Prepared by: Nowell P.

Torrejas
“Literature serves as our
foremost travel pass to see
the wonders of the
Philippines.”
 A. Pre-Colonial Literature
 B. Spanish Colonization (1565-1872)
 C. Period of Enlightenment (1872-1896) and
Revolutionary Period (1896-1900)
 D. American Colonization (1900-1942)
 E. Period of Initial Autonomy (1935-1942)
 F. The Coming of Japanese Conquest in the
Land (1942-1945)
 G. Post- War Period/Period of the Philippine
Republic
 Our Ancestor’s Literature During this Period.
1. Songs- a short piece of music with words that
are sung.
2. Epics- telling a story of a hero or adventures of
a Hero.
3. Myths- a story that is believed by many people
but that is not true.
4. Folk Tales- a traditional story.
5. Legends- a story that is believed by many
people but cannot be proved to be true.
 Oral Tradition – Literature during this period
was passed through the word of mouth.
 Other Forms of Pre-Colonial Literature
1. Short Lyrics
2. Wise Sayings
3. Verses for Rituals
4. Chants
5. Riddles
 Below are some important motifs and features of
Pre-Colonial Literature:
1. The beginnings of life and of the earth.
2. Accounts about great people and supernatural
heroes.
3. The inclusion of gods and goddesses.
4. The inclusion of mythical creatures like
duwende, aswang, tikbalang etc.
5. Themes on morality; good and bad practices in
life.
6. Daily encounters and activities in life.
 Christianity was proclaimed during 16th Century.
 Their presence brought numerous and monumental
changes not only in religion, way of life of the
people, culture but also in language and system of
writing.
 Language- Spanish
 System of Writing- Roman Alphabet
 Doctrina Christiana- includes prayers, novenas, and
stories about the lives of the saints and those from
the bible, prayers such as Pater Noster, Ave Maria,
and the Ten Commandments.
 Passion – highlights the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.

WRITERS WHO MADE VERSIONS OF THE

PASSION

 Gaspar Aquino De Belen

 Padre Mariano Pilapil

 Padre Aniceto Dela Merced

 Don Luis Guian
Other Popular Forms of Literature During this
Period

 Moro-Moro
 Karagatan

 Duplo

 Sarswela

 Corrido and Awit

 During this period, there were no significant
literary developments.
Jose Rizal- made a rich collection of poetry.

 Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell)

 Noli Me Tangere

 El Filibusterismo
 Heroes who also wrote nationalistic texts:

 Andres Bonifacio
 Apolinario Mabini

 Graciano Lopez Jaena

 Antonio Luna

 Emilio Jacinto

 Jose Palma
 Education – was the foremost
contribution of the American occupation.
 Introduced the English Language.
 Philippine Literature in English flowered
and gained maturity in form and in
substance.
 Most works in this period gained
national and international recognition.
Features of Philippine Literature in this Period

 Spanish, Tagalog, and other local languages

were used and English was later on used.
 Contemplations as to the conditions of the
country remained as a transcending theme of
most works under such period.
 Imitations of the writing style and method of
the Americans.
 Panitikan- a group of aristocratic writers
was formed.
 Works perceived to be of no value were
eliminated.
 The display and expression of emotion
were somewhat made controlled.
 The use of 1st Person POV in writing
started to be popular.
 The comparison between urban and rural
living became a common focus in most
texts.
 In poetry, free verse and modern themes
were considered by writers.
 Novels and even theatrical shows slowly
became unpopular as foreign films were
introduced to the people.
 The use of English was prohibited and the vernacular
and national language dominated.
 The presence of the Japanese Forces brought some
interruptions not only in the development of the
country but also in its literature.
 The journalistic writing was ceased and place under
strict monitoring.
 But created some positive effects to Tagalog
literature.
 This period served as the “Golden Period” for short
stories and Tagalog drama.
 Nationalism, patriotism, and life struggles
prevailed as themes and motifs of texts during
this period.
 The publication of works was secretly done.
 The Haiku, Japan’s foremost poetic form
became popular.
 Tanaga- introduced by Ildefonso Santos.
 Lupang Tinubuan- by Narciso Reyes
 Dugo at Utak- by Cornelio S. Reyes.
 Two forms of short writing emerged- the
commercial and literary forms.
 Carlos Palanca Memorial awards was initialized.
 Commercial magazines featured numerous short
stories of neophyte writers.
 Themes on social issues and domestic conditions
were mostly revealed by the texts written during
such period.
 New themes, styles, and techniques were mainly
considered and utilized.