21st Century

Literature
Historical Overview of
Philippine Literature:
Colonial Period
What do you know about Philippines
during each colonial period in our
country’s history? Spanish period?
American period? Japanese period?
WHO AM I CHECKLIST: How many of your interests,
traits and characters can you identify as to Eastern and
Western influences? Answer this survey checklist by
putting a check on the column category that applies to
you. Category My Unique Choice Social/ Group
Influence
A. PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
1. Hairstyle and make-up
1. Clothes ( color and style) and footwear
1. Accesories
A. CAREER
1. SHS Strand
1. School
1. Future course in college
1. Future work
A. DECISIONS AND PREFERENCES
1. Friends
1. Food Preferences
1. Hobbies
1. Philosophies
1. Dealing with conflict
Discussion of the following Period:
1. Spanish Colonial Period
2. American Colonial Period
3. Japanese Colonial Period
4. Dimensions of Philippine Literature
5. Some Notable Writers
I. SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD (1565-1898)
 This can be divided into two major periods: Early Spanish Period
(1565-1863) and Later Part or Revolutionary Period (1864-1896).
 Early Spanish Period can be categorized as either religious or secular.
Dimensions of Philippine Literature
 The type of literature produced during this period used, Spanish,
Tagalog, and vernacular form of languages.
 Spanish was introduced as the medium of communication and later
shifted to Tagalog when a sense of nationalism arose during the
revolutionary period.
 The introduction of the printing equipment is called xylographic press
by the Dominicans resulted in publication of various religious
materials and earliest books.
Poetically inclined writers led by Tagalog versifiers called
Ladinos ( natives who were also fluent in Spanish) such as
Fernando Bagongbata and Tomas Pinpin tackled mostly
morality and religion.
Folk songs still existed.
Drama, as another type of literary genre, as well as metrical
tales based on Europen origin (such as awit and corrido)
flourished.
Diaryong Tagalog (1882), a Spanish- Tagalog newspaper,
published bulk of Filipino writings. The publication signaled the
open campaign for reforms.
In 1889, the La Solidaridad, an underground newspaper,
became the mouthpiece of the Reform Movement.
Emergence of Other Types of Literature during Spanish Colonial Period
 Books. In 1593, the book written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva entitled “Doctrina Cristiana” ( The
Christian Doctrine) was first printed. Among other notable books printed are “ Nuestra Senora del Rosario” by Fr.
Blancas de San Jose, “ Barlaan at Josaphat” (first published in 1708) translated from Greek to Tagalog by Fr. Antonio de
Borja, and “Urbana at Felisa” by Modesto de Castro who is considered as the Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog.
 Folk Songs. These were songs modified based on the folkways of Filipinos during this period.
Recreational Plays. These were mostly poetic in nature and intended to be performed during the Spanish era. Cenaculo, Carillo,
Zarsuela, Moro- Moro, Balagtasan, Duplo, and Karagatan are among the examples
Novels. This are fictitious prose usually lengthy and complex
in nature. Pedro Paterno’s work entitled “Ninay is the first
novel published by a Filipino author.
Newspaper. There has been a debate on whether
newspapers should be categorized as literature or not.
However according to Britannica, some high level journalism
like articles written in newspaper such as columns and
feature articles can be considered as literature for as long as
they achieve a certain level of satisfaction under aesthetic,
chronological, psychological characterization
•Some Notable Writers
 Francisco Baltazar ( 1788- 1862) was hailed as the “Master of Traditional
Tagalog Poetry’’. His well- known literary work, Florante at Laura (1838-
1861), is regarded as the most famous metrical romance of the country.
 Pedro Paterno ( 1857- 1911) was the first Filipino who wrote poetry
collection in Spanish entitled Sampaguitas y poesias varias (1880). His
novel Spanish Ninay (1885) was considered to be the first Filipino novel.
 Jose Rizal (1861- 1896), a prominent ilustrado and the cuntry’s National
Hero, is famous for the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
 Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897), the founder of the Katipunan, wrote
poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” which appeared in the official
newspaper of the Katipunan called Kalayaan in March 1896.
 Leonora Florentino( 1849-1884), known as the Mother of Philippine
Women’s Literature,’’ was a poet in both Ilocano and Spanish.
•II. AMERICANCOLONIAL PERIOD (1910-1945)
American colonial period is divided into two periods: the
period of apprenticeship (1910-1930) and the period of
emergence (1920- 1930).
The surrender of first Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo in
1901 signified the end of the military struggle for
independence.
Aguinaldo promised allegiance to America but still continued
to be very vocal of achieving independence for the
Philippines.
In 1935, Aguinaldo was soundly defeated by Manuel L.
Quezon as the first President of Commonwealth.
•Dimensions of Philippine Literature
During the transition period many Filipino writers still
preferred to write in Spanish since English was still a foreign
language to them.
Flipino writers were into all forms of literature during the
period of apprenticeship but most of their works were
critiqued as an imitation of English and American models.
Short stories become the most prevalent literary form during
the latter part of American colonial period.
The existence of American literary works and periodicals as
well as the coming of American teachers encouraged many
aspiring Filipino writers to use the English language.
A new type of literature began when American system of
education and English language were introduced.
At the beginning, most of the literary works written in English
were considered imitative in nature, but then later on
evolved to a new variety of subjects, styles and conventions
of writing.
Common theme in plays was all about nationalism.
•Other Type of Literature during American Colonial
Period
Short Stories. These are stories that can typically be
read in one sitting revolving around one subject and
many range between 1,000 up to 20,000 words. The
first short story written in English is entitled “Dead
Stars” by Paz Marquez Benitez.
•Some Notable Writers
Juan C. Laya. He won first prize for his novel “ His
Native Soil” in the first Commonwealth Literary
Awards in 1940.
Zoilo M. Galang. His work entitled “ A Child of
Sorrow” in 1921 is considered as the first Filipino
novel in English.
•III. JAPANESE COLONIAL PERIOD (1942-1945)
Japan invaded Philippines on December 8, 1941 which
was strongly opposed by the Guerillas.
Captured soldiers and American deportees were forced
to have “Death March” to a prison camp where they
walked for 100 kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan to San
Fernando, Pampanga. An estimated 10,000 prisoners
were died here.
Aguinaldo cooperated with the Japanese to end Filipino
and American opposition.
Japanese colonizers failed to gain the trust of the
Filipinos.
The resurgence of World War II forced former President
Manuel L. Quezon and vice President Sergio Osmena Sr. to
immediately leave the Philippines and sought residence in the
United States as the Commonwealth government was
suddenly in exile.
There was a great tension between the two major groups:
HUKBALAHAP (unified guerilla army against Japanese
invasion) and KALIBAPI (political party approved by the
Japanese).
Jose P. Laurel was appointed as the President of the
Philippines under the Japanese- sponsored Republic.
• In 1942, Mc Arthur escaped but promised to return which he
did in 1944. The US victory in the battle of Leyte gulf signaled
the beginning of Philippine liberation from the Japanese.
Colonial Period at a Glance
Directions: Complete the table below by filling in the needed
information based on the discussion about Philippine literature
during the colonial period.
Influences Spanish Period American Period Japanese Period

Government System

Education

Religion