21st Century

Literature from the

Philippines and the
World
(Introductory discussion)
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
1. The literature of formative past by various groups of
people who inhabited the archipelago
2. A literature of varying human interest
3. Close to the religious and political organizations of
the ancient Filipinos
4. The verses were addressed to the ears rather than
the eyes
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature

Oral traditions
Filipinos weaved countless myths to explain
certain phenomena in life (rain, mountains,
earthquakes, thunder, etc.)
They had varying stories of creation
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature

Riddles (bugtong)
- Showcase 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
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
Purposes of Riddles (bugtong)
 To entertain
 To educate
 To titilate
 To curse
 To preserve the culture
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
Examples of Riddles (bugtong)
 Kung kelan mo pinatay, saka humaba
ang buhay.
 Sagot: Kandila
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
Examples of Riddles (bugtong)
 Araw-araw nabubuhay, taun-taon
namamatay.
 Sagot: Kalendaryo
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
Salawikain (proverbs)
 Praticalobservations and philosophy of
everyday life that are written usually
in a rhyming scheme.
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
Examples of Salawikain (proverbs)
 Kung ano ang puno, siya ang bunga.
 Daig ng maagap ang masipag.
 Pera na naging bato pa.
 Naghangad ng kagitna, isang salop ang
nawala.
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
Sawikain (idioms)
 Mababaw ang luha
 Nagsulian ng kandila
 Itaga mo sa bato
 Kumukulo ang dugo
 Butas ang bulsa
 Bahag ang buntot
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
Bulong (chants)
 Used in witchcraft or enchatments by
Babaylan or fortune tellers.
 Ex. Tabi tabi po baka manuno.
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
More modern bulong (chants)
 Pagpalain ka nawa.
 Mano po.
 Huwag magalit kaibigan, aming pinuputol
lamang ang sa ami’y napag-utusan.
 Kaawaan ka ng Diyos.
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
Myths
 This refers to the wide range of material
due to the ethnic mix of the Philippines.
 There are so many different creation myths
 Story of Bathala
 Visayan Version
 The Legend of Maria Makiling
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
Mythical creatures
 Aswang  Tiktik
 Diwata  Tiyanak

 Dwende  Timawo

 Tikbalang  Maligno

 Mangkukulam
 Kapre
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
Ancient Metrical Tales
 Aliguyon (Ifugao)
 Biag ni Lam-ang(Ilocos)
 Ibalon(Bicol)
 Darangan (Mindanao)
 Hinilawod (Panay)
Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature
Folk Songs
 Uyayi (lullaby)
 Kumintang (war song)
 Kundiman (melancholic love song)
 Harana (serenade)
 Tagay (drinking song)
 Subli (dance ritual)
 Tagulaylay (song of the dead)