21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

• Philippine Literature

  It is a diverse and rich collection of works that has

  evolved alongside the country's history.
• Long before the arrival of Spanish influence, literature

  began with fables and legends created by the ancient

  Filipinos.
• The Main themes of Philippine Literature are the country's pre-colonial cultural traditions, as well as the sociopolitical histories of its colonial and contemporary traditions.
• Major Regional Languages of Luzon

  • Bikolano
  • Ilokano
  • Kapampangan
  • Pangasinense
  • Tagalog
• Most of the literature in Luzon

  are written in Tagalog,
• Tagalog Literature - flourished more during the Japanese Era

  for the reason that English was banned at that time.
• Title: Ibalon or Ibalong; Region; Bicol Region

  This is an epic about three heroes—Baltog,

  Handiong, and Bantong—who all defeated

  their adversaries.
• Title: Hudhud; Region; Cagayan Valley

  Region

  This is an epic chanted by the Ifugaos during

  harvest. It is about a folk hero named

  Aliguyon and his 3-year battle with

  Pumbakhayon.
• Title: The Legend Of Maria Makiling; Region: CALABARZON

  This is a story about a mountain in Laguna

  named Makiling that was guarded by a fairy

  named Maria. The townsfolk fondly called

  her Mariang Makiling.
• Title: Biag ni Lam-ang; Region: Ilocos Region

  This is an epic about Lam-ang, a man with

  extraordinary strength who sets out to find

  his missing father Don Juan.
• Major Regional Languages of Visayas

  • Cebuano
  • Hiligaynon / Ilonggo
  • Kinaray-a
  • Waray
• Visayan Literature -

  literature revolves around poetry and drama, which are mostly satirical in nature and deal with social behavior
• Title: Hinilawod; Region: Western Visayas

  This is an epic that tells about the

  adventures of three demigod brothers,

  namely, Dumalapdap, Labaw Donggon,

  and Humadapnon. This 28,000- verse

  epic is one of the longest epics in the

  world.
• Title: Sicalac and Sicavay; Region : Central Visayas

  This is a creation myth about how man

  (Sicalac) and woman (Sicavay) came

  into existence through a bamboo shoot.
• Title: Tungkung Langit at Alunsina; Region: Western Visayas

  This is a creation myth about the gods

  Tungkung Langit and Alunsina.
• Major Regional Languages of Mindanao

  • Chavacano
  • Maguindanao
  • Maranao
  • Tausug
• The negative image portrayed among Muslims has perpetuated

  the so-called "Moro-Moro Literature" representing them as

  "savage, barbarian, bandit, lawless and wicked".
• Title: Bantugan; Region: Northern Mindanao

  This is a Maranao epic that tells about the

  brave Prince Bantugan of Bumbaran

  whom no one dares to challenge.
• Title: The Kingdowm of Keboklagan; Region: Zamboanga Peninsula

  This is a Subanen epic that is chanted or

  performed during their week-long buklog

  festival. It tells the life and adventures of

  an extraordinary hero named Taake.