History of

Philippine
Literature
Presented by: Ms. Andrea M. Ibañez, LPT
History of Philippine Literature
01 02 03
Enlightenment 04
American
Pre-Spanish Spanish Period Period Regime

05 06 07
3rd Republic
Japanese Period Activism Period Period

08 09
Post-EDSA 1 2st Century
Revolution Literature
Introducti
on
Did you
know that?
Our forefathers already had their literature,
which reflected in their customs and
traditions. They had their alphabet even
before they had colonized.
Did you
know that?
The Spanish friars burned their alphabet in the
belief that they were works of the devil or were
written on materials that quickly perished, like
the barks of trees, dried leaves, and bamboo
cylinders, which could not have remained firm
even if efforts were made to preserve them.
 01
Pre-Spanish Literature
 Pre-Spanish Literature
is characterized by:
Folktales Epics Folk Songs
 Pre-Spanish
Literature
Folktales
These are made up of stories
about life, adventure, love,
horror, and humor where one
can derive lessons.
 Pre-Spanish
Literature
Epics
Epics are long narrative poems in
which a series of heroic
achievements or events, usually of a
hero, are dealt with at length.
 Pre-Spanish
Literature
Folk Songs
These are one of the oldest forms
of Philippine literature that
emerged in the pre-Spanish period.
These songs mirrored the early
forms of culture.
 Pre-Spanish
Literature
Folk Songs
The Harana and Kundiman are
popular lyrical songs dating
back to the pre-Spanish period,
and are customarily used in
courtship rituals. ...
 Pre-Spanish
Literature
Folk Songs
Its lyrics often depict a
romantic theme, usually centred
on the concepts of love,
passion, and sadness.
 Pre-Spanish
Literature
Folk Songs
Travelers' accounts often mention the
kumintang as a Tagalog "chant
national", describing them as dance-
songs performed by pairs of men and
women, with texts concerning love
and courtship.
 Pre-Spanish
Literature
Folk Songs
Hele or oyayi is a kind of poem or song
that is for children or even adults. The
purpose of the hele is different. Mothers
often use them with their children to
entertain them and teach them.
 Pre-Spanish
Literature
Legends
Legends are a form of prose the
common theme of which is about
the origin of a thing, place,
location or name.
 Pre-Spanish Literature
Other Forms of Pre-Spanish Poetry
1. Epigrams These have been customarily used and served as laws or
rules on good behavior by our ancestors.To others, these
(Salawikain are like allegories or parables that impart lessons for the
) young.

Example: Aanhin pa ang damo Kung patay na ang

kabayo.
 Pre-Spanish Literature
Other Forms of Pre-Spanish Poetry
2. Riddles These are made up of one or more measured lines with
rhyme and may consist of four to 12 syllables.
(Bugtong)
Example: May binti, walang hita May tuktok, walang
mukha.

3. Chant Used in witchcraft or enchantment.

(Bulong) Example: Ikaw ang nagnanakaw ng bigas ko Lumuwa
sana ang mata mo Mamaga sana ang katawan mo
Patayin ka ng mga anito.
 Pre-Spanish Literature
Other Forms of Pre-Spanish Poetry
4. Maxims Some are rhyming couplets with verses of 5, 6 or 8
syllables, each line having the same number of syllables.

Example: Pag hindi ukol Hindi bubukol. Sa marunong

umunawa Sukat ang ilang salita.

5. Sawikain Sayings with no hidden meanings.

Example: Nasa Diyos ang awa Nasa tao ang gawa.

 02
Spanish Period
 Spanish Period
Literature in this period may be classified as religious prose and
poetry and secular prose and poetry.
Spanish Influences Recreational
On Philippine
Literature
Folk Songs Plays
 Spanish Period
Spanish influence on Philippine Literature

The first Filipino alphabet, called ALIBATA,

was replaced by the Roman alphabet. Also, the
teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the
basis of religious practices. European legends
and traditions brought here became assimilated
in our songs, corridos, and moro-moros.
 Spanish Period
Spanish influence on Philippine Literature

Doctrina Christiana (1593), the first book to be

printed in the Philippines, was a prayer book
written in Spanish with an accompanying
Tagalog translation.
Spanish
Period Folk
Songs
It manifests the artistic feelings of the
Filipinos and shows their innate
appreciation for and love of beauty.
The examples are Leron-Leron Sinta,
Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi,
and Atin Cu Pung Sing-sing.
Spanish Period
Recreational Plays
There were many recreational plays
performed by Filipinos during the Spanish
times. Almost all of them were in a poetic
form such Cenaculo, Panunuluyan,
Salubong and Zarzuela.
Spanish Period
Recreational Plays
The word “cenaculo” (or cenacle) is derived
from Spanish and describes the place
where Jesus and his disciples celebrated
the Last Supper. The play began along the
outskirts of Pasay in 1902 and is roughly
based on Filipino Gaspar Aquino de Belen's
poem “Pasyon,” which he wrote in 1703.
Spanish Period
Recreational Plays
The panunuluyan / panuluyan is a
dramatization of the search for Bethlehem
by Joseph and Mary right before the birth
of Jesus Christ.
Spanish Period
Recreational Plays
Salubong, a Tagalog word meaning "to
welcome" or "to meet", is an annual
reenactment of the Biblical account of the
Virgin Mary's meeting with the resurrected
Jesus Christ.
Spanish Period
Recreational Plays
Zarzuela, form of Spanish or Spanish-
derived musical theatre in which the
dramatic action is carried through an
alternating combination of song and speech.
 03
Enlightenme
nt Period
Enlightenment Period
1872-1898
In 19th Century, Filipino intellectuals educated
in Europe called Ilustrados began to write about
the hitch of colonization.
Enlightenment Period
1872-1898
The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896)
● This movement was spearheaded mostly by
the intellectual middle-class like Jose Rizal,
Marcelo del Pilar; Graciano Lopez Jaena,
Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma.
Panganiban, and Pedro Paterno.
 Enlightenment
Period
Jose P. Rizal
Some of Rizal’s writings: Noli Me
Tangere, Mi Ultimo Adios and Sobre La
Indolencia Delos Filipinos.
 Enlightenment
Period
Jose P. Rizal
Noli Me Tángere is an 1887 novel by
José Rizal during the colonization of the
Philippines by the Spanish Empire, to
describe perceived inequities of the
Spanish Catholic friars and the ruling
government.
 Enlightenment
Period
Jose P. Rizal
El filibusterismo, also known by its
alternative English title The Reign of
Greed, is the second novel written by
Philippine national hero José Rizal. It is
the sequel to Noli Me Tángere and, like the
first book, was written in Spanish. It was
first published in 1891 in Ghent.
 Enlightenment
Period
Jose P. Rizal
Sobre la indolencia de los filipinos is a
socio-political essay published in La
solidaridad in Madrid in 1890. It was written
by José Rizal as a response to the accusation
of Indio or Malay indolence. He admits the
existence of indolence among the Filipinos,
but it could be attributed to a number of
reasons.
 Enlightenment
Period
Jose P. Rizal
"Mi último adiós" is a poem written by Filipino
propagandist and writer Dr. José Rizal before
his execution by firing squad on December 30,
1896. The piece was one of the last notes he
wrote before his death.
 Enlightenment
Period
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
Some of Del Pilar’s writings: Pagibig sa
Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Country), Kaingat
Kayo (Be Careful), and Dasalan at Tocsohan
(Prayers and Jokes).
 Enlightenment
Period
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
 Period
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
 Enlightenment
Period
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa
 Enlightenment
Period
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
 Enlightenment
Period
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
Aba Guinoong Barya

(Parody ng “Hail Mary“)

Aba guinoong Baria nakapupuno ka

nang alcancia ang Fraile’I sumasainyo bukod
ka niyang pinagpala’t pina higuit sa lahat,
pinagpala naman ang kaban mong mapasok.
Santa Baria Ina nand Deretsos, ipanalangin
mo kaming huag anitan ngayon at cami
ipapatay. Siya naua.
Enlightenment Period
Graciano Lopez-Jaena
Some of Jaena’s writings: Ang Fray Botod and La
Hija Del Fraile (The Child of the Friar)
Enlightenment Period
Graciano Lopez-Jaena
Fray Botod about the typical Spanish friar who
comes to the Philippines and uses religion to
oppress others shows the vices of the friars and the
oppression of the loved ones at the funeral and the
usury of large debts
Enlightenment Period
Graciano Lopez-Jaena
La Hija Del Fraile Novel mocking the
friar's arrogance and lewdness. Lopez
Jaena reveals the tragic situation of a
Filipino if he marries a Spaniard
 04
American Regime
 American Regime
(1898-1944)
Historical Background
The Filipino Revolutionists won against the spaniards who colonized us for more
than 300 years. Our flag was hoisted on june 12, 1898 as a symbol of our
independence. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was selected the first president of the
philippine republic but this was short lived. The filipino-american war resulted in
the defeat of Gen. Miguel Malvar in 1903.
 American Regime
(1898-1944)
Historical Background
The peace movements started as early as 1900. Many filipino started writing again
and the nationalism of the people remain undaunted. Filipino writers 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 longings for
independence.
 American Regime
(1898-1944)
Historical Background
Opening of Public Schools
Education became a very important issue for the united states colonial government,
since it allowed it to spread their cultural values, particularly the english language, to
the filipino people. By 1901, public education was institutionalized in the philippines,
with english serving the medium of instruction.
 American Regime
(1898-1944)
Linguistically, Americans influenced Filipino writers to write
using English language. Jose Garcia Villa became famous for
his free verse.
 American Regime (1898-1944)
Characteristics of Literature During this Period:

The languages used in writing were Spanish and Tagalog and the dialects of the different
regions. But the writers in Tagalog, continued in their lamentations on the conditions of the
country and their attempts to arouse love for one’s native tongue and the writers in English
imitated the themes and methods of the Americans.
 American Regime (1898-1944)
Characteristics of Literature During this Period:

By this time, Filipino writers had acquired the mastery of English

writing. They known confidently and competently wrote on a lot of
subjects although the old time favorites of love and youth persisted.
 05
Japanese Period
 Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Historical Background
The stride and growth of the Philippine literature in English language and
the development of Philippine literature in general was interrupted during
the Japanese period. The Japanese censured all publications except Tribune
and Philippine Review. During the Japanese period, Philippine Literature
in English was stopped and writers turned to writing in Filipino.
 Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Historical Background
The Japanese authorities, with extreme hate to the
Americans, did their best to turn the Filipinos’ sympathy
away from them. They rewarded handsomely the
Filipinos who are faithful to them.
 Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Historical Background
In prose literature, the weekly Liwayway Magazine was put into strict
surveillance and was managed by a Japanese named Ishiwara. The
Japanese language, Nippongo was introduced but not well-embraced by the
Filipinos despite it is being forcefully taught by the Japanese. With the
prohibition of writing literary pieces in English language, Filipino literature
was given a break.
 Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Historical Background
Many Filipino writers wrote plays, poems, short stories,
etc. in the Tagalog and other vernacular language. Topics
and themes were often about life in the provinces to
escape Japanese control and censorship.
 Japanese Period
Philippine Literature was interrupted in its
development when another foreign country,
Japan, conquered the Philippines between
1941-1945. Philippine literature in English
came to a halt.
 Japanese Period
This led to all newspapers not to
be circulated in the community
except for TRIBUNE and
PHILIPPINE REVIEW.
Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Historical Background
The common theme of most poems during the
Japanese occupation was nationalism, country,
love, and life in the barrios, faith, religion, and
the arts.
Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Filipino Poetry During this Period:
Haiku
a poem of free verse that the Japanese like. It was
made up of 17 syllables divided into three lines. The
first has 5 syllables, second has 7, and the third has
5 syllables.
Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Filipino Poetry During this Period:
Haiku
Haiku normally features allegorical meaning. It is
usually short but it covers a wide scope. The
favorite topics of haiku writers include nature, love,
patriotism, nationalism, friendship and the human
emotions.
Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Filipino Poetry During this Period:
Haiku
a poem of free verse that the Japanese like. It was
made up of 17 syllables divided into three lines. The
first has 5 syllables, second has 7, and the third has
5 syllables.
Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Filipino Poetry During this Period:
Tanka
Tanka poem is very similar to haiku but Tanka
poems have more syllables and it uses simile,
metaphor and personification. Tanka poems are
written about nature, seasons, love, sadness and
other strong emotions. This form of poetry dates
back almost 1200 years ago.
Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Filipino Poetry During this Period:
Tanka
The 31 syllables are divided into 5
lines with: first line with 5, second line
with 7, third line with 5, fourth line
with 7,and the fifth line with 7
Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Filipino Poetry During this Period:
Tanka
Tanka is a very expressive yet reserved
form of lyric poem. It captures your
imagination by using short, catchy and
meaningful utterances.
Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Philippine Literature in English
Because of the strict prohibitions imposed by the
Japanese in the writing and publishing of works in
English, Philippine literature in English experienced a
dark period. For the first twenty years, many books were
published both in Filipino and in English.
Japanese Period (1941-1945)
Philippine Literature in English
In the New Filipino Literature, Philippine literature in
Tagalog was revived during this period. Most themes in
the writings dealt with Japanese brutalities, the poverty
of life under the Japanese government, and the brave
guerilla exploits.
 06
Activism Period
 Activism Period
(1970-1972)
According to Ponciano Pineda, youth activism in
1970-72 was due to domestic and worldwide
causes. Because of the ills of society, the youth
moved to seek reforms.
 Activism Period
(1970-1972)
The Literary Revolution
The youth became vocal with their sentiments.
They demanded a change in the government. It
was manifested in the bloody demonstrations and
the sidewalk expressions and also in literature.
 Activism Period
(1970-1972)
The youth became completely rebellious during this period. This was
proven not only in the bloody demonstrations and in the sidewalk
expressions but also in literature. Campus newspapers showed rebellious
emotions. The once aristocratic writers developed an awareness for
society. They held pens and wrote on placards in red paint the equivalent
of the word MAKIBAKA.
They attacked the ills of society and politics. Any establishment became
the symbol of the ills that had to be changed.
 07
New Society Period
 New Society Period
(1972-1980)
The period of the New Society started on September
21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca Awards continued to give
annual awards. Poems dealt with patience, regard for
native culture, customs, and the beauties of nature and
surroundings. Newspapers donned new forms.
 New Society Period
(1972-1980)
News on economic progress, discipline, culture,
tourism, and the like were favored more than the
sensationalized reporting of killings, rape, and
robberies. Filipinos before were hooked in reading
magazines and comics.
 New Society Period
(1972-1980)
Those who wrote poetry during this period were:
Ponciano Pineda, Aniceto Silvestre, Jose Garcia
Revelo, Bienvenido Ramos, Vicente Dimasalang, Cir
Lopez Francisco, and Pelagio Sulit Cruz.
 New Society Period
(1972-1980)
Many more composers added their bit during this period.
Among them were Freddie Aguilar, Jose Marie Chan and the
group Tito, Vic and Joey. ANAK of Freddie Aguilar became
an instant success because of the spirit and emotions revealed
in the song. There were even translations in Japanese and in
other languages.
 08
Third Republic
Period
Third Republic Period
1981-1985

After ten years of military rule and some changes in

the life of the Filipino, which started under the New
Society, Martial Rule was at last lifted on January 2,
1981. The Philippines became a new nation, and this,
former President Marcos called “The New Republic
of the Philippines.”
Third Republic Period
1981-1985

Poems during this period of the Third

Republic were romantic and revolutionary.
Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that
were true-to-life like those of grief, poverty,
aspirations for freedom, love of God, of
country and fellowmen.
 09
Post-EDSA 1
Period
 Post-EDSA 1
Period
1986-1995

History took another twist. Once more, the

Filipino people regained their independence,
which they lost twenty years ago. In four days
from February 21-25, 1986, the so-called
People Power (Lakas ng Bayan) prevailed. In
the short span of the existence of the real
Republic of the Philippines, several changes
already became evident.
 Post-EDSA 1
Period
1986-1995

It was noticed in the new Filipino songs,

newspapers, speeches, and even in the
television programs. The now crony
newspapers that enjoyed an overnight
increase in circulation were THE INQUIRER,
MALAYA, and the PEOPLE’S JOURNAL.
 07
21st Century Period
21st Century Period

The new trends have been used and

introduced to meet the needs and tastes
of the new generation. 21st Century
learners are demanded to be ICT
inclined to compete with the style and
format of writing as well. New codes or
lingos are used to add flavor in the
literary pieces produced nowadays.
21st Century Period

● Daring or controversial choice of subject

matter.
● Very innovative in structure and style.
● Characters, plot structure and narrative
techniques are more complex.
● Gay and lesbian literature came out.
● Excellent mastery of the English language
and literary forms is evident.
21st Century Period

● Excellent mastery of the English language

and literary forms is evident.
● TV and films have become more popular.
● Filipino writer has become more conscious
of his art with the proliferation of writers
workshops here and abroad and the bulk of
literature available to him via the mass media
including the internet.
21st Century Period

● Contemporary literature reflects current

trends in life and culture, these things change
often, contemporary literature changes as
well. It reflects the author’s perspective and
can come across as cynical. It questions
facts, historical perspectives and presents two
contradictory arguments side by side.
21st Century Period
● Filipino writers continue to write poetry,
short stories, novellas, novels and essays
whether these are socially committed,
gender/ethnic related or are personal in
intention or not.
● Contemporary literature features a somewhat
modern narrative, but it also contains a
harsher reality.
● English and Filipino continue to be the major
media of literature.
 Thanks!
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