Literature

The word literature is derived from the Latin term The roots of Philippine literature can be traced back
litera which means letter. to the pre-colonial period.

Britannica- defines literature as a body of writing Literature in this

belonging to a given language or people. period is any
literature which
The 11th edition of Merriam Webster Collegiate existed before the
Dictionary – defines as “writings having Spaniards entered the
excellence of form” or “expression an expressing Philippine soil.
idea of permanent or universal interest”.
Literature was based
Literature expresses the feelings of people to on oral tradition
society, to government, to his surroundings, to his since no form of
fellowmen and to his Divine Creator. (Brother writing existing
Azurin) during that period.
True literature is a piece of written work which is Literature explains
undying. It expresses the feelings and emotions of how life and the world were created in the form of
people in response to his everyday efforts to live, to legends and myths.
be happy in his environment and, after struggles, to
reach his Creator. (Panitikang Filipino) Ancient literatures were written on the perishable
materials like dried leaves, bamboo cylinder, and
Some loose interpret literature as any printed bark of the trees.
material written within a book, a magazine or a Subject matter is about the common experience of
pamphlet. the people in the village, like their experiences in
Others define literature as a faithful reproduction of food gathering, caring for the children, nature and
man’s manifold experiences blended into one etc.
harmonious expression. The pre-colonial literature of the Philippines was
Pre–Colonial Period (early times – 1564) marked by your ancestors’ daily observations about
life, explanations for natural phenomena, and
The evolution of Philippine literature depended on beginnings of rituals. These also function as an
the influences of colonization and the spirit of the explanation for society and culture as they know it
age. to be.
The first Filipino alphabet called Alibata was soon
replaced by the Roman alphabet. Pre-Colonial Philippine Literature

Proverbs- Are practical observations and

philosophy of everyday life that are written usually
in a rhyming scheme. It is obviously meant to
entertain while teaching basic skills in surviving
local life.

Examples:

Whatever the tree, so will its fruit be.

If you don’t persevere, you can expect no reward.
If you planted something, you’ll harvest something.
Riddles- They demand an answer and are used to
test the wits of those who are listening to them.
Examples:
Examples:
Biag ni Lam-ang Ibalon
(Scissors) Here comes Kaka, walking with an open
leg. Bantugan Hudhud

(Banig) Roll in the morning, leaf in the afternoon. Ramayana and Mahabharata the Hinilawod

(Piano) What has many keys but can’t open any Carlos Angeles
doors. Born on May 25, 1921 in Tacloban City, Leyte
(Towel) What gets wet you drying? Graduated from Rizal High in 1938
(Breath) What is harder to catch the faster you run? Various universities in pre- med and pre- law

Folksongs- Are beautiful songs that are informal A Stun of Jewels 47 poems
expressions of our ancestors’ experiences in life. In 1964, when poetry was first considered in Carlos
These range from courtship (which they sing in a Palanca Memorial Awards for literature received
harana or a serenade for a girl), to lullabies, first prize.
harvests, funerals, and others.
Republic Cultural Heritage Award for literature
Examples:

Magtanim Ay Di Biro Bahay Kubo

Leron-Leron Sinta Paru-parong Bukid
Sitsiritsit O Ilaw
Pamulinawen Dandansoy
Sarong Banggi Atin Cu Pung Singsing
Tales- Are stories of origin for certain places, their
names, and their creation. These are also known as
myths and legends. They usually are used to explain
certain events or phenomena in our ancestors’ lives
that cannot be explained practical kind of science Cirilo Bautista
they knew back then. Was born on July 9,
1941
Examples: A Filipino poet, critic
Legend of the Pineapple Legend of the Mango and writer of nonfiction
Mariang Makiling Si Malakas at si Maganda Don Carlos Palanca
Epics - Are long-winded poems about a hero and Memorial Awards for
his adventures and misadventures. It usually tells of Literature nine times for
a male hero who is born with all the pleasing poetry, fiction and essay
qualities that your ancestors like in a person and A National Artist of the
who also has superhuman capabilities. Philippines.