Department of Education

21st Century Literature

from the Philippines
and the World
Various Dimensions of Philippine Literary
History from Pre-colonial to Contemporary
Module 1

Josephine M. Montero
Writer

Ana Liza Canilang

Dr. Ma. Carmen D. Solayao
Validators

Schools Division Office – Muntinlupa City

Student Center for Life Skills Bldg., Centennial Ave., Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City
(02) 8805-9935 / (02) 8805-9940

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 This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help
you identify the different genres of literature from the Pre- colonial period up
to the Contemporary period. The scope of this module permits it to be used in
many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Describe the characteristics of each literary period;

2. Take note of the different literary forms from the Revolutionary period;

3. Ponder upon the thoughts shared by different authors in their writings;

4. Appreciate the literature of each period by writing a poem; and

5. Create a mind map showing the different periods and the types of literature
that flourished during each period.

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Directions: Read and analyze each question. Choose the letter of the correct
answer.
1. It is a body of work whether written, oral, or visual, containing
imaginative language that realistically portrays thoughts, emotions, and
experiences of the human condition.
A. Pre-colonial Literature C. Literature
B. Philippine Literature D. World Literature
2. It is a period of time before colonization of a region or a territory.
A. Colonial C. Pre-History
B. Pre-Colonial D. Post-Colonial

3. These are the two classifications of folk literature:

A. Local and Global C. Flat and Round
B. Dynamic and Static D. Floating and Oral

4. Which of the following is true about Philippine pre-colonial texts?

A. Most of the pre-colonial dramas were held in the sambahan or
places of worship
B they revolve around the illiteracy of early Filipinos
C. only the concept of death is used as a subject for narratives
D. all of the above

5. It is a war song which evolved into a love song.

A. Uyayi C. Hele
B. Talindaw D. Kumintang

6. It is a song of revelry.
A. Epiko C. Diyuna
B. Uyayi D. Sabi

7. These are sacred narratives explaining how the world and man came to
be in their present form.
A. Legends C. Epics
B. Myths D. Fables

8. These are myths that seek to explain natural phenomenon like rainbows,
thunder and lightning.
A. Early concept of the universe C. Natural Order of Establishment
B. The Sun, Moon and Stars D. Acquisition of Culture

9. These are myths that tell us about how god perceived to have
communicated with man.
A. Origin of Fire
B. Relationship between Gods and Men

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 C. The Gods and the Creation of the World
D. All of these

10. The myth “The Wrath of Kaptan” from the Visayas is an example of a
myth under:
A. Origin of water C. Origin of animals
B. Origin of land D. The Great Flood

11. It is a rhythmical type of literary composition that usually serves to

excite the reader.
A. Poetry
B. Prose
C. Dramatic Poetry
D. Novel

12. It is the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical

structure.
A. Poetry
B. Prose
C. Dramatic Poetry
D. Novel

13. It refers to the literary works in the form of lines and stanzas.
A. Prose
B. Poetry
C. Anthology
D. Literature

14. It is a short literary composition on a given subject.

A. Narrative
B. Essay
C. Prose
D. Fiction

15. These are wise sayings that contain a metaphor used to teach as a food
for thought.
A. Riddles C. Proverbs
B. Poem D. Lullaby

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 LT Various Dimensions of
Philippine Literary History from
1 Pre-colonial to Contemporary

The word Literature, in its broadest sense, is any written work.

Etymologically, the term derives from Latin litaritura/litteratura, “writing formed
with letters,” although some definitions include spoken or sung texts.

Some loosely interpret literature as any printed matter written within a book, a
magazine or a pamphlet. Others define literature as a faithful reproduction of
man’s manifold experiences blended into one harmonious expression.

Philippine literature withstood time and periods and has evolved through
generations. For every period, different genres appeared but ancient ones retained.
These literary works rooted from all regions reflecting their culture, tradition,
society and lifestyle.

Directions: Read and analyze each statement. Identify which is TRUE or FALSE.

1. The pre-colonial period was characterized by shared lifestyle, values and

belief system.
2. Women were regarded highly during the pre-colonial period.

3. Trading among neighbors was limited to the Southeast Asian region

during this period.
4. The sultanate government adhered to Islamic practices and traditions
during the pre-colonial period.
5. The Philippines was already a single political unit during the pre-
colonial period.
6. The trial by ordeal as a judicial system was a test of faith of the accused
7. A monarchical system of government was already established before the
arrival of the Western colonizers.
8. Our limited knowledge of our pre-colonial past was due to the absence of a
system of writing.
9. The “timawa” was the lowest social class during the pre-colonial period.

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 10. Gold artifacts dating to 10th century AD strengthens our claim that we
had a rich and sophisticated culture.
11. Philippine myths show that ancient Filipinos believed in one supreme
god and in a number of lesser gods and goddesses.
12. The “putong” is a pre-colonial ornament which may signify that the
wearer has killed someone.
13. The early Filipinos live in scattered barangay governed by a chieftain
which they call rajah or datu.
14. Nationalism, love, faith, religion and life in the barrios are the themes of
Filipino Poetry
15. Riddles or “bugtong” entertain, educate, titillate, curse and preserve
Culture instead of evidence.

Directions: Read the excerpt of I Am a Filipino by Carlos P. Romulo and

answer the follow-up questions.

I am a Filipino. In my blood runs the immortal seed of heroes – seed that

flowered down the centuries in deeds of courage and defiance. In my
veins yet pulses the same hot blood that sent Lapulapu to battle against
the alien foe, that drove Diego Silang and Dagohoy into rebellion against
the foreign oppressor,
That seed is immortal. It is the self-same seed that flowered in the heart
of Jose Rizal that morning in Bagumbayan when a volley of shots put an
end to all that was mortal of him and made his spirit deathless forever;
the same that flowered in the hearts of Bonifacio in Balintawak, of
Gregorio del Pilar at Tirad Pass, of Antonio Luna at Calumpit, that
bloomed in flowers of frustration in the sad heart of Emilio Aguinaldo at
Palanan, and yet burst forth royally again in the proud heart of Manuel L.
Quezon when he stood at last on the threshold of ancient Malacañang
Palace, in the symbolic act of possession and racial vindication.
The seed I bear within me is an immortal seed. It is the mark of my
manhood, the symbol of my dignity as a human being. Like the seeds
that were once buried in the tomb of Tutankhamen many thousands of
years ago, it shall grow and flower and bear fruit again. It is the insigne of
my race, and my generation is but a stage in the unending search of my
people for freedom and happiness.

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A. Directions: Identify the meaning of the italicized word through contextual
clues. Write your answer on the space provided before the number.

1. It is the same seed that flowered in the heart of Jose Rizal.

A. Disposed C. died
B. Withered D. flourished

2. The seed flowered down the centuries in deeds of courage and

defiance.
A. obedience C. insubordination
B. submission D. assurance
3. Manuel L. Quezon stood on the threshold of ancient
Malacañang Palace.
A. end B. edge C. property D. land

4. It is the insigne of my race.

A. symbol B. home C. birthmark D. award

5. He looked for vindication.

A. condemned B. denied C. feud D. acquittal

B. Directions: Briefly answer the following questions:

1. What does the ‘seed’ symbolize?

2. What are the true qualities of a Filipino as pointed out by Carlos P. Romulo?

3. How do these qualities influence you as a millennial?

4. The writer values what our past heroes have achieved. Do you think Filipinos
can still make great heroes in today's world? Why?

5. What is the main idea of the essay?

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 DIFFERENT PERIODS OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
I. PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD (--BC to 1564)
A. Characteristics
1. The literary writings were based on oral traditions.
2. Literature was crude on ideology and phraseology.

B. Literary Forms
1. Oral Literature
a. Riddle (Bugtong) is a battle of wits among participants like Tigmo
of Cebu, Paktakon of Iloilo and Patotdon of Bicol.
b. Proverbs (Salawikain) are wise sayings that contain a metaphor
used to teach as a food for thought etc.
c. Tanaga is a mono-riming heptasyllabic quatrain expressing
insights and lessons about life which is "more emotionally
charged than the terse proverb and thus has affinities with the
folk lyric."

2. Folk Songs
These are a form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and
aspirations, the people's lifestyles as well as their loves. These are
often repetitive, sonorous, didactic, and naive.
a. Hele or Oyayi is a lullaby.
b. Ambahan (Mangyan) is a 7-syllable per line poem that is about
human relationships and social entertainment.
c. Kalusan (Ivatan) is a work song that depicts the livelihood of
the people.
d. Tagay (Cebuano and Waray) is a drinking song.
e. Kanogan (Cebuano) is a song of lamentation for the dead

3. Folk Tales
a. Myths explain how the world was created, how certain animals
possess certain characteristics, why some places have
waterfalls, volcanoes, mountains, flora or fauna.
b. Legends explain the origin of things like “Why the Pineapple
Has Eyes” and “The Legend of Maria Makiling”
c. Fables are stories that used animal characters and allegory.
d. Fantastic stories deal with underworld characters such as
“tiyanak”, “aswang”, “kapre” and others.

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 e. Epics- are “narratives of sustained length based on oral
tradition revolving around supernatural events or heroic deeds”
(Arsenio Manuel)
Examples are Lam-ang (Ilocano), Hinilawod (Panay), Kudaman
(Palawan) and Darangen (Maranao)

II. SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD (1565 – 1863)

A. Characteristics
1. It has two distinct classifications: religious and secular.
2. It introduced Spanish as the medium of communication.

B. Literary Forms
1. Religious Literature
Religious lyrics written by ladino poets or those versed in both
Spanish and Tagalog were included in early catechism and
were used to teach Filipinos the Spanish language.

a. Pasyon is a long narrative poem about the passion and

death of Christ. The most popular was “Ang Mahal na Passion
ni Jesu Cristong Panginoon Natin” by Aguino de Belen.
b. Senakulo is a dramatization of the Pasyon that shows the
passion and death of Christ.
2. Secular (non-religious) Literature
a. Awit is a colorful tale of chivalry made for singing and
chanting like the “Ibong Adarna”.
b. Korido is a metrical tale written in octosyllabic quatrains
like the Florante at Laura by Francisco Baltazar.
c. Prose Narratives are written to prescribe proper decorum
such as Dialogo Ejemplo, Manual de Urbanidad and tratado.
Examples are Modesto de Castro's "Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang
Binibini na si Urbana at si Feliza" and Joaquin Tuason's "Ang
Bagong Robinson" (The New Robinson) in 1879.

III. NATIONALISTIC / PROPAGANDA AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD

(1864 – 1896)
A. Characteristics
1. The seed of nationalism among the Filipinos was planted.
2. The language shifted from Spanish to Tagalog.
3. The writings addressed the masses instead of the
“intelligentsia”.

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 B. Literary Forms
1. Propaganda Literature refers to the magazines, poetry and
pamphlets.
a. Political Essays are satires, editorials and news articles which
were written to attack and expose the evils of Spanish rule like
the Diariong Tagalog founded by Marcelo del Pilar, La
Solidaridad whose editor-in-chief is Graciano Lopez-Jaena
b. Political Novels tackled socio-political issues such as the Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Jose Rizal’s masterpieces
that paved the way to the revolution.
2. Revolutionary Literature is more propagandistic than literary as
it is more violent in nature and demanded complete
independence for the country.
a. Political Essays helped inflame the spirit of revolution like the
Kalayaan, a newspaper of the society, edited by Emilio Jacinto.
b. Poetry such as the True Decalogue of Apolinario Mabini,
Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas of Andres Bonifacio and Liwanag
at Dilim of Emilio Jacinto are some examples.

IV. AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1910 – 1945)

A. Characteristics
1. This was a Period of Apprenticeship (1910-1930).
2. Filipino Writers imitated English and American models.
B. Literary forms
a. Poems written were amateurish and mushy, which phrasing
and diction is awkward and artificial.
b. Short Stories recognized in this period were “Dead Stars” by
Paz Marquez Benitez, “The Key” by Paz Latorena, and
“Footnote to Youth” by Jose Garcia Villa.
c. Novels like the Childe of Sorrow, the first novel in English, by
Zoilo Galang became known.
V. JAPANESE OCCUPATION (1942 - 1960)
A. Characteristics
1. This was considered the “War Years” (1942-1944).
2. Tagalog poets broke away from the Balagtas tradition and
instead wrote in simple language and free verse.
3. Fiction prevailed over poetry.

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 4. There was a bountiful harvest in poetry, fiction, drama and essay.
5. Filipino writers mastered English and familiarized themselves with
diverse techniques.
6. Literary “giants” appeared like Palanca Awards for Literature
received by Jose Garcia Villa, Nick Joaquin, NVM Gonzales,
Bienvenido Santos, Gregorio Brillantes and Gilda Cordero
Fernando.

B. Literary Forms
1. 25 Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang Pilipino (1943) was a
compilation of the short story contest by the military government.
2. Suyuan sa Tubigan was written by Macario Pineda.
3. Lupang Tinubuan was written by Narciso Reyes.
4. Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa was written by Liwayway Arceo.

VI. CONTEMPORARY/MODERN PERIOD (1960 – 1999)

A. Characteristics
1. Martial Law repressed and curtailed human rights, including
freedom of the press.
2. Writers used symbolisms and allegories to drive home their
message, at the face of heavy censorship. Theater was used as a
vehicle for protest, such as the PETA (Phil. Educational Theater
Association) and UP Theater.
From the eighties onwards, writers continue to show dynamism
and innovation.
3. Poems during this period of the Third Republic were romantic and
revolutionary. Writers wrote openly of their criticism against the
government

B. Literary Forms
1. Prose and Poetry such as Heart of the Islands (1947) is a
collection of poems by Manuel Viray; Philippines cross section
(1950) is a collection of prose and poetry by Maximo Ramos and
Florentino Valeros; and prose and poems (1952) written by Nick
Joaquin.
2. Films: The yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulng Pilipino (Yearly Filipino
Film Festival) was held during this time. During the festival which
lasted usually for a month, only Filipino films were shown in all
theaters in Metro Manila.
Examples are:
i.Maynila…sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag written by Edgardo Reyes and
filmed under the direction of Lino Brocka. Bembol Roco was the

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 ii. Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo; Nora Aunor was the principal
performer here.
iii. Ganito kami noon…Paano kayo Ngayon: led by Christopher de
Leon and Gloria Diaz.
iv. Insiang: by Hilda Koronel
v. Aguila: led by Fernando Poe Jr., Jay Ilagan and Christopher de
Leon
3. Songs: Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were really
true-to-life like those of grief, poverty, aspirations for freedom, love
of God, of country and of fellowmen.

A. Directions: Read the stanza from the poem I Am a Filipino and answer the
follow up questions. Encircle the letter of the correct answer

I AM A FILIPINO
by Melvin Banggollay

I am a Filipino, proud of my humble roots 1

of a gentle loving and valiant Malayan spirit 2
land been conquered but never surrendered 3
the culture of its birth and ancestor’s merit 4
of great love for country that can’t be toppled 5
even by nation with powers that can delete 6
this land out of the face of this great world 7
as all thy children vow to die with all valor 8
to defend the pride and honor of the Filipinos. 9

1. What does the word valor in line 8 mean?

A. spinelessness C. courage
B. proud D. cowardice

2. What does the word toppled in line 5 mean?

A. overthrow C. stood
B. uprise D. reach

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3. Who is being referred to by line 6-7?
A. people who hunger for political power
B. nations who own nuclear weapons
C. the colonizers
D. All of the above

4. Who is referred to as children in line 8?

A. our ancestors C. we, the Filipinos
B. the Filipino youth D. the children of the writer

5. What qualities of Filipinos are depicted in the poem?

A. patient and industrious

B. loving and accommodating
C. friendly and honest
D. strong and resilient

B. Directions: Compare and contrast the thoughts of Melvin Banggollay with

the thoughts of Carlos P Romulo’s I Am a Filipino using the Venn Diagram.
Consider the following:
A. Ethnic Dimension
B. Linguistic Dimension

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Directions: Briefly answer the following questions:
1. How is literature related to history?

2. Why is Spanish period important in the development of literature in the

Philippines?

3. How did Spanish colonization affect Philippine literature?

4. What significance does religion have in writing during the Spanish

period?

5. What are the influences of Japan in the Philippine literature?

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6. How did the Americans influence the Filipino writers?

7. Describe the poems and songs of the Contemporary period.

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Directions: Draw a mind map showing the different periods of Philippine
literature and its types. Use the diagram below.

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