FOUR PERIODS OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
 Pre-colonial period literature- is based on oral traditions and crude on ideology
and phraseology.
 The oral literature- of the precolonial Filipinos bore the marks of the
comamunity.
 The subject was invariably the common experience of the people constituting
the village-food-gathering, creature, and object of nature, working in the home,
field, forest or sea, caring for children, etc.

PRE-COLONIALISM
- The early literary forms of the Philippines:

THE EARLY LITERARY FORMS OF THE PHILIPPINES

 epics
 oral genealogies
 rhymes
 riddles
 wise sayings
 folk tales
The theme of these works was often spiritual or cosmological, or they were
moral tales.

EPIC
- is considered as the most important form of pre-colonial literature among the
pre-colonial inhabitants of the Philippines. They are sung or chanted
accompanied by indigenous musical instruments and danced during
important tribal events.
EPIC CHANTERS
- are considered treasures and are repositories of wisdom in their
communities.

EXAMPLE OF AN EPIC
 Biag ni Lam-ang- of the llocanos narrates the adventures of an epic hero, Lam-
ang.
 Ibalon of Bikol,
 Darangan a Muslim epic,
 the Kudaman of Palawan,
 the Alim of the Ifugao,
 Bantugan of the Maranao,
 the Hinilawod of Panay, and
 the Tuwaang of Manobos.
EXAMPLES OF LITERATURE
 Riddles (Bugtong)
 Proverbs (Salawikain)
 Ambahan- The traditional poetry of the Hanunoo Mangyans of Oriental
Mindoro which is normally inscribed on bamboo using a pre-colonial syllabic
writing system called the Surat Mangyan.
 Baybayin- Baybayin (to spell) was the pre-colonial writing system in the
Philippines. Some modern scripts in the Philippines descended from Baybayin.
Those are Hanuno’o, Buhid, Tagbanwa, the Kapampangan script, and the Bisaya
script.

FILIPINO PEOPLE DURING PRE-COLONIAL

 According to Archeological findings, Filipino People are rich in cultural heritage.
 Weapons wielded by Filipino warriors were the balaraw, kris, and kampilan.

POLITICS AND RELIGION

 DATU- the leaders of the early age. Responsible for ruling autonomous groups
called “barangay” or “dulohan”
 MAGINOO- noble people/ families
 MAHARLIKA- warriors
 TIMAWA- freemen, tribe’s people
 ALIPIN- slave- dependent class

 ANIMISM- was widely practiced in the pre-colonial Philippines

EXAMPLES OF SUPERNATURAL ENTITIES AND SPIRITUAL NORMS

 Household Deities
 Deceased Ancestors
 Nature- Spirits
 Nymphs
 Diwata

EXAMPLES OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE DURING PRE-COLONIAL

 HARANA OR SERENADE
- it is an old tradition form of courtship music.
 FOLK SONG
- a form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and aspirations
EXAMPLES:
Children’s songs or tulang pambata
Lullabies or Ili-Ili (Ilonggo); love songs like the panawagon and balitao (Ilonggo)

 SAWIKAIN
 - are idiomatic expressions. They are composed of two or more words that
have an entirely different meaning when joined together or hyphenated.
EXAMPLES:
Anak- pawis
Balat sibuyas
Di makabasag pinggan

NOTE:
 Filipinos managed to preserve laws, legends, songs, and epics by inscribing
them on barks of trees, palm leaves, and bamboos.
 Precolonial Literature in the Philippines by one means or another gave us an
illustration of the past.

WHAT MAKES FILIPINO LITERATURE UNIQUE?

 Philippine Literature is rich depicting the diversity of Filipino culture dating back
from the pre-colonial era and the present.
 The Philippines as an archipelago itself contributes so much to our literature that
almost every region, province, and island have its own local stories, myths, epics,
and legends that were passed on from older generations to the next through oral
tradition.
 With the diversity of Philippine languages, it reflects the values, norms and
traditions of the Filipinos and their culture.

Pre-Colonial Literature in the Philippines by one means or another gave us an

illustration of the past. The Philippines is indeed, without a doubt a nation that is rich in
custom and tradition through having diverse characteristics.

SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD

 The history of the Philippines from 1565 to 1898 is known as the Spanish
Colonial Period, during which the Philippine Islands were ruled as the Spanish
East Indies.
 Ferdinand Magellan made the first documented European contact with the
Philippines in 1521 in his circumnavigation expedition, during which he was
killed in the battle of Mactan. Forty-four years later, a Spanish expedition led by
Miguel Lopez e Legazpi left modern Mexico and began the Spanish conquest of
the Philippines and it arrived in 1565.
 The Spanish colonial period ended with the defeat of Spain by the United States
in the Spanish-American war, which marked the beginning of the American
colonial era of Philippine history.

AIM OF SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD

 To acquire a share in the spice trade
  To develop contacts with China and Japan in order to rurther christian
missionary efforts there.
 To convert the Filipinos to Christianity.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SPANISH PERIOD

 Through Christianity, Philippine literature differs from other Asian literature and
constitutes its greatest influence.
 Use of beautiful furniture like piano and kitchen utensils
 They embraced Catholic region, changed their names and were baptized
 Celebration of fiestas to honor the saints, pope and governors was put into
practice
 Cockfights, horseraces and theater as their means or recreation.
 Houses were built from indigenous components

INFLUENCE OF SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

 Due to the long period of colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards, they
have exerted a strong influence on our Literature.
 The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman Alphabet
 The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices
 The original region of early Filipino was the animism of worship of the spirit
 The Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lent
many of its words to our language
 Our periodicals during these times gained a religious tone

FAMOUS WRITERS IN THIS PERIOD

1. Dr. Jose P. Rizal (Laong Laan and Dimasalang)
- Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell),
- Sobre La Indolencia De Los Filipinos (On the Indolence of the Filipino)
- A La Juventud Filipina (To The Filipino Youth)
- El Filibusterismo, Noli Me Tangere the Spanish government in The Philippines
in two novels and drummed up nationalist sentiments but called for peaceful
reform under colonial rule.
2. Marcelo H. Del Pilar (Plaridel, Pudpoh, Piping Dilat, Dolores Manapat)
- Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang lupa, kaiingat kayo, Dasalan at Tocsohan, Sagot sa
Espanya sa hikbi ng Pilipinas.
- He tried to marshal the nationalist sentiment of the enlighted Filipino
ilustrados, or bourgeoisie, against Spanish imperialism
3. Graciano Lopez Jaena
- Founded La Solidaridad, Fray Botod, La Hija Del Fraile and Everything is
Hambug.
- Began the Propaganda Movement which advocated the reform of the Spanish
colony of the Philippines.
 4. Pedro Paterno
- Ninay (21st Social Novel in Filipino)
- Sampaguitas y Poesias Varias (Sampaguita and Varied Poems).
- His intervention on behalf of the Spanish led to the signing of the Pact of Biak-
na-Bato on December 14, 1897.
5. Francisco Baltazar (1788 - 1862)
- popularly called Balagtas, is the acknowledged master of traditional Tagalog
poetry.
- Noli Me Tangere & El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal
- Florante at Laura by Francisco Baltzar, popularly called Balagtas.
6. Gaspar Aquino de Belen
- Mahal Na Pasion ni Jesu Christo.

The educated women of the period produced significant poetry. Gregoria de Jesus,
wife of Andres Bonifacio, wrote notable Tagalog poetry. Meanwhile, in Vigan of the
Ilocano North, Leona Florentino, by her poetry, became the foremost llocano writer of
her time.
A Tagalog poetry on Christ's suffering. Mahal Na Pasion ni Jesu Christo, was released
in 1704. This prolonged poem marks turning point in Philippine literature because it is
unique and folkloric in its depiction of a humanized, even nativized, Jesus.
Ironically, as an artifact, it marks the beginning of the end of the ancient mythological
culture and a conversion to the new paradigm introduced by the colonial power. This
may simply be due to its tremendous influence on the general imagination.
When explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines (Cebu) in 1521, claiming
the islands for Spain and named them Islas de San Lazaro, the Spanish colonial era in
the Philippines officially began.
Up to the Philippine Revolution in 1898, the era existed. The Philippine-American
War, which lasted from 1899 to 1902, was sparked by the U.S. fighting Spain during the
Spanish-American War and seizing control of the Philippines.
The earliest publication in the Philippines was the Spanish-language prayerbook
Doctrina Christiana (1593), which also included a Tagalog translation. However, they
were only meant to be used by the missionaries, who would always read them aloud
to the unliterate Indio catechumens (Medina), who were supposed to rely primarily on
memory.

AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD

  The Spanish colonizers of the Philippines for more than 300 years were
defeated by the Filipino revolutionaries
 The period of American colonialization of the Philippines was 48 years. It began
with the cession of the Philippines to the U.S. by Spain in 1898 and fasted until
the U.S. recognition of Philippine independence in 1946
 On June 12. 1898, the Philippine flag was raised as a sign of independence. The
first president of the brief Philippine Republic was elected as General Emilio
Aguinaldo. The nation was colonized by Americans. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo also
gave up to the Americans in 1901.

HISTORICAL EVENTS DURING AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD

 February 4, 1899- Emilio Aguinaldo officially declares war on US.
 February 5. 1899 - Battle of Manila, first and largest battle of the war.
 March 31, 1899- The Capture of Malolos also known as the Battle of Malolos.
 March 23. 1901- Aguinaldo is captured by US forces, led by General Frederick
Funston.
 April 1901- Aguinaldo makes peace with the US.
 June 16, 1902- US military rule of the Philippines ends.

QUALITIES OF LITERATURE DURING AMERICAN PERIOD

 Nationalism
 Freedom of Speech
 Search and use of a new medium

THE ACTIVE AROUSAL IN THE FIELD OF LITERATURE STARTED TO BE FELY IN THE

FOLLOWING NEWSPAPER:
o EL NUEVO DIA (The New Day) – established by Sergio Osmena in 1900
o EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (The Call of the Nation) – established by Pascual Poblete
in 1900
o EL RENECIEMENTO (The Rebirth) – founded by Rafael Palma in 1900

THREE GROUPS OF WRITERS

1. SPANISH – the writers in Spanish were accustomed to write on nationalism like
honoring Rizal and other heroes.
WRITERS:
 Cecilio Apostol – A Rizal
 Fernando Ma. Guerrero – Crisalidas
 Jesus Balmori – Mi Casa de Nipa, Mi Choza de Nipa
 Manuel Bernabe – Translated Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam
 Claro M. Recto – Bajo Los Cocoteros (under the coconut trees)

2. TAGALOG – Makata ng Puso, Makata ng Buhay, Makata ng Tanghalan

 WRITERS:
 Lope K. Santos – masterpiece: Banaag at Sikat
 Amado V. Harnandez – masterpiece: Luha ng Buwaya, Ang
Panday
 Jose Corazon De Jesus – masterpiece: Ang Isang Punongkahoy

3. ENGLISH – the English writes imitated the themes and methods of the
Americans
WRITERS:
 Zoilo Galang – A Child of Sorrow: first Philippine novel written in
English (1921)
 Manuel E. Arguilla – How my Brother Leon Bought Home a Wife
(1940)
 Jose Garcia Villa – Natinal Artist of the Philippines for Literature
(1973)

THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD

 ACTIVISM- It is a form of campaigning for political or social change
 CONTEMPORARY- It is similar to the word Modern
 MARTIAL LAW- the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a
government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are
unable to maintain public order and safety.
 PEOPLE POWER- is a political term denoting the populist driving force of any
social movement which invokes the authority of grassroots opinion and
willpower.

KEY HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT HAPPENED DURING THIS PERIOD

 THE REBIRTH OF FREEDOM (1946-1970)

- Americans returned in 1945, regaining freedom, breaking chains, and
celebrating the Philippines' independence.
 PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)
- Ponciano Pineda highlights youth activism in 1970-72, driven by domestic and
global issues. Filipino youths sought reforms, with some believing the
democratic government stable and others advocating for socialism or
communism.
 PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972-1980)
- focused on development, family planning, nutrition, environment, drug
addiction, and pollution, preventing pornography and censoring school
newspapers.
  PERIOD OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1981-1985)
- Martial rule was lifted in 1981, marking the end of ten years of military rule
and the beginning of the New Society, transforming the Philippines into a
new nation.

 PERIODS (1986-1999)
- Filipino people regained independence in 1986, with People Power (Lakas ng
Bayan) prevailing, barricading streets and petitioning for government
changes.

QUALITIES OF LITERATURE IN THIS PERIOD

 Realistic stories with intriguing characters and a plausible plot are traits of the
contemporary period. It also has qualities such as reflecting on the current
political background or issues of the time, and the willingness of writers to
explore new literature works such as poetry short stories, novellas, novels, and
essays which they excel.

FAMOUS WRITERS IN CONTEMPORARY PERIOD

1. Manuel Viray
- He is a poet, an educator, a short story writer and a essayist. He taught
creative writing and literary criticism in universities in Manila, Philippines
- “Heart of the Islands” (1947) which is a collection of poems
2. Jose F. Lacaba
- Also known as Pete Lacaba, he is screen writer, editor, poet, journalist,
activist, and translator. He is also well known to be against Ferdinand
Marcos Sr.
- “Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage; The First Quarters Storm and Related
Events” which he wrote the tragic and disruptive moments in our country’s
history
3. Antonio R. Enriquez
 In 1982 and 1993 Enriquez won the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial grand
prize for Literature. It is considered as the most prestigious award for
literature in the country.
 “Sports on their Wings”, which made him first prize in the Palanca award
4. Jessie B. Garcia
 he won five times in Palanca Awards for his magnificent plays and short
stories
 “In Hog Heaven” which made him first prize in the Palanca Award 1981 and
the literary work is about the poverty in Quiapo, Manila in the 1970’s
5. Monina A. Mercado
 a writer who witnessed the Philippine Revolution which made her write a
book about historic event.
  “People Power: An Eyewitness Story” which is all about the Philippine
Revolution in 1986

RECENT FORMS OF FICTION

GRAPHIC NOVELS
 A graphic novel is a longer, more complex piece of text that usually covers the
storyline in one book, whereas a comic book is a lot shorter and tells the story
over many issues and/or volumes
 is a full-length story with comic substance that is illustrated or graphical in
nature, presented in comic-strip format and published as a book
 book-lengthy works of sequential art that have been expanded to include
biography, memoir, genealogy, and other non-fiction genres

The difference between a graphic novel and a comic book

1. Graphic novel
- The graphic novel is a longer more complex piece of text that usually covers
the storyline in one book.
2. Comic book
- Comic book is a lot shorter and tells the story over many issues and/or
volumes.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GRAPHIC NOVELS

 has drawings/illustrations
 provides visual aids
 complete narratives
 combination of drawing and words
 uses "sound words"
 longer than comics
 Illustration (Based story)
 larger, complete, and more substantive narrations
 contains dialogue bubbles
 stand-alone stories with complex plots
 more accessible, popular, leisure time
 clear beginning, middle, and end

EXAMPLES OF INTERNATIONAL GRAPHIC NOVELS

1. WATCHMEN: by Alan Moore
 Part of being hero is knowing when you don’t need to be one anymore
(James Slater Dr. Manhaltan)
  I abandoned my disguise and became myself free from fear or weakness or
lust (Roschach)
2. ONE PIECE: by Eiichiro Oda
 known to be the longest manga
 published by: Shueisha
 Release date (first volume): December 24, 1994
 As of August 2022, there are 103 volumes
 Genre: Fiction, Graphic Novel
3. IRON MAN: by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Don Heck, and Larry Lieber
 published date: May 1968
 Release Date: April 30, 2008
 Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy

EXAMPLES OF LOCAL GRAPHIC NOVEL

1. TRESE: Murder on Balete Drive by: Budjette Tan KaJo Baldismo
2. NOLI ME TANGERE: written by Leo Miranda
 Published by: Anvil Publishing Inc.
 Released date: May 4, 2018
 Genre: Graphic Novel, Comics
3. CAPTAIN BARBELL: by Mars Ravelo
 Published date: May 23, 1963
 Released date: December 2003
 Genre: Fanatsy, Superheros

WHY IS IT POPULAR?
- Readers of all ages, including kids, teens and adults, are becoming more and more
drawn to graphic novels. Here are a few of the explanations:
a) Because they combine text and images in an accessible manner, graphic novels
are among young readers.
b) For readers with short attention spans, graphic novels are also ideal.
c) And to adults because they have found that graphic novels have greater depth
than the comic books they read as a youth.
d) The graphic novels’ illustrated storylines contains the richness, depth, and
variety of conventional novels.

WHAT MAKES IT APPEALING?

a) The combination of words, images and gripping stories are wildly visually
appealing, less intimidating, and can be jam-packed with humor and excitement
make graphic novels some of the most visuall appealing books around.
b) Graphic novel illustrates ever emotion, struggle anc physical changes in the
characters is what make graphic novel also appealing

VERSATILITY OF GRAPHIC NOVELS

  Due to its dual purpose (reading and visualizing) it is versatile especially to picky
readers or to people have just dip their toes in the reading world.
 The visuals make it very interesting with different effects and gimmick, old
people and young ones will understand and thrill to associate themselves in
graphic novels

MORE APPEALING TO THE EYES

 Graphic novels have its twist in capturing the reader's attention by its graphics
and illustrations.

HIGHLITHS
 A graphic organizer novel is a full-length story with comic substance that is
Illustrated of graphical in nature
 Graphic novel is a story that is presented in a comic-strip format and published
as a book.
 Graphic novel is “a story of some length in comic-strip format, usually bound as
a book.”
 Graphic novels can be found in almost any book genre. It is their format that
categorizes them more than their content.
 Graphic novel is a book-lengthy works of sequential art that have been
expanded to include biography, memoir, genealogy, and other non-fiction
genres.

FLASH FICTION
 Coined by James Thomas in 1992
 A type of fiction that is described as very brief story.
 It is characterized as part poetry, part narrative, and quick fiction.

5 ELEMENTS OF FLASH FICTION

 Brevity
 Character
 Surprise Ending
 Rich Language
 Change

WHAT MAKES IT POPULAR AND APPEALING?

 Ability to convey deep truths and universal human emotions in just few
short paragraphs
 Great flash fiction often incorporates surprise, usually in a form of a twist
ending or an unexpected last line
 Short
 Interesting
  Entertaining
 Thrilling

CHICK LITERATURE
 Chick lit was a term widely used in the 1990s and early 2000s to describe
popular fiction targeted at younger women.
 The term’s popularity has declined since 2000’s: fallen out of fashion with
publishers while writers and critics have rejected it’s inherited sexism

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHICK LITERATURE

o A modern fiction about lives and romantic problems of young women, usually
written by women
o focuses on female protagonist, usually targeted at younger women and are
described as “popular fiction”
o Traditionally aimed at young female readers
o Elements of popular fiction.
o Relatable protagonist.
o Focuses on the trials a woman faces in the
o Romantic relationships and friendshios are central.
o Female protagonist in her 20s or 30s

Local Examples
1. All’s Fair in Blog and War by Chrissie Peria
2. Save and Cake by Stella Torres
3. Vintage Love by Agay Llanera

International
1. Baby proof by Emily Giffij
2. The Devils Wear Prada by Lauren Weisberger
3. The Nanny Diaries

POPULARITY
 Typically addresses issues of contemporary womanhood particularly: romantic
relationships, female friendships, and workplace struggles (in humorous and
lighthearted ways)
 Relatable because it is written by women and usually for women, always
features relatable character which makes it more appealing to target readers
 It appeals to younger women who shares the same struggles portrayed in such
literature
 The ability to reach out to the audience in a realistic and emotional way
TEXTULA
 It is a poem written in the form of text message.
 It was first introduced by Frank G. Rivera in the year 2013.

Textula can be expressed as:

 Tanaga - 7 syllables with 4 lines
 Dalit - octosyllabic with 4 lines
 Diona - 7 syllables with 3 lines

Rhyme Schemes of textula

 Basic or AAA Rhyme Scheme
 Enclosed or ABBA Rhyme Scheme (known as inipit in Filipino
 Adherenate or ABAB Rhyme Scheme (known as salitan in Filipino)
 AABB Rhyme Scheme (known as sunuran in Filipino)

Local Example
 Makata ng Cellphone

International Example
 The meaning of love by Jelamy Noe
 A Lasting Love by Kim Bernil-Bernardo

Why do you think this form is popular nowadays? What makes it appealing?
o Philippines continues to be the text messaging capital of the world.
o It is short and concise but also meaningful.

HYPERTEXT
 are texts that are produced and read by computers and which require the
reader to click on hyperlinks in order to read through the text
 Coined by Theodore Nelson, a pioneer in the computer industry in the 1960s,
the term hypertext describes “non-sequential writing — text that branches and
allows choices to the reader, best read at an interactive screen.”
 Then, follows the same definition. It’s literature that is non-sequential with
branching storylines or pages. The reader drives the story by different clicking
hyperlinks.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HYPERTEXT
 dynamism
 inter-connection of texts and digital objects (allowing creation of webs)
 interactivity
 non-linearity
  multisequentially
 possibilities for simultaneous co-authoring and community-authoring

Hypertext
 contains non-linear linking of the text with some other information
Hyperlinks
 the references are used in hypertext or with hypermedia

WHAT MAKES IT APPEALING?

 You can follow your own path or direction of studying or reading.
 Easier to find or change a literature’s name or topic you want to study or
read anytime just by searching and clicking a link.
 Includes: pictures or videos, which makes it even better.

NARRATIVE TECHNIQUES
 Writers usually employ a few techniques to make the journey of storytelling
more interesting. Here are some ways by which writers shape the narrative of
their stories:
 Coincidence
- chance occurrence of two things at the same time or place
 Exposition
- the writer provides necessary background information the reader
needs to understand the situation in the story
 Flashback
- a narration of the past events within the frame of a current action
 Foreshadowing
- hints of what to come without giving away the ending of the story
 In media res
- the story begins in the midst of the things

PLOT
 Series of events in a story
 Usually centers on a predicament that is brought about by change

STAGES OF PLOT
 EXPOSITION
- Introduces the reader to the characters and the setting of the story.
 RISING ACTION
- Develops the plot by showing how the conflict unfolds with each encounter.
 CLIMAX
 - Reveals the greatest point of emotion in the story, and is often a turning
point for the main character.
 FALLING ACTION
- Eases suspense in the climax.
- Shows how the main character starts to resolve the conflict.
 RESOLUTION
- Ends the story by tying loose ends.

POINT OF VIEW
 Narrators usually speak in either:
 FIRST PERSON NARRATOR
- is the character in the story
- can be told from the perspective of a major character deeply
embedded in the story or from the perspective of a minor character who
is often an observer narrator
- uses pronouns “I” and “me”
- does not know what other characters are thinking and feeling
 THRID PERSON NARRATOR
- is bot a character in the story
- is called limited if he/she tells the story through the perspective od a
single character, like camera following that character
- a called omniscient if he/she is seemingly all-knowing and able to
access thoughts and feelings of all characters

SWEET SUMMER (by Cyan Abad-Jugo)

PERFECT SEASON (by Jose Miguel Arguelles)
LEMON TREE (Lawrence Lacambra Ypil)