Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

● Define what is Literature and identify its
importance;
● Describe the Philippine Literary Period from
Pre-colonial to Contemporary; and
● Illustrate the Philippine Literary Periods through a
timeline.
Define
LiTerATure
● The word literature is derived from the Latin
term literatura which means “writing formed
with letters”. The term is further derived from
litera which means “letter” in English.
● Literature can be classified according to a
variety of systems, like language, national
origin, historical period, genre and subject
matter.
Importance of Literature
● Literature helps us grow both personally and intellectually.
● Literature enables us to transcend our immediate time, place,
and culture and to make connections with other human beings
and their concerns.
● Literature stimulates our imagination and ingenuity.
● Literature allows us to see the world in different vantage
points.
● Literature relives history.
 1
Pre-Spanish Period
(1500)
1500s – PRE-SPANISH PERIOD
Pre-Spanish Period is characterized by:

Subjects of
Wo r ks of literary works
literature were about life,
were oral in its blessings,
nature and its
consequences

P re-Spanish
Baybayin was
literature is
the oldest
divided into
writing
Prose and
system
Poetry
What is Prose?

What is Poetry?
Pre-Spanish Prose

Legends
Pre-Spanish legends are
fictitious narratives
which explain the origin
of things, places, or
names. The early Filipino
customs are also
depicted in them as it
entertains the people
during gatherings and
occasions.
Pre-Spanish Prose

Folk Tales
These are made up of
stories about life,
adventure, love, horror,
and humor where one
can derive lessons
about life.
 Pre-Spanish Poetry
Epics
These are long
narrative poems in
which a series of
heroic achievements
or events, usually of
a hero involving
supernatural
forces/phenomena,
and are dealt with
at length.
 Pre-Spanish Poetry
Folk Songs
1.Kundiman – Songs of Love/Serenading songs
These are one of the oldest 2.Kumintang – War/Battle songs
forms of Philippine 3.Dalit – Worship songs
literature that emerged in 4.Oyayi/Hele – Lullaby songs
the pre-Spanish period. 5.Diana/Danaya – Wedding songs
These songs mirrored the 6.Soliraning – Laborer/Workmen songs
early forms of culture 7.Talindaw – Fisher/Fishing songs
(occasion/celebration/activi
ties) Many of these have
12 syllables per line of
four in a verse.
Pre-Spanish Poetry
• Among the Visayans:
Chant “Ikaw na nagnakaw ng mais ko,
(BulongPasintabi) lumuwa sana ang mga mata mo,
mamaga sana ang kamay mo,
This was used in witchcraft parusahan ka ng mga anito.”
or enchantment especially
in remote places in the • Among the Tagalogs:
Visayas. “Tabi-tabi po kayo, ako’y
magbubuhos ng tubig at mainit
ito, kung masaktan ko kayo,
pagpasensiyahan niyo na po.”
Pre-Spanish Poetry 1. “Maliit pa si kumpare, umaakyat
na sa tore.”
Riddles
(Bugtong) 2. “Isda ko sa Mariveles, nasa loob
ang kaliskis.”
They are often used
to stir a 3.“Maikling landasin, di maubos
thought-provoking lakarin.“
questions. They are
often used for 4. “Hindi hayop, hindi tao, pero
entertainment pumupulupot sa tyan mo.”
purposes during
gatherings and 5. “Lumuluha walang mata,
celebrations. lumalakad walang paa.”
Pre-Spanish Poetry
Epigrams (Salawikain)
These have been customarily used and served as laws or
rules on good behavior. These lessons in life that they wish
to impart are usually implied.
It consists of couplets (2-lines) which usually have rhyming end-
syllables
Pre-Spanish Poetry

Sayings
(Sawikain)
They are used to emphasize
lessons for the youth and these
lessons are explicitly stated.
 (1521-1871)
Spanish Period
2
1521-1871 – SPANISH PERIOD
Spanish influences on Philippine Literature:

Baybayin, the first Spaniards brought European

Filipino alphabet, legends and traditions and
was replaced by the were assimilated in our songs,
Ro m a n alphabet corridos, and moro-moros.

T h e teaching of the Literature in this period m ay

Christian Doctrine be classified as religious
became the basis of prose and poetry and secular
religious practices. prose and poetry.
A. Non-secular (Religious literature)
● Subjects revolved around the life and death of Jesus
Christ.
Forms of Non-Secular (Religious) Literature
1. Pasyon – The Pasyón is a Philippine epic narrative of the
Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. Senakulo – It is a play or re-enactment depicting the life and
passion of Jesus Christ (Senakulo, 2019).
3. Komedya – It is a theatrical tradition by Filipinos, sometimes
comes in a form of singing, describes conflicts between
Christians and Muslims, and was used by the Spanish to
promote Christianity in the Philippines (Suavillo, 2020)
B. Secular (Non-religious literature)
● Subjects revolved around tales of valiance and
adventure.
Forms of Secular (Non-Religious) Literature
1. Awit - It is a Filipino poem written in dodecasyllabic
(i.e.12-syllable) verse called plosa, following the pattern of
rhyming stanzas established in Pasyon. Subjects of awit are
tales of chivalry where a knight saves a princess.
2. Korido - It is the generic name for Philippine romances. It is a
metrical romances in octosyllabic (i.e. 8 syllables) verse called
hakira.
3. Prose narratives - These are written to prescribe proper
decorum.
 3
Period of Enlightenment
(1872-1898)
1872-1898 – PERIOD OF
ENLIGHTENMENT or PROPAGANDA
PERIOD
I n the 19th Century,
Filipino intellectuals
educated in Europe
called Ilustrados.
Planted seeds of nationalism
in Filipinos; hence, contents
of literary works are more
violent and demand complete
independence from Spain.

Forms
1. Propaganda Literature
2. Revolutionary Literature
Propaganda Literature
● Reformation is the main objective of propaganda literature.
● The brains or the triumvirate behind the works of propaganda literature were
Graciano Lopez Jaena, Marcelo G. del Pilar, and Dr. Jose Rizal.
○ Some of Rizal’s writings: Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, Mi Último Adios,
Sobre La Indolencia De Los Filipinos and Filipinas Dentro De Cien Aňos.
○ Some of Del Pilar’s writings: Pagibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Country),
Kaingat Kayo (Be Careful), and Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes).
○ Some of Jaena’s writings: Ang Fray Botod, La Hija Del Fraile (The Child of the
Friar), Sa mga Filipino, and Everything Is Hambug (Everything is mere show), Sa
Mga Pilipino...1891), and Talumpating Pagunita Kay Kolumbus (An Oration to
Commemorate Columbus).

Revolutionary Literature
● Works of revolutionary literature are more propagandist than literary as it is more
violent in nature and demanded complete independence for the country.
● Notable writers were Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Apolinario Mabini, and Dr. Jose
Rizal.
 4
The American
Regime (1898-1944 )
1898-1944 – THE AMERICAN REGIME
Characteristics of Literature during this period:

Philippine literary T h e languages used in writing

production was spurred were Sp a n i sh and Tagalog
by two significant and the dialects of the
developments in different regions.
education and culture: (1)
the introduction of the
free public instruction for
T h e literary genres that
all children of school age,
flourished were poetry,
and (2) the use of English
drama (sarswela), short story,
as m ed i u m of instruction
and the novel.
in all levels of education
in public schools
(Santiago, 2015).
 The Japanese
5 Period (1941-1945)
1941-1945 – THE JAPANESE PERIOD

Philippine Literature Wo r ks of literature during

was interrupted in this period were poetry,
its development fiction, drama, newspapers,
and essays.

T h e y introduce T h e co m m o n theme of most

Nippong go and their poems during the Japanese
literary arts and occupation was nationalism,
forms, such as country, love, and life in the
Ikebana, Origami, barrios, faith, religion, and the
and Tempura and arts.
Sushi.
 haiku

a descriptive poem about

nature tanaga
consisting of 17 syllables
( 5- 7- 5 syllabic pattern)
it has measure and rhyme
Karaniwang
follows the 5 - 7 - 5 - 7 - 7
syllabic pattern anyo
the usual and common
form of poetry
Three types of poems emerged
during this period:
Rebirth of Freedom
(1946-1970)

6
1946-1970 – REBIRTH OF
FREEDOM
● The early post – liberation period was marked by a kind of
“struggle of mind and spirit”
● Literary writing in vernacular became popular.
● The writers had a better knowledge of their craft and enjoyed
political activism.
a. Poetry
i. When I See A Barong-Barong by Maximo Ramos
b. Short Story
i. Plighted Word by Narciso G. Reyes
ii. Scent of Apples by Bienvenido Santos
iii. Cadaver by Alberto S. Florentino
iv. They Called It “Brotherhood” by Maximo V.Soliven
v. Kwento Ni Mabuti by Genoveva Edroza
Period of Activism
(1970-1972)

7
1970-1972 – PERIOD OF
ACTIVISM
The Literary Revolution
● According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in
1970 -72 was due to domestic and worldwide
causes. Because of the ills of society, the youth
moved to seek reforms.
● The youth became vocal with their sentiments.
● They demanded a change in the government.
 Period of New
Society (1972-1980)

8
1972- 1980 – PERIOD OF NEW
SOCIETY
● Poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs, and
the beauties of nature and surroundings.
● Newspapers donned new forms.
● News on economic progress, discipline, culture, tourism, and the like
were favored more than the sensationalized reporting of killings,
rape, and robberies.
● Filipinos before were hooked on reading magazines and comics.
 9
Third Republic
(1981-1985)
1981-1985 – PERIOD OF THE
THIRD REPUBLIC
● Poems during this period of the Third Republic were romantic and
revolutionary.
● Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were true-to-life like
those of grief, poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God, of
country and fellowmen.
● Writers wrote openly of their criticism against the government. The
supplications of people were coached in fiery, colorful, violent,
profane, and insulting language.
 10
Post-EDSA 1 Revolution
(1986-1999 )
1986-1999 – POST-EDSA 1
REVOLUTION
● Once more, the Filipino people regained their independence, which
they lost twenty years ago.
● In the short span of the existence of the real Republic of the
Philippines, several changes already became evident. It was noticed in
the new Filipino songs, newspapers, speeches, and even in the
television programs
21st Century Period
(2000-Present)

11
21st CENTURY PERIOD
● Contemporary literature or 21st Century Literature per se, is
anything that was written and published in the year 2000s.
● The new trends have been used and introduced to meet the
needs and tastes of the new generation. 21st Century learners
are demanded to be Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) inclined to compete with the style and format
of writing as well.
● New codes or lingos are used to add flavor in the literary
pieces produced nowadays.
Thank you!