st

21 Century
Literature from
the Philippines
and the World
Module
(WEEK 1)

IVY L. TABAÑAG
Teacher
 Philippine Literature during the Pre-
1

Colonial Era
I. Learning Objectives
a. Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history from the precolonial era.

II. Lecturette/Concept Notes

Pre-Colonial Literature (before 1564) [Oral Tradition]
 includes all literature produced before the Spanish colonization like chants, proverbs, folk songs, and folk
narratives (folktale, fable, myth, legend and epic). These were all passed down from generation to generation by
word of mouth.
 was crude on ideology and phraseology; shows our customs and traditions in everyday life; and focuses on self-
expression
- LITERARY WORKS:
1. Riddles (Bugtong) – a statement or question having double or veiled meanings.
Ex. Heto na si Kaka, bubuka-bukaka. (Here comes Kaka, walking with an open leg.) [Ans. Spider]
2. Proverbs (Salawikain) – wise sayings with metaphors that serves as lessons.
Ex. Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilalga. (If you don’t persevere, you can expect no reward.)
3. Folk Songs – one of the oldest forms of Philippine Literature. beautiful songs that are informal expressions of
our ancestors’ experiences in life. These range from courtship (which they sing in a harana or a serenade for a
girl), to lullabies, harvests, funerals, and others. Ex. Rosas Pandan, Dandansoy
4. Myths – stories on how things happened or how things possess certain characteristics. This is told to explain a
belief, a practice, or a natural phenomenon. Ex. The Creation
5. Legends – origin of things which is presented as history but is unlikely to be true.
Ex. The Flood Story (A Bukidnon Legend)
6. Fables – stories with animal characters. Ex. The monkey and the tortoise
7. Epics – narratives of certain lengths based on oral tradition revolving on supernatural events. This narrative
poem celebrates the adventures and achievements of a hero. Ex. Hinilawod, Biag ni Lam-ang
8. Folktales (Kwentong-bayan) – a characteristically anonymous, timeless, and placeless tale circulated orally
among a people. Ex Juan Tamad, Juan Pusong and his Father’s Cows

III. Application
IV. Assessment

1 | 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World by ILT
ZAGMNHS-SHS (344536) 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
 2 Philippine Literature during the
Spanish Era

2 | 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World by ILT
ZAGMNHS-SHS (344536) 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
 Philippine Literature during the
3

American Era

3 | 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World by ILT
ZAGMNHS-SHS (344536) 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
 4 Philippine Literature during the
Spanish Era

4 | 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World by ILT
ZAGMNHS-SHS (344536) 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World