literatures of the Philippines

• Pre-Colonial Period


  ___- 1565
• Literature in Pre-Colonial Period

  • Oral, funny and entertaining
  • Written 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 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 behavior
• Myth

  • Visayan Creation Myth
• 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. Filipino customs are reflected in these legends.
• Legend


  • The Legend of Mayon Volcano
• Fable


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

  • The Monkey and the Crocodile
• Folktale


  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.
• Folktale


  • Misadventures of Juan Tamad
• Riddle (Bugtong o Palaisipan)


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


  • Bungbong kung liwanag
  • Kung gabi ay dagat. (Mat/banig)
• Proverb


  Terse statements of practical wisdom based on long experience and observations about life
• Proverb


  • Nahangad ng kagitna
  • Isang salop ang nawala
• Chant (Bulong)


  Used in witchcraft or enchantment
• Chant


  • Ikaw ang nagnanakaw ng bigas ko
  • Lumuwa sana ang mga mata mo
  • Mamaga sana ang katawan mo
  • Patayin ka ng mga anito
• Saying (Kasabihan)


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


  Sayings with no hidden meanings
• Sawikain


  • Nasa Diyos ang awa
  • Nasa tao ang gawa
• Folk Song


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

  • Kundiman (Song of Love)
  • Kumintang or Tagumpay (War Song)
  • Ang Dalit o Imno (Song to the God of the Visayans)
  • Oyayi o Hele (Lullaby)
  • Diana (Wedding Song)
  • Soliraning (Song of the Laborer)
  • Talindaw (Boatman's Song)
• Epic


  Long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually a hero, are dealt with at length
• Spanish Influences on Philippine Literature

  • 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 first 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


  The second book printed in the Philippines, 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

  The first book printed in typography in the Philippines.
• Ang Barlaan at Josephat


  A biblical story printed in the Philippines and translated to Tagalog from Greek by Fr. Antonio de Borja. It is believed to be the first 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. Chanters may take 2-4 nights singing the Pasion (Pasyon) with chanters taking turns in shifts of 3-4 hours each.
• Urbana at Feliza

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


  A 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 Spanish Period

  • Poetry
  • Prose
  • Religious and Recreational Plays
• Pasyon: Ang Mahal na Pasion ni Jesu Christong P. Natin na Tola


  The 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.
• Awit


  • Florante At Laura by Francisco Baltazar (Prince of Tagalog Poets)
• Corrido


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


  • Ibong Adarna, Historia Famoso ni Berbardo del Carpio, And Doce Pares ng Francia
• Ladino Poems

  Ladinos were the first Tagalog versifiers who saw print, natives who were highly literate in both Spanish and the vernacular. Among them were Fernando Bagongbanta and Tomas Pinpin.
• Folk Song

  • Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi, Atin Cu Pung Singsing