Major Historical Events that

Shaped 21st Century Philippine

Literature
 Learning Objectives
 To understand what constitutes 21st century
literature
 To appreciate and understand 21st century
Philippine literature through the analysis
and interpretation of the major historical
events of the past
Key Understanding
 Students will learn to appreciate 21st century
Philippine literature through the analysis and
interpretation of major historical events that
greatly influenced and shaped its development.

Key Questions
 How did the major historical events in the
country influence 21st century Philippine
literature?
What is 21st century literature?

21st Century literature consists of written

works of various genres (poetry, drama,
fiction/prose, nonfiction, media) printed
and published from the start of the new
millennium up to the present.
 Past and Present

 Before we can have a holistic

understanding of 21st century Philippine
literature, it is important to trace, analyze
and interpret the major historical events
in the country that had a profound impact
and influence to its modern development.
Picture Game: Based on the presentation title as well as
the pictures you will see in the proceeding pages, can you
guess these important figures in Philippine history.

Image Credit: bp.blogspot.com/_Ly_XqGar02A/SplPXdQ52gI/AAAAAAAAAes/vqyKUg5jOS4/s400/

The+cast+of+Kanser+(Noli+Metnagere)+directed+by+Adriana+Agcaoili.jpg
Image Credit: https://theinnovativejournal.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/martial-law-featured-image-21.jpg
Historical Events that Influenced
21st Century Philippine Literature
1. Jose Rizal’s Revolutionary Ideals through his
novel Noli Me Tangere (The Social Cancer in
English)
They say that the pen is mightier than the sword and
Rizal’s 1889 novel Noli Me Tangere was the impetus
that turned Philippine society upside down. When
Rizal’s peaceful La Liga Filipina group failed in
achieving the political and religious reforms being
asked from the Spaniards, younger upstart heroes like
Bonifacio and Jacinto who have read his novel were
roused into action to establish the revolutionary sect
Katipunan.
Historical Events that Influenced
21st Century Philippine Literature
2. The Execution and Death of National Hero Jose Rizal
On December 30, 1896 after five years of trial and
exile, the entire nation witnessed the execution of Jose
Rizal in Luneta by firing squad. Four months before on
August 19, 1896, the Spanish authorities had discovered
the whereabouts of the Katipunan. To show their open
rebellion, the Katipuneros tore their cedulas and took to
their bolos in the Cry of Balintawak. From then on until
June 12, 1898, it was open warfare for the Katipuneros
against the Spaniards.
 Points for Class Discussion
• Class will form small groups and will list
everything they know about the novel Noli Me
Tangere in a story map. The group leaders will
then read and explain what their respective groups
have enumerated.
• (Individual Recitation) Do you agree or disagree
that Jose Rizal’s trial, exile, and execution was the
turning point in our country’s history that inspired
numerous radical and revolutionary changes in
our
society? Why or why not?
 Historical Events that Influenced
21st Century Philippine Literature
3. Martial Law
On September 21, 1972 by virtue of Proclamation Order
1081, then Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos placed the entire
country under Martial Law rule. This era is considered
as a very divisive one. For the puritans and loyalists, it
was a period of discipline and order. Yet for the
activists and liberals, it was an era of gross human
rights abuses, the end of individual rights, as well as the
loss of freedom of expression in Philippine society.
 Culminating Activity

Did you guess the pictures right in our picture

game? Can you now think of other events in
Philippine history that has also influenced 21 st
century Philippine literature? You can then do a
research work regarding that event including
literary works (prose, poem, song, etc.) inspired
by that particular moment in our country’s
history.