PRECOLONIAL PHILIPPINES: A

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

E. Arsenio Manuel, a literary scholar

notable for his studies on Philippine folk
literature, divides pre-colonial literature
into three, namely, the Mythological Age,
Heroic Age, and Folktales from all ages.
Mythological Age
This is the period when our ancestors told stories
about the creation of human beings and the
world, natural phenomena, and deities and
spirits.

Heroic Age
In this period, the characters in stories evolved.
Whereas supreme beings and deities were the
common subjects during the Mythological Age,
ordinary mortals and cultural heroes became
 Epics became a popular genre, and they were
chanted during important events in the
community to inspire people. These were also
performed to remind the community of their
ideals and values.

Folktales
Philippine folktales are traditional stories that
had humans, animals, and even plants as
characters. These are fictional talesthat have
been modified through successive retellings
Important influences in literary texts during the
pre-colonial period are the following:

1. Climate
2. Source of income (fishing, farming, etc.)
3. Ideologies, distinct characteristics, and type of
government
4. Religious beliefs
5. Geographical location
Ancient Tagalog
Deities
Gods and Goddesses of Philippine Mythology

Filipinos practiced worshipping gods and

goddesses during the precolonial period. This
practice is known as animism, which is a belief
that souls or spirits exist in plants, animals, or
objects. It comes from the Latin word anima,
which, according to psychologist Carl Jung, means
a person’s inner self or soul.
In the Philippines, deities vary in different regions
Ancient Tagalog Deities
• Kaluwalhatian is the term used to refer to the
home of ancient Philippine gods and goddesses.
Bathala or Bathalang Maykapal is the king of
the gods in Tagalog myths. He married a mortal,
with which he had three children: Apolaki (god of
war and guardian of the sun), Mayari (goddess of
the moon), and Tala (goddess of the stars).
Apolaki and Mayari (or Adlaw and Bulan in
Visayan) ruled the earth at different times. This is
because of a conflict between them when Bathala
died and he did not pass the title to any of his
Tala is the goddess who warns Mayari that the sun god is gone
and that it is safe for her to come out along with the stars.
Amihan is believed to be a bird, which is said to be the first
creature that inhabited the earth. It is linked to the story of
creation of the Tagalogs.
5. The Marias
a. Maria Makiling is the diwata who guards Mount Makiling in
Laguna.
b. Maria Cacao is the guardian of Mount Lantoy in Cebu. Her
realm is the cacao plants, which are used by Filipinos for famous
chocolate delicacies.
c. Maria Sinukuan is the guardian of Mount Arayat in Pampanga.
She brings abundant harvests from trees in the mountain.
6. Bacunawa, or the “moon eater,” is the god of the underworld.
Tala is the goddess who warns Mayari that the sun god is gone
and that it is safe for her to come out along with the stars.
Amihan is believed to be a bird, which is said to be the first
creature that inhabited the earth. It is linked to the story of
creation of the Tagalogs.
5. The Marias
a. Maria Makiling is the diwata who guards Mount Makiling in
Laguna.
b. Maria Cacao is the guardian of Mount Lantoy in Cebu. Her
realm is the cacao plants, which are used by Filipinos for famous
chocolate delicacies.
c. Maria Sinukuan is the guardian of Mount Arayat in Pampanga.
She brings abundant harvests from trees in the mountain.
6. Bacunawa, or the “moon eater,” is the god of the underworld.
 PHILIPPINE FOLK
NARRATIVES: MYTHS,
EPICS, LEGENDS, AND
FOLKTALES
Folktale
s Epics

Legend
Myths s
Philippine Folk Narratives: Myths, Epics, Legends,
and Folktales

Narratives such as folktales and legends were created to

explain natural phenomena and the origin of things long
before science came to be known.
A. Myths
These are stories that make use of gods, goddesses, and
other fantastical creatures as characters. These became a
means for our ancestors to explain the occurrence of
supernatural events, the beginning of cultural traditions,
and the existence of mysteries. A myth may also attempt to
explain how the world began or how a group of people
originated.
B. Epics
An epic is a long narrative poem that describes the adventures of
a hero, warrior, god, or king. It is influenced by the traditions,
culture, beliefs, moral code, and attitudes of the people who
created it. The characteristics of a classical epic include the
following:
• The main character or protagonist of the story is considered a
hero.
• The hero’s actions are presented without bias; the epic presents
both the character’s faults and virtues.
• Epics often involve battles, which reveal the extraordinary
strength of the protagonist as he engages in acts of bravery.
• The setting may span several countries, involve the whole world,
or even be set in the universe.
• Gods and other divine beings are portrayed as having a role in
the outcome of events.
Examples of these epics include:
1. Hinilawod (Panay)—This is considered as the oldest and
longest among the epics of Panay. It narrates the adventures of
three brothers, Humadapnin, Dumalapdap, and Labaw Dingin.
With care we shall tell, accurately we shall relate
The story of the three princes who were born
To goddess Alunsina of the Eastern Skies!
Strangely, before the mother could open her eyes
The first boy born became a mature man to her surprise
And she called him Labaw Dingin, radiant as the sunrise!
Absoy-y-y-y-y-y-y-y—
Then followed the birth of Prince Humadapnin
Who immediately became a man, a handsome prince
A mighty warrior, the kingdom has ever seen!
And before the marvelous mother could have a sigh
Came the third son, Dumalapdap, who likewise
Became a man, stately in mien-like a cloudless sky!
2. Ibalon (Bicol) - Somehow similar to Hinilawod, this epic is
about three brothers: Baltog, Bantiong, and Handiong.

3. Hudhud (Ifugao) -This epic tells about the lives of native

Ifugao heroes, the most notable of which is Aliguyon of the
village Gonhandan. Aliguyon was endowed with
supernatural powers and boundless energy. He has the
ability to travel long distances without needing food and
rest. Upon arriving at his destination, he still has the same
energy as he did when he started his journey. Aliguyon was
invincible in battle; he could catch spears in mid-flight and
could fight against many combatants.
4. Darangan (Muslim)—This epic is about the
sentimental and romantic adventures of noble Maranao
warriors; the most famous is about a warrior/prince
named Bantugan. Prince Bantugan was the brother of
the chieftain of a village called Bumbaran. Bantugan
owned a magic shield, was protected by divine spirits,
and was capable of rising from the dead.

5. Biag ni Lam-Ang (Ilocos)—This is an epic that tells

the story of Lam-Ang, who exhibits extraordinary
abilities even in his early years.
C. Legends
• Believed to be historical but cannot be verified as
true, legends are stories handed down through
generations. These stories are often about famous
persons or events.
• These may tell of an encounter with marvelous
creatures, which the folks still believe in: fairies,
ghosts, water spirits, the devil, and the like.

The Legend of Maria Makiling (Tagalog)

D. Folktales
Folktales are prose narratives usually told to amuse or
entertain. These are also instructional in nature,
dealing with events set in an indefinite time and space.
Examples of folktales are animal tales or fables and
magical tales such as “Ang Pagong at ang Matsing” and
“Ang Alamat ng Pinya.”
 PHILIPPINE FOLK LYRIC
AND SPEECH: SONGS,
PROVERBS, AND RIDDLES
Philippine Folk Lyric and Speech: Songs, Proverbs,
and Riddles

The base form of Philippine folk lyric and speech is poetry.

Poetry is a form of literature that emphasizes rhythm,
metrical structure, and the use of imagery and sound
patterns. Poetry is organized in stanzas, which are groups of
consecutive lines in a poem, with each stanza forming a
single unit.
A.Folk Songs are repetitive and sonorous and have a
playful melody. They may be about love and courtship, a
long day’s work, or may be songs sung at a funeral.

Doon Po Sa Amin Leron, Leron Sinta

Doon po sa amin Leron, Leron sinta
Bayan ng San Roque Buko ng papaya
May nagkatuwaang Dala dala’y buslo
Apat na pulubi. Sisidlan ng bunga
Nagsayaw ang pilay, Pagdating sa dulo
Kumanta ang pipi, Nabali ang sanga
Nanood ang bulag, Kapos kapalaran
Nakinig ang bingi. Humanap ng iba.
B. Proverbs (salawikain)
Proverbs are short sayings enveloped in rhymed verse that
are meant to give advice to the young, offering words of
wisdom or stating how one should live.

Example:
Huwag magbilang ng sisiw
hanggang di pa napipisa ang itlog.
(Don’t count chicks until the eggs are hatched.)
Matibay ang walis,
palibhasa’y magkabigkis.
(A broom is sturdy because its strands are tightly
bound.)
Hangga’t makitid ang kumot,
matutong mamaluktot.
(While the blanket is short, learn how to bend.)
C. Riddles (bugtong)
Riddles are perplexing questions meant to be guessed
or solved. These are used for entertainment, and they
require one to observe, analyze, and imagine to
provide the right answer.