History of Philippine Literature

-from a Latin word Littera meaning Letter

-any form of writing be it handwriting or printed
-may also be in symbols or pictures
-gives people insight into their behavior and experience

TWO MAJOR FORMS OF LITERATURE:

POETRY - written in lines

- have the element of rhythm, sound, and imagery,
and form.
EXAMPLES:
NARRATIVE: EPIC, BALLAD, METRICAL, TALES
DRAMATIC: DRAMATIC, MONOLOGUE, SOLILOQUY
LYRIC: HAIKU, ODE, ELEGY, SONNET,SONG

PROSE - written in complete sentences arranged logically

and sequentially in paragraph form
EXAMPLES:
FICTION: SHORTSTORY, NOVEL, PLAY, LEGEND, FABLE
NON-FICTION:BIOGRAPHY,AUTOBIOGRAPHY,NARRATIVE
ESSAY,MEMOIR, DIARIES AND JOURNAL

GENRE
-Refers to the forms of literature
-Epic, tragedy, comedy, and creative nonfiction.
LITERARY ELEMENTS
-Refers to particular identifiable characteristics of a
whole text
-Represents the elements of storytelling
Common Elements of a Story
-Setting
-Character
-Conflict
-Theme
-Point of view
-Plot (exposition, rising action, climax, falling acting, and
resolution or denouement.)
Common Elements of Poetry
-Form (free verse, couplet, limerick, etc)
-Imagery
-Rhythm
-Sound (literary devices: repetition alliteration, assonance,
onomatopoeia)
Traditions
Refers to the specific traits if literary works that define a
generation or period in history.

PHILIPPINE LITERARY HISTORY FROM PRE-COLONIAL TO THE

CONTEMPORARY
A. Pre-colonial Era (Early Times-1564)
Tabon Cave - the discovery of a skull cap and a portion of a
jaw in Palawan in 1962 in this cave proved that man came
earlier to the Philippines
A. Pre-colonial Era (Early Times-1564)
•Oral literature - how myths, folks, riddles, proverbs, and
other forms of narratives were initially handed down from
generations to generations
-called the language of life and people's way of promoting
cultural heritage

ALIBATA or BAYBAYIN
-They were usually written on materials that quickly
perished, like the barks of trees, dried leaves, and bamboo
cylinders.
-Spanish friars burned their alphabet in the belief that they
were works of the devil.

PRE-COLONIAL POETRY
A. Proverbs
-expressions of wisdom based on common and real life
experiences
e.g.
"Bago mo sabihin at gawin, makapitong iisipin"
"Kung di ukol, di bubukol."

B. Tanaga
-a poem in quatrain with seven syllables and monorine
e.g.
Kaibigan by Emelita Perez Baes
"Palay s'yang matino,
Nang humangi'y yumuko;
Ngunit muling tumayo,
Nagkabunga ng ginto."

C. FOLK SONG
-a lyrical expression created according to region
e.g: Sitsiritsit and Bahay Kubo.

D. RIDDLES
-a mystifying question and/or a mind puzzle intense to solve.
Example: “Isang balong mamalim, punong puno ng patalim”
Answer:Bibig
“Dalawang kong kahon , buksan walang ugong” Answer: Mata

E. EPIC
-a long narrative poem about a quests of a hero with
supernatural powers
Example: Biag ni Lam-ang

PRE-COLONIAL PROSE
A. MYTH
-a story of gods and goddesses used to explain mysteries,
beliefs, and culture practices.

B. FABLE
-a story intended to teach human values with animals as major
characters attributing human qualities

C. LEGENDS
-a story to explaining origins of matters.

D. FOLKTALE
-a fictional story told by ancient group of people.
 PRE-SPANISH PERIOD
(is characterized by)
Chant (Bulong)
- This was used in witchcraft or enchantment especially in
remote places in the Visayas.
Legends
- These are genres of folklore that consists narrative
featuring human actions perceived or believed both by teller
and listeners to have taken place within human history.
Folk Tales
- These are made up of stories about life, adventure, love,
horror, and humor where on can derive lessons. An example of
this is THE MOON AND THE SUN.
Epics
- These are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic
achievements or events, usually a hero, are dealt with at
length.
Folk Songs
- These are one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature
that emerged in the Pre-Spanish period. These songs mirrored
the early forms of culture. Many of these have 12 syllables.
Examples of which are Kundiman, Kumintang o Tagumpay, Ang
Dalit o Imno, Ang Oyayi o Hele, Diona, Soliranin and
Talindaw.

SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD

FOLK SONGS
It manifests the artistic feelings of the Filipinos and shows
their innate appreciation for and love of beauty. The
examples are Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy,
Sarong Banggi, and Atin Cu Pung Sing-sing
RECREATIONAL PLAYS
Almost all are poetic in form such as Cenaculo, Panunuluyan,
Salubong, Embayoka, Lagaylay, and Zarzuela

PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1872)

B. Spanish-colonial Era (1563-1898)

1. Graciano Lopez Jaena
- writer of Fray Botod which depicts the abusive and
immorality of friars (Botod means Botyok in Filipino
language, which means a big-bellied man)
- editor of La Solidaridad, a newspaper that seeks solution
in both political and social issues in a democratic way
Some of Jaena’s writings:
La Hija Del Fraile (The Child of the Friar), Sa mga Filipino,
and Everything is Hambug (Everything is mere show) Sa mga
Pilipino,..1891), and Talumpating Pagunita Kay Kolumbus (An
Oration to Commemorate Columbus).

B. Spanish-colonial Era (1563-1898)

2. Marcelo H. Del Pilar
- founder of Diariong Tagalog; known to be the Master of
Tagalog Language
- joined other propagandists in 1888 and wrote pamphlets
ridiculing the administration of the friars.
Some of Del Pilar’s writings:
Pagibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Country), Kaingat Kayo (Be
Careful), and Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes)

B. Spanish-colonial Era (1563-1898)

3. Francisco Baltazar
- known as Balagtas
- writer of Florante at Laura, in which his description of
the setting Albanya reflected the tyranny of the Spaniards.

B. Spanish-colonial Eva (1563-1898)

4. Jose Rizal
- wrote the novels Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not; Rizal's
work of Traitor; Rizal's work of mind) and El Filibusterismo
(The Traitor; Rizal’s work of mind).
-wrote Mi Ultimo Adios, Sobre La, Indolencia Delos Filipinos
and Filipinas Dentro De Cien Anos.

B. Spanish-colonial Eva (1563-1898)

5.ANDRES BONIFACIO
- Father of Katipunan
- Writer of Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa

B. Spanish-colonial Eva (1563-1898)

6. EMILIO JACINTO
-Brains of Katipunan
-wrote political essay using folk language

AMERICAN COLONIZATION ERA (1898-1944)

CHARACTERISTICS OF LITERATURE:
-Spanish and Tagalog and the dialects of the different
regions
-Writers in English imitated the themes and methods of the
Americans

1. Aurelio Tolentino - writer of Kahapon, Bukas, Ngayon

2. Juan Matapang - writer of Hindi Ako Patay
3. Juan Abad – writer of Tanikalang Ginto
4. Severino Reyes – writer of Walang Sugat

1. Manuel Arguilla -writer of How my Brother Leon Brought

Home a Wife
2. Jose Garcia Villa -writer of Footnote to Youth
3. Faustino Aguilar -writer of Pinaglahuan
4. Lope K. Santos -writer of Banaag at Sikat

JAPANESE COLONIZATION (1941-1945)

FILIPINO POETRY DURING THIS PERIOD

-The common theme of most poems was nationalism, country,
love, and life in the barrios, faith, religion, and the arts.

THREE TYPES OF POEMS DURING THIS PERIOD

-Haiku – free verse, 17 syllables divided into 3 lines (5-7-
5)
-Tanaga – short, it has measures and rhymes
-Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form)
ENGLISH LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD
-Experienced and dark period.
-In the New Filipino Literature, Philippine literature in
Tagalog was revived.
-Most themes in the writings dealt with Japanese brutalities,
the poverty of life under Japanese government, and the brave
geurilla exploits.

THE ONLY NEWSPAPER DURING THIS PERIOD

-TRIBUNE
-PHILIPPINE REVIEW

Filipino Drama during the Japanese Period experienced a lull because

movie houses showing American films were closed. The big movie houses
were just made to show stage shows. Many of the plays were
reproductions of English plays to Tagalog.

The translators were Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Alberto Concio, and Narciso
Pimentel. They also founded the organization of Filipino players named
Dramatic Philippines.

Playwriters:
1. Jose Ma. Hernandez - wrote Panday Pira
2. Francisco Soc Rodrigo - wrote Sa Pula, Sa Puti
3. Clodualdo del Mundo - wrote Bulaga (Hide and Seek).
4. Julian Cruz Balmaceda – wrote Sino Ba Kayo?, Dahil Sa Anak, and
Higante Ng Patay.

The field of the short story widened during the Japanese Occupation.
Among them were Brigido Batungbakal, Macario Pineda, Serafin
Guinigindo, Liwayway Arceo, Narciso Ramos, NVM Gonzales, Alicia Lopez
Lim, Ligaya Perez, and Gloria Guzman.
 THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)
-Due to domestic and worldwide causes and the ills of the
society.
THE LITERARY REVOLUTION
-Youth became vocal with their sentiments.
-They demand a change in the government
-Manifested in the bloody demonstrations and the sidewalk
expressions and also in literature.
PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972-1980)
-Martial Law was declared.
-The government silenced and controlled the media
-Poems dealt with patience, regard for culture, customs, and
the beauties of nature and surroundings.
-Filipinos were hooked on reading magazines and comics.
PERIOD OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1981-1985)
-Martial Rule was lifted on January 2, 1981
-Poems during this period were romantic and revolutionary
-Filipino songs dealt with themes that were true-to-life
POST-EDSA 1 REVOLUTION (1986-1999)
-The Filipino regained their independence
-Newspapers: THE INQUIRER, MALAYA, and the PEOPLE’s JOURNAL
1. Alejandro G. Abadilla - writer of Mga Piling Katha
2.Genoveva Edroza-Matute - writer of Ako'y Isang Tinig
3. Amado V. Hernandez -known as the greatest post-war
Filipino poet; wrote Dipang Langit in 1961 and Bayang Malaya
in 1969; won the Republic Cultural Award and National Artist
Award in 1973.
21ST CENTURY PERIOD
-The new trends have been used and introduced to meet the
needs and tastes of the new generation.
-New codes or lingos are used to add flavor in the literary
pieces produced nowadays.