PHILIPPINE LITERARY HISTORY JAPANESE PERIOD

The Golden Period of Tagalog drama and short stories

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD because English was prohibited. The Japanese authorities pushed for
The literature during this period depicted their way of life, the use of Tagalog. Publications were suspended and restricted.
traditions, and beliefs. Literature during this time were passed Local theaters became more popular and was used to expose
through oral tradition. The elders/parents pass down and teach their political, social, and economic conditions. Nationalism, patriotism
literature to the young. and life struggles prevailed as themes.
The folk literature has a religious or sacred character. The
ancient Filipinos used ritualistic verses. They also used native NATIONAL ARTISTS IN LITERATURE & THEIR WORKS
syllabary (baybayin) and used pointed objects like sticks and
daggers as pens. Edith Tiempo
Songs and dances were part of their religious social rituals • A Blade of Fern
and were the precursors of drama form. • Bonsai
• The Charmer’s Box
Epic – story of a hero/god dealing with the supernatural. • His Native Coat
Myth – stories of gods to explain a practice, belief, and event.
• The Tracks of Babylon
Folktale – a traditional story circulated orally among people.
Legend – stories of the origin of animals, persons, and things.
Riddles – a form of metaphor that needs to be guessed. Virgilio Almario
Proverbs – a brief popular saying that gives advice. • Palipad Hangin
Ritual/Chant – rhythmic phrases used in ceremonies/rituals. • Sentimental
• Buwan, Buwang, Bulawan
SPANISH PERIOD
• Mutyang Dilim
Spain colonized the Philippines for 3 main reasons (God,
• Mga Retrato at Rekwerdo
Gold, and Glory). Spanish became the literary language and the
Roman Script replaced Alibata. Literature focused on propagating • Muli, Sa Kandungan ng Lupa
religion and morality (Examples: Doctrina Cristiana, Nuestra
Senora del Rosario, Psalms for Mary). Francisco Arcellana
• To Touch You
Doctrina Cristiana – 1st printed book by the Dominicans in the • The Other Woman
Philippines with Tagalog and Spanish prayers. • I Wait For You
Blancas De San Jose – introduced printing by typography. • The Mats
Tomas Pinpin – a bilingual who published a Spanish grammar
book for Filipinos. • Prayer
Jose Rizal – wrote Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, • Divided by Two
exposing the abuse of the Spanish government to the Filipinos.
Pasion – a poem on the life of Jesus Christ F. Sionil Jose
Cenaculo – a Lenten play that depicts events from the Old and • PO-ON
New Testament of the Bible. • Ermita
Duplo – A poetic joust in speaking and reasoning.
Karagatan – a poem of socio-religious nature celebrated during • My Brother, My Executioner
the death of a person. • The Pretenders
Moro-Moro – drama where Christians triumph over Muslims. • Tree
Sarswela/Zarzuela – lyric-dramatic play with songs & dances. • Mass
Awit – romantic poetry with 12 syllables.
Corrido - romantic poetry with 8 syllables.
Nick Joaquin
• Cave and Shadows
During the period of enlightenment, works by Francisco
Baltazar (Balagtas), Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario • The Woman Who Had Two Navels
Mabini, Graciano Lopez-Jaena flourished. Florante at Laura, • May Day Eve
Noli Me Tangere, and El Filibusterismo tackled Spanish • A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino
colonization. • My Manila: A History for the Young

AMERICAN PERIOD Jose Garcia Villa

Public school education made information accessible. • Footnote to Youth
English was used as a medium of instruction. Authors wrote English • Poems of Doveglion
literary works. English essays, short stories and poems flourished.
• The Emperor’s New Sonnet
Panitikan, a group of aristocratic writers was formed. Foreign films
were introduced. Modern themes were used. • Have Come, Am Here

(1898) Jose Palma wrote “Filipinas”, the poem that became the text Cirilo Bautista
of the National Anthem. • Galaw ng Asoge
(1901) Normal schools were established to train teachers. • Summer Suns
(1907) Philippine Free Press an early periodical, was published. • Words and Battlefields
(1916) Vaudeville was introduced
(1921) The birth of the Philippine Novel in English with Zoilo Bienvenido Lumbera
Galang’s “a Child of Sorrow”. • The Yaya’s Lullaby
(1925) The first English short story, Paz Marquez Benitez’ “Dead • Himig at Himagsik nina Victoria Laktaw
Stars”.
• Likhang Dila
• Likhang Diwa