Geographical Setting of Philippine Literature

Geographically, the Philippines is made up of three big islands, namely: Luzon, Visayas,
and Mindanao. Each of these main islands has distinctive features as far as its history, culture,
and even literature. Luzon which is located in the northern part of the country is the largest of
these three islands. It is known for its magnificent landscape which is bounded by mountainous
regions in the north, the beautiful vistas of central plain, lakes and volcanoes in the southern
region, and a coastline surrounded by islands with caves and beaches. Luzon was once split
among Muslim principalities and pagan tribes, who had trading connections with Malaysia,
India, Japan and China before the Spaniards established their rule. Under Spain, Luzon also
came to be known as the Nueva Castilla or New Castile. The Ilocanos predominate in the
northern portion of Ilocos and the region of Cagayan Valley, Pangasinense primarily inhabit
Pangasinan, while the Kapangpangans live in Pampanga, Tarlac and the rest of Central Luzon.
Tagalogs are majority in Bulacan, CALABARZON, and Metro Manila, while Bicolanos
predominate Bicol. Other ethnic groups present are the Aetas of Zambales, the Ibanags of
Cagayan and the Igorot of the Cordilleras. Due to the recent migrations other nationalities are
also seen around. Major regional languages include Tagalog, Ilocano, Kapangpangan, Bicol, and
Pangasinense. English and Spanish are also widely used by many inhabitants. The economy of
the island is centered in Metro Manila with Makati City serving as the main economic financial
hub. Industry is concentrated in and around urban areas of Metro Manila, while agriculture
predominates in the other regions of the island.
There are eight administrative regions in Luzon namely: Ilocos Region (Region I),
Cagayan Valley (Region II), Central Luzon (Region III), CALABARZON (Region IV-A), MIMAROPA
(Region IV-B), Bicol Region (Region V), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and National
Capital Region (NCR).
Each region has its own specific landmarks of development. Its culture and the arts
evolved in variety and abundance even before the colonial periods. Folk tales, epics, poems,
and marathon chants existed in most ethnolinguistic groups that were passed on from
generations to generations through word of mouth. The country’s rich cultural heritage has
traces of influences of the different colonizers that came to the different islands. Oral literature
of the native folks was varied and filled with magical events and characters. Filipino traditional
narratives of mostly mythical objects, persons and places are about supernatural events and
bravery of heroes, customs, and ideologies of a community. Tales connected with Spanish
conquests became significant part of the literary arts of the Filipinos. Stories associated with
other foreign influences are expressions of sentiments of Filipino character yearning for respect
for national identity and sovereignty.
Being home to many ethnic and modern literary genres, Luzon has produced very
prominent literary personalities, who made names not only in the Philippines but in the world
as well.
 Region I is Ilocos which includes Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.
Ilocos Norte is the birthplace of a number of historical figures like painter Juan Luna, founder of
the Philippine Independent Church Gregorio Aglipay, and poet and dramatist Claro Caluya.
Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur was the ancient Spanish capital of Northern Luzon. La Union is
the gateway to the Ilocos Region. Pangasinan is often referred to as the “Rice Granary of the
Philippines” because of its best agricultural soil. Some literary genres found in Region I are
dung-aw, burbutia, pagsasao, dalot and arikenken. Famous authors in Region I are Manuel
Arguilla from La Union, Leona Florentino from Ilocos Sur and Sionil Jose from Pangasinan.