21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM PHILIPPINES
AND THE WORLD artists can find new sources of inspiration for their
LESSON 2:
Representative Texts and Authors from Each
Region in the Philippines
Why do we need to understand the literature from
each region?
• Cultural Appreciation and Respect: The Philippines is
a diverse country with over 175 ethnolinguistic
groups. Each region has its own unique culture,
traditions, and history. By studying the literature of
different regions, we gain insights into the values,
beliefs, and practices of these communities. This
fosters cultural appreciation and respect for the rich
tapestry of Philippine society.
• Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Literature often
serves as a repository of a culture's oral traditions,
myths, legends, and historical accounts. It helps
preserve the collective memory of a community. By
understanding the literature of each region, we
contribute to the preservation and safeguarding of
this cultural heritage for future generations.
• Identity and National Unity: Recognizing and
celebrating the diverse literary traditions within the
Philippines helps foster a sense of identity among
Filipinos. It reminds people that the nation is
composed of various distinct but interconnected
cultures, languages, and histories. This understanding
can promote national unity by acknowledging and
valuing the contributions of every region.
• Promotion of Multilingualism: The Philippines is a
multilingual country with more than 175 languages
and dialects. Many of these languages are used in
literature. Understanding literature from each region
encourages the preservation and usage of these
languages, which is crucial for maintaining linguistic
diversity and inclusivity.
• Broadening Perspective and Empathy: Exposure to
literature from different regions exposes readers to
diverse perspectives, worldviews, and life
experiences. This can lead to greater empathy and
understanding among people from different
backgrounds, ultimately fostering a more inclusive
and tolerant society.
• Educational Enrichment: Studying regional literature
enhances the educational experience by offering a
broader and more comprehensive understanding of
Philippine society and history. It provides a deeper
context for social, political, and economic issues,
allowing for a more nuanced analysis of the country's
development.
• Promoting Tourism and Cultural Exchange:
Appreciation of regional literature can stimulate
interest in visiting different parts of the Philippines. It
encourages cultural tourism, which can have
economic benefits for local communities and the
country as a whole. Additionally, it fosters
opportunities for cultural exchange and dialogue.
• Inspiration and Creative Expression: Regional
literature often draws inspiration from the local
environment, folklore, and historical events. By
exploring literature from various regions, writers and
own creative works, leading to a more dynamic and
vibrant national literary scene.
LITERATURE FROM EACH REGION
TAGALOG REGION
• Region 3 (Central Luzon)
• Region 4A (CALABARZON)
• Region 4B (MIMAROPA)
• National Capital Region
• Tagalog literature refers to literary works written
primarily in the Tagalog language, which is one of the
major languages spoken in the Philippines. It has a
rich tradition that spans various genres, including
poetry, prose, drama, and essays.
• Tagalog Region is the birthplace of a rich tradition of
Philippine culture in language, politics, economy, and
literature.
• It is a blending of the elements of Spanish, American,
and Filipino culture, sometimes with one of them
predominant but never alone.
Some Representative Texts:
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal:
• These are two of the most influential novels in
Philippine literature. Written during the late 19th
century, they address the social and political issues of
the time, particularly under Spanish colonial rule.
Florante at Laura by Francisco Balagtas:
• This is an epic poem written in the awit form. It tells
the story of Florante, a nobleman, and his love for
Laura. It is considered a masterpiece of Philippine
literature.
Mga Ibong Mandaragit by Amado V. Hernandez:
• This novel explores the plight of the poor and
oppressed in society. It is a powerful critique of social
injustice and inequality.
Banaag at Sikat by Lope K. Santos:
• Written in 1906, this novel addresses the issues faced
by the rural poor in the Philippines. It is considered a
classic of Philippine literature.
May Day Eve by Nick Joaquin:
• This is a short story that delves into themes of love
and magic. It is widely studied in Philippine literature
courses.
ILOCANO LITERATURE
• Ilocano literature refers to the body of literary works
written primarily in the Ilocano language, which is
spoken mainly in the northern regions of the
Philippines, particularly in the Ilocos region.
• It is one of the most colorful regional Filipino
literatures. It is one of the most active tributaries to
the general Philippine literature next to Tagalog,
Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Bikol, and Pangasinense.
 • Prior to the Spanish colonial period, the Ilocano
literature is purely alive in form of written and oral
literature.
• Ilocano poetry was heavily influenced by Spanish
poetry.
Some Representative Texts:
Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of Lam-ang):
• An epic poem attributed to the Ilocano bard
Pedro Bucaneg. It narrates the life and
adventures of the legendary hero Lam-ang.
Ti Ayat ti Maysa nga Ubing (The Love of a Young
Maiden) by Leona Florentino:
• Leona Florentino, often referred to as the
"Mother of Philippine Women's Literature,"
was a prolific poetess from Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Her
works, like this poem, reflect themes of love,
nationalism, and feminism.
Bannawag:
• Bannawag is a renowned Ilocano literary
magazine founded by Magdalena Jalandoni in
1934. It has been a significant platform for
publishing Ilocano literary works, including short
stories, poems, essays, and more.
CEBUANO LITERATURE
• Central Visayas
• Eastern Visayas (Leyte Provinces)
• Northern Mindanao
• Refers to the body of oral and written literature of
speakers of Cebuano, the mother tongue of a
quarter of the country’s population who live in Cebu,
Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, and parts of Leyte
and Mindanao.
• Cebuanos have rich oral tradition, including legends
associated with specific locales, like the Maria Cacao
legends of southern Cebu and folktales like the fable
“Haring Gangis ug Haring Leon” which warn of
abusive behavior by the dominant group.
• Poetic forms like garay (verses), harito (shaman’s
prayers), tigmo (riddles), and panultihan (proverbs),
as described by the Jesuit Francisco Alzina (1686).
• The generic form for poetry is balak, characterized
by the presence of metaphor called balaybay or
sambingay.
• Most of the poems are sung, like the songs and
lullabies. The balitaw is an extemporaneous poetic
debate between man and woman that is sung and
danced simultaneously.
Some Representative Texts:
Bisaya Magazine:
• Founded in 1932 by Vicente Rama, this publication
became a significant platform for Cebuano writers to
showcase their literary works, including short stories,
poems, essays, and more.
Maming by Vicente Rama:
• Vicente Rama, a prominent figure in Cebuano
literature, wrote "Maming," a well-regarded novel
that delves into social issues and the lives of the
working class.
HILIGAYNON LITERATURE
• Western Visayas
• Some parts of Mindanao
• Hiligaynon – mother tongue of the West Visayas
(Region 6)
• Purely oral, West Visayan literature before the
coming of the Spaniards was in Kiniray-a which must
have been the language in folk literature of the ten
Bornean Datus.
• The coming of the Spaniards and the conversion of
the people to Christianity produced new forms of
folk literature.
• Written literature also started, first with translation
of Spanish texts of prayers and lives of the saints.
• Hiligaynon literature refers to literary works written
primarily in the Hiligaynon language, which is spoken
mainly in the Western Visayas region of the
Philippines, particularly in Iloilo, Negros Occidental,
and Capiz.
Some Representative Texts:
“Sapa" by Alejandro G. Abadilla:
• Alejandro Abadilla, known as the "Father of Modern
Philippine Vernacular Poetry," wrote this evocative
poem in Hiligaynon.
FAMOUS AUTHORS FROM VARIOUS REGIONS IN
THE PHILIPPINES
Francisco Baltazar (Bulacan)
• Florante at Laura or Pinagdaanang Buhay ni
Florante at Laura sa Kaharian ng Albanya
Jose Rizal (Laguna)
• Mi Ultimo Adiós (English translation: My Last
Farewell)
• A La Juventud Filipina (English translation: To The
Philippine Youth)
Andres Bonifacio (Tondo, Manila)
• Pen Names: Agapito Bagumbayan and May Pag-asa
• Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa
Apolinario Mabini (Batangas)
• El Verdadero Decálogo (The True Decalogue)
• Programa Constitucional de la República
Filipina (The Constitutional Program of the
Philippine Republic)
Emilio Jacinto (Tondo, Manila)
• Katipunan nang Manga A. N. B. (also known as the
"Kartilya")
• Liwanag at Dilim (1896) "A la patria" (1897)
Amado V. Hernandez (Hagonoy, Bulacan) • Defines modernist poetry as sparing, suggestive, and
restrained in emotion; its vocabulary and subject are
• Mga Ibong Mandaragit
immersed in the now.
Lope K. Santos (Pasig) • Makinasyon at Ilang Tula (1968), Muli sa
Kandungan ng Lupa (1994), Mga Retrato at
• Ama ng Balarila ng Wikang Pambansa Rekwedro (1984)
• Banaag at Sikat
Bienvenido Lumbera
Jose Corazon de Jesus (Santa Cruz, Manila)
• National Artist for Literature (2006)
• Pen Name: Huseng Batute • As a poet, he uses juxtaposition, a literary technique
• Kalupi ng Puso in which two or more ideas are placed side by side
• Manggagawa for comparison and contrast.
• Isang Punungkahoy • Uses imagery.
• “A Eulogy of Roaches” - poem written in 1965.
Alejandro Abadilla (Rosario, Cavite)

• Mga Kuwentong Ginto (Golden Stories)

• Ako ang Daigdig at Iba pang mga Tula (I am the
World and Other Poems).
• Ako ang Daigdig

Jose Garcia Villa (Manila)

• National Artist for Literature in 1973

• During his college years, he wrote Man Songs, a
collection of controversial poems that was
considered too bold by the University of the
Philippines and became the ground for his
suspension from the said institution.
• “Footnote to Youth” (1933)
• Known for introducing reversed consonance rhyme
scheme (light – tile, tall, tale, etc.)
• Also known for his comma poems, where he
employed a comma after every word.
• Pen Name: Doveglion (dove, eagle, lion)

Carlos P. Romulo (Manila, Tarlac)

• A Filipino diplomat, statesman, journalist, and

soldier.
• First Filipino journalist who was awarded with the
Pulitzer Prize in Journalism.
• First Asian who served as the President of the United
Nations General Assembly.
• “I am a Filipino” (1941) – essay
• “I Saw the Fall of the Philippines” – a book about his
personal experiences as an aide-de-camp to General
Douglas MacArthur in Corregidor.
• National Artist for Literature (1982)

Nestor Vicente Madali (NVM) Gonzales (Romblon)

• Seven Hills Away (1947) and The Bamboo Dancers

(1949) – appeared in Russian translation in 1965 and
1974.
• Seven Hills Away – collection of short stories about
the daily lives of the Filipino Kaingeros in Mindoro.
• The Bamboo Dancers – novel that features the
challenges faced by Filipinos in America.

Virgilio Almario (Bulacan)

• Pen Name: Rio Alma

• Former Commissioner of the KWF (Komisyon sa
Wikang Filipino)
• National Artist for Literature (2003)