PHILIPPINE

LITERATURE
FROM PAST TO PRESENT
•Philippine folk tales, epics, poems, and chants existed in most
ethnolinguistic groups and were passed from generation to generation
through word of mouth (oral literature)
•Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of Lam-ang) of the Ilocanos narrates the adventures
of epic hero, Lam-ang.
•Other epics known to most Filipinos are the Ibalon of Bikol, Darangan a
Muslim epic, the Kudaman of Palawan, the Alim of the Ifugao, Bantugan of
the Maranao, the Hinilawod of Panay, and the Tuwaang of Manobos.
•Pre-colonial literary pieces transferred in traditional narratives, speeches,
and songs include Tigmo in Cebuano, Bugtong in Tagalog, patototdon in
Bicol, and paktakon in Ilonggo.
•Baybayin (to spell) was the pre-colonial writing system in the Philippines.
 L I T E RA RY F O R M S

RIDDLES – Mind puzzle intended to be solved.

Ex: Heto na si kaka, bubuka bukaka (palaka)
PROVERBS – “salawikain” ; short statement that teach
good conduct and lesson.
Ex: Matibay ang walis palihbhasa’y magkakabigkis
TANAGA – is a short poem with 4 line and 7-8 syllables
Ex: Ang katwiran ma’y nabaon (7)
Ng sanda sandaang taon (8)
pag dumating ang panahon (8)
Lilitaw din at uusbong (8)
 L I T E RA RY F O R M S

FOLK TALES – fictional and inspiring stories of human travails

and triumphs, told by the elders.
Ex: Si pagong at si Matching
LEGENDS – explains the origin of things (Alamat)
MYTH- a traditional story in prose concerning details gods and
demi gods and the creation of the world and its inhabitants.
Ex: Si Malakas at si Maganda
FABLES – stories to teach human values with animals as main
character
Ex: Si langgam at si tipaklong
 SPANISH COLONIZATION ERA

As it is commonly known, the Philippines was under Spanish

rule for more than three hundred years. Years of
colonization transpired and with the influx of a new cultural
framework being introduced unto us, it is inevitable to say
that we would have to consider various changes to our
cultural structures and institutions as well. One can even
argue that Spanish colonial culture has left the greatest
impact compared to any other nation that colonized us.
• The first Filipin0 alphabet Baybayin
was replaces by Roman alphabet.
• The teaching of Christian Doctrine
became the basis of religious
practices.
• The Spanish language became the
literary language during that period
which lent many of its words to
Filipino.
• Ex: cebollas (sibuyas), cuarto
(kwarto)
• Ancient literature was translated to
tagalog and other dialects
• 1st published book in the
Philippines was Doctrina Christiana
which is about songs and chants of
Christianity.
PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT
1872-1898

Also called the “Revolutionary Period”.

In the 19th century, Filipino intellectuals
educated in Europe called Illustrados
began to write about the hitch of
colonization. They started the
PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT. This
movement was spearheaded by
intellectual middle class men like Jose
Rizal, Graceano Lopez jaena, Anotnio
Luna, Marcelo H Del Pilar, Francisco
Baltazar, Andres Bonifacio and Emilio
Jacinto.
 AMERICAN COLONIZATION ERA

The Period of Re Orientation (1898-1910)

English as a literary vehicle came with the American occupation.
By 1900, English came to be used as a medium instruction in the
public schools. From the American forces were recruited the first
teachers of English.
Types of Literature in the Philippines during
American Occupation
Poetry
Noteworthy names in this field, they wrote
in free verse, in odes and sonnets and in
other types. Poetry was original,
spontaneous, competently written and
later, incorporated social consciousness.
Short Story (1925-1941)
Poetry and short story flourished during
these times.
Publications
The Philippine Free Press provided the first
incentives to Filipino writers in English by
offering prizes to worthwhile contributions.
Other publication followed suit.
The Drama (1925-1941)
Drama during this period did not reach the
heights attained by the novel or the short
story.
 JAPANESE COLONIZATION ERA

Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development when

another foreign country, Japan, conquered the Philippines
between 1941-1945. Philippine literature in English came to a
halt. This led to all newspapers not to be circulated in the
community except for TRIBUNE and PHILIPPINE REVIEW
The Japanese banned the English Language.

There was minimal freedom of speech and

of the press.

Theater plays in English was translated into

Filipino.

Short stories became widely popular in this

period.

The common theme of most poems during

the Japanese occupation was nationalism,
country, love, and life in the barrios, faith,
religion, and the arts.

Three types of poems emerged during this

period:
a. Haiku, a poem of free verse that the
Japanese like. It was made up of 17
 CONTEMPORARY PERIOD

REBIRTH OF FREEDOM (1946-1970)

The early post – liberation period was marked by a kind of
“struggle of mind and spirit” posed by the sudden emancipation
from the enemy, and the wild desire to see print. Literary writing
in vernacular became popular. The writers had a better
knowledge of their craft and enjoyed political activism.
PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)
According to Pociano Pineda, youth
activism in 1970-72 was due to domestic
and worldwide causes. Because of the ills
of society, the youth moved to seek
reforms. The Literary Revolution The youth
became vocal with their sentiments. They
demanded a change in the government. It
was manifested in the bloody
demonstrations and the sidewalk
expressions and also in literature.

PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972- 1980)

The period of the New Society started on
September 21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca
Awards continued to give annual awards.
Poems dealt with patience, regard for
native culture, customs, and the beauties
of nature and surroundings. Newspapers
donned new forms. News on economic
progress, discipline, culture, tourism, and
PERIOD OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1981-1985) After
ten years of military rule and some changes in the
life of the Filipino, which started under the New
Society, Martial Rule was at last lifted on January
2, 1981. The Philippines became a new nation, and
this, former President Marcos called “The New
Republic of the Philippines.” Poems during this
period of the Third Republic were romantic and
revolutionary. Many Filipino songs dealt with
themes that were true-to-life like those of grief,
poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God, of
country and fellowmen.

POST-EDSA 1 REVOLUTION (1986-1999) History

took another twist. Once more, the Filipino people
regained their independence, which they lost
twenty years ago. In four days from February 21-
25, 1986, the so-called People Power (Lakas ng
Bayan) prevailed. In the short span of the
existence of the real Republic of the Philippines,
several changes already became evident. It was
noticed in the new Filipino songs, newspapers,
 21 S T CENTURY PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE

The new trends have been used and introduced to meet the
needs and tastes of the new generation. 21st Century learners
are demanded to be Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) inclined to compete with the style and format of writing as
well. New codes or lingos are used to add flavor in the literary
pieces produced nowadays.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS OF THE
PHILIPPINES FOR LITERATURE

The Philippines is rich in culture, history, and tradition. One of the effective
ways of appreciating these is through studying literary works of the canonical
authors of the Philippine National Artists in literature.
Looking back at these literary pieces helps us to appreciate Filipino’s talents
in 21st century perspective.

DEFINING IMPORTANT TERMS

CANON – in literature, this is the collection of works considered representative of a certain genre and period.
CANONICAL AUTHORS – writers whose works have been well appreciated and considered representatives of
certain genres of literature.
JOSE GARCIA VILLA (1973)
• Introduced the reversed consonance rime scheme,
including the comma poems that made full use of the
punctuation mark in an innovative, poetic way.
• Villa's works have been collected into the following
books: Footnote to Youth, Many Voices, Poems by
Doveglion, Poems 55, Poems in Praise of Love: The Best
Love Poems of Jose Garcia Villa as Chosen by Himself,
Selected Stories, The Portable Villa, The Essential Villa,
Mir-i-nisa, Storymasters 3: Selected Stories from
Footnote to Youth, 55 Poems: Selected and Translated
into Tagalog by Hilario S. Francia.

NICK JOAQUIN (1976)

• He is known for reinventions of English language
to Filipinism
• His work is known for exploration of the Philippine
colonial past under Spain and his probing into the
psychology of social changes as seen by the young.
• Among his voluminous works are The Woman Who Had
Two Navels, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, Manila,
My Manila: A History for the Young, The Ballad of the
Five Battles, Rizal in Saga, Almanac for Manileños, Cave
EDITH L TIEMPO (1999)
• Founder and director of SILIMAN NATIONAL WRITERS
WORKSHOP in Dumaguete City.
• Tiempo’s published works include the novel A Blade
of Fern (1978), The Native Coast (1979), and The
Alien Corn (1992); the poetry collections, The Tracks
of Babylon and Other Poems (1966), and The
Charmer’s Box and Other Poems (1993); and the
short story collection Abide, Joshua, and Other
Stories (1964).

ALEJANDRO R ROCES (2003)

• Alejandro Roces, is a short story writer and essayist,
and considered as the country’s best writer of comic
short stories. He is known for his widely
anthologized "My Brother’s Peculiar Chicken.

BIENVENIDO N SANTOS
• National Artist for Literature. Exiled once by his
political perspective, Mr. Santos found refuge in the
USA.
• Some of his works includes: Dwell in the Wilderness,
Scent of Apples, The Man Who (Thought He) Looked
 FILIPINO LITERARY GENIUSES

LUZON VISAYAS

F SIONIL JOSE RESIL MOJARES

RAMON L MUZONES
AMADO V HERNANDEZ
PETER SOLIS NERY
CARLOS P ROMULO
MERLIE ALUNAN
NVM GONZALES
CIRILO BAUTISTA MINDANAO
VIRGILIO ALMARIO ANTHONY L TAN
MYRNA PENA REYES