Various

LITERARY FORMS
in Philippine Literature
According to ERA
 Philippine Literature in the
Historical Periods

I. PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
II. SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD
III. AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD
IV. JAPANESE OCCUPATION PERIOD
V. CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
The PRE-
COLONIAL
PERIOD
 I. PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
o --BC to 1564
o Pre-colonial literature
were all passed down
from generation to
generation by word of
mouth.
o Philippine folk narratives
are varied and distinct.
o They depict the people’s
livelihood, customs, and
traditions.
 Literary Forms
A. ORAL LITERATURE
1. Riddles (Bugtong) – battle of wits among participants
EXAMPLE:
“Ayan na si Kaka bubuka-bukaka”

2. Salawikain – (Proverbs) figurative statements used by

elders; used to correct the youth in the right path and
virtue
EXAMPLE:
“Ubos-ubos biyaya, pagkatapos ay nakatunganga”
 Literary Forms
A. ORAL LITERATURE
3. Sawikain – (Idioms) short phrases with hidden
meanings
EXAMPLES:
 Kilos-pagong - mabagal
 Butas ang bulsa – walang pera
4. Sayings – (Kasabihan) short well-known expressions of
an idea that is widely believed to be real or true.
EXAMPLES:
 Ang buhay ay parang gulong, minsan nasa ibabaw,
minsan nasa ilalim.
 Literary Forms
B. FOLK SONGS
1. These songs mirrored the early forms
of culture.
2. It expresses the hopes, the
aspirations, and the people's
lifestyles.
3. Many of these have 12 syllables.
 Literary Forms
Examples of Folk Songs:
a. Kundiman
b. Kumintang o Tagumpay
c. Ang Dalit o Imno
d. Ang Oyayi o Hele
e. Diana
f. Talindaw
 Literary Forms
C. FOLK TALES
1. Legends – explain the origin
of things. “Why the
Pineapple Has Eyes” “The
Legend of Maria Makiling”
 Literary Forms
C. FOLK TALES
2. Myths – explain how the
world was created, how
certain animals possess
certain characteristics, why
some places have
waterfalls, volcanoes,
mountains, flora or fauna.
 Literary Forms
C. FOLK TALES
3. Fables – used animal characters
 Literary Forms
C. FOLK TALES
4. Fantastic Stories –
deal with underworld
characters such as
“tiyanak”,“aswang”,
“kapre”, etc.
 Literary Forms
C. EPICS
These are “narratives
of sustained length
based on oral tradition
revolving around
supernatural events or
heroic deeds”.
 Literary Forms
Epic examples:
1. Bidasari — Moro epic
2. Biag ni Lam-Ang — Ilokano epic
3. Maragtas — Visayan epic
4. Haraya — Visayan epic
5. Lagda — Visayan epic
6. Hari sa Bukid — Visayan epic
7. Kumintang — Tagalog epic
8. Parang Sabir — Moro epic
9. “Dagoy”at “Sudsod” — Tagbanua epic
10. Tatuaang — Bagobo epic
The SPANISH
COLONIAL
PERIOD
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD
o (1565 – 1898)
o Has two distinct classifications:
⇨ religious
⇨ secular
o It introduced Spanish as the
medium of communication.
 Spanish influences of the
Philippine Literature
1. Filipino alphabet called, BAYBAYIN was replaced by
the Roman alphabet.
2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the
basis of religious practices.
3. Spanish language which became the literary language
lent many of its words to our language.
4. Ancient literature was collected and translated to
Tagalog and other dialects.
5. Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like
Tagalog, Ilocano and Visayan
6. Our periodicals during these times gained a religious
tone.
 Spanish influences of the
Philippine Literature
7. Through the Manila-Acapulco trade (1565–1815), liberal
ideas entered the country. Also, the trade gave rise to a
wealthier middle class. Children in middle class families
could then be sent to Europe to get an education. Upon
their return, they brought European ideals of liberty and
freedom with them. Such ideals would then give rise to
Filipino nationalism
8. Native literature continued. Though the Spaniards
destroyed the written literature in their effort to replace it
with their own, the oral tradition survived and flourished in
areas beyond the reach of the Spaniards.
 I. THE FIRST BOOKS
1. ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA
(THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE).
o The first book printed in the Philippines in 1593
in xylography.
o Written in Tagalog and Spanish.

contents of Doctrina Cristiana

1. Pater Noster (Our Father) 6. Seven Mortal Sins
2. Ave Maria (Hail Mary) 7. How to Confess,
3. Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen) 8. The Cathecism.
4. Ten Commandments of God
5. Commandments of the Catholic
Church
 I. THE FIRST BOOKS
2. Nuestra Señora del Rosario
o The 2nd book printed in the
Philippines written by Fr.
Blancas de San Jose in
1602.
o Printed at UST Printing
Press.
o It contains the biographies
of saints, novenas, and
questions and answers on
religion.
 I. THE FIRST BOOKS
3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre
This is the first book printed in typography.

4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat

A Biblical story printed in the Philippines and
translated to Tagalog from Greek language by Fr.
Antonio de Borja.

5. Pasyon
This is the book about the life and sufferings of
Jesus Christ.
 I. THE FIRST BOOKS
6. Urbana at Felisa
o A book by Modesto de Castro, Father of Classic
Prose in Tagalog.
o These are letters between two sisters Urbana at
Felisa
o The book influenced greatly the behavior of
people in society because the letters dealt with
good behavior.

5. Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary)

A collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary.
 II. LITERARY COMPOSITIONS
1. Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala
(Art and Rules of the Tagalog Language)
Written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose and translated to
Tagalog by Tomas Pinpin in 1610.
2. Compendio de la Lengua Tagala
(Understanding the Tagalog Language)
Written by Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin in 1703.

3. Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala

(Tagalog Vocabulary)
First Tagalog dictionary by Pedro de San Buenaventura
 II. LITERARY COMPOSITIONS
4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga
(Pampanga Vocabulary)
First book in Pampanga written by Fr. Diego in 1732.

5. Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya

(Bisayan Vocabulary)
The best language book in Visayan by Mateo Sanchez in
1711.

6. Arte de la Lengua Ilokana

(The Art of Ilokano Language)
The first Ilocano grammar book by Francisco Lopez.
 III. FOLK SONGS
o Folk songs truly manifest the
artistic feelings of the Filipinos.
o Each region had its own folk song.

Examples are:
✔ Leron-Leron Sinta
✔ Pamulinawen
✔ Dandansoy
✔ Sarong Banggi
✔ Atin Cu Pung Singsing
 IV. RECREATIONAL PLAYS
o Many recreational plays were performed by
Filipinos during the Spanish times.
1. TIBAG (excavate)
The play is about
the search of St.
Helena for the
Cross on which
Jesus died.
 IV. RECREATIONAL PLAYS
2. LAGAYLAY
A special occasion for the
Pilareños of Sorsogon during
Maytime to get together.

3. CENACULO
A dramatic performance to
commemorate the passion
and death of Jesus Christ.
• Hablada – lines are spoken
• Cantada – is chanted like Pasyon
 IV. RECREATIONAL PLAYS
4. PANUNULUYAN
It is presented
before 12:00 on
Christmas Eve.

5. SALUBONG
An Easter play that
dramatizes the meeting of the
Risen Christ and his Mother.
 IV. RECREATIONAL PLAYS
6. CARILLO (Shadow Play)
A dramatic entertainment
performed on a moonless night
during a town fiesta. It is made by
projecting cardboard figures before
a lamp against a white sheet

7. THE ZARZUELA
It is a musical comedy or melodrama
three acts which dealt with man’s
passions and emotions like love, hate,
revenge, etc.
 IV. RECREATIONAL PLAYS
8. SAINETE
Short musical and exaggerated
comedy; mostly performed by
characters from the lower
classes; themes were taken
from everyday life scenarios.

9. THE MORO-MORO
This is performed during town fiestas
to entertain the people and to remind
them of their Christian religion.
 IV. RECREATIONAL PLAYS
9. KARAGATAN
A poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature celebrated during
the death of a person. It is performed based on a legend
about a princess who dropped her ring into the middle of the
sea and who offered her hand in marriage to anyone who
can retrieve it.
10. DUPLO 11. DUNG-AW
Duplo replace the Karagatan. This is a chant in free
The roles are taken from the verse by a bereaved
Bible and from proverbs and person or his
saying. It is usually played representative beside the
during wakes for the dead. corpse of the dead.
 Period of ENLIGHTENMENT
 Period of PROPAGANDA
MOVEMENT
 Period of ACTIVE
REVOLUTION
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1872-1898)
❖ The Filipino spirit reawakened when the 3 priests Gomez, Burgos
and Zamora were executed without sufficient evidence of guilt.
❖ This occurred on the 17th of February. Filipinos were
strengthened 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.
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1872-1898)

❖ The Spaniards were unable to suppress the tide of

rebellion among the Filipinos.

❖ Their minds transformed itself into one of

nationalism and the Filipinos demanded changes in
the government and in the church.
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT (1872-1896)

JOSE RIZAL
(JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO ALONZO Y REALONDA
Pen Names: Laong Laan and Dimasalang
His works:
● NOLI ME TANGERE-gave spirit to the propaganda movement
● EL FILIBUSTERISMO- sequel to the Noli
● MI ULTIMO ADIOS
● SOBRE LA INDOLENCIA DE LOS FILIPINOS-essay
● A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA- a poem Rizal dedicated to the Filipino
youth studying in UST.
● JUNTO AL PASIG- written by Rizal when he was 14 years old
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT (1872-1896)

GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA

His works:
● Ang Fray Botod (Friar Botod)
● La Hija Del Fraile (The Daughter of the Friar)
● Everything is Hambug
● Esperanzas (Hope)
● Talumpating Pagunita Kay Kolumbus (An orations to commemorate
Columbus)
● En Honor Del Presidente morayta de la associacion hispano Filipino 1884
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT (1872-1896)

GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA

His works:
● En honor de los artistas luna resurreccion Hidalgo 1884
● Amor a Espanya o la Jovenes de Malolos (Love Spain or to the Youth
of Malolos)
● El Bandolerismo En Pilipinas (Banditry in the Phil.)
● Honor El Pilipinas (Honor in Phil.)
● Pag-alis sa Buwis sa Pilipinas (Abolition of taxes in the Phil.)
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT (1872-1896)

MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

Pen names: Plaridel, Piping Dilat, Pupdoh and Dolores Manapat
His works:
● Pag-ibig saTinubuang Lupa -(Love of country)
● Kaiingat Kayo -(Be careful)
● Dasalan Tocsohan-(Prayer and Jokes)
● Ang Cadaquilaan ng Diyos -(God’s Goodness)
● Sagot sa Espanya sa Hibik ng Pilipinas (Answer to Spain on the plea
of the Filipino)
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT (1872-1896)

MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

● Dupluhan…Dalit…Mga Bugtong (a poetic contest in narrative
sequences, Palsm, riddles)
● La Soberana En Pilipinas (Sovereinty in the Phil.)
● Por Telefono (by Telephone)
● Pasiong Dapat Ipag-alab ng Pasiong Taong Babasa (Pasion that
Should Arouse the Hearts of the Phil.)
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT (1872-1896)

ANTONIO LUNA (Tagailog)

● NOCHE BUENA (CHRISTMAS EVE)

● LA TERTULIA FILIPINA (A Filipino Conference or Feast)
● POR MADRID (For Madrid)
● LA CASA DE HUESPEDES (The Landlady’s House)
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT (1872-1896)

MARIANO PONCE (Tikbalang, Kalipulako, and Naning)

● PAGPUGOT KAY LONGINOS (The beheading of

Longinus)
● SOBRE FILIPINOS (About Filipinos)
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT (1872-1896)

PEDRO PATERNO

● Ninay
● A Mi Madre
● Sampaguita Y Poesias Varias
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF ACTIVE REVOLUTION (1896-1898)

ANDRES BONIFACIO
(Father of the Filipino Democracy) (Father of Katipunan

● ANG DAPAT MABATID NG MGA TAGALOG

● KATUNGKULANG GAGAWIN NG MGA ANAK NG BAYAN
● PAG-IBIG SA TINUBUANG LUPA
● HULING PAALAM
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF ACTIVE REVOLUTION (1896-1898)

EMILIO JACINTO

● KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN
● LIWANAG AT DILIM
● A MI MADRE
● A LA PATRIA
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF ACTIVE REVOLUTION (1896-1898)

APOLINARIO MABINI

● EL VERDADERO DECALOGO (The True Decalogue or Ten

Commandments)
● EL DESAROLLO Y CAIDA DE LA REPUBLICA PILIPINA
(The Rise and Fall of the Philippine Republic)
● SA BAYANG PILIPINO (To the Filipino Nation)
 II. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1898)
● PERIOD OF ACTIVE REVOLUTION (1896-1898)

NEWSPAPERS DURING THE REVOLUTION:

1. HERALDO DE LA REVOLUCION
2. LA INDEPENDENCIA
3. LA REPUBLICA PILIPINA
4. LA LIBERTAD
The
AMERICAN
COLONIAL
PERIOD
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
o Our flag was hoisted on July 12, 1898 as
a symbol of our independence.
o Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as the
first President of the Philippine Republic
o Filipino writers went into all forms of
literature like news reporting, poetry,
stories, plays, essay, novels, etc.
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
 Free public instruction for all children of school
age.
 Those who availed of this education through
college were able to improve their social status
and joined a good number of educated masses
who became part of the country’s middle class.
 The use of English as medium of instruction in
all levels of education in public schools.
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
o During the first year of the American period, the languages
used in writing were Spanish and Tagalog and the dialects
of the diferent reions, but Spanish and Tagalog
predominated.
o In 1934, President Roosevelt signed a bill making the
Philippines a commonwealth.
o On May 14, 1935 Manuel L. Quezon was elected president
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
THREE TYPES OF WRITING DURING
THIS PERIOD:

1. LITERATURE IN SPANISH
2. LITERATURE IN FILIPINO
3. LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
LITERATURE IN SPANISH
❏ The inspiration of our Filipino writers was Rizal
❏ Writers in Spanish were to write on nationalism like
honoring Rizal and other heroes.
Works:
● CECILIO APOSTOL- A RIZAL(To Rizal)
● FERNANDO MA. GUERRERO- INVOCACION A RIZAL
(A Call to Rizal)
● JESUS BALMORI- Pen name: Batikuling (Vida Manileña)
● CLARO M. RECTO- Ante El Martir! (Before the Martyr)
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
FILIPINO LITERATURE

1. POETS OF THE HEART (MAKATA NG PUSO)

2. POETS OF LIFE (MAKATA NG BUHAY)
3. POETS OF THE STAGE (MAKATA NG TANGHALAN)
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
FILIPINO LITERATURE
Works:
LOPE K. SANTOS- “FATHER OF NATIONAL LANGUAGE GRAMMAR)
“APO” OF THE TAGALOG WRITERS
BANAAG AT SIKAT was his masterpiece

JOSE CORAZON DE JESUS- Pen name: Huseng Batute

“POET OF LOVE”
“ANG ISANG PUNONG KAHOY” (A Tree)-his masterpiece
“PAG-IBIG”

AMADO V. HERNANDEZ- dubbed as Makata ng mga Manggagawa (Poet of

the Laborers)
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
Works:
VALERIANO HERNANDEZ PEÑA- Nena at Neneng (his masterpiece)

TAGALOG DRAMA:

SEVERINO REYES- Father of the Tagalog Drama and author of the immortal
WALANG SUGAT

AURELIO TOLENTINO- Luhang Tagalog (his masterpiece) & Kahapon,

Ngayon at Bukas

PATRICIO MARIANO- Ninay and Anak ng Dagat (Son of the Sea)

JULIAN CRUZ BALMACEDA- BUNGANGA NG PATING

 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

PERIODS:
1. THE PERIOD OF RE-ORIENTATION:
(1898-1910)
2. THE PERIOD OF IMITATION: (1910-1925)
3. THE PERIOD OF SELF-DISCOVERY: (1925-
1941)
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
THE PERIOD OF RE-ORIENTATION: (1898-1910)
❖ In 1900, English became the medium of instruction in public schools.
❖ American forces were recruited as the first teachers of English.
❖ In 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
❖ Writers of this period were still adjusting to the newfound freedom
❖ They were adjusting to the idea of democracy, to the new phraseology
of the English language and to the standards of the English literary
style.
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
THE PERIOD OF RE-ORIENTATION: (1898-1910)
❖ Not much was produced during this period and what literature was not
produced was not much of literary worth. The first attempts in English were
in two periodicals of this time:
● EL RENACIMIENTO: founded in Manila by Rafael Palma in 1901
● Philippines Free Press: established in Manila in 1905 by R.
McCullough Dick and D. Theo Rogers

❖ 1907, Justo Juliano’s SURSUM CORDA which appeared in the

Renacimiento was the first work to be published in English
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
THE PERIOD OF IMITATION: (1910-1925)
● By 1919, the UP College Folio published the literary
compositions of the first Filipino writers in English.
● They were the pioneers in short story writing, but they
were groping their way into imitating American and
British models which resulted in a stilted, artificial and
unnatural style, lacking vitality and spontaneity.
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
THE PERIOD OF IMITATION: (1910-1925)

SHORT STORIES
● DEAD STARS by PAZ MARQUEZ BENITEZ-
written in the early 1920’s stand out as a model of
perfection in character delineation, local color, plot and
message.

● The UP College Folio was later replaced by the

PHILIPPINE COLLEGIAN
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
THE PERIOD OF SELF-DISCOVERY: (1925-1941)
● 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 the novel and the
drama.
 III. The AMERICAN
Colonial Period
THE PERIOD OF SELF-DISCOVERY: (1925-1941)
● Jose Garcia Villa, the first to break away from the
conventional forms and themes of Philippine poetry
placed the Philippines on the literary map with the
publication of his books in the US

● The commonwealth Literary Contest awarded first prize

to How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife by
Manuel Arguilla
The JAPANESE
COLONIAL
PERIOD
 IV. THE JAPANESE
PERIOD
● Except for the TRIBUNE and the PHILIPPINE
REVIEW, almost all new newspapers in English were
stopped by the Japanese.

● Writers in English turned to writing in Filipino.

● JUAN LAYA who used to write in English turned to

Filipino because of the strict prohibitions of the
Japanese regarding any writing in English.
 IV. THE JAPANESE
PERIOD
● The weekly LIWAYWAY was placed under strict
surveillance until it was managed by a Japanese
named Ishiwara.

● Common themes of poems: nationalism, country,

love, life in the barrios, faith, religion and the
arts
 IV. THE JAPANESE
PERIOD
THREE TYPES OF POEMS
1. HAIKU- a poem of free verse that the Japanese liked. It was
made up of 17 syllables divided into three lines. The first line
had 5 syllables, the second, 7 syllables, and the third, five. The
Haiku is allegorical in meaning, is short and covers a wide scope
in meaning.
2. TANAGA- like the Haiku, is short but it had measure and
rhyme. Each line had 17 syllables and is also allegorical in
meaning.
3. KARANIWANG ANYO (Usual form)- like those mentioned
earlier in the beginning chapters of this book.
 IV. THE JAPANESE
PERIOD
FILIPINO DRAMA
1. JOSE MA. HERNANDEZ- wrote Panday Pira
2. FRANCISCO SOC RODRIGO- wrote ‘Sa Pula, Sa
Puti’
3. CLODUALDO Del MUNDO- wrote BULAGA
4. JULIAN CRUZ BALMACEDA- wrote:
● Sino Ba Kayo?
● Dahil sa Anak
● Higante ng Patay
 IV. THE JAPANESE
PERIOD
FILIPINO LITERATURE IN ENGLISH (1941-
1945)
● Because of the strict prohibitions by the Japanese in the
writing and publishing of works in English, Philippine
literature in English experience a dark period.

● The few who dared to write did so far for their bread and
butter or for propaganda.
 IV. THE JAPANESE
PERIOD
Famous Writers:
● CARLOS P. ROMULO - who won the Pulitzer Prize for his
bestsellers:
➔ I SAW THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES
➔ I SEE THE PHILIPPINES RISE
➔ MOTHER AMERICA AND MY BROTHER AMERICANS
● NICK JOAQUIN - “The Woman Who Looked Like Lazarus.
● RAFAEL ZULUETA DE COSTA - “Like the Molave”
● MANUEL E. ARGUILLA - “How My Brother Brought Home
a Wife” (short story)