Literature (from Latin litterae (plural); letter) is the art of written work and can, in some circumstances, refer

exclusively to published sources. The wordliterature literally means "things made from letters" and the pars pro toto term "letters" is sometimes used to signify "literature," as in the figures of speech"arts and letters" and "man of letters."

Studying literature in general is important to do various things, no matter what countrythe literature if from. For example: It gives moral values, and teaches the difference between what is right and what is wrong, as well as changing a person's attitudes for the better. It can be inspiring for a person, and help them on a pathway in how to live their lives to the fullest potential. It gives the reader historical knowledge to help people understand they state of theircountry at that particular time the literature as written. It gives an insight into the world around us through the writer's eyes rather than our own. It introduces its readers to new ideas and information they may not have known before, as well as making them proud to be a part of that heritage.

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE I.PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD (--BC to 1564) A. Characteristics 1.Based on oral traditions 2.Crude on ideology and phraseology B. Literary Forms1. Oral Literaturea. Riddles (bugtong) battle of wits among participants Tigmo CebuPaktakon Ilonggo Patotdon - Bicolb. Proverbs (salawikain) wise sayings that contain a metaphor used to teach asa food for thoughtc. Tanaga - a mono-riming heptasyllabic quatrain expressing insights and lessonson life is "more emotionally charged than the terse proverb and thus hasaffinities with the folk lyric."2. Folk SongsIt is a form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and aspirations, the people'slifestyles as well as their loves. These are often repetitive and sonorous, didactic andnaivea. Hele or oyayi lullabyb.Ambahan (Mangyan) 7-syllable per line poem that are about humanrelationships and social entertainmentc.Kalusan (Ivatan) - work songs that depict the livelihood of the peopled.Tagay (Cebuano and Waray) drinking songe.Kanogan (Cebuano) song of lamentation for the dead3. Folk Talesa. Myths explain how the world was created, how certain animalspossess certain characteristics, why some places have waterfalls, volcanoes,mountains, flora or faunab. Legends explain the origin of things Why the Pineapple Has EyesThe Legend of Maria Makiling c. Fables used animal characters and allegoryd.Fantastic stories deal with underworld characters such as tiyanak,aswang, kapre and others4. Epics These are narratives of

sustained length based on oral tradition revolving aroundsupernatural events or heroic deeds (Arsenio Manuel)Examples: Lamang (Ilocano)Hinilawod (Panay)Kudaman (Palawan)Darangen (Maranao) II. SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD (1565 1863) A. Characteristics 1.It has two distinct classifications: religious and secular 2.It introduced Spanish as the medium of communicationB.Literary Forms 1. Religious Literature - Religious lyrics written by ladino poets or those versed inboth Spanish and Tagalog were included in early catechism and were used toteach Filipinos the Spanish language. a.Pasyon long narrative poem about the passion and death of Christ. The mostpopular was Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Cristong Panignoon Natin byAguino de Belenb.Senakulo dramatization of the pasyon, it shows the passion and death of Christ 2. Secular (non-religious) Literaturea.Awit - colorful tales of chivalry made for singing and chanting Example: Ibong Adarnab.Korido metrical tale written in octosyllabic quatrainsExample: Florante at Laura by Francisco Baltazarc. Prose Narratives written to prescribe proper decorumi. Dialogoiii. ejemploii.Manual de Urbanidadiv. Tratado Examples: Modesto de Castro's " Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na si Urbana at si Feliza " and Joaquin Tuason's " Ang Bagong Robinson " (The NewRobinson) in 1879 III. NATIONALISTIC / PROPAGANDA AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD(1864 1896) A. Characteristics1.Planted seeds of nationalism in Filipinos2.Language shifted from Spanish to Tagalog3.Addressed the masses instead of the intelligentsia B. Literary Forms1. Propaganda Literature - Reformatory in objectivea. Political Essays satires, editorials and news articles were written to attackand expose the evils of Spanish rulei.Diariong Tagalog founded by Marcelo del Pilarii.La Solidaridad whose editor-inchief is Graciano Lopez-Jaenab. Political Novelsi. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo Jose Rizals masterpiecesthat paved the way to the revolution 2. Revolutionary Literature more propagandistic than literary as it is moreviolent in nature and demanded complete independence for the country a. Political Essays helped inflame the spirit of revolutioni. Kalayaan newspaper of the society, edited by Emilio Jacintob. Poetryi. True Decalogue Apolinario Mabiniii.Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas Andres Bonifacioiii.Liwanag at Dilim Emilio Jacinto

IV. AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1910 1945) A.Period of Apprenticeship (1910-1930)1.Filipino Writers imitated English and American models2.Poems written were amateurish and mushy, which phrasing and diction isawkward and artificial a.Short Storiesi.Dead Stars Paz Marquez Benitezii.The Key Paz Latorenaiii.Footnote to Youth Jose Garcia Villab.Novelsi. Childe of Sorrow first novel in English, by Zoilo GalangB. Period of Emergence (1920-1930)1. Highly influenced by Western literary trends like Romanticism and Realism.a. Short Stories most prevalent literary formi. Jose Garcia Villa earned the international title Poet of theCentury

V. JAPANESE OCCUPATION (1942 - 1960) A.War Years (1942-1944)1. Tagalog poets broke away from the Balagtas tradition and insteadwrote in simple language and free verse2.Fiction prevailed over poetrya.25 Pinakamabuting Maikling Kthang Pilipino (1943) compilation of theshort story contest by the military governmenti. Suyuan sa Tubigan Macario Pinedaii.Lupang Tinubuan Narciso Reyesiii.Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa Liwayway ArceoB.Period of Maturity and Originality (1945-1960)1.Bountiful harvest in poetry, fiction, drama and essay2.Filipino writers mastered English and familiarized themselves iwhtdiverse techniques3.Literary giants appeared a.Palanca Awards for Literaturei.Jose Garcia Villaii.Nick Joaquiniii.NVM Gonzalesiv.Bienvenido Santosv.Gregorio Brillantesvi.Gilda CorderoFernandob.National Artist Awards i. Jose Garcia Villaii. Nick Joaquin VI. CONTEMPORARY/MODERN PERIOD (1960 PRESENT) A. Characteristics1.Martial Law repressed and curtailed human rights, including freedom of thepress 2.Writers used symbolisms and allegories to drive home their message, at theface of heavy censorship3.Theater was used as a vehicle for protest, such as the PETA (Phil. Educational Theater Association) and UP Theater.4.From the eighties onwards, writers continue to show dynamism and innovation Literary genres