Pre-Spanish

Literature
• Legend- a prose form and the common theme is all about the origin
of a thing, location or a name.
-old Filipino customs are reflected in these kind of legends and
they aim to entertain.
Ex:
The Legend of Mount Makiling
Ang Alamat ng Pinya
Why Women Wash the Dishes
The Legend of Olongapo
Folk Tales
- Another kind of prose that are made up of stories about life,
adventure, love , horror and humor where one can derive lessons
about life.
- They are useful to us because they help us appreciate our
environment, evaluate our personalities and improve our life’s
perspective
Epic
- Along narrative poem where a long series of heroic achievements one
events, usually by a hero are dealt with
- Talks about some supernatural events ; heroic deeds; embody or
validate the beliefs, customs, and ideals of the community
Ex.
The Epic of Biag Ni Lam-Ang- Ilocano Epic
Bidasari- Moro Epic
Maragtas- Visayan Epic
Haraya- Visayan Epic
Lagda- Visayan Epic
 Myths
• Are narrative that describes and portray in symbolic language in the origin
of the basic elements and assumptions of a culture
• Although myth's are not based on object truths they reflect on universal
worries as well as worries of specific cultures
Ex:
How the World Began
How Animals were created and how customs
Folk Songs
• One of the oldest form of Philippine literature that emerged in the Pre-
Spanish Period
• Mirrors the culture of early Filipinos
• They express the hopes and aspirations , the people’s lifystyle as well as
their loves
Ex:
Kundiman
Kumintang
Ang Dait o Immo
Ang Oyayi o Hele
Soliranin
Talindaw
Other Pre-Spanish Poetry
Epigrams- serves as the law or rules on good behavior by our ancestors.
These are like allegories or parables that teach lessons for the
young
Riddles ( Bugtong ) or Palaisipan – These are made up or one of more
measured lines with rhyme which consist of 4 to 12 syllables

Chant- This is used in witchcraft or enchantment

Saying ( Kasabihan ) – These are used in teasing or giving remarks or

comments on a person’s actuations

Sawikain ( Sayings )- These sayings do not have hidden meaning

Spanish
Literature
Spanish Influences on Philippines Literature
- Alibata was first Filipino Alphabet w/c was replaced by the roman
Alphabet
- Lessons on Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices
- Become the medium of the instruction and the literary language
during this time lent many of its words to our language
- Legends and traditions from Europe assimilated in our songs, corridos
and moro-moro
• First Book
-The Christian Doctrine ( Doctrina Cristiana)
-Nuestra Senora del Rosario
-Libro de los Cuatro Post Primeras de Hombre( in Spanish and
Tagalog )
- Ang Barlaan at Josephat
- The Passion
- Urbana at Felissa
- Ang Mga Dalit Kay Maria ( Psalms for Mary )
Folk Songs
• National songs from the lowland to the mountains of Luzons,
Visayans and Mindanao
Ex:
Leron- Leron Sinta
Dandansoy
Atin Cu Pung Singsing
Pamulinawen
Sarong Bangggi
 Recreational Plays
• Tibag - ritual about the research of Saint Helena for the Holy Cross where
Jesus Christ was nailed and died
• Lagaylay –a special occasion to get together during the month of May for the
Pilarenos of Sorsogon
- In Bicol, the people do a ritual offering of praise, respect and love to the
Blessed Cross by Saint Helena on the Mount she had dug in.

Cenaculo -re-enact of passion and death of Jesus Christ

Cantada - chanted like the passion
Hablada - has more dignified theme where the lines are all spoken in a
more deliberate manner showing the rhythmic measure of each verse and
stanza.
Panunuluyan - is reenactment of Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph in serch
of an inn to deliver the baby Jesus.

Salubong – is an Easter play dramatizes the meeting of risen Jesus

Christ and his Mother.

Carrillo or Shadow Play - perform during dark nights projecting

cardboard before the lamp against the white sheets. Figures moved like
marionettes whose dialogues are produced by experts and are drawn
from corrido, awit or some religious plays accompanied with song.
Zarzuela- considered as the father of drama. A musiacal comedy or
melo drama in three acts w/c dealt with man/s passion and emotion
like love, hate, revenge, cruelty and some social and political problems.

Sainete – Short exaggerated musical comedy performed by chapters

from the lower class. The theme were taken from everyday life
situations.

Moro- Moro – performed during town fiestas to entertain the people

and to remind them of their Christian religion .
-Christian princess or a noble man’s daughter who is captured by
the Moros
Karagatan – poetic contest where a ritual is performed based on a
legend about a princess who dropped her ring into the middle of the
sea and who offered her hand in marriage to anyone who can find it

Balagtasan – peptic contest of skills in debate on a topic or issue. This

is held in honor to our own Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.

Dung-aw – a chant in free verse by a bereaved person beside the

corpse of the dead.-
- without a definite meter or rhyming, the person recites in
poetic rhythm according to his feelings, emotion and thoughts.
- personalizes that usually deals with the suffering of the dead,
apologies for his misdeeds could be included.
American Colonial Period
- Free instruction for all children of school age and
- The use of English Language as a medium of instruction in any levels of
education in public schools.

Short Stories
- Dead Stars - the first short story written in English by Paz Marquez Benitez
- The Small Key – written by Paz Latorena
- Footnote to Youth – was written by Jose Garcia Villa
Novel
-Child of Sorrow was the first novel in English by Zolio Galang

Newpapers
-El Nuevo Dia ( The New Day )
.Established by Sergio Osmena in 1990
.The American censored , twice banned and threatened
Osmena with banishment because of his nationalistic writings.

- El Grito Del Pueblo ( The Call of the Nation )

.Established by Pascual Poblete in 1990
-El Renamiento ( The Rebirth)
. Founded by Raphael Palma in 1901
 Plays: American Period ( Nationalism )
Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas ( Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) – written by
Aurelio Tolentino. It depicts the suppression done by the American and their
plan to colonize the Philippines.

Tanikalang Ginto of Juan Abad –

Malaya by Tomas Remigio ( La Liga Filipina, Katipunan , Departed to Spain)
Walang Sugat by Severino Reyes ( a friendship in the middle of the war )
Characteristics of Literature during American
Period
- Spanish, Tagalog and English
- English became the medium in Literature

Opening of the Public Schools

- Philippine Normal College 1901
- Siliman University ( Dumaguete City) ( 1st American Private School )
- Central Philippine University ( 2nd American Private School
- Negros Oriental High School 1902
- Saint Paul University ( Dumaguete City ) 1904
- Cebu Normal School 1915 ( 1902 )
Public Schools during
American Period
• Filamer Christian University 1904
• Iloilo Normal School 1902 ( West Visayas State University )
• Zamboanga Normal School 1904
• National University 1901
• University of Manila 1914
• Philipine Women’s University 1919
• Far Eastern University 1933
• University of the Philippines 1908