21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

DEFINITIONS OF LITERATURE

 Literature can be defined as ‘pieces of writing that are valued as

works of art, especially novels, plays and poems.’
 Literature is the total of preserved writings belonging to a given
language or people.
 According to Vinuya (2011), literature is man’s vehicle for self-
expression; a form of catharsis (relief) and feelings of friendship. It
is the preserver of culture that preserves it; the showcase of the
people’s national upheavals (struggles); and, more importantly, it is
a means or tool for cultural transmission. It is through literature
that the cultural heritage of the people is passed on from one
generation to the next.
 21st century literature are literary works published from year
2001 up to the present.

LITERARY PERIODS OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

 PRE-COLONIAL ERA (Early times-564)

This is the literary period before the coming the Spaniards and
considered the first and longest literary history among the other
periods.
 Oral literature marks the birth of literature in the Philippines.
Different stories of myths, folks, and narratives were meant to be
sung or passed hand in hand orally.
 Oral literature serves to be their language of life and their way of
promoting cultural heritage.
 Their riddles, proverbs and other forms of poetry were based on
their community and real-life experiences.
 History states that Filipinos before the arrival of the Spaniards had
an alphabet called syllabary of Alibata. It is consisted seventeen
symbols, or which three were vowels standing for the present five
vowels and fourteen consonants.
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

PRE-COLONIAL POETRY

 Early forms of poetry during the pre-colonial era were meant to

be recited in a manner of songs and chants.

a. Proverbs/Epigrams/Salawikain
These are truths and wise sayings express in a language that is
populary known. These are often called expressions of wisdom
which is based on common sense and real-life experiences.

Examples:

Bago mo sabihin at gawin, makapitong iisipin.

(Before you say and do, think about it seven times)

Kung di uukol, di bubukol.

(if it isn’t related to the matter at hand, it’s irrelevant)

b. Tanaga
A poem in quatrain containing seven syllables each line with a
monorine.
Example:
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

KAIBIGAN
Emelita Perez Baes

Palay siyang matino,

Nang humangi’y yumuko;
Nguni’t muling tumayo,
Nagkabunga ng ginto.
c. Folk song or Awiting-Bayan
This is a form of lyrical expression created by people according
to their region.
Example:
Tagalog Folk songs
- Sitsiritsit, Leron Leron Sinta, Bahay Kubo, Ang Pipit,
Paruparong Bukid, Magtanim ay di biro, O Ilaw, Santa
Clarang Pinong-pino

Ilocano Folk songs

- Pamulinawen, Baleleng, Dung-aw, Dagiti mulak

Kapampangan Folk songs

- Atin cu pung singsing, Capampangan Cu, Atsi Cung Rosing

Visayan Folk songs

- Ili-ili, Waray Waray, Si Filemon, Dandansoy

d. Riddles (bugtong)
This is a game in a form of mystifying question and a mind
puzzle intended to be solved.
Examples:
1. Isang balong malalim, punong-puno ng patalim.
Answer: Mouth/bibig
2. Dalawa kong kahon, buksan walang ugong.
Answer: eyes/mata
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

 PROSE NARRATIVES
Prose narratives were created in order to give an explanation about
a certain natural phenomenon.
a. Epic
This is a long narrative poem about quests and exciting
adventures of a hero with unusual strength and power.
Ex.
Biag ni Lam-ang The Ibalon
The Ulalim Kudaman
Hudhud hi Aliguyon The Epic of Labaw Donggon
b. Myth
This is a story of gods and goddesses told using a traditional
language explaining mysteries, beliefs and cultural practices.
Ex.
Bathala: The Story of Creation Kaptan: The Mad Sky God
Stories about Diwatas/ Anitos Si Malakas at Maganda

c. Fables
These are stories intended to teach human values with animals
as major characters attributing human qualities.
Ex.
Si Matsing at si Pagong Si Langgam at si Tipaklong
Si Pagong at si Kuneho The Crow and the Hungry Dog
d. Legends
These are stories explaining origins handed down from the past
and passed through different generations.
Ex.
Ang Alamat ng Pinya `
e. Folk tale
This is an imaginative narrative story told by ancient group of
people.
Ex. Folk tales about Juan
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

SPANISH-COLONIAL ERA (1565-1898)

 Literary works during this era follow a universal theme of religion

and other social issues.
 The first Filipino alphabet called alibata was replaced by the Roman
Alphabet.

 The Filipino natives were called Indios during this time.

 Ladinos is the term used for native literary writers. They published
their works, mainly devotional poetry, in the first decade of the
17th century.
 Doctrina Christiana (1593), the first book to be printed in the
Philippines, was a prayer book written in Spanish with an
accompanying Tagalog translation.
 Gaspar Aquino de Belen, the most gifted among the ladinos, wrote
the Mahal na Pasion ni Hesu Christo was published on 1704.
 During the 18th century, Komedya (Moro-moro) became popularly
known; with the main theme of Christians triumphing over
Moslems.
 “Ninay” the first Filipino novel written in Spanish by Pedro
Paterno.
PROMINENT WRITERS DURING THE SPANISH LITERARY PERIOD
 Graciano Lopez Jaena – his most famous writing is the tale
entitled “Fray Botod”. Botod means ‘botyok’ in Tagalog language or
big-bellied man. The character of the protagonist symbolizes the
abusive and immorality of the friars.
 He also became the editor of the newspaper “La Solidaridad”
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

 Marcelo H. Del Pilar under the pen name ‘Plaridel’ founded the
nationalistic newspaper called ‘Diariong Tagalog’. He was also
known to be the “Master of Tagalog Language”.
 Francisco Baltazar or also known as ‘Balagtas’ wrote the epic poem
‘Florante at Laura’.
 Dr. Jose Rizal was popularly known for his novels ‘Noli Me Tangere’
or Touch me not. He described it as a “work of the heart”, the
story is about the love and aspirations of a Filipino. The sequel of his
first novel was entitled ‘El Filibusterismo’ or The Traitor. He
described it as “the work of the mind’, which exposed the dirty
secrets of the Spanish government and predicted a revolution
between Filipinos and Spaniards.
 Andres Bonifacio was known the ‘Father of Katipunan’ showed his
patriotism and poetic side as he wrote the poem “Pag-ibig sa
Tinubuang Lupa”.
 Fr. Jose Rodriguez issued “Caingat Cayo” a pamphlet issued
attacking the novel of Jose Rizal opposing the Catholic religion.
 Vicente Garcia using the pen name V.Caraig wrote “Dasalan at
Toksohan” was a parody of the prayer Our Father as a defense for
Jose Rizal.

AMERICAN-COLONIAL PERIOD (1899-1945)

 The public school system was introduced during the American

occupation.
 English was chosen to be the second language of the country during
that period.
 The literary works revolves in the themes of nationalism, freedom
and independence.
 This period also introduced the English Alphabet.
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

 The first collection of poetry in English is the “Filipino Poetry”

(1924) was published and edited by Rodolfo Dato.
 The short story “Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez Benitez (1925) is
considered as the first Filipino modern short story.
 A Child of Sorrow (1920) by Zoila M. Galang is the first Filipino
novel in English.
 Nationalistic plays with themes of freedom and independence
became popularly known. American authorities also prescribed
some plays to be performed on stage such as:
 Kahapon, Bukas, Ngayon by Aurelio Tolentino, Hindi Ako Patay by
Juan Matapang, Tanikalang Ginto by Juan Abad, and Walang
Sugat by Severino Reyes.
 Some essayists and poets during this period were:
 Juan F. Salazar, Bernardo P. Garcia, Maximo M. Kalaw, Tarcila
Malabanan and Francisco M. Africa

Short stories reflecting Filipino culture and beliefs:

 “How my Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife” by Manuel Arguilla

Follows the way of living of the Ilocanos.
 “Footnote to the Youth” by Jose Garcia Villa reminds the Filipino
youth of the consequences of early marriage.
 “Pinaglahuan” by Faustino Aguilar
 “Banaag at Sikat” by Lope K. Santos
 Other literary authors during this period are Idelfonso Santos,
Brigido Batungbakal, Alejandro Abadilla, Jose Corazon de Jesus,
Genoveva Edroza Matute, and Claro M. Recto.
 Some of the nationalistic newspapers circulated during the
American Period:
 El Nuevo Dia (The New Day) founded by Sergio Osmena in 1900.
 El Grito Del Pueblo (The Call of Nation) by Pascual Pobleto in 1900.
 El Renaciemento (The Rebirth) founded by Rafael Palma.