COMPILATION OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE DURING PRE-SPANISH AND

SPANISH COLONIZATION

21st Century Literature from the Philippines & the World

Long before the Spaniards and other foreigners landed or set foot on Philippine

shores, our forefathers already had their own literature stamped in the history of our

race.

PRE HISPANIC PERIOD

Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday life as traced in

our folk stories, old plays and short stories.

Our ancestors also had their own alphabet which was different from that brought by the

Spaniards. The first alphabet used by our ancestor was similar to that of the Malayo-Polynesianalphabet. Whatever records our ancestors left were either burned by the Spaniards friars in thebelief that they were works of the devil or were written on materials that easily perished, likethe barks of trees, dried leaves and bamboo cylinders which could not have remainedundestroyed even if efforts were made to preserve them. Other records that remained showedfolk songs that proved the existence of a native culture truly our own. Some of these werepassed on byword of mouth till they reached the hands of some publishers or printers who tookinterest in printing the manuscripts of the ancient Filipinos. The Spaniards who came to thePhilippines tried to prove that our ancestors were really fond of poetry, songs, stories, riddlesand proverbs which we still enjoy today and which serve to show to generations the true cultureof our people.

1. LEGENDSAre forms of prose, the common theme of which

is about the origin of a thing, place, location or name. Theevents are imaginary, devoid of truth and unbelievable. Itsaim is to entertain.

Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by:

In a certain wide region of Luzon, there was a village frequented by young men. The town was full of trees,beautiful flowers and a river where clear waters flowed. What attracted the young men more than the scenery was a beautifulnymph- like maiden.

The maiden was Maria and she had lots of suitors who came from afar and who fought for her hand. But Mariaremained unconcerned and very choosy. Because she was kind, her suitors remained undaunted so Maria thought of a plan.She called all the men together and told them, "You are all good and kind and it is difficult for me to choose one among you.Let me decide with a test. "I'll marry the first man who can bring me a big, live and strong serpent, "Maria said in jest.

The young men were dumbfounded. After a while, the voice of Ilog broke the silence. "In promise to bring youone, Maria. Eve if I have to risk my like, I'll bring you what you wish. Ilog was a man known for his bravery. He leftimmediately to fulfill his promise.

The men whispered among themselves. They were sure that Ilog would never be able to return. Theywaited for a long while but Ilog had not returned. Even Maria was saddened because she also grieved the loss of a manas brave and accommodating as Ilog. After many hours, Ilog returned. They crowded to see how Ilog would provehis bravery. Ilog held a big snake by its nape and tail. While the men were thus occupied, two Spaniards passed by.Their attention was caught not by what Ilog held but by the beauty of Maria.

"Maria," heroically called Ilog. "I've brought you the serpent you wished for. What else do you want me to doto make you happy?"The Spaniards were startled. They asked the people around where they were and in what place theywere in but nobody paid attention for their attention were focused on the snake and on Maria. When Maria saw that thesnake was still struggling, she shouted.

"Taga, Ilog! Taga, Ilog!" (Cut, Ilog! Cut, Ilog!) which she addressed to Ilog so he would cut the snake upagain.

The two Spaniards, thinking that this was in answer to their question repeated the words TAGAILOG,

TAGAILOG which later became TAGAL.

The Legend of the Tagalogs

2. FOLK TALES

Is made up of stories about life,adventure, love, horror and humor where onecan derive lessons about life. These are usefulto us because they help us appreciate ourenvironment, evaluate our personalities andimprove our perspectives in life.

Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by:

In the olden days, like the moon, the sun had also star children which wereyellowish in color, very bright and very hot. He star children of the moon, however, werereddish and cool. That moon was scared hat his stars would wither and die if they play withthe star children of the sun. The moon suggested to the sun that they kill their children whowere crowding the heavens with their number.

When the sun had killed her children, the moon merely hid behind the clouds. Inthe evening, when the clouds faded, the moon stars appeared. This angered the sun so hegave chase to the moon. Thus when he overtakes the moon, we have the so-called eclipse.Every morning, the kills the moon stars that he catches.

Until now, this chase continues and because the moon still continues togive birth to stars, these moon stars are still around.

The Moon and the Sun(Tingguian folk tale)

3. EPICAre long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events,

usually of a hero, are dealt with at length. Nobody can determine which epics are the oldestbecause in their translations from other languages, even in English and Spanish.

Aside from the aforementioned epics, there are still other epics that can be read and studied like thefollowing:

Bidasari – Moro Epic Hari sa Bukid – Visayan Epic

Biag ni Lam-ang – Ilokano Epic Kumintang – Tagalog Epic

Maragtas – Visayan Epic Parang Sabir – Moro Epic

Haraya – Visayan Epic “Dagoy” at “Sudsod” – Tagbanua Epic

Lagda – Visayan Epic Tatuaang – Bagobo Epic

Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by:

4. FOLK SONGSAre 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 have12 syllables.

Example:

KUNDIMAN(Awit ng Pag-ibig – Songs of Love)

Noong unang panahon nung ako ay bata pa,Natisod mo na ay di pa alintana,

Nang ako ay lumaki at maging dalaga,Tila sa Wari ko y may pagbabanta pa.

Pagsinta mo sa akin ay di ko tatanggapinPagka’t akong ito ay alangan sa tingin,

Ako ay mahirap, pangit pa sa tingin.

Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by:

OTHER FORMS OF PRE-SPANISH POETRY

5. EPIGRAMS, RIDDLES, CHANTS, MAXIMS, PROVERBS OR SAYINGS

A. Epigrams (Salawikain). These have been customarily used and served aslaws or rules on good behavior by our ancestors. To others, these are likeallegories or parables that impart lessons for the young.

B. Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan. These are made up of one or moremeasured lines with rhyme and may consist of four to 12 syllables.

C. Chant (Bulong). Used in witch craft or enchantment.

D. Maxims. Some are rhyming couplets with verses 5,6 or 8 syllables, eachline having the same number of syllables.

E. Sayings (Kasabihan). Often used in teasing or to comment on a person’sactuations.

F. Sawikain (Sayings with no hidden meanings)

Let's go back in time and discover more about our heritage and literature when Spaniards came in 1521.

HISPANIC PERIOD

The arrival of the Spaniards in 1565 brought Spanish culture and language. The Spanishconquerors, governing from Mexico for the crown of Spain, established a strict class system that wasbased on race and soon imposed Roman Catholicism on the nativepopulation. Augustinian and Franciscan missionaries, accompanied by Spanish soldiers soon spreadChristianity from island to island.

GOALS OF SPANIARDS

Before Spanish move here in the Philippines they've already set goals known as 3 G's, the gold, glory and god. Gold is the accumulation of wealth, Glory is the supremacy of Spain over Portugal as a superpower and the most important among the three is the God. Its aim is to convert the natives to Christians.

The spreading of Christianity was never easy for Spaniards since they are already Muslim settlement in Mindanao. However, people in the lowlands were forced to practice different ceremonies like mass baptism, reduction policies. The beginning of Passion play, and even the crucifixion of Christ.

Spain also brought to the country, though at much later time, liberal ideas and an internationalism that influenced our own Filipino intellectuals and writers for them to understand the meaning of liberty and freedom.

SPANISH INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Romanalphabet.

The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.

The Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lentmany of its words to our language.

Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other dialects.

Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano andVisayan.

Our periodicals during these times gained a religious tone.

Religious themes dominated the literature of the time.

European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs,corridos, and moro-moros.

DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE CHRISTIAN

DOCTRINE)

This was the first book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in xylography.

NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL ROSARIO

It contains the biographies of saints, novenas, and questions and answers on religion.

LIBRO DE LOS CUATRO POSTRIMERIAS DEL

HOMBRE

First written book in typography

BARLAAN AT JOSEPHAT

Biblical Story printed in the PhilippinesFirst Tagalog novel printed in the Philippines even though it is only a translation

THE PASSION

This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ.

THE FIRST BOOKS

URBANA AT FELISA Modesto de Castro- Father of Classical Prose in TagalogInfluenced greatly the behavior of the people in the society

ANG MGA DALIT KAY MARIA (PSALAMS FOR MARY) Collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary

Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (Art and Rules of the Tagalog Language)Translated to Tagalog by Tomas Pinpin in 1610 & Written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose

Compendio de la Lengua Tagala (Understanding the Tagalog Language)Written by Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin in 1703

Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (Tagalog vocabulary) first Tagalog dictionary written by Fr. Pedro de San Bueneventura in 1613.

Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampanga vocabulary) the first book written in Pampango

written by Fr. Diego in 1732

Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya (Bisayan Vocabulary) Best Visayan language book

Written by Mataeo Sanchez in 1711

Arte de la Lengua Ilokana (The Art of the Ilocano Language) First Ilocano grammar book by Francisco Lopez

Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol Language) First book in the Bicol Language by Fr. Marcos Libson in 1754

THE FIRST BOOKS

PROMINENT PEOPLE DURING THE HISPANICPERIOD

FranciscoBaltazar (born FranciscoBalagtas y de la Cruz; April 2, 1788 –February 20, 1862), also knownas Francisco Balagtas, was aprominent Filipino poet, and is widelyconsidered one of the greatest Filipinoliterary laureates for his impact onFilipino literature. The famousepic, Florante at Laura, is regarded ashis defining work.

Francisco

“Balagtas”

Baltazar

José Protasio RizalMercado y Alonso Realonda(June 19,1861 – December 30, 1896) widelyknown as José Rizal, was a Filipinonationalist and polymath during the tail endof the Spanish colonial period ofthe Philippines. An ophthalmologist byprofession, Rizal became a writer and akey member of the Filipino PropagandaMovement which advocated politicalreforms for the colony under Spain.

He was executed by the Spanishcolonial government for the crimeof rebellion after an anti-dd revolution,inspired in part by his writings, broke out.Though he was not actively involved in itsplanning or conduct, he ultimatelyapproved of its goals which eventually ledto Philippine independence.

José Rizal

PROMINENT PEOPLE DURING THE HISPANICPERIOD

NOVELS AND ESSAYS OF JOSE

RIZAL Noli Me Tángere, novel, 1887 (literally Latin for 'touch me not', from John 20:17)

El Filibusterismo, (novel, 1891), sequel to Noli Me Tángere

Alin Mang Lahi" ("Whate'er the Race"), a Kundiman attributed to Dr. José Rizal

The Friars and the Filipinos (Unfinished)

Toast to Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo (Speech, 1884), given at Restaurante Ingles, Madrid

The Diaries of José Rizal

Rizal's Letters is a compendium of Dr. Jose Rizal's letters to his family members, Blumentritt, Fr. Pablo Pastells and other reformers

"Come se gobiernan las Filipinas" (Governing the Philippine islands)

Filipinas dentro de cien años essay, 1889–90 (The Philippines a Century Hence)

La Indolencia de los Filipinos, essay, 1890 (The indolence of Filipinos)

Makamisa unfinished novel

Sa Mga Kababaihang Taga Malolos, essay, 1889, To the Young Women of Malolos

Annotations to Antonio de Moragas, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (essay, 1889, Events in the Philippine Islands)

Andrés Bonifacio (November 30, 1863 –

May 10, 1897) was a Filipino revolutionary leader andthe president of the Tagalog Republic. He is oftencalled "The Father of the Philippine Revolution". Hewas one of the founders and later Supremo (SupremeLeader) of the Kataas-taasan, KagalanggalangangKatipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or simply and morepopularly called Katipunan, a movement which soughtthe independence of the Philippines from Spanishcolonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution. Heis considered a de facto national hero of thePhilippines, and is also considered by some Filipinohistorians to be the first President of the Philippines(through the revolutionary government he established),but officially he is not recognized as such.

Andres Bonifacio

PROMINENT PEOPLE DURING THE HISPANICPERIOD

Leona Florentino (born Leona JosefaFlorentina,19 April 1849 - 4 October1884)

was a Filipino poet inthe Spanish and Ilocano languages.She is considered as the "mother ofPhilippine women's literature" andthe "bridge from oral to literarytradition".

Leona Florentino

PROMINENT PEOPLE DURING THE HISPANICPERIOD

WORKS

Her lyrical poetry in Spanish, and especially that in Ilocano,gained attention in various international forumsin Spain, Paris and St. Louis, Missouri. Her literary contributions -particularly 22 preserved poems - were recognized when she wasincluded in the Encyclopedia Internationale des Oeuvres desFemmes (International Encyclopedia of Women’s Works) in1889. She is believed to be the first Filipina to receive thisinternational recognition, an homage that occurred after her deathat a young age.

FOLK SONGS

Folk songs became widespread in the Philippines. Each region had its national song from the lowlands to the mountains of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Examples of Folk SongsA. Leron-leron SintaB. PamulinawenC. DandansoyD. Atin Cu Pung Sing-sing

RECREATIONAL PLAYS

1. Tibag – the word tibag means to excavate. This ritual was brought hereby the Spaniard to remind the people about the search of St. Helena forthe Cross on which Jesus died through a dramatic performance

2. Lagaylay – this is a special occasion for the Pilareños of Sorsogonduring Maytime to get together. This also shows praise, respect andoffering love to the Blessed Cross by St. Helena and the mound she dugin.

3. The Cenaculo – this is a dramatic performance to commemorate thepassion and death of Jesus Christ.

4. Panunuluyan – this is presented before 12:00 on Christmas Eve. This isa presentation of the search of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an innwherein to deliver the baby Jesus.

6. Salubong – an Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Christ and hisMother.

7. Carillo (Shadow Play) – this is a form of dramatic entertainment performed on amoonless night during a town fiesta or on dark nights after a harvest. This shadowplay is made by projecting cardboard figures before a lamp against a white sheet. Thefigures are moved like marionettes whose dialogues are produced by some experts.

8. The Zarzuela – considered the father of the drama; it is a musical comedy ormelodrama three acts which dealt with man’s passions and emotions like love, hate,revenge, cruelty, avarice or some social or political problem.

9. Sainete – a short musical comedy that were exaggerated and shown between longplays.

10. The Moro-Moro – a play that depicts a Christian princess who is captured by theMohammedans. The father organizes a rescue party where fighting between theMoros and Christians ensues.

RECREATIONAL PLAYS

KYLE ALFAFARA

JADE EDISAN

APPLE DORAINE

MENDOZA

JEMMAR SEVILLE

2017-2018