Philippine Literature

• Literature was oral, funny and entertaining in the Pre-Colonial Period (- 1565)
• Early Filipinos wrote on clay, barks of trees, leaves, and bamboo tubes, using knives and other pointed instruments for pens, and the sap of certain trees and sooth for ink
• Alibata (baybayin)


  Consisted of 17 symbols: 3 for vowels and 14 for consonants
• Literary Genres in the Pre-Colonial Period

  • Folk Narratives
  • Early Poetry
• Myth


  A traditional story about heroes or supernatural beings, often attempting to explain the origins of natural phenomena or aspects of human behaviour
• Legend


  Traditional narrative the common theme of which is about the origin of a thing, place, location or name. Events are imaginary, devoid of truth and unbelievable
• Fables


  A short allegorical tale with a moral, especially one in which the characters are animals
• Folktales


  Stories about life, adventure, love, horror and humour where one can derive lessons about life. They usually help us appreciate our environment, evaluate our personalities and improve our perspectives in life
• Riddles (Bugtong o Palaisipan)


  Made up of one or more measured lines with rhyme and many consist of four to twelve syllables
• Proverbs


  Terse statements of practical wisdom based on long experience and observations about life
• Chants (Bulong)


  Used in witchcraft or enchantment
• Sayings (Kasabihan)


  Often used in teasing or to comment on a person's actuations
• Sawikain


  Sayings with no hidden meanings
• Folk Songs


  One of the oldest forms of Philippine literature that mirrors the early forms of culture
• Epics


  Long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually a hero, are dealt with at length
• Printing was introduced in the Philippines by the Dominicans in 1593
• The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman alphabet
• The Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lent many of its words to our language
• The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices
• European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs, corridos, and moro-moros
• Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other dialects
• Periodicals during these times gained a religious tone
• Ang Doctrina Christiana (The Christian Doctrine)


  1st book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in xylography. It was written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva. It contained the Pater Noster (Our Father), Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen), the Ten Commandments of God, the Commandments of the Catholic Church, the Seven Mortal Sins, How to Confess, and the Catechism
• Nuestra Senora de Rosario

  2nd book printed in the Phils, written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in 1602. It contains the biographies of saints, novena, and questions and answers on religion
• Libro de los Cuatro Postoprimera Hombre

  First book printed in typography
• Ang Barlaan at Josephat


  Biblical story printed in the Phils. and translated to Tagalog from Greek by Fr. Antonio de Borja. It is believed to be the 1st Tagalog novel published in the Philippines even if it is only a translation
• The Pasion


  A book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ. It is read during the Lent. There are four versions each according to the name of the writers: the Pilapil version, the de Belen version, the de la Merced version, and the de Guia version
• Urbana at Feliza


  Book by Modesto de Castro, the Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog. These are letters between 2 sisters Urbana and Felisa & has influenced greatly the behavior of people in society because the letters dealt with good behaviour
• Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria


  Collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary written by Fr. Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest. Popular especially during the Maytime "Flores de Mayo" festival
• Literary Genres in the Spanish Period

  • Poetry
  • Prose
  • Religious and Recreational Plays
• The Pasyon


  First known pasyon in the country, written by Gaspar Aquino de Belen in 1704
• Awit


  Set in dodecasyllabic verse. They are fabricated stories from writers' imagination although the setting and characters are Europeans. They refer to chanting
• Corrido


  In octosyllabic verse. They were usually based on European legends or tales. They refer to narration
• Ladino Poems


  Ladinos were the first Tagalog versifiers who saw print, natives who were highly literate in both Spanish and the vernacular
• Folk Songs


  Examples: Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi, Atin Cu Pung Singsing
• Barlaan at Josaphat/Josephat


  Tells the story of the conversion to Christianity of a young Indian prince, Josaphat, by the holy man, Barlaan; their pious lives, and holy death
• Urbana at Feliza


  Most important didactic literature of this period
• Panunuluyan


  Tagalog version of the Mexican posadas. It is held on the eve of Christmas. It dramatizes Joseph and Mary's search for lodging in Bethlehem
• Cenaculo


  Dramatization of the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Two kinds: Cantada and Hablada
• Salubong/Panubong


  An Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Christ and His Mother