THE PHILIPPINE LITERATURE AND ITS HISTORY

THE PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

 Our forefathers already had their literature, which reflected in their customs and traditions. They
had their alphabet even before their colonization.

The PRE-SPANISH LITERATURE is characterized by:

1. Folktales
 old stories in the oral tradition that's been told again and again, often for generations,

2. Legends
 are a form of prose the common theme of which is about the origin of a thing, place,
location or name. The events are imaginary, devoid of truth and unbelievable.
3. Myths
 a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or
without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is
concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of
nature.
4. Epics
 long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually of a
hero, are dealt with at length.

Examples:
 Bidasari – Moro
 Biag ni Lam-ang – Ilokano
 Maragtas – Visayan
 Kumintang – Tagalog
 ParangSabir – Moro
 “Dagoy” at “Sudsod” – Tagbanua
 Tatuaang – Bagobo
 Indarapatra at Sulayman

5. Folk Songs
  a traditional song from a particular region. These songs are usually about a particular
group of people, an event, or an experience. Folk songs are one of the oldest forms of
Philippine literature that emerged in the Pre-Spanish period. These songs mirrored the
early forms of culture. Many of these have 12 syllables.
6. Others:
 Proverbs (Salawikain) - A proverb is a short sentence that people often quote,
which gives advice or tells you something about life.
 Sayings (Kasabihan) - a short sentence, usually known by many people, stating
something commonly experienced or giving advice

 Riddles (Bugtong) - deliberately enigmatic or ambiguous question requiring a

thoughtful and often witty answer.

 Idioms (Sawikain)- An idiom is a widely used saying or expression containing a

figurative meaning that differs from the phrase's literal meaning.

THE SPANISH ERA

 1521 - Ferdinand Magellan stumbled upon the Philippine islands, making the first connections
to the early Filipinos.
 1565 – the total invasion of the Spaniards began.
 Literature may be classified as religious prose and poetry and secular prose and poetry.
 Teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
 Usual characteristics and themes of literature pertain to religion and Spanish culture and
tradition.
 Doctrina Christiana (Juan de Plasencia) - very first literature that was published in the islands.
 Komedya - It is a theatrical tradition by Filipinos sometimes in the form of
singing. It describes conflicts between Christians and Muslims. It was used by
the SPANISH to promote Christianity in PH. It is also known as MORO-MORO.

 Sarswela - form of Spanish or Spanish-derived musical theater in which the

dramatic action is carried through an alternating combination of song and speech.
It is a musical comedy or melodrama with three acts
  Awit at Kurido (Songs and Corrido) –
 Awit is a chivalric poem about a hero, usually about a saint. It is also
usually sung and used in religious processions (12 syllables)

 Corrido is a legendary religious narrative form that usually details the

lives of saints or the history of a tradition (8 syllables)

 Pasyon - “Casaysayan nang Pasiong Mahal ni Hesucristong Panginoon Natin na

Sucat Ipag-alab nang Puso nang Sinomang Babasa"

PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1972 – 1898)

 Noli me tangere and El Filibusterismo (Jose Rizal)
 Ang Amain Namin by Marcelo H. Del Pilar

THE AMERICAN REGIME (1898 – 1944)

 Linguistically, Americans influenced Filipino writers to write using English Language through the
Thomasites.
 Spanish and Tagalog (and the dialects of the different regions) - languages used in writing.
 Writers in Tagalog continued in their lamentations on the conditions of the country and their
attempts to arouse love for one’s native tongue.

 Zarsuelas: Tanikalang Ginto, Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas,Hindi Ako Patay, and

Walang Sugat.
 Short Stories: How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife, Dead Stars,
Children of the Ash Covered Loam, and others.

THE JAPANESE PERIOD (1941 – 1945)

 The Philippine literature in English came to a halt. This Led to all newspapers not to be
circulated in the community Except for tribune and Philippine review.
 Many wrote plays, poems, short stories, etc. Topics and themes were often about life in the
provinces. The literary themes on this period were:
  Nationalism
 Love
 Life in the barrios
 Faith and religion
 Arts and crafts.

 The forms of Literary pieces in this era include:

 Haiku - A Japanese poem that consists of three lines and follows a syllable of 5-
7-5 pattern each.
- themes of a Haiku are usually centered into nature and how it affects
the existence of humanity.
EX. THE OLD POND by MATSUO BASHŌ
An old silent pond
A frog jumps into the pond—
Splash! Silence again.

 Tanaga - a poem consisting of 4 lines with 7 syllables each.

EX. MAHAL
Mahal na ang delata
Mahal pa’ang abre-lata;
Minamahal kong sinta,
Nagmahal ka na rin ba?

 Usual Form - the regular and traditional form of poems during this era.

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH (1941-1945)

 Because of the strict prohibitions imposed by the Japanese in the writing and publishing of works
in English, Philippine literature in English experienced a dark period.
o the Japanese prohibited the use of English
  In the New Filipino Literature, Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived during this period.
Most themes in the writings dealt with Japanese brutalities, the poverty of life under the
Japanese government, and the brave guerilla exploits.
o Revived the Philippine literature (literature became richer)
o Gave Philippine literature a chance to be know or liked by many
o Newspaper in this time continued to circulate showing Japanese brutality
o Rise of Filipino writers

THE CONTEMPORARY TIMES

Different awards for literature ensued in this era.
 News on economic progress, discipline, culture, tourism, and the like were favored more than the
sensationalized reporting of killings, rape, and robberies.
o Not so brutal topics
o More on economics and cultures and the progress of a country and the harsh reality
o Filipino writers are recognized locally and internationally

 Filipinos before were hooked in reading magazines and comics.

o Hooked on magazines and comics. Start to have literatures for entertainment
o Setting is more on the current era or the present
o Uses both Filipino and English languages in writing
o Enlighten writers about their work.

21’ST CENTURY PERIOD

 The new trends have been used and introduced to meet the needs and tastes of the new
generation.
o Follows the trends of the generation

 Characteristics:
 It utilizes Technological literacy
o Uses technology to spread literature; most works are published online; plays a
very important role in distributing literary work.
 It involves themes like Modernism, Individualism, Social Awareness, and
Experimentation.
o Writers gain literary freedom to express themselves

 Does not usually confine in the traditional ways of literature.

o Distributed through various platforms not just through newspapers; like blogs,
posts and graphics