The Evolution of

Literature in the
Philippines
 Three Periods in the Literary History of
the Philippines

1.Pre-Colonialism (--BC to 1564)

Spanish Colonization Period (1565-1863)
2.Colonialism Nationalistic/ Propaganda & Revolutionary Period
(1864-1896)
American Colonial Period (1910-1945)
Japanese Occupation (1942-1960)

3. Post Colonialism (Modern or

Contemporary Period )
2
Pre- Colonialism
A. Characteristics
- Based on oral tradition Study of set or fixed expressions
- crude on ideology and phraseology
collection of normative and values
beliefs

B. Literary Forms
✔ Riddles (Bugtong)
- brainteasers
- central part of Filipino tradition
- Battle of Wits among participants:
3
Tigmo- Cebu; Paktakon-
✔ Epigrams/ Idioms/ Proverbs (Salawikain/Sawikain)
- wise sayings that are metaphoric
- echoes the culture of the Filipinos
- poetic ways to talk the values, virtues, and truths
about life
✔ Folk Songs
- a form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and
aspirations, the people’s lifestyle as well as their
loves.
Examples:
• Oyayi/Hele - Lullaby
• Kundiman- is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs
• Balitao – sentimental love songs
✔ Folk Tales
– Myths: a folklore genre consisting of narratives that explains how the
world was
created, how certain animals possess certain characteristics,
etc.
Example:
“How the world was created” – the Filipino account in the story of
creation
Characters:
Ruler of the Kingdom of Sea- god Maguayan
Ruler of the Kingdom of Sky- god Captan
Maguayan’s Daughter - Lidagat, the sea
Captan’s Son – Libangin, the sky
Libangin and Lidagat’s Offsprings:
1. Licalibutan- his body was made of rock
2. Liadlao – his body was made of gold
3. Libulan – his body was made of copper5