PRE – SPANISH PERIOD
- Long before the Spaniards and foreigners landed on Philippines shores,
our forefathers already had their own literature emblazoned in the history of
our race.
- Literature of ancient Filipinos was handed from one generation to
another by word of mouth
Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by:
LEGENDS
- are a form of prose and the common theme of which is about the origin
of a thing, location or name. The events are imaginary, devoid of truth
and unbelievable. Old Filipino customs are reflected in these legends,
and they aim to entertain
• Examples
• The Legend of Mount Makiling
• Ang Alamat ng Pinya
• Why Women Wash the Dishes
• The Legend of Olongapo
FOLK TALES
- are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror and humor
where one can derive lessons about life.
EPICS
- are long narrative poems where a series of heroic achievements or
events, usually by a hero, are dealt with.
• Bidasari-Moro epic
• Ibalon-Bikol epic
• Maragtas-Visayan epic
• Darangan - Moro epic
• Haraya – Visayan epic
• Kudaman – Palawan epic
• Lagda – Visayan epic
• Alim – ifugao epic
MYTHS
- are narratives that describe and portray in symbolic language the origin
of the basic elements and assumptions of a culture.
FOLKSONGS
- are one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature that emerged in the
Pre-Spanish period. Folk songs mirror the culture of the early Filipinos.
• Kundiman
• Ang Oyayi o Hele
• Kumintang
• Soliranin
• Ang Dalit o Imno
• Talindaw
SPANISH PERIOD
- Spain colonized the Philippines for more than three centuries.
- During these times, many changes occurred in the lives of the Filipinos
SPANISH INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
- Lessons on Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
- The Spanish language which became the medium of instruction and
literary language during this time lent many of its words to our
language.
- Legends and traditions from Europe were assimilated in our songs,
corridos, and moro-moros.
- Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other
dialects.
- Legends and traditions from Europe were assimilated in our songs,
corridos, and moro-moros.
- Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other
dialects.
A. ALIBATA was the first Filipino alphabet which was replaced by the
Roman alphabet.
B. THE FIRST BOOKS
The Christian Doctrine (Doctrina Cristiana)
- This was the 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.
Libro de los Cuatro Post Primeras de Hombre
- This is the first book printed in typography.
Ang Barlaan at Josephat
- This is the first Biblical story printed in the Philippines and translated
from Greek to Tagalog by Fr. Antonio de Borja.
- The printed translation has 556 pages and believed to be the first
Tagalog novel published in the Philippines.
The Passion of the Christ
- This book is about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ, and it is read
only during lent.
Urbana at Felisa
- This book was written by Modesto de Castro, known to as the Father of
Classic Prose in Tagalog.
- The book contains the letters between two sisters Urbana at Felisa and
has influenced greatly the behavior of people in society because the
letters dealt with good behavior.
Ang Mga Dalit Kay Maria (Psalms for Mary)
- This is a collection of songs praising Virgin Mary. It was written in 1865
by a Filipino priest, Fr. Mariano Sevilla, which became popular
especially during Maytime festival or Flores de Mayo
Folksongs
Leron-Leron Sinta
Pamulinawen
Dandansoy
Sarong Banggi
Atin Cu Pung Singsing
RECREATIONAL PLAYS
Tibag
- means to excavate. This is a ritual to remind the people about the search
of Saint Helena for the Holy Cross where Jesus Christ was nailed and
died.
Lagaylay
- It is a special occasion to get together during the month of May for the
Pilarenos of Sorsogon.
- As early as April, ladies are chosen or mothers volunteer their girls to
fulfill a vow or panata during illness or even for a favor received.
- In Bicol, the people do a ritual offering of praise, respect and love to the
Blessed Cross by Saint Helena on the mound she had dug in.
Cenaculo
- is a dramatic performance to re-enact the passion and death of Jesus
Christ
- There are two kinds of cenaculo: the Cantada which is chanted like the
Passion, and the Hablada which has a more dignified theme where the
lines are spoken in a more deliberate manner showing the rhythmic
measure of each verse and stanza.
Panunuluyan
- is a reenactment of Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph in search of an inn to
deliver the baby Jesus
Salubong
- is an Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Jesus Christ
and His Mother
Carillo
- is a dramatic entertainment performed on dark nights projecting
cardboard figures before a lamp against a white sheet.
Zarzuela
- is considered the Father of Drama.
- It is a musical comedy or melodrama in three acts which dealt with
man’s passions and emotions like love, hate, revenge, cruelty, avarice or
some social and political problems.
Sainete
- is a short exaggerated musical comedy performed by characters from
the lower class.
- The themes were taken from everyday life situations.
Moro-Moro
- is performed during town fiestas to entertain the people and to remind
them of their Christian religion.
Karagatan
- is a poetic contest where a ritual is performed based on a legend about a
princess who dropped her ring into the middle of the sea and who
offered her hand in marriage to anyone who can find it.
Balagtasan
- is a poetic joust or a contest of skills in debate on a topic or issue.
- This is held in honor of Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.
Dung-aw
- is a chant in free verse by a bereaved person beside the corpse of the
dead.
- Since it is personalized and usually deals with the life, sufferings and
sacrifices of the dead, it also includes apologies for his misdeeds.
