21st Century Literature

from the Philippines

and the World
Historical Overview of
Philippine Literature:
Colonial Period
OBJECTIVES
1. identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of
Philippine literary history during colonial period;
2. differentiate/compare and contrast the various 21st century
literary genres and the ones from the earlier genres/periods
citing their elements, structures and traditions;
3. determine representative texts and authors during this period
through oral history research; and
4. situate selected texts in the current context to enrich
understanding.
PRE-TEST
1. Even before his death, Rizal affirmed his place in literary
history by succinctly and expertly putting into words his
acceptance of death in the land he so loved
in his last poem. What was the original title of the poem “My
Last Farewell.”?
A. Adios Patria Adorada
B. Mi Amore Adios
C. Mi Ultimo Adios
D. Salve Patria Adios
PRE-TEST

2. Which underground paper was used by the

revolutionists as their mouthpiece
of reform during the revolutionary period?
A. Diaryong Tagalog
B. Doctrina Cristiana
C. La Solidaridad
D. The Decalogue
PRE-TEST

3. The short story "Dead Stars" written by Paz Marquez

Benitez is considered as the first Filipino modern short
story in English. In which period was it written?
A. American Period
B. Contemporary Period
C. Spanish Period
D. 21st Century
PRESTEST

4. Which type of literature flourished during the

Japanese period?
A. Essay
B. Novel
C. Poem
D. Short story
PRESTEST

5. What is the title of the first book printed in the

Philippines?
A. Doctrina Cristiana
B. Ninay
C. Noli Me Tangere
D. Urbana at Felisa
PRETEST

6. Which best describes the literary works during the

early Spanish Period?
A. Bulgar and sarcastic
B. Informal and imitative
C. Nationalistic
D. Religious and secular
PRETEST

7. Which best describes the literary works during the

early American Period?
A. Bulgar and sarcastic
B. Imitative
C. Nationalistic
D. Religious or secular
PRESTEST

8. Which new form of literature first flourished

during the Spanish period?
A. Diary
B. Drama
C. Essay
D. Riddles
PRESTEST
9. What is regarded as the most famous metrical
romance in the Philippines?
A. Biag ni Lam-ang
B. Florante at Laura
C. Ibong Adarna
D. Noli Me Tangere
PRESTEST
10.What was the most prevalent form of literature
during the American and Japanese period?
A. Essay
B. Novel
C. Poem
D. Short story
 Philippine Literature during
Colonial Period
Almost half a decade, after the documented discovery of
the Philippines in 1521 during Ferdinand Magellan's
exploration marks the beginning of the colonial period.

The Spaniards successfully colonized the Philippines for

more than 300 years having evangelization as its main
thrust.
 Philippine Literature during
Colonial Period
American period of colonialism officially took place
after Emilio Aguinaldo surrendered.

The transition period between Spanish and American

colonialism did not run smoothly since resistance among
the native Filipinos who were threatened by the coming of
other colonizers was evident.
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
Philippine literature had been
polished by colonial experiences
of Filipinos during Spanish
Period, American Period, and
Japanese Period.
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
WHO AM I CHECKLIST: How many of your
interests, traits, and characters can you identify as to
Eastern and Western influences? Answer this survey
checklist by putting a check on the column category
that applies to you.
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD (1565-1898)

✔ This can be divided into two major

periods: Early Spanish Period (1565-1863)
and Later Part or Revolutionary Period
(1864-1896).
✔ Early Spanish Period can be categorized
as either religious or secular.
Dimensions of Philippine Literature
✔ The type of literature produced during this period used Spanish, Tagalog,
and the vernacular form of languages.
✔ Spanish was introduced as the medium of communication and later
shifted to Tagalog when a sense of nationalism arose during the
revolutionary period.
✔ The introduction of the printing equipment called xylographic press by
the Dominicans resulted in publication of various religious materials and
earliest books.
Dimensions of Philippine Literature
✔ The type of literature produced during this period used Spanish, Tagalog,
and the vernacular form of languages.
✔ Spanish was introduced as the medium of communication and later
shifted to Tagalog when a sense of nationalism arose during the
revolutionary period.
✔ The introduction of the printing equipment called xylographic press by
the Dominicans resulted in publication of various religious materials and
earliest books.
Dimensions of Philippine Literature
✔ Poetically inclined writers led by Tagalog versifiers
called Ladinos (natives who were also fluent in Spanish)
such as Fernándo Bágongbantâ and Tomas Pinpin tackled
mostly morality and religion.
✔ Folk songs still existed.
✔ Drama, as another type of literary genre, as well as
metrical tales based on European origin (such as awit and
corrido) flourished.
Dimensions of Philippine Literature
✔ Diaryong Tagalog (1882), a Spanish-Tagalog
newspaper, published bulk of Filipino writings. The
publication signaled the open campaign for reforms.
✔ In 1889, the La Solidaridad, an underground
newspaper, became the mouthpiece of the Reform
Movement.
Emergence of Other Types of Literature
during Spanish Colonial Period
✔ Books. In 1593, the book written by
Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo
Nieva entitled "Doctrina Cristiana"
(The Christian Doctrine) was first
printed.
Emergence of Other Types of Literature
during Spanish Colonial Period
Among the other notable books printed are "Nuestra
Señora del Rosario" by Fr. Blancas de San Jose,
"Barláan at Jósaphát" (first published in 1708)
translated from Greek to Tagalog by Fr. Antonio de
Borja, and "Urbana at Felisa" by Modesto de Castro
who is considered as the Father of Classic Prose in
Tagalog.
Emergence of Other Types of Literature
during Spanish Colonial Period
✔ Folk Songs. These were songs modified based on
the folkways of Filipinos during this period.
✔ Recreational Plays. These were mostly poetic in
nature and intended to be performed during the
Spanish era. Cenaculo, Carillo, Zarzuela, Moro-
Moro, Balagtasan, Duplo, and Karagatan are among
the examples.
Emergence of Other Types of Literature
during Spanish Colonial Period
✔ Novels. These are fictitious prose usually
lengthy and complex in nature. Pedro Paterno's
work entitled "Ninay" is the first novel
published by a Filipino author. This was
originally written in Spanish language and
translated into English and Tagalog in 1907 and
1908.
Emergence of Other Types of Literature
during Spanish Colonial Period
✔ Newspapers. There has been a debate on whether
newspapers should be categorized as literature or not.
However, according to Britannica, some high level
journalism like articles written in a newspaper such as
columns and feature articles can be considered as literature
for as long as they achieve a certain level of satisfaction
under aesthetic, chronological, and psychological
characterization.
Some Notable Writers
✔ Francisco Baltazar (1788-1862) was hailed as the "Master of
Traditional Tagalog Poetry". His well-known literary work,
Florante at Laura (1838–1861),
is regarded as the most famous metrical romance of the country.
✔ Pedro Paterno (1857–1911) was the first Filipino who wrote
poetry collection
in Spanish entitled Sampaguitas y poesias varias (1880). His
novel in Spanish Ninay (1885) was considered to be the first
Filipino novel.
Some Notable Writers
✔ Jose Rizal (1861–1896), a prominent ilustrado and the
country’s national hero, is famous for the novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo. These novels portray the
corruption and abuse of the Spanish officials and the
clergy.
✔ Andres Bonifacio (1863–1897), the founder of the
Katipunan, wrote the poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa”
which appeared in the official newspaper of the Katipunan
called Kalayaan in March 1896.
Some Notable Writers
✔ Leona Florentino (1849–1884), known as the
“Mother of Philippine Women’s Literature,” was a
poet in both Ilocano and Spanish. Twenty of her
poems were preserved and exhibited in Europe and
were included in the Encyclopedia Internationaldes
Oeuvres des Femme in 1889.
AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1910-
1945)
✔ American colonial period is divided into two
periods: the period of apprenticeship (1910-
1930) and the period of emergence (1920-
1930).
✔ The surrender of first Philippine President
Emilio Aguinaldo in 1901 signified the end of
the military struggle for independence.
AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1910-
1945)
✔ Aguinaldo promised allegiance to
America but still continued to be very vocal
of achieving independence for the
Philippines.
✔ In 1935, Aguinaldo was soundly defeated
by Manuel L. Quezon as the first President
of the Commonwealth.
Dimensions of Philippine Literature
✔ During the transition period many Filipino
writers still preferred to write in Spanish since
English was still a foreign language to them.
✔ Filipino writers were into all forms of
literature during the period of apprenticeship
but most of their works were critiqued as an
imitation of English and American models.
Dimensions of Philippine Literature
✔ Short stories became the most prevalent literary form
during the latter part of American colonial period.
✔ The existence of American literary works and
periodicals as well as the coming of American teachers
encouraged many aspiring Filipino writers to use the
English language.
✔ A new type of literature began when American system
of education and English language were introduced.
Other Type of Literature Existed during
American Colonial Period

✔ Short Stories. These are stories that can typically be read

in one sitting revolving around one subject and may range
between 1,000 up to 20,000
words. The first short story written in English is entitled
"Dead Stars" by Paz Marquez Benitez.
Some Notable Writers
✔ Juan C. Laya. He won first prize for his novel
"His Native Soil" in the First
Commonwealth Literary Awards in 1940.
✔ Zoilo M. Galang. His work entitled "A Child
of Sorrow" in 1921 is considered
as the first Filipino novel in English.
JAPANESE COLONIAL PERIOD (1942-
1945)
✔ Japan invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941 which was
strongly opposed by the Guerillas.
✔ Captured soldiers and American deportees were forced to have
"Death March" to a prison camp where they walked for 100
kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga.
An estimated 10,000 prisoners died here.
✔ Aguinaldo cooperated with the Japanese to end Filipino and
American opposition.
JAPANESE COLONIAL PERIOD (1942-
1945)
✔ Japanese colonizers failed to gain the trust of Filipinos.
✔ The resurgence of World War II forced former President Manuel L. Quezon and
Vice-President Sergio Osmeña Sr. to immediately leave the Philippines and
sought residence in the United States as the Commonwealth government was
suddenly in exile.
✔ There was a great tension between the two major groups: HUKBALAHAP
(unified guerilla army against Japanese invasion) and KALIBAPI (political
party approved by the Japanese).
JAPANESE COLONIAL PERIOD (1942-
1945)
✔ Jose P. Laurel was appointed as the President of the Philippines under the
Japanese-sponsored Republic.
✔ In 1942, Mc Arthur escaped but promised to return which he did in 1944. The
US victory in the battle of Leyte gulf signaled the beginning of Philippine
liberation from the Japanese.
JAPANESE COLONIAL PERIOD (1942-
1945)
✔ Japanese colonizers failed to gain the trust of Filipinos.
✔ The resurgence of World War II forced former President Manuel L. Quezon and
Vice-President Sergio Osmeña Sr. to immediately leave the Philippines and
sought residence in the United States as the Commonwealth government was
suddenly in exile.
✔ There was a great tension between the two major groups: HUKBALAHAP
(unified guerilla army against Japanese invasion) and KALIBAPI (political
party approved by the Japanese).
✔ Jose P. Laurel was appointed as the President of the Philippines under the
Japanese-sponsored Republic.
✔ In 1942, Mc Arthur escaped but promised to return which he did in 1944. The
US victory in the battle of Leyte gulf signaled the beginning of Philippine
liberation from the Japanese.
JAPANESE COLONIAL PERIOD (1942-
1945)
• ✔ Japan invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941 which was strongly
• opposed by the Guerillas.
• ✔ Captured soldiers and American deportees were forced to have "Death March"
• to a prison camp where they walked for 100 kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan
• to San Fernando, Pampanga. An estimated 10,000 prisoners died here.
• ✔ Aguinaldo cooperated with the Japanese to end Filipino and American
• opposition.
• ✔ Japanese colonizers failed to gain the trust of Filipinos.
• ✔ The resurgence of World War II forced former President Manuel L. Quezon and
• Vice-President Sergio Osmeña Sr. to immediately leave the Philippines and
• sought residence in the United States as the Commonwealth government was
• suddenly in exile.
• ✔ There was a great tension between the two major groups: HUKBALAHAP
• (unified guerilla army against Japanese invasion) and KALIBAPI (political
• party approved by the Japanese).
• ✔ Jose P. Laurel was appointed as the President of the Philippines under the
• Japanese-sponsored Republic.
• ✔ In 1942, Mc Arthur escaped but promised to return which he did in 1944. The
• US victory in the battle of Leyte gulf signaled the beginning of Philippine
• liberation from the Japanese.
Dimensions of Philippine Literature
• ✔ All forms of writings were censored during this time because there was no
• freedom of speech and of the press.
• ✔ Only those who were living in the United States such as Carlos P. Romulo and
• Manuel L. Quezon could write freely.
• ✔ The use of English language was stopped in almost all publications and only
• Tagalog and the vernaculars were permitted.
• ✔ Few literary works were printed and mostly considered as pessimistic and
• bitter according to the author Victoria Abelardo.
• ✔ Another type of poetry that emerged is the Haiku consisting of three lines with
• 5-7-5 syllables or 17 syllabic poetry in all.
• ✔ Tagalog short stories flourished and some of the best works were compiled by
• the Liwayway magazine editors in Ang Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang
• Pilipino ng 1943. Some notable stories were “Lupang Tinubuan” by Narciso G.
• Reyes, “Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa” by Liwayway Arceo, “Nayon at Dagat_x0002_dagatan” by N. V.M. Gonzalez, and “Suyuan sa Tubigan” by Macario Pineda.
• ✔ Opera and classical music gained popularity.
• ✔ Among the other types of literature emerged were essay (e.g. "Literature and
• Society" by Salvador P. Lopez) and autobiography (e.g. "The Good Fight" by
• Manuel Quezon).
SOME NOTABLE WRITERS
✔ Carlos P. Romulo. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his
notable works such as "I
Saw the Fall of the Philippines", "I See the Philippines
Rise", "Mother America",
and "My Brother Americans".
✔ Narciso Reyes. He won first prize with his short story
"Lupang Tinubuan".
PARAGRAPH COMPLETION

WORDS DOCUMENT
ASSESSMENT
1. What is most likely the theme of literary text during the
Early Spanish Period?
A. Equality
B. Nationalism
C. Nature
D. Religion and morality
ASSESSMENT
2. Which literary theme is the most common among the
three periods of
colonialism in the Philippines?
A. Daily life
B. Education
C. Nationalism
D. Poverty
ASSESSMENT
3. Which word best describes the type of literature written
in English by Filipino
authors during the Early American Period?
A. Colorful
B. Imitative
C. Fluently written
D. Unique
ASSESSMENT
4. Which is true about literature during the Japanese
Period?
A. Filipinos were encouraged to write using the Tagalog
language.
B. Filipinos were forbidden to write at all during this
period.
C. Filipino writers began writing literary text in Nihongo.
D. Filipinos continued to write in English and Spanish.
ASSSESSMENT
5. Being in exile during the Japanese period, Manuel L. Quezon
wrote his experiences and thoughts in his work entitled "The
Good Fight" while he was in the US. What genre of literature is
this?
A. Autobiography
B. Essay
C. Novel
D. Short story
ASSSESSMENT
6. Which best describes the type of literature during the later part
of the Spanish
regime?
A. Didactic and conservative
B. Imitative and informal
C. Sarcastic and pessimistic
D. Simple and dynamic
ASSSESSMENT
7. Who was appointed as the President of the
Philippines during the Japanese period?
A. Emilio Aguinaldo
B. Jose P. Laurel
C. Manuel L. Quezon
D. Sergio Osmeña Sr.
ASSSESSMENT
8. Which Philippine literary was NOT prevalent during the
Japanese period?
A. Essay
B. Drama and classical music
C. Short stories written in English
D. Short stories written in the vernacular
ASSSESSMENT
9. What refers to a native drama popular during the
Spanish period that depicts war between Christians and
Muslims?
A. Epic
B. Komedya or Moro-moro
C. Myth
D. Parable
ASSSESSMENT
10.Who is the writer of the first Filipino novel in English
entitled "A Child of Sorrow" in 1921?
A. Jose Garcia Villa
B. Nick Joaquin
C. Paz Marquez Benitez
D. Zoilo M. Galang
THANK YOU!