21st Century

• Literature


  Body of written works associated to imaginative and creative works of poetry and prose
• Littera


  Latin word meaning "a letter of the alphabet"
• Literature can be classified according to variety of systems such as language, national origin, historical period, genre and subject matter
• Oral literature


  Literature handed down from one generation to another, then later on transformed into written form
• Literary text


  Products of written literature
• Literary text


  • Has elements of psychological characterization and chronology
  • Uses literary devices such as metaphor and symbolism
• Reading for entertainment and learning


  Most common reason why people read literature
• Literary structure


  Organizational method used in literature, most common type is the narrative
• Parts of the narrative structure (or plot)

  • Exposition
  • Rising action
  • Climax
  • Falling action
  • Resolution (denouement)
• Pre-colonial literary tradition


  • Riddles
  • Proverbs
  • Tanaga
  • Folk songs
  • Folk narratives
  • Epics
• Riddles


  Questions or phrases that have double or hidden meaning, where the power of one's observations and wit are put to test
• Proverbs


  Express norms or codes of behavior, community beliefs and instill values by offering nuggets of wisdom in short, rhyming verse
• Tanaga


  Mono-riming heptasyllabic quatrain indigenous type of Filipino poem expressing insights and lessons on life
• Folk songs


  • Hele or oyayi
  • Tagay of the Cebuano and Waray
  • Ambahan of the Mangyan
  • Kalusan of the Ivatan
• Folk narratives


  Stories handed down from the past, reflecting people's tradition, feelings and beliefs
• Epics


  • Lam-ang of the Ilocano
  • Kudaman of Palawan
  • Hinilawod of Panay
  • Darangen of the Maranao
• Epics


  Long poems, typically derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation
• Spanish colonial literary tradition

  • Religious texts emphasizing Christian doctrines
  • Liberal ideas
  • Revolutionary literatures
  • Socio-economic advances
• Doctrina Christiana


  First book printed in the Philippines in 1593, Spanish for "Christian Doctrine" or "The Teachings of Christianity"
• Religious literatures during Spanish colonial period

  • Pasyon
  • Senakulo
  • Panunuluyan
  • Salubong
• Sarzuela


  Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular songs, as well as dance
• Awit


  Colorful tale of chivalry made for singing and chanting
• Korido


  Metrical tale written in octosyllabic quatrains
• During the American period, significant developments in the field of literature spread throughout the country
• Literary works and writers during American period

  • We Filipinos are Mild Drinkers by Alejandro Roces
  • How my Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife by Manuel Arguilla
  • Footnote to the Youth by Jose Garcia Villa
  • A Child of Sorrow by Zoilo Galang
  • The Filipino Rebel by Maximo Kalaw
• During the Japanese period, a halt in the development of Philippine literature was significantly evident, and the use of English language was prohibited
• The Japanese period favored positive effect to Tagalog literature, and introduced the writing of haiku
• The development of contemporary literature coincided with the growth of nationalistic spirit, the rapid growth of the cities, the change in the political system, and the emergence of technology
• Literary works and writers during contemporary period

  • Luha ng Buwaya by Amado V. Hernandez
  • To be Free by Edilberto Tiempo
  • Who Spoke of Courage in His Sleep by N.V.M Gonzales
  • Bataan Harvest by Amador Daguio
  • May Day Eve by Nick Joaquin