Why do we need to study Literature?

● To trace our rich heritage of ideas and

handed down to us from our forefathers.

● For appreciation of our heritage.

● To understand that we have noble

traditions which can serve as the means
to assimilate other cultures.
PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

• Literature was principally oral as

much as writing was not yet invented
and more of the works were concise
poetic
PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
✗ Pre-colonial Filipinos wrote on bark of
trees, on leaves and bamboo tubes,
using their knives and daggers,
pointed sticks or iron as pens and the
colored saps of trees as ink.
PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
✗Only a few of these writings survive
into the present because early
Spanish missionaries destroyed many
manuscripts on the ground that they
are the woks of devil himself.
PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

✗Some pieces of literature, however,

have been handed down to us orally
●The precolonial literature includes all literature produced
before the Spanish colonization like chants, proverbs,
songs, and folk narratives. These were all passed down from
generation to generation by word of mouth. Philippine folk
narratives are varied and distinct. They depict the people’s
livelihood, customs, and traditions
Literary Forms
• 1. Oral Literature- folk literature
corresponds in the sphere of the
spoken word to literature as literature
operates in the domain of the written
word.
a. riddles
b. proverbs (Salawikain)
c. tanaga
Literary Forms
• a. RIDDLES
● Made up pf one or more measured lines with

rhymes and may consist of 4 to 12 syllables.

● Showcase the Filipino wit, literary talent, and

keen observation of the surroundings.

● Involves reference to one or two images that

symbolize the characteristics of an unknown
object that is to be guessed.
Purpose of Riddles
✔ To entertain.

✔ To educate.

✔ To titillate.

✔ To curse without expressly cursing.

✔ To preserve the culture.

Examples:
Literary Forms
• a. PROVERBS
● Short poems that have been customarily

been used and served as laws or rules on

good behavior by our ancestors
● Impart lessons for the young.

● Often expressing a single idea, that is

usually satirical and had a witty ending.

Examples:
Literary Forms
• c. TANAGA
● A quatrain with seven syllbales each

with the same rhyme at the end of each

line.
● 7-7-7-7

● No title

● Filipino Haiku
2. Folk Songs
● The traditional music of the
Philippines, like the folk
music of other countries,
reflects the life of common,
mostly rural Filipinos.
● Like its counterparts in
Asia, a lot of traditional
songs from the Philippines
have a strong connection
with nature
a. Fables
● This features animal characters or inanimate objects that
behave like people
The Monkey Who Wanted to Swim
Moral Lesson:
b. Legends
● This is presented as history but is unlikely to be true.
 Characteristics of a Legend

● A NARRATIVE of human actions that are believed by the storyteller

and the reader/listener to have taken place in human history.

● Written in such a way a way as be at least potentially real/true;

includes no happenings outside of the realm of possibility.
Characteristics of a Legend
● Legends have specific setting: time, and a place. They often include
beliefs and ideas of a culture.

● Legends are different with myths because they portray a historical

hero rather than one who is a god or goddess.
 ● Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Ben who had a wonderful
heart. He is the son of Maria and Juan. Ben’s a kind and helpful young lad who
Characteristics of a Legend
●
was nurtured well by his parents who have good hearts as well.
One day, Ben saw a very old beggar and he took pity on him. So, Ben decided
to invite the old beggar into their humble home and he cooked food and fed
the old beggar until he could not eat anymore. Ben was not a rich boy but that
did not stop him from helping this old beggar by serving him with the type of
food that Ben’s family could only afford. After a sumptuous meal, the beggar
thanked the young lad and bade him farewell.
● On another day, while Ben was looking for fire woods, he passed by an old
man who was also very hungry. Ben took pity on him once more and without a
doubt in his mind, he invited the old man back to their home and gave him
food and some clothes that his father does not use anymore. Ben’s parents
were happy that they have a son who has a heart of gold like Ben.
● Unfortunately, the time came that Ben suddenly got very ill. His parents were
troubled and didn’t know what to do. But despite that, they persisted to have
their son treated but to no avail, Ben died. His parents mourned over the loss
of their only son. The next day, after Ben’s death, a beautiful fairy came to
Ben’s wake and talked to his parents. She asked them to give her Ben’s heart.
They agreed and gave it to her. The fairy then flew away and in a mountain, she
dug and buried Ben’s dead heart. It then turned into a fruit-bearing tree whose
fruits were in the shape of a heart and whose taste was so sweet. People were
amazed upon discovering this new type of fruit and when they tasted it they
were happy as it’s the sweetest fruit they have ever tasted.
● From then till now, people enjoy the benefits of this wonderful fruit.
c. Myths
● This is told to explain a belief, a
practice, or a natural phenomenon
● A “story - usually of unknown origin
- by which a culture attempts to
express its origins, its place in the
universe, and/or its sense of identity
and purpose.” This definition, now
regarded by the international
folkloristic community as the main
definition of a myth, covers all
mythological stories ranging from
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,
Buddhism, Shintoism, up to the folk
religions of specific communities.
●A collection of myths is called a ‘mythology’ by
a non-believer and a ‘religion’ by a believer,
although a believer would most likely not call the
stories of her/his religion as ‘myths’ due to
personal choice
● A traditional story
concerning the
early history of
people that
explains some
natural or social
phenomenon, and
involves
supernatural
beings or events.
 • 4 Characteristics of a Myth

● Told as if they are a fact.

● Have gods or goddesses with supernatural powers.
● Often deal with the creation of the world and
natural events.
● Provide lessons about good and bad behavior.
d. Epic
● This narrative poem celebrates the adventures and
achievements of a hero.
6 Elements of an Epic
● 1. Plot
–-the plot centers around
a hero of unbelievable
stature who is either
partially divine or
protected by a God or
Gods.
● 2. It involves deeds of a superhuman strength and
valor. Accomplish feats no human could

●3. Vast Setting

-The action spans around land, sea, and into the
underworld through space or time etc.
● 4. It involves demons, angels, time, cheating death
and other supernatural forces.

● 5. The text is highly stylized.

● The narrator often sees and knows all present

perspectives.
4 Qualities of an epic hero:

1. The hero is born a noble birth

2. S/he has warrior virtues
3. The hero acts honoraly.
4. S/he is chosen by the Gods or
fate
The Spanish Period
The Spanish Period
Spanish Colonial Period
(1521-1898)

➔Expeditions in the Philippines were sent by

the Spanish government in the 16th Century.

➔ Native Literature continued. Though the

Spaniards destroyed the written literature in their
effort to replace it with their own, the oral
tradition survived .and flourish in areas beyond
the reach of the Spaniards.
Famous Writers and Literary
Works during the Spanish
Period
➔Florante at Laura- written by Francisco
Baltazar (1788-1862); the most famous
metrical romance in the country.

➔ Sampaguitas y Poesia Varias- written by

Pedro Paterno (1857-1911); the first poetry
collection in Spanish by a Filipino; and the in
Spanish Ninay (1855) is considered to be the
first Filipino novel.
Famous Writers and Literary
Works during the Spanish
Period
➔Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo- written by Jose Rizal
(1861-1897); the novels portrays the
corruption and abuse of the Spanish
officials and the clergy.

➔Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa- written by

Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897);

➔Leona Florentino (1849-1884)- mother of

Philippine literature
Literary Forms during the
Spanish Period

1. Religious Literature
a. PASYON
In the late colonial period, during which nationalist speech
was curtailed by the Spanish government and Catholic
Church, the pasyon narrative of the suffering of Christ was
imbued with layers of nationalist, anticlerical and anticolonial
meaning. Revolutionary leaders were associated with Christ
while peasants and nationalists were expected to be like his
disciples, giving up their worldly lives in pursuit of
independence.
Literary Forms during the
Spanish Period

1. Religious Literature
b. SENAKULO
The senakulo is a traditional Filipino dramatization of the life
and times of Jesus Christ. Done in singing (pasyon) and
recitation, it is presented in the public squares in many towns,
in houses and streets during the season of Lent.
WHAT IS THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
PASYON AND SENAKULO?
SENAKULO
PASYON
Literary Forms during the
Spanish Period

2. SECULAR
Literary Forms during the
Spanish Period
Literary Forms during the
Spanish Period
Literary Forms during the
Spanish Period