Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION IV-A
DIVISION OF CAVITE PROVINCE
BULIHAN INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
FIRST QUARTER – WEEK 1
HANDOUT NO.1
Main Topic: LITERATURE AND THE EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
SY 2022-2023

Topic No.1 Definition of Literature and its Nature

INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

• litera –literally means “an acquaintance with letters” is the root word of literature.
• Literature is a body of literary productions, either oral or written or visual, containing imaginative
language that realistically portrays thoughts, emotions, and experiences of the human condition.
(Sialongo, et al, 2007)
• Literary standards: universality, artistry, intellectual value, suggestiveness, spiritual value,
permanence, style.
• Classification of literature
o According to structure: fiction and nonfiction
o According to form: prose and poetry
o According to genre: fiction, poetry, essay, drama
• Literary approaches: formalistic or literary, moral or humanistic, historical, sociological, cultural,
psychological, impressionistic.

Topic No. 2 Evolution of Philippine Literature

PRE-COLONIAL LITERATURE (-1564)

MYTH – gods and goddesses or also known as deities. LEGENDS - narrative story that tells about the
origin
EPICS –narrative poem about a hero in a nation or culture. • PROVERBS/EPIGRAMS – salawikain ,
consists of couplets, usually have rhyming end syllables. •
KUNDIMAN –traditional Filipino love songs written in Tagalog.
FOLK SONG – this expresses the hope and aspirations; repeated, naïve and loud
GNOMIC VERSE
• SAWIKAIN – idiomatic expressions composed of 2 or more words that have an entirely
different meaning when joined together
• MAXIM – a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct.
• BUGTONG/RIDDLES – made up of one or two measured lines which may consist of 4-12
syllables
• TANAGA – poem with 4 stanzas and 7 syllables each

Motifs and features of pre-colonial literature

the beginning of life and of the earth
accounts about great people or supernatural heroes
the inclusion of gods and goddesses
the inclusion of mythical creatures like duwende, aswang, tikbalang, and the like
themes on morality; good and bad practices of life
daily encounters and activities of life

Barangay Bulihan, Silang, Cavite

(046) 890-0133
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
DIVISION OF CAVITE PROVINCE
BULIHAN INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

SPANISH COLONIZATION (1565-1897)

• Early Spanish Occupation
o Religious Literature: miracle and mystery tales; dalit, pasyon, senakulo, tibag,
panunuluyan
o Secular Literature: Urbana at Felisa by Fr. Modesto de Castro, metrical tales (awit at
corrido), karagatan at duplo, carillo, komedya. zarsuela
• Period of Enlightenment (Propaganda Movement) (1872-1896)
o Jose Rizal
o Marcelo H. Del Pilar
o Graciano Lopez Jaena
▪ They were joined by other propagandists such as Mariano Ponce, Antonio Luna, Juan
Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Dr Pedro Paterno, Jose Maria Panganiban, Jose
Alejandrino, Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Isabelo Delos Reyes, Dominador Gomez.
• Revolutionary Movement (1896-1900)
o Andres Bonifacio
o Emilio Jacinto
o Apolinario Mabini
o Jose Palma

Spanish influence on Philippine literature

• Roman alphabet replaced the baybayin
• Publishing of grammar and vocabulary books in different Filipino languages such as Tagalog,
Ilokano, Cebuano, and Hiligaynon
• The emergence of different literary genres
• The teaching of Doctrina Christiana
• Collection and translation of ancient literature in Tagalog and other languages
• The introduction of European legends and traditions that has become a part of Philippine literature
such as awit, corrido, and moro-moro

AMERICAN PERIOD (1898-1945)

• Philippine literature in Spanish time started to lose its track on the first decade.
• The poems of Fernando Ma. Guerrero (Crisalidas), Balmori’s Se deshojo la Flor novel, and
many others discussed revolution and sentiments for patriotism and reform proved that
Philippine literature was used to claim freedom from the colonizers.
• Even though Philippine literature was in English, the preservation of the content for Filipino
experiences was achieved.
• Short story writers in English like Manuel Arguilla in his “A Son is Born,” were one of the
foundations of Philippine literature. Poetry in English was also founded.
• Sarzuela was overpowered by English drama.
• Philippine Literature in English (1941-1945)
Because of the strict prohibitions imposed by the Japanese in the writing and publishing of
works in English, Philippine literature in English experienced a dark period. For the first twenty
years, many books were published both in Filipino and in English.

Barangay Bulihan, Silang, Cavite

(046) 890-0133
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
DIVISION OF CAVITE PROVINCE
BULIHAN INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
In the New Filipino Literature, Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived during this period.
Most themes in the writings dealt with Japanese brutalities, the poverty of life under the Japanese
government, and the brave guerilla exploits.
Con’t. of American Period

Features of Philippine literature during the American period

• In the early part of the American occupation, Spanish Tagalog and other local languages were
used in later on English was used
• Contemplations as to the conditions of the country remained as a transcending theme of most
works under this.
• Imitation of the writing style and method of the Americans

JAPANESE PERIOD (1941-1945)

Philippine literature in English came to a halt. Except for the TRIBUNE and the PHILIPPINE
REVIEW, almost all newspapers in English were stopped by the Japanese.
• Filipino Poetry During This Period The common theme of most poems during the Japanese
occupation was nationalism, country, love, and life in the barrios, faith, religion, and the arts.
• Three types of poems emerged during this period: a. Haiku, a poem of free verse that the
Japanese like. It was made up of 17 syllables divided into three lines and b. Tanaga – like the
Haiku, is short, but it had measure and rhyme. c. Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form)

LITERATURE UNDER THE REPUBLIC (1946-1985)

• Period of Activism (1970-1972) - Many young people became activists to ask for changes in
the government. In the expression of this desire for change, keen were the writings of some
youth who were fired with nationalism in order to emphasize the importance of their petitions.
• Period of The New Society (1972- 1980) - The period of the New Society started on
September 21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca Awards continued to give annual awards. Almost all
themes in most writings dealt with the development or progress of the country –like the Green
Revolution, family planning, proper nutrition, environment, drug addiction and pollution. The
New Society tried to stop pornography or those writings giving bad influences on the morals of
the people. All school newspapers were temporarily stopped and so with school organizations.
• Period of The Third Republic (1981-1985) - After ten years of military rule and some
changes in the life of the Filipino, which started under the New Society, Martial Rule was at
last lifted on January 2, 1981. The Philippines became a new nation, and this; former
President Marcos called “The New Republic of the Philippines.” Poems during this period of
the Third Republic were romantic and revolutionary. Many Filipino songs dealt with themes
that were true-to-life like those of grief, poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country
and fellowmen.
• Post-Edsa 1 Revolution (1986-1995) - History took another twist. Once more, the Filipino
people regained their independence, which they lost twenty years ago. In four days from
February 21-25, 1986, the so-called People Power (Lakas ng Bayan) prevailed. In the short
span of the existence of the real Republic of the Philippines, several changes already became
evident. It was noticed in the new Filipino songs, newspapers, speeches, and even in the
television programs. The now crony newspapers that enjoyed an overnight increase in
circulation were THE INQUIRER, MALAYA, and the PEOPLE’S JOURNAL.

Barangay Bulihan, Silang, Cavite

(046) 890-0133
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
DIVISION OF CAVITE PROVINCE
BULIHAN INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

➢ CONTEMPORARY/21ST CENTURY PERIOD

• The new trends have been used and introduced to meet the need and tastes of the new
generation. 21st Century learners are demanded to be ICT inclined to compete with the style
and format of writing as well. New codes or lingos are used to add flavor in the literary pieces
produced nowadays

Prepared by:

Melanie C. Dubiao Jonathan B. Diesta Ailyn C. Sayritan

Teacher III Teacher II Teacher III

Barangay Bulihan, Silang, Cavite

(046) 890-0133