Introduction to Philippine Literature

Quarter 1 – Module 1: Geographic, Linguistic and Ethnic Dimensions of Philippine Literary History

from Pre-Colonial to the Contemporary

Lesson 1: Geographic, Linguistic and Ethnic Dimensions of Philippine Literary History from Pre-

Colonial to the Contemporary

Our forefathers already had their literature, which reflected in their customs and traditions.
They had their alphabet even before they had colonized. The Spanish friars burned their alphabet in the
belief that they were works of the devil or were written on materials that quickly perished, like the barks
of trees, dried leaves, and bamboo cylinders, which could not have remained firm even if efforts were
made to preserve them. Our unique geographic location is the reason why we are rich.

PRE-SPANISH LITERATURE

Pre-Colonial Times

- Pre-colonial inhabitants of our islands showcase a rich past through their folk speeches, folk songs, folk
narratives and indigenous rituals and mimetic dances that affirm our ties with our Southeast Asian
neighbors.

Characterized by:

• Folk tales. These are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror, and humor where one can
derive lessons. An example of this is THE MOON AND THE SUN.

• The Epic Age. Epics are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events,
usually of a hero, are dealt with at length.

• Folk Songs. These are one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature that emerged in the pre-Spanish
period. These songs mirrored the early forms of culture. Many of these have 12 syllables. Examples of
which are Kundiman, Kumintang o Tagumpay, Ang Dalit o Imno, Ang Oyayi o Hele, Diana, Soliraning and
Talindaw

The Spanish Colonial Tradition

- While it is true that Spain subjugated the Philippines for more mundane reasons, this former European
power contributed much in the shaping and recording of our literature.

- Religion and institutions that represented European civilization enriched the languages in the lowlands,
introduced theater which we would come to know as komedya, thesinakulo, the sarswela, the playlets
and the drama.

- Spain also brought to the country, though at a much later time, liberal ideas and an internationalism
that influenced our own Filipino intellectuals and writers for them to understand the meanings of
―liberty and freedom.

- Literature in this period may be classified as religious prose and poetry and secular prose and poetry.

• Spanish Influences On Philippine Literature The first Filipino alphabet, called ALIBATA, was replaced by
the Roman alphabet. Also, the teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs, corridos, and moro-
moros.

• Folk Songs- manifests the artistic feelings of the Filipinos and shows their innate appreciation for and
love of beauty. The examples are Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi, and Atin
Cu Pung Sing-sing.
• Recreational Plays There were many recreational plays performed by Filipinos during the Spanish
times. Almost all of them were in a poetic form such Cenaculo, Panunuluyan, Salubong and Zarzuela.

PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1972- 1898)

- In 19th Century, Filipino intellectuals educated in Europe called Ilustrados began to write about the
hitch of colonization.

 The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896) - This movement was spearheaded mostly by the
intellectual middle-class like Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar; Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna,
Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma. Panganiban, and Pedro Paterno.
 Some of Rizal’s writings: Noli Me Tangere, Mi Ultimo Adios, Sobre La Indolencia Delos Filipinos
and Filipinas Dentro De Cien Aňos.\
 Some of Del Pilar’s writings: Pagibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Country), Kaingat Kayo (Be
Careful), and Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes).
 Some of Jaena’s writings: Ang Fray Botod, La Hija Del Fraile (The Child of the Friar), and
Everything Is Hambug (Everything is mere show), Sa Mga Pilipino...1891), and Talumpating
Pagunita Kay Kolumbus (An Oration to Commemorate Columbus).

THE AMERICAN REGIME (1898-1944)

- A new set of colonizers brought about new changes in Philippine literature.

- New literary forms such as free verse [in poetry], the modern short story and the critical essay were
introduced.

- American influence was deeply entrenched with the firm establishment of English as the medium of
instruction in all schools and with literary modernism that highlighted the writer‘s individuality and
cultivated consciousness of craft, sometimes at the expense of social consciousness.

- Linguistically, Americans influenced Filipino writers to write using English language.

Jose Garcia Villa- became famous for his free verse.

Characteristics of Literature during this period:

- The languages used in writing were Spanish and Tagalog and the dialects of the different
regions. But the writers in Tagalog, continued in their lamentations on the conditions of the
country and their attempts to arouse love for one‘s native tongue and the writers in English
imitated the themes and methods of the Americans.

THE JAPANESE PERIOD (1941-1945)

- Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development when another foreign country, Japan,
conquered the Philippines between1941-1945.

- 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.

- Filipino Poetry during 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 syllables divided into three

lines

b. Tanaga – like the Haiku, is short, but it had measure and rhyme.
c. Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form)

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH (1941-1945)

- Because of the strict prohibitions imposed by the Japanese in the writing and publishing of works in
English, Philippine literature in English experienced a dark period. For the first twenty years, many books
were published both in Filipino and in English.

- In the New Filipino Literature, Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived during this period. Most
themes in the writings dealt with Japanese brutalities, the poverty of life under the Japanese
government, and the brave guerilla exploits.

PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)

 Pociano Pineda- according to him, 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 the like were favored more than the
sensationalized reporting of killings, rape, and robberies. Filipinos before were hooked in reading
magazines and comics.

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 (1986-1995)

- 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, speeches, and even in the television
programs.
- The now crony newspapers that enjoyed an overnight increase in circulation were THE INQUIRER,
MALAYA, and the PEOPLE‘S JOURNAL

21st CENTURY PERIOD

- 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 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.

The Contemporary Period

-The flowering of Philippine literature in the various languages continues especially with the appearance
of new publications after the Martial Law years and the resurgence of committed literature in the 1960s
and the 1970s.

- Filipino writers continue to write poetry, short stories, novellas, novels and essays whether these are
socially committed, gender/ethnic related or are personal in intention or not. Of course the Filipino
writer has become more conscious of his art with the proliferation of writers workshops here and
abroad and the bulk of literature available to him via the mass media including the internet.

- The various literary awards such as the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the
Philippines Free Press, Philippine Graphic, Home Life and Panorama literary awards encourage him to
compete with his peers and hope that his creative efforts will be rewarded in the long run.

Summary:

1. Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by Legends, Folk Tales, The Epic Age, and Folk Songs.

2. The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896) was spearheaded mostly by the intellectual middle-class like
Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma. Panganiban
and Pedro Paterno.

3. In the American Regime, Americans influenced Filipino writers to write using the English language.
English as a medium of instruction was introduced in the schools as the intellectual language of
education.

4. In the Period of Activism, campus newspapers were written to show their protest. They held pens and
wrote on placards in red paint the equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA (To dare!).

5. Period of the New Society poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs, and the
beauties of nature and surroundings.

6. The period of the Third Republic was romantic and revolutionary.

7. Post EDSA I noticed in the new Filipino songs, in the newspapers, in the speeches, and even in the

television programs.