21st Century Literature from

the Philippines and the

World
 ▹ What is Literature?
▹ Is a term used to describe written and spoken
material, commonly refers to the creative
imagination ,including poetry, drama,fiction,
nonfiction, and in some instances, journalism and
song.

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Literature
Litteratura - Which means
writing

Litteratus - learning

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Literature
Covers both oral and written forms of works which
manifest expressive or imaginative quality, nobility of
thoughts, timelessness , and universality.
Literature takes significant human experiences as the
main subject.
It mainly discusses various dimensions of life as well as
miseries and glories.
 ▹ “
Reasons of reading Literature
Acquisition of relevant
information/knowledge
▹ Entertainment/Amusement
▹ Uplift cultural understanding
▹ Escape from reality
▹ 5
To understand life
 Key Features of Literature:
▹ Literature is a form of communication.
▹ Literature is an art
▹ Nobility of thoughts
▹ Timelessness
▹ Universality

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Geographic Origin
Refers to the place where a piece of
literature came from.
For Example : The classic song of
Matud Nila came from the Visayas
origin.

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 LINGUISTIC ORIGIN
▹ The linguistic origin of a piece of
literature is somewhat related to it’s
geographic origin.
▹ For example: If a poem is written using
the Visayan dialect, most probably it
originated in the Visayas region.
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 Ethnic Origin
▹ refers to the racial or cultural beginning.
▹ Example: An Ilocano that makes use of
Ilocano dialect may most probably trace it’s
origin to the Ilocano race and discusses
things related to the Ilocano culture.

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PERIODS OF PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE

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 1. PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
(B.C.) to 1564
It is the literature of the formative
past by various group of people
who inhabited the archipelago
The verses were addressed to the
ears rather than the eyes.
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 Important Features of Pre-Colonial
Literature
< The beginning of life on earth
< Accounts about great people or
super natural heroes
< Inclusion of Gods and Goddesses
< Themes on morality; good and bad
practices 12
 Literary Forms
Oral Literature
Riddles – Battle of wits among the
participants
Example:
Thirty white horses on a red hill. First they
champ,Then they stamp, Then they stand
still.
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Proverbs ( salawikain )
Wise sayings that contain a metaphor used
to teach as a food for thought.
Example:
* “ A tree is known by it’s fruits”
*” Absence makes the heart grow fonder”

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Tanaga
A type of Filipino poem consisting of 4
lines with 7 syllables with the same
rhyme at the end of each line. Tanaga
do not have titles traditionally
because the Tanaga should speak for
itself.
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Example:
Sa /gu/bat/ na/ ma/da/wag

Ta/la’y/ ma/ba/ba/na/ag

I/yon/ ang/ ta/ nging/ ha/ngad

Bu/hay/ ma’y / i/ga/ga/wad

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 Folk Songs

Form of folk lyric which expresses hopes and

aspirations, the people’s lifestyles as well as
their loveone’s. These are often repetitive and
sonorous, didactic and naïve

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 Ambahan ( Mangyan )
> A traditional poetry of the Hanunuo
Mangyans of Oriental Mindoro. It is
usually written on bamboo
> A 7 syllable per line poem that are about
human relationships and social
entertainment
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Kalusan ( Ivatan ) or working song -
is a song sung in chorus by field
workers. It depicts about farm works,
rowing or cutting woods

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Tagay ( Cebuano and Waray)
> Drinking song

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 Folk Tales
Myths
A story of Gods and Goddesses
Legends
A story about the origin of a place or
a thing
Fables
A story that uses animals as
characters
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Fantasy Stories
> deal with underworld characters such as “
tiyanak”, “aswang”, “ kapre “,and others.
Epics
> A narrative poem about supernatural
powers/events or heroic deeds
Example : Biag-ni-Lam-Ang - an epic poem
of Ilocano people

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II. SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD
( 1565 – 1863 )
Brought changes in the life of the people, culture but
also in language and system in writings.
> Spanish language are introduced as well as utilization
of Roman Alphabet in writing.

> Christian Doctrine was given emphasis

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A. Characteristics
1. Secular ( Non- religious form of literature)
a.) Awit
Colorful tales of chivalry made for singing and
chanting.
Example: Ibong Adarna
b.) Korido/Corrido
Metrical tale written on octosyllabic quatrains
( a line or verse with 8 syllables )
Example: Florante at Laura by Francisco
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Baltazar
▹ C. Duplo ( Balagtasan )
A poetic joust or a contest of skills and
debate on a particular topic or issue.

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2. Non-secular (Religious form of
Literature)
a. Pasyon -
Long narrative poem about the passion and
death of Christ.
b.Senakulo – dramatization of pasyon
III. Nationalistic/Propaganda and
Revolutionary Period (1864-1896)

Various form of literature has emerged but

there was rich collection of poetry.
Planted seeds of nationalism to the Filipinos.
Language shifted from Spanish to Tagalog

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 Literary Forms
Propaganda Literatures
a.) Political Essays – satires, editorials and news
articles were written to attacked and
expose the evil of Spanish Rule
* Diariong Tagalog – founded by Marcelo del
Pilar
* La Solidaridad – editor – in – chief was
Graciano Lopez Jaena

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 b.)Political Novels
* Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
These novels were written by Jose Rizal to
reveal the abuses of Spaniards
c.) Poetry
* True Decalogue – Apolinario Mabini
* Katapusan ng Hibik ng Pilipinas – Andres
Bonifacio
* Liwanag at Dilim – Emilio Jacinto

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IV. American Colonial Period (1910-1945)

Introduction to English language

Imitation of the language style and
methods of the Americans.
Filipino writers imitated English and
American models.

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A. Period of Apprenticeship (1910-1930)
a

a.) Short Stories

Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez
The Key by Paz Latorena
Footnote to Youth by Jose Garcia Villa
b.) Novels
Child of Sorrow – First novel in English by Zoilo
Galang

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B. Period of Emergence (1920-1930)
Highly influenced by Western Literary trends like Romanticism and
Realism
Short stories – most prevalent literary forms
Jose Garcia Villa – earned the international title “ Poet of the
Century”
• The comparison between urban and rural living became common
in most
text.
• In poetry, free verse and modern themes were considered by
writers
* Foreign films were introduced to the people.

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V. Japanese Occupation (1942-1945)
A. War Years (1942-1944)
* Serves as the “GOLDEN PERIOD” for short
stories and tagalog drama
* Tagalog poets broke away from balagtas
tradition and instead wrote a
simple language and free verse.
* Foreign films are introduced to the people.

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*Fiction prevailed over poetry
* 25 Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang
Pilipino (1943) – compilation of the
entries to the short story contest by the
military government.
* Suyuan sa Tubigan by Macario Pineda
* Lupang Tinubuan by Narciso Reyes
* Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa by Liwayway
Arceo
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B. Period of Maturity and Originality
(1945-1960)
Bountiful harvest in poetry, fiction, drama and
essay
Nationalism and patriotism and life struggles
prevailed, however the publication of these works
are secretly done.
Filipino writers mastered English and familiarized
themselves with diverse techniques.

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 Literary “ giants “ appeared
A. Palanca Awards for Literature
Jose Garcia Villa
Nick Juaquin
Bienvenido Santos
Gregorio Brillantes
Gilda Cordero
NVM Gonzales

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Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature

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 B. National Artist Awards

Jose Garcia Villa

Nick Juaquin

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 VI. The Rebirth of Freedom
(1945-1970)
A. The Americans returned to the Philippines in
1945
Filipinos rejoiced and the guerrillas who fled
the mountain joined the liberating American
Army.
Filipinos regained their freedom on July 4, 1946.

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State of Literature During this Period

The early post liberation period was marked

by a kind of “struggle of mind
and spirit” posed by the sudden
emancipation from the enemy and the wild
desire to see print.

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 Newspapers:
Free Press
Morning Sun of Sergio Osmeña Sr.
Daily News of Manuel Roxas
Manila Times and Daily Mirror of Juaquin Roces
Evening News of Ramon Roces
The Philippine Herald of Andres Soriano Sr.
Chronicle of the Lopezes
Bulletin of Menzi
Philippine Cross Section (1950) – a collection of
Prose and poetry by Maximo Ramos and Florentino
Valeros 43
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The theme of most poems dealt with the
usual love of nature and social political
problems.

The Palanca Memorial Awards for

Literature (headed by Carlos Palanca Sr.) was
launched in 1950 and serves as
inspiration for Filipino writers.

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 VII. Contemporary/Modern Period
(1970 to present)
A.Period Of Activism
The declaration of MARTIAL LAW -1972 by President
Ferdinand E. Marcos
Campus newspaper shows rebellious emotions
Writers use symbolism and allegories to drive home
their message.
Theaters was used as a vehicle for protest such as
PETA\
(Philippine Educational Theater Association)
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 B. Period of New Society (1972-1980)
The themes of most poems dealt with
patience, regard for native culture, customs
and the beauties of nature and surroundings.
* January 2, 1981 – Martial Law was lifted.

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August 21, 1983 – Ninoy Aquino was
assassinated.
Cory Aquino was elected on February 1986.
People Power
Restoration of democracy brought back.

All these showed in the songs, poems,

speeches, news and even in televisions.

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Many composers added their bit during this
period. Among them were Freddie Aguilar,
Jose Mari Chan and the group of Tito, Vic and
Joey. ANAK by Freddie Aguilar became an
instant success because of the spirit and
emotions revealed in the song.

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Filipino Films
A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulang Pilipino
( A yearly Filipino Film Festival ) was held during
this time which lasted usually for a month.Only
Filipino films were shown in all theaters in Metro
Manila. Prizes and trophies were awarded at the end of
the festival in recognition of the excellence in film
making and in role performances.

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Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino

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Magazines Bulaklak Sensation
Extra Hot Jingle

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Like mushrooms, comics also proliferated
everywhere and were enjoyed by the masses.

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As a matter of fact, the Filipinos didn’t lose
their literature after the bloody wars that
happened in the Philippines.The Philippine
literature became famous all through out the
world.

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THANK YOU