History

• Pre-Spanish Period:

  • Chant (Bulong) used in witchcraft or enchantment in remote places in the Visayas
  • Legends: narratives featuring human actions believed to have taken place in human history
  • Folk Tales: stories about life, adventure, love, horror, and humor with lessons
  • Epics: long narrative poems focusing on heroic achievements
  • Folk Songs: one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature mirroring early culture, many with 12 syllables
• Spanish Period (1521-1871):

  • Literature classified as religious prose and poetry, and secular prose and poetry
  • Spanish influences replaced the Filipino alphabet with the Roman alphabet
  • Folk Songs manifested Filipinos' artistic feelings and love of beauty
  • Recreational Plays performed in poetic form
• Period of Enlightenment (1872-1898):

  • Ilustrados began writing about colonization
  • Propaganda Movement spearheaded by intellectuals like Jose Rizal
  • Writings of Rizal, Del Pilar, and Jaena
• American Regime (1898-1944):

  • Americans influenced Filipino writers to use English
  • Introduction of English language and literary tradition
  • Writers engaged in various forms of literature depicting love of country and longing for independence
• Japanese Period (1941-1945):

  • Philippine literature interrupted by Japanese occupation
  • Filipino Poetry themes: nationalism, country, love, life in barrios, faith, religion, and arts
  • Three types of poems: Haiku, Tanaga, Karaniwang Anyo
• Philippine Literature in English (1941-1945):

  • Dark period due to strict prohibitions by Japanese
  • Themes focused on Japanese brutalities and guerilla exploits
• Rebirth of Freedom (1946-1970):

  • Vernacular literature became popular
  • Writers enjoyed political activism
• Period of Activism (1970-1972):

  • Youth activism due to domestic and worldwide causes
  • Literary Revolution with demands for government change
• Period of the New Society (1972-1980):

  • Carlos Palanca Awards continued
  • Poems focused on native culture, customs, and nature
• Period of the Third Republic (1981-1985):

  • Martial Rule lifted in 1981
  • Poems were romantic and revolutionary
• Post-EDSA 1 Revolution (1986-1999):

  • People Power prevailed in 1986
  • Changes evident in Filipino songs, newspapers, speeches, and television programs
• 21st Century Period:

  • New trends introduced to meet the needs of the new generation
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) inclined learners
  • New codes or lingos used in literary pieces