Various Dimensions

of Philippine
literary history from
z

pre-colonial to
contemporary
 z

WARM-UP CHALLENGE

Analyze the statement and

express whether you agree
or not.
 z

 Ancient settlers in the island of

the Philippines had their own
form of literature even before the
coming of the Spaniards.
 z

 Ancient Philippine literature was

generally in oral tradition.
 Most of the ancient literary forms
were in oral tradition since there was
no system of writing that existed
during the pre-colonial period.
 z

Literature contains historical

and cultural pieces of
information that were used
to reveal the way of life of
our forefathers.
 z

 It was only during the Spanish

occupation that literature was
introduced to the Philippines
 z
 Literature is a way used
by our forebears
communicated their
stories to future
generations.
 z

 Primitive literary forms

revealed the way of life of
our forebears including their
traditions, beliefs, customs,
and mores.
 z

 Legends are stories

popular in the country
which highlights the
assumed origin of a thing,
place, or of anything.
 z

 Various foreign occupation in

the Philippines affected and
influenced the features and
themes of its literature.
 z

Philippine literary texts

are only those written in
the native or local
language.
 z Learning Exploration
1. Pre-colonial Literature
* songs, epics, myths, folk tales,
and legends
(revealed our ancestors’ way of
life, belief system, traditions,
norms, and mores.)
Legends
z
and myths provided
temporary answers to man’s
curiosity as to the existence of things
around him. Also, these were also
taught not just for amusement but
also to teach positive behavior
among the young.
 Literature was passed through
z

the word of mouth or the oral

tradition. In a community, the
elders or the parents served as
the teachers of a certain ethnic
group’s literature.
 Important motifs and features of
z

pre-colonial literature.

 The beginning of life and of the

earth
 Accounts about great people of
supernatural heroes.
 The inclusion of gods and
z

goddesses
 The inclusion of mythical
creatures like duwende,
aswang, tikbalang, and the
like.
Themes on morality;
z

good and bad practices

in life.
Daily encounters and
activities in life.
 z
Other forms of Pre-colonial
Literature

 Short lyrics, wise sayings,

verses for rituals, chants,
riddles
z

2. Spanish
Colonization (15-
65-1898)
 z

 Christianity was
proclaimed by the first
group of colonizers of the
land in 16th century
 z

 The Spanish language

was introduced as well as
the utilization of Roman
alphabet for writing.
 Motifs and subject in literature
z

 There was an emphasis on

Christian doctrine as manifested to
the primitive settlers of the land.
 It could be noted that during such
period, literature was mainly didactic
in nature.
 Doctrina
z Christiana –contained
religious text like the basic prayers.
The Pasion – highlights the life,
death, and resurrection of Jesus
Christ. It is popularly read and
celebrated during the Lenten
season.
 z

Writers of the 4 Versions of the Pasion

 Gaspar Aquino de Belen

 Padre Mariano Pilapil
 Padre Aniceto Dela Merced
 Don Luis Guian
 Other Forms of literature
z

 Comedia de Capa y Espada or Moro-

Moro
 Karagatan
 Duplo
 Sarswela
 Corrido and Awit
 z

Period of Enlightenment
(1872-1896) and
Revolutionary Period
(1896-1898)
 Period of Enlightenment
z

Three Principal leaders of

the propaganda movement:
1. Dr. Jose Rizal
2. Marcelo H. Del Pilar
3. Graciano Lopez Jaena
 z
 Rich collection of poetry
 Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
– these novels were written to reveal
the abuses of the authorities as well as
to awaken the minds of the people. It
was also dedicated to the three martyrs
—the GOMBURZA.
 Revolutionary Period
z

 Led by:
a. Andres Bonifacio
b. Emilio Jacinto
c. Apolinario Mabini
Other writers during this period:
z

 Emilio Jacinto
 Antonio Luna
 Jose Palma
 Mariano Ponce
 Jose Ma. Panganiban
z

American
colonization (1898-
1941)
 z
 English language was introduced
 The literary motifs and theme was
related to the people’s search and desire
to gain autonomy and independence as
well as relevant social concerns or
political issues exhibited in most works
written in both prose and poetic forms.
 Features
z of Philippine Literature
 Spanish, Tagalog and other local dialect were
used and later English was used.
 Contemplation as to the conditions of the
country remained as a transcending theme of
most works under this period.
 Limitation of the writing style and method of
the Americans
z

Period of the Initial

Autonomy (1935-1941)
 z
 The Panitikan, a group of aristocratic
writers was formed.
 The use of first person point of view
in writing started to be popular
 The comparison between urban and
rural living became a common focus
in most texts.
 z

 In poetry, free verse and modern

themes were considered by writers.
 Novels and theatrical shows slowly
became unpopular as foreign films
were introduced to the people.
z

The Coming of Japanese

Conquest in the Land (1941-
1945)
 z

 The journalistic writing was

ceased and placed under
strict monitoring but it
created some positive
effects to Tagalog literature.
 z

 This period served as the “golden

period for short stories and
Tagalog drama. The use of
English was prohibited and the
vernacular or the national
language dominated
 z

 Nationalism, patriotism, and

life struggles prevailed as
themes and motifs of texts
produced during this period.
 z

 The Haiku of Japan became

popular in the Philippines.
 Ildefonso Santos—introduced the
poetic form known as Tanaga.
 z

Post-War period/Period of the

Philippine Republic
(1945-1972)
 The
z
second republic was
established
 The two forms of short writing
emerged—the commercial and
literary forms.
 1950—the Carlos Palanca memorial
awards initialized.
 commercial
z
magazines featured
numerous short stories of neophyte
writers.
 Themes on social issues and
domestic conditions were mostly
revealed by the texts written during
this period.
 New themes, styles, and
z

techniques were mainly

considered and utilized.
These changes offered a
different taste of literature to
its readers.
 z

Period of the New Society

(1972-1980)
 z
 The new society tried to stop
pornography or those writings giving
bad influences on the morals of people.
 Ministry of Public Affairs—established
by the military gov’t to supervise the
newspaper, books and other
publications.
 z

 the old plays revived by the

government
 The diff. theaters were built
 Themes of the poem:
z

a. Patience
b. Native culture
c. Customs
d. Beauties of nature
e. surroundings
Some of the Filipino Composers
z

1. Jose Mari Chan

2. Freddie Aguilar
3. Tito, Vic, and Joey
 z
 Only Filipino films were shown in
all theaters in Metro Manila
 Prizes and trophies were
awarded at the end of the festival
in recognition of excellence in film
making and role performance.
 Bilingual
z Education
> Initiated by the board of National
Education
> the focus of education and culture
was on problems of national identity, on
re-orientation, renewed vigor, and a
firm resolves to carry out plans and
programs.
 z

Period of the Third Republic

(1981-1986)
 Don
z
Carlos Palanca Memorial
awards—continued its recognition of
the best in the literary fields—poetry,
short story, essay, the one and three-
act plays
 1984—the Palanca awards started
choosing the best in novel writing.
 Thez poems during this period were
romantic and revolutionary
 Filipino songs dealt with themes
that were really true-to-life like
those of grief, poverty, aspirations
for freedom, love of God, of
country, and of fellowmen.
 z

Contemporary Literature
(1986-Present)
 Characteristics
z of Contemporary
Literature
 English and Filipino continue to be the
major media of literature.
 Literature as a venue for socio-politico-
economic-religious discussion and a
vehicle for personal thoughts and
feelings.
 Literary themes cover a wide
z

range of subjects.
 the Anglo-American tradition,
which includes the free verse
and the blank verse, gained
acceptance among writers.
 z

 The Euro-Hispanic tradition was

blended with the tradition of
propaganda and revolutionary literature
to become a truly Filipino tradition.
 The 60’s and 70’s saw the resurgence
of cause-oriented literature.
 z

 Further development of regional

literatures has been given a
stronger impetus through the
inclusion of regional literary
masterpieces in the college
curriculum.
 z

 Filipino writers have become

more conscious of their craft
as shown by the regular
conduct of writing workshops.
1. What
z were the prevailing
subjects of pre-colonial
literature?
2. What types of literature were
formed and produced during the
primitive period?
3. How did our forebears transmit
their literature?
4. Is primitive literature enjoyed by
z

modern people like us?

5. What ideas about our forebears
were revealed by their literature?
6. How did changes in our history
affect and influence the themes and
forms of our literature?
 z

7. What are the importance of tracing

the Philippine literature from the past
to the present?
8. From the previous lesson, how
would you connect our literature from
pre-colonial to our modern time.
 What
z
are some forces which
continuously influence the identical
development of Philippine
literature?
 What are the new forms of
literature that modern-day people
now enjoy?
Individual Activity
z

Write a reflective essay on the

different periods of Philippine
literature and how it will helps to
you patronize our literary
heritage
Criteria:
z

 Depth of reflection (4)

 Use of textual evidence (4)
 Language use (4)
 Mechanics (4)
TOTAL 16pts
Agreement:
z

 Search the outstanding laureates

in Philippine Literature and the
various prestigious literary awards
and competitions in the Philippines.
 Be ready for the summative test
next meeting.