PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

LESSON 3
THE SPANISH PERIOD (1565-1898)

INTRODUCTION

It is an accepted belief that the 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. This spurt continued unabated until the Cavite Revolt in 1872. The
Spaniards colonized the Philippines for more than three centuries.
During these times, many changes occurred in the lives of Filipinos. They embraced the Catholic
religion, changed their names, and were baptized.
Their lifestyles changed too. They built houses mad of stones and bricks, used beautiful furniture like
the piano and used kitchen utensils. Carriages, trains and boats were used as means of travel. They
held fiestas to honor the saints, the pope and the governors. They had cockfights, horse races and the
theater as means of recreation.
This gave rise to the formation of the different classes of society like the rich and the landlords. Some
Filipinos finished courses like medicine, law, and agriculture and teachi ng. Many Filipinos finished
their schooling already had been established.

Did you know that_______________

 Printing was introduced by the Dominicans in 1593 What the colonizers brought anew in Philippine
Literature?
→ Introduction of theater, playlets and drama
→ Teaching of the Christian Doctrine
→ Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other dialects
→ Periodicals this times gained religious tone
→ Literature: religious prose and poetry and secular prose and poetry

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

 Describe the Philippine literature during the period;

 Enumerate writers who contributed to the flourishing of literature during this period;
 Name literary genres and pieces; and
 Analyze literary pieces

A. SPANISH INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Due to the long period of colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards, they have exerted a strong
influence on our literature.
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1. The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman alphabet.
2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
3. The Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lent many of its words
to our language.
4. European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs, corridos, and moro-
moros.
5. Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other dialects.
6. Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano and Visayan
7. Our periodicals during these times gained a religious tone.

B. THE FIRST BOOKS

1. ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE).

This was the first book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in xylography. It was written by Fr.
Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog and Spanish. It contained the Pater
Noster (Out Father), Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen), the Ten
Commandments of God, the Commandments of the Catholic Church, the Seven Mortal Sins,
How to Confess, and the Cathecism. Three old original copies of this book can still be found
at the Vatican, at the Madrid Musem and at the US Congress. It contains only 87 pages but
costs $5,000.0. It is believed to be the first Tagalog novel published in the Philippines even if
it is only a translation. The printed translation has only 556 pages. The Ilocano translation in
poetry was done by Fr. Agustin Mejia.

2. Nuestra Señora del Rosario.

The second book printed in the Philippines was written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in 1602,
and printed at the UST Printing Press with the help of Juan de Vera, a Chinese mestizo. It
contains the biographies of saints, novenas, and questions and answers on religion.

3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre (in Spanish and Tagalog).

This is the first book printed in typography.

4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat.

This is a Biblical story printed in the Philippines and translated to Tagalog from Greek by Fr.
Antonio de Borja.

5. The Pasion.
This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ. It is read only during Lent.
There were 4 versions of this in Tagalog and each version is according to the name of the
writer. These are the Pilapil version (by Mariano Pilapil of Bulacan, 1814), the de Belen
version (by Gaspar Aquino de Belen of Bat. in 1704), the de la Merced (by Aniceto de la
Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan in 1856) and the de Guia version (by Luis de Guia in 1750).
Critics are not agreed whether it is the Pilapil or the de la Merced version which is the most
popular

6. Urbana at Felisa.
A book by Modesto de Castro, the so called Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog. These are
letters between two sisters Urbana at Felisa and have influenced greatly the behavior of
people in society because the letters dealt with good behavior.

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

A collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary. Fr. Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest, wrote
this in 1865 and it was popular especially during the Maytime “Flores de Mayo” festival
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C. 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). The first Tagalog dictionary written by Fr.
Pedro de San Buenaventura in 1613.

4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampanga vocabulary). The 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 the Ilocano language). The first Ilocano grammar book by
Francisco Lopez.

7. Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol language). The first book in the Bicol language
and written by Fr. Marcos Lisbon in 1754

D. FOLK SONGS.

Folk songs became widespread in the Philippines. Each region had its national song from the
lowlands to the mountains of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Folk songs truly manifest the artistic feelings of the Filipinos. They show the Filipinos’ innate
appreciation for and love of beauty. The examples are Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy,
Sarong Banggi and Atin Cu Pung Singsing.

E. RECEREATIONAL PLAYS.

There are many recreational plays performed by Filipinos during the Spanish times. Almost all of
them were in poetic form. Here are examples:

1. Tibag – the word tibag means to excavate. This ritual was brought here by the Spaniard to
remind the people about the search of St. Helena for the Cross on which Jesus died.
2. Lagaylay – this is a special occasion for the Pilareños of Sorsogon during Maytime to get
together. As early as April, the participating ladies are chosen and sometimes, mothers
volunteer their girls in order to fulfill a vow made during an illness or for a favor received. In
some parts of Bicol, a different presentation is made but the objective is the same – praise,
respect and offering of love to the Blessed Cross by St. Helen on the mound she had dug in.
3. The Cenaculo – this is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of
Jesus Christ. There are two kinds: the Cantada and Hablada. In the Hablada the lines are
spoken in a more deliberate manner showi ng the rhythmic measure of each verse and the
rhyming in each stanza and is more dignified in theme; the Cantada is chanted like the Pasion.
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The Cenaculo is written in octosyllabic verse, with 8 verses to the stanza. The full length
versions take about 3 nights of staging. Performers come in costumes with wigs and
performers are carefully chosen for their virtuous life. One performs the role of Jesus Christ
and another the role of the Virgin Mary.
4. Panunuluyan – this is presented before 12:00 on Christmas Eve. This is a presentation of the
search of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn wherein to deliver the baby Jesus.
5. The Salubong (or Panubong) - The Salubong is an Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of
the Risen Christ and his Mother. It is still presented in many Philippine towns.
6. Carillo (Shadow Play) – this is a form of dramatic entertainment performed on a moonless
night during a town fiesta or on dark nights after a harvest. This shadow play is made by
projecting cardboard figures before a lamp against a white sheet. The figures are moved like
marionettes whose dialogues are produced by some experts. The dialogues are drawn from a
Corrido or Awit or some religious play
7. The Zarzuela – considered the father of the drama; it is a musical comedy or melodrama three
acts which dealt with man’s passions and emotions like love, hate, revenge, cruelty, avarice or
some social or political proble.
8. The Sainete – this was a short musical comedy popular during the 18th century. They were
exaggerated comedies shown between acts of long plays and were mostly performed by
characters from the lower classes. Themes were taken from everyday life scenarios

F. THE MORO-MORO.

Like the Cenaculo, the Moro-moro is presented also on a special stage. This is performed during town
fiestas to entertain the people and to remind them of their Christian religion. The plot is usually the
same that of a Christian princess or a nobleman’s daughter who is captured by the Mohammedans.
The father organizes a rescu e party where fighting between the Moros and the Christians ensue. The
Mohammedans are defeated by some miracle or Divine Intercession and the Mohammedans are
converted to Christianity. In some instances, the whole kingdom is baptized and converted. One
example of this is Prinsipe Rodante.

G. KARAGATAN.

This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature celebrated during the death of a person. In this
contest, more or less formal, a ritual is performed based on a legend about a princess who dropped her
ring into the middle of the sea and who offered here hand in marriage to anyone who can retrieve it.

A leader starts off with an extemporaneous poem announcing the purpose. He then spins a “lumbo” o
“tabo” marked with a white line. Whoever comes in the direction of the white line when the spinning
stops gets his turn to “go into the sea to look for the ring.” This means a girl will ask him a riddle and
if he is able to answer, he will offer the ring to the girl.

H. DUPLO.

The Duplo replace the Karagatan. This is a poetic joust in speaking and reasoning. The roles are taken
from the Bible and from proverbs and saying. It is usually played during wakes for the dead.

I. THE BALAGTASAN.
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This is a poetic joust or a contest of skills in debate on a particular topic or issue. This is replaced the
DUPLO and is held to honor Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.

J. THE DUNG-AW.

This is a chant in free verse by a bereaved person or his representative beside the corpse of the dead.
No definite meter or rhyming scheme is used. The person chanting it freely recites in poetic rhythm
according to his feelings, emotions and thoughts. It is personalized and usually deals with the life,
sufferings and sacrifices of the dead and includes apologies for his misdeeds.

K. THE AWIT and the CORRIDO.

The corridor is in octosyllabic verse, the awit is in dodecasyllabic verse. The corridos were usually on
legends or stories from European countries like France,Spain,Italy and Greece. The AWITS are
fabricated stories from writer’s imagination although the setting and characters are European. The
CORRIDO refers to narration.

A. Answer the given question.

1. The first spanish governor-general in the Philippines.

2-3.What are the changes occurred in the lives of the Filipinos during the Spanish Period?
4. The first Filipino Alphabet.
5. This was the first book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in xylography.
6. This is a book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ.
7. A book by Modesto de Castro, the so-called Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog 8. This is a
presentation of the search of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn therein to deliver the baby
Jesus.
9. This is a short musical comedy popular during the 18th century.
10. It is a personalized and usually deal with the life, sufferings and sacrifices of the deed and
includes apologies for his misdeeds.

B. Describe the Philippine literature during the Spanish Period.

C. Enumerate writers who contributed to the flourishing of literature during this period.
D. Name one literary piece that you’ve learned in this lesson.
E. Analyze and give your reaction or the message of this literary pieces made by Jose de la Cruz.

PIGILI'T PIGILIN
by Huseng Sisiw

MATAY ko man yatang pigili't pigilin Pigilin ang sintang sa puso'y tumiim,
Tumiim na sinta'y kung aking pawiin,
Pawiin ko'y tantong kamatayan ko rin.

IKAMAMATAY ko'y nasa iyong kamay,

Sa kamay mo sana manaw yaring buhay,
Buhay ko'y malagot sa iyong harapan,
Sa harap mo lamang luwalhati'y kamtan.

TUNAY ang sinta ko't malaking pag-ibig

Pag-ibig sa iyong kabutiha't dikit,
Dikit mo'y namahay tumiim sa dibdib
 PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Sa dibdib ko'y di na ibig na maalis.

PAWIIN sa puso ako'y mamamatay,

Mamamatay ako kung limutin naman,
Limuti't alisi'y tantong kahirapan
Kahirapang ito'y saan pa hahanggan?