PRE-

SPANISH
PERIOD
Intended learning outcomes
By the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Identify the cultural, linguistic and aesthetic

qualities of Philippine Literary pieces produced
during the Pre-Spanish period;
2. Discuss the types of literature during Pre-Spanish
period; and
3. Appreciate the contributions of these literary
pieces to the present corpus of Philippine
Literature.
Historical background of Pre-Spanish Period

Our forefathers already have a body of literature

even before the arrival of the Spaniards. They have
customs and traditions comparable to other parts
of the globe. They have their own system of writing,
alphabet, and other nuance of a working body of
literature. They are trading with the neighboring
countries of Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia,
India, and Arabia. In short, they are not savages nor
uncivilized as maliciously declared by some friars
during the Spanish colonization.
Our many language are related to the Malaya-
Polynesian Family of Languages spoken in vast
areas covering mainland Southeast Asia, East
Timor, Polynesia, Micronesia and South Pacific
Islands. We have our own system of writing called
Baybayin consisting of 3 vowels and 14 consonants.
Baybayin came from the word “baybay” which
means “spelling”. The image below shows the
Baybayin characters and the corresponding sound
represented.
During the Pre-Spanish period, majority of these are in
oral traditions. Our ancestors love to communicate as
evidenced by a great deal of surviving records. Their
written accounts are not inferior too. They used leaves,
barks of trees, bamboo cylinders, dried muds and jars as
stationery. Their pen would be any pointed metal, stick,
knife and others used to engrave and imprint their
message. However, the exposure to elements destroyed a
great majority of these works. The invading Spaniards
destroyed and burned them too, thinking that these were
works of the devil. One interesting artifact that endured the
test of longevity is the Laguna Copperplate Inscription.
 Pre-Spanish Prose
1. Legends. Pre-Spanish legends are fictitious narratives
which explain the origin of things, places, or names. The
early Filipino customs are also depicted in them as it
entertains the people during gatherings and occasions.
1. Examples include “The Legend of the Tagalog” of the
Tagalogs and
2. “The Legend of the Philippine Archipelago” of the
Visayans.
3. Why the Sea is Salty, both Ilokano and Tagalog
versions.
 Pre-Spanish Prose
2. Folktales. Folktales are stories made up about
life, adventures, love, horror and humor where
one can derive lessons about life.
1. Popular examples include “The Sun and the
Wind”
2. “The Boy who became a Stone” of the
Tingguians.
 Pre-Spanish Poetry
1. Epics. Epics are long narrative poems in which a
series of heroic achievements or events usually of
a hero involving supernatural forces/phenomena.
Listed below are some of the epics celebrated
among the various groups in the country.
 Pre-Spanish Poetry
Biag ni Lam-ang – Ilokanos
Hudhod hi Aliguyon – Ifugaos
Alim – Ifugaos
Ibalon – Bicol
Handiong – Bicol
Hinilawod – Bicol
Maragtas – Visayan
Haraya – Visayan
Lagda – Visayan
Hari sa Bukid – Visayan
Kumintang – Tagalog
Bernardo Carpio – Tagalog
Parang Sabir – Moro
Darangan – Moro
Indarapatra at Sulayman –
Moro
Dagoy – Tagbanua
Sudsod – Tagnbanua
Tatuaang – Bagobo
2. Folksongs. Folksongs are the oldest
forms of Philippine Literature that emerged
which are composed mostly of 12 syllables
per line of four in a verse. These songs
mirrored the culture of each group singing
specific song per occasion/celebration/
activities.
1. Kundiman – Songs of Love/Serenading songs
Ex. Mutya ng Pasig by Nicanor Abelardo,
Ang Maya by Jose Estrella, and
Dahil Sa Iyo by Pilita Corrales
2. Kumintang – War/Battle songs
Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibig
Mutya ng Pasig - Nicanor abelardo.
Nasaan ka Irog? - Nicanor abelardo.
3. Dalit – Worship songs
4. Oyayi/Hele – Lullaby songs
Ex. Sa Ugoy ng Duyan
"Sa Ugoy ng Duyan" (literally in Tagalog: "In the
Rocking of the Cradle"; official English title: "The
Sway of the Baby Hammock") is a Filipino lullaby.
The music was composed by Lucio San Pedro
while the lyrics was written by Levi Celerio.
5. Diana/Danaya – Wedding songs
Ex. Abeten

6. Soliraning – Laborer/Workmen songs

Ex. Magtanim ay di Biro

7. Talindaw – Fisher/Fishing songs

Ex. Si Pelimon
3. Epigrams. Epigrams are more commonly called
Salawikain. These have been customarily used and
served as laws or rules on good behavior. These
are like allegories or parables that impart lessons
for the youth consisting of couplets (2-lines) which
usually have rhyming end-syllables. These lessons
in life that they wish to impart are usually implied.
Popular examples include:
1. “Aaanhin pa ang damo, kung patay na ang
kabayo.”
2. “Sa marunong umunawa, sukat ang salita.”
4. Riddles. They are called “Bugtong” by the Tagalogs
and “Burburtia” among the Ilokanos. These are made
up of one or two measured lines which may consist of
4 to 12 syllables. They are often used to stir a thought-
provoking questions. They are often used for
entertainment purposes during gatherings and
celebrations. Each group/region feature unique
riddles. Some of which are:
Riddle: “Maliit pa si kumpare, umaakyat na sa torre.”
Answer: Langgam (ant)
Riddle: “Isda ko sa Mariveles, nasa loob ang kaliskis.”
Answer: Sili (bell pepper)
5. Chants. Chants are customarily called “Bulong”
or “Pasintabi” by the Tagalogs and referred to as
“Bari-bari” by the Ilokanos. These are sometimes in
witchcraft or enchantment often with an
accompanying “Anting-anting” (amulet or
talisman). Examples are:
1. Among the Visayans: “Ikaw na nagnakaw ng
mais ko, lumuwa sana ang mga mata mo, mamaga
sana ang kamay mo, parusahan ka ng mga anito.”
2. Among the Tagalogs: “Tabi-tabi po kayo, ako’y
magbubuhos ng tubig at mainit ito, kung masaktan
ko kayo, pagpasensiyahan niyo na po.”
6. Sayings. Sayings are more commonly
called Sawikain. They are used to
emphasize lessons for the youth and
these lessons are explicitly stated.
Examples are:
1. “Pag may itinanim, may aanihin.”
2. “Ang maglakad ng matulin, pag
natinik ay malalim.”
 PERIOD OF
ENLIGHTENMENT
(1972 – 1898)
Historical Background

After 300 years of passivity under Spanish rule, the

Filipino spirit reawakened when the 3 priests Gomez,
Burgos and Zamora were guillotined without sufficient
evidence of guilt. This occurred on the 17th of
February. This was buttressed with the spirit of
liberalism when the Philippines opened its doors to
world trade and with the coming of a liberal leader in
the person of Governor Carlos Maria de la Torre. The
Spaniards were unable to suppress the tide of
rebellion among the Filipinos.
 The Propaganda
Movement (1872-1896)
The objectives of this movement were to seek
reforms and changes like the following:
1. To get equal treatment for the Filipinos and the
Spaniards under the law.
2. To make the Philippines a colony of Spain.
3. To restore Filipino representation in the
Spanish Cortes.
4. To Filipinize the parishes.
5. To give the Filipinos freedom of speech, of the
press, assembly and for redress of grievances.
Some of Rizal’s Some of Del Pilar’s Some of Jaena’s writings:
writings: writings:

Pagibig sa Ang Fray Botod, La Hija

Noli Me Tangere, Tinubuang Lupa Del Fraile (The Child of the
Mi Ultimo Adios, (Love of Friar), and Everything Is
Sobre La Country), Kaingat Hambug (Everything is
Indolencia Delos Kayo (Be Careful), mere show), Sa Mga
Filipinos and and Dasalan at Pilipino...1891), and
Filipinas Dentro Tocsohan Talumpating Pagunita Kay
De Cien Aňos. (Prayers and Jokes). Kolumbus (An Oration to
Commemorate Columbus).
 THE AMERICAN
REGIME (1898 – 1944)
Linguistically, Americans influenced Filipino writers to write
using English language. Jose Garcia Villa became famous for
his free verse.

Characteristics of Literature during this period:

The languages used in writing were Spanish and Tagalog and
the dialects of the different regions. But 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 and the writers in English imitated the themes
and methods of the Americans.
Opening of Public Schools
Education became a very important issue for the united states colonial
government, since it allowed it to spread their 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.
– Philippine Normal University in 1901
– Dilliman University in Dumaguete City was the first american private school
to be founded in the country.
– Central Philippine University is the second private american school and first
baptist university in asia.
– Negros Oriental High School 1902 – Filamer Christian University 1904
– St. Paul University Dumaguete 1904 – IloIlo Normal School 1902
– Cebu Normal School 1915 – Zamboanga Normal School 1904
 THE JAPANESE
PERIOD (1941-1945)
Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development
when another foreign country, Japan, conquered the
Philippines between 1941-1945. Philippine literature in
English came to a halt. This led to all newspapers not to be
circulated in the community except for TRIBUNE and
PHILIPPINE REVIEW.
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:
Haiku Tanaga Karaniwang Ayos
a poem of free verse that the like the Haiku, is short, but it had Usual Form
Japanese like. It was made up of 17 measure and rhyme.
syllables divided into three lines
TAPAT DAPAT WALANG MALAY
Kung maghahanap Ang ulan ay pag-asa,
Kaibigang kausap Sa mga magsasaka
Dapat ay tapat. At sikmura ng bansa,
Bakit tingi’y pinsala?
Ulilang damo
Sa tahimik na ilog NILILIYAG
Halika, sinta! Ang kanyang tinging titig,
– Gonzalo Flores Sa sintang iniibig,
Ay luksong malalagkit,
May alab din ng init.

INOSENTE
Nagtampong kalikasan
Sa kurakot ng bayan
Ang walang kasalanan
Ang pinaghigantihan.
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.
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.
PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)
According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in 1970-
72 was due to domestic and worldwide causes.
Because of the ills of society, the youth moved to seek
reforms.
The Literary Revolution
The youth became vocal with their sentiments. They
demanded a change in the government. It was
manifested in the bloody demonstrations and the
sidewalk expressions and also in literature.
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. Poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture,
customs, and the beauties of nature and surroundings.
Newspapers donned new forms.

News on economic progress, discipline, culture, tourism, and

the like were favored more than the sensationalized
reporting of killings, rape, and robberies. Filipinos before
were hooked in reading magazines and comics.
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.
21st CENTURY PERIOD
The new trends have been used and introduced
to meet the needs 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.