LEARNER’S PACKET NO.

QUARTER 1

21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD

Name: ____________________________ Grade Level: 11/12

Date/Week: _________________________

I.

Writing a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts and doing an
adaptation of these require from the learner the ability to identify:

a. the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of the Philippine literary

history from pre-colonial to the contemporary.
b. Representative texts and authors from each region (e.g. engage in oral history
research with focus on key personalities from the students’
region/province/town)

II.

Literature is already present even before the time of our ancestors. It is

reflected in their customs and traditions, including songs, beliefs, and oral literature.
The early inhabitants of the Philippine archipelago had a system of alphabet called
baybayin. When the Spanish invaders came, this literature was transcribed by
Spanish scholars, and it was believed that most of the significant aspects of
indigenous literature were eradicated. The writers of different generations adapt as
our history changes and form beautiful masterpieces that reflect our way of life as
Filipinos.

In this learning packet, you will learn how Philippine literature has adapted to
the changes in our history through time. It will also highlight the literary periods as
well as the writers and their literary pieces that emerged in those times.

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PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN THE PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

● Folk Songs – Among the early literature, the awit or folksongs are the ones
mostly endured after the Spanish invasion. Songs are an important reflection
of the past because they mirror the early culture and traditions. The songs
were sung depending on various occasions. Among these
are uyayi or hele, soliranin, or the songs of the travelers, while talindaw is for
the seafarers, kumintang for wars, and kundiman as love songs.
● Riddles – Riddles are called bugtong. It usually has rhymes and rhythms
called talinghaga and is made as a puzzle to convey meaning. Some of the
early forms of poetry include ambahan, 7-syllable per line with the same
rhyming, and sawikain or proverbs.
● Epics – Anthropologists call these narratives ethno-epics because almost all
the epics discovered were from the ethnic groups over the country and were
produced through chanting in a variety of rituals. Although discovered in the
same country, varieties in these epics in terms of traditions and culture were
evident because of the archipelagic nature of the Philippines. Some of these
epics are Hudhud of the Ifugao, Biag ni Lam-ang of the Ilocano, Labaw
Donggon, the Sulod epic, Ulahingan of the Manobos, and Sandayo of the
Subanun.

PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1972-1898)

With Spanish colonialism in the 19th century, Filipino intellectuals called the
Illustrados began writing with the purpose of awakening the Filipino revolutions and
ending colonization. Some of the writings written in the Propaganda Movement
include:

● Rizal’s writings: Noli Me Tangere, Mi Ultimo Adios, Sobre La Indolencia

Delos Filipinos and Filipinas Dentro De Cien Aňos.
● Del Pilar’s writings: Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Country), Kaingat
Kayo (Be Careful), and Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes).
● Jaena’s writings: Ang Fray Botod, La Hija Del Fraile (The Child of the Friar),
Everything Is Hambug (Everything is mere show), Sa Mga Pilipino...1891),
and Talumpating Pagunita Kay Kolumbus (An Oration to Commemorate
Columbus).

THE AMERICAN PERIOD (1898-1944)

The Americans influenced the Filipinos to write in the English language.

Because of the short-lived freedom, Filipinos wrote poems, stories, essays, and
novels depicting their love for their country and longing for independence. Some of

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the writings include Jose Garcia Villa’s Footnote to Youth, Dead Stars by Paz
Marquez Benitez, and My Air Castles by Juan F. Salazar.

THE JAPANESE PERIOD (1941-1945)

The strict reign of the Japanese government has stopped the spread of English
literature, including the cease of the English newspapers, except for The Tribune.
Hence, during the time, there was no freedom of speech and press. English writing
was given a break and was replaced with Filipino writing. Some of the writings that
were written and awarded were Narciso Reyes’s Lupang Tinubuan, Liwayway
Arceo’s Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa, and NVM Gonzales’s Lunsod Nayon at
Dagat-Dagatan.

PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)

Domestic violence and injustices have resulted in mass activism during this
period. This resulted in Martial Law in 1972 during the reign of Ferdinand Marcos.
Youth activism was reflected in the constant rallies seen on the sidewalks and their
writings on the placards. It was also reflected in the writings that were published
during the time, including Rolando Tinio’s poetry collection Rage and Ritual and Sitsit
sa Kuliglig and Rogelio Mangahas’s Mga Duguang Plakard.

PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972-1980)

The themes of the writings in this period have to do with progress and solution
to problems in the country, such as the environment, drugs, hunger, and population.
Subjects on revolution and pornography somehow decreased. At the same time,
there were efforts to revive religious plays such as Zarzuela and Cenaculo. Those
who wrote poetry during this period were: Ponciano Pineda, Aniceto Silvestre, Jose
Garcia Revelo, Bienvenido Ramos, Vicente Dimasalang, Cir Lopez Francisco, and
Pelagio Sulit Cruz.

PERIOD OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1981-1985)

The third republic emerged when the Martial Rule was lifted on July 2, 1981.
Literary works in this period were mostly revolutionary and romantic. Writers started
to be open to their criticisms against the government, usually in fiery and profane
tones and language. The themes were mostly poverty, freedom, grief, and
nationalism and were not only reflected in poems but also in prose. With the people’s
cry of protest, it fount outlets on fables which are mostly satirical. Among those that
have been printed were The Crown Jewels of Heezenhurst by Sylvia Mendez
Ventura, The Emperor’s New Underwear by Meynardo Macarai, The King’s Cold by
BabethLolarga, and The Case of the Missing Charisma by Sylvia L. Mayuga.

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21st CENTURY PERIOD

The 21st-century era is a wide transition from the classics to the new. As the
newly emerged writers engage in technology, the literature also moves on with it.
New generations of writers have become more expressive and experimental.
Because of the wider use of the internet and pop culture, new forms of literature
have also arisen. One example is Twitterature, a literary use of the micro-blogging
service of Twitter, and Wattpad stories. Other forms of literary genres have also
surfaced, including hyper poetry, mobile phone text tula, chick lit, and blogs.

III.

ACTIVITY NO. 1. CLASSIFICATION CHART

Directions: Complete the table below by classifying the period to which the following
written works belong.

Dead Stars - Paz Marquez Benitez (1925)

Ibalon (Epikong Bikolano)
Mi Ultimo Adios – Jose Rizal (1897)
Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa – Marcelo del Pilar (1896)
The Winds of April by NVM Gonzales (1941)
A Conjugal Dictatorship – Primitivo Mijares (1976)
Dekada ‘70 – Lualhati Bautista (1983)
Alamat ng Gubat – Bob Ong (2003)
Mga Ibong Mandaragit – Amado V. Hernandez (1969)
Para Kay B – Ricky Lee (2008)
Canal de la Reina – Liwayway Arceo (1972)

Early Period of America Japanes Period Period Period 21st

Philippin Enlightenmen n Period e Period of of the of the Centur
t Activis New Third y
e m Societ Republi Period
Literature y c

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ACTIVITY NO. 2. INTERPRETING A SONG.

Directions: Interpret the song “Martsa ng Bagong Lipunan” by answering the

following questions. You may do readings if necessary.

MARTSA NG BAGONG LIPUNAN / MARCH OF THE NEW SOCIETY

Composition by: Felipe Padilla De Leon (1973)
Lyrics by: Levi Celerio (1973)

May bagong silang, There’s a new birth

May bago nang buhay,
Bagong bansa, bagong galaw,
Sa bagong lipunan.
Nagbabago ang lahat,
Tungo sa pag-unlad,
At ating itanghal,
Bagong Lipunan!
There’s a new life
A new country, a new path
In the New Society!
Everything changes,
Towards progress
And let us go and show
Our New Society!

May bagong silang, There’s a new birth

May bago nang buhay,
Bagong bansa, bagong galaw,
Sa bagong lipunan.
Nagbabago ang lahat,
Tungo sa pag-unlad,
At ating itanghal,
Bagong Lipunan!
There’s a new life
A new country, a new path
In the New Society!
Everything changes,
Towards progress
And let us go and show
Our New Society!

Ang gabi’y nagmaliw nang ganap, As the darkness ends

At lumipas na ang magdamag.
Madaling araw ay nagdiriwang,
May umagang namasdan
Ngumiti na ang pag-asa
Sa umagang anong ganda.
And as night goes away
The dawn celebrates
As daybreak comes
Hope smiles down on us
In this glorious new day!

May bagong silang, There’s a new birth

May bago nang buhay,
Bagong bansa, bagong galaw,
Sa bagong lipunan.
Nagbabago ang lahat,
Tungo sa pag-unlad,
At ating itanghal,
Bagong Lipunan!
There’s a new life
A new country, a new path
In the New Society!
Everything changes,
Towards progress
And let us go and show
Our New Society!

Process Questions:
1. What is the background and history of the song?
2. What is the message of the song?
3. Listen to the song over on the internet/youtube. What feeling does it give you?

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ACTIVITY 3: BE 21ST CENTURY CREATIVE

3.1. Directions: For those with internet: Your task is to write a piece of any of the
following 21st century literary genres (Twitterature or mobile phone text tula) about a
significant experience or story during this pandemic. Refer to the rubric on page 7 as
a guide. You may send the screenshots of your posts via messenger, email, or you
may print a hardcopy.

3.1. Directions: For those without internet: Your task is to craft a piece of any of the
following 21st century literary genres (Twitterature or mobile phone text tula) on a
bond paper. Draw the template on the sheet of paper and submit it to your teacher.
Refer to the rubric on page 7 as a guide. The following are several examples.

Sample Twitterature and Mobile Phone Textula

Photos by Christine Olitoquit

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ASSESSMENT

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on your
answer sheet.
1. This is the period where our ancestors’ forms of literature are songs, riddles,
and epics.
A. Spanish Period C. Pre-Colonial Period
B. American Period D. Period of Enlightenment

2. In this period, Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, and other works of the

Illustrados were written to awaken the mind of our countrymen to fight against
colonialism.
A. American Period C. Pre-Colonial Period
B. Japanese Period D. Period of Enlightenment

3. This is the period where the Filipino writers were influenced to write in the
English language.
A. Spanish Period C. Pre-Colonial Period
B. American Period D. Period of Enlightenment

4. This is the period where Freedom of Speech and Press were ceased and
writing for newspapers was suppressed.
A. Spanish Period C. American Period
B. Japanese Period D. Pre-Colonial Period

5. Which period presented new forms of writing and language using social media
and modern technology?
A. 21st Century Period C. Period of Enlightenment
B. Period of the New Society D. Period of the Third Republic

6. This is the period where the Martial Law was lifted in the Philippines and the
Filipino writers started to voice out their criticisms against the government.
A. 21st Century Period C. Period of the New Society
B. Period of Enlightenment D. Period of the Third Republic

7. Which literary period highlights the peak of Martial Law?

A. 21st Century Period C. Period of the New Society
B. Period of Enlightenment D. Period of the Third Republic

8. How do you describe the Philippine literature?

A. Dynamic C. Orthodox

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 B. Expressive D. Old Fashioned

9. Why do anthropologists call the epics discovered in the Philippines

ethno-epics?
A. Because they were very old and original
B. Because they were passed on through oral literature
C. Because they were made by various ethnic groups in the Philippines
D. Because they were scattered over the country because of the country’s
geographic location

10. Which of the following best describes the literary development in the
Philippines?
A. Philippine history is never reflected in our literature.
B. Oral literature is the only record we have of our history.
C. Our literature developed alongside our country’s rich history.
D. The best works of literature are only written by the victors of history.

I.

Rubric for Activity 3: Be 21 st Century Creative

Excellent Very Satisfactory Fair Needs
CRITERIA Satisfactory Improvement
5 4 3 2 1

MECHANICS Zero errors in One to three(1-3) Four to six (4-6) Seven to nine Ten (10) or more
punctuation, errors in errors in (7-9) errors in errors in
capitalization, punctuation, punctuation, punctuation, punctuation,
and spelling capitalization, and capitalization, and capitalization, and capitalization, and
spelling errors spelling errors spelling errors spelling

CONTENT Has 20 or more Has 17-19 or Has 14-16 or Has 11-13 Has under 10
tweets/conversati more more tweets/conversati tweets/conversati
ons in a thread tweets/conversati tweets/conversati ons in a thread ons in a thread
and are ons in a thread ons in a thread and are presented and are presented
presented in and are presented and are presented in accurate and in accurate and
accurate and in accurate and in accurate and clear format. clear format.
clear format. clear format. clear format.

SCORE EQUIVALENT

RAW SCORE EQUIVALENT

10
100
9
8
90
7
6
80
5

8
 4
70
3
2
60
1

II.

ACTIVITY NO. 1. CLASSIFICATION CHART CHART.

Early Period of American Japanese Period of Period of Period
Philippine Enlightenment Period Period Activism the New of the
Literature Society Third
Republic
Ibalon Mi Ultimo Adios Dead Stars The Winds Mga Ibong A Conjugal Dekada
(Epikong – Jose Rizal - Paz of April by Mandaragit – Dictatorship ‘70 –
Bikolano) (1897) Marquez NVM Amado V. – Primitivo Lualhati
Pag-ibig sa Benitez Gonzales Hernandez (1969) Mijares Bautista
Tinubuang Lupa (1925) (1941) Canal de la Reina (1976) (1983)
– Marcelo del – Liwayway Arceo
Pilar (1896) (1972)
ACTIVITY NO. 2. INTERPRETING A SONG ASSESSMENT
1. Answers may vary. 1. C
2. Answers may vary. 2. D
3. Answers may vary. 3. B
4. Answers may vary. 4. B
5. A
6. D
ACTIVITY NO. 3. BE 21ST CENTURY CREATIVE 7. C
● The written output varies. Scoring will depend 8. A
on the standard of the rubric available. 9. C
10. C

III.

Macansantos, Francis C. & Macansantos, Priscilla S. “Philippine Literature in the Post-War

and Contemporary Period.” ncca.gov.ph
https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/lit
erary-arts/philippine-literature-in-the-post-war-and-contemporary-period/ (accessed
July 27, 2021)

Godinez-Ortega, Christine F. “The Literary Forms in Philippine Literature.” ncca.gov.ph

https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/lit
erary-arts/the-literary-forms-in-philippine-literature/ (accessed July 27, 2021)

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Quindoza-Santiago, Lilia. “Early Philippine Literature.” ncca.gov.ph
https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/lit
erary-arts/early-philippine-literature/ (accessed July 27, 2021)

“Bagong Pagsilang.” Wikipedia.org

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagong_Pagsilang (accessed July 27, 2021)

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