INTRODUCTION TO

PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE
Prepared by: MRS. REBECCA R. ARISTAS
 WHAT IS LITERATURE?
• The word literature is derived from the
Latin word :
litera which means letter
litteratura means writing
litteratus means learning
 WHAT IS LITERATURE?

•It is a body of work, either written, oral,

visual, containing imaginative language
that realistically portrays thought,
emotions and experiences of the human
condition.
 WHAT IS LITERATURE?

(For Webster )
Literature is anything that is printed , as long as it
is related to the ideas and feelings of people,
whether it is true, or just a product of one’s
imagination.
 WHAT IS LITERATURE?
• Writings having excellence of form or expression and
expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest.

• Written works, especially those considered of superior or

lasting artistic merit.

• Literature is the total of preserved writings belonging to

a given language or people.
 IMPORTANCE OF
LITERATURE
• Studying literature is like looking at the mirror of life where man’s
experiences, his innermost feelings and thoughts are reflected.
• Through literature, we learn the culture of people across time and space.
• We understand not only the past life of a nation but also its present.
• Moreover, we become familiar not only with the culture of neighboring
countries but also with that of others living very far from us.
• By studying good literature we learn more about human problems and
difficulties.
 WHY DO WE NEED TO STUDY
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE?
• 1. We study Philippine Literature so that we can better
appreciate our literary heritage. We cannot appreciate
something that we cannot understand.
• 2. Through the study of literature, we can trace the rich
heritage of ideas handed down to us, by forefathers, then
we can understand ourselves better and take pride in
being a Filipino.
 WHY DO WE NEED TO STUDY
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE?
• 3. Like any other races in the world, we need to understand that we
have a great and noble tradition which can serve as the means to
assimilate other cultures. Through such a study, we will realize our
literary limitations conditioned by certain historical factors and we
take steps to overcome them.

• 4. Above all, as Filipinos, who truly love and take pride in our own
culture, we have to manifest our deep concern for our literature and
this we can do by studying the literature of our country.
 Literature vs. History
 Literature and history are closely interrelated.
LITERATURE – maybe fragment of the imagination or
events devoid of truth that has been
written down.
HISTORY – is made up of events that really happen.
• In discovering history of a race, a country, we basically
understand their own culture and traditions, hence the written
customs and traditions, the dreams and aspirations of its
people is called literature.
• History can also be written down and this too, is literature.
History therefore is an integral part of literature.
 WHAT ARE THE 3 GENERAL DIVISIONS
OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE AND WHAT
WAS THE BASIS OF SUCH DIVISIONS?
The Legendary and Epic Age (Pre-Spanish), the Period of
Spanish Occupation and the Period of American Occupation

The divisions were based on the periods before and during

colonization.
PRE –SPANISH PERIOD
3. Folktales -are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror
and humor where one can derive lessons about life.
4. Myth- a well- known story which was made up in the past to
explain natural events or to justify religious beliefs or customs.
5. Legends – are a form of prose the common theme which is about
the origin of a thing, place, location or name.
6. Epic- is a long narrative poem recounting the deeds of a legendary
hero.
Why do we have so many epics when other countries
only have one?
Because the Philippines is divided into regions , and
each has its own hero whom they look up to. In the
ancient time, translation of other works was not not
widespread yet, so Filipinos from different regions
create their own stories based on their culture and
beliefs.
a.Pasyon – it is about the passion (journey and
suffering) and the death of Jesus Christ.
b.Senakulo- the re-enactment of the Pasyon
c.Komedya or moro-moro - it usually depicts the
battle between the Muslim and the Christians
THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION
• The Americans introduced the English language, which
Filipinos began using as a literary medium.
• The Philippine public school system was introduced.
• Free public education was given to Filipinos.
• The literature during the American period was
considered as imitative of American model. Instead of
asking the students to write originals, students end up
following the form of American poets.
Doodle fiction
Flash fiction
Science fiction
ACCORDING TO LEON COMBER, WHY DO
FILIPINOS WRITE GOOD SHORT STORIES?

• Because they feel at ease using English as a

medium of expression.