetry,
drama, non-fiction and screenwriting, including 16 Palanca Awards. He used the pen name “Butch
Dalisay”.

• Literary Styles and Themes

Themes of most poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs and the beauties of
nature and surrounding. And Filipinos faced the problems of exploitation and injustice, and appropriated
these realities as the only relevant materials for their fiction.

• Literary Examples

“Prometheus Unbound” appeared in Focus; “If a Poem Was A Just” (Prison Literature); “Days of
Disquiet” by Jose F. Lacaba; “An Underground Tale” by Benjamin Pimentel, Jr.

MODERN/21st CENTURY LITERATURE

• Historical Events

Bilingual education which was initiated by the Board of National Education as early as 1958 and
continued up to present resulted in the deterioration of English in the different levels of education. The
focus of education and culture was on problems of national identity, on re-orientation, renewed vigor
and a firm resolves to carry out plans and programs.The forms of literature that led during this period
were the essays, debates and poetry. The short stories, like the novels and plays were no different in
style from those written before the onset of activism.

Comparing present-day conditions to life 40 years ago, nothing has changed much; the situation is even
a lot worse than before for many Filipinos. The world is more cruel now for the majority of Filipinos
because of the promotion of material things (mall culture, high tech gadgets, condo living) and the
pressure to acquire things. Life was a lot simpler then. However, the Philippine literature may have
changed but Filipinos writers continue to show dynamism and innovation.

• Literary Works

Poetry – Filipinos continued this work, although the topics might change and usually uses the free-form.

Fiction works – It can also be a literary work based on imagination rather than on fact, like a novel or
short story.

Theses- this work has more than one important sense to it. It is the most important or foundational idea
of an argument, presentation, or piece of writing—often used in education.

Games- it is a form of literary art in which can be virtually and in reality. The participants, termed
players, make decisions in order to manage resources through game tokens in the pursuit of a goal.
Comic – it is a medium used to express ideas by images, often combined with text or other visual
information. Cartooning and similar forms of illustration are the most common image.

• Famous Authors

Carlo J. Caparas- is a comic strip creator, writer, director and producer who became sensational known
for his created local superheroes and comic book characters that are still popular to Filipinos until now.

Mars Ravelo- is also a comic strip creator and writer who became phenomenal in the Philippines for his
created superheroes such as “Darna” (a Filipino version of Wonder Woman), Dyesabel (name of the
Filipino mermaid/heroine), and many others.

Gilda Olvidado- is a popular Filipino novelist and writer, known for her extraordinary love stories.

Bob Ong – is the pseudonym of an anonymous Filipino contemporary author known for using
conversational Filipino to create humorous and reflective depictions of life as a Filipino.

• Literary Styles and Themes

Contemporary writers often consciously draw inspiration and ideas from the writers who have come
before them. As a result, many works of 21 st literature grapple with the events, movements and
literature of the past in order to make sense of the present. Additionally, the technological
advancements of the 21st century have led other writers to hypothetically write about the future, usually
to comment on the present and evoke introspection.

• Literary Examples

“Sinasamba Kita” and “BabangonAko’tDudurugin Kita” by Gilda Olvidado; “Panday” by Carlo J. Caparas;
“ABNKKBSNPLAko?!” by Bob Ong; “Lumbay ng Dila” by Genevive L. Asenjo.