CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN IFUGAO

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21 CENTURY LITERATURE from the PHILIPPINES and the WORLD
SECOND SEMESTER - MIDTERM– A.Y. 2023-2024

LESSON 1: VARIOUS DIMENSIONS OF PHILIPPINE LITERARY HISTORY FROM PRECOLONIAL TO

CONTEMPORARY

LITERATURE OF THE PRE-CHRISTIAN TRIBES IN THE PHILIPPINES

 In the pre-Spanish period, literature was in oral form as technology of printing wasn’t available yet. Some
indigenous tribes in the Philippines never assimilated foreign cultures for they were not colonized, but
eventually had interactions with foreign visitors, thus, tales that saw print had hints of being modernized.
There were still some tales that were lost in time since not all were orally passed on to the next generation.
 The tales were either narrated, dramatized, sang, or chanted around the campfire as a community. Today,
some of these tales are still being passed on from generation to generation in the different indigenous tribes
of the country.
 These literatures mostly focused on super-natural beings; gods, deities, spirits, fairies, and supernatural
heroes with superpowers and unnatural skills, magical stories, and short literatures that can be easily
memorized like riddles, tanaga, dalit, folktales. Also, literature was manifested by the Filipino experiences like
the people’s everyday life including village food gathering, animals and objects of nature, work in the home,
field, forest or sea and caring for children.

SOME PRE-SPANISH LITERATURES

1. Tanaga- This is a short poetry consisting of 4 lines with 7 syllables each with the same rhyme pattern at the
end of each line.
2. Folk Song- It is a form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and aspirations, the people’s lifestyles as well as
their love. These range from courtship, to lullabies, harvest, funerals and other.
3. Fairy tale - It is a children’s story in a magical setting ab out imaginary characters that include fairies, dwarfs,
witches, angel, trolls, and talking animals.
4. Dalit- This is a poetry of 8 syllables per line, 2 stanzas, 4 lines per stanza with a single rhyming.
5. Riddles- This refers to mystifying or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guess.
6. Mythology- This is a traditional story that usually concerns an event or a hero, w/ or without using factual or
real explanations. This particularly concerns on demigods or deities, and describe some rites,
practices, and natural phenomenon.
7. Fable- is a short story that teaches a moral lesson. It typically uses non-human creatures as the primary
characters, almost all of whom have been anthropomorphized, o given some human characteristic.
8. Legends- are stories about real people who are famous for doing something brave or extraordinary. Every
time the story is told, it becomes more exaggerated and so it is now difficult to tell how much of the
story is really true.
9. Epic- This is narrative of sustained length based on oral tradition revolving around supernatural events or
heroic deeds of a person of an unusual courage and unparalleled bravery.

LITERATURE OF THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH COLONIZATION

 The Spanish colonization of the Philippines started in 1565 during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the
first Spanish Governor-General in the Philippines.
 The Philippine literature started to adopt the forms of writing of the Spaniards. Both Spanish and Tagalog were
used in the early catechism and were used to teach the native Filipinos with the Spanish language.
 Literary works were mostly made by the Spaniards but as time goes by, some Filipinos were also able to write
short stories, novels, and even stage plays. The Filipino writers were called Ladinos because of their eloquence
in both Spanish and Tagalog.
 Through literature, the Spanish colonists were able to use “the cross rather than the sword” to conquer the
Philippines. Literary pieces have the role to influence the Filipinos about the religion of the Spaniards and to
inform the Filipinos of the Spanish traditions and customs. Literature was also very advantageous for the
Spaniards as it served as a medium for them to learn languages in the different regions in the Philippines.
 Religious literature was presented in this period are written or versed both in Spanish and Filipino. It contains
teachings of the church whereas the literature was themed mainly about Christianity. The Philippine Spanish
secular literary tradition also emerged, which is a collection of poems, including non-religious book were
published in the islands.

1. Awit- It is a chivalric poem about hero, usually about saints. It is also usually sung and used in religious processions.
Example: Ibong Adarna
2. Corrido- It is a legendary religious narrative form that usually details the lives of saints. Example: Florante at Laura
3. Carillo- It is a play that uses shadows as its main spectacle. This is created by animating figures made from cardboard,

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 which are projected onto a white screen.
4. Zarzuela- this is a musical comedies or melodramas that deal with the elemental passions of human beings. It follows
a
certain plot, which shows either a satirical look at society or begrudged life.
5. Prose Narrative- It is written to prescribe proper decorum.
1. Pasyon- it is a long narrative poem about the life of Jesus Christ, beginning from his birth and up to his death. This is
usually sung during the Lenten Season.
2. Cenakulo- It is the dramatization of the passion and death of Christ.
3. Moro-moro- It is also known as “Comedia de Capa y Espada”. It is a blood and thunder melodrama depicting the
conflict
of Christians and Muslims. It is usually about battles of death and the proofs of faith.

Later on, literature became one of the ways of salvation for the Filipinos from Spanish slavery. Filipinos fought
through literature and had gone through a lot of crisis that may further lead them to death, because of their way of
thinking to commit the freedom that they always wanted from the Spaniards. The cry for reform in the church and in the
state from 1872-1892 prompted the second Propaganda movement. Jose Rizal, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, and Marcelo H.
Del Pilar were the main propagandists of this movement who used writings and orations as their weapons for change.
Some of the reforms they requested are; the Filipinos are to be treated as equal citizen of Spain, the Philippines to be
declared as a province of Spain, A Filipino representative as a member to the Spanish council, Filipino leadership over the
parochial churches, justifiable tax. However, these demanded reforms failed.
Satire- This is the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices.
Parody- A musical means of expressing one’s social thought or opinion by imitating the feature of a song, specially
the tune, and by simply changing the lyrics to create a distinct message about a particular issue in the society.
This is also the imitation of the style of a particular writer or writing, artist or genre with deliberate exaggeration
for funny effect.

LITERATURE OF THE PHILIPPINES: REVOLUTION 1896

 The 1986 revolutionary movement conversely, took over as the propagandists failed to get much
reforms from the Spanish. This was of course more violent, and it demands complete independence from
Spain. The Katipunan was founded by Andres Bonifacio, who was inspired by Rizal’s novels. The articles
written in Tagalog was published in the Kalayaan, the newspaper of the Katipunan. The literature at that time
was more propagandistic than literary as the situation and events at that time needed such purpose for
liberation.

ANDRES BONIFACIO-
The Katipunan gave rise to the armed revolution against the Spanish regime in the Philippines. Andres Bonifacio
was unfortunately betrayed by his fellow Katipuneros led by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and was assassinated in 1897
in the Maragondon Mountains together with his brother Procopio.

Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas

by Andres Bonifacio
Sumikat na Ina sa sinisilangan,
ang araw ng poot ng Katagalugan,
tatlong daang taong aming iningatan
sa dagat ng dusa ng karalitaan.
Sarisaring silo sa ami’y inisip,
kasabay ng utos na tuparing pilit,
may sa alumbrado---- kaya kaming tikis,
kahit isang ilaw ay walang masilip.

Walang isinuhay kaming iyong anak Ang lupa at buhay na tinatahanan,

sa bagyong masasal ng dalita’t hirap; bukid at tubigang kalawak-lawakan,
iisa ang puso nitong Pilipinas at gayon din pati ng mga halaman,
at ikaw ay di na Ina naming lahat. sa paring Kastila ay binubuwisan.

Sa kapuwa Ina’y wala kang kaparis…. Bukod pa sa rito’y ang mga iba pa,
ang layaw ng anak: dalita’t pasakit; huwag nang saysayin, O Inang Espanya,
pag nagpatirapang sa iyo’y humibik, sunod kaming lahat hangang may hininga,
lunas na gamut mo ay kasakit-sakit. Tagalog di’y siyang minamasama pa.

Gapusing mahigpit ang mga Tagalog, Ikaw nga, O Inang pabaya’t sukaban,
hinain sa sikad, kulata at suntok, kami’y di na iyo saan man humanggan,
makinahi’t ‘biting parang isang hayop; ihanda mo, Ina, ang paglilibingan,
Ito baga, Ina, ang iyong pag-irog? sa mawawakawak na maraming bangkay.

Ipabilanggo mo’t sa dagat itapon; Sa sangmaliwanag ngayon ay sasabog

barilin, lasunin, nang kami’y malipol. ang barila’t kanyong katulad ay kulog,
sa aming Tagalog, ito baga’y hatol ang sigwang masasal sa dugong aagos
Inang mahabagin, sa lahat ng kampon? ng kanilang bala na magpapamook.

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 Aming tinitiis hanggang sa mamatay; Di na kailangan sa iyo ng awa
bangkay nang mistula’y ayaw pang tigilan, ng mga Tagalog, O Inang kuhila,
kaya kung ihulog sa mga libingan, paraiso namin ang kami’y mapuksa,
linsad na ang buto’t lumuray ang laman. langit mo naman ang kami’y madusta.

Wala nang namamana itong Pilipinas Paalam na Ina, itong Pilipinas,

na layaw sa Ina kundi pawing hirap; paalam, paalam, Inang walang habag,
tiis ay pasulong patente’y nagkalat, paalam na ngayon, katapusang tawag.
rekargo’t impwesto’y nagsala-salabat.

LITERATURE OF THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION

 The Americans introduced Protestantism religion with more or less than 300,000 Filipinos became protestant.
 Americanization- Filipinos adopted American names.
 Colonial Mentality- the feeling that we remain a subordinate just as when we are under the Spain.
 Filipinos started to prefer white-collar jobs.
 The English language was widely taught all over the country.
 In forty years of American occupation in our country, many Filipinos learned the American culture and copied
their lifestyle. Men wear suits, polo shirts, ties, and jeans. Women dress high-heeled shoes and handbags.
Movies became more popular. New kinds of music were introduced such as western music, country music and
jazz. Filipinos learned to watch and play games such as basketball, volleyball, baseball and football.

LITERATURE OF THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION

 With the coming of the Japanese invaders, Philippine Literature came to a halt. The English Language was
banned and the Filipino Language was mandated under the Japanese rule. For some, this seemed to be a
problem but for others, it was a blessing in disguise.
 Filipino literature was given a break in this period as many wrote plays, novels, short stories and poems with
themes circling on life in the province, the arts, and nationalism written in Tagalog.
 Writing during this period were journalistic in nature. People felt suppressed but the spirit of nationalism
slowly seeped into their consciousness. Thus, essay were composed to glorify Filipinos and to figuratively
attack the Japanese.
FORMTIVE ASSESSMENT 1B: Affinity Grouping
Identify the most important features of literature of each dimension in the Philippine Literary History.
Students write one idea on a note and group the ideas together.
L
ESSON 2: REPRESENTATIVE TEXTS AND AUTHORS FROM EACH REGION (LUZON)

REGION I: ILOCOS REGION

A. PEDRO BUCANEG
 Blind since childhood
 The first known Ilocano poet
 The father of Ilocano Poetry and Literature
 Authored the Popular epic known as “Biag ni Lam-ang”
B. SIONIL JOSE
 One of the most widely read Filipino writers in the English language.
 Awarded the National Artist of the Philippines in Literature which was bestowed to him in 2001.
 His novels and short stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino
society.
 His works –written in English – have been translated into 28 languages including Korean, Indonesian,
Czech, Russian, Latvian, Ukranian and Dutch.
 He wrote the short story “Waywaya” which is about pre-Hispanic society and the peoples struggle for
moral order.

REGION II: CAGAYAN VALLEY

A. FLORENTINO HORENDO
 A professor and a cultural studies pioneer and expert in Ivatan Culture
 Known on his studies on Philippine ethnic traditions, pre-colonial, and colonial history and
contemporary society.
 He was a prolific writer, researcher and author of journal articles, monographs, and books.

B. EDITH TIEMPO
 Born from Bayombong Nueva Vizcaya
 A poet, teacher, literary critic and one of the finest Filipino writers in English whose works are
characterized by a remarkable fusion of style and substance of craftmanship and insight.

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  She founded and directed the Silliman National Writers Workshop in Dumaguete City, which has
produced some of the country’s best writers.
 Two of her most anthologized works are: “The Little Marmoset” and “Bonsai”

REGION III: CENTRAL LUZON

A. FRANCISCO BALAGTAS
 A prominent Filipino poet, and is widely considered one of the greatest Filipino literary laureates for his
impact on Filipino Literature
 The famous epic, “Florante at Laura”, is regarded as his defining work which was written when he was in
prison. It was dedicated to his sweetheart, Maria Asuncion Rivera, whom he nicknamed M.A.R and is
referenced to as “Selya” in the dedication.

REGION IV-A: CALABARZON

A. JOSE P. RIZAL
 Rizal was a prolific writer and was anti-violence. He rather fight using his pen than his might
 His most famous books were: “Noli Me Tangere” (Touch Me Not) –which he wrote when he was in
Berlin, Germany and “El Filibusterismo” (The Rebel) in Ghent Belgium in 1891

REGION IV-B: MIMAROPA

A. NESTOR VICENTE MADALI “NVM” GONZALES

 Better known as N.V.M. Gonzalez, fictionist, essayist, poet, and teacher, articulated the Filipino spirit in
rural, urban landscapes.
 Among the many recognitions, he won the First Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940, received the
Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1960 and the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining in 1990. The awards attest
to his triumph in appropriating the English language to express, reflect and shape Philippine culture and
Philippine sensibility. He became U.P.’s International Writer – in – Residence.
 Major Works: The Wind of April, Seven Hills Away, Children of the Ash-Covered Loam and Other Stories

CAR: CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

A. Amador daguio

 A poet, novelist and teacher during the pre-war. He was best known for his fictions and poems.
 He had published two volumes of poetry, “Bataan Harvest” and”The Flaming Lyre”. He served as chief editor
for the Philippine House of Representatives before he died in 1966.
 He also depicted Ifugao culture in his works : Huhud Aliguyon (a translation of an Ifugao harvest song,
Stanford, 1952) and The Wedding Dance (a story from the Ifugao Alim).

NCR: NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

A. NCOMEDES MARQUEZ JOAQUIN

 Known as Nick Joaquin and used his pen name “Quijano de Manila”
 He was a Filipino writer, historian, and journalist, best known for his short stories and novels in the
English Language.
 His Journalism was both intellectual and provocative, presenting objective realities about different
events and people capturing both their good and bad qualities as portrayed in his work, “The Zapote
Street”
 He was awarded the National Artist of the Philippines in Literature 1976

LESSON 3: 21ST CENTURY LITERATY GENRES

1. Illustrated Novel-50 % of the narrative is presented without words. The reader must interpret the images in order to
comprehend completely the story. Textual portions are presented in traditional form. Some illustrated novels
may contain no text at all.
2. DIGI-FICTION-Triple Media Literature. It combines three media: book, movie/video, and internet website. In order to

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 get the full story, students must engage in navigation, reading, viewing, in all three formats.
3. Graphic Novels-Narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using comic form. The term is employed
in a broad manner, encompassing non-fiction works and thematically linked short stories as well as fictional
stories across a number of genres.
4. Manga- Japanese word for comic. It is used in the English-speaking world as a generic term for all comic books and
graphics novels originally published in Japan. Considered as an artistic and storytelling style.
Ameri-manga – sometimes used to refer to comics created by American artists in manga style.
Examples: 1. Shonen -- Boy’s Manga (Naruto, Bleach, One Piece) 4. Shojo – Girl’s Manga (Sailor Moon)
2. Josei – Women’s Manga (Loveless, Paradise Kiss) 5. Seinen – Men’s Manga (Akira)
3. Kodomo – Children’s Manga (Doraemon, Hello Kitty)
5. Doodle Fiction-Literary presentation where the author incorporates doodle writing and drawings, and handwritten
graphics in place of traditional font. Drawing enhance the story, often adding humorous elements that would be
missing if the illustrations were omitted.
6. Text-Talk Novels- Blog, email, IM format narratives. Stories told almost completely in dialogue simulating social
network exchanges.
7. Chick Literature- Is genre fiction which addresses issues of modern womanhood, often humorously and
lightheartedly. Chick it typically features a female protagonist whose womanhood is heavily thermalized in the
plot.
8. Flash Fiction-Is a style of fictional literature of extreme brevity. There is no widely accepted definition of the length of
the category. It could range from word to a thousand.
9. Science Fiction-Is a genre of speculative fiction dealing with imaginative concepts such as futuristic science and
technology, space travel, time travel, faster than light travel, parallel universe and extraterrestrial life. Often
explores the potential consequences of scientific and other innovations and has been called a “literature of
Ideas”.
10. Blog-A website containing short articles called posts that are changed regularly. Same blogs are written by one
person containing their own opinions, interests and experiences, while others are written by many different
people.
11. Creative Non-Fiction-Also known as literary non-fiction or narrative non-fiction. A genre of writing that uses literary
styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives. Contrasts with other non-fiction, such as technical
writing or journalism, which is also rooted in accurate fact, but is not primarily written in service to its craft.
As a genre, creative non-fiction is still relatively young, and is only beginning to be scrutinized with the same
critical analysis given to fiction and poetry.
12. Hyper Poetry-Digital poetry that uses links using hypertext mark-up. It can either involved set words, phrases, lines
that are presented in variable order but sit on the page much as tradition poetry does, or it can contain parts of
the poem that move and/or mutate. It is usually found online, through CD-ROM and diskette versions exist. The
earliest examples date to no later than the mid 1980s.
(Source: Wikipedia; https//entertainism.com/types-of-drama; https://www.family friendpoems.com/poems/other/;
https://www.slideshare.net/lhengacusan/21st-century-literary-genre)

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT:

Compare and contrast the 21st literary genres from the earlier genres.

21st Century Genres Earlier Genres

Similarities
Differences Differences

Hyperpoetry
• A form of digital poetry that uses links using hypertext mark-up.

• It is a very visual form, and is related to hypertext fiction and visual arts. The links mean that a hypertext poem
has no set order, the poem moving or being generated in response to the links that the reader/user chooses.

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 • It can either involve set words, phrases, lines, etc. that are presented in variable order but sit on the page much
as traditional poetry does, or it can contain parts of the poem that move.

• This genre, also called cyberpoetry as well as other names, has many definitions and, like hyperfiction, is difficult
to categorize.

• Much poetry on the web is basically just traditional work uploaded. True hyperpoetry refers to works of verse
(although not necessarily in lines and stanzas) which could not be presented without the computer.

Hyperpoetry includes verse with links to sub-poems or footnotes, poetry “generators,” poetry with movement or
images. Hyperpoetry is usually highly steeped in the visual and sometimes involves parts that are read in varying orders.

Hypertextual poems is also a part of hyperpoetry where readers move from one website to another because of
embedded links in the words, sometimes not returning to the original pages at all.

Some of the characteristics of hyper poetry include

1. Fusion of text and multimedia

2. Immersion

3. Interaction

4. Poetic form and content

5. Artistic expression

6. Exploration of technology

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