 What was the last story that

you have read? What can you

say about it?
 When did you read it?
 Do you like to read? Why or

why not?
21ST C E N T U RY L I T E R AT U R E
FROM THE PHILIPPINES
A N D T H E WO R L D

I N T R O D U C T I O N TO P H I L I P P I N E L I T E R AT U R E
WHAT IS
LITERATURE?
 Is a body of written works.
Originated from oral traditions.
Are imaginative works.
Deals with stories and poetry.
 The content depends on

the author.
Three Points of Literature
 Literature portrays human experience.

 Authors interpret these

human experiences.
 It is an art form and a style

of expression
 THE PHILIPPINE
L I T E R A RY P E R I O D S
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)
 This existed before the Spanish occupation in the
1500s.
 It is oral in nature and is full of lessons and ideas

about life, its blessings, and its consequences.

 It contains ideas from birth to the grave.

 The oral characteristic of pre-colonial literature

gives the possibility for many alterations.

 In the Philippine context, no matter how it may be

considered as altered, pre-colonial literature is still

revered to by many Filipinos.
 The sources are usually the local native town folk.
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)
Forms
1. Oral Literature 3. Folk Tales
a. Riddles a. Myths
b. Proverbs b. Legends
2. Folk Songs c. Fables
a. Lullabies d. Epics
b. Drinking Songs
c. Love Songs
d. Songs of Death
e. Religious Songs
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)
RIDDLES
 These are statements that contain superficial
words, but they function figuratively and as
metaphors, and are in the form of questions.
 These are questions that demand deeper

answers.
 Deals with everyday life.

 It usually has mundane things as answers.

 This is used in the past as a form of game in small

or large gatherings
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

PROVERBS
 These are statements that are considered as
wise.
 These are usually given by parents or elders

of the community.
 There is belief that experience is the best

teacher.
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

FOLK SONGS
 These are folk lyrics that are usually chanted.
 These usually contain ideas on aspirations,

hopes, everyday life and expressions of love for

loved ones.
 It is bounded by the learning of good morals.

 It is easy to understand because it is

straight- forward and not figurative in nature
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

FORMS OF FOLK SONGS

 Lullabies

These is locally known as the Hele. These

are sung to put to sleep babies. The content
varies, but usually, parents sing these with
ideas on how hard life is and how they hope
that their child will not experience the
hardships of life
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

FORMS OF FOLK SONGS

 Drinking Songs

These are locally known as Tagay and are

sung during drinking sessions.
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

FORMS OF FOLK SONGS

 Love Songs

To many Filipinos, these are known as the

Harana. It can also be called Courtship
Songs and are used by young men to capture
the heart of the girl that they love.
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

FORMS OF FOLK SONGS

 Religious Songs
These are songs or chants that are usually
given during exorcisms and thanksgiving
during good harvest.
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

FORMS OF FOLK SONGS

 Songs of Death
These are lamentations that contain the roll
of good deeds that the dead has usually done
to immortalize his or her good image.
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

F O L K TA L E S
 These are stories of native Filipinos.
 These deal with the power of nature

personified, their submission to a deity usually

Bathala- and how this deity is responsible for
the blessings and calamities.
 These also tackle about irresponsibility, lust,

stupidity, deception, and fallibility that

eventually leads to the instilling of good morals.
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

F O L K TA L E S
Usual Themes:
• Ceremonies needed to appease the deities.
• Pre and Post apocalypse
• Life and Death
• Gods and Goddesses
• Heroes and Heroines
• Supernatural beings
• Animals
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

F O R M S O F F O L K TA L E S
 Myths

These tackle the natural to strange occurences of

the earth and how things were created with an aim
to give an explanation to things.
-There is Bathala for the Tagalogs and the
Gueurang for the Bikolanos.
- Paradise is known as Maca, while Hell is
Kasanaaan
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

F O R M S O F F O L K TA L E S
 Legends

Through legends, the natives understood

mysteries around them. These stories
usually come with a moral lesson that give
credit to supernatural powers, supernatural
occurences, and other out-of-this-world
native imagination.
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

F O R M S O F F O L K TA L E S
 Fables

These are short or brief stories that cater the

children of the native Filipinos and are
usually bounded by good manners and right
conduct. These stories use animals as
characters that represent particular value
or characteristic.
 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
( BC – 1534)

F O R M S O F F O L K TA L E S
 Epics

These are very lengthy narratives that are

based on oral traditions. These contain
encounters of fighters, stereotypical princes
or heroes that save a damsel in distress.
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
 The start of the Philippine's more colorful
history took place in March 15, 1521 when
Ferdinand Magellan docked on the shores of
Homonhon.
 The Filipinos were then called “Ladinos”,

meaning they were latinized.

 Filipinos were called two things. One is the

“Taga-Bayan”, while the other is the “Taga-

bukid” or “Taga-bundok”.
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
A person who is a Taga-bayan is
considered urbane and civilized and were
in easy range of the church and state.
 A person who is a Taga-bundok or

Taga- bukid is called a Bruto Salvage

(Savage Brute) or Indio and were the
ones who lived far from the center of the
Spanish
power.
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
Forms 3. Propaganda
1. Religious Literature
a. Pasyon Literature
b. Senakulo
c. Komedya 4. Revolutionary
2. Secular or Non- Literature
Religious
Literature
a. Awit
b. Korido
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
 Religious Literature
It revolves around the life and death of
Jesus Christ
Forms
a. Pasyon – it is about the passion
(journey and suffering) and the death
of Jesus Christ
b. Senakulo – it is the re-enactment of
the Pasyon
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
c. Komedya- it depicts the European
society through love and fame, but can
also be a narrative about a journey, just
like Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. It
is also considered religious, because it
usually depicts the battle between the
Christians and the Saracens or the
Moros
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
 Secular or Non-religious Literature
Revolves around tales of valiance and
adventure.
Forms
a. Awit – these are tales of chivalry
where a knight saves a princess.
Florante at Laura is a good example.
b. Korido- is a metrical tale or a tale
that follows the structure of a
poem.
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
c. Prose Narratives - are easy to
understand instructional materials in
a literary light that teaches Filipinos on
proper decorum. Pagsusulatan ng
Dalawang Binibini na si Urbana at
Feliza (1864) is a good example.
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
Propaganda Literature
 These were in the forms of satires,
editorials, and news articles that aimed
to attack the Spanish Rule.
 The propaganda trinity is composed of

Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H . Del Pilar, and

Graciano Lopez Jaena.
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
Propaganda Literature
 Examples:

Graciano Lopez J a e n a
a. Ang Fray Botod
b. La Hija del Fraile (The Child of the
Friar)
c. Everything is Humbug ( Everything is
Mere Show
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
Propaganda Literature
 Examples:

Marcelo H. del Pilar

a. Kaiingat Kayo (Be Careful)
b. Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and
Jokes)
c. Ang Cadaquilaan ng Dios (God’s
Goodness)
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
Propaganda Literature
 Examples:

Dr. J os e Rizal
a. Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
Revolutionary Literature
 These are exposes that sparked revolution

and resistance in the hearts of

Filipinos.
 Examples:

Andres Bonifacio
a. Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Anak
ng Bayan (Obligations of Our
Countrymen)
b. Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
Revolutionary Literature
 Examples:

Emilio Jacinto
a. Liwanag at Dilim (Light and Darkness)

Apolinario Mabini
a. El Desarollo y Caida dela Republica
Filipina (The Rise and Fall of
the Philippine Republic)
S PA N I S H P E R I O D (1521 - 1898)
Revolutionary Literature
 Examples:

J o s e Rizal
a. El Filibusterismo

Publications
a. El Heraldo dela Revolucion
b. La Independencia
c. La Republica Filipina
d. La Libertad
 AMERICAN PERIOD
(1900 - 1942)
The Philippines had a great leap in
Education and Culture.
 The use of English alongside Filipino was

practiced.
 The Philippines Public School system was

introduced.
 Free public instruction was given to the

Filipinos.
AMERICAN PERIOD
(1900 - 1942)
 The literature during the American period
was considered as imitative of
American model. Instead of asking the
students to write originals, students
ended up following the form of
American poets.
 AMERICAN PERIOD
(1900 - 1942)
Forms
1. Poetry
Poetry under the American rule still followed the
style of the old, but had contents that ranged from
free writing to societal concerns under the Americans.
2. Drama
It was usually used in the American period to degrade
the Spanish rule and to immortalize the heroism of
the men who fought under the Katipunan.
3. Remake Novels
It took up Dr. Jose Rizal's portrayal of social
conditions by colonial repression.
 AMERICAN PERIOD
(1900 - 1942)
Poetry
 Jose Corazon de J esus (1832-1896) popularly
known as “Batute,” created his own generation with
his first book of poems.
 Mga Gintong Dahon (1920)- were poems pre-

occupied with such non-traditional themes as

passion-slaying, grief-induced, insanity, and lover’s
suicide.
 S a Dakong Silangan (1928)- returned to the awit

form, retelling the history of Philippines under

Spain, the coming of the U. S under the guise of
friendship to overthrow Spain
 AMERICAN PERIOD
(1900 - 1942)
Drama
 Severino Reyes (1861-1942) – spearheaded a
movement to supplant the komedya with a new type
of drama, the sarsuwela, a Filipino adaptation of the
Spanish zarzuela.
Examples:
Walang Sugat (1902)- is a sarsuwela (drama in the
form singing) drawn from the period of Revolution,
depicting the cruelty and corruption of friars and the
heroism of the soldiers of the Katipunan.
 AMERICAN PERIOD
(1900 - 1942)
Drama
Other successful sarsuwelas:
 Hindi Aco Patay (1903) by J u a n Matapang Cruz

 Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas (1903) by Aurelio

Tolentino- is an allegorical presentation of the

history of the nationalist struggle and how the
U, S . frustrated the Philippine revolution.
 Tanikalang Guinto (1902) by J u a n Abad (1872-

1932)- is about Liwanag and K’Ulayaw, lovers who

stand for freedom and the Filipino.
 AMERICAN PERIOD
(1900 Novels
Remake - 1942)
 Gabriel Beato Francisco (1850-1935)- is best
known for his trilogy of Fulgencia Galbillo (1907),
Capitan Bensio (1907), Alfaro (1909), depicting the
30 years of colonial repression by the Spanish rule.
 Inigo Ed. Regalado (1888-1976)- Madaling Araw

(1909) was his first novel showing the complex

interrelations of issues and people in contemporary
Philippine society.
 J u a n Lauro Arsciwals (1889-1928)- Lalaking

Uliran o Tulisan (1914), allusion to the colonial

law that branded Filipino patriots as bandits.
J A PA N E S E P E R I O D (1941 -
1945)
 The
Philippine literature came into a halt.
 The use of the English language was forbidden, and
the use of the Filipino language was mandated
under the Japanese rule.
 For some this was a problem, but to most writers,

it was a blessing in disguise.

 Almost all news papers were stopped except for

some.
 Filipino literature was given a break during

this
period. Many wrote plays, poems, short stories,
etc. Topics and themes were often about life in the
J A PA N E S E P E R I O D (1941 -
1945)
Forms
1. Poetry
2. Fiction
3. Drama
4. Newspapers
5. Essays
 J A PA N E S E P E R I O D (1941 -
1945)
Poetry
The common theme of most poems during the
Japanese occupation was nationalism, country,
love, and life in the barrios, faith, religion and the
arts.

Fiction
The field of the short story widened during the
Japanese Occupation. Many wrote short stories.
 J A PA N E S E P E R I O D (1941 -
1945)
Drama
The drama experienced a lull during the Japanese
period because movie houses showing American films
were closed. The big movie houses were just made to
show stage shows. Many of the plays were
reproductions of English plays to Tagalog.
Newspapers
Writings that came out during this period were
journalistic in nature. Writers felt suppressed but
slowly, the spirit of nationalism started to seep into
their consciousness. While some continued to write,
the majority waited for a better climate to publish
their works
J A PA N E S E P E R I O D (1941 -
1945)
Essays
Essays were composed to glorify the Filipinos
and at the same time to figuratively attack the
Japanese.
C O N T E M P O R A RY P E R I O D
The Rebirth of Freedom (1946-1970)

 The Americans returned in 1945.

 On July 4, 1946, the Philippines regained its

freedom
 The early post-liberation period was marked by a

kind of “struggle of mind and spirit” and the wild

desire to see print.
 Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived during

this period (Japanese brutality, poverty and brave

guerilla exploits)
C O N T E M P O R A RY P E R I O D
Period of Activism (1970-1972)

 Many young people became activists to ask for

changes in the government and became
completely rebellious.

 Campus newspapers showed rebellious emotions.

The once aristocratic writers developed awareness
for society. (MAKIBAKA)
C O N T E M P O R A RY P E R I O D
Period of the New Society (1972-1980)
 Themes in most writings dealt with the
development or progress of the country : Green
Revolution, family planning, proper
nutrition, environment, drug addiction and
pollution.
 Campaign to stop pornography or those writings

giving bad influences on the morals of the people.

 All school newspapers were temporarily stopped

and so with school organizations.

C O N T E M P O R A RY P E R I O D

Period of the New Society (1972-1980)

 The government led in reviving old plays and

dramas : Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo and the

Embayoka of the Muslims which were presented
in the rebuilt Metropolitan Theater, the Folk Arts
Theater and the Cultural Center of the
Philippines.

 Radio continued to be patronized during this

period.
C O N T E M P O R A RY P E R I O D
Period of the New Society (1972-1980)
 A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulng Pilipino
(Yearly Filipino Film Festival) was held during
this time.
 During period of the New Society,
this donned new forms. News on
newspapers
economic progress, discipline, culture, tourism
and the like were favored more than the
sensationalized reporting of killings, rape and
robberies.
C O N T E M P O R A RY P E R I O D
Period of the New Society (1972-1980)

 Bilingual education which was initiated by the

Board of National Education as early as 1958 and
continued up to the period of Martial Rule in
September 21, 1972, resulted in the deterioration
of English in the different levels of education. The
focus of education and culture was on problems of
national identity, on re-orientation, renewed
vigor and a firm resolve to carry out plans and
programs.
C O N T E M P O R A RY P E R I O D
Period of the Third Republic (1981-1985)

 Afterten 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.

 Poems during this period of the Third Republic

were romantic and revolutionary. Writers wrote
openly of their criticism against the government.
The supplications of the people were coached in
fiery, colorful, violent, profane and insulting
language.
C O N T E M P O R A RY P E R I O D
Period of the Third Republic (1981-1985)

 Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were

really true-to-life like those of grief, poverty,
aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country
and of fellowmen.
 The yearly Festival of Filipino Films continued to

be held during this period.

 C O N T E M P O R A RY P E R I O D
1986-1999

 History took another twist. more, the

Filipino
Once people regained their
independence which they lost twenty years ago.

 In the span of four days from February 21-25,

1986, the so-called People Power (Lakas ng
Bayan) prevailed. Together, the people
barricaded the streets petitioning the government
for changes and reforms.
C O N T E M P O R A RY P E R I O D
1986-1999
 Newspapers which were once branded crony

newspapers became instant opposition papers

overnight. This was true of B U L L E T I N TODAY
which became the opposition paper.
 The Philippine revolution of 1986 and the fire of

its spirit that will carry the Filipinos through

another epoch in Philippine history is still being
documented just as they have been in the
countless millions who participated in body and
spirit in its realization.