Lit 1

• Literature is derived from the Latin "littera" which means "letter", referring primarily to written texts. Therefore, literature is simply anything that is written
• Literature consists of writings that recognize the meanings of nature and life, in words of charm and power, touched with the character of the author, in artistic forms of permanent interest
• Literature is the written, printed or oral productions of the human mind collectively, dealing with themes of permanent and universal interest, characterized by creativeness and grace of expression, as poetry, fictions, essays, etc., distinguished from works of scientific, technical or journalistic nature
• Types of Literature:

  • Written literature
  • Oral literature
• Oral literature is the literature of ancient periods when there was not much concern about preserving expressions. Written Literature is more permanent than oral literature
• Reasons why people write:

  • Self-Expression
  • Spread knowledge and information
  • Pass on ideas and values
  • Convey truth, accuracy, and evaluation
• • Suggestiveness: draws to our emotions, stirs imagination, moves us deeply, and evokes visions beyond ordinary life
• Qualities of Great Literature:

  • Permanence: lasting influence that can stand through ages
  • Universality: appeals to anyone, deals with elemental feelings, fundamental truths, and universal conditions
  • Artistry: draws to our aesthetic sense or sense of beauty
  • Intellectual Value: stimulates the way we think, enriching our mental ability
  • Spiritual Value: motivates, inspires, brings out moral values, and relates to God's plan and purpose for humanity
  • Style: evident with the distinctive way the writer sees life, forms ideas, and expresses them distinctly
• Genres of Literature:

  • Prose: discourse following the continuous flow of conversation, divided into fiction and non-fiction
  • Poetry: combines sound and meaning of language to express ideas and feelings
• • Fables: narrative with animal and non-living object characters that speak and act like people, usually ending with values that mold reader's attitudes
  • Parables: tells a simple story using human agents
• Types of Prose:

  • Fiction: product of the author's imagination, includes short stories and novels
  • Short Story: a sequence of events with one or more characters, one narrative, and one single idea
  • Novel: a long work of fiction with chapters involving many characters over a long period of time
  • Play: a scripted story executed on stage
  • Legend: a narrative about the origin of man, place, events, and happenings
  • Myth: a traditional story explaining a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon
• Types of Poetry:

  • Narrative Poetry: tells stories and has two forms - Epic and Ballad
  • Epic: lengthy poems embodying adventures of epic heroes and divine forces
  • Ballad: briefer narrative poems meant to be sung
  • Dramatic Poetry: reveals stories with characters acting out the poem
  • Lyric Poetry: brief poems articulating poet's thoughts and feelings
• Forms of Lyric Poetry:

  • Haiku: Japanese verse of 17 syllables arranged in three lines
  • Ode: serious elaborate lyric poem full of high praises and noble feelings
  • Elegy: poem of meditation on life and death
  • Sonnet: 14-line lyric poem with a certain pattern of rhyme and rhythm
  • Song: a lyric poem that is sung
• “Literature is as old as human language, and as new as tomorrow’s sunrise.”
• Pre-Spanish Period (...-1564):

  • Characteristics of Pre-Spanish Literature: folk tales, epics, myths, folk songs
  • Narratives about life, quest, love, horror, and comedy where lessons about life can be learned
• Folk songs in Pre-Spanish literature reflect and preserve the culture of early Filipinos

  • Intend to express hopes, aspirations, people's lifestyles, and loves
  • Repetitive, sonorous, didactic, and naive
• Spanish Period (1565-1898):

  • Spain occupied the Philippines for over 300 years
  • Filipinos learned to build houses with stones and bricks, used kitchen utensils and furniture
  • Means of transportation were carriages, trains, and boats
  • Fiestas held to pay tribute to saints, popes, and governors
  • Church acted as the government
  • Popular recreational activities were cockfights, horse races, and theater
• Spanish Influence on Philippine Literature:

  • Baybayin was the earliest Filipino writing system replaced by the Roman alphabet
  • Basis for religious practices was the Christian Doctrine
  • Spanish language served as the medium of instruction and language of literature
  • Songs, corridos, and moro-moros were about legends and traditions from Europe
  • Ancient literature translated and available in Tagalog and other dialects
  • Grammar books published in Tagalog, Ilocano, and Bisaya
• Folk songs during the Spanish period:

  • Each region had its national song from lowlands to mountains of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao
  • Examples: Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi, Atin Cu Pung Singsing
• Recreational Plays during the Spanish period:

  • Tibag: ritual to remind people about the search of Saint Helena for the Holy Cross
  • Lagaylay: ladies chosen to fulfill vows or panata
  • Cenaculo: re-enactment of the passion and death of Jesus Christ
  • Panunuluyan: reenactment of the search of Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph
  • Salubong: stages the meeting of the Risen Jesus Christ and His Mother
  • Carillo: shadow play
  • Zarzuela: musical comedy or melodrama
  • Sainete: brief musical comedy with characters from the lower class
  • Moro-moro: play held in city fiestas
• • Karagatan: poetic competition based on a legend
  • Balagtasan: poetic debate on a socially-relevant topic
  • Dung-aw: chant in free verse by a grieving person beside the corpse of the dead
• The learner will be able to understand and appreciate the elements and context of Philippine literature during American and Japanese period
• Agenda for Philippine Literature during American Period

  • BACKGROUND/FOUNDED SCHOOLS/UNIVERSITIES
  • PERIOD OF APPRENTICESHIP
  • CHARACTERISTICS/FEATURES OF LIT
  • PERIODS OF LIT
• Schools/Universities founded during American Regime

  • CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY
  • PNU
  • NU
  • SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY
  • SAN BEDA UNIVERSITY
  • NEGROS ORIENTAL HIGH SCHOOL
  • ILO-ILO NORMAL SCHOOL
  • ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY
  • FILAMER CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
  • ZAMBOANGA NORMAL SCHOOL
  • MCU
  • UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
  • UNIVERSITY OF MANILA
  • CEBU NORMAL SCHOOL
  • PH WOMAN UNIVERSITY/JRU
  • MAPUA INSTITUTE
  • FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
  • ARELLANO UNIVERSITY
  • SAN SEBASTIAN COLLEGE
• Periods during American Regime

  • PERIOD OF REORIENTATION 1898-1910
  • PERIOD OF IMITATION 1910-1924
  • PERIOD OF SELF-DISCOVERY AND GROWTH 1925-1941
• Period of Re-orientation 1898-1910


  1. English language became the language of literature

  2. In 1910, English was used as the method of teaching in public schools
• Period of Imitation 1910-1924

  1. In 1919, Filipino authors published literary masterpieces in English

  2. Impersonating British and American models in writing

  3. Established English poetry
• Period of Self-Discovery and Growth


  Filipinos mastered writing in English and explored various forms of literature
• Period of Apprenticeship during 1910-1930

  Filipino writers imitated English and American models
• Short Stories


  • Dead Stars by Paz Marquez-Benitez
  • The Small Key by Paz Latorena
  • Footnote to Youth by Jose Garcia Villa
• El Nuevo Dia (The New Day) newspaper established in 1900 by Sergio Osmena faced censorship and threats due to nationalistic writings
• El Grito de Pueblo (The Call of Nation) newspaper established by Pascual Poblete in 1900
• El Renacimiento (The Rebirth) newspaper founded by Rafael Palma in 1901
• Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas written by Aurelio Tolentino
• Tanikalang Ginto by Juan Abad - Theater and Film
• Founded by Pascual Poblete


  1900
• Founded by Rafael Palma


  1901
• Written by Aurelio Tolentino
• Film & Theater Plays

  • Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas
  • Juan Abad Tanikalang Ginto
  • Malaya
  • Tomas Remegio
  • Severino Reyes
  • Walang Sugat
• Features of Literature during Americans

  • Zarzuela
  • Tagalog
  • Prose Fiction
  • Poetry
  • Short Story