PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

DURING SPANISH
COLONIZATION PERIOD
(1565 - 1863)
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• Spanish colonization of the Philippines
startef in 1565 during the time of Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi, the first Spanish- governor
in the
Philippines.
• Literature started to flourish during his time.
• The spurt continued unabated until the
Cavite Revolt in 1872.
• The Spaniards colonized the country for
more than 3 centuries.
SPANISH INFLUENCES
ON THE PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE
• The first Filipino Alphabet
called ALIBATA / BAYBAYIN was
replaced by ROMAN ALPHABET. •
The teaching of Christian Doctrine
became a basis of religious
practices.
• The Spanish language which
became the literary language this
 time lent many of its word to our
language.
• European legends and traditions
brought here became assimilated in our
songs, corridos / moro-moros.
• Ancient literature was
collected and translated to
Tagalog and other dialects.
• Many grammar books were
printed in Filipino, like Tagalog,
Ilokano and Visayan.
• Our periodicals during
these times gain a religious
tone.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
LITERATURE
DURING THIS PERIOD
• It has two distinct classifications : religious /
secular.

• It introduced Spanish as the medium of

communication.
THE FIRST BOOKS
THE FIRST BOOKS
• Ang Doktrina Cristiana (The Christian Doctrine)
this was the first book printed in the Philippines in
xylography.
• Neustra Senora del Rosario - contains the
biographis of saint, novena, and question and
answers about religion
• Libro de los Cuatro Postpiremas de
Hombre- first written book in typography.

THE FIRST BOOKS

• Ang Barlaan at Josephat - biblical story printed in
the Philippines.
• The Pasion - book about life and sufferings of Christ.
• Urban at Felisa - by Modesto de Castro
(father of Classical Prose in Tagalog) Shows
importance of purity and virtues between married
couples.
• Ang mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms of Mary)
collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary.
FOLK SONGS
Folk song became widespread in
the country. Each region had its
national song from Luzon, Visayas
and Mindanao.
They show the Filipinos innate
appreciate fo love and beauty.
FOLK SONGS
• Examples:
Leron- leron Sinta (Tagalog)
Pamulinawen (Iloko)
Dandansoy (Bisaya)
Sarong Banggi (Bicol)
Atin Cu Pung Singsing (Kapampangan)
RECREATIONAL PLAYS
There were many recreational
plays performed by Filipinos
during Spanish times.
RECREATIONAL PLAYS
• CENAKULO - dramatic performance of
passion / death of Christ.
• ZARZUELA - The father of dra,a/ musical
comedy or melodrama three acts which
death with men' passion and emotions.
• LAGAYLAY - a special occasion for
pilarenos of sorsogon during may time
together.

RECREATIONAL PLAYS
• TIBAG - the word tibag means to excavate.
Dramatic performance for manifesting
devotion in the holy cross.
• PANULUYAN - search of Mary and
Joseph for an inn before the birth of Jesus.
Performed before 12:00 on Christmas Eve.

RECREATIONAL PLAYS
• CARLLO - performed in moonless night during
fiesta / after harvests, Uses cardboards / lamp
againts white sheet.
• SAINETE - short comedy popular
during 18th century. Exaggerated comedy
shown between acts and about lower class.
• MORO-MORO - like Cenakulo, was performed
in special stage.

RECREATIONAL PLAYS
• MORO-MORO - performed during fiestas to
remind people about Christian relihion.
• KARAGATAN - poetic vehicle of
socioreligios nature celabrated during
death of a person.
• DUPLO- replaced the Karagatan. This is
poetic joust in speaking and reasoning.
Performed during wakes of the death.
RECREATIONAL PLAYS
• SALUBONG - Easter play thats shows the
reunion of risen Christ/mother.
• BALAGTASAN - poetic joust or contest of skills.
In debate on particular issue or topic. Held to
honor Francisco Baltazar.
• DUNGAW - chant in free verse by
representative / bereaved person beside the
corpse of dead.
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
DURING AMERICAN
COLONIZATION PERIOD
(1898 - 1941)
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• Spain ceded Philippines to United States
through an agreement in the Treaty of Paris.
• Spain would receive 20 Million Dollars as
indemnity for the war and unfinished building
projects.
• The filipino-american war resulted in the
defeat of Gen. Miguel Malvar in 1903. The
peace movements started as early as 1900.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• Many filipino started writing again and the
nationalism of the people remain undaunted.
• Filipino writers went into all forms of
literature like news reporting, poetry, stories,
plays, essays and novels. Their writings clearly
clearly depicted their love of country and thier
longings for independence.
 ]HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• Fiction prevailed over poetry and literary
giant appeared in this Japanese Era.
• Philippine literature in English came to a halt
- writers in English turned to writing in
Filipino.
• Filipino literature was given a break during
this period.
• Topics and themes were often about life in
the provinces.
AMERICAN INFLUENCES
ON THE PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE
• Schools
• New Education System
• Cleanliness / Hygiene
• English Language
• Politics
• Freedom of Speech
 CHARACTERISTICS OF LITERATURE
DURING THIS PERIOD
• Nationalism
• Freedom of Speech
• Experience
• Search and use of new medium
 THEMES OF LITERATURE

• Desire of Freedom
• Love of Country
• Fight against Colonialism / Imperialism
in
1910
• A new group started to write in
English.
• Hence, Spanish, Tagalog , the
Vernaculars and finally , English,
were the mediums used in
literature during these times.
• The writers in Spanish were
wont to write on nationalism like
honoring Rizal and other heroes.
• The writers in Tagalog
continued in their lamentations
on the conditions of the country
and their attempts to arouse love
for one’s native tongue. The
writers in English imitated the themes
and methods of the Americans.
in
1920
• The UP college Folio was later
replaced by the Philippine
Collegian.
• Dead Stars by Paz Marquez
Benitez stand out as a model of
perfection in character
delineation, local color, plot and
message.
• 1933 Footnote to youth by Jose Garcia
Villa
in
1933
The active arousal in the field of literature started to
be felt in the following newspaper:
1 . EL NUEVO DIA(The New Day) Established by Sergio Osmenia
in 1900 .

2 . EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO(The Call of the Nation) Established

by Pascual Poblete in 1900.

3 . EL RENACIEMENTO(The Rebirth) Founded by Rafael Palma

in 1900.
There were also plays written, included here were
the following:
1 . KAHAPON, NGAYON AT BUKAS (Yesterday, Today and
Tomorrow) Written by Aurelio Tolentino

2 . TANIKALANG GINTO of Juan Abad

3 . MALAYA by Thomas Remigio

4 . WALANG SUGAT by Severino Reyes

 OPENING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
• Education became a very important issue for
the united states colonial government, since it
allowed it to spread thier cultural values,
particularly the english language, to the
filipino people. By 1901, public education was
institutionalized in the philippines, with
english serving the medium of instruction.
• Between 1941-1945,
Philippine Literature was interrupted in its
development when we were again conquered
by another foreign country, Japan.

• Philippine literature in English came to a

halt.

• Except for the Tribune and the Philippine

Review, Pillars, Free Philippines, and
 Filipina, almost all newspapers in English
were stopped by the Japanese.

• During this time, there was no freedom of

speech and of the
press.
• Victoria Abelardo has described Filipino
writing during the Japanese occupation as
being pessimistic and bitter.
• There were some efforts at escapist
literature, but in general, the literary output
was minor and insignificant. Because of strict
censorship, few literary works were printed
during the war years.
The weekly Liwayway
was placed under
strict surveillance
until it was managed
by a Japanese named
Ishiwara
• The only contact with the outside world was
done with utmost secrecy through the
underground radio program called
“Voice of Freedom”.
• Tagalog was favored by the
Japanese military authority
and writing in English was
consigned to a limbo.
• Japanese were able to
influence and encourage
the Filipino in developing
the vernacular literature.
• The only Filipino
writers who could
write freely were
those who were
living in the United
States.
• Most writers and
authors were lead to
either go
underground or
write in Tagalog.
• So, Filipino
literature was given
a break during this
period.
• Filipino literature
also experienced
renewed attention
because writers in
English turned to
writing in Filipino.
-The drama experienced a lull during the Japanese
period because movie houses showing American
films were closed.
- The big movie houses were just made to show stage
shows. Many of the plays were reproductions of
English plays to Tagalog.
-The translators were Francisco Soc Rodrigo,
Alberto Concio, and Narciso Pimentel.
-They also founded the organization of Filipino
players named .
A few of the playwriters
were:

1. Jose Ma. Hernandez –

wrote PANDAYPIRA
2.Francisco Soc
Rodrigo – wrote
sa PULA, SA PUTI
3.Clodualdo del Mundo –
wrote BULAGA (an
expression in the game
Hide and Seek).

4. Julian Cruz Balmaceda

– wrote SINO BA KAYO?,
DAHIL SA ANAK, and
HIGANTE NG PATAY.
• Three types of poems emerged during this
period.

– a poem of free verse that the Japanese liked.

It is made up of seventeen (17) syllables
divided into three (3) lines. The first line has
five, the second – seven and the third – five. It
is allegorical in meaning, short and covers a
wide scope in meaning.
-The field of the short story widened during the
Japanese Occupation.
Many wrote short stories.
-Among them were:
Brigido Batungbakal Macario Pineda
Serafin Guinigindo Liwayway Arceo,
Narciso Ramos NVM Gonzales,
Alicia Lopez Lim Ligaya Perez
Gloria Guzman
The best writings in
1945 were selected by
a group of judges
composed of

Francisco Icasiano,
Jose Esperanza Cruz,
Antonio Rosales,
Clodualdo del Mundo
and Teodoro Santos.
As a result of this selection,
the following got the first three prizes:
First Prize:
Narciso Reyes with his LUPANG TINUBUAN
Second Prize:
Liwayway Arceo’s
UHAW ANG TIGANG NA LUPA
Third Prize:
NVM Gonzales’
LUNSOD NAYON AT DAGAT-DAGATAN
Noteworthy writer of the period
was Carlos P. Romulo who won the Pulitzer
Prize for his bestsellers

I SAW THE FALLOF THE PHILIPPINES,

I SEE THE PHILIPPINESRISE and his MOTHER
AMERICAAND MY BROTHERAMERICANS.
Journalists include Salvador P. Lopez, Leon Ma.
Geurrero, Raul Manglapuz and Carlos Bulosan.
Nick Joaquin produced THE WOMAN WHO
LOOKED LIKE LAZARUS. Fred Ruiz Castro
wrote a few poems.
LITERATURE AND SOCIETY
by Salvador P. Lopez (Essay)

HIS NATIVE SOIL – by Juan Laya (Novel)

President Manuel L. Quezon’s autobiography

THE GOOD FIGHTwas published posthumously.

Other writers of this period were Juan Collas

(19440, Tomas Confesor (1945), Roman A. de la
Cruz and Elisa Tabuñar.
 NOTE TO STUDENT: Almost half a decade, after the documented
discovery of the Philippines in 1521 during Ferdinand Magellan's
exploration marks the beginning of the colonial period. The Spaniards
successfully colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years having
evangelization as its main thrust. The nationalistic consciousness of the
Filipinos began when world trade took place in the Philippines as a result
of exchanging of liberal ideas with the other countries among children of
middle class Filipino families who were sent to Europe. This led to a
revolutionary period that ended the long and oppressive Spanish tyranny
in our country.
 American period of colonialism officially took place after Emilio Aguinaldo
surrendered. The transition period between Spanish and American
colonialism did not run smoothly since resistance among the native
Filipinos who were threatened by the coming of other colonizers was
evident. The setting of public schools during the American period became
a necessary tool for popularizing democracy in our country, training
Filipinos for citizenship, and embracing the English language. All of which
are considered influential to Philippine literature even up to this date. The
last colonizers to enter the Philippines were the Japanese who failed to
gain the trust of Filipinos and only lasted for less than five years.
Some Notable Writers During Spanish Colonial Period
✔ Francisco Baltazar (1788-1862) was hailed as the "Master of Traditional Tagalog Poetry". His well-known
literary work, Florante at Laura (1838–1861), is regarded as the most famous metrical romance of the
country.
✔ Pedro Paterno (1857–1911) was the first Filipino who wrote poetry collection in Spanish entitled
Sampaguitas y poesias varias (1880). His novel in Spanish Ninay (1885) was considered to be the first
Filipino novel.
✔ Jose Rizal (1861–1896), a prominent ilustrado and the country’s national hero, is famous for the novels
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. These novels portray the corruption and abuse of the Spanish
officials and the clergy.
✔ Andres Bonifacio (1863–1897), the founder of the Katipunan, wrote the poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa”
which appeared in the official newspaper of the Katipunan called Kalayaan in March 1896.
✔ Leona Florentino (1849–1884), known as the “Mother of Philippine Women’s Literature,” was a poet in
both Ilocano and Spanish. Twenty of her poems were preserved and exhibited in Europe and were included
in the Encyclopedia Internationaldes Oeuvres des Femme in 1889.
Other Type of Literature Existed during American Colonial Period

✔ Short Stories. These are stories that can typically be read in one sitting revolving around one subject and
may range between 1,000 up to 20,000 words. The first short story written in English is entitled "Dead
Stars" by Paz Marquez Benitez.

Some Notable Writers

✔ Juan C. Laya. He won first prize for his novel "His Native Soil" in the First Commonwealth Literary Awards
in 1940.
✔ Zoilo M. Galang. His work entitled "A Child of Sorrow" in 1921 is considered as the first Filipino novel in
English.
Some Notable Writers During Japanese Colonial Period

✔ Carlos P. Romulo. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his notable works such as "I Saw the Fall of the
Philippines", "I See the Philippines Rise", "Mother America", and "My Brother Americans".
✔ Narciso Reyes. He won first prize with his short story "Lupang Tinubuan".
Activity 1: Colonial Period at a Glance
If one wants to study the entire history of our country during the colonial period, this requires intensive and
complex time, energy, and effort. In the below activities, we will try to go back to history focusing only on what is
essential especially in the progress and development of literature in the Philippines.

ASSESSMENT 1a: Complete the table below by filling in the needed information based on the discussion about Philippine
literature during the colonial period.
Influences Spanish Period American Period Japanese Period

Government
System

Education

Religion
ASSESSMENT 1b: Since you have already reviewed some major influences brought to us by the three countries,
it is now time to examine positive and negative results of each period of colonialism among Filipinos in general
during that time.
Colonial Period Positive Influences Negative Influences

Spanish

American

Japanese
WHO AM I CHECKLIST: How many of your interests, traits, and characters can you identify as
to Eastern and Western influences? Answer this survey checklist by putting a check on the
column category that applies to you.
Category My Unique Social/
Choice Group
Influence
A. Physical Appearance
1. Hairstyle and make-up
2. Clothes (color and style) and
footwear
3. Accessories
B. Career
1. SHS strand
2. School
3. Future course in college
4. Future work
C. Decisions/ Preferences
1. Friends
2. Food preferences
3. Hobbies
4. Philosophies
5. Dealing with conflict
After accomplishing the checklist, what important insights have you gained about yourself?
Elaborate.
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