21st Century Literatures from

the Philippines and the World

Quarter 1 - Module 1 Philippine Literary
History
 At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:

a. Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history

PHILIPPINE from pre-colonial to the contemporary ( );

LITERATURE IN b. Identify representative texts and authors from each region (e.g. engage in oral

PRE-COLONIAL history research with focus on key personalities from the students’ region/provinces( );

c. Compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the ones from the
PERIOD
earlier genres/periods citing their elements, structures and traditions( ); and

d. Discuss how different contexts enhance the text’s meaning and enrich the

reader’s understanding ( ).
WHAT IS LITERATURE?

• The word literature is derived from the Latin term litera

which means letter. It has been defined differently by
various writers. These are the following:
• 1. Literature expresses the feelings of people to
society, to the government, to his surroundings, to his
fellowmen, and to his Divine Creator. (Brother Azurin)
WHAT IS LITERATURE?

• 2. Literature is anything that is printed as long as it is

related to the ideas and feelings of the people, whether it
is true, or just a product of one’s imagination. (Webster)
• 3. “True literature is a piece of written work which is
undying. It expresses the feelings and emotions of
people in response to his everyday efforts to live, to be
happy in his environment and, after struggles, to reach
his Creator” (PANITIKANG FILIPINO)
LITERARY HISTORY/EVOLUTION
OF THE PHILIPPINES

•
1. Pre-Colonial Period
•  The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the
Roman alphabet.
•  Ancient literatures were written on the perishable materials
like dried leaves, bamboo cylinder, and bark of the trees.
•  Literatures were handed down to us through the word of
mouth.
THERE WERE TWO LITERARY FORMS
DURING THE PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD:

A. Written literatures
• Examples:
• a. Riddles or bugtong. These are effective ways to inculcate the
ability of logical thinking of a child.
• b. Epigrams or salawikain. It reflects the hidden meaning
through the good lines. It provides good values.
• c. Poems or tanaga – These are common forms of poetry which

has a quatrine with 7 syllables each with the same rhyme a

THERE WERE TWO LITERARY FORMS
DURING THE PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD:

B. Oral literatures
• Examples:
• a. Chant. It is used in witchcraft and enchantment. While, ambahan is
a traditional poetry of Hanunoo Mangyans of Oriental Mindoro which
teaches lesson about life. It is recited by parents to educate their
children by the youth expressing their love, by the old to impart
experiences, or by the community in tribal ceremony.
(slideshare.net/mobile/jessacerbito…)
• b. Balagtasan .This is a Filipino form of debate done in verse.
• The term is derived from the surname of Francisco Balagtas the
author of Filipino epic Florante at Laura.
2. THE SPANISH COLONIAL
PERIOD (1565-1897)
• Sixteenth Century was the start of the deprivation of
the indigenous Philippine literature. Spanish colonial
government finally got in the scene. They were able
to manipulate literature by monopolizing it under the
religious orders. Literature evolves mainly on the
themes of Spanish/ European culture and of course,
the Roman Catholic religion.
LITERARY INFLUENCES DURING
SPANISH COLONIZATION
• a. Christian Doctrine or Doctrina Christiana was the first book
ever printed in the Philippines in 1593 by the Dominican
press.
• b. Libro de la Lengua Tagala by Fernando Bagongbanta
.Tagalog translations to the Spanish lines, still the superiority of
the Spanish language.
• c. Pasyon influenced by the Spanish contexts of Christianity, at
least they embodied several Filipino sentiments and values
(the feeling of Filipino mother towards a suffering son).
FILIPINO WRITERS IN SPANISH BECAME
CONSCIOUS FOR THE SEARCH FOR
FREEDOM

• a. Pasyon Dapat Ipag-alab ng Puso by Marcelo H. del Pilar expressed his rebellious
writing style was identified.

• b. Pascual Poblete’s Patnubay sa Binyagan associated Filipinos’ struggle for

independence with Jesus’ life.

• c. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo made very powerful contributions
among the Filipinos the introduction of rejecting Spanish rule. He also influenced the
succeeding writers.

• d. The narrative poems Awit and Corrido talked about world of royals, warriors and lovers
(the basic concept in Florante at Laura).

• e. Komedya. Francisco Baltazar’s Florante at Laura embodied the concept of colonization

and oppression which gave voice to their revolutionary action towards freedom.
3. THE AMERICAN COLONIAL
PERIOD (1898-1945)

• Philippine literature in Spanish was starting to lose its track on the

first decade.
•  The poems of Fernando Ma. Guerrero (Crisalidas), Balmori’s
Se deshojo la Flor novel, and many others discussed revolution
and sentiments for patriotism and reform proved that Philippine
literature was used to claim freedom from the colonizers.
•  Even if Philippine literature was in English, the preservation of
the content for Filipino experiences was achieved.
4. THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
(1946 TO PRESENT)
• This period started during the rebirth of freedom in
(1946-to present). The Americans returned in 1945.
Filipinos rejoiced and guerrillas that fled to the
mountain joined the liberating American Army. On
July 4, 1946, the Philippines regained its freedom
and the Filipino flag waved joyously alone. The
chains were broken.
4. THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
(1946 TO PRESENT)
• 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 print.
• A. Heart of The Islands (1947) – a collection of poems by Manuel Viray
• b. Philippines Cross Section (1950) – a collection of prose and poetry
by Maximo Ramos and Florentino Valeros
• c. Prose and Poems (1952) – by Nick Joaquin
• d. Philippine Writing (1953) – by T.D. Agcaoili
• e. Philippine Havest – by Amador Daguio
4. THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
(1946 TO PRESENT)

• f. Horizons Least (1967) – a collection of works by the professors of UE,

mostly in English (short stories, essays, research papers, poem and
drama) by Artemio Patacsil and Silverio Baltazar. The themes of most
poems dealt with the usual love of nature, and of social and political
problems. Toribia Maño’s poems showed deep emotional intensity.
• g. Who Spoke of Courage in His Sleep – by NVM Gonzales
• h. Speak Not, Speak Also – by Conrado V. Pedroche
• i. Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L. Tiempo, Jose Garcia
Villa’s Have Come, Am Here has won acclaim both here and abroad
THE NEW FILIPINO LITERATURE
DURING THIS PERIOD

• Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived

during this period. Most themes in the writings
dealt with Japanese brutalities, of the poverty
of life under the Japanese government and
the brave guerilla exploits.
A. PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)

• Many young people became activists to ask

for changes in the government. In the
expression of this desire for change, keen
were the writings of some youth who were
fired with nationalism in order to emphasize
the importance of their petitions.
THE LITERARY REVOLUTION

• The youth became completely rebellious during this

period. This was proven not only in the bloody
demonstrations and in the sidewalk expressions but
also in literature. Campus newspapers showed
rebellious emotions. The once aristocratic writers
developed awareness for society. They held pens
and wrote on placards in red paint the equivalent of
the word MAKIBAKA (To dare!).
WRITING DURING THE PERIOD
OF ACTIVISM

• The irreverence for the poor reached its

peak during this period of the mass
revolution. It was also during this period
that Bomba films that discredit our ways as
Filipinos started to come out.
B. 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. Almost all themes in most writings dealt with the
development or progress of the country –like the Green
Revolution, family planning, proper nutrition, environment,
drug addiction and pollution. The New Society tried 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.
FILIPINO POETRY DURING THE PERIOD OF
THE NEW SOCIETY

• Themes of most poems dealt with patience,

regard for native culture, customs and the
beauties of nature and surroundings.
THE PLAY UNDER THE NEW SOCIETY

• The government led in reviving old plays

and dramas, like the 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 AND TELEVISION

• Radio continued to be patronized during this

period. The play series like Si Matar, Dahlia,
Ito Ang Palad Ko, and Mr. Lonely were the
forms of recreation of those without television
 • A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulang Pilipino (Yearly Filipino Film
Festival) was held during this time. During the festival which lasted
usually for a month, only Filipino films were shown in all theaters in
Metro Manila.
• 1. Maynila…Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag written by Edgardo Reyes
and filmed under the direction of Lino Brocka. Bembol Roco was the
FILIPINO lead role.
• 2. Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo, Nora Aunor was the principal
FILMS performer here.
• 3. Ganito Kami Noon…Paano Kayo Ngayon led by Christopher de
Leon and Gloria Diaz.
• 4. Insiang: by Hilda Koronel
• 5. Aguila: led by Fernando Poe Jr., Jay Ilagan and Christopher de
Leon
COMICS, MAGAZINES AND
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
• In this period of the New Society, newspapers donned
new forms. News on economic progress, discipline,
culture, tourism and the like were favored more than the
sensationalized reporting of killings, rape and robberies.
C. 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.
• 1. Filipino Poetry • 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.

• 2. Filipino Songs • 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.
D. REBIRTH OF FREEDOM (1986-PRESENT)

• History took another twist. Once more, the Filipino

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.
ACTIVITY 1

• Make a graphical timeline in

your notebook focusing on
how the literatures for each
literary period (from Pre-
colonial to Contemporary)
proliferated. (Note: Limit 5
timelines only and you can
have your own graphical
design)
ACTIVITY 2

• Research on the literary events in your locality

such as the legend where the name of your
Barangay is derived.