2.

The Spanish Colonial Period (1565-1897)

Sixteenth Century was the start of the deprivation of the indigenous Philippine literature. Spanish colonial
government finally got in the scene. They were able to manipulate literature by monopolizing it under the religious
orders. Literature evolves mainly on the themes of Spanish/ European culture and of course, the Roman Catholic religion.
Literary Influences during Spanish colonization
a. Christian Doctrine or Doctrina Christiana was the first book ever printed in the Philippines in 1593 by the
Dominican press.
b. Libro de la Lengua Tagala by Fernando Bagongbanta .Tagalog translations to the Spanish lines, still the
superiority of the Spanish language.
c. Pasyon influenced by the Spanish contexts of Christianity, at least they embodied several Filipino
sentiments and values (the feeling of Filipino mother towards a suffering son).
Filipino writers in Spanish became conscious for the search for freedom
a. Pasyon Dapat Ipag-alab ng Puso by Marcelo H. del Pilar expressed his rebellious writing style was identified.
b. Pascual Poblete’s Patnubay sa Binyagan associated Filipinos’ struggle for independence with Jesus’ life.
c. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo made very powerful contributions among the Filipinos the
introduction of rejecting Spanish rule. He also influenced the succeeding writers.
d. The narrative poems Awit and Corrido talked about world of royals, warriors and lovers (the basic concept
in Florante at Laura).
e. Komedya. Francisco Baltazar’s Florante at Laura embodied the concept of colonization and oppression which
gave voice to their revolutionary action towards freedom.
3. The American Colonial Period (1898-1945)
• Philippine literature in Spanish was starting to lose its track on the first decade.
• The poems of Fernando Ma. Guerrero (Crisalidas), Balmori’s Se deshojo la Flor novel, and many others
discussed revolution and sentiments for patriotism and reform proved that Philippine literature was used to claim
freedom from the colonizers.
• Even if Philippine literature was in English, the preservation of the content for Filipino experiences was
achieved.
• Short story writers in English like Manuel Arguilla in his “A Son is Born,” was one of the foundations of the
Philippine literature, not in Tagalog or in Spanish, but during this time, in English. Poetry in English was also
founded.
• Sarzuela was overpowered by English drama.
4. The Contemporary Period (1946 to present)
This period started during the rebirth of freedom in (1946-to present). The Americans returned in 1945. Filipinos
rejoiced and guerrillas that fled to the mountain joined the liberating American Army. On July 4, 1946, the Philippines
regained its freedom and the Filipino flag waved joyously alone. The chains were broken.

The State of Literature during this Period

The early post-liberation period was marked by a kind of “struggle of mind and spirit” posed by the sudden
emancipation from the enemy, and the wild desire to see print.
a. Heart of The Islands (1947) – a collection of poems by Manuel Viray
b. Philippines Cross Section (1950) – a collection of prose and poetry by
Maximo Ramos and Florentino Valeros
c. Prose and Poems (1952) – by Nick Joaquin
d. Philippine Writing (1953) – by T.D. Agcaoili
e. Philippine Havest – by Amador Daguio
f. Horizons Least (1967) – a collection of works by the professors of UE, mostly in English (short
stories, essays, research papers, poem and drama) by Artemio Patacsil and Silverio Baltazar. The themes
of most poems dealt with the usual love of nature, and of social and political problems. Toribia Maño’s
poems showed deep emotional intensity.
g. Who Spoke of Courage in His Sleep – by NVM Gonzales
h. Speak Not, Speak Also – by Conrado V. Pedroche
i. Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L. Tiempo, Jose Garcia Villa’s Have Come, Am Here has
won acclaim both here and abroad
The New Filipino Literature during this Period
Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived during this period. Most themes in the writings dealt with Japanese
brutalities, of the poverty of life under the Japanese government and the brave guerilla exploits.
a. Period of Activism (1970-1972)
Many young people became activists to ask for changes in the government. In the expression of this desire for
change, keen were the writings of some youth who were fired with nationalism in order to emphasize the importance of
their petitions.

The Literary Revolution

The youth became completely rebellious during this period. This was proven not only in the bloody
demonstrations and in the sidewalk expressions but also in literature. Campus newspapers showed rebellious emotions.
The once aristocratic writers developed awareness for society. They held pens and wrote on placards in red paint the
equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA (To dare!).
Writing During the Period of Activism
The irreverence for the poor reached its peak during this period of the mass revolution. It was also during this
period that Bomba films that discredit our ways as Filipinos started to come out.
b. Period of the New Society (1972-1980)
The period of the New Society started on September 21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca Awards continued to give
annual awards. Almost all themes in most writings dealt with the development or progress of the country –like the Green
Revolution, family planning, proper nutrition, environment, drug addiction and pollution. The New Society tried to stop
pornography or those writings giving bad influences on the morals of the people. All school newspapers were temporarily
stopped and so with school organizations.

Filipino Poetry during the Period of the New Society

Themes of most poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs and the beauties of nature and
surroundings.

The Play under the New Society

The government led in reviving old plays and dramas, like the Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo and the Embayoka of the
Muslims which were presented in the rebuilt Metropolitan Theater, the Folk Arts Theater and the Cultural Center of the
Philippines.

Radio and Television

Radio continued to be patronized during this period. The play series like Si Matar, Dahlia, Ito Ang Palad Ko, and
Mr. Lonely were the forms of recreation of those without television

Filipino Films
A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulang Pilipino (Yearly Filipino Film Festival) was held during this time. During the
festival which lasted usually for a month, only Filipino films were shown in all theaters in Metro Manila.

1. Maynila…Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag written by Edgardo Reyes and filmed under the direction of Lino Brocka.
Bembol Roco was the lead role. 2. Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo, Nora Aunor was the principal performer here.
3. Ganito Kami Noon…Paano Kayo Ngayon led by Christopher de Leon and Gloria Diaz.
4. Insiang: by Hilda Koronel
5. Aguila: led by Fernando Poe Jr., Jay Ilagan and Christopher de Leon

Comics, Magazines and other Publications

In this period of the New Society, newspapers donned new forms. News on economic progress, discipline,
culture, tourism and the like were favored more than the sensationalized reporting of killings, rape and robberies.

c. Period of the Third Republic (1981-1985)

After ten years of military rule and some changes in the life of the Filipino which started under the New Society,
Martial Rule was at last lifted on January 2, 1981.

1. Filipino Poetry • Poems during this period of the Third Republic were romantic and revolutionary.
Writers wrote openly of their criticism against the government. The supplications of the people were
coached in fiery, colorful, violent, profane and insulting language.
 2. Filipino Songs • Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were really true-to-life like those of
grief, poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country and of fellowmen.

Philippine Films during the Period

The yearly Festival of Filipino Films continued to be held during this period. The people’s love for sex films also
was unabated. Below is the table of the list of Philippine Films during the Third Republic.

Film Director Cast Genre

Kontrobersyal Lino Brocka Philip Salvador, Gina Alajar, Charo Drama
(1981) Santos
Relasyon (1982) Ishmael Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon Drama
Bernal
Dugong Buhay CarloJ. Ramon Revilla, Bong Revilla, Imelda Action
(1983) Caparas Ilanan
Ang Panday (1984) Ronwaldo Fernando Poe, Jr, Marianne dela Riva, Action/F
Reyes Max Alvarado antasy

Tinik sa Dibdib Leroy Nora Aunor, Dina Bonnevie, Phillip Drama

(1985) Salvador Salvador

d. Rebirth of Freedom (1986-present)

History took another twist. Once more, the Filipino people regained their independence which they lost twenty
years ago. In the span of four days from February 21-25, 1986, the so-called People Power (Lakas ng Bayan) prevailed.
Together, the people barricaded the streets petitioning the government for changes and reforms.
Newspapers and other Publications
Newspapers which were once branded crony newspapers became instant opposition papers overnight. This was
true of BULLETIN TODAY which became the opposition paper.
Book
The Philippine revolution of 1986 and the fire of its spirit that will carry the Filipinos through another epoch in
Philippine history is still being documented just as they have been in the countless millions who participated in body and
spirit in its realization.