21st CENTURY LIT

• Literature - is derived from the Latin term "litera" which means letter.
• Literature - expresses the feelings of people to the society, governement, to his surroundings, to his fellowmen, and to his Divine Creator. (Brother Azurin)
• Literature is anything that is printed as long as it is related to the ideas and feelings of the people, whether it is true, or just a product of one's imagination. (Webster)
• "True literature is a piece of written work which is undying. It expresses the feelings and emotions of people in response to his everyday efforts to live, to be happy in his environment and, after struggles, to reach his Creator" (Panitikang Filipino)
• A work of literature can be any form of writing such as poetry, drama, fiction, non-fiction, biography, autobiography, essays, letters, diaries, journals, etc.
• The first Filipino alphabet was called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman Alphabet.
• Literature were handed down to us through the word of mouth
• Folk tales - These are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror, and humor where one can derive lessons about life.
• The Epic Age - Epics are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually of a hero, are dealt with at length.
• Folk Songs - These are one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature that emerged in the pre- Spanish period. These songs mirrored the early forms of culture. Many of these have 12 syllables.
• Riddles or bugtong - These are effective ways to inculcate the ability of logical thinking of a child.
• Epigrams or salawikain - It reflects the hidden meaning through the good lines. It provides good values.
• Poems or tanaga - These are common forms of poetry which has a quatrine with 7 syllables each with the same rhyme at the end of each line. It also expresses insights and lessons in life.
• Chant - It is used in witchcraft and enchantment. While, ambahan is a traditional poetry of Hanunoo Mangyans of Oriental Mindoro which teaches lesson about life. It is recited by parents to educate their children by the youth
• Balagtasan - This is a Filipino form of debate done in verse. The term is derived from the surname of Francisco Balagtas the author of Filipino epic Florante at Laura.
• Sixteenth Century (Spanish Colonial Period) was the start of the deprivation of the indigenous Philippine literature.
• Literature evolves mainly on the themes of Spanish/ European culture and of course, the Roman Catholic religion.
• Christian Doctrine or Doctrina Christiana - the first book ever printed in the Philippines in 1593 by the Dominican press.
• Libro de la Lengua Tagala (Fernando Bagongbanta) - Tagalog translations to the Spanish lines, still the superiority of the Spanish language.
• Pasyon - influenced by the Spanish contexts of Christianity, at least they embodied several Filipino sentiments and values (the feeling of Filipino mother towards a suffering son).
• Pasyon Dapat Ipag-alab ng Puso (Marcelo H. del Pilar) - expressed his rebellious writing style was identified.
• Pascual Poblete's Patnubay sa Binyagan - associated Filipinos' struggle for independence with Jesus' life.
• Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo - made very powerful contributions among the Filipinos the introduction of rejecting Spanish rule. He also influenced the succeeding writers
• The narrative poems Awit and Corrido - talked about world of royals, warriors and lovers (the basic concept in Florante at Laura).
• Komedya - Francisco Baltazar's Florante at Laura embodied the concept of colonization and oppression which gave voice to their revolutionary action towards freedom.
• Period of Enlightenment


  1872-1898
• After 300 years of passivity under Spanish rule, the Filipino spirit reawakened
• 3 priests Gomez, Burgos, Zamora were guillotined without sufficient evidence of guilt on the 17th of February
• This was buttressed with the spirit of liberalism when the Philippines opened its doors to world trade
• A liberal leader in the person of Governor Carlos Maria de la Torre came to power
• The Spaniards were unable to suppress the tide of rebellion among the Filipinos
• The once religious spirit transformed itself into one nationalism and the Filipinos demanded changes in the government and in the church
• Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Alonzo Realonda (June 19,1861 - December 30, 1896) - His pen-name was Laong Laan and Dimasalang
• Noli Me Tangere- This was the novel that gave spirit to the propaganda movement and paved the way to the revolution against Spain.- In this book, he courageously exposed the evils in the Spanish-run government in the Philippines
• El Filibusterismo- This is a sequel to the Noli Me Tangere Noli - exposed the evils in society Fili - exposed those in the government and in the church
• Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell) -This was a poem by Rizal while he was incarcerated at Fort Santiago and is one that can compare favorably with the best in the world.
• Filipinas Dentro De Cien Anos (The Philippines within a Century)- An essay predicting the increasing influence of the US in the Philippines and the decreasing interest of Europe here.
• A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)- A poem Rizal dedicated to the Filipino youth studying at UST
• El Consejo de Los Dioses (The Council of Gods)- An allegorical play manifesting admiration for Cervantes
• Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig River)- Written by Rizal when he was 14 years of age.