Philippine Literature: The

Region and the Nation

Any clarifications and questions will
be entertained after my discussion. I
am hoping for you to listen and
participate with our lesson for today.
Daghang Salamat.
 Literature
Prose Poetry
Prose Poetry
Prose Poetry
 Prose Poetry
o Novels o Narrative
o Short story o Lyric
o Plays o Dramatic
o Legends
o Anecdotes
o Essay
o Biography
o News
o Oration
 What is a legend?

A Legend is traditional story or group of stories told about

a particular person or place. 
Philippine myths and legends are the body of stories and epics originating from, and part of, the
indigenous Philippine folk religions, which include various ethnic faiths distinct from one another.
Philippine mythology is incorporated from various sources, having similarities with Indonesian and Malay
myths, as well as Hindu, Muslim, Shinto, Buddhist, and Christian traditions. Philippine mythology
attempts to explain the nature of the world through the lives and actions of heroes, deities, and
mythological creatures. The majority of these myths were passed on through oral tradition, and preserved
through the aid of community spiritual leaders or shamans and community elders.
Philippine literature is literature associated with the Philippines from prehistory, through its colonial
legacies, and on to the present. Pre-Hispanic Philippine literature was actually epics passed on from
generation to generation, originally through an oral tradition. However, wealthy families, especially in
Mindanao, were able to keep transcribed copies of these epics as family heirloom.
Philippine folk literature refers to the traditional oral literature of the Filipino people. Thus, the scope of
the field covers the ancient folk literature of the Philippines' various ethnic groups, as well as various
pieces of folklore that have evolved since the Philippines became a single ethno-political unit.
Oral literature (also known as folk literature) consists of
stories that have been or still are being passed down from
one generation to another through oral means such as
verbal communication. All sources of Philippine
mythologies are originally oral literature.
Written literature consists, in part, of oral tradition that has
been committed to writing in the form of manuscripts or
publications.
• Due to intensive cultural exchanges spanning for millenniums, many
of the mythologies from a variety of ethnic groups in the Philippines
have similarities, in one way or another.
• Despite being ethnic counterparts, the deities, heroes, and creatures
are completely different from each other, and their stories must be
respected as they are and not mixed into a single narrative.
Cosmogony or creation myths usually tell how the world was created,
and most of the time, also includes how mankind came into existence.
Each ethnic group in the Philippines has its own set of stories depicting their
mythical heroes, notably through oral traditions such as epics and verbal poems.
 The Legend of Lapulapu
The legend of Lapu-Lapu and the Battle of Mactan
 Lapu-Lapu whose first name
was first recorded as Çilapulapu, the
son of Inday Puti and Kusgano of
Borneo was the Datu of the island of
Mactan, in Visayas, when Ferdinand
Magellan landed the island of the
Philippines.
 Biography
Lapu-Lapu was both very intelligent and a great warrior and there is
much to know about his life.
• Lapu-Lapu was born in 1491, although no one knows the exact date
of his birth.
• When Lapu-Lapu was just six years of age, he could ride horseback
and caribou.
• By the age of seven, he could read and write.
• Two years later, by age 9, he became an excellent boxer. He also
continued to learn other sports as well, such as swimming and
wresting.
• By the time he was eighteen, Lapu-Lapu had become a champion in
all of these sports.
• By the time he was 20, Lapu-Lapu had defeated both the Bornean
soldiers and pirates.
 Lapu-Lapu: Chief and Warrior

• During his time as chief, many foreign countries tried to claim the island and the islands which were to become the
Philippines as their own, including the famous explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
• While Magellan was conquering the neighboring island of Cebu, the explorer learned of the existence of the island and the
small group of people who lived there.
• Magellan attempted to conquer the island by bringing troops and some of the soldiers from Cebu. However, he was met with
a great amount of resistance by the Mactan people; this resistance was headed by their leader, Lapu-Lapu.
• The Mactan people armed themselves with native weaponry and won the battle against Magellan in order to maintain their
independence. Lapu-Lapu and the Mactan killed Magellan and many others during this battle, which has become known in
Philippine history as the Battle of Mactan.
•The statue of Magellan is erected at the site where it is believe Magellan was killed by Lapu-Lapu.
•A statue of Lapu-Lapu was created in the center of the island to commemorate his contribution to the independence of
his island and the people of his island.
Kadaugan sa Mactan
Many people who are interested in the Philippines and in history might be interested in a Lapu-
Lapu’s biography. Knowing about Lapu-Lapu's life is important since he has become an essential
and inspiring part of the history of the islands which became known as the Philippines and their
resistance to foreign takeover by European countries such as Spain.
Lapulapu, The Victor of Mactan
By Francisco & Conrado Benitez
 Four hundred years ago, the Filipinos were ruled by Rajas and Datus (chiefs). The
most powerful rajah on an island was respected by the other rajahs there who were not so
powerful. He was like an elder brother to them. He was often referred to as king.
 The most powerful chief in Cebu was Rajah Humabon. In those days, Cebu was
called Sugbu. One day, Rajah Humabon saw some strange ships come sailing into the bay.
These ships were different from Chinese boats that came there to trade. Soon, the ships
cast anchor. A small boat rowed to the shore with a messenger.
The messenger was a Malay. He spoke to Rajah Humabon in the Malay Language.
“I have been sent by Ferdinand Magellan, subject of the powerful king of Spain. He
wishes to land on your shore.” “If he is a friend,” answered Rajah Humabon. “I will let him
land. Tell him I will receive him and his men.”
 So Ferdinand Magellan, the first Spaniard to reach the Philippines, came on shore with his soldiers. They
were clad in shining armor. The points of their long lances gleamed in the bright sun. Rajah Humabon and his
court were gathered in the shade of a large tree. The rajah had on rich clothes covered with beautiful
embroidery. Around his head was a piece of red silk. This was called putong and it was red to show that the
rajah was a warrior. There were gold bracelets on his arms. At his side hung a sharp kampilan encased in a
finely carved scabbard
 The Rani (Queen) and her women were also richly dressed. The Spaniards were greatly
impressed. They said to themselves: “These people dress better than we do.” They were even
more impressed when they were asked to eat with the Rajah. The plates n which food was
served were of Chinese porcelain. The Spaniards had never seen porcelain plates before. At
that time people in Europe used wooden plates to eat from.
 Magellan wanted to show the Cebuanos how well his men could fight. He called two of his
soldiers and told them to give an exhibition fight.
“You can see that no weapon can cut through their armor,” Magellan said.
Hundreds of people had gathered to watch Spaniards fight. Most of the spectators were
Cebuanos.
Some spectators were from nearby islands. They happen to be in Cebu on that day to trade.
They looked on and said nothing. But they noticed one thing that they remembered
afterwards. They saw that the Spanish armors has weak spots: the joints at the shoulders,
elbows and knees, as the pieces of the armor were loosely joined to allow the soldier to move
his arms and legs.
Magellan told Rajah Humabon about the Christian religion and asked him to become a Chrisitan. Rajah Humabon
agreed and was baptized. The Spaniards fired a salute, while Cebuanosbeat their gongs and clashed their cymbals.
Now, after Rajah Humabon was baptized, Magellan sent messages to the other chiefs. He said to them: “ Rajah
Humabon is now a Christian. He is a friend of the King of Spain. Come and kiss his hand.”
This message reached Mactan where Lapulapu was chief.
 “Why should I kiss Humabon’s hand?” said
Lapulapu. “I am not his slave. And who is this king of
Spain? I do not know him.”
Magellan was angered when he learned of
Lapulapu’s answer. Again, he sent a messenger to
Lapulapu ordering him to obey. If you do not obey,”
said the message. “you shall feel the sharpness of the
Spanish lances.”
Lapulapu answered, “If the Spaniards have
lances, we too have them. Ours made of wood
hardened in fire.”
Magellan saw that he would have to compel the
proud chief to submit. He planned to go to Mactan the
next day. He asked the Cebuanos to cross over with
him to see how well the Spaniards could fight.
 It was still dark the next morning when the Spaniards arose. With burning torches to light the way, they crossed
the narrow strip of sea between Cebu and the small island of mactan. They reached Mactan before sunrise.
Lapulapu’s village was very quiet. The people were still asleep.
The Spaniards rushed up the beach with their burning torches. They went to that side of the village farthest
from the beach. They set fire to the houses. The nipa and bamboo flared up quickly. The darkness was reddened with
flames.
“Fire! Fire! Enemies!” the villagers shouted, awakened from their sleep.
Lapulapu heard the voices. He snatched his weapons and rushed out. He suspected that the Spaniards had come.
 “They are attacking at dawn!” Lapulapu said
in anger. That is not right. Our ancestors held that it
is wrong to attack an enemy in his sleep. So
Lapulapu thought that the Spaniards were behaving
not like brave warriors but like savages.
Lapulapu joined his men who had already
armed themselves. They were angry. They attacked
the Spaniards furiously. They could not pierce the
metal armor of the enemy. But soon they
remembered what they have seen at the exhibition
fight in Cebu. They aimed at the weak places of the
Spaniards’ armor. Lapulapu’s men killed some of
them.
When Magellan’s soldiers saw that their armor
were no longer useful, they ran away, leaving their
leader alone. Magellan was killed. His cowardly
companions took their boats and sailed to Cebu.
In relating the story,, they exaggerated
the number of Lapu-Lapu's men. They
said there were thousands, because they
had to explain in some way why they
had run away.
“KADAUGAN SA MACTAN (REINACTMENT) 2019”
 Elements of the Story
• Setting – Island of Cebu, 16th century
• Characters – Datu Lapu-lapu, Magellan, Datu
Humabon
• Plot – Lapu-Lapu, Victor of Mactan was a
fierce clash fought in the Philippines on 27
April 1521. The warriors of Lapulapu, one of
the Datus of Mactan, overpowered and
defeated a Spanish force fighting for Rajah
Humabon of Cebu under the command of
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who
was killed in the battle.
 Elements of the Story
• Conflict – Lapu-Lapu’s unwilling submission
triggered Magellan’s invasion of the island of
Mactan.
• Resolution – After the foreign invaders’ defeat
and Lapu-Lapu’s victory, they retreat and was
force to leave the island.
• Theme – Bravery, Should not underestimate the
capacity of a person whom you believe that is
beneath you.
• Moral - This battle signifies the bravery of our
dear ancestors during the pre-Spanish
colonialism. For the Spaniards, it only proves
that what ever cause you want to implement to a
certain area or region may result to uncertain
circumstances.
 Comprehension Response
1. Lapulapu is considered one of the first
Filipino heroes.
2. Humabon fought against the Spaniards.
3. The messenger sent to Humabon was a
Spaniard.
4. The early Filipinos whom Spaniards saw were
better dressed than them.
5. Most people in Europe ate in plastic plates.
6. Only Spaniards has lances.
7. The Spaniards attacked at dawn.
 Values
1. Some traders from Mactan were in
Cebu when Spaniards gave the
exhibition fight. How did this help them
win the battle later? Does it pay to be
observant?
2. How did Magellan anger Lapulapu?
3. Why did Lapulapu and his men
consider Spaniards savages?
4. Compare the reactions of Humabad and
Lapulapu to Magellan’s visit. What do
you think made them act differently?
 Values
Sources:
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapulapu
• https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippine
s/articles/the-story-of-lapu-lapu-the-lege
ndary-filipino-hero/
• https://www.britannica.com/place/Lapu-
Lapu
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_
Mactan
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Philippine_mythology