History of Philippine Literature Philippine Literature is a diverse and rich group o f works that has evolved side-by-side with the country’s history. Literature had started with fables and legends made by the ancient Filipinos long before the arrival of Spanish S panish influence.
Timeline of Philippine Literature
Pre-Colonial Period
Spanish Colonial Period (Mid-16th – (Mid-16th – late late 19th century)
American Colonial Period (Late 19th – 19th – Mid-20th Mid-20th century)
The Contemporary Period
Pre-Colonial Period Consisted of early Filipino literature passed down orally. It was difficult to trace the original author of the piece since oral literature did not focus on ownership or copyright, rather on the act of storytelling itself. Literature in this period is based on tr adition, reflecting daily life activities such as housework, farming, fishing, hunting, and taking care of t he children as well. Oral pieces told stories which explained heroes and t heir adventures; they attempted to explain certain natural phenomena, and, at the same time, served as entertainment purposes.
EARLY FORMS OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
Bugtong – Bugtong – Riddles Riddles Example: Lumuluha walang mata, may buhay wa hininga. ~ Kandila
Salawikain – Salawikain – Proverbs Proverbs Example: Kapag may isinuksok, may madudukot.
Pre-Colonial Poetry
Tanaga - Expresses a view or a value of the world.
Ambahan - Songs about childhood, human relationships, hospitality.
Bayok - Thoughts about love.
Epic Poetry - Romantic heroes and heroines that are a reflection of the w orld as perceived by the early Filipinos. Example: Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of Lam-ang)
Spanish Colonial Period (Mid-16th – late 19th century) 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 Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lent many of its words to our language.
3.
European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs, corridos, and moro-moros.
FIRST BOOKS
Doctrina Cristiana (THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE) - This was the first book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in xylography.
Nuestra Señora del Rosario - The second book printed in the Philippines was written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in 1602.
Ang Barlaan at Josephat - This is a Biblical printed in the Philippines and translated to Tagalog from Greek by Fr. Antonio de Borja.
The Pasion - This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ. It is read only during Lent.
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.
RECREATIONAL PLAYS
The Cenaculo - This is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
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 t he baby Jesus.
The Salubong (or Panubong) - The Salubong is an Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Christ and his Mother.
Carillo (Shadow Play) - This is a form of dramatic e ntertainment performed on a moonless night during a town fiesta or on dark nights after a harvest.
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.
THE 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. The Mohammedans are defeated by some miracle or
Divine Intercession and the Mohammedans are converted to C hristianity. In some instances, the whole kingdom is baptized and converted. One example of this is P rinsipe Rodante.
THE AWIT AND CORRIDO - The AWIT is set in dodecasyllabic quatrains while the CORRIDO is in octosyllabic quatrains. These are colorful tales of chivalry from European sources made for singing and chanting.
NOTABLE WORKS DURING THE SPANISH ERA
"Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Christong Panginoon natin na tola" (Holy Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Verse) - Is the country's earliest known pasyon. Written by Gaspar Aquino de Belen in 1704.
Florante at Laura – Written by Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar. An example of an Awit, though there are symbols and themes which dictate t he protest of the Filipino against the Spanish regime, it is uncertain as to whether or not Balagtas had intended the issue – which was subtly derived from his work – since he left no notes or additional pieces that may affirm the conclusion.
Ibong Adarna – Also Written by Francisco Baltazar which is an example of Corrido.
Noli Me Tangere (1887) and El Filibusterismo (1891) – Works ofJose Rizal which created an impact on the national consciousness and love for one’s country against the abusive government of the Spaniards.
American Colonial Period (Late 19th – Mid-20th century) After the treaty of Paris, new colonizers arrived in the Philippines. A new set of colonizers brought about new changes in Philippine literature.
The gradual decline of the Philippine literature written in Spanish.
The English language eventually became the medium of writing and instruction in schools.
Philippine Literature are Characterized by:
Nationalism
Freedom of Speech
Experience
Desire for Freedom
Philippine Literature during the American Era
Short Story
Poetry in English
Free Verse in Poetry
Drama
During the American era, writers are group into three.
Spanish Writers – They were accustomed to write on nationalism like honoring Rizal and the other heroes. Writers: Cecilio Apostol, Fernando Ma. Guerrero, Jesus Balmori, Manuel Bernabe and Claro M. Recto.
Filipino Writers – They continue the lamentations on the conditions of the country and their attempts to arouse love for one’s native tongue. Poets during that time was categorized by three:
Poets of the Heart (Makata ng Puso) Writers: Lope K. Santos, Carlos G atmaitan, Amado V. Hernandez, Nemecio Carabana and Mar Antonio
Poets of Life (Makata ng Buhay) Writers: Jose Corazon de Jesus, Florentino Collantes, Patricio Mariano anf Amado V. Hernandez
Poets of the Stage (Makata ng Tanghalan) Writers: Aurelio Tolentino, Patricio Mariano, Severino Reyes, and Tomas Remigio
English Writers – They imitated the themes and methods of the Americans. English writers in the American Era has three periods:
The Period of Re-Orientation (1898 – 1910)
The Period of Imitation (1910 – 1925)
The Period of Self Discovery (1925 – 1941)
NOTABLE WORKS DURING THE AMERICAN ERA
A Child of Sorrow – The first English Novel written in the P hilippines by Zoilo Galang in 1921.
I Am a Filipino – Written by Carlos P. Romulo
Banaag at Sikat – Written by Lope K. Santos
Isang Dipang Langit – Written by Amado V. Hernandez
Contemporary Period The flowering of Philippine literature in the various languages continue especially with the appearance of new publications after the Martial Law years and the resurgence of committed literature in the 1960s and the 1970s. Of course the Filipino writer has become more conscious of his art with the proliferation of writers workshops here and abroad and the bulk of literature available to him via the mass media including the internet. The various literary awards such as the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the Philippines Free Press, Philippine Graphic, Home Life and Panorama literary awards.
PALANCA AWARDEES:
'Gapô (at isang puting Pilipino, sa mundo ng mga Amerikanong kulay brown) - by Lualhati Bautista. Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for Nobela, Gr and Prize (1980)
Dekada ‘70 – by Lualhati Bautista. Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for Nobela, Grand Prize (1983)
Bata, Bata... Pa'no Ka Ginawa? – by Lualhati Bautista. Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for Nobela, Grand Prize (1984)
Nemo: Ang Batang Papel – by Rene O. Villanueva. Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for Maikling Kuwentong Pambata (1992)
Papel De Liha (A Book in 2 Languages) - by Ompong Remigio. Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for Maikling Kuwentong Pambata (1995)
