Colegio de San Gabriel Arcangel, Inc.

Founded 1993
Area E, Sapang Palay, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Philippines
Recognized by the Government: DepEd, TESDA and CHED; PACUCOA Level II Accredited
Call and/or Text: 0915 532 2643/ Telefax No: (044) 760 0301 / (044)760 0397

Philippine Literature from Pre-Colonial Period to Contemporary Period

Literature is the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age. • Writings

having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest. • Written

works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit. It is the total of preserved writings

belonging to a given language or people.

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

Pre – Spanish Literature, It existed before the Spanish occupation in the 1500s • It is oral in nature which

contains mostly about the life of the Filipino people in the ancient times • The sources of literature are usually

the native town folk.

Forms of Literature in the Pre- colonial Period

1. Oral Literature

a. Riddle- it is a statement that contains superficial words that functions figuratively and

metaphorically and is usually uttered in a form of question. (e.g. Kay lapit na sa mata, di mo pa

nakikita)

b. Proverbs/ Mga salawikain- a short saying that is widely used to express an obvious truth (e.g.

Kung ano ang puno siya rin ang bunga. Huwag gawin sa iba ang ayaw mong gawin sa iyo.

2. Folk Songs -these are folk lyrics that are usually chanted.

a. Oyayi o Hele/Lullabies

b. Rawitdawit/Drinking songs

c. Kundiman/Love songs-awit ng pag- ibig (e.g. Dandansoy)

d. Songs of death/ Dung- aw – awit sa patay

e. Dalit o Himno/ Religious songs

f. Kumintang- awit sa pakikidigma

g. Diona- awit sa kasal

3. Folk tales/ Mga Kwentong bayan- are part of oral traditions which means they originated in the era

before literacy and are passed down verbally from generation to generation.

a. a. Myth- a well- known story which was made up in the past to explain natural events or to justify

religious beliefs or customs.

b. Legend – a traditional story that is popularly regarded as historical but is not proven to be true
 Colegio de San Gabriel Arcangel, Inc.
Founded 1993
Area E, Sapang Palay, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Philippines
Recognized by the Government: DepEd, TESDA and CHED; PACUCOA Level II Accredited
Call and/or Text: 0915 532 2643/ Telefax No: (044) 760 0301 / (044)760 0397

c. Fable- uses animals as characters conveying a moral.

d. Epic- is a long narrative poem recounting the deeds of a legendary hero.

SPANISH PERIOD

Spanish Period • The start of the Philippines’ more colorful history took place in March 6, 1521 when

Ferdinand Magellan docked on the shores of Homonhon.

Forms of Literature in Spanish Period

1. Religious Literature - it revolves around the life and death of Jesus Christ since Christianity was

introduced by the Spaniards to the Filipinos.

a. Pasyon – it is about the passion (journey and suffering) and the death of Jesus Christ.

b. Senakulo- the re-enactment of the Pasyon

c. Komedya- it usually depicts the battle between the Muslim and the Christians

2. Non-religious Literature

a. Awit- these are tales of chivalry where a knight saves a princess. (ex. Florante at Laura)

b. Korido- is along metrical tale that follows the structure of the poem (ex. Ibong Adarna)

c. Prose Narratives- are easy to understand instructional materials that teach Filipinos on proper

decorum. ( ex. Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na sina Urbana at Feliza, 1864).

3. Propaganda Literature - • These were writings in the form of satires, editorials and news articles that

aim to attack the Spanish government.

FAMOUS WRITERS DURING THE PROPAGANDA LITERATURE

a. Graciano Lopez Jaena – Ang Fray Botod

b. Marcelo H. Del Pilar-Dasalan at Tocsohan

c. Jose Rizal- Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo

4. Revolutionary Literature – it sparked the revolution and resistance of the hearts of the Filipinos.

FAMOUS WRITERS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY LITERATURE

a. Andres Bonifacio – Obligations of our Countrymen

b. Emilio Jacinto- Light and Darkness

c. Apolinario Mabini- The Rise and Fall of the Philippine Republic

PUBLICATIONS

a. El Heraldo dela Revolucion

b. La Independencia
 Colegio de San Gabriel Arcangel, Inc.
Founded 1993
Area E, Sapang Palay, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Philippines
Recognized by the Government: DepEd, TESDA and CHED; PACUCOA Level II Accredited
Call and/or Text: 0915 532 2643/ Telefax No: (044) 760 0301 / (044)760 0397

c. La Republica Filipina

d. La Libertad

PUBLICATIONS
 Colegio de San Gabriel Arcangel, Inc.
Founded 1993
Area E, Sapang Palay, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Philippines
Recognized by the Government: DepEd, TESDA and CHED; PACUCOA Level II Accredited
Call and/or Text: 0915 532 2643/ Telefax No: (044) 760 0301 / (044)760 0397

Activity:

Give at least five examples of each form of literature in Pre-Colonial Period.

1. Oral Literature

2. Folk Songs
 Colegio de San Gabriel Arcangel, Inc.
Founded 1993
Area E, Sapang Palay, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Philippines
Recognized by the Government: DepEd, TESDA and CHED; PACUCOA Level II Accredited
Call and/or Text: 0915 532 2643/ Telefax No: (044) 760 0301 / (044)760 0397

3. Folk Tales/ Mga Kwentong Bayan