THE PRE-SPANISH
PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE
BSN 2S - GROUP 2
DESIRED LEARNING
OUTCOMES
After completing this lesson, you
are expected to:
Distinguish the different
genres of literature.
Determine the different
elements of literature based
on selected Philippine literary
pieces.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
PRE-SPANISH ERA
Q: Based on your own knowledge, what was the
state of our literature before the coming of the
Spaniards?
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
PRE-SPANISH ERA
Long before the Spaniards and other foreigners landed or set foot
on Philippine shores, our forefathers already had their own
literature stamped in the history of our race
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.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PRE-COLONIAL
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
Pre-colonial literature includes all literature produced before Spanish colonization.
These were evident through chants, proverbs, songs, and folk narratives. All of
these were passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth
Early Philippine narratives reflect our ancestors’ efforts to explain the origin of
things during the time of writing.
Our ancient literature shows our customs, beliefs, and traditions in everyday life as
traced in our folk stories, old plays, and short stories.
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
WHY ARE
THERE NO
“WRITTEN
RECORDS”?
Whatever records our ancestors left were either
burned by the Spaniards 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. As such,
only the orally transmitted literature survived
today.
Other records that remained showed folk songs
that proved the 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.
Politically labeled Region 6
Composed of:
On the island of Panay:
Iloilo
Lingua Franca of
the West Visayas
in Central
Philippines
Capiz
Antique
Aklan
Negross Occidental (the
western half)
The new island-province of
Guimaras which used to be
a sub-province of Iloilo. Leoncio P. Deriada
N
O
N
Y
A
G
HILI
S
A
Y
A
S
I
WEST V
PRE-SPANISH CULTURE IS CHARACTERIZED BY:
Legends
Folk tales
Epics
Folk Songs
Folk song
Paktakon (riddle)
Hurubaton (proverbs)
Myths
LEGENDS (ALAMAT)
Legends are a form of prose or folklore, portraying a basic
grammatical structure and language following natural
patterns found in everyday speech
The common theme is about the origin of a thing, place,
location, or name believed or perceived to have taken
place in human history.
Old Filipino customs are reflected in these legends.
The events are imaginary, devoid of truth, and unbelievable.
Purpose: to entertain.
EXAMPLES OF LEGENDS (ALAMAT):
The Legend of Mayon Volcano
Ang Alamat ng Makahiya
About the tragic love story of
The story revolves around a
Daragang Magayon and
kind-hearted and shy girl
Panganoron that culminates
named Maria who, after her
in the formation of the
tragic death, transforms into
majestic Mayon Volcano.
the Makahiya plant.
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 on life
EPICS
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. We can only determine their
origins from the time mentioned in the
said epics.
EXAMPLES OF EPICS
A. BIAG NI LAM-ANG (Life of Lam-Ang)
It is said to be an Ilocano
composite work of various poets
who passed it from generation to
generation and was first
transcribed around 1640 by a
blind Ilocano Bard named Perdo
Bucaneg
Consists of 1477 lines and 206
stanzas, revolving around the
main character named Lam-ang,
who was blessed with the gift of
speech the moment he was born.
He grew up with supernatural
strength and had a pet cock and
a dog.
EXAMPLES OF EPICS
B. ALIGUYON
Follows the adventure of
the hero Aliguyon, who
fought an epic battle with
his arch-enemy
Pumbakhayon.
Is in the form of a hudhud,
which is a long tale that
revolves around the
heroes of native Ifugao
people and is typically
sung on special
occasions.
FOLK SONG
A form of folk lyric and are one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature that emerged
in the pre-Spanish period. These songs mirrored the early forms of culture.
Folk songs were popular among our ancestors. They may range from simple lullabies to
complicated love stories. These could even be intricate singing known as “ambahan” – a
song alternatively sung by a soloist and a chorus.
Many of the themes still remain in the memory of the folk, uncollected and unwritten.
The following had made attempts to compile these folk narratives during the early
American regime and in more recent times:
Fr. Jose Ma. Pavon
Cooper Cole
Mable Cook Cole
Dean S. Fansler
(Las antiguasleyendas de la
(Traditions of the
(Philippine Folk Tales,
(Filipino Popular Tales,
isla de Negros) during the
Tinguian, 1915)
1916)
1921)
Spanish period
PURPOSE OF FOLK SONGS
Similarly, lyrics expressed
Songs and verses
affection and allegiance to
filled early
the barangay and its
religious practices:
leadership. These were
reinforced by combat reports
to express devotion,
(kudanag), songs of triumph
to atone for sins, to
(tagumpay, talindad), songs
minister to the sick,
of hanging a captive enemy
and to bury the
dead.
(sambotan, tagulaylay), and
songs of manliness. From
then, people's social lives
developed.
Verses were
composed also to
pray for
abundance and
happiness: in the
home, on the
farm, on the sea,
and elsewhere.
Serves as a repository of
Filipino culture, preserving
traditions, customs, and
beliefs that have been
passed down through
generations. They reflect
the Filipino way of life,
including values such as
respect for elders, love for
family, and community
solidarity.
EXAMPLES OF FOLK SONGS
ILI-ILI
TURAGSOY
Ginsag-a ko ang sapa-sapa
Ang siling sang nakatilaw
Didto sa may talamnanan
Ang turagsoy nga akon nadakpan
Sampat gid ang timplada mo
Linagpang nga turagsoy
Ginhimo ko nga linagpang
Kanamit gid pro
Nag-abot ang mga bisita
Kabarkada ko sa inuman
Linagpang nga turagsoy
Amon gisumsuman
Linagpang ko nga turagsoy
Sa sabaw nagalangoy-langoy
Ginlaktan pa gid sang ginamos
Pinamalhas gid kami sang higop
Pagkatapos namon sang kaon
Linagpang ko nagbati
May nagadihalnagasiyup-siyop
Kay ang bibig tama gid kahapdi
May naga-tulo ang luha
Nga wala naman sing kasubo
Tungod sang kuragsoy nga akon
linagpang
Tama gid ka kahang
PAKTAKON (RIDDLE)
a literary form shared by the Western Visayan people
which is an old Kinaray-a (dialect). It is an example of a
Visayan riddle.
Usually, riddles are made up of one or more measured
lines with rhymes and may consist of 4-12 syllables
Involves reference to one or two images that symbolize
the characteristics of an unknown object that is to be
guessed
PAKTAKON (RIDDLE)
HILIGAYNON
FILIPINO
ENGLISH
Ang dagat gin putos sang langit Ang langit
gin putos sang tul-an Ang tul-an gin putos
sang bulbol Ang bulbol gin putos sang panit
Ang dagat binalot ng langit Ang langit
binalot ng buto Ang buto binalot ng
balahibo Ang balahibo binalot ng balat
The sea was covered by the sky The sky
was covered by the bone The bone was
covered by the fur The fur was covered
by the skin
Ako may isa ka amigo upod ko bisan diin ako
makadto
Akoy’y may isang kaibigan kasama ko
kahit saan ako pumunta
I have a friend that stays with me where
ever I go
Madalum nga bubon puno sang singaban
Balong malalim puno ng patalin
A deep well full of sharp objects
Mabatian apang indi makita Makita apang
indi mabatian
Naririnig ngunit hindi nakikita Nakikita
ngunit hindi naririnig
Can be heard but not seen Can be seen
but not heard
Matahum nga dalaga makita tatlo ka beses
sa isa ka adlaw
Magandang dalaga Matatanaw tatlong
beses Sa isang araw
A beautiful maiden can be seen three
times a day
The informal lessons imparted by the parents
to the children were in form of “hurubaton”
(proverbs).
A proverb is a simple and concrete saying,
popularly known and repeated, that
expresses a truth based on common sense or
experience.
Proverbs would take themes on obedience,
respect for the elders, concern for the
environment, value of a promise, among
others.
They are often metaphorical.
HURUBATON
(SALAWIKAIN
/SAWIKAIN)
HURUBATON
(SALAWIKAIN/SAWIKAIN)
HILIGAYNON
ENGLISH
Ang taong may kasaypanan
Iya kalas, iya dalagan
A guilty person may fear his own shadow
Karon imo pa
Buas akon na
Today is yours, tomorrow is mine
Ang tao nga wala sing pilak
Daw pispis na wala sing pakpak
People without money seem birds without wings
Ang tao nga mapinulugnon
Mabinuhaton
An accusing person is the culprit
Ang diotay nga kaalam
Madali sa katalagman
Lack of knowledge leads to danger
Wala sing adlaw nga
Wala’y pala-abuton
Everyday brings hope
H
T
Y
M
(Mythology, Mito)
These are traditional stories involving supernatural elements
and are beyond the frontiers of logic. It is a narrative that
describes and portrays in symbolic language the origin of the
basic elements and assumptions of a culture
These are legendary stories which feature one or more deities
or demigods.
Although myths are not based on objective truth, they reflect
both universal worries and the worries of specific cultures
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF
MYTHS?
Purpose: Told to explain a belief, a practice, or a natural phenomenon in order to
make the environment less fearsome by making it more comprehensible, and in
more instances, to make idle hours less tedious by filling them with humor and
fantasy
Long ago, when our ancestors heard the sound of thunder and saw lightning, they
were frightened because they could not understand why these things happened.
In order to understand these and other natural events, they created stories.
Example: Igorot's story that tells Lumawig the Great Spirit created people.
On the other hand, the Tagalog story tells that the first man and woman came
from a bamboo
Tagalogs believe in the supreme deity
Bathala being the creator of heaven and
DEITIES BELIEVED
BY FILIPINOS
DURING PRECOLONIAL TIMES
earth, and all living things
Under Bathala are a pantheon of gods and
goddesses such as Mayari, the goddess of
the moon, Apolaki, the god of sun and the
chief patron of warriors, and Tala, the
goddess of stars and the sister of Mayari.
Visayans call their supreme god Kaptan or
Captan
Bikolanos believe in their supreme god called
Gugurang
LEGENDS VS MYTHS
A legend differs from a myth by portraying a
human hero, heroic deeds, or overcoming
obstacles rather than one who is a god,
demigod, etc.
A myth refers to the supernatural and the
sacred, a legend is grounded in historical
events and figures
TUNGKUNG LANGIT AND ALUNSINA
— PHILIPPINE MYTHOLOGY
(CREATION MYTH)
A FOLK LITERATURE
G
N
L
U
A
K
N
G
G
N
U
IT
T
MAIN CHARACTERS
A popular deity of the Suludnon
people of Panay. He is their version
of the ‘creator’ who made the world
out of primordial chaos.
In other Visayan pantheons,
Tungkung Langit was a lesser deity
and brother of Panlinugon, god of
earthquakes
retrieved from:
https://www.aswangproject.com/tung
kung-langit-alunsina/
A prominent goddess stronger than Tungkung Langit in
the Suludnon people’s Pantheon of Gods. Alunsina, also
called “ Laon-Sina”
is considered to be the ‘virgin goddess’ of the eastern
skies and the wife of Tungkung Langit (“Pillar of
Heaven”).
In a Panay version of the Creation Myth
Alunsina’s name has been translated as
the “Unmarried One”, “The One from
Foreign skies” and “One who is Foreign”.
Alunsina also appears in the Hinilawod
Epic
A
L
U
S I
N
N
A
retrieved from:
https://www.aswangproject.com/tungkunglangit-alunsina/
PLOT
In the beginning everything was shapeless and formless. The
earth, the sky, the sea, and the air were almost mixed up. In a
word, there was only confusion. Then from the depth of this
formless void there appeared the god Tungkung Langit and the
goddess Alunsina.
It was not known just where these two deities came from but it is
related by old Bisayan folk that Tungkung Langit fell in love with
Alunsina. After he had courted her for many years, they married and
made their home in the highest part of heaven. There the water was
always warm and the breeze was forever cool. In this place order
and regularity began.
Tungkung Langit was a loving, hard-working god. He wanted to impose order over
the confused world. He decided to arrange the world so that the heavenly bodies
would move regularly. On the other hand, Alunsina was a lazy, jealous, selfish
goddess. She sat at the window all day doing nothing.
Sometimes she would leave her home, sit down by a pool near the door, and comb her
long, jetblack hair all day long. One day Tungkung Langit told his wife that he would be
away for some time. He said he must make time go on smoothly and arrange everything
in the world.
retrieved from:
https://www.aswangproject.com/tungkunglangit-alunsina/
When he was gone, Alunsina set the breeze to spy on Tungkung
Langit. Tungkung Langit found this out and he became very angry.
After he returned home, he told her that it was ungodly of her to be
jealous since there were no other gods in the world except the two
of them.
Alunsina resented this reproach, and they quarreled. In his
anger, Tungkung Langit drove his wife away. No one knew where
she went. Several days later, Tungkung Langit felt very lonely. He
realized that he should not have lost his temper. But it was too
late.
Once vibrant with Alunsina’s sweet voice, his home
became cold and desolate. In the morning when he
woke up, he would find himself alone. In the
afternoon when he came home, he would feel the
same loneliness creeping deep in his heart because
there was no one to meet him at the doorstep or
soothe the aching muscles of his arms.
For months, Tungkung Langit was in utter desolation. He could not find
Alunsina, trying as hard as he could. And so, in desperation, he decided
to do something in order to forget his sorrows. For months and months he
thought, but his mind seemed pointless; his heart weary and sick. He
needed something to ease his lonely world.
One day, while he was sailing across the regions of
the clouds, a thought came to him. He would make
the sea and the earth, and the earth and the sea
suddenly appeared. However, the sombre sight of
the lonely sea and the barren land irritated him. So
he came down to earth and planted the ground with
trees and flowers.
Then he took his wife’s treasured jewels and scattered
them in the sky, hoping that when Alunsina would see
them she might be induced to return home. The
goddess’s necklace became the stars, her comb the
moon and her crown the sun. However, despite
Tungkung Langit’s efforts, Alunsina did not come back
Until now, some elders of Panay say Tungkung Langit lives alone in his palace in the
skies. Sometimes, he would cry out his pent-up emotion and his tears would fall down
upon the earth.
When it thunders hard, it is Tungkung Langit sobbing, calling for his beloved Alunsina to
come back, entreating her so hard that his voice reverberates across the fields and the
countryside
Q:
Based
on wh
at we
are yo
have
ur ref
read,
lectio
what
ns? W
hat ca
share
n you
about
it?
Retrieved from:
https://idriesshahfoundation.
org/the-onion-animated/
REFERENCES
Clark, J. (2022, June 3). Tungkung Langit & Alunsina | The ‘Other’ Visayan Creation
Story. THE ASWANG PROJECT. https://www.aswangproject.com/tungkung-langitalunsina/
Pre-colonial literature. (2019, February 8). [Slide show]. SlideShare.
https://www.slideshare.net/AlmaTeresaManuel1/precolonial-literature-131033762
Villanueva, A. J. C. (n.d.). Philippine pre - colonial literature.
https://arjaytheteacher.blogspot.com/2009/01/philippine-pre-colonialliterature.html
(2015, November 13). Difference between myth and legend. Pediaa.Com.
https://pediaa.com/difference-between-myth-and-legend/
Caysip,
A.
(n.d.).
3.
Pre
colonial
Phil
lit.
Scribd.
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/415619398/3-Pre-Colonial-Phil-Lit
THANK
YOU