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KING THOMAS LEARNING

LEARNING ACADEMY,
ACADEMY, INC.
INC. Senior High School Department
A decade
decade of
of uplifting
uplifting lives
lives and
and build
build futures
futures 21st Century of the Philippines and the World
A
Week 1

UNIT TITLE: LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES

LESSON TITLE: Philippine Literary History

LEARNING COMPETENCY:
• Writing a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts and doing an
adaptation of these requirements from the learner the ability to identify:
a. the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history
from pre-colonial to contemporary.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Identify Literature and its various genres, forms, elements, and traditions.
• Differentiate the various 21st century literary genres and the ones from the earlier
genres/periods citing their elements, structures and traditions;
• Express appreciation of literature by identifying its benefits through poster.

GAINING ATTENTION
What’s on your Mind?: Think of the events happened in each era of Philippine
History. Fill out the table below by answering the Question; If social media already
existed from pre-colonial period up to Marcos’s time and you lived in each era,
what would be your social media status in each period of history? Post your status
in each period.

PERIOD/ ERA SOCIAL MEDIA POST/ STATUS

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

SPANISH PERIOD

AMERICAN PERIOD

JAPANESE PERIOD

MARTIAL LAW PERIOD

KING THOMAS LEARNING ACADEMY, INC. | (SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL) DEPARTMENT | SY 2022 - 2023
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 KING THOMAS
KING THOMAS LEARNING
LEARNING ACADEMY,
ACADEMY, INC.
INC. Senior High School Department
A decade
decade of
of uplifting
uplifting lives
lives and
and build
build futures
futures 21st Century of the Philippines and the World
A
Week 1

PRESENTATION OF THE CONTEXT

The term literature is derived from the Latin word

"littera" which means "a letter of the alphabet".
According to the website Britannica, literature is
traditionally defined as body of written works
associated to imaginative and creative works of
poetry and prose and can be classified according to
variety of systems such as language, national origin,
historical period, genre and subject matter. Literature
can either be in oral or written form. The oral literature
handed down from one generation to another, then
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.
later on transformed into written form. The products of
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written literature are called literary text. A text can be
considered literary if it has the elements of psychological characterization and
chronology. Also, literature uses literary devices such as metaphor and
symbolism. Reading for entertainment and learning is the most common
reason why people read literature.

Simply, the best way to describe the characteristics of literary text is that (1) it narrates a
story; (2) it expresses feelings, thoughts, and ideas which can either be based from the
imagination or real-life experiences of the author or other people; and (3) it delivers
significant information and crosses boundaries of time, places, cultures and languages.

Also, literature contains specific structure. Literary structure refers to the organizational
method used in literature in which the most common type is the narrative. Parts of the
narrative structure (or plot) are the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and
resolution (denouement). In a much broader context, literary structure is not only limited
to content and form but this may also refer to "the general features or characteristic of
genre, style, a specific literary trend, literature as an art form, and finally, art as a whole"
(The Great Soviet Encyclopedia).

Two Major Forms of Literature

1. Poetry. This literary type is usually written in lines and is characterized by having the
element of rhythm, sound, imagery, and form. Its main purpose is to express
feelings, thoughts, and ideas. It can be divided into three types: narrative,
dramatic, and lyrical poetry.

a. Narrative Poetry. This poetry tells a story and has the elements of a narrative
such as characters, setting, conflict, etc.

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 KING THOMAS LEARNING ACADEMY, INC. Senior High School Department
A decade of uplifting lives and build futures Oral Communication in Context
Week 1

b. Dramatic Poetry. This is an emotionally appealing drama written in verse that

tells a story and is intended to be recited or sung in front of the audience by a
character speaking in poetry.
c. Lyric Poetry. It is the most common type of poetry that focuses on expressing
feelings rather than telling a story.

2. Prose. In contrast to poetry, this literary piece applies a natural flow of speech and
grammatical structures which are mainly consisting of complete sentences
arranged logically and sequentially in a paragraph form.
a. Fiction. This serves as a product of the writer's wild imagination and creative
thinking where the characters react to the conflict and various issues central to
the main idea of a literary work. Its three types are: short story, novel, and novella.
The main genres are crime, fantasy, romance, science fiction, western,
inspirational, historical fiction and horror.
b. Non-fiction. These are stories inspired by real events where the writers aim to
present, interpret, or describe experiences based on facts. The judgments,
opinions, and commentaries of the writers may be presented in the form of essays,
journals, diaries, feature articles, editorials, and the like.

AN OVERVIEW OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Historically speaking, Philippine literature can be divided into three most important
periods: pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial.

1. PRE-SPANISH LITERATURE – Long before the Spaniards and other foreigners landed
or set foot on Philippine shores, our forefathers already had their own literature
stamped in the history of our race. Our ancient literature shows our customs and
traditions in everyday life as traced in our folk stories, old plays and short stories.

A. LEGENDS- 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. Old Filipino customs are reflected in these legends. Its
aim is to entertain.
B. FOLK TALES- Folk tales are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror
and humor where one can derive lessons about life. These are useful to us because
they help us appreciate our environment, evaluate our personalities and improve
our perspectives in life.
C. EPIC- Epics are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements
or events, usually of a hero, are dealt with at length. Nobody can determine which
epics are the oldest because in their translations from other languages, even in
English and Spanish. We can only determine their origins from the time mentioned
in the said epics.

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 KING THOMAS LEARNING ACADEMY, INC. Senior High School Department
A decade of uplifting lives and build futures Oral Communication in Context
Week 1

D. FOLK SONGS- 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.

2. PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT– In 19th Century, Filipino intellectuals educated in

Europe called Ilustrados began to write about the hitch of colonization.

• The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896) - This movement was spearheaded

mostly by the intellectual middleclass like Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar; Graciano
Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma. Panganiban, and Pedro
Paterno.
• Some of Rizal’s writings: Noli Me Tangere, Mi Ultimo Adios, Sobre La Indolencia
Delos Filipinos and Filipinas Dentro De Cien Aňos.
• Some of Del Pilar’s writings: Pagibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Country), Kaingat
Kayo (Be Careful), and Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes)
• Some of Jaena’s writings: Ang Fray Botod, La Hija Del Fraile (The Child of the Friar),
and Everything Is Hambug (Everything is mere show), Sa Mga Pilipino...1891)

3. THE AMERICAN REGIME (1898-1944)– Linguistically, Americans influenced Filipino

writers to write using English language. Jose Garcia Villa became famous for his
free verse.

Characteristics of Literature during this period: The languages used in writing were Spanish
and Tagalog and the dialects of the different regions. But the writers in Tagalog,
continued in their lamentations on the conditions of the country and their attempts to
arouse love for one’s native tongue and the writers in English imitated the themes and
methods of the Americans

4. THE JAPANESE PERIOD (1941-1945)– Philippine Literature was interrupted in its

development when another foreign country, Japan, conquered the Philippines
between 1941-1945. 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.
Filipino Poetry during this period…
The common theme of most poems during the Japanese occupation was nationalism,
country, love, and life in the barrios, faith, religion, and the arts.

Three types of poems emerged during this period:

a. Haiku - a poem of free verse that the Japanese like. It was made up of 17 syllables
divided into three lines and
b. Tanaga – like the Haiku, is short, but it had measure and rhyme.
c. Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form).

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A decade of uplifting lives and build futures Oral Communication in Context
Week 1

5. 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. For the first twenty years,
many books were published both in Filipino and in 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.

6. PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972) According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in

1970-72 was due to domestic and worldwide causes. Because of the ills of society,
the youth moved to seek reforms.
The Literary Revolution- The youth became vocal with their sentiments. They
demanded a change in the government. It was manifested in the bloody
demonstrations and the sidewalk expressions and also in literature.

7. PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972- 1980)– The period of the New Society started
on September 21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca Awards continued to give annual
awards. Poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs, and the
beauties of nature and surroundings. Newspapers donned new forms.

News on economic progress, discipline, culture, tourism, and the like were favored
more than the sensationalized reporting of killings, rape, and robberies. Filipinos
before were hooked in reading magazines and comics.

8. PERIOD OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1981-1985)– After ten years of military rule and
some changes in the life of the Filipino, which started under the New Society,
Martial Rule was at last lifted on January 2, 1981. The Philippines became a new
nation, and this, former President Marcos called “The New Republic of the
Philippines.” Poems during this period of the Third Republic were romantic and
revolutionary. Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were true-to-life like those
of grief, poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country and fellowmen.

9. POST-EDSA 1 REVOLUTION (1986-1995) –History took another twist. Once more, the
Filipino people regained their independence, which they lost twenty years ago. In
four days from February 21-25, 1986, the so-called People Power (Lakas ng Bayan)
prevailed. In the short span of the existence of the real Republic of the Philippines,
several changes already became evident. It was noticed in the new Filipino songs,
newspapers, speeches, and even in the television programs.

10. 21st CENTURY PERIOD- The new trends have been used and introduced to meet
the needs and tastes of the new generation. 21st Century learners are demanded

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A decade of uplifting lives and build futures Oral Communication in Context
Week 1

to be ICT inclined to compete with the style and format of writing as well. New
codes or lingos are used to add flavor in the literary pieces produced nowadays.

✓ Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by Legends, Folk Tales, The Epic Age, and Folk Songs.
✓ The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896) was spearheaded mostly by the intellectual
middle-class like Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano
Ponce, Jose Ma. Panganiban and Pedro Paterno.
✓ In the American Regime, Americans influenced Filipino writers to write using the English
language. English as a medium of instruction was introduced in the schools as the intellectual
language of education.
✓ In the Period of Activism, campus newspapers were written to show their protest. They held
pens and wrote on placards in red paint the equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA (To dare!).
✓ Period of the New Society poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs,
and the beauties of nature and surroundings.
✓ The period of the Third Republic was romantic and revolutionary.
✓ Post EDSA I noticed in the new Filipino songs, in the newspapers, in the speeches, and even
in the television programs.

ELICITING PERFORMANCE

Directions: Look up literary traditions that identify with each historical period below.
Historical Period Literary traditions
A. Pre-colonial

B. Spanish

C. American

D. Japanese

E. Post-war to the 1980s

F. Post-EDSA to present

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 KING THOMAS LEARNING ACADEMY, INC. Senior High School Department
A decade of uplifting lives and build futures Oral Communication in Context
Week 1

Prepared by:

MARY JOYCE N. RAMOS

Gmail account: mramos@ktla.edu.ph

Edited by:

Mykka C. Cedo
Gmail account: mykkacedo@ktla.edu.ph

Revised by:

MARLON T. BROMACOM
Gmail account: marlon.bromacom@ktla.edu.ph

References:
21st Century Literature of the Philippines and the World Author: Jesus Z. Menoy, Ph. D.

Godinez-Ortega, C. (n.d.). The Literary Forms in Philippine Literature. Retrieved from

https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommissionon-the-arts sca/literary-
arts/the-literary-forms-in-philippine-literature/

Murphy, D. (n.d.). Literary Devices: How to Master Structure. Retrieved from

https://writersedit.com/fiction-writing/literary-devices/literary-devicesmaster-structure/

Quindoza-Santiago, L. (n.d.). Early Philippine Literature. Retrieved from

https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-onthe-arts sca/literary-
arts/early-philippine-literature

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition. S.v. "Structure of a Literary Work." Retrieved June 26
2020 from https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Structure+of+a+Literary+Work

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