PHILIPPINE

LITERATURE HISTORY TIMELINE

PRE-COLONIAL (BC to 1564)

• Historical Events
Filipinos often lose sight of the fact that the first period of the Philippine literary history
is the longest. However, through the researches and writings about Philippine history,
much can be reliably inferred about precolonial Philippine literature from an analysis of
collected oral lore of Filipinos whose ancestors were able to preserve their indigenous
culture by living beyond the reach of Spanish colonial administrators.
The oral literature of the precolonial Filipinos bore the marks of the community. This is
evident in the most common forms of oral literature like the riddle, the proverbs and
the song, which always seem to assume that the audience is familiar with the situations,
activities and objects mentioned in the course of expressing a thought or emotion. The
language of oral literature, unless the piece was part of the cultural heritage of the
community like the epic, was the language of daily life. At this phase of literary
development, any member of the community was a potential poet, singer or storyteller
as long as he knew the language and had been attentive to the conventions of the
forms.
Almost all the important events in the life of the ancient peoples of this country were
connected with some religious observance and the rites and ceremonies always some
poetry recited, chanted, or sung. The lyrics of religious songs may of course be classified
as poetry also, although the rhythm and the rhyme may not be the same. Filipinos had a
culture that linked them with the Malays in the Southeast Asia, a culture with traces of
Indian, Arabic, and, possibly Chinese influences. Their epics, songs, short poems, tales,
dances and rituals gave them a native Asian perspective which served as a filtering
device for the Western culture that the colonizers brought over from Europe.


• Literary Works
Riddle- Made up of one or more measured lines with rhymes and may consist of 4 to 12
syllables and it showcases the Filipino wit, literary talent, and keen observation of the
surroundings.
Epigrams/Proverbs (Salawikain & Sawikain)- Short poems that have been customarily
been used and served as laws or rules on good behavior by ancestors. Usually the work
imparts lessons for the young ones.
Chants (Bulong)- Used in witchcrafts and enchantments.
Myths- derived from Philippine folk literature, which is the traditional oral literature of
 the Filipino people. This refers to a wide range of material due to the ethnic mix of the
Philippines.
Folk Songs- a form of folk lyric which expresses the people’s hopes, aspirations, and
lifestyles.
Epic- a series of heroic achievements, usually a hero, is dealt with at length.

• Famous Authors
Literature was passed down through storytelling from one person to another. The
author of these works remains unknown until present time.

• Literary Styles and Themes
Most of the content of the literature in the said era revolves around the creation of the
world, community, the Philippines and life.

• Literary Samples
Guman (Subanon); Darangen (Maranao); Hudhud (Ifugao); Lam-
ang (Ilocano); Hinilawod (Sulod); Kudaman (Palawan); Darangen (Maranao); Ulahingan (
Livunganen-Arumanen Manobo); Mangovayt Buhong na Langit(The Maiden of the
Buhong Sky from Tuwaang-Manobo); Ag Tobig neg Keboklagan (Subanon);
and Tudbulol (T'boli).

COLONIAL PERIOD (Spanish)

• Historical Events
The Spanish colonial strategy was to undermine the native oral tradition by substituting
for it the story of the Passion of Christ. Although Christ was by no means war-like or
sexually attractive as many of the heroes of the oral epic tradition, the appeal of the
Jesus myth inhered in the protagonist’s superior magic: by promising eternal life for
everyone. It is to be emphasized, however, that the native tradition survived and even
flourished in areas inaccessible to the colonial power. Moreover, the tardiness and the
lack of assiduity of the colonial administration in making a public educational system
work meant the survival of oral tradition, or what was left of it, among the conquered
tribes. The church authorities adopted a policy of spreading the Church doctrines by
communicating to the native (pejoratively called Indio) in his own language.

This development marked the beginning of Indio literacy and thus spurred the creation
of the first written literary native text by the native. These writers,
called ladinos because of their fluency in both Spanish and Tagalog, published their
 work, mainly devotional poetry, in the first decade of the 17th century. Ironically — and
perhaps just because of its profound influence on the popular imagination — as artifact
it marks the beginning of the end of the old mythological culture and a conversion to
the new paradigm introduced by the colonial power.

• Literary Works
Christian Doctrine (Religious literature)- a prayer book written in Spanish with an
accompanying Tagalog translation. It was, however, for the exclusive use of the
missionaries who invariably read them aloud to the unlettered Indio catechumens.
Senakulo (Religious literature)- a dramatization of the pasyon.
Pasyon (Religious literature)- long narrative poem about the passion and death of Christ.
Awit- colorful tales of chivalry made for singing and chanting.
Komedya (moro-moro)- secular literature from Spain in the form of medieval ballads
inspired the native poetic-drama.
Prose Narratives- written to prescribe proper decorum.

• Famous Authors
Gaspar Aquino de Belen - was a Filipino poet and translator of the 17th century, known
for authoring a 1704 rendition of the Pasyon: a famous poetic narrative of the passion,
death and resurrection of Jesus, which has circulated in many versions.
Jose de la Cruz (1746 – 1829) - was the foremost exponent of the komedya during his
time. A poet of prodigious output and urbane style, de la Cruz marks a turning point in
that his elevated diction distinguishes his work from folk idiom.
Francisco Baltazar (1788 – 1862) - popularly called Balagtas, is the acknowledged
master of traditional Tagalog poetry. But the crucial element in Balagtas’ unique genius
is that, being caught between two cultures (the native and the colonial/classical), he
could switch codes (or was perceived by his compatriot audience to be switching codes),
provide insight and information to his oppressed compatriots in the very style and guise
of a tradition provided him by a foreign (and oppressive) culture. His narrative
poem Florante at Laura written in sublime Tagalog, is about tyranny in Albanya, but it is
also perceived to be about tyranny in his Filipino homeland (Lumbera).
Jose Rizal (1861 – 1896)- He chose the realistic novel as his medium. Choosing Spanish
over Tagalog meant challenging the oppressors on the latter’s own turf. By writing in
prose, Rizal also cut his ties with the Balagtas tradition of the figurative indirection
which veiled the supposed subversiveness of many writings at that time.

• Literary Styles and Themes
 The topics covered by the literary works include religion, specifically Christianity, and
European traditions. Grammar books in Tagalog were also published at that time period.
Some were sung, like The Passion while some were prayers that believers chant in
church.
• Literary Examples
Doctrina Christiana (1593); Mahal Na Pasion ni Jesu Christo by Gaspar Aquino de Belen;
Ang mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary); Ang Barlaan at Josaphat by Fray Antonio de
Borja; Florante at Laura by Francisco Balagtas; Mi Ultimoadios by Jose Rizal.

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD

• Historical Events
It began in August 1896, when the Spanish authorities discovered Katipunan, an anti-
colonial secret organization. During a great revolution, literature nearly disappears and
there is silence for, swept up in the tide of revolution, all turn from shouting to action
and are so busy making revolution that there is no time to talk of literature. However,
Filipinos who aren’t into making revolution in action revived the Philippine literature
with their own writings and inflaming Filipinos’ emotions with the said
content. Revolutionary period likewise saw various literary masterpieces written as
ammunition and shield in the ever-changing tide of war to independence. Periodicals
and magazines were likewise continued to flourish as both avenue for idea propagation
and vehicle for literary initiatives.
• Literary Works
Political Essays (Propaganda Literature) - satires, editorials and news articles
were written to attack and expose the evils of Spanish rule; helped inflame the spirit of
revolution
Political Novels (Propaganda Literature) - the content directly criticizes an existing
society or present an alternative, even fantastic, reality.
Revolutionary Literature - more propagandistic than literary as it is more violent in
nature and demanded complete independence for the country.

• Famous Authors
Jose Rizal, Graciano Lopez Jaena, and M. H. del Pilar - In a sense, Rizal’s novels and
patriotic poems were the inevitable conclusion to the campaign for liberal reforms
known as the Propaganda Movement, waged by Graciano Lopez Jaena, and M.H. del
Pilar. The two novels so vividly portrayed corruption and oppression that despite the
lack of any clear advocacy, they served to instill the conviction that there could be no
solution to the social ills but a violent one.
 Emilio Jacinto - Jacinto wrote political essays expressed in the language of the folk.
Significantly, although either writer could have written in Spanish (Bonifacio, for
instance, wrote a Tagalog translation of Rizal’s Ultimo Adios), both chose to
communicate to their fellowmen in their own native language.
Andres Bonifacio – was an admirer of Rizal, and like Rizal, he was a writer and social
critic profoundly influenced by the liberal ideas of the French enlightenment, about
human dignity. Bonifacio’s most important work are his poems, the most well-known
being Pag-Ibig Sa Tinubuang Lupa.
Jose Palma - was a Filipino poet and soldier. He was on the staff of La Independencia at
the time he wrote Filipinas, a patriotic poem in Spanish. He also wrote the Himno
Nacional Filipino (The Philippine National Anthem) composed by Julian Felipe which was
originally entitled, Marcha Magdalo. He joined the fight against the Americans together
with Gen. del Pilar with his works and as a soldier.

• Literary Styles and Themes
During this period, Filipinos began to write novels and poems about love for their
country. The revolutionary literature journey marked a drastic period of inflamed
emotions and fiery rhetoric on the account of achieving freedom from the shackles of
tyranny.

• Literary Examples
Kalayaan edited by Emilio Jacinto; True Decalogue by Apolinario Mabini; Katapusang
Hibik ng Pilipinas and Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa by Andres Bonifacio; Liwanag at Dilim
by Emilio Jacinto; Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal.

AMERICAN PERIOD

• Historical Events
Philippine literary production during the American Period in the Philippines was
spurred by two significant developments in education and culture. One is the
introduction of free public instruction for all children of school age and two, the use
of English as medium of instruction in all levels of education in public schools. Free
public education made knowledge and information accessible to a greater number
of Filipinos. Those who availed of this education through college were able to
improve their social status and joined a good number of educated masses who
became part of the country’s middle class. The use of English as medium of
instruction introduced Filipinos to Anglo-American modes of thought, culture and
life ways that would be embedded not only in the literature produced but also in the
psyche of the country’s educated class. It was this educated class that would be the
 wellspring of a vibrant Philippine Literature in English. Philippine literature in English,
as a direct result of American colonization of the country, could not escape being
imitative of American models of writing especially during its period of
apprenticeship. The poetry written by early poets manifested studied attempts at
versification as in the following poem which is proof of the poet’s rather elementary
exercise in the English language.
The separate, yet parallel developments of Philippine literature in English and those
in Tagalog and other languages of the archipelago during the American period only
prove that literature and writing in whatever language and in whatever climate are
able to survive mainly through the active imagination of writers. Apparently, what
was lacking during the period was for the writers in the various languages to come
together, share experiences and come to a conclusion on the elements that
constitute good writing in the Philippines.

• Literary Works
Poetry – Noteworthy names in this field, they wrote in free verse, in odes and
sonnets and in any other types. Poetry was original, spontaneous, competently
written and later, incorporated social consciousness.
Short Story – 1925 to 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 Filipino writers in English by offering prizes to
worthwhile contribution. Other publication followed suit.
Drama – 1925 to 1941, drama during this period did not reach the heights attained
by the novel or the short story.

• Famous Authors
Fernando Ma. Guerero – he collected the best of his poem in a book called
Crisalidas, and one of the poems written in this book was “Inovacion A Rizal”
Manuel Bernabe – is a lyric poet, he was more attractive to the public in a debate
with balmori because of the melodious he used.
Lope K. Santos – “Father of the National language Grammar”, he was also called
“apo” of the tagalog writers. “Banaag at Sikat” was his masterpiece.
Jose Corazon de Jesus – known as huseng batute, he was also called the poet of love
in his time.
Inigo Ed Regaldo – a popular story teller, novelist, and newspaper man. He reached
the peak of his success by the “sumpong” of his pen.
• Literary Styles and Themes
 By this time, Filipino writers had acquired the mastery of English writing. They now
confidently and competently wrote on a lot of subjects although the old-time
favorites of love and youth persisted. They went into all forms of writing like the
novel and the drama.
• Literary Examples
“A Rizal” by Cecilio Apostol; “Ante El Martir” by Claro M. Recto; “Ang Panday” by
Aramando V. Hernandez.

POST-WAR PERIOD (JAPANESE OCCUPATION)

• Historical Events
Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development when the Philippines was again
conquered by another foreign country, Japan. Philippine literature in English can to a
halt. Except for the TRIBUNE and the PHILIPPINE REVIEW, almost all newspapers in
English were stopped by the Japanese.
The weekly Liwayway was placed under strict surveillance until it was managed by a
Japanese named Ishiwara. This had an advantageous effect of Filipino Literature, which
experienced renewed attention because writers in English turned to writing in Filipino.
Juan Laya who used to write in English turned to Filipino because of the strict
prohibitions of the Philippines of the Japanese regarding any writing in English.
In other words, Filipino literature was given a break during this period. Many wrote
plays, poems, short stories, etc. Topics and themes were often about life in
the provinces.

• Literary Works
Haiku – A poem of free verse that the Japanese liked. It was made up of 17 syllables
divided into three lines. The first line had 5 syllables, the second had 7 syllables, and the
third had 5. It is allegorical in meaning. It is short and covers a wide scope in meaning.
Tanaga - It is like the Haiku since it is short but it had measure and rhyme. Each line had
17 syllables and is also allegorical in meaning.
Filipino Drama - The drama experienced a lull during the Japanese period because movie
houses showing American films were closed. The big movie houses were just made to
show stage shows. Many of the plays were reproductions of English plays to Tagalog.

• Famous Authors
Macario Pineda – a writer who was known with this short story, “Suyuan sa Tubigan”.
Narciso Reyes - was a Filipino diplomat and author. He wrote “Lupang Tinubuan”.
 Liwayway Arceo - was a multi-awarded Tagalog fictionist, journalist, radio scriptwriter
and editor from the Philippines. Arceo authored a number of well-received novels, such
as Canal de la Reina and Titser.
• Literary Styles and Themes
The common theme of most poems during the Japanese occupation was nationalism,
country, love, life in the barrios, faith, religion, and the arts.
• Literary Examples
Lupang Tinubuan by Narciso Reyes; Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa by Liwayway Arceo;
Lunsod Nayon at Dagat-dagatan by NVM Gonzales.

LATE 20TH CENTURY (MARTIAL LAW)

• Historical Events
With the declaration of Presidential Decree 1081 on September 21, 1972, many
publications and mass media outfits were shut down, Filipino writers started to use their
writings to explore socio-political realities. The tradition of protest has always been a
potent force in the production of socially committed writings, as a number of critics
such as Bienvenido Lumbera, and Epifanio San Juan Jr. have argued. The 1970s, for
example, witnessed the proliferation of poems, short stories, and novels which grappled
with the burning issues of the times. In a large number of magazines and journals,
writers in both English and Pilipino faced the problems of exploitation and injustice, and
appropriated these realities as the only relevant materials for their fiction. In effect,
writers such as Ricardo Lee, Virgilio Almario, Efren Abueg, Ave Perez Jacob, and
Dominador Mirasol produced a large number of texts that were profoundly disturbing,
even as these works zeroed in on the various forms of repression and violence.
In the underground press, writers used pen names. Illegal organizations or groups
published the works, which they had to distribute under the radar. Those caught with
such publications could be held in detention or imprisoned, tortured, and even killed.

• Literary Works
Protest Literature – referred as revolutionary literature. Mainly all about engagement,
combat, committed, resistance, socially conscious literature.
Proletarian Literature - works under this literature was too strong to ignore. It was
deemed for unimaginable, for the committed writer doing political work, to still think f
poetry as “beauty recollected in tranquility”.
Prison Literature – Journalists and prominent political opposition figures were the first
to be ensnared in the dragnet cast by the Marcos intelligence and police apparatus,
followed by militant activists, including academics who were also noted for their critical
literary writings.
 Circumvention Literature – it was in the precious little space afforded, wittingly or not,
by certain publications and institutions sanctioned by the Martial Law Administration,
that the so-called “Literature o Circumvention began to appear”.

• Famous Authors
Ponciano Pineda - is an American writer, teacher, linguist, lawyer and activist during
Martial Law. Ponciano Pineda is considered as the "Father of the Commission on Filipino
Language".
Anicento Silvestre – an activist, he won Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Poetry in
Filipino because of his works.
Bienvenido Ramos – a Filipino poet who contributed to Liwayway, Ilang-ilang, and other
magazines with his revolutionary poems.
Jose Y. Dalisay Jr. - is a Filipino writer. He has won numerous awards and prizes for
fiction, poetry, drama, non-fiction and screenwriting, including 16 Palanca Awards. He
used the pen name “Butch Dalisay”.
• Literary Styles and Themes
Themes of most poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs and the
beauties of nature and surrounding. And Filipinos faced the problems of exploitation
and injustice, and appropriated these realities as the only relevant materials for their
fiction.
• Literary Examples
“Prometheus Unbound” appeared in Focus; “If a Poem Was A Just” (Prison Literature);
“Days of Disquiet” by Jose F. Lacaba; “An Underground Tale” by Benjamin Pimentel, Jr.

21st CENTURY LITERATURE

• Historical Events
Bilingual education which was initiated by the Board of National Education as early as
1958 and continued up to present resulted in the deterioration of English in the
different levels of education. The focus of education and culture was on problems of
national identity, on re-orientation, renewed vigor and a firm resolves to carry out plans
and programs.The forms of literature that led during this period were the essays,
debates and poetry. The short stories, like the novels and plays were no different in
style from those written before the onset of activism.
Comparing present-day conditions to life 40 years ago, nothing has changed much; the
situation is even a lot worse than before for many Filipinos. The world is more cruel now
for the majority of Filipinos because of the promotion of material things (mall culture,
high tech gadgets, condo living) and the pressure to acquire things. Life was a lot simpler
 then. However, the Philippine literature may have changed but Filipinos writers
continue to show dynamism and innovation.

• Literary Works
Poetry – Filipinos continued this work, although the topics might change and usually
uses the free-form.
Fiction works - It can also be a literary work based on imagination rather than on fact,
like a novel or short story.
Theses- this work has more than one important sense to it. It is the most important or
foundational idea of an argument, presentation, or piece of writing—often used in
education.
Games- it is a form of literary art in which can be virtually and in reality. The participants,
termed players, make decisions in order to manage resources through game tokens in
the pursuit of a goal.
Comic - it is a medium used to express ideas by images, often combined with text or
other visual information. Cartooning and similar forms of illustration are the most
common image.

• Famous Authors
Carlo J. Caparas - is a comic strip creator, writer, director and producer who became
sensational known for his created local superheroes and comic book characters that are
still popular to Filipinos until now.
Mars Ravelo - is also a comic strip creator and writer who became phenomenal in the
Philippines for his created superheroes such as “Darna” (a Filipino version of Wonder
Woman), Dyesabel (name of the Filipino mermaid/heroine), and many others.
Gilda Olvidado - is a popular Filipino novelist and writer, known for her extraordinary
love stories.
Bob Ong - is the pseudonym of an anonymous Filipino contemporary author known for
using conversational Filipino to create humorous and reflective depictions of life as a
Filipino.
• Literary Styles and Themes
Contemporary writers often consciously draw inspiration and ideas from the writers
who have come before them. As a result, many works of 21st literature grapple with the
events, movements and literature of the past in order to make sense of the present.
Additionally, the technological advancements of the 21st century have led other writers
to hypothetically write about the future, usually to comment on the present and evoke
introspection.
• Literary Examples
 “Sinasamba Kita” and “Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita” by Gilda Olvidado; “Panday” by
Carlo J. Caparas; “ABNKKBSNPLAko?!” by Bob Ong; “Lumbay ng Dila” by Genevive L.
Asenjo.