LET US TRAVEL

BACK IN TIME
Philippin
Literature
e SPANISH under

COLONIALISM
(1565-1897)
 Destinations
:
Revisiting the Antecedent of
Philippine Literature in Spanish Times
Meeting the Prominent Filipino
Writers and their Works

On the Buds of "The Flowers

of Heidelberg" by Jose Rizal

Spott ing Rizal's Noli Me Tangere

and El Filibusterismo through
Marxism and Formalism
 REVISITING THE ANTECEDENT OF
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
IN SPANISH TIMES
Spanish colonization of the Philippines started in 1565
during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the
first Spanish governor-general in the Philippines.
Literature started to flourish during his time. The spurt
continued unabated until the Cavite Revolt in 1872.

1.Spanish language became

the literary language this time 4.Grammar books
2. European legends and were printed in Filipino
traditions 5. Religious tone
3.Ancient literature was
collected and translated to
In 1863, the Spanish government introduced a system of free public education that
increased the population's ability to read Spanish and thereby furthered the rise of an
educated class called the Ilustrado (meaning, well-informed). Spanish became the
social language of urban places and the true lingua franca of the archipelago.

A good number of Spanish newspapers were published

until the end of the 1940s, the most influential of them
being El Renacimiento, printed in Manila by members of
the Guerrero de Ermita family. Some members of the
ilustrado group, while in Spain, decided to start a Spanish
publication with the aim of promoting the autonomy and
independence projects.
Until the 19th century, the printing presses were owned and managed by the religious
orders (Lumbera, p.13). Thus, religious themes dominated the culture of the
Christianized majority. But the native oral literature, whether secular or mythic
religious continued.

Philippine Literature in Spanish can be divided into stages of development

namely:

1.Works of Spanish Religious 4. The Golden Age (1903-1966)

About the Philippines (1593-1800) 5. Modern Works (1966-present)
2. Formative Stage (1800-1873) 6.Spanish religious works
3. Nationalist Stage (1873-1903) about the Philippines (1593
1800)
 SPANISH INFLUENCES
ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Roman Alphabet
The first Filipino alphabet was called as Baybayin but was replaced by the Roman
Alphabet.

Christian Doctrine
The teaching of Christian Doctrine became the
basis of religious practices. Philippine literature
during this era was classified either religious or
secular, and that religious practices had greatly
influenced Philippine literature.
 SPANISH INFLUENCES
ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Spanish Language
- Became the literary language during this time.
-Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog
and other dialects.
- Later, many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog,
Ilocano and Visayan.
The Cenaculo
- Dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of
Juesus Christ
-Written in octosyllabic verse, with 8 verses to the stanza. The full length versions take
about 3 nights of staging.
 SPANISH INFLUENCES
ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Karagatan
Poetic vehicle of socio-religious nature celebrated during the death of a person.
A form of drama that originated to test the bravery of men so that the bravest can marry the
princess.
A leader will start off an extemporaneous poem announcing the purpose. Spins a tabo to know
who will be asked first. The girl will ask him a riddle and if he is able to answer, he will offer the
ring to the girl.
Plays (Moro-Moro, Carillo (shadow play), The Zarzuela,
Other forms of Panunuluyan, Komedya)
literature:
Balagtasan Ninay – first Filipino novel, written in Spanish by Pedro
Awit at Korido Paterno
THANK YOU!
Salamat!
Gracias
!
 MEETING THE
PROMINENT FILIPINO
WRITERS
AND THEIR
WORKS
 PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

Apolinario Mabini - (born July 23, 1864,

Talaga, Phil.—died May 13, 1903, Manila),
Filipino theoretician and spokesman of the
Philippine Revolution, who wrote the
constitution for the short-lived republic of
1898–99. Born into a peasant family, Mabini
studied at San Juan de Letran College in
Manila.
 PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

When the Spanish–American War broke out in

1898, Mabini urged cooperation with the
United States as a means to gain freedom
from Spain. When the United States
announced that it would annex the
Philippines, Mabini joined Aguinaldo in a Prominent works:
renewed struggle for independence. He was La Revolution Filipina
captured and exiled to Guam. El Verdadero Decalogo
PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

José Palma y Velásquez - (June 3, 1876 –

February 12, 1903) was a Filipino poet and
soldier. He was on the staff of La independencia
at the time he wrote "Filipinas", a patriotic
poem in Spanish. It was published for the first
time in the issue of the first anniversary
of La independencia on September 3, 1899.
 PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

The poem fit the instrumental tune "Marcha Nacional Filipina" by

Julián Felipe, and it has since been the basis for every translation
of the Philippine National Anthem.

Prominent Works:
Philippine National Hymn
Filipinas
PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

Graciano Lopez Jaena – Born on December

18, 1856 – January 20, 1896. He was a
Filipino journalist, orator, reformist, and national
hero. He pursued his medical studies at the
school of medicine at the University of Valencia
but did not finish the course. He subsequently
become very well known for addressing the
injustices that occurred amongst the Filipino
people.
 PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

His first attempt at addressing problems in local

society was through a story entitled “Fray Botod.”

Prominent Works:
La Solidaridad
Fray Botod
PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

Jose Rizal - José Protasio Rizal Mercado y

Alonso Realonda, he was born on June 19,
1861, Calamba, Philippines and died on
December 30, 1896, Manila. Rizal was educated
in Manila and at the University of Madrid. A
brilliant medical student, he soon committed
himself to the reform of Spanish rule in his
home country. Most of his writing was done in
Europe, where he resided between 1882 and
1892.
 PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

A sequel, El filibusterismo (1891; The Reign of Greed),

established his reputation as the leading spokesman of the
Philippine reform movement. He became the leader of the
Propaganda Movement, contributing numerous articles to its
newspaper, La Solidaridad, published in Barcelona.
Prominent works:
Noli Me Tangere (1887)
El Filibusterismo (1891)
To the Filipino Youth
(1879)
PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

Marcelo Del Pilar was born in Kupang, Bulacan, on

Aug. 30, 1850, to cultured parents. He founded the
newspaper Diariong Tagalog to propagate democratic
liberal ideas among the farmers and peasants. . In
1888 he defended José Rizal's polemical writings by
issuing a pamphlet against a priest's attack, exhibiting
his deadly wit and savage ridicule of clerical follies.
 PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

Prominent works:
Dasalan at Tocsohan
Ang La Soberania Monacal en
Filipinas
PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

Guillermo Gómez Rivera – Born in Iloilo City in the

Philippines on September 12, 1936, he holds a Ph.D in
Filipino Spanish Literature and four undergraduate
degrees in Spanish, economics, history and
management. He is perhaps the most recognized
contemporary Filipino writer throughout the Spanish-
speaking world. His sometimes strident advocacy for
the preservation of the Spanish language in the
Philippines has gained him both plaudits and
criticisms.
 PROMINENT FILIPINO WRITERS
AND THEIR WORKS

In 1975, he was awarded the Premio Zóbel, the Philippines' highest

literary honor bestowed on the best works in Spanish, for his play El
caseron.

Prominent works:
Quis ut Deus, o el Teniente Guimô, el brujo revolucionario de Yloílo
(2015) Con címbalos de caña (2011)
La nueva Babilonia (2018)
THANK
YOU!
Salamat!
Gracias
!
 INTO THE BUDS OF
"THE FLOWERS OF
HEIDELBERG"
A POEM BY DR. JOSE RIZAL
 Title: To The Flowers of Heidelberg
Author: Dr Jose Rizal
Date Written: April 22, 1886
Literary Period: Spanish Period year 1565-1897

The Poem of “To the Flowers of Heidelberg” was

symbolizing the love of Rizal for his motherland.
He writes it when he was at Germany while walking
along the banks of the Neckar that has blooming
flowers along his path and remember their beautiful
Garden in Calamba that inspire him to write this
poem.
-
-This poem simply express of Rizal’s sadness
when he remembered his family.
-This poem of Rizal reflects a aesthetic
quality of sublime and also in some point of
view, this poem can be describe as defense
mechanism.
-This poem shows less literal in meaning and
in quality that results of depths in its content.
 It symbolizes two realities:
The flowers’ beauty symbolizes Rizal’s love for his
country
The flowers’ reduced quality refers to Rizal’s
useless presence in another country

Elements used in this poem Values from the poem

-It shows Pattern and Rhythm -Love of the Family / Native
-Free Verse land
-Figure of Speech used; -Valuing the Beauty of Nature
Personification -Self-Sacrifice
 Types of Conflict
-Man and Nature
-Man and Society

Thought of the Poem

The freshness and perfume of the flower will be
lost because it has been plucked from its true
home---as has he. And this is how he feels, he
needs to be in his own country to be fully alive.
– J. Rizal
THANK YOU!
Salamat!
Gracias
!
 SPOTTING RIZAL'S
"NOLI ME
TANGERE"
THROUGH MARXISM AND FORMALISM
1. About Noli Me Tangere
1. Greatest novel in the
Philippines along with El Fili
“Touch Me Not”
The Social
Cancer
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle
Tom’s Cabin “Filipino version” 3. Title’s Hidden Meaning
The phrase Jesus spoken
2. Rizal Law
to Mary Magdalene after
In 1956, the law requires all schools
his resurrection
in the Philippines to study the novel
“Hidden cancers” in medicine
field
Summary
NOLI ME TANGERE

of
 HOMECOMING

Juan Crisostomo Ibarra arrives back

in the Philippines after studying in
Europe for the past seven years.
Captain Tiago, his prominent
and wealthy friend, hosts a reunion
dinner for him.
At the dinner, Father Damaso
treats him badly, which surprises
Ibarra
 ON HIS WAY
HOME

As Ibarra is walking home from the dinner,

Señor Guevara, another family friend, tells him
that his father died in prison due to a slander
against him and that Father Damaso is the
reason behind it.
Because of this, Ibarra is shocked and does not
know what to do.
Then, he visits his old lover, Maria Clara but he
is not welcome in her family anymore.
FOLOWING HIS

Instead of revenge, Ibarra plans to

establish a public school to follow
his father’s footsteps of peace.
The schoolmaster warns him about
Father Damaso meddling in school
system but Ibarra still pushes the
idea through with the help of town
officials.
 CRISPIN,
BASILIO,
Meanwhile, Crispin and Basilio work as
a sexton to support their mother.
When Crispin protests due to the false
accusation of theft, Crispin is severely
beaten while Basilio escapes. He
cannot find his brother.
Sisa looks for both of her sons, losing
her mind.
FATHER'S

Ibarra goes to visit his father’s

grave but he discovers
that was
corpse his father’s and
removed
supposedly put into a Chinese
cemetery under the order of
Father Damaso.
 THE
TOWN'S

In the town fiesta, Ibarra and the town

officials want to celebrate and to bless
the school after Father Damaso’s sermon.
During the sermon, a mysterious man
named Elias approaches Ibarra warning
him of a plot to kill him.
Ibarra realizes that Elias was their
boatman on an earlier excursion he
took with his friends and that man is a
wanted fugitive.
THE VIOLENT

The same night, Father Damaso invites

himself to a dinner Ibarra is hosting.
Father Damaso insults indigenous
Filipinos and Ibarra’s father specifically.
He punches the priest and before he
can kill him, Maria Clara stopped the
young man.
 TH
E
Ibarra is excommunicated and Maria Clara
falls ill and is reengaged to a new man
because of his spineless father.
Meanwhile, the Captain General manages to
lift Ibarra’s excommunication.
Father Salvi (who is in love with Maria Clara)
plots, together with Lucas, to frame Ibarra
for rebellion.
Ibarra is thrown into prison and found guilty based on a letter he wrote to
Maria Clara years ago.
ELIAS TO
THE

Elias rescues Ibarra by breaking out

of the prison and takes him to Maria
Clara.
Ibarra’s lover apologizes and explains
to him that Father Salvi blackmailed
her, telling that he will reveal that
she is Father Damaso’s daughter.
 THE
PURSUIT

Elias and Ibarra row away but they

realize they’re being followed by another
boat.
Elias jumps off to confuse them to
think that he is Ibarra and try to
shoot him while the real Ibarra escapes.
They appear to kill him but they never
see his body.
MARIA CLARA'S

Maria Clara tells Father Damaso that she

can’t marry Linares and threatens to
commit suicide if he will not let her enter a
convent.
The newspaper reported that Ibarra is
dead and she cannot bear the thought of
marrying another man.
Father Damaso reluctantly agrees.
 OUR
COUNTRY

On Christmas Eve, Basilio still looks for Sisa. He

finds her but she doesn’t recognize him and runs
away.
Finally, he catches her and she faints, and she
dies of shock having finally recognized him.
Elias appears, telling Basilio to put his body with
Sisa’s on a funeral pyre.
"I die without seeing dawn’s light shining on my
country…You, who will see it, welcome it for me…
don’t forget those who fell during the nighttime,"
Elias says.
Formalistic Criticism
of Noli Me Tangere

A. Lenses to Look in the Work Itself

1.Literary Elements
2.Symbols
3.Figurative Language

B.Literary Elements
Genre: novel, satire, romance
Setting and Context: The Philippines, near Manila, in the late 19th century
Point of View: Third person, omniscient
Tone and Mood: Sometimes satirical, humorous, sometimes serious and
mournful
 Formalistic Criticism
of Noli Me Tangere

Protagonist and Antagonist: Ibarra and

Father Salvi (the main antagonist)
Major Conflict: Ibarra vs. Father Salvi and
Ibarra vs. the Spanish colonial society
Climax: Ibarra’s escape
Foreshadowing: Father Damaso’s closeness
with Maria Clara, as well as Maria Clara
possessing European features, foreshadows
that she is Father Damaso’s biological daughter.
 Formalistic Criticism
of Noli Me Tangere

C. Symbols
School = Education. Ibarra’s belief in the power of
education

Night and Dawn = Chaos and Hope. Elias last words in

the ending of the novel
The Cancer = Too dangerous to talk about. The
title alludes to a cancer that is so deadly and powerful
that no one dares to touch
Maria Clara = Philippines. She symbolizes the
country, typically too passive to rebel but will stand up on
her own in the end
 Formalistic Criticism
of Noli Me
Tangere
D. Figurative
Language Simile
“The news surged like a jolt of electricity among the parasites,
spongers, and freeloaders that God, in his infinite
goodness, has so lovingly multiplied in Manila.” (p. 5)
“Like a automaton with a broken motor, Sisa turned quickly on
her heels, and without seeing a thing, ran to hide.” (p. 131)
Metaphor
“Once misfortune leaves its mark on a family, all its members
have to perish. When a lightning strikes a tree, the entire
thing is reduced to ashes.” (p. 274)
Formalistic
Criticism of Noli Me
Tangere
D. Figurative
Language Irony
- Captain Tiago being at
peace with God
(situational irony)
-Readers will conclude that he is a churchgoing man
when in reality, he exposes his wealth too much and
actually pays for others to pray for him.

- Father Salvi credited for stopping the riot (dramatic

irony)
-The newspaper praises him as a Christ-like figure when in fact, he only runs
 Formalistic Criticism
of Noli Me
D. Figurative
Tangere
Language Imagery

Christmas Eve
Rizal richly describes the images of the lights and decorations
in detail during Christmas Eve.

Capitan Tiago’s house

Rizal describes Capitan Tiago’s house in detail, telling the
reader about the intricate paintings, decorative furniture,
lamps, birdcages, and more that fills his large house.
Formalistic
Criticism of Noli Me
Tangere
D. Figurative
Language Imagery
Maria Clara
-Ibarra describes Maria Clara in exaggerated, almost
humorously vivid language, comparing her to a fairy or
spirit and calling her “the poetic embodiment of my
homeland.”

Religion and the poor

-In Chapter 16, Rizal describes the gap between Christianity and the lives of the poor
in heartbreaking detail, demonstrating the emotion that the poor brings to their
prayers despite often not knowing the proper forms of prayer.
 Marxist Criticism
of Noli Me
a. The Key Principles in Marxism Tangere
1.Class struggle
2.Dictatorship of the
Proletariat 3. Internationalism
4. Opium of the people

b. Class struggle
Conflict ranges between the ruling class and the
working class
Friars became the main oppressors in the
novel Friars control everything by their own
interest.
Marxist Criticism
of Noli Me
Tangere
c. Dictatorship of the Proletariat
The proletariat (or the working class)
wants to gain control of the political
system.
-Ibarra suggests that reform can be the
answer in the unequal situation in the novel.

-He believes that Spaniards would

reconsider their actions and would treat
Filipinos fairly.
 Marxist Criticism
of Noli Me
Tangere
d. Internationalism
“Workers of the world unite!”
In the novel, Ibarra addresses that
revolution should be just an alternative if
reform is impossible.

e. Opium of the People

Religion, like a drug, helps the exploited to
immediately forget their pain and misery with
pleasant illusions.
Christianity is the opium in the novel.
THANK YOU!
Salamat!
Gracias
!
 SPOTTING RIZAL'S
"EL
FILIBUSTERISMO"
THROUGH MARXISM AND FORMALISM
Rudiments of
EL FILIBUSTERISMO
BACKGROUND
of
El
Filibusterismo
sequel to Noli Me Tangere.
second and last novel
completed by José Rizal
Etymology: Filibustero
The Subversive or Subversion
Dedicated to GOMBURZA
executive
Summar
y
Crisostomo Ibarra, the reformist hero of the earlier
novel, has come back to the Philippines as the
enigmatic stranger named Simoun, a rich jeweller.
Driven by hatred and a fierce desire to avenge his
sufferings, and to rescue Maria Clara from the
nunnery where she has fled, Simoun embarks on a
crusade the goal of which is to corrupt and thus
weaken various institutions that would eventually EL
lead to a bloody revolution.
executive
Summar
Read mo r e he r e :
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14Qh0KaaJwWX- llPC
zjA8RPDqrAvt9dnPkYMzmjVRSt0/edit?usp=sharing

y Happy Reading!

He schemes and plans systematically and plots with

various characters, including Basilio, to bring about
the downfall of the government. The first plot fails, as
does the second one. Simoun, carrying his huge stash
of jewelry, flees to the mountain retreat of Padre
Florentino, who absolves the dying man from his sins.
The novel ends as the priest throws Simoun's
treasures into the sea with the hope that they could
be retrieved and used only for the good of the people.
 f o r m a l i s t criticism
of
El Filibusterismo
Narrator of the story
Mostly omniscient, but Rizal echoes
positions of multiple characters.
The setting
Generally set in the Philippines in the
vestiges of then colonial Spain.
Tone and mood
graver and less hopeful tone
INTO THE
BREADTH
f o r m a l i s t criticism
of
El Filibusterismo
Theme
It is a dark, brooding, at times satirical novel of revenge,
unfulfilled love, and tragedy.

Structure of the story

peculiarly polemical, indio /india crops up far more often
in the Fili than in the Noli

Author's diction
reveals the burning love of Rizal for a dreamed liberated
Philippines; longing
marxist critcism
of
El
Filibusterismo
Class Struggle
-contradictions and relationships between
the Spanish friars and authorities, Filipino elites,
and the exploited Filipinos

Proletariat Dictatorship
-Spanish authorities and the Filipino
elite, bureaucrats and mercenaries reign
greedily
 marxIst critcism
El Filib u
o f

sterismo
Internationalism
-long revolution
-Filipino called not to be subversive
but contemplative

Opium of the people

-religion, specifically Roman
Catholicism
THANK YOU!
Salamat!
Gracias
!
 REFERENCES AND
ADDITIONAL READINGS:
Philippine literature in the Spanish colonial period. (2015,
June 2). National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
https://ncca.gov.ph/aabout-ncca-
3/subcommisions/subcommision-on-the-arts-sca/literary-
arts/Philippine-literature-in-the-spanish-colonial-period
Philippine literature in the Spanish colonial period. (2015,
June 2). National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
https://ncca.gov.ph/aabout-ncca-
3/subcommisions/subcommision-on-the-arts-sca/literary-
arts/Philippine-literature-in-the-spanish-colonial-period
Guillermo Gomez Rivera. (n.d.). centiramopublishing.
https://www.centiramopublishing.com/guillermo-gomez-
rivera
Jose Palma. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://
www.britannica.com/biography/Jose-Palma
Apolinario Mabini. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://
www.britannica.com/biography/Apolinario-Mabini
Peoplepill.com. (n.d.). Marcelo H. del Pilar. peoplepill.com.
https://peoplepill.com/people/marcelo-h-del-pilar
Graciano Lopez Jaena biography. (n.d.). Biography.
https://biography.yourdictionary.com/articles/graciano-lopez-
jaena-biography.html
Jose Rizal | Biography, education, works, full name, & facts.
(n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://
www.britannica.com/biography/Jose-Rizal
REFERENCES AND
ADDITIONAL READINGS:

GradeSaver. (2021, September 13). Noli me tangere summary. Study
Guides & Essay Editing | GradeSaver. https://
www.gradesaver.com/noli-me-tangere/study-guide/summary
An analysis of “Noli Me tangere” using the Marxist approach. (2008,
September 21). Friendster Blog.
https://friendsterfritz.wordpress.com/2008/09/20/an-analysis-of-
%E2%80%9Cnoli-me-tangere%E2%80%9D-using-the-marxist-
approach/
El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal - Reading guide: 9780143106395 -
PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books. (n.d.).
PenguinRandomhouse.com.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/302595/el-
filibusterismo-by-jose-rizal/9780143106395/readers-guide/
Forms of consciousness in El Filibusterismo. (2006). Philippine
Studies

The Solution of Enigma in El Filibusterismo. Lisandro E. Claudio

AFP. (2018, May 4). Karl Marx in five core ideas. The Hindu. https://
(2018). Jose Rizal
www.thehindu.com/news/international/karl-marx-in-five-core-
ideas/article23774957.ece
El Filibusterismo (English summary). (2021, July 7).
https://www.tagaloglang.com/el-filibusterismo-english-
Executive summary (The summary of “El Filibusterismo”). (2021,
summary/
August 31). KapitBisig.com.
https://www.kapitbisig.com/philippines/el-filibusterismo-the-reign-of-
greed-by-dr-jose-rizal-book-notes-summary-in-english-executive-
summary-the-summary-of-el-filibusterismo_203.html
REFERENCES AND
ADDITIONAL READINGS:

To the flowers of Heidelberg by Dr. Jose Rizal (English version of “A las Photos and Videos
Flores de Heidelberg”). (2021, September 16). KapitBisig.com. https:// from:
www.kapitbisig.com/philippines/poems-written-by-dr-jose-rizal-to- the- Rappler
flowers-of-heidelberg-by-dr-jose-rizal-english-version-of-a-las-flores-de-
heidelberg_620.html National Quincentenial Committee, Philippines
Facebook Page
The flowers of Heidelberg by: Dr. Jose P. Rizal. (n.d.). Share and Discover
Knowledge on SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/ChetVerdeflor/the- National Center of Culture and the Arts
flowers-of-heidelberg-by-dr-jose-p-rizal
Pinterest
To the flowers of Heidelberg. (2019, January 7). JoseRizal.com.
https://www.joserizal.com/to-the-flowers-of-heidelberg/ Ben and Ben Official Youtube Channel

Hillsong Official Youtube Channel

 Food for thought

“The glory of saving a

country doesn't mean
having to use the measures
that contributed to its
ruin!”
 Any questions and
suggestions?

gR\~R po~?

El
Equipo