 Prior to the revolution (that was before 1896 since ph recolution started on Aug 23, 1896), a

form of native drama that was appealing to the masses emerged. This was kumedya, also
known as moro-moro, an adapted version of Spanish comedia. The war between Christians
and Muslims is portrayed in the blood-and-thunder melodrama, the Moro-moro, also known
as Comedia de Caper y Espada. Usually, it is about life-and-death conflicts and religious
experiences.
 It is typically performed during festivals and other special occasions, and usually involves
a storyline where a Christian hero defeats a Muslim villain or vice versa. The play
combines elements of drama, dance, and music, and often features elaborate costumes and
props.

EXAMPLE:
One example of a moro-moro play is the "Prinsipe Balagtas at Ang Bayani ng Biak-na-Bato" which
tells the story of a Christian prince named Balagtas who fights against the Muslim leader named
Matasalem. The play is set during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines and features scenes
of battle and courtship.

DUPLO

The duplo, a poetic debate delivered through song and dance, has its origins in native courtship
practices. In order to present their suit to the woman of their choosing, poets used proverbs
and riddles. This kind of improvised poetry involves a pleasant but competitive poetic dialogue
between two teams or individuals. Balagtasan was eventually born out of this, which evolved

into a more official discussion of the topics.

It is a predecessor of the balgatasan. Two teams, one made up of young women known as
Dupleras or Belyakas and the other of young men known as Dupleros or Belyakos, perform the
plays.
At the ninth night, the final night of the period of mourning for the deceased, trained men and
women engaged in a poetical argument known as duplo.

EXAMPLES:
Examples of these are the debate, the dramatic scene, the poetic drama, and one of the duplo theme
is love. Two teams or players will take turns delivering verses related to the theme. For example, one
team may start with a line like: "Ang pag-ibig ay tulad ng isang bulaklak Na kailangan ng pag-aalaga
at pagsisikap" Translated to English, this verse means "Love is like a flower that needs care and
effort." The other team or player will then respond with a verse that continues the rhyme scheme and
expands on the theme of love.

BALAGTASAN
Balagtasan is a form of Filipino debate poetry that originated in the early 20th century. It is a
combination of Spanish and Tagalog language, with the goal of promoting the use of Tagalog as a
literary language. This battle would be expressed in lines of prose, verses, and words. Using
deliberate, persuading, and complex poetics. Balagtasan involves two individuals or teams who take
turns reciting impromptu verses on a particular theme while adhering to a specific rhyme scheme.
The two opposed characters argued and debated to justify their viewpoints on a common subject. The
debates are often lively and humorous, with the participants using wordplay, puns, and metaphors to
make their arguments.

EXAMPLE:
An example of a Balagtasan theme is patriotism. One team or participant may start with a verse like:
"Ang pagmamahal sa bayan ay dakila, Kailangan itong ipakita at ipadama sa lahat." this verse means
"Love for the country is great, it needs to be shown and felt by everyone." The other team or
participant will then respond with a verse that continues the rhyme scheme and provides a
counterargument.

CORRIDO
A narrative poetry or ballad known as a corrido has its origin in Spain and was later popularized in
the Philippines and other nations in Latin America. It frequently includes music and tells a tale of
adventure, romance, or bravery.

EXAMPLE:
Jose Rizal's Philippine novel "Noli Me Tangere" tells the tale of a young man called
Crisostomo Ibarra who returns to the Philippines after studying abroad. In
addition to highlighting the injustices and abuses committed by the colonizers
against the Filipino people, the novel unmasks the social and political problems
that existed in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era.

Elaborate: why did this literature emerge?

(PLITERO)
Each of the literary emerged for different reasons and in
different historical contexts, but they all share a
common thread in that they are reflective of the
culture, beliefs, and values of the Filipino people.

(SALIGAN)
Moro-moro, for example, emerged during the Spanish
colonial period when there was a lot of conflict
between the Spanish colonizers, who were
predominantly Christian, and the Muslim Moros who
resisted Spanish rule.

(PULIDO)
Moro-moro provided a means for the Filipinos to
express their feelings and frustrations about the
ongoing conflict, and to celebrate their own cultural
identity through the portrayal of Muslim heroes and
heroines.
(JOVER)
Duplo, on the other hand, emerged as a form of
entertainment during the Spanish colonial period, when
many Filipinos were exposed to Western ideas and
culture.

(NICHOLLS)
Duplo allowed them to embrace their own cultural
heritage and express themselves in their own language,
while also incorporating elements of Western literary
traditions.

(MALONES)
Balagtasan emerged during the American colonial
period, when the American authorities imposed English
as the official language of education and government.
Balagtasan provided a means for the Filipinos to resist
this imposition and to promote the use of Tagalog as a
literary language. It also allowed them to express their
feelings about the injustices and inequalities they
experienced under American rule.
(LAMBERTO)
Corridos, meanwhile, emerged from the rich tradition of
oral storytelling that has been a part of Filipino culture
for centuries. They served as a means of preserving and
passing on traditional stories and legends, while also
providing entertainment and inspiration to the people.

(DUCASI)
Overall, these literary forms emerged as a way for the
Filipino people to express themselves, to celebrate their
cultural identity, and to resist external influences that
sought to suppress or erase their unique heritage.

(BEDIA)
They continue to be an important part of Philippine
culture and serve as a reminder of the rich and diverse
history of the Filipino people.