A.

PRE-SPANISH OR PRECOLONIAL LITERATURE

Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday life as trace in our folk stories, old
plays and short stories. Literature is oral in nature or passed down through generations through word of
mouth.
BAYBAYIN – Oldest and first form of writing in the Philippines. It has 3 vowels and 14 consonants.
B. LITERARY FORMS
1. ORAL LITERATURE
 Proverbs (Salawikain) – are wise saying or statements of practical wisdom that
expresses norms, rules and guidelines on proper behavior, values and beliefs.
 Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan. The battle of wits and keenness. These are made up of
one or more measured lines with rhyme and may consist of four to 12 syllables.
 Chant (Bulong). Used in witchcraft or enchantment.
2. FOLK SONGS
 Kundiman – Love song
 Kumintang o Tagumpay – war song
 Kalusan – working songs.
 Oyayi o Hele – lullaby songs.
 Ambahan- 7 syllables per line and is about human relationships and entertainment.
 Tagay- drinking song
 Tagulaylay – song for the dead
3. FOLK NARRATIVES
 Fables. These deal with animals and inanimate things who speak and act like people and
their purpose is to enlighten the minds of children to events that can mold their ways
and attitudes.
 Epic. This is an extended narrative about heroic exploits often under supernatural
control.
 LEGENDS. Legends are a form of prose the common theme of which is about the origin
of a thing, place, location or name.
 Myth – a type of story that narrates the activities of god and goddess and explains
natural phenomenon
 Fantastic Stories – stories that dealt with underworld characters such as tiyanak, kapre,
aswang and others.

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 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.
2. Nuestra Señora del Rosario. The second book printed in the Philippines was written by Fr. Blancas de
San Jose in 1602. It contains the biographies of saints, novenas, and questions and answers on religion.
3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre - This is the first book printed in typography which
contain things one can expect after life. (Death, Judgement, Hell, Glory)
4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat. This is a Biblical story and the first Tagalog novel published in the
Philippines.
5. The Pasion. This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ. It is read only during Lent.
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.
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.
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 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. Its objective is to
celebrate, praise, respect and offer love to the Blessed Cross by St. Helena.
3. The Cenaculo – this is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus
Christ.
4. Panunuluyan –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.
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.
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 problem.
8. The Sainete – this was a short musical comedy popular during the 18 th century. They were
exaggerated comedies shown between acts of long plays and were mostly performed by characters
from the lower classes.
9. Moro-moro. 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 rescue party where fighting between the
Moros and the Christians ensue.
F. POETRY
1. 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. Here a girl will ask him a riddle and if he is able to answer, he will offer the ring to the
girl.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Awit (Song). These have measures of twelve syllables (dodecasyllabic) and slowly sung to the
accompaniment of a guitar or banduria. Example: FLORANTE AT LAURA by Franciso Balagtas

5. Corrido (Kurido). These have measures of eight syllables (octosyllabic) and recited to a martial beat.
Example: IBONG ADARNA