History of

Philippine
Literature
21st Century Literature
from the Philippines
and the World
Lesson 2
History of Philippine Literature

Spanish American
Pre-Colonial
Colonial Colonial
Period
Period Period
Pre-
Colonial
Period
Pre-Colonial Period
Consisted of early Filipino
literature passed down
orally; oral pieces have a
communal authorship – it
was difficult to trace the
original author of the piece
since oral literature did not
focus on ownership or
copyright, rather on the act
of storytelling itself;
Pre-Colonial Period
Many oral pieces became lost in the wave of the new
literary influence brought about by the Spanish
colonization; however, according to the Philippine
Literature: A History & Anthology, English Edition
(Lumbera, B. &Lumbera C.), the pre-colonial period
of Philippine literature is considered the longest in
the country’s history.
Pre-Colonial Period
Literature in this period is based on tradition,
reflecting daily life activities such as housework,
farming, fishing, hunting, and taking care of the
children as well;
Pre-Colonial Period
Oral pieces told stories
which explained heroes
and their adventures;
they attempted to explain
certain natural
phenomena, and, at the
same time, served as
entertainment purposes;
Pre-Colonial Period
Pre-colonial literature showed certain elements that
linked the Filipino culture to other Southeast
Asian countries (e.g. oral pieces which were
performed through a tribal dance have certain
similarities to the Malay dance).
Pre-Colonial Period
This period in Philippine
literature history
represented the ethos of
the people before the
arrival of a huge
cultural influence –
literature as a cultural
tradition, then a form of
art that had a particular
set of decorum.
Early Forms of Philippine
Literature
Bugtong (riddles)

• A bugtong contains a metaphor called,

Talinghaga), Salawikain (proverb);
Bugtong (Riddles)
Bugtong (Riddles)
Early Forms of Philippine
Literature
Pre-colonial Poetry

• Tanaga (expresses a view or a value of the world),

Ambahan (songs about childhood, human
relationships, hospitality; sung by the Mangyan),
Duplo (verbal jousts/games), Bayok (thoughts
about love), Balagtasan (performed on stage);
Pre-colonial Poetry: Tanaga
Early Forms of Philippine
Literature
Epic poetry

• Romantic heroes and heroines that

reflect the world as perceived by the
early Filipinos.
Epic Poetry
Spanish Colonial Period
Spanish Colonial Period
The Spanish culture, as reflected in the works of this
literature period, showed a clash with the pre-colonial
Filipino literature in the beginning.
Spanish Colonial Period
However, due to the
length of stay of the
colonizers, the Spanish
culture was eventually
imbued in the Filipino
literature of the
period.
Spanish Colonial Period
Religion became an important theme that had
influenced the early Filipino writings which had the
presence of paganism – “Christian Folk-Tale.”
Spanish Colonial Period
In addition, the influence of religion, besides on the
daily life of the natives, was led by the
friar/missionary/parish priest who were appointed
by the Spanish government.
Spanish Colonial Period
Despite the goal of the Spanish government to turn
the country into a full-fledged European colony, the
Spanish influence ironically inspired a
reformation from the natives, which eventually
turned into a revolution.
Spanish Colonial Period
Spanish Colonial Period
Yet regardless of the conflicts that plagued the
relationship between the Spaniards and the Filipinos,
a sense of nationalism was formed among the
oppressed, and had caused them to rise up to a
nationalistic cause.
Spanish Colonial Period
The essay genre was
recognized amidst the scene of
editorial protest – Jose Rizal
and Plaridel (Marcelo H. Del
Pilar) were among those who
opt in using the pen in voicing
out the people’s cry instead of
the sword;
Spanish Colonial Period
Introduction of the Roman alphabet that gradually
replaced the ‘alibata or baybayin.’
Spanish Colonial Period
The Filipino literature of this period became the
predecessor of many more literary works to come in
the ages, wherein the theme of nationalism and
freedom of speech would be evident.
Philippine Literature and Art
during the Spanish Period
Pasyon and Sinakulo

 Religious dramas performed during the Holy Week;

Narrative Poems

 Awit; Corrido;

Komedya

 A theatrical performance which captured the ideal

European lifestyle as portrayed by medieval characters
Notable Works of the Spanish
Period
Doctrina Christiana (1593) –
the first book ever published
in the Philippines; printed by
the Dominican Press;
Notable Works of the Spanish
Period
May Bagyo Mat’ May Rilim
– according to literary
historian, Bienvenido
Lumbera, is the first printed
literary work in Tagalog
Notable Works of the Spanish
Period
Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Christong P. Natin
na Tola (1704) – eventually referred to as “Pasyon,”
was written by Gaspar Aquino de Belen; an example
of Christian folk epic in which the passion of Jesus
Christ was written in relation with the plight of the
Filipino people who were oppressed by the
colonizers, as well as the values of a Filipino
Notable Works of the Spanish
Period
Notable Works of the Spanish
Period
Ninay (1885) – first Filipino novel written; Pedro
Paterno;
Notable Works of the Spanish
Period
Florante at Laura – Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar;
though there are symbols and themes which dictate
the protest of the Filipino against the Spanish regime,
it is uncertain as to whether or not Balagtas had
intended the issue – which was subtly derived from
his work – since he left no notes or additional pieces
that may affirm the conclusion;
Notable Works of the Spanish
Period
Notable Works of the Spanish
Period
Noli Me Tangere (1887)
and El Filibusterismo
(1891) – Jose Rizal;
works which created an
impact on the national
consciousness and love
for one’s country against
the abusive government
of the Spaniards;
Notable Works of the Spanish
Period
La Solidaridad – Propagandist newspaper.
American
Colonial
Period
(Late 19th
– Mid-20th
century)
American Colonial Period (Late
19th – Mid-20th century)
There is a gradual decline of the Philippine literature
written in Spanish and the English language
eventually became the medium of writing and
instruction in schools.
American Colonial Period (Late
19th – Mid-20th century)
As the Spanish colonizers left the country in
accordance with the Treaty of Paris, the spirit of
nationalism and the desire to be acknowledged of
independence did not disappear just yet. Instead,
these uniting forces geared into revolting against
the new colonizers.
American Colonial Period (Late
19th – Mid-20th century)
During the American colonization period, Philippine
literature reflected the ethos of its people under a
new role. However, these day-to-day experiences
under a new foreign influence, as well as sentiments,
were expressed through the English language.
American Colonial Period (Late
19th – Mid-20th century)
The Spanish ‘sarsuwela’ was eventually replaced by
the ‘drama’;
American Colonial Period (Late
19th – Mid-20th century)
One major influence of the American occupation on
the Filipino literature is its refining in the context of
the content and the form. Furthermore, because of
this broadened knowledge on the field of literature
through the education provided by the American
government, Philippine literature has become more
than a tradition formed by culture. It has become
an art which succeeding poets, fictionists, and
playwrights continue to build upon and enrich in
every generation;
American Colonial Period (Late
19th – Mid-20th century)
Beginning with Rizal’s use of social realism as one of
the major themes for his two major novels, the
literature during the American colonization also
became an involvement, not just reflecting the
Filipino experience – a strengthened sense of
nationalism deeply rooted in the Filipino pride and
culture.
American Colonial Period (Late
19th – Mid-20th century)
Unlike in the Spanish colonization period wherein
female writers (e.g. Gregoria de Jesus) were
overshadowed by their more dominant, male
contemporaries – because of the education only being
provided to a selected and privileged few – during
the American occupation, women have had their
opportunity to enhance their talent by being
educated on the craft.
American Colonial Period (Late
19th – Mid-20th century)
American Colonial Period (Late
19th – Mid-20th century)
In addition, the growing popularity of works written
by Filipina writers is the result of the growing
audience appreciating literature by females.
Philippine Literature and Art
during the American Period

Short Poetry in
Story English

Free Verse
Drama
in Poetry
Notable Works of the American
Period
Mga Agos sa Disyerto (1964) –
Efren R. Abueg, Edgardo M.
Reyes, Eduardo Bautista Reyes,
Rogelio L. Ordoñez and Rogelio
R. Sikat; this short story
anthology brought fiction into the
age of modernism;
Notable Works of the American
Period
Ako ang Daigdig (1940) –
Alejandro G. Abadilla; free
verse poem;
Notable Works of the American
Period
Sa Dakong Silangan – Jose
Corazon de Jesus; a poem
written in the vernacular
History of
Kapampangan
Literature
Pre-Spanish Period
Folkloric tradition – oral
literature

No surviving record of
folklore – oral nature &
Spanish indifference to
indigenous literature

Legends such as Maria

Sinukwan
Pre-Spanish Period

Basulto Contains vague, metaphoricalor allusive words

familiar to herdsmen pasturing their carabaos,
cows, and goats. It is singing while dancing; written
in verse and became part of contests during the
town fiesta. e.g. “Tinanam Kung Kamantigi” or “ O
Caca, O Caca”

Pamuri
From “buri” which means “like”/songs
of love ex. Aruy! Katimyas na Nitang
Dalaga
Pre-Spanish Period

Pang- Songs in praise of labor/ work

obra
ex. “Bye ning Kasamak”/

Paninta “Sinta” for family and friends

ex. Atin Cu Pung Singsing/ Ecu Pa

Kelingwan
Pre-Spanish Period

Goso This is sung by youth groups at the eve of

All Souls Day.

Polosa Singer picks bits of information from his

listeners’ looks or backgrounds and the
general environment and extemporaneously
includes them in the lyrics
Pre-Spanish Period
Tumaila A Kapampangan lullaby, sung by mothers to put their
babies to sleep

Karagatan Ancient and poetic literary game performed during the

wakes based on the loss of a ring belonging to a princess
in mid-sea. The king makes the suitors look for the ring by
reciting argumentative poetry with the other suitors.
Whoever becomes the champion in the poetic debate takes
the hand of the princess
Pre-Spanish Period
Duplo This is of Spanish origin. It is a poetical game
amounting to a contest in both poetic powers of
expression and general cultural knowledge. It
is done during wakes or literary occasions.

Sapatya Form of poetical joust; this time the verse is

sang and the participants dance to the beat of
their castanets. The informal debate is
improvised, a fact which delights the audience.
Pre-Spanish Period
Diparan Folkloric aphorisms or proverbs which embody
well-known truths or common facts ascertained
by experience or observation.
Bulaklakan Sung during wakes to pray the soul of the dead
person and to give console to the family
Spanish Period

Religious Literature

 Translations of Spanish religious literature

Pasion

 5 lines per stanza, 8 syllables with

monorhyming scheme
Eusebia Dizon, original owner (PAC)
Spanish Period

Kumidya

 “ Comedia” deals with the romances

of high-born ladies and princesses
literally strewn with military
skirmishes between Christians and
Moros. (metrical romance)
Spanish Period

Kuriru

 Derivative of “Corrido”- romance orlight poetic

composition in assonants with the accompaniment
of the guitar for light entertainment. (metrical tale)

Zarzuela

 Asong drama interspersed with dialogue and led to

the Golden period of drama
 Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
King gintu nang sale balen tang Arayat
Atin linto supling uliran ya dapat;
Salaminan king biye ning diwang masampot
Malugud king balen lalam tang WATAWAT;
Ing albun ning biye na wagas yang misulat
King diwang memalen e sukat mikatkat.
Banuang mipanganak ing mesabing bungsu
Libu walung dalan ampon pitung pulu (1870),
Bunga reng pakamal detang adwang pusu
Mariano Alejandrino, kayang Ninunu;
 Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
At Rosa Magdangal, itang kayang Indu
Jose, ya ing anak pinili rang lagyu.
Sapni yang mayaman ing mesabing pungul
Ing wagas a lingap yang kaya paragul;
Mura nag pamisip sukat nang magambul
Balang linto diwa uyat nang pamyukul;
Linub deng megaral e neman tinutul
Tukud na’t guyabnan biye nang paintungul.
Karin ATENEO ampon SANTO TOMAS
Minuna ng liban kabyasnan tinuklas;
Karin ya migkamit BACHELOR OF ARTS
 Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
Iti makatala king banuang linipas;
Ing kayang talino ban lalung tumalas,
King aliwang bansa, karin ya pa miras.
Minta ya España linub yang megaral
Karin Ghent king Belgium, migkamit yang dangal;
Mika TITULO yang HINIERO KEMIKAL
Karin akayabe, y Gat Jose Rizal;
 Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
Bista’t marayu ya king tibuan nang lugal
Alina kelinguan ing kayang pakamal.
Dr. Jose Rizal, yang kaya minagyag
King Aguman Mason, aliwa palakad;
Kayanib yarin keng La Solidaridad
Na kilusan Pinoy, king Madrid telakad;
Bigsikan ding Fraile, keti ra patupad
King mesabing Diaryo karin bubulalag
 Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
Ebinang melambat panaun dinantik
Y Alejandrino, keti ne migbalik;
Disnan iting bansa atinang himagsik.
King balen at pulu ding balas lilisik;
Anti mong bayani bantug masalpitik
Kusa nang mekiabe karing mighimagsik.
Ing pamilamas da pilan pamung bulan
Ilang managumpe pangkat katipunan;
Dangal ding kastila, mipuk king katasan
 Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
Misal king gabun kambe ning dewakan;
Ing Panginuan napun, yang meging alipan
At itang alipan yang meging Panginuan.
Uling ding kastila, eno misukamama
King baling labanan ilang mapupuksa;
Kanyon king Muralya, sinuku rong kusa
Pati ing kuta ra kilub ning Menila;
Bayani ning lahi, memukunan daya
Kanita inagwag sariling Bandila.
 Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
Mabinting Heneral, budning Aguinaldo
Anak ne ning Kawit, dayang Kabitenyo;
Ketang Republika, yang meging Pangulo.
Dapot inyang dalang ding Americano;
Akalaban dala kawal Pilipino
Kayabe king pangkat y Alejandrino.
Heneral kastila, Primo de Rivera
At Arzobispo ra budning Nozaleda;
King takut da karing lahing bisabus ra
Ding Americano, ilang pisukwan da;
Mesabing Pekapun, inyang milaya la
Malungkut minuli king Indung España.
Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
Budni tang Heneral, y Alejandrino
At Heneral Luna, kayabe neng grupo;
Pareho opinion king diwa’t prinsipio
Yang gamat nang wanan karetang sundalo;
Keti Kapampangan tapat sinerbisyo
Meging kasalungat nitang Aguinaldo.
Ing Heneral Luna, gewa ng makanyan
Meging mitsa iti kayang kamatayan;
Itang Aguinaldo, gewa nang paralan
Kunwaring minaus mika kapulungan;
Luna, dinatang ya pulung ban tagunan
Beril deng pataksil karin Kabanatuan.
Budni tang Heneral, minukyat kalbaryo
Na pusung matatag y Alejandrino;
 Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
Atlu nang kapatad abe nong miglualo
Y Don Joaquin, y Don Manuel, Don Anselmo;
Sing mikakapatad atin langang Ranggo
Anak lang Arayat, dayang Pampangenyo.
Pusu rang dakila mapuri at wagas
Inutus dong kusa king pamakilamas;
Pablasang bayani ebala mayapas
Ero pitakutan mibabayang balas;
Gintu rang tagimpan karing aldo bukas
Mitimawa ya sa Indung Pilipinas.
 Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
Inyang malumpawi itang Himagsikan
Y Alejandrino, tinalan tungkulan;
Mig-Gobernador ya keti Kapampangan
Ketang trentay kwatro atin tang alalan;
Mig-Delegado ya kanitang Batasan
Sinaup melangkas PUN PALATUNTUNAN.
 Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
Y Gat Jose Rizal, meging kaluguran
Itang Aguinaldo, Hongkong ne atagmuon;
Panaun nang Quezon, iti minombrahan
Meging Senador ya, ning kekatang tibwan;
Bitbit ng talino gintu nang kaisipan
Sinuyu king balen ing wagas ng belwan.
 Ing Talambiye ng Jose
Alejandrino
Ding mikakapatad na pawang magiting
Suyu na king balen.. dakila maningning
Gintu lang uliran karing tawling supling
Luid yang balen tamu sukat pagmairing
Bilang katatawlian dinan talang pansing
Palakpakan tala, masikan… maningning!!!
Process Questions:
1. Who is Jose Alejandrino?
2. Highlight the important events in his life.
3. What is his contribution to the Kapampangans?
Any Question?