PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

I.
PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD (--BC to 1564)
A. Characteristics1.Based on oral traditions2.Crude on ideology and phraseology
B. Literary Forms
1. Oral Literaturea. Riddles
(bugtong)
battle of wits among participants
Tigmo
CebuPaktakon Ilonggo Patotdon Bicolb
Proverbs
(salawikain)
wise sayings that contain a metaphor used to teach asa food for thought
c.Tanaga
- a mono-riming heptasyllabic quatrain expressing insights and lesson son life is
"more emotionally charged than the terse proverb and thus has affinities with the
folk lyric."2. Folk Songs.It is a form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and
aspirations, the people's lifestyles as well as their loves. These are often repetitive
and sonorous, didactic and naivea. Hele or oyayi lullabyb.Ambahan (Mangyan) 7syllable per line poem that are about human relationships and social entertainment
c.Kalusan (Ivatan) - work songs that depict the livelihood of the peopled.Tagay
(Cebuano and Waray) drinking songe.Kanogan (Cebuano) song of lamentation
for the dead3. Folk Talesa. Myths explain how the world was created, how certain
animal spossess certain characteristics, why some places have waterfalls,
volcanoes,mountains, flora or faunab. Legends explain the origin of things
Why the Pineapple Has EyesThe Legend of Maria Makiling
c. Fables used animal characters and allegoryd.Fantastic stories deal with
underworld characters such as tiyanak,aswang, kapre and others4. Epics
These are narratives of sustained length based on oral tradition revolving
aroundsupernatural events or heroic deeds (Arsenio Manuel)Examples: Lam-ang
(Ilocano)Hinilawod (Panay)Kudaman (Palawan)Darangen (Maranao)
II. SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD (1565 1863)

A. Characteristics1.It has two distinct classifications: religious and secular2.It

introduced Spanish as the medium of communication
B.Literary Forms1. Religious Literature - Religious lyrics written by ladino poets or
those versed in both Spanish and Tagalog were included in early catechism and
were used to teach Filipinos the Spanish language.
a.Pasyon long narrative poem about the passion and death of Christ. The most
popular was Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Cristong Panignoon Natin byAguino de
Belenb.Senakulo dramatization of the pasyon, it shows the passion and death of
Christ2. Secular (non-religious) Literaturea.Awit - colorful tales of chivalry made for
singing and chanting Example: Ibong Adarnab.Korido metrical tale written in
octosyllabic quatrains Example: Florante at Laura by Francisco Baltazarc. Prose
Narratives written to prescribe proper decorumi. Dialogoiii. ejemploii. Manual de
Urbanidadiv. tratadoExamples: Modesto de Castro's "
Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na siUrbana at si Feliza
" and Joaquin Tuason's "
Ang Bagong Robinson
" (The NewRobinson) in 1879
III. NATIONALISTIC / PROPAGANDA AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD(1864 1896)
A. Characteristics1.Planted seeds of nationalism in Filipinos2.Language shifted from
Spanish to Tagalog3.Addressed the masses instead of the intelligentsia
B.
Literary Forms1. Propaganda Literature - Reformatory in objective a. Political Essays
satires, editorials and news articles were written to attack and expose the evils of
Spanish rulei. Diariong Tagalog founded by Marcelo del Pilarii.La Solidaridad
whose editor-in-chief is Graciano Lopez-Jaenab. Political Novelsi. Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo Jose Rizals masterpiecesthat paved the way to the revolution
2.
Revolutionary Literature more propagandistic than literary as it is more violent in
nature and demanded complete independence for the country
a.
Political Essays helped inflame the spirit of revolutioni. Kalayaan newspaper of
the society, edited by Emilio Jacintob. Poetryi. True Decalogue Apolinario
Mabiniii.Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas Andres Bonifacioiii.Liwanag at Dilim Emilio
Jacinto
IV. AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1910 1945)
A.

Period of Apprenticeship (1910-1930)1.Filipino Writers imitated English and

American models2.Poems written were amateurish and mushy, which phrasing and
diction is awkward and artificial

a.Short Stories i.Dead Stars Paz Marquez Benitezii.The Key Paz

Latorenaiii.Footnote to Youth Jose Garcia Villab.Novels i. Childe of Sorrow first
novel in English, by Zoilo GalangB. Period of Emergence (1920-1930)1. Highly
influenced by Western literary trends like Romanticism and Realism.a. Short Stories
most prevalent literary form i. Jose Garcia Villa earned the international title
Poet of theCentury
V. JAPANESE OCCUPATION (1942 - 1960)
A.
War Years (1942-1944)1. Tagalog poets broke away from the Balagtas tradition and
instead wrote in simple language and free verse2.Fiction prevailed over poetrya.25
Pinakamabuting Maikling Kthang Pilipino (1943) compilation of the short story
contest by the military government i. Suyuan sa Tubigan Macario Pinedaii.Lupang
Tinubuan Narciso Reyesiii.Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa Liwayway ArceoB.Period of
Maturity and Originality (1945-1960)1.Bountiful harvest in poetry, fiction, drama
and essay2.Filipino writers mastered English and familiarized themselves what
diverse techniques3.Literary giants appeared
a.
Palanca Awards for Literature i.Jose Garcia Villaii.Nick Joaquiniii.NVM
Gonzalesiv.Bienvenido Santosv.Gregorio Brillantesvi.Gilda
CorderoFernandob.National Artist Awards
i.
Jose Garcia Villa ii. Nick Joaquin
VI. CONTEMPORARY/MODERN PERIOD (1960 PRESENT)
A. Characteristics1.Martial Law repressed and curtailed human rights, including
freedom of the press
2.
Writers used symbolisms and allegories to drive home their message, at the face of
heavy censorship3.Theater was used as a vehicle for protest, such as the PETA (Phil.
Educational Theater Association) and UP Theater.4.From the eighties onwards,
writers continue to show dynamism and innovation