2. WHAT IS
LITERATURE?
Latin “literatura”, means writing
formed with letters
Is a body of written works.
Is an art form, which uses language
– preferably in its written form as an
instrument of expression.
10. PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
(BC – 1534)
This existed before the Spanish occupation
in the 1500s
It is oral in nature - gives the possibility
for many alterations
In the Philippine context, no matter
how it may be considered as altered,
pre-colonial literature is still revered to by
many Filipinos
11. PRE-COLONIAL
PERIOD (BC – 1534)
Forms
1. Oral Literature
a. Riddles
b. Proverbs
2. Folk Songs
a. Lullabies
b. Drinking Songs
c. Love Songs
d. Songs of Death
e. Religious Songs
3. Folk Tales
a. Myths
b. Legends
c. Fables
d. Epics
12. RIDDLES
These are statements that contain
superficial words, but they function
figuratively and as metaphors, and are in
the form of questions.
It usually has ordinary things as answers.
This is used in the past as a form
of game in small or large
gatherings – battle of wit
23. FOLK SONGS
These are folk lyrics that are usually
chanted.
These usually contain ideas on
aspirations, hopes, everyday life and
expressions of love for loved ones.
 It is bounded by the learning of
good morals.
24. FORMS OF FOLK SONGS
Lullabies
These is locally known as the Hele.
These are sung to put to sleep babies.
The content varies, but usually, parents
sing these with ideas on how hard life
is and how they hope that their child
will not experience the hardships of
life
25. FORMS OF FOLK SONGS
Drinking Songs
These are locally known as Tagay
(Cebuano and Waray) and are sung
during drinking sessions.
26. FORMS OF FOLK SONGS
Love Songs
To many Filipinos, these are
known as the Harana. It can
also be called Courtship Songs
and are used by young
men to capture the heart of
the girl that they love.
27. FORMS OF FOLK SONGS
Religious Songs
These are songs or chants
that are usually given during
exorcisms and thanksgiving
during good harvest.
28. FORMS OF FOLK SONGS
Songs of Death
These are lamentations that
contain the roll of good deeds
that the dead has usually
done to immortalize his or
her good image.
29. FOLK TALES
These are stories of native Filipinos.
These deal with the power of
nature personified, their submission
to a deity usually Bathala- and how
this deity is responsible for the
blessings and calamities.
30. FORMS OF FOLK TALES
Myths
These tackle the natural
to strange occurrences of
the earth and how things
were created with an aim
to give an explanation to
things.
Example: Si Malakas at
si Maganda
31. FORMS OF FOLK TALES
Legends
These stories usually come
with a moral/lesson that gives
credit to supernatural powers,
supernatural occurrences, and
other out-of-this-world native
imagination.
32. FORMS OF FOLK TALES
Fables
These are short or brief stories that cater
the children of the native Filipinos and
are usually bounded by good manners
and right conduct. These stories use
animals as characters that represent
particular value
or characteristic.
33. FORMS OF FOLK TALES
Epics
These are very lengthy narratives that
are based on oral traditions. These
contain encounters of fighters,
stereotypical princes or heroes that
save a damsel in distress.
Example: Biag ni Lam-ang
35. SPANISH PERIOD (1521 - 1898)
It started in March 6, 1521 when
Ferdinand Magellan docked on the
shores of Homonhon.
The Filipinos were then called
“Ladinos”, meaning they were
latinized.
36. SPANISH PERIOD (1521 - 1898)
A person who is a Taga-bayan is
considered civilized and were in easy
range of the church and state.
A person who is a Taga-bundok or Taga-
bukid is called a Bruto Salvage or Indio
and were the ones who lived far from the
center of the Spanish power.
37. SPANISH PERIOD (1521 - 1898)
Forms
1. Religious Literature
a. Pasyon
b. Senakulo
2. Secular or Non-
Religious Literature
a.Awit
b. Korido
3. Propaganda
Literature
4. Revolutionary
Literature
41. SECULAR OR NON-RELIGIOUS
LITERATURE
o Revolves around tales of valiance and
adventure.
a. Awit – these are tales of chivalry
where a knight saves a princess.
b. Korido- is a metrical tale or a tale
that follows the structure of a poem.
42. PROPAGANDA LITERATURE
o These were in the forms of satires,
editorials, and news articles that
aimed to attack the Spanish Rule.
o The propaganda trinity is composed
of Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. Del
Pilar, and Graciano Lopez Jaena.
43. JOSE P. RIZAL
(Dimasalang, Laong-
Laan)
a. NOLI ME TANGERE
b. Essays, Editorials (La
Solidaridad – Spanish
News Paper
44. MARCELO H. DEL
PILAR (Plaridel)
a. Kaiingat Kayo (Be
Careful)
b. Dasalan at Tocsohan
(Prayers and Jokes)
c. Ang Cadaquilaan ng
Dios (God’s
Goodness)
45. GRACIANO LOPEZ
JAENA (Diego Laura)
a.Ang Fray Botod
b. La Hija del Fraile (The
Child of the Friar)
c. Everything is Humbug
(Everything is Mere
Show)
47. ANDRES BONIFACIO
a. Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Anak ng
Bayan (Obligations of Our Countrymen)
b. Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog
(What the Tagalogs Should Know)
JOSE RIZAL
• El Filibusterismo
48. EMILIO JACINTO
a. Liwanag at Dilim (Light and Darkness)
APOLINARIO MABINI
a. El Desarollo y Caida dela Republica
Filipina (The Rise and Fall of the
Philippine Republic)
50. AMERICAN PERIOD
(1900 - 1942)
The Philippines had a great leap in
Education and Culture.
The use of English alongside
Filipino was practiced.
The Philippines Public School
system was
introduced.
51. AMERICAN PERIOD
(1900 - 1942)
 Free public instruction was given to
the Filipinos.
 The literature during the American
period was considered as imitative
of American model.
52. AMERICAN PERIOD
(1900 - 1942)
Forms
1.Poetry
Poetry under the American rule still followed the
style of the old, but had contents that ranged from
free writing to societal concerns under the
Americans.
2.Drama
It was usually used in the American period to
degrade the Spanish rule and to immortalize the
heroism of the men who fought under the Katipunan.
53. AMERICAN PERIOD
(1900 - 1942)
3. Remake Novels
It took up Dr. Jose Rizal's portrayal of
social conditions by colonial
repression.
54. POETRY
Jose Corazon de Jesus (1832-1896) popularly
known as “Batute,” created his own generation
with his first book of poems.
Mga Gintong Dahon (1920)- were poems pre-
occupied with such non-traditional themes as
passion-slaying, grief- induced, insanity, and
lover’s suicide.
Sa Dakong Silangan (1928)- returned to the awit
form, retelling the history of Philippines under
Spain, the coming of the U.S under the guise of
friendship to overthrow Spain
55. DRAMA
Severino Reyes (1861-1942) – spearheaded a
movement to supplant the komedya with a new type
of drama, the sarsuwela, a Filipino adaptation of the
Spanish zarzuela.
Examples:
Walang Sugat (1902)- is a sarsuwela (drama in
the form singing) drawn from the period of
Revolution,
depicting the cruelty and corruption of friars and the
heroism of the soldiers of the Katipunan.
56. DRAMA
Other successful sarsuwelas:
Hindi Aco Patay (1903) by Juan Matapang Cruz
Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas (1903) by Aurelio
Tolentino- is an allegorical presentation of
the history of the nationalist struggle and
how the U,S. frustrated the Philippine
revolution.
Tanikalang Guinto (1902) by Juan Abad (1872-
1932)- is about Liwanag and K’Ulayaw, lovers who
stand for freedom and the Filipino.
57. REMAKE NOVELS
Gabriel Beato Francisco (1850-1935)-
He is best known for his trilogy of
Fulgencia Galbillo (1907), Capitan Bensio
(1907), Alfaro (1909), depicting the 30 years of
colonial repression by the Spanish rule.
58. REMAKE NOVELS
Inigo Ed. Regalado (1888-1976)-
Madaling Araw (1909) was his first novel
showing the complex interrelations of issues and
people in contemporary Philippine society.
Juan Lauro Arsciwals (1889-1928)-
Lalaking Uliran o Tulisan (1914), allusion to
the colonial law that branded Filipino patriots
as bandits.
59. JAPANESE PERIOD (1941 - 1945)
 The Philippine literature came into a halt.
 The use of the English language was forbidden, and the use
of the Filipino language was mandated
under the Japanese rule.
 For some this was a problem, but to most writers,
it was a blessing in disguise.
 Almost all news papers were stopped except for
some.
 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.
60. JAPANESE PERIOD (1941 - 1945)
Forms
1. Poetry
2. Fiction
3. Drama
4. Newspapers
5. Essays
61. JAPANESE PERIOD (1941 - 1945)
Poetry
The common theme of most poems during the
Japanese occupation was nationalism, country,
love, and life in the barrios, faith, religion and the
arts.
Fiction
The field of the short story widened during the
Japanese Occupation. Many wrote short stories.
62. JAPANESE PERIOD (1941 - 1945)
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.
Newspapers
Writings that came out during this period were
journalistic in nature. Writers felt suppressed but
slowly, the spirit of nationalism started to seep into
their consciousness. While some continued to write,
the majority waited for a better climate to publish
their works
63. JAPANESE PERIOD (1941 - 1945)
Essays
Essays were composed to glorify the Filipinos
and at the same time to figuratively attack the
Japanese.
64. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
The Rebirth of Freedom (1946-1970)
 The Americans returned in 1945.
 On July 4, 1946, the Philippines regained its freedom
 The early post-liberation period was marked by a kind of
“struggle of mind and spirit” and the wild desire to see
print.
 Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived during this
period (Japanese brutality, poverty and brave guerilla
exploits)
65. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
Period of Activism (1970-1972)
 Many young people became activists to ask for changes in
the government and became completely rebellious.
 Campus newspapers showed rebellious emotions. The
once aristocratic writers developed awareness for society.
(MAKIBAKA)
66. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
Period of the New Society (1972-1980)
 Themes in most writings dealt with the development
or
progress of the country : GreenRevolution,
planning, proper nutrition, environment,
family
drug
addiction and pollution.
 Campaign to stop pornography or those writings
giving bad influences on the morals of the people.
 All school newspapers were temporarily stopped and
so with school organizations.
67. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
Period of the New Society (1972-1980)
 The government led in reviving old plays and dramas :
Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo and the Embayoka of the
Muslims which were presented in the rebuilt
Metropolitan Theater, the Folk Arts Theater and the
Cultural Center of the Philippines.
 Radio continued to be patronized during this period.
68. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
Period of the New Society (1972-1980)
 A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulng Pilipino (Yearly Filipino
Film Festival) was held during this time.
 During this period of the New Society, 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.
69. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
Period of the New Society (1972-1980)
 Bilingual education which was initiated by the Board of
National Education as early as 1958 and continued up to
the period of Martial Rule in September 21, 1972,
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 resolve to carry out plans and
programs.
70. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
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.
 Poems during this period of the Third Republic were
romantic and revolutionary. Writers wrote openly of their
criticism against the government. The supplications of
the people were coached in fiery, colorful, violent,
profane and insulting language.
71. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
Period of the Third Republic (1981-1985)
 Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were really
true-to-life like those of grief, poverty, aspirations for
freedom, love of God, of country and of fellowmen.
 The yearly Festival of Filipino Films continued to be held
during this period.
72. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
1986-1999
 History took another twist. Once more, the Filipino
people regained their independence which they lost
twenty years ago.
 In the span of four days from February 21-25, 1986, the
so-called People Power (Lakas ng Bayan) prevailed.
Together, the people barricaded the streets petitioning the
government for changes and reforms.
73. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
1986-1999
 Newspapers which were once branded crony newspapers
became instant opposition papers overnight. This was
true of BULLETIN TODAY which became the
opposition paper.
 The Philippine revolution of 1986 and the fire of its spirit
that will carry the Filipinos through another epoch in
Philippine history is still being documented just as they
have been in the countless millions who participated in
body and spirit in its realization.
Editor's Notes
#10:and is full of lessons and ideas about life, its blessings, and its consequences, and words of wisdom.
#18:These are usually given by parents or elders of the community.
There is belief that experience is the best teacher
#23:The traditions and customs of this time are being reflected in the songs.
#35:People were called two things. One is the “Taga- Bayan”, while the other is the “Taga-bukid” or “Taga-bundok”.
#36:During these times, the natives were not called Filipinos, instead they were called indios.
Question: What do you think is the greatest contribution of Spaniards in our country?
#39:Simply known as Pabasa – catholic devotion in the Ph popular during Holy Week, involving uninterrupted chanting of the pasyon
It is a way for them to repent their sins and seek forgiveness from God during Lenten season, expression of their faith
#41:Awit – Florante at Laura ( Francisco Balagtas) – as one of the masterpieces of Ph Literature
(about Filipino’s sufferings during the Spanish regime
Korido – Ibong Adarna (Jose Dela Cruz)
#42:Until now, literary works of all kinds have been used to spread propaganda and influence the opinion for or against another.
They used Pen names
#51:Instead of asking the students to write originals, students ended up following the form of American poets.
