The Cebuano

Literature
Let’s study the hidden treasure of the
Cebuano
 The Cebuano Literature

 Cebuano literature refers to the body of oral and written

literature of speakers of Cebuano, the mother tongue of a
quarter of the country’s population who live in Cebu,
Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, and parts of Leyte and
Mindanao. As such, it is an important part of Philippine
literature.
 The Cebuano Literature

 The majority of Cebuano writers are from the Visayas and

Mindanao region, the most recognized Filipino outlet for them,
including the bisaya Magasin, is based in Makati City in Metro
Manila , while there is also a lively Cebuano community of
writers in the language which is based outside the country,
Cebuano Literature, therefore, encompasses not only those
Visayas and Mindanao-based writers writing in Cebuano, but all
written output in Cebuano, wherever its source.
 The generic form for poetry is balak, characterized by the presence of enigma
or metaphor called balaybay or sambingay. Most of the poems are sung, like
the occupational songs and lullabies. The balitaw is an extemporaneous poetic
debate between man and woman that is sung and danced simultaneously.
The written literature became significant only in the late
19th century. Tomas de San Geronimo’s “Soneto sa
Pagdayeg can Santa Maria Gihapon Virgen“ (1751) is
the first of many piety-laden compositions that show a
loss of the enigmatic symbol and metaphor of pre-
colonial verse.
Cebuano Literature may be traced back to
several poetic forms
 balak tigno Panultihon/
which contains a riddles sanglitanan
"balaybay" or methapor proverbs

garay balitaw
verses poetic debate that required the
participants (a man and a woman) to
improvised and even sing their lines
  Linambay
Another important influence of
spanish period is Liinambay (known
as moro moro because of its anti –
Muslim theme) , a regular fare at
town fiestas that involved
participation of rural community and
audiences from neighboring towns
 Sugilanon
Also known as SHORT
STORY

1. Maming 1901 by Vicente

Sotto (father of Cebuano
letters, and later into the
sugilambong or novel)
▪︎ The press contributed much to the development of
literatue by regularly publishing works of local writers,
especially in three decades before WORLD WAR II.
▪︎ The Cebuano's writer craft was honed in early
translations of European fiction and imitations of
American models, as shown in works of JUAN
VILLAGONZALO, ULDARICO ALVIOLA, ANGEL
ENEMECIO, FLAVINO BOQUECOSA, SULPICIO
OSORIO and others
Cebuano
Literature
examples
 Matud Nila (Sabi Nila)
They say I am not capable
To crave your love
They say you are not happy
Because I have nothing to offer you.
Love is unrequited Is more precious than gold,
But they say it is only a waste
Of love and caring.
Never will my love for your fade.
As long as life shall last
Never will forget you
Without you there is no love.
If you do not believe I am possessed by love,
At least have pity I dream and hope for your love.
Usahay Sometimes I do find that I dream

(Sometimes)
That you and I are indeed in love,
Why do I keep dreaming of you
I keep dreaming of you In my loneliness.
Sometimes I really do regret,
That I should ever be
Born into this world.
Why do you keep on belittling
The great love that I have for you,
For you alone.
Recite to me, day, a poem while we ride a habal habal
by Adonis G. Durado
Recite to me, day A poem while we ride a habalhabal.
Stick your chest closer
Here on my back
So that I can feel better the beatings
Of your heart.
With the potholes that dot our way
Embrace me tightly
Like the rubber bands
That you use to tie your hair.
And with the warmth of your breaths
Tickle this heart of mine.
And the amorseco
That kiss our legs
Let’s think of them as our own tongues.
Then while we’re speeding up
Our ride Let’s close our eyes and face
The wide sky To meet the drizzle Of rain, leaves, and flowers.
Thank you