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The Evolution of Philippine
Literature: From Pre-Colonial to
Contemporary
21st Century Literature from the Philippines
and the World
Pre-Colonial to Contemporary Philippine Literature
I. Introduction - Literature and history are intertwined, as literature can reflect a writer's reaction and opinion about societal events, a citizen's feelings, or a country's collective hopes and dreams. - As a 21st-century learner, you should familiarize yourself with the history of Philippine literature and identify a literary work's geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions. - Understanding our respected Filipino writers' works is essential to appreciate our literary history as Filipinos.
II. Pre-Test
Activity 1: Matching Literary Works and Literary Periods
Match the given literary works with the corresponding literary periods they were written in. The titles of literary pieces can sometimes provide clues about the period they were written. Recall the literary works discussed in junior high school and their linguistic and geographic origins.
Activity 2: Matching Literary Works and Places
Locate the given literary works on a Philippine map to indicate their geographic origin. The title of a literary work can sometimes suggest its linguistic and geographic origin. It is important to know the geographic origin of a literary piece to understand its context.
III. Lesson Proper - Geographic origin refers to the place where a piece of literature came from. - Linguistic origin is related to the geographic origin and refers to the dialect used in the literary work. - Ethnic origin refers to the racial or cultural background reflected in the literary work.
Activity 3: What is the synonym?
Identify synonyms for underlined words in given sentences, using context clues.
These activities help communicate the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of a literary work.
Activity 4: Reading a Speech
This is a speech by President Corazon Aquino, delivered to the U.S. Congress in 1986. The speech provides background on the political situation in the Philippines, including the dictatorship of President Marcos and the assassination of Aquino's husband, Ninoy Aquino. The speech highlights the struggle for democracy and the role of Ninoy Aquino in this process.
Philippine Literature: From Pre-Colonial to
the Present
Pre-Colonial Period (BC to 1564)
Characteristics
Based on oral traditions Crude in ideology and phraseology
Literary Forms
Oral Literature
a. Riddles (bugtong) - battle of wits among participants - Tigmo (Cebu), Paktakon (Ilonggo), Patotdon (Bicol) b. Proverbs (salawikain) - wise sayings that contain a metaphor used to teach as a food for thought - Example: "Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa." c. Tanaga - a mono- riming heptasyllabic quatrain expressing insights and lessons on life, more emotionally charged than the terse proverb, and thus, has affinities with the folk lyric. d. Folk Songs 1. Hele or oyayi - lullaby 2. Ambahan (Mangyan)
- 7-syllable per line poem that are about human relationships and social entertainment 3. Kalusan (Ivatan) - work songs that depict the livelihood of the people 4. Tagay (Cebuano and Waray) - drinking song 5. Kanogan (Cebuano) - song of lamentation for the dead
Folk Tales
a. Myths - explain how the world was created, how certain animals possess certain characteristics, why some places have waterfalls, volcanoes, mountains, flora, or fauna. b. Legends - explain the origin of things; examples are "Why the Pineapple Has Eyes" and "The Legend of Maria Makiling". c. Fables - use animal characters and allegory d. Fantasy stories
- deal with underworld characters such as "tiyanak," "aswang," "kapre," and others. e. Epics - narratives of sustained length based on oral tradition
revolutionary ideals - Examples: "The Indolence of the Filipino" by José Rizal, "Ang Mga Kapatid Ko" by Andrés Bonifacio
American Colonial Period (1898 – 1946)
Characteristics
a. This period saw the introduction of English as the medium of instruction and the rise of English-language literature in the Philippines. b. The literature of this period was heavily influenced by American culture and values. c. There was a growing interest in realism and naturalism as literary movements.
Literary Forms
a. Poetry - Poems that reflected the Filipino experience under American colonial rule - Examples: "The Ballad of the Five Sons" by José Garcia Villa, "Ang Makata" by Alejandro Abadilla b. Short Stories - Short stories that explored the Filipino experience under American colonial rule - Examples: "The House of Bamboo" by N.V.M. Gonzalez, "The Scent of Apples" by Bienvenido N. Santos c. Novels - Novels that explored the Filipino experience under American colonial rule - Examples: The Subversive by Salvador P. Lopez, The Pretenders by Alejandro Roces d. Essays and Speeches - Essays and speeches that articulated the Filipino experience under American colonial rule - Examples: "The Filipino is Worth Dying For" by Benigno Aquino Jr., "The Filipino is Not a Damned Leech" by Renato Constantino
Contemporary Period (1946 – present)
Characteristics
a. This period saw the continued dominance of English as the medium of expression, but there was also a growing interest in using the vernacular languages. b. The literature of this period was heavily influenced by global literary movements, such as modernism, postmodernism, and magical realism. c. There was a growing diversity of literary forms and themes, reflecting the changing social, political, and cultural landscape of the Philippines.
Literary Forms
a. Poetry - Poems that explored a wide range of themes, from the personal to the political - Examples: "Banaag at Sikat" by Amado V. Hernandez, "Ang Paglalakbay ng Bituin" by Virgilio S. Almario b. Short Stories - Short stories that explored a wide range of themes, from the personal to the political - Examples: "The Scent of Apples" by Bienvenido N. Santos, "The Exodus" by F. Sionil Jose c. Novels - Novels that explored a wide range of themes, from the personal to the political - Examples: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo by José Rizal, Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco d. Essays and
Speeches - Essays and speeches that explored a wide range of themes, from the personal to the political - Examples: "The Filipino is Worth Dying For" by Benigno Aquino Jr., "The Filipino is Not a Damned Leech" by Renato Constantino
Planted Seeds of Nationalism in Filipinos
Language Shift from Spanish to Tagalog
The language used shifted from Spanish to Tagalog, addressing the masses instead of the "intelligentsia".
Literary Forms
Propaganda Literature
Reformatory in objective Political Essays: Satires, editorials, and news articles were written to attack and expose the evils of Spanish rule Examples: Diariong Tagalog, founded by Marcelo del Pilar La Solidaridad, editor-in-chief was Graciano Lopez-Jaena Novels: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal, which paved the way to the revolution
Revolutionary Literature
More propagandistic than literary, as it is more violent in nature and demanded complete independence for the country Political Essays: Helped inflame the spirit of revolution Example: Kalayaan, newspaper of the society, edited by Emilio Jacinto Poetry: True Decalogue by Apolinario Mabini Katapusan ng Hibik ng Pilipinas by Andres Bonifacio Liwanag at Dilim by Emilio Jacinto
AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1910 – 1945)
Period of Apprenticeship (1910-1930)
Filipino writers imitated English and American models. Poems were amateurish and mushy, with awkward and artificial phrasing and diction. Short Stories: Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez The Key by Paz Latorena Footnote to Youth by Jose Garcia Villa Novels:
Newspapers: Free Press Morning Sun of Sergio Osmeña, Sr. Daily News of Manuel Roxas Manila Times and Daily Mirror of Joaquin Roces Evening News of Ramon Roces The Philippines Herald of Andres Soriano, Sr. Chronicle of the Lopezes Bulletin of Menzi Writers and Their Books: The Voice of the Veteran by Amante Bigornia, Roman de la Cruz, Ramon de Jesus, and J. F. Rodriguez Twilight in Tokyo, and Passion and Death of the USAFFE by Leon Ma. Guerrero For Freedom and Democracy by S. P. Lopez Betrayal in the Philippines by Hernando Abaya Seven Hills Away by NVM Gonzales Poets and Their Poems: Have Come, Am Here by Jose Garcia Villa Prose and Poems by Nick Joaquin Who Spoke of Courage in His Sleep by NVM Gonzales Speak Not, Speak Also by Conrado V. Pedroche Philippine Harvest by Amador Daguio Novels and Short Stories in English: Without Seeing the Dawn by Stevan Javellana Pen Anthology of Short Stories (1958) by Francisco Arcellana The Hand of the Enemy (1961) by Kerima Polotan The Adversary (1968) and The Trail of Professor Riego (1969) by Luis V. Teodoro, Jr. Philippine Literature in Tagalog: Mga Piling Katha (1947-48) by Alejandro Abadilla Sining at Pamamaraan ng Pagaara lng Panitikan (1965) by Rufino Alejandro Manlilikha, Mga Piling Tula (1961-67) by Rogelio G. Mangahas Manunulat: Mga Piling Akdang Pilipino (1970) by Efren Abueg Mga Aklatni Rizal (Many books about Rizal were written by Filipino authors during this period.) The Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, launched in 1950, served as inspiration to Filipino writers.
CONTEMPORARY/MODERN PERIOD (1970 –
PRESENT)
Characteristics
The seeds of activism resulted in the declaration of Martial Law by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos in 1972. The youth became completely rebellious during this period, as shown in literature, campus newspapers, and theater.
Martial Law repressed and curtailed human rights, including freedom of the press, and Filipino writers wrote about these dark days using symbolisms and allegories. The period of the New Society (1972-1980) had writings about the theme of development and progress, but these were done with the military in the background, supervising the media. Though Martial Law was lifted in 1981, the oppression and suppression continued, and rebellion was seething among Filipinos, as shown in the literature during that period. The People Power revolution in 1986 brought feelings of euphoria among the Filipino people, which was reflected in the songs, poems, speeches, news, and even television programs. The restoration of democracy during the time of Pres. Cory Aquino brought back not only press freedom, but also freedom for the Filipino people to speak up and express themselves.
The Tacay Flower: A Folktale from Camarines
Sur
Defining Myths, Legends, and Folktales
Based on the definitions provided earlier, the story of "The Tacay Flower" can be classified as a legend. Legends are traditional stories that are believed to have some basis in fact, often involving supernatural or heroic characters and events. Unlike myths, which explain the origins of the world or cultural traditions, legends typically focus on the deeds of a particular hero or community.
The Worldview of "The Tacay Flower"
The story of "The Tacay Flower" presents a worldview that explores the relationship between heroes and mortals. It tells the tale of a young man named Tacay who, through his bravery and selflessness, is transformed into a flower that becomes a symbol of the region. This narrative suggests that even ordinary individuals can achieve heroic status through their actions and sacrifice for the greater good of their community.
The story also highlights the interconnectedness between the natural and supernatural realms, as Tacay's transformation into a flower is seen as a divine or mystical occurrence. This blending of the human and the divine is a common theme in many folktales and legends, reflecting a worldview that acknowledges the presence of forces beyond the physical world.
Vice President Leni Robredo's Graduation Message
In her graduation message to the Class of 2020, Vice President Leni Robredo addresses a geographically and linguistically diverse audience. The speech is delivered in English, which is widely understood across the Philippines, and it touches on themes and experiences that resonate with graduates from various regions and backgrounds.
literature and its role in shaping our understanding of the Philippine experience.
