LESSON 2

Spanish Period
(1565-1898)

Prepared by: TEAM SELYA- HUMSS 12- A

 Spain colonized the Philippines for more than three
centuries. During these times, many changes occurred in
the lives of the Filipinos. They embraced the Catholic
religion, changed their names, and were baptized. Their
lifestyles changed, too. They built houses made of
stones and bricks, used kitchen utensils and furniture
like the piano. Carriages, trains and boats were used as
means of travel. They held fiestas to honor the saints,
the pope and the governors. As means of their
recreation, they had cockfights, horse races and theater.
 Due to the long period of colonization of the
Philippines by the Spaniards, this powerful country
contributed much in the shaping and recording of our
literature. Religion and institutions that represented
European civilization enriched the languages, introduced
the theater which popularized the Komedya, the
Cinakulo, the Sarswela, the Playlets and the Drama.
 A. SPANISH INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
· ALIBATA was the first Filipino alphabet which was replaced by the
Roman alphabet.
· Lessons on Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
· The Spanish language which became the medium of instruction and
literary language during this time lent many of its words to our language.
· Legends and traditions from Europe were assimilated in our songs,
corridos, and moro-moros.
· Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other
dialects.
· Grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano and
Visayan.
· Our magazines and periodicals gained a religious tone.
B. THE FIRST BOOKS
 The Christian Doctrine (Doctrina) Cristiana
-This was the first book printed in the
Philippines in 1593 in Xylography. It was
written by Fr. Juan de Placencia
and Fr. Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog and
Spanish.
It contained the Pater Noster (Our Father),
Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli (Hail
Holy Queen), and the Ten Commandments
of God, the Commandments of the
Catholic Church, the Seven Mortal Sins,
How to Confess, and the Cathecism.
 Nuestra Senora del Rosario
- This was the second book
printed in the Philippines
written by Fr. Blancas de San
Jose in 1602, and printed at
the UST Printing Press with the
help of Juan de Vera, a Chinese
mestizo. It contains the
biographies of saints, novenas,
and questions and answers on
religion.
 Libro de los Cuatro Post Primeras de
Hombre (in Spanish and Tagalog)

- This is the first book printed in typography.

 Ang Barlaan at Josephat

- This is the first Biblical story printed

in the Philippines and translated from
Greek to Tagalog by Fr. Antonio de
Borja. The printed translation has 556
pages and believed to be the first
Tagalog novel published in the
Philippines. Fr. Agustin Mejia
translated this novel in Ilocano.
 The Passion - This book is about the life and sufferings
of Jesus Christ, and it is read only during
lent. There were 4 versions in Tagalog, and
each version is according to the name of
the writer:
1. Pilapil version by Mariano Pilapil of
Bulacan, 1814
2. The de Belen version by Gaspar Aquino
de Belen of Bataan, 1704
3. The de la Merced version by Aniceto de
la Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan,1856
4. The de Guia version by Luis de Guia in
1750.
 Urbana at Felisa
- This book was written by Modesto
de Castro, known to as the Father of
Classic Prose in Tagalog. The book
contains the letters between two
sisters Urbana at Felisa and has
influenced greatly the behavior of
people in society because the letters
dealt with good behavior.
 Ang Mga Dalit Kay Maria (Psalms for Mary)

- This is a collection of songs

praising Virgin Mary. It was
written in 1865 by a Filipino
priest, Fr. Mariano Sevilla, which
became popular especially
during Maytime festival or Flores
de Mayo.
C. FOLK SONGS
During the Spanish period, each region had its national
song from the lowlands to the mountains of Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao. Folk songs truly manifest the
Filipinos’ artistic feelings and innate appreciation for
love of beauty: Some examples of folk songs are:
a. Leron-Leron Sinta
b. Dandansoy
c. Atin Cu Pung Singsing
d. Pamulinawen
e. Sarong Banggi
D. RECREATIONAL PLAYS
These recreational plays in poetic forms were performed by
Filipinos during the Spanish era:

1. Tibag
- It means to excavate. This is a
ritual to remind the people
about the search of Saint
Helena for the Holy Cross where
Jesus Christ was nailed and
died.
2. Lagaylay
- is a special occasion to get
together during the month of May
for the Pilarenos of Sorsogon. As
early as April, ladies are chosen or
mothers volunteer their girls to fulfill
a vow or panata during illness or
even for a favor received. In Bicol,
the people do a ritual offering of
praise, respect and love to the
Blessed Cross by Saint Helena on
the mound she had dug in.
3. Cenaculo
- is a dramatic performance to re-
enact the passion and death of Jesus
Christ. There are two kinds of cenaculo:
the Cantada which is chanted like the
Passion, and the Hablada which has a
more dignified theme where the lines
are spoken in a more deliberate
manner showing the rhythmic measure
of each verse and stanza.
The Cenaculo is written in octosyllabic verse, with 8
verses in each stanza. It takes three nights to stage
the full length version. The performers come in
costumes with wigs, and they are chosen for their
virtuous life because a performer re-enacts the role
of Jesus Christ or the role of Virgin Mary.

Famous Cenaculo performers come from the

Tagalog region although there are also from Ilocos,
Pampanga, Bicol, Sibulanon and Hiligaynon.
4. Panunuluyan

- is a reenactment of Virgin
Mary and Saint Joseph in
search of an inn to deliver the
baby Jesus.
5. Salubong

- is an Easter play that

dramatizes the meeting of the
Risen Jesus Christ and His
Mother.
6. Carillo or Shadow Play

- is a dramatic entertainment
performed on dark nights
projecting cardboard figures
before a lamp against a white
sheet. The figures are moved
like marionettes whose
dialogues are produced by
experts and are drawn from
Corrido, Awit or some religious
plays accompanied with songs.
7. Zarzuela

- is considered the Father of

Drama. It is a musical comedy
or melodrama in three acts
which dealt with man’s passions
and emotions like love, hate,
revenge, cruelty, avarice or
some social and political
problems.
8. Sainete

- is a short exaggerated musical

comedy performed by
characters from the lower class.
The themes were taken from
everyday life situations.
9. Moro-Moro
- is performed during town fiestas to
entertain the people and to remind
them of their Christian religion. There is
usually a Christian princess or a
nobleman’s daughter who is captured
by the Moros. The father organizes a
rescue team where fighting between
the Moros and the Christians takes
place. The Christians usually win the
battle by divine intercession, and the
Moros are converted to Christianity, or
the whole kingdom is baptized and
converted.
10. Karagatan - is a poetic contest where a ritual is
performed based on a legend about a
princess who dropped her ring into the
middle of the sea and who offered her
hand in marriage to anyone who can find
it. A leader starts with an extemporaneous
poem to announce the purpose as he
spins a “lumbo” or a “tabo” marked with a
white line. Whoever comes in the direction
of the white line when the spinning stops
gets his chance to “go into the sea to look
for the ring.” The girl asks a riddle, and if he
gives the correct answer, he will offer the
ring to the girl.
11. Balagtasan

- is a poetic joust or a contest of

skills in debate on a topic or
issue. This is held in
honor of Francisco “Balagtas”
Baltazar.
12. Dung-aw - is a chant in free verse by a
bereaved person beside the
corpse of the dead. Without
definite meter or rhyming, the
person recites in poetic rhythm
according to his feelings, emotions
and thoughts. Since it is
personalized and usually deals
with the life, sufferings and
sacrifices of the dead, it also
includes apologies for his
misdeeds.
 Thank you for watching!!
Prepared by:
Lantoria, Harrison Feliciano, Ren-ren
Samson, Reenel John Galicia, Catherine
Sevellejo, Kent Jadulco, Jewel
Tualla, Troy Pacheco, Erika
Dequina, Nikki Pastor, Christina
Escobal, Juanda Pintero, Romella