Spanish Colonization Period

(1565-1863)
Historical Background
A.Characteristics
• Colonized for 333 years
• Through Christianity, Philippine
literature differs from other Asian
literature and constitutes its
greatest influence.
• They embraced Catholic religion,
changed their names, and were
baptized.
• Changed in lifestyles likes building houses
made of stones and bricks.
• Use of beautiful furniture like piano and
kitchen utensils.
• The use of carriages, trains and boats as
means of transportation.
• Celebration of fiestas to honor the saints,
pope and governors was put into practice.
• Cockfights, horse races and theater as their
means of recreation.
Influence of Spaniards to Philippine
Literature
• Introduction of the Roman alphabet and the
printing press.
• Periodicals gained a religious tenor
• European legends and traditions brought in
the Philippines were incorporated in our
songs, corridos and moro-moro.
• Several words in our language that
were used in the Spanish literary
text.
• Religious practices were already
based on Christian Doctrine.
 First books during those time were:

1. Doctrina Christiana (The Christian Doctrine)

- first book printed in the Philippines in
1593 in xylographic method.
- written by Fr. Juan de Placencia, O.P
and Fr. Domingo Nieva.
- it contains prayers and Ten
Commandments of God.
2. Nuestra Señora del Rosario
- written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in
1602.

3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre

- written in Spanish and Tagalog and
printed in typography.
4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat
- a biblical story printed in the
Philippines.
- translated from Greek to Tagalog by
Fr. Antonio Borja.

5. The Passion
- a book about life and sufferings of
Jesus Christ and is read only during lent.
Pasyon (The Passion)
• is a Philippine epic narrative of
the life of Jesus Christ, focused
on his Passion, Death, and
Resurrection.
• the suffering of Jesus leading up
to and during the crucifixion.
• According to Kahayon and Zulueta there
were four versions of this in Tagalog and
each version is according to the name of the
writer:
- Mariano Pilapil, Bulacan (1814)
- Gaspar Aquino de Belen, Bat (1704)
- Aniceto de la Merced,
of Norzagaray,Bulacan (1856)
- Luis de Guia (1750)
• In singing, chanters may take 2-4 nights
taking turns in shifts of 3-4 hours each.

• It has been translated into every principal

dialect like Ilocano, Ibanag, Pampango, Bicol
and Visayan version.
Panalangin sa Diyos
Oh Diyos sa Kalangitan
Hari ng Sangkalupaan,
Diyos na walang kapantay,
Mabait lubhang maalam
at puno ng karunungan.

Ikaw na Amang Tumobos

Na nangungulilang lubos
Amang di matapus-tapos
Maawai’t mapagkupkop
Sa taong lupa’t alabok.

Iyong itulot sa amin

Diyos Amang maawain,
Mangyaring aming dalitin
Hirap, sakit at hilahil
Ng anak mong ginigiliw.
 Cenaculo
• a dramatic performance to commemorate the
passion and death of Jesus Christ.
• written in octosyllabic verse with 8 verses in
each stanza.
• performers come in costumes with wigs and
performers are carefully chosen for their
virtuous life.
 2 Kinds of Cenaculo
• Cantada
This is chanted like the Pasion.

• Hablada
The lines are spoken in a more deliberate
manner showing the rhythmic measure of
each verse.
Cenaculo
-End-