21 Century Literature from

st

the Philippines and the World

Quarter 1: Module 1:

The Philippine Literary History from Pre-colonial

to the Contemporary Period
GOOD DAY!
TRIVIA:

Do you know that literature is as old as its country’s history? It is a

piece of written work which is undying. The word literature
originated from the Latin term “Littera” which means “Letter”

“THERE IS NOTHING BETTER TO STUDY THAN ONE’S OWN

LITERATURE. IT IS NOT JUST SOME SORT OF CRAFTED
MASTERPIECES CONCEIVED AT THE TIP OF THE PEN OF
FILIPINO WRITERS BUT A REFLECTION OF OUR LIFE,
ORIGIN AND IDENTITY.”
-A. R. MONTOJO-
WHAT’S IN
WHAT’S IN
WHAT’S IN
WHAT’S IN
 Guide questions:
1. What is 21st century literature?
• The range of years in 21st century literature was written from the
year 2001 to the present.
2. Why do you need to study literature?
• To trace our rich heritage of ideas which were handed down to us
from our forefathers.
• To understand that we have a great and noble traditions which can
serve as the means to assimilate or fit in other cultures.
• To appreciate our cultural heritage.
• To show love and take pride in our own culture and to show deep
concern for our own literature.
 Before the conquest, early Filipinos already had
their rich literary tradition classified as oral and
written which represents their ethnic group heritage.
They also had their first Filipino alphabet, “Alibata”
as writing system. Yet, due to fact that ancient
literature was written on perishable materials such as
dried leaves, bamboo cylinder and bark of the trees,
only few have survived the ravages of time. Among
the only native systems of writing that have survived
are the syllabaries of the Mindoro Mangyans and the
Tagbanua of Palawan. Others as believed by early
scholars were destroyed by the Spaniards. Oral
literature on the other hand was handed down from
generation to generation through words of mouth.
Different Periods of Philippine Literature
I. PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD (BC to 1564)
 The Pre-Colonial period is the longest period in
the history of Philippine literature. Some of these
early literature is created by ordinary folks to express
tradition, belief, and custom of those times. It is
handed down from generation to generation.
The ancient Folk used native Syllabary wrote
on fragile materials. They also used pointed objects
like sticks, daggers, and iron as pens.
The following are examples of Pre-Colonial literature:
• EPIC – is a long narrative poem recounting heroic deeds.
Example: Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilocano Epic)
• RIDDLES - is a question, a puzzle, a phrase, or a statement devised to get
unexpected or clever answers.
Example: Nang hatakin ko ang baging, nagkagulo ang mga matsing. /
Sagot: Kampana
• PROVERBS – is a short sentence that people often quote, which gives advice
or tells you something about life.
Example: Ang hindi lumingon sa pinangalingan, Hindi makakarating
sa paroroonan.
Kahulugan: The statement shows the importance of “debt of
gratitude”. People who don’t possess this kind of Filipino value may likely not
succeed in the future.
• FOLK TALES - is a story originating in popular culture, typically
passed on by word of mouth.
Example: The Moon and the Sun (Visayan Folk Tale)
• LEGEND – is a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as
historical but unauthenticated.
Example: The Legend of Mayon Volcano (Albay Legend)
• MYTH - is a traditional story, especially one concerning the early
history of a people or explaining some natural or social
phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or
events.
Example: Tungkung Langit and Alunsina (The Visayan
Creation Myth)
II. SPANISH COLONIZATION (1565 to 1898)
Spanish Influences on Philippine Literature

The Spaniards had influenced the Filipino way of

life in many ways even our literature. The first Filipino
alphabet, called ALIBATA, was replaced by Roman script.
Spanish missionaries utilized the stage to propagate
Christian religion and literature was predominantly
religious and moral in character and tone. Spanish and
vernacular languages became the medium of writing.
• DOCTRINA CHRISTIANA – is the first book published in the
Philippines in 1593 which contains teachings on the 10
commandments, 7 deadly sins and the Lord’s prayer written in
both Spanish and Tagalog languages
• FOLK SONG - manifests the artistic feelings of the Filipinos and
shows their innate appreciation for and love of beauty.
Examples are Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen,
Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi, and Atin Cu Pung Sing-sing.
• Lyric Narrative, corrido, pasyon, duplo, karagatan, comedia,
moro moro, cenaculo, Zarzuela, carillo, biographies, saints and
doctrines were some of the famous literary types during this era.
 NATIONALISTIC PROPAGANDA AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD
(1864-1896)
Works of literature in this era planted the seed of nationalism in the
hearts of every Filipino. During this period, the language was slowly shifting
from Spanish to Tagalog and the works of literature were addressed to the
masses instead of addressing only the elite.
The Propaganda movement was established, spearheaded mostly by
the rich young Filipinos who studied liberal arts in Europe and introduced the
Reformist Literature. They were Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar; Graciano
Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma. Panganiban, and
Pedro Paterno. They also wrote the Newspaper “La Solidaridad” which
played a significant part in the Propaganda movement that paved the way to
the Philippine revolution.
 AUTHORS AND THEIR LITERARY WORKS
· Jose P. Rizal- is the Philippine National Hero who wrote Noli Me
Tangere, Mi Ultimo Adios, El Filibusterismo, Sobre La Indolencia
Delos Filipinos and etc. under the Pen name: Dimasalang and
Laong Laan.
· Marcelo H. del Pilar- is widely considered as the Father of
Journalism. He wrote Dasalan at Tocsohan, Pag ibig sa Tinubuang
lupa, Caiingat Cayo, Ang Cadaquilaan nang Dios and etc. using the
Pseudonym: Plaridel.
· Graciano Lopez Jaena- is known as the very fiery orator who
wrote Fray Botod, La Hija del Fraile, Sa mga Filipino and many more
using the Pen name: Diego Laura
· Antonio Luna- is regarded as one of the fiercest
general of his times who fought in the Spanish-American
war, Philippine Revolution and Philippine American war
before his assassination in 1899. He wrote a piece entitled”
Impressionism” under the Pen name: Taga- ilog.
· Mariano Ponce- was an editor- in- chief of the
propaganda movement. Some of his Notable works are: Ang
Wika at Lahi, Cartas Sobre La Revolucion, La Oceania
Espaniola Pseudonyms: Naning, Kalipulako, Tikbalang.
III. THE AMERICAN REGIME (1898 to 1946)
 Essential contribution of American in the Philippine Literature includes the
following:
• English, Spanish, and the vernaculars flourished during the period
• Public school was introduced and English became the official medium of
instruction.
• Short story flourished both in quantity and quality
• The first short story in English “Dead star” by Paz Marquez Benitez was
published in 1925.
• The short story “How My Brother Leon brought home a Wife” by Manuel
Arguilla won First Prize in the Commonwealth Literary Awards.

THEMES
- Desire for freedom - Fight against colonialism and
imperialism
- Love of Country
Literary Periods under American Regime
• Period of Orientation- American rule introduced
significant changes such as orientation to the
democratic way of life and new literary standards.
• Period of Apprenticeship - Filipino writers’
imitated English and American writers.
• Period of Self-Discovery and Growth – Filipino
writers mastered writing in English.
IV. THE JAPANESE PERIOD (1942 to 1945)
The Japanese occupation is called as one of the darkest
days in the history and literary tradition of the Philippines.
Some of the changes in literature during this period are as
follows:
• The field of Short Story widened during this period.
• Many Plays were reproduction of English plays to
Tagalog
• The common theme of Filipino poetry were nationalism,
country, love, life in the barrios, faith, religion, and the arts.
Three types of poems emerged during this period:
a. HAIKU- a very short Japanese poem of three verse. An
unrhymed poetics form consisting of 17 syllables
arranged in 3 lines of 5, 7, 5, syllables.

Example: ANYAYA
Ulilang Damo / 5
Sa tahimik na ilog / 7
Halika, Sinta / 5
-Gonzalo K. Flores
b. TANAGA –. Consists of four lines with seven syllables
each with the same rhyme at the end of each line --- that
is to say a 7-7-7-7 Syllabic verse.

Example: Ikaw lang, walang iba / 7

Ikaw lang nakikita / 7
Ng aking mata, Sinta / 7
At sana’y maniwala / 7
c. KARANIWANG ANYO (Usual Form)
CONTEMPORARY/MODERN PERIOD (1960-PRESENT)
A. Characteristics
• Martial Law curtailed human rights, including freedom of the press.
• Writers used symbolisms and allegories to drive home their message at
the face of heavy censorship.
• Writers used native languages as main tool of literary expression rather
than foreign Languages.
• Theater was used as a vehicle for protest, such as the PETA (Philippine
Educational Theater Association) and UP Theater.
• From the eighties onwards, writers continue to show dynamism and
innovations.
• Literary types: Poetry, short story, drama, essays, novels.
• Themes: Love of Nature, social and Political problems.
Notable works:

• HEART OF THE ISLANDS (1947) –a collection of poems

by Manuel Viray.
• PHILIPPINES CROSS SECTION (1950) –a collection of
prose and poetry by Maximo Ramos and Florentine
Valero’s.
• PROSE AND POEMS (1952) –by Nick Joaquin.
• PHILIPPINE WRITING (1953) –by T.D. Agcaoili
Questions:
1. Who is the speaker in the poem?
2. What does the poem talk about?
3. Where is the poem from?
4. What is the message of the poem in the 1st stanza? 2nd
stanza?
5. What makes marble a part of our culture and tradition?
(Differentiated Instructions or Activities)

The teacher will divide the class into five groups.

Each group will perform a scenario showing the Criteria:
different periods of Philippine Literature.
Content: 10 points
Presentation: 10 points
Group 1 – PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD Creativity: 10 points
Teamwork: 10 points
Group2 – SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD Relevance: 10 points
Group 3 – AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD Total: 50 points
Group 4 – JAPANESE COLONIAL PERIOD
Group 5 – CONTEMPORARY/MODERN
PERIOD
The teacher will ask the following questions:

1. Is it important to study the literature of our

country? Why?
2. How do different periods of Philippine literature
affect our life today?
WRITTEN WORKS
A. Directions: Read and answer the following questions carefully. Write the
letter of your response on your answer paper.
1. What literary Period is considered as the longest period in Philippine
Literature?
A. Spanish Period
B. American Period
C. Pre-Colonial Period
D. Contemporary Period
2. Which of the following is a literary piece written during the Spanish Period?
A. Dead Star by Paz Marquez Benitez
B. Fray Botod by Graciano Lopez Jaena
C. Heart of the Islands by Manuel Viray
D. Ako’y Isang Tinig by Genoveva Edroza Matute
 TUTUBI
Hila mo’y tabak…
Ang bulaklak nanginig
Sa paglapit mo
-Gonzalo K. Flores

3. The above literary piece is an example of what kind of poem?

A. Tanaga C. Haiku
B. Tanka D. Karaniwang Anyo/Usual Form

4. Which of the following dimension of literature is present in the poem “Bloketista”?

I. Ethnic
II. Linguistic
III. Geographic
IV. Biographic

A. I, II B. I, III, IV C. I, II, III D. I, II, III, IV

5. In the poem Bloketista, the author used the Ini dialect
to showcase his expertise of using he language and
make the readers believe that the persona talking in the
poetry is really from
Romblon. What dimension of Philippine literature is
shown?

A. Ethnic C. Geographic
B. Linguistic D. Biographic
B. Directions: Given below are the different literature. Identify in which
Literary Periods they belong. Choose your answer among the options given
inside the box. Write only the letter of your response on your notebook.

A. Pre-Colonial Period C. American Period E. Contemporary Period

B. Spanish Period D. Japanese Period

__________1. Proverbs
________ _2. Tanaga
__________3. Prose and Poems by Nick Joaquin
__________4. Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal
__________5. Dead Star by Paz Marquez Benitez
Thank you!!!