THE LITERARY PERIOD OF THE PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

PRE-SPANISH PERIOD

(Before-1565)

Our forefathers already had their literature during the early times. They even had their alphabet before
they were colonized.

Chant (Bulong)

This was used in witchcraft or enchantment especially in remote places in the Visayas.

Legends

These are genres of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions perceived or believed
both by teller and listeners to have taken place within humanity.

Folk Tales

These are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror, and humor where one can derive
lessons. An example is "The Moon And the Sun".

Epics

These are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually of a hero, are
dealt with at length.

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. Many of these have 12 syllables. Examples of which are
Kundiman, Kumintang o Tagumpay, Ang Dalit o Imno, Ang Oyayi o Hele, Diana, Soliraning and Talindaw.

SPANISH PERIOD

(1565-1871)

Literature in this period may be classified as religious prose and poetry and secular prose and poetry.

Spanish Influences in Philippine Literature. •The first

Filipino alphabet is called Alibata/Baybayin, was replaced by the Roman alphabet. •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.

Folk Songs
• It manifest the artistic feelings of the Filipino and shows their innate appreciation for and love of
beauty.

Examples:

Leron-Leron Sinta

Pamulinawen

Dandansoy

Sarong Banggi

Atin Cu Pung Sing-sing

Recreational Plays

• Recreational plays performed by Filipinos during the Spanish period were in a poetic form such as:

Cenaculo

Panunuluyan

Salubong

Embayoka

Lagaylay

Zarzuela

PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT

1872-1898

In 19th century, Filipino intellectuals educated in Europe called Illustrados began to write about the
hitch of colonization.

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.

Rizal's writings:

Noli Me Tangere (Do not touch me)

Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell)

Sobre La Indolencia Delos Filipinos

(On the Indolence of the Filipinos)

Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años.

(The Philipines a Century Hence)

Del Pilar's writings:

Pagibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Country)

Kaingat Kayo (Be careful)

Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes)

Lopez Jaena's writings:

Ang Fray Botod (Big-Bellied Friar)

La Hija Del Fraile (The Child of the Friar)

Everything is Hambug (Everything is mere show)

Sa mga Pilipino...1891 Talumpating Pagunita kay Kolumbus (An Oration to Commemorate Columbus)

THE AMERICAN REGIME

(1898-1944)

Linguistically, Americans influenced Filipino write using the English language.

Jose Garcia Villa became famous for his free verse.

Characteristics of Literature during American 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.

THE JAPANESE PERIOD

(1941-1945)

Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development.

Philippine Literature in English came to a halt. This led to all newspapers not to be circulated in the
community except for TRIBUNE and PHILIPPINE REVIEW.

Philippine Literature in English (1941-1945)

Philippine Literature in English experience a dark period since the Japanese prohibits writing and
publishing works in English.

In the new Filipino Literature, Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived. Most themes in the writings
dealt with Japanese brutalities, the poverty of life under the Japanese government, and the brave
guerilla exploits.

Filipino Poetry during this period

The common theme of most poems during the Japanese occupation was nationalism, country, love, life
in the barrios, religion, and the arts.

REBIRTH OF FREEDOM (1946-1970)

The early post-liberation period was marked by a kind of "struggle of mind and spirit" posed by the
sudden emancipation from the enemy, and the wild desire to see in print. Literary writing in vernacular
became popular. The writers had a better knowledge of their craft and enjoyed political activism.

Short Story During Rebirth Of Freedom

Example:

1. "Plighted Word” by Narciso G. Reyes

2. "Scent of Apples" by Bienvidino Santos

3. "Cadaver" by Alberto S. Florintino

4. They Called It "Brotherhood" by Maximo v. Soliven

5. "Kwento Ni Mabuti" by Genoveva Edroza

Poetry During Rebirth Of Freedom

Example:

"When I see a Barong-Barong" by Maximo Ramos

PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)

According to Pociano Penida, youth activism was due to domestic and worldwide causes. Because of the
ills of society, the youth moved to seek reforms.

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.

PERIOD OF NEW SOCIETY (1972-1980)

This period 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. 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 on
reading magazines and comics.

PERIOD OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1981-1995)

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." Poems during this period
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.

POST-EDSA 1 REVOLUTION (1986-1999)

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. 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

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 Information and Communication Technology (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 Literature Genres

1. ILLUSTRATED NOVEL
An Illustrated Novel is a story or narrative told through words complemented by illustrated images. In
most illustrated fiction, 50% of the narrative is presented without words while some may not contain
any text at all, so the reader must interpret the images to comprehend the story completely.

Some examples include The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick and The Arrival by Shaun Tan.

2. DIGI-FICTION

Digi-Fiction is also called Triple Media Literature. It uses the combination of three media: book,
movie/video, and internet website to tell a narrative, so readers must engage in navigating, reading, and
viewing in all three forms to comprehend the full story.

Examples of digi-fiction include Patrick Carman's Skeleton Creek and Anthony Zuiker's Level 26.

3. GRAPHIC NOVEL

Graphic novels are rarratives told in comic strip formata anil pulilistied as a book. To differentiate from
illustrated fiction, graphic novela tell a story using a combination of words and pictures in a sequence
across the page. The term is employed in a broad manner, encompassing non-fiction works and
thematically linked short stories as well as fictional stories across several genres.

Archie Comics by John Goldwater and illustrator, Bob Montana, and The Death of Captain Marvel by Jim
Starlin are good examples.

4. MANGA

Manga is the Japanese word for comics. It is used in the English-speaking world as a generic term for all
comic books and graphic novels originally published in Japan. Manga-style comics created by American
artists are sometimes called Ameri manga.

Some Manga categories include the following:

Shonen-Boy's Manga (Naruto, Bleach, One Piece)

Shojo-Girl's Manga (Sailormoon)

Seinen-Men's Manga (Akira)

Juseil Women's Manga (Loveless, Paradise Kiss)

Kodomo-Children's Manga [Dorsemen, Hello Kitty)

5. DOODLE FICTION

Doodle Fiction is a literary presentation where the author incorporates doodie writing, drawings, and
handwritten graphics in place of the traditional font. Doodles are simple drawings or random shapes and
lines that may or may not have concrete representational meanings. These enhance the story, often
adding humorous elements.

Examples include The Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney and Timmy Failure by Stephan Pastis

6. TEXT-TALK NOVELS

Text-Talk Novel are stories tild almost entirely in dialogue simulating social network exchanges.
Narratives nee urually presented in blog, emal, and If finatant messaging) format. Jenny Ruth Almocera's
Vince and Kath released by ABS-CBN publishing is a good example of this genre

7. CHICK LIT CHICK LITERATURE

Chick Lit is an often humorous and liglithearted fiction which addresses issues of modern wemanhood.
Stories may include romantic relationships, friendships, and iseuns in the workplace. It generally targets
young women readers

Scarlet Bailey's The night before Christmas and Miranda Dickinson's It started

with a Kiss are examples of this.

8. FLASH FICTION

Flash Fiction is a story narrated in an extremely brief way, but still offers plot and character
development and implies a larger story. It could range from a word to a thousand. Varieties of flash
fiction identified by word count include six-word stories 16 wards), drabble or minisaga (50 warda), 280-
character story or twitterrature (280 words of a story in one tweet) drabble or microfiction (100 words),
sudden fiction (750 words and flash fiction (1,000 wurdej

Here are examples of flash fictions specifically six-word stories:

• For sale: baby socks, never worn. (Written by Ernest Hemingway)

Longed for him. Got him, Shit. (Written Margaret Atwood)

9. CREATIVE NONFICTION

Creative nonfiction is also known as literary nonfiction or narrative nenfiction. It is a genre of writing
that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives.
In contrast with other nonfiction, such as technical writing or journaliam, which ie alas rooted in
accurate fact, it is not primarily written in service to its craft.

As a genre, creative non-fiction is still relatively young and is only beginning to be scrutiniard with the
same critical analysis given to fiction and poetry.

1000 Gifts by Ann Voacamp and Wind, Band, and Stars by Antoine de Saint Haupery are examples.

10. SCIENCE FICTION

Science Fiction in a genre of speculative fiction dealing with imaginative concepts such as fubaristic
sonce and technology, space travel, time travel, faater than light travel, a parallel universe and
extraterrestrial life

it often explores the potential consequences of scientific and other innovations and has been called a
"literature of ideas

Examples include Suzarme Collins Mockingjay and Sarah Maas' Kingdom of Aah.

11. BLOG

A Blog (shortened form of Weblog) is a website containing short articles called posts that are updated
regularly. Some blogs are written by one person containing his or her own opinions, interests and
experiences, while others are written by different people. Kryz Uy's Break My Style which includes
sturies of her travel and style is one of the most followed blogs in the country.

12. HYPER POETRY

Hyper poetry is digital poetry that uses links and hypertext mark-up. It can esther irwolve set words,
phrases, lines, etc. that are presented in variable order but sit on the page much as traditional poetry
does, of it can contain parts of the poem that move and transform.

It is usually found online, but CD-ROM and diacette versions exist. The earliest examples date to no later
than the mid-1980s.