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THE CONCEPT OF LITERATURE • Fairytale – has magic and/or

talking animals. Often starts
Literature is concerned with the content and with “Once upon a time..”
the form, in other words not only the story but • HISTORICAL FICTION - set in the past
the way it is written. and based on real people and/or
Etymologically: “acquaintance with etters”. events
• MYSTERY- a story about a
Latin “littera” - individual written character crime/solution of a crime.
(letter) • REALISTIC FICTION – real life, with
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin: characters dealing with real life
“litteratura” - writing, grammar, learning problems. focuses on romantic love
and relationship between two people
• SCIENCE FICTION – Set in the future
LITERARY GENRE or on other planets, has aliens,
robots, and/or futuristic technology.
1. Drama - a play for theater told by • THRILLER OR SUSPENSE - a story that
character dialogue makes readers nervous or excited.
SUBGENRES: 3. Non-Fiction - Writing that is real
• COMEDY- a funny or humorous and factual or that actually
drama with a happy ending;
happened.
resolving funny situations with
charm, wit and laughter. Latin Roots
• TRAGEDY - a sad drama with a sad AUTO = self
ending. BIO = life
2. Fiction - a story that did not GRAPHY = writing
actually happen in real life SUBGENRES:
SUBGENRES: ▪ BIOGRAPHY- a story /writing about a
• FANTASY - has monsters, magic or person's life
characters with superpowers. ▪ AUTOBIOGRAPHY – a story the
• FOLKLORE/FOLKTALES - old cultural author writes about himself or
stories; passed down through oral herself.
tradition. ▪ NARRATIVE NON-FICTION- a story or
• Fable – animals and a moral narrative that happened in real life.
lesson ▪ PERIODICALS/SERIALS- magazines,
• Mythology – has newspapers, journals that are
gods/goddesses. written regularly or in series.
• Tall Tale – Main characters ▪ REFERENCE MATERIALS -
skills/size/strength is greatly books/resources with facts usually
exaggerated; Exaggeration is arranged by date or in alphabetical
humorous order.
• Legend – Based on a real 4. Poetry - writing using language and
person or place; Facts are sounds in special ways to express ideas
stretched beyond nonfiction; SUBGENRES:
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• LYRIC - a poem about the speaker's
thoughts
1. elegy – formal lament for
the death of a person
2. ode - long lyric poem with a
serious subject basically
written with enthusiasm
and excitement about a
person or thing.
3. sonnet - originally a love
poem
4. haiku- traditionally a
Japanese poem
• NARRATIVE - a poem that tells a
story. It is always told by a narrator.
1. Epics – a long poem about a
hero
2. Ballads – a song, originally
transmitted orally, which
tells a story
• DRAMATIC - words/verses spoken
by a character
1. Soliloquy - a long speech;
one character; No others on
stage can hear what is said;
Reveals inner thoughts or
motives of a character
2. Dialogue - shorter or longer
speeches; between two
characters among many
characters; Others onstage
can hear and respond.
3. Monologue - Longer
speech; One character;
Others onstage can hear
what is said and respond to
it; Generally reveals
previous events; Explains a
character’s choice of action.
The Pre-colonial Period (BC/Early Times-1565)
• The first period of the Philippine
literary history is the longest.
• Our ancestors also had their own
alphabet which was different from
that brought by the Spaniards.
CHARACTERISTICS:
o oral in nature and is full of lessons and
ideas about life, its blessings, and its
consequences.
Forms of Literature during the Pre-colonial
Period
1. Oral Literature
o RIDDLE (Bugtong o Palaisipan) - It is
called Tigmo in Cebu, Paktakon in
Ilonggo and Patotdon in Bicol.
Examples of Riddle;
a. Dalawang balon, hindi malingon. -
tainga
b. Naligo ang kapitan, hindi nabasa
ang tiyan. ----- bangka
c. Dalawa kong kahon, buksan
walang ugong. ---- eyes
o PROVERBS (Aphorisms o Salawikain) -
These are usually given by parents or
elders of the community. To others,
these are like allegories or parables that
impart lessons for the young.
Examples of Proverbs;
a. Ang MABIGAT gumagaan kapag
napagtuTULUNGAN
b. Ang isip ay para ITAK, sa hasa ay
TUMATALAS
o SAWIKAIN (IDYOMA) - An expression
that does not give direct or exact or
literal meaning.
Examples;
a. Luha ng buwaya – Hindi totoong
nagdadalamhati, nagkukunwari,
pakitang tao
b. Di-makabasag pinggan – Mahinhin
kumilos
o MAXIMS (Sabi) - An expression where
some are rhyming couplets with verses
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of 5, 6 or 8 syllables, each line having the
same number of syllables.
Examples;
a. Pag hindi ukol, Hindi bubukol
b. Sa marunong umunawa, sukat
ang ilang salita
o TANAGA - a mono-rhyming hepta-
syllabic quatrain expressing insights and
lessons on life is "more emotionally
charged than the terse proverb and thus
has affinities with the folk lyric.”
Examples;
a. Ang hating-gabing kulay tulad ng
aking buhay Kaylan masisilayan
ang iliwanag ng araw
o FOLKSONGS (Awiting Bayan/Kantahing
bayan) - Often repetitive and sonorous,
didactic and naive as in the children's
songs.
Examples;
a. Lullabies (Hele or oyayi)-These
are sung to put to sleep babies.
e.g. Ili-ili (Ilongo)
b. Drinking songs - these are locally
known as Tagay and are sung
during drinking sessions.
c. Love Songs - to many Filipinos,
these are known as the Harana.
d. Working Songs - Examples are:
Kalusan (Ivatan) – work songs;
Soliranin (Tagalog) –rowing song
e. Religious Songs - are songs or
chants that are usually given
during exorcisms and
thanksgiving during good harvest.
f. Songs of Death - are lamentations
that contain the roll of good
deeds that the dead has usually
done to immortalize his or her
good image.
o FOLKTALES (Kwentong Bayan) - These
are stories of native Filipinos, typically
passed on by word of mouth.
Examples; (nasa first lesson)
a. Myth
b. Legends
c. Fables
d. Epic - These contain encounters
of fighters, stereotypical princes
or heroes that save a damsel in
distress.
e. Fantasy Stories
The Colonial Period Spanish Occupation (1521-
1898)
• The arrival of Ferdinand Magellan on the
shores of Homonhon island in March 16,
1521 is not the start of their conquest
but it spelled a new era for the
Philippines.
• Christianism was introduced, many were
baptized and changed their surnames.
Two Classifications of Filipinos during the
Spanish Period
a. Taga-bayan – Filipinos who were within
easy reach of the power of the Church
and State; urbane and civilized
b. Taga-bukid or Taga-bundok – Filipinos
who kept their distance from the
colonial administrators; Brutos salvages
(savage brutes); Indio
Two Classifications of Literature during the
Spanish Period
1. Religious Literature religious lyrics
written by Ladino poets or those versed
in both Spanish and Tagalog were
included in early catechism.
o Pasyon - It is a narrative poem
about passion (journey and
suffering) and the death of Jesus
Christ.
o Senakulo- It is the re-enactment
or the dramatization of the
passion of Christ.
o Komedya – it is a theatre
dramatization of the conflicts
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between Christians and Muslim
heroes usually ending with the
victory of the Christians and
conversion of Muslims to
Christianity.
2. Secular or Non-Religious Literature -
any literature which is not rooted in
religious beliefs, practices and
traditions.
o Awit- Tales of Chivalry (high
respect of men for women) and
is made for singing and
chanting; Usually portrays a
knight saving a princess or the
like. It has 12 syllables
o Korido- a metrical (a piece of
literature that has a
measurement for aesthetic
purposes) tale. It has 8 syllables
o Prose Narratives- written to
instruct readers on proper
decorum.
Spanish Colonization Period has also oral and
written literature.
1. ORAL LITERATURE –
a. SONGS – a composition for voice
and voices performed by singing.
b. RELIGIOUS DRAMA – setting forth
events recorded in the Bible or
moral lessons to be drawn from
religious teaching.
c. DRAMA –enacted in front of live
audiences. It is also known as play.
2. WRITTEN LITERATURE –
a. SHORT STORIES – a brief work of
literature
b. POETRY –an imaginative awareness
of experience expressed through
meaning, sound, and rhythmic
language.
A. JOSE DELA CRUZ (1746-1829) – famous
poet and playwright (mandudulang
Tagalog) during the 19th century. Also
known as Huseng Sisiw.
B. FRANCISO BALTAZAR (1788-1862) – he
was popularly called Balagtas, he is the
acknowledged master of traditional
Tagalog poetry.
Nationalistic/Propaganda and Revolutionary
Period (1864-1896)
o During this period, the language was
slowly shifting from Spanish to Tagalog
and the works of literature were
addressed to the masses instead of
addressing only the elite.
Categories of Literature:
1. Propaganda Literature - its objective is
to reform.
o Political Essays and Political Novels - are
composed of satires, editorials, and
news articles that aim to attack and
expose the corrupt Spanish rule.
Example of Political Essays:
a. 1882 - Diariong Tagalog -
founded by Marcelo H. Del Pilar.
b. 1888 - La Solidaridad-
quincenario; first released in
1889
Examples of Political Novels:
a. 1887- Noli Me Tangere
b. 1891 - El FIlibusterismo
2. Revolutionary Literature - more
propagandistic than literary as it is
more violent in nature and demanded
complete independece for the country.
Example of Political Essays:
a. Political Essays- helped inflame
the spirit of revolution.
EXAMPLE: 1896 - Kalayaan - a
newspaper of the Katipunan
which means “Independence and
Solidarity” edited by Emilio
Jacinto
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Nationalistic/Propaganda and Revolutionary
Period (1864-1896)
Poetry- helped inflame the spirit of revolution.
EXAMPLE:
a. 1896 - Katapusang Hibik ng
Pilipinas ni Andres Bonifacio
b. 1896 - Liwanag at Dilim ni Emilio
Jacinto
c. 1898 - True Decalogue ni
Apolinario Mabini
SOME OF THE PROMINENT WRITINGS DURING
THE SPANISH PERIOD
o Doctrina Christiana (1593)- first book
published in the Philippines using
xylography. This is an 87-page book by
Padre Juan de Placencia and Padre
Domingo Nieva
o Barlaan at Josaphat (1708) - Originally
in Greek language and translated in
Tagalog by Fray Antonio de Borja and
published by La Compania de Jesus and
regarded as the first novel published in
the Philippines.
PROMINENT AUTHORS DURING THE SPANISH
PERIOD
1. Modesto de Castro - was a native priest
who lived in the first half of the 19th
century, notable for his sermons in
Tagalog. Known for Urbana at Feliza
(1864).
2. Francisco Baltazar (1788-1862) -
popularly known as Balagtas. Known for
Florante at Laura, Orosman and Zafira
3. Jose Rizal (1861-1896) - Philippine
national hero; known for Noli and El Fili
(works that sparked the revolution in
1896); Other known works: Mi Ultimo
Adios (poem), Sa Aking mga Kabata; A
las Flores de Heidelberg
4. Pedro Paterno (1857-1911) – put up a
collection of his Spanish poems under
the title Sampaguitas y otras poesías
varias, also known as Sampaguitas y
poesías varias (the first book of poetry
published by a Filipino in Europe); Ninay
(1885, first novel in Spanish about the
Philippine society).
5. Marcelo H. Del Pilar (Plaridel, Piping
Dilat and Dolores Manapat/1850-1896)
– was well-versed in the art of poetic
jousting called duplo before he
assumed the post of editor of La
Solidaridad. He is especially effective as
a parodist.
6. Andres Bonifacio – He was considered
as the “Father of the Philippine
Revolution. He belongs to the trilogy
which includes Herminigildo Flores and
del Pilar. He is also known as the author
of the poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang
Lupa (1896).
7. Herminigildo Flores – he was known for
his poem “ Hibik ng Pilipinas sa Inang
España” (1888).
American Colonization Period (1901-1946)
Literature was spurred by 2 significant
developments in education and culture:
1. introduction of free public instruction for
all children of school age, and
2. the use of English language as a medium
of instruction in all levels of education in
public schools.
Philippine literature in English became a direct
result of American colonization; imitative of
American models of writing.
FORMS
A. POETRY - poetry under the American
rule still followed the style of the old,
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but had contents that ranged from free
writing to societal concerns under the
Americans.
B. DRAMA - was usually used in the
Amercan period todegrade the Spanish
rule and to immortalize the heroism of
the men who fought under the
Katipunan.
C. REMAKE NOVELS - took up Dr. /jose
Rizal's portrayal of social conditions by
colonial repression.
A. PERIOD OF APPRENTICESHIP (1910-1930)
FICTION
o Marked by imitation of the style of
storytelling and strict adherence to the
craft of the short story. Some known
writers of fiction were Francisco
Arcellana, A.E. Litiatco, Paz Latorena,
Icasiano Calalang, Arturo Rotor, Lydia
Villanueva, Manuel Arguilla.
NOTABLE WRITERS
SHORT STORIES - most prevalent literary form.
o 1925- Dead Stars - Paz Marquez Benitez
(landmark of Filipino writer's maturity
in English.
o 1927 – The Small Key – by Paz Latorena
o 1933 – Footnote to Youth –by Jose
Garcia Villa
o 1940 – We Filipinos are Mild Drinkers –
by Alejandro Roces.
NOVEL
• 1930 – Child of Sorrow – first novel in
English by Zoilo Galang
B. PERIOD OF EMERGENCE (1920-1930)
SHORT STORIES - most prevalent literary form.
• Jose Garcia Villa – earned the
international title “Poet of the
Century”.
• During this period, writers were given
the chance to write in newspapers
• Some of these newspapers were:
a. 1902 – Ang Kaluwasan (Cebuano)
b. 1903 – Muling Pagsilang (Tagalog)
c. 1913 – Makinaugalingon (Ilonggo)
d. 1908 – Nueva Era (Ilokano)
• The best-known magazines that
capitalized on short stories and poems
were:
a. 1922 – Liwayway (Tagalog)
b. 1930 – Bisaya (Cebuano)
c. 1934 – Hiligaynon (Ilonggo)
d. 1934 – Bannawag (Ilokano)
• Seditious plays were mounted in the
form of Zarsuwela. Known zarsuwelistas
were: Juan Abad, Aurelio Tolentino and
Juan Matapang Cruz.
• Among the Tagalog novelists were
Ishmael Amado, Valeriano Gernandez
Peña, Faustino Aguilar, Lope K. Santos
and Lazaro Francisco.
• The Tagalogs invented the balagtasan in
honor of Francisco F. Balagtas (1st was
on 1924 with Jose Corazon de Jesus
“Huseng Batute” and Florentino
Collantes as rivals)
Japanese Colonization (1946-1960).
▪ Tagalog poets broke away from the
Balagtas tradition and instead wrote in
simple language and free verse
▪ Fiction prevailed over poetry
A. WAR YEARS (1942-1944) - NOTABLE
WRITINGS AND WRITERS
a. 25 Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang
Pilipino (1943) – compilation of the
short story contest by the military
government
i. Suyuan sa Tubigan – Macario
Pineda
ii. Lupang Tinubuan – Narciso
Reyes
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iii. Uhaw ang Tiagang na Lupa – ▪ Magazines and other Publications - News
Liwayway Arceo on economic progress, discipline, culture,
tourism and the like were favored more
B. PERIOD OF MATURITY AND ORIGINALITY
than the sensationalized reporting of
(1945-1960)
killings, rape and robberies.
▪ Palanca Awards for Literature - Established ▪ Filipino Poetry – Poems during this period
in 1950. were romantic and revolutionary.
i. Jose Garcia Villa ▪ Filipino Songs – Many Filipino songs dealt
ii. Nick Joaquin with themes that were really true-to-life
iii. NVM Gonzales like those of grief, poverty, aspirations for
iv. Bienvenido Santos freedom, love of God, of country and of
v. Gregorio Brillantes fellowmen.
vi. Gilda Cordero Fernardo
▪ National Artist Awards

SOME NOTABLE LITERARY PIECES

a. 1946 – Ginto Sa Makiling –by Macario

Pineda
b. 1947 – Heart of the Islands – collection
of poems by Manuel Viray
c. 1950 – Philippines Cross Section – a
collection of prose and poetry by
Maximo Ramos and Florentino Valeros
d. 1952 – Prose and Poems – by Nick
Joaquin
e. 1953 – Philippine Writing – by. T.D.
Agcaoili
▪ REPUBLIC PERIOD (1960-1985)
A. 1967 – Horizons Least – a collection of
works by Artemio Patacsil and Silverio
Baltazar
B. 1969 – Mga Ibong Mandaragit –
Amado V. Hernandez
C. 1970s The government took part in
reviving old plays like the Cenaculo,
the Zarzuela and the Embayoka of the
Muslims.
D. 1972 – Kerima Polotan Tuvera’s - novel
The Hand of the Enemy
▪ Radio and Television – Radio continued to
be patronized during this period.
▪ Filipino Films - A yearly Pista ng mga
Pelikulng Pilipino (Yearly Filipino Film
Festival) was held during this time.