HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

-BRYANN T. CAPILI

BS HRM

Pre-Colonial Period

- Consisted of early Filipino literature passed down orally; oral pieces have acommunalauthorship it was difficult to trace the original author of the piece since oral literature did not focus on ownership or copyright, rather on the act of storytelling itself;

- Many oral pieces became lost in the wave of the new literary influence brought about by the Spanish colonization; however, according to thePhilippine Literature: A History & Anthology, English Edition (Lumbera, B. & Lumbera C.), the pre-colonial period of Philippine literature is considered the longest in the countrys history;

- Literature in this period is based on tradition, reflecting daily life activities such as housework, farming, fishing, hunting, and taking care of the children as well;

- Oral pieces told stories which explained heroes and their adventures; they attempted to explain certain natural phenomena, and, at the same time, served as entertainment purposes;

- Pre-colonial literature showed certain elements that linked the Filipino culture to other Southeast Asian countries (e.g. oral pieces which were performed through a tribal dance have certain similarities to the Malay dance);

- This period in Philippine literature history represented the ethos of the people before the arrival of a huge cultural influence literature as a cultural tradition, than a form of art that had a particular set of decorum.

Early Forms of Philippine Literature:

o Bugtong (riddles; a bugtong contains a metaphor called,Talinghaga), Salawikain (proverb); o Pre-colonial poetry Tanaga (expresses a view or a value of the world), Ambahan (songs about childhood, human relationships, hospitality; sung by the Mangyan), Duplo (verbal jousts/games), Bayok (thoughts about love), Balagtasan (performed on stage); o Epic poetry romantic heroes and heroines that are a reflection of the world as perceived by the early Filipinos.

Notable Works of the Pre-colonial Period: o Tuwaang, Lam-ang, Hinilawod, Bantugan

II. Spanish Colonial Period (Mid-16th late 19th century)

- The Spanish culture, as reflected in the works of this literature period, showed a clash with the pre-colonial Filipino literature in the beginning. However, due to the length of stay of the colonizers, the Spanish culture was eventually imbued in the Filipino literature of the period;

- Religion became an important theme that had influenced the early Filipino writings which had the presence of paganism Christian Folk-Tale;

- In addition, the influence of religion, besides on the daily life of the natives, was lead by the friar/missionary/parish priest who were appointed by the Spanish government;

- Despite the goal of the Spanish government to turn the country into a full-fledged European colony, the Spanish influence ironically inspired a reformation from the natives, which eventually turned into a revolution;

- Yet regardless of the conflicts that plagued the relationship between the Spaniards and the Filipinos, a sense of nationalism was formed among the oppressed, and had caused them to rise up to a nationalistic cause;

- Theessaygenre was recognized amidst the scene of editorial protest Jose Rizal and Plaridel (Marcelo H. Del Pilar) were among those who opt in using the pen in voicing out the peoples cry instead of the sword;

- Introduction of the roman alphabet that gradually replaced the alibata;

- The Filipino literature of this period became the predecessor of many more literary works to come in the ages, wherein the theme of nationalism and freedom of speech would be evident.

Philippine Literature and Art during the Spanish Period:

o Pasyon and Sinakulo (religious dramas performed during the Holy Week); o Narrative Poems Awit; Corrido; o Komedya a theatrical performance which captured the ideal European lifestyle as portrayed by medieval characters

Notable Works of the Spanish Period: o Doctrina Christiana (1593) the first book ever published in the Philippines; printed by the Dominican Press; o May Bagyo Mat May Rilim according to literary historian, Bienvenido Lumbera, is the first printed literary work in Tagalog; o Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Christong P. Natin na Tola (1704) eventually referred to as Pasyon, was written by Gaspar Aquino de Belen; an example of Christian folk epic in which the passion of Jesus Christ was written in relation with the plight of the Filipino people who were oppressed by the colonizers, as well as the values of a Filipino; o Ninay (1885) first Filipino novel written; Pedro Paterno; o Florante at Laura Francisco Balagtas Baltazar; though there are symbols and themes which dictate the protest of the Filipino against the Spanish regime, it is uncertain as to whether or not Balagtas had intended the issue which was subtly derived from his work since he left no notes or additional pieces that may affirm the conclusion; o Noli Me Tangere (1887) and El Filibusterismo (1891) Jose Rizal; works which created an impact on the national consciousness and love for ones country against the abusive government of the Spaniards; o La Solidaridad Propagandist newspaper.

III. American Colonial Period (Late 19th Mid-20th century)

- The gradual decline of the Philippine literature written in Spanish;

- The English language eventually became the medium of writing and instruction in schools;

- As the Spanish colonizers left the country in accordance with the Treaty of Paris, the spirit of nationalism and the desire to be acknowledged of independence did not disappear just yet. Instead, these uniting forces geared into revolting against the new colonizers;

- During the American colonization period, Philippine literature reflected the ethos of its people under a new role. However, these day-to-day experiences under a new foreign influence, as well as sentiments, were expressed through the English language;

- The Spanish sarsuwela was eventually replaced by the drama;

- One major influence of the American occupation on the Filipino literature is its refining in the context of the content and the form. Furthermore, because of this broadened knowledge on the field of literature through the education provided by the American government, Philippine literature has become more than a tradition formed by culture. It has become an art which succeeding poets, fictionists, and playwrights continue to build upon and enrich in every generation;

- Beginning with Rizals use of social realism as one of the major themes for his two major novels, the literature during the American colonization also became an involvement, not just reflecting the Filipino experience a strengthened sense of nationalism deeply rooted in the Filipino pride and culture;

- Unlike in the Spanish colonization period wherein female writers (e.g. Gregoria de Jesus) were overshadowed by their more dominant, male contemporaries as a result of the education only being provided to a selected and privileged few during the American occupation, women have had their opportunity to enhance their talent by being educated on the craft. In addition, the growing popularity of works written by Filipina writers is the result of the growing audience appreciating literature by females.

Philippine Literature and Art during the American Period: o Short Story o Poetry in English o Free Verse in Poetry o Drama Notable Works of the American Period: o Mga Agos sa Disyerto (1964) Efren R. Abueg, Edgardo M. Reyes, Eduardo Bautista Reyes, Rogelio L. Ordoez and Rogelio R. Sikat; this short story anthology brought fiction into the age of modernism; o Ako ang Daigdig (1940) Alejandro G. Abadilla; free verse poem; o Sa Dakong Silangan Jose Corazon de Jesus; a poem written in the vernacularGENRES OF LITERATURE-BRYANN T. CAPILI

BSHRMMajor forms of literatureThe major forms of Literature are:

Novel Poem Drama Short story NovellaVarious forms of literature are written in and further categorized bygenre. Sometimes forms are used interchangeably to define genre. However, a form, e.g., a novel or a poem, can itself be written in any genre. Genre is a label that characterizes elements a reader can expect in a work of literature. The major forms of literature can be written in various genres.

Classic Major GenresGenre is a category characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. The classic major genres of Literature are:

Drama Romance Satire Tragedy Comedy TragicomedyGenre categories: fiction and nonfictionGenre may fall under one of two categories:FictionandNonfiction. Any genre can be either: a work of Fiction (nonfactual descriptions and events invented by theauthor) or a work of Nonfiction (a communication in which descriptions and events are understood to be factual).

Common genres: FictionSubsets of genres, known as common genres, have developed from the archetypes of genres in written expression. The common genres included in recommended Literature from kindergarten through Grade Twelve by the California Department of Education are defined as:[1] Drama stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action

Fable narration demonstrating a useful truth, especially in which animals speak as humans; legendary, supernatural tale

Fairy tale story about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children

Fantasy fiction with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality

Fiction narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact

Fiction in verse full-length novels with plot, subplot(s), theme(s), major and minor characters, in which the narrative is presented in (usually blank) verse form

Folklore the songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a people or "folk" as handed down by word of mouth

Historical fiction story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting

Horror fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the reader

Humor fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement, meant to entertain; but can be contained in all genres

Legend story, sometimes of a national or folk hero, that has a basis in fact but also includes imaginative material

Mystery fiction dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets

Mythology legend or traditional narrative, often based in part on historical events, that reveals human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often pertaining to the actions of the gods

Poetry verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that creates emotional responses

Realistic fiction story that is true to life

Science fiction story based on impact of actual, imagined, or potential science, usually set in the future or on other planets

Short story fiction of such brevity that it supports no subplots

Tall tale humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with nonchalance

Common genres: Non-Fiction Biography/Autobiography- Narrative of a person's life. A true story about a real person.

Essay- A short literary composition that reflects the author's outlook or point.

Narrative nonfiction- Factual information presented in a format which tells a story.

Speech- Public address or discourse.

Textbook- Authoritative and detailed factual description of a topic