LITERARY GENRES
1. Poetry  speech in which a character addresses themselves,
Derived from Greek word “poeisis” which means
making or creating
All poems share specific characteristics.
All poems use figurative language.
2. Fiction
Is any work written in prose that is not real.
Based on the imagination of the author.
It also uses elaborate figurative language.
3. Drama
 A mode of fictional representation through dialogue
and performance.
A composition in verse or prose presenting a story
in pantomime or dialogue.
4. Essay
Derived from the French Word, “Essayer” which
means “to form”
A short form of literary composition.
Lyric Poetry is a short poem which has the
characteristics of a song. It pertains to a single
mood or feeling and is more personal in nature.
Sonnet-The name sonnet derives from the Italian
word sonetto which means little song. It is a
relatively short poem consisting of merely fourteen
lines. It is known to follow a strict pattern of rhyme.
Elegy - This is a lyric poem which expresses lament
and mourning of the dead, feeling of grief and
melancholy. The theme of this poem is death.
Ode- This is a poem of nobbling feeling, expressed
with dignity and praises for some persons, objects,
events or ideas. It is exalted in tone and formal in
structure and content
           
             Narrative Poetry
Types of poetry that narrates a story through the
use of poetic diction either real or imaginary,
Narrative poem has special appeal.  This form of
poetry describes events in a vivid way, using some
of the elements as short stories, plot characters
and dialogue.
Epic- This is a long and narrative poem that
normally tells a story about a hero or an adventure.
Epics can be oral stories or can be poems in written
form. 1. Popular or ancient poetry is usually without
definite author and slow in the development. 2.
Modern epic poetry has a definite author.
Ballad- It also tells a story, like epic poems
however, ballad poetry is often based on a legend
or a folk tale. Most ballads are written in four-six
stanzas and have a regular rhythms and rhyme
schemes. A ballad often features a refrain-a regular
repeated line or group of lines.
Social Poetry- This is either purely comic or tragic
and pictures the life of today. It may aim to bring
changes in social conditions.
 DRAMATIC POETRY
It has elements related closely to the drama.  It
uses a dramatic technique and may unfold a story.
It emphasizes the character compared to narrative
poetry.
DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE - A dramatic
monologue is a speech in which a character
reveals their feelings, inner thoughts, or
motivations. Unlike a soliloquy, which is a private
a dramatic monologue is addressed to another
character or to the audience.
There are three major types of dramatic
monologues such as:
Romantic monologue
Philosophical and psychological monologue
Conversational monologue
SOLILOQUY –  A soliloquy is a literary device in
the form of a speech or monologue spoken by a
single character in a theatrical play or drama. The
purpose of a soliloquy is for the character to
express their inner thoughts and feelings that are
not intended to be heard or known by other
characters in the play or the audience members.
CHARACTER SKETCH – A character sketch or a
character analysis is a description that introduces
the reader to a particular character. It includes
physical descriptions, personality traits, habits,
strengths, weaknesses, and history amongst other
things of the particular character.
ORATION – The word “oration” comes from the
Latin word “oratio” for “speech” and “orare” for “to
plead, speak, or pray”. a formal public speech,
especially one delivered on a special occasion, as
on an anniversary, at a funeral, or at academic
exercises. It is a speech that is usually elaborate
and dignified. The word “oratory” refers to the art of
public speaking. An “orator” is a public speaker.
D. SPECIAL TYPES OF POETRY
HAIKU – is a Japanese poetic form that consists of
three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven
in the second, and five in the third. It’s the shortest
type of poem and, often, the most difficult to
understand. The haiku developed from the hokku,
the opening three lines of a longer poem known as
a tanka. The haiku became a separate form of
poetry in the 17th century.
FREE VERSE – is a literary device that can be
defined as poetry that is free from limitations of
regular meter or rhythm, and does not rhyme with
fixed forms. Such poems are without rhythm and
rhyme schemes, do not follow regular rhyme
scheme rules, yet still provide artistic expression.
This type of poem openly called as “Poem with no
rules.”
NAME POEM – is a form of acrostic poem that tells
about a person and when the first letter of each line
spells out the name, but there is more a name
poem. A special type of poetry belongs to
descriptive poetry that
uses an adjective to describe a person that begins
with each letter of that person's name. 
LITERATURE DURING THE PRE-COLONIAL
PERIOD
Philippine Literature – is about four hundred
years old. It is a product, a reflection of and
reaction to the period, place and people who
produced it. (Balabar, et at., 1989, p.5)
TYPES OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
Bugtong -  traditionally used during a funeral wake,
later generations use it as a form of past time. One
peculiarity of it is the way they start with the phrase
Bugtong-bugtong before saying the riddle and
these riddles usually rhyme.
Salawikain – contains sayings which prescribes
norms, imparts a lesson or simply reflects standard
norms, traditions and beliefs in the community.
Folk Songs – songs originating among the people
of a country or area, passed by oral tradition from
one singer or generation to the next, often existing
in several versions.
Uyayi - lullaby
Kumintang - war song
Kundiman - melancholic love song
Harana - serenade
Tagay - drinking sing  God, the Commandments of the Catholic Church,
Mambayu - Kalinga rice-pounding song
Subli - dance-ritual song of courtship
Tagulaylay - songs of the dead
Mimetic Dance – often accompanied the folk
songs and rituals and were the precursor of the
drama form.  2. Nuestra Señora del Rosario.
Itik-itik (Surigao del Norte, Mindanao)
 Dugso (Bukidnon)
Singkil (Maguindanao)
Maglalatik (Binan, Laguna)
Sayaw sa Bangko (Lingayen, Pangasinan)
Folk Narrative – is the reflection of culture for a
particular group of people, it’s an amalgamation of
traditions common to a particular culture.
Myths – are prose narratives explaining how the
world came to be in their form and considered to be
truthful accounts of what happened in the remote
past. 
Si Malakas at si Maganda
Bathala
Ang Buwan at ang mga Bituin
Legends – are prose narrative accounts of an
extraordinary happening believed to have actually
occurred. It may tell of an encounter with creatures
like fairies, ghost, water spirit and the like.  poetry was done by Fr. Agustin Mejia.
Alamat ni Mariang Makiling
Folktales – are prose narratives primarily for
amusement and instructional value. Folktales are
classified into animal tales or fables, magic tales or
novelistic tales, religious and didactic tales.
Si Pagong at si Matsing
Juan Tamad
Folk epic – are called “old time history” because
they embody the beliefs of our ancestors, their
customs, ideals and ways of living.
Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilocos Region)
Hinilawod (Panay Island),  de la Merced  version which is the most popular.
Bantugan and Indaraptra at Sulayman
(Maguindanao).
1. The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was
replaced by the Roman alphabet. 
2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became
the basis of religious practices. 
3. The Spanish language which became the literary
language during this time lent many of its words to
our language. 
4. European legends and traditions brought here
became assimilated in our songs, corridos, and
moro-moros. 
5. Ancient literature was collected and translated to
Tagalog and other dialects. 
6. Many grammar books were printed in Filipino,
like Tagalog, Ilocano and Visayan 
7. Our periodicals during these times gained a
religious tone. 
B. THE FIRST BOOKS   
1. ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE CHRISTIAN
DOCTRINE). 
- This was the first book printed in the
Philippines in 1593 in xylography. It was written by
Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, in
Tagalog and Spanish. It contained the Pater Noster
(Our Father), Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli
(Hail Holy Queen), the Ten Commandments of
the Seven Mortal Sins, How to Confess, and the
Cathecism. Three old original copies of this book
can still be found at the Vatican, at the Madrid
Musem and at the US Congress. It contains only 87
pages but costs $5,000.0.
 
- The second book printed in the Philippines
was written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in 1602,
and printed at the UST Printing Press with the help
of Juan de Vera, a Chinese mestizo. It contains the
biographies of saints, novenas, 
and questions and answers on religion.   
 
3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre (in
Spanish and Tagalog).
- This is the first book printed in
typography.   
4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat.
-This is a Biblical story printed in the
Philippines and translated to Tagalog from Greek
by Fr. Antonio de Borja. It is believed to be the first
Tagalog novel published in the Philippines even if it
is only a translation. The printed translation 
has only 556 pages. The Ilocano translation in
 
 
5. The Pasion. 
This is the book about the life and sufferings of
Jesus Christ. It is read only during Lent. There were
4 versions of this in Tagalog and each version is
according to the name of the writer. These are the
Pilapil version (by Mariano Pilapil of Bulacan,
1814), the de Belen version (by Gaspar Aquino de
Belen of Bat. in 1704), the de la Merced (by Aniceto
de la Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan in 1856) and
the de Guia version (by Luis de Guia in 1750).
Critics are not agreed whether it is the Pilapil or the
 
 
 
6. Urbana at Felisa.   
- A book by Modesto de Castro, the so 1.Tibag – means to excavate. This ritual was
called Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog. These brought here by the Spaniard to remind the people
are letters between two sisters Urbana at Felisa about the search of St. Helena for the Cross on
and have influenced greatly the behavior of people which Jesus died. 
in society because the letters dealt with good  
behavior.  2. Lagaylay – this is a special occasion for the
  Pilareños of Sorsogon during Maytime to get
7. Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary).  together. As early as April, the participating ladies
- A collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary. Fr. are chosen and sometimes, mothers volunteer their
Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest, girls in order to fulfill a vow made during an illness
wrote this in 1865 and it was popular especially or for a favor received. In some parts of Bicol, a
during the Maytime “Flores de Mayo” festival. different presentation is made but the objective is
  the same – praise, respect and offering of love to
C. LITERARY COMPOSITIONS  the Blessed Cross by St. Helen on the mound she
  had dug in.   
1. Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala   
(Art and rules of the Tagalog language). Written 3. The Cenaculo – this is a dramatic performance
by Fr. Blancas de San Jose and translated to to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus
Tagalog by Tomas Pinpin in 1610.  Christ. There are two kinds: the Cantada and
  Hablada . In the Hablada the lines are spoken in a
2. Compendio de la Lengua Tagala  more deliberate manner showing the rhythmic
(Understanding the Tagalog language). Written measure of each verse and the rhyming in each
by Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin in 1703.  stanza and is more dignified in theme; the Cantada
  is chanted like the Pasion. 
3. Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala  4. Panunuluyan – this is presented before 12:00
(Tagalog vocabulary). The first Tagalog on Christmas Eve. This is a presentation of the
dictionary written by Fr. Pedro de San search of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn
Buenaventura in 1613.  wherein to deliver the baby Jesus.
   
4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga  5. The Salubong (or Panubong) - The Salubong
(Pampanga vocabulary). The first book in is an Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the
Pampanga written by Fr. Diego in 1732.    Risen Christ and his Mother. It is still presented in
  many Philippine towns.   
5. Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya   
(Bisayan vocabulary). The best language book 6. Carillo (Shadow Play) – this is a form of
in Visayan by Mateo Sanchez in 1711.  dramatic entertainment performed on a moonless
night during a town fiesta or on dark nights after a
harvest. This shadow play is made by projecting
6. Arte de la Lengua Ilokana  cardboard figures before a lamp against a white
(The Art of the Ilocano language). The first sheet. The figures
Ilocano grammar book by Francisco Lopez.    are moved like marionettes whose dialogues are
  produced by some experts. The dialogues are
7. Arte de la Lengua Bicolana  drawn from a Corrido or Awit or some religious play
(The Art of the Bicol language). The first book in interspersed with songs
the Bicol language and written by Fr. Marcos
Lisbon in1754.   
 
D. FOLK SONGS    
  7. The Zarzuela – considered the father of the
- became widespread in the Philippines. drama; it is a musical comedy or melodrama three
Each region had its national song from the lowlands acts which dealt with man’s passions and emotions
to the mountains of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. like love, hate, revenge, cruelty, avarice or some
Folk songs truly manifest the  social or political poems. These was originally
artistic feelings of the Filipinos. They show the performed by 
Filipinos’ innate appreciation for and love of travelling dramatic troupes organized by royal
beauty.  mandate of Governer Narciso Claveria to stimulate
  dramatic performances.
 
The examples are 8. The Zainete – this was a short musical comedy
 Leron-Leron Sinta – Tagalog popular during the 18 th century. They were
 Pamulinawen- Iloko exaggerated comedies shown between acts of long
 Dandansoy – Bisaya plays and were mostly performed by characters
Sarong Banggi – Bicol from the lower classes. Themes were taken from
 Atin Cu Pung Singsing - kapampangan everyday life scenarios.  
 
 
E. RECEREATIONAL PLAYS F. THE MORO-MORO.
                  - Like the Cenaculo, the Moro-moro is
 - there are many recreational plays presented also on a special stage. This is
performed by Filipinos during the Spanish times. performed during town fiestas to entertain the
Almost all of them were in poetic form. Here are people and to remind them of their Christian
examples:  religion.
 
G. KARAGATAN. 
                - This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-
religious nature celebrated during the death of a
person. In this contest, more or less formal, a ritual
is performed based on a legend about a princess
who dropped her ring into the middle of the sea and
who offered here hand in marriage to anyone who
can retrieve it
 
H. DUPLO. 
- The Duplo replace the Karagatan. This is a
poetic joust in speaking and reasoning. The roles
are taken from the Bible and from proverbs and
saying. It is usually played during wakes for the
dead. 
 
I. THE BALAGTASAN.
  -This is a poetic joust or a contest of skills in
debate on a particular topic or issue. This is
replaced the DUPLO and is held to honor Francisco
“Balagtas” Baltazar. 
 
J. THE DUNG-AW. 
This is a chant in free verse by a bereaved person
or his representative beside the corpse of the dead.
No definite meter or rhyming scheme is used. The
person chanting it freely recites in poetic rhythm
according to his feelings, emotions and thoughts. It
is personalized and usually deals with the life,
sufferings and sacrifices of the dead and includes
apologies for his misdeeds.   
 
K. THE AWIT and the CORRIDO – both referred
as Narrative prose.
Awit – dodecasyllabic verse (12 syllables) ; are
fabricated stories from writers imagination although
the setting and characters are European.
Corrido – Octosyllabic verse (8 syllables) ; were
legends/stories 
from European countries like France, Spain, Italy
and Greece: 
refers to Narration
EXAMPLE :  Florante at Laura (Awit)
                       Ibong Adarna (Corrido)