21ST CENTURY LITERATURE
Tinubuang Lupa”, meanwhile, Emilio
FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND
THE WORLD: LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
Literature, from the Latin word littera.
Britannica defines literature as a body of
writing belonging to a given language or
people. Also, the 11th edition of Merriam-
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines
literature as “writings having excellence of
form.”
IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE
1. Reading great literature exercises the
imagination, meaning, we meet
characters and immerse ourselves in their
worlds, experiencing emotions, perceiving
truth, making judgements, discuss
concerns in life.
2. Reading literature transports us out of
our current situation into other periods
and places, meaning interacting
characters across space and time gives us
knowledge about a specific period and
culture.
3. Reading literature enables us to see the
world through the eyes of others.
Literature trains the mind to be accepting
and understanding different points of view
in different age and race.
4. Great works of literature have played a
fundamental role in shaping society.
Example, “The Epic of Gilgamesh”,
became influential around the world. Other
pieces like Homer’s Odyssey, Dante’s
“Divine Comedy”, Shakespeare’s
“Hamlet”, and Cervantes’ “Don Gossett”.
In the Philippines, Jose Rizal’s novels
“Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”,
were the conclusion of the propaganda
movement due to corruption and
oppression by the Spanish government.
Andres Bonifacio’s who headed the
revolution wrote “Ang Pag-ibig sa
Jacinto, the revolution’s brain wrote
political essays in its native language.
5. Reading literature encourages
contemplation, and improves our
language and vocabulary skills.
6. Reading literature helps us understand
humanity. The subject of literature is
man, we learn about our soul, our
conscience, our creativeness, and moral
faculties revealing our depths and
complexities, virtues in vices.
DIMENSIONS OF PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE
1. Geography
• Place where the literary piece originated. It
is the study of places and relationship
between people and their environments.
Where did the story happen?
2. Language
• A system of conventional spoken, manual
or written symbols by means of which
human beings, as members of a social
group and participants in its culture,
express themselves. What language is
used in the event? What are the terms
present in the passage that represent the
community?
3. Ethnicity
• Customs, tradition, belief systems from
where the piece originated. It is a notion
that refers to social entities sharing real or
recognized features like a common origin
or cultural linguistic legacy which
assumedly command special collective
commitment as well as their retention and
transmission. What are the cultures and
traditions of an ethnic group that were
being portrayed in that story?
PHILIPPINE LITERARY PERIODS
1. Pre-Colonial Period (Early Times-1564)
• Before the Spaniards arrive, Philippine
natives were already refined and civilized
that distinguishes them from other race.
• Literature was based on oral, no form of
writing existed back then. The only way to
transmit knowledge was through
observation, imitation, and practice.
• Pre-colonial literature explains how life
and the world were created in the form of
legends and myths.
• Subject matter is about the common
experience of the lives of the people in the
village.
Pre-Colonial Houses
• Houses were made of light materials like
wood, bamboo and nipa palm. A jar of
heart was placed in a gallery called
“Batalan”.
• Some of them built tree houses to protect
themselves against their enemies or from
being attacked by wild animals.
Pre-Colonial Clothing
• For males, the upper part was a jacket
with short sleeves called “Kangan” while
the lower part was a strip of cloth wrapped
around the waist and in between the legs
called “Bahag”. Males used a piece of
cloth or a headgear called “Putong”.
• For females, they wore “Baro o Camisa”,
a jacket with leeves. The lower part was
called “Saya”.
Pre-Colonial Social Classes
1. Nobles
• Were the upper class of nobility. They held
political power and were considered the
ruling elite and and privileges.
• They occupy the highest class. They were
usually addressed as “Gat”, “Lakan”,
“Raja” or “Datu”.
2. Timawa
• Were the free commoners or middle class.
They were skilled farmers, artisans, and
warriors.
• They are sometimes chosen as local
leaders.
3. Alipin
• Or slaves they were classified into two;
Aliping namamahay – were not full
pledge slave. They had their own
respective families and their own houses.
They were required to serve their masters
only during planting and harvesting period.
Aliping sagigilid – were the real slaves,
they were homeless, forbidden to form
their own families and were requested to
stay in their masters dwelling as they
could be used as a payment for debt.
Pre-Colonial Government System
• The government system was called
“Barangay”.
• There was no national government. There
were many independent barangays and
datus. But there was no datu strong
enough to unite the archipelago into one
nation. Some barangays, however, united
to form a confideration.
• It was headed by a ruler called “Datu or
“Raja”.
Pre-Colonial Power and Functions of Datu
• Implementing laws.
• Maintaning peace and order.
• Made the law with the assistance of group
of elders who gave advice.
• A newly enacted law was made known to
the public through town crier called
“Umalokohan”
• Also acted as judge during trial. It was
easy for the datu to run for the barangay
since the population was very small.
Pre-Colonial Taxation
• Ancient Filipinos started the practice of
paying taxes. The purpose of paying taxes
was simple. It was for the protection they
received from the datu.
• The collected tax was named “Buwis”.
• The family memebers of datu were
enjoying exemption from paying taxes.
• Non-payment of taxes was already
punishable during this period.
Pre-Colonial Alliances
• Barangays were formed. The purpose of
forming alliances was for trade, peace,
and mutual protection.
• An alliances was sealed through blood
compact or “Sanduguan” to ensure
conformity, sincerity, and commitment of
the chieftains.
Pre-Colonial Trials and Determination of
Guilt
• Judical process was influenced by religion.
The manner of determining guilt of the
accused showed religiosity of the natives.
• For example, holding lighted candles. The
man whose candle died out first will be the
culprit. Another form of this trial was
ordering the suspects to plunge into the
deep river with their lances. The first man
who would come to the surface would be
guilty.
Pre-Colonial Courtship and Marriage
• The man was required to give a
“Dowry”. It is the wealth that a groom’s
family should give to the bride or her
family as part of the arrangement.
o “Bigay-Kaya” – a type of dowry
consisted of a piece of land or gold.
o “Himaraw” – Grooms’ parents gift as
a payment for raising the bride during
infancy period.
o “Panghimuyat” – The groom’s
parents gift.
o “Bigay-Suso” – a bride’s wet nurse
who received a share of dowry.
• Mixed marriage were not common, it
was common to the couples belonging to
different social classes. Early Filipinos
practiced divorce.
• Several grounds of divorce were:
o Adultery
o Abandonment on the part of the
husband
o Cruelty
o Insanity
Pre-Colonial Religious Beliefs
• Natives worshipped gods and goddesses
like;
o Bathala – supreme being
o Idiyanale – god of agriculture
o Sidapa – god of death
o Agni – god of fire
o Balangaw – god of rainbow
o Mandarangan – god of war
o Lalahon – god of harvest
o Siginarugan – god of hell
Pre-Colonial Superstitious Beliefs
• Natives believed in;
o Aswang
o Dwende
o Kapre
o Mangkukulam
o Tikabalang
o Tiyanak
 Pre-Colonial Ornaments
• The natives wore ornaments made of gold
and precious stones. Women including
men wore armlets, leg lets, bracelets, gold
rings, and earrings. Putting tattoos in their
body was practiced.
• Males having many tattoos were admired
because it signified bravery in war. They
also inserted gold teeth as an ornament.
Pre-Colonial Education
• Tells the accounts of great people or
• The purpose of education was for survival.
Their father taught males on hunting,
• The literary forms that are common in this
fishing, agriculture, etc. while mothers in
managing the household taught females.
• The riddle (bugtong);
Pre-Colonial Languages
• Tagalog
• Ilocano
• Pangasinan
• Kapampangan
• Sugbuhanon
• Hiligaynon
• Magindanao
• Samarnon
• They also had their system of writing. It
was called as “Baybayin o Alibata”. It
was a script developed by the Tagalog
people, utilizing charades to represent
syllables employed for inscriptions and
artistic expressions.
Pre-Colonial Literary Genres and
Philippine Literature
• Literary Genre is a category of literary
composition, genres may be determined
by literary techniques, tone, content, or
even as in the case of fiction length. The
distinction between genres and categories
are flexible and loosely defined, often with
subgroups. The most general genres in
literature are epic, tragedy, comedy, and
creative non-fiction, they can all be in a
form of prose or poetry. Additionally a
genre such as satire, allegory or postural
might appear in any of the above not only
as a sub-genre but as a mixture of genres.
They are also defined by the general
cultural movement of the historical period
in which they were composed, genre
should not be confused with age
categories. Literature may be classified as
either adults, young adults, or children.
They also must not be confused with
format such as graphic novel or picture
book.
supernatural heroes.
period are riddles, proverbs, folksongs,
epics, folktales, legends, and myths.
o is made up of one or more
measured lines with rhymes ad
may consist of 4 to 12 syllables. It
showcase the Filipino wit, literary
talent, and keen observation of the
surroundings, it also involves
reference to one or two images
that symbolize the characteristics
of an unknown object that is to be
guessed. Metaphor is evident in
this genre because it reveals
subtle comparisons between
dissimilar object.
o The purpose of bugtong is to
entertain, living in remote areas,
before the advent of electricity,
families would sit around the fire
and the elders would quiz the
younger generation with riddles.
Next, is to educate. Riddles serve
the function of passing down
knowledge from one generation to
the next. They require thinking in
order to solve them. Another one is
to titillate. Many old Filipino
riddles contain double intenders
that were intended to amuse the
men and shock the women. Next is
to curse, without expressly
cursing. A riddle could be made
 up against an enemy, rival town, or
suitor. Lastly is to preserve the
culture.
o Example;
Tigmo
Baboy sa lasang
Ang tunok puro lansang
Answer: Nangka (Jackfruit)
Paktakon
Ano nga tuboran, masulog sa tag-
init
Gimabubsan kong tag-ulan?
Answer: Balhas (Sweat)
• Salawikan & Sawikain
o The proverbs or salawikain are
nuggets of wisdom that shows the
community’s norms and beliefs
and values.
o are epigrams, maxims, or proverbs
o Short poem that has been
customarily been used and served
as laws or rules on good behavior
by our ancestors.
o Allegories or parables that impart
lessons for the young.
o Often expressing a single idea,
that is usually satirical and had a
witty ending
o The idioms or sawikain are words
that do not impart the real
meaning.
o Maxims or kasabihan archaic and
short phrase that expresses an
idea that most people believe to be
true or true. It is often said to give
advice or information about a
person's life and experience. It also
has a rhyming couplets in 5,6, or 8
syllables.
o Example of Salawikain;
Ang matapat na kaibigan, tunay na
maasahan.
o Example of Sawikain;
Kumukulo ang dugo = is very
angry
Isulat sa tubig = forget about it
o Example of Maxims;
Pag hindi ukol, hindi bubukol =
What is not intended for one will
not bear fruit.
• Chants of Bulong was used in chants or
enchantments, gratitude, excuse, apology
to unpin other elemental spirits our
forefathers believed in and to protect them
from harm and danger. Example of
Chants;
Tabi-tabi po, makikiraan po lamang
Ikaw ang nagnakaw ng bigas ko
Lumuwa sana mata mo
Mamaga sana ang katawan mo patayin ka
ng mga anito.
• The folksong expresses the hopes and
aspirations, lifestyles, as well as their
loves. It has a repetitive and sonorous,
didactic and naive style. It is inspired by
the reaction of the people to their
environment.
o Folk songs or Awit ng Bayan are
songs with lines often described as
repetitive, didactic, and sonorous.
The following are examples of
famous Filipino folk songs;
Magtanim ay Di Biro and
Dandansoy
o Lullaby are soothing songs often
sung to put babies to sleep. The
following is an Ilocano lullaby;
Maturug, duduayya
Maturog kad tay bunga,
Tay lalaki nga napigsa
Ta into dumakkel tay bunga,
Isunto aya tay mammate
Taya mon a ibaga me.
o Serenade or Harana are courtship
songs used by young men to
capture the heart of the girl they
love.
• Folktales or Kwentong Bayan are
stories about the personification of nature,
their devotion to a deity, and how the deity
is accountable for blessings and curses in
the shape of natural disasters.
 o Epics are lengthy narratives
recounting noble deeds. Darangen
in Maranaw, Aliguyon in Hudhud,
Ifugao and Ibalon in Bicol are
examples.
▪ Features of folk epics:
• Narratives of
sustained length
• Based on oral
tradition
• Revolving around
supernatural events
or heroic deeds
• In the form of verse
• Either chanted or
sung
• With a certain
seriousness of
purpose, embodying
or validating the
beliefs, customs,
ideals or life-values
of the people.
• Myths are derived from Philippine folk
literature, which is the traditional oral
literature of the Filipino people. This refers
to a wide range of material due to the
ethnic mix of the Philippines. There are
many different creation myths in the
Philippine mythology, originating from
various ethnic groups.
o Examples are the Story of Bathala,
and the Legend of Maria Makiling,
Aswang, Dila, Diwata, Dwende,
Tikbalang, Mankukulam.
o Example of Ancient Metrical Tales
are;
▪ Ifugao – Hudhud hi
Aliguyon
▪ Ilocos – Biagni Lam-ang
▪ Bicol – Ibalon
▪ Mindanao –Darangan
▪ Panay – Hinilawod
▪ Bagogobo – Tuwaang
▪ Kalinga – Agyu or Olahing
▪ Subanon – Sandayo
• Legend it is a form of a prose which
explains the origin of things, The common
theme of which is about the origin of a
thing, place, location, or name. The events
are imaginary, devoid of truth and
unbelievable. Its aim is to entertain.
Example of this is the Legend of Tagalog,
Legend of Maria Makiling, Legend of
Mayon, Legend of Sampagita, etc.
• Fables are short stories written for
indigenous Filipino children. These are
mostly about superhuman or remarkable
persons and take the type of narration
demonstrating a helpful truth. Animals are
used as characters in these stories to
represent a certain feature or
characteristic. Ang Kuneho at ang Pagong
is one of the most often orally related
Filipino stories.
• Tanaga is a quatrain with seven syllables
each (7-7-7-7) with the same rhyme at the
end of each line (AABB). Example;
“Tahak ng tingin, tulak
Ng sulyap, yakap, tapat
Ng titig sa balikat
Hatak pa, kindat, hakat”
• Ambahan is a traditional poetry of the
Hanunoo Mangyans of Oriental Mindoro
which is normally inscribed on bamboo
using a Pre-Colonial syllabic writing
system called the Surat Mangayan. It has
7 metric lines and can be composed of
more than 4 lines that are usually chanted
to teach lessons about life. It is recited by
parent to educate their children, by the
youth to express their love, by the old to
impart experiences, or by the community
in tribal ceremonies and on some
occasions like burial rites, the ambahan is
used for entertainment
Example;
Sugot nga maaw kunman
Tangdayan no ma-amban
Sabungan no manuywan
Impad las yami daywan
Hanggan buhok timbangan
Hanggan sa balod pangdan
Bugkat di way yamungan
Bilang dayi bunlagan
No kang tinaginduman
Kang magpahalimbaw-an
 Ga bugtong ti bilugan.
2. Spanish Period (1565-1898)
• The period of Spanish colonization started
in 1565 during the time of Miguel Lopez
de Legazpi, the first Spanish governor
general in the Philippines.
• The Philippines were colonized for more
than 3 centuries, many changes occurred
to the people. They embraced the Catholic
religion, changed names, and baptized.
The colonizers used the Catholic religion
to substitute the existing tradition.
• The Spaniards rendered all writing
systems in a parable. Spanish language
became the literary language. Literary
works had a religious tone.
• In the 19th century, the religious orders
owned and managed the printing presses.
• The propaganda movement was formed. It
is a reform movement that arose among
young Filipino expatriates in the late 19th
century.
• Their houses were made of bricks. No
houses were made by constructing
through trees, near seas, and mountains.
• Transportation is already evident is this
period such as carriages and trains.
• This gave rise to the formation of different
classes of society which is the rich and
the landlords.
• Some Filipinos finished courses like
medicine, law, agriculture, and teaching.
Many Filipinos finished their schooling
already has been established.
• The major influences brought by the
Spanish in literature were;
o Baybayin were replaced by Roman
Alphabet.
o Christian Doctrine was the basis of
religious practices.
o Spanish became the literary
language this time lent may of its
words to our language.
o European legends and traditions
were brought and became
assimilated.
o Ancient literature was collected ad
translated into Tagalog and other
o dialects.
o Many grammar books were printed
in Filipino like Tagalog, Ilocano,
and Visayan.
o Our periodicals (newspapers that
are weekly published in Spanish)
during these times gained a
religious tone
o The Spanish Revolution in 1868 all
contribute to Filipino contribute to
Philippine consciousness.
o Mariano Gomez De Los Angeles,
Jose Burgos, Jacinto Zamora or
commonly known as GomBurZa,
was strangled to death (Garrote) in
Feb 17, 1872.
o Cavite Mutiny
o In the propaganda movement there
were three writers which had a
reformatory objective; Jose Rizal,
Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano
Lopez-Jaena. Rizal’s novels Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
exposed the evils of the Spanish
rule in the Philippines. Del Pilar’s
essays and editorials in Diariong
Tagalog, which he served, co-
founded with Lopez articles
reflected the dominant nationalism
of the Spanish. And Graciano
Lopez-Jaena’s Fray Botod (1872)
exposed the greed, immortality,
and ambition of some friars.
Because of the killings of the 3
preists, it awoken 3 writers to
regain consciousness to the
people.
Spanish Colonization Literature
• Doctrina Cristiana was the first book to
be printed in the Philippines in 1593 in
xylography (engraving or woods). It was
written by Fr. Juan de Palencia in Tagalog
and Fr. Domingo Nieva in Spanish. It
contained the Pater Noster (Our Father),
 Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Caeli (Hail
Holy Queen), the Ten Commandments of
God, the Commandments of the Catholic
Church, the Seven Mortal Sins, How to
Confess, and the Cathechism. The original
copies of this book can still be found at the
Vatican, at the Madrid Museum and at the
US Congress. It contains only 87 pages
but costs $5,000.00.
• Nuestra Señora del Rosario, the second
book printed in the Philippines was written
by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in 1602, and
printed at the UST Printing Press with the
help of Juan de Vera, a Chinese mestizo.
• Ang Barlaan at Josephat is a Biblical
Story printed in the Philippines and
translated to Tagalog from Greek by Fr,
Antonio de Borja. It has 555 pages. It was
referred to the Christianized version of
Buddha’s Life with Josephat reaching the
enlightenment through the love of Jesus
Christ.
• Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de
Hombre (in Spanish and Tagalog). This is
the first book printed in typography.
• The Pasyon, this is the book about the life
and sufferings of Jesus Christ. It is read
only during lent. There were 4 versions of
this in Tagalog and each version is
according to the name of the writer, these
are the Pilapil version (by Mariano Pilapil
of Bulacan, 1814), the de Belen version
(by Gaspar Aquino de Belen of Bat. In
1704), the de la Merced version (by
Aniceto de la Merced of Norzagaray,
Bulacan in 1856) and the de Guia version
(by Luis de Guia in 1750).
• Urbana at Felisa, a book by Modesto de
Castro, the so-called Father of Classic
Prose in Tagalog. These are letters
between two sisters Urbana who who
studied in a university in Manila at Felisa
who gives lessons to Urbana and have
influenced greatly the behavior of people
in society because the letters dealt with
good behavior.
Recreational Places in the Philippines
• Tibag, the word tibag means to excavate.
This ritual was brought here by the
Spaniard to remind the people about the
search of St. Helena for the Cross on
which Jesus died.
• Lagaylay, a May celebration in Canaman,
Camarines Sur to honor the Sta. Cruz
tradition. Women dance on the streets
while chanting prayers to find the real
cross.
• Cenaculo, is a dramatic performance to
commemorate the passion and death of
Jesus Christ. There are 2 kinds: the
Cantada and Hablada. In the Hablada the
lines are spoken in a more deliberate
manner showing the rhythmic measure of
each verse and the rhyming in each
stanza and is more dignified in theme; the
Cantada is chanted like the Pasion.
• Panunuluyan, this is presented before
12:00 on Christmas Eve. This is a
presentation of the search of the Virgin
Mary And St. Joseph for an inn wherein to
deliver the baby Jesus.
• Salubong or Panubong, is an Eastern
play during April that dramatizes the
meeting of the Risen Christ and his
Mother. It is still presented in many
Philippine towns.
• Carillo (Shadow Play), this is a form of
dramatic entertainment performed on a
moonless night during a town fiesta or on
dark nights after a harvest. This shadow
play is made by projecting cardboard
figures before a lamp against a white
sheet. The figures are moved like
marionettes whose dialogues are
produced by some experts.
• Zarzuela, considered the father of the
drama; it is a musical comedy or
melodrama three acts which dealt with
man’s passion and emotions like love,
hate, revenge, cruelty, avarice or some
social or political problem.
• Sainete, a short musical comedy popular
during the 18th century. They were
exaggerated comedies shown between
acts of long plays and were mostly
 performed by characters from the lower
classes. Themes were taken from
everyday life scenarios.
• Moro-Moro, like the Cenaculo, the Moro-
moro is presented also on a special stage.
This is performed during town fiestas to
entertain the people and remind them of
their Catholic religion.
• Karagatan, a poetic vehicle of a socio-
religious nature celebrated during the
death of a person. In this contest, more or
less formal, a ritual is performed based on
a legend about a princess who dropped
her ring into the middle of the sea and who
offered here hand in marriage to anyone
who can retrieve it.
• Duplo, replaced the Karagatan. This is a
poetic joust in speech and reasoning. The
roles are taken from the Bible and from
proverbs and sayings. It is usually played
during wakes for the dead.
• Balagtasan, a poetic joust or a contest of
skills in debate on a particular topic or
issue. This replaced the Duplo and is held
to honor Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.
• Dung-aw, a chant in free verse by a
bereaved person or his representative
beside the corpse of the dead. No definite
meter or rhyming scheme is used. The
person chanting it freely recites in poetic
rhythm according to his feelings, emotions
and thoughts. It is personalized and
usually deals with the life, sufferings and
sacrifices of the dead and includes
apologies for his misdeeds
• Awit and Corrido, are both related to
music. ‘Awit’ is the tagalog word for song
while Spanish word ‘corrido’ means a
metrical story, usually sung to the
accompaniment of a guitar.
Period of Enlightment
• Period of writing in which the Philippine
audience was moved.
• Some of Rizal’s writing: Noli me Tangere,
Mi Ultimo Adios, El Filbusterismo, Sobre
La Indolencia Delos Filipinos, and Filipinas
Dentro De Cien Años.
• Some of Del Pilar’s writings: Pag-ibig sa
Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Country),
Kaingat Kayo (Be Careful), and Dasalan at
Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes).
• Some of Jaena’s wiritngs: Ang Fray Botod,
La Hija Del Fraile (The Child of the Friar),
and Everything is Hambug (Everything is
Mere Show), Sa Mga Pilipino (1891), and
Talumpating Pagunita kay Kolumbus (An
Oration to Commemorate Columbus.)
3. American Period (1898-1946)
• In June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo raised
the Philippine flag and was selected as the
first president of the country.
• Philippine literary production during the
American Period in the Philippines was
spurred by two significant developments in
education and culture. Free public
instruction for all children were introduced.
English was the medium of instruction in
all levels in public schools
• The use of English as medium of
instruction introduced Filipino to Anglo-
American modes of thought, culture and
life ways that would be embedded not only
in the literature but also in the psyche of
the educated class.
• Many Filipinos started writing the
nationalism again of the people remained
undaunted. Filipino writes went into all
forms of literature like news reporting,
poetry, stories, plays, essays, and
novels. Their writings clearly depicted
their love of country and their longing for
independence.
• Tagalog, Spanish, and English were the
main languages that are used in some
literary pieces.
• Most literary works were centered on
nationalism, love of country, sense of
belongingness, loss of identity and
heroism.
• Because of this, Philippine literature was
imitative of the American models of
writing.
Periods in the American Regime
In a way we can say that we can trace the
beginning of Philippine literature in English to
the coming of the Americans. For this purpose
we can divide this period into three-time
frames.
• The Period of Re-Orientation (1898-
1910)
o August 13, 1898 – American
Occupation
o By 1990, English had come to be
used as a medium of instruction in
public schools. First teachers of
English were recruited from the
American forces, called as
Thomasites.
o By 1908, the primary and
intermediate grades were using
English. It was also about this time
when UP, the forerunner in the use
of English in higher education was
founded.
• The Period of Imitation (1910-1924)
o In 1919, the UP College Folio
published the literary compositions
of the first Filipino writers in English.
They were the pioneers of short
story writing.
o They were then grouping their way
into imitating American and British
models, which resulted in a stilted,
artificial and unnatural style,
lacking vitality and spontaneity.
o Philippine Collegian is the official
student publication of the University
of the Philippines Diliman and one of
only three tertiary-level campus
publications in the Philippines
released weekly.
• Period of Self-Discovery and Growth
(1925-1941)
o By this time, Filipino writers had
acquired the mastery of English
writing. They now confidently and
competently wrote on a lot of
subjects, although the old-time
favorites of love and youth persisted.
They went into all forms of writing,
like novels and plays.
Filipino Writers During the American
Period
• Maximo Magulat Kala (1891-1955)
o He studied at the Philippine Normal
School and the University of the
Philippines wherein he became the
editor of Collegio Folio, the first school
paper in UP.
o Usapin ng mga Pilipino (1915), The
Development of Philippine Politics
(1926), The Filipino Rebel: A Romance
of the American Occupation of the
Philippines (1931).
• Faustino S. Aguilar (Malate, Manila
February 15, 1882-July 24, 1955 -
Sampaloc)
o He was one of the first novelists in the
Philippines to explore and present
social realism through literature.
o “Pinaglahuan” (1907) was Faustino’s
response against imperialism and
colonialism. Other works include “Sa
Ngalan ng Diyos” (1911) and “Ang
Lihim ng Isang Pulo” (1926)
• Paz Marquez Benitez (Lucena - March
3, 1894-November 10, 1983 - Manila)
o Authored the first Filipino modern
English language short story, “Dead
Stars”, published in the Philippine
Herald in 1925. In which the two main
characters are displayed as allegories
to American imperialism in order to
portray the slow decay of Philippine
heritage. Her only other known
published work is “A Night in the Hills”
(1925).
o Benitez was among the first generation
of Filipinos trained in the American
 education system which used English
as the medium of instruction.
• Zolio Galang (Bacolor - June 27, 1895-
1959)
o A self-starter from Pampanga, he
learned typing and stenography in
English and Spanish all by himself.
o Took special courses at the University
of the Philippines in 1925 and then
went to Columbia University for further
studies in literature.
o He is credited with writing the first
English language novel written by a
Filipino, “A Child of Sorrow” (1921),
which was later made into a movie in
1930. Other works are “The Tales of
the Philippines” (1921) which is the first
volume of Philippine legends and folk
tales written in English and “Life and
Success” (1921), the first volume of
Philippine essays in English.
• Amado Vera Hernandez (Hagonoy,
Bulacan – February 13, 1906 –
December 24, 1983)
o A Filipino writer and labor leader who
was known for his criticism of social
injustices in the Philippines and was
later imprisoned for his involvement in
the communist movement.
o He was the central figure in a landmark
legal case that took 13 years to settle.
While being a reporter, columnist, and
editor of several newspapers and
magazines, he also honed his poetic
craft.
o Hernandez pursued his education at
the National University in Manila where
he honed his writing skills and
understanding of societal issues.
o His works such as “Luha ng Buwaya”
(1952), A powerful novel highlighting
social injustice and corruption in rural
Philippines. “Mga Ibong Mandaragit”
(1969). A collection of poems
addressing the struggles of the Filipino
people against oppression and tyranny.
• Manuel Arguilla (La Union – June 17,
1911-1944)
o “How my Brother Leon Brought Home a
Wife” by Manuel E. Arguilla showed
the scenery folk ways of Ilocaña in
which won the first rpize in the
Commonwealth Literary Contest in
1940.
o He graduated from the University of the
Philippines’ first class in 1912 with a
Bachelor of Arts degree.
o His works “How My Brother Leon
Brought Home a Wife”, tells the story of
how the city bride of a village boy
adjusts to a life of simplicity and toil in
the village. The couple gets married in
the city and visits the village to start
their new life with the rest of the family.
“Midsummer”. Its about the encounter
of Manong and Ading at an isolated
village well. It is noontime and a very
burning day in summer, Manong Was
carrying his cart towards the well when
he saw a young woman named Ading.
At first, Ading didn’t notice Manong,
and Manong is hesitating to talk or
approach her. “Morning in Nagrebcan”.
It tells a story of a family with a dog and
its young puppies living in Katanyaghan
Hills.
• Juan Cabreros Laya (San Manuel,
Pangasinan – July 12, 1911- August 3,
1952 – Bataan )
o He was awarded a Commonwelath
prize for his English novel “His Native
Soil”.
o He wsa the founder of Inang Lupa
publishing and was active in textbook
publishing in the 1950s. He also wrote
many stories and novels about his
country and native island.
o Other works include, “Humiliation of his
Children” (1941) and “Cut of the
Storm”(1939)
• Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (Ermita, Manila –
January 22, 1911-1995)
o He became the director Filipino Players
from 1941-1947.
o He wrote well over a hundred plays, 41
of his plays have been published.
 o His published and unpublished plays
have either been broadcast over the
radio or staged in various parts of the
Philippines.
o Father – Dr. Manuel Severino R.
Guerrero, M.D.,
o Mother – Elisa Ocampo y Barredo
o He studied at the Ateneo de Manila
University, at the University of the
Philippines, and briefly at Columbia
University. He wrote his first play at age
14, and his play in Spanish, “No Todo
Es Risa”, was produced at the Ateneo
when he was 15.
• The stories of N.V.M. Gonzalez boosted
the scenery, customs, and traditions of
Mindoro while depicting the characters in
human dilemma of nostalgia and poverty.
• Other noted fictionists were Francisco
Arcellana and Jose Garcia Villa.
Parts of a Newspaper
• General News
o This is usually the most important news
in local and abroad.
o These are found on the front page of
the paper.
o The title is printed in big bold letters
called Banner Headline.
• Local and Foreign News Section
o Contains news from towns and cities of
nation and abroad.
• Editorial Page
o Articles presented here are known as
Editorials.
o Editorials give views or opinion of the
editor or publisher on certain issues
and events.
• Sports Page
o Contains news or events of sports from
in and out of the country.
o This section also contains well-known
people in the field of sports.
• Business and Finance Section
o Contains businessmen people who are
interested in business with information
on banking, foreign exchange rates,
imports and exports, and even prices
on prime commodities.
• Classified Ads Section
o Contains advertisements that fall under
the categories like “Help!”, “Wanted!”,
“For Lease!”.
• Entertainment Section
o This section contains information about
movies, television, radio, and other
activities for entertainment.
• Home and Culture Section
o Provides information about budgeting,
food preparation, house improvement
and etc.
• Society Page
o Contains news about important people
who are celebrating special events on
particular place and occasion.
• Weather Section
o Contains events about the state of a
place affected by different types of
weather.
• Travel and Tourism Section
o Provides a guide to travel and direct
tourists to a scenic vacation spots and
give information on the activities in
these page
• Announcement and Obituary Page
o Provides information on the activities of
different religious sections and list of
people who recently died, and its time
and place of the burials.
Elements of Short Story
• Character
o A person or sometimes an animal who
takes part in the action of a short story
or other literary work.
o There are two types of character the
Protagonist and the Antagonist.
• Setting
o Is the time and place in which it occurs.
o Authors often describe landscapes,
buildings, seasons, or whether to give a
strong sense of where the story takes
place
• Plot
o Is a set of events that come about
because of how the characters interact
with each other.
o A story’s plot is the series of events and
things that characters do that lead up to
the main conflict.
o There are 5 elements of plot;
▪ Exposition
• Is the start or introduction of the
story.
• This is the background
information that the reader must
have in order to understand the
story.
• This is where the characters and
setting are introduced.
▪ Rising Action
• The start or introduction of the
story where it spews problems
taking it to the climax.
▪ Climax
• The most exciting part of the
story. It is also the turning point of
the story. Here, the story is
turned in different direction
towards the conclusion.
▪ Falling Action
• The immediate reaction to the
climax.
• All of the events that happen after
the climax but before the story
ends.
▪ Resolution
• The conclusion of the plot.
• Loose sense are tied up, there
might not be a clear resolution.
This is called a cliffhanger
ending
• Theme
o Is an idea, belief, moral lessons or
insight. It is the central argument that
the author is trying to make the reader
understand.
• Point of View
o From the first person point of view, the
main character is telling the story.
Readers will see the words, “I”, “Me”,
“Are we”. In first person writing, it is
commonly used for narratives and
autobiographies. First-person can be
singular or plural.
o When writing from a second-person
point of view. The writer has the
narrator speaking to the reader. The
words “You”, “Your”, “Yours”, are used.
It is commonly used for business
writing, technical writing, song lyrics,
speeches, and advertising.
o The story is told in third person by an
external narrator. This perspective can
be singular or plural as well as gender
specific or gender-neutral like “he”,
“she”, “it”, or “they” are used in this
point of view. This is often used in
academic writing and fiction.
Kinds of Novels
• Allegory
o Allegories are fictional stories that use
symbols to show a meaning that isn’t
made clear in the story itself.
Allegories are often used to teach
lessons or to make a point about a
particular issue.
o Allegories includes fables, parables,
and apologetics can have more than
one meaning that the reader can only
figure out by interpreting it.
o Allegories can be a powerful way to
communicate complex ideas in a
simple accessible way.
o Examples are “Animal Farm” by
George Orwell, “Life of Pi” by Yann
Martel, “The Scarlet Letter” by
Nathaniel Hawthrone
• Comedy
o Refereed to plays that were amusing
or entertaining but today the word
comedy refers to any kind of writing
that was written with these goals in
mind.
o Types of Comedy:
▪ Slapstick Comedy
▪ Dark Comedy
 ▪ Self-deprecating Humor
▪ Romantic Comedy
▪ High Comedy
▪ Situational Comedy
▪ Parody
▪ Surreal Horror
▪ Tragicomedy
▪ Farce
▪ Wordplay Comedy
▪ Deadpan Comedy
▪ Observational Comedy
• Epistolary
o An epistolary novel is a novel told
through the medium of letters, diary
entries, or other forms of written
correspondence or documents as the
primary means of communication by
one or more of the characters.
o Types of Epistolary
▪ Monologic
• Is told by a single character;
only their letters or diary entries
are shown, without any replies
or contributions by other
characters.
• Example is “The Perks of Being
a Wallflower” by Stephen
Chbosky.
▪ Dalogic
• Is an epistolary novel, refer to
the logical relationship between
the letters that make up the
novel.
• Examples are “Bridget Jones’
Diary” by Helen Fielding and
“The Color Purple” by Alice
Walker.
▪ Polylogic
• Refers to a narrative technique
where multiple character’s
perspectives are presented
through their letters or
correspondence. It allows
readers to gain insights into
different character’s thoughts,
emotions, and experiences.
• Example is “Dracula” by Bram
Stroker.
• Feminism
o Believes in and advocates for political
economic and social equality of the
sexes especially through organized
activity on behalf of women’s rights
and interests at its core.
o Is the belief in full social economic
and political equality for women.
o It grew out of Western traditions that
limited women’s rights but feminist
ideas can be found all over the world
in different ways.
o Examples are “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia
Plath, “The Awakening” by Kate
Chopin, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by
Margaret Atwood
• Gothic
o Can be defined as writing that
employs dark and picturesque
scenery startling and melodramatic
narrative devices and an overall
atmosphere of exoticism, mystery,
fear, and dread.
o A gothic book or story will be about a
big old house that hides a terrible
secret or is home to a character who
is very scary and dangerous.
o The atmosphere of eeriness is an
important as the scariness of the
events themselves. In a gothic novel,
the sky seems perpetually dark and
stormy, the air filled with an
unshakable chill. Gothic literature
ventures in the dark recesses of the
mind.
o Examples are “Frankenstein” (1818)
by Mary Shelly, “The Picture of Dorian
Gray” (1890) by Oscar Wilde, and
“The Turn of the Screw” by Henry
James.
• Magic Realism
o Is a way of telling stories that is
mostly used in Latin America, it
involves putting magical or mythical
elements into stories that seem to be
about real things or situations.
o Supernatural or magical elements are
presented as a natural part of the
everyday world, and they are often
 accepted and treated as normal by
the characters in the story.
o Examples are “One Hundred Years
of Solitude.” This is the author’s epic
tale of seven generations of the
Buendia family that also spans a
hundred years of turbulent Latin
American history, from postcolonial
1820s to 1920s. “Beloved.” Examines
the destructive legacy of slavery as it
chronicles the life of a black woman
named “Sethe” from her Pre-Civil War
days as a slave in Kentucky to her
time in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1873. “The
House of the Spirits.” A family saga
that spans four generations but
focuses primarily on the lives of two
women in the clan, Clara del Valle
and Alba de Satigny, and the
connection between them.
• Realism
o Or literary realism is an era of literary
technique in which authors describe
things as they are without
embellishment or fantastical plots.
o Instead of works of literary realization
like flowery language, exotic settings
and characters, and epic stories of
love and heroism they focus on
everyday lives and people in ordinary
times and places.
o Examples are “Daisy Miller,” a young
brash American young woman who
collides with European traditions
regarding social protocols. Her refusal
to comply with social antiquities
contributes to her reputation and
leads to her demise. “Ragged Dick,”
tells the story of a 19th
• Romance
o A narrative genre in literature that
involved a mysterious, adventurous or
spiritual storyline where the focus is
on a quest that involves bravery and
strong values and not just always love
interest but in modern times, romance
can also mean stories that are mostly
about problems in relationships.
o Examples are “Pride and Prejudice”. It
follows the turbulent relationship
between Elizabeth Bennet, the
daughter of a country gentleman, and
Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic
landowner. “Rome and Juliet.” A
tragic love story where the two main
characters, Romeo and Juliet, are
supposed to be sworn enemies but
fell in love.
• Picaresque
o Is an early type of novel that is usually
written in the first person and tells the
story of a rogue or low born
adventurer, Picaro, as he moves from
place to place and social milieu to
milieu in order to stay alive.
o It also depicts the adventures of a
roughish but “appealing hero”, usually
of low social class who lives by his
wits in a corrupt society. Picaresque
typically adopt the form of “an
episodic prose narrative” with a
realistic style.
o Example is “Moll Flanders” it is a story
about the fall and rise of a beautiful
woman who was born in Newgate
Prison. Because of her determination
to be someone other than a servant,
and because of her great greed, she
sought to marry a wealthy man.
• Satire
o A form of art mostly literary and
dramatic in which vices, follies,
abuses or other faults of people or
groups are made fun of through
ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony,
parody, caricature, or other means,
sometimes with the goal of getting
people to change their ways.
o It is one of the oldest literary genres. It
was coined by Quintillian who derived
it from the Latin word “satura” which
means full.
▪ Types of Satire
• Horation Satire
o A form of satire that aims to
improve one’s moral, just for
laughs, and are usually light-
 hearted and done with good
intentions. It is also
sometimes a form of gentle
mockery and focuses more
on human behavior and
paradoxes.
o Examples are “Gulliver’s
Travels” by Jonathan Swift
which has parodies of
common behaviors, and in
“Pride and Prejudice” by
Jane Austen which makes a
gentle mockery of certain
societal behaviors,
specifically for courtship and
marriage life.
• Juvelian Satire
o It aims to express anger or
resentment towards a
specific issue, which may
also lead the viewers to feel
the authors anger. While
using irony and sarcasm. It is
much more sharper and
direct.
o Examples are “American
Psycho” by Bret Easton Ellis,
a controversial novel that is a
commentary on corporate
greed.
• Menippean Satire
o A satire that attacks the
attitudes of people.
o Examples are “Alice in
Wonderland” by Lewis
Carroll. It is said to be a
satirical attack towards the
maltreatment of children
during Victorian Era where
they were seen as miniature
adults and were forced to
become performers and
neglected.
• Science Fiction
o Often called sci-fi is a genre of fiction
literature whose content is imaginative
but based on science.
o It relies heavily on scientific facts,
theories, and principles as support for
its settings, characters, themes, and
plot lines which is what makes it
different from fantasy.
o Examples are “20,000 Leagues Under
the Sea”, tells the story of 3 men who
go to the sea in search of a giant
whale. They are taken prisoner on
board with the world’s first submarine,
“Nautilius”. “The Female Man”. This
story follows the lives of 4 women
living in parallel universes which differ
in time and place. The women visit
each other’s worlds and are startled
by the different views on gender roles
and social conventions surrounding
women and womanhood.
Forms of Poetry
• Monostich
o One-lined stanza.
o Can also be an entire poem.
• Couplet
o A stanza with two lines that rhyme.
• Tercet
o A stanza with three lines that either all
rhyme or the first and the third line
rhyme
• Quatrain
o A stanza with four lines with a second
and fourth lines rhyming.
• Quintain
o A stanza with five lines.
• Sestet
o A stanza with six lines.
• Septet
o A stanza with seven lines.
o This sometimes called a Rhyme Royal.
• Octave
o A stanza with eight lines is written in
Iambic Pentameter or 10 syllable beats
per line.
 4. Japanese Occupation or Japanese
Period(1941-1945)
• In 1941-1945, the development of
Philippine Literature was interrupted due
to the Japanese colonization.
• The Japanese period has been described
as one of the worst periods in Philippine
history and literature. The events and
experiences of the turbulent times left
permanent scars in the lives of Filipino
people. However there are a few bright
spots in these otherwise dark and dreary
days.
• During the Japanese occupation of the
Philippines, writing in English was
interrupted and banned, so authors
switched to writing in Filipino. The
Japanese government had a lot of bad
feelings toward the Unite States, and they
did everything they could to stop the
Filipinos from liking the Americans.
• There was no freedom of speech and of
the press.
• The Japanese censored all publications,
with the exception of exact tribune, and
Philippine review.
• Newspapers in English were banned by
the Japanese. This became a blessing in
disguise as writers started writing in
Filipino. The weekly Liwayway was placed
under strict surveillance and rigorous
monitoring and administered by a
Japanese individual called Ishiwara.
• Filipino literature had a break as a result of
the restriction on writing in English. In
vernacular languages, many Filipino
authors wrote plays, poetry, short stories,
and novels. Nihongo was introduced to
the Filipinos, but it was not well accepted,
because it was taught to them by force
• The common literary themes were
nationalism, country, and life in the
barrios, faith, religion and even arts.
3 Types of Poems Emerged During the
Japanese Occupation in the Philippines
• Haiku
o A haiku is a poem in free verse of
Japanese origin. It has 17 syllables
divided into 3 lines. The first has 5,
the second has 7, and the third has 5
syllables.
• Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form)
o Traditional poems and one of the
examples is the Tanaga and Ambahan
of Pre-Colonial. The Filipinos didn’t
learn the Japanese language, so they
kept using the old ways to write literary
works which included the flourishing of
the Tanaga and Ambahan.
• Tanka
o A tanka poem is very similar to a haiku,
but tanka poems have more syllables
and they use simile, metaphone, and
personification. Tanka poems are
written about nature, seasons, love,
and sadness, and other strong
emotions.
o The 31 syllables are divided into 5
lines with: the first line with 5 syllables,
the second line with 7 syllables, the
third line with 5 syllables, the fourth and
fifth line with 7 syllables each.
Filipino Drama During the Japanese Period
• The drama experienced a lull during
the Japanese period because movie
houses showing American films were
closed. Many of the plays were
reproductions of English plays in
Tagalog.
o The translators were: Francisco
Soc Rodrigo, Alberto Concio,
and Narciso Pimentel
• The also founded the organization of
Filipino players named Dramatic
Philippines. Few of the play writers
were:
o Jose Ma. Hernandez who wrote
“Panday Pira”
o Francisco Soc Rodrigo who
wrote “Sa Pula, Sa Puti”
 o Clodualdo del Mundo who wrote
“Bulaga”
o Julian Cruz Balmaceda wrote
“Sino Ba Kayo?, Dahil sa Anak,
and Higante ng Patay”
Filipino Short Story During the Japanese
Period
• The field of the short story widened during
the Japanese Occupation. Many wrote
short stories, among them were;
o Brigido Batungbakal
o Macario Pineda
o Serafin Guinigundo
o Liwayway Arceo
o Narciso Ramos
o NVM Gonzales
o Alicia Lopen Lim
o Ligaya Perez
o 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;
o First Prize: Narciso Reyes with his
“Lupang Tinubuan”
o Second Prize: Liwayway Arceo with
his “Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa”
o Third Prize: NVM Gonzales with his
“Lunsod Nayon at Dagat-Dagatan”
Philippine Literature in English
The writings published at this time were of a
journalistic character slowly but surely the
spirit of nationalism began to penetrate the
writing’s awareness the majority of the
authors like waited for a more favorable
atmosphere because publishing their work
and due to the tight restrictions placed by the
Japanese on the authoring and publication of
works in English, the English-Language
literature of the Philippines went through a
dark period. The few individuals who dared to
write did so for survival or propaganda.
The Commonwealth Literary Awards gave
prizes to meritorious writers.
• Carlos Bulosan’s works includes “The
Laughter of my Father” (1944), “The
Voice of Bataan” (1943), and “Six
Filipino Poets” (1942).
• In 1932, Alfredo Litiatco published
“With Harp and Sling”.
• In 1943, Jose P. Laurel published
“Forces that Make a Nation Great”.
Filipino Journalists During the
Japanese Period
• Journalists include Salvador Lopez,
Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero, Leon Ma.
Guerrero, Raul Manglapuz, and Carlos
Bulosan.
Filipino Writers During the Japanese
Period
• Nick Joaquin wrote “The Woman who
Looked Like Lazarus.
• A few poems were written by Fred Ruiz
Castro.
• Francisco B. Icasiano wrote essays in the
Philippine Review.
• Carlos P. Romulo won the Pulitzer Prize
for the works “I Saw the Fall of the
Philippines”, “I See the Philippines Rise”,
“Mother America”, and “My Brother
Americans”.
Representative Texts
Five Basic Elements of Poetry
• Rhyme
o Rhyme is the repetition of syllables,
typically at the end of a verse line.
• Stanza
o A group of lines in a poem.
• Persona
o Refers to the speaker or narrator in a
poem play perspective.
 o
In poetry that refers to a fictional
character or masked assumed by the
poet to speak in specific voice or
perspective, distinct from their own.
• Language/Theme
o Refers to the underlying message idea
or central topic that the poem
addresses. It is the deeper meaning
that the poet is trying to convey or
explore through their words.
• Tone
o It is the attitude of the writer that takes
towards the subject of the poem or
audience of the poem that affects the
expression in the poem.
5. Under the Republic (1946-1985)
• Post-war poetry and fiction were
dominated by writers in English who were
educated and trained in writer’s
workshops in the United States or
England.
• In the 1950’s, every artist, writer,
musician, critic or academician was given
a grant to stay in the U.S. through the
Educational Exchange Program or the
“Full Bright Program”. This gave Filipino
writers the opportunity to keep up with the
literary and artistic threats in the U.S.
Literary Pieces Under the Republic
Period
• Macario Pineda’s “Ang Ginto sa
Makiling” (1946), was the first work to
appear after the II World War.
• Stevan Javellana’s “Without Seeing the
Dawn” (1947).
• Alberto Tiempo’s “Watch the Night” is a
novel about war.
• Armado Hernandez’s “Luha ng Buwaya”
deal with the class struggles.
• Nick Joaquin’s works deal with the
country’s various heritages and historical
events such as “The Woman Who Had
Two Navels”, “A Portrait of the Artist as
Filipino”, and “Mayday Eve”.
• Some of the writers who have been
educated and trained in the workshops in
the U.S. and England came back to the
Philippine to teach.
6. Contemporary Period (1986-Present)
• The development of Philippine literature in
various languages continue especially with
the new publications during the Martial
Law years when serious literature came
back in the 1960’s and 1970’s and after.
Poetry, short stories, novellas, novels, and
essays continue to be written by Filipino
authors, whether they are about societal
themes, gender, or race.
• The growth of writers’ workshops in the
Philippines and abroad as well as the vast
amount of materials available to them
through the mass media including the
internet have increased the Filipino
author’s awareness of their craft.
• The literary awards are the Don Carlos
Palanca Memorial Awards for
Literature, Established in 1950, the
Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for
Literature had been giving cash prizes for
short story, poetry and one-act play writing
as an incentive to Filipino writers. The
prizes came from La Tondena, Inc., the
firm founded by the late Carlos Palanca
Sr., The Philippine Free Press,
Philippine Graphics, and some home
life and panorama literary awards, is in
carriage to compete with them with their
peers and give them hope that this
creative efforts will eventually be a wide
end or rewarded
• Philippine literature in Tagalog was
revived during this period, most themes in
the writings dealt with the Japanese
brutalities of the poverty of life under the
Japanese government and the brave
guerilla exploits.
• This was a period of activism and literary
revolution. The writers during this period
used words to confront Martial Law and
repression. In the expression of this
 design for change, keen were writings of
some youth who were fired with
Nationalism in order to emphasize the
importance of their petitions.
• Behind these scenes, oral literature
flourished in the outlying communities of
the Cebuanos, the Ilokanos, the Tagalogs,
the Samalas, and the Ilonggos. The
Philipppine novel has remained social-
relaist.
• In this period, writer’s workshops were
proliferated, award-giving bodies, and
while competitions and publications
provide the incentives for writers to keep
producing literary works.
• Among the liberationist writers were Jose
Lacaba, Epifanio San Juan, Rogelio
Mangahas, Lamberto Antionio, Lilia
Quindoza, and Jesus Manuel Santiago.
• The Galian sa Arte at Tula nurtured
Manila writers in writing during the darkest
period of Martial Law.
• Other cotemporary poets are Marjorie
Evasco and Merlie Alunan as well as
Ricardo de Ungria and Luisa Aguilar
Carinio.
o Period of Activism (1970-1972)
▪ According to Ponciano Pineda,
between 1970 and 1972, youth
activism was motivated by domestic
and international problems. Because
of society’s faults, youngsters are
motivated to seek improvements.
Many teenage activists and rebel
authors were imprisoned in military
camps as they established to
overthrow the democratic system of
governance. As early as this period
in history, we can declare that many
of the imprisoned writers were real
patriots and historical heroes.
• The Seed of Activism (1970-
1972)
o Rizal’s assertion that young
people are the hope of the
nation is still applicable today.
In line with that, In 1972,
Martial law was declared as
a result of the seeds of
activism planted by Lapu-lapu,
Lakandula, and Rizal. Some
people might say that only
young people in the
Philippines rebel against the
people in charge.
• The Period of the Bloody
Placards (1970-1972)
o Pineda also said that this was
the time when the youth once
more proved that it is not the
constant evasion that shapes
our race and nationalism.
There is a limit to one’s
patience. It may explode like a
volcano if overstrained. Life?
What will it be like if one is a
coward who does not take a
stand for himself and for the
succeeding generations?
• The Literary Revolution (1970-
1972)
o The one aristocratic authors
once gained social
consciousness held pens and
wrote on placards in red paint
the equivalent of the word
“MAKIBAKA” (To Dare!).
Some of those who rallied to
this form of literature were
Rolando Tinio, Rogelio
Mangahas, Efren Abueg, Rio
Alma, and Clemente Bautista.
o They tackled social and
political issues that are needed
to be corrected. In churches
and schools, the frustrations of
youngsters may be sensed
even respected authorities
such as priests, teachers, and
parents were viewed as
obstacles to the desired
changes by the radical youth.
• Writing During the Period of
Activity (1970-1972)
o The irreverence towards the
poor reached its peak during
this period of the mass
 revolution. It was also during
this period that Bomba Films
that discredited our ways as
Filipinos started to come out.
o Period of The New Society
(September 21, 1972-1980)
▪ The Carlos Palanca Awards
continue to be presented annually.
Majority of the subject concerned
with the country’s growth or
advancements.
▪ The New Society aimed to ban
pornographic and morally crafting
publications. School newspapers
and student clubs were temporarily
suspended.
▪ The military administration created
the Ministry of Public Affairs to
oversee newspapers books and
other publications. To provide
venues for they are the Cultural
Center of the Philippines, Folk Arts
Theater, and even the Metropolitan
Theater were reconstructed.
▪ The government participated in the
revival of classic plays such as
Cenaculo, Zarzuela, and
Embayoka of the Muslims. The
singing of both Filipino and English
songs was rewarded. The weekly
journals KISLAP and LIWAYWAY
contributed significantly to the
growth of literature.
• Filipino Poetry During the
Period of the New Society
(1972-1980)
o Most poems’ theme deal with
patience, respect for native
culture and customs, and the
beauty of the nature and
surroundings.
o Writers in these period include
Ponciano Pineda, Aniceto
Silvestre, Jose Garcia Revello,
Benito Ramos, Vicente
Dimasalang, Lopez Francisco,
and Pelagio Sulit Cruz
o Composers also added their
beat during this period like
Freddie Aguilar, Jose Mari
Chan, and the group Tito, Vic,
and Joey. “Anak” by Freddie
Aguilar became an instant
success because of the
emotions revealed in the
songs.
• The Play Under the New
Society (1972-1980)
o In 1977, the Tales of
Manuvu, a new style of rock
opera, were also added to
these presentations.These
were performed by Celeste
Legaspi, Leah Navarro, Hajji
Alejandro, Boy Camara, and
Anthony Castillo, and Ray
Dizon that was choreographed
by Alice Reyes.
o A play entitled “Sining
Embayoka” was put on by
Mindanao State University.
The President’s daughter
played the main role in both
“Santa Juana of Koral” and
“The Diary of Anne Frank”.
• Radio and Television (1972-
1980)
o Popular television plays were
Gulong ng Palad, Flor de
Luna, and Anna Liza, while
Superman and Tarzan were
popular among teenagers.
Radio continued to be
patronized during this period,
but many performing artists
moved from radio to TV
because of higher play among
these were Augusto Victa,
Mely Tagasa, Lina Pusing,
and Esther Chaves.
• Filipino Films (1972-1980)
o Filipino films were shown in all
theaters in Metro Manila
during the 1950’s and
1960’s. A yearly Pista ng mga
Pelikulang Pilipino was held
during this period. New kinds
of films without sex or
 romance started to be made
but were nevertheless well-
received by the public. Among
these were the “Maynila sa
mga Kuko ng Liwanag”,
“Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo,
“Ganito Kami Noon, Paano
Kayo Ngayon?”, “Agila”, and
“Insiang”
• Comics, Magazines, and Other
Publications (1972-1980)
o During this period of the New
Society, newspapers adopted
new forms. People were more
interested in economic growth,
discipline, culture, tourism, and
other similar topics than in
sensationalized stories about
murders, rapes, and robberies.
o The leading papers during this
period were:
▪ Bulletin Today
▪ Times Journal
▪ People’s Journal
▪ Balita
▪ Pilipino Express
▪ Philippine Daily Express
▪ Evening Post
▪ Evening Express
o Period of The Third Republic (1981-
1985)
▪ 10 years of Martial Rule was lifted
on January 2, 1981, and former
President Marcos called it “The
New Republic of the Philippines”.
The first republic he claimed was
during the Philippine Republic of
Emilio Aguinaldo when he first got
our independence in June 12, 1898,
then the second one was when the
Americans granted us our
independence on July 4, 1946
▪ During this time, it is impossible to
deny that the continued oppression
and repression led many people to
rebel and protest. This stage of the
nation’s history has its effect on our
literature. After Benigno Aquino
was assassinated on August 21,
1983, the people’s voices could no
longer be contained both private and
public sectors of the government.
• Filipino Poetry (1981-1985)
o Poems during this period of
the Third Republic were
romantic and revolutionary.
Writers wrote openly about
their criticism of the
government. People were
taught to use angry, colorful,
violent, profane, and insulting
language in their prayers.
• Filipino Songs (1981-1985)
o Many Filipino songs dealt with
themes that were really true-
to-life, like those of grief,
poverty, aspirations for
freedom, love of God, country
and fellowmen.
o Example of this is “Laban ng
Bayan Ko” written by Coritha
and Erik and we’re first sung
by Coritha during the National
Confederation or Unification
Conference of the
Opposition in March 1985. It
was also sung in the
presidential campaign
movement for Cory Aquino
against Marcos in the year
1986, February. Also Freddie
Aguilar revived the song
“Bayan Ko” which was
written by Jose Corazon de
Jesus and C.D. de Guzman
in the American Period.
• Filipino Films (1981-1985)
o The yearly Festival of Filipino
Films continued to be held
during this period. People’s
love for sex films also remains
unabated. Many producers
took advantage of this at the
expense of public morality.
• Filipino Poems (1981-1985)
o After the death of the
Philippine President Benigno
 Aquino Jr., people were
shocked and horrified by how
quickly and unexpectedly
things happened.
o Poets, surprisingly, by
common consent, found
themselves writing on a
common subject called
“Protest Poetry” in the 80’s.
The themes of most of the
literature during this time death
with courage, shock, and grief
over the “treachery inflicted
upon Aquino”.
o Alfredo Navarro Salanga, a
consistent writer for Philippine
Panorama Magazine in his
column, post a reflection,
where darkness in the mind
and soul is how some
forgotten poets put it.
• Media (1983)
o The Justice for Aquino,
Justice for All (JAJA)
Movement called for a boycott
of government-controlled
newspapers. People picked
newspapers’ offices with
coffins to symbolize the death
of press freedom. On
campuses, newspapers were
set afire to protest the lack of
freedom of expression. It was
a year full of libel charges,
lawsuits, and seditious trials,
which journalists bravely took
as harassment suits.
o Hilda S. Koronel, a panorama
staff reporting on the state of
media during this time, said, it
was a year of ferment and
change of all problems made
more oppressive new change
or by the new throbbing bit of
times.
o Periods (1986-1999)
▪ In the span of 4 days from
February 21-25, 1986, the so-
called People Power (Lakas ng
Bayan) prevailed. together, the
people barricaded the streets,
petitioning the government for
changes and reforms. Philippine
society was in turmoil for a few
weeks, but the rejoicing after Pres.
Marcos was toppled from power was
sheer euphoria.
▪ In this event, it created an overnight
heroes played by the two major
roles who are Juan Ponce Enrile,
the Defense Minister and Fidel V.
Ramos, Armed Forces Chief of
Staff.
• Newspapers and Other
Publications (1986-1999)
o Newspapers which were once
branded crony newspapers
became instant opposition
papers overnight. This was
true of Bulletin Today, which
became the opposition
paper. The Inquirer, Malaya,
and the People’s Journal, all
of which are now owned by the
same people, saw their
readership jump overnight.
o In June 12, 1986, 90 local
dialysis both in English and
Filipinos, newspapers were
circulated in this period.
• Filipino Songs During this
Period
o Filipino songs were frequently
broadcast on radio and
television, and they frequently
accompanied historical events
in the Philippines. An album
named “HANDOG NG
PILIPINO SA MUNDO”
carried a compilation of some
of these. The song that
continued to be sung
throughout the trying period of
the Revolution was “Bayan
Ko”. Its lyrics were written
by Jose Corazon de Jesus in
1928.
o 21st Century – Present
▪ New literary work. It was created in
the last decade. It has imaginative
writing that deals with current issues
and reflects technological culture,
frequently deviates from traditional
writing, and traces artistic
representation of shared and familiar
experiences.
• Illustrated Novel
o Story through text and
illustrated images in which
50% of the narrative is
presented without words. The
reader must interpret the
images to comprehend the
story completely.
o Textual Portions are presented
in traditional form.
o Some illustrated novels may
contain no text at all.
o Span all genres.
o Examples include The
Invention of Hugo Cabret by
Brian Selznick and The
Arrival by Shaun Tan.
• Digi-Fiction
o Triple Media Literature, which
combines 3 media: Book,
Movie/Video, and Internet
Website to get the full story,
students must engage in
navigation, reading, and
viewing in all three forms.
o Patrick Carman’s Skeleton
Creek and Anthony Zuiker’s
Level 26 are examples.
• Non-Fiction
o Is based on facts and the
author’s opinion about a
subject. The purpose of non-
fiction writing is to inform and
sometimes to persuade. Its
examples are biographies,
articles from textbooks and
magazines and newspapers.
• Graphic Fiction or Graphic
Novel
o A comic book narrative that is
equivalent in form and
dimension to the prose novel.
The pictures are arranged in
sequenced in image panels
and dialogues are written in
speech bubbles. The
illustrations allow the readers
to imagine and experience the
characters and events in the
story.
• Flash Fiction
o Is ultra-brevity imaginative
literature. It could vary from a
word to a thousand (Gacusan,
2018). Its known as micro
stories, postcard fiction,
nanotales, shorts.
o According to Sustana (2020),
most flash of fictions have
common features; brevity, few
words, complete plot,
emphasizes plot development,
story beginning, middle,
ending, and surprising ending.
• Doodle Fiction
o Literary presentation where
the author incorporated doodle
writing, drawings and
handwritten graphics in the
place of the traditional font.
o Drawing enhances the story,
often adding humorous
elements.
o Examples of these are
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by
Jeff Kinney and “Timmy
Failure” by Stephan Pastis.
• Text-Talk Novels
o Blogs, email and IM format
narratives.
o Stories told almost entirely in
dialogue simulating social
network exchanges.
• Chick Lit or Chick Literature
o Is genre fiction which
addresses issues of modern
 womanhood, often humorously
and lightheartedly
o Chick Lit typically features a
female protagonist whose
femininity is heavily
thermalizing in the plot.
o Example is Scarlett Bailey’s
“The Night Before
Christmas” and Miranda
Dickinson’s “It Started with
a Kiss.”
• Six-Word Flash Fiction
o Examples are Ernest
Hemingway: For sale: baby
socks, never worn., Margaret
Atwood: Longed for him. Got
him, shit. It contains only six
words only and is considered
as a flash fiction because its
just a very fast at the same
time there are only few words
in it.
• Creative Non-Fiction
o Also known as literary non-
fiction or narrative non-fiction.
o A genre of writing that uses
literary styles and techniques
to create factually accurate
narratives.
o Contrasts with other non-
fiction, such as technical
writing or journalism, which is
also rooted in accurate fact,
but is not primarily written in
service to its craft. It is still
relatively young and is only
beginning to be scrutinized
with some critical analysis
given to the fiction and poetry.
o Examples are: “One
Thousand Gifts” by Anne
Bascom and “To Build Sand
and Stars” by Antoinette de
Saint-Exupery.
• Science Fiction
o Is a genre of speculative fiction
dealing with imaginative
concepts such as futuristic
science and technology, space
travel, time travel, faster than
light travel, a parallel universe
and extra-terrestrial life.
o Often explores the potential
consequences of scientific and
other innovations and has
been called a “literature of
ideas”.
o Examples include Suzanne
Collins’ Mockingjay and
Sarah Maas’ Kingdom of
Ash.
• Blog
o A weblog, a website containing
short articles called posts that
are changed regularly.
o Some blogs are written by one
person containing his or her
own opinions, interests and
experiences, while others are
written by different people.
• Manga
o It is used in the English-
speaking world as a generic
term for all comic books and
graphic novels originally
published in Japan.
• Spoken Poetry
o Oral art that focuses on the
aesthetics of word play and
intonation and voice inflection
• Fliptop
o Fliptop Rap Battle League is
the first and largest running
professional rap battle
conference in the Philippines
founded by Alaric Riam Yuson
(Anyama) in 2010. The league
promotes Pinoy hip hop.
• Pick-Up Lines
o A planned effort to start a
conversation with a stranger in
romantic or sexual pursuit of
them.
o A prepared remark used by a
person to start a conversation
with a stranger they are
 interested in having a romantic
relationship with.
• Hugot Lines
o Derived from the phrase
“malalim ang pinaghuhugotan”
which literally means “drawing
from a deep place”. This is
when someone is emotional
and talks about the source of
his or her frustrations. They
usually say something
meaningful and deep, most of
the time without even realizing
it.
• 68 years old
• Baldesco was given with such
commendable award by the
panel of critics from big
universities in the country for
his craftsmanship in his poem
“Sikad” which talks about the
life of a tricycle driver who
takes pain in earning money
just to feed his family and send
his children to school.

LITERATURE IN REGION VIII

Eastern Visayas is composed of the Islands of
Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and the smaller outlying
islands.
It is made up of six provinces, namely Eastern
Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran,
Leyte, and Southern Leyte.
Earliest accounts of East Visayan Literature
dates back to 1668.
Fr. Ignacio Francisco Alzina documented the
poetic forms such as the Candu, Haya,
Ambahan, Canogon, Bical, Balac, Awit, and
Siday

• Siday
o A piece of writing that partakes of
the nature of both speech and song
that is nearly always rhythmical
usually metaphorical and often
exhibits such formal elements as
meter, rhyme, and stanza structure.
▪ Nemesio “Totoy” Baldesco
• Tricycle “PADYAK” driver from
Calbayog City
• Won the Jimmy Y Balacut
Special Award on Poetry in the
concluded 17th Iligan National
Writers Workshop held at the
Mindanao State University,
Iligan City on May 23-28,
2010.