A Brief History of Philippine Literature in English
I. Pre-Colonial Period

- Consisted of early Filipino literature passed down orally; oral pieces have a communal authorship – 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 the Philippine Literature: A History & Anthology, English Edition (Lumbera, B. & Lumbera C.), the pre-colonial period of Philippine literature is considered the longest in the country’s 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;

- The essay genre 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 people’s 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 one’s 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 Rizal’s 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. Ordoñez 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 vernacular.

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

I. PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD (---BC to 1564)

A. Characteristics

1. Based on oral traditions 2. Crude on ideology and phraseology

B. Literary Form

1. Oral Literature

a. Riddles (bugtong)
– battle of wits among participants
Tigmo – Cebu Paktakon- Ilonggo Patotdon – Bicol

b.Proverbs (salawikain)
– wise sayings that contain a metaphor used to teach as a food for thought.

c. Tanaga

- a mono-riming hepta-syllabic quatrain expressing insights and lessons on life is "more emotionally charged than the terse proverb and thus has affinities with the folk lyric."

2.Folk Songs

It is a form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and aspirations, the people's lifestyles as well as their loves. These are often repetitive and sonorous, didactic and naïve.

a. Hele or Oyayi – lullaby

b. Ambahan (Mangyan) – 7-syllable per line poem that are about human relationships and social entertainment.

c. Kalusan (Ivatan) – work songs that depict the livelihood of the people.

d. Tagay (Cebuano and Waray) – drinking song.

e. Kanogan (Cebuano) – song of lamentation for the dead.

3. Folk Tales

a. Myths – explain how the world was created, how certain animals possess certain characteristics, why some places have waterfalls, volcanoes, mountains, flora or fauna.

b. Legends – explain the origin of things
Why the Pineapple Has Eyes
The Legend of Maria Makiling

b. Fables – used animal characters and allegory

c. Fantastic stories – deal with underworld characters such as “tiyanak”,“aswang”, “kapre” and others

4. Epics
These are “narratives of sustained length based on oral tradition revolving around supernatural events or heroic deeds” (Arsenio Manuel)
Examples: Lam-ang (Ilocano) Hinilawod (Panay)
Kudaman (Palawan) Darangen (Maranao)
II. SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD (1565 – 1863) A. Characteristics

1. It has two distinct classifications: religious and secular.
2.It introduced Spanish as the medium of communication

B.Literary Forms

1. Religious Literature - Religious lyrics written by ladino poets or those versed in both Spanish and Tagalog were included in early catechism and were used toteach Filipinos the Spanish language.
a. Pasyon – long narrative poem about the passion and death of Christ. The mostpopular was “Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Cristong Panignoon Natin” byAguino de Belen.
b. Senakulo – dramatization of the pasyon, it shows the passion and death of Christ.
2. Secular (non-religious) Literature
a. Awit - colorful tales of chivalry made for singing and chanting. Example: Ibong Adarna
b.Korido – metrical tale written in octo-syllabic quatrainsExample: Florante at Laura by Francisco Baltazar
c.Prose Narratives – written to prescribe proper decorum
i. Dialogoiii. ejemplo ii.Manual de Urbanidad iv. tratadoExamples: Modesto de Castro's "
Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na siUrbana at si Feliza
" and Joaquin Tuason's " Ang Bagong Robinson
" (The NewRobinson) in 1879
III. NATIONALISTIC / PROPAGANDA AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD(1864 – 1896)
A. Characteristics1.Planted seeds of nationalism in Filipinos2.Language shifted from Spanish to Tagalog3.Addressed the masses instead of the “intelligentsia”
B.
Literary Forms1. Propaganda Literature - Reformatory in objectivea. Political Essays – satires, editorials and news articles were written to attackand expose the evils of Spanish rulei.Diariong Tagalog – founded by Marcelo del Pilarii.La Solidaridad – whose editor-in-chief is Graciano Lopez-Jaenab. Political Novelsi. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo – Jose Rizal’s masterpiecesthat paved the way to the revolution
2.
Revolutionary Literature – more propagandistic than literary as it is moreviolent in nature and demanded complete independence for the country
a.
Political Essays – helped inflame the spirit of revolutioni. Kalayaan – newspaper of the society, edited by Emilio Jacintob. Poetryi. True Decalogue – Apolinario Mabiniii.Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas – Andres Bonifacioiii.Liwanag at Dilim – Emilio Jacinto
IV. AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1910 – 1945)
A.
Period of Apprenticeship (1910-1930)1.Filipino Writers imitated English and American models2.Poems written were amateurish and mushy, which phrasing and diction isawkward and artificial
a.Short Storiesi.Dead Stars – Paz Marquez Benitezii.The Key – Paz Latorenaiii.Footnote to Youth – Jose Garcia Villab.Novelsi. Childe of Sorrow – first novel in English, by Zoilo GalangB. Period of Emergence (1920-1930)1. Highly influenced by Western literary trends like Romanticism and Realism.a. Short Stories – most prevalent literary formi. Jose Garcia Villa – earned the international title “Poet of theCentury”
V. JAPANESE OCCUPATION (1942 - 1960)
A.
War Years (1942-1944)1. Tagalog poets broke away from the Balagtas tradition and insteadwrote in simple language and free verse2.Fiction prevailed over poetrya.25 Pinakamabuting Maikling Kthang Pilipino (1943) – compilation of theshort story contest by the military governmenti. Suyuan sa Tubigan – Macario Pinedaii.Lupang Tinubuan – Narciso Reyesiii.Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa – Liwayway ArceoB.Period of Maturity and Originality (1945-1960)1.Bountiful harvest in poetry, fiction, drama and essay2.Filipino writers mastered English and familiarized themselves iwhtdiverse techniques3.Literary “giants” appeared
a.
Palanca Awards for Literaturei.Jose Garcia Villaii.Nick Joaquiniii.NVM Gonzalesiv.Bienvenido Santosv.Gregorio Brillantesvi.Gilda CorderoFernandob.National Artist Awards
i.
Jose Garcia Villaii. Nick Joaquin
VI. CONTEMPORARY/MODERN PERIOD (1960 – PRESENT)
A. Characteristics1.Martial Law repressed and curtailed human rights, including freedom of thepress
2.
Writers used symbolisms and allegories to drive home their message, at theface of heavy censorship3.Theater was used as a vehicle for protest, such as the PETA (Phil. Educational Theater Association) and UP Theater.4.From the eighties onwards, writers continue to show dynamism and innovation