FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND

THE WORLD
 21 STCENTURY
PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE FROM
THE REGIONS
21ST CENTURY PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE

Dalisay 1998
1. Today’s literature is derived from
predominantly Western ways of writing
and is influenced by Western writers,
but not necessarily canonical writers.
2. It deals with uniquely filipino
experiences, such as “OCW’s and the
Filipino diaspora, the war in the
countryside, the alienation of the
middle class, the Chinese and the
others among us, our connections to
the supernatural and to the afterlife, the
tangled web of our personal
relationships, including our sexuality,
and Artmaking itself as subject.
3. It’s forms of stories are no longer
limited to realism, but have “assumed
the forms and mindsets of magic
realism, metafiction, minimalism,
science fiction, parable, comic books,
gothic horror, and postmodern parody”.
4. When it comes to language, “our
young writers todays use English
unapologetically, refusing to be
burdened by colonial guilt; quite a
number of them write bilingually.
Indeed we are witnessing the
continuing de-Americanization of
English, its appropriation by Filipino for
Filipino subjects and purposes”.
LITERATURE
Definition of Literature:

 The word literature is derived from the Latin term

litera which means letter. It has been defined
differently by various writers.

 Some loosely interpret literature as any printed

matter written within a book, a magazine or a
pamphlet. Others define literature as a faithful
reproduction of man’s manifold experiences
blended into one harmonious expression.

 Because literature deals with ideas, thoughts and

emotions of man, literature can be said to be the
story of man. Man’s loves, grief's, thoughts,
dreams and aspirations coached in beautiful
language is literature.
 In order to know the history of a nation’s
spirit, one must read its literature. Hence it
is, that to understand the real spirit of a
nation, one must “trace the little rills as they
course along down the ages, broadening and
deepening into the great ocean of thought
which men of the present source are
presently exploring.”
Brother Azurin, said that “literature
expresses the feelings of people to
society, to the government, to his
surroundings, to his fellowmen and to
his Divine Creator.”
The expression of one’s feelings,
according to him, may be through love,
sorrow, happiness, hatred, anger, pity,
contempt, or revenge.
 For Webster, literature is anything that is
printed, as long as it is related to the ideas
and feelings of people, whether it is true, or
just a product of one’s imagination.

 In PANITIKING PILIPINO written by Atienza,

Ramos, Salazar and Nazal, it says that “true
literature is a piece of written work which is
undying. It expresses the feelings and
emotions of people in response to his
everyday efforts to live, to be happy n his
environment and, after struggles, to reach his
Creator.”
 Why Do We
Need to Study
Philippine Literature?
We study literature so that we can
better appreciate our literary heritage.

We cannot appreciate something that we do

not understand. Through a study of our
literature, we can trace the rich heritage of
ideas handed down to us from our forefathers.
Then we can understand ourselves better and
take pride in being a Filipino.
Like other races of the world, we need to
understand that we have a great and noble
tradition which can serve as the means to
assimilate other cultures.

Through such a study, we will realize our literary

limitations conditioned by certain historical factors
and we can take steps to overcome them.

Above all, as Filipinos, who truly love and take

pride in our own culture, we have to manifest our
deep concern for our own literature and this we
can do by studying the literature of our country.
General Types of Literature
Prose - consists of those written within
the common flow of conversation in
sentences and paragraphs, while;

Poetry - refers to those expressions in

verse, with measure and rhyme, line
and stanza and has a more melodious
tone.
 Novels
 Short story
 Plays
 Legends
 Anecdotes
 Essay
 Biography
 News
 Oration
 Narrative Poetry
 Lyric Poetry
 Dramatic Poetry
POETRY
Poetry - refers to those expressions in
verse, with measure and rhyme, line and
stanza and has a more melodious tone.
Different Types of Poetry
Narrative Poetry.
This form describes important events in
life either real or imaginary.
Lyric Poetry.
Originally, this refers to a kind of
poetry that is meant to be sung to the
accompaniment of a lyre, but now, this
applies to any type of poetry that
expresses emotions and feelings of the
poet. They are usually short, simple and
easy to understand.
Dramatic Poetry.
Known as dramatic verse or verse
drama, is a written work that both tells
a story and connects the reader to an
audience through emotions or
behavior.
Narrative Poetry

The different varieties are:

1. Epic. This is an extended narrative about

heroic exploits often under supernatural
control.
◦ Example: BIAG ni LAM-ANG.

2. Metrical Tale. This is a narrative which is

written in verse and can be classified either as
a ballad or a metrical romance.
Example:BAYANI NG BUKID by Al Perez
3. Ballads. Of the narrative poems, this is
considered the shortest and simplest. It has a
simple structure and tells of a single incident.
There are also variations of these: love ballads,
war ballads, and sea ballads, humorous, moral,
and historical or mythical ballads. In the early
time, this referred to a song accompanying a
dance.
Lyric Poetry.

1. Folksongs (Awiting Bayan). These are short

poems intended to be sung. The common
theme is love, despair, grief, doubt, joy, hope
and sorrow.
Example:CHIT-CHIRIT-CHIT

2. Sonnets. This is a lyric poem of 14 lines

dealing with an emotion, a feeling, or an idea.
Example:SANTANG BUDS by Alfonso P.
Santos
Santang Buds

Let me but see them in dreams, the santang buds

That in my absence blossom still beside
My window. Crimson buds like crimson pearls,
Ever in faithfulness they bloom, unchanged,
Unfailing like the memories of home.
Now is the time, the season of their blooming,
An hour less, an hour more, yet stays
Their crimson evermore, unchanged, untouched,
Let me but see in dreams the santang buds
That in my absence blooms, in faith for one
Heart lost in foreign lands, fated to share
No love, no fortune from the world, but born
To suffer want and misery, decreed
To live unknown in pettiness and need.
3. Elegy. This is a lyric poem which expresses
feelings of grief and melancholy, and whose
theme is death.
Example:THE LOVER’S DEATH by Ricardo
Demetillo
4. Ode. This is a poem of a noble feeling,
expressed with dignity, with no definite
number of syllables or definite number of lines
in a stanza.
5. Psalms (Dalit). This is a song praising God or
the Virgin Mary and containing a philosophy of
life.

6. Awit (Song). These have measures of twelve

syllables (dodecasyllabic) and slowly sung to
the accompaniment of a guitar or banduria.
Example:FLORANTE AT LAURA by Franciso
Balagtas
FLORANTE AT LAURA
Awit ni: Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar Karamiha'y Cipres at Higerang kutad
na ang lilim niyon ay nakasisindak;
Kabanata 1 – Pasimula ito'y walang bunga't daho'y malalapad
na nakadidilim sa loob ng gubat.
Sa isang madilim, gubat na
mapanglaw, Ang mga hayop pang dito'y gumagala,
dawag na matinik ay walang pagitan, karamiha'y Sierpe't Basilisco'y madla,
halos naghihirap ang kay Febong silang Hiena't Tigreng ganid na nagsisisila
dumalaw sa loob ng lubhang masukal. ng buhay ng tao't daiging kapuwa.

Malalaking kahoy-ang ang Ito'y gubat manding sa pinto'y malapit

inihahandog ng Avernong Reyno ni Plutong masungit;
pawang dalamhati, kahapisa't lungkot; ang nasasakupang lupa'y dinidilig
huni pa ng ibon ay nakalulunos ng Ilog Cocitong kamandag ang tubig.
sa lalong matimpi't nagsasayang loob.
Sa may gitna nitong mapanglaw na gubat,
Tanang mga baging namimilipit may punong Higerang daho'y kulay pupas;
sa sanga ng kahoy ay balot ng tinik; dito nagagapos ang kahabag-habag,
may bulo ang bunga't nagbibigay-sakit isang pinag-usig ng masamang palad.
sa kanino pa mang sumagi't malapit.
Baguntaong basal na ang anyo't tindig,
Ang mga bulaklak ng nagtayong kahoy, kahit natatali-kamay paa't liig,
pinakamaputing nag-uungos sa dahon; kundi si Narciso'y tunay na Adonis,
pawang kulay luksa at nakikiayon mukhang sumisilang sa gitna ng sakit.
sa nakaliliyong masangsang na amoy.
Makinis ang balat at anaki'y burok
pilikmata'y kilay-mistulang balantok;
bagong sapong ginto ang kulay ng buhok,
sangkap ng katawa'y pawang magkaayos.
7. Corridos (Kuridos). These have measures of
eight syllables (octosyllabic) and recited to a
martial beat.
Example:IBONG ADARNA
Dramatic Poetry

1. Comedy. The word comedy comes from the

Greek term “komos”meaning festivity or revelry.
This form usually is light and written with the
purpose of amusing, and usually has a happy
ending.

2. Melodrama. This is usually used in musical plays

with the opera. Today, this is related to tragedy
just as the farce is to comedy. It arouses
immediate and intense emotion and is usually sad
but there is a happy ending for the principal
character.
3. Tragedy. This involves the hero struggling
mightily against dynamic forces; he meets death or
ruin without success and satisfaction obtained by
the protagonist in a comedy.

4. Farce. This is an exaggerated comedy. It seeks

to arouse mirth by laughable lines; situations are
too ridiculous to be true; the characters seem to
be caricatures and the motives undignified and
absurd.

5. Social Poems. This form is either purely comic

or tragic and it pictures the life of today. It may
aim to bring about changes in the social
conditions.
Prose consists of those written within the
common flow of conversation in sentences and
paragraphs, while poetry refers to those
expressions in verse, with measure and rhyme,
line and stanza and has a more melodious
tone.

A. Novels. A long narrative divided into

chapters and events are taken from true-to-life
stories.
Example:WITHOUT SEEING THE DAWN by
Stevan Javellana
b. Short story. This is a narrative involving one
or more characters, one plot and one single
impression.
Example:THE LAUGHTER OF MY FATHER
by Carlos Bulosan

c. Plays. This is presented on a stage, is

divided into acts and each act has many
scenes.
Example:THIRTEEN PLAYS by Wilfredo M.
Guerrero
d. Legends. These are fictitious narratives,
usually about origins.
Example:THE BIKOL LEGEND by Pio Duran

e. Fables. These are also fictitious and they

deal with animals and inanimate things who
speak and act like people and their purpose is
to enlighten the minds of children to events
that can mold their ways and attitudes.
Example:THE MONKEY AND THE TURTLE
f. Anecdotes. These are merely products of the
writer’s imagination and the main aim is to
bring out lessons to the reader.
Example:THE MOTH AND THE LAMP

g. Essay. This expresses the viewpoint or

opinion of the writer about a particular
problem or event. The best example of this is
the Editorial page of a newspaper.

h. Biography. This deals with the life of a

person which may be about himself, his
autobiography or that of others.
 Example:CAYETANO ARELLANO by Socorro
O. Albert

i. News. This is a report of everyday events in

society, government, science and industry, and
accidents, happening nationally or not.

j. Oration. This is a formal treatment of a

subject and is intended to be spoken in public.
It appeals to the intellect, to the will or to the
emotions of the audience.
Of Philippine Literature in English and Time Frames

It can be said that Philippine literature in English

has achieved a stature that is, in a way,
phenomenal since the inception of English in our
culture.

Our written literature, which is about four hundred

years old, is one of slow and evolutionary growth.
Our writers strove to express their sentiments
while struggling with a foreign medium. The great
mass of literature in English that we have today is,
indeed, a tribute to what our writers have achieved
in the short span of time. What they have written
can compare with some of the best works in the
world.
 Much is still to be achieved. Our writers
have yet to write their OPUS MAGNUMS.
Meanwhile, history and literature are slowly
unfolding before us and we are as witnesses in
the assembly lines to an evolving literary life.

Time frames may not be necessary in a

study of literature, but since literature and
history are inescapably related it has become
facilitative to map up a system which will aid
us in delineating certain time boundaries.
 These time boundaries are not exactly well-
defined; very often, time frames blend into another
in a seeming continuum. For a systematic
discussion of the traditions, customs, and feelings
of our people that can be traced in our literature,
we shall adopt certain delimitations.
These time frames are:
 Time Frames of Philippine Literature in English
 Different opinions prevail regarding the stages
that mark the development of Philippine
literature in English. Let us take the following
time frames for purpose of discussion:
 1. The Period of Re-orientation: 1898-1910
 2. Period of Imitation: 1910-1925
 3. Period of Self-Discovery: 1925-1941
 4. Japanese Period: 1941-1945
 5. The Rebirth of Freedom: 1946-1970
 6. Period of Activism: 1970-1972
 7. Period of the New Society: 1972-1981
 8. Period of the Third Republic: 1981-1985
 9. Contemporary Period: 1986
Literature and History

Literature and history are closely interrelated.

In discovering the history of a race, the
feelings, aspirations, customs and traditions of
a people are sure to be included . . . and these
feelings, aspirations, customs and traditions
that are written is literature.
History can also be written and this too, is
literature. Events that can be written down are
part of true literature. Literature, therefore, is
part of history.
 Literature and history, however, also have
differences. Literature may be figments of the
imagination or events devoid of truth that have
been written down, while history is made up of
events that really happened.

Literary Compositions that Have Influenced the

World. Among them are:
1. The Bible or the Sacred Writings
2. Koran
3. The Iliad and the Odyssey
4. The Mahab-harata
5. Canterbury Tales
6. Uncle Tom’s Cabin
7. The Divine Comedy
8. El Cid Compeador
9. The Song of Roland
10. The Book of the Dead
11. The Book of the Days
12. One Thousand and One Nights or The
Arabian Nights
The Pre-Spanish Period
Historical Background

Long before the Spaniard and other

foreigners landed on Philippine shores, our
forefathers already had their own literature
stamped in the history of our race.

Our ancient literature shows our customs and

traditions in everyday life as trace in our folk
stories, old plays and short stories.

Our ancestors also had their own alphabet

which was different from that brought by the
Spaniards. The first alphabet used by our
ancestors was similar to that of the Malayo-
Polynesian alphabet.
 Whatever record our ancestors left were
either burned by the Spanish friars in the belief
that they were works of the devil or were written
on materials that easily perished, like the barks of
trees, dried leaves and bamboo cylinders which
could not have remained undestroyed even if
efforts were made to preserve them.

Other records that remained showed folk

songs that proved existence of a native culture
truly our own. Some of these were passed on by
word of mouth till they reached the hands of some
publishers or printers who took interest in printing
the manuscripts of the ancient Filipinos.
 The Spaniards who came to the Philippines
tried to prove that our ancestors were really fond
of poetry, songs, stories, riddles and proverbs
which we still enjoy today and which serve to show
to generations the true culture of our people.

Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by:

A. LEGENDS. Legends are a form of prose the

common theme of which is about the origin of a
thing, place, location or name. The events are
imaginary, devoid of truth and unbelievable. Old
Filipino customs are reflected in these legends. Its
aim is to entertain. Here is an example of a legend
is THE LEGEND OF THE TAGALOGS.
B. FOLK TALES. Folk tales are made up of stories about
life, adventure, love, horror and humor where one can
derive lessons about life. These are useful to us
because they help us appreciate our environment,
evaluate our personalities and improve our
perspectives in life.
An example of this is THE MOON AND THE SUN.

C. 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. Nobody can
determine which epics are the oldest because in their
translations from other languages, even in English and
Spanish. We can only determine their origins from the
time mentioned in the said epics.
Aside from the aforementioned epics, there are still
other epics that can be read and studied like the
following epics.

a. Bidasari-Moro epic
b. Biag ni Lam-ang-Ilokano epic
c. Maragtas-Visayan epic
d. Haraya-Visayan epic
e. Lagda-Visayan epic
f. Hari sa Bukid-Visayan epic
g. Kumintang-Tagalog epic
h. Parang Sabir-Moro epic
i. “Dagoy”at “Sudsod”-Tagbanua epic
j. Tatuaang-Bagobo epic
k. Indarapatra at Sulayman
l. Bantugan
m. Daramoke-A-Babay –Moro epic in “Darangan”

D. FOLK SONGS. Folk songs 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. Here are the
examples:
 a. Kundiman
 b. Kumintang o Tagumpay
c. Ang Dalit o Imno
d. Ang Oyayi o Hele
e. Diana
f. Soliraning
g. Talindaw

OTHER FORMS OF PRE-SPANISH POETRY

E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or

Sayings

1. Epigrams (Salawikain). These have been

customarily used and served as laws or rules on
good behavior by our ancestors. To others, these are
like allegories or parables that impart lessons for the
young.
2. Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan. These are made up
of one or more measured lines with rhyme and may
consist of four to 12 syllables.

3. Chant (Bulong). Used in witchcraft or enchantment.

4. Maxims. A well-known phrase that expresses a

general truth about life or a rule about behaviour.
Ex. A watched pot never boils.

5. Sayings (Kasabihan). Often used in teasing or to

comment on a person’s actuations. EX. KAPAG BINATO
KA NG BATO, BATUHIN MO NG TINAPAY.

6. Sawikain (Sayings with no hidden meanings)

EX. ISULAT SA TUBIG
The Spanish Period
(1565-1898)
 Historical Background

It is an accepted belief that the Spanish

colonization of the Philippines started in 1565
during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the
first Spanish governor-general in the Philippines.
Literature started to flourish during his time. This
spurt continued unabated until the Cavite Revolt in
1872. The Spaniards colonized the Philippines for
more than three centuries.

During these times, many changes occurred

in the lives of Filipinos. They embraced the
Catholic religion, changed their names, and were
baptized.
 Their lifestyles changed too. They built
houses mad of stones and bricks, used beautiful
furniture like the piano and used kitchen utensils.
Carriages, trains and boats were used as means of
travel. They held fiestas to honor the saints, the
pope and the governors. They had cockfights,
horse races and the theater as means of
recreation.

This gave rise to the formation of the

different classes of society like the rich and the
landlords. Some Filipinos finished courses like
medicine, law, agriculture and teaching. Many
Filipinos finished their schooling already had been
established.
SPANISH INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Due to the long period of colonization of the

Philippines by the Spaniards, they have exerted a
strong influence on our literature.

1. The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was

replaced by the Roman alphabet.

2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became

the basis of religious practices.

3. The Spanish language which became the literary

language during this time lent many of its words
to our language.
4. European legends and traditions brought
here became assimilated in our songs,
corridos, and moro-moros.

5. Ancient literature was collected and

translated to Tagalog and other dialects.

6. Many grammar books were printed in

Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano and Visayan

7. Our periodicals during these times gained a

religious tone.
B. THE FIRST BOOKS

1. ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE CHRISTIAN

DOCTRINE). This was the first book printed in the
Philippines in 1593 in xylography. It was written by
Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, in
Tagalog and Spanish. It contained the Pater Noster
(Out Father), Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli
(Hail Holy Queen), the Ten Commandments of God,
the Commandments of the Catholic Church, the
Seven Mortal Sins, How to Confess, and the
Cathecism. Three old original copies of this book
can still be found at the Vatican, at the Madrid
Musem and at the US Congress. It contains only 87
pages but costs $5,000
2. Nuestra Señora del Rosario. The second book
printed in the Philippines was written by Fr.
Blancas de San Jose in 1602, and printed at the
UST Printing Press with the help of Juan de Vera, a
Chinese mestizo. It contains the biographies of
saints, novenas, and questions and answers on
religion.

3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre (in

Spanish and Tagalog). This is the first book printed
in typography.

4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat. This is a Biblical story

printed in the Philippines and translated to
Tagalog from Greek by Fr. Antonio de Borja.
It is believed to be the first Tagalog novel published in
the Philippines even if it is only a translation. The
printed translation has only 556 pages. The Ilocano
translation in poetry was done by Fr. Agustin Mejia.

5. The Pasion. This is the book about the life and

sufferings of Jesus Christ. It is read only during Lent.
There were 4 versions of this in Tagalog and each
version is according to the name of the writer.

These are the Pilapil version (by Mariano Pilapil of

Bulacan, 1814), the de Belen version (by Gaspar Aquino
de Belen of Bat. in 1704), the de la Merced (by Aniceto
de la Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan in 1856) and the
de Guia version (by Luis de Guia in 1750).
Critics are not agreed whether it is the Pilapil or
the de la Merced version which is the most
popular.

6. Urbana at Felisa. A book by Modesto de Castro,

the so called Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog.
These are letters between two sisters Urbana at
Felisa and have influenced greatly the behavior of
people in society because the letters dealt with
good behavior.

7. Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary). A

collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary. Fr.
Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest, wrote this in 1865
and it was popular especially during the Maytime
“Flores de Mayo”festival.
C. LITERARY COMPOSITIONS

1. Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (Art and rules

of the Tagalog language). Written by Fr. Blancas de
San Jose and translated to Tagalog by Tomas
Pinpin in 1610.

2. Compendio de la Lengua Tagala (Understanding

the Tagalog language). Written by Fr. Gaspar de
San Agustin in 1703.

3. Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (Tagalog

vocabulary). The first Tagalog dictionary written by
Fr. Pedro de San Buenaventura in 1613.
4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampanga
vocabulary). The first book in Pampanga written by
Fr. Diego in 1732.

5. Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya (Bisayan

vocabulary). The best language book in Visayan by
Mateo Sanchez in 1711.

6. Arte de la Lengua Ilokana (The Art of the Ilocano

language). The first Ilocano grammar book by
Francisco Lopez.

7. Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol

language). The first book in the Bicol language and
written by Fr. Marcos Lisbon in 1754.
D. FOLK SONGS. Folk songs became widespread in
the Philippines. Each region had its national song
from the lowlands to the mountains of Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao.

Folk songs truly manifest the artistic feelings of

the Filipinos. They show the Filipinos’innate
appreciation for and love of beauty. The examples
are Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy,
Sarong Banggi and Atin Cu Pung Singsing.

E. RECEREATIONAL PLAYS. There are many

recreational plays performed by Filipinos during
the Spanish times. Almost all of them were in
poetic form. Here are examples:
1. Tibag –the word tibag means to excavate.
This ritual was brought here by the Spaniard to
remind the people about the search of St.
Helena for the Cross on which Jesus died.

2. Lagaylay –this is a special occasion for the

Pilareños of Sorsogon during May time to get
together.
As early as April, the participating ladies
are chosen and sometimes, mothers volunteer
their girls in order to fulfill a vow made during
an illness or for a favor received.
In some parts of Bicol, a different presentation is
made but the objective is the same –praise,
respect and offering of love to the Blessed Cross
by St. Helen on the mound she had dug in.

3. The Cenaculo –this is a dramatic performance to

commemorate the passion and death of Jesus
Christ. There are two kinds: the Cantada and
Hablada.
In the Hablada the lines are spoken in a more
deliberate manner showing the rhythmic measure
of each verse and the rhyming in each stanza and
is more dignified in theme;
the Cantada is chanted like the Pasion.
 The Cenaculo is written in octosyllabic verse,
with 8 verses to the stanza. The full length
versions take about 3 nights of staging.
Performers come in costumes with wigs and
performers are carefully chosen for their virtuous
life. One performs the role of Jesus Christ and
another the role of the Virgin Mary. Many famous
Cenaculo players come from the Tagalog regions
although there are also those from Ilocos,
Pampanga, Bicol and both Sibulanon and
Hiligaynon.

4. Panunuluyan –this is presented before 12:00 on

Christmas Eve. This is a presentation of the search
of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn
wherein to deliver the baby Jesus.
5. The Salubong (or Panubong) -The Salubong is
an Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the
Risen Christ and his Mother. It is still presented in
many Philippine towns.

6. Carillo (Shadow Play) –this is a form of dramatic

entertainment performed on a moonless night
during a town fiesta or on dark nights after a
harvest. This shadow play is made by projecting
cardboard figures before a lamp against a white
sheet. The figures are moved like marionettes
whose dialogues are produced by some experts.

The dialogues are drawn from a Corrido or

Awit or some religious play interspersed with
songs. These are called by various names in
different places:
 Carillo in Manila, Rizal and Batangas and
Laguan; TITRES in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan,
Bataa, Capiz and Negros; TITIRI in Zambales;
GAGALO or KIKIMUT in Pampanga and Tarlac;
and ALIALA in La Union.

7. The Zarzuela –considered the father of the

drama; it is a musical comedy or melodrama
three acts which dealt with man’s passions and
emotions like love, hate, revenge, cruelty,
avarice or some social or political problem.
8. The Sainete –this was a short musical comedy
popular during the 18thcentury. They were
exaggerated comedies shown between acts of long
plays and were mostly performed by characters
from the lower classes. Themes were taken from
everyday life scenarios.

F. THE MORO-MORO. Like the Cenaculo, the Moro-

moro is presented also on a special stage. This is
performed during town fiestas to entertain the
people and to remind them of their Christian
religion. The plot is usually the same that of a
Christian princess or a nobleman’s daughter who
is captured by the Mohammedans. The father
organizes a rescue party where fighting between
the Moros and the Christians ensue.
 The Mohammedans are defeated by some
miracle or Divine Intercession and the
Mohammedans are converted to Christianity. In
some instances, the whole kingdom is baptized
and converted. One example of this is Prinsipe
Rodante.

G. KARAGATAN. This is a poetic vehicle of a

socio-religious nature celebrated during the
death of a person. In this contest, more or less
formal, a ritual is performed based on a legend
about a princess who dropped her ring into the
middle of the sea and who offered here hand in
marriage to anyone who can retrieve it.
 A leader starts off with an extemporaneous poem
announcing the purpose. He then spins a “lumbo”o
“tabo”marked with a white line. Whoever comes in the
direction of the white line when the spinning stops gets
his turn to “go into the sea to look for the ring.”This
means a girl will ask him a riddle and if he is able to
answer, he will offer the ring to the girl.

 H. DUPLO. The Duplo replace the Karagatan. This is a

poetic joust in speaking and reasoning. The roles are
taken from the Bible and from proverbs and saying. It
is usually played during wakes for the dead.

 I. THE BALAGTASAN. This is a poetic joust or a

contest of skills in debate on a particular topic or
issue. This is replaced the DUPLO and is held to
honor Francisco “Balagtas”Baltazar.
J. THE DUNG-AW. This is a chant in free verse
by a bereaved person or his representative
beside the corpse of the dead. No definite
meter or rhyming scheme is used. The person
chanting it freely recites in poetic rhythm
according to his feelings, emotions and
thoughts. It is personalized and usually deals
with the life, sufferings and sacrifices of the
dead and includes apologies for his misdeeds.

K. THE AWIT and the CORRIDO. Some use these

two interchangeably because distinction is not
clear.
The Period of Enlightenment (1872-1898)