PHILIPPINE LITERARY

HISTORY FROM PRE-

COLONIAL TO
CONTEMPORARY
PRE-SPANISH
LITERATURE
(900-1565)
Forms of Literature

FOLK TALES - These are made up

of stories about life, adventure, love,
horror and humor where one can
derive lessons about life. An example
of this is THE MOON AND THE SUN.
THE EPIC - Epics are long
narrative poems in which a series
of heroic achievements or events,
usually of a hero, are dealt with at
length.
Ex: Biag-ni-Lam-ang
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.
Here are the examples:
a. Kundiman
b. Kumintang o Tagumpay
c. Ang Dalit o Imno
d. Ang Oyayi o Hele
e. Diana
f. Soliraning g. Talindaw
 (1565-1871)
Literature in this
period may be
classified as
religious prose
and poetry and
secular prose and
RELIGIOUS LITERATURE
- involves man made doctrines
based on his practical beliefs of
what God approves of and what he
does not
 Secular Literature
- is based around myths and
theologies. It has nothing to do with
God, Christ or religion.
SPANISH 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.
FOLK SONGS
It manifests the artistic feelings
of the Filipinos and shows their
innate appreciation for and love
of beauty.
Ex: Leron-Leron Sinta,
Pamulinawen, Dandansoy and
Atin Cu Pung Sing-sing
RECREATIONAL PLAYS
• A play is a scripted story divided
into acts and these acts are
divided into scenes.
• There are many recreational plays
performed by the Filipinos during
the Spanish times. Almost all of
them were in a poetic form such
Cenaculo, Panunuluyan, Salubong
and Zarzuela.
THE PEROID OF ENLIGHTENMENT
(1972-1898)

In 19 Century, Filipino intellectuals

th

educated in Europe called Ilustrados

began to write about the hitch of
 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
• El Filibusterismo
• Mi Ultimo Adios
• Sobre La Indolencia
Delos Filipinos
• Filipinas Dentro De
Cien Anos
 DEL PILAR’S WRITINGS
• Pag-ibig sa Tinunuang Lupa
(Love of Country)
• Kaingat Kayo ( Be Careful)
• Dasalan at Tocsohan
(Prayers and Jokes)
 JAENA’S WRITINGS
• Ang Fray Botod
• 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 writers to write using
English language.
Characteristics of Literature dur
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
English imitated the themes and
methods of the Americans.
 The Japanese Period
(1941-1945)
Between 1941-1945, Philippine
Literature was interrupted in its
development when another foreign
country, Japan, conquered the
Philippines. Philippine Literature in
TRIBUNE and the PHILIPPINE
REVIEW, almost all newspaper in
English were stopped by the Japanese.
Characteristics of Literature duri
this period:
The common theme of most poems
during the Japanese
occupation was nationalism, country,
love, life in the barrios, faith, religion
Three types of poems emerged
during this period:
Haiku
- A poem of free verse that the Japanese
like. It was made up of 17 syllables
divided into three lines.
I hear falling rain,
I hear my thoughts falling to;
All I want is you.
Tanaga
- Filipino poem like the Haiku is short,
but it has measure and rhyme. It has four
lines with seven syllables each with the
same rhyme at the end of each line.
 To you by D.ST James
(SECTION)

The sun rises and it’s felt,

My heart, it weeps and it melts
All the feelings, are heartfelt
But your efforts are misdealt
Karaniwang Anyo
- Usual form, conventional
 Period of Activism
( 1970-1972)
According to Pociano Pineda, youth
activism in 1970-72 was due to
domestic and worldwide causes.
Because of the ills of society, the
The Literary Revolution
The youth became vocal with their
sentiments. They demanded a change
in government. It was manifested in
the bloody demonstrations and the
sidewalk expressions but also in
 Period of the New
Society (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. Filipinos
before were hooked in reading
magazines and comics.
 Period of the Third
Republic (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.” 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 the
country and fellowmen.
Post-Edsa 1 Revolution
(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 change already
became evident. It was noticed in the
new Filipino songs, newspaper, 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.