21ST CENTURY

LITERATURE
FROM THE PHILIPPINES
ANDMODULE
THE WORLD
3:
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF
PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE: COLONIAL
BY ENGR. DANIEL DULAY
PERIOD
What I Need to Know
In general, this module aims to encourage the learners to
appreciate and critically study the various dimensions, genres,
elements, structures, contexts, and traditions of the 21st
Century Literature from the Philippines. Moreover, the learners
are expected to show understanding and appreciation of 21st
Century Philippine literature from the regions by writing a
close analysis and critical interpretation of Literary texts and
by doing an adaptation using various multimedia platforms.

Specifically, this module focuses on literature during the three

colonial periods: Spanish, American, and Japanese.
The module covers only one topic, that is:
Lesson 3 –Philippine Literature during Colonial Period

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions
of Philippine literary history during colonial period;

2. differentiate/compare and contrast the various 21st

century literary genres and the ones from the earlier
genres/periods citing their elements, structures and
traditions;

3. determine representative texts and authors during this

period through oral history research; and

4. situate selected texts in the current context to enrich

understanding.
LESSON 2
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE DURING COLONIAL
PERIODAlmost half a decade, after the documented discovery of the
Philippines in 1521 during Ferdinand Magellan's exploration marks the
beginning of the colonial period. The Spaniards successfully colonized
the Philippines for more than 300 years having evangelization as its
main thrust. The nationalistic consciousness of the Filipinos began
when world trade took place in the Philippines as a result
of exchanging of liberal ideas with the other countries
among children of middle class Filipino families who were
sent to Europe. This led to a revolutionary period that
ended the long and oppressive Spanish tyranny in our
country.
 American period of colonialism officially took place after Emilio
Aguinaldo surrendered. The transition period between Spanish
and American colonialism did not run smoothly since resistance
among the native Filipinos who were threatenedby the coming of
other colonizers
The was evident.
setting of public schools during the American period
became a necessary tool for popularizing democracy in our
country, training Filipinos for citizenship, and embracing the
English language. All of which are considered influential to
Philippine literature even up to this date. The last colonizers
to enter the Philippines were the Japanese who failed to
gain the trust of Filipinos and only lasted for less than five
years.
What’s In
What do you know about the Philippines
during each colonial period in our
country's history? Spanish period?
American period? Japanese period?
Answer briefly. Answer on a separate
sheet of paper.
 What’s New
Philippine literature had been polished by
colonial experiences of Filipinos during Spanish
Period, American Period, and Japanese Period.
Moreover, foreign encounters with neighboring
countries were also significant parts of Filipinos'
lives.
All of these Eastern (Asia and Middle East) and Western influences (Europe and
North America) have uniquely shaped the geopolitical, as well as economic
conditions of the Philippines. Eastern culture is more conservative and
traditions, while Western culture is liberal, open, and blunt. Great
consideration and respect for the elders is emphasized among Asian countries.
On the other hand, Europeans and North Americans are quite expressive and
have high regards for one's own decision-making.
WHO AM I CHECKLIST: How many of your interests, traits, and characters can
you identify as to Eastern and Western influences? Answer this survey checklist
by putting a check on the column category that applies to you.

After accomplishing the checklist, what important insights have you gained
aboutyourself? Elaborate.
What is It
An emphasis on Christian doctrine was manifested through various
types of texts which replaced stories about heroes and animated
creatures to Biblical characters and saints as evidenced by novenas,
prayer books, and other printed materials.
This makes literature during the Early Spanish Period didactic or
intended for teaching morality and conduct for good behavior.
Other than books, plays and dramas emerged for recreational
purposes. These were mostly poetic in nature and were intended
for public performances.
When few privileged Filipino men from middle class families were
given access to education, they also became fluent in Spanish
language which paved the way to production of literary texts by
our own natives. Eventually, this led to reforms in the government
through underground newspapers and revolts.
Threatened by the presence of other colonizers, the
transition between Spanish Period and American Period
was not smooth due to resistance among Emilio
Aguinaldo who was the appointed president at that time
and our fellow countrymen.
As compared to Spanish regime, American colonizers used
democratic approach as manifested by allowing a Filipino to lead
the country through elections where Manuel Quezon won over
Aguinaldo. Public education was then emphasized during this
period where the English language was introduced and embraced
by many Filipinos resulting in various literary works in English
which were mostly imitative at first.
Some notable Filipino writers later on adapted and developed
their own theme, styles, and conventions making their works
recognizable both nationally and internationally. Watching foreign
films replaced the popularity of theatrical shows and novels.
The cruelty of the Japanese occupation was
evidenced by strong resistance among the majority
of Filipino people. The attempt to erase Western
influences was shown when they tried to ban the use
of English language during their reign. Freedom of
the press and of expression was also suppressed.

The Tagalog language was favored by the Japanese which

made Tagalog stories and dramas flourish at the time.
Love for music was evident through exposure to opera
and classical music. Life struggles, nationalism, and
patriotism were the common themes and subjects but
were secretly published. Only those Filipinos who were
living abroad could freely write and express their opinions.
I. SPANISH
COLONIAL PERIOD (1565-
(1565-1898)
This can be divided into two major
1898)
periods:
• Early Spanish Period (1565-1863)
• Later Part or Revolutionary Period
(1864-1896)

Early Spanish Period can be

categorized as either religious or
secular.
Dimensions of Philippine
Literature
✔ The type of literature produced during this
period used Spanish, Tagalog, and the
vernacular form of languages.

✔ Spanish was introduced as the medium of

communication and later shifted toTagalog
when a sense of nationalism arose during
the revolutionary period.

✔ The introduction of the printing equipment

called xylographic press by the Dominicans
resulted in publication of various religious
materials and earliest
books.
✔ Poetically inclined writers led by Tagalog
versifiers called Ladinos (natives who were
also fluent in Spanish) such as Fernándo
Bágongbantâ and Tomas Pinpin tackled
mostly morality and religion.

✔ Folk songs still existed.

✔ Drama, as another type of literary genre,

as well as metrical tales based on European
origin (such as awit and corrido) flourished.

✔ Diaryong Tagalog (1882), a Spanish-

Tagalog newspaper, published bulk of Filipino
writings. The publication signaled the open
campaign for reforms.

✔ In 1889, the La Solidaridad, an

underground newspaper, became the
mouthpiece of the Reform Movement.
Emergence of Other Types of Literature
during Spanish Colonial Period
Books
In 1593, the book written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr.
Domingo Nieva entitled "Doctrina Cristiana" (The Christian
Doctrine) was first printed. Among the other notable books
printed are "Nuestra Señora del Rosario" by Fr. Blancas de
San Jose, "Barláan at Jósaphát" (first published in 1708)
translated from Greek to Tagalog by Fr. Antonio de Borja,
and "Urbana at Felisa" by Modesto de Castro who is
considered as the Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog.
Emergence of Other Types of Literature
during Spanish Colonial Period
Folk Songs
These were songs modified based on the folkways of Filipinos
during this period.

Recreational Plays
These were mostly poetic in nature and intended to be
performed during the Spanish era. Cenaculo, Carillo, Zarzuela,
Moro-Moro, Balagtasan, Duplo, and Karagatan are among the
examples.
Novels
These are fictitious prose usually lengthy and complex in
nature. Pedro Paterno's work entitled "Ninay" is the first novel
published by a Filipino author. This was originally written in
Spanish language and translated into English and Tagalog in
Emergence of Other Types of Literature
during Spanish Colonial Period
Newspapers
There has been a debate on whether newspapers should be
categorized as literature or not. However, according to
Britannica, some high-level journalism like articles written in a
newspaper such as columns and feature articles can be
considered as literature for as long as they achieve a certain
level of satisfaction under aesthetic, chronological, and
psychological characterization. Bulk of Filipino writings
produced were mostly published in Diaryong Tagalog. The
underground newspaper La Solidaridad is considered
 Some Notable Writers
✔ Francisco Baltazar (1788-1862) was hailed as the "Master of
TraditionalTagalog Poetry". His well-known literary work, Florante at Laura
(1838–1861), is regarded as the most famous metrical romance of the
country.

✔ Pedro Paterno (1857–1911) was the first Filipino who wrote poetry
collection in Spanish entitled Sampaguitas y poesias varias (1880). His
novel in Spanish Ninay (1885) was considered to be the first Filipino novel.

✔ Jose Rizal (1861–1896), a prominent ilustrado and the country’s

national hero, is famous for the novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. These novels portray the corruption and abuse of the
Spanish officials and the clergy.
 Some Notable Writers
✔ Andres Bonifacio (1863–1897), the founder of the Katipunan,
wrote the poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” which appeared in the
official newspaper of the Katipunan called Kalayaan in March 1896.

✔ Leona Florentino (1849–1884), known as the “Mother of

Philippine Women’s Literature,” was a poet in both Ilocano and
Spanish. Twenty of her poems were preserved and exhibited in Europe
and were included in the Encyclopedia Internationaldes Oeuvres des
Femme in 1889.o. These novels portray the corruption and abuse of
the Spanish officials and the clergy.
II. AMERICAN
COLONIAL PERIOD (1 910-
(1910-1945)
✔ American colonial period is divided into two periods:
the period of napprenticeship (1910-1930) and the
1 9 4 5)
period of emergence (1920-1930).

✔ The surrender of first Philippine President Emilio

Aguinaldo in 1901 signified the end of the military
struggle for independence.

✔ Aguinaldo promised allegiance to America but still

continued to be very vocalof achieving independence
for the Philippines.

✔ In 1935, Aguinaldo was soundly defeated by Manuel

L. Quezon as the first President of the Commonwealth.
Dimensions of Philippine
Literature
✔ During the transition period many Filipino
writers still preferred to write in Spanish
since English was still a foreign language to
them.

✔ Filipino writers were into all forms of

literature during the period of apprenticeship
but most of their works were critiqued as an
imitation of English and American models.

✔ Short stories became the most prevalent

literary form during the latter part
of American colonial period.
✔ The existence of American literary works and
periodicals as well as the coming of American
teachers encouraged many aspiring Filipino
writers to use the English language.

✔ A new type of literature began when American

system of education and English language were
introduced.

✔ At the beginning, most of the literary works

written in English were considered
imitative in nature, but then later on evolved to a
new variety of subjects, styles, and conventions of
writing.

✔ Common theme in plays was all about

nationalism.
Other Type of Literature Existed during American Colonial
Period
Short Stories
These are stories that can typically be read in one sitting revolving
around one subject and may range between 1,000 up to 20,000
words. The first short story written in English is entitled "Dead Stars"
by Paz Marquez Benitez.

Some Notable Writers

✔ Juan C. Laya. He won first prize for his novel "His Native Soil"
in the First Commonwealth Literary Awards in 1940.

✔ Zoilo M. Galang. His work entitled "A Child of Sorrow" in 1921

is considered as the first Filipino novel in English.
III. JAPANESE
COLONIAL PERIOD (1 942-
(1942-1945)
✔ Japan invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1 9 4 5)
1941 which was strongly opposed by the Guerillas.

✔ Captured soldiers and American deportees were

forced to have "Death March" to a prison camp where
they walked for 100 kilometers from Mariveles,
Bataan
to San Fernando, Pampanga. An estimated 10,000
prisoners died here.

✔ Aguinaldo cooperated with the Japanese to end

Filipino and American opposition.

✔ Japanese colonizers failed to gain the trust of

✔ The resurgence of World War II forced former President
Manuel L. Quezon and Vice-President Sergio Osmeña Sr.
to immediately leave the Philippines and
sought residence in the United States as the
Commonwealth government was suddenly in exile.

✔ There was a great tension between the two major

groups: HUKBALAHAP (unified guerilla army against
Japanese invasion) and KALIBAPI (political party approved
by the Japanese).

✔ Jose P. Laurel was appointed as the President of the

Philippines under the Japanese-sponsored Republic.

✔ In 1942, Mc Arthur escaped but promised to return

which he did in 1944. The US victory in the battle of Leyte
gulf signaled the beginning of Philippine iberation from
the Japanese.
Dimensions of Philippine
Literature
✔ All forms of writings were censored during this time
because there was no freedom of speech and of the
press.

✔ Only those who were living in the United States such

as Carlos P. Romulo and Manuel L. Quezon could write
freely.

✔ The use of English language was stopped in almost

all publications and only Tagalog and the vernaculars
were permitted.

✔ Few literary works were printed and mostly

considered as pessimistic and bitter according to the
author Victoria Abelardo.
✔ Another type of poetry that emerged is the
Haiku consisting of three lines with 5-7-5
syllables or 17 syllabic poetry in all.

✔ Tagalog short stories flourished and some of

the best works were compiled by the Liwayway
magazine editors in Ang Pinakamabuting
Maikling Kathang Pilipino ng 1943. Some
notable stories were “Lupang Tinubuan” by
Narciso G. Reyes, “Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa”
by Liwayway Arceo, “Nayon at Dagat- dagatan”
by N. V.M. Gonzalez, and “Suyuan sa Tubigan”
by Macario Pineda.
✔ Opera and classical music gained popularity.

✔ Among the other types of literature emerged

were essay (e.g. "Literature and Society" by
Salvador P. Lopez) and autobiography (e.g. "The
Good Fight" by Manuel Quezon).

Some Notable Writers

✔ Carlos P. Romulo. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his
notable works such as "I Saw the Fall of the
Philippines", "I See the Philippines Rise", "Mother
America", and "My Brother Americans".

✔ Narciso Reyes. He won first prize with his short

story "Lupang Tinubuan".
 What’s More

Activity 1: Colonial Period at a Glance

If one wants to study the entire history of our country
during the colonial period, this requires intensive and
complex time, energy, and effort. In the below activities,
we will try to go back to history focusing only on what is
essential especially in the progress and development of
literature in the Philippines.
ASSESSMENT 1a: Complete the table below by filling
in the needed information based on the discussion
about Philippine literature during the colonial period.
ASSESSMENT 1b: Since you have already reviewed some
major influences brought to us by the three countries, it is
now time to examine positive and negative results of each
period of colonialism among Filipinos in general during that
time.
Activity 2: Education Is Freedom

Education has been the key instrument towards

achieving independence among our fellow countrymen
since then. During Spanish time, Jose Rizal and other
heroes like Antonio Luna, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Jose
Palma, and many more privileged educated men of
middle-class families used what they learned to write
nationalistic texts that motivated the revolutionists in
their fight for freedom.
Moreover, there was a great emphasis on education
during the American period. Everybody was given an
equal chance to be educated which further improved the
literacy level in the country resulting to the production of
literature that expressed the desires and aspirations of
Filipinos to gain full authority of our beloved country.
By gaining fluency in another foreign language, which is
English, many of the Filipino literary works gained both
national and international recognition. These texts
written in English unfold the real and current condition of
our country to the rest of the world.
Lastly, despite not having freedom of the press and expression
during the Japanese period, those Filipinos living abroad such as
Carlos P. Romulo and Manuel Quezon continued to write about
the current state of the Philippines.
The power of education has been used to inspire changes in
our nation but what is truly the mark of an educated person?
Now that everybody is provided with an equal access to
education, can we say that we are all truly educated? In the
essay written by Francisco Benitez during the early 1900s
entitled "What Is an Educated Filipino", he emphasized that
education should be useful not only to the individual but also to
the State as well. Look for the copy of the text online or at the
local libraryand accomplish the tasks that follow.
ASSESSMENT 2a: Describe the characteristics of education
based on the essay of Francisco Benitez "What Is an Educated
Filipino".

Write a composition to provide a clear comparison of the changes in

meaning of education between the American and Spanish periods.
Have a separate sheet for this activity.
ASSESSMENT 2b: Compare and contrast the concept of an
educated Filipino from Spanish Regime, American Regime, and
present. Answer using one complete sentence only.
What I Have Learned
PARAGRAPH COMPLETION: Fill in the missing words to complete each
statement below.
What I Can Do
I AM A SUPERHERO: Do the following tasks. Have a
separate sheet for these activities.

A. If given the chance to travel through time and change

something from the past to solve the current problem/s of our
nation, in which colonial period era would you prefer to go
back and why? Explain the things you will do as you travel.

B. Jose Rizal used the power of writing to educate his fellow

countrymen. As a modern day hero, how will you use the
power of writing for the betterment of your country? What
specific problems in our country will you focus on?
Additional Activities
LESSSON WRAP-UP: Recall or read three literary works written by a
Filipino author produced during the three colonial periods. Examine the
genre, theme, and subject.
Answer the following questions on a separate
sheet of paper:
1. What aspect of literature is worthy to be appreciated in each
text?

2. What do these three texts have in common in terms of

content?

3. What can you infer about the thoughts, ideas, and beliefs of
Filipino people
during colonial periods based on the selected texts?

4. Are these texts still relevant up to this date? Justify your

answer.

5. How would you compare the traditional literature to the 21st