21ST Century

Literature from the

Philippines and World
Diane Joyce M. Lorayna
Subject Teacher
Learning Objectives
Determine the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic
dimensions of Philippine literary history from pre-
colonial to the contemporary;

Identify representative texts and authors from each

region (e.g. engage in oral history research with
focus on key personalities for the students’ region/
province/town);

Take to heart these aspects and develop a genuine love

for Philippine literature; and

Write a close analysis and critical interpretation of

literary texts.
 Spanish
Colonization Period
?
 Spanish colonization of the Philippines started in 1565 during
the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first Spanish
governor-general in the Philippines. Literature started to
flourish during his time.

 During these times, many changes occurred in the lives of

Filipinos. They embraced the Catholic religion, changed their
names, and were baptized. Their lifestyles changed too. They
built houses mad of stones and bricks, used beautiful furniture
like the piano and used kitchen utensils. Carriages, trains and
boats were used as means of travel. They held fiestas to honor the
saints, the pope and the governors. They had cockfights, horse
races and the theater as means of recreation.

This gave rise to the formation of the different classes of society

like the rich and the landlords. Some Filipinos finished courses
like medicine, law, agriculture and teaching..
Spanish
Period
(1565 – 1872)
 Spanish Influence on Literature:

01 The first Filipino alphabet called alibata was replaced by the Roman
alphabet.

02 The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious

practices.

03 The Spanish language which became the literary language during this
time lent many of its words to our language.
 Spanish Influence on Literature:

04 European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in

our songs, corridos, and moro-moros.

05 Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other

dialects.

06 Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano

and Visayan.

07 Our periodicals during these times gained a religious tone.

 Literary Forms

1. Religious Literature - Religious lyrics

written by ladino poets or those versed in both Spanish and
Tagalog were included in early catechism and were used
to teach Filipinos the Spanish language.
2.Secular (non-religious) Literature
The First Books
 Ang Doctrina Christiana (THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE)

 First book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in

xylography.
 It was written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr.
Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog and Spanish.
 It contained the Pater Noster (Out Father), Ave
Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli (Hail Holy
Queen), the Ten Commandments of God, the
Commandments of the Catholic Church, the Seven
Mortal Sins, How to Confess, and the Cathecism.
 Three old original copies of this book can still be
found at the Vatican, at the Madrid Musem and at
the US Congress. It contains only 87 pages but
costs $5,000.0.
 02 Nuestra Señora del Rosario
 The second book printed in the Philippines.
 Written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in 1602, and printed
at the UST Printing Press with the help of Juan de Vera,
a Chinese mestizo.
 It contains the biographies of saints, novenas, and
questions and answers on religion.

03 Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de

Hombre (in Spanish and Tagalog)
 This is the first book printed in typography.
04 Ang Barlaan at Josephat
 This is a Biblical story printed in the Philippines and
translated to Tagalog from Greek by Fr. Antonio de Borja.
 It is believed to be the first Tagalog novel published in the
Philippines even if it is only a translation.
 The printed translation has only 556 pages. The Ilocano
translation in poetry was done by Fr. Agustin Mejia.

05 Urbana at Felisa
 A book by Modesto de Castro, the so called Father of
Classic Prose in Tagalog.
 These are letters between two sisters Urbana at Felisa
and have influenced greatly the behavior of people in
society because the letters dealt with good behavior.
 06 The Pasion
 This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ. It is
read only during Lent.
 There were 4 versions of this in Tagalog and each version is
according to the name of the writer.
 These are the Pilapil version (by Mariano Pilapil of Bulacan, 1814),
the de Belen version (by Gaspar Aquino de Belen of Bat. in 1704),
the de la Merced (by Aniceto de la Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan
in 1856) and the de Guia version (by Luis de Guia in 1750).Critics
are not agreed whether it is the Pilapil or the de la Merced version
which is the most popular.

07 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.”
 Literary
Compositions
1. Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (Art and rules of the Tagalog language).
Written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose and translated to Tagalog by Tomas Pinpin in 1610.

2. Compendio de la Lengua Tagala (Understanding the Tagalog language).

Written by Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin in 1703.

3. Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (Tagalog vocabulary).The first Tagalog dictionary written

by Fr. Pedro de San Buenaventura in 1613.

4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampanga vocabulary).The first book in Pampanga

written by Fr. Diego in 1732.

5. Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya (Bisayan vocabulary).The best language book in Visayan by

Mateo Sanchez in 1711.

6. Arte de la Lengua Ilokana (The Art of the Ilocano language).The first Ilocano grammar book
by Francisco Lopez.

7. Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol language). The first book in the Bicol
language and written by Fr. Marcos Lisbon in 1754.
Recreational
Plays
01
Tibag – the word tibag means to excavate. This ritual was brought
here by the Spaniards to remind the people about the search of St. Helena
for the Cross on which Jesus died.

02 LAGAYLAY – this is a special occasion for the Pilareños of

Sorsogon during Maytime to get together. As early as April, the
participating ladies are chosen and sometimes, mothers volunteer their
girls in order to fulfill a vow made during an illness or for a favor
received. In some parts of Bicol, a different presentation is made but the
objective is the same –praise, respect and offering of love to the Blessed
Cross by St. Helen on the mound she had dug in.

03 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 the baby Jesus.
 CENAKULO – this is a dramatic performance to commemorate
the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
 There are two kinds: the Cantada and Hablada. In the Hablada the
04 lines are spoken in a more deliberate manner showing the rhythmic
measure of each verse and the rhyming in each stanza and is more
dignified in theme; the Cantada is chanted like the Pasion.
 The Cenaculo is written in octosyllabic verse, with 8 verses to the
stanza. The full length versions take about 3 nights of staging.
Performers come in costumes with wigs and performers are carefully
chosen for their virtuous life. One performs the role of Jesus Christ
and another the role of the Virgin Mary.
 Many famous Cenaculo players come from the Tagalog regions
although there are also those from Ilocos, Pampanga, Bicol and both
Sibulanon and Hiligaynon.
 05
The Salubong (or Panubong) –an Easter play
that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Christ and his Mother. It is still
presented in many Philippine towns.

06 CARILLO (SHADOW PLAY) – this is a form of dramatic

entertainment performed on a moonless night during a town fiesta or on dark
nights after a harvest. This shadow play is made by projecting cardboard
figures before a lamp against a white sheet. The figures are moved like
marionettes whose dialogues are produced by some experts.
 The dialogues are drawn from a Corrido or Awit or some religious play
interspersed with songs.
 These are called by various names in different places:
Carillo in Manila, Rizal and Batangas and Laguan; TITRES in Ilocos Norte,
Pangasinan, Bataa, Capiz and Negros; TITIRI in Zambales; GAGALO or
KIKIMUT in Pampanga and Tarlac; and ALIALA in La Union.
 07 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.

08 SAINETE – this was a short musical comedy popular during the 18th
century. They were exaggerated comedies shown between acts of long plays
and were mostly performed by characters from the lower classes. Themes were
taken from everyday life scenarios.

09 Balagtasan - This is a poetic joust or a contest of skills in

debate on a particular topic or issue. This is replaced the DUPLO and is
held to honor Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.
 10 Moro - moro– presented also on a special stage. 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 Christianity.
 In some instances, the whole kingdom is baptized and converted. One
example of this is Prinsipe Rodante.

11 Dung – aw –This is a chant in free verse by a bereaved person or his

representative beside the corpse of the dead. No definite meter or rhyming
scheme is used. The person chanting it freely recites in poetic rhythm
according to his feelings, emotions and thoughts. It is personalized and
usually deals with the life, sufferings and sacrifices of the dead and includes
apologies for his misdeeds.
 12 Karagatan - This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature
celebrated during the death of a person. In this contest, more or less
formal, a ritual is performed based on a legend about a princess who
dropped her ring into the middle of the sea and who offered here hand in
marriage to anyone who can retrieve it. A leader starts off with an
extemporaneous poem announcing the purpose. He then spins a “lumbo”o
“tabo” marked with a white line. Whoever comes in the direction of the
white line when the spinning stops gets his turn to “go into the sea to
look for the ring.” This means a girl will ask him a riddle and if he is able
to answer, he will offer the ring to the girl.

13 Duplo [replaced the Karagatan] - This is a poetic joust in speaking

and reasoning. The roles are taken from the Bible and from proverbs and
saying. It is usually played during wakes for the dead.
 Period of
Enlightenment
(1872 – 1896)
 Characteristics

Language
Planted seeds of
shifted from
nationalism in
Spanish to
Filipinos
Tagalog

Addressed the
masses instead
of the
“intelligentsia”
(1872-1896)
Gregorio Aguilera
Juan Luna - painter and sculptor
José Alejandrino
Miguel Moran
Tomás Arejola
José María Panganiban - wrote for La
José María Basa
Solidaridad under the name "Jomapa"
Ariston Bautista
Pedro Paterno - served as prime
Anastacio Carpio
minister of the first Philippine Republic
Dominador Gómez
Damaso Sison Ponce
Graciano López Jaena, publisher of La
Mariano Ponce - wrote for La
Solidaridad
Solidaridad under the name
Marcelo H. del Pilar - the editor and co-
"Tikbalang"
publisher of the La Solidaridad and wrote
Antonio María Regidor
under the name "Plaridel"
Isabelo de los Reyes
Eduardo de Lete
Dr. Jose Rizal - wrote for La Solidaridad
Lauro Dimayuga
under the name "Laon Laan"
Francisco Tongio Liongson
Baldomero Roxas
Julio Llorente
Moisés Salvador
Sixto López
Teodoro Sandiko
Antonio Novicio Luna - wrote for La
Pedro Serrano Laktaw
Solidaridad under the name "Taga-Ilog"
Máximo Viola
Propagandists ‘ Objectives:

To get equal treatment for the Filipinos and the

Spaniards under the law.

To make the Philippines a colony of Spain.

To restore Filipino representation in the Spanish

Cortes.

To Filipinize the parishes.

To give the Filipinos freedom of speech, of the

press, assembly and for redress of grievances.
 Dr. Jose P. Rizal
His pen-name was Laong Laan and Dimasalang.

His books and writings:

1. NOLI ME TANGERE. This was the novel that gave

spirit to the propaganda movement and paved the
way to the revolution against Spain.

2. EL FILIBUSTERISMO. This is a sequel to the Noli

Me Tangere. While the Noli exposed the evils in
society, the Fili exposed those in the government
and in the church. However, the Noli has been
dubbed the novel of society while that of Fili is that
of politics.
 Dr. Jose P. Rizal
3. MI ULTIMO ADIOS (My Last Farewell).
This was a poem by Rizal while he was incarcerated
at Fort Santiago and is one that can compare
favorably with the best in the world.

4. SOBRE LA INDOLENCIA DE LOS FILIPINOS (On

the Indolence of the Filipinos). An essay on the so-
called Filipino indolence and an evaluation of the
reasons for such allegations.

5. FILIPINAS DENTRO DE CIEN AÑOS (The

Philippines within a Century). An essay predicting
the increasing influence of the US in the
Philippines and the decreasing interest of Europe
here. Rizal predicted that if there is any other
colonizer of the Philippines in the future, it would
be the US.
 Dr. Jose P. Rizal
6. A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA (To the Filipino
Youth). A poem Rizal dedicated to the Filipino
youth studying at UST.

7. EL CONSEJO DE LES DIOSES (The Council of

the Gods).An allegorical play manifesting
admiration for Cervantes.

8. JUNTO AL PASIG (Beside the Pasig River).

Written by Rizal when he was 14 years of age.

9. ME PIDEN VERSOS (You asked Me for Verses);

1882 and A LAS FLORES DE HEIDELBERG (To the
Flowers of Heidelberg). Two poems manifesting
Rizal’s unusual depth of emotion.
 Dr. Jose P. Rizal

10. NOTAS A LA OBRA SUCESOS DE LAS

FILIPINAS FOR EL DR. ANTONIO DE MORGA
(Notes on Philippine Events by Dr. Antonio de
Morga): 1889

11. P. JACINTO: MEMORIAS DE UN ESTUDIANTE

DE MANILA (P. Jacinto: Memoirs of a Student of
Manila) 1882

12. DIARIO DE VIAJE DE NORTE AMERICA (Diary

of a Voyage to North America
 Marcelo H. del Pilar

Popularly known for his pen name of Plaridel,

Pupdoh, Piping Dilat and Dolores Manapat.

Editor of LA SOLIDARIDAD, a paper which became

the vehicle thru which reforms in the government
could be worked out.

His books and writings:

1. PAGIBIG SA TINUBUANG LUPA (Love of

Country). Translated from the Spanish AMOR
PATRIA of Rizal, published on August 20,1882, in
Diariong Tagalog.
 Marcelo H. del Pilar

2. KAIINGAT KAYO (Be Careful). A humorous and

sarcastic dig in answer to Fr. Jose Rodriquez in the
novel NOLI of Rizal, published in Barcelona in 1888.
He used Dolores Manapat as pen-name here.

3.DASALAN AT TOCSOHAN (Prayers and Jokes).

Similar to a cathecism but sarcastically done
against the parish priests, published in Barcelona in
1888. Because of this, del Pilar was called
“filibuster.” Done in admirable tone of supplication
and excellent use of Tagalog.
 Marcelo H. del Pilar

4. ANG CADAQUILAAN NG DIOS (God’s Goodness).

Published in Barcelona, it was also like a cathecism
sarcastically aimed against the parish priests but
also contains a philosophy of the power and
intelligence of God and an appreciation for and love
for nature.

5. SAGOT SA ESPANYA SA HIBIK NG PILIPINAS

(Answer to Spain on the Plea of the Filipinos). A
poem pleading for change from Spain but that
Spain is already old and weak to grant any aid to
the Philippines.
This poem is in answer to that of Hermenigildo
Flores’ Hibik sa Pilipinas (A Plea from the
Philippines).
 Marcelo H. del Pilar

6. DUPLUHAN…DALIT…MGA BUGTONG (A
poetical contest in narrative sequence, psalms,
riddles). A compilation of poems on the oppression
by the priests in the Philippines.

7. LA SOBERANIA EN PILIPINAS (Sovereignty in

the Philippines). This shows the injustices of the
friars to the Pilipinos.

8. POR TELEFONO (By Telephone)

9. PASIONG DAPAT IPAG-ALAB NG PUSO NG

TAONG BABASA (Passion that should arouse the
hearts of the readers)
Graciano Lopez Jaena

He is a known writer and orator in the Philippines.

He wrote 100 speeches.

He moved to Barcelona where he established the

first magazine LA SOLIDARIDAD. This later
became the official voice of the Association Hispano
de Filipinas (a Filipino-Spanish Association)
composed of Filipinos and Spaniards who worked
for reforms in the Philippines.
 Graciano Lopez Jaena

His books and writings:

1. ANG FRAY BOTOD (Friar Botod). One of his

works written in Jaro, Iloilo in 1876, six years after
the Cavite Revolt attacking the friars in the
Philippines. He exposed how some of the friars were
greedy, ambitious and immoral.

2. LA HIJA DEL FRAILE (The Child of the Friar)

and EVERYTING IS HAMBUG(Everything is mere
show). Here Jaena explains the tragedy of marrying
a Spaniard.

3. SA MGA PILIPINO...1891…A speech which aimed

to improve the condition of the Filipinos to become
free and progressive.
Graciano Lopez Jaena

4. TALUMPATING PAGUNITA KAY KOLUMBUS (An

Oration to Commemorate Columbus). A speech he
delivered in Madrid on the 39thanniversary of the
discovery of America

5. EN HONOR DEL PRESIDENTE MORAYTA DE LA

ASSOCIACION HISPANO FILIPINO1884.
Here he praised Gen. Morayta for his equal
treatment of the Filipinos.

6. EN HONOR DE LOS ARTISTAS LUNA Y

RESURRECCION HIDALGO. A sincere expression
of praise for the paintings of Hidalgo on the
condition of the Filipinos under the Spaniards.
Graciano Lopez Jaena

7. AMOR A ESPAÑA O A LAS JOVENES DE

MALOLOS (Love for Spain or To the Youth of
Malolos). The theme is about how girls were taught
Spanish in schools and whose teachers were the
governors-general of the place.

8. EL BANDOLERISMO EN PILIPINAS (Banditry in

the Philippines). Jaena refuted the existence of
banditry in the Philippines and of how there should
be laws on robbery and other reforms.

9. HONOR EN PILIPINAS (Honor in the

Philippines). The triumphant exposition of Luna,
Resurrecion and Pardo de Tavera of the thesis that
intellect or knowledge gives honor to the
Philippines.
Graciano Lopez Jaena

10. PAG-ALIS SA BUWIS SA PILIPINAS (Abolition

of Taxes in the Philippines)

11. INSTITUCION NG PILIPINAS (Sufferings of the

Philippines). Jaena refers here to the wrong
management of education in the Philippines 1887.
 Antonio Luna

He joined the Propaganda Movement and

contributed his writings to LA SOLIDARIDAD. Most
of his works dealt with Filipino customs and others
were accusations about how the Spaniards ran the
government. His pen name was Taga-ilog.

He died at the age of 33 in June 1899. He was put to

death by the soldiers of Aguinaldo because of his
instant rise to fame which became a threat to
Aguinaldo. Some of his works are:
 Antonio Luna
His books and writings:

1. NOCHE BUENA (Christmas Eve). It pictured true

Filipino life.

2. SE DEVIERTEN (How They Diverted

Themselves).A dig at a dance of the Spaniards
where the people were very crowded.

3. LA TERTULIA FILIPINA (A Filipino Conference

or Feast). Depicts a Filipino custom which he
believed was much better than the Spanish.
 Antonio Luna

4. POR MADRID (For Madrid). A denouncement of

Spaniards who claim that the Philippines is a
colony of Spain but who think of Filipinos as
foreigners when it comes to collecting taxes for
stamps.

5. LA CASA DE HUEPEDES (The Landlady’s House).

Depicts a landlady who looks for boarders not for
money but in order to get a husband for her child.
 Mariano Ponce

Became an editor-in-chief, biographer and

researcher of the Propaganda Movement. He used
Tikbalang, Kalipulako, and Naning as pennames.

The common themes of his works were the values of

education. He also wrote about how the Filipinos
were oppressed by the foreigners and of the
problems of his countrymen.
 Mariano Ponce

His books and writings:

1. MGA ALAMAT NG BULACAN (Legend of

Bulacan). Contains legends, and folklores of his
native town.

2. PAGPUGOT KAY LONGINOS (The Beheading of

Longinos). A play shown at the plaza of Malolos,
Bulacan.

3. SOBRE FILIPINOS (About the Filipinos)

4. ANG MGA PILIPINO SA INDO-TSINA (The

Filipinos in Indo-China)
 Jose Ma. Panganiban

Hid his identity behind his penname JORMAPA.

He was also known for having photographic mind.

He was a member of a number of movements for the
country.

Some of his writings were:

1. ANG LUPANG TINUBUAN (My Native Land)

2. ANG AKING BUHAY (My Life)
3. SU PLANO DE ESTUDIO (Your Study Plan)
4. EL PENSAMIENTO (The Thinking)
 Pedro Paterno
Was a scholar, dramatic, researcher and novelist of
the Propaganda Movement. He also joined the
Confraternity of Masons and the Asociacion Hispano-
Pilipino in order to further the aims of the
Movement. He was the first Filipino writer who
escaped censorship of the press during the last day of
the Spanish colonization.

The following were a few of his writings:

1. NINAY. The first social novel in Spanish by a

Filipino.

2. A MI MADRE (To My Mother). Shows the

importance of a mother especially in the home.

3. SAMPAGUITA Y POESIAS VARIAS (Sampaguitas

and Varied Poems). A collection of his poems.
Period of Active Revolution
(1896-1898)