Lovely T.

Pitiquen
ABM 12-A

1. What is Literature?
 Literature broadly is any collection of written or oral work, but its more
commonly and narrowly refers to writing specifically considered to be an art
form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry, in contrast to academic
writing and newspapers. In summary literature covers the major genres of
poetry, drama, novel, and fiction.

2. What are the characteristics of Philippine Literature?

 An exposition of the literature of social truths and fictional imagination. It
caresses the senses of man: the viewer, the hearing, the sensation, the
taste, and the senses. In 2000, Villafuerte attributed this to a life but a
simple word flowing into the human body. The literature has its own
existence because it has its own throbbing and hot blood flowing into the
arteries and nena of every creature and a whole society. The Philippine
literature has always been made with an intent. They were made as a sword
against the enemies during the time they were made.

3. Timeline of Philippine literature

o Pre-Spanish Period
Long before the Spaniard and other foreigners landed on Philippine shores,
our forefathers already had their own literature stamped in the history of our
race. Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday
life as trace in our folk stories, old plays and short stories. Our ancestors
also had their own alphabet which was different from that brought by the
Spaniards. The first alphabet used by our ancestors was similar to that of
the MalayoPolynesian alphabet. Whatever record our ancestors left were
either burned by the Spanish friars in the belief that they were works of the
devil or were written on materials that easily perished, like the barks of
trees, dried leaves and bamboo cylinders which could not have remained
undestroyed even if efforts were made to preserve them. Other records that
remained showed folk songs that proved existence of a native culture truly
our own. Some of these were passed on by word of mouth till they reached
the hands of some publishers or printers who took interest in printing the
manuscripts of the ancient Filipinos. The Spaniards who came to the
Philippines tried to prove that our ancestors were really fond of poetry,
 songs, stories, riddles and proverbs which we still enjoy today and which
serve to show to generations the true culture of our people.
Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by:
 A. LEGENDS
- Legends are a form of prose the common theme of which is about
the origin of a thing, place, location or name. The events are imaginary,
devoid of truth and unbelievable. Old Filipino customs are reflected in these
legends. Its aim is to entertain. Here is an example of a legend is THE
LEGEND OF THE TAGALOGS.
 B. FOLK TALES
-Folk tales are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror
and humor where one can derive lessons about life. These are useful to us
because they help us appreciate our environment, evaluate our personalities
and improve our perspectives in life. An example of this is THE MOON AND
THE SUN.
 C. THE EPIC AGE
- Epics are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic
achievements or events, usually of a hero, are dealt with at length. Nobody
can determine w hich epics are the oldest because in their translations from
other languages, even in English and Spanish. We can only determine their
origins from the time mentioned in the said epics.
Aside from the aforementioned epics, there are still other epics that can be read and
studied like the following epics:
a. Bidasari-Moro epic g. Kumintang-Tagalog epic
b. Biag ni Lam-ang-Ilokano epic h. Parang Sabir-Moro epic i. “Dagoy” at
“Sudsod”-Tagbanua epic
c. Maragtas-Visayan epic j. Tatuaang-Bagobo epic
d. Haraya-Visayan epic k. Indarapatra at Sulayman
e. Lagda-Visayan epic l. Bantugan m. Daramoke-A-Babay – Moro epic
in “Darangan”
f. Hari sa Bukid-Visayan epic

 D. FOLK SONGS
-Folk songs 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 c. Ang Dalit o Imno
b. Kumintang o Tagumpay d. Ang Oyayi o Hele
e. Diana g. Talindaw
f. Soliraning
OTHER FORMS OF PRE-SPANISH POETRY
 E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or Sayings
1. Epigrams (Salawikain). These have been customarily used and served as laws or
rules on good behavior by our ancestors. To others, these are like allegories or parables
that impart lessons for the young.
2. Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan. These are made up of one or more measured
lines with rhyme and may consist of four to 12 syllables.
3. Chant (Bulong). Used in witchcraft or enchantment.
4. Maxims. Some are rhyming couplets with verses of 5, 6 or 8 syllables, each line
having the same number of syllables.
5. Sayings (Kasabihan). Often used in teasing or to comment on a person’s
actuations.
6. Sawikain (Sayings with no hidden meanings)

o The Spanish Period (1565-1898)

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, agriculture and teaching. Many Filipinos
finished their schooling already had been established.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.

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.
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 interspersed with
songs. These are called by various names in different places: Carillo in Manila, Rizal and
Batangas and Laguan; TITRES in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Bataa, Capiz and Negros;
TITIRI in Zambales; GAGALO or KIKIMUT in Pampanga and Tarlac; and ALIALA in La
Union.
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
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

Some use these two interchangeably because distinction is not clear.

o NATIONALISTIC / PROPAGANDA AND REVOLUTIONARY

PERIOD (1864-1896)
Literary Forms:
ii. La Solidaridad
Revolutionary Literature:
La Solidaridad was the name of the all-Filipino organization established by the illustrados
of Barcelona on 13 December 1888, which sought to create Filipino representation in the
Spanish Cortes, abolition of censorship of the press and prohibition of the practice of
deporting citizens merely through administrative orders. it was founded on February 15,
1889 and existed up to November 15, 1895.

Characteristics:
1. Propaganda Literature:

Political Essays

i. Diariong Tagalog
ii. La Solidaridad

iii. Noli Mi Tangere and El Filibusterismo

 Political Essays

i. Kalayaan

 Poetry

i. True Decalogue

ii. Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas

iii. Liwanag at Dilim

iii.i Noli Me Tangere

Noli Me Tangere is a Latin word which means "Touch Me Not" which was mentioned in
the Bible in the book of St. John the Baptist. Rizal described the Spaniards as a disgrace
which provided more hardships to the tlife of the Filipinos. The detailed story about the
sufferings of his countrymen were meant to awaken the Filipinos to the truth that was
adversely affecting the society and which had not been talked about by the people most
probably due to fear with the ruling Spaniards.

1. Planted seeds of nationalism in Filipinos

2. Language shifted from Spanish to Tagalog

3. Addressed the masses instead of the “intelligentsia”

INTELLIGENTSIA

:  intellectuals who form an artistic, social, or political vanguard or elite

"Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas"

"Liwanag at Dilim"
iii.ii El Filibusterismo
i . Diariong Tagalog
"Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas" (apparently written in response to the poems "Hibik ng
Pilipinas sa Inang Espanya" by Hermenegildo Flores and "Sagot ng Espanya sa Hibik ng
Pilipinas" by Marcelo del Pilar), and the immortal "Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Bayan"--some
of the lines of which would be set to music more than 70 years later by Luis Salvador
Jorque and repeatedly performed in rallies and militant cultural presentations. His pen
was also responsible for "Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Anak ng Bayan," a code of
conduct for Katipuneros, and "Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog", an essay which,
though short, relates quite lucidly the hardships of the Philippines under Spanish colonial
rule and calls upon the Filipino people to rise against oppression.
"Kalayaan"

 The theme of the work is well-expressed in the title, for it is an effort, analogous
to that which inspired so many of Rizal's writings, to help his people, especially the
"Anak ng Bayan," to distinguish the true values of Filipinos, represented by light,
from the false ones of darkness.
 Liwanag at Dilim: ito’y katipunan ng mga sanaysay na may iba’t ibang paksatulad
ng mga sumusunod: “Ang ningning at ang liwanag”,

“Ang Tao’y Magkakapantay”,

“kalayaan”,

“Ang Pag-ibig”,

“Ang Bayan at ang mga pinuno”,

“Ang Gumawa”, at

“Ang Maling Pananampalataya”.

"True Decalogue"
Katipunan’s newsletter, was formed and distributed during the late 1800s to stir the
masses’ yearning for freedom. he Katipuneros distributed copies throughout the
Philippine provinces to inform the masses on their cause and to let them know how they
can help the country. Through this advocacy, Katipunan inevitably grew its rank as a
reputable organization fighting for the country’s freedom.

It was the first native daily newspaper founded by Marcelo H. del Pilar in 1882. This
bilingual, Tagalog and Spanish, newspaper existed only from three to five months.

It was the first daily published in the Tagalog text, where the Spanish maladministration
of the Philippines were publicly denounced . Attacks were mostly directed against the
friars whom del Pilar considered to be mainly responsible for the oppression of the
Filipinos.

El Filibusterismo was written about four years after Noli; in it, Rizal reveals a more
mature and less hopeful outlook regarding the political and social situation in the
Philippines. The novel, along with its predecessor, were banned in some parts of the
Philippines as a result of their portrayals of the Spanish goverment's abuse and
corruption. These novels, along with Rizal's involvement in organizations that aim to
address and reform the Spanish system and its issues led to Rizal's exile to Dapitan and
eventual execution.

On 24 June 1898, Apolinario Mabini printed a pamphlet that contained the documents
The True Decalogue and The Constitutional Program of the Philippine Republic, that form
the basic documentation of the programs pertinent to the revolutionary government
being established by the revolutionary government of Aguinaldo, in order for the people,
in Mabini’s words, to “understand that reason and your conscience constitute the only
solid and true basis of your moral education, in the same way that honest work is the
real basis for your material education,” (Palma, 1941, 41).  Mabini continued by stating
that what was contained in the documents were his proposals for the internal revolution
for the people to adopt as their moral and behavioral guide, and for the external
revolution for the revolutionary government to espouse as the framework of
governance.

o U.S. Colonialism Period (1898-1945)

Philippine literature during the American rule was influenced by two factors, first of
which is, education. With the Americans providing free education, many were given the
chance to study and English was used as the language of instruction. Unlike the Spanish,
the foreigners were willing to teach their language to the Filipinos. Free education served
as the stepping stone for others to improve their social status.

Early literary works in English showed styles of which is American. It can also be seen
that writers who just started learning English cannot fully showcase their talent because
of the lack of mastery of the language.

The downfall of the Spanish colonialism freed the printing industry from religious
censorship. With the printing industry in the hands of patriotic investors, the printing
press was used to block the American culture from entering the Philippine lifestyle.
Newspapers in our different dialects flourished all over the archipelago. With some
newspapers having a space for literary pieces, writers were given the chance to show
and prove the true talent of the Filipinos. Some of these newspapers were Muling
Pagsilang (1903, Tagalog), Ang Kaluwasan (1902, Cebuano), Makinaugalingon (1913,
Ilonggo), and Nueva Era (1908, Ilokano). The best known magazines that capitalized on
short stories and poems were Liwayway (1922, Tagalog), Bisaya (1930, Cebuano),
Hiligaynon (1934, Ilonggo), and Bannawag (1934, Ilokano).

Writers during the American Period drew ideas from the Propaganda Movement and the
Revolutionary Movement to encourage the Filipinos to continue to fight against the U.S.
Colonialism. The demand for independence was supported by a campaign to make the
Americans aware of the Filipino culture. Some writers who use the Spanish language
began to shift to the American language for the fact that a larger population can now
comprehend the said language. It is a fact that Filipinos during the Spanish period were
not given the chance to learn the language, resulting in a very small population of
people capable of understanding the literary works.

The literary genres that flourished during the American Period were poetry, sarswela,
short story, and the novel. Poetry was written in the three languages - Filipino, Spanish,
English, and in the different dialects. Some of the known poets during the American
period were Maximo Kalaw, Carlos P. Romulo, Maria Agoncillo, Paz Marquez Benitez,
Salvador P. Lopez, Jose Garcia Villa, Carlos Bulosan, and many others. There were three
collection of poems printed namely Filipino Poetry edited by Rodolfo Dato, The English
German Anthology of Poets edited by Pablo Laslo, and a pre-war collection by Carlos
Bulosan. The balagtasan, named after Francisco F. Balagtas, is a debate in verse, a
poetical joust done almost spontaneously between protagonists who debate over the
pros and the cons of a certain issue. The first ever balagtasan was held in March 1924 at
the Insituto de Mujeres, with Corazon de Jesus and Florentino Collantes as rivals. Jose
Corazon de Jesus, known also as Huseng Batute, became the first ever king of the
Balagtasan.

Short stories in English of early Filipino fictionists are marked with American style. This
all changed with the founding of the U. P. Writers Club in 1926 whose aim was to
enhance and propagate the "language of Shakespeare." With the publication of Paz
Marquez Benitez' "Dead Stars," it was made the landmark of the maturity of the Filipino
writer in English. Many writers followed Benitez like Icasiano Calalang, Arturo Rotor, A.
E. Litiatco, Paz Latorena, and Manuel Arguilla started publishing stories manifesting skills
in the use of the foreign language and a keen Filipino sensibility.

The combination of the foreign language and the culture of a Filipino enabled fictionists
to produce great literary works. The public can now relate to the story because the
public also experiences what the story has to say and they can now understand the
language being used by the writer. Works like "His Native Soil" by Juan C. Laya, "How
My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife" by Manuel Arguilla, and many others depicted
the Filipino life in English. The other novelists of this period are Jose Garcia Villa,
Francisco Arellana, Fernando Maria Guerrero, Amador Daguio, and Sinai Hamada.

With the founding of the Philippine Writers League in 1936, Filipino writers began
discussing the value of literature in the society they live in. This move was led by
Salvador P. Lopez whose works centered on proletarian literature.
It was during the early American period that the sarswela gained popularity. Most of the
sarwelas if not all are directed against the American imperialists. The works of Severino
Reyes ("Walang Sugat") and Patricio Mariano ("Anak ng Dagat") are equally remarkable
sarwelas during the period. Here are the other noted sarswelistas: Aurelio Tolentino,
Juan Abad, Juan Matapang Cruz, and Juan Crisostomo Sotto.

Among the Ilokano writers, noted novelists were Leon Pichay, Hermogenes Belen, and
Mena Pecson Crisologo whose Mining wenno Ayat ti Kararwa is considered to be the
Ilokano version of Noli Me Tangere. Magdalena Jalandoni and Ramon Muzones are the
most prominent writers in the Visayas region. Their works depicted love, farm life, and
the social life the region is having.
The latter stages of the American period continued to produce great poets like Julian
Cruz Blamaceda, Florentino Collantes, Pedro Gatmaitan, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Lope K.
Santos, Alejandro Abadilla, Teodoro Agoncillo, and Inigo Ed. Regalado. They used a
modern style of poetry that is made up of free verse.
Liwayway Arceo and Genoveva Edroza Matute are two fictionist writers that became
popular during the American rule. Their works "Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa" and "Ako'y
Isang Tinig" respectively are used as models for fine writing. Both writers use a style of
storytelling that uses language through poignant rendition. Teodoro Agoncillo's "25
Pinakamahusay na Maikling Kuwento" included the foremost writers of fiction before
World War II.
o JAPANESE OCCUPATION (1942 - 1960)
A.War Years (1942-1944)

1. Tagalog poets broke away from the Balagtas tradition and insteadwrote in simple
language and free verse

2.Fiction prevailed over poetrya.25 Pinakamabuting Maikling Kthang Pilipino (1943) –

compilation of theshort story contest by the military government

i. Suyuan sa Tubigan – Macario Pineda

ii.Lupang Tinubuan – Narciso Reyes

iii.Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa – Liwayway Arceo

B.Period of Maturity and Originality (1945-1960)

1.Bountiful harvest in poetry, fiction, drama and essay

2.Filipino writers mastered English and familiarized themselves iwhtdiverse techniques

3.Literary “giants” appeared

a.Palanca Awards for Literature

i.Jose Garcia Villa ii.Nick Joaquin iii.NVM Gonzales iv.Bienvenido Santos v.Gregorio
Brillantes vi.Gilda CorderoFernando

b.National Artist Awards

i.Jose Garcia Villa ii. Nick Joaquin

o THE TIMELINE OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

VI. CONTEMPORARY/MODERN PERIOD (1960 – PRESENT)
A. Characteristics

1.Martial Law repressed and curtailed human rights, including freedom of thepress

2.Writers used symbolisms and allegories to drive home their message, at theface of
heavy censorship

3.Theater was used as a vehicle for protest, such as the PETA (Phil. Educational Theater
Association) and UP Theater.

4.From the eighties onwards, writers continue to show dynamism and innovation