HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

-BRYANN T. CAPILI
BS HRM

Pre-Colonial Period
Consisted of early Filipino literature passed
down orally; oral pieces have a communal authorship it
was difficult to trace the original author of the piece
since oral literature did not focus on ownership or
copyright, rather on the act of storytelling itself;
Many oral pieces became lost in the wave of
the new literary influence brought about by the Spanish
colonization; however, according to the Philippine
Literature: A History & Anthology, English Edition
(Lumbera, B. & Lumbera C.), the pre-colonial period of
Philippine literature is considered the longest in the
countrys history;
Literature in this period is based on
tradition, reflecting daily life activities such as
housework, farming, fishing, hunting, and taking care of
the children as well;
Oral pieces told stories which explained
heroes and their adventures; they attempted to explain
certain natural phenomena, and, at the same time, served
as entertainment purposes;
Pre-colonial literature showed certain
elements that linked the Filipino culture to other
Southeast Asian countries (e.g. oral pieces which were
performed through a tribal dance have certain
similarities to the Malay dance);
This
represented the
a huge cultural
tradition, than
of decorum.

period in Philippine literature history

ethos of the people before the arrival of
influence literature as a cultural
a form of art that had a particular set

Early Forms of Philippine Literature:

o
Bugtong (riddles; a bugtong
contains a metaphor called,Talinghaga), Salawikain
(proverb);
o
Pre-colonial poetry Tanaga
(expresses a view or a value of the world), Ambahan
(songs about childhood, human relationships, hospitality;
sung by the Mangyan), Duplo (verbal jousts/games), Bayok
(thoughts about love), Balagtasan (performed on stage);
o
Epic poetry romantic heroes and
heroines that are a reflection of the world as perceived
by the early Filipinos.

Notable Works of the Pre-colonial Period:

o
Tuwaang, Lam-ang, Hinilawod,

Bantugan

II. Spanish Colonial Period (Mid-16th late 19th

century)
The Spanish culture, as reflected in the works
of this literature period, showed a clash with the precolonial Filipino literature in the beginning. However,
due to the length of stay of the colonizers, the Spanish
culture was eventually imbued in the Filipino literature
of the period;
Religion became an important theme that had
influenced the early Filipino writings which had the
presence of paganism Christian Folk-Tale;
In addition, the influence of religion,
besides on the daily life of the natives, was lead by the
friar/missionary/parish priest who were appointed by the
Spanish government;
Despite the goal of the Spanish government to
turn the country into a full-fledged European colony, the
Spanish influence ironically inspired a reformation from
the natives, which eventually turned into a revolution;
Yet regardless of the conflicts that plagued
the relationship between the Spaniards and the Filipinos,
a sense of nationalism was formed among the oppressed,
and had caused them to rise up to a nationalistic cause;
The essay genre was recognized amidst the
scene of editorial protest Jose Rizal and Plaridel

(Marcelo H. Del Pilar) were among those who opt in using

the pen in voicing out the peoples cry instead of the
sword;
Introduction of the roman alphabet that
gradually replaced the alibata;
The Filipino literature of this period became
the predecessor of many more literary works to come in
the ages, wherein the theme of nationalism and freedom of
speech would be evident.

Philippine Literature and Art during the

Spanish Period:
o
Pasyon and Sinakulo (religious dramas
performed during the Holy Week);
o
Narrative Poems Awit; Corrido;
o
Komedya a theatrical performance
which captured the ideal European lifestyle as portrayed
by medieval characters

Notable Works of the Spanish Period:

o
Doctrina Christiana (1593) the first
book ever published in the Philippines; printed by the
Dominican Press;
o
May Bagyo Mat May Rilim according to
literary historian, Bienvenido Lumbera, is the first
printed literary work in Tagalog;
o
Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Christong
P. Natin na Tola (1704) eventually referred to as
Pasyon, was written by Gaspar Aquino de Belen; an
example of Christian folk epic in which the passion of
Jesus Christ was written in relation with the plight of
the Filipino people who were oppressed by the colonizers,
as well as the values of a Filipino;
o
Ninay (1885) first Filipino novel
written; Pedro Paterno;
o
Florante at Laura Francisco Balagtas
Baltazar; though there are symbols and themes which
dictate the protest of the Filipino against the Spanish
regime, it is uncertain as to whether or not Balagtas had
intended the issue which was subtly derived from his
work since he left no notes or additional pieces that
may affirm the conclusion;
o
Noli Me Tangere (1887) and El
Filibusterismo (1891) Jose Rizal; works which created
an impact on the national consciousness and love for
ones country against the abusive government of the
Spaniards;
o
La Solidaridad Propagandist

newspaper.

III. American Colonial Period (Late 19th Mid-20th

century)
The gradual decline of the Philippine
literature written in Spanish;
The English language eventually became the
medium of writing and instruction in schools;
As the Spanish colonizers left the country in
accordance with the Treaty of Paris, the spirit of
nationalism and the desire to be acknowledged of
independence did not disappear just yet. Instead, these
uniting forces geared into revolting against the new
colonizers;
During the American colonization period,
Philippine literature reflected the ethos of its people
under a new role. However, these day-to-day experiences
under a new foreign influence, as well as sentiments,
were expressed through the English language;
The Spanish sarsuwela was eventually
replaced by the drama;
One major influence of the American occupation
on the Filipino literature is its refining in the context
of the content and the form. Furthermore, because of this
broadened knowledge on the field of literature through
the education provided by the American government,
Philippine literature has become more than a tradition
formed by culture. It has become an art which succeeding
poets, fictionists, and playwrights continue to build
upon and enrich in every generation;
Beginning with Rizals use of social realism
as one of the major themes for his two major novels, the
literature during the American colonization also became
an involvement, not just reflecting the Filipino
experience a strengthened sense of nationalism deeply
rooted in the Filipino pride and culture;
Unlike in the Spanish colonization period
wherein female writers (e.g. Gregoria de Jesus) were
overshadowed by their more dominant, male contemporaries
as a result of the education only being provided to a
selected and privileged few during the American

occupation, women have had their opportunity to enhance

their talent by being educated on the craft. In addition,
the growing popularity of works written by Filipina
writers is the result of the growing audience
appreciating literature by females.

Philippine Literature and Art during the

American Period:
o
Short Story
o
Poetry in English
o
Free Verse in Poetry
o
Drama

Notable Works of the American Period:

o
Mga Agos sa Disyerto (1964) Efren
R. Abueg, Edgardo M. Reyes, Eduardo Bautista Reyes,
Rogelio L. Ordoez and Rogelio R. Sikat; this short story
anthology brought fiction into the age of modernism;
o
Ako ang Daigdig (1940) Alejandro
G. Abadilla; free verse poem;
o
Sa Dakong Silangan Jose Corazon de
Jesus; a poem written in the vernacular

GENRES OF LITERATURE
-BRYANN T. CAPILI
BSHRM

Major forms of literature

The major forms of Literature are:

Novel
Poem
Drama
Short story
Novella

Various forms of literature are written in and further

categorized by genre. Sometimes forms are used
interchangeably to define genre. However, a form, e.g., a
novel or a poem, can itself be written in any genre.
Genre is a label that characterizes elements a reader can
expect in a work of literature. The major forms of
literature can be written in various genres.

Classic Major Genres

Genre is a category characterized by similarities in
form, style, or subject matter. The classic major genres
of Literature are:

Drama
Romance
Satire
Tragedy
Comedy
Tragicomedy

Genre categories: fiction and nonfiction

Genre may fall under one of two
categories: Fiction and Nonfiction. Any genre can be
either: a work of Fiction (nonfactual descriptions and
events invented by the author) or a work of Nonfiction (a
communication in which descriptions and events are
understood to be factual).

Common genres: Fiction

Subsets of genres, known as common genres, have developed
from the archetypes of genres in written expression. The
common genres included in recommended Literature from
kindergarten through Grade Twelve by the California
Department of Education are defined as:[1]

Drama stories composed in verse or prose, usually

for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion
are expressed through dialogue and action
Fable narration demonstrating a useful truth,
especially in which animals speak as humans; legendary,
supernatural tale
Fairy tale story about fairies or other magical
creatures, usually for children
Fantasy fiction with strange or other worldly
settings or characters; fiction which invites
suspension of reality
Fiction narrative literary works whose content is
produced by the imagination and is not necessarily
based on fact
Fiction in verse full-length novels with plot,
subplot(s), theme(s), major and minor characters, in
which the narrative is presented in (usually blank)
verse form
Folklore the songs, stories, myths, and proverbs
of a people or "folk" as handed down by word of mouth
Historical fiction story with fictional characters
and events in a historical setting
Horror fiction in which events evoke a feeling of
dread in both the characters and the reader
Humor fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement,
meant to entertain; but can be contained in all genres
Legend story, sometimes of a national or folk
hero, that has a basis in fact but also includes
imaginative material
Mystery fiction dealing with the solution of a
crime or the unraveling of secrets
Mythology legend or traditional narrative, often
based in part on historical events, that reveals human
behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often
pertaining to the actions of the gods
Poetry verse and rhythmic writing with imagery
that creates emotional responses
Realistic fiction story that is true to life

Science fiction story based on impact of actual,

imagined, or potential science, usually set in the
future or on other planets
Short story fiction of such brevity that it
supports no subplots
Tall tale humorous story with blatant
exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible
with nonchalance

Common genres: Non-Fiction

Biography/Autobiography - Narrative of a person's

life. A true story about a real person.
Essay - A short literary composition that reflects
the author's outlook or point.
Narrative nonfiction - Factual information presented in a
format which tells a story.
Speech - Public address or discourse.
Textbook - Authoritative and detailed factual description of a
topic