Philippine Literature: Throughout the Years in a Nutshell

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

THROUGH THE YEARS IN A NUTSHELL

AUSTRIA, ISAIAH “ICE”

CARCELLAR, PAULEEN ANNE

MANTA, AYLA

MERINA, ARYANA RUTH “YANA”

NERI, ERIN “NICK”

SEMBRANO, SAVANNAH ENZO “HANA”

VILLANOZA, DANIELLE VIA

THE EARLY TIMES

1564

The history of the Philippines from 900 to 1565 begins with the creation of the Laguna Copperplate Inscription in 900 and ends with Spanish colonization in 1565. The inscription records his creation date in 822 of the Hindu Saka calendar, which corresponds to 900 AD. Gregorian. The discovery of this document therefore marks the end of prehistory in the Philippines around 900 AD.

Myths of the Philippines

Story of Bathala

“Creation story”

The story of Bathala explains how he became the ruler of the universe, the etiological explanation of the coconut tree, and everything on earth came to be.

(Luzon)

The Sun and the Moon

“The origin story of the sun moon and stars”

The sun and moon explained, as the sun burned the stars and this made the moon upset. They begin to fight, but the moon ran away. This provides an etiological explanation why the sun and moon seem to be "chasing” each other.

(Visayas)

Tudbulul

“The origin story of the T’boli tribe”

Tudbulu was a hero that organized a concert. He gathered music and this attracted many people. Some of these people stayed and lived together.

(Mindanao)

SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD

1565, the accepted year that the Spaniards colonized the Philippines under the government of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. At this time, literature developed vigorously and was also influenced by the changes wanted by the Spaniards motivated by Catholicism.

Popular literary works

Ang Doctrina Cristiana

“The Christian Doctrine”

A book that thought how to teach and understand the Catholic scriptures.

Arte y Reglas dela Lengua Tagala

“The Art and Rules of the Tagalog Language” Considered one of the most comprehensive book that teaches Tagalog.

Cenaculo “Cenacle”

A play first conducted in Pasay on 1902. It was based on Gaspar Aquino de Belen’s “Pasyon” written in 1703.

Leron, Leron Sinta

A folk song that depicts two couples picking fruit from a papaya and a tamarind tree. Was often used as a work song, especially to those field workers who harvest fruits.

NATIONALISTIC PERIOD

- 1896

Political novels, essays, newspapers, and poems were made to call out the Spanish colonizers, which eventually fomented a revolution for the Filipino people to claim independence and freedom as a nation.

Diariong Tagalog (1882)

Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Don Francisco Calvo

A newspaper written in both Tagalog and Spanish, seeked reformation and relayed relevant information regarding the current happenings of the Philippines at the time only lasted for about three (3) months. Despite the Spanish government being insistent to use their language, the paper was written in Tagalog for a wider reach within the country.

La Solidaridad (1888 - 1895)

The Ilustrados

Translated as “The Solidarity,” La Solidaridad is a newspaper that aimed to dig out ills of the Spanish government’s ruling in the Philippines. The Ilustrados, also known as the “enlightened ones,” founded the propaganda movement, and eventually, to this.

OTHER NOTABLE WORKS

Kalayaan (1896) by Emilio Jacinto

Hibik ng Pilipinas (1896) by Andres Bonifacio

Liwanag at Dilim (1896) by Emilio Jacinto

1896 - 1899

A period at the peak of the propaganda movement

NOLI ME TANGERE (1887)

A story depicting the life of Filipinos under the abusive and corrupt rule of the Spanish clergy.

In this novel Ibarra, the main character, attempts to make the lives of his countrymen better through education by setting up a school. The conflict of the story is the abusive and corrupt friar in power that continuously foils Ibarra’s plan to make a school, fearing the threat of enlightened people standing up to oppression.

EL FILIBUSTERISMO (1891)

A sequel to Noli Me Tangere, this novel is dedicated to the three martyred priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA).

The main character Ibarra, under the identity of Simoun, a jeweler, changes his ways of bringing change. His former idealistic methods have been replaced by violence and revolution due to the tragic events of the previous novel. The story ends with Ibarra’s plans being foiled and him committing suicide in order to prevent arrest.

Both novels were banned by the Spanish government for condemning catholic friars. The uprisings caused by the novels led to Rizal’s death in 1896 by firing squad.

AMERICAN COLONIZATION PERIOD

1901 - 1946

In 1898, the Philippines was only passed over to the Americans by the Spaniards after a treaty in Paris on the 10th of December in the same year.

In 1900, the peace movement started. Filipino wrote in undaunted nationalism that depicted their love for their country and their yearning desires for their stolen independence.

Famous Works and Their Authors

Dead Stars

Paz Marquez-Benitez

A melancholic short story published in 1925 that gave birth to modern Philippine writing in English.

Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas

Auerlio Tolentino

A play that attacks American colonists whilst mocking former invaders, Spain and Old China.

A Rizal or To Rizal

Cecilio Apostol

Written in Spanish and expressed gratitude for the patriotism of Jose Rizal, assuring to him that the nationalistic fire lit by Jose Rizal in the hearts of many still ablaze.

Sursum Corda or “Lift Up Your Hearts”

The first published English poem written by a Filipino in 1907 that had the theme of oneself being strong midst a cruel world.

JAPANESE COLONIZATION PERIOD WAR AND POST-WAR

1946 - 1960

To eradicate Anglo-American influence in the Philippines, the Japanese Imperial Forces strictly enforced the usage of native languages particularly Tagalog in mass communication and literature. Philippine literature in Tagalog flourished and Japanese-influenced literature emerged.

Forms of Literature

(Andres, 2016; MasterClass, 2021)

Haiku

An unrhymed poem with a fixed verse of seventeen syllables in three lines adhering to a 5-7-5 pattern. This type of poem offers allegorical insight into mundane moments in the natural world.

Tanka

A free verse poem with thirty-one syllables adhering to a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern—a longer version of Haiku but instead with five lines.

Common Themes

(“Japanese Period: The Japanese Occupation of the Philippines,” 2016)

Provincial life

Love Nationalism

Faith and religion

Arts

Other Notable Forms

Filipino Drama

Panday Pira by Jose Ma. Hernandez

Short Story

Lupang Tinubuan by Narciso Reyes

Persistence of Journalism and Propaganda

(Escote, n.d.; “Japanese Period: The Japanese Occupation of the Philippines,” 2016)

Mass suspension and subjugation of major publications

Rise of guerilla publications in many different provinces

Works in English seeping with journalistic sentiment

Milestones in the Literary Scene (Hidalgo, 2004)

1949 - The Philippine Free Press Literary Award

1950 - Carlos Palanca Memorial Literary Awards

With the country fending for itself with the aftermath and remnants of war whilst transitioning to new independence, American influence still remained strong in Philippine culture.

REPUBLIC PERIOD

1960 - 1985

The declaration of martial law severely restricted publications and mass media. Because of this, it became a revolutionary period for literature in which Filipino authors began to use their works to probe socio-political issues in literary forms such as novels, short stories, and romance poetry.

Characteristics from the Republic Period

Merge of traditions from two major colonial periods

Tagabukid (educational qualification, ultranationalistic)

Tagabayan (exercised political power, American intelligent)

Moving from the tradition of protest to sentimentality and escapism

Existentialism and search for identity

Famous Works and Their Authors

Lazaro M. Francisco (1898-1980)

Novelist and 2009 Philippine National Artists

Themes: Romance, Class tensions, tenancy issues

Bayang Magpatiwakal (1932)

alien control on PH economy, a confrontation of the problem of the colonized Filipino people

Ilaw sa Hilaga (1948)

allegory of the PH under the economic domination of foreign business

Kerima Polotan Tuvera

Stories (1968)

Poignant stories about women and their research for a self-image that a male-dominated society would deny them

“Shades of corruption”

CONTEMPORARY/MODERN PERIOD

1986 - PRESENT

Following the country’s years of repression under the Marcos regime, the developing narrative of contemporary Philippine literacy began a new chapter. Through creative writing centers that provided academic institutions and organizations for writers, new writing trends were made known to Filipinos.

Academic Institutions - offers creative writing as part of the curriculum

Siliman University

University of the Philippines

Ateneo de Manila University

De La Salle University

University of Santo Tomas

San Carlos University

Writer’s Organization - offers symposiums/workshops for writers

UMPIL (Unyon ng mga Manunulat ng Pilipino)

PANULAT (Pambansang Unyon ng mga Manunulat)

Panday Lioi

GAT (Galian sa Arte)

Katha

LIRA (Linangan sa Imahe, Retorika at Anyo)

GUMIL (Gunglo Dagiti Manunurat nga Ilokano)

LUDABI (Lubas sa Dangang Bisaya)

PEN (Pen, Essay and Novel)

Bob Ong (Born 1972)

ABNKKBSPLAko?! (2001)

An autobiography of the author Experiences during primary school, highschool, university, and adult working life Ricky Lee (Born 1948)

Para Kay B (2008)

Literary works are adapted into films:

Smaller and Smaller Circles (2017)

Adapted from an award-winning crime novel by F.H. Batacan (2002), film directed by Raya Martin

Demonstrates how the Philippine criminal justice affects the poor

Lea’s Story (1988)

Adapted from a fiction written by Lualhati Bautista, Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa? (1998), film directed by Chito S. Roño Challenges faced by women in a society

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Famous Works and Their Authors

RESOURCES

Andres, S. (2016, September 9). Japanese period has been called one of the darkest days in the history and literary tradition of the Philippines. The Mindsmith. https://salirickandres.altervista.org/japanese-period/

Arambala, M. E. (2022). Summary of the Philippine literary periods. Teacher Elena. https://iamteacherelena.com/philippine-literaryperiods/#Post_War_Period

Arte at Letra 21st Century Literature. (2017, September 12). Contemporary Period (Presented by Group 4).

https://artsand21stcenturylit.wordpress.com/2017/09/12/contemporaryperiod-presented-by-group-4/

Cajeras, C. M. M. (2013, September 24). Philippine literature under the republic. Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/cmscript013/philippine-literatureunder-the-republic-26521662

Diariong Tagalog. (2015). In V. Almario (Ed.), Sagisag Kultura (Vol. 1). Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

https://philippineculturaleducation.com.ph/diariong-tagalog/

Escote, A. H. (n.d.). A History of Journalism in the Philippines – Japanese Imperial Occupation. SoCyberty. https://socyberty.com/a-history-ofjournalism-in-the-philippines-japanese-imperial-occupation/

Estroga, I. J. (2016, January 18). Philippine literature during American period.

https://www.slideshare.net/josephestroga/philippine-literature-duringamerican-period

Harvard Divinity School. (n.d.). José Rizal | Religion and public life.

https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/jos%C3%A9rizal#:~:text=The%201887%20publication%20of%20Noli,of%20the%20Philippi ne%20nationalist%20movement

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