Lesson 1

GEOGRAPHIC, LINGUISTIC, AND

ETHNIC DIMENSIONS OF
PHILIPPINE LITERARY HISTORY
 Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, the learners are expected
to:
1. define literature from various writers; and
2. understand literature from pre-colonial to
contemporary periods.
3. make a graphical timeline focusing on how the
literatures for each literary period proliferated.
21st Century literature
-all literary works written and
published at the latter part of the
21st century ( from 2001 onwards.
The pre-colonial 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.

• Chants – to make melodic sounds with the voice especially:

to sing
• Proverbs – is a simple and insightful, traditional saying that
expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or
experience.
• Song – a short poem or other set of words set to music or
meant to be sung.
• Folk Narratives – are stories handed down from the remote
past by words of mouth from one generation to another, reflecting
the people’s tradition, feelings, beliefs, and judgments.
Philippine folk narratives are varied and distinct. They depict
the people’s livelihood, customs, and traditions.

• Folktale – This is a characteristically anonymous, timeless,

and placeless tale circulated orally among a people.
• Fable – This features animal characters or inanimate
objects that behave like people.
• Legend – This is presented as history but is unlikely to be
true.
• Myth – This is told to explain a belief, a practice, or a
natural phenomenon.
• Epic – This narrative poem celebrates the adventures and
achievements of a hero.
Folktales
Folktales about Juan are very
popular. Some emphasize certain
virtues, and some serve as
warning about behavior. Also,
some are for the reader’s
amusement.
Fable
The monkey is a common animal
character in Philippine fables. It is
often depicted as a cunning animal.
Legend
There are different Filipino legends of
the great flood. The story of Bukidnon,
for instance, tells that a huge crab
caused the water to rise by going into
the sea. On the other hand, the Igorot
story tells that the sons of Lumawig the
Great Spirit caused the flood.
Myth
There are Philippine versions of the
creation myth. The Igorot’s story
tells that Lumawig the Great Spirit
created people. On the other hand,
the Tagalog story tells that the first
man and woman came from a
bamboo.
 Epic
The Philippine epics are sung or
chanted in episodes. They feature
supernatural characters and reflect
the society where they originated.
Also, there are different versions of
a story.
here they originated. Also, there
are different versions of a story.
Summary
• The pre- colonial literature of the
Philippines includes all literature
produced before the Spanish
colonization. It includes chants,
proverbs, songs, spells, and
different folk narratives like folk
tales, fables, legends, myths, and
epics that were all passed down
from generation to generation
through the word of mouth.