Essence and Significance of Literature

21st Century Literature from the

Philippines and the World
MELANIE PIGAR,LPT
 Objectives
• Define Literature
• Identify the notable events that led to the
proliferation of Philippine Literature
• Determine the qualities/hallmarks of Literature
• Enumerate the ways to study Literature
LITERATURE
CULTURE
 WHAT IS
LITERATURE?
Literature
Literature broadly refers to any
collection of written or oral work, but it’s more
commonly and narrowly refers to writings
specifically considered to be an art form,
especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry, in
contrast to academic writing and newspapers.
(Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, 2020)
Literature
Oxford dictionary believes that Literature is an
accumulation of writings that are highly creative
conceived in different forms just like fictions, drama or
poems that allows the readers to mix his/her emotion
into it. This is one good thing about Literature because it
is vast, vast enough for the people to select what
particular genre/form they would like to engage
themselves with.
Literature
Literature addresses the interest of the people
permitting us to interact with it. So, if you are
not into reading there is movie you can watch,
if you are not into movie there are text/books
you can read, if you are not into books or
movies there is music you can cling on.
Literature
❑ Literature (origin of term – litera which means letter) deals with ideas,
thoughts and emotions of man – thus it can be said that literature is the
story of man (Kahayon, 1998, p.5-7).
❑ Literature appeals to man’s higher nature and needs – emotional,
spiritual, intellectual, and creative. Like all other forms of art, literature
entertains and gives pleasure; it fires the imagination and arouses
noble emotions and it enriches man by enabling him to reflect on life
and by filling him with new ideas (Garcia, et al, 1993, p.1-3)
❑ Through literature, we learn the innermost feelings and thoughts of
people – the most real part of themselves, thus we gain an
understanding not only of others, but more importantly, of ourselves
and of life itself (Garcia, et al, 1993, p.4).
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
 PRECOLONIAL
|B.C. – 1564

SPANISH REGIME
|1565-1863

THE NATIONALISTIC PERIOD

|1864-1896

THE UNITED STATES COLONIAL RULE

|1910-1930, 1920-1945

THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION

|1942-1944

THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD

|1960-1986

POST EDSA LITERATURE

|1986-present
 PRECOLONIAL
|B.C. – 1564

• It is the earliest era and the discovery of Philippine

Literature. The riddles about our ancestors mainly
tackles their day-to-day lifestyle just like hunting
animals for food, procreation, worshipping the nature
around them (animism) and also chants or songs that
instill value to the villagers.
• Pre-colonial inhabitants of our islands showcase a rich
past through their folk speeches, folk songs, folk
narratives and indigenous rituals and mimetic dances
that affirm our ties with our Southeast Asian neighbors.
 PRECOLONIAL
|B.C. – 1564

• It is directly a reflection of how primitive people

from this land survived without the
contamination of civilization. Everything here is
all pure and very traditional.
 SPANISH REGIME
|1565-1863

• Under their rule is bittersweet, though we were controlled in

such biased manner, a huge development to our Literature
has been experienced.
• The tight hands of rulership of the Spaniards demanded us
to write, recite, and adapt not just their religion (Which is
Christianity) but also their ways of living.
• Religion and institutions that represented European
civilization enriched the languages in the lowlands,
introduced theater which we would come to know
as komedya, the sinakulo, the sarswela, the playlets and
the drama.
 SPANISH REGIME
|1565-1863

• In this period, most of the literary products

tremendously highlights Christianity in a form of Drama
just like Zarzuela (song and dance), Komedya
(humorous), and sinakulo (which is still practiced up
until now in Pampangga). These dramas detail the
culture of the Spaniards.
• (1)They want us to adapt their adoration for
performance. (2)Transforming every Filipino into
Christians.
THE NATIONALISTIC PERIOD
|1864-1896

• Filipino intellectuals educated in Europe

called ilustrados began to write about the
downside of colonization. This, coupled with the
simmering calls for reforms by the masses gathered
a formidable force of writers like Jose Rizal, Marcelo
H. del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, Antonio Luna. (most
prominent Ilustrados)
• Graciana Lopez Jaena, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Felix
Resurrecion Hidalgo, Antonio Luna, Juan Luna, and
Mariano Ponce.
THE NATIONALISTIC PERIOD
|1864-1896

• Highlights the revolutionary act by the

ilustrados. Thru their wit, Intelligence, courage,
this group of middle-class Filipino men used
their ability in writing (which they learned from
Spaniards) in getting against the Spanish rule.
THE NATIONALISTIC PERIOD
|1864-1896

• The theme of their writings tackles their

demands of warding off any presence of
Spaniards in our country.
• It’s quite fascinating and at the same heroic
to be against the formidable presence of
Spaniards in our country considering that
these men where not properly trained to fight
with the use of guns, or canyon or whatever
weapon it may be.
THE UNITED STATES COLONIAL RULE
|1910-1930, 1920-1945

• American influence was deeply entrenched

with the firm establishment of English as the
medium of instruction in all schools and with
literary modernism that highlighted the writer’s
individuality and cultivated consciousness of
craft, sometimes at the expense of social
consciousness.
• Alongside this development, writers in the
vernaculars continued to write in the provinces.
THE UNITED STATES COLONIAL RULE
|1910-1930, 1920-1945

• They nurtured us holistically in a win-win situation.

They are more friendly in handling Filipinos allowing
us to feel the freedom of expressing ourselves with
the incorporation of their own standards.
• Teachers (Thomasites)
• The Thomasites arrived in the Philippines on August
21, 1901, to establish a new public school system, to
teach basic education, and to train Filipino
teachers, with English as the medium of instruction.
 THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION
|1942-1944

• Except for the TRIBUNE and the PHILIPPINE REVIEW,

almost all newspapers in English were stopped by the
Japanese.
• This had an advantageous effect on Filipino Literature,
which experienced renewed attention because
writers in English turned to writing a Filipino.
• Topics and themes were often about life in the
provinces; nationalism, country, love and life in
barrios.
• Haiku and Tanaga emerged.
THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
|1960-1986

• The flowering of Philippine literature in the various

languages continue especially with the appearance of
new publications after the Martial Law years and the
resurgence of committed literature in the 1960s and the
1970s.
• Most themes in the writings dealt with Japanese brutalities,
of the poverty of life under the Japanese government and
the brave guerilla exploits.
• A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulang Pilipino was held during
this time. Only Filipino films were shown in all theaters in
Metro Manila.
 POST EDSA LITERATURE
|1986-present

• The year 1986 demarcates the beginning of new

scene in the unfolding narrative of contemporary
Philippine Literature – writing under the Martial Law
Regime was characterized by militancy and
belligerence.
• The death of Ninoy Aquino intensified the temper of
poetry and theatre derived much of its heat and
direction from the political culture of the underground
national democratic movement.
 QUALITIES
OF
LITERATURE
P PERMANENCE

U UNIVERSALITY
William J. Long “English
S SUGGESTIVENESS Literature: Its History and
S SPIRITUAL VALUE
Its Significance for the Life
of the English-speaking
I INTELLECTUAL VALUE
World.”
A ARTISTRY

S STYLE
P PERMANENCE A great work of literature
endures – it can be read
again and again as each
reading gives fresh
delight and new insights
and open new worlds of
meaning and
experience.
 Alice in the Wonderland by Lewis
Carroll
-published year 1865

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar

Wilde
-published year 1890
U UNIVERSALITY

Great literature is timeless

and timely – forever
relevant in terms of its
theme and conditions
Harry Potter
by J.K
Rowling
-first book
published
1997 and
the last
book 2007
S SUGGESTIVENESS
This is the quality associated
with the emotional power of
literature, such that it should
move us deeply and stir our
creative imagination, giving
and evoking vision above
and beyond the plane of
ordinary life and experience.
S SPIRITUAL VALUE A good literature elevates
the spirit by bringing out
moral values which
makes us better persons –
this capacity to inspire is
part of the spiritual value
of literature.
“Atomic Habits taught me about the importance of
small habits, consistency, time keeping, self-discipline,
good planning, and preparation. All valuable lessons
that help me to achieve my goals.”
- Eliud Kipchoge, World champion
runner, Olympic gold medalist, and world record
holder in the marathon
I INTELLECTUAL VALUE
A literary work which
stimulates thought that
enriches our mental life
by making us realize
fundamental truths about
life and human nature.
A ARTISTRY

A quality which appeals

to our sense of beauty.
S Style

It refers to the distinct way

the author expresses his
or her thoughts.
A literary text can be studied in several ways:
(Garcia, 1993, p.4).

• for its thematic value • for social reforms

• for entertainment value
• for richness of its plot
• for character analysis
• for comparison with other works
• for the ideas it contains
• for its emotional power
• for its representations of literary
movements and techniques
• for the author’s unique use of
language (style); and most
importantly
• for its reflection of life itself
LESSON SUMMARY |
Essence and Significance of Literature
❑ Literature deals with ideas, thoughts and emotions
of man; it appeals to man's higher nature and the
emotional, spiritual, intellectual and creative needs.
❑ Great literature is distinguishable of its qualities. The
significant qualities of literature are ARTISTRY,
INTELLECTUAL VALUE, SUGGESTIVENESS, SPIRITUAL
VALUE, PERMANENCE and UNIVERSALITY.
❑ A literary text can be studied in several
fundamental ways
Next Lesson
LITERARY TEXTS AND WRITERS FROM
PHILIPPINE REGION
 • Michael M. Coroza writes poetry,
fiction, critical essays and is engaged
in literary translation. He is famous
for promoting the traditional poetic
genre of the Philippines "Balagtasan".
• He participated in international
poetry readings "Kuala Lumpur-10"
MICHAEL M. COROZA
(2004) and the Second literary festival
"Korea-ASEAN" in Jakarta (2011).
 • “BALAGTASAN” - is a Filipino form
of debate done in verse. Derived
from the name of Francisco
Balagtas, this art presents a type of
literature in which thoughts or

MICHAEL M. COROZA reasoning are expressed through

speech.
 Among his works are:
• ASEANO: An Anthology of
Poems from Southeast Asia
(1995)
• Dili’t Dilim (1997),
• Sounds of Asia (2011),
• Ang mga Lambing ni Lolo
MICHAEL M. COROZA Ding (2012),
• Nawawala si Muningning
(2015).
 MANUEL E. ARGUILLA (1911-
1944) was an Ilocano who wrote in
English. He was best known for his
short story, "How My Brother
Leon Brought Home a Wife",
which received first prize in the
Commonwealth Literary Contest in
1940. Most of his stories depict life in
MANUEL E. ARGUILLA Barrio Nagrebcan, Bauang, La
Union, where he was born in 1911.
 • Born in Iloilo but had
most of his life in Davao
city.
• Earned his bachelor’s
LEONCIO P. DERIADA
degree at Ateneo de
Davao University Cum
Laude in 1959.
 Had his MA in English at Xavier University
and PhD in English and Literature
specialization in creative writing from
Siliman University in 1981.
"The Day of the Locusts" (Short Story,
1975),
"Mutya ng Saging" (Dulaang May Isang
Yugto, 1987),
"The Man Who Hated Birds" (Short Story
LEONCIO P. DERIADA for Children, 1993),
"Medea of Siquijor" (One-Act Play, 1999),
"Maragtas: How Kapinangan Tricked
Sumakwel Twice" (Full-Length Play,
2001).
 Aside from his Palanca awards, he
has garnered other prestigious
awards such as the Gawad
Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas,
Asiaweek, Gawad CCP, Graphic,
Focus, Yuhum (Iloilo), and Blue
Knight Award from Ateneo de
Leoncio P. Deriada Davao for Outstanding
Achievement in Literature. In
2002, he was one of Metrobank's
Outstanding Teachers.
 • A novelist, short story
writer, poet, and activist,
Santos's early writings
were in the English
BIENVENIDO N. SANTOS
language he learned at
school, Tondo.
 • Earned a B.A. from the
University of the Philippines.
Under the Philippine Pensionado
program. Later he studied at
Harvard, Columbia, and, as a
BIENVENIDO N. SANTOS
Rockefeller Foundation fellow, at
the University of Iowa.
 • Scent of Apples (1980), his
only book to be published in
the United States, won the
American Book Award from
the Before Columbus
BIENVENIDO N. SANTOS

Foundation.
 • Scent of Apples (1980), his
only book to be published in
the United States, won the
American Book Award from
the Before Columbus
BIENVENIDO N. SANTOS

Foundation.
 • Macario d. Tiu is a homegrown Mindanao scholar,
historian, a community poet, famous writer, editor,

Macario D. Tiu is a homegrown

• and researcher for English and Visayan story
primarily fiction in verse. He has a doctorate in
Mindanao scholar,
education, and a professor historian,
in literature at the Ateneo a
de Davao University, who goes is to elucidate,
community poet, famous writer,
simplify, and make things easy to understand.
editor,
• His famousand
works researcher for English
were Balyan, Nanking Store,
and Ang Bata Na Nili Mutulog. He was also
and Visayan story primarily fiction
acknowledged to have three Palanca Golds for short
MACARIO D. TIU
in verse.
story in Cebuano, and is a recipient of the national
book award in 2005 for Davao: reconstructing history
from text and memory.
 • Macario d. Tiu is a homegrown Mindanao scholar,
historian, a community poet, famous writer, editor,
He has a doctorate in education,
• and researcher for English and Visayan story

primarily fiction in verse. He has a doctorate in

and a professor in literature at
education, and a professor in literature at the Ateneo

the Ateneo de Davao University,

de Davao University, who goes is to elucidate,
simplify, and make things easy to understand.
who goes is to elucidate,
• His famous works were Balyan, Nanking Store,
and Ang Bata Na Nili Mutulog. He was also
simplify,
acknowledged toand make
have three things
Palanca Golds for easy
short
MACARIO D. TIU
story in Cebuano, and is a recipient of the national
to understand.
book award in 2005 for Davao: reconstructing history
from text and memory.
 His famous
•• Macario d. Tiu is aworks were
homegrown Balyan,
Mindanao scholar,
historian, a community poet, famous writer, editor,
Nanking Store, and Ang Bata Na
and researcher for English and Visayan story

Nili Mutulog.
primarily Hehas was
fiction in verse. He also
a doctorate in
education, and a professor in literature at the Ateneo
acknowledged to have three Palanca
de Davao University, who goes is to elucidate,

Golds and
simplify, formake
short
things story in Cebuano,
easy to understand.
• His famous works were Balyan, Nanking Store,
and is a recipient of the national
and Ang Bata Na Nili Mutulog. He was also

MACARIO D. TIU book award

acknowledged to haveinthree
2005
Palancafor
GoldsDavao:
for short
story in Cebuano, and is a recipient of the national
reconstructing history from text and
book award in 2005 for Davao: reconstructing history
memory.
from text and memory.
 • He is poet, essayist, and
fictionist. His writings have
appeared in various
magazines, journals, and
anthologies. His poems have
been collected in book form
The Badjao Cemetery and
ANTHONY TAN Other Poems and Poems for
Muddas.
 • He has won three Don Carlos
Palanca awards: two for poetry
and one for the essay. He has
sat as a critic-panelist in
various writers’ workshops
such as the Iligan National
Writers Workshop, the
ANTHONY TAN Silliman Writers Workshop,
and the IYAS Writers
workshop.
 • Upon his retirement, he had
taught in four schools: Notre
Dame of Siasi, Sulu; Silliman
University, in Dumaguete
City; Mindanao State
University-Iligan Institute of
ANTHONY TAN Technology; and De La Salle
University, Manila.
 • He is currently working
on a novel about his
native island in the Sulu
Sea.
• He is also known for his
ANTHONY TAN
literary text “Crossing the
river”
 • José Iñigo Homer Lacambra Ayala
or also known as Joey Ayala was
born on June 1, 1956 in Bukidnon,
Philippines. He was known for his
JOSÉ IÑIGO HOMER
LACAMBRA AYALA folk and contemporary pop music
artist in the Philippines.
 • He is also known for his songs
that are more on the
improvement of the
environment. He is a finalist

JOSÉ IÑIGO HOMER of Philippine Popular Music

LACAMBRA AYALA
Festival 2013.
 • She is a graduated from
Silliman University with an
MA in Creative Writing in
1974. She teaches at the
Creative Writing Center,
MERLIE M. ALUNAN
University of the Philippines
Visayas Tacloban College.
She lives in Tacloban City.
 • She received various awards
like Lillian Jerome Thornton
Award for Nonfiction, Don
Carlos Palanca Memorial
Award for Literature,
MERLIE M. ALUNAN
National Book Award,
Sunthorn Phu Literary
Awards, and Ani ng Dangal.
 • Among her works are Heartstone,
Sacred Tree, Amina among the
angels, Selected poems, Kabilin:
100 Years of Negros Oriental,
Fern Garden: An Anthology of
Women Writing in the South,
MERLIE M. ALUNAN Songs of ourselves: writings by
Filipino women in English, and
many other.
 Ivy Alvarez is a New Zealand-based Filipino
Australian poet, editor, and reviewer. Alvarez
has had her work featured in various
publications in Australia, Canada, England,
the Philippines, New Zealand, Ireland, Russia,
Scotland, Wales, the US, South Africa, and
IVY ALVAREZ online. Alvarez was born in the Philippines and
grew up in Tasmania, Australia.
 While reading English at the
University of Tasmania, she
published in various literary
journals and anthologies, and
subsequently became the reviews
IVY ALVAREZ editor of Cordite Poetry Review, an
Australian online poetry journal.
 She is a Filipino screenwriter for film
and television. She is best known for
being the creator of Encantadia in
2005 and the succeeding related
television series including the
SUZETTE SEVERO
DOCTOLERO Encantadia 2016 reboot.
 She is mostly credited as screenwriter,
series creator and creative consultant for
GMA Network. Her other works include
Amaya, Indio[ and My Husband's Lover.
She also wrote the story for the film Let
the Love Begin and became the creative
SUZETTE SEVERO
DOCTOLERO consultant for the television series Alyas
Robin Hood and Destined to be Yours.
 Aida Rivera-Ford was born in Jolo,
Sulu. She became the editor of the first
two issues of Sands and Coral, the
literary magazine of Silliman
University. In 1949, she graduated with
AIDA RIVERA-FORD an AB degree, major in English, Cum
Laude. In 1954.
 She obtained an MA in English Language and
Literature at the University of Michigan and
won the prestigious Jules and Avery Hopwood
for fiction. In 1980, she founded the first
school of Fine Arts in Mindanao – the
Learning Center of the Arts, now known as
AIDA RIVERA-FORD
the Ford Academy of the Arts.