Lit 112: Philippine Literature
I. Pre-Colonial Period (1565)
- Literature
was
oral,
funny
and
entertaining
- Early Filipinos wrote on clay, barks of
trees, leaves, and bamboo tubes, using
knives and other pointed instruments for
pens, and the sap of certain trees and
sooth for ink.
Alibata (baybayin) - consisted of 17 symbols: 3
for vowels and 14 for consonants
Literary Genres:
A. Folk Narratives
1. Myth - a traditional story about heroes or
supernatural beings, often attempting to
explain the origins of natural phenomena
or aspects of human behaviour.
 Visayan Creation Myth
2. Legend - traditional narrative the
common theme of which is about the
origin of a thing, place, location or name.
Events are imaginary, devoid of truth and
unbelievable. Filipino customs are
reflected in these legends.
 The Legend of Mayon Volcano
3. Fables - a short allegorical tale with a
moral, especially one in which the
characters are animals.
 The Monkey and the Crocodile
4. Folktales - made up of stories about life,
adventure, love, horror and humor where
one can derive lessons about life. They
usually
help
us
appreciate
our
environment, evaluate our personalities
and improve our perspectives in life.
 Misadventures of Juan Tamad
B. Early Poetry
1. Riddles (Bugtong o Palaisipan) - made
up of one or more measured lines with
rhyme and many consist of four to twelve
syllables.
 Bungbong kung liwanag
Kung gabi ay dagat. (Mat (banig))
2. Proverbs - terse statements of practical
wisdom based on long experience and
observations about life.
 Nahangad ng kagitna
Isang salop ang nawala.
3. Chants (Bulong) - used in witchcraft or
enchantment.
 Ikaw ang nagnanakaw ng bigas ko
Lumuwa sana ang mga mata mo
Mamaga sana ang katawan mo
Patayin ka ng mga anito.
4. Sayings (Kasabihan) - often used in
teasing or to comment on a person’s
actuations.
 Putak, putak
Batang duwag
Matapang ka’t
Nasa pugad.
5. Sawikain - sayings with no hidden
meanings
 Nasa Diyos ang awa
Nasa tao ang gawa.
6. Folk Songs - one of the oldest forms of
Philippine literature that mirrors the early
forms of culture.
 Kundiman (Song of Love)
 Kumintang or Tagumpay (War Song)
 Ang Dalit o Imno (Song to the God of
the Visayans)
 Oyayi o Hele (Lullaby)
 Diana (Wedding Song)
 Soliraning (Song of the Laborer)
 Talindaw (Boatman’s Song)
7. Epics - long narrative poems in w/c a
series of heroic achievements or events,
usually a hero, are dealt with at length.
 Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilokano) - written by
Pedro Bukaneg, the Father of Ilokano
 Literature (Bukanegan) - the Ilokano
version of Balagtasan in Tagalog)
 Ibalon (Bikol)
 Ulalim (Kalinga)
 Hudhud and Alim (Ifugao)
 Hinilawod (Sulod) - perhaps the
longest recorded Filipino epic
 Agyu and Baybayan (Bukidnon)
 Tuwaang (Manuvu)









Maragtas (Visayan Epic)
Haraya (Visayan Epic)
Hari sa Bukid (Visayan Epic)
Lagda (Visayan Epic)
Kumintang (Tagalog)
Guman (Subanon)
Bantugan (Maranaw)
Parang Sabil (Tausug)
Indarapatra
at
Sulayman
(Maguindanaon)
II. Spanish Period (1565-1898)
Spanish Influences on Phil. Literature
- Printing was introduced in the Philippines
by the Dominicans in 1593.
- First Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA
was replaced by the Roman alphabet.
- Spanish language w/c became the
literary language during this time lent
many of its words to our language.
- 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.
- Ancient literature was collected and
translated to Tagalog and other dialects.
- Periodicals during these times gained a
religious tone.
A. Religious Period
The First Books
1. Ang Doctrina Christiana (The Christian
Doctrine) – 1st book printed in the
Philippines in 1593 in xylography. It was
written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr.
Domingo Nieva. It contained the Pater
Noster (Our 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 Catechism.
2. Nuestra Senora de Rosario - 2nd book
printed in the Phils, written by Fr. Blancas
de San Jose in 1602. It contains the
biographies of saints, novena, and
questions and answers on religion.
3. Libro de los Cuatro Postoprimera
Hombre - first book printed in typography.
4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat - biblical story
printed in the Phils. and translated to
Tagalog from Greek by Fr. Antonio de
Borja. It is believed to be the 1st tagalog
novel published in the Philippines even if
it is only a translation.
5. The Pasion - a book about the life and
sufferings of Jesus Christ. It is read during
the Lent.
There are four versions each according to
the name of the writers:
Pilapil version by Mariano Pilapil of
Bulacan in 1814
De Belen version by Gaspar Aquino de
Belen of Batangas in 1704
De la Merced version by Anacleto de la
Merced of Norzagaray Bulacan in 1856
De Guia version by Luis de Guia in 1750.
Chanters may take 2-4 nights singing the
Pasion (Pasyon) with chanters taking
turns in shifts of 3-4 hours each.
6. Urbana at Feliza - book by Modesto de
Castro, the Father of Classic Prose in
Tagalog. These are letters between 2
sisters Urbana at Felisa & has influenced
greatly the behavior of people in society
because the letters dealt with good
behavior.
7. Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria - collection of
songs praising the Virgin Mary written by
Fr. Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest.
Popular especially during the May time
“Flores de Mayo” festival.
LITERARY GENRES
Poetry
1. The Pasyon
 Ang Mahal Na Pasion Ni Jesu
Christong P. Natin Na Tola - 1st known
pasyon in the country - written by
Gaspar Aquino de Belen in 1704.
2. Metrical Romances (Awit and Corrido)
a. Awit - set in dodecasyllabic verse. They
are fabricated stories from writers’
imagination although the setting and
characters are Europeans. They refer to
chanting.

Florante At Laura by Francisco
Baltazar (Prince of Tagalog Poets)
Kung siya mong ibig ako’y magdusa
Langit na mataas aking mababata
b. Corrido - in octosyllabic verse. They were
usually based on European legends or
tales. They refer to narration
 Ibong Adarna,
 Historia Famoso ni Berbardo del
Carpio,
 Doce Pares ng Francia
Lines from Ibong Adarna
Oh, Birheng kaibig-ibig
Ina naming nasa langit,
Liwanagan yaring isip
Nang sa layo’y di malihis.
3. Ladino Poems - Ladinos were the first
Tagalog versifiers who saw print, natives
who were highly literate in both Spanish
and the vernacular. Among them were
Fernando Bagongbanta and Tomas
Pinpin.
4. Folk Songs
 Leron-Leron Sinta,
 Pamulinawen,
 Dandansoy,
 Sarong Banggi,
 Atin Cu Pung Singsing
Prose
The prose works of the period consisted mostly
of didactic pieces and translations of religious
writings in foreign languages, such as novenas
and biographies of saints, and the linguistic
works of the friar-lexicographers and
grammarians.
 Barlaan at Josaphat/Josephat - tells
the story of the conversion to
Christianity of a young Indian prince,
Josaphat, by the holy man, Barlaan;
their pious lives, and holy death.
 Urbana at Feliza - most important
didactic literature of this period
Religious and Recreational Plays
1. Panunuluyan - tagalog version of the
Mexican posadas. It is held on the eve of
Christmas. It dramatizes Joseph and
Mary’s search for lodging in Bethlehem.
2. Cenaculo - dramatization of the passion
and death of Jesus Christ.
2 Kinds
Cantada
Hablada
3. Salubong/Panubong - an Easter play
that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen
Christ and His Mother.
4. Tibag
(excavate)
depicts
St.
Helena/Elena’s search for the cross on
which Christ died.
5. Carillo (Shadow Play) - dramatic
entertainment performed on a moonless
night during a town fiesta or on dark nights
after harvest. Projecting cardboard
figures before a lamp against a white
sheet
6. Zarzuela/Sarswela
father of the drama
-
considered
the
7. Sainete - short musical comedy popular
during 18th century. It is also an
exaggerated comedy depicting scenes
from everyday life with rustic or lowerclass figures as characters.
 La India Elegante y el Negrito Amante
(1836) by Francisco Baltazar.
The Moriones - story of Longinus, a Roman
soldier who was beheaded for proclaiming his
belief in Christ and spreading in the community
the miracle of the resurrection of Christ.
The Moro-moro - comedia showing how the
Mohammedans were defeated by some Divine
Intercession and converted to Christianity.
Karagatan - a poetic vehicle of a socio-religious
nature celebrated during the death of a person.
It comes from an old legendary practice of
testing the mettle of young men vying for a
maiden’s hand. The maiden’s ring, or any
precious piece of jewelry, would be dropped into
the sea, & the suitors would dive for it. Whoever
retrieved it would have the girl’s hand in
marriage.
Duplo - replaced the Karagatan and considered
as the forerunner of balagtasan. It is a poetic
joust in speaking and reasoning. The
performers consists of two teams, one
composed of young women called dupleras or
belyakes, & the other, of young men called
Dupleros or belyakos. An elderly man- the hariipresides over the proceedings.
Balagtasan - poetic joust or a contest of skills
in debate on a particular topic or issue.
Dung-aw - chant in free verse by a bereaved
person beside the corpse of the dead.
B. Rebellious Period
The Propaganda Movement and the
Literature of Protest - The objectives of this
movement were to seek reforms and changes
like the following:
1. To get equal treatment for the Filipinos
and the Spaniards under the law.
2. To make the Philippines a colony of
Spain.
3. To restore Filipino representation in the
Spanish Cortes.
4. To Filipinize the parishes.
5. To give the Filipinos freedom of speech,
of the press, assembly, and for redress of
grievances.
The Propagandists
1. Dr. Jose P. Rizal (Jose Protacio Rizal
Mercado Alonzo y Realonda) - pen names
were Laong Laan and Dimasalang.
His Books and Writings
 Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) - title
from book of St. John. It is considered
a novel of society
 El Filibusterismo - sequel of Noli.
Known as a novel of politics
 Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell) considered by critics as his poetic
masterpiece. It is a poem he wrote
while he was incarcerated at Fort
Santiago
 Sobre La Indolencia De Los Filipinos
(On the Indolence of the Filipino) - an
essay on the so-called Filipino
indolence and an evaluation of the
reasons for such allegations.


A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino
Youth) - a poem Rizal dedicated to the
Filipino youth studying at UST.
Junto Al Pasig (Beside the Pasig River)
- written by Rizal when he was 14 years
of age.
2. Marcelo H. Del Pilar - pen names were
Plaridel, Pudpoh, Piping Dilat, and
Dolores Manapat.
Diariong Tagalog – established in 1882
where he exposed the evils of the Spanish
government in the Philippines & in order
to avoid the false accusations hurled at
him by the priests.
His Writings
 Pagibig sa Tinubuang Lupa - translated
from the Spanish Amor Patria of Rizal
 Kaiingat Kayo - a humorous & sarcastic
dig in answer to Fr. Jose Rodriguez in
the novel Noli of Rizal. He used
Dolores Manapat as pen name here.
 Dasalan at Tocsohan- similar to
cathecism but sarcastically done
against the parish priests. Because of
this, del Pilar was called a ‘filibuster’.
 Sagot sa Espanya sa Hibik ng Pilipinas
- this poem is answer to that of
Hermenigildo Flores’ Hibik sa Pilipina
3. Graciano Lopez Jaena - founded La
Solidaridad in Barcelona.
His Works
 Fray Botod - a novellete in Hiligaynon.
It is a satire about a pot bellied,
abusive, and immoral friar.
 La Hija Del Fraile and Everything is
Hambug - Jaena explains the tragedy
of marrying a Spaniard.
4. Mariano Ponce - pen names were
Kalipulako, Tikbalang, and Naning.
Propaganda publication and Filipino
Physician
His Works
 Ang Alamat ng Bulacan Sobre Filipinos
(About the Filipinos)
5. Pedro Paterno
 Ninay - 1st social novel in Spanish by a
Filipino

Sampaguitas y Poesias Varias
(Sampaguita and Varied Poems) - a
collection of his poems.
Period of Active Revolution and its Writers
1. Andres Bonifacio - the Father of Filipino
Democracy and the Father of the
Katipunan
His Writings
 Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog
 Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Anak
ng Bayan - an outline of obligations just
like the 10 commandments of God.
 Huling Paalam - translation of Mi
Ultimo Adios of Rizal in Tagalog
2. Emilio Jacinto - Brains of the Katipunan
Editor
of
Kalayaan
(Katipunan’s
newspaper).
His Works
 Kartilya ng Katipunan (A primer book
on the Katipunan)
 Liwanag at Dilim - a collection of
essays on different subjects like
freedom, work, faith, government, love
of country
 A La Patria (To My Country) - his
masterpiece
3. Apolinario Mabini - known as the
Sublime Paralytic and the Brains of the
Revolution
His Works
 El Verdadero Decalogo - his
masterpiece and his aim here was to
propagate the spirit of nationalism
 Sa Bayang Pilipino (To the Filipino
Youth)
4. Jose Palma - best known as the author of
the lyrics of the national anthem
III. American Colonial Period (1898-1941)
- The Treaty of Paris (1898) ended the
Spanish occupation
- As early as 1900 President Mckinley’s
instructions made English an official
language of the country.
- In
1901,
American
teachers
(Thomasites) arrived on the army
transport Thomas.
-
-
In 1905, The Philippines Free Press was
founded.
Filipino writers went into all forms of
literature like news reporting, poetry,
stories, plays, essays and novels.
Novel and short story became very
popular, although poetry was inevitable.
Zarzuela was used as protest material
during the early portion of American
regime.
Characteristics of Literature during This
Period
3 groups of writers contributed to Philippine
Literature during this period.
A. Literature in Spanish
1. Fernando Ma. Guerrero - pseudonyms
were ‘Fulvis Gil’ and ‘Gil Rosas’ and he
wrote Crisalidas (Chrysalis) - collection of
his verses which was published in 1914.
2. Cecilio Apostol - wrote poems dedicated
to Rizal, Jacinto, Mabini and all other
heroes but his poem dedicated to Rizal is
considered the best poem in praise of the
hero of Bagumbayan.
3. Jesus Balmori - pen name was
Batikuling. He was elected Poet Laureate
in Spanish besting Manuel Bernabe. His
stories are on fallen women, decadent
living, the corruption of man, and
hypocrisy in society.
5. Claro M. Recto - president of the First
Constitutional Convention in 1935. He
wrote verses which were later compiled in
Bajo los Cocoteros
B. Filipino Literature:
3 Kinds of Tagalog Poets
a. Poets of the Heart (Makata ng Puso)
1. Lope K. Santos - Father of the National
Language Grammar. He was also called
the ‘Apo’ of the Tagalog writers.
 Banaag at Sikat - his masterpiece
2. Inigo Ed. Regalado
3. Jose Corazon de Jesus - known as
Huseng Batute and was called the Poet of
Love in his time

Ang Isang Punong kahoy - an elegy,
believed to be his masterpiece
4. Amado V. Hernandez
5. Mar Antonio
b. Poets of Life (Makata ng Buhay)
1. Lope K. Santos
2. Florante Collantes
3. Jose Corazon de Jesus
4. Amado V. Hernandez - known as Makata
ng mga Manggagawa
 Ang Panday - his masterpiece
 Isang Dipang Langit
 Bayang Malaya
 Munting Lupa
c. Poets of the Stage
1. Aurelio Tolentino
2. Patricio Mariano
3. Severino Reyes - Lola Basyang
Drama - The theater in the Philippines was very
much alive at the end of the 19th century.
Comedias and zarzuelas were performed
almost every week.
Tagalog Drama
1. Severino Reyes - Father of the Tagalog
drama & author of the immortal Walang
Sugat
 Walang Sugat - is a story of 2 lovers
who are cousins, Tenyong and Julia.
2. Aurelio Tolentino - dramatist in whom
the Kapampangans take pride.
 Luhang Tagalog - masterpiece
 Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas - resulted
in his incarceration.
3. Hermogenes Ilagan
Dalagang Bukid
4. Patricio Mariano
 Ninay
 Anak ng Dagat - his masterpiece
5. Julian Cruz Balmaceda
 Bunganga ng Pating
6. Juan Abad
 Tanikalang Ginto
Other Forms of Literature
1. Pedro Bukaneg - Father of Ilocano
literature.
2. Claro Caluya - Prince of Ilokano Poets
3. Leon Pichay - known as the best
Bukanegero
Pampango Literature
1. Juan Crisostomo Soto - Father of
Kapampangan Literature. The word
Crisotan (meaning Balagtasan) in
Tagalog is taken from his name.
2. Aurelio Tolentino
Visayan Literature
1. Eriberto Gumban - Father of Visayan
Literature
2. Magdalena Jalandoni - novelist
 Ang Maga Tunuk San Isa Ca Bulaclac
C. Philippine Literature in English
a. Period of Re-orientation (1898-1910)
b. Period of Imitation (1910-1925)
c. Period of Self-Discovery (1925-1941)
a. Period of Re-orientation - American
occupation in the Philippines started on
August 13, 1898. English came to be used
as medium of instruction in the public
schools.
 Sursum Corda - written by Justo
Juliano was the first work to be
published in English
 My Mother and Air Castles by Jan F.
Salazar - published in 1909.
b. Period of Imitation - the UP College
Folio published the literary compositions
of the first Filipino writers in English by
1919.
 Dead Stars - a short story by Paz
Marquez Benitez - first successful short
story in English written by a Filipino
 A Child of Sorrow - novel by Zoilo
Galang
c. Period of Self-Discovery and Growth by these time, Filipino writers had
acquired the mastery of English writing.
Essays during this period improved with
the years in quality and quantity, in
content, subject and style. Essayists like
Carlos P. Romulo became even more
eminent editorial writers.
 Jose Garcia Villa - undisputed Filipino
supremo of the ‘artsakists’.
D. The Bodabil and the Movies
Bodabil (corruption of Vaudeville) - a variety
show composed by of songs, dances, and skits.
It was introduced by Luis Borromeo when he
came home from Las Vegas in 1921. The
zarzuela and the drama disappeared from the
stage when the first Filipino movies were made,
although the latter were actually film versions of
the stage plays.
-
Famous Works
1. Walang Sugat (1902) – Severino Reyes
2. Tanikalang Guinto (1902) – Juan Abad
3. Nena at Neneng (1903) – Valeriano
Hernandez Pena, “Father of the Tagalog
Novel”
4. Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas (1903) – Aurelio
Tolentino
5. Banaag at Sikat (1904) – Lope K. Santos
(Ama ng Balarila ng Wikang Pambansa)
6. Philippine Free Press (1905)
7. Pinaglahuan (1907) – Faustino Aguilar
8. Dalagang Bukid (1919) – Hermogenes
Ilagan’s most famous sarswela
9. Anak ng Dagat (1922) – Patricio Mariano
10. Azucena (1925) – Marcelo de Garcia
Concepcion
11. Dead Stars – Paz Marquez Benitez
12. Kenkoy (1928) – came out from Liwayway
(1922)
13. Bayan Ko (1928) – Jose Corazon de Jesus
14. Bodabil (vaudeville) – stage show
15. Without Seeing the Dawn (1947) – Stevan
Javellana
4.
IV. The Japanese Period (1941-1945)
- considered as the Golden Age of Filipino
Literature
- a great period for the Tagalog theater
which enjoyed a renaissance then for the
following reasons: the American movies
were banned, writing in English was
discouraged, and there was difficulty in
securing materials for movie making.
Filipino Poetry during this Period
1. Haiku
2. Tanaga
3. Karaniwang Anyo
V. The Martial Law Period/ Period of the New
Society (1972-1980)
1.
2.
3.
5.
September 21, 1972 – Marcos declared
Martial Law.
Slogans
Sa Ikauunlad ng bayan
Disiplina ang kailangan
Tayo’y kumain ng gulay
Upang humaba ang buhay
Magplano ng pamilya
Nang ang buhay ay lumigaya
Ang pagsunod sa magulang
Tanda ng anak na magalang
Tayo’y magatim
Upang mabuhay.
Tayo’y magbigayan
At huwag magsiksikan
Freddie Aguilar – Anak
Radio and Television
Radio – Si Matar, Dahlia, Ito ang Palad Ko, Mr.
Lonely
Television - Gulong ng Palad, Flor de Luna,
Anna Liza, Superman, and Tarzan
Filipino Films
1. Maynila...Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag - written by
Edgardo Reyes, direced by Lino Brocka.
Bembol Roco-main character
2. Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo-Nora Aunor was the
main character
3. Insiang - Hilda Koronel
4. Aguila - Fernando Poe jr., Jay Ilagan and
Christopher de Leon
VI. Post-Martial Law Period
- Edsa Revolution – Feb 21-25, 1986
Literature during this Period
- Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo
- Bayan Ko - a song written by Jose
Corazon de Jesus in 1928