PRE-SPANISH

LITERATURE
PRESENTED BY: MARY ROSE A. TORREJAS, LPT
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
a. Give the different forms of literature during Pre-Spanish Times;
b. Acquaint oneself with the significance of learning and understanding
the different forms of literature during Pre-Spanish Times; and
c. Perform a group task/activity assigned for the corresponding group.
 INTRODUCTION:
 Before the Spaniards landed or set foot o Philippine shores, our
ancestors already had their own literature stamped in the
history of our race. Literature existed even before writing
implements were invented. It used to be oral; therefore, the
literature of ancient Filipinos was handed from one generation
to another by word of mouth. The Pre-Spanish poets and
storytellers had gifts of good memory to be able to transmit oral
literature without changing the original, omitting or changing
details from it.
 Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday life as traced in
our folk stories, old plays and short stories.
 Our forefathers also had their own alphabet which was different from the alphabet
brought by the Spaniards, but similar to that of the Malayo-Polynesian alphabet.
 FORMS OF LITERATURE
DURING
1. LEGENDS
PRE-SPANISH ERA
 are a form of prose and the common theme of which is about the origin of a thing, location or name.
The events are imaginary, devoid of the truth and unbelievable. Old Filipino customs are reflected in
these legends, and they aim to ENTERTAIN. This also explains the supernatural events, mysteries and
cultural tradition.
FAMOUS PHILIPPINE LEGENDS
o Ang Alamat ng Saging (The Legend of banana) Alamat ng Pakwan
o Ang Alamat ng Kasoy (The Legend of the Cashew Nut) Alamat ng Lansones
o Alamat ng Pinya (The Legend of the Pineapple) Alamat ng Bayabas
o Alamat ng Durian (The Legend of Name Durian) Alamat ng Gagamba
o Alamat ng Bawang (The Legend of the Garlic) Alamat ng Sampalok
 2. FOLKTALES
 Are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror and humor where one can
derive lessons about life. These are useful to us because they help us appreciate our
environment, evaluate our personalities and improve our life’s perspectives.
FAMOUS PHILIPPINE FOLKTALES
o The Story of the Piňa
o The Monkey and the Turtle
o The Necklace and the Comb
o Why the Fish Has Scales
o Mother Mountain
 3. EPICS
 Are long narrative poems where a series of heroic achievements or events, usually by a hero, are dealt
with. The Filipino word for ‘epic’ is epiko from the Spanish. The verses were chanted or sung while
being passed from generation to generation before written on paper. The plots of their stories revolve
around supernatural events and heroic deeds.
FAMOUS PHILIPPINE EPICS
o Agyu: The Ilianon Epic of Mindanao (of the Manobos of North Cotabato)
o Hudhud hi Aliguyon (An Ifugao Harvest Song)
o Kudaman (of Palawan)
o Lumalindaw (Ga’dang Epic)
o The Epic of Labaw Donggon (of the Sulod people of Central Panay)
o The Epic of Nalandangan: Matabagka Searches for the Deity of the Wind (of the Talaandig people of
Central Bukidnon)
 4. MYTHS
 Are narratives that describe and portray symbolic language the origin of the basic elements and
assumptions of a culture. Mythic narratives relate, for example, how the world began, how humans and
animals were created, and how certain customs, gestures, or forms of human activities originated. They
are traditional stories high occurred in a timeless past, and they involve supernatural elements beyond
the frontiers of logic.
FAMOUS PHILIPPINE MYTHICAL CREATURES
o Tikbalang Nuno sa punso Amomongo Bagobo
o Bakunawa Mayari Sarimanok Apolaki
o Kapre Sigbin Berberoka Mambabarang
o Aswang Bungisngis Berbalang
o Bathala Amalanhig Pugot
o Mananggal Sirena Tiyanak
o Anito Witch Haliya
 5. FOLK SONGS
 Are one of the oldest forms of the Philippine literature that emerged in the Pre-Spanish
period. Folk songs mirror the culture of the early Filipinos. They express the hopes
and aspirations, the people’s lifestyles as well as their loves.
FAMOUS PHILIPPINE FOLK SONGS
o Bayan Ko Pakitong Kitong
o Sa Libis Ng Nayon Bahay Kubo
o Sa Ugoy ng Duyan
o Ang Pipit
o O Ilaw
o Magtanin Ay ‘Di Biro
OTHER FORMS OF PRE-SPANISH
POETRY
1. Epigrams (Salawikain)
2. Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan
3. Chant (Bulong)
4. Maxims
5. Sayings (Kasabihan)
6. Sawikain (Sayings)
 ACTIVITY:
Direction: The teacher will group the class into four (4) groups. Each group will
present their corresponding task for 2-3 minutes. The criteria is given below.

Creativity - 30
Organization - 20
Relevance - 20
Delivery - 15
Teamwork - 10
Audience Impact - 5
TOTAL: 100 pts.
 GROUP TASK
GROUP 1 - 1 PHILIPPINE LEGEND (ROLEPLAY)
GROUP 2 - 1 PHILIPPINE FOLK SONG (SONG WITH ACTION)
GROUP 3 - RIDDLES/BUGTONG/PALAISIPAN (GAMESHOW)
GROUP 4 - 1 PHILIPPINE EPIC (ROLEPLAY)